Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 223: No one can take advantage of Master Lei for free

"An offer they couldn’t refuse... It’s not hard to imagine." Yuan Mobai gazed toward the distant battlefield.

For Blood River Sect’s Wei Anchang to convince the Future Maitreya to come to the Southern Wasteland and use him as a hidden trump card, he must have offered more than just empty promises.

There was no doubt that he had prepared treasures that could entice the White Lotus Sect, securing their aid in battle.

But now, with the Future Maitreya turning against them mid-battle, this wasn’t just about making an enemy out of Wei Anchang.

Compared to his adversaries—Shangguan Yunbo, Xu Duan of Shushan, and the Southern Wasteland forces—the White Lotus Sect was probably the one Wei Anchang hated the most right now.

The Blood River Sect, as a sworn enemy of the mortal world, was being besieged from all sides. Their sect strongholds had already fallen, and to some extent, their top experts had become untethered and lawless, making them even more dangerous than most cultivators of the same realm.

The White Lotus Sect, despite being a hidden holy land with mysterious movements, was still in a precarious position after provoking a Ninth Heaven powerhouse like Wei Anchang.

For the Future Maitreya to bear such karmic consequences and make this move, it only proved that the offer Lei Jun had made was of immense importance to the White Lotus Sect.

"It’s just that I hadn’t expected that candelabrum to be so extraordinary," Yuan Mobai mused.

Lei Jun explained, **"To our sect, and perhaps to others, it might not hold such great significance. But to Buddhist inheritors, it’s an invaluable relic—one left behind when one of the founding ancestors of the White Lotus Sect defected from Bodhi Monastery.

Back then, aside from causing the loss and incompleteness of the Clear Essence Pill formula, it also led to the disappearance of several Buddhist scriptures. Based on my research, this traces back a long time—possibly even before Bodhi Monastery was officially established. That’s why even monks from Xuanyan Temple had ventured to Xianliu Mountain, hoping to get lucky."**

Hearing this, Yuan Mobai nodded slightly.

Among the Four Great Buddhist Holy Lands, Bodhi Monastery had the longest history and the earliest founding.

Though it had suffered a devastating tribulation in the present era, in its prime, it had been a powerhouse deeply connected to the early rise of Buddhism.

Many relics stored within the monastery, seemingly ordinary, were likely of great importance.

The loss of these treasures occurred when the White Lotus Sect’s founder defected and took them along, further proving their significance.

"A shame," Yuan Mobai sighed. "The artifact is severely damaged, and after you dismantled it, the Buddhist essence within won’t last much longer. Otherwise, you could’ve held onto it for a more opportune time to trade for favors."

Lei Jun replied, "Since it’s on the verge of dispersing, I can only make use of it now. The Southern Wasteland’s situation is complicated, but regardless of how things shift, we can’t let the Blood River Sect have an easy time."

If it were any other sect, Daoist Lei might have just sat back and watched the show.

But the Blood River Sect was different. Even if you didn’t provoke them, they would take the initiative to provoke you.

Back when the Tianshi Mansion faced internal and external tribulations, Blood River Sect experts would always show up, drawn to the scent of blood like sharks.

The same had happened to Luoyuan Abbot and others from Bodhi Monastery.

So today, it was time for Sect Master Wei of the Blood River Sect to take a long, hard rest.

If he managed to survive this ordeal, he could settle his score with the White Lotus Sect later.

Let these two major heretical sects have a proper contest of strength.

"The Buddhist essence won’t last long?" Yuan Mobai sighed again. "Truly unfortunate."

Lei Jun asked, "Master, do you have old acquaintances in Buddhism?"

Yuan Mobai nodded lightly but remained composed. "Everyone has their own karmic path. It’s no great concern."

Lei Jun said, "I don’t practice Buddhism, but after studying this Buddhist essence, I’ve gained some insights. If your Buddhist acquaintance has a need, I can set aside some time for a discussion later."

Yuan Mobai smiled. "You’ve already reached the Clear Tranquility level in comprehension. Compared to before, you’ve truly evolved."

Lei Jun’s cultivation talent leaned towards the Yin-Yang duality, but it was not confined to just that.

Comprehension was not an exclusive trait of Daoist cultivators.

If Lei Jun were to start over and cultivate another system entirely, with his Sacred Physique and Clear Tranquility comprehension, he would still be able to progress rapidly, reaching Middle Heaven before fifty and attempting Upper Heaven before a hundred.

Though he didn’t practice Buddhism, his ability to perceive Buddhist essence was still different from others.

If he were to discuss it with a true Buddhist master, that master would surely gain some insights from their exchange.

"Ask him later," Yuan Mobai said, shifting his gaze toward the increasingly intense battle. "The White Lotus Sect’s momentum is rising."

Lei Jun followed his master’s line of sight. "Indeed..."

Six or seven years ago, the Future Maitreya had begun traveling the world.

Lei Jun had even brushed past him in a valley outside Xianliu Mountain.

At the time, the young monk had already reached the Seventh Heaven realm.

Now, upon meeting again in the Southern Wasteland, he had astonishingly advanced to the Eighth Heaven.

Among Eighth Heaven cultivators, Lei Jun only knew of a few younger than this monk—Tang Xiaotang, for one, as well as Li Tianqing from the Witch Sect and the newly anointed Buddhist Son of Vast Void Temple.

Among the younger generation, this monk had undoubtedly risen to prominence.

It was almost laughable.

The two most outstanding young figures in Buddhism—one was from the White Lotus Sect, the other from Vast Void Temple—both considered Buddhist heretics by the world.

Meanwhile, the so-called orthodox Four Great Buddhist Holy Lands, though they had talented young monks, had none as remarkable as these two heretics.

With Bodhi Monastery ravaged by disaster and Vajra Monastery’s new abbot ambushed by heretics, traditional Buddhism had been struggling in recent years. Many lamented it as a case of "Dao fading, demons rising."

With Lei Jun handing over the Buddhist essence, the White Lotus Sect’s influence would only grow stronger.

Though the Tianshi Mansion had little direct conflict with the White Lotus Sect, both the White Lotus Sect and the Blood River Sect were threats to the Tang Dynasty.

And the Tianshi Mansion and the Tang Imperial Court were on the same side.

This created a delicate situation.

Of course, Lei Daozhang’s generosity would not come without a price.

If the White Lotus Sect advanced further, it would also deepen their conflict with the Blood River Sect.

Crisis breeds opportunity.

Along with opportunity comes danger.

Yuan Mobai and Lei Jun continued watching the battlefield.

The young monk made a grand vow, his Buddhist radiance forming a pure white peacock that soared through the sky, embodying both great power and wisdom.

His expression remained serene.

Since he had made his choice, there was no turning back.

Just as Wei Anchang had anticipated, with this monk’s intervention, the battle’s balance had shifted.

Only, what was once Wei Anchang’s trump card was now Lei Jun’s, as well as that of Shangguan Yunbo, Sang Lu, and the others.

Blood River Sect Elder Xiong Gang was the first to be injured.

As he fended off the Future Maitreya’s attacks, he was caught off guard by Elder Xu Duan of Shushan Sect.

Twelve crimson Flame Flying Forks shot forth, four of which bypassed Xiong Gang’s blood-red blade defenses and struck him.

Though they did not pin him to the ground on the spot, they inflicted severe injuries.

The crimson flames burning on the flying forks did not seem particularly fierce, but they had a potent exorcising effect. For a short time, they were resistant to the Blood River Sect’s tainted blood and, in turn, burned away Xiong Gang’s protective blood light, preventing him from using Blood River secret arts to rapidly heal his wounds.

Xiong Gang grunted in pain and finally abandoned his attempt to endure the attacks head-on, retreating into the blood sea cast by Wei Anchang.

Given the circumstances, Wei Anchang did not fault him for his earlier misstep. With a flicker of blood light, he intercepted Xu Duan’s follow-up attack.

After the initial shock, Wei Anchang quickly regained his composure.

"The White Lotus Sect has made an unwise choice."

He was in no hurry to immediately retaliate against the young monk. Instead, he unfurled a scroll.

Within the scroll, a vast ocean of blood churned, an overwhelming sight to behold.

The Blood Sea Scroll—one of the Blood River Sect’s greatest treasures.

While formidable in battle, neither Wei Anchang nor his predecessors often relied on it directly in combat.

As the Blood River Sect’s members were universally hated and constantly embroiled in battle, their high-ranking members were known for their reckless aggression.

However, at Wei Anchang’s level, the madness served more to unsettle his enemies than to cloud his own judgment.

The Blood Sea Scroll was primarily reserved as a last resort, ensuring the sect’s survival rather than being used in reckless duels.

Now, as the scroll unfurled, it engulfed several figures at once—Lian Ran, Xiong Gang, Yuan Shanji, and even Yang Yuqi—before Wei Anchang himself stepped inside.

None of them resisted.

As the Blood Sea Scroll began to close, preparing to vanish into the void, a pure white lotus suddenly blossomed above it.

A nine-tiered jade lotus platform emerged, its radiant glow firm yet supple, seemingly freezing both time and space in place.

"The Nine-Tiered Lotus Platform?!"

A cold snort came from within the Blood Sea Scroll—Xiong Gang’s voice.

Wei Anchang remained silent, but as his scroll was forcefully halted, his gaze once again fell upon the young monk in the distance.

Even their allies—Shangguan Yunbo, Sang Lu, Feng Gui, and Xu Duan—were visibly taken aback by the sight of the white lotus, their shock nearly equal to when the Future Maitreya had suddenly defected.

The Nine-Tiered Lotus Platform—sacred relic of the White Lotus Sect, a symbol of the sect master’s authority.

Traditionally, it was wielded by the White Lotus Saint Lord, the current sect master, rather than passed down early to a successor.

Yet today, the Future Maitreya had brought it to the Southern Wasteland?

Though Shangguan Yunbo’s heart wavered for a moment, he quickly dismissed the thought.

Today, his focus was solely on Wei Anchang and Yang Yuqi.

With the Blood Sea Scroll momentarily locked in place by the Nine-Tiered Lotus Platform, unable to tear open space for escape, Shangguan Yunbo seized the opportunity.

He brandished the Dangkou Golden Halberd and charged once more.

Though the Dangkou Golden Halberd was single-purpose compared to artifacts like the Blood Sea Scroll or the Nine-Tiered Lotus Platform, when it came to raw offensive power, it was peerless.

Wei Anchang was forced to draw his blade in defense.

Meanwhile, Sang Lu and Feng Gui, despite their astonishment, did not hesitate to act.

Sang Lu performed the Rite of Offering, setting up a Ghost Deity Formation—the Nine Songs·Great Lord of Fate formation.

It further sealed the void, restraining the Blood Sea Scroll’s expansion.

At the same time, Feng Gui flicked his wrist, conjuring a swirling ashen vortex.

This was Abyssal Descent, a technique Middle Heaven cultivator Liu Xun could only barely use through mass blood sacrifices—yet Feng Gui wielded it effortlessly.

The vortex devoured everything in its path.

Together with the Nine-Tiered Lotus Platform and the Ghost Deity Formation, it forcefully dragged the Blood Sea Scroll back into reality, preventing its escape into the void.

Upon the pristine Nine-Tiered Lotus Platform, the young monk sat cross-legged, his expression serene.

No turning back once the bowstring is drawn.

Since he had already betrayed Wei Anchang, there was no half-measure—he had to see it through to the end.

Sang Lu called out to Li Tianqing.

The two Eighth Heaven Great Shamans of Gepo Mountain fully committed to setting up another Ghost Deity Formation—Nine Songs·Lord of the East.

The scorching sun rose, directly opposing the ominous Blood Sea.

Wherever sunlight reached, it seemed to seal the void completely, further restricting the Blood River Sect’s escape routes.

With their retreat cut off, a brutal battle erupted.

Both sides fought with ferocity, their attacks carrying world-shattering force, prompting even Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai, watching from a distance, to remain on high alert.

The battlefield was consumed by carnage.

Xiong Gang was the first to fall.

Already wounded by Xu Duan’s earlier assault, he now found himself trapped within Sang Lu and Li Tianqing’s Ghost Deity Formation, relentlessly bombarded by searing sunlight.

Weakened and struggling to evade, he made a fatal misstep—giving Xu Duan another opening.

The elder of Shushan Sect, who had remained elusive thus far, now revealed his own ferocity, proving himself no less formidable than Xiong Gang.

Xu Duan fused his spirit into his life-bound treasure, the Flame Flying Forks, and launched a direct assault.

Despite Xiong Gang’s desperate counterattack—managing to wound Xu Duan—the twelve Flame Flying Forks combined into a single strike, turning Xiong Gang into a living pyre.

Crimson flames erupted from within his body, igniting him from the inside out.

Simultaneously, the sunlight from the Ghost Deity Formation intensified, striking him externally.

Caught between flames inside and out, Xiong Gang’s body disintegrated into a sea of blood.

Yet even as his blood dispersed, black cursed sigils suddenly spread across its surface.

At the same time, Wind Gui’s figure seemingly vanished into thin air.

Still within the formation and under the relentless sunlight, Blood River Sect Elder Lian Ran suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

But it was already too late.

Black sigils crawled across her body.

Lian Ran roared in defiance, attempting to break free, but her form collapsed, dissolving into blood.

However, the black sigils remained.

Wind Gui re-emerged from within the blood.

"A bit fragile, but still useful," he said calmly.

Then, under his control, the blood turned against Yang Yuqi and Yuan Shanji.