Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 344: Speculations from the Enemy

Master Jiasheng and Lei Jun locked eyes for a moment.

Then Jiasheng spoke, “There may be a misunderstanding here—much like the one your sect previously had with us about the Tianshi Robe.”

Lei Jun replied, “I hope that’s the case too.”

Off to the side, Chu Yu and Prince Zhang Mu of Xunan heard Lei Jun’s words and fell into thought.

Both the Western Regions and the Snow Plains were vast and sparsely populated, so the Tang Dynasty’s control there had always been relatively limited.

The few areas suitable for ordinary folk to settle and thrive had long been under the protection of the Vajra Monastery, safeguarding them from monster attacks.

Now that the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru had descended, there was no need to elaborate further.

But it also made the region even more mysterious.

The court had received word from there—fragments and whispers—but little concrete detail.

So today, hearing what Lei Jun said, Chu Yu and Zhang Mu were a little surprised.

Still, they didn’t show it on their faces. Their expressions remained calm, just silently bearing witness from the sidelines.

“Though the Grandmaster is in seclusion and Senior Brother Ren Zhu has fallen, our sect will not slack in discipline,” Master Jiasheng said as he stood and took his leave. “I’ll personally keep a close eye on matters from here on.”

He left behind the gifts brought for the occasion, declined to attend the ceremony any further, and departed down the mountain.

As for the mention of a possible treasure related to both the Netherworld and Biluojing, he brought it up no more.

Upon returning to the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru, Master Jiasheng gathered his scattered thoughts and reported to the Division Head about what had transpired.

The Vajra Division Head, Jialuotu, appeared outwardly fully recovered, with no sign of the earlier injuries. However, the radiant Buddha Light that had once surrounded him was now slightly dimmed.

After hearing Jiasheng’s account, he gave a slight nod. “Well done.”

Master Jiasheng bowed slightly. “I failed to fulfill what the Grandmaster entrusted me with. I am ashamed.”

The Division Head replied, “Don’t force what cannot be. Let it go.”

Master Jiasheng said softly, “The Tang court may not seem overtly biased, but from the current state of things, the situation doesn’t look favorable for our sect.”

The political landscape of the Tang court had been in constant flux, with one crisis following another.

Compared to when Sumeru had just returned, the imperial household was no longer as attentive to them as before.

In contrast, the Vajra Division now faced a powerful new enemy in the Huangquan Shushan Sect. Meanwhile, Daoist Holy Lands within Tang territory were rapidly rising in strength.

If the court were to choose between the Daoists and the Buddhists, the current momentum clearly favored the former.

Rumors about the Tang’s National Preceptor had already spread.

The Daoist faction—more specifically, the Talismanic Branch’s Tianshi Mansion—was now clearly ahead of the Vajra Division by one step, perhaps more.

Even within the court, talk had shifted. The only real uncertainty left was about which of the Tianshi Mansion’s top masters would come out on top.

“If we had managed to take control of Bashu, we might’ve forced a draw. But now that we’ve failed... there’s no second chance,” Jialuotu said with a smile. “The failure is mine. I won’t blame others. But it’s a pity about Ren Zhu.”

Master Jiasheng lowered his head in silence.

In the eyes of those steering the imperial ship, it would be difficult for them to stage a comeback.

Indeed, the Tang imperial court was not a monolith.

Still, whether it was the young man in the Eastern Palace or the old prince in Youzhou, both were closely tied to the elite Confucian clans of the Central Plains.

They maintained some contact with the Vajra Division—but kept a respectful distance.

At the very least, under the current Tang regime, Jiasheng still placed more faith in the reigning emperor.

“The Tianshi Mansion knows more about us than we expected,” Jialuotu mused.

“I feel the same,” Jiasheng replied quietly.

Jialuotu fell silent, thinking.

After a pause, Jiasheng asked, “Grandmaster, if the Tianshi Mansion rejected our goodwill, what of the Biluojing Orb—the artifact tied to both Biluojing and Huangquan?”

“Let’s keep it with Sumeru for now,” Jialuotu said. “It may be Daoist in origin, but it holds great mysteries. Perhaps one day it will prove useful.”

Jiasheng bowed. “Understood.”

---

Cangzhou, Ye Family Ancestral Grounds

Ye Wei, current Patriarch of the Ye Clan, walked through the wintry courtyard alongside Lin Huan, leader of the Youzhou Lin Clan, who was here as a guest.

The former patriarch, Ye Moquan, was already waiting.

“Uncle,” Lin Huan stepped forward and bowed.

“You’ve come to Yujing,” Ye Moquan greeted and gestured for her to sit. “How is the literary lineage in Youzhou these days?”

“After twenty years of hard work, it’s finally showing signs of revival,” Lin Huan replied. “But we’re still far from restoring it to its former glory.”

“As long as the lineage reconnects, that’s what matters. There’s no rushing these things.”

“You’re right, Uncle.”

Ye Wei quietly added, “The Tianshi Inheritance Ceremony on Mount Longhu proceeded as planned. Xuanyouzi Lei Jun has officially taken over the Tianshi Mansion and become the new Tianshi.”

Ye Moquan nodded. “With two Ninth Heavens and two Eighth Heavens standing, the court’s move to confer titles to Mount Longhu’s four Great Adepts was appropriate—well-deserved.”

Ye Wei continued, “Mount Longhu has firmly established its position…”

Ye Moquan sighed, “Pity we lost Chen Yi.”

“Have you heard,” Lin Huan interjected, “about the Tianshi Mansion working with Shushan and Hui Tiantang on alchemy and disaster relief?”

“I have,” Ye Moquan nodded. “Word is, it was the young Tianshi’s proposal. With court backing, and even Tianli’s Mechanist Dao from the newly established Xuanji Monastery involved.”

Lin Huan fell into thought.

Ye Moquan asked, “What’s Yujing’s take?”

“This new Tianshi runs a relatively steady and low-profile operation for now,” Lin Huan observed. “But the Daoist sect overall—especially the Four Inheritances—are showing signs of aggressive expansion. The other Daoist branches will need to keep a close eye on them.”

Ye Moquan nodded. “He’s indeed a more fitting leader for the Tianshi Mansion than that Tang Zhenren.”

Ye Wei noted, “For now, he seems neutral toward both Prince Zhao and the Eastern Palace heir. Doesn’t appear to want to meddle in royal infighting. But who knows—his thoughts aren’t easy to read.”

Ye Moquan replied, “That’s for Prince Zhao to decide. It’s not our place to comment.”

“Yes, Father.”

Lin Huan added, “Fortunately, the Tianshi Mansion has no shortage of potential enemies.”

The Mortal Daoist Nation was gone. The Yellow Heaven Sect had declared submission.

But just last year, Tang Xiaotang—former Tianshi—had slain the High Elder of the Inner Shushan Sect, Kang An.

Because of that alone, if Huangquan’s Inner Shushan rose again, their primary targets would now include not just the Shushan Sect, but also the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu.

As for the Vajra Division in the West—they had suffered heavy losses at Inner Shushan’s hands.

Shushan might still keep an eye on the Western Buddhists, but they wouldn’t be a top priority.

And not long ago, when Tang Xiaotang was cultivating in the Vast Ocean to break into the Ninth Heaven, she’d been ambushed by both Li Yan of the Nine Li and Wei Anchang, former master of the Blood River Sect.

Wei Anchang was slain. Li Yan remained at large.

Knowing Tang Xiaotang, she wouldn’t let that go.

The imperial court intended to seal off the Vast Ocean's void gateway—and the Tianshi Mansion’s opinion would carry great weight.

One reason? Rumors say that the court had chosen the former Tianshi, Tang Zhenren, to lead that campaign against the Nine Li.

And apparently, she’s raring to go.

That said, the Ye Clan also had long-standing enmity with the Broken Li Clan from the Vast Ocean.

Navigating that would be tricky—and Lin Huan chose not to speak further.

She changed the subject: “In recent years, the political climate has been unpredictable. Not ideal for Prince Zhao.”

“Prince Zhao is used to navigating storms,” Ye Moquan said. “No matter the situation, he’ll stay composed. Don’t worry, Yujing.”

Lin Huan nodded silently.

After she took her leave, Ye Moquan sat quietly, staring at the snowy landscape outside the window.

Ye Wei stood silently beside him, not daring to interrupt.

But his eyes held a trace of worry.

“I’m fine for now,” Ye Moquan said without turning around, as if he had sensed Ye Wei’s concern. “Really.”

Ye Wei hurried to respond, “I wouldn’t dare…”

But Ye Moquan cut him off, “Start looking into the whereabouts of Zong Han of Golden Castle.”

Zong Han, known as the Ghost King, was the Master of the Golden Castle—sacred ground of the Witch Sect’s Ghost Dao Lineage. And it was now all but certain he had ties with the evil cultivators of Huangquan’s Inner Shushan.

Ye Wei’s mind raced through the details.

“Yes, Father,” he said, bowing low.

After Ye Wei left, Ye Moquan remained alone.

He stared at the falling snow again, lost in thought.

Time passed.

A long sigh echoed through the air.

Many feared Prince Zhao Zhang Teng would grow impatient due to his age.

But in truth, it was Ye Moquan who felt the weight of time pressing down.

He wasn’t sure how much longer he had left…

In the Vast Ocean

Since their migration, the Broken Li Clan and the Bi Li Clan had never truly reestablished their footing.

This had helped them avoid threats from powerful enemies both inside and outside the Vast Ocean, but it also hampered their development.

At this moment, Broken Li Clan’s Chief, Li Yan, stood alone amidst the darkness of mountain ridges, gazing toward the distant void gateway that led to the mortal realm.

But he didn’t approach it.

A Nine Li Great Shaman of Broken Li lineage approached quietly. “Chief…”

Li Yan didn’t turn around. “What are the Xuanyuan people saying?”

“The Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, of the Talismanic Branch of the Daoist tradition, has a new Tianshi—his name is Lei Jun, Dao name Xuanyouzi.”

“Lei Jun…” Li Yan murmured, withdrawing his gaze from the void gateway. “Lei Jun. Tang Xiaotang…”

That tall young Daoist who once used the Tianshi Seal and Tianshi Sword to block his path—he’s now the one in charge of the Talismanic Branch?

Li Yan didn’t hold the same level of hatred toward the Tianshi Mansion as he did toward the Ye Clan of Cangzhou.

But they were still very much enemies.

After Tang Xiaotang ascended to the Ninth Heaven and killed Wei Anchang, her next move had been to come after Li Yan himself.

If the chance arose, Li Yan wouldn’t mind eliminating all those Xuanyuan descendants once and for all.

He just hadn’t expected Lei Jun to take over Tang Xiaotang’s position as Tianshi.

“Lei Jun… he’s qualified to lead the Talismanic Branch. But has he already surpassed Tang Xiaotang in strength?” Li Yan asked.

The shaman beside him replied, “So far, there’s no indication of that. Tang Xiaotang is Ninth Heaven. Lei Jun is Eighth Heaven.”

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. “Then why did he replace Tang Xiaotang?”

“Rumor has it… he defeated a Ninth Heaven cultivator from the Daoist Alchemical Sect—one who had reached Perfection.”

“…What?” Li Yan finally turned.

“It’s said to have been a series of duels,” the shaman explained. “But the reports are sparse. Details are unclear.”

“Find out more. Immediately,” Li Yan ordered.

“Yes, Chief!”

---

Northern Ice Sea – The Vast Frozen Expanse

Beneath the surface of an ocean filled with drifting ice, a massive shadow stirred.

It was like a mountain of ice rising from the deep.

The enormous black shape remained underwater, not surfacing completely.

Far away, on the frozen plains, another towering figure stood motionless like a dark mountain.

A giant wolf.

The Longtian Azure Wolf—the mightiest beast of the North—whose strength was on par with a Ninth Heaven human cultivator.

Normally, the Azure Wolf wouldn’t come this far north, this close to the Ice Sea.

But today was an exception.

He was here to meet the massive shadow beneath the sea.

Another Great Beast—the North Sea Whale King.

The Azure Wolf said, “Your master is gone.”

His voice was tinged with disdain, but the Whale King didn’t rise to the bait.

A voice rumbled from beneath the icy waters, “Though the Sovereign has fallen, he left something behind. To retrieve it, I need a partner.”

The Azure Wolf tilted his head. “Oh?”

The Whale King’s voice echoed, “Let’s talk.”

“Why me?” the Azure Wolf asked.

“Because the Snow Bear is about to recover. And that’s something I do not want to see.”

The Azure Wolf paused—then nodded.

“…Alright. Let’s talk.”

---

Mount Longhu – Tianshi Mansion

Xu Yuanzhen had once again left the mountain, headed toward the secrets of Penglai.

Lei Jun, now the Tianshi, had just sent off Tang Zhenren.

Today, Tang Xiaotang departed alongside Shushan’s Zhang Taigang, Xie Yiying, Ji Chuan, and Pure Yang Palace’s elder Lü Jinduan. Together, they set out for Shushan’s mountain gate—Xiaoding.

Elder Ji Dongquan of Shushan was already present and had officially joined the efforts in alchemy and medicine.

Sect Leader Zhang Taigang immediately returned to Xiaoding.

In keeping with a prior agreement, Tang Xiaotang would stay to guide Zhang Taigang and Xie Yiying in refining life-bound artifacts infused with Pure Yang power.

She didn’t mind—she accepted the request readily.

Like Lei Jun, Tang Xiaotang had a keen interest in novel techniques and mystical arts.

She intended to take this opportunity to study Pure Yang–infused artifacts firsthand.

Meanwhile, the Tang imperial court had already begun its preparations for sealing off the Vast Ocean’s void gateway.

Once things wrapped up at Shushan, Tang Xiaotang would leave Xiaoding and head south to lead the campaign against the Nine Li and the void portal.

She hadn’t forgotten what happened back when she was cultivating in the Vast Ocean, trying to break into the Ninth Heaven—how Li Yan ambushed her, hoping to pick up the scraps.

This time, she intended to settle that score—properly.

“With the Tianshi title passed on, Nephew Tang is now truly a dragon leaping into the sea,” Yuan Mobai said with a sigh.

“I don’t plan on leaving the mountain for now,” Lei Jun replied. “I actually reminded Little Senior Sister to take the Tianshi Sword with her, but she left it behind.”

“With her strength, she can handle most situations,” Yuan Mobai nodded. “But in these uncertain times, a bit more caution never hurts.”

“True.”

The chaos of the outside world didn’t affect Lei Jun’s life atop the mountain.

Now with Yuan Mobai and Shangguan Ning assisting him, Lei Jun found himself with fewer routine tasks to manage—despite being the new Tianshi.

But the matters requiring his judgment were definitely more weighty.

He had long anticipated this and was adjusting without difficulty.

In fact, he now had more time for other pursuits.

His personal cultivation remained a top priority.

One of the court-bestowed treasures—the Taiyu Stone—was already being quietly refined by Tianshi Lei.