Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 348: A long-lost good fortune

More than a decade ago, the Lone Eagle Khanate unexpectedly appeared in the Greater and Lesser Pass Mountains of Yuanzhou in the Tang Empire’s northwest, stirring significant unrest.

Fortunately, the invading force from the Lone Eagle Khanate was largely wiped out, and the void gateway between the mountains was sealed and suppressed.

A few remnants of the khanate fled far into the northern desert. Over the years, they were gradually hunted down and eradicated.

However, as time passed and these remnants slowly adapted to the Tang Empire’s spiritual energy patterns, lingering threats began to emerge.

The void gateway connecting the realm they occupied in the Song Empire to the Tang Empire was once again reestablished.

“Can the current location of the void gateway be confirmed?” Prince Zhang Zhen of Weiyang asked, his tone solemn. “Do we have a detailed count of the invading force?”

Lü Jinduan shook his head lightly. “It lies deep in the northern desert, a complex and sparsely inhabited region. The specifics have yet to be fully investigated.”

Xiao Chunhui turned to face the gathered representatives of the major powers from across the land. He offered a deep bow and spoke earnestly: “The foreign tribes are brutal and bloodthirsty. Now that they’ve returned to the human realm, the threat is no small matter. I, Xiao, sincerely ask everyone present to aid the imperial court in quelling this crisis.”

Everyone voiced their agreement.

However, many of their gazes, whether intentionally or not, drifted toward the young Daoist in the nine-colored ritual robe.

Although the crowd’s formation had not changed, the atmosphere shifted drastically in that moment—as if they were all quietly gathered around him, awaiting his response.

Even with such a massive upheaval rising in the northern desert, that tall figure remained unmoved, like a mountain, his expression serene.

“This concerns the common people. Now that fate has led us here, allow this poor Daoist to take part and offer what aid I can,” Lei Jun said in his usual calm, indifferent tone.

Yet his words seemed to soothe the room, and the crowd’s restless thoughts gradually stilled.

“Today is a day Heaven watches over the people. With the Tianshi stationed here in Guanlong, these wicked invaders surely won’t succeed,” said Lü Jinduan, High-Ranking Master of Pure Yang Palace.

As one of the "crouching tigers" of Guanlong, his words gave the others confidence, and they all chimed in agreement.

Even Prince Zhang Zhen of Weiyang nodded solemnly. “Then let the Tianshi oversee this operation.”

Unless the Empress herself came west again, Lei Jun—already present—was naturally the one to take command.

In fact, it was precisely because he was here that the Empress had no urgent need to personally lead an expedition.

During this critical moment, both the new Palace Master Jiang Yu of Pure Yang Palace and Prince Zhang Zhen, as the dominant powers in Guanlong, were clearly rallying behind Lei Jun.

Though many present were also cultivators at the Eighth Heaven Realm, and leaders of their respective holy lands, Lei Jun’s reputation stood apart. His name had been forged in battle against the likes of Huang Xuanpu, the Thousand-Leaf Butterfly King, Li Yan, Wei Anchang, Rong Guangchen, and Shang Nan.

Others like Xue Xingzi, Wei Qiyue, and Wang Feng weren’t even worth mentioning by comparison.

The awe inspired by these past victories was unmatched by anyone else present.

“You flatter me,” Lei Jun said, looking to Xiao Chunhui and Zhang Zhen. “I believe an imperial decree will arrive soon, and an envoy from the capital will be dispatched to oversee the situation.”

Xiao Chunhui added, “Though the Imperial Capital is far, word must’ve already reached the palace. I’m sure Her Majesty will issue a decree shortly.”

Sure enough, a while later, an imperial edict arrived from Luoyang, granting Lei Jun, the current Tianshi, authority over Guanlong’s affairs to protect the realm and its people.

Based on what the Tang Empire currently knew of the Lone Eagle Khanate, their strength was formidable. Even a single division had once plunged the northwest into chaos.

Now that they were invading again, the court dared not underestimate the situation.

Grand Marshal Shangguan Yunbo led a division of the Divine Strategy Army, rushing west to reinforce the borderlands.

As time passed, more intelligence flowed back from the desert:

“Preliminary reports suggest this invasion is on par with the previous one. However, the precise location of the void gateway remains uncertain—multiple potential sites have been identified.”

Lei Jun stated, “In recent years, the empire has finally had a chance to breathe. Since Her Majesty has not ordered a full counteroffensive, our main goal should be to seal the void gateway and stop any further invasion.”

Shangguan Yunbo nodded. “Wise words, Tianshi. From our prior battles with these enemies, once we cut off their retreat, we should aim to eliminate them as thoroughly as possible. We can’t afford to let remnants slip away and cause future trouble.”

Lei Jun asked, “You mean to split our forces?”

Shangguan Yunbo replied, “Exactly. Divide into smaller teams to quickly locate the void gateway…”

Lü Jinduan said gently, “While current intel suggests their numbers are limited, splitting up risks one team being surrounded by the enemy. Are you proposing we lure them in?”

When the Lone Eagle Khanate last invaded the Greater and Lesser Pass Mountains, Pure Yang Palace bore the brunt of their onslaught and had ample experience fighting them.

Lü Jinduan knew how fast and coordinated these foes could be—swift and scattered like wind and fire. If Tang forces were too spread out, they might be picked off one by one.

Shangguan Yunbo clearly understood this as well. While his plan aimed to quickly find and seal the void gateway, it also had a bait-and-trap element.

“If one team is attacked, they’ll hold their ground. The others will rush in and encircle the enemy—leaving no room for escape,” Shangguan said, turning to Lei Jun. “But communication is key. That’s why I hope the Tianshi will craft Thousand-Mile Transmission Talismans for this operation.”

Even without mentioning Lei Jun’s innovations, any Transmission Talisman made by him personally far surpassed those circulating in the world.

Lei Jun replied, “It’s a simple task… however…”

He swept his gaze across the others. “…there are inherent risks. I trust all of you understand that.”

The assembled crowd nodded solemnly.

“Foreign invaders threaten the people. It is our duty,” someone said.

“Very well,” Lei Jun agreed. “Let’s not delay. We’ll talk more on the road while I prepare the transmission talismans.”

He looked to Abbot Suo Yang of Vajra Monastery, Elder Miaoyi of Tianlong Monastery, Wang Xuan and Lü Jinduan of Pure Yang Palace, and Xiao Chunhui.

“The Grand Marshal and I will head into the desert. I ask that the rest of you remain in Guanlong to guard the interior. Master Suo and Elder Miaoyi, please also notify the Vajra Division and Master Miaoxin of our current situation.”

Both monks pressed palms together. “Rest assured, Tianshi, we’ve already sent word.”

Jiang Yu then turned to Wang Xuan and Lü Jinduan: “Uncle Wang, Granduncle Lü, the palace affairs will be in your hands.”

Although she had just taken over Pure Yang Palace, it sat at the heart of Guanlong, directly facing the desert threat—so naturally, she would join the frontlines.

Wang Xuan, gifted the Blood Marrow Jade Body by Lei Jun, still needed time to refine it. Without a physical form, he remained in a Nascent Soul state.

Lü Jinduan was already quite old.

Thus, neither Lei Jun nor Jiang Yu wanted them to strain themselves.

Elder Yue Xiling, another Eighth-Heaven cultivator, would lead a group of elders to accompany Jiang Yu into the desert.

Prince Zhang Zhen was no exception—he would join the expedition as well.

Others joining them included Elder Ye Dongming of Shushan, Fang Zhu of the Fang Family of Jingxiang, Ye Cheng of the Ye Clan of Qingzhou, and Xiao Hang, the current patriarch of the Xiao Clan of Longxi.

Xiao Hang, the half-brother of Xiao Chunhui, was more of a recluse—unlike his brother, who held key roles in the capital and enjoyed the Empress’s favor.

Now, Chunhui would remain in Guanlong to coordinate, while Xiao Hang departed with the expedition. Steady and reserved, his presence was reassuring.

As for Fang Zhu and Ye Cheng, both were the brightest of their generations, groomed as future clan leaders. Regardless of their personal thoughts, they readily joined Lei Jun and Shangguan Yunbo on this journey north.

Their entourages followed suit.

From the Tianshi Mansion, Elders Fang Jian and Ke Sicheng, along with disciples, also joined Lei Jun on the road north.

“My Senior Sister Tang is currently stationed in the north,” Lei Jun added. “I’ve already sent her word.”

Indeed, he had contacted Tang Xiaotang.

“I’ve been tracking that mangy dog—it’s headed that way,” she replied. “I still want to deal with it first. But if I get the chance, I wouldn’t mind clashing with those Lone Eagle martial artists that returned from the Great Black Mountains.”

“Oh?” Lei Jun asked. “The Longtian Azure Wolf showed up?”

“Yeah, and it brought some cubs along,” she said dryly.

As the Tang forces pushed into the northern desert, they immediately moved to surround the regions reported to contain foreign activity.

But, as expected, their targets had already moved.

High above, the Great Celestial Mirror quietly rotated its divine light.

Lei Jun caught vague signs of movement—their targets had scattered and begun wandering aimlessly, making them hard to pin down.

Just as Shangguan Yunbo predicted, the invaders had split into many small groups, further complicating any attempts to encircle them.

Typically, martial cultivators excelled in speed and evasion, far surpassing other cultivation paths. Though their endurance was average, they made up for it by riding spirit beasts and even monsters, traveling long distances quickly.

Chasing them would be inefficient. The better tactic was to trap the temple if the monk can’t be caught—in this case, target their “temple”: the void gateway.

Thus, as planned, Lei Jun’s forces split into three groups, each seeking signs of the Lone Eagle Khanate’s initial appearance—and likely the void gateway’s location.

The eastern team was led by Shangguan Yunbo, Elder Ye Dongming, and Ye Cheng.

The western team: Prince Zhang Zhen, Jiang Yu, and Xiao Hang.

The central team: Lei Jun, Fang Zhu, Elder Yue Xiling, and others advanced steadily through the desolate lands.

“That young Daoist—is he a former direct disciple of Daoist Li Zhengxuan?” Fang Zhu asked, gazing into the distance.

From afar, various Tang cultivators scoured the land, then fanned out in search of the void gateway.

His eyes fell on Xu Rui, who had come with Fang Jian to attend the Pure Yang Palace ceremony.

“It’s him,” Fang Jian confirmed.

Unless told, few would realize the two men were full-blooded brothers.

Fang Zhu watched Xu Rui. “Talented, and it seems he hasn’t wasted it.”

Back then, Fang Zhu and Li Zhengxuan were both rising stars—top contenders to lead their respective sects.

Now, Fang Zhu had reached the Eighth Heaven Realm, a peerless figure in Jingxiang.

But Li Zhengxuan had perished.

Fang Jian, once his fellow disciple, had progressed well, though others like Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang had entered the sect after him—and yet surpassed him.

Even Fang Zhu himself felt the pressure from the towering figure at the heart of their formation.

“Your Tianshi, cold on the outside but warm inside—he cares for the people deeply. In his decisiveness, he’s no lesser than his predecessor, Daoist Tang,” Fang Zhu said.

The Tang Empire had seen its share of storms, yet had gradually pacified threats from the Daoist Nation, Yellow Springs, Shushan, and the Southern Wasteland. Peace was returning.

Yet a full-scale war against the Lone Eagle Khanate would strain resources and bring uncertain returns.

That Lei Jun had chosen to contain rather than escalate surprised many outside observers.

“Our Tianshi is compassionate. If the world had more like him, it would know less war,” Fang Jian replied.

Fang Zhu said nothing, his eyes gazing toward the horizon.

Lei Jun could have easily eavesdropped on them—but his attention was fixed on the scattered intelligence about Lone Eagle movements.

Many leads were likely misinformation—deliberate decoys.

He listed five or six key areas: Upper Qingwo River, north of Red Fern Desert, Lone Cloud Plains, and Three-Wither Lakes—all worth investigating.

As he pondered, a light sphere flashed in his mind, forming text:

"When the Lone Eagle soars far, a thought rises in the northern sky."

Three omen lots followed:

• Supreme Good Omen: Go to Lone Cloud Plains. Chance for a Third-Grade Opportunity, minor trouble, no danger, no long-term consequences. Great luck!

• Moderate Omen: Go elsewhere besides Lone Cloud Plains or Upper Qingwo River. No danger, but no gains either. Neutral.

• Moderate Omen: Go to Upper Qingwo River. Chance for a Fifth-Grade Opportunity. No immediate risk, but future karmic entanglements. Handle with care. Neutral.

Oh? A Supreme Good Omen—those were rare.

And a Third-Grade Opportunity was nothing to scoff at… though its exact nature remained unclear.

Lei Jun studied the omens and compared them to his map, deep in thought.