Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 320: Protecting the Little Sister

You only need the Tianshi Seal, but the Tianshi Robe doesn’t matter?

From this perspective, it doesn’t seem like she’s facing a powerful enemy. Rather, it feels more like... she’s reached a critical juncture in her cultivation.

What Tang Xiaotang mentioned about taking the Tianshi Seal—more accurately, the focus might be on the True-One Altar that derives from it.

At present, she is unable to return to the sect’s ancestral grounds, the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar. I cannot go to the mountain, so the mountain must come to me—thus, she is using the Tianshi Seal and True-One Altar as substitutes.

"Alright." Lei Jun agreed.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Mobai’s smile faded slightly. He pondered for a moment and said, “Although the Sect Leader has formidable cultivation and strength, in the Southern Wasteland—perhaps even in the Land of the Deep Sea—doing this still carries some risk.”

Lei Jun replied, “I can’t speak for other matters, but when it comes to cultivation, my Senior Sister has always been extremely diligent. If she has truly reached an important threshold, she must forge ahead. Since that’s the case, I will take the Tianshi Seal to protect her during this breakthrough. The Tianshi Robe will remain on the mountain for now. If it is needed, Master may send it to us through the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar.”

Yuan Mobai nodded. “Alright. Be careful in all things.”

Standing on Mount Longhu, he gazed southward, then turned his eyes west.

“After I emerged from seclusion, I received a message from our fellow Daoist Sun Li in the Southern Wasteland. It remains unverified, but we should remain cautious.

The Four-Eyed Python Emperor may still be alive. At present, it is unclear whether this is mere boasting from the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru or if they share some hidden dealings with that great demon.

Although Masters Jiasheng and Renzhu from the Vajra Division have already left the Southern Wasteland and returned to the Western Region, we must remain vigilant.”

Lei Jun nodded. “I understand, Master.”

After bidding farewell to Yuan Mobai, he donned the Supreme Purity Eight-Sceneries Treasure Mantle. His figure melded into the natural world, swiftly heading south toward the Southern Wasteland.

Though this journey might take him into the Nine Li’s Land of the Deep Sea, perhaps his first disciple, Zhuo Huajie, could also benefit from the encounter.

However, given Zhuo Huajie’s current Middle Three Heavens cultivation level, there was no need to rush into such risks. It would be better to wait until his strength had improved before venturing in to seek his own fortunes.

---

Currently, an intense battle was raging around several entrances to the Land of the Deep Sea, each shrouded in thick black mist.

When Lei Jun arrived, he observed from afar. The black mist had drawn back somewhat compared to before but had become more condensed.

Faint red light flickered within the mist—emanations from the Land of the Deep Sea.

Martial experts from the mortal realm and the Nine Li people were locked in combat, vying for control of these spatial portals.

Lei Jun observed for a moment and frowned slightly.

Due to the prolonged back-and-forth battle, the entrances to the Land of the Deep Sea now resembled torn, convulsing wounds—void turbulence rippling intensely.

Under such conditions, even with his concealment techniques and the aid of the Supreme Purity Eight-Sceneries Treasure Mantle, Lei Jun would become visible when passing through the spatial portal. Both sides, inside and outside the Land of the Deep Sea, would see him.

Since that was the case, he might as well enter openly. After all, he had always preferred to act with a clear conscience…

Lei Jun remained composed.

From a distance, he removed the concealment of the Supreme Purity Eight-Sceneries Treasure Mantle. Then, riding a violet thundercloud, he openly drifted toward the black-mist-covered entrance to the Land of the Deep Sea.

Inside and outside the black mist, members of the Nine Li were performing the ritual dance of the Divine Dance lineage of the Witch Sect, activating a sacrificial array to empower themselves and their companions.

Unlike the mortal realm’s Divine Dance lineage from Gepo Mountain, which focused on the formation itself, the Nine Li’s Ghost God Sacrificial Array primarily served to enhance their already powerful physiques.

However, none of the present Nine Li warriors posed a real threat to Lei Jun.

As he descended from the violet-glowing black thundercloud, tiny starlights began swirling around him.

The distant Nine Li warriors sensed the approach of a new mortal realm expert and grew alert, but before they could react further, Lei Jun’s Destiny Star Avatar had already charged into the black mist.

In an instant, a force like mountains overturning and seas shifting crushed the Nine Li’s Ghost God Sacrificial Array.

The commanding general of the Tang Divine Strategy Army, who had been locked in battle with the Nine Li, rejoiced. “Elder Lei has come as well?”

Lei Jun recognized him—it was Lu Fang, an experienced commander from the Lu family with whom he had interacted during his previous time in the Southern Wasteland.

Lu Fang seized the opportunity, rallying the Tang soldiers to press their advantage, quickly overwhelming the disoriented Nine Li warriors.

Once the situation stabilized, Lu Fang came to formally greet Lei Jun.

Lei Jun returned the salute. “It has been a while, General Lu. Where are the Sect Leader and General Shangguan now?”

Lu Fang replied, “General Shangguan, General Ye, the Tianshi, and the Southern Wasteland Witch Sect Masters Feng Gui and Hu Hengyuan all entered the Land of the Deep Sea earlier!”

Lei Jun nodded slightly. “No wonder our sect has been unable to contact the Sect Leader.”

Lu Fang asked, “Elder Lei, may I ask your purpose for coming here today?”

Lei Jun replied, “Our sect has urgent matters that require the Sect Leader’s decision, but since we’ve been unable to reach her, I came to find her in person. Now that I am here, I will also lend a hand in battle.”

Lu Fang was overjoyed. “With Elder Lei’s extraordinary cultivation, your aid will be invaluable.”

He immediately gave orders to consolidate his forces while hurrying to follow Lei Jun.

---

Within the black mist, Lei Jun could feel its oppressive presence more strongly than when he had encountered it at Zhuoqing Mountain.

At the core of the mist, a blood-red fissure twisted and churned. The ground was fractured, unable to maintain its shape. A phantom red portal flickered continuously, expanding and contracting.

As they moved forward, Lu Fang provided updates on the situation:

“From the intelligence gathered, we have confirmed that the invading forces are from the Po Li and Bi Li clans of the Nine Li.

The Po Li clan chief, Li Yan, and the Bi Li clan chief, Li De, are both Nine Li Grand Shamans at the Ninth Heaven level.

Li Yan practices the Blood River Witchcraft lineage, while Li De specializes in the Poison Gu Witchcraft lineage.

Previously, Li Yan fought a battle against your sect’s Tang Tianshi and seemed to suffer a minor setback. However, Tang Tianshi’s whereabouts have been unknown since then.

Fortunately, the Wu Li clan, their longtime rivals, took the opportunity to launch an attack from behind, forcing Li Yan to turn his attention to them.

Still, many powerful Nine Li shamans remain under Li De’s command, fighting against our forces.

At present, due to the violent nature of the Land of the Deep Sea, even though we have entered, we have not yet found a way to seal the spatial portal.

General Shangguan has ordered us to eliminate as many Nine Li warriors as possible to weaken their invasion forces.

Additionally…” Lu Fang hesitated slightly before continuing, “There have been confirmed sightings of Blood River Sect Master Wei Anchang entering the Land of the Deep Sea.”

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Has he already quelled the internal turmoil within the Blood River Sect caused by Xing Feng?”

“We have not heard of any resolution,” Lu Fang replied cautiously. “It is possible that Wei Anchang, unable to deal with Xing Feng and Li Tianqing for so long, is seeking another way to break the deadlock.”

“The ongoing war between the mortal realm and the Land of the Deep Sea is the perfect environment for someone like Wei Anchang to thrive,” Lei Jun mused.

“However, since entering, there has been no news of him. General Shangguan has ordered close monitoring of his whereabouts.”

Lu Fang added, “General Shangguan also contacted Prince Xiang, requesting him to relay the information about Wei Anchang to the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru. So far, there has been no response.”

Lei Jun nodded. “Understood. Thank you for the update, General Lu.”

With that, he stepped forward into the Land of the Deep Sea.

“Do the Po Li and Bi Li clans essentially encompass all branches of the Witch Sect?”

Lei Jun gazed up at Xiongbu Mountain for a moment before asking Lu Fang.

Lu Fang nodded. “Within a single clan, there may be strengths and weaknesses, periods of prosperity and decline, but it’s true that all Witch Sect lineages are represented.

The Nine Li people typically live in clan-based communities, but their inheritance follows a master-disciple system.

Thus, children do not necessarily cultivate the same path as their parents; instead, they choose a path that best suits their own natural talents.”

Lu Fang pointed toward a dim patch of eerie green light in the nearly pitch-black sky. “That should be cursing magic from the Witch Sect’s Cursing Lineage. As far as I know, there is only one such outstanding cursing master in the Po Li clan—Li Yongzong, son of Po Li Clan Chief Li Yan.

Li Yan is a Ninth Heaven-level Blood River Grand Shaman, while Li Yongzong is an Eighth Heaven-level Cursing Grand Shaman.”

He then pointed in another direction, where a shadowy figure loomed, not resembling a human but more like a monstrous demon.

“That is the strongest young expert of the Bi Li clan, named Li Guangchi.”

Lu Fang continued, “Based on the information we have, the Bi Li clan’s chief, Li De, has no children. Li Guangchi is his personal disciple, and they are both masters of Gu Witchcraft.”

Hearing this, Lei Jun understood.

He had heard before that due to their unique circumstances, the Nine Li people’s witchcraft cultivation varied greatly.

In the mortal realm, the Yinshan Grotto lineage of the Southern Wasteland focused primarily on soul-based Gu techniques, with little emphasis on the physical body.

However, the Nine Li’s Gu Grand Shamans fused spirit Gu with their powerful physiques. As a result, when they cast their Gu techniques, their bodies transformed, often shedding their human forms and resembling enormous insects—giving them a monstrous appearance.

This transformation did not diminish their witchcraft’s mystical nature; on the contrary, it often granted them even stronger bodies.

Compared to the rumors, seeing it firsthand was far more striking. The appearances of Li Guangchi and the others were unsettling, but their strength was undeniable.

Lei Jun was still looking up at Xiongbu Mountain when his heart suddenly stirred.

Through the connection between his Heaven-Piercing Earth-Comprehending Talisman and his Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman, he sensed that Shen Qubing was approaching.

Sure enough, before long, he arrived.

However, the first person to appear before Lei Jun was not Shen Qubing but Yang Yuqi and several Nine Li warriors.

Shen Qubing was chasing another group of Nine Li warriors from behind.

It seemed Shen Qubing had brought reinforcements from the Wu Li clan.

Though the Wu Li clan had a deep-seated blood feud with the Po Li and Bi Li clans, how exactly had Shen Qubing—an Xuanyuan clansman from the mortal realm—managed to align himself with the Wu Li warriors?

Lei Jun was curious but did not slow his steps. He strode forward to intercept Yang Yuqi and his group, with Lu Fang and his soldiers following quickly.

Yang Yuqi had performed the Guest Ritual for the Nine Li, aiding their passage into the mortal realm, significantly increasing the possibility of Nine Li experts infiltrating human lands—and raising the corresponding threat level.

The Tang Imperial Family, various factions in the Southern Wasteland, as well as the Tianshi Mansion and Cangzhou Ye Clan within the Tang Dynasty, had all gained a formidable enemy.

If such events could be prevented, they should be, eliminating the threat at its source.

In the dim Land of the Deep Sea, Lei Jun’s Doumu Star Avatar, radiating dazzling starlight, was a striking presence.

Yang Yuqi and his group quickly noticed him.

But before they could react, Lei Jun was already in front of them!

The Doumu Star Avatar, enhanced by Ringed Star Array, Spirit Officer Talisman, and Celestial Movement Talisman, had its power and speed raised to an astonishing level.

A fist of condensed starlight came crashing down toward Yang Yuqi, the Crown Prince of Shengkang from the Former Sui Imperial Lineage.

Yang Yuqi had endured countless hardships over the years and was highly adaptable. The moment he sensed Lei Jun’s attack, his sword flashed with a thunderous roar as he drew it.

Sword Qi surged forth like endless rivers and mountains, creating a vast barrier between himself and Lei Jun.

Yet, layer by layer, Lei Jun shattered the sword-forged landscapes.

Blades of sword energy slashed against Lei Jun’s body, but he ignored them completely.

Around his Destiny Star Avatar, the swirling stellar talismans clashed with the sword energy—shattering, reforming, growing even more numerous as they absorbed the power of Yang Yuqi’s attacks.

Yang Yuqi frowned.

Earlier, when his Guest Ritual was broken, the backlash had caused him injury.

The greatest power of an Eighth Heaven Grand Scholar at the Nation-Governing Third Stage lay in the transformation of Righteous Qi into a "Nation's Foundation."

But in his current state, he could not unleash this ability.

Even so, he was still an Eighth Heaven Grand Scholar.

Yet Lei Jun’s relentless ferocity forced him to retreat, maintaining distance between them.

Lei Jun’s reputation had grown over the years, and Yang Yuqi knew that not only had the young Daoist advanced rapidly in cultivation, but his combat prowess was also extremely formidable.

Still, only now, facing him directly, could Yang Yuqi fully comprehend his opponent’s terrifying might.

"Five Peaks Set the Realm."

The former Sui Crown Prince intoned solemnly, summoning five ceremonial swords at once.

Their vast yet condensed sword energy formed five towering mountains, seemingly capable of stabilizing all lands.

These were not the Five Peaks of the Land of the Deep Sea but rather the true essence of the Five Sacred Mountains from the mortal realm—a new ceremonial weapon Yang Yuqi had painstakingly refined after losing his treasured imperial seal in the Southern Wasteland.

"To enshrine the Five Peaks is to anchor the land."

His sword energy surged, becoming thicker and more tangible, forming a solid barrier between himself and Lei Jun.

But Lei Jun did not stop.

A deep, oppressive darkness spread outward, silent and consuming.

A black sea of profound thunder surged forward, drowning the Five Sacred Peaks.

At first, Yang Yuqi was unfazed.

He had prepared himself for Lei Jun’s Profound Firmament Celestial Thunder—a name that had shaken the Tang Dynasty and beyond.

But in the next moment, his expression changed.

Because within the black thunderous abyss, something else was lurking.

It wasn’t just Lei Jun’s lightning—it was seven additional swords.

Daoist swords.

The Seven Stars Swords.

Seven stars aligned, forcing their way into the Five Peaks Swords, severing their mutual connections!

"What is this?!"

Yang Yuqi’s eyes widened in shock.

Before he could react further, a massive black thunder dragon burst forth from the abyss, silently lunging at him.

His Five Peaks Swords failed to block it.

Meanwhile, Lei Jun’s Doumu Star Avatar closed in.

Suddenly, a pale whirlwind vortex materialized around Lei Jun.

Even in the dark and oppressive environment of the Land of the Deep Sea, this pale glow was strikingly clear.

Abyssal Descent!

Above Xiongbu Mountain, a towering, battle-scarred shaman covered in curse marks glared down furiously—Li Yongzong, the Po Li Clan’s heir and an Eighth Heaven Cursing Grand Shaman!

His Abyssal Descent formed, generating a swirling white abyss, attempting to devour Lei Jun.

But in the very next instant, a thunderous explosion erupted!

A violet thunder dragon surged forth, shattering the white abyss as it roared into the heavens.

Lei Jun emerged alongside the violet dragon, unscathed.

At the same time, a dark thunder dragon attacked Yang Yuqi from the front, while the violet thunder dragon emerged behind him.

The two dragons collided at the center—right where Yang Yuqi stood!

Under the clash of Yin and Yang, Yang Yuqi was utterly annihilated.

His protective treasures were destroyed, his sword shattered, and the Five Peaks Swords, severed by the Seven Stars Swords, collapsed into the black thunder sea.

Lei Jun gazed down indifferently.

“Your son, Yang Tai, is waiting for you down there.”

Then, he delivered the finishing blow.

Yang Tai had been the most promising heir of the Former Sui Imperial Lineage, but during the Southern Wasteland battle, he had died under mysterious circumstances.

Though Yang Yuqi had never publicly acknowledged it as a personal regret, it had lingered in his heart for years.

Now, upon hearing his son’s name, he hesitated for just a fraction of a second—and in that instant, Lei Jun’s Destiny Star Avatar delivered a devastating punch.

Boom!

Before Yang Yuqi could even cry out, he was obliterated!

Above them, Li Yongzong and several Nine Li Grand Shamans roared in fury, their voices carrying strange, indecipherable curses.

Yet none of them could intervene.

Not only were Shangguan Yunbo and his forces closing in, but a cold, azure light suddenly flickered across the battlefield.

A moment later, arrows of blue light streaked through the sky, piercing directly toward Li Yongzong and the Nine Li Grand Shamans.

Li Yongzong barely had time to split his focus, attempting to assist Yang Yuqi with Abyssal Descent—only to find that it had completely failed against Lei Jun’s overwhelming power.

And now, as a result of dividing his attention, he was in serious danger himself.

The piercing blue arrows struck true.

Li Yongzong barely managed to survive by sacrificing a treasured Witch Sect artifact, narrowly escaping death.

His expression darkened as he glanced downward at Lei Jun, then turned his attention to the source of the arrows.

There, standing firm, was a tall, refined-looking yet battle-hardened general, his armor gleaming with icy blue light.

Cangzhou Ye Clan’s representative in the Divine Strategy Army—Ye Morong.

The battlefield was filled with the sharp hum of arrows, as Ye Morong fired in continuous volleys, his arrows weaving through the air like threads of cold light.

The Nine Li Grand Shamans, including Li Yongzong, found themselves under heavy threat.

Meanwhile, Ye Morong maintained a strategic distance, ensuring he could strike with precision while staying out of reach—especially from Bi Li Clan Chief Li De, who lurked nearby.

Lei Jun glanced at Ye Morong.

Even with the chaos of the battlefield, Ye Morong’s sharp gaze briefly met his.

Although Ye Morong’s primary concern was the Nine Li Grand Shamans, he had also noticed Lei Jun’s battle against Yang Yuqi.

Yang Yuqi had been a significant figure for years.

Despite countless ups and downs, he had remained a thorn in the side of the Tang Dynasty.

Yet today, he had met his final fate, slain by a Daoist not even half his age.

Ye Morong was impressed—but also wary.

Many of the Tang Dynasty’s cultivators, including those in the Southern Wasteland Witch Sect, had also noticed Lei Jun’s astonishing strength.

After all, Yang Yuqi, despite his injuries, was still an Eighth Heaven Grand Scholar—and yet Lei Jun had defeated him so swiftly.

Had the Nine Li warriors not been so ferocious, most of the battlefield’s attention would have been drawn to Lei Jun.

Yet in the Southern regions of Xiongbu Mountain, Lei Jun himself remained calm and composed.

Without hesitation, he casually struck down another Nine Li warrior who had been beside Yang Yuqi.

Then, he turned his gaze toward Shen Qubing, who had been pursuing Yang Yuqi.

"General Shen, it has been a while."

Shen Qubing, upon seeing Yang Yuqi’s lifeless body, let out a small sigh of relief.

He then grinned, nodding toward Lei Jun.

"Daoist Lei, long time no see. Your abilities have far surpassed what they once were—I am in awe."

Lei Jun glanced at Yang Yuqi’s remains.

"This man was a serious threat. I had no choice but to ensure he did not escape. I have no desire for accolades, so I hope you don’t mind, General Shen."

Shen Qubing waved a hand dismissively.

"Daoist Lei, you jest. As you said, ensuring Yang Yuqi didn’t escape was the most important thing."

Lei Jun then turned to observe Shen Qubing’s condition.

Earlier, Shen Qubing had been wounded while breaking through enemy lines.

Though he had managed to stabilize his injuries, his complexion remained pale—a clear sign of excessive blood loss, a dangerous condition for a martial cultivator.

"Are your injuries serious?" Lei Jun asked.

Shen Qubing did not try to hide his state.

"Yes, but I can still fight."

Lei Jun nodded. "I came to the Land of the Deep Sea to find my Senior Sister, the Sect Leader of my sect."

"Now that Yang Yuqi is dead, perhaps you should take a moment to recover."

Shen Qubing could not withdraw from the battlefield entirely, as he was still needed to maintain contact with the Wu Li clan.

Lei Jun, meanwhile, spoke briefly with Lu Fang and his soldiers, leaving them to watch over Shen Qubing before he set off on his own.

The battle at Xiongbu Mountain was still raging, but Lei Jun had already made his mark.

Having eliminated Yang Yuqi so decisively, even if he did nothing else, the Tang Imperial Court would only commend him for his contributions.

Moreover, Tang Xiaotang and the Tianshi Sword were key strategic assets in this war.

It was entirely justifiable for Lei Jun to seek her out, and Shangguan Yunbo himself fully supported the decision.

Once out of sight from the main battlefield, Lei Jun once again donned his Supreme Purity Eight-Sceneries Treasure Mantle.

He erased his presence, evading environmental hazards while following the guidance of the Heaven-Piercing Earth-Comprehending Talisman.

Eventually, he arrived at a massive, inverted abyss.

Lei Jun was uncertain which of the Seven Hanging Abysses of the Land of the Deep Sea this was.

But one thing was clear—Tang Xiaotang was here.

Lei Jun traversed the abyss, finally reaching a floating island suspended in the void—and there, he found Tang Xiaotang.

"You're here?"

The tall woman greeted him casually, as if unconcerned by the surroundings.

Lei Jun, however, focused on the eerie, inverted island and the sea of darkness surrounding it.

"This is... the Extreme Yin Tide?"

Unlike typical Land of the Deep Sea Yin Tides, this one was not brutally violent, but its concentration of extreme Yin energy was extraordinarily dense.

Such phenomena were incredibly rare, occurring only once in many years, purely by chance.

If properly harnessed, this place could serve as a perfect opportunity for Tang Xiaotang’s breakthrough.

So…

"Senior Sister, are you really planning to use this place to ascend directly to the Great Ascension Realm?" Lei Jun asked.

By his calculations, Tang Xiaotang had spent around 24 years in the Divine Court Realm.

She had once declared her goal was to surpass Xu Yuanzhen’s record of 25 years in reaching the Great Ascension Realm.

Tang Xiaotang grinned mischievously.

"I told you before—I have some luck now and then."

Then, seeing Lei Jun’s expression, she pouted slightly.

"Fine, I’m not as lucky as you, but it’s good enough."

She stretched lazily before adding, "I’ve actually been using this place to cultivate for a while. I’m just one step away now."

Lei Jun nodded. "I brought the Tianshi Seal."

Tang Xiaotang replied, "Keep it with you. As long as it’s nearby, that’s enough. The Tianshi Sword is yours too."

She casually tossed him the Tianshi Sword—along with a set of crystalline stones.

The moment Lei Jun touched them, a name automatically surfaced in his mind:

[Youluo Rainbow Crystals].

Seven radiant multicolored gemstones, each glowing brilliantly.

Lei Jun examined their spiritual energy, his eyes brightening as thoughts raced through his mind.

Meanwhile, Tang Xiaotang closed her eyes, golden light surging from her body, radiating outward like a sea of gold.

Dark Extreme Yin energy gathered around her, slowly engulfing the golden glow.

At the center, a three-tiered black altar emerged—though it still faintly shimmered with gold.

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow.

Senior Sister… your breakthrough is making quite the spectacle.