Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 286: Third-grade opportunity, accelerating to the sky

Lei Jun gazed at the existence that seemed both like light and mist, his heart filled with doubt.

The name Shengqiong Liuhua had only appeared in ancient texts he had read. According to records, it had not been seen for many years.

The Xiaoxue Peak area, though scenic with its mountains and waters, was not an especially superior Blessed Land Grotto-Heaven.

For such a phenomenon to appear here without reason was anything but ordinary.

Yet, there were no other spiritual anomalies or related changes in the surroundings.

The origin of this treasure was questionable. It was unlikely to have naturally formed here; it had most likely been brought in by someone.

At first glance, it seemed to have been left behind by chance, but as Lei Jun observed closely, he suspected there was more to it.

The function of Shengqiong Liuhua was to significantly strengthen a cultivator’s connection with the natural world, helping them comprehend and integrate the principles of heaven and earth.

It was also highly valuable for refining Daoist artifacts and ritual vessels, aiding cultivators in forging high-grade magical treasures and Daoist tools.

Because of its diverse applications, it was useful not only for Daoist cultivators but also for Buddhist monks, Confucian scholars, and even shamans.

Even martial cultivators looking to refine divine weapons would find it immensely helpful in the forging process.

Its range of use was vast, and its effects were remarkably powerful—if only it weren’t so exceedingly rare. Even historical records mentioned it only briefly.

While gathering the light-mist, Lei Jun carefully contemplated the situation.

The circumstances at Xiaoxue Peak suggested that someone had previously used Shengqiong Liuhua to assist in refining tools or artifacts.

However, there were no clear traces left behind.

The Heaven-Penetrating Earth-Piercing Talismanic Canon in Lei Jun’s eyes gleamed faintly, and his Illusory Mirror also turned brighter.

Yet, no further discoveries were made.

Why had the person who used it not retrieved the remaining Shengqiong Liuhua?

Had they simply not cared? Or was there a deeper reason?

Lei Jun pondered.

Given the omen he had drawn earlier, as well as the location where Luo Haoran had found Qin Caiwei, this matter likely had something to do with the newly admitted girl at the Daoist Children’s Academy.

However, the exact connection remained unclear.

For Lei Jun personally, Shengqiong Liuhua was undoubtedly one of the most valuable spiritual materials he could obtain at this time.

If the Eight Sceneries Wind was a distant hope, crucial for crossing the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation between the Seventh and Eighth Heavens,

Then Shengqiong Liuhua was the immediate relief.

Rather than using it to refine artifacts or treasures, Lei Jun would directly absorb its energy into his cultivation, accelerating his progress and completing the Seventh Heaven’s accumulation in record time—laying the foundation for his breakthrough into the Eighth Heaven.

It was truly an invaluable resource.

Yet, its mysterious origin made Lei Jun uneasy.

Although the Supreme Good Omen he had drawn indicated great fortune, with neither immediate dangers nor future worries, he remained cautious.

Instead of hastily using it, he first collected all the Shengqiong Liuhua before noon—before it dissipated into the air—and sealed it away for the time being.

Then, he carefully examined the surroundings once more, monitoring the area for a while.

Only after confirming there were no further anomalies did he return to the sect’s ancestral grounds.

---

Seated inside his grotto, Lei Jun’s pupils gleamed with the light of the Heaven-Penetrating Earth-Piercing Talismanic Canon.

Through it, he observed the happenings within the Daoist Children's Academy.

At this moment, the girl surnamed Qin had already changed into the academy’s standard gray Daoist robe, guided around the academy by Luo Haoran.

According to protocol, she would formally take her vows to the Three Treasures during morning lecture tomorrow, officially joining the academy’s training.

The girl seemed curious, frequently glancing around. However, she had a steady demeanor, listened more than she spoke, and did not wander about recklessly.

From all appearances, she was simply a bright yet ordinary adolescent.

After watching for a moment, Lei Jun withdrew his gaze.

The omen-reading from earlier had resulted in only a Supreme Good Omen and a neutral fortune—neither foretelling immediate threats nor warning of future troubles.

Lei Jun was mildly concerned but, with no leads to pursue, chose not to dwell on it.

---

Time passed.

As New Year’s approached, it was once again time for the Grand Annual Ceremony.

Unlike the past, Tang Tianshi had lost interest in presiding over the ceremony in recent years. However, by protocol, as long as he was not in seclusion, he would still attend.

During an idle moment, Lei Jun casually asked Tang Xiaotang, “Senior Sister, have any of the new apprentices caught your eye?”

Tang Xiaotang had held the Tianshi position for over a decade now.

Yet, she had never taken on a direct disciple.

Given her age and personality, no one pressured her. Occasionally, a few promising candidates would be recommended to her as a gamble, but she had never accepted anyone.

Tang Xiaotang casually replied, “Haven’t noticed anyone, but it doesn’t really matter. If I ever go out traveling, I’ll pick one myself.”

Lei Jun smirked, “If you’re looking for someone with the same talent as you, then yeah… that won’t be easy.”

In reality, Qin Caiwei’s innate aptitude wasn’t just high—it was exceptionally high.

Among the talented disciples of Tianshi Mansion, only Zhuo Huajie, Lei Jun’s own disciple, and Xu Rui, who was formally under Li Zhengxuan but trained by Fang Jian, could compare to her.

Luo Haoran had stumbled upon an unpolished gem. With just a little refinement, she would shine brilliantly.

From Tang Xiaotang’s reaction, Lei Jun had gotten the answer he was looking for.

As long as Qin Caiwei did not harbor malicious intent, the matter could be set aside for now.

Of course, that did not mean it was completely resolved.

Lei Jun would not lose sleep over it, but he would keep an eye on her in the future.

Meanwhile, Qin Caiwei seemed to be enjoying her time at Mount Longhu.

Gazing up at the sky filled with dense purple lightning, she murmured in awe, “It’s just like an immortal’s paradise…”

Resting her chin on her palm, she pondered, “Is Kunlun like this too?”

After a moment, she stretched lazily, full of energy.

“Well, whatever! I’m a Daoist now! Even Daoist apprentices count as disciples of the Dao, right?”

---

Youzhou – The Zhao Prince’s Private Estate

In the garden, three figures sat together—two men and one woman.

An elderly man, Ye Moquan, former patriarch of the Cangzhou Ye Clan, now residing here.

A middle-aged man, his eldest son Ye Wei, who had formally inherited the patriarch seat of the Cangzhou Ye Clan.

And the woman, Lin Huan, the current patriarch of the Youzhou Lin Clan.

Ye Wei had traveled from Cangzhou to Youzhou to meet his father.

Since he was here, he naturally had to visit Zhao Prince Zhang Teng and Lin Huan as well.

However, Zhao Prince Zhang Teng was currently in seclusion and did not meet with guests. His estate showed Ye Wei proper courtesy, but Zhang Teng himself did not appear.

Ye Wei was not surprised.

He knew that Zhang Teng was undergoing intense closed-door cultivation.

In fact, one of the reasons for his visit was closely related to the prince’s seclusion.

Softly, he asked, “So, His Highness Zhao Prince is finally attempting to take that last step?”

Neither Ye Moquan nor Lin Huan spoke, but both nodded slowly.

Ye Wei continued, “His Highness… at his age…”

As the most senior member of the Tang imperial clan, Zhao Prince Zhang Teng was over four hundred years old.

By conventional wisdom, he had entered the decline period of Upper Three Heaven cultivators.

At this stage, just maintaining his current realm without deterioration would be considered remarkable.

To attempt a further breakthrough at such a time… the greatest likelihood was to perish in the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation between great realms.

Yet, Zhang Teng had a special opportunity.

Moreover, this was closely tied to the Cangzhou Ye Clan.

After the fall of the Jinzhou Ancestral Land, despite suffering a tremendous loss, Ye Moquan managed to survive through adversity. His fierce and unyielding spirit could aid martial cultivators in their training.

This, in turn, could help Zhao Prince Zhang Teng, giving him a greater chance of success.

Even so, no one dared to guarantee that he could overcome the final Heavenly Chasm Tribulation.

“I do feel, however, that His Highness seems rather confident,” Lin Huan said slowly, though her tone carried some hesitation.

Ye Wei was slightly surprised by her words.

Ye Moquan then added, “His Highness has his own convictions and strategies. It’s not impossible.”

Ye Wei nodded.

Zhao Prince Zhang Teng would not reveal everything to the Youzhou Lin Clan and Cangzhou Ye Clan.

Since he had set his sights on the throne, he must have had his own reliance.

The Cangzhou Ye Clan’s support was more likely an additional safeguard for his current attempt to break through to the Ninth Heaven Realm, helping him make his final decision.

But what exactly was his plan?

“Elder Ye, regarding the Southern Wasteland…” Lin Huan turned to Ye Moquan.

Ye Moquan replied, “I have left it to my fourth brother to handle in full. He knows what to do.”

Ye Liang had perished at the hands of a Nine Li expert.

For both political and personal reasons, the Cangzhou Ye Clan had to respond.

However, Ye Moquan and Ye Morong would never willingly throw themselves into a full-scale war with the Nine Li, though they were now in a difficult position.

Aside from managing the Tang Imperial Court, they also needed to stabilize their own clan members.

Still, Ye Morong would not escalate matters unnecessarily, ensuring that the Cangzhou Ye Clan did not sink deeper into this conflict.

One day, when the time was right, the Ye Clan would have its revenge on the Nine Li.

“The Nine Li and our world are ultimately enemies, far more savage than the Southern Wasteland barbarians. Even basic communication is difficult,” Lin Huan remarked. “In that case, sending General Ye to investigate is a good move. Understanding the enemy is key.”

Ye Moquan nodded, “The Nine Li have been isolated from the world for a long time. Even their language is vastly different from ours, which is why my fourth brother has had limited success so far.

“But through persistent efforts, we’ve finally made some progress.”

The Nine Li expert who had slain Ye Liang was named Li Yan, a Blood River Lineage cultivator at the First Layer of the Ninth Heaven Realm—ruthless and bloodthirsty.

However, aside from venturing into the Dark Mists of the Land Sea, Li Yan rarely left his own territory.

Meanwhile, the Tang Imperial Court and Ye Morong had spent the past months investigating the Dark Mists of the Land Sea further.

“Your fourth uncle’s reports will be copied and sent to Youzhou as well,” Ye Moquan instructed Ye Wei.

Ye Wei acknowledged the order, while Lin Huan expressed her thanks.

After some more discussion, Lin Huan excused herself, leaving only Ye Moquan and Ye Wei.

After a moment of silence, Ye Wei spoke again, “Father, regarding our fifteenth brother… it seems beyond recovery.”

“So be it,” Ye Moquan said slowly. “In the end, this may not be a bad thing—at least the family continues to grow.”

“Yes, Father,” Ye Wei responded.

Ye Moquan then shifted the topic. “And Feishan?”

“He has begun closed-door training, preparing for his breakthrough to the Eighth Heaven Realm,” Ye Wei replied. “He has been building up his foundation for a long time and is quite confident. There shouldn’t be any major problems.”

“That is good,” Ye Moquan nodded.

After a bit more conversation, Ye Wei also took his leave.

Left alone, Ye Moquan stood up and returned to his chambers.

Once inside, he raised a hand to rub his brow, visibly exhausted.

He sighed softly, then waved his hand.

Pen and paper materialized before him.

Immediately, ink began appearing on the paper, automatically recording the key points of his recent discussion.

Once the ink dried, Ye Moquan did not put it away immediately.

Instead, he gazed at the document for a long time before finally storing it.

It joined several other sheets—each one meticulously documenting prior important conversations and information.

This was the only way Ye Moquan could ensure he would not forget anything.

Yet, as he looked at those records, his expression grew complicated.

For a long time, he remained silent.

---

Zhao Prince’s Residence, Youzhou

Not far from the estate, the Zhao Prince’s Manor was deathly quiet.

Servants moved about carefully, their voices hushed.

The prince was in seclusion, and no one in the manor dared disturb him.

Inside his private chamber, Zhao Prince Zhang Teng did not meditate in complete isolation like Daoist cultivators, nor did he immerse himself in scholarly study like Confucian scholars.

Instead, he was pacing.

His movements were slow, almost as if he were warming up.

His hands were held in a fist posture, but he moved them gradually.

At the center of the chamber, rotating around Zhao Prince Zhang Teng, was a blade—not the legendary World-Suppressing Saber, but a weapon he had personally forged.

As his vital energy surged, the blade’s glow grew sharper and more domineering.

When his blood energy reached its peak, he finally drew the saber.

With a blade in hand, his presence became even more formidable.

However, as his martial intent manifested, a transformation occurred.

A savage and domineering aura erupted from him—like an unstoppable cavalry trampling over mountains and rivers!

If Ye Moquan and Lin Huan were present, they would immediately recognize that Zhang Teng’s saber intent was nearly identical to the “Barbarian” techniques of Xu Yuanzhen’s three disciples.

Though there were slight differences, the source was undoubtedly the same.

Yet, Zhang Teng had never inquired about these martial arts from Ye Moquan, nor had he sought the Tang Imperial Court’s knowledge.

Because he had already possessed it.

He had obtained it through different means.

Now, having absorbed the fierce and unyielding energy left behind by the fallen Jinzhou Ye Clan, his martial intent had undergone a full transformation.

This choice had not been made lightly.

As a martial powerhouse, Zhao Prince Zhang Teng understood that this saber intent was immensely powerful—but it also had severe flaws.

Yet, he still chose to take this path.

His adversaries were stronger than Ye Moquan, Ye Yan, Chu Xiuyuan, and Fang Jingsheng.

To stand a chance, to even participate in this contest, he had no other option.

His expression remained firm—neither joyful nor angry—as he swung his blade over and over again.

His saber intent grew ever stronger.

---

Mount Longhu, Lei Jun’s Private Residence

Lei Jun sat cross-legged, gazing forward.

Before him, solid gale-force winds slowly expanded.

As the wind spread out, it encircled him once again, forming an octagonal wind wall.

The wind walls isolated him from the outside world while converging above and below, forming an airtight chamber.

Lei Jun controlled the expanding wind, maintaining the octagonal shape.

Then, he retrieved another spiritual item.

A collection of dragon-shaped reeds floated in the air, coiling and twisting like swimming dragons.

Under Lei Jun’s command, the reeds resonated with the Eight Sceneries Wind, merging into it.

As the Eight Sceneries Wind condensed, a crude yet mysterious straw raincoat took shape before him.

However, the raincoat was still incomplete—many crucial principles and insights were missing.

To forge it into a true magical treasure, Lei Jun needed further refinement and additional key materials.

He waved his hand, and the dragon-shaped reeds and Eight Sceneries Wind separated again.

“These two… I should try merging them,” Lei Jun murmured, storing both items. “The Eight Sceneries Wind still has an important use. I only wonder how much of it will remain by then.”

Then, he retrieved his latest treasure—Shengqiong Liuhua.

After some contemplation, he began refining it.

As the radiant mist swirled around him, his cultivation path advanced once more.

As the radiant mist dispersed, influenced by Lei Jun’s mana, it did not scatter but instead gathered around him.

He began refining the Shengqiong Liuhua, allowing its essence to merge with his own energy.

Brilliant light swirled around him, forming countless talismans that spiraled through the air.

These talismans did not dissipate but instead coalesced into a vast Daoist Altar, radiating purple, gold, and green light.

Above the altar, beams of light surged toward the heavens, gradually condensing into a phantom pathway—a bridge of light that only Lei Jun himself could perceive.

The path extended into the sky, yet its end remained unreachable, still falling short of the celestial heights.

Meanwhile, immense spiritual energy from the surrounding heavens and earth continuously gathered toward this towering pillar of light.

As the light column grew taller, the pathway stretched longer.

Lei Jun remained seated within the altar, unmoving.

Above him, on the ascending celestial path, steps began to materialize.

One after another, flickering inscriptions appeared upon each step—Daoist talismans, shifting and evolving.

More and more talismans were etched into the Path to the Heavens, each one a manifestation of Lei Jun’s current cultivation and Daoist comprehension.

The more the pathway extended upward, the more Lei Jun’s cultivation advanced.