Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 178: The End of Lee

Within the deep valley, the fierce wind howled past, carving the mountain rocks as if plowed, leaving ravines crisscrossing the land. Scattered electric arcs and wildfires flickered in all directions, lending a faint brightness to the previously dark valley, only to be obscured again by the flying dirt and dust.

Lei Jun lowered the Spirit Sight Mirror, his body swaying slightly. Since embarking on the path of cultivation, he had rarely felt so utterly drained. Even the robust spiritual energy of the Breath-Taking Flag seemed insufficient to replenish him now.

Thankfully, the Great Five-Element Creation Qi continued to nourish Lei Jun, and under its transformative effect, faint strands of mana gradually began to regenerate. Taking a deep breath, Lei Jun’s Sacred Physique of Yin and Yang also began circulating his mana ceaselessly. With the harmonious interplay of yin and yang, the trickle of mana swiftly accumulated and recovered.

After a few breaths, Lei Jun’s nearly depleted mana was restored to a stable level. The Breath-Taking Flag also resumed providing a steady flow of energy. However, Lei Jun took control of the flag, halting its supply of mana temporarily. Instead, he focused on keeping it on alert for his surroundings, ensuring no opportunistic danger would exploit the situation to their advantage—a scenario he could not afford.

Fortunately, this section of the valley was devoid of any other presence. Holding the Breath-Taking Flag, Lei Jun approached Li Xuan’s position again. Initially, his steps were slow, but as his Sacred Physique of Yin and Yang and the Northern Dark Abyss Palace’s energy nourished him, his mana quickly recovered. By mid-journey, Lei Jun was once again moving swiftly, his figure cutting through the air like the wind.

Like Li Xuan earlier, Lei Jun now unleashed the Wind Tiger Cloud Dragon technique to scout and guard the way ahead. Although not his life-bound spell, Lei Jun wielded it with exceptional proficiency.

Li Xuan was unquestionably dead. Consumed by thunderfire, even his bones were reduced to ash. After confirming that Li Xuan had not used any illusion or life-swapping techniques, Lei Jun nodded slightly. He then performed a simple cleanup of the scene.

The valley’s chaotic spiritual energy made it unlikely that anyone outside would discover Li Xuan’s demise here. Otherwise, Li Xuan would not have chosen this place to eliminate Lin Shan earlier. Yet, ironically, it had now become his burial ground.

Lei Jun looked around at the ravaged valley and the collapsed mountain rocks, recalling the surge of thunderfire earlier. He shook his head lightly. The Magnetic Sword Pellet was powerful but highly consumptive and conspicuous. If one wished to avoid interference or interruption, choosing the right environment for such a battle was critical. In an open area, it would undoubtedly attract the attention of influential figures like the Chu Clan Scholar of Suzhou or others.

If that were to happen, there would be no chance for Lei Jun to play the role of "Lei Sanpao" (Lei the Artilleryman). Even if he managed to kill Li Xuan, it would inevitably draw the attention of Upper Heaven Realm experts. However, here in this Sword Valley, the disturbance would likely only alert Li Xuan’s father, Li Ziyang, who might sense something but remain unaware of the specifics. Moreover, Li Ziyang was currently preoccupied battling Yuan Mobai and had no time to care about the mountain outskirts.

"Speaking of which, who is hiding upstream of Jinque Creek?" Lei Jun suddenly recalled another Moderate-Moderate Omen from his earlier Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Calamity reading. It pointed toward potential danger upstream of the creek. However, chasing Li Xuan downstream had prevented any contact with that area. Whether the danger still lingered was unknown.

For someone like Lei Jun, concealed by the Spirit-Hiding Veil, any danger capable of affecting him likely indicated the presence of an Upper Heaven Realm master. He shook his head lightly.

Although the Sword Valley was secluded, Lei Jun swiftly departed after tidying up the area. Li Xuan was dead beyond doubt, with no remains left. Most of his artifacts had been destroyed by the Magnetic Sword Pellet due to their protective mechanisms. Yet, one item piqued Lei Jun's interest—a peculiar iron book. Its cover bore a distinctive insignia that Lei Jun recognized from his earlier conversations with his master, Yuan Mobai, about the newly established Demon Suppression Guard. The insignia was their emblem.

Given Li Xuan’s role in the Demon Suppression Guard’s covert operations and his high rank, this iron book was undoubtedly linked to the organization. After confirming no reaction from the Light Sphere in his mind, Lei Jun stored the book within the Breath-Taking Flag for safekeeping. Unsure how to unlock it, he planned to study it later. While Lei Jun had no interest in the guard itself, any classified information it might contain could prove valuable.

Lei Jun emerged from the depths of the valley, returning to the surface. For now, there appeared to be no immediate danger. Keeping a low profile, he shifted his position and observed the direction of Mount Longhu's main peak again.

The sight was breathtaking: purple, gold, and green lights interwove into a brilliant tapestry, occasionally accompanied by bursts of nine-colored radiance—the hallmark of the Tianshi Robe. Even with the Spirit Sight Mirror, the scene appeared as nothing more than a dazzling mass of light, its details obscured.

Clearly, the battle atop the main peak had reached its most critical juncture. Such a battlefield was perilous even for cultivators at the Seventh Realm of the Upper Heavens, let alone for those in the Middle Heavens. Extreme caution was a necessity.

Retracting his gaze from the peak, Lei Jun swept his surroundings with a wary eye. The Chu Clan Scholar had made his support for the Li Family abundantly clear, though the exact implications remained to be seen. If figures like Elder Qi Shuo of the Yellow Heaven Sect, who opposed both the Tianshi Mansion and the Li Family indiscriminately, or opportunistic troublemakers were also scheming, Lei Jun could only guess at their plans.

---

Far away, amidst the mountains, a group of Daoists gazed in the direction of Mount Longhu. Their attire, in stark contrast to the Tianshi Mansion's violet, red, and yellow robes, was dominated by black and white hues.

At the forefront stood an elder Daoist, stroking his beard as he observed the dazzling thunder and light atop the peak with a wistful expression.

“Senior Martial Uncle Lü…” a middle-aged Daoist by his side asked softly, “What should we do now?”

The elder Daoist was none other than Lü Jinduan, an elder of the Pure Yang Palace, a rival Daoist holy land that had previously visited the Tianshi Mansion. However, Lü did not immediately answer, instead sighing softly, “What a pity, what a pity indeed…”

The disciples behind him, all from the Pure Yang Palace, wore complicated expressions. Their purpose in coming here was not something that could be openly discussed.

If asked which side Lü Jinduan hoped would win the Tianshi Mansion’s internal conflict today, his answer would have been clear: the Li Family.

This was not because of any particular goodwill toward the Li Family. Quite the opposite—his interest lay elsewhere: Tang Xiaotang, the most radiant figure atop Mount Longhu.

Lü Jinduan valued Tang Xiaotang deeply, hoping to forge a connection with her. If the Li Family emerged victorious, retaining control of Mount Longhu, Tang Xiaotang might be forced to leave. At that point, Lü Jinduan could lend her a hand and form a bond of goodwill, paving the way for her potential future entry into the Pure Yang Palace.

Even though Tang Xiaotang had spent years cultivating under the Talismanic Branch of the Tianshi Mansion, with firm roots established, Lü Jinduan still held out hope. If he could convince her to join, any subsequent challenges could be resolved in due time.

However, the unexpected return of the Tianshi Sword to Mount Longhu, and its placement in Tang Xiaotang’s hands, had shattered Lü Jinduan’s plans. The balance of power within the mansion had shifted toward the non-Li factions.

The more brilliant Tang Xiaotang appeared, the more regretful Lü Jinduan became. Assisting her now could still forge goodwill, but it would not carry the same significance as aiding her in adversity. Tang Xiaotang might offer thanks, but it was unlikely she would switch allegiances.

Yet, it was equally impossible for Lü Jinduan to directly intervene on behalf of the Li Family against the non-Li factions. He could only silently hope that the Li Family could hold their own.

But now…

“Ah!” Lü Jinduan sighed again.

“Senior Martial Uncle, perhaps we should still lend a hand, secure some goodwill, and leave the future to chance,” suggested the middle-aged Daoist. “We can pretend we’ve just arrived, avoiding any suspicion that we’ve been watching all along.”

Lü Jinduan had considered this possibility but hesitated. Every faction had its difficulties.

During the recent war in the Western Regions, the Pure Yang Palace’s patriarch, the venerable Huang Lao Zhenren, had played a crucial role in suppressing the demonic uprising. Together with the Empress, he had ensured that the late Emperor Zhang Qilong could return to the capital alive instead of succumbing in the West.

However, the cost was significant. Huang Lao Zhenren was gravely injured and had since been recuperating in seclusion, leaving the management of the Daoist Alchemical Sect to Lü Jinduan and others.

The sect had suffered heavy losses, and the Pure Yang Palace had been low-profile in recent years, quietly rebuilding its strength. Lü Jinduan’s journey south this time was one of his rare ventures out of the palace.

If he could persuade Tang Xiaotang to defect, the risks of getting involved would be worthwhile. But if the only reward was uncertain goodwill, caution was warranted. A misstep could easily lead to enmity.

“The world is in chaos,” Lü Jinduan mused, “one wrong step, and the consequences are unpredictable.”

The Pure Yang Palace disciples behind him understood the gravity of his words. Among the Four Holy Lands of Buddhism, the fate of the Bodhi Monastery was already sealed—annihilation.

Perhaps a few survivors might escape, but overall, this ancient Buddhist Zen martial sect had encountered an unprecedented calamity during this apocalyptic tribulation.

Relations between the Pure Yang Palace and the Buddhist sects were not particularly harmonious. Yet at this moment, watching the Bodhi Temple face annihilation, Elder Lü and his companions couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions.

"By the way, has it been confirmed?" Lü Jinduan suddenly asked, "Are the siblings from the Xiao family both in the Eastern Sea?"

The middle-aged Daoist behind him straightened his expression and replied, "Martial Uncle, it has been confirmed. They are indeed accompanying Her Majesty, the Empress. Moreover, over in Suzhou, Chu Yu of the Moon Pavilion has appeared in Wuyue, aiding the Tang Dynasty in quelling Prince Wu’s rebellion, shaking Jiangnan to its core."

"Chu Yu may be acting independently and does not necessarily represent the Suzhou Chu Clan," Lü Jinduan remarked, gazing toward the direction where the Chu Clan elder resided. "It’s not uncommon for the Suzhou Chu Clan to hedge their bets. However, unless that old Chu elder himself takes action, it won’t truly reflect the broader stance of the Chu Clan. On the other hand, the Xiao Clan of Longxi is a different story..."

The demonic unrest in the Western Regions had far-reaching effects. However, among the major powers affected, none were hit harder than the Xiao Clan of Longxi, one of the prestigious Five Surnames and Seven Clans.

Not only did their reigning patriarch perish, but their upper echelon suffered severe losses, leaving them virtually hollowed out.

Cynically speaking, the Xiao Clan of Longxi could soon be removed from the ranks of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans.

With most elders gone, the clan was now led by a handful of young individuals. These youths, however, seemed to be forging a new path.

Once a lineage of illustrious nobility, the Xiao Clan of Longxi had shifted allegiance, entirely aligning themselves with the Tang imperial family, far more thoroughly than the Li Clan of Xinzou.

From what Lü Jinduan had learned, the Xiao Clan was now spearheaded by three siblings. The eldest, the new patriarch, remained at the ancestral grounds of Guanzhong, while the second brother and third sister accompanied the Empress to the Eastern Sea to subdue the demons.

Heaven seemed to have taken pity on the Xiao Clan, as new stars continued to rise despite their calamities.

This trip to the Eastern Sea had seen the second son and third daughter of the Xiao Clan shine brightly. The Empress personally broke convention to promote them, making them appear as her trusted confidants.

It was almost enough to make one wonder if they had prior connections.

Adding to this was Chu Yu, the foremost talented woman of the Chu Clan, who was campaigning in Wuyue on the Empress's behalf. Gradually, the key figures of the Empress's court began to take shape.

Given the Xiao Clan’s unique circumstances, it was unlikely that the Empress had abandoned the anti-nobility stance of the previous two emperors. It seemed more like she was poaching talents from the Five Surnames and Seven Clans.

The noble houses delivered the destruction of the Bodhi Temple as a coronation gift for the Empress.

In return, the Empress bestowed a gift of her own.

The Xiao Clan of Longxi might currently be a shadow of its former self, but this was only the beginning.

Who would be next?

Would the next target be incorporated or met with different means and results?

Incorporating the Xiao Clan as a response to the destruction of the Bodhi Temple was only one piece of the game. The chaos engulfing the world was just beginning, Lü Jinduan mused, his gaze fixed on the main peak of Mount Longhu.

---

Lei Jun peered through the Spirit Sight Mirror but was unable to discern the details on the main peak. However, the fact that Yuan Mobai was still holding the mountain-protecting formation, keeping the Chu Clan scholar and other outsiders at bay, indicated that the situation was not yet out of control.

As he pondered, a glowing sphere flashed in his mind, revealing a series of inscriptions:

"Dragons clash, mantises hunt, hidden danger lurks, fortunes flow with the wind."

Four divinations followed, leaving Lei Jun momentarily breathless:

1. Upper-Moderate Omen: After the upheaval at Mount Longhu's main peak, proceed to Jiuxing Ridge to obtain a Fourth-Grade Opportunity. However, this path may involve karmic entanglements, so act cautiously. Good fortune.
2. Moderate-Moderate Omen: After the upheaval at Mount Longhu's main peak, find refuge at Jiuxing Ridge, Yunjin Mountains, or Chongling Gorge. Proceed low-key to avoid danger. No gains but no losses either. Peaceful.
3. Moderate-Moderate Omen: After the upheaval at Mount Longhu's main peak, proceed upstream of Jinque Creek at the Yunjin Mountains to obtain a Sixth-Grade Opportunity. Potential danger, proceed cautiously. Peaceful.
4. Lower-Bad Omen: After the upheaval at Mount Longhu's main peak, enter Chongling Gorge to obtain a Sixth-Grade Opportunity. However, the path is perilous with slim chances of survival. Great misfortune.

The sought-after Lower-Bad Omen had arrived! Lei Jun exhaled deeply, his excitement barely contained. Despite the deadly implications, he was exhilarated, even tempted to kneel in elation.

He quickly calmed himself and set his sights on Jiuxing Ridge, following the path of the Upper-Moderate Omen. While heading there, he mulled over ways to entice others to pursue the Sixth-Grade Opportunity in Chongling Gorge.

Interestingly, Jiuxing Ridge, aligned with the Upper-Moderate Omen, was not far from Chongling Gorge, associated with the Lower-Bad Omen.

---

Lei Jun reached the base of Jiuxing Ridge and turned back to gaze at the ancestral grounds of Mount Longhu.

What would the upheaval entail?

On Mount Longhu, the decisive moments had indeed arrived.

Tang Xiaotang, bathed in the violet Nine Heavens Divine Thunder and the golden Pure Yang True Fire, wielded the Tianshi Sword with unparalleled power, entirely suppressing Li Hongyu and the Tianshi Robe.

Seeing this, the three high priests of the Li family were filled with unease.

“Third Uncle, Zhengxuan, we have no other choice!” Li Ziyang shouted decisively.

Li Song let out a long sigh. “Ancestral Masters, forgive this disciple’s transgressions.”

Li Zhengxuan remained silent, his hands forming a spell seal.

Li Hongyu instinctively moved to intercept, but the attacker merely waved their sleeve. Already gravely injured, she was sent flying backward, her chest and abdomen completely caving in.

Not only did her body collapse into a mangled mess of blood and flesh, but at that moment, Li Hongyu felt her soul shattering as well. She was like a porcelain vase already riddled with cracks, now finally breaking apart.

Scenes from her past suddenly surfaced one by one: the fierce competition for the Tianshi position, a lifetime of cultivation efforts, and the breakthrough to the Eighth Heaven Realm—only to suffer a crushing defeat immediately afterward. Everything she had once possessed now seemed to slip away, including her very life...

Her vision gradually froze, the last image lingering being Tang Xiaotang charging toward the mysterious figure with her sword.

However, the opponent was prepared and avoided clashing directly with her. Suddenly, a cold, eerie light flashed—it was the power of the Yin Moon Soul Stone! A complete, massive Yin Moon Soul Stone disintegrated into powder in an instant, releasing a tremendous force that illuminated Tang Xiaotang and briefly stalled her movements.

She cursed aloud in frustration as the mysterious figure seized the opportunity to grab the Tianshi Robe. Just then, another figure leapt into the air, surrounded by talismans shimmering like stars—it was Yuan Mobai.

The mysterious figure blocked Yuan Mobai with one hand while reaching for the robe with the other, only to be caught off guard as Yuan Mobai's form suddenly expanded dramatically.

The warm and gentle young elder of the Tianshi Mansion revealed his true form—a massive black-and-white panda, colossal as a mountain, appearing over Mount Longhu. The sheer size rivaled the mountain itself! Yuan Mobai had unleashed his true nature, demonstrating physical strength far surpassing his human form.

For the first time in the history of Mount Longhu, the unparalleled might of a Destiny Star Avatar at the Seventh Heaven Realm erupted, overshadowing even the physiques of most martial arts masters in the world. The violent clash of power erupted midair.

Caught off guard, the mysterious figure lost their grip on the robe. At the same time, Tang Xiaotang suppressed the Yin Moon Soul Stone’s energy and delivered a furious sword strike.

The collision of their combined powers twisted the void momentarily.

Suddenly, a dazzling nine-colored radiance flashed, and the Tianshi Robe vanished from the heavens and the earth.

Everyone froze in shock.

At the foot of Nine Star Ridge, Lei Jun was speechless for a long time.

"...Are the three treasures of the Tianshi Mansion taking turns for vacations or something?" he muttered. "The Tianshi Seal and Tianshi Sword finally came back, and now the Tianshi Robe flies off? What the h*ll is going on!"

Before he could finish, Lei Jun noticed a streak of light flickering below the mountain. He cautiously approached and saw a faint nine-colored glow emanating from the forest, its aura unmistakably linked to the Tianshi Robe.

Remembering how he obtained the Tianshi Seal and the associated clues, along with the prior mention of karmic entanglements in his fortune, Lei Jun felt a sudden realization: the Fourth-Grade Opportunity referenced in the Upper-Moderate Omen could be tied to finding the Tianshi Robe.

Taking a deep breath, he observed the surroundings. Confirming no one else was nearby, he collected the glowing light for later study. His gaze flickered briefly before he left Nine Star Ridge.

---

Meanwhile, in the skies over Mount Longhu, the mysterious figure recovered first. After scanning the area and seeing Yuan Mobai securing the mountain’s defenses and Tang Xiaotang pursuing the void rift, the figure left without a word, vanishing in an instant.

Tang Xiaotang initially tried to retrieve the robe but failed. Seeing the figure disappear, her anger flared.

"Don’t pursue recklessly," Yuan Mobai, back in his human form, cautioned her. "They’re highly skilled and unidentified."

Tang Xiaotang’s eyes blazed. "I’m not leaving empty-handed today!"

Her gaze locked on a fleeing streak of lightning in the distance—it was Li Song, gravely injured and unable to retaliate. Despite his escape, he had tried to harm her while she was in seclusion, earning a top spot on her kill list. Now, in her fury, she wouldn’t stop until blood was spilled.

She transformed into a golden light and gave chase.

Lei Jun watched the chase from a distance, then turned his attention back to Mount Longhu.

The sudden upheaval had left many stunned and unprepared. With both Li Ziyang and Li Zhengxuan injured, their hopes of competing at the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar were dashed, forcing them to retreat.

Yuan Mobai returned to the altar and reactivated the mountain’s defensive array without pursuing the retreating forces. Yao Yuan, having been overwhelmed earlier, remained to recuperate.

---

At Heavy Spirit Gorge, Lei Jun stopped at the entrance, wary of both Li Ziyang and any hidden dangers. With the Teng Snake Bone and the Breath-Taking Flag, he melded with the terrain, using the Spirit-Hiding Veil to completely conceal his presence.

Li Ziyang soon arrived, drawn by the faint aura of the Tianshi Robe, and cautiously entered the gorge. Moments later, explosions and angry shouts echoed.

"Cao Chu! It’s you?!" Li Ziyang bellowed.

"Didn’t expect you to walk into my trap. Today, you’re mine," laughed an aged voice.

The speaker, Cao Chu, an elder of the Golden Fortress Stronghold, had long been lying in wait. His sect, a bastion of the Southern Wasteland’s ghostly arts, thrived on harnessing evil souls and corpses.

Cao Chu targeted injured Tianshi disciples, seeing their cultivation as invaluable resources for creating powerful undead. For him, the heavily wounded Li Ziyang was the perfect target.

Lei Jun frowned. He recalled an earlier fortune about avoiding disaster linked to Cao Chu, yet now it had shifted to a Lower-Bad Omen. Why?

With no time to ponder, Lei Jun decided to leave. As he departed, a tiger’s roar erupted from the gorge.

"Qi Shuo..." Li Ziyang muttered grimly.

"It’s your end, Li Ziyang," a cold voice replied.

Qi Shuo, a Yellow Heaven Sect elder, emerged from another entrance, carrying artifacts designed to counter concealment like the Spirit-Hiding Veil. He wasn’t allied with Cao Chu but shared a common goal—eliminating Tianshi disciples.

From his vantage point, Lei Jun witnessed the battle between the three unfold. Despite his curiosity about the Sixth-Grade Opportunity, he knew the gorge was a deathtrap for anyone caught in the crossfire.

As Lei Jun left, he glanced back at the gorge, muttering, "Li Ziyang, I hope you enjoy your fate. Who says you can’t outmaneuver someone at the Seventh Heaven Realm?"