Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 116: Double Winning Number

The Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven was located southwest of Mount Longhu, deep within the spiritual mountains.

To ordinary folk, it was a remote, inaccessible place, but to cultivators, it was a rare Blessed Land Grotto-Heaven. Outside of Tianshi Mansion in Mount Longhu's ancestral grounds, Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven was one of the most important Grotto-Heavens.

After years of cultivation, a branch mansion had been established here early on, with elders from the mansion stationed to oversee it.

Though Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven was hidden deep within the mountains, much like Yang Mountain Branch near the Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven, a bustling town had developed at the mountain’s foot.

During the recent series of battles between Tianshi Mansion, the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou, the Yellow Heaven Sect, and the Southern Wasteland Witch Sect, the area around Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven had remained unscathed. As a result, the town was still thriving.

Lei Jun passed through the town, relishing the sights and sounds of mortal life. His mood lifted, and he found a certain charm in it all.

At the center of the town stood a Dao Palace, bustling with worshippers.

Lei Jun's cultivation had progressed significantly, and his demeanor reflected an immortal’s grace. His attire as a Tianshi Mansion Talismanic Daoist also stood out prominently. However, he had no desire to draw attention. He concealed his aura, making it so ordinary people would see him as a fleeting figure, missing his presence entirely.

Only the Daoist who presided over the Dao Palace—a genuine Tianshi Mansion True Disciple—recognized him and greeted him with a smile, “Junior Brother Lei has arrived.”

“No need for such formalities, Senior Brother,” Lei Jun returned the greeting.

His visit had been announced ahead of time by his sect, though his arrival was delayed due to a prior visit to Youpeng Mountain in northern Jiang. The presiding Daoist, seeing Lei Jun finally arrive, offered him tea and asked, “Will you rest in the town for a while, or head directly to the branch mansion?”

Lei Jun replied, “I won't trouble you, Senior Brother. I'll go directly into the mountain.”

After a few polite exchanges, the Daoist instructed a young apprentice to lead Lei Jun into the depths of the mountain.

The branch mansion established here by Tianshi Mansion was called Chishan Branch Mansion. It had been cultivated for years and was even larger than Yang Mountain Branch by the Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven.

Nestled within the deep forest, rows of Dao Palaces and estates sprawled endlessly. From a distance, they resembled a small city.

Most striking was the perpetual red cloud above Chishan Branch Mansion, glowing brilliantly like sunset hues. Even sunlight couldn't diminish its radiance, giving it a resemblance to Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven in Mount Longhu’s ancestral grounds.

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

The red clouds weren’t the Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven itself; like Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven, its entrance was on the ground. The red clouds above were formed by the True Energy surging skyward and mingling with fierce Qi.

This place was rich not only in treasures but also in the highest-grade Fierce Qi. Lei Jun’s goal this time was to refine the Nine Nether Yin Wind Qi within Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven.

In the future, if he reached the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace Stage, he might return here. For beyond the Nine Nether Yin Wind Qi, the red clouds above also contained the supreme Scarlet Dragon Subduing Qi, rivaling the Azure Dragon Lightning Qi from the ancestral grounds.

For Talismanic Branch cultivators, Fourth Heaven involved refining Earthly Fiends, and Fifth Heaven entailed merging with Celestial Fiends. Lei Jun would decide which Celestial Qi to refine when the time came.

For now, his goal was clear: the Nine Nether Yin Wind Qi.

After arriving at Chishan Branch Mansion and greeting the overseeing elders, Lei Jun selected a residence to settle in. Later, he headed to Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven to cultivate.

By coincidence, he met a familiar face there.

“Daoist Lei!”

A slender young Daoist in a yellow robe greeted him. This was Zhang Yuan, a fellow disciple from the Daoist Children's Academy, though he had entered the mansion a year after Lei Jun.

Now, Zhang Yuan had been a True Disciple for over three years.

“We’re peers; just call me Senior Brother,” Lei Jun said, glancing around. “What brings you all here?”

Along with Zhang Yuan, several other True Disciples greeted Lei Jun.

Zhang Yuan explained, “The sect sent us here to train and gain experience.”

Just like when they had once trained at Yang Mountain Branch, Lei Jun mused. He encouraged them briefly, then asked, “Who’s leading your group?”

Zhang Yuan replied, “Elder Zuo and Daoist Chongyu are in charge.”

Lei Jun nodded.

Elder Zuo, or Zuo Li, was a respected elder. Chongyu—full name Li Yucheng—was from the Li Family, though not a direct descendant.

After a few more exchanges, Lei Jun bid farewell to visit Elder Zuo.

The disciples watched Lei Jun leave, excitedly whispering, “Senior Brother Lei is really friendly!”

While the others envied Zhang Yuan’s connection with Lei Jun, Zhang Yuan's expression flickered strangely. He quickly smiled and said, “Senior Brother Lei has always been like this.”

But memories of past misfortunes gnawed at him.

Strictly speaking, Zhang Yuan had no personal grudge against Lei Jun. Lei Jun was exceptional yet humble. Though he rose steadily in the ranks, he never acted arrogant or condescending.

While Lei Jun didn’t have the warm and gentle demeanor of his master, Yuan Mobai, being around him was generally pleasant and relaxing.

The problem was... every time Zhang Yuan tried to get closer to Lei Jun, disaster seemed to strike.

Back in the Daoist Children's Academy, things were fine, with no major incidents. Even the time Elder Du's Altar exploded had nothing to do with Lei Jun.

But three years ago, shortly after Zhang Yuan officially became a True Disciple, there was a sparring match between disciples of Tianshi Mansion and Pure Yang Palace from Mount Zhongnan. At that time, Elder Yuan Mobai was refining pills and had sent Lei Jun to fetch an alchemy furnace and ingredients from the Grand Alchemy Hall and the Medicinal Garden.

Zhang Yuan, eager to make a good impression on Lei Jun and his master, volunteered to help. That’s when disaster struck—he inadvertently stumbled upon Fang Mingyuan and Li Ying having a private moment in the garden. Fang Mingyuan attacked him viciously, leaving him severely injured.

Zhang Yuan swore he had seen it in Fang Mingyuan’s eyes: an intent to silence him forever.

Thankfully, Luo Haoran happened to pass by and intervened; otherwise, Zhang Yuan might not have survived. Fang Mingyuan was also injured by Luo Haoran and later died in the Blood River Tomb. That incident was some consolation to Zhang Yuan.

But the damage was done. He spent months recovering, delaying his cultivation. Though he had now reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, he hadn’t progressed to the Intermediate Level due to that setback.

Of course, he couldn’t blame Lei Jun for that. Still, sometimes Zhang Yuan wondered if his luck was just unusually bad. Maybe, to avoid future misfortune, he should keep his distance from Lei Jun.

He chuckled at the thought, feeling a mix of amusement and anxiety.

Meanwhile, Elder Zuo Li offered Lei Jun a warm smile, his eyes filled with admiration and a touch of wistfulness.

“The Nine Nether Yin Wind Qi is of excellent quality, but it’s incredibly fierce. While Chishan Branch Mansion has been developed for many years, it’s still not as secure as Mount Longhu’s ancestral grounds. Be careful, Lei Jun.”

Zuo Li’s words carried the weight of experience. At over a hundred years old, he had reached the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace Stage. His prime cultivation period was over, and while advancing further wasn’t impossible, reaching the Sixth Heaven by two hundred would be the best outcome for him. The Upper Heavens were no longer within reach.

Deep down, he sometimes envied young talents like Lei Jun. But he was genuinely pleased to see Tianshi Mansion thriving with promising disciples.

“Thank you for the advice, Elder Zuo,” Lei Jun said, bowing respectfully. He then turned to Li Yucheng, who greeted him with a polite nod.

“Take care, Lei Jun.”

After parting ways with Zuo Li and Li Yucheng, Lei Jun proceeded to the heart of Chishan Branch Mansion: the Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven.

The entrance, nestled deep within the mountain, was fortified by years of diligent effort from Tianshi Mansion.

As Lei Jun stepped inside, his vision was filled with a crimson hue. Unlike the scorching heat of the Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven, this place carried an eerie chill.

Both Fierce Qi and Fiend Qi were potent forms of Spiritual Energy, but refining them was difficult and dangerous. Even Tianshi Mansion disciples needed to be cautious when entering Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven.

Lei Jun, however, deliberately summoned the Nine Nether Yin Wind Qi.

As his Mana activated, a chilling wind arose from the abyss. The Nine Nether Yin Wind was not violent but insidious; it could erode a person’s soul and body silently, making resistance or escape impossible once it took hold.

Lei Jun sat cross-legged, his expression serene. He regulated his breathing, his Primal Talisman unfurling like a grand banner, its intricate patterns glowing mysteriously.

For a brief moment, the invisible Yin Wind materialized into a black mist. Lei Jun touched it lightly, then withdrew, guiding a thin thread of Fiend Qi into his body.

Refining the Fiend Qi was just the beginning of the challenge. The moment it entered his body, it turned ferocious, threatening to rampage through him.

But Lei Jun’s mind was sharp, his Primal Talisman radiant, his Mana steady. After an intense struggle, he subdued the black mist, integrating it into his power. A faint trace of black now lingered on his Primal Talisman, imbued with a subtle mystique.

He repeated this process, drawing in and refining more Fiend Qi, gradually strengthening his Mana. He stored the surplus in his Primal Talisman for future use.

Time lost all meaning as Lei Jun immersed himself in cultivation within the Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven.

Meanwhile, the Ye Clan's cloud boat had moved south, placing another strategic "piece" on the board. The flow of Earth Vein Spiritual Energy trembled once more, its impact deep and far-reaching, though hidden from the world.

Yet Chishan Branch Mansion and Chiyuan Grotto-Heaven remained unscathed.

After accumulating enough Nine Nether Yin Wind Qi over several weeks, Lei Jun thanked the elders and prepared to return to Mount Longhu.

However...

“What’s this now?” he wondered as a glowing sphere in his mind displayed a new message:

The world’s energy flows like a fountain; opportunities align as paths diverge. Choose your path carefully, for fortune and calamity rise and fall.

Four Omen Lots appeared before him:

1. Upper-Moderate Omen: At sunset, pass Solitary Source Peak to obtain a Fifth-Grade Opportunity—calm and safe, with no danger or consequences. Fortunate.
2. Upper-Moderate Omen: At sunset, pass Cangling River to obtain a Fifth-Grade Opportunity—though there are waves, there is no danger or aftermath. Fortunate.
3. Moderate-Moderate Omen: Travel anywhere other than Solitary Source Peak, Cangling River, or Nine Stream Valley—no gain, no risk. Neutral.
4. Lower-Moderate Omen: At sunset, pass Nine Stream Valley to obtain a Seventh-Grade Opportunity—but great danger lurks within. Ominous.