Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 109: Why did Your Majesty rebel?

Hearing that it concerned Tang Xiaotang, Xu Yuanzhen finally stopped turning a deaf ear.

However, the pitch-black thundercloud didn’t stop; its speed didn’t decrease, continuing to fly forward.

Xu Yuanzhen’s voice drifted down from the sky: “Just let her be.”

On the cloud boat, Ye Cheng watched the thundercloud about to disappear into the distance. Finally, he spoke again: “When I met Fairy Tang, by coincidence, there was also a Daoist from Pure Yang Palace present.”

The pitch-black thundercloud slowed down and finally stopped midair.

Sitting on the cloud, Xu Yuanzhen stood up, turned around, and looked down at the cloud boat below.

Ye Cheng stood with his hands behind his back. At his signal, the attendants steered the cloud boat upward, the sea of clouds surging as the massive boat rose to the same altitude as the thundercloud.

Standing at the bow, he looked at Xu Yuanzhen and Lei Jun atop the thundercloud and smiled, cupping his hands in greeting:

“Fairy Xu, long time no see. I trust you’ve been well? This must be Daoist Lei Chongyun of your sect—I’ve long heard of your esteemed name.”

In just a few short years, he had advanced to the Fourth Heaven.

When the Tianshi Mansion reopened its Talisman Conferral Ceremony after more than a decade, only this one exceptional talent passed the conferral.

With everything focusing on one person, it was hard for Lei Jun not to stand out.

Compared to that, his fame from the Qingxiao Lake Incident seemed like mere child’s play.

Now, not only in the territories around Mount Longhu in Xinzou but also in the records of top forces across the land, Lei Jun’s name was already listed.

Even if he didn’t rank as high as Xu Yuanzhen, Li Zhengxuan, or Tang Xiaotang, his name was at least alongside the likes of Li Xuan, Lin Shan, Li Kong, and Xia Xiushan—the finest of the Tianshi Mansion’s younger generation.

His portrait had long been circulated, and his appearance was no secret to the direct descendants of the Ye Family in Qingzhou.

“A mere junior Daoist; you’re too polite, Young Master Ye,” Lei Jun replied calmly.

Xu Yuanzhen, however, looked at Ye Cheng with interest: “A Pure Yang Palace Daoist? When and where?”

Ye Cheng said, “About a month ago, on the open sea in the East. We happened to cross paths. Fairy Tang and Elder Hua of Pure Yang Palace, both masters of Daoist arts, exchanged techniques. I was fortunate enough to witness it. Afterward, Elder Hua departed, and Fairy Tang seemed to have matters to attend to, so we parted ways.”

Lei Jun listened quietly without commenting.

Although Ye Cheng’s description was understated, Lei Jun could vividly imagine a massive flame tiger roaring over the sea, setting the skies ablaze.

Exchanging techniques between masters…

In plain terms, they fought!

Lei Jun could only say: truly, this was Tang Xiaotang.

Judging from Ye Cheng’s account, Elder Hua retreated first, so Tang Xiaotang likely emerged victorious.

But why?

Lei Jun pondered.

Xu Yuanzhen nodded slightly. “The East Sea, huh…”

She looked at Ye Cheng and said straightforwardly, “You asked two questions. I’ll give you two answers. Make your choice.”

Ye Cheng smiled. “You’re too kind, Fairy Xu. I only want to know one thing.”

He gazed northward. “His Majesty has formed the Demon Suppression Guard. I heard that Daoist Li Chongxuan from your sect has joined to serve the Emperor. I’m just curious—Fairy Xu, would you or the other Daoists of your sect consider joining?”

“Not interested,” Xu Yuanzhen replied. “As for the others, ask them yourself.”

Since Ye Cheng only wanted one answer, she didn’t hesitate to give just one. After answering, Xu Yuanzhen turned away and sat back down on the thundercloud.

The giant cloud boat stayed in place while the black cloud flew forward again.

Lei Jun smiled and bid farewell to Ye Cheng.

Ye Cheng also smiled, his expression calm and composed: “Fairy Xu, Daoist Lei, should you have the time, you are welcome to visit Qingzhou. I would be honored to receive you.”

As the pitch-black thundercloud was about to disappear, Ye Cheng suddenly called out, “There’s news from the capital: His Majesty is preparing for a northern hunting expedition!”

The black cloud didn’t slow down, continuing forward until it vanished.

On the cloud boat, Ye Cheng watched it disappear with a smile that never faltered:

“The battle between the Tianshi Mansion and the external factions will come sooner than expected.”

His attendants stood silently by his side. The other members of his clan also waited quietly behind him.

Although they were displeased with Xu Yuanzhen’s bluntness, since Ye Cheng showed no reaction, they remained silent.

Once the black cloud was gone, a young man quietly asked, “Brother, what’s next?”

Ye Cheng turned back toward the cabin. “We continue with our business.”

…

On the pitch-black thundercloud, Lei Jun glanced back.

The cloud boat and the sea of clouds around it were gradually fading from sight.

“Is the Tang Emperor really planning something big?” Lei Jun asked.

Xu Yuanzhen replied, “Not impossible. Let him be.”

Lei Jun suddenly recalled something. “At Tianxu Mountain, I noticed a major shift in the land veins—something beyond ordinary human capability. In hindsight, it seems that wasn’t an isolated incident?”

Back at Tianxu Mountain’s Jiuzhou Ridge, Lei Jun had acquired the Breath-Taking Flag.

The flag’s restriction had lifted because of changes in the land veins.

Such situations were rare, usually occurring only when a kingdom’s fortunes drastically changed.

Given the current state of the world, though not entirely peaceful, it hadn’t descended into chaos.

There shouldn’t have been such a significant shift in the land veins.

Unless it was caused by someone…

The most likely culprit was the current Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

In this world, the imperial line was essentially a Daoist lineage known as the Emperor’s Dao.

When the nation’s fortunes were strong, the Emperor could dominate his realm, unrivaled by any cultivator of equal strength.

Lei Jun wondered about the Emperor’s motives.

“Is His Majesty planning a coup?”

With the formation of the Demon Suppression Guard and the hunting expedition, Lei Jun connected it to the changes he’d seen at Tianxu Mountain.

Indeed, the Tang Emperor seemed to be making a major move.

Could this be a ripple effect from the battles involving the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou and Mount Longhu?

Xu Yuanzhen nodded nonchalantly. “We’ll wait and see.”

She didn’t seem particularly interested.

Lei Jun changed the subject: “Will our Little Senior Sister be alright facing Pure Yang Palace?”

Xu Yuanzhen said, “It was bound to happen sooner or later. It’s already overdue.”

“Oh?” Lei Jun was curious.

Xu Yuanzhen looked at him. “Do you not know about Xiaotang’s bone structure?”

Lei Jun replied, “I only know she has a Celestial Physique. She hasn’t said much, and I didn’t ask.”

He recalled the time when Tang Xiaotang, in a moment of intense emotion, had her hair and brows turn golden, and her Yin Fire Tiger transformed into a blazing Yang Fire Tiger.

“She doesn’t mind people knowing, but that airhead only goes around claiming she has a Celestial Physique without specifying.”

Xu Yuanzhen explained, “Xiaotang’s physique is called Pure Yang.”

Lei Jun’s mouth twitched, and he almost covered his face.

The world was indeed full of oddities.

For a girl to possess a Pure Yang Physique was one thing…

But for there to be a Daoist sect called Pure Yang Palace made things rather awkward.

No wonder the Tianshi Mansion had bent so many rules for Tang Xiaotang.

“Senior Sister, you truly have an eye for talent.”

Lei Jun said no more but gave Xu Yuanzhen a thumbs-up. “Impressive!”

Whether he was praising Tang Xiaotang or Xu Yuanzhen was anyone’s guess.

Xu Yuanzhen’s face remained neutral. Instead, she gave Lei Jun a once-over, her gaze filled with undisguised disdain.

You’re one of the people I brought back, too. Who exactly are you complimenting here?

Lei Jun, unfazed, pointed ahead. “Senior Sister, I think we’ve arrived.”

He recalled Xu Yuanzhen’s description of Youpeng Mountain.

The stretch of dark, verdant peaks before him matched her description.

“Let’s go.”

Xu Yuanzhen stood up, and the pitch-black thundercloud descended.

The black cloud wove through the mountains and soon arrived at a secluded valley.

Though it was winter, amidst the bleak stones, a hidden, spring-like valley bloomed with life—a scene of lush beauty.

Lei Jun turned to Xu Yuanzhen.

Now that they were here, how should they go about finding the Heartburning Chilong?

Xu Yuanzhen took out the Shadow-Creeping Hare, its stem wrapped around her finger. Then…

“Come out,” she commanded.