Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 215: A second-grade opportunity?

"Lin Che, huh…"

Lei Jun was initially a little surprised but quickly regained his composure. His first concern, however, was something else.

"Any news on Senior Sister?"

Yuan Mobai said slowly, "Still no word on Yuanzhen."

That was why he had said the news wasn’t exactly good.

Back during the battle at Poyang Great Marsh, the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou had used a secret technique—an ancient sacrificial ritual that distorted space-time—to try and bury the one person from Tianshi Mansion that they feared most: Xu Yuanzhen.

In the end, they did succeed in trapping her.

But the Lin Clan had paid a heavy price—their newly appointed clan leader, Lin Che, who hadn’t even had time to settle into his position, along with another Eighth Heaven powerhouse, Elder Lin Feng, had both been dragged into the space-time turbulence by Xu Yuanzhen. All three of them vanished without a trace.

Considering the earlier losses of Lin Zhen and others, the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou had ultimately suffered far greater casualties.

Xu Yuanzhen had even left behind a message—she had already killed Lin Feng within the space-time chaos.

However, both she and Lin Che had since disappeared, with no news for years.

But now, Lin Che had returned.

And Xu Yuanzhen remained silent.

For Mount Longhu, this was definitely bad news.

"I firmly believe that Yuanzhen will turn misfortune into fortune," Yuan Mobai said calmly. "We may just need to wait a little longer."

Lei Jun nodded. "I think so too."

However, Tianshi Mansion would now have to renew its vigilance against Jiangzhou.

Previously, the Lin Clan had been unstable. In just a few short years, they had lost two successive clan leaders—Lin Qun and Lin Che.

With Lin Che missing and Lin Feng and Lin Zhen dead, the clan was severely weakened and leaderless, plunging into internal strife.

The direct bloodline had suffered too many losses, while side branches saw figures like Lin Yuwei rising to prominence, leading to constant power struggles.

Tianshi Mansion had suffered its own decline after the internal power struggle over Li Wai, but in recent years, they had been able to recover, partly because their old rivals, the Lin Clan, were also in turmoil.

But now, Lin Che had returned to Jiangzhou, throwing a wrench into everything.

Regardless of the circumstances, Lin Che was an Eighth Heaven scholar with considerable strength and influence. More importantly, he was still the rightful clan leader.

While others might struggle to suppress Lin Yuwei, Lin Che could.

The Lin Clan, despite its losses, was far from collapsing like the Xiao Clan of Longxi.

If they managed to regroup and unite, they would still be a formidable aristocratic force.

For Tianshi Mansion, which was still recuperating from its low point, they had to be extremely wary of their long-time adversary.

To put it bluntly, even if Lei Jun or Yuan Mobai were to die in the Southern Wastelands, the rest of Tianshi Mansion would have no choice but to hold on and cling to Tang Tianshi’s support, preventing her from leaving the mountain to seek revenge.

Against a potentially reunited Lin Clan, Mount Longhu needed both Tang Xiaotang and the Tianshi Sword to remain in place as a deterrent.

The Empress had once personally visited Mount Longhu to show support for Tianshi Mansion.

But as Shangguan Peng had pointed out, times had changed.

Back then, Wei Anchang and the remnants of the Sui Dynasty hadn’t caused such major upheavals yet.

Now, the Southern Wastelands were in constant turmoil, while within the Tang Dynasty, the Four Surnames and Six Prestigious Clans were engaged in political undercurrents. Even the imperial court had to weigh its decisions carefully.

Lin Che’s sudden return and the potential unification of the Lin Clan could shift the balance.

"As they say, a single thread pulled can affect the whole fabric," Yuan Mobai remarked, looking at Lei Jun with a faint smile. "At this point, it seems our entire sect owes a debt of gratitude to General Shangguan Peng."

More accurately, they owed it to Lei Jun.

But Yuan Mobai wouldn't put it that bluntly.

"Master is right," Lei Jun replied with a smile. "It’s all thanks to General Shangguan’s selfless sacrifice. The world is ever-changing, and we truly didn't anticipate… just how crucial his actions would be."

Shangguan Peng had fallen, possibly at the hands of Ghost Dao experts from Golden Castle.

Regardless of whether it was for the imperial court, the Divine Strategy Army, or even the Shangguan family itself, Grand General Shangguan Yunbo now had to leave the capital and head south with the Dangkou Halberd to the Southern Wastelands.

With his arrival, Tang Xiaotang no longer needed to bring the Tianshi Sword south and could instead remain at Mount Longhu to keep the Lin Clan in check.

Lei Jun hadn’t foreseen this unexpected benefit, but as his master had said, they should all be grateful to Shangguan Peng.

One man’s sacrifice, many people’s fortune.

"That said, in these turbulent times, we must remain cautious and not put our sect leader in a difficult position," Yuan Mobai advised. "We need to resolve matters in the Southern Wastelands as soon as possible and return to the mountain."

Lei Jun nodded. "The internal war among the Southern Wasteland Witch Sect is as chaotic and unpredictable as their own relationships… However, I believe that with the direct descendants of the Sui Dynasty involved, Wei Anchang may opt for a swift and decisive resolution."

Yuan Mobai nodded. "That is indeed possible, but the outcome remains uncertain."

Lei Jun silently acknowledged this.

The two of them stood among the green mountains, as Lei Jun gazed toward the Zhu’an River.

"Master, what do you know about Zhu’an Cave?"

He had only arrived recently, whereas Yuan Mobai had been here for a while and was more familiar with the surroundings.

"Zhu’an Cave has been under the rule of Gepo Mountain, the sacred ground of the Witch Sect’s Divine Dance lineage, for the past few centuries. Its current chief is also a direct disciple of Gepo Mountain," Yuan Mobai explained.

"Although Zhu’an Cave isn’t his birthplace, it’s where he made his name. Back in the day, Yuan Shanjie himself served as its chief. For the past hundred years, Zhu’an Cave has been ruled by his lineage."

Lei Jun understood. "So he and Sanglu may not be on the same page."

Sanglu, the current master of Gepo Mountain, had held her position for over a century.

While that might not seem long, in the ever-changing landscape of the Southern Wasteland Witch Sect—where leadership was constantly shifting—her rule was considered quite stable.

But internal divisions still existed.

Among the various powerhouses of Gepo Mountain, Yuan Shanjie was one of the most influential. Though his cultivation was slightly inferior to Sanglu’s, he was still an Eighth Heaven Great Witch of the Divine Dance lineage.

Normally, he followed Sanglu’s command.

But now, it seemed he was making his own moves.

The fact that the Sui Dynasty remnants had managed to set up a ritual site at Zhu’an Cave suggested deep ties between Yuan Shanjie and them.

The Sui Dynasty’s direct descendants had a delicate relationship with Wei Anchang, but it was unclear how Yuan Shanjie fit in with Wei Anchang and the Blood River Sect.

Given that Gepo Mountain was currently waging war against the Blood River Sect, this move felt like setting their own backyard on fire.

…

As Lei Jun and his master observed Zhu’an Cave from afar, another group was approaching the Zhu’an River from a different direction.

At the head of the group was a well-dressed man, bearing a resemblance to Yang Fei, the Second Prince of the Sui Dynasty, but with a more mature, composed appearance. He looked to be in his thirties, with a neatly trimmed mustache and a deep, contemplative gaze.

"Your Highness," a retainer stepped forward. "We’ve made contact with the people in Zhu’an Cave. Everything is in place and ready to go."

This young noble with the mustache was none other than Yang Tai, the eldest son of Crown Prince Yang Yuqi of the Sui Dynasty.

He looked toward Zhu’an Cave for a long moment before finally speaking.

Yang Tai gazed into the distance at Zhu’an Cave, remaining silent for a long while before finally speaking.

“The top experts of the Divine Dance lineage rarely engage in internal conflicts. Unlike other Witch Sect traditions, such battles are uncommon. Our advantage here is fleeting—we can only use it once. Failure is not an option.”

The retainer bowed his head. “Understood, Your Highness. Please rest assured.”

Yang Tai watched the rolling waters of the Zhu’an River in front of him, falling back into contemplation.

If things had gone as planned, neither he nor his father, Yang Yuqi, would have chosen this route.

Their ultimate goal was to destabilize the spiritual veins of the Southern Wastelands, realign the flow of energy, and lay the foundation for a new kingdom blessed by fortune. Only then could they hope to challenge Northern Tang on equal footing.

But their plans had been intercepted. One after another, their key ritual sites had been destroyed, and the grand ceremony was now impossible to complete.

The ceremonial artifacts required for the ritual were priceless, and forging them anew would take years—perhaps even decades.

With no other choice, they had to settle for their backup plan.

The Divine Dance lineage of the Witch Sect specialized in sacred rituals, invoking spirits and warping space, even distorting time itself.

A battle between the top experts of Gepo Mountain would generate a significant spatial disruption.

By aligning the ritual with this chaos, Yang Tai intended to harness the spiritual energy of the land and attempt a different form of sacrifice to forge an alternative artifact.

If successful, his father would gain a crucial edge—perhaps not an immediate breakthrough to the Ninth Heaven, but at the very least, a stronger foundation for the future.

Yang Tai’s expression remained unreadable.

His thoughts briefly drifted to Wei Anchang, the master of the Blood River Sect, who had already reached the Ninth Heaven.

As a direct descendant of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Tai’s emotions were complex.

But he quickly cleared his mind and focused on the matter at hand.

With his gaze fixed on Zhu’an Cave, he waited patiently for the moment of action.

---

Lei Jun and his master, Yuan Mobai, were also waiting quietly.

Suddenly, Yuan Mobai’s eyes flickered. “Oh?”

He gestured for Lei Jun to stay put while he stepped onto a cloud of lightning and disappeared into the distance.

Lei Jun watched with curiosity but didn’t pry. He simply waited patiently.

A while later, the purple-robed Yuan Mobai returned.

“There will indeed be some action here soon,” Yuan Mobai said. “But it’s not certain whether Yang Tai will personally appear. However, the one who is definitely coming… is Sanglu.”

Lei Jun knew his master had his own sources of information and contacts.

He didn’t ask further but instead contemplated, “Sanglu, huh?”

Even if Gepo Mountain had learned of the Sui remnants’ attempts to disrupt the spiritual veins here, it still wouldn’t normally warrant the presence of their leader.

If Sanglu was coming in person, then…

That meant Elder Yuan Shanjie of Gepo Mountain was almost certainly at Zhu’an Cave right now.

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai exchanged a glance, both coming to the same conclusion.

They had picked a vantage point far from Zhu’an Cave, so for now, there was no risk of alerting Yuan Shanjie.

But a major battle was brewing.

Their primary concern was whether this would affect Yang Tai’s movements.

“Well, fortune and fate go hand in hand. We don’t have any concrete leads on Yang Tai’s whereabouts, so waiting here a little longer doesn’t hurt.” Lei Jun was rather relaxed about it. “If Gepo Mountain descends into internal strife, it’ll certainly shift the balance of power in the Southern Wastelands.”

Yuan Mobai smiled. “Your composure reassures me, my disciple.”

Shortly after Yuan Mobai received his intelligence, a dark raincloud appeared in the distance.

The cloud drifted in gracefully, yet in the blink of an eye, it was already above the Zhu’an River.

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai quickly concealed their presence, turning their gazes away so as not to inadvertently draw attention.

From within the raincloud, ghostly figures danced in the mist, accompanied by an ancient, elegant melody.

Yuan Mobai remained unaffected, but Lei Jun felt his soul tremble slightly under the influence of the music.

Fortunately, the Tianshi Seal within his soul emitted a soft jade glow, instantly stabilizing his mind.

The seal merely protected him without counterattacking, ensuring that the presence in the raincloud remained unaware.

The owner of the raincloud was clearly focused on Zhu’an Cave.

As it drifted closer, a second ancient melody arose from within Zhu’an Cave, harmonizing with the first.

The raincloud belonged to Sanglu, the current master of Gepo Mountain.

And the one inside Zhu’an Cave, capable of responding in kind, could only be Elder Yuan Shanjie.

So, he was indeed here.

At first glance, the two sides seemed to be in harmony.

But Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai both suspected that this was no friendly meeting.

Once the raincloud descended upon the settlement below, Yuan Mobai finally spoke, “If things escalate later, Chongyun, you’ll stay at the periphery. Observe from a safe distance and act as you see fit.”

Lei Jun asked, “Master, are you planning to intervene in Gepo Mountain’s internal conflict?”

Yuan Mobai shook his head. “Of course not. But if a friend needs assistance, I will act accordingly.”

Lei Jun immediately understood—his master’s contact was inside Zhu’an Cave.

Just then, a flickering orb of light appeared in Lei Jun’s mind, displaying a message:

"Gepo Mountain in turmoil, chaos reigns, hidden currents surge, fortune and misfortune entwined—such is the balance of heaven and earth."

Lei Jun’s heart stirred.

Then, three different omens emerged within the glowing sphere:

1. Upper-Moderate Omen: Travel to Qianxin Mountain upstream of the Zhu’an River. A Second-Grade Opportunity awaits, with no immediate risk—but the karmic consequences could be significant. Proceed with caution. (Good Luck)

2. Moderate Omen: Dive into the depths of the Zhu’an River. A Fifth-Grade Opportunity awaits, but danger is likely. Proceed with caution. (Neutral)

3. Lower-Moderate Omen: Enter Zhu’an Cave. A Fifth-Grade Opportunity awaits, but the risks are immense, with danger lurking at every turn. (Bad Luck)

Oh?

Lei Jun’s eyes lit up.

A Second-Grade Opportunity?

That was rare—he had only encountered one or two before.

However, this opportunity was marked as an Upper-Moderate Omen.

There was no immediate danger, but it carried significant karmic entanglements. Whether that was a blessing or a curse would depend on what followed.

“Such is the balance of heaven and earth…” Lei Jun mused.

Thinking back to his previous encounter at Empty Flow Mountain, he began to wonder—

Could this opportunity be related to the Heavenly Book’s shadow?

If so, a Second-Grade Opportunity was indeed a level above the previous Fourth-Grade one.

Could it be that the follow-up to the previous encounter was about to unfold here?