Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 288: Elder Lei's Dao Name

The official reason was to review the ceremonial protocols, but whether it was Lei Jun or the other High Priests, they were already more than familiar with the procedures.

For Lei Jun, what made him pause was the realization that he had now been in this world for thirty years.

Thirty years ago, he had first arrived, entering the Daoist Children's Academy at the foot of the mountain to listen to lectures.

His first exposure to the rules and rituals of Tianshi Mansion at Mount Longhu had been at that time.

Back then, he and his fellow Daoist apprentices had one common goal: to pass the Initiation Ceremony and officially become disciples of Tianshi Mansion.

Now, thirty years later, it was his turn to preside over the Initiation Ceremony.

The apprentices who had been granted initiation had long since changed over and over again.

In another two years, it would mark the 30th anniversary of his own initiation.

These dates were not something Lei Jun usually paid special attention to.

But whenever they came around, they would inevitably make him feel a sense of nostalgia.

Such moments made the passing of time all the more apparent.

Preparations for the Initiation Ceremony & Arrival of Honored Guests

Before and after the New Year’s Grand Ceremony, preparations for this year’s Initiation Ceremony proceeded as usual.

Following the New Year, guests from various sects began arriving at Mount Longhu.

The two other major Daoist Holy Lands sent particularly prominent representatives.

The Shushan Sect was led by Supreme Elder Xu Duan.

The Pure Yang Palace was represented by Elder Lü Jinduan, also a cultivator at the Eighth Heaven Realm.

By formal etiquette, Tang Xiaotang—as the Tianshi—could not avoid receiving them. Along with Yuan Mobai, Shangguan Ning, and the other elders of Tianshi Mansion, she hosted the guests.

The reason for Xu Duan and Lü Jinduan personally visiting was clear: to strengthen ties between the three major Daoist Holy Lands in response to the growing threat of the Mortal Dao Nation.

Shushan Sect proposed an exchange program, where each of the three sects would send capable disciples to reside at the others’ headquarters.

This would allow for better communication and, in the event of trouble caused by the Mortal Dao Nation, allow for quicker response times—and possibly even mutual reinforcements.

After all, the Mortal Dao Nation’s known power was already formidable.

Even just considering their cultivators at the Eighth Heaven Realm, they had at least five known figures:

Rong Guangchen, Gu Han, Fu Dongsen, Hong Jie, and Wei Qiyue.

This was despite the earlier deaths of Wang Dongchu, Feng Yi, and Zhou Peng.

Moreover, Fu Dongsen, Rong Guangchen, and Hong Jie were all at the Perfection Stage of the Eighth Heaven.

While only Fu Dongsen was in his prime, Rong Guangchen had received a mysterious Talismanic Decree that rejuvenated his body, allowing him to retain his cultivation at the Fourth Layer of the Infant Transformation Stage—the pinnacle of the Daoist Alchemical Sect’s Eighth Heaven Realm.

During the Battle of Shushan, Hong Jie had shown signs of aging.

But who could say whether she would suddenly, like Rong Guangchen, regain her youthful prime and return to peak form?

The Growing Threat of the Mortal Dao Nation

An even greater concern was the Daoist Alchemical Sect cultivators.

While Daoist Alchemists relied on their own internal techniques, Daoist Artifact Refiners were heavily dependent on their treasures during combat.

And half of Shushan’s Six Legendary Treasures had already fallen into the hands of Fu Dongsen and the Mortal Dao Nation.

This alone gave Fu Dongsen, Wei Qiyue, and Hong Jie enough power to suppress Zhang Dongyuan, Xu Duan, and Zhang Taigang, who remained in Shushan.

Furthermore, the Mortal Dao Nation seemed to have connections to the Eastern Sea’s Nine-Heaven Great Demon, the Thousand-Leaf Butterfly King.

This added yet another layer of danger.

When all these forces were gathered together, they could not be underestimated.

Had their secret activities not been exposed and suppressed earlier, the Mortal Dao Nation would have been even stronger.

Fu Dongsen and the others had been forced to leave Shushan and go into hiding not because they were weak, but to avoid becoming a target for too many enemies.

However, if they found an opportunity to strike with full force against a single opponent, they would be like a mountain collapsing upon them.

From the perspective of Shushan Sect and Pure Yang Palace, the Mortal Dao Nation might also be in possession of the Tianshi Robe…

Even if that were not the case, Lei Jun and the others still agreed with Shushan and Pure Yang Palace’s assessments.

After all, much about the Mortal Dao Nation remained unknown, and it was better to overestimate than underestimate the enemy.

While specific plans were still under discussion, the overarching goal of strengthening alliances among the three sects was clear.

The details would be worked out gradually.

Shushan’s Representative Arrives at Mount Longhu

“For the foreseeable future, I’ll be troubling you all,” Ji Chuan said.

The Shushan Sect’s primary representative at Mount Longhu was Lei Jun’s old acquaintance, Ji Chuan.

He had arrived alongside his Martial Granduncle, Xu Duan.

After the Initiation Ceremony, Xu Duan and the others would return to Shushan, while Ji Chuan would remain stationed at Mount Longhu.

Bowing to Yuan Mobai, Ji Chuan said, “My master and father could not make the journey, but they specifically asked me to convey their greetings to Tianshi Tang Xiaotang, Elder Yuan, and the other senior members of Tianshi Mansion.”

Yuan Mobai chuckled, “Daoist He and Daoist Ji are far too courteous. Please extend my greetings to them as well.”

He then led Xu Duan away, leaving Ji Chuan in Lei Jun’s care.

Lei Jun grinned, “I have a private residence on the mountain. If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to stay there anytime.”

Ji Chuan, being a longtime acquaintance, was not overly formal, but he politely declined with a smile. “I’d prefer a grotto in the mountain range outside the main peak.”

Though they were all fellow Daoists, and relations were improving, they ultimately belonged to different sects.

As a guest, Ji Chuan would have had no problem borrowing Lei Jun’s grotto for a short visit.

But since he would be staying for an indefinite period, it was inappropriate for him to reside within Mount Longhu’s inner sanctum.

“There are some spiritually rich spots in the outer mountains,” Lei Jun acknowledged. “But the environment isn’t quite as good as this side.”

“Right now, your cultivation is at a critical stage.”

They had known each other for over twenty years.

Though Lei Jun had reached the Upper Three Heavens, Ji Chuan—also talented—was now at the Sixth Heaven Realm of the Daoist Artifact Refining Sect.

At this stage, artifact refiners referred to their cultivation as “Immortal Seed”.

Cultivators at this level focused on condensing their Immortal Seed, undergoing transformation, and eventually reaching the Seventh Heaven Realm by refining their external alchemical core.

Typically, someone of Ji Chuan’s talent and cultivation level would be dedicating all their time to personal training, striving to break into the Seventh Heaven.

But Shushan had suffered heavy losses and was severely understaffed.

Since He Dongxing and Ji Chuan had longstanding ties with Tianshi Mansion, Shushan Sect had chosen Ji Chuan to be stationed at Mount Longhu.

Since Ji Chuan had made his decision, Lei Jun did not insist but made other arrangements.

“In that case, choose a place in the mountains that suits you, and we’ll make some arrangements. We can’t let this interfere with your cultivation.”

Thus, with Shushan and Pure Yang Palace sending representatives, and the Initiation Ceremony underway, the great sects of the Daoist world were now preparing for whatever came next.

Ji Chuan didn’t say much, but from his expression and actions, Chu Kun could more or less guess what he was thinking, leaving him both amused and exasperated.

With someone like Lei Jun around, it was impossible to keep a low profile.

At this moment, Chu Kun could deeply relate to Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan, who often found himself in the spotlight despite his best efforts to avoid it.

…Of course, what Daoist Chu conveniently forgot was that he himself had played a part in Wang Daoist’s predicament as well.

The Grand Ceremony Approaches

As the date of the January 15th Grand Ceremony neared, expected guests gradually arrived, and preparations within and outside the Tianshi Mansion were steadily completed.

On the night of January 14th, the preliminary rituals commenced:

• The Water-Purification Altar was established,
• The Stargazing Prayer was conducted,
• The Purification Fast was observed,
• And the Night Awakening Ritual was performed.

The process was exactly the same as when Lei Jun had participated in his Initiation Ceremony years ago.

The only difference?

Back then, he had followed the steps as a Daoist apprentice, simply going through the motions.

Tonight, he was the High Priest presiding over the Grand Ceremony.

During the Night Awakening Ritual, Lei Jun led the prayers, invoking the heavens and the ancestors as a prelude to the main ritual.

Then, on January 15th, he conducted the formal rites:

• Chanting hymns,
• Ascending the Altar,
• Entering the Earth Gate,
• Passing through the Heavenly Gate,
• Offering incense in all ten directions,
• Burning the Summoning Talismans,
• Lighting the Principal Incense,
• Reciting the Sacred Invocations,
• And finally, personally carrying the Incense Burner to perform the Furnace Lighting Ritual.

As evening fell, the ceremony reached its climax—the formal Initiation Ritual.

Only at this stage did guests like Xu Duan, Lü Jinduan, and Ji Chuan take their seats to observe.

A Young High Priest in the Spotlight

Typically, the attending guests would focus on the disciples undergoing Initiation, evaluating the most promising new talents of the Tianshi Mansion.

But today, the first thing everyone noticed was the towering Daoist in the purple robe presiding over the ceremony.

“Among the High Priests who have presided over the Initiation Ceremony in recent years, this one is certainly among the youngest.”

Xu Duan observed Lei Jun carefully.

The Vermilion Bird Elder of the Pure Yang Palace, Lü Jinduan, nodded slightly.

“Not even fifty years old yet.”

Tang Xiaotang had ascended to the Upper Three Heavens even younger.

But back then, she was still technically an apprentice, and no one had rushed to give her such heavy responsibilities.

By the time Tang Xiaotang officially took over as Tianshi, she had gone straight from apprentice to grandmaster in one leap.

Her first time presiding over the Initiation Ceremony had already been as the Tianshi.

Meanwhile, Xu Yuanzhen had never participated in such ceremonies at all.

Lü Jinduan continued, “Brother Xu, I assume you’ve heard the rumors? This Daoist Lei from the Tianshi Mansion displayed a second divine apparition in the Southern Wasteland, in addition to his Doumu Star God Apparition.”

Xu Duan nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard.”

His gaze shifted toward another part of the audience.

There, among the spectators, stood Lu Fang, a Tang Dynasty Divine Strategy Army General, who had personally witnessed the manifestation of Lei Jun’s Xuanxiao Thunder Ancestor Apparition.

Xu Duan himself had never been to the Southern Wasteland, but Shushan disciples stationed there had sent reports back to their sect long ago.

“This generation of Tianshi Mansion disciples is truly remarkable.”

Xu Duan’s gaze continued to move, finally settling on another figure.

There, watching the ceremony with keen interest—

was the current Tianshi, Tang Xiaotang.

She had long since lost interest in presiding over the Initiation Ceremony herself.

But seeing Lei Jun taking on this role for the first time was rather entertaining to her.

Her cultivation far surpassed Lu Fang’s.

When Xu Duan glanced her way, Tang Xiaotang immediately returned the look.

The Supreme Elder of Shushan gave her a slight nod.

Tang Xiaotang returned the courtesy before turning her attention back to the altar.

“Though it hasn’t been widely publicized, this Lei Daoist is very likely to have a Celestial Physique, just like Tang Tianshi.”

Xu Duan remarked.

Lü Jinduan agreed.

Without waiting for Xu Duan to ask, Lü Jinduan shook his head.

“His physique might also follow a Yin-based path, but it’s not a Pure Yin Celestial Physique.”

Having a genuine Pure Yin Celestial Physique cultivator like Jiang Yu in their sect, the Pure Yang Palace had developed a keen eye for identifying such traits.

Xu Duan nodded thoughtfully before adding,

“To create an entirely new divine apparition means his comprehension and talent are exceptional.”

Lü Jinduan: “Now it’s just a matter of when he reaches the Eighth Heaven.”

Xu Duan: “Unless he gets stuck at the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation between the Seventh and Eighth Heavens, he should be able to do it within ten years.”

Lü Jinduan sighed, “Ten years is not far at all. By then, his Yin Thunder Dragon should be fully developed.”

Xu Duan nodded. “Indeed. With the Daoist orthodoxy flourishing like this, the so-called Mortal Daoist Nation will never be able to defy fate.”

Lü Jinduan agreed. “Exactly.”

The Court's Perspective

Across from them, Lu Fang’s attention was also focused on Lei Jun.

Sitting beside him, representing the Tang Imperial Court, was Shangguan Sheng.

“This Lei Daoist’s status within the Tianshi Mansion has grown even more significant.”

Lu Fang commented softly.

Shangguan Sheng nodded slightly. “At the very least, he now holds the same weight as his master, Yuan Daoist. The only question left is—how long will Tang Tianshi remain in her position?”

Lu Fang lowered his voice further. “The two of them are too close in age. Will that lead to conflict?”

Shangguan Sheng: “At present, no.”

Lu Fang: “That’s good. Given the current political climate, it’s best for the Tianshi Mansion to remain stable.”

The younger generation of Mount Longhu cultivators was simply too extraordinary.

Aside from Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, both Lei Jun and Chu Kun had risen at an astonishing pace.

If this continued, their influence would be significant enough for even the Tang Imperial Court to take serious notice.

That said, the empire’s internal and external affairs were highly complex right now.

Regardless of past considerations, both the Imperial Family and the martial aristocrats like the Shangguan and Lu Clans now preferred to see Tianshi Mansion remain stable.

The Three Great Daoist Holy Lands seemed to be forming an alliance.

The Imperial Court had taken note—but rather than reacting aggressively, they were choosing to overlook it.

Had this happened years earlier, the response might have been different.

However, with the Mortal Daoist Nation rising and the Western Buddhist Sects expanding their influence, priorities had shifted.

For now, Shangguan Sheng and Lu Fang remained calm, focusing their attention on Lei Jun, the one presiding over the Grand Ceremony.

At this moment, Lei Jun finished the final offerings and began the closing rites—

Sending off the deities, receiving the divine officials, extinguishing the altar flames, and departing the ceremony hall.

As he performed the final bow to the ancestors and gave thanks to his teachers, a deeper realization settled within him.

During his prayers, his cultivation had resonated with the heavens—

As if his connection with the universe had become even stronger.

Lei Jun slowly raised his head and gazed toward the sky.

Above the sky, the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven remained unchanged, with purple lightning streaking through the clouds.

But this time, Lei Jun seemed to glimpse something even higher in the celestial expanse—a more profound and vast convergence of thunderbolts.

Was this the Divine Firmament mentioned in the Daoist scriptures?

His thoughts were lively and sharp in that moment, yet his mind remained steady.

His communion with the heavens did not distract him. On the contrary, it made him feel even more in sync with the will of heaven and aligned with humanity, as he presided over the ceremony.

He did not overthink it, simply immersing himself in the experience, allowing things to flow naturally while completing the ritual proceedings.

One by one, the new master-disciple pairs withdrew, while Lei Jun, carrying the registry of disciples, proceeded to the Ancestral Tomb in the back mountain.

There, he once again paid homage to the sect’s past Grandmasters, before carefully collecting and presenting the registry.

With that, the Initiation Ceremony, which he had presided over for the first time, concluded perfectly.

After the ceremony, he returned to the Tianshi Hall, where Tianshi Tang Xiaotang was hosting the honored guests who had attended the event.

Lei Jun also stepped forward to pay his respects, exchanging courtesies with the guests.

Everyone was in good spirits, and the gathering was a joyous occasion.

At the end, Lei Jun spoke boldly and openly:

"Today, I have paid my respects to heaven and to the Grandmasters of our sect. I feel a calling within me, a moment of enlightenment. So today, I shall establish my Daoist Title."

"Though I have communed with the Divine Firmament, the Supreme Pivot of Heaven remains beyond reach. Thus, I take a step back and choose ‘Xuanxiao’ (Profound Firmament) as my title."

"Since everyone here is a fellow Daoist of our lineage, I humbly ask you all to be my witnesses today."

A Daoist Name was bestowed upon a disciple during their initiation into the sect.

A Daoist Title, however, was usually self-chosen once a cultivator reached a certain level of attainment, through personal enlightenment or recognition from the outside world.

For example, Yuan Mobai had chosen to style himself as ‘Daoist Yuli’ (Yu Li Zi).

Tang Xiaotang, however, had never chosen a Daoist Title—she simply enjoyed being addressed as "Tianshi".

Given Lei Jun’s current cultivation level and his status as a High Priest of the Tianshi Mansion, his self-proclaimed Daoist Title was a significant event. Under normal circumstances, he could have hosted a special gathering and formally invited his peers to witness the occasion.

Since he had not arranged a separate event, he took the opportunity to make the announcement immediately after the ceremony.

The guests were momentarily surprised but quickly offered their congratulations.

From the head seat, Tang Xiaotang chuckled and teased, "Would it really have been so bad to call yourself ‘Shenxiao Zi’ (Divine Firmament Master)?"

Lei Jun smiled. "Alas, I was born too late. But I’ll leave some room—I won’t limit my future growth in cultivation."

Beside them, Yuan Mobai listened quietly, his usual warm smile deepening with a hint of satisfaction.

Many guests also connected the title ‘Xuanxiao’ to Lei Jun’s self-created "Xuanxiao Five Thunder Talisman" and "Xuanxiao Thunder Ancestor Apparition".

Shangguan Sheng and Lu Fang exchanged a glance.

"Daoist Xuanxiao… Xuanxiao Zi…" Shangguan Sheng murmured.

Lu Fang nodded slightly.

The two couldn't help but reminisce about the journey—from Lei Jun first showcasing his ‘Profound Thunder’ in the Eastern Sea, to his ‘Xuanxiao Thunder Ancestor Apparition’ making its debut in the Southern Wasteland—they had witnessed every step of his rise.

A fateful connection, perhaps.

Shangguan Sheng and Lu Fang quickly gathered their thoughts and, restoring their expressions to normal, bowed toward Lei Jun in unison:

"Before Daoist Xuanxiao, all impurities are cleansed. A most joyous occasion—our sincere congratulations!"

Two highly respected elders, Xu Duan of the Shushan Sect and Lü Jinduan of the Pure Yang Palace, also stepped forward and cupped their hands in salute.

"Daoist Xuanxiao, we pay our respects."

Inwardly, they couldn't help but think: Compared to Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun was indeed more composed and humble.

The Divine Firmament was closely associated with the Daoist Ancestors and was frequently referenced in Daoist scriptures.

Generally speaking, junior disciples would not adopt such grand titles.

Of course, there were always exceptions—Tang Xiaotang was one.

Her self-created "Divine Firmament Pure Yang Talisman" was directly named after the Divine Firmament, and she had no qualms about it.

Lei Jun neither objected nor cared about such traditions. But since he had already pioneered "Profound Thunder", he simply followed through with it.

To older figures like Xu Duan and Lü Jinduan, this approach made Lei Jun appear even more agreeable.

As the congratulatory words continued, Lei Jun responded with polite gratitude.

One by one, the guests began to take their leave, and the once lively ceremony gradually settled into quiet at Mount Longhu.

Yet, not everyone departed immediately.

Aside from Ji Chuan of the Shushan Sect, a representative from the Pure Yang Palace had also chosen to stay—Long Tao, a Pure Yang Elder with a Sixth Heaven cultivation level, just like Ji Chuan and Chu Kun.

Like Ji Chuan, Long Tao planned to establish a secluded dwelling in the mountains surrounding Mount Longhu, outside the sect’s core area but close enough for regular visits.

Chu Kun took responsibility for helping them settle in.

Meanwhile, Lei Jun returned to his usual peaceful and structured lifestyle, continuing his cultivation at his own steady pace.

As winter gave way to spring, time flowed on.

Mount Longhu remained calm, with no disturbances.

Eventually, his Senior Sister, Xu Yuanzhen, returned to the mountain.

But she wasn’t here to quietly focus on cultivation.

Instead, she brought back various artifacts that intrigued her and entered the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven, using its environment to study and refine them.

Xu Yuanzhen had always done things her own way, and no one found her behavior unusual.

However, Tang Xiaotang was extremely curious about her latest activities.

So, every few days, she would drop by for a ‘visit’—providing her own brand of persistent and enthusiastic ‘concern’, much to Xu Yuanzhen’s annoyance.

Inevitably, she was always chased away with impatience.

Lei Jun, on the other hand, felt an increasing sense of clarity growing within him as time passed.

By the time autumn arrived, with the weather gradually turning colder, another half a year had passed since the Initiation Ceremony he had presided over.

He was now forty-nine years old.

That deep autumn, Wang Guiyuan also returned safely.

"Senior Brother, what is that?" Chu Kun asked, his voice filled with excitement as he looked at what Wang Guiyuan had brought back.

It looked like burnt ashes, yet had solidified into something resembling a spiritual stone in the shape of a sphere.

It was silent and dormant, much like a dead star.

Only when infused with mana did it light up, glowing like a celestial flame, exuding warmth and brilliance—like a Heavenly Fire Sun Star igniting in the void.

"Heavenly Embers Star Remnant," Yuan Mobai said with a smile, holding a similar stone in his hand.

Wang Guiyuan grinned. "I got lucky this time—had a bit of an opportunity, so I didn’t come back empty-handed."

He laughed. "There aren’t many, but not too few either—I managed to bring back six of them."

Yuan Mobai nodded. "Even one is rare—six is incredible."

"Thank you, Senior Brother," Lei Jun said, holding one of the star remnants in his palm.

It was an unspoken habit among them to share resources, so there was no need for excessive formalities.

For Chu Kun, who possessed the ‘Celestial Constellation Sacred Physique’, this was an absolute treasure.

For Lei Jun, Yuan Mobai, and Xu Yuanzhen, it was also highly beneficial.

With six in total, they could each take one, and still have two left to contribute to the sect’s Treasure Pavilion.

For Lei Jun, there was another use for this treasure—one that would aid him in developing a new divine ability in the future.

But that could wait.

For now, it was time to focus.

Lei Jun had finally decided—it was time to enter seclusion and dedicate himself fully to cultivation.

The moment was right, and the final sprint had begun.