Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion -
Chapter 186: Yet Another Supreme Good Omen
“Oh?”
Lei Jun stood his ground calmly, making no move as green flames automatically surged around him, incinerating the approaching tendrils.
“It looks a bit like Dragon-Binding Vines, but as far as I know, there shouldn’t be any of those in the Shangqing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven,” came Tang Xiaotang’s voice, seemingly close to Lei Jun’s ear despite her unseen presence.
Lei Jun speculated, “Perhaps some spiritual seed was stored here but never germinated. The changes caused by the recent battle may have triggered its growth, allowing it to extend these vines.”
He asked Tang Xiaotang not to destroy the vine’s roots yet.
After Lei Jun dispersed the Nine Abyss Earth Fire, the tendrils resumed their extension, seemingly unaffected by the loss. Though imbued with spirituality, they lacked true sentience, continuing to encroach once the flames subsided.
Lei Jun began testing various talismans.
His Sea of Fire Talisman and City-Encompassing Wind and Fire Talisman, while not life-bound, were still formidable due to his mastery of high-level talismans and enhancements from his refined Yin-Yang Pen.
These talismans, equivalent to life-bound techniques of peers in his realm, barely slowed the Dragon-Binding Vines.Next, he tried his Five Thunders True Talisman and Thunderous Might Talisman, but they, too, had minimal effect.
Finally, Lei Jun turned to his life-bound talismans.
He began with the Yin Five Thunders True Talisman, conjuring torrents of Gui Water Yin Thunder, which eroded the vines on contact, turning their grayish-white surfaces charred black.
However, while the Gui Water Yin Thunder slowed their advance, it wasn’t enough to halt the overwhelming tide of tendrils surging toward him.
With a flick of his finger, Lei Jun conjured a small flame.
This seemingly insignificant spark erupted into a fierce burst of Ding Fire Yin Thunder, instantly reducing the closest vines to ash and severing others.
Still, the massive number of tendrils meant the effect was only temporary, requiring a continuous barrage of Ding Fire Yin Thunder to hold them at bay.
Switching tactics, Lei Jun used Xin Metal Yin Thunder, summoning a sharp metallic energy that should have effectively countered the wooden nature of the vines.
However, to his surprise, streaks of lightning crackled within the grayish-white tendrils, diminishing the effectiveness of his metallic strikes.
The vines must have absorbed some of the grotto-heaven’s unique energy over the years, growing into something far beyond the norm, Lei Jun deduced.
He then shifted to Ji Earth Yin Thunder, which specialized in defense, creating a barrier of yellowish light to hold back the vines.
Though the vines managed to pierce the barrier in places, Lei Jun countered by summoning Yi Wood Yin Thunder, which glowed verdant green like bamboo stalks. Yet instead of repelling the vines, the energy nourished them, causing them to grow even more aggressively.
Unperturbed, Lei Jun nodded slightly in acknowledgment of this result.
As the vines encroached further, Lei Jun activated his Heavenly General Talisman and Mountain-Cleaving Talisman, imbuing himself with immense strength and growing to a towering size.
With raw force, he tore apart the first wave of tendrils that reached him.
However, more vines quickly replaced those destroyed, surrounding him from all directions and limiting his mobility.
When his footing became precarious, Lei Jun unfurled the Breath-Taking Flag, summoning waves of yellow spiritual light that encased him and blocked the tendrils.
The flag’s greatest strength lay in its ability to generate an inexhaustible supply of spiritual earth and stone, creating a persistent defense. The tendrils’ assault faltered as they were gradually overwhelmed and buried under layers of soil and stone generated by the flag.
In the end, Lei Jun used the Breath-Taking Flag to uproot and temporarily seal the vines within layers of spiritual stone.
Studying the subdued tendrils, he mused, This material could be valuable for artifact crafting… Worth considering further.
Continuing his exploration of the mountain, Lei Jun encountered no further abnormalities. The dense spiritual energy of the Biyou Immortal Mountain nourished his cultivation as he walked.
From a distance, he glanced back at the mountain’s main peak, where purple lightning streaked the sky. Occasionally, flashes of golden lightning illuminated the summit.
Lei Jun frowned slightly. The loss of the Tianshi Robe and the current dormancy of the Tianshi Seal are major issues.
The complete Three Realms True Canon, containing the Thunder Law Talismanic Canon, required the Tianshi Robe and Tianshi Seal for preservation. With the robe missing and the seal limited to revealing only the Earth Fire Talismanic Canon, critical aspects of the Thunder Law remained inaccessible.
Even the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, summonable by the Tianshi Sword, lacked the full inheritance of the Thunder Law Talismanic Canon.
While Tang Xiaotang had created her own unique Pure Yang Immortal Thunder, a golden lightning technique tied to her Pure Yang Celestial Physique, this self-made method was far from universal and couldn’t replace the foundational inheritance for other disciples.
Without the Tianshi Robe and Thunder Law Talismanic Canon, key techniques like the Yang Thunder Dragon and the Dragon-Tiger Combined Strike remained out of reach for most.
As Lei Jun pondered these challenges, he resolved to contribute to solving them. The future of the Tianshi Mansion, already struggling in its weakened state, hinged on such efforts.
After subduing the Dragon-Binding Vines, Tang Xiaotang asked curiously, “So, what do you plan to do with them? These vines, while persistent and regenerative, are entirely reliant on their spiritual roots. Once separated from the root, they lose vitality. Transplanting or propagating them isn’t really feasible.”
Lei Jun replied, “I’m aware. I plan to use this spiritual plant for crafting a magical artifact. I have some ideas and want to test them.”
“Suit yourself,” Tang Xiaotang said casually, leaving the matter to Lei Jun as they exited the Shangqing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven.
Tang Xiaotang returned to the Tianshi Hall, where her role as Tianshi required her to oversee reports and coordinate decisions with Yuan Mobai, Yao Yuan, and Shangguan Ning.
Lei Jun, on the other hand, headed to the Treasure Pavilion to claim the rewards he had earned through his meritorious service.
As a newly appointed elder, Lei Jun was granted the rare privilege of selecting materials from the pavilion freely. Though he had delayed his selection to consider his needs carefully, his recent encounter with the Dragon-Binding Vines provided inspiration for his crafting plans.
The pavilion’s current overseer, Elder Zuo Li, was surprised when he reviewed Lei Jun’s choices. “You’re sure about these materials?”
The items weren’t particularly rare or valuable, which puzzled Zuo Li.
“They’re exactly what I need,” Lei Jun replied with a smile.
Zuo Li stroked his beard thoughtfully and said, “Lei Shizhi, your conduct during your appointment has been exemplary—upright and considerate, setting a fine example for both peers and juniors alike.”
The Tianshi Mansion had been severely depleted by the recent conflicts, its resources stretched thin due to the damage inflicted on spiritual gardens, mines, and key locations such as the Lingzhi Platform. This made the pavilion’s current stock relatively modest.
Even so, Lei Jun’s privilege to select freely from the pavilion was an exceptional honor, reflecting the importance of his contributions.
“Still,” Zuo Li added, “we cannot let temporary scarcity deny you your rightful rewards. You are at a critical stage in your cultivation, and you must not hold back.”
Lei Jun replied humbly, “I appreciate your concern, Elder Zuo, but as my master often reminds me, a Daoist must act according to destiny and seek only what aligns with their path. Excessive desire is unnecessary.”
Zuo Li nodded, his expression softening with approval. “Wise words. Very well, if your heart is set, I’ll respect your judgment.”
Returning to his residence, Lei Jun began preparing for his project.
His goal was to craft a magical artifact to complement his Magnetic Sword Pellet.
While effective, the sword pellet had its shortcomings:
- It consumed a significant amount of energy.
- Its accuracy depended on external tools, such as the Spirit Sight Mirror, which had limitations in range, visibility, and stealth.
Lei Jun envisioned an artifact to enhance targeting and precision, building on the foundation provided by his existing tools.
The main components included:
- Dragon-Binding Vine roots: The core material, harvested from the subdued spiritual plant.
- Antarctic Cold Iron: A durable and conductive metal, carefully cut and shaped.
- Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman: For its spatial properties.
- Guangfa Spiritual Crystal: A rare treasure gifted by Ji Chuan, capable of producing Guangfa Clouds to aid in crafting and enhance the artifact’s overall quality.
Using auxiliary materials from the Treasure Pavilion, Lei Jun began his experiment.
Lei Jun’s first two attempts ended in failure, resulting in the destruction of the materials.
He remained calm, methodically refining his process and adjusting his design.
On the third attempt, the artifact began to take shape, though the final product fell short of his expectations. Encouraged by the progress, Lei Jun moved on to the fourth attempt, which succeeded but still lacked the desired efficacy.
His fifth attempt failed outright, prompting a reassessment of his approach.
Finally, on the sixth try, Lei Jun succeeded.
Standing atop the third tier of his ritual altar, surrounded by a glowing array of spiritual talismans, Lei Jun completed the crafting process. The altar shimmered with the ethereal light of the Guangfa Clouds, complementing the starlike talismans around him.
Before him, a command flag floated gently, its white fabric shimmering with faint radiance. The artifact was complete.
Lei Jun secretly left the mountain, heading to the Sword Valley, where the Tianshi Sword had once reemerged. Its deep, secluded terrain made it an ideal testing ground.
At the valley’s base, he planted the flag in the rocky soil.
Activating the artifact, Lei Jun summoned his Dragon-Tiger Spirit technique, channeling his mana into the shapes of a Wind Tiger and Cloud Dragon.
As the Wind Tiger passed near the flag, the artifact emitted a pale glow, extending chains of light resembling dense vines. These chains ensnared the Wind Tiger, binding it tightly.
The tiger struggled but couldn’t break free.
Lei Jun smiled in satisfaction. The artifact’s effects had exceeded his expectations.
After Lei Jun distanced himself from the testing site, the summoned Wind Tiger and Cloud Dragon dissipated naturally.
However, the faint gray-white chains of light from the Magnetic Dragon-Binding Flag remained active.
Lei Jun expanded the distance between himself and the flag to the maximum range detectable by a typical Fifth-Heaven cultivator’s senses.
He focused, condensing the surrounding magnetic energy. The air seemed to ripple as his Magnetic Sword Pellet synchronized with the flag.
From afar, the flag transmitted its presence to him, pinpointing its location and restricting the movement of anything it had bound.
This capability was particularly advantageous when direct observation was obstructed by obstacles, rendering tools like the Spirit Sight Mirror ineffective. Lei Jun could still locate his target and ensure precise strikes.
For Lei Jun, the first strike was critical.
An unsuspecting opponent, unprepared for a Talismanic cultivator to unleash an attack rivaling—or even surpassing—Confucian sharpshooters or Daoist flying swords, was more likely to be caught off guard.
Even if the first strike didn’t kill, it could wound the target, increasing the accuracy of subsequent strikes.
Conversely, missing the first strike would alert the opponent, allowing them to evade or defend more effectively, reducing the likelihood of landing follow-up attacks.
“Preliminary testing is successful. Let’s call it the Magnetic Dragon-Binding Flag,” Lei Jun murmured, nodding in satisfaction. “Next, the second phase.”
A single Magnetic Dragon-Binding Flag offered limited control, making it easy for a target to escape its range.
Lei Jun planned to craft multiple flags, allowing him to create an array that could cover a wide area, forcing opponents into a no-escape zone.
Another improvement involved incorporating the spiritual essence of the Breath-Taking Flag, making the Dragon-Binding Flags harder to detect.
To further improve his offensive capabilities, Lei Jun retrieved a secondary artifact—a metallic device resembling a tube or scabbard—designed to complement his Magnetic Sword Pellet.
By embedding the sword pellet into the scabbard-like device, he reduced the energy required to launch it.
The Guangfa Spiritual Crystal gifted by Ji Chuan produced Guangfa Clouds, which further refined the metallic structure, streamlining the firing process.
After test-firing two "rounds," Lei Jun nodded in approval. Though the energy consumption remained significant, it was far less than manually casting the attack.
Returning to the target site, Lei Jun observed the aftermath: vast rock formations had been pierced or collapsed by his attacks.
The Magnetic Dragon-Binding Flag, unharmed, stood with its pale glow now retracted.
After tidying the area to erase traces of his experiment, Lei Jun retrieved the flag and left the valley, returning to the sect.
Instead of heading straight to his quarters, Lei Jun went to his master Yuan Mobai’s residence for a pre-arranged discussion.
“Now that you’ve officially taken your post, it’s time to assign you formal responsibilities,” Yuan Mobai said.
Lei Jun replied humbly, “I will do my utmost. I only fear my inexperience.”
Yuan Mobai shook his head with a smile. “You’ve done exceptionally well over the past half year. Even Elder Yao and Senior Sister Shangguan have spoken highly of you.”
Yuan Mobai outlined several potential assignments for Lei Jun, all involving areas undergoing restructuring after the recent upheavals.
As was customary, the Tianshi Mansion ensured open communication regarding personnel decisions, consulting those involved before finalizing assignments.
Given Lei Jun’s exemplary conduct in the Treasure Pavilion, earning widespread admiration, the sect was inclined to offer him a favorable posting, as long as the conditions weren’t unreasonable.
Lei Jun listened calmly to Yuan Mobai’s descriptions, but unexpectedly, the light sphere in his mind began to flash, revealing written text:
“Newly appointed elder: Bold in taking responsibility, yet lingering waves remain. With new opportunities emerging, discern fortune from misfortune to avoid calamity.”
Three options for his sign of fate then appeared:
[Supreme Good Omen]
- Serve as a Resident Elder of the Steward’s Hall.
- Gain a Fourth-Grade Opportunity, with potential for further expansion.
- No risks or hidden dangers. Extremely auspicious.
[Moderate Omen]
- Serve as both a Resident Elder of the Steward’s Hall and Patrol Elder for external duties.
- No additional rewards or risks. Neutral outcome.
[Lower-Moderate Omen]
- Serve as a Patrol Elder, overseeing external investigations of branch mansions.
- High risks and significant hidden dangers. A perilous choice.
Studying the options, Lei Jun frowned slightly.
Serving as a Resident Elder of the Steward’s Hall offers stability and rewards, with room for growth. A clear choice for building my foundation.
Adding external patrol duties to the role dilutes focus without yielding any additional benefits. A neutral path.
Becoming a Patrol Elder alone is fraught with danger. Lingering unrest from recent events makes it a precarious choice.
Lei Jun pondered his options carefully, knowing that his decision would shape his future within the sect.
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