Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 208: The turning point of Shangqing Golden Bamboo from a magical instrument to a magical treasure

“A sharp-tongued brat…” Wang Jingfang was already feeling dizzy, and now, hearing these words, his vision darkened in anger.

At the same time he spoke, Lei Jun did not pause in his actions. With the Heavenly General Talisman and Wind Thunder Talisman enhancing him, his figure suddenly expanded, and in just one step, he seemed to have closed the distance, charging straight at Wang Jingfang.

Wang Jingfang was enveloped in a massive, golden, semi-transparent sphere, withstanding Lei Jun’s ferocious attack—one that was nearly on par with a martial arts grandmaster’s strike.

Among the three major Daoist sects, cultivators of the Daoist Alchemical Sect were known for having the strongest defensive techniques. Upon reaching the Sixth Heaven Realm, they could externally manifest their Golden Core, a defensive technique recognized as one of the most formidable in the Daoist world, even rivalling the defensive prowess of Buddhist precepts.

At the Sixth Heaven Realm, Wang Jingfang’s externally manifested Golden Core made his defense even more extraordinary.

However, unless absolutely necessary, cultivators of the Daoist Alchemical Sect rarely used this method.

The Golden Core was the culmination of decades of painstaking cultivation—the essence and foundation of their Dao. While it provided unmatched defense, any damage to it meant severe injuries to their cultivation base, far worse than regular wounds.

Wang Jingfang quickly calmed down. Though he had been wandering outside for years, he still recognized the rising young talent from the Talismanic Branch of Daoism before him.

“Lei Jun…”

In the next moment, his Golden Core withdrew back into his body. Rather than blocking Lei Jun’s attacks head-on, he suddenly lightened his movements, becoming as weightless as mist. His movements were unpredictable, dodging Lei Jun’s attacks with agile footwork.

While he wasn’t as fast as Lei Jun, Wang Jingfang’s steps had a unique rhythm—graceful and elusive, like a dragon concealed in the mist, revealing only glimpses of its form.

The Pure Yang Palace, one of the Daoist Holy Lands, followed a philosophy of integrating martial arts and Daoist arts, with four major lineages of inheritance.

Wang Jingfang’s core techniques came from the Azure Dragon Lineage, specializing in Azure Dragon Soaring Technique and Azure Dragon Claw.

However, before he could fully execute his technique, gloomy yellow Yin Thunder filled the surroundings.

This Yin Thunder was not violent but dense and pervasive, like earth itself, sealing off all escape routes.

Within the Yin Thunder of Earth, streaks of Black Yin Water Thunder seeped out, clinging to Wang Jingfang like parasites, relentlessly pursuing and surrounding him.

At this moment, Wang Jingfang deeply regretted coming here in person.

If he had projected his Yang Spirit for a distant excursion, escaping would have been much easier.

…But had he done so, without the ability to manifest his Golden Core, he might not have survived Lei Jun’s first brutal strike.

“You colluded with the remnants of the previous dynasty, inciting chaos in the Southern Wastelands. If that turmoil spreads north, our sect will be the first to bear the consequences.”

As Lei Jun manipulated the Black Yin Water Thunder to tighten the encirclement, he casually continued, “But that’s still a distant issue. Right now, I’m mainly here to ask about Zhou Peng.”

Like Wang Jingfang, Zhou Peng was also a traitor of Pure Yang Palace.

However, the difference was that Zhou Peng had once been a senior elder at the Upper Three Heavens Level before defecting from Pure Yang Palace.

The Three Major Daoist Holy Lands all had their internal struggles. Though Pure Yang Palace had not suffered large-scale internal strife like Tianshi Mansion or Shushan Sect, it had still seen multiple betrayals over the years.

These defectors did not establish their own sects like Yellow Heaven Sect or White Lotus Sect, but they formed a loose alliance for mutual protection. Zhou Peng, being the strongest among them, naturally became their leader.

Lei Jun was particularly concerned about Zhou Peng because he had previously used Yin Moon Soul Stones to counter Pure Yang Palace’s pursuers.

Years ago, a mysterious figure had appeared near Mount Longhu, slaughtering disciples of Tianshi Mansion, further intensifying the conflict between the Li family and the non-Li disciples.

Though the Li family’s rule was now history, that mysterious figure’s identity remained unknown.

Considering that the individual had wielded Yin Moon Soul Stones, it was highly likely that their true target was Tang Xiaotang.

Moreover, the person who had repeatedly attacked Li Qingfeng and Li Hongyu during the struggle for the Tianshi Robe had also used Yin Moon Soul Stones against Tang Xiaotang.

Lei Jun had never forgotten about this.

“Looking for Uncle Zhou? Take your time.” Wang Jingfang sneered. Instead of retreating from the encroaching black thunder, he charged forward to meet it head-on.

The black thunder water exploded upon contact, scorching Wang Jingfang’s robes into charcoal.

But beneath his skin, a dark azure glow flickered, resembling layers of dragon scales.

Generally, if Daoist Alchemical Sect cultivators did not rely on Yang Spirit Projection, their combat methods focused on close-quarters combat techniques.

Compared to the External Alchemy Sect, which specialized in long-range artifact control, and the Talismanic Branch, which fought at mid-to-close range, the Daoist Alchemical Sect always sought to engage in melee combat immediately.

At this moment, Wang Jingfang was both defending against Lei Jun’s spirit talisman attacks and simultaneously closing the distance, maneuvering unpredictably to get behind Lei Jun.

His hands shot out like claws, aiming for Lei Jun’s vulnerable eyes and ears.

However, Lei Jun’s speed was unmatched—he dodged effortlessly and countered with a swift grab, locking onto Wang Jingfang’s shoulder.

Lei Jun’s flesh and blood had been tempered by the Black Bear King’s Gallbladder and the Vigorous Blood Elixir, making his physical strength surpass that of most martial artists at the same cultivation level.

With the Mountain-Cleaving Talisman and his Life-Bound Heavenly General Talisman enhancing him, his raw strength was terrifying.

Wang Jingfang could only watch as this Talismanic Branch junior outmatched even an Alchemical Sect cultivator in sheer physical power.

His Azure Dragon Claws, meant to tear through flesh, were effortlessly repelled by Lei Jun’s body, leaving Wang Jingfang’s fingers numb from the shock.

And when Lei Jun counterattacked, gripping Wang Jingfang’s arm, he struggled free—only to find five deep claw marks on his forearm.

Cursing inwardly, Wang Jingfang realized he had to retreat.

His form blurred like a dragon vanishing into the clouds, slipping away.

But Lei Jun’s Earth Yin Thunder and Black Yin Water Thunder instantly closed in again.

Enraged, Wang Jingfang condensed all his power into a single explosive burst, similar to a martial grandmaster condensing blood into a core.

With this newfound force, he executed Azure Dragon Roar, unleashing a dragon-shaped burst of azure energy that ignored the black thunder water and focused solely on tearing through the earth thunder barrier.

Yet, just as he pierced through—something was already waiting.

A tiny flickering flame.

The moment the flame ignited, an overwhelming storm of lightning and fire erupted, engulfing Wang Jingfang.

His face twisted as he was forced to externally manifest his Golden Core again to withstand the devastating explosion.

But that single moment of hesitation sealed his fate.

Lei Jun’s Heavenly Thunder Talisman and Boundless Sea of Fire Talisman detonated in rapid succession, swallowing Wang Jingfang completely.

Lei Jun smiled as he raised a hollow golden tube, infused with Magnetic Force and suspending a Refined Metal Sword Pellet within.

In the next instant—a flash of electricity tore through the air.

The golden barrier around Wang Jingfang trembled—then shattered completely.

He staggered back, a gaping hole in his torso.

His Golden Core was obliterated.

Collapsing to the ground, his body convulsed.

Lei Jun walked up to him.

“Now, shall we have a calm conversation about Zhou Peng?”

Wang Jingfang forced himself to stay conscious, glaring at Lei Jun with deep unwillingness in his eyes.

Lei Jun raised a single finger and waved it gently in front of Wang Jingfang’s face.

At his fingertip, threads of emerald-green Yin Wood Thunder coiled, wrapping around Wang Jingfang’s severely injured body and sustaining his life force.

Then, with a flick of his hand, Lei Jun used the Breath-Taking Flag to securely wrap up Wang Jingfang before beginning to clear the battlefield.

He had deliberately chosen to strike when most of the Sui Dynasty remnants had already scattered, ensuring that Wang Jingfang was isolated. This way, he wouldn’t have to waste time dealing with unnecessary complications.

However, he was still curious about the "great fortune" hinted at by his Supreme Good Omen.

The previous chaotic battle had made it difficult to focus, but now, with most of the people gone and the area settling, Lei Jun could more easily sense the spiritual energy in the surroundings.

Though the Sui Dynasty remnants had looted and taken many valuable items, Lei Jun had a strong feeling that what he was truly looking for was still hidden somewhere in Xinglong Abyss.

There was no rush. He had taken down Wang Jingfang first, but now it was time to carefully search the area.

Before long, Lei Jun found his target—a nearly dried-up spring.

It looked as though it had been abandoned long ago, which explained why the Sui remnants had done nothing more than collapse part of the terrain and hastily buried it under broken rocks.

After checking the surroundings to confirm his location, Lei Jun did not start digging immediately.

Instead, he retrieved a special artifact—the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo, which had a natural connection to the item he was searching for.

He planted the bamboo-like talisman into the ground at the center of Xinglong Abyss.

At first, the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo remained motionless.

But moments later, Lei Jun felt the earth tremble faintly beneath him.

Then, on the surface of the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo, thin strands of crimson appeared—blood-red threads weaving through its structure.

As the blood-red veins spread, the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo trembled, and from within it, a faint sound of thunder echoed.

As the blood-red veins intensified, the hidden thunderous aura became more and more distinct, until finally, the very mountains around Xinglong Abyss began to shake.

A surge of pure, blazing thunder energy erupted.

Lei Jun placed his palm against the trembling Upper Qing Golden Bamboo, and in an instant, a name surfaced in his mind—

【Kui Ox Blood】.

Understanding dawned on him.

Kui Ox Blood contained immense spiritual power, and if he could fully absorb and refine it, the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo could be elevated to an even greater level—

No, it wasn’t just an enhancement. This would allow him to refine the artifact into a true personal treasure, one perfectly attuned to himself.

Ideally, Lei Jun would wait until he reached the Seventh Heaven Realm and then, with the help of Nine Abyss True Fire, completely reforge the artifact.

If he succeeded, this would become his first true life-bound magical treasure—a weapon that would grow with him and reach even greater heights.

A Third-Grade Opportunity, just as his Supreme Good Omen had foretold.

However, as Lei Jun stared at the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo, now swelling in size as it absorbed the Kui Ox Blood, he couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless.

He hoped that reforging it would change its appearance—because right now, it just looked like an oversized bamboo shoot.

Lei Jun sighed, remaining on high alert as he let the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo continue its transformation.

Meanwhile, he began interrogating Wang Jingfang.

Although he used various methods to pry information from him, what Wang Jingfang revealed was mostly of limited value.

However, one particular detail stood out.

According to Wang Jingfang, Zhou Peng had not obtained the Yin Moon Soul Stone on his own—it was given to him by someone else.

In other words, Zhou Peng had a benefactor.

There was no concrete proof, but Lei Jun’s instincts immediately recalled another figure—

The mysterious master who had attacked Li Qingfeng and Li Hongyu, and had fought with Tang Xiaotang and Yuan Mobai over the Tianshi Robe.

This individual had been involved in the conflict at Mount Longhu’s Tianshi Mansion, but was it possible that they were also entangled with Pure Yang Palace?

Lei Jun shook his head slightly.

With no further leads, there was no point dwelling on it for now—he simply made a mental note of the matter.

For now, his mission had been a huge success—

First, he had reawakened the Tianshi Seal.

Then, he had obtained the Kui Ox Blood, which would allow him to upgrade the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo into a powerful magical treasure.

With these gains, he could return to the mountain immediately without any regrets.

However—

Before leaving, something else caught his attention.

Rumors had reached him—

The Sui Dynasty remnants were stirring up chaos in the Southern Wastelands.

This could be a minor disturbance, or it could become something far greater.

If a major force emerged from the Southern Wastelands and moved north, then Tianshi Mansion would be the first to suffer the consequences.

But just as Lei Jun had told Wang Jingfang earlier—this threat was still too distant to worry about for now.

Instead, there was another rumor that interested him even more.

The Sui Dynasty remnants might have clues regarding the Tianshi Robe.

"Baiquan Mountain, huh?" Lei Jun murmured, deep in thought.