Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 129: I found the right place this time

The Southern Bamboo Sea of Shu was a well-known, spiritually rich land in Bashu.

However, the Shushan Sect did not strictly include this vast area entirely within their sphere of influence. Only the northwestern section of the bamboo sea was fully claimed by Shushan Sect, where others were generally forbidden to enter, with Shushan disciples patrolling and managing access year-round.

As for the other areas of the bamboo sea, smaller sects, families, and even rogue cultivators of Bashu were allowed to cultivate there or search for spiritual opportunities. Of course, with the presence of the Shushan Sect, even though they only controlled a portion, no one dared to recklessly cut down bamboo or exhaust the area's resources completely.

Thus, over the years, the Southern Bamboo Sea remained largely preserved, with abundant spiritual energy.

Lei Jun’s destination this time was precisely this Southern Bamboo Sea. However, he was not headed for the northwest corner under Shushan's control, but rather to the northeastern part of the bamboo sea.

Without revealing any emotion, Lei Jun followed Ji Chuan, touring the bamboo sea.

There was still ample time, so he was in no hurry to act. After touring Bashu with Ji Chuan, he thanked him: “I appreciate your help, Daoist Ji.”

Ji Chuan replied, “Daoist Lei, there's no need to be so formal. I didn’t do much—just an old hand familiar with the paths.”

Lei Jun said, “I intend to find a place in Yushan to cultivate for a while. Would that be convenient?”

Yushan was another spiritually rich area located north of the Southern Bamboo Sea. Although there was some distance between them, it allowed him to travel discreetly, making it hard for others to discern his true intentions.

“Of course,” Ji Chuan said. “Yushan Temple is an offshoot of our sect. I can introduce you there.”

Just like the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, which was regarded by the Purple Heaven Sect, Tianxu Sect, and Yu River Sect as a sacred place of the Talismanic Branch, the Shushan Sect was the ancestral home of the Artifact Refining Sect, having spread its branches widely over the years.

Yushan Temple was one of those branches.

Lei Jun accompanied Ji Chuan to Yushan Temple, and after introductions, the temple master immediately agreed to let Lei Jun stay there. Since their lineages were different, the temple master instructed the disciples to build a hut in the back mountain for Lei Jun to live in privately.

Daily needs and supplies could be requested from the Yushan Temple disciples.

The conflict between Yuan Mobai and Ji Dongquan was known to very few. Even fewer knew the details. To most of the Shushan Sect, while the relationship between the two holy lands was subtle, it was not outright hostile.

Now that Yuan Mobai held a high position at the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar, the Shushan Sect naturally showed him the proper respect.

As a branch of Shushan, Yushan Temple was even more careful not to neglect Lei Jun, a guest from afar.

Lei Jun thanked Ji Chuan and the Yushan Temple members, and handed Ji Chuan the remaining jade slips that Yuan Mobai had given him, asking him to pass them on to the Shushan elders.

“I came on short notice, so I won’t disturb your main peak. Thank you for your help, Daoist Ji.”

Lei Jun said, “I hope that one day, I’ll be able to visit your sect formally with my master.”

Ji Chuan nodded. “No need for such courtesy, Daoist Lei.”

He seemed hesitant to say more and refrained from inviting Lei Jun to the Shushan Sect’s main peak.

Noting Ji Chuan’s worried expression, Lei Jun realized that, as Yuan Mobai mentioned, the Shushan Sect might not be very peaceful at the moment.

Thus, avoiding trouble was better than causing it.

Ji Chuan felt that now wasn’t the right time for Lei Jun to visit the Shushan Sect’s main peak. Otherwise, it might stir up unpredictable consequences.

For now, Lei Jun staying quietly at Yushan Temple was ideal.

After a brief conversation, Ji Chuan left with the jade slips, returning to the Shushan Sect’s main peak at Qingcheng Summit.

Lei Jun then temporarily settled at Yushan.

…After familiarizing himself with the environment, he quietly left Yushan and went alone to the Southern Bamboo Sea.

In a hidden forest in the northeastern bamboo sea, Lei Jun followed his Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen’s directions and successfully found his true goal.

A very well-hidden True Yin land.

This was not a barren place of pure Yin.

On the contrary, nurtured by the True Yin, the bamboo forest was lush.

After careful observation, Lei Jun realized that the True Yin land had not fully matured. The True Yin crystals had not even begun to form.

However...

Feeling the breeze from his True-One Altar deep in his soul, which nourished his body through his spirit, Lei Jun knew he had found the right place.

The Southern Bamboo Sea was precisely what he needed.

A True Yin spiritual item that resonated with the True Yang Mystic Flower and the True-One Altar was destined to form here.

If he succeeded in obtaining the spiritual item born here, he wouldn’t need to search elsewhere.

This would allow him to upgrade his bone structure from Spirit Physique to Sacred Physique.

But he couldn’t be careless.

Until he had the item in hand, anything could happen.

Lei Jun suppressed his excitement, looked around, and took out a Spirit Talisman.

He released it.

The talisman gently floated to the ground of the bamboo forest.

At that moment, the rocky soil seemed to turn to water.

The talisman sank into the soil like water, disappearing instantly.

The ground returned to normal, rugged and solid.

Everything looked unchanged, as though the soil had never softened.

Lei Jun nodded slightly, stepped back, and after a final scan of his surroundings, turned calmly and left.

Now, he only needed to wait patiently.

Lei Jun returned to Yushan, as if he had never left.

He resumed his quiet cultivation.

Although this place wasn’t as optimal as Tianshi Mansion or the Shushan Sect’s main peak, it was still a rare, spiritually rich location suitable for cultivation.

As time passed, Lei Jun’s cultivation progressed steadily. He began to coalesce new radiant energy after his first and second Primal Talismans.

During this period, he often conversed with the disciples of Yushan Temple.

Although they belonged to different Daoist traditions, there were many insights to share, bringing unexpected benefits to Lei Jun.

The True Daoist Arts of Tianshi Mansion were profound and required focused study. But for Lei Jun, part of the joy of cultivation was understanding the diverse mysteries of the world.

If possible, he enjoyed studying the traditions of every Daoist lineage.

Time in the mountains flowed unnoticed.

Seasons changed—spring passed, summer came, and then autumn arrived.

Lei Jun’s cultivation deepened, while time slipped by.

Most of the time, he stayed quietly at Yushan, cultivating alone.

Ji Chuan visited him occasionally, though these visits became less frequent over time.

It wasn’t out of neglect.

Seeing Ji Chuan’s increasingly worried expression, Lei Jun guessed the Shushan Sect’s internal conflicts were growing more intense.

Since Ji Chuan didn’t bring it up, Lei Jun didn’t ask.

Aside from cultivating, Lei Jun occasionally returned to the Southern Bamboo Sea.

The True Yin land was maturing.

The items of interest were a few odd-looking bamboo shoots.

…Well, looking at them now, Lei Jun felt slightly conflicted.

These bamboo shoots were different from his Upper Qing Golden Bamboo but still held their own spiritual essence.

The issue was that the True-One Altar and True Yang Mystic Flower showed no reaction to them.

Puzzled, he decided to wait and observe further developments.

Meanwhile, during his trips between Yushan and the bamboo sea, Lei Jun made another discovery.

In the bamboo sea’s outer forest, he found a peculiar vine.

This vine did not climb trees or bamboo stalks.

Instead, it sprawled along the ground, piling up near tree roots.

It looked ordinary at first glance.

Even with his Fourth Heaven cultivation, Lei Jun sensed little spiritual power initially.

Only after prolonged observation did he detect something.

When he cut a small notch in the vine, abundant spiritual energy flowed out.

Spirit Foundation Vine.

The name surfaced in his mind.

Further study confirmed its remarkable properties.

For cultivators of the First and Second Heavens, absorbing its energy could yield incredible results.

It truly deserved the name Spirit Foundation.

For Third Heaven cultivators, its effect weakened. Though the energy was abundant, it no longer provided unique nourishment.

Perfect for Junior Brother Chu. Was it my luck or his? Lei Jun collected the vine.

With his Breath-Taking Flag, he could preserve it after harvesting.

No rush to return to Mount Longhu or summon Chu Kun yet.

He continued his routine.

Autumn turned to winter.

Lei Jun spent the New Year in Bashu.

During the New Year celebrations, he joined the Yushan Temple disciples in honoring Daoist ancestors and sages.

Then he honored his Tianshi Mansion ancestors alone.

In his soul, the Tianshi Seal released a breeze.

A wisp of incense drifted straight to the heavens.

When the rituals ended, Lei Jun cleaned the altar.

While tidying up, a flash of spiritual light descended on Yushan.

Soon after, the temple master arrived with a middle-aged Daoist.

“Daoist Lei, this is Elder Ye of the Shushan Sect.”

Ye... Lei Jun’s mind stirred, but his face remained calm as he stepped forward to greet Elder Ye.