Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 317: You go and take the risk, I'll take the opportunity

Lei Jun found himself growing curious about places like Leping Mountain, Lixian Mountain, and Tiangu Ridge.

However, he remained outwardly composed, continuing his farewells with Crown Prince Zhang Hui and the others.

With that, they parted ways.

Lei Jun watched calmly as the Eastern Palace’s carriage procession disappeared into the distance.

A Moderate-Moderate Omen had been drawn for Tiangu Ridge. The danger indicated in the divination likely pertained to Lei Jun's own level of ability. For others, the outcome remained uncertain.

The phrase "Young Dragon Walks a Perilous Path" likely alluded to some risks awaiting Crown Prince Zhang Hui on this journey.

Although the prince had conducted himself impeccably in Lei Jun's presence, the various things Lei Jun had heard about him left his impression of the man rather lukewarm.

Lei Jun himself had no particular desire to act, nor did he have any inclination to warn the other party.

For now, everyone had their own aspirations to chase, their own paths to walk.

At present, Lei Jun was more interested in what exactly the Supreme Good Omen drawn for Leping Mountain signified.

A Third-Grade Opportunity with no risks or hidden dangers—it sounded quite appealing...

"Now that it’s just us fellow disciples, we can arrange the itinerary more freely."

Lei Jun spoke calmly to Lin Shan, "Huajie rarely has the chance to leave the mountain. I’d like to take him to appreciate the scenery. Senior Brother, do you have time to join us?"

Lin Shan considered the timing. "Hmm, there’s no rush over the next few days. A short excursion wouldn’t hurt."

Thus, the three of them did not immediately head for Lixian Mountain and the Yunxiao Mountain Range. Instead, they took some time to explore the surrounding mountains and rivers.

Under Lei Jun’s guidance, they naturally arrived in the vicinity of Leping Mountain.

Upon reaching the area, Lei Jun quietly extended his spiritual senses, scanning the surroundings without betraying any outward signs. However, he did not detect anything immediately.

A grand opportunity is at play here.

It seemed likely that it was related to the fluctuations of the earth’s spiritual veins…

Lei Jun mused to himself, unhurried and composed.

He stood atop Leping Mountain, watching as Zhuo Huajie curiously examined wild medicinal herbs scattered across the landscape. Nearby, Lin Shan sat cross-legged within the forest, practicing breathing and absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth.

Lei Jun’s gaze lingered on Lin Shan for a brief moment.

Within Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu, aside from imperial clan members like Zhang and Shangguan, Lin Shan was one of the disciples who maintained the closest ties with the Tang Imperial Court.

This was partly due to the influence of his mentor, Shangguan Ning, but also largely a result of his own choices.

Back when he sought an instructor’s post at the Imperial Academy, Lin Shan had taken the initiative himself.

And now, nearly twenty years had passed.

Of course, Lin Shan had not wasted that time.

Though much of his energy had gone into teaching at the academy, his position in the capital allowed him to forge extensive connections. At the same time, he had secured various opportunities for himself.

While he might not be like Lei Jun—silent at first, but when he moved, it shook the heavens—he had still made steady and significant gains.

As an elder of Tianshi Mansion, and one of the most influential figures beneath the sect’s highest-ranking masters, Lin Shan was now at the cusp of breaking through to the Seventh Heaven Realm.

Though major breakthroughs were fraught with Heaven’s Chasm Tribulations, filled with countless dangers and unpredictability, Lei Jun observed Lin Shan with a silent thought—his chances of succeeding were quite high, no lower than Chu Kun’s.

Of course, Lin Shan was older and had been cultivating for longer than Chu Kun.

Despite his ties to the Tang Imperial Court, he had always maintained caution regarding the Eastern Palace’s succession matters.

Thus, when Lei Jun had decisively bid farewell to Zhang Hui, Lin Shan had remained silent, showing no particular thoughts on the matter.

Standing atop Leping Mountain, Lei Jun appeared to be gazing at the vast riverbanks stretching westward.

But deep within his eyes, the Celestial Observation Talisman had already begun circulating.

High above the firmament, the Great Celestial Mirror turned under his control, its divine light sweeping across the direction of Tiangu Ridge.

At this moment, Zhang Hui and his entourage were entering the region.

Lei Jun’s vision followed the mirror’s glow, scanning the surroundings of Tiangu Ridge.

Suddenly, his senses stirred—he had found something.

There were already people lying in wait, hidden in the mountains and making preparations.

Buddhist methods…?

However, there were subtle differences compared to the orthodox Buddhist holy sites like Tianlong Monastery, Xuanyan Temple, and Bodhi Monastery.

White Lotus Sect…

The Great Celestial Mirror condensed its divine glow, revealing a clearer picture—throughout the mountains, countless white lotus seeds had already been buried.

At the same time, two White Lotus Sect monks were lurking in the shadows.

Both of them were incredibly strong—at least at the Eighth Heaven Realm.

One of them, a middle-aged monk, gave Lei Jun an instinctive impression that his power might even surpass Abbot Miaoxin of Tianlong Monastery.

This was likely an Eighth Heaven Grandmaster at the peak of perfection.

His mystical abilities and mana were so refined that they nearly eluded the perception of the Great Celestial Mirror and the Celestial Observation Talisman.

Jingshan Monk?

Lei Jun speculated.

The monk’s restrained Buddhist aura made his appearance somewhat blurred, preventing Lei Jun from seeing him clearly.

But aside from the sect’s leader, the Holy Master Maitreya, even the Future Maitreya had yet to reach this level.

Thus, the most probable figure was the second strongest White Lotus Sect monk—Jingshan Monk.

Before the Future Maitreya rose to prominence, Jingshan had long held the title of White Lotus Sect’s second master.

Even after the Future Maitreya’s rise, most believed that while his talent threatened Jingshan’s status, it would take time for him to surpass him.

It was only in recent years, after the Future Maitreya’s stunning rise in the Southern Wasteland, that people began to seriously compare his strength to Jingshan’s.

For a while, Jingshan had been quiet.

But now, Lei Jun had coincidentally witnessed the White Lotus Sect stirring once again in Luoyang—clear evidence that a storm was brewing.

Was this because their former leader, Jingjiu, had vanished for so long?

Still, leaving Luoyang was one thing—but making such a large move at Tiangu Ridge was another.

Were they targeting Zhang Hui?

If the crown prince remained alive, he could be used to sow division within the Tang Imperial Court, possibly even inciting chaos.

That certainly aligned with some of the White Lotus Sect’s goals…

Just as Lei Jun was contemplating this, his senses stirred once again.

The Great Celestial Mirror shifted, revealing another figure approaching Tiangu Ridge from a different direction.

As the individual drew closer, his features became clear.

He was young, with a solemn and dignified aura—none other than the Future Maitreya himself.

The moment the Future Maitreya stepped into Tiangu Ridge, the mountains trembled.

Brilliant white Buddhist light erupted, enveloping the entire region.

Through the Great Celestial Mirror, Lei Jun watched as Tiangu Ridge seemed to transform into a massive blooming white lotus, its petals folding inward like two colossal hands pressed together in prayer.

Everything within the mountains was trapped within these hands.

Inside, a battle had already begun.

The Independent Cobalt Seal cultivated a state of unshakable mental and physical stability.

The Outer Lion Seal resonated with heaven and earth, strengthening the ability to face adversity with even greater courage and resolve.

The Inner Lion Seal enhanced self-mastery, while also reinforcing control over the Ninth-Grade Lotus Platform.

As all three seals manifested together, the Future Maitreya forcibly stabilized the Ninth-Grade Lotus Platform, rendering Reverend Jingsi and the Buddhist Pure Land they had constructed ineffective.

This was unmistakably an esoteric Buddhist hand seal technique, one never before seen within the White Lotus Sect’s teachings.

And yet, for the Future Maitreya, it seemed as if nothing was beyond his grasp—everything came effortlessly.

Watching through the Great Celestial Mirror, Lei Jun nodded repeatedly, confirming that the Future Maitreya had grown even stronger since his time in the Southern Wasteland years ago.

For Lei Jun, this was merely a detached observation.

For Jingshan and Jingsi, who were clashing with their young junior in person, the impact was far more profound.

The once-reserved disciple had, back in the Southern Wasteland, been forced to reveal his true strength.

Now, he no longer held anything back.

And what he displayed far surpassed the long-standing impressions they had of him.

Unfortunately, they walked different paths.

"With all due respect, dear uncles, by acting this way, you are betraying the sect. I will not hold back."

The Future Maitreya spoke calmly.

Jingsi remained silent, but Jingshan, while forcing back the White-Light Peacock with both hands, replied in an even-tempered tone:

"The real betrayer is you.

"You have aligned yourself with the decadent Tang Dynasty, obstructing the birth of the New World of the White Lotus, and for that, your sins are even greater!"

The Future Maitreya remained unfazed.

"When the world is in turmoil, when people suffer, it is our duty as followers of the White Lotus to emerge, cleanse the wicked era, and usher in a new age of purity.

"However, the current Tang Emperor has not yet lost his virtue, and the people still hold him in high regard. The empire remains stable.

"If we provoke chaos now, it will be the innocent who suffer the most.

"As those who have renounced worldly desires, how can we fan the flames of destruction and bring disaster upon the common people?"

Jingshan’s expression did not change.

"The so-called order under the Tang Dynasty is a façade!

"Only when the New World of the White Lotus is born—when the old world is shattered—will this land be truly saved!

"Jingjiu and you have strayed from the righteous path! You must be eliminated, so that the White Lotus Sect can return to its proper course!

"My only regret is that I did not make this decision sooner!"

The Future Maitreya sighed.

"Uncle Jingshan, you are the ones who have lost your way."

The divide within the White Lotus Sect had existed for many years.

Simply put, one faction believed in quietly accumulating strength, waiting for the dynasty to weaken on its own—for the day when the people turned against the emperor.

Only then would the White Lotus Sect rise openly, cleanse the world, and bring forth the New White Lotus Pure Land.

The other faction had no patience for passive waiting.

They believed that hesitation would only dull their resolve, that they must act now, overthrow the dynasty, and seize every possible opportunity to hasten the arrival of their Pure Land.

The former faction was led by the current White Lotus Holy Master, Jingjiu.

The latter faction was represented by Jingshan, Jingsi, and their followers.

In the past, Jingjiu had been able to suppress Jingshan’s ambitions.

However, over the past one to two centuries, Jingjiu’s health had deteriorated, and he had withdrawn from public view.

This gave Jingshan and his followers the opportunity to rise.

Then came the Future Maitreya.

Although not a direct disciple of Jingjiu, his vision for the sect’s future aligned perfectly with that of the Holy Master.

As the Future Maitreya’s brilliance became increasingly apparent, Jingshan and his faction grew uneasy.

Their conflict escalated, each side gaining more followers until irreconcilable differences led to an inevitable showdown.

A few years ago, Jingjiu had briefly emerged, quelling the rumors of his death and temporarily stabilizing the situation.

But after that, he once again vanished without a trace.

Jingshan’s repeated attempts to investigate led him to conclude that Jingjiu’s condition was dire, and that his previous reappearance had been a mere bluff.

Meanwhile, the Future Maitreya continued to grow stronger, reaching a point where he was no longer easily contained.

At this rate, even if Jingjiu were truly incapacitated, the Future Maitreya could simply take his place.

In strength. In influence. In every way.

Jingshan could not afford to wait any longer.

He had to **act—**and act decisively.

Yet the Future Maitreya's power had exceeded expectations.

Even though the Ninth-Grade Lotus Platform had been restrained by the Buddhist Pure Land, the Future Maitreya’s abilities remained overwhelming.

Under his control, the Ninth-Grade Lotus Platform reversed the suppression, forcibly breaking free from the Pure Land’s grasp.

The entire Buddhist Pure Land collapsed from the backlash.

The massive White Lotus hands that had enveloped Tiangu Ridge were violently torn apart.

It was not a gentle process—far from it.

The entire mountain range trembled violently.

Spiritual energy was thrown into chaos.

The clouds shattered, the sky cracked, and the earth crumbled.

The Eastern Palace carriage procession, which had entered Tiangu Ridge earlier, immediately realized something was wrong and attempted to retreat.

However, by then, the Future Maitreya had already arrived.

Although Jingshan and Jingsi had no initial plans to target Crown Prince Zhang Hui, they could not afford to let the Future Maitreya escape.

So, they made a swift decision—if they had to cast a net, they might as well catch all the fish.

At first, Zhang Hui and his entourage managed to hold their ground.

Though trapped within the Buddhist Pure Land, they were not the primary targets.

As long as they remained motionless, the power of the Pure Land’s Buddhist magic had limited impact on them.

They could endure for a long time.

Had the White Lotus Sect’s infighting dragged on, the imperial experts in Qingzhou would have had time to intervene.

But no one expected the Future Maitreya to be so strong.

With the Ninth-Grade Lotus Platform, he shattered the Buddhist Pure Land by sheer force.

As it collapsed, countless Buddhist towers crumbled, countless bodhi trees withered, and countless relics dimmed into nothingness.

The resulting destructive force spread in all directions, obliterating the entire Tiangu Ridge mountain range.

For the first time since arriving at Tiangu Ridge, Crown Prince Zhang Hui and his entourage faced true peril.

Fortunately—

With his cultivation at the Seventh Heaven Realm, Zhang Hui could wield a higher-grade imperial treasure.

A luminous jade glow suddenly emerged from his robes, forming a phantasmal jade armor around him.

The armor appeared fragile, but it possessed immense defensive power, shielding him from the cataclysmic fallout.

Yet, the protection only extended to Zhang Hui himself.

The other members of his entourage, including Ye Song, who was only at the Middle Three Heavens Realm, were left in grave danger…

And so, Zhang Hui picked up his brush—

Zhang Hui picked up his brush—

With just a few strokes in midair, he painted an image upon the void.

In an instant, Ye Song and the others were drawn into the painting, shielded from the outside world and protected from the destruction unfolding around them.

Through the Great Celestial Mirror, Lei Jun watched this unfold, his brows arching slightly.

That brush was nothing special.

Unlike Zhang Hui’s jade armor, which was clearly an imperial treasure, this painting technique was a pure reflection of his own cultivation.

For a Confucian scholar, such a technique typically required a minimum of the Eighth Heaven "Nation-Governing Realm".

Not only that, but to wield it so effortlessly, one would need to be at least in the second or third stage of Nation-Governing Realm cultivation.

Yet, Zhang Hui was currently at the Seventh Heaven Realm.

There was no doubt about that.

Whether he had intentionally suppressed his breakthrough or was waiting for the right moment to cross the tribulation into the Eighth Heaven, the fact remained—he was still at Seventh Heaven.

As the Crown Prince, Zhang Hui practiced the Imperial Dao, a path that placed him above most cultivators of the same level.

But even then—

It shouldn’t be possible for him to display such profound mastery over the void while still in the Seventh Heaven Realm.

There was only one likely explanation—his talent was truly extraordinary.

And Lei Jun just so happened to know that within Confucianism, there existed a rare, legendary natural aptitude:

The "Divine Brushstroke."

It was one of the Confucian Dao’s greatest innate gifts, comparable to the Daoist Celestial Physique in potential.

Was Zhang Hui one of those rare prodigies?

The Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, it seemed, had been hiding his true capabilities all along.

Far from the mediocre figure many had assumed him to be, he was someone far more formidable.

Lei Jun continued to watch calmly.

Zhang Hui, however, showed no hint of satisfaction on his face.

If anything, his expression was grave.

Now, he fully understood what the Future Maitreya must have felt back then in the Southern Wasteland.

For years, Zhang Hui had carefully unveiled his abilities, bit by bit, in order to build his reputation and solidify his influence.

But there had to be a limit.

He was still a Crown Prince—not yet an Emperor.

Revealing too much too soon could be dangerous.

Yet today, Zhang Hui had been forced to expose more of his power than he would have liked.

Still, there was nothing he could do about it now.

He had to adapt.

Through the Great Celestial Mirror, Lei Jun observed all of this as though watching a play, without any intention of intervening.

With the collapse of the Buddhist Pure Land, the entire Tiangu Ridge crumbled.

The mountains collapsed downward, transforming into a deep basin.

Lei Jun’s eyes flickered.

Moments later, Leping Mountain, where he stood, began to tremble.

A sudden earthquake shook the ground beneath them.

Zhuo Huajie and Lin Shan immediately took to the skies, startled as they looked down at the quaking land.

"Be careful."

Lei Jun spoke calmly.

At the same time, his vast mana spread out, enveloping all of Leping Mountain.

He appeared to be stabilizing the terrain, but in truth, his mana had already formed a thread—extending deep underground.

With his growing strength, Lei Jun had reached a point where, in some cases, he no longer needed to physically descend to explore earth veins.

The tremors around Leping Mountain faded slightly under his influence.

Then, deep underground, his mana made contact with the rushing river of spiritual energy within the earth veins.

Moments later, the Celestial Observation Talisman within his eyes flickered again.

Something had drifted through the earth veins… and arrived at Leping Mountain.

Without revealing anything, Lei Jun silently retrieved it.

Outwardly, he simply turned to Zhuo Huajie and Lin Shan and said:

"The earthquake might be due to some disturbance in the surrounding earth veins.

"I’ll keep watch here. Huajie, contact the sect. Senior Brother Lin, inform the Imperial Court in the capital.

"See if there’s any relevant news."

Zhuo Huajie and Lin Shan nodded and swiftly went to carry out their tasks.

Lei Jun, meanwhile, continued to observe the situation at Tiangu Ridge.

By now, the place had been completely erased from the map.

With their plan in ruins, Jingshan and Jingsi retreated.

Jingsi had been injured by the collapse of the Buddhist Pure Land, forcing Jingshan to prioritize his safety.

Seeing this, the Future Maitreya did not celebrate.

Instead, he simply sighed.

But while he sighed, he did not hesitate.

He retrieved the Ninth-Grade Lotus Platform and chased after Jingshan and Jingsi.

At the same time, help finally arrived for Zhang Hui and his entourage.

An Eighth Heaven Realm prodigy from Qingzhou, Ye Cheng, arrived.

Alongside him came Master Kongnian, one of the few remaining Eighth Heaven Realm experts of Xuanyan Temple.

With this, the White Lotus monks saw no reason to linger.

They retreated swiftly.

Back at Leping Mountain, Lei Jun examined the object he had retrieved.

A name automatically surfaced in his mind—

White Jade Bodhi.

A Buddhist treasure that, despite its origins, was still highly useful to Lei Jun.

It primarily nurtured the soul—its gentle spiritual nature allowed for the refinement and strengthening of one’s spirit.

Lei Jun had previously put off his studies on the Yellow Springs and the Mist of Lethe.

Now, he could resume them.

The Mist of Lethe was valuable because it tempered the soul, making it tougher and more resilient.

However, it also had a drawback—it could numb one’s spirit, dulling their perceptions and sensitivity.

With the White Jade Bodhi, Lei Jun could now balance the effects.

By alternating between the two, he could harden his soul while maintaining clarity.

He was quite satisfied.

Looking at Tiangu Ridge, he reflected on the divination he had drawn earlier.

"Young Dragon Walks a Perilous Path" had indeed foretold Zhang Hui’s struggles.

But the prince had proven himself—he had managed to endure until the storm had passed.

Ultimately, it had been a dangerous yet successful journey for him.

Lei Jun’s experience, however, had been entirely peaceful.

The "Grand Earthly Origin" sign had come true—

When the Buddhist Pure Land collapsed, the treasures buried beneath it had also been destroyed.

Most of them had vanished, but the most important relic, the White Jade Bodhi, had survived.

It had drifted through the earth veins, arriving right at Leping Mountain.

Lei Daozhang had chosen well—

All he had to do was wait at Leping Mountain, and a Third-Grade Opportunity had fallen right into his lap.

No risks. No complications. A clean and easy gain.

Lei Jun was pleased.

As for Crown Prince Zhang Hui—well, he could only feel sympathy.

Zhang Hui had done all the work… and Lei Jun had reaped the rewards.

Later that day, news finally arrived from both the Imperial Court and the sect.

Zhuo Huajie and Lin Shan now understood the full situation.

Lin Shan: "We can’t confirm yet whether this was internal strife within the White Lotus Sect or an actual assassination attempt on the Crown Prince. We’ll need more details."

Lei Jun, his expression unreadable, merely said:

"I see. I see…"

Whatever the true cause, the immediate consequence was clear:

Crown Prince Zhang Hui had barely begun his second journey beyond Luoyang—

And now, after yet another assassination attempt, he had no choice but to cut his travels short and return to the capital.