Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 173: Second opportunity to improve understanding

Although Lei Jun swept through Dayu Ridge, he did not linger long because the Yellow Heaven Sect Daoist Jiang and others had mentioned the elder Qi Shuo of the Upper Heavens. After collecting the pair of peculiar jade treasures with his Breath-Taking Flag, Lei Jun immediately departed.

Once far from Dayu Ridge, he sought a secure spot to pause briefly and attempted to contact his master, Yuan Mobai. Although both were within the Xinzhou region and not far apart, communicating with Mount Longhu was extremely challenging. The ancestral hall at the sect was in utter chaos, with spiritual energy thrown into disarray, making even the Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman unreliable.

Fortunately, by observing the distant skies above Mount Longhu, Lei Jun could see that his Little Senior Sister, Tang Xiaotang, was holding her own. Azure and golden flames surged into the heavens, with the Yin-Yang Twin Tigers roaring in unison, clearly overpowering the dragon's roar. The Yang Lightning Dragon of Supreme Elder Li Song had nearly vanished, leaving the Nine-Colored Radiance of the Tianshi Robe to support him. Meanwhile, another section of the sky revealed a second purple Thunder Dragon suppressing a second azure Fire Tiger.

In the internal battle between the two high elders of Mount Longhu, Elder Li Ziyang was steadily gaining the upper hand against Elder Yao Yuan. The Three Realms True Canon of Daoist Arts' Thunder Law Talisman Scriptures proved its reputation as the strongest combat method, with its Yang Lightning Dragon techniques. However, Li Ziyang's advantage could not compensate for Li Song's precarious position. Tang Xiaotang continued to pressure Li Song with her golden Yang Fire Tiger, while splitting her azure Yin Fire Tiger to aid against Li Ziyang, successfully forcing the Thunder Dragon back into the storm clouds!

Although both sides retained enough reason to avoid endangering the sect's grounds, most of the fighting occurred outside the sky, leaving golden and azure flames and violet lightning serpents occasionally crashing around Mount Longhu's periphery. The residual effects were fortunately insufficient to breach the Tianshi Mansion's defensive formations.

After significant effort, Lei Jun managed to establish intermittent contact with Yuan Mobai. The name "Three Caves Desolation Calamity" was as unfamiliar to Yuan Mobai as it was to Lei Jun. However, upon hearing Lei Jun’s account, Yuan Mobai immediately recognized the threat it posed and commended Lei Jun's vigilance in disrupting it.

"Well done, Chongyun," Yuan Mobai praised, using Lei Jun’s Dao name. "But be cautious in the outside world… Qi Shuo's retreat leaves his whereabouts uncertain, and beyond him, Southern Wasteland Gu Sect experts have emerged…"

Lei Jun listened quietly to Yuan Mobai’s warnings and exhaled deeply. Li Kong had perished, and many Li Family disciples returning to Mount Longhu with him had suffered heavy casualties. The attackers were Southern Wasteland Gu Sect Ghost Dao experts who had stealthily approached the mountain.

The Ghost Dao claimed to inherit the souls of shamans, refining and commanding evil spirits and walking corpses in battle. Their combat strength fluctuated greatly depending on the spirits they controlled. For Lei Jun, this situation was a moderate omen, but it posed grave dangers for others who lacked items like the Spirit-Hiding Veil or Breath-Taking Flag.

When Li Kong’s group encountered an Upper Heavens-level Ghost Dao expert near Mount Longhu’s outskirts, only a few managed to escape back to the ancestral hall.

The reasons for the Southern Wasteland Gu Sect’s sudden arrival at Mount Longhu were deeply tied to their turbulent history. The Southern Wasteland was rife with chaos and infighting, but remnants of their grudges against the Tianshi Mansion from the second internal war remained. Among the Gu Sect's five main traditions, the Ghost Dao's sacred land, Jincheng Village, was now dominated by a faction directly inheriting those grudges.

"Revenge is one reason; the other is undoubtedly to seize a great advantage," Lei Jun remarked with a slight shake of his head. Jincheng Village’s Ghost Dao practitioners specialized in commanding evil spirits and walking corpses. If they succeeded in taking advantage of the situation, it would be a major gain.

"Though I have repelled them, pursuing them off the mountain is inconvenient for now," Yuan Mobai cautioned. "The danger remains, so do not let your guard down. These are turbulent times…”

Indeed, turbulent times… Lei Jun nodded in agreement. His master’s concern was not baseless. Across the Great Tang, turmoil was erupting everywhere.

Yuan Mobai then shared another piece of news unrelated to Mount Longhu or the Tianshi Mansion, yet it made Lei Jun frown deeply. Just before Prince Wu’s rebellion and the Eastern Sea demon upheaval, the abbot of Bodhi Temple traveled north to Youzhou to retrieve the relics and treasures of their ancient patriarch.

Not long after, Prince Wu rebelled, and the Eastern Sea fell into chaos. Seemingly unrelated events—but then the Northern Youzhou region also erupted into demon turmoil. The Lin Clan of Youzhou and the Ye Clan of Jinzhou were drawn into the conflict.

“The latest report reveals that the Bodhi Temple abbot's supposed retrieval of relics and treasures was a ruse; his true aim was to convert the demon clans. However, he failed and sparked greater chaos instead," Yuan Mobai explained with a calm tone, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

Lei Jun grimaced. "Bodhi Temple fell into a trap… This is just the beginning."

Yuan Mobai nodded. "Your earlier information was accurate. The Grand Emptiness Temple has returned from the Eastern Sea, resurfacing on land. Bodhi Temple, now weakened, is under assault from them. The specifics remain unclear…”

Although there was no solid proof, Lei Jun began piecing together clues in his mind. The northern demon chaos might be real, but it wasn’t instigated by Bodhi Temple. Instead, someone was using the demons to eliminate the Buddhist sect.

The Jinzhou Ye Clan and Youzhou Lin Clan, possibly even the Qingzhou Ye Clan from the shadows, were all watching. Multiple forces were in play, preparing not just one weapon but many. Besides northern demons, the Buddhist sacred land’s rival—the Grand Emptiness Temple—was also in motion.

At the same time, the Tang Imperial Court had its hands full. While Prince Wu’s rebellion might have been anticipated, the Eastern Sea demon crisis was severe and warranted greater attention. Among the Four Great Buddhist Lands, Vajra Monastery distanced itself from the others, Xuanyan Temple remained secluded, and Tianlong Temple was entangled in the Eastern Sea and Wu-Yue upheaval. Bodhi Temple was left to fend for itself.

Whether the abbot of Bodhi Temple could return alive to his sect was uncertain.

The Tang Imperial Court relied on the Three Daoist Sects, Four Buddhist Lands, and the Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans to maintain balance. However, the balance now risked being forcibly disrupted. Bodhi Temple might be the first to fall, but who would be next?

If not for the northern clans’ meticulous preparations targeting Bodhi Temple, the Tianshi Mansion, weakened from internal strife, could have been a better target.

Elsewhere, the Xiao Clan of Longxi and the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou were biding their time, recuperating. The Chu Clan of Suzhou and the Fang Clan of Jingxiang—what further moves would they make?

Since the Empress's ascension, the capital and surrounding areas had been rife with hidden currents. This could be the aristocracy’s first gift to her reign…

Wait—something felt off. Lei Jun frowned, sensing he had overlooked something.

"Our sect must first clear its own doorstep," Yuan Mobai commented nonchalantly. "For now, I am more concerned about the mysterious figure who sabotaged Elder Qingfeng and assisted the Yellow Heaven Sect in perfecting the Three Caves Desolation Calamity…”

Lei Jun concurred. The northern regions were ablaze with turmoil. Conversely, the widespread chaos meant other factions had limited energy to meddle with the Tianshi Mansion's latest internal conflict. Even with the Yellow Heaven Sect and Jincheng Village watching from the wings, both sides in the internal battle could now afford to escalate further.

The conflict wasn’t just between Tang Xiaotang, Li Song, Li Ziyang, and Yao Yuan—the sect’s four peak elders. It had also spilled over into the mid-level cultivators of the mansion. If not for Yuan Mobai and Shangguan Ning mediating, the Tianshi Mansion might have already devolved into an all-out brawl akin to a hundred years prior.

Yet, the most worrisome issue remained the mysterious individual. Six years ago, it was this person who ambushed the previous Tianshi, Li Qingfeng, on the Great River, leading to his untimely death. Even Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen, though forcing the attacker to retreat, hadn’t decisively prevailed.

Now, this same individual had resurfaced, helping the Yellow Heaven Sect transform the hypothetical Three Caves Desolation Calamity into a functional weapon. Their abilities, resources, and intentions demanded vigilance from the Tianshi Mansion.

Lei Jun shook his head lightly. He wasn’t in a hurry to return to the mountain. Relocating to another secure spot, he activated his Breath-Taking Flag again. A faint yellow spiritual glow generated large amounts of earth and stone, concealing his position.

Finally, he had the opportunity to carefully examine the peculiar jade pair he had obtained earlier.

[Desolation Enlightenment Jade]

The name surfaced in Lei Jun’s mind as if by instinct. The jade emanated an aura brimming with spirituality, yet it carried a primal and untamed quality that was profoundly unsettling. It bore no trace of malice, but its nature was distinctly different from typical spiritual items.

As Lei Jun delved into it, he perceived the transition from primordial ignorance to enlightenment—subtle, poised at the boundary between raw chaos and clarity. For a moment, his thoughts felt sharper and more agile, a realization that startled him.

Lei Jun’s comprehension had long reached the Illuminated Level, making his thinking exceptionally fluid. Whether cultivating arts or innovating techniques, he was known for his creative insights. Achieving further breakthroughs from this high level was exceedingly difficult. Yet, as he studied the jade, he felt a faint sense of inspiration—brief but remarkable.

The sensation dissipated quickly, leaving him unable to recapture it. Lei Jun pondered for a moment, forming a hypothesis. He reached into his spiritual consciousness, connecting with his Tianshi Seal and the True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven.

At first, there was no reaction. Just as he was about to dismiss his theory, the lamps of the Four-Nine Lights within the True-One Altar began to flicker. Then, the altar itself trembled slightly, an almost imperceptible vibration.

Lei Jun refocused his energy. The altar had returned to calm, but he was certain it had subtly changed. Sitting cross-legged, he channeled his mana. Black and white streams of energy encircled the jade pair. The faint blue glow of the jade intensified, splitting into three distinct colors—purple, gold, and azure.

The colors layered and intertwined, mimicking the Three Realms Gateways of the Yellow Heaven Sect's ritual altar. Together, they formed a small, illusory altar, casting a projection deep into Lei Jun’s soul and within the True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven. The True-One Altar trembled again as the three colors dispersed.

Lei Jun identified the changes within the altar. In its interior, he saw a previously sealed portal now faintly revealed, exuding a hint of spiritual energy. The gateway, though shut, was visible.

"Perhaps this jade could help unlock the second layer of the True-One Altar," Lei Jun mused. He sensed the jade’s potential to synergize with the altar, possibly elevating his comprehension to the Clear Tranquility Level—a step beyond Illuminated Level. It might even herald a second enhancement of his bone structure.

The jade pair truly lived up to its description as a third-grade opportunity capable of growth. Lei Jun carefully stowed the glowing jade away, calming his thoughts. But how could he unlock the second layer of the altar?

He recalled Yuan Mobai and Xu Yuanzhen’s earlier discussions. Both hinted that the key might lie in the Southern Wasteland.

As Lei Jun pondered this, a flicker of awareness jolted him. Stowing his Breath-Taking Flag, he ascended the mountain peak and gazed toward Mount Longhu. In the eastern sky, sword qi surged like a tidal wave, dominating the heavens. Its presence immediately evoked images of the Suzhou Chu Clan and Qingzhou Ye Clan’s famed traditions.

Despite disruptions in the flow of spiritual energy, Lei Jun used his Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman to contact Fang Jian. Though the interference broke Fang Jian’s response into fragments, Lei Jun understood his intent. The Suzhou Chu Clan was indeed involved but had not committed fully, sending only one Upper Heavens-level scholar.

During the factional struggles within the Li Family, the Chu Clan ultimately sided with them. This wasn’t solely due to Chu Guolao’s personal relationship with Li Song. For the Chu Clan and other noble families, a weakened Tianshi Mansion and Li Family would be ideal. If forced to choose, they’d back the Li Family, a single-surname entity, over the sect, which involved multiple families.

On Mount Longhu, points of starlight flared, blocking the Chu Clan scholar’s ocean-like sword qi from breaching the mountain. Lei Jun exhaled. His master, Yuan Mobai, had finally intervened, taking a stand against outsiders.

Suddenly, a deafening thunderclap shattered the sky. Lei Jun, even from a great distance, felt its shock. Looking up, he saw a mighty Thunder Dragon clashing with a golden Fire Tiger. The battle was even more intense than Tang Xiaotang’s earlier fight with Li Song.

Li Hongyu had returned to the mountain.

The second elder had successfully crossed the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation, breaking into the Eighth Heaven Realm. Known for her strength even before this breakthrough, she now surpassed the aging Li Song, becoming the Li Family's strongest cultivator.

Above Mount Longhu, the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven was dyed in interwoven golden and violet hues as Li Hongyu’s Thunder Dragon fiercely fought Tang Xiaotang’s Fire Tiger. Their clash was monumental.

The emergence of two Eighth Heaven masters within the Tianshi Mansion would typically be cause for celebration. But instead, they were embroiled in a colossal battle. Lei Jun raised an eyebrow.

The nine-colored radiance of the Tianshi Robe hovered nearby, unused. Li Hongyu hadn’t reclaimed it, likely by her own choice. She seemed intent on proving her strength through sheer skill against Tang Xiaotang. Meanwhile, Li Song, finally catching his breath from Tang Xiaotang's relentless assault, redirected his focus elsewhere.

With no opposition, Li Ziyang regained the advantage, forcing Yao Yuan into a dire situation. Outside the mountain, the scholar's oceanic sword qi intensified its assault, synchronizing with the two Thunder Dragons within.

On the mountaintop, Lei Jun took a step forward, watching intently. At that moment, a radiant pillar of light surged skyward from Mount Longhu, filled with spinning talismans as magnificent as a starry river.

The Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar had been activated.