Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 263: I am happy for my brother from the bottom of my heart

Daoist Wang Guiyuan was now quite well-known.

If, in the past, it was because of rumors surrounding his connection with the rebel Prince Wu, then now it was due to his surroundings—due to the people around him.

Being the personal disciple of Yuan Mobai was not a big deal in itself.

A great master producing a great student was nothing unusual, but it also didn’t mean that every student of a renowned teacher would necessarily be extraordinary. There had been plenty of precedents throughout history, so it wasn’t surprising.

However, Elder Yuan had only ever accepted three disciples. Among them, two had already made their names known throughout the world.

And Lei Jun had drawn attention from multiple factions.

In such circumstances, the one exception—the one who had yet to stand out—became all the more conspicuous.

Thus, even though Wang Guiyuan wasn’t particularly remarkable among the disciples participating in this Talisman Conferral Ceremony, he still became the most eye-catching figure in the crowd.

When the distinguished guests scanned through the disciples of Tianshi Mansion, their gazes eventually settled on Wang Guiyuan.

Of course, what exactly they were thinking varied from person to person.

Yet, their eyes frequently drifted between Wang Guiyuan, Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun, and Chu Kun.

Wang Guiyuan, however, remained focused, his expression calm.

Wearing a gentle and humble smile, he followed his fellow disciples through the ceremony with proper decorum, seemingly unaware of the outside world’s attention.

The only moment he faltered was when he met the gaze of his junior martial brother, Lei Jun, who was serving as the Guardian of the Talismans for the ceremony.

“Senior Brother, what’s wrong?” Lei Jun asked.

Wang Guiyuan hesitated before replying, “Nothing… No, actually, there is something. It’s not a big deal, but… Junior Brother, your smile seems a little off.”

It looks kind of like that ridiculous drawing you made of Senior Sister the other day—the one you titled ‘Absurd’—with that sideways smirk…

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. “Really? My smile is purely out of joy for my Senior Brother.”

“...Thanks.” Wang Guiyuan sighed.

He completed the ritual, received his talisman plaque and official Daoist credentials, along with the third volume of the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness and an advanced talismanic scripture.

Finally, he changed into his dark-red Daoist robe.

At this point, all three of Yuan Mobai’s disciples had successfully undergone the Talisman Conferral Ceremony.

The Next Steps

After the grand ceremony, Wang Guiyuan’s immediate priority was not anything else but focusing on his cultivation.

By his own account, he was already over fifty years old.

For cultivators in the Lower Three Heavens, this meant he had already passed the golden period for rapid progress and had entered a plateau phase.

At this stage, further progress wouldn’t depend solely on his diligence—it would naturally slow down.

For Lower Three Heavens cultivators aged fifty to one hundred, this was a particularly awkward yet critical period.

If one could break through to the Middle Three Heavens before reaching a hundred years old, extending one’s lifespan, then the future would still hold possibilities. And the earlier, the better.

Wang Guiyuan had already perfected the Third-Tier Altar Realm.

The next hurdle was whether he could overcome the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation between the Third and Fourth Heavens—or if he would be stuck there.

Something Feels Off

Meanwhile, after the ceremony concluded, Tang Xiaotang, who had served as the Overseer of the Conferral Ceremony, muttered to herself:

“…Something feels strange.”

Lei Jun turned to her. “Senior Sister, what feels strange?”

Tang Xiaotang shook her head. “I’m not entirely sure, but something doesn’t feel right.”

Lei Jun’s expression turned serious. “Did someone at the ceremony have malicious intent?”

Tang Xiaotang frowned. “Not exactly. It didn’t seem like an outsider had snuck in with ill intentions. It’s just… something felt unnatural.”

Lei Jun nodded. “Since you sensed something off, I’ll conduct another patrol around both inside and outside the mansion.”

Tang Xiaotang agreed. “Good. I’ll leave it to you.”

As she walked away, she waved over her shoulder.

“The Talisman Conferral Ceremony is over for this year. I’m going into seclusion now.”

The Changing Landscape

Lei Jun spent the following days focusing on his own cultivation and training his disciples.

The Southern and Northern Lin Clans had suffered heavy losses.

The Jinzhou Ye Clan had also had its ancestral grounds devastated, delivering a major blow to the once-dominant Confucian aristocratic families of the Tang Dynasty.

With Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang’s incredible rise to fame, Tianshi Mansion inevitably found itself at the center of attention.

Especially considering that the Pure Yang Palace, which had long held the title of Daoism’s foremost sacred land, had suffered a great calamity—making Tianshi Mansion stand out even more.

For the first time in two hundred years, the title of Daoism’s Supreme Holy Land seemed within reach for Tianshi Mansion once more.

However, from another perspective, while Tianshi Mansion’s leading figures were exceptionally powerful, its foundation remained relatively thin.

New disciples still needed time to grow, and as a result, the sect as a whole felt somewhat top-heavy—its upper echelon was strong, but its base was still fragile.

Of course, with enough time for recovery and development, this situation would naturally improve.

And after the Battle of Jinzhou, the environment was finally right to nurture such growth.

Still, Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang’s overwhelming brilliance made them stand out—like trees towering above the forest, making them prime targets for envy.

Fortunately, a massive event in Vajra Monastery in the Western Regions had drawn the world's attention away.

Even the Southern Lin Clan's surrender to the imperial court—which, under normal circumstances, would have triggered an immediate pincer attack from both Qingzhou and Suzhou—was momentarily overshadowed.

The Western Regions were undergoing dramatic changes—ones that no one had foreseen.

So, for now, everyone had chosen to quietly observe.

This gave Tianshi Mansion the rare chance to consolidate its strength in peace.

The only exception to this temporary lull was Xu Yuanzhen.

After leaving Mount Longhu, she first went to Wushan.

Following the clues she had obtained from the Thousand-Leaf Butterfly King, she made a discovery there.

“This person once stayed here,” Xu Yuanzhen said when Lei Jun inquired.

“After purifying the demonic energy from the Butterfly King’s old shell, they also refined something else here.”

However, the site had been abandoned for a long time, leaving little trace behind.

What she could confirm, however, was that more than one person had been coming and going.

Lei Jun narrowed his eyes. “So, this is a group?”

Xu Yuanzhen replied, “It’s possible. I’ll investigate further later. But for now, I’m heading to the Western Regions.”

Lei Jun smirked. “It’s rare to see you this invested in something.”

Xu Yuanzhen’s eyes gleamed.

“The more someone tries to hide, the more I want to drag them into the light.”

Though her trip to the Western Regions didn’t cause as much of a stir as Tang Xiaotang’s, it was still significant.

“I’m not in a hurry. I also want to watch Zhang Wantong and her dealings with them,” Xu Yuanzhen added, her tone carrying a faint trace of amusement.

Between the battles in Jiangzhou, Youzhou, and Jinzhou, Tianshi Mansion had not only dealt with its own threats but had also helped lighten the Tang Imperial Court’s burdens.

The Jiangzhou Lin Clan had been all but wiped out.

Now, the remnants of the Southern Lin Clan had become dependents of the imperial court, just as the Longxi Xiao Clan once had.

The Youzhou Lin Clan and the Jinzhou Ye Clan, though not as devastated, had also suffered severe losses.

Despite this outcome, Xu Yuanzhen had no real allegiance to Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong.

Before, she had been wielding the blade for the Tang Court.

Now that the tables had turned, she was more than happy to watch the imperial family squirm.

Although Vajra Monastery was counted among the Four Great Buddhist Holy Lands alongside Bodhi Monastery, Xuanyan Temple, and Tianlong Monastery, even aside from differences in Buddhist scriptures, one could immediately tell that Vajra Monastery stood apart from the other three. There was a distinct lack of mutual trust and shared interests between them.

The noble families and prestigious clans often alternated their allegiances, today cultivating influence in one Buddhist monastery, tomorrow infiltrating a Daoist sacred ground—always planning ahead. Yet, none of them had managed to plant deep roots in Vajra Monastery.

On one hand, Vajra Monastery itself was highly secluded. On the other, it had relatively few interactions or conflicts with the noble clans of Central Plains, barring early skirmishes with the Xiao Clan of Longxi. After that, its true long-standing enemies were White Lotus Sect and Vast Void Temple, both considered heretical Buddhist factions.

Now, however, the Vajra Division that had emerged from Mount Sumeru was clearly taking a far more aggressive approach, launching offensives in all directions.

From Chang'an, Zhang Jingzhen reported that the Vajra Division was actively expanding its influence, especially seeking an alliance and official recognition from the Tang Imperial Court.

Rumors suggested that some of its senior monks had already formed deep personal ties with members of the imperial family.

The Tang Empire’s western frontier seemed relatively stable for the time being.

As time passed, people gradually grew accustomed to the presence of the Vajra Division in the mortal world.

Lei Jun’s Cultivation

Lei Jun continued to follow his own path, diligently cultivating and teaching his disciples.

Having elevated his comprehension to the Clear Tranquility level and his cultivation to the Upper Three Heavens, he found himself experiencing new insights into the Dao each day, leaving him endlessly fascinated.

Once his disciple, Zhuo Huajie, had settled into a steady training routine, Lei Jun finally decided to enter seclusion, focusing on refining his own skills.

In the mountains, time flowed differently.

For a high-level cultivator in seclusion, the duration was unpredictable.

A breakthrough could come in a single night—sudden enlightenment, a moment of clarity.

Or it could be a slow process—gradual refinement, constant improvement.

Seasons passed, and three years went by.

This was the longest uninterrupted period of seclusion Lei Jun had undergone since stepping onto the path of cultivation.

When he emerged, he was forty-four years old.

"Master, I have been in seclusion for too long and was unable to assist you with the Mansion’s affairs. I ask for your forgiveness," Lei Jun said, bowing to Yuan Mobai.

The violet-robed youth smiled warmly, exuding an aura of calm that put one at ease.

"We were a little short-handed," Yuan Mobai admitted, "but Chongyun, your dedication to cultivation has refined your skills and true energy further, which is ultimately beneficial for our sect."

Zhang Jingzhen had already returned to Mount Longhu from Guanzhong.

With her and Shangguan Ning assisting Yuan Mobai in managing the Mansion’s affairs, Tang Xiaotang, the official Tianshi, and Elder Lei had been able to retreat into quiet cultivation without distractions.

Meanwhile, in Chang’an, another Sixth-Heaven elder had taken up permanent residence.

As the former capital of the Tang Dynasty, Chang’an had always had a dedicated Tianshi Mansion temple.

However, after the capital was relocated, most of the staff and resources had been shifted to Luoyang.

Since Chang’an was near the Pure Yang Palace, the sacred ground of the Daoist Alchemical Sect, Tianshi Mansion had never stationed a large force there—only a small outpost.

Now, however, that outpost was being expanded.

This wasn’t because Tianshi Mansion was planning a large-scale push northward to pressure the weakened Pure Yang Palace.

Rather, it was because the reigning Empress had stationed herself in Chang’an for over three years with no signs of returning to Luoyang anytime soon.

As a result, not just Tianshi Mansion, but various factions were increasing their presence in Chang’an, closely monitoring shifts in the political landscape of the Tang Empire.

"Has Her Majesty been away from the capital for that long?" Lei Jun raised an eyebrow.

Yuan Mobai nodded slightly.

Previously, some had speculated that the Empress had left the capital to "lure the snakes out of their holes," forcing hidden actors to reveal themselves.

But after so long, that theory no longer held weight.

It had simply been too much time.

This led to a new and bolder theory gaining traction—

"Could it be that the Tang Dynasty is planning to relocate the capital back to Chang’an?" Lei Jun asked curiously.

The Empress' prolonged absence from Zhongzhou, remaining in Guanzhong, had caught many off guard.

The Western Regions were relatively stable at the moment, unlike the past when monstrous turmoil had necessitated the Emperor guarding the frontiers.

"There have indeed been rumors in the court about a possible capital relocation," Yuan Mobai confirmed.

After the initial surprise, people were no longer shocked by the idea.

Throughout history, capital relocations were not uncommon—there had been numerous precedents across various dynasties.

This was because a dynasty’s fate was not only tied to public sentiment, but also to the energy veins of the land.

This wasn’t mere superstition—it was an objective reality.

For a dynasty to endure, it had to adapt to the environment and flow with the shifting tides of fate.

Thus, capital relocations—even multiple times within a single dynasty—were not unheard of. Some capitals had alternated between two locations over a thousand years.

Where the imperial capital would ultimately settle was never set in stone.

The reason for this potential relocation was, naturally, the successive battles that had rocked the land.

In Jiangzhou, Youzhou, Jinzhou, and Guanzhong—the site of Pure Yang Palace—four major upheavals had occurred in less than six months.

Strictly speaking, none of them had resulted in complete annihilation.

But in terms of territorial energy flow, these battles had utterly upended the power foundations of the ruling forces in those areas.

Sacred sects and noble clans often anchored their influence through geographic energy veins, gaining a natural advantage from the land itself.

But when their ancestral seats and sacred grounds were destroyed, the energy flow of the land was thrown into chaos.

It wasn’t enough to overthrow the empire, but it had disrupted the Tang Dynasty’s energy network.

To stabilize the empire’s fate, the imperial court had to adjust accordingly.

While no major announcements had been made yet, all signs pointed to the imperial capital returning to Guanzhong—to Chang’an.

This explained why Empress Zhang Wantong had remained there for three years.

"Perhaps the 'Dragon’s Head'—the heart of the empire—remains unsettled, oscillating between Chang’an and Luoyang," Yuan Mobai mused.

"It may take more time, or another major shift, before the decision is finalized."

In other words, another great power might fall.

"In Luoyang, the Crown Prince has been governing as the Acting Regent by imperial decree," Yuan Mobai continued. "But for the most part, he listens and observes, claiming that he lacks the experience and talent to lead, and thus focuses on learning."

"This hasn’t yet created a rivalry between two suns shining in the sky. The government is still mainly run by the Council of State, which regularly reports to Chang’an for imperial approval on major issues."

Lei Jun smirked. "The Crown Prince is still biding his time. Though he’s an adult, he’s still overshadowed by Her Majesty."

"His cultivation has advanced rapidly, though," Yuan Mobai noted. "Two years ago, it was reported that he had already reached the Sixth Heaven."

If Zhang Hui ascended to the Upper Three Heavens, the situation could change drastically.

The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths had reopened. The storm was far from over.

Yuan Mobai maintained his usual gentle smile. "I’ve already gone inside once."

Hearing this, Lei Jun stroked his chin but didn’t press the topic further.

"Since the Southern Lin Clan submitted to the imperial court, the Academy has begun expanding."

Yuan Mobai then remarked, "A second Academy has been established in Chang’an, and Xiao Chunhui—formerly known as Xiao Jushi—has stepped down as Chancellor. His successor is Master Yongshan of the Fang Clan from Jingxiang."

Lei Jun gave a slight nod.

Previously, Fang Yue had served as the Academy’s Vice Chancellor, handling most of the day-to-day affairs, while Xiao Chunhui had entered the Political Affairs Hall as a Minister.

Now, three years had passed. Xiao Chunhui had stepped down, Fang Yue had officially assumed his position—everything had unfolded naturally.

As for the Academy’s expansion, it was a direct result of the decline of several major aristocratic families in recent years—when one side waned, the other flourished.

The two continued conversing for a while before Lei Jun followed Yuan Mobai to familiarize himself with the current affairs of Tianshi Mansion.

Though the High Priests' Council was now a thing of the past, with Tianshi Tang Xiaotang in seclusion and uninvolved in external matters, the High Priest Elders had naturally resumed their collective discussions.

With Lei Jun out of seclusion, he helped share some of the workload, easing the burden on Yuan Mobai, Shangguan Ning, and Zhang Jingzhen.

However, this arrangement didn’t last long.

Not because Lei Jun planned to slack off—but because something else required his attention.

"Huangtian Sect?"

Though Yuan Mobai’s smile remained, his expression grew slightly more serious. "The Huangtian Ancestral Altar?"

Lei Jun nodded. "Yes, I’m referring to that Huangtian Sect disciple I mentioned before—Kang Ming."

Thanks to Lei Jun’s secret support, combined with Kang Ming’s own dedication to cultivation, the young man had rapidly closed the gap over the past few years.

Now, he was locked in a fierce three-way competition with Chen Ziyang and Han Wuyou, two other rising stars of Huangtian Sect.

Things had reached a boiling point.

Only one disciple could be selected to enter the Huangtian Ancestral Altar to cultivate and break into the Upper Three Heavens Realm—Kang Ming and his rivals were all fighting for that single opportunity.

For them, missing this chance didn’t necessarily mean they’d never have another.

But the future was never guaranteed.

"Huangtian Sect…" Yuan Mobai murmured, falling into thought.

After a moment, he asked Lei Jun, "Zhongyun, what’s your take on this?"

Lei Jun answered without hesitation, **"The Li Clan is already history. If there’s an opportunity to resolve the lingering issue of Huangtian Sect, I believe we should take it.

"Our Daoist Talismanic Branch must turn the page and start anew.

"As for how exactly to handle it—I believe that should depend on the individuals involved."**

Indeed, the Li Clan was long gone. But the enmity between Tianshi Mansion and Huangtian Sect ran too deep. The battles had been too brutal.

Both sides had lost countless disciples, their hands stained with each other’s blood.

It wasn’t as simple as "let bygones be bygones."

Had Lei Jun been born two centuries earlier, he might have chosen to join Huangtian Sect instead.

But two centuries late was still two centuries late.

Now, he had already slain more than a few Huangtian Sect disciples with his own hands.

That said, not all members of Huangtian Sect were the same.

Two hundred years of conflict had built up immense grudges—but it had also created multiple generations of disciples.

Many of the younger members had been deeply influenced by their sect’s leadership and the harsh environment in which they grew up, leading to a natural hostility toward Mount Longhu’s ancestral lineage.

But a small minority had remained isolated from the conflict, solely focused on cultivation.

Kang Ming was one of them.

Not only was he personally uninvolved in the sect’s ongoing battles, but even his mentor had not died at the hands of Tianshi Mansion or the imperial court—instead, he had perished during a failed Heavenly Tribulation breakthrough.

Lei Jun had investigated all of this before secretly supporting Kang Ming years ago.

Such individuals were rare but not nonexistent.

And perhaps—just perhaps—these seeds could bloom into something new.

Lei Jun had no intention of eradicating Huangtian Sect entirely.

If even a sliver of goodwill could be salvaged, he would make the effort—even if they had never met before.

The unfortunate truth, however, was that disciples like Kang Ming were in the minority—and they were not in control of Huangtian Sect.

Given the current situation, the first priority was to shatter the Huangtian Ancestral Altar and confront Master Taiping and his core followers.

And if battle was necessary—Lei Jun would not hesitate.

"Zhongyun, go ahead and do what you need to do," Yuan Mobai said with a smile.

Lei Jun respectfully bowed to his master before taking his leave.

Now, he no longer needed to rely on the shadowed universe of the Heavenly Book to assist Kang Ming.

He had already fully mapped out Kang Ming’s whereabouts.

All he had to do was create some "coincidental opportunities" to speed up his progress.

Thus, under the eager support and watchful guidance of Elder Lei from Tianshi Mansion, Kang Ming’s cultivation surged forward once again.

He successfully perfected his Dao Seal, reaching the peak of the Sixth Heaven Realm, just one step away from breaking into the Upper Three Heavens.

Despite lacking the political connections and backing of Chen Ziyang and Han Wuyou, Huangtian Sect desperately needed a new Upper Three Heavens Elder to strengthen its position.

And so—Kang Ming emerged victorious.

He received an official summons from Zhao Zongjie, granting him the coveted opportunity to enter the Huangtian Ancestral Altar!

"It’s done."

At Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu, Lei Jun nodded to Yuan Mobai. "The location is offshore—somewhere overseas."

Yuan Mobai asked, "What about Senior Sister Yuanzhen?"

Lei Jun replied, "I’ve already contacted Senior Sister. She’s agreed to come along."

At that moment, Xu Yuanzhen was in seclusion at her cave in Wushan.

Upon hearing Lei Jun’s report about the Huangtian Ancestral Altar, she responded nonchalantly, "Alright, let’s go together. Since it’s offshore, I can also stop by Longjie Island in the Eastern Sea afterward."

Huangtian Sect was a renegade faction, originally founded by exiles from Tianshi Mansion.

It was both the mortal enemy of Tianshi Mansion and an outlawed sect under imperial decree.

As such, Lei Jun—being a righteous Daoist of the Tang Dynasty—certainly wouldn’t forget to report this to the authorities.

The possibility of locating the Ancestral Altar meant they might also find Master Taiping and other key figures of Huangtian Sect.

The Tang Imperial Court was stunned upon receiving Tianshi Mansion’s intelligence.

But they reacted immediately.

Alongside Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen, the expedition team included:

• Chu Yu (Eighth Heaven cultivator)
• A Grand Marshal of the Divine Strategy Army (Seventh Heaven)
• Elder Miaoyi of Tianlong Monastery (A Buddhist high monk from Suzhou)

Elder Miaoyi had extensive experience traveling the Eastern Sea, making him a natural addition to the team.

"You go with them. I’ll move alone." Xu Yuanzhen said casually. "You know the location, anyway."

Ah, wonderful. Senior Sister just made it sound like she was the original source of the intelligence.

"Understood, Senior Sister." Lei Jun acknowledged with a smile.