Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 322: Second-class opportunity, Ziwei Sword

Even someone as experienced as Wei Anchang, accustomed to storms and chaos, was momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events.

“Shushan’s Sword Control Technique?! No, that’s not right… What the hell is this…?”

Lei Jun’s Talismanic Sword Control Technique was not only beyond Wei Anchang’s expectations in method but also in sheer power.

This young Daoist was truly ruthless. When he clashed with Li Yan earlier, in full view of many onlookers, he remained composed and concealed his strength. But now, under the cover of the Extreme World Yin Tide, he finally revealed his trump card. Even someone as accustomed to deception as Master Wei couldn’t help but feel outclassed.

Compared to this Daoist from Tianshi Mansion, Wei Anchang almost felt that he himself could be considered an honest and upright man.

Had he known Lei Jun possessed such a technique, he would never have so boldly unfurled his Blood Sea Diagram right in front of his opponent.

Now, with the Blood Sea Diagram expanding and contracting, he had essentially turned himself into a massive, stationary target—Lei Jun didn’t even have to aim.

However, Lei Jun’s mana was clearly drained.

Unleashing both the Tianshi Sword and Seven-Star Sword in such quick succession had consumed a tremendous amount of his energy.

Despite everything, Wei Anchang remained composed. He had no intention of fighting Lei Jun to the death—it would be meaningless.

The Blood Sea surged around him, birthing an even greater number of Blood God Children, spreading in all directions. Some closed in on Lei Jun from multiple angles, while others focused on stabilizing and protecting the Blood Sea Diagram.

Lei Jun could sense that these newly summoned Blood God Children were noticeably more ferocious than before.

For Blood River Sect cultivators, being wounded often enhanced their spells and mystical abilities, especially increasing their offensive power. Up to a certain limit, the more severe their injuries, the stronger their attacks.

Now, as Wei Anchang fought desperately, even the Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle could barely withstand his Blood God Children.

Yet, Wei Anchang didn’t aim to kill Lei Jun—he only needed to stall for time.

As long as he could stabilize his damaged but still-intact Blood Sea Diagram, he had a chance to escape.

But alas, one misstep leads to another.

Having failed to retreat earlier, he now faced an entirely different situation.

The radiant three-tiered altar—forged of pure gold—suddenly erupted with blinding brilliance and shattered explosively.

It was as if the great sun itself had risen, illuminating the world. Even with the Extreme World Yin Tide acting as a barrier, the dazzling golden radiance pierced through the gloom, shining across the land.

Endless golden light spread, transforming into a vast golden ocean that swallowed the small island.

At the center of this golden ocean stood a tall priestess, her hair and eyebrows gleaming like platinum, clad in a nine-colored radiant robe.

Ripples of brilliant radiance pulsed outward from her, even causing the Extreme World Yin Tide to grow unstable.

Her golden eyes flashed with thunder and fire, sweeping across the battlefield.

“Well, well… So there were people trying to take advantage of me.”

Lei Jun, still recovering his mana, smiled faintly.

“Congratulations, Little Senior Sister, on achieving the Great Ascension High Immortal realm.”

“Though you didn’t struggle much, I still have to say, this must have been exhausting for you.” Tang Xiaotang’s expression was uncharacteristically solemn as she gazed at Lei Jun, her eyes filled with gentleness.

But in the next moment, she wrinkled her nose in mild disgust.

“Too bad… The one outside got away. Now there’s only this half-dead one left.”

As she spoke, the golden ocean enveloped the battlefield, surrounding Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun, and Wei Anchang.

This was the Divine Dao Domain, a mystical power possessed only by Talismanic Daoists at the Ninth Heaven.

Upon achieving Great Ascension, Tang Xiaotang’s Pure Yang Domain ascended to an even greater level, its seizing force terrifyingly strong.

Wei Anchang and his Blood God Children were all caught within it.

Inside the Dao Domain, golden Pure Yang Celestial Thunder and Pure Yang True Fire intertwined, continuously burning and refining the Blood Sea around Wei Anchang.

Wei Anchang took a deep breath and swung his Blood Blade, unleashing the Blood Battle Mortal Realm technique.

At the same time, his countless Blood God Children, identical to himself, all performed the same action in perfect unison.

In an instant, a forest of blood-red blades swung through the air, each one slashing with the might to shatter the heavens.

Though gravely injured and depleted, his reverse-blood surge ignited a terrifying burst of destructive power.

Scarlet blades sliced through the golden ocean, as if attempting to carve it apart from within.

Yet Tang Xiaotang stood unwavering at the center of the flames.

The Nine Abyss True Fire, a vibrant emerald blaze, took the form of howling fire tigers—one after another.

Opposing them, golden lightning dragons streaked across the sky, weaving through the golden domain.

One lightning dragon and one fire tiger merged together, forming countless Tai Chi diagrams, where Yin and Yang fused in perfect balance.

This was the Dragon-Tiger Fusion Strike.

The battlefield resonated with roaring dragons and tigers, their cries echoing in all directions.

The rotating Tai Chi diagrams radiated dazzling golden-green brilliance, colliding with the Blood Blade Forest in a chaotic clash of light and blood.

Wei Anchang grunted in pain.

Tang Xiaotang lazily waved her hand.

A flash of violet light—the Tianshi Sword flew back into her grasp.

With a single sweep, its golden and violet radiance erupted in a dazzling arc, slicing through the Blood God Children one by one.

Wei Anchang’s expression suddenly relaxed.

His gaze shifted from Tang Xiaotang to Lei Jun.

The Blood Sea Diagram, which had already been severely damaged, suddenly twisted on its own, showing signs of shattering completely.

Since obtaining this artifact, Wei Anchang had rarely used it to fight head-on.

By keeping it intact, he had always maintained a retreat route—a lifeline for himself and the Blood River Sect despite being universally despised by the Tang Dynasty.

Through countless tribulations, this lifeline had always ensured his survival.

But now, he was left with one final choice—severing his own arm to save himself.

The Blood Sea Diagram trembled violently, on the verge of fragmentation.

Powerful blood energy surged in all directions.

Yet, just as it seemed he might escape, Tang Xiaotang’s Pure Yang Domain suddenly contracted.

The golden ocean flooded into the Blood Sea Diagram, dyeing the crimson waters gold.

There was no need for the Tianshi Sword—her Pure Yang Vessel sailed across the golden sea, cutting through the waves and heading straight for Wei Anchang.

Wei Anchang’s expression changed drastically.

His Blood Blade swung violently, only to be suppressed by Tang Xiaotang standing on the prow of the Pure Yang Vessel, wielding the Tianshi Sword.

“Wei Anchang,” Tang Xiaotang’s voice rang out.

“I know you have Blood Sea Nirvana, and that you’ve hidden a Blood God Child elsewhere for resurrection.”

“But today, none of that matters!”

Tang Xiaotang raised her hand toward the sky.

In an instant, a three-colored altar—violet, gold, and green—descended from the heavens.

At its center, a white jade seal shone brilliantly, crashing down toward Wei Anchang’s head.

As blood light exploded, Lei Jun instinctively averted his gaze.

…He distinctly remembered that back in Mount Longhu, when Tang Xiaotang fought Huang Xuanpu, she still used the seal in a conventional manner.

Since when did she start smashing people in the head with it?

Heavenly Ancestors above, please forgive her.

Moreover, although Tang Xiaotang had not personally arrived, her ascension to the Ninth Heaven, along with wielding the Tianshi Sword and Tianshi Seal, was enough to influence the Poli and Bili Clans.

At present, Li Yan and Li De were forced to lead their clansmen in retreat—an undeniable testament to this influence.

Though Shangguan Yunbo and the others could not seize the momentum to charge and slaughter their enemies, neither did they retreat outright. Instead, they resorted to harassing tactics, continuing to entangle the Poli and Bili Clans, preventing them from achieving their goals with ease.

From start to finish, Ye Morong had not spoken.

Yet deep within, a trace of doubt arose in his heart:

—Though eliminating threats must be done thoroughly, if Lei Jun was truly injured, would he really risk joining Tang Xiaotang in hunting down the wounded Wei Anchang?

—Furthermore, Lei Jun had yet to return to Xiongboshan. Could he have sought another place to recuperate, or perhaps even returned directly to the mortal realm?

Ye Morong’s figure flickered as he continued firing arrows at the Jiuli faction from a distance, yet his attention had begun shifting further afield.

Being a cultivator of the Confucian Divine Archery lineage, his greatest strength lay in his keen insight.

Despite the harsh environment of the Earth Sea, which impeded even him to some extent, he nonetheless made a discovery after a careful search.

When Ye Morong spotted Lei Jun, Lei Jun also noticed him.

Without the Grand Celestial Mirror, Lei Jun’s perception and awareness had diminished slightly.

Even so, Ye Morong’s gaze still pricked his senses.

Under normal circumstances, this should not have happened.

A Confucian Divine Archer of the Eighth Heaven possessed not only exceptional insight but also formidable stealth techniques.

However, at this moment, the old general’s mind was in turmoil.

The Tianshi Mansion had produced not one, but two Ninth Heaven masters—Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, both of whom were extraordinary, peerless talents. Even someone as seasoned as Ye Morong could not help but feel immense pressure.

It was akin to the trigger for the Battle of Liwai on Mount Longhu back then—when Tang Xiaotang had been poised to break into the Eighth Heaven Divine Court Realm.

And now, she had ascended to the Ninth Heaven, crossing a psychological threshold that some could not tolerate.

Had it not been for the presence of Shangguan Yunbo, Li De, Feng Gui, and Hu Hengyuan, Ye Morong was not sure whether he would have rushed to Cuo Duan Abyss like Li Yan and Wei Anchang.

But unfortunately for them, Li Yan and Wei Anchang had failed.

Tang Xiaotang had succeeded in the end.

A single misstep, and now Ye Morong found himself with no recourse against the young Tianshi.

However, this only made him pay even greater attention to another person.

Xuanxiaozi, Lei Jun.

Though there remained the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation between the Eighth and Ninth Heavens, Ye Morong no longer doubted Lei Jun’s ability to overcome it. The only question was how soon.

…And more likely than not, just like Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, he would do so in no time at all.

If there were no opportunity now, so be it. But having already fought Li Yan and Wei Anchang, and with Lei Jun still lingering in the Earth Sea, perhaps this was a rare chance…

Lei Jun figured Ye Morong was likely thinking along these lines.

Of course, even if his guess was wrong, it cost him nothing.

Now, sensing Ye Morong’s gaze upon him, Lei Jun remained utterly composed.

I really do understand you people too well.

He continued moving silently through the Earth Sea, acting as if he hadn’t noticed Ye Morong approaching.

At present, Lei Jun’s mana aura indeed appeared weak, as though he were injured.

This was due to him adjusting his state using the Dark Side of the Heavenly Book.

Ye Morong did not immediately fire an arrow.

For one, while following Lei Jun, he was also subtly distancing himself from Shangguan Yunbo and the others.

He naturally hoped that there would be no other witnesses—ideally, the Jiuli people would take the blame for everything.

For another, he was wary that this could be a trap. What if Tang Xiaotang had not actually gone after Wei Anchang, but was instead nearby, guarding Lei Jun?

However, after trailing him for a long time, Ye Morong gradually confirmed that Lei Jun was indeed alone.

Lei Jun walked calmly until he arrived outside Cuo Duan Abyss, near another massive abyssal sea suspended in the sky.

The guidance from the Seven-Star Sword was growing stronger.

This place was likely another of the Seven Abysses of the Earth Sea, on par with Cuo Duan Abyss—the Zuming Abyss.

The gaze behind him had finally disappeared.

But Lei Jun speculated that this was not because Ye Morong had given up; rather, the old general had finally calmed his turbulent mind, allowing him to better conceal his own presence.

And that only meant one thing—Ye Morong had firmly decided to strike.

Mm. Definitely a menace.

In that case…

Lei Jun first reached the western part of Zuming Abyss.

Then, using the Earth Sea’s complex and dim environment, he made it seem as if he had plunged into the Zuming Abyss.

In the next instant, the influence of the Dark Side of the Heavenly Book erased his presence, and his previously weakened aura instantly returned to its full strength.

With the Hidden Path Technique of the Heavenly Travel Talisman activated and his Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle draped over him, Lei Jun vanished entirely within the Zuming Abyss.

Only a few talismans remained floating in the abyssal waters, emanating faint ripples of Daoist energy.

Meanwhile, he himself departed, heading toward the southern part of Zuming Abyss.

As for whether Ye Morong would take the bait, or what he would do upon arrival—Lei Jun gave it no concern whatsoever.

When he reached the southern part of Zuming Abyss, Lei Jun carefully observed his surroundings before submerging into the abyssal waters.

The Seven-Star Sword emerged, forming the Big Dipper constellation, its sword light pulsating with a faint purple radiance.

Then, at the North Star position, the purple light grew even more intense—mysterious and sharp, akin to a sword.

Lei Jun sat cross-legged, steadying his mind, silently waiting.

It was unclear how much time had passed when his eyes suddenly gleamed. Deep within his pupils, the Heavenly Ground-Through Talisman revolved.

Within the vast, shadowy abyss, delicate, enigmatic strands of sword light began to emerge.

Like stars igniting in the dark cosmos.

A Purple Micro Emperor Star.

The emperor star trembled, causing the surrounding stars to sway.

The Seven-Star Sword shuddered in response but did not actively submit to the Purple Micro Sword. Instead, it radiated an eager, combative intent.

Even though it was currently inferior to the Purple Micro Sword, its spirit remained indomitable.

Lei Jun chuckled, flicking his fingers.

Instantly, Yin-Yang Qi circulated, smoothing the tension between the two legendary flying swords.

Their sword light and starlight settled into tranquility.

And because they both originated from the Shushan Daoist lineage, they gradually drew closer together.

The Purple Star formally settled into its place among the Big Dipper.

At last, the flickering purple radiance stabilized, revealing the true form of an ancient longsword.

Compared to the Azure Abyss Sword Lei Jun had seen before, the Purple Micro Sword was slightly less grandiose, but far more lively and unpredictable.

At present, however, the sword spirit remained wary.

Lei Jun offered a Daoist bow, voicing his intentions.

Thus, the Purple Micro Sword was retrieved.

And then, the western side of Zuming Abyss… erupted into chaos.

So, he had to secure his own happiness with his own hands.

Apart from a few personal belongings, Lei Jun tossed Ye Merong’s corpse back into the raging depths of the Ancestral Abyss before him.

As time passed, the calamity within the abyss began to subside slightly.

However, Lei Jun’s perception and insight were extraordinary—he could tell that a second eruption was bound to occur later.

That might be even better… He nodded slightly to himself.

Then, he left the Ancestral Abyss and returned to the Xiongbu Mountains.

The Poli and Bili tribes were withdrawing as a whole. Given their massive numbers, their pace was naturally slow—especially with Shangguan Yunbo and others launching attacks along the way.

Lei Jun, shrouded in the Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle, concealed his presence as he quietly approached the vicinity, searching for his intended target.

Without the Grand Celestial Mirror and given the environment of the Earth-Sea, even with the profundity of his Celestial Ground-Through Talisman, it still took him some time.

But he was in no hurry. As he searched, he silently familiarized himself with Ye Merong’s Haoran Qi through the items left behind.

Even among Confucian cultivators, the Haoran Qi one cultivated could have subtle differences.

While studying Ye Merong’s relics, Lei Jun also nurtured his own Haoran Mystic Jade.

After some time, his eyes suddenly brightened.

He had locked onto his target—a tall, youthful-looking Grand Shaman of the Nine Li people.

The Poli Tribe’s young chieftain, an Eighth Heaven Grand Shaman of the Cursing Lineage—Li Yongzong.

Compared to him, Li Yan and Li De were making far more commotion, their movements more conspicuous.

After confirming their positions relative to Shangguan Yunbo and the other top Great Tang experts, Lei Jun took out the Nether Radiant Rainbow Crystal that Tang Xiaotang had previously given him.

To Tang Xiaotang, acquiring this treasure was likely just a means to aid her fellow disciples’ cultivation.

But to Lei Jun, it served another purpose.

Back when he was at Mount Longhu, he had been considering looking for similar spiritual artifacts.

Unexpectedly, he had acquired one with such ease upon arriving at the Earth-Sea—an unexpected delight.

Since that was the case, he’d have to trouble Ye Merong, the old general, for this.

As for why he chose Li Yongzong as his target?

Lei Daozhang hadn’t forgotten—previously, Yang Yuqi had collaborated with the Poli Tribe. Though their ritual had been sabotaged by Shen Qubing and others, and most of their sacrificial artifacts destroyed, a few completed pieces still remained.

That meant that some top experts among the Nine Li people could have already infiltrated the mortal realm.

Now that the Poli and Bili tribes had lost their foundation and were forced into exile, drifting without a home, once they got past this most critical moment and shook off Shangguan Yunbo and the others, there was no telling if Li Yan, Li De, and their people wouldn’t seek revenge upon the mortal world…

Lei Jun calmly sorted through the Seven-Colored Nether Radiant Rainbow Crystals in his hands.

Then, he picked out a cerulean-blue crystal.

He unfurled the Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle, veiling himself completely.

At the same time, the Mysterious Firmament Five Thunder Talisman and the Thunder Law Talismanic Canon began to take form.

A purple Yang Thunder Dragon and a black Yin Thunder Dragon appeared together.

Under the combined concealment of the Dark Side of the Heavenly Book and the Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle, the roaring force of the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder was completely muted.

Where the purple and black Yin-Yang Thunder Dragons converged, dazzling radiance erupted.

This brilliant light, amplified by the Haoran Mystic Jade, released an overwhelming surge of Haoran Qi, continuously building up.

Lei Jun remained calm and patient, observing.

Observing Li Yongzong.

As an Eighth Heaven Grand Shaman of the Cursing Lineage, he was strengthened by shamanic mystical abilities, coupled with the innate robust physique of the Nine Li people, making his body incredibly resilient. He also had numerous defensive and evasive techniques.

However, he had already suffered a solid hit from Ye Merong’s arrow earlier, consuming much of his strength.

Now, after prolonged battle, he was no longer as fierce as before.

But due to the presence of Li Yan and Li De, Lei Jun knew he would only have one chance to strike.

So he continued to wait.

Until—

The moment Li Yongzong clashed with a mortal realm expert, gravely injuring his opponent but suffering another heavy wound himself.

Lei Jun finally released the “bowstring.”

The boundless brilliance of Haoran Qi, fused through the Haoran Mystic Jade, descended upon the cerulean Rainbow Crystal.

Controlled by Lei Jun’s mana, the crystal unleashed a cerulean beam of light, compressing into a single line—

In an instant, it streaked across the sky, slicing through the darkness like an endless blue arrow.

It struck directly at the forehead of the Poli Tribe’s young chieftain, Li Yongzong!

Without a sound, a gaping hole appeared in Li Yongzong’s head.

The extreme brilliance and heat of the impact did not immediately spread, leaving him momentarily frozen in his previous battle-ready stance—only with his gaze now dull and lifeless.