Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 158: Professional Anti-Thief

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"The Great Five Elements Primordial Energy of Creation…" Lei Jun's eyes flickered.

While perusing the Tianshi Mansion's ancient tomes, he had come across this term before. It was neither a material object nor an outright treasure. Rather than being considered a type of spiritual artifact, it was better described as an essence formed accidentally by the convergence of the spiritual energy veins of heaven and earth. Profoundly mysterious, it encapsulated the secrets of creation, embodying the principles of the five elements.

Comparable phenomena included the Great Cosmic Primordial Energy of All Things and the Primordial Essence of All Creation, each equally enigmatic. The Great Five Elements Primordial Energy of Creation was harmless to the human body and considered an unparalleled opportunity. It indeed matched the fortune described by the Supreme Good Omen, carrying no apparent danger.

However, collecting and preserving it posed a challenge. Lei Jun's usual habit when encountering treasures was to wrap them in his Breath-Taking Flag and study them later at leisure. This time, though, that method was unfeasible.

While harmless, the Great Five Elements Primordial Energy of Creation resisted interaction. If the Breath-Taking Flag's earth-aspect spiritual energy approached it, the multicolored energy currents would instantly neutralize it. Despite Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai’s years of nurturing the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo, its wood-aspect spiritual energy was similarly ineffective in capturing this energy.

Even Lei Jun’s own magnetic energy would, upon nearing, be partially transformed into the metal aspect by this primordial energy, only to dissipate thereafter.

"This time, I’ll have to make an exception." Lei Jun shook his head and focused his mind.

Channeling his mana, he condensed two streams of black and white energy, intertwining them with the multicolored light. Guiding the primordial energy, he directed it into the True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven within him.

Typically, Lei Jun refrained from using his mana to directly contact treasures, especially when it involved his spirit. He preferred thorough research before attempting refinement. This time, however, the fortuitous nature of the Supreme Good Omen emboldened him to take the risk. Fortunately, the Great Five Elements Primordial Energy of Creation, despite being "stubborn," was inherently gentle and did not react violently.

Bit by bit, the multicolored light was successfully guided into Lei Jun's body, albeit requiring slow and careful effort. Unfolding the Breath-Taking Flag, he arranged it around himself, allowing earth and stone to obscure his presence without direct contact. This prevented the earth-aspect energy from being neutralized by the primordial energy.

In contrast, as Lei Jun absorbed the multicolored currents, his mana circulation began to exhibit a dynamic transformation of the five elements: Metal begets Water, Water begets Wood, Wood begets Fire, Fire begets Earth. This circulation produced a continuous stream of earth-aspect spiritual energy, which integrated with the Breath-Taking Flag, enhancing its spirituality.

The dim yellow glow it emitted did not significantly change in intensity but grew more profound, concentrated, and enchanting. The stones and earth produced by the yellow light provided Lei Jun with even greater concealment, naturally blending with the surroundings and making him nearly undetectable.

"This is promising; it seems the Great Five Elements Primordial Energy of Creation offers numerous development opportunities…" Lei Jun mused thoughtfully as he observed the changes.

The multicolored energy he absorbed was directed to the True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven but did not immediately enter the altar. Instead, like a page of a heavenly book, it lingered in the central space above the altar.

Above the Daoist arena within the Grotto-Heaven, a heavenly book floated, its surface glimmering with light and intricate Daoist patterns. The primordial energy, no longer as "stubborn," became slightly more lively, circling the book like a rainbow veiling the sun. Their shared spirituality, each imbued with the profundities of nature, seemed to resonate faintly.

Lei Jun nodded slightly, calming his mind to continue guiding the remaining primordial energy. However, he suddenly sensed a disturbance in the external world.

It wasn't that his hiding place had been discovered, but others had entered the secluded valley.

Already engaged in absorbing the primordial energy, Lei Jun could not halt the process prematurely. Resolute and composed, he chose to observe quietly.

Before long, two groups of people descended into the valley.

The first group, smaller in number, was being pursued by the second group, which was larger and engaged in combat. One side was clearly hunting the other. Initially, Lei Jun thought this might be another attack on Xianliu Palace and assumed that one of the groups might include disciples of Tianshi Mansion.

However, when both sides reached the valley floor, Lei Jun observed neither his fellow disciples from Tianshi Mansion nor members of the Lin Clan from Jiangzhou. Instead, the combatants appeared to be primarily monks.

The smaller group consisted of three monks, while the larger group of six included three monks and three laymen.

Noticing this, Lei Jun remained calm and continued to hide beneath the cover of the Breath-Taking Flag’s stone and earth barrier, focusing on absorbing the Great Five Elements Primordial Energy of Creation. The attention of both groups was entirely occupied with their battle, leaving them no room to notice their surroundings.

Even if someone searched for Lei Jun specifically, the multicolored primordial energy, now linked to him and concealed by the Breath-Taking Flag, would not betray his presence. Through the flag’s protective veil, Lei Jun observed the scene while remaining hidden.

The larger group’s leader, a monk with a gaunt face and a bitter expression, clasped his hands in a Buddhist salute and called out to the fleeing trio: “Brothers, please abandon your misguided path. The sea of suffering knows no bounds, but turn back, and you shall find the shore.”

This monk, though young, exuded the air of an ascetic and bore the demeanor of a practitioner from Xuanyan Temple, one of the holy sites of the Precepts Tradition in Buddhism. Lei Jun found his appearance familiar and soon recalled where he had seen him—a portrait in the Tianshi Mansion archives.

This monk was Yongxiang, a prominent disciple of Xuanyan Temple's younger generation, known for his cultivation in the Middle Heaven Realm. He was a fellow disciple of Dexiang, the monk Lei Jun had encountered and defeated earlier at Qiluo Valley.

After that encounter, Lei Jun had specifically studied records about Xuanyan Temple and its disciples, which was why Yongxiang’s face was familiar to him. Unlike Dexiang, Yongxiang was not a scion of noble clans like the Ye Clan of Jinzhou or the Gao Clan of Zezhou. He came from an ordinary family and had been accepted as a disciple by the current abbot of Xuanyan Temple during his childhood. Over the years, Yongxiang had gained a reputation for his ascetic discipline and acts of compassion, often benefiting the common people.

Despite not yet reaching the Upper Heavens, Yongxiang was recognized as one of the temple’s exemplary disciples.

However, his attempt at persuasion was met with disdain from the fleeing trio. One of the monks from the smaller group, his face twisted in righteous indignation, responded sharply: “It is you who are lost in the sea of suffering and need to turn back!”

Another monk from Yongxiang’s side retorted angrily: “Brother Yongxiang, these heretical monks are beyond redemption. We have no choice but to use our thunderous methods to subdue them!”

Compared to Yongxiang and his fellow monks, the three lay disciples accompanying them acted decisively.

“Rebel monks of the White Lotus Sect, prepare to meet your end!” declared a burly man as he closed the distance to the fleeing monks in an instant. His speed was so extraordinary that even Lei Jun, observing from his concealment, nodded in acknowledgment.

The three lay disciples were clearly martial artists of exceptional caliber. Their movements were lightning-fast and explosive, a striking contrast to the more graceful swordplay of Confucian scholars or the technical precision of Daoist artifact wielders.

Two of them wielded weapons—a spear and a sword—representing a martial art style that fused weaponry with combat. Their blows were sharp and deadly, imbued with an aura of bloodlust and killing intent that extended from their weapons like an extension of their bodies.

The swordsman’s attacks were precise and controlled, each strike confined within a radius of three to five feet, yet devastatingly lethal. The spearman, on the other hand, attacked with fierce, dragon-like thrusts, each strike capable of piercing clean through an opponent.

Their martial arts, honed for close combat, demonstrated the principle: "Warriors, up close, are enough to rival armies."

Lei Jun observed the fight with interest, noting the methodical teamwork of the three martial artists, which bore the mark of training in the Tang Dynasty's Shen Ce Army.

The three attacked in unison, focusing their efforts on a single White Lotus Sect monk. The targeted monk hurriedly dodged, but his movements were still overwhelmed by the coordinated assault.

Just as it seemed he would be struck, a radiant light of serene clarity erupted around him, forming a protective lotus blossom that shielded him from harm. The light came from one of his companions, a thin and frail monk who had cast the spell to protect him.

Lei Jun’s eyes narrowed. This protective lotus was a hallmark technique of the Precepts Tradition, something Dexiang had not displayed during their earlier encounter. Clearly, this White Lotus Sect disciple had cultivated a similar lineage of Buddhist arts.

Although the lotus shield was powerful, it could not withstand the relentless assault of the three martial artists for long. The protective light shattered under their combined strikes, but the first monk had already used the reprieve to invoke another defensive spell:

“May the great light shine, protecting all who revere the Buddha sincerely!”

A radiant light coalesced into a towering treasure vase that separated the monks from their attackers. Lei Jun recognized this as a technique from the Vows Tradition, originating from Tianlong Temple, one of the Four Holy Sites of Buddhism.

The towering treasure vase of light temporarily halted the onslaught, but the martial artists were undeterred. Recognizing the strength of the White Lotus Sect monk’s defenses, they intensified their focus. Their attacks became increasingly coordinated, each one targeting the same point on the luminous barrier.

The swordsman’s strike landed first, weakening the treasure vase’s structure. Though his sword lost momentum after the impact, it had done its job. Following up, the unarmed martial artist delivered a powerful punch to the same spot, creating visible cracks in the vase’s surface. Finally, the spearman thrust his weapon with lethal precision, shattering the barrier entirely.

But just as the spear pierced through, the burly White Lotus Sect monk stepped forward and seized the spear shaft with an unyielding grip. His immense physical strength was on full display, as even the spearman’s attempts to retrieve his weapon were futile.

This monk, a practitioner of the Zen Combat Tradition, had cultivated his body to an extraordinary degree. His physique, imbued with the power of his inner spiritual energy, granted him strength and resilience comparable to that of a body-refining martial artist. Despite being slower, his endurance and defensive capabilities often surpassed those of his opponents.

The three White Lotus Sect monks, though on the defensive, worked in seamless coordination. Each represented a different Buddhist tradition—Zen Combat, Precepts, and Vows—granting them a diverse array of techniques. Their combat experience, honed over years of training, was evident in their precise teamwork.

Still, the martial artists from the Shen Ce Army were no less formidable. Their disciplined and aggressive tactics kept the pressure on, leaving no room for the monks to counterattack.

As the battle raged, Lei Jun remained hidden, his attention split between monitoring the fight and completing the absorption of the Great Five Elements Primordial Energy of Creation. Through the Breath-Taking Flag, he observed both sides while carefully concealing his presence.

Then, suddenly, Lei Jun sensed the approach of a higher-level cultivator.

While the fortune of the Supreme Good Omen indicated no danger, Lei Jun instinctively checked his progress. He had absorbed about four-fifths of the primordial energy but required more time to finish. Resolving to stay as inconspicuous as possible, he ceased observing the battle directly and focused entirely on remaining undetected.

From the ongoing clash, a voice broke through: “Greetings, Uncle Kongjing.”

The speaker was Yongxiang, addressing the new arrival with respect. Lei Jun immediately understood—Master Kongjing, a high-ranking elder of Xuanyan Temple and a cultivator at the Upper Heaven Realm, had joined the fray. A master of the Precepts Tradition, Kongjing’s arrival signaled the White Lotus Sect monks' likely defeat.

However, rather than retreating or surrendering, the valley erupted with even greater turmoil. The ground quaked as an even more powerful force entered the scene. Lei Jun, hidden within his barrier, felt the tremors threatening to destabilize the entire area.

A voice resonated through the chaos, calm yet commanding: “I am the future Maitreya. Peace, not conflict, is the White Lotus’s aim.”

The speaker's tone carried overwhelming authority, silencing all other voices in the valley. Lei Jun's brow furrowed—the White Lotus Sect’s enigmatic Future Maitreya had personally arrived. This individual, a prophesied figure in their doctrine, was said to embody their sect’s spiritual leadership in the mortal world.

Master Kongjing responded, his voice steady: “Future Maitreya, stay your steps.”

But the young monk replied evenly, “My Buddha is merciful.” His words carried a power that suppressed even Kongjing’s presence.

Lei Jun listened intently. According to the Future Maitreya, the recent rebellion in Mount Huai was not an official act of the White Lotus Sect but the result of individual members acting independently under outside influence. He claimed his presence was to recall these rogue members and restore order to the sect.

As the conversation faded and both high-level figures departed, Lei Jun’s mind raced with thoughts.

A rebellion among rebels? The White Lotus Sect, born of a schism within Buddhism, now faced its internal divisions. Furthermore, the mention of outside influences hinted at deeper schemes involving third parties. Lei Jun couldn’t help but wonder who might be orchestrating this turmoil.

Returning his focus to the primordial energy, Lei Jun completed the absorption process. All of the multicolored currents were now safely stored within his True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven. Above the altar, the energy floated serenely, exuding a harmonious brilliance. Lei Jun let out a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

He remained seated, taking time to consolidate his gains before cautiously dispelling the Breath-Taking Flag and departing the valley.

When Lei Jun returned to Xianliu Palace, his fellow disciples were visibly relieved. The earlier clash in the valley, especially the arrival of two Upper Heaven experts, had left them on edge. However, the commotion had passed without implicating their sect.

“I saw them while in the mountains,” Lei Jun reassured them. “Although I am unsure of their motives for being here, let us focus on guarding the Dao Palace and avoid unnecessary complications.”

His words eased the group’s worries, and they pledged to stay vigilant. Shortly after, a Shen Ce Army officer visited Xianliu Palace, identifying himself as the swordsman Lei Jun had observed earlier in the valley. The officer politely requested the Tianshi Mansion's cooperation in apprehending White Lotus Sect members. Lei Jun gave a noncommittal response, agreeing to assist but privately dismissing the matter.

Late that night, after inspecting the palace’s defensive formations, Lei Jun sat in quiet meditation. His attention turned inward to his True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven, where the Great Five Elements Primordial Energy of Creation awaited careful study.