Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 154: The feeling of blind date

Although Lei Jun greatly respected his Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen’s strength, he still felt a bit uneasy about having her run this errand for him, worried that she might encounter trouble and take a hit meant for him. Even though Xu Yuanzhen herself seemed quite interested in the trip.

Fortunately, it turned out that her strength remained solid, and she returned safely.

“Here, take it.” She didn’t show any joy on her face. Casually, she took an item from her Shrinkage Pouch and tossed it in front of Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai.

The item was about the size of a baby’s fist, spherical but multifaceted, crystal-clear, and glowing with dazzling golden light. It looked like a miniature sun.

Pure, blazing Yang Qi emanated from it, instantly filling the entire room.

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai clicked their tongues in wonder. “The quality is outstanding, and such a large piece of Blazing Sun Gold Crystal is truly rare. We’ve never seen anything like it before.”

To be sure, Yuan Mobai carefully examined the treasure to confirm that the Sun Luminary hadn’t left any traces on it.

“When I got there, there was just the item, no person,” Xu Yuanzhen explained. “I waited for a while, but nothing else happened.”

Lei Jun asked, “Did you show yourself?”

The agreed-upon location was a group of islands at sea, where both sides left their treasures on different islands. In the end, it seemed both parties acted like gentlemen, arriving as promised and leaving the treasures as agreed.

But behind the scenes, there was undoubtedly a lot of scheming.

The outcome? It was hard to say if anyone was truly satisfied.

Everyone got what they wanted. No one revealed themselves, but no one figured out the other’s strength either.

“For someone to remain hidden from you, that says something,” Lei Jun remarked.

Given Xu Yuanzhen’s level of cultivation, very few in the world could match her. Those who could were all well-known figures.

The Sun Luminary’s cultivation level was quite high indeed.

If Lei Jun had gone himself instead of Xu Yuanzhen, regardless of whether the Sun Luminary had malicious intentions, that person at least had the capability to pull something off.

Getting help was the wise choice, Lei Jun thought.

“Send a message to Tang Xiaotang,” Yuan Mobai suggested. “Even if she can’t receive it immediately, we hope she returns to the mountain soon.”

If Tang Xiaotang’s information was true and she’d found a lead on the Tianshi Sword, she was probably quite busy now. Perhaps she was even competing with Li Zhengxuan in both luck and ability.

“I’m getting more interested in this Sun Luminary,” Xu Yuanzhen said, waving her hand. “If there’s another transaction with this person, let me know—I’ll join.”

Lei Jun nodded. “Alright.”

Xu Yuanzhen thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No rush. I have things to deal with now, so I might not be available later.”

She looked at Lei Jun. “Here, take these two pieces of information. Use one as you see fit, and trade the other for me.”

Lei Jun was curious. “Oh?”

Xu Yuanzhen said, “The first piece: In the Jingxiang region, members of the White Lotus Sect have been unusually active. The new Future Maitreya has entered the world.

The second piece: In the downstream area of Pine River in the northern border, near Daolan Mountain, there is a Soul-Cleansing Treasure that will mature in one or two years.”

Lei Jun took note and sighed inwardly.

Senior Sister… to put it nicely, she traveled the world far and wide. To put it bluntly, she was constantly on the move…

But her travels were never in vain. She collected treasures left and right, often abandoning one just to pick up another.

At the same time, her information network was sharper than most.

The Soul-Cleansing Treasure could wait for now.

As for the White Lotus Sect, the news about the Future Maitreya entering the world was significant.

The White Lotus Sect believed in the arrival of Maitreya, the end of the old world, and the birth of a new one.

The Future Maitreya would replace the current Buddha.

Thus, the sect leader was known as the Present Maitreya, while the successor was the Future Maitreya.

This figure entering the world meant the White Lotus Sect was likely planning something big.

“What do you want to know?” Lei Jun asked.

Xu Yuanzhen replied, “I want to know what that old fox from the Ye Clan of Jinzhou is up to.”

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai nodded, sharing the same curiosity.

As Chu Kun had mentioned, the Ye Clan’s old patriarch didn’t seem like the type to sacrifice himself for the Tang Imperial Family.

If he wasn’t secretly plotting against the late emperor Zhang Qilong, that was already being generous.

The official story was that the old patriarch had returned injured from the Western Campaign.

But everyone doubted that.

Xu Yuanzhen didn’t believe the injury story either. She cared more about what the old fox was up to now.

Lei Jun took note of her request. Xu Yuanzhen waved goodbye and left.

Yuan Mobai nodded to Lei Jun and left to reopen the Ten Thousand Methods Altar. Xu Yuanzhen would use it to continue searching for leads on the Tianshi Sword.

Lei Jun didn’t rush to initiate another group chat.

In the following days, he focused on his cultivation.

Having successfully fused his Yin-Yang Dual Qi, he began constructing his second Dao Palace: the Southern Dragon-Tiger Palace.

This palace drew on heart fire and generated Solar Qi.

This was traditionally the first Dao Palace for male disciples of Mount Longhu, but Lei Jun had started with the Central Three Purities Palace.

His third planned Dao Palace was the Northern Dark Abyss Palace, drawing on kidney water to generate Lunar Qi.

After establishing these three palaces, his cultivation would become even smoother.

In addition to refining his cultivation level, Lei Jun worked on his second Daoist Art.

Progress was visible.

He sat cross-legged indoors, his palm extended, fingers spread.

Threads of Lightning Magnetism swirled above his hand.

A metal arrowhead floated above his fingertips, pointing forward but not moving.

Lei Jun focused as if aiming or calculating something.

After a long while, he lowered his hand, and the arrowhead fell to the ground.

He didn’t pick it up but stared at it, deep in thought.

Eventually, he nodded, waved his hand, and the arrowhead returned to his palm.

Then he casually set it aside.

His second Daoist Art was taking shape, but he wasn’t just focused on its offensive power.

He wondered if there were other applications or transformations possible.

He seriously considered whether his third Daoist Art, upon reaching the Sixth Heaven Dao Seal, should be the seemingly non-combative Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman.

If he could modify this talisman…

Lei Jun always believed it had untapped potential.

Although the Poyang Great Marsh was a chaotic battlefield, the Tianshi Mansion’s ancestral grounds remained peaceful, allowing Lei Jun to focus on his cultivation.

In contrast, the undercurrents in Jiangnan grew even more turbulent.

Prince Wu had just seen off his palace guests.

His cousin did not berate him but merely inquired gently about his health.

Prince Wu was in good physical health.

But his mind was burdened with worries.

He stood in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the sky.

After a long while, he finally spoke: “We still haven’t figured out where the leak came from?”

A voice behind him answered, “The other party is being very cautious. We haven’t yet identified the source.”

Prince Wu did not lose his temper. He simply ordered, “Keep investigating.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The voice hesitated before asking softly, “Could it be that General Sheng of the Demon Suppression Guard inadvertently leaked the information?”

Prince Wu continued to stare at the sky, saying nothing for a long time.

Meanwhile, Lei Jun focused on his cultivation.

Until the Heavenly Book universe summoned the four of them once again, and they gathered to exchange information.

With their previous meeting as groundwork, everyone remained cautious. The atmosphere was relaxed on the surface, yet tense underneath. Still, the conversation flowed more smoothly.

In the last meeting, they had all shared information openly.

This time, it was an exchange.

“I have information about the Vajra Monastery in the Western Region. Anyone interested?” the Moon Luminary was the first to speak.

The Jupiter Luminary asked, “What kind of information do you want?”

Moon Luminary replied, “I want information about the Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans, any one of them.”

The Sun Luminary said, “I have information on two clans, but I’m not interested in the Vajra Monastery.”

Jupiter Luminary said, “I have some information about the Xiao Clan of Longxi.”

Moon Luminary nodded, “Perhaps we can discuss it later.”

It feels like a matchmaking event… Lei Jun thought to himself, but his expression remained calm as he spoke:

“I have two pieces of information. One is about another Soul Treasure, and the other is about the White Lotus Sect. The former has a waiting period, while the latter is recent. Anyone interested?”

Moon Luminary and Jupiter Luminary remained silent.

The Sun Luminary asked, “What kind of information do you want?”

Lei Jun said, “I want information about the Ye Clan of Jinzhou.”

“Deal,” the Sun Luminary agreed readily. “I want the information about the Soul Treasure.”

Hearing this, Lei Jun speculated.

If the Sun Luminary was still interested in soul-related treasures despite already possessing Dispersed Soul Essence, what was their true motive? Was there something else they needed? Was their intent genuine or deceptive?

As for rejecting the White Lotus Sect information—was it because the Sun Luminary already knew about the Future Maitreya entering the world? Or did they simply not care about the rebellious Buddhist sect?

Either way, the exchange worked out for me… Lei Jun shook off his wandering thoughts.

The four of them agreed on a time to reconvene.

The four luminaries—Venus, Sun, Moon, and Jupiter—dimmed simultaneously, veiled by swirling energy currents.

When the appointed time arrived, they each initiated private chats.

Lei Jun informed the Sun Luminary about the Soul-Cleansing Treasure near Daolan Mountain in the lower reaches of Pine River in the northern border. He mentioned that the treasure was not yet mature and required waiting.

The Sun Luminary accepted this information.

When Lei Jun asked about the Ye Clan, the Sun Luminary calmly responded: “The old fox of the Ye Clan has long since recovered from his injuries and has been in frequent contact with Prince Zhao lately.”

If this information is accurate, it’s quite a high-level secret… Lei Jun thought.

Although he didn’t know the details of the exchanges between Moon Luminary and Jupiter Luminary, both seemed satisfied with their results.

One was focused on the Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans.

The other cared about the Vajra Monastery in the Western Region.

Were they disguising their true intentions, or did they each have their own goals?

Lei Jun didn’t dwell on their affairs. He focused on his own concerns.

If the Ye Clan was indeed closely involved with Prince Zhao, then the situation in the Tang Dynasty was even more precarious.

With his mind withdrawing from the Heavenly Book universe, Lei Jun went to see his Master, Yuan Mobai.

They chatted briefly.

Yuan Mobai predicted that Xu Yuanzhen was close to completing her task.

Lei Jun remained patient, waiting calmly.

However, someone else was more eager upon hearing that Xu Yuanzhen’s work was nearing completion.

“Senior Sister never brags,” Wang Guiyuan said seriously. “If she’s heading to the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou to settle a score, it won’t be a small matter.”

Lei Jun nodded. “Makes sense.”

Wang Guiyuan added, “If something big happens, the Lin Clan won’t just be making empty threats in Poyang Great Marsh. Our sect and the Lin Clan will undoubtedly clash again!”

Lei Jun responded, “That’s to be expected.”

Wang Guiyuan clapped Lei Jun and Chu Kun on the shoulders. “Let’s go into seclusion together, brothers!”

Lei Jun: “……”

Chu Kun: “……”

In the end, they didn’t join Wang Guiyuan.

Wang Guiyuan expressed his deep regret and went into long-term seclusion alone after notifying the mansion.

Just as Yuan Mobai predicted, Xu Yuanzhen soon completed her work in the Ten Thousand Methods Altar.

She left the altar and came straight to Lei Jun.

After listening to Lei Jun’s account, Xu Yuanzhen nodded. “I see.”

She didn’t ask further questions. She deposited the Sword Scar Stone and the Blazing Sun Gold Crystal with Yuan Mobai, who rarely left the mountain.

“I’m heading to Jiangzhou for a bit. Leave these things for Tang Xiaotang when she returns and let her handle them,” Xu Yuanzhen said, waving casually as she left.

She disappeared without a trace, and no news came from Jiangzhou.

Until one morning…

“Big news, Senior Brother!” Chu Kun burst into Lei Jun’s room. “There’s news from outside… Lin Zhen is dead!”

Lei Jun looked up at him.

Chu Kun nodded vigorously. “They say it was because Lin Xiaoting was unlucky. He was injured on the front lines at Poyang Great Marsh and was returning to Jiangzhou to recuperate. But on the way back… they say it was Senior Sister…”

Lin Zhen, courtesy name Xiaoting, known as Guanglei.

He was the son of Lin Qun, the former leader of the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou, and was reputed to be the most talented of Jiangzhou’s younger generation—a young Confucian scholar who had reached the Seventh Heaven.

Though he hadn’t officially taken over as clan leader, he was already a core figure in the Lin Clan’s leadership.

And last night, he was killed.