Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 167: Fourth-grade opportunity, the soul-blocking curtain

The group of five disciples from the Blood River Sect finally arrived from afar. They had initially intended to assist their Martial Uncles, Bo Hong and Shui Ying. However, they hadn’t expected Bo Hong to fall so quickly, defeated within mere breaths. By the time they realized the need to escape alongside Shui Ying, it was too late. They were all enveloped by Lei Jun’s black Yin-Water Lightning.

The lightning clung to their bodies, corroding them and causing immense pain. These Blood River disciples found the black lightning even more sinister and ruthless than their own blood pollution techniques.

Shui Ying's expression was grim as she watched Lei Jun approach her, unhurried but unstoppable.

The Blood River Sect’s lineage had always relied on accumulating deathly energy and killing intent as its core principles of cultivation. During their training in the Lower Heavens, Blood River disciples generally practiced the same life-bound spells: the Blood River, which polluted opponents’ mana; the Blood Battle, which increased combat power upon injury; and the Blood Devour, which absorbed the life force and blood energy of enemies to replenish their own. Despite slight variations, these techniques were broadly similar.

However, by the time they reached the Middle Heavens, the application of their methods in combat diverged based on individual cultivation paths, generally branching into three routes. These paths built upon the foundation of Blood River, Blood Battle, and Blood Devour, each emphasizing different aspects.

Bo Hong, for instance, focused on close combat, excelling in hand-to-hand fighting. In addition to his three life-bound spells, he practiced Blood-Flesh Impermanence and the Eight Forms of Blood Battle. His combat style emphasized physicality, offering offensive power comparable to body-refining cultivators of the same realm. Though his defense and speed were inferior, his ever-changing flesh made him unpredictable, blending brute force with cunning ferocity. He also had remarkable regenerative abilities.

Shui Ying, on the other hand, specialized in upgrading the Blood River into the Blood Sea, mastering techniques like the Tides of Blood Sea and Blood Wave Surge as her life-bound methods. The Blood Sea was filthier and vaster than the Blood River, covering a broader area and holding a greater volume. Yet, even her Blood Sea couldn’t contend with Lei Jun’s Thunder Sea.

The Blood River Sect’s inheritance had its unique strengths, and the ferocity of the Blood Sea wasn’t necessarily inferior to Lei Jun’s Thunder Sea. However, Lei Jun’s mana was more concentrated and overwhelmingly aggressive.

As an experienced warrior, Shui Ying could clearly sense that Lei Jun’s techniques held greater power than those of other Tianshi Mansion True Disciples of the same level. She couldn’t fathom how Lei Jun had achieved such mastery.

What infuriated her more was that this towering Daoist had just crushed Bo Hong in close combat and was now overpowering her in long-range spells.

“...Lei Jun of Mount Longhu, your reputation is well deserved!” Shui Ying said bitterly, her face darkening further.

By now, she had matched the man before her with the descriptions and portraits she had seen. This was the rising prodigy of Tianshi Mansion, whose rapid progress and meteoric rise had caught widespread attention. Yet meeting him in person made her realize his combat prowess was even more terrifying than the rumors suggested.

“Who would’ve thought I’d encounter you here? Today, we’ve been defeated. Even if my master were free, they might not be able to deal with you immediately.” Shui Ying glared at Lei Jun. “But don’t celebrate too soon. You’re already on our sect’s kill list. Plenty of people have their eyes on your blood essence. We’ll meet again soon—I’ll be waiting for you below!”

“Be good, and don’t make trouble.” Lei Jun casually swung his staff, caving her head into her chest cavity. “You think you deserve such luck?”

He glanced into the distance. The battle involving Li Song and Tian Linlong had only grown fiercer, now nearing a fever pitch. Perhaps neither Li Song nor Tian Linlong intended to engage in such a drawn-out and pointless fight. Even if Li Song was furious, fighting these enemies to the death held little value for him. However, the Blood River Sect Elder and the Great Demon had different plans, forcing Li Song and Tian Linlong to fight with all their might.

The pervasive demonic aura disrupted the surrounding spiritual energy, creating chaos in the area.

Lei Jun briefly cleaned up the site of Bo Hong and Shui Ying’s deaths. This location was too close to Tang Xiaotang’s retreat, and leaving any traces could cause trouble. After clearing the area, he approached the cave dwelling where Pure Yang Energy was leaking out, feeling the faint traces of yang energy.

After a moment, Lei Jun sat cross-legged and began circulating his mana. Unlike when he misled Liang Chen and Li Zhusheng earlier, Lei Jun now utilized his Yin-Yang Sacred Physique to transform his mana into a pure yin energy. Black and white energies intertwined, refined by the True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven’s Talismanic Canon, emerging as purified black energy. This energy merged with the yang energy outside the cave, creating a harmonious cycle.

He used the yellow glow of the Breath-Taking Flag to produce illusory earth and rocks, sealing the cave dwelling and camouflaging it with the surrounding terrain. With a flick of his fingers, Lei Jun activated the Yin-Five Thunder Mantra Talisman, producing Wood Yin Thunder that nurtured nearby plants, subtly enhancing the area’s natural appearance.

Satisfied with the concealment, Lei Jun turned to observe the cave. Tang Xiaotang was likely deep in the final stage of her seclusion, entirely focused on her cultivation. Otherwise, she would have emerged earlier to investigate the commotion.

Lei Jun refrained from disturbing the cave or drawing on its Pure Yang Energy. For now, he would serve as her temporary guardian.

He shifted his attention to the newly acquired Spirit-Hiding Veil from Bo Hong and Shui Ying. This rare spiritual artifact could obscure a cultivator’s aura, even briefly blocking the perception of Upper Heaven cultivators. However, it required preparation and wasn’t effective when enemies were already close.

Bo Hong had intended to use the veil if an Upper Heaven expert arrived. Unfortunately, Lei Jun had hidden his aura and approached them silently, rendering the artifact useless. Now, it was in Lei Jun’s possession.

“Let’s see how this turns out. If needed, I’ll use it to get through today’s crisis,” Lei Jun mused, though the moderate-upper omen he had earlier suggested things might not be that dire. He planned to use the Breath-Taking Flag to hide the cave, reserving the veil for future opportunities.

Lei Jun also reflected on his battle with the Blood River Sect. Bo Hong’s regenerative abilities had caught him off guard, and his heightened sensitivity to killing intent almost let him evade Lei Jun’s attack. Though Lei Jun successfully struck Bo Hong, the latter managed to deploy a defensive blood mist that disrupted a follow-up blow.

Recognizing the Blood River Sect’s sensitivity to killing intent, Lei Jun contemplated enhancing the effects of his Wind Talisman “Night Wind.” With higher-level opponents awaiting him, Lei Jun resolved to refine his techniques further. Pondering this, he retrieved his Upper Qing Golden Bamboo.

When fully activated, the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo transformed into a long staff with formidable offensive power, as demonstrated by its role in the swift defeats of Bo Hong and Shui Ying. However, in its default form as a short staff, its current offensive capability seemed somewhat lacking—especially against opponents like the monk Yong Xiang or close-combat experts such as Bo Hong.

Lei Jun often kept the staff in its short form for ambushes, avoiding any enhancements like the Heavenly General Talisman or the Mountain-Cleaving Talisman to maintain stealth. This made him ponder how to further enhance its effectiveness.

Recently, with the aid of the Nine Abyss Earth Fire obtained through the first layer of the True-One Altar, Lei Jun’s artifact refinement skills had improved. He began entertaining the notion of upgrading the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo. Yet, he quickly chastised himself: Why am I still scheming about sneak attacks? Isn’t my image supposed to be honorable and upright?

Shrugging off his conflicted feelings, Lei Jun refocused on the present.

The intense battle nearby had shifted eastward, thankfully moving away from the southern area. After ensuring there were no further disruptions, Lei Jun began stabilizing the terrain near the cave using the Breath-Taking Flag. The rocky surroundings were repaired and reinforced, and as the spiritual energy from the battle calmed, the Pure Yang Energy leaking from the cave was naturally sealed off.

From an outsider’s perspective, the area seemed unremarkable, ensuring the cave remained hidden—even if the Blood River Sect Elder returned to search for the fallen disciples Bo Hong and Shui Ying.

While the specific location of Tang Xiaotang’s secluded retreat remained unknown to outsiders, it was possible that if the Blood River Sect spread rumors, more people might start searching the area. Concerned, Lei Jun sent a message to his master, Yuan Mobai.

“Understood,” Yuan Mobai replied calmly. “You may return to the mountain. I will make further arrangements for Xiaotang.”

Yuan Mobai also informed him that their Third Martial Uncle had returned injured and would need time to recover.

After verifying the cave’s security one last time, Lei Jun departed the area. His return to Mount Longhu was uneventful, and he acted as if oblivious to the earlier chaos and the Upper Heaven experts’ battle.

Upon his arrival, he heard that Supreme Elder Li Song had entered seclusion to recover. While Li Song had survived, others like Liang Chen and Li Zhusheng had not returned. Officially, it was stated that the group had been ambushed by the combined forces of the Blood River Sect, the Yin Mountain Sect, and a Great Demon during an inspection tour of branch mansions.

Lei Jun maintained his usual composed demeanor, neither mentioning the events nor exposing the truth. Only a few insiders were aware of the actual circumstances, and they feigned ignorance to the public.

Walking through the mountain after reporting to the Steward’s Hall, Lei Jun encountered two familiar figures: Li Kong, one of Liang Chen’s disciples, wearing mourning attire, and Li Xuan, the son of Elder Ziyang and a member of the Tang Dynasty’s Demon Suppression Guard.

“Senior Brother Zhongxuan, Senior Brother Zhongkong,” Lei Jun greeted them with a bow before turning to Li Kong. “My condolences, Senior Brother Zhongkong. I remember Liang Martial Uncle’s teachings fondly and had hoped to consult him again. It’s a shame…”

Li Kong responded solemnly, “Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, Junior Brother Lei.”

Li Xuan interjected, “The Southern Wasteland Witch Sect has been growing increasingly audacious. We must remain vigilant and prepare for the chance to avenge Liang Martial Uncle and the others.”

He then shifted the conversation. “Junior Brother Lei, I’ve heard rumors that Tang Xiaotang has followed Second Martial Uncle’s example and entered seclusion to break through to the Eighth Heaven. Is it true?”

Lei Jun feigned surprise. “Tang Senior Sister? Wasn’t she focused on searching for the Tianshi Sword?”

Li Xuan nodded thoughtfully. “Rumors abound, but only time will reveal the truth. There’s been much speculation about the whereabouts of Second Martial Uncle and Tang Senior Sister’s retreats.”

Lei Jun deduced this was part of Yuan Mobai’s strategy to sow confusion and mislead those searching for Tang Xiaotang’s location.

“No matter who breaks through to the Eighth Heaven first, it’s a monumental event for the mansion,” Lei Jun replied earnestly. “For security, secrecy is paramount.”

Li Xuan agreed. “You’re right. The return of the Tianshi Seal and Tianshi Sword, coupled with new Eighth Heaven experts, would solidify the mansion’s strength.”

Li Xuan then asked, “Later, I’d like to meet with Martial Uncle Yuan. Could you inform him for me?”

“Of course, Senior Brother Zhongxuan. It’s no trouble,” Lei Jun replied courteously.