Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 160: Seek good fortune and avoid disaster, avoid danger

A rift emerged within the Chu Family.

Chu Yu and her father, Old Master Chu, had a heated dispute.

Hearing the news, Lei Jun pondered deeply.

The Suzhou Chu Family was one of the "Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans" of the current era. The old family patriarch, widely respected in Jiangnan, once served as a minister of the Great Tang court during the reign of the earlier generation—specifically under Emperor Zhang Qilong and Empress Zhang Wantong's father.

After retiring to his hometown, he continued to be addressed as "Old Master Chu" by the people.

Chu Yu was the youngest daughter born in his later years, deeply cherished and held in high regard within the family despite her young age.

Of course, Chu Yu's own accomplishments justified her status. A renowned scholar of the Seventh Heaven at a young age, she was celebrated as Jiangnan's most talented woman. Early on, she entered the Chu Family's core decision-making circle, becoming a vital force in the clan.

Now, however, the conflict between Chu Yu and her father had escalated to the point of public notice. If the news was true, it certainly merited attention.

Their disagreement was unlikely due to a rebellious phase or youthful defiance.

As a master of the Upper Heavens capable of participating in family decisions, such a dispute probably concerned a critical matter related to the Chu Family's strategy.

Was it connected to Prince Wu's recent movements? Or something else? Lei Jun speculated silently.

Among the prominent families, the Suzhou Chu Family had a relatively amicable relationship with Mount Longhu's Tianshi Mansion. Any changes within the Chu Family could potentially impact the Tianshi Mansion, which was still locked in a fierce battle with the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou.

Lei Jun mulled over the situation but maintained a composed demeanor, replying calmly,

"The Mistress of Moon Pavilion and the Chu Patriarch in a dispute? I hadn't heard of this before. Thank you for the information."

Moon Luminary responded, "You're welcome. We all have something to gain from this."

The four present remained guarded toward one another.

After concluding their exchange, the group parted ways, exchanging brief farewells before "logging off" from their communication network.

---

In the following days, Lei Jun resumed his routine inspections of the Xianliu Palace while continuing his cultivation. Refining the Great Five-Element Creation Qi was a prolonged process, but it facilitated his cultivation instead of hindering it. As he refined the Qi, it aligned with his practice of nurturing the Five Viscera, further accelerating his progress.

One day, after completing his cultivation, Lei Jun ventured outside for a routine inspection of Xianliu Mountain. Before long, a team approached from the east.

The arrivals were disciples of the Tianshi Mansion, tasked with transporting a new batch of Xianliu Ink, Five-Qi Stones, and other materials back to the ancestral grounds of Mount Longhu.

Recently, the Lin Clan had rarely launched incursions near Xianliu Mountain, but the overall conflict had escalated. Battles now raged not only at the main front in Poyang Great Marsh but also near the ancestral strongholds of Mount Longhu and the Lin Clan's Jiangzhou territory.

Though cloud carriages were swift, they were also large targets and susceptible to disruption. To mitigate risk, the Tianshi Mansion had shifted to smaller, discrete transport teams instead of relying solely on cloud carriages.

This group also carried supplies to replenish those consumed by Lei Jun and his defenders at Xianliu Palace. Lei Jun instructed the disciples, led by Yun Zhan, to inventory the materials and coordinate their return to Mount Longhu.

However, as he considered the logistics, a glowing sphere appeared in his mind, accompanied by writing:

"Paths diverge, fate hides blessings and calamities. The Buddha and Daoist paths differ; destiny is self-determined."

Three fortunes emerged from the sphere, presenting themselves to Lei Jun:

1. Upper-Moderate Omen: Escort the transport team to the northern foothills of Great Green Peak. Gain a Fifth-Grade Opportunity without danger, though karmic complications may arise, leading to minor trouble or its resolution. Good.
2. Moderate Omen: Remain at Xianliu Palace. Avoid action, neither gaining nor losing. Neutral.
3. Lower-Moderate Omen: Escort the transport team to the vicinity of Jiuyuan Lake. Gain nothing, face danger, and incur hidden troubles. Bad.

The paths of Great Green Peak and Jiuyuan Lake were both viable routes between Xianliu Mountain and Mount Longhu. However, the turmoil of war had rendered many areas unsafe, limiting the options for secure travel.

Lei Jun swiftly analyzed the "Upper-Moderate Omen." While there was no immediate danger, potential trouble depended on unfolding events.

Turning to the lead Tianshi Mansion disciple, Lei Jun asked, "Which route are you planning for the return journey?"

The disciple replied candidly, "We arrived via Great Green Peak but plan to return through Jiuyuan Lake."

Recalling the foreboding "Lower-Moderate Omen," Lei Jun warned, "While patrolling recently, I sensed faint traces of demonic energy near Jiuyuan Lake. Though it was fleeting, caution is warranted."

Startled, the disciple said, "If that's true, our choices are narrowing further."

After some deliberation, they agreed to take the safer Great Green Peak route, with Lei Jun offering to accompany them covertly. Disguised in simpler robes, he concealed his identity and joined the team as they set off eastward.

By midday, a deafening explosion erupted to the south—precisely near Jiuyuan Lake. A plume of black smoke shot skyward, casting an ominous shadow over the once-clear skies.

All the Tianshi Mansion disciples present, adept in cultivating spiritual energy and Daoist insight, felt a heavy oppression in their hearts as they looked at the darkened southern sky.

The team leader, Zhou Zihang, muttered to himself, “Demonic energy… So Lei-shixiong was right!”

Sure enough, a powerful demon was stirring near Jiuyuan Lake.

Lei Jun focused his gaze southward. Beneath the black clouds, glimmers of a Glazed Buddha Light flickered faintly on the horizon. Judging by its appearance, a high monk from the Buddhist sect was engaged in a fierce battle with the demon.

The danger and hidden threats mentioned in the "Lower-Moderate Omen" likely originated from this clash.

If Zhou Zihang and his team had approached unknowingly, even if they didn’t fall prey to the demon, the aftermath of the battle could have swept them into its chaos.

For Lei Jun, although this was a confrontation between two Upper Heaven masters, he could avoid being affected as long as he was cautious. Yet, the omen suggesting danger hinted that there might be more hidden risks in the area.

“Lei-shixiong, it’s a good thing you warned us; otherwise, we’d have walked right into disaster,” Zhou Zihang said, still shaken as he looked at the ominous black clouds looming over the southern sky.

Lei Jun replied calmly, “I wasn’t certain such a powerful demon was there; I simply thought caution was prudent.”

The disciples all nodded in agreement. “Indeed, better safe than sorry.”

They were about to say more when Lei Jun’s expression suddenly grew more serious.

“Enemy attack.”

Lei Jun turned toward the direction of Great Green Peak and added, “This time, it’s not demons. It’s humans.”

“The Lin Clan?” Zhou Zihang and the others knew Lei Jun’s cultivation allowed him to perceive threats far beyond their range.

In the distance, a patch of dark clouds rose from the forest. As it ascended, it abruptly fell, enveloping the disciples in an overhead shadow.

It wasn’t a cloud but a dense rain of arrows, shot in a parabolic trajectory from afar.

Thanks to Lei Jun’s warning, the disciples reacted swiftly. They formed barriers of golden spiritual energy—a defense created by the Golden Barrier Talismans, a hallmark of the Tianshi Mansion.

The arrows struck the golden barriers, causing them to tremble violently. These were no ordinary arrows; they were imbued with Haoran Qi, a specialty of Confucian archers, enhancing both range and lethality.

Yet, the Golden Barrier Talismans, known far and wide, held firm against the initial barrage.

Without the need for verbal commands, the disciples instinctively scattered into small groups, moving through the forest to close in on their attackers.

Zhou Zihang reflexively glanced back but found no sign of Lei Jun. He didn’t know when or where Lei-shixiong had disappeared. Distracted, he narrowly avoided an incoming arrow and quickly refocused on the enemies ahead.

As they advanced, Zhou Zihang and the others began to counterattack with talismans. Typically, the basic talismans of the Tianshi Mansion had limited range. But this time, small flames, scattered and sparse, flew through the air toward the attackers.

As the flames reached their targets, they erupted into massive explosions of fire, creating waves of destruction. These were Flying Fire Talismans, invented by Lei Jun himself.

Though Lei Jun was nowhere to be seen, his talismans were actively aiding Zhou Zihang’s team. Having adapted to their use, the disciples now wielded the Flying Fire Talismans with precision. A coordinated barrage turned the forest into a sea of fire, obliterating the area from which the arrows had been launched.

The Lin Clan, however, was no ordinary foe. Their lineage of Confucian and martial traditions was deeply rooted. After suffering the initial onslaught, their archers dispersed to more secure positions, while their close-combat disciples charged downhill to engage the Tianshi Mansion disciples directly.

As the gap closed, Zhou Zihang’s group used another of Lei Jun’s creations, the Chain Blaze Talismans. Though fewer in number, these talismans unleashed greater destruction. The resulting inferno was not only larger but also triggered a series of chain explosions that spread further.

Still, the Lin Clan retaliated with their signature techniques. One disciple utilized the Jiangxin Stone Sword, condensing their sword aura into an unyielding barrier resembling a stone amidst a river. This technique, known for its balance of offense and defense, momentarily withstood the chain explosions.

But the fire’s intensity proved overwhelming, forcing cracks in the seemingly unbreakable defense. The Lin disciples’ sword aura crumbled, leaving them vulnerable to the Tianshi disciples, who pressed forward with talismans such as Wind, Spirit Strike, and Heavenly Firmament to launch a second wave of attacks.

“Lin Zongquan?!” Zhou Zihang recognized a Lin Clan disciple in the melee, rage flaring as he shouted, “Return my junior brother’s life!”

Lin Zongquan, despite his disheveled state, responded with a cold smirk. “You’ll be joining him soon enough.”

The battle intensified as Lin Zongquan’s sword aura shifted from rigid solidity to fluid dynamism, transforming into a torrent resembling a cascading waterfall—an advanced Lin Clan technique called the Kuanglu Triple Waterfall Sword.

Elsewhere, the Lin Clan’s archers, now repositioned, resumed their attack. However, their arrows were fewer and weaker than expected.

Zhou Zihang and the others noticed the difference, easily defending against the projectiles.

Meanwhile, Lin Zongquan, locked in combat with Zhou Zihang, glanced back and froze in shock.

He spotted a clan archer within his line of sight—but behind the archer loomed a figure in yellow robes, moving like a phantom.

The yellow-robed figure reached out silently, grasping the archer’s head, and with a casual twist, snapped their neck. The archer fell lifelessly, and the figure glided away, leaving no trace of their presence.

It was Lei Jun.

Stealthily, he had infiltrated the Lin Clan’s ranks, eliminating their sharpshooters one by one with eerie precision.

As another Lin Clan archer fell quietly, Lei Jun remained composed, as if merely passing through the forest.