Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 105: Really delicious

Li Xuan.

The eldest son of Elder Li Ziyang, a high-ranking master of Mount Longhu, and a representative figure of the younger generation of the Li family.

Apart from Senior Brother Li Zhengxuan, the outstanding disciples of this generation of the Li family were none other than Li Xuan and Li Kong.

Although considered part of the younger generation in the mansion, Li Xuan had already taken on many responsibilities and held considerable authority among the younger disciples.

In the Daoist Children’s Academy, apprentices typically referred to the Tianshi Mansion’s true disciples of Lei Jun's generation as Daozhang (Daoist Master).

But when it came to Li Xuan and a few others, they were already addressed as "Elder Li."

Normally, such an important direct-line true disciple would not be assigned to an external role, whether by the Tianshi Mansion or the Li family.

Even if there was a need to strengthen ties with the Tang Court, if Li Xuan were to join the Zhenmo Guard, he should have entered the official division.

Instead, he was placed in the covert division that handled dirty work.

As a covert blade for the Tang Court, who the blade targeted was a matter of speculation.

To some extent, the Li family had bet big this time, hoping to solidify their relationship with the Tang Court.

Prestigious families were always a concern for the Tang Emperor.

Yet nothing was absolute, and the emperor’s mind was unpredictable.

While the Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans kept infiltrating the holy lands, the Tang Emperor also attempted to use noble families to counter each other.

The degree of control, however, was like drinking water — only the emperor himself knew if it was hot or cold.

"Perhaps Uncle Ziyang and Senior Brother Li have other plans beyond aligning with the Tang imperial family," Lei Jun remarked.

Wang Guiyuan replied, "Using the Zhenmo Guard’s intelligence network to search for the Tianshi Sword?"

Lei Jun nodded. "It’s possible."

From the perspective of Li Ziyang and Li Xuan, it was also about finding the Tianshi Seal.

If these two treasures could be recovered, the situation for the Tianshi Mansion and the Li family would change dramatically.

"At least they’re leaving some room for maneuver," Lei Jun added. "They didn’t send Senior Brother."

"Chongyun..."

Yuan Mobai shook his head at Lei Jun. "Watch your words."

Lei Jun bowed. "I was being frivolous. Please don’t blame me, Master."

Senior Brother Li Zhengxuan had been in secluded reflection at the ancestral tomb for a year.

The loss of the Tianshi Sword was a serious matter. To prevent further fallout, Li Zhengxuan needed more time before re-entering the public eye.

Indeed, sending him to the Zhenmo Guard, especially the covert division, was inappropriate.

Even if the Young Tianshi title was no longer mentioned, he was still a high-ranking elder of the Tianshi Mansion with cultivation in the Upper Three Heavens.

If Li Zhengxuan fully committed to serving the Tang Court, the impact would be far greater than Li Xuan’s.

How the Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans, including the Fang family of Jingxiang and the Chu family of Suzhou, viewed this move was uncertain.

Although the Li family was making a significant bet, they weren’t staking everything on a single outcome.

Whether this choice was right was a matter of opinion.

Lei Jun didn’t particularly care.

After all, he had no interest in getting involved.

Having a stable role in the Tianshi Mansion was good enough for him. He was quite content on Mount Longhu and saw no reason to venture into the political whirlpool of the capital.

Not to mention the covert division — he wasn’t even interested in the official division.

Why not just stay and focus on cultivation instead of playing office politics?

It wasn’t as if the Tang Court would forcefully draft a minor Daoist like him.

If that happened, Lei Daozhang would immediately be "overcome with joy" to the point of a "mental deviation," feeling excited yet too frail to serve the country.

"May the ancestors forgive my dark thoughts," Lei Jun muttered.

"My only hope in this matter is whether Senior Brother Li Xuan will run into Chen Yi in the Zhenmo Guard."

Wang Guiyuan’s expression turned odd.

Yuan Mobai sighed and said, "You..."

He decided to drop the topic and instead spoke about Lei Jun's cultivation. "Chongyun, congratulations on reaching the Primal Talisman Stage, but the path ahead is long. You must not slack off or become impatient."

Lei Jun bowed. "I will follow your teachings, Master."

Yuan Mobai continued, "To advance from the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Stage to the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace Stage, you need to form four talismans and refine murderous energy (煞气)."

Lei Jun nodded.

In Daoist cultivation, whether in the Talismanic Branch, the Alchemical Sect, or the Artifact Refining Sect, once at the Middle Three Heavens stage, refining qi and sha (murderous energy) was essential.

Artifact refiners used qi and sha to forge their souls and life-bound artifacts, weaving the 72 Earthly Fiend Patterns and 36 Heavenly Astral Patterns.

Alchemists used qi and sha as fuel to refine their internal elixirs and yang spirits.

The Talismanic Branch, by contrast, was like a master builder.

At the Fourth Heaven stage, disciples refined sha while forming four talismans to prepare for constructing the Dao Palace of the Fifth Heaven.

Wang Guiyuan explained, "Mount Longhu has three top-tier murderous energies: White Tiger Divine Wind Sha, Azure Sky Divine Thunder Sha, and Earth Core Yin Fire Sha."

"Most people choose the White Tiger Divine Wind Sha. The other two are more unconventional.

It’s not that they’re bad. In fact, each has its own unique benefits. Azure Sky Divine Thunder Sha enhances thunder techniques, while Earth Core Yin Fire Sha improves alchemy and artifact refining.

"But these two energies diverge from our sect’s principle of balancing yin and yang, potentially slowing progress.

On the other hand, our sect’s supreme qi, the Azure Dragon Thunder Qi, aligns perfectly with the White Tiger Divine Wind Sha. When you reach the Fifth Heaven, combining them will be ideal — the harmony of dragon and tiger."

He glanced at Lei Jun and added, "Of course, you’re not obligated to choose the White Tiger Divine Wind Sha.

If you prefer to seek another sha energy outside, that’s fine too.

Just don’t try to refine two types at once."

Remembering Lei Jun’s past attempt to balance the Fire Marrow Yangfish with the Water Marrow Yinfish, Wang Guiyuan warned, "Even refining a mix of yin and yang sha is risky.

Many talented predecessors tried, but the results were poor. The lesson is clear."

Lei Jun listened carefully, taking the advice seriously.

[Signs of Fate: Refine murderous energy after the New Year for a Fifth-Grade Opportunity, with no risk. Good fortune awaits.]

Seeing the omens in his mind, Lei Jun decided to delay.

"Master, Senior Brother, I plan to visit all three sha energy locations before deciding. I also want to complete my first life-bound technique."

Yuan Mobai smiled. "That’s fine."

After leaving, Lei Jun explored the sha locations, focusing on the Earth Core Yin Fire Sha, but found nothing unusual.

Putting his curiosity aside, he concentrated on cultivating the Treading the Big Dipper technique, which would enhance his movement skills and lay a strong foundation.

As the New Year approached, the Tianshi Mansion prepared for the upcoming Initiation Ceremony, held once every three years.