Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 196: A promising position: library administrator

“Senior Brother, have you heard of the ‘Celestial Net Encircling the Sun Phenomenon’?” Lei Jun asked. Without hiding anything, Chu Kun directly asked back.

Lei Jun thought for a moment. “Doesn’t ring a bell. Why?”

Chu Kun explained, “Back in Suzhou, I saw a passing mention of it in the archives, but there weren’t any details. I later consulted Master about it, and he said there might be records in the sect’s archives, but they’re obscure and not widely referenced. He himself had only heard Elder He of the Decree Pavilion mention it in the past, so I came here to search.”

Elder He was a previous Elder on Duty at the Decree Pavilion, but unfortunately, he perished during the internal conflict three years ago. Since then, the position of Elder on Duty for the Decree Pavilion had been vacant, filled temporarily by Zhang Jingzhen and Lei Jun in succession.

While Lei Jun enjoyed reading in the Decree Pavilion, most of his time was still focused on his cultivation. With the extensive collection of ancient texts housed there, even Lei Jun, or even Master Yuan Mobai, had not read them all. The "Celestial Net Encircling the Sun Phenomenon" sounded more like a piece of folklore or a passing reference in miscellaneous records than a dedicated text, making it challenging to locate. If Elder He were still around, he might have been able to offer some pointers, but now Chu Kun could only search through the records on his own.

Lei Jun, who had recently taken up the role of the Elder on Duty for the Decree Pavilion, also planned to make time to read more of the sect’s archives. Without asking Chu Kun why he was searching for records of the phenomenon, he simply said, “I’ll keep an eye out for it while I’m reading.”

Chu Kun responded gratefully, “That would be perfect!”

Leaving Chu Kun to continue his search, Lei Jun went on to patrol the Decree Pavilion. The pavilion was vast, and it wasn’t solely under Lei Jun’s care. Several Initiate Disciples rotated shifts to assist in overseeing it. Above them, Lei Jun served as the Elder on Duty, supported by four Talismanic Daoists who worked in pairs on alternating shifts.

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai had recently left the mountain on an assignment and reported to the mansion before departing. During Lei Jun’s absence, the four Talismanic Daoists managed the pavilion. Currently, two of them were on duty.

Lei Jun entered a side room of the main pavilion, where the two Talismanic Daoists immediately rose to greet him. “Elder Lei.”

Lei Jun nodded. “You’ve worked hard these past days.”

One of them quickly replied, “Elder Lei, this is just our duty. Besides, the Decree Pavilion is relatively peaceful.”

Lei Jun said, “I’ll be handling the shifts here for the next few days. You two can take a few days off to rest.”

Both Daoists replied deferentially, “We wouldn’t dare.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lei Jun informed them, “I’ll be making rounds in the pavilion.”

As he patrolled, he encountered several Initiate Disciples on duty. They greeted him respectfully, and he casually waved them off, indicating they should continue their work as he walked on, hands behind his back.

Huh, so does this make me some kind of legendary librarian now? Lei Jun’s thoughts wandered for a moment, and he chuckled to himself.

After completing his inspection and finding no abnormalities, Lei Jun returned to check on Chu Kun, who still had no luck in his search. Observing this, Lei Jun couldn’t help but reminisce about the library search functions back on Blue Star. Stopping, he began helping Chu Kun comb through the archives.

The Decree Pavilion was much more leisurely compared to the Steward's Hall. In the days that followed, Lei Jun balanced his cultivation with browsing through the pavilion’s collection of books.

Mount Longhu had experienced a rare period of tranquility in recent years. However, outside its borders, the world was constantly in turmoil. In the Southern Wasteland, the Golden Fortress was on the brink of collapse under the Blood River Sect’s assault. The disjointed factions of the Southern Wasteland were too fragmented to form a unified resistance. Meanwhile, Wei Anchang and the Blood River Sect’s rise put immense pressure on the other four branches of the Southern Wasteland’s Witch Sect. Yet despite this, truly uniting to resist the Blood River Sect was no simple matter of a few words.

The Southern Wasteland, already drenched in blood, grew even more chaotic.

By contrast, the Great Tang in Central Plains appeared relatively stable—a land of peace and prosperity in comparison. Of course, this was partly because many power struggles occurred behind the scenes, unknown to the common people.

For instance, Lei Jun had heard from Yuan Mobai about upheaval within the Shangguan Family in Longxi. According to popular understanding, the family had suffered significant losses and needed to unite to recover and rebuild. However, instead of unity, they followed in the footsteps of Mount Shushan and the Tianshi Mansion, undergoing a blood-soaked internal purge.

The turmoil centered around the controversial siblings Shangguan Chunhui and Shangguan Xueting, and their brother Shangguan Hang—the new clan leader who disrupted the family’s long-standing traditions. Despite the family’s decline, the conservative elders found Shangguan Hang’s actions intolerable. From their perspective, letting things continue as they were would only doom the family further.

Influenced by both internal and external forces, the Shangguan Family eventually erupted into chaos. The conservatives attempted to depose Shangguan Hang, but the conflict ultimately ended with the three siblings suppressing the rebellion.

In the aftermath, the Shangguan Family split. While Shangguan Hang retained control of the ancestral lands, some family members left to establish new branches elsewhere. Like the divided Lin and Ye families in history, there were now two Shangguan Families. However, the infighting and division left both branches weak, shadows of the once-mighty clan that had dominated the Great Tang’s northwest.

The Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans of the Tang Dynasty might now need to be renamed the Four Great Surnames and Six Prominent Clans.

Meanwhile, the political climate in the Tang capital was equally volatile. The newly established academy—known as the "New Academy"—had faced a significant calamity. However, this time, the trouble seemed unrelated to its chancellor, Shangguan Chunhui. Instead, the unlucky parties were a monk and a Daoist.

The Daoist, Elder Lin Shan of the Talismanic Branch's holy land, the Tianshi Mansion, was ambushed by the Yellow Heaven Sect and gravely injured. Thankfully, his life was not in danger. The monk, Master Fashan of the Vow Lineage from the holy land Tianlong Temple, was not as fortunate. Attacked by masters from the heretical Vast Void Temple, he perished on the spot.

The Vast Void Temple’s return to the eastern lands had been marked by a string of violent acts, shaking the Buddhist community. First Bodhi Monastery, then Vajra Monastery, and now Tianlong Temple—all three Buddhist holy lands had suffered casualties at the hands of the heretical sect. This latest incident had caused a massive uproar within Tianlong Temple, with reports suggesting the temple’s elite were preparing to mobilize en masse to eradicate the heretical faction.

In response to the previous attack on Bodhi Monastery, the Tang imperial court had already issued a decree to suppress the Vast Void Temple’s rebels. Now, with this latest incident, the court’s orders were further escalated.

When Yuan Mobai informed Lei Jun of these events, Lei Jun’s first thought was, “The handiwork of the Four Surnames and Six Prominent Clans.”

The Yellow Heaven Sect, the Vast Void Temple, and the White Lotus Sect had all managed to survive repeated suppression attempts. It was no secret that their survival was bolstered by covert assistance—or even direct support—from powerful factions. While it was difficult to quantify the exact influence of the Four Surnames and Six Prominent Clans, their shadow always seemed to linger behind these rebel factions.

Yuan Mobai remarked, “The current Empress may appear calm, but her next move will likely reveal much. However...”

He paused, glancing at Lei Jun. “The Four Surnames and Six Prominent Clans won’t follow the rules this time. Their response may come like a series of relentless thunderbolts.”

Lei Jun nodded subtly, agreeing with his master’s assessment. However, he gazed upward at the ceiling, deep in thought.

Yuan Mobai noticed his expression. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Lei Jun replied. “Disciple doesn’t have any additional insights—just a feeling that the Empress’s actions seem... unusual.”

“Oh?” Yuan Mobai echoed, falling into contemplation himself.

---

In Qingzhou.

Since their split, the two branches of the Ye Family had rarely interacted. While their relationship wasn’t as overtly hostile as the tension between the Lin Families of Youzhou and Jiangzhou, there was still an air of subtle unease between the two clans.

“Elder Brother, your presence in Qingzhou is an honor. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner,” said a middle-aged scholar who appeared to be in his fifties. He greeted an elderly man from Jinzhou.

The elder smiled warmly. “You’re too polite, Chiyuan. My arrival was rather sudden.”

After they were seated, the middle-aged man, Ye Chiyuan, spoke slowly. “I’ve heard about Lingxi. Elder Brother, you have my deepest condolences.”

The elder sighed. “It was my oversight. I have no one else to blame.”

Ye Chiyuan nodded sympathetically before steering the conversation to another topic. “Elder Brother, it’s rare for you to leave Jinzhou. What about the situation in the Southern Wasteland?”

“Regarding the Blood River Sect, others will handle it. There’s no need for us to disrupt our plans. As for Lingxi... though it pains me deeply, it was ultimately an accident,” the elder replied.

Ye Chiyuan traced the rim of his teacup with his finger. “As for Wei Anchang, is there more to the story?”

The elder gave a small nod, but Ye Chiyuan didn’t press further and instead shifted the topic again. “So, Elder Brother, you’re heading north next?”

“Yes,” the elder replied.

Ye Chiyuan smiled faintly. “Then forgive me for not wishing you smooth sailing.”

The elder chuckled softly. “Likewise.”

After finishing their tea, they formally acknowledged each other’s decisions. The elder departed from Qingzhou and began his journey northward toward Youzhou, leaving Ye Chiyuan deep in thought.

Later, a young woman approached Ye Chiyuan. “Father.”

Ye Chiyuan nodded gently.

“Father, does this mean Jinzhou intends to support Youzhou’s side?”

Youzhou was home not only to one of the Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans, the Lin Family, but also to another influential faction: Prince Zhao’s Mansion—the residence of the most senior and powerful royal figure in the Tang imperial family, the Elder Prince.

“Yes,” Ye Chiyuan confirmed with a light nod.

The woman continued, “I’ve packed my things and am ready to leave for the capital to visit my elder sister.”

Ye Chiyuan smiled and corrected her. “You mean Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The young woman lowered her gaze with a smile. “Yes.”

The Ye Family of Jinzhou had always maintained a low profile, while the Qingzhou Ye Family had enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years. Ye Yan, Ye Chiyuan’s eldest daughter, had entered the imperial palace and married the late Emperor Zhang Qilong, becoming Empress and giving birth to his only son. After Zhang Qilong’s death, with the Crown Prince still a child, the Empress ascended the throne, although she continued to recognize her nephew as the rightful heir and kept the title of Empress Dowager.

Currently, neither the Ye Families nor the other noble houses were overtly attempting to change the ruling dynasty. However, dissatisfaction with the Empress was growing due to her perceived incompetence and recklessness. If she continued to lose the favor of her ministers and subjects, the people would naturally turn to a more virtuous ruler to stabilize the realm—just as they had once rallied behind Zhang Qilong.

As the Crown Prince grew older, the Qingzhou Ye Family’s alignment with the Tang imperial family became increasingly clear. Meanwhile...

The two Ye Families remained on divergent paths.

This principle—that the two Ye Families would always stand on opposite sides—had been an unbreakable rule since their split, surviving countless dynasties and regime changes.

The Jinzhou Ye Family had long aligned itself with Prince Zhao’s Mansion. Now, that bond would only deepen. As for Qingzhou, its course was already set. Ye Yan’s second daughter had a close relationship with her elder sister and nephew in the imperial palace.

“Tumultuous times have only just begun...” Ye Chiyuan murmured, watching his younger daughter depart. He sighed deeply.

Beyond Mount Longhu, storm clouds were brewing.

Within Mount Longhu, however, Lei Jun remained focused on his cultivation.

Elder Lin Shan, who had been injured, had not returned to Mount Longhu. Under the Empress’s personal directive, a martial physician of great renown in the capital managed to stabilize his condition. Meanwhile, with Yuan Mobai already back at Mount Longhu, Shangguan Ning had taken the opportunity to travel to the capital to assist in discussions regarding the suppression of the Yellow Heaven Sect.

Within the ancestral grounds of the sect, Lei Jun balanced his cultivation practice with his duties as the Elder on Duty at the Decree Pavilion. His fellow disciple, Chu Kun, had been frequenting the pavilion almost daily, diligently searching for records related to the "Celestial Net Encircling the Sun Phenomenon." Despite his efforts, the vast collection of texts had yet to yield the desired information.

One evening, after finishing his shift at the Decree Pavilion, Lei Jun handed over the night shift to two Talismanic Daoists on duty. As he prepared to return to his residence, he pondered whether to spend the night quietly meditating or to visit the Grand Alchemy Hall to refine some pills.

Suddenly, a glowing sphere of light in his mind flickered again:

“Trouble often arises from small beginnings; blessings often come unbidden. Plant willows, and they will provide shade—good fortune will follow.”

This was followed by two omens:

• Upper-Moderate Omen: Conduct a nighttime inspection of the Decree Pavilion. An opportunity for a Fourth-Grade Opportunity will arise. No risk, no adverse consequences. Good.
• Moderate-Moderate Omen: Do nothing special, gain nothing, and lose nothing. Neutral.

After reading the omens, Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. What’s going to happen at the Decree Pavilion tonight?

Deciding to investigate, he gave up on the idea of refining pills and instead returned to the Decree Pavilion under the cover of night. The "Upper-Moderate Omen" indicated no danger, but Lei Jun still concealed his presence and observed in secret.

Was someone planning to steal from the Decree Pavilion?

Or would something unusual emerge within its halls?

As he waited, countless thoughts crossed Lei Jun’s mind. The pavilion was still being patrolled by other disciples, but Lei Jun carefully monitored the situation from the shadows.

Hours passed uneventfully. Midnight came and went, and still, there was no sign of anything unusual.

However, Lei Jun was patient. He calmly adjusted his Yin-Yang Mana, channeling it until black and white energy swirled from his body and dispersed into the air, enhancing his sensitivity. His spiritual awareness expanded, covering the entire Decree Pavilion.

Then, he felt something—a faint trace, akin to the operation of a Water-Fire Yin-Yang Furnace.

Surprised, Lei Jun followed the sensation to a corner of the pavilion. What he saw left him momentarily speechless: one of the Talismanic Daoists on night duty was actually using a cauldron to refine pills in the Decree Pavilion.

This highly irregular behavior raised Lei Jun’s suspicions at first. He did not immediately reveal himself, choosing instead to observe. But it soon became clear that the Daoist harbored no malicious intent. He was genuinely practicing alchemy, deeply focused and fully engrossed in refining his technique.

Lei Jun, who had recently been studying alchemy under Yuan Mobai, could tell that this Daoist had a solid grasp of alchemical methods. His skills were precise, and he was experimenting earnestly, seemingly trying to maximize his time by practicing even during his shifts.

Still, using a Water-Fire Yin-Yang Furnace in the Decree Pavilion was reckless. The pavilion, filled with countless ancient texts, was hardly equipped to handle the risks of alchemical explosions.

Lei Jun watched the Daoist’s focused expression, silently wondering:

Could the "trouble arising from small beginnings" in my omen refer to a potential fire? And what about the "blessings coming unbidden"?

After confirming that nothing else in the pavilion seemed amiss, Lei Jun decided to wait and see.

Sure enough, after some time, the cauldron began to wobble. The refining process became unstable, and the furnace showed signs of imminent failure. If it were to explode, the resulting fire would cause incalculable damage.

The Daoist panicked, struggling to control the furnace. Just as disaster seemed inevitable, Lei Jun stepped forward.

Placing a hand firmly on the cauldron, Lei Jun used his superior mana to stabilize it in an instant, preventing it from exploding.

“Elder Lei...” The Daoist let out a sigh of relief but quickly paled, realizing the gravity of his actions.

Lei Jun spoke calmly, “Making efficient use of time is commendable, and the Decree Pavilion is indeed quiet. However, bringing a Water-Fire Furnace into this place is inappropriate. The texts here represent the sect’s accumulated knowledge over generations. Even if they aren’t True Dao Scriptures, they are still invaluable.”

The Daoist bowed his head. “Elder, your reprimand is well-deserved. Had you not intervened, I would have committed an irreparable mistake tonight.”

Lei Jun nodded. “Acknowledging your mistake and resolving to correct it is the greatest virtue. However, the sect’s rules cannot be disregarded. You know what you must do.”

The Daoist bowed respectfully. “Yes, Elder. I will report to the Discipline Hall to accept my punishment.”

“No need to rush. Go tomorrow morning,” Lei Jun replied.

After ensuring there were no other disturbances in the pavilion, Lei Jun chatted briefly with the Daoist about their shared interest in alchemy. They had a pleasant exchange about techniques and insights.

The night passed without further incident. As dawn broke, Lei Jun turned back to the intact Decree Pavilion and mused aloud:

“So... where’s my Fourth-Grade Opportunity?”