Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 350: Flowers Falling at the Heavenly Master's Mansion

In the early stages of the Battle of North Abyss Lake, the Lone Eagle Khanate’s four top experts held a clear advantage.

Jiang Yu and Zhang Zhen were surrounded and under heavy attack, forced into a desperate situation and unable to support anyone else.

The Pure Yang Palace cultivators fared slightly better thanks to their specialty in life-bound arts, which allowed them to externalize their Golden Core for powerful protection.

However, those from Prince Zhang Zhen’s estate suffered heavy casualties.

Thankfully, Lei Jun arrived in time. Without him, the entire group may have been wiped out.

Now that Mi Han, Zhuo Le, and the others had fallen, the Lone Eagle Khanate fighters who had charged in with them quickly collapsed in defeat.

Leaving the wounded behind, the remaining Tang Empire cultivators began pursuing and eliminating the retreating foreign experts alongside Lei Jun and Xiao Hang.

After the Battle

Xiao Hang glanced at Lei Jun, hesitating slightly before speaking.

Lei Jun: “Is there something on your mind, Fellow Cultivator Xiao?”

Xiao Hang: “I arrived a moment too late earlier and only saw you clashing head-on with that foreign heavy cavalry commander from afar… Is your body all right, Tianshi?”

Martial artists are known for explosive bursts of power and pinpoint destructive force. Those who follow the heavy cavalry path, empowered by beasts like the ferocious Yellow Dragon Windsteed, push this style to its limit.

In pursuit of extreme offensive might, they often forgo the agility and speed typical of martial masters, gaining even greater destructive power than those in body-refining or combat-based martial paths.

On average, such warriors possess the most formidable single-point attack among same-realm cultivators.

So when Lei Jun met Mi Han, a martial master at Peak Eighth Heaven, head-on without dodging, it left even distant observers stunned.

Xiao Hang, aware that Talismanic Daoists possess powerful internal universes within their Divine Court that enhance their defenses, still knew how reckless this move was.

Even for a Daoist Alchemy Sect cultivator, taking a full-force blow from Mi Han without flinching would not be easy.

Lei Jun: “Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

As he spoke, a flicker of nine-colored radiance flashed across his body.

“I had to act—Daoist Jiang and Prince Zhang were in danger. I also wanted to catch the enemy off guard. I only dared such a move because I had my sect’s supreme treasure for protection.”

Xiao Hang exhaled in relief. “I’ve long heard of the Tianshi Robe’s fame. Seeing it today is an honor. If not for your timely arrival, we might have suffered catastrophic losses. I’m truly ashamed.”

Lei Jun: “You’re too kind.”

To be cautious, Lei Jun had secretly messaged his sect’s ancestral hall before entering the northern desert.

Yuan Mobai immediately sent the Tianshi Robe to him remotely via the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar.

Using the Tianshi Seal, Lei Jun secretly received it—though he said nothing, planning to use it only in emergencies.

During the recent battle against the Lone Eagle elites, the Tianshi Robe was at the ready but ultimately unused.

Instead, Lei Jun relied on the dual internal universes of his Divine Court for defense, absorbing Mi Han’s strike directly.

The Cost of Power

Heavy cavalry martial artists wield terrifying attack power.

However, if he’d faced a body-refining martial artist at Peak Eighth Heaven, Lei Jun would’ve had to rely on the Tianshi Robe or even the Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle for help.

Fortunately, both Mi Han and Zhuo Le, who trained in weapon-based martial paths, depended heavily on external spiritual weapons.

This allowed Lei Jun to capitalize on his abundant magnetic force, layering it atop his internal defense for a third tier of protection.

In this regard, Tianshi Lei specialized more in defense—though at great mana cost.

And not only in defense—this battle pushed all of Lei Jun’s training in offense, defense, and speed to their limits.

Otherwise, even he wouldn’t have kept pace with the movements and attack rhythms of three Eighth Heaven martial masters.

Their speed bordered on teleportation—appearing and disappearing unpredictably.

Even Mi Han, who sacrificed some agility for brute force, remained faster than most non-martial cultivators could handle.

Fighting against the likes of Mu Duojie and Zhuo Le, both specialists in body and weapon techniques, required Lei Jun to expend tremendous mana just to stay even.

It gave him a true appreciation for why martial cultivators are said to have explosive power but weak endurance.

Such power is unsustainable long-term for anyone.

On the attack front, Lei Jun continually summoned his four apparitions, combining the Yin-Yang Thunder Dragons with his life-bound physical strength and the Dragon-Tiger Combined Strike, all to rapidly wound the enemy.

But that meant his mana depletion was also severe.

Fortunately, his foundation was solid, his Dao profound, and his Two-Element Celestial Physique enabled rapid recovery.

Outside of intense battles, he could quickly refill his reserves.

But from the outside, his aura still seemed depleted.

Thus, Xiao Hang remained tense, unable to fully relax. Though he asked no more, he doubled his efforts while mopping up the remnants, hoping to buy Lei Jun more time to recover.

The Aftermath and Pursuit

Lei Jun, meanwhile, focused on checking in with the other squads.

There was good news and bad.

The good: Senior Sister Tang Xiaotang had arrived, letting Shangguan Yunbo, Ye Dongming, and Ye Cheng breathe easier.

Though Former Tianshi Tang had come chasing the Great Northern Demon Longtian Azure Wolf, the wolf was already injured.

The demon, despite its power, could not match both Tang Xiaotang and Shangguan Yunbo with the Dangkou Golden Halberd.

In a chaotic battle, the once-dominant wolf failed to escape and was slain by Tang Xiaotang.

This demon, notorious across the Northern Frontier, was known for its savagery and uncanny ability to feign death and escape—but this time, all its tricks had been used up.

The Lone Eagle martial saint, however, escaped after taking a blow from Tang Xiaotang amid the chaos.

She and Shangguan Yunbo continued their pursuit.

Thus, the second invasion by the Lone Eagle Khanate came to an end.

To be cautious, with both Tang Xiaotang and Shangguan Yunbo absent, Lei Jun remained in the northwest to oversee affairs.

The final phase of the war involved many tasks:

• Permanently sealing the void gateway at Lone Cloud Plains
• Mopping up low- to mid-level stragglers
• Calming the populace
• Aiding disaster victims
• Quelling natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes) triggered by the fighting

The court’s envoys and Pure Yang Palace’s senior figures would handle the details.

Lei Jun returned to Pure Yang Palace to temporarily oversee operations.

Recovery and Reflection

Jiang Yu and Zhang Zhen were both seriously wounded and needed time to heal.

Yue Xiling, Wang Xuan, Lü Jinduan, and other elders managed palace affairs and received returning guests like Fang Zhu.

Xiao Chunhui, stationed at the palace, also left to meet up with his brother Xiao Hang, taking charge of postwar efforts.

Elder Miaoyi of Tianlong Monastery, Abbot Suo Yang of Vajra Monastery, and others assisted.

“In the Pure Yang Palace, Lei Jun asked, “That Ninth Heaven martial saint—his name is Bomu Ge?”

After the first invasion, the Tang Empire had captured some Lone Eagle prisoners.

Through years of effort, and research into ancient records from the Han Dynasty, the Tang Court had gradually developed ways to interrogate these prisoners.

Notably, leaders like Mi Han had some grasp of Han Chinese language—likely thanks to people like Guo Licheng and Han Yu from the Sanchun Palace.

Though dialects had diverged over time, the gap was manageable.

Sitting nearby, Ye Dongming and Ye Cheng nodded. “According to interrogations, that man is Bomu Ge, chieftain of the Sunset Tribe, one of the most powerful factions in the Khanate.”

In the previous battle, Bomu Ge, a Ninth Heaven martial saint, had severely pressured Shangguan Yunbo, Ye Dongming, and Ye Cheng.

His speed and technique were devastating.

While Shangguan could briefly stand against Ninth Heaven enemies with the Dangkou Halberd, martial saints like Bomu Ge were his worst matchup.

Because both sides shared similar strengths and weaknesses, Shangguan had no advantage.

Thus, he could survive but not suppress his foe.

Without him holding the line, Ye Dongming and Ye Cheng were at great risk.

Ye Cheng, a Confucian scholar, had reformed his path thanks to masters like Ye Yan and Ye Moquan, making him less vulnerable to martial enemies—but he was still outclassed.

Bomu Ge struck him first.

Ye Dongming, though skilled in defense with his Snowpeak Umbrella, had only recently re-refined the treasure after it was destroyed in Yellow Springs.

Bomu Ge’s ferocity overwhelmed him next.

Only when Tang Xiaotang arrived, chasing Longtian Azure Wolf, did the tide turn.

Lingering Questions

“Why would the Azure Wolf flee Tang Xiaotang only to run toward the invaders? Coincidence?” Elder Lü Jinduan wondered aloud.

“Perhaps it had contact with the foreigners.”

Lei Jun replied, “That’s not unlikely.”

Ye Dongming bowed. “If not for the Tianshi Mansion’s help, the consequences would’ve been dire.”

Lei Jun: “You give me too much credit.”

Ye Cheng sat beside him, composed.

Once, the Ye Clans of Jinzhou and Qingzhou had disputes, but some unspoken understanding lingered.

Now, everything had changed—not only had Jinzhou Ye Clan become Cangzhou Ye Clan, but so had Ye Dongming himself.

Ye Cheng had heard things.

Rather than call him a Ye clansman, it was more appropriate to address him as Elder of Shushan.

Still, he said nothing more, only bowed: “What Elder Ye said is true. The swift victory over the invaders this time—Tianshi and Protector Tang deserve the highest credit.”

Lei Jun: “It was a bloody battle. Many comrades and Tang soldiers died. I dare not claim the credit.”

Because of formidable enemies like Bomu Ge, Mi Han, Zhuo Le, Mu Duojie, and Guo Licheng, many were injured or killed—including two Seventh Heaven cultivators, while Middle Heaven Realm losses were even higher.

Abbot Suo Yang now spoke: “Without Tianshi Lei and Tang Zhenren, the casualties would have been far worse. The two of you are the pillars of this war.”

His tone was steady, joining the others in praise.

Yet even now, he still found it hard to comprehend.

Tang Xiaotang was a Ninth Heaven expert, and her slaying of a wounded demon, though shocking, was understandable.

But on the other side—

One against four, including Mi Han, a Peak Eighth Heaven martial artist…

All four perished. None escaped.

Even with the Tianshi’s Three Treasures, that result stunned many.

And apparently, he hadn’t even drawn the Tianshi Sword…

Suo Yang looked at Lei Jun.

Even after hearing accounts from Jiang Yu and Zhang Zhen, he still struggled to picture the scene.

Luoyang, Imperial Capital

Fang Residence

Fang Hezhou, Left Chancellor and one of the most powerful men in the empire, was receiving guests.

Chancellor Chu Lin of the Secretariat and his son Chu Fu had come to visit the Fang family elder.

Though Fang Hezhou was younger than Chu Xiuyuan, patriarch of the Chu Clan of Suzhou, both Chu Lin and Chu Fu treated him as an elder in private.

“Uncle, do you think His Majesty will send General Ye and his troops to the northwest?” Chu Lin asked quietly.

With Ye Morong’s death in the Sea of Flames, the Cangzhou Ye Clan had lost influence within the Divine Strategy Army.

Though trying to recover, they couldn’t regain their old glory overnight.

Only Ye Jiong of Qingzhou Ye Clan remained as their key representative.

He had led troops to the frontier during the Khanate’s first invasion.

Fang Hezhou, now white-haired but not aged, held a dignified, composed bearing befitting a grand chancellor.

“No decision yet. His Majesty is likely awaiting reports from the northwest,” he said.

Chu Lin nodded. “The new Palace Master of Pure Yang just ascended. With so many guests present, the northwest is temporarily well defended.”

Fang Hezhou: “I hear that besides the current Tianshi Lei, even Tang Zhenren has been seen in the north—though her exact whereabouts are unknown.”

Chu Lin asked, “Uncle, how serious do you think this invasion is? How long might it last?”

Fang Hezhou replied, “That depends on how many tribes invaded—and when the former Tianshi truly arrives…”

Just then, a servant brought news.

Fang Hezhou didn’t hide it from his guests. “Message from Minggan in the northwest.”

Minggan was the courtesy name of Fang Zhu, leader of the younger generation of the Fang Clan of Jingxiang.

Though the court and noble families had multiple intel sources, someone like Fang Zhu—on the front lines and with high standing—was particularly valuable.

So was Ye Cheng, of the Qingzhou Ye Clan.

Fang Hezhou read the message—and his gaze froze.

His white beard swayed slightly.

Chu Fu looked to his father.

Rarely had they seen the old statesman react this way.

Chu Lin remained calm, waiting.

Fang Hezhou finally said, “The matter in the northwest is… mostly resolved.”

Chu Fu was visibly shocked.

Chu Lin asked, “Uncle… what happened?”

Fang Hezhou laid the message down. “The void gateway is sealed. One Ninth Heaven martial saint was injured and fled. Four Eighth Heaven martial artists, and one Daoist of the Alchemy Sect, all killed. The demon Longtian Azure Wolf is also dead.”

He handed the letter over.

Chu Lin read carefully.

Halfway through, he suddenly looked up.

Fang Hezhou nodded: “Yes. Four Eighth Heaven cultivators—all died in the same battle. One against four. None escaped.”

Chu Lin read on, then said, “Even if the current Tianshi Xuanxiaoz has the Three Treasures, shouldn’t at least one enemy have escaped?”

As with Bomu Ge and Shangguan Yunbo—if focused on one, the others might get away.

Lei Jun should’ve faced the same challenge.

Yet…

Chu Lin finished reading and looked again to Fang Hezhou.

Fang Hezhou gazed out the window.

After a long pause, he spoke softly:

“The position of National Preceptor—will almost certainly go to the Tianshi Mansion. The only question… is whose name it will bear.”