Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 104: They are all experts in making things happen

"At present, the situation remains unclear," Lin Shan also found Chen Yi's behavior strange. "Further investigation is required. I will head out again later to check."

Lei Jun replied, "Thank you, Senior Brother Lin."

Although he was somewhat curious, Lei Jun did not pay particular attention to Chen Yi, nor did he harbor any resentment.

In fact, after all this time, the sentiments within Mount Longhu had shifted. The reason was simple: there had been no news of Chen Yi joining the Blood River Sect. People began to wonder whether he had merely learned the sect's secret arts by chance or if he truly was a Blood River Sect spy, as previously suspected.

Of course, by now, this was something that could only evoke a sigh.

When Chen Yi betrayed the sect, he didn't simply slip away quietly. He had genuinely injured several of his fellow disciples, with more than one life on his hands. In those tense times, with everyone's nerves on edge, even the slightest misstep led to bloodshed.

Even if he had been wrongly accused back then, it was impossible now to simply brush it off with a few words.

Most people felt a sense of helplessness over the twist of fate.

Nevertheless, this sentiment did not affect the mansion's current stance: Chen Yi was still declared a traitor who had slaughtered his fellow disciples. Any disciple of Tianshi Mansion encountering him outside had orders to apprehend him immediately, and if he resisted, to kill him on the spot.

As for why the Yellow Heaven Sect hadn’t taken Chen Yi in, the reasons were likely complex. On one hand, during the previous conflict between Mount Longhu and the Yellow Heaven Sect, Chen Yi had injured many of their disciples. On the other hand, even though they faced a common enemy in Tianshi Mansion, the Yellow Heaven Sect and the Southern Witch Sect acted independently, without cooperation.

The Yellow Heaven Sect also viewed the Southern Witch Sect with suspicion and caution—sometimes even more so than Tianshi Mansion did.

Lei Jun was not surprised by this.

Every organization needed rules and boundaries to maintain cohesion; otherwise, it would fall apart quickly. The Yellow Heaven Sect's continued existence was proof that, aside from their rivalry with Tianshi Mansion, they still held to certain principles.

But since Chen Yi had not joined either the Blood River Sect or the Yellow Heaven Sect and was instead attempting to challenge Tianshi Mansion on his own, the idea of his triumphant return to Mount Longhu was improbable. He still had a long road ahead.

"Let him go his own way," Lei Jun thought calmly.

After exchanging a few words with Lin Shan and Shangguan Hong, they bid each other farewell. Lei Jun collected what he needed from the Treasure Pavilion and returned to his residence. His current focus was on his cultivation and Daoist arts.

Having reached the Fourth Heaven Realm and forming his Primal Talisman, Lei Jun prioritized advancing his life-bound spells.

Up to this point, he had mastered three life-bound talismans:

1. Spirit Strike Talisman
2. Wind Talisman
3. Five Thunder Talisman

Now that his cultivation had advanced to the Middle Heavens, these life-bound talismans could evolve further.

Standing in his private courtyard, Lei Jun spread his feet shoulder-width apart, his hands held loosely in front of his chest. Qi surged through his body, his fists held in a ready position, moving slowly at first. Despite the measured pace, every movement carried immense weight.

As he continued, sparks of lightning began to flash from his body. Encased in this electric glow, his figure seemed to expand, appearing even taller and more imposing, as if armored in lightning—a veritable god of thunder.

With focused determination, his movements gradually increased in speed and power until each punch and kick radiated formidable strength. His lightning armor not only provided protection but also counterattacked with force.

Thus, his Spirit Strike Talisman evolved into the Heavenly General Talisman.

This transformation drew inspiration from advanced talismans like the Five Ding Mountain-Cleaving Talisman, which were taught by Yuan Mobai through the secret scriptures. These talismans enhanced the body, a hallmark of the Daoist Talisman Branch, rivaling even the Internal Alchemy Sect.

Even the Yellow Heaven Sect had developed a comparable talisman, the Yellow Turban Warrior Talisman.

Lei Jun had fused insights from these advanced talismans into his own Spirit Strike Talisman, blending it with his other life-bound spells.

Now, his life-bound spells were:

1. Heavenly General Talisman
2. Wind and Thunder Talisman
3. Yin Five Thunder True Talisman

With his cultivation at the Fourth Heaven Realm, Lei Jun could now choose a new life-bound art.

In the Middle Heavens, life-bound spells were called life-bound arts. A Fourth Heaven cultivator could master their First Life-Bound Art, a Fifth Heaven cultivator their Second Life-Bound Art, and a Sixth Heaven cultivator their Third Life-Bound Art.

Tianshi Mansion’s legacy offered classic combinations like “Gold, Wind, Thunder” for the Lower Heavens and “Big Dipper and Twin Thunder” for the Middle Heavens:

1. Stepping the Big Dipper – enhanced speed and physical prowess.
2. Twin Spirits of Dragon and Tiger – conjuring wind-tiger and cloud-dragon entities.
3. Five Thunder True Talisman – renowned as the pinnacle of advanced talismans.

Lei Jun was tempted by all three, though choosing was difficult.

While contemplating this, Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan arrived.

"Master asked me to accompany you," Wang Guiyuan said.

Lei Jun asked, "Do you know what it's about?"

Wang Guiyuan’s expression was strange. "Probably something to do with the capital."

He pointed upwards, implying the Tang Emperor.

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. "The Tang Emperor?"

Wang Guiyuan explained, "The Emperor has issued a decree to recruit talents for the Demon Suppression Guard to combat demonic threats."

Lei Jun’s brow lifted in intrigue. "And he’s not worried about the noble clans interfering?"

Wang Guiyuan replied, "That’s for the Emperor and his officials to handle."

As they reached Yuan Mobai’s residence, Wang Guiyuan added, "The decree has been sent to all the holy lands. Recruitment is voluntary, but they want capable people to head to the capital."

There were rumors that the Demon Suppression Guard would be split into Southern and Northern Divisions, each with different responsibilities.

Lei Jun mused, "Wouldn't Light and Dark Divisions be more accurate?"

He suspected this was not about replacing the existing spy network but expanding it. Given the Lin Clan's decline, the Emperor might be seizing the opportunity to strengthen his hold.

Yuan Mobai explained, "The mansion has decided to send disciples to both divisions."

Lei Jun was surprised. "Who’s volunteering for the Dark Division?"

"After careful consideration, the first candidate is Li Chongxuan."

Wang Guiyuan sputtered in shock. "Master, did you say Li Chongxuan?"

Yuan Mobai nodded. "Yes, Li Chongxuan, the eldest son of Elder Ziyang."

Lei Jun chuckled. "It seems the real experts are getting involved now."