Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 297: Five Great Dharma Images, Unprecedented

Lei Jun focused intently, quietly refining the straw cloak-like treasure (Taiqing Eight Sceneries Treasure Cloak) using the Nine Abyss True Fire.

He had crafted many artifacts and treasures before, but this cloak and the Upper-Qing Jade Celestial Bamboo had required the most effort and contemplation.

Both artifacts incorporated Lei Jun’s extensive reflections on Daoist techniques, summarizing his past cultivation experiences while exploring innovative new possibilities.

Under the blue glow of the Nine Abyss True Fire, each straw-like strand on the cloak trembled gently, faintly emitting dragon-like roars.

These “straws” soon resembled countless tiny dragons lifting their heads. Dark golden astral winds circulated around them like flowing clouds. Amidst these winds and clouds, the dragons appeared indistinctly, their silhouettes drifting mysteriously, elusive yet majestic.

Gradually, the misty clouds expanded outward, forming a subtle, expansive haze. Under its influence, vision and senses were subtly obscured.

Lei Jun infused streams of Daoist talismans (Fulu) into the artifact, making the haze increasingly thin yet even more concealed. Each dragon-shaped silhouette became engraved with these countless intricate talismans, appearing as if imprinted upon every scale.

Eventually, the dragon silhouettes receded, the astral winds faded, and the mist became nearly invisible. When Lei Jun ceased channeling his True Fire, the cloak reappeared quietly before him, ordinary-looking once again.

Above Lei Jun’s head, the Liangyi Taiji Diagram re-emerged, emitting subtle beams of light merging into the cloak, enhancing its subdued brilliance before fading back into modest obscurity.

The next day, he reignited the Nine Abyss True Fire, causing the cloak to disappear into clouds again. He repeated the process of refining and inscribing talismans, continually improving it.

After repeated cycles, this Taiqing Eight Sceneries Treasure Cloak gradually approached its ideal form. Satisfied, Lei Jun placed it into the first layer of the True-One Altar, allowing the Nine Abyss True Fire to continue its daily refinement.

Then, Lei Jun turned his attention toward another artifact—the peculiar jade seal (High Heaven Jade Tablet).

After carefully contemplating the High Heaven Jade Tablet, one morning Lei Jun summoned a faint star in the distant sky. The star brightened, descending gradually until it reached Lei Jun’s hand—the previously refined Great Celestial Jade, fused with the Jade Heavenly True Water.

He infused fresh energy and talismans into it, restoring its luster. Then, pointing gently toward the High Heaven Jade Tablet, it dispersed into a stream of mystical radiance, creating a boundless void above him.

Lei Jun's Life Canon Talisman appeared, sparkling like a star. Alongside this appeared the Star-Circle Talisman, Heaven-and-Earth Connection Talisman, and Heavenly Travel Talisman, all blending harmoniously into the illusory celestial dome formed by the High Heaven Jade Tablet.

Sitting cross-legged, Lei Jun pointed again, causing the celestial dome to contract and enter the Great Celestial Jade. The jade radiated starlight vividly, each star pulsating as if truly alive.

Lei Jun repeatedly refined, adjusted, and tested this artifact, sending it into the sky, observing, recalling, and refining again. Eventually, satisfied that it met his vision—though still leaving room for further improvements—he released it into the sky once more.

Now, with heightened perception granted by the Heaven-and-Earth Connection Talisman, he contemplated his next steps.

Lei Jun then turned to refining his previously crafted Profound Gold Sword Pellets using the Nine Abyss True Fire, subtly improving them further.

He examined the Divine Firmament Flowing Gold sent by the Tang imperial family, a powerful spiritual material born amid divine thunder, abundant in metallic and thunderous energies. It required strict sealing to prevent rampant energy discharge. But Lei Jun, possessing both Nine Heavens Divine Thunder and Mysterious Firmament Immortal Thunder, easily stabilized this treasure, housing it within his Liangyi Taiji Diagram.

He pondered various possible uses for this item, carefully contemplating his next moves.

Meanwhile, the Tianshi Mansion reconstruction on Mount Longhu progressed steadily, regaining stability. Branch sect representatives and leaders visited to pay homage to the ancestral temple, celebrating its victory over the Mortal Daoist Nation.

Over recent years, Tianshi Mansion had weathered many storms—from battles with the Jiangzhou Lin Clan and the Yellow Heaven Sect, to the devastating Liwai conflict—pushing its prestige to a low point. However, its decisive recent victories had brought fresh vitality to the entire Daoist talismanic lineage, reinvigorating branch sects and reinforcing Mount Longhu’s status.

As branch sects grew stronger, they provided ample resources and support, enriching the ancestral mountain. Even though the latest attack by the Mortal Daoist Nation caused significant disruption, Tianshi Mansion ultimately triumphed and stabilized its foundations.

During this time, Elder Yao Yuan, a senior priest, completed arrangements with Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai before retreating back into seclusion within the ancestral tomb area, fulfilling a previously agreed-upon plan.

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai now focused on critical events unfolding in the northwest, specifically the intelligence from Zhang Jingzhen.

In the northwest, Tang imperial forces rallied troops in Lingzhou and Yuanzhou, fighting fierce battles against the invading Guying Khanate. Overall, Tang forces had gained the upper hand, recapturing most territories in Lingzhou and Yuanzhou. The Khanate invaders were split—some crossing the great river northward into the desert, while the rest were trapped among the rugged mountains and passes of Yuanzhou.

Throughout this period, Tang Tianshi enthusiastically welcomed visiting representatives from various branch sects, delighting in her role. Meanwhile, Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai closely monitored developments in the northwest, ready to intervene if necessary.

This was precisely the place where they had first emerged.

Enemies who fled into the deserts of the North became difficult to eliminate due to environmental conditions.

The Tang Imperial Court, for now, concentrated its forces south of the Great River, fully committed to eliminating the scattered enemy forces in the mountains.

Their immediate goal was to seal the void portal. Whether it could be completely destroyed was uncertain at present, and would require detailed study after capturing the site.

"Overall, this is naturally good news," Yuan Mobai remarked. "However, various signs and gathered intelligence indicate that this is merely an auxiliary force from the Lone Eagle Khanate. Their main force did not come to our world, but is rather… in another human realm."

This was considered one of the highest-level secrets currently held by the Tang Imperial Court, shared only with a limited number of individuals and forces.

In the earlier battles, the Tang army managed with difficulty to capture a few injured soldiers from the Lone Eagle Khanate. Through interrogation, the Tang court gained greater understanding of this unexpected new adversary.

It turned out they did not originate from one of the "Nine Heavens and Ten Earths." Instead, they firmly believed that their own world was the real human realm. The Khanate armies constantly conquered territories, forcing submission wherever they went.

Currently, they were engaged in an intense war with an ancient kingdom in the western deserts, attempting to subjugate them. Those who entered the Tang human realm were merely an expeditionary detachment from the Lone Eagle Khanate. They had stumbled upon the void portal accidentally and never anticipated entering a completely unfamiliar world.

Thus, although the Tang side had won this time, the court took the Lone Eagle Khanate extremely seriously.

"Indeed, multiple human realms seem to exist, but…" Lei Jun slightly furrowed his brows, "there are many unresolved doubts."

The progress of the Northwest campaign demonstrated that people from the Lone Eagle Khanate were very familiar with the terrain of this world. Their ability to evade pursuit by escaping into the desert was proof enough.

Interrogations also suggested that their own realm closely resembled the Tang world geographically.

If it were truly the same realm…

Lei Jun recalled certain novels he'd read before his transmigration from Blue Star, leading him to certain speculations. Unfortunately, the prisoners the Tang court had captured knew little about their realm's historical background, limiting further insights.

…At least, that was what the Tang court claimed. Perhaps they withheld certain critical pieces of information as top-level secrets.

While Lei Jun was curious, without further clues, he set the matter aside, continuing his usual lifestyle and cultivation.

With his deepening mastery of the Fire Law Earth Scripture Talisman and the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Dharma, and aided by his Two-Element Immortal Physique and Clear Tranquility comprehension, Lei Jun was making daily progress in a newly created yang-fire technique.

In the quiet meditation chamber within his residence, Lei Jun calmly sat cross-legged.

On each side of his body danced a flame. One was emerald green, the other a blazing crimson-gold.

At the center of each flame hovered a mysterious, profound talisman, shimmering brilliantly.

The cyan flames held the Tianshi Mansion’s inherited Fire Law Earth Scripture Talisman.

Opposite it, within the crimson-gold flame, was a brand-new talisman Lei Jun had devised himself:

The "Heavenly Sun Ascendant Talisman."

From this talisman surged continuous streams of scorching Heavenly Sun True Fire, radiant as a midday sun.

Compared to the time-tested Fire Law Earth Scripture Talisman, Lei Jun’s newly created Heavenly Sun Ascendant Talisman was slightly crude. But like a rising sun ascending to its zenith, the talisman brimmed with vibrant, intense energy.

As the roaring golden-red flames surged around the talisman, the fiery tongues flickered like those of a real sun.

After Lei Jun further refined his essence, energy, spirit, and dao techniques, a fierce tiger’s roar echoed from within the blazing sun.

Though Lei Jun sealed off his residence, preventing the sounds and power fluctuations from escaping, the overwhelmingly yang aura stirred the soul.

With a deafening roar, a massive crimson-gold tiger head began to emerge from the blazing Heavenly Sun True Fire.

A completely new Daoist Dharma form, previously nonexistent, descended upon this human realm.

Lei Jun calmly observed the enormous tiger head, smiling gently.

His previous efforts had finally borne fruit.

Following the Doumu Star God Dharma, the Xuanxiao Thunder Ancestor Dharma, the Nine Heavens Thunder Ancestor Dharma, and the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Dharma, his fifth Dharma form was finally established:

The Heavenly Sun Flame Ancestor Dharma.

Using the Heavenly Sun Ascendant Talisman to cultivate the Heavenly Sun True Fire, it formed a gigantic crimson-gold fiery tiger, the Yang Fire Tiger, counterpart to the Yin Fire Tiger.

Lei Jun took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and continued quietly contemplating the talisman, nourishing his mana.

Later, Lei Jun specially condensed a Heavenly Sun Ascendant Talisman and presented it to his master, Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai’s current focus was on further refining his Nine Revolutions, Nine Refinements Commanding Talisman. He was preparing for a future breakthrough by studying the method of harmonizing water and fire yin-yang forces, and thus was not rushing its establishment.

Currently, regarding water-fire methods, Yuan Mobai focused more on collecting and accumulating knowledge.

Earlier, Tang Xiaotang had also presented him with a Heavenly Radiance Pure Yang Talisman.

Lei Jun naturally prepared his newly created Heavenly Sun Ascendant Talisman for his master as well.

"Chongyun, you've opened up another entirely new path," Yuan Mobai remarked smilingly, without immediately examining the talisman.

His disciple Lei Jun, upon reaching Seventh Heaven, simultaneously cultivated three Dharma forms, an achievement nearly unprecedented. That feat was based on Lei Jun’s unique Two-Element Immortal Physique and exploiting certain loopholes in Dao laws.

Thus, Yuan Mobai and a few insiders already anticipated that Lei Jun’s achievements at Eighth Heaven would be even more incredible.

While it was uncertain whether past ancestors of the Tianshi Mansion had achieved simultaneous mastery of three major Dharma forms at the Seventh Heaven level, Yuan Mobai could confidently assert that in the Mansion’s entire history, no one had ever mastered five major Dharma forms at the Eighth Heaven level before Lei Jun.

He was unquestionably the first to do so.

Historically, others had possessed the Two-Element Immortal Physique. However, they had cultivated different Daoist traditions, not the Talismanic Sect.

Individuals like Tang Xiaotang and Jiang Yu, possessing Pure Yang or Pure Yin Immortal Physiques, could not exploit the Dao as Lei Jun had done.

Taking Tang Xiaotang as an example, she cultivated one Dharma form at Seventh Heaven. Her Pure Yang Immortal Physique allowed her a second form simultaneously. Upon reaching Eighth Heaven, she could cultivate a third form herself and use her physique for a fourth form.

Thus, from a certain perspective, Tang Xiaotang currently sustained only the Yin Fire Tiger Dharma form through her own cultivation, while the Pure Yang Thunder Dragon and Pure Yang Fire Tiger were sustained by her Pure Yang Immortal Physique.

At Eighth Heaven, she had yet to select another personal Dharma form but planned to cultivate the Destined Star Avatar based on the Life Canon.

However, no matter her choice, Tang Xiaotang could sustain a maximum of four Dharma forms at the Eighth Heaven level.

"I've only begun scratching the surface. There are many mysteries still to explore," Lei Jun said modestly.

Although pleased, he maintained a calm mindset. As he’d told Yuan Mobai, all five talismans and forms required much more study.

Master and disciple discussed and refined the Heavenly Sun Ascendant Talisman together. Immersed in cultivation, Lei Jun felt great satisfaction.

Until an unexpected message arrived from outside the mountain:

"Eldest Senior Sister… disappeared from Tianli?" Lei Jun asked, surprised, looking at Tang Xiaotang and Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai’s expression remained calm as he replied, "According to the latest message from the court, yes. We’ve been unable to contact Yuanzhen from our end, so it now depends on your attempt."

Initially, Xu Yuanzhen had taken the initiative, boldly entering Tianli, turning the tables against the Great Ming Dynasty. Tang Dynasty cultivators quickly followed suit.

However, Xu Yuanzhen's sudden disappearance threw their plans into disarray, allowing Ming cultivators in Tianli to counterattack. The Tang forces retreated to the void portal connecting back to their realm, and fierce fighting erupted.

The Tang court, preoccupied with threats in the Southern Wasteland and Northwest, requested reinforcements from powerful sects including Tianshi Mansion, hoping an Eighth Heaven elder could stabilize the situation and investigate Xu Yuanzhen’s disappearance.

Lei Jun eventually managed to contact Xu Yuanzhen and received a brief reply:

Firstly, she was perfectly fine.

Secondly, she had left abruptly because she'd discovered something even more intriguing:

The so-called Ming Dynasty in Tianli was actually a defeated force that had retreated there to survive.

According to the Tang Imperial lineage, Tianli wasn't even the legitimate dynasty.

The true Great Ming Dynasty had its own empire and mortal realm elsewhere.

This discovery immediately shifted Xu Yuanzhen’s interest.

Previously, she had mentioned disliking the distinctive style of Confucian cultivation practiced by the Great Ming cultivators. Now, with this new revelation, her curiosity was reignited.

As for Tianli itself, she gladly left that matter for Chu Yu, Chu Xiuyuan, Ye Yan, and Master Miaoxin to worry about.

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang could respond however they wished; there was no need to factor in her opinion.

"Tsk!" Tang Xiaotang instantly lost half her enthusiasm. "I thought we might finally have an excuse to rescue her."

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai exchanged smiles upon hearing this, not particularly surprised at Xu Yuanzhen’s whimsical attitude.

Their greater concern at this point was Xu Yuanzhen’s new insights regarding Tianli and the Great Ming Dynasty.

However, informing the Tang Imperial Family that Xu Yuanzhen had abruptly lost interest in Tianli and left was currently impractical. Even if they were to notify the imperial court, it would be better to wait for more specific intelligence from Xu Yuanzhen first.

Thus, for now, all they could do was maintain the pretense of disrupted communication.

Xu Yuanzhen would have to continue carrying the responsibility—something she herself never minded in the slightest.

"Still, the Eastern Sea remains unstable. Our sect can’t completely ignore it," Yuan Mobai said, glancing toward Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang. "With the mansion’s reconstruction nearly finished, we can spare some manpower."

Lei Jun appeared indifferent.

He enjoyed exploring Daoist arts and mystical abilities on his own and was also deeply curious about the cultivation traditions of other sects.

At that moment, however, the Light Sphere in his mind suddenly flickered, revealing new characters:

"The bright moon rises above the sea, its radiance illuminating a surging river. Storms everywhere; fortune hidden within danger."

Then, three omen slips emerged from the Light Sphere:

• "Upper-Moderate Omen: Travel to Mingzhou’s Daqing Bay. Opportunity for a Third-Grade Opportunity, minor troubles, no serious danger. Future karmic entanglements; handle cautiously. Good fortune."
• "Moderate-Moderate Omen: Stay quietly at Mount Longhu; no extra gains, no losses. Neutral."
• "Moderate-Moderate Omen: Travel to Yuhang’s Qianjiang Estuary. Opportunity for a Fourth-Grade Opportunity, but dangerous and turbulent conditions. Handle cautiously. Neutral."

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow upon reviewing the omens.

Mingzhou’s Daqing Bay and Yuhang’s Qianjiang Estuary… These omens seemed to suggest that the Tang cultivators were failing to hold the Void Gateway, allowing Great Ming cultivators to breach and invade the Tang realm instead.

However, based on Lei Jun's current strength, none of these omens suggested serious danger. Both the Third-Grade and Fourth-Grade Opportunities sounded enticing.

"Hmm, taking a stroll outside sounds good…" Tang Xiaotang looked slightly tempted, though less eager than usual.

She felt she had reached a critical juncture in her cultivation. Without today's events, she had intended to meditate quietly for a while.

Since Xu Yuanzhen wasn’t actually in danger, Tang Xiaotang lost most of her original motivation to rush out and mock her senior sister.

Though she usually preferred activity over quietness, when cultivating, she could always manage to sit still when necessary. Normally, she would eagerly seek excitement, but now she hesitated instead.

Seeing her hesitation, Lei Jun volunteered, "In that case, Master, your disciple will handle this trip."

Originally, Yuan Mobai planned to handle the trip himself, leaving Lei Jun on the mountain to cultivate quietly and assist Tang Xiaotang with sect affairs. But seeing Lei Jun willing, he nodded. "Very well. Be careful out there."

He had always trusted his second disciple implicitly, so no further advice was necessary. Yuan Mobai promptly informed Senior Sister Shangguan Ning and the Tang Imperial Family.

"Master, I’d like to accompany Senior Brother on this trip to the Wuyue region," said Chu Kun, proactively approaching Yuan Mobai.

"Visiting family?" Yuan Mobai inquired.

"Partly to see my family," Chu Kun explained, "and partly for the experience."

Chu Kun came from the Suzhou Chu clan, but his parents had relatively modest cultivation. Several years ago, his family relocated from their ancestral home in Suzhou to establish roots elsewhere. Therefore, he no longer needed to return directly to Suzhou to visit them.

Moreover, Chu Kun's cultivation had grown sufficiently that continued progress required experiences beyond secluded meditation.

Earlier, he had taken on elder duties within the sect to help manage affairs, precisely for such experience.

"Give your family my regards," Yuan Mobai smiled warmly.

Lei Jun nodded. "Junior Brother, get ready. We'll depart soon."

Chu Kun grinned. "Eldest Senior Brother already prepared things for me, practically packing up my entire home."

Lei Jun chuckled. "Same as usual, then…"

"Chongyun," Yuan Mobai instructed seriously, "just in case, when you and Chongguang head east this time, take the Tianshi Seal with you, but do so discreetly."

The Tianshi Seal was still targeted by Huang Xuanpu and the Mortal Daoist Nation. Ordinarily, the seal shouldn't leave the mountain.

However, unlike the Tianshi Sword and Tianshi Robe, the Tianshi Seal had a unique trait:

If the seal was carried outside, Mount Longhu’s ancestral altar (Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar) could transmit both the sword and robe directly to it, establishing a True-One Altar instantly and enabling immediate support.

Considering the mysterious aspects surrounding Tianli and the Great Ming Dynasty, Yuan Mobai preferred Lei Jun carry the seal.

Lei Jun, already familiar with handling the seal, solemnly replied, "Rest assured, Master. I'll protect our sect’s treasure."

Of course, secrecy remained their strongest safeguard. Yuan Mobai and Tang Xiaotang would continue maintaining the pretense that the seal remained on Mount Longhu.

Before departing, Lei Jun grabbed his eldest disciple, habitually patting and smoothing down his fur before instructing, "While your Master is away, consult your Grandmaster if you have cultivation questions."

The round, chubby disciple (Rolling Ball) gazed at his master with helpless resignation, clearly wondering, "When will you mature?"

He straightened his attire. "Rest assured, Master. I’ll cultivate diligently."

Lei Jun added, "Be cautious in your sparring matches. Maintain unity among your fellow disciples."

Zhuo Huajie scratched his head awkwardly. "Master, I previously lost control a bit because my Devouring Spirit Talisman wasn't fully refined yet. I've improved greatly since then."

Their lineage shared similar Life-bound Spells across generations. Zhuo Huajie had chosen the Spirit Strike Talisman as his first life-bound spell, and just like his Master Lei Jun and Grandmaster Yuan Mobai, he selected the Wind Talisman as his second. Only for his third did he independently create the Devouring Spirit Talisman.

In actual combat, Zhuo Huajie closely resembled his Grandmaster Yuan Mobai, preferring close-range physical combat supplemented by spells.

Due to initial inexperience, however, his new talisman had occasionally drained opponents excessively during practice, causing some loud complaints…

Lei Jun had since helped his disciple refine the technique, and Zhuo Huajie made notable progress.

After lovingly ruffling—no, after teaching—his disciple, Lei Jun organized affairs within the mansion before departing eastward with Chu Kun.

First, they arrived in Yuhang.

There, they met Martial Uncle Shangguan Ning, along with Chu Xiuyuan, the elderly and respected former patriarch of the Suzhou Chu clan overseeing local defense efforts.

"Greetings, Elder Chu," Lei Jun greeted respectfully. Chu Kun remained composed as he also greeted Chu Xiuyuan politely, following Daoist etiquette.

Chu Xiuyuan returned the greeting warmly, "Thank you both for traveling far to assist us."

Lei Jun and Chu Kun exchanged pleasantries. Naturally, when questioned about Xu Yuanzhen's whereabouts, both pretended ignorance, feigning confusion and concern.

After hearing Chu Xiuyuan and Shangguan Ning's detailed updates on Tianli’s situation, Lei Jun prepared to investigate the Eastern Sea.

However, before they even departed, urgent news arrived:

The Void Gateway had fallen into the hands of Great Ming Dynasty cultivators. An unknown number had already entered the Tang realm through Tianli, with reports surfacing along coastal areas.

"We've received news from two places," Chu Xiuyuan said gravely. "One is Mingzhou, and the other is near Yuhang."

Lei Jun calmly replied, "With Elder Chu holding Yuhang securely, your position here is indispensable. Allow us brothers to investigate Mingzhou."