Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 111: The fifth best

Xu Yuanzhen seemed quite pleased with her new drawing.

Lei Jun spread his hands and smiled, brushing it off with a laugh.

Their banter was just a momentary distraction.

For Lei Jun, the most pressing task was still harmonizing the True Yang and True Yin energies he had refined and fused into his Primal Talisman.

After several days of focused effort, he finally stabilized his state completely.

“Well, I guess this is where we part ways.”

Xu Yuanzhen stood up. “You’re heading south to the Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven to refine your Nine Nether Yin Wind. I’m continuing north.”

Lei Jun was about to nod and agree when suddenly, the Light Sphere in his mind flickered.

Words appeared on it: “When the mountains and rivers move, the Dragon Calamity unfolds. When the heart is still, the heavens clear.”

Lei Jun carefully read the first one and was immediately surprised:

“Supreme Good Omen: Stay in Qiluo Valley, remain still and mindful. Tomorrow afternoon, you will obtain a Third-Grade Opportunity, with potential for further development. No risks or consequences—Very Lucky!”

An opportunity of this caliber here in Qiluo Valley?

Lei Jun’s interest was instantly piqued.

He looked at the other two omens, which were both Moderate Omens:

“Moderate Omen: Leave Qiluo Valley and travel to areas outside Youpeng Mountain’s main peak. No gains or losses, no risks—Neutral.”

“Moderate Omen: Leave Qiluo Valley and go to the main peak of Youpeng Mountain. Tomorrow afternoon, you will obtain an Eighth-Grade Opportunity, but danger lies in ambush—Neutral.”

After a moment’s consideration, Lei Jun said to Xu Yuanzhen, “I plan to stay a few more days.”

Xu Yuanzhen asked, “For what?”

Lei Jun revealed his True Yang Mystic Flower.

After days of nurturing, the pristine white blossom now shone with a brilliant, lustrous glow that completely enveloped the flower stalk.

“The environment here is excellent. I want to take the opportunity to nurture the True Yang Mystic Flower a bit more,” Lei Jun explained. “I feel like it’s just about to mature.”

He wasn’t lying.

This place, which had nurtured both the Shadow Vine and the Heartburning Chi, was exceptionally suited for True Yin and True Yang spiritual objects.

His True Yang Mystic Flower was indeed on the brink of full maturity.

It wasn’t urgent, but if he could get more out of staying here, why not?

“Then you stay. I’m heading out. Be careful, though—the earth veins have been unusually active lately.”

Xu Yuanzhen turned, waving a hand behind her as she walked away.

A dark thundercloud lifted her off the ground, and she quickly vanished from sight, without a trace of hesitation.

“Thank you for your advice, Senior Sister. I’ll be careful.”

Lei Jun thanked her, watching until she disappeared completely.

Now alone in the valley, Lei Jun took a deep breath, looked around, and sat back down. He crossed his legs and resumed meditating.

A Third-Grade Opportunity was no small matter.

The omen even suggested that this opportunity had the potential to grow further.

It wasn’t something to pass up.

Given that Xu Yuanzhen had thoroughly searched the area while helping him find the Heartburning Chi, it was unlikely she had missed any existing treasures.

That meant the Third-Grade Opportunity described in the omen had yet to manifest.

The phrase “When the mountains and rivers move, the Dragon Calamity unfolds” seemed to suggest that some change in the landscape would bring the opportunity to Qiluo Valley.

An earthquake, perhaps?

Lei Jun glanced around the still-serene valley.

Xu Yuanzhen’s warning about the unstable earth veins made sense now.

But since the omen was a Supreme Good Omen, it promised not only great rewards but minimal risk.

So Lei Jun put his concerns aside and focused on cultivating.

“When the heart is still”—he would remain calm.

Now, it was just a matter of seeing if the heavens would “clear”.

As dusk fell, Lei Jun was absorbed in his cultivation, unaware of time passing.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked toward the valley entrance.

A group of people approached.

Leading the group were two Daoists in yellow robes, followed by three young apprentices in gray robes.

When they saw Lei Jun in his crimson Daoist robe, they paused in surprise.

One of the yellow-robed Daoists quickly recovered and exclaimed, “Are you Daoist Lei?”

Lei Jun asked, “Have we met?”

The Daoist replied eagerly, “I’m a disciple of the Yuhe Sect. It’s natural that you wouldn’t remember me, but I once caught a distant glimpse of you when returning to the mountain with my elders.”

The Yuhe Sect, like the Tianxu Sect and the Zixiao Sect, was a branch of the Talismanic Daoist tradition, all tracing their lineage back to Mount Longhu.

The other yellow-robed Daoist, though unfamiliar with Lei Jun, realized who he was based on his companion’s reaction.

There was only one Lei Daoist in the Tianshi Mansion—Lei Jun, the favored disciple of Elder Yuan Mobai.

Though not as renowned as Xu Yuanzhen, Li Zhengxuan, or Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun was still a rising star among the new generation of Tianshi Mansion.

The two Yuhe Sect disciples bowed and introduced themselves:

“Disciple Chen Xi of the Yuhe Sect greets Daoist Lei.”

“Disciple Lu Boyuan of the Yuhe Sect greets Daoist Lei.”

One of the apprentices, quick-witted and aware of Lei Jun’s reputation, also bowed: “Apprentice He Bin greets Daoist Lei.”

“Rise,” Lei Jun said with a smile.

Though he hadn’t interacted with the Yuhe Sect before, they all shared the same lineage.

Lei Jun turned to Chen Xi. “The Yuhe Sect is some distance from here. What brings you to these parts?”

Chen Xi respectfully replied, “Our master and several elders brought us out to broaden our experience. We were given time to explore before regrouping.

While wandering Youpeng Mountain, we found this valley unusually warm for early spring, so we came to investigate.

“We didn’t expect to find you here. We apologize for disturbing your peace, Daoist Lei.”

Lei Jun shook his head. “This is a natural place, not my private territory. You’re welcome here.”

Chen Xi and Lu Boyuan sighed in relief, grateful for Lei Jun’s understanding.

They saw an opportunity to build rapport. If Lei Jun offered even a few pointers or kind words, it would be a huge boon for them.

So they eagerly tended to Lei Jun, their enthusiasm obvious.

Lei Jun tolerated their attention without encouraging or discouraging it.

Meanwhile, He Bin and the other apprentices watched with envy but didn’t dare compete.

The next morning, Chen Xi and Lu Boyuan bid farewell.

Lei Jun advised, “Be careful. The earth veins here are unstable. Avoid the main peak of Youpeng Mountain—it’s dangerous.”

They thanked him and departed.

As the sun approached its zenith, Lei Jun stood up and squinted at the sky.

“Is it coming? What will it be?”

Far from Youpeng Mountain, in a secluded valley, a massive black chess piece materialized, vibrating with power.

The earth trembled.

In Youpeng Mountain, the ground shook violently. Rocks tumbled, and mountains cracked.

The earthquake subsided quickly, but not before opening a deep chasm in Qiluo Valley.

Lei Jun stared at the abyss, dark and foreboding, like the gaping maw of a giant beast.