Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 27: Xu Yuanzhen did all kinds of evil things

Elder Hu furrowed his brows, his dissatisfaction clearly visible on his face.

Li Xuan, having regained his composure, naturally tried to argue on behalf of his younger brother. "I believe it’s these Hot Crystal Sands that caused the anomaly in the Lower Immortal Pool!"

In the end, it was Zhang Jingzhen, the third personal disciple of the Tianshi, who spoke up:

"There are many factors that could have caused the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool's changes, making it hard to pinpoint. We'll investigate further later, but for now, let's escort Junior Brother Fang and the others out."

Lei Jun, along with the others, was escorted out of the Minor Grotto Heaven. However, they were not immediately allowed to go back to their respective homes.

Given the unprecedented commotion at the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool and the grievous incident of Li Ming’s death, everyone present had to face inquiries from the senior members of the sect.

Still, most people had significant connections backing them. Figures like Yuan Mobai quickly came to retrieve their respective disciples.

In truth, although there were no direct witnesses to the incident, the sequence of events was not overly complicated.

The Lower Immortal Pool underwent an unusual change, concealing an undercurrent that seemed calm on the surface but was explosively dangerous.

Cultivators with a Third Realm cultivation level who entered unaware would undoubtedly meet their end, swept away by the vortex without a chance to escape.

Even though Li Ming carried protective talismans gifted by his father, Elder Ziyang, such as the Spirit Talisman, the actual effectiveness of these items depended on the cultivation of the disciple using them.

Moreover, neither Li Ming nor his father could have anticipated such danger within the Tianshi Mansion itself.

"As they say, caution is key. If Elder Ziyang had left him a few more talismans, perhaps Li Ming's life could have been spared," lamented Wang Guiyuan, who had come to visit Lei Jun. "The unpredictability of life—one mistake is all it takes."

Lei Jun asked, "Why did the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool suddenly become so perilous?"

His master, Yuan Mobai, responded calmly: "We cannot be sure yet, but some spiritual energy flows were likely affected by external factors. They might have been influenced by Mount Longhu, perhaps even linked to Senior Brother’s prolonged seclusion. Subtle changes may have occurred within the mountain’s spiritual veins."

Lei Jun and Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan exchanged uneasy glances.

Yuan Mobai’s senior brother, of course, referred to the current Tianshi—Li Ming's granduncle by blood.

In the end, Li Ming had died in the Lower Immortal Pool, and the root of the danger seemed to trace back to his own family.

"Information is still being kept under wraps, mainly to safeguard Junior Brother Li’s posthumous reputation," Wang Guiyuan said. "Senior Brother Tianshi and Senior Brother Li Xuan both hope to frame his death as a heroic sacrifice while rescuing others during the incident."

Although evidence suggested Li Ming had entered the pool out of greed for treasures, triggering the anomaly in the Minor Grotto Heaven and nearly endangering his fellow disciples, the sect wished to preserve dignity for Elder Ziyang, who had lost his son.

Yuan Mobai said, "Despite some ripples, this matter will eventually settle down unless something unexpected happens."

But some things are best left unsaid—because unexpected events have a way of arriving uninvited.

The sect’s eldest senior sister, Xu Yuanzhen, who had been traveling since the Initiation Ceremony at the start of the year, returned to the mountain.

"I just happened to catch some small fry along the way."

Clad in a purple Daoist robe with a black gauze overlay, her complexion was still pale as snow, and her voice sharp and fast. "The small fry themselves aren’t interesting, but they’ve crafted a new talisman called the Golden Breaking Talisman. It’s cleverly designed and can break most Golden Barrier Talismans used by our sect."

Yuan Mobai replied, "Indeed, some disciples traveling outside have reported this, and some have suffered injuries or worse. The sect is already working on improving the Golden Barrier Talisman."

Xu Yuanzhen said, "I modified it on the way back. It’s almost done; I’ll finalize it with you and the other uncles soon."

Yuan Mobai wasn’t surprised by her efficiency and smiled. "If you say it’s ready, then I trust it is. Let’s distribute it throughout the mansion promptly."

Wang Guiyuan, standing nearby, remarked, "Senior Sister, not only have you achieved another great merit, but your work could save many lives. Everyone can finally rest easy."

Xu Yuanzhen shifted the topic casually. "I heard about the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool incident as soon as I got back. What happened?"

Lei Jun, having been directly involved, recounted the events without exaggeration.

Her bright, clear eyes seemed to jump to another topic as she abruptly asked, "When I entered the mountain, I ran into Xiaotang. She mentioned being set up by the Li family. Lei Jun, were you aware of this?"

Lei Jun explained briefly, ending with, "Although there’s no direct evidence, based on the incident at the pool, I suspect it was Li Ming. His primary targets seemed to be Chen Yi and Shangguan Hong. As for Senior Sister Xiaotang and Senior Brother, that may have been coincidental."

Xu Yuanzhen replied simply, "It was him."

Then she stood and left.

By the third day, Xu Yuanzhen suddenly exposed a trove of information. She presented evidence of Li Ming and other Li family disciples committing embezzlement, negligence, and even deliberate harm, sending shockwaves through the sect.

Li Xuan confronted her, "Xu Yuanzhen, what are you trying to achieve? Do you want mutual destruction?"

Xu Yuanzhen retorted, "You should ask your brother what he wanted. If you can't act, I will help."

Even the Young Tianshi, Li Zhengxuan, tried to mediate, "Senior Sister, Li Ming is gone. Let’s leave him some dignity."

Xu Yuanzhen smiled faintly. "Dignity? He used Xiaotang to polish your reputation. Now, I’m only interested in polishing mine."

Li Zhengxuan took a deep breath, his tone steady. "Senior Sister, must you be so relentless? Do you truly intend to see this sect plunged into chaos?"

Xu Yuanzhen's lips curled slightly into a rare smile. "I have no interest in watching the sect descend into chaos. But I do enjoy watching certain people fly into a rage, utterly helpless."

With that, she turned and left, leaving behind an air of finality.