Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 139: Junior Brother, You Are Reckless Again

Aside from Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang, the Talisman Conferral Ceremony from two years ago had gathered the most outstanding initiate disciples of the Tianshi Mansion in over a decade, producing many promising candidates.

Yet unexpectedly, within a short span of time, two of them had already fallen.

If not for Fang Jian, the Fourth Disciple of the previous Tianshi, who recently overcame the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation and achieved the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Stage, many would have begun to suspect that this cohort of disciples had been collectively cursed.

Thankfully, after Fang Jian, Xia Qing and Luo Haoran also successfully overcame their tribulations, allowing everyone in the Tianshi Mansion to breathe a sigh of relief.

As for Chu Andong and Li Zhenchang, all anyone could do was lament their fate.

“Master Chu has arrived,” Chu Kun mentioned one day, referring to his aunt from the Suzhou Chu Clan. “She’s here with Senior Brother Zhong An’s parents.”

By seniority, they were also his granduncle and grandaunt.

Wang Guiyuan asked, “Are they here to take you back to Suzhou?”

Chu Kun shook his head: “They are here to take Senior Brother Zhong An back to Suzhou for rest and recovery, but later, he’ll return to the Mansion.”

Although Chu Andong had failed his tribulation, he had at least survived. The incident took place within Mount Longhu, but it was seen as fate. He had failed on his own, not due to any interference or sabotage.

Such occurrences weren’t uncommon, either in the Tianshi Mansion or within the Suzhou Chu Clan. Hence, neither Chu Andong nor the Chu Clan harbored resentment toward Mount Longhu.

Though gravely injured, Chu Andong remained a true disciple of the Mansion. The Mansion had long-established practices for handling disciples who experienced such setbacks, offering suitable duties and arrangements based on individual circumstances.

Before that, however, it was understandable for his family to take him home to Suzhou for a change of environment and to recover his spirits. The Mansion had no objections to this arrangement.

What stood out was that Chu Yu, now a prominent figure in the Chu Clan, had come personally. This suggested that beyond taking Chu Andong back, she likely had important matters to discuss with the upper ranks of Mount Longhu.

The topics were likely twofold: the changing rule of the Tang Dynasty and the long-delayed appointment of a new Lin Clan patriarch in Jiangzhou, which now seemed imminent.

The Suzhou Chu Clan, situated downstream of the Great River, had much to discuss with Mount Longhu regarding these changes.

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan had already visited Chu Andong earlier and chose not to involve themselves further. Chu Kun went to greet Chu Yu and the others and would later see them off.

Lei Jun continued to focus on his cultivation, which was now entering a critical stage. Solely relying on the Five Elements Grand Evolution Treasure Sand was insufficient. To break through from the Fourth Heaven to the Fifth Heaven, he needed greater personal accumulation.

However, the peaceful days at Mount Longhu seemed to be nearing their end, as troubling signs emerged once more.

Another true disciple of the Mansion had fallen, and evidence suggested it happened within the boundaries of Xinzou, not far from Mount Longhu.

“So close?” Lei Jun frowned.

Wang Guiyuan sighed: “Uncle Master Song and Elder Liang are furious right now. It’s best to avoid them for the time being.”

This fallen disciple was from the lineage of Elder Li Song, the most senior Supreme Elder in the Tianshi Mansion. Though Li Song’s own children were average in talent, his most accomplished disciple, Liang Chen, was a respected second-generation elder at the Sixth Heaven Stage, comparable to Xia Bo.

Li Song’s grandson, Li Kong, was Liang Chen’s disciple. Unlike his father’s mediocrity, Li Kong was outstanding, rivaling the likes of Xu Yuanzhen, Li Zhengxuan, and Tang Xiaotang.

Following Li Kong, there were also talented figures like Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong.

However, with the recent losses of Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong, the Li lineage had already suffered significant blows. Now, another disciple had fallen.

It was as if someone were targeting their lineage specifically. Even the most patient elders like Li Song and Liang Chen couldn’t tolerate this any longer.

The Tianshi Mansion mobilized immediately, launching a large-scale search and pursuit.

Li Kong visited several fellow disciples to ask for assistance. He didn’t press Lei Jun, but Lei Jun agreed to help.

Wang Guiyuan was surprised and tried to signal Lei Jun to reconsider, but with Li Kong present, he refrained from making a scene.

“If we don’t punish these villains swiftly, the Mansion’s authority will be undermined. Young disciples will fear traveling outside,” Lei Jun declared righteously. He looked at Wang Guiyuan and said, “Senior Brother, shall we go together?”

Wang Guiyuan sighed: “Master is refining pills, and I need to watch the furnace. With Junior Brother Zhongguang escorting Master Chu and Junior Brother Zhong An, and you leaving the mountain now, I have no choice but to stay behind.”

“Uncle Yuan is incredibly busy overseeing the High Priests’ Hall. He truly needs someone to assist him,” Li Kong said, not pressing Wang Guiyuan. He bowed to Lei Jun: “Thank you, Junior Brother Lei!”

After bidding farewell to Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan, Li Kong left to find more helpers.

Once Li Kong was gone, Wang Guiyuan looked at Lei Jun with exasperation: “I appreciate your sense of justice, but this matter reeks of danger and mystery. Please think carefully before acting and avoid unnecessary risks!”

Lei Jun nodded: “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. Perhaps you could come with me so we can watch each other’s backs?”

Wang Guiyuan smiled wryly: “Under different circumstances, I would. But this time, I truly need to watch Master’s furnace.”

Lei Jun understood. He glanced at the glowing sphere of light in his mind and then back at Wang Guiyuan, feeling a twinge of regret. His Senior Brother’s advice was sound, but fate seemed to lead him elsewhere.

The fortune signs he received were:

1. Upper-Moderate Omen: Assist in the search and head to Slanted Star Peak after noon. A Fourth-Grade Opportunity awaits, with no danger, but potential karmic entanglements.
2. Moderate Omen: Assist in the search but go elsewhere. No danger, no reward.
3. Lower-Moderate Omen: Stay at the mountain. No danger, but hidden consequences.

Staying put was the safest option but risked unforeseen issues. Assisting in the search promised no danger and a reward. Thus, Lei Jun chose the Upper-Moderate Omen.

He wished Wang Guiyuan could join him, but Wang’s obligations were firm.

Lei Jun packed his things and headed to the mountain gate, where many disciples had gathered. He spotted peers and elders among the crowd.

Li Kong and a few others arrived, and the group departed the mountain.

They traveled nearly three hundred miles, still within the Mount Longhu range. Slanted Star Peak lay nearby.

They joined Elder Liang Chen, who was seated on a mountaintop, casting spiritual talismans that spread across the area.

“The culprit is in these mountains. Be vigilant. At the slightest sign of trouble, I’ll come immediately,” Liang Chen instructed.

The disciples acknowledged and dispersed to search.

Lei Jun took his time, gradually making his way toward Slanted Star Peak.

Before he reached it, a series of explosions erupted ahead. Someone had engaged the target.

Elder Liang Chen rushed forward, but the enemy, shrouded in black mist, blocked his talismans and fled.

Just then, a blazing rainbow-like light streaked across the sky, splitting it in two—a distinctive arrow from a Confucian divine archer.

Lei Jun recognized it: Chu Yu. She must have been returning from escorting Chu Andong and his family.

The arrow struck the black mist, dispersing it, but a shadowy figure slipped away.

A cloud carriage rose, with Chu Yu standing on it, dressed in hunting attire, a massive bow in hand. She seemed surprised the target had escaped.

“Master Chu?!” Elder Liang and the others were stunned.

Chu Yu greeted them briefly before resuming the chase.

The disciples were puzzled and suspicious. Was she helping, or covering up?

Lei Jun, remembering his fortune sign, remained calm. He waited until everyone left, then quietly approached Slanted Star Peak.

He sensed faint traces of yin energy, thanks to his Yin-Yang Sacred Physique. Following it, he found a small mustard seed pouch—a Fourth-Grade Opportunity.

Storing it in his Breath-Taking Flag, Lei Jun erased his tracks and rejoined the group, blending in as they pursued the target.