Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 102: Well, this fortune is just right

Among this year’s newly initiated disciples, Lei Jun had joined the sect the latest and was the youngest.

In fact, most of the others had far more seniority and age compared to him. In the secular world, it would be like they were from two different generations.

Lei Jun’s personal age gap with the group was quite evident.

This was because, in this initiation ceremony, almost all the other promising young disciples had been eliminated, leaving Lei Jun as the sole contender.

However, when Zhang Jingzhen spoke to Lei Jun, none of the other Daoist disciples objected.

The reason was simple: aside from Zhang Jingzhen, Lei Jun was the only Middle Heaven cultivator present—and an exceptionally young one at that.

In recent years, the only person who had reached the Middle Heavens faster than him was Tang Xiaotang.

Though they admired Lei Jun, most saw no rivalry with him.

Lei Jun’s cultivation advanced swiftly, but his demeanor remained humble. Though he wasn’t particularly close to the others, he had no conflicts with them either.

Many secretly admired him and considered befriending him, believing it could benefit them in the future.

Building more connections meant having more opportunities.

By all appearances, Daoist Lei was unlikely to stop at the Fourth Heaven.

Therefore, when Lei Jun spoke up, the other disciples respectfully bowed to both him and Zhang Jingzhen:

“Thank you, Senior Sister Zhang and Junior Brother Lei.”

“Thank you, Junior Sister Zhang and Junior Brother Lei…”

Lei Jun and Zhang Jingzhen returned the courtesy with humility.

Afterward, everyone had time to explore on their own.

Few chose to retreat to the Golden Bamboo Grove for meditation; most preferred to roam and seek opportunities.

For many, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enter the Upper Qing Thunder Grotto-Heaven.

Their priority was trying their luck for a rare opportunity.

Only a few who prioritized safety headed to the Golden Bamboo Grove, the area with the densest spiritual energy—ideal for meditation and cultivation.

While it wouldn’t directly improve one’s bone structure or comprehension, it did offer a chance to cleanse the body and mind, far exceeding the effects of the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool or even the Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven.

A strong foundation established there would benefit their future cultivation immensely.

Sometimes, a small advantage could determine success or failure on the cultivation path.

Lei Jun and Zhang Jingzhen, as agreed, went in separate directions to explore the grotto-heaven.

Of course, they weren’t merely patrolling. Even Zhang Jingzhen sought to refine her spirit and nurture her soul, hoping for her own opportunity.

They didn’t linger in one place for too long, moving around while keeping an eye on their fellow disciples.

Although Lei Jun didn’t plan to meditate in the Golden Bamboo Grove, he still took a brief walk through it.

The Tianshi Seal and the True-One Altar in his soul remained stable and unresponsive.

However, the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo he had received from Yuan Mobai began to glow, resonating with the surrounding bamboo.

The bamboo leaves rustled softly, and light shimmered along the bamboo stalks.

Lei Jun took out his Upper Qing Golden Bamboo Shoot.

As expected, the shoot also glowed.

Studying the bamboo shoot, Lei Jun pondered.

The shoot had been nurtured with Daoist power and refined, but could it grow into a full bamboo stalk in the future?

Now that he had reached the Primal Talisman Stage of the Fourth Heaven, nurturing the shoot gave him new insights.

Perhaps when his cultivation advanced further, he would revisit this idea.

Next time he entered the Upper Qing Thunder Grotto-Heaven, he’d study it more thoroughly… Lei Jun nodded to himself.

He put away the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo and left the grove.

He didn’t rush to Nanhua Cliff or Immortal Cry Spring, the locations mentioned in his favorable omens. Instead, he wandered leisurely through the grotto-heaven.

The other initiated disciples dispersed in various directions.

Most found nothing.

After all, opportunities weren’t easily obtained.

Still, just being in the Upper Qing Thunder Grotto-Heaven and absorbing its spiritual energy was worthwhile.

Occasionally, someone got lucky and found a small reward.

Lei Jun kept an eye on these people, not with the intention of robbing them, but out of curiosity. His internal Light Sphere hadn’t predicted these small opportunities.

It seemed that the sphere only revealed opportunities relevant to him.

Some opportunities belonged solely to others.

Some were open to everyone, depending on skill and luck.

Lei Jun moved quietly, avoiding unnecessary interactions.

Eventually, he arrived near a spring.

The sound of the heavenly Dao filled his ears, soothing his soul.

This was Immortal Cry Spring… Lei Jun noted mentally.

The spring wasn’t large—much smaller than the Three-Tiered Immortal Pool in the Cloud Sea Immortal Realm.

It was a tranquil pool, only a few acres wide.

Other than the clear water and the soothing Daoist sound, it seemed unremarkable.

When Lei Jun arrived, two fellow disciples were already there.

They exchanged nods and smiles.

Lei Jun didn’t stop. He walked around the spring, hands clasped behind his back.

The two disciples, absorbed in their own thoughts, didn’t disturb him.

After circling the spring, Lei Jun slowed down.

He stopped by the water and reached in.

The water was cool, neither hot nor cold.

Though rich in spiritual energy, it wasn’t much denser than the surroundings.

Even meditating in the spring would be less effective than in the Golden Bamboo Grove.

Lei Jun sensed nothing extraordinary about the spring with his current cultivation.

However, when he focused on the Tianshi Seal and the True-One Altar within his soul, he felt a subtle difference.

Was there a spirit nourished by Nine Saints Frost here that could enhance his bone structure?

No…

That didn’t seem right.

Lei Jun remained calm, though he rejected the idea internally.

Unlike the resonance he had felt before, the spring gave him a different feeling.

Regardless of potential risks, the spring likely contained a valuable opportunity.

But it probably wasn’t related to Nine Saints Frost.

Lei Jun stood still, scanning his surroundings.

One of the other disciples left, while the other continued searching.

A while later, the second disciple left as well.

Another soon arrived.

Lei Jun moved on, exploring other areas.

According to his first favorable omen, the true opportunity at Immortal Cry Spring would only appear at a specific time.

The chance of someone else triggering it early was slim, so Lei Jun didn’t worry.

He headed to his next destination.

After passing through lush mountains, Lei Jun reached the base of Nanhua Cliff.

This was the location mentioned in his second favorable omen.

It was nearly sunrise.

The Upper Qing Thunder Grotto-Heaven had no day or night, its sky perpetually a luminous violet, threaded with hidden lightning.

But time here aligned with the outside world.

Lei Jun’s cultivation allowed him to sense the time naturally.

With time to spare, he explored the cliffside.

He encountered fellow disciples and nodded casually.

Passing by, they noticed nothing unusual, while Lei Jun observed everything carefully.

Reaching a ledge, Lei Jun suddenly stopped.

In his soul, the True-One Altar trembled with a breeze.

The sacred canopy fluttered, nine banners waving.

The breeze flowed from his soul, lightening his entire body.

“It’s here.”

Lei Jun remained composed, walking casually.

The cliff jutted forward, obscuring the view below.

Not wanting to draw attention, Lei Jun didn’t immediately climb down.

Instead, he descended the mountain naturally.

Once at the bottom, he circled to the cliff’s side.

Looking up, he saw ancient trees growing from the cliff face.

His gaze fell on one particular tree.

It looked no different from the others, except for its age.

But Lei Jun was certain—this tree held the opportunity related to Nine Saints Frost and the True-One Altar.

It was the Fourth-Grade Opportunity mentioned in his second omen.

Perfect timing.

The most suitable opportunity was always the best.

Since it came without risks or drawbacks, it was ideal.

If not for this opportunity, he might have considered the Third-Grade Opportunity at Immortal Cry Spring.

But with this conflict in timing, the choice was clear.

Immortal Cry Spring was no longer an option.

Lei Jun smiled faintly and continued to watch the tree from a distance, patiently waiting for the right moment.

As the first rays of sunrise approached, Lei Jun patiently waited near the cliff, his mind calm and focused. The surroundings remained quiet, and no other disciples were in sight.

At the appointed moment, Lei Jun's spirit resonated with the True-One Altar deep within his soul. The subtle wind that had been stirring now grew stronger, brushing against his body and filling him with a sense of lightness and purity.

He ascended through the air, his form gliding effortlessly to the ancient tree that jutted out from the cliffside.

Upon closer inspection, he saw a wondrous sight: nestled among the gnarled branches of the old tree was a delicate, radiant flower. The petals were pristine white, shimmering with a gentle light, swaying softly in the breeze.