Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 162: The Talented and Virtuous Master Lei

Lei Jun slammed his palm onto Lin Zongquan’s forehead, and Lin Zongquan immediately fell lifeless to the ground.

“Senior Brother Lei…” Zhou Zihang stepped forward hastily.

He wasn’t trying to stop Lei Jun but was rather eager to take over the task himself. On one hand, he wanted to personally avenge his fallen junior brothers, who shared the same lineage. On the other, he remained uneasy about Xuanyan Temple’s involvement and wanted to shoulder some of the burden. If blame was to be assigned later, it wouldn’t all fall on Lei Jun.

Lei Jun casually tossed the corpse aside. Noticing Zhou Zihang’s slight concern, Lei Jun shook his head faintly.

While he disliked Monk Yongxiang, Lei Jun’s attitude toward him was distinct from his stance on Monk Dexiang earlier. Yongxiang’s insistence that his actions today were personal and did not represent Xuanyan Temple appeared genuine.

It wasn’t that Lei Jun particularly trusted Yongxiang’s character but rather that Yongxiang seemed truly reluctant to implicate his sect in the matter.

Tianshi Mansion was already locked in a fierce battle with the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou and could ill-afford further complications or new enemies. Meanwhile, turmoil brewed on the Buddhist side as well, with more than just the White Lotus Sect stirring trouble. The unusual actions of Xuanyan Temple monks venturing into secular affairs often hinted at deeper motives.

At Jiuyuan Lake, for instance, a high monk of Buddhism was currently engaged in combat with a great demon. Though Yongxiang had found himself involved in the fight at Great Green Peak due to personal circumstances, he likely intended to keep the situation contained.

Even if Yongxiang had taken Lin Zongquan and his group back to Xuanyan Temple for reflection, he would likely have kept it a secret to avoid drawing attention. In other words, Yongxiang would likely strive to prevent conflict between Xuanyan Temple and the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou.

Then I won’t trouble you any further, monk… Lei Jun watched Yongxiang calmly.

Xuanyan Temple’s monks of the Precepts Tradition were indeed formidable. Even without the protection of Buddhist light, Yongxiang’s physical body was resilient. Having been sent flying by Lei Jun’s kick, the monk appeared dusty and disheveled but otherwise unharmed.

Yongxiang coughed lightly a few times and, gazing at the lifeless bodies of Lin Zongquan and his companions, sighed deeply. “The Buddha is compassionate.”

Despite Lei Jun’s kick, Yongxiang showed no intent to retaliate or reclaim his dignity. Failing to protect Lin Zongquan and his group, he simply wore an even more sorrowful expression, clasping his hands toward Lei Jun in a gesture of respect.

“This humble monk’s cultivation is lacking. I was powerless to halt Daoist Lei’s wrath and unable to prevent the loss of life. Such is my shame. Daoist Lei, you consider that our paths differ and dismiss my words. Yet, as one of great wisdom, you will one day come to cherish the suffering of all beings. May you soon release your attachments and attain true peace.”

Lei Jun replied flatly, “Monk, your words and actions today also reflect attachments. Why not release them?”

Yongxiang’s expression turned more bitter as he sighed. “Indeed, Daoist Lei has great wisdom.”

Saying no more, Yongxiang bowed once more to the disciples of Tianshi Mansion before departing. Lei Jun did not stop him. Judging by the direction Yongxiang headed—toward Jiuyuan Lake—he was not seeking reinforcements but was instead likely dealing with pressing matters at Xuanyan Temple.

After watching Yongxiang leave, Lei Jun turned to Zhou Zihang and the others. “Is everyone alright? Any injuries?”

Zhou Zihang responded, “Three minor injuries, nothing serious. We were fortunate to have you with us, Senior Brother Lei.”

Lei Jun nodded. “For minor injuries, basic treatment will suffice for now, but it’s best to return to the ancestral grounds for proper care. If anyone is severely injured, they can come back to Xianliu Palace with me to avoid complications during the journey.”

The disciples hurriedly thanked him, assuring him that no one was gravely hurt. The group quickly tidied up the battlefield before continuing their journey over Great Green Peak.

After traveling some distance, reinforcements from Mount Longhu approached to meet Zhou Zihang’s group.

“Nephew Zhou, did you come from Great Green Peak or Jiuyuan Lake? Jiuyuan Lake seems to be in turmoil!” one of the reinforcements called out.

“Uncle Du, you’re here? Thanks to Senior Brother Lei’s advice, we avoided the chaos at Jiuyuan Lake by taking the route over Great Green Peak,” Zhou Zihang explained, relieved.

The new arrivals noticed Lei Jun, now clad in his apricot-yellow Daoist robe. “Nephew Lei?” Elder Du greeted with a smile.

“Elder Du,” Lei Jun responded politely.

Elder Du, who led the group, was someone Lei Jun was familiar with. Years ago, they had encountered each other during the revival of Lingzhi Platform. Among Elder Du’s disciples was Qu Yong, who had once accompanied Lei Jun on an expedition to Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven.

Lei Jun’s gaze lingered briefly on Qu Yong, whose expression became complicated. Back then, Qu Yong had failed a critical task regarding Lei Jun’s cultivation, earning the cold disfavor of Li Xuan. The missed opportunity had haunted Qu Yong ever since, especially as Lei Jun, who had joined the sect three years after him, surpassed him in both cultivation and stature.

Returning to the present, Elder Du inquired about Great Green Peak. Zhou Zihang explained, “The Lin Clan had ambushes on both sides, but with Senior Brother Lei’s help, we overcame the danger.”

Praising Lei Jun’s assistance, Zhou Zihang also reported the involvement of Yongxiang. Elder Du commended Lei Jun’s handling of the situation and cautioned him about future challenges, particularly regarding Lin Che, the newly appointed head of the Lin Clan.

Lei Jun expressed gratitude for the reminder and, after bidding farewell, returned toward Xianliu Palace. Yet, as he passed through the northern slopes of Great Green Peak, he slowed his steps to search the area carefully.

At first, there was no trace of anything unusual.

Lei Jun calmed his mind, channeling his mana into two streams of black and white energy that roamed the mountain ranges. Suddenly, he felt a faint disturbance. The source of the ripple was none other than the True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven that had formed within his soul from the imprint of the Tianshi Seal.

Within the first layer of the True-One Altar, faint movements from the Nine Abyss Earth Fire stirred. A gentle breeze arose from the grotto-heaven, flowing outward to brush against Lei Jun’s soul and physical form. The black and white energies around him swayed in response and drifted toward a specific point beneath a mountain ridge, eventually converging there.

When Lei Jun stepped forward, the site appeared unremarkable at first glance. However, with a wave of his hand, the Yin Earth Thunder peeled back layers of rocky soil, revealing a faint glimmer of spiritual light.

But…

“This aura…” Lei Jun’s expression turned slightly peculiar as he gazed at the faint golden glow. Having recently encountered Buddhist disciples, he was somewhat familiar with Buddhist methods. This golden glow, while distinct from Xuanyan Temple’s Glazed Buddha Light, unmistakably bore the hallmarks of a Buddhist heritage.

Here lay a buried Buddhist treasure.

Lei Jun waved the Breath-Taking Flag, and an earthen yellow radiance enveloped and extracted the faint golden light. Examining it closely, he saw the source was a dilapidated candlestick, corroded and mottled with rust. Though faint golden light emanated from it, its spiritual presence was so subdued that it had evaded detection until now. Only after being activated by Lei Jun’s mana did the candlestick emit its faint glow.

Without this activation, it might have remained buried forever.

Was Yongxiang Monk’s presence at Great Green Peak earlier connected to this treasure? Coupled with the fact that the White Lotus Sect had also been active in this area, Lei Jun speculated that all parties were drawn by this artifact.

The omens he had drawn—a moderate-upper omen—hinted at karmic entanglements tied to this object, which now seemed to align with this discovery. Whether it would bring fortune or disaster, however, remained to be seen. Judging by its nature as a Fifth-Grade Opportunity, it didn’t seem significant enough to draw attention from top-tier Buddhist monks. Perhaps it held symbolic value in Buddhism, or maybe its severe damage obscured its true worth.

After some thought, Lei Jun carefully wrapped the artifact in the Breath-Taking Flag and departed the northern slopes of Great Green Peak. He planned to examine it in detail after returning to Xianliu Palace.

Upon his return, the situation at Xianliu Palace remained stable, and his covert absence had not been noticed. The disciples, led by Yun Zhan, were visibly relieved at his arrival. Lei Jun encouraged them before inspecting the surrounding areas. Once assured of their safety, he turned his focus to the newly acquired Buddhist artifact.

The faint golden light it emitted lacked the purity and solidity of Xuanyan Temple’s Glazed Buddha Light but conveyed a sense of profound wisdom and enlightenment. Lei Jun reflected on a recent battle in a ravine near Xianliu Mountain, where disciples of the White Lotus Sect had employed techniques rooted in all four Buddhist holy lands. Among them, the Zen-Martial lineage of Bodhi Temple appeared most similar to the artifact’s aura.

Could this candlestick have originated from Bodhi Temple in the distant past? Considering the internal conflicts that had fractured Buddhism and given rise to the White Lotus Sect, it was plausible that this relic had been lost during that turbulent period.

Lei Jun examined the candlestick for a long time, confirming that it contained no additional mechanisms and would not draw the attention of any Buddhist monks. He then attempted to ignite it using his mana. Despite the candlestick’s severe damage, he eventually managed to kindle a faint flame.

Under the flickering light, fragmented Buddhist scripture appeared—not a mystical manual but an incomplete alchemical recipe. After piecing together the scattered words, Lei Jun deduced that it was a formula for a Buddhist pill known as the "Purity Pill."

The Purity Pill was said to be one of the secret alchemical creations of Bodhi Temple, capable of cleansing both mind and body. Though primarily a Buddhist creation, it was rumored to have extraordinary benefits for Daoist practitioners as well. Unfortunately, the formula had been lost during the sect’s schism.

“Could this incomplete recipe be the Fifth-Grade Opportunity foretold by the omen?” Lei Jun wondered.

The candlestick itself held little significance for him as a Daoist cultivator, but the Purity Pill formula might prove valuable. Lei Jun carefully recorded the fragments and began pondering their restoration.

Alchemical arts were not his specialty, but his years under his master Yuan Mobai—a renowned alchemical expert—had given him a solid foundation. Restoring the formula, however, posed a daunting challenge. With a plan forming, Lei Jun immersed his consciousness into the True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven, entering its first layer.

In the midst of intricate Daoist symbols, Lei Jun focused intently. Over time, faint blue flames—the Nine Abyss Earth Fire—danced around him, illuminating the broken formula’s text. He introduced a wisp of golden light from the candlestick into the altar, where the fire consumed it entirely.

Suddenly, a mystical talisman flickered in the air—a manifestation of the True-One Altar’s profound essence. The blue flames shifted, surrounding the fragmented text. Bit by bit, missing portions of the recipe began to reconstruct themselves, though at an agonizingly slow pace.

“So, the incomplete formula alone isn’t enough. Progress requires alignment with the artifact’s underlying principles…” Lei Jun exhaled deeply, his confidence renewed.