Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 360: Master Lei's Sword

Lei Jun swept through the battlefield like a thunderstorm. Lone Eagle Khanate cultivators and Three Spring Palace disciples who failed to dodge in time were smashed into a pulp when struck by the city walls formed from intertwining yin-yang lightning.

Even those with higher cultivation who weren’t instantly killed were engulfed in the wildly surging lightning rippling across the walls, completely unable to escape.

From afar, Xurigan, the general of the Lone Eagle Khanate, witnessed the whole thing. Brave as he was, even he felt a chill down his spine.

Was this really something an Eighth Heaven cultivator could pull off?

He had once heard that even Mihan, a peak Eighth Heaven cultivator of the Sunset Tribe, had died at the hands of a Daoist from this side.

The Vajra Division of Sumeru had previously provided the Khanate with an illustrated dossier on this current Tianshi of the Tang Dynasty.

At the time, many warriors in the Khanate had been eager to test the man’s strength themselves.

But now, having seen Lei Jun in action, Xurigan couldn’t help but recall a Han saying:

Seeing once is worth more than hearing a hundred times.

A man of great reputation is never an empty name.

Whether in their original realm or here in Tang territory, Xurigan had never met anyone like this.

He hadn’t witnessed his own Khan Hariger’s full might when the man was still at the Eighth Heaven, but he had seen other powerhouses like Datun Bari and Bomu Ge at that stage, and even watched Sect Master Zhao You’an of the Three Spring Palace in battle.

And he was absolutely certain—none of them, not Datun Bari, not Bomu Ge, not even Zhao You’an at the height of Eighth Heaven—had powers like this Daoist’s divine techniques.

Meanwhile, Princess Consort Yangjin of the Sumeru Lotus Division was still being relentlessly pressed by Zhang Junhai, the Prince of Changshan.

Yet at this moment, both she—despite being at a disadvantage—and Zhang Junhai—clearly with the upper hand—couldn’t help glancing toward the distant horizon.

There, a massive, slowly advancing lightning wall was drawing everyone’s attention.

Even seasoned veterans like them knew they shouldn’t lose focus in combat, but that wall—part fortification, part divine force—was just too hard to ignore.

And it wasn’t just them. Tang cultivators and foreign warriors across the battlefield were all staring.

Watching that lightning wall push forward—it seemed slow, yet unstoppable—Princess Consort Yangjin’s heart sank.

She had still managed to hold her own against Zhang Junhai earlier, even if barely.

But now, she no longer dared hesitate for even a second.

Inside her illusory Buddha Stupa field, Yangjin suddenly broke form and began a graceful dance, ignoring the threat of Zhang Junhai’s blade.

A scarlet lotus bloomed within the Buddha light, enveloping her.

Zhang Junhai’s sword pierced the lotus but failed to break through.

This must be a technique only a Ninth Heaven Buddhist cultivator could use… Zhang Junhai’s eyes narrowed.

The scarlet lotus burned in flames of red and pale gold, quickly turning to ashes.

But Princess Consort Yangjin had already vanished.

When she reappeared, she had escaped both Zhang Junhai and the approaching lightning wall.

Having used up her most precious life-saving technique, Yangjin felt no regret—only relief that she had chosen to act without hesitation.

Zhang Junhai was momentarily blocked by the burning lotus and missed his chance to pursue.

Though he felt a bit of regret, he understood: the balance of power west of Yunzhou had shifted.

From here on, Tang would control the battlefield.

The Prince of Changshan took one last glance at the approaching lightning wall, then turned his blade toward the other Lone Eagle warriors.

Elsewhere, Zhao You’an, the only Ninth Heaven Great Ascension powerhouse who might still hold the line for the Khanate, saw the colossal moving “wall” from afar and grew solemn.

Though they followed different cultivation paths, both were from Daoist traditions—and seeing Lei Jun stirred something deeper in him.

The Talismanic Sect in this realm… truly terrifying.

Zhao You’an shook his head and sighed softly. Then, instead of engaging further, he began helping others retreat.

This Tianshi of Mount Longhu was no ordinary opponent.

Given his previous victories over Mihan, Zhuo Le, and others, along with the divine might he was now displaying, Lei Jun had to be regarded as a full-fledged Great Ascension Realm cultivator.

And possibly, an even greater threat than Xiao Xueting with her Mountain and River Sword.

According to intel from the Vajra Division, the Tianshi Mansion possessed the Three Treasures of the Tianshi.

Even if Zhao You’an confronted Lei Jun, Xiao Xueting would still be free to slaughter their ranks.

There was no holding this front any longer.

The only hope left was that the Khan could quickly break through the Tang Emperor’s defenses in Yunzhou.

That barrier had prevented Lei Jun and Xiao Xueting from assisting there, though… could that actually be a show of confidence on the Emperor’s part?

A shadow passed across Zhao You’an’s heart.

Back atop the lightning wall, Lei Jun stood calmly, breathing and channeling energy. Around him, divine lightning from the Nine Heavens and Mysterious Firmament surged endlessly, blending into yin and yang and sustaining the vast thunder wall that continued its march northward.

“Senior Brother, can your energy keep up?” Chu Kun stood beside him, acting as protector.

“If I do nothing else, I can maintain it,” Lei Jun said. His Two Element Immortal Physique circulated energy through his body, drawing from the natural lightning and yin-yang energies of the heavens and earth.

His voice didn’t carry far—only Chu Kun could hear him:

“Later, I’ll be leaving. The talismans I leave behind will run out of power quickly. You’ll need to hold the wall a bit longer for me. Then inform General Xiao, Senior Sister Zhang, Prince Zhang, and Daoist Yue—just those few.”

Chu Kun immediately understood. “Senior Brother is wary of the Vajra Division Commander?”

Indeed, the lightning wall served both offensive and defensive purposes while shielding other Tang cultivators—but it consumed massive energy.

Lei Jun didn’t have to choose this tactic.

He’d done it deliberately: to suppress the Khanate’s western forces and to set up a bluff—a classic Empty Fortress stratagem.

“Senior Brother… this battle’s dangerous and full of twists. The Lone Eagle Khanate and Vajra Division are no pushovers. You have to be careful.”

Chu Kun paused, then handed Lei Jun a shrunken storage pouch.

Lei Jun noticed it wasn’t Chu Kun’s usual one.

He didn’t inspect it now, nor did he decline. “You all be careful too.”

He then handed over the Thunder Law Talisman Canon and Mysterious Firmament Five Thunder Canon, explaining key techniques.

Chu Kun remained composed, listening intently.

Though Lei Jun’s teachings were profound and complex, Chu Kun quickly nodded. “I’ll do my best. I should be able to hold it for a while.”

Lei Jun replied, “That’s enough. No need to push it.”

After bidding farewell, he vanished beneath the cloak of the Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle, seemingly disappearing into the air.

But the wall of roaring thunder and flickering lightning continued its march north along the east bank of the Great River, looking like it wouldn’t stop until it had pushed all the way back to the Yin Mountain Range.

Meanwhile, elite Tang figures like Xiao Xueting and Zhang Junhai were already quietly informed of Lei Jun’s departure by Chu Kun.

They acted as if nothing had changed, maintaining their aggressive momentum—like they meant to reclaim Yin Mountain itself.

But in private, all became more alert, preparing for surprises.

Even in this wild counterattack, their formation stayed tight.

Even as Khanate warriors broke ranks and scattered, Tang cultivators didn’t recklessly chase them down.

The Khanate troops regrouped, scattered, then regrouped again.

With heavyweights like Zhao You’an and Xurigan holding the line, they managed to avoid total collapse.

They began retreating northward while trying to contact Datun Bari, who had earlier charged east, hoping to regroup.

But internal disagreements among Khanate leadership were surfacing.

Some wanted to hold their position and wait for Khan Hariger to score a decisive win in Yunzhou.

Others preferred splitting up and launching raids across Tang’s northern frontier.

Currently, Zhao You’an, though holding high prestige among them and nearly seen as their National Preceptor, wasn’t one of their own kind—and so, his authority was shaky.

Tang also braced for possible enemy raids.

After the collapse of the Yin Mountain line, backup troops had already begun pouring in.

Though elites like Fang Jingsheng and Ye Moquan hadn’t yet moved, other clan elders like Fang Du and Chu Peng, along with sect seniors like Ye Dongming and Elder Miaokong, were leading a second wave of elite forces north.

Fang Huansheng, Lu Zhen, and others who had withdrawn from central Yunzhou were redeployed to the east and west fronts respectively.

Thus, the downward spiral after the fall of the Yin Mountain defense was finally halted, and the Tang Dynasty began to rally and push back.

Elder Yang Haolong of the Reincarnation Abyss Lineage of the Southern Wasteland Witch Sect had been the one to alert everyone to stop, hide their presence, and avoid the eyes of the soaring divine eagle above.

Years ago, the Tang Court had sealed off a Void Gateway that led from the Southern Wasteland to the Land of the Deep Sea, removing a major threat for both the Tang and the Witch Sect.

But with no external enemies, the Tang Court began to infiltrate the Southern Wasteland. As the native power there, the Witch Sect naturally grew wary.

Thanks to Lei Jun of Mount Longhu, who mediated between the two sides, no large-scale bloodshed broke out again. Under Witch Sect control, the Southern Wasteland entered a period of rest and recovery, and violent conflicts diminished.

The Tang Court also showed restraint in further expanding southward.

Though the Witch Sect still held suspicions toward the Tang Imperial Clan, they reciprocated goodwill. With the Tianshi Mansion half mediating and half guaranteeing peace, a small number of Witch Sect elites began to head north during the Lone Eagle Khanate's full-scale incursion.

Most were mid- to low-level cultivators.
The most powerful among them was Elder Yang Haolong, an Eighth Heaven cultivator of the Reincarnation Abyss.

He did not reveal himself publicly, but moved in secret with Shen Qubing, finally confirming the exact location of the Void Gateway used by the Lone Eagle Khanate.

Their mission was twofold: to harass the Khanate’s rear and to scout the environment around the Void Gateway for future sealing, or even ambush any foreign enemies returning through it.

The group advanced once again, heading toward Mount Boyan from below the ravine.

Sensing proximity to enemy sentries, the Tang warriors stopped once they were within an ideal striking range.

Without hesitation, Shen Qubing gave the order and charged out himself.

In the blink of an eye, he reached the base of Mount Boyan, heading straight for the enemy commander.

Even though his opponent was also a warrior of the Eighth Heaven, the Lone Eagle Khanate general barely had time to react.

The warning of an ambush had just risen in his heart, but Shen Qubing had already arrived—a flash so fast it made the similarly ranked cultivator’s vision blur.

Their figures passed in a blur.
The Khanate warrior’s body trembled—half his body was drenched in blood!

Shen Qubing never stopped, immediately lunging at the next target.

Behind him, the other Tang warriors followed in waves.

Yang Haolong and Yu Cheng brought up the rear.

When Shen Qubing was at the Seventh Heaven, his Tai Ting Celestial Physique could already summon Tai Ting Celestial Thunder, emitting dazzling white light.

Now that he had reached the Eighth Heaven, that white lightning had disappeared into his flesh. He no longer looked as flashy—but both his speed and destructive power were leagues above before.

Watching his figure flash like a teleporting blade, Yang Haolong couldn’t help feeling a chill.

But he didn't lag behind.
The Cursing Arts Lineage of the Witch Sect unfolded its silent methods, striking at the foreign enemies.

The Tang cultivators charged.
The Azure Dragon Windhowlers, instead of aiding the foreign cultivators, fell into chaos.

Without a dedicated master for each, it was already a miracle they stayed calm most of the time.

Now, under assault and startled, their tamed instincts gave way to wild fury.

Everyone before them—was an enemy.
Even each other became targets.

Under Mount Boyan, chaos erupted into a full-blown brawl.

Shen Qubing, like a spear’s razor edge, pierced the enemy lines. The other Tang warriors followed close behind.

After cutting through, he circled back, even managing to intercept and slay enemies charging toward Yang Haolong and Yu Cheng at the rear.

Then, he charged again.

After several passes, the enemy formation crumbled—casualties soared.

Aside from a handful of scattered mounted warriors fleeing in all directions, the rest were decimated by Shen Qubing and the elite Divine Strategy Army.

The enemy counterattacks were fierce.
But the Tang warriors wore refined armor made from the finest spiritual materials of the empire, minimizing casualties.

Plus, Yu Cheng and other physicians were there for immediate treatment.

By the battle’s end, though all were blood-soaked, injuries were surprisingly light.

“General Shen, your cultivation is truly exceptional. I, Yang, am in awe.” said Yang Haolong calmly.

Shen Qubing didn’t respond.

Yang Haolong knew he wasn’t being rude. Looking closer, he saw the tall warrior's gaze was fixed ahead, deep in thought.

“After so many battles, the spiritual energy here has become chaotic. Sealing this Void Gateway will not be easy. We’ll need to bring in a large number of rare treasures from the south...” Yang Haolong started.

But Shen Qubing suddenly asked:

“Elder Yang, Master Yu—what do you think of heading to the other side of the portal?”

Both men were stunned.

Another officer of the Divine Strategy Army chuckled:

“So that’s why the general went out of his way to capture prisoners and interrogate them!”

Shen Qubing added:

“There’s a saying... ‘If the enemy can invade, so can we.’”

Yu Cheng, stunned at first, gave a wry smile:

“General, they have multiple Ninth Heaven Martial Saints... not just one...”

Shen Qubing pointed at the Void Gateway under Mount Boyan:

“But right now, most of them aren’t over there. What they do have are beast ranches and slave camps.”

Yang Haolong and Yu Cheng looked at each other.

Shen Qubing, though known for his straightforwardness, had long tempered himself in war. He wasn’t a reckless berserker.

“Sure, we’re few in number and lack reinforcements, but we don’t need to fight head-on. The world is vast. And from what we know, the Lone Eagle Khanate has other enemies on the other side too.”

He swept his eyes across the Tang warriors.
Everyone’s eyes lit up with fighting spirit:

“Just give the order, General. We’ll follow you to sweep through those foreign savages!”

Shen Qubing laughed:

“So? All that language training you grumbled about—looks like it’s finally useful, huh?”

A familiar commander chuckled:

“We can barely hold a conversation—unlike you, General. I still don’t know how you learned the southern Nine Li dialect, and now even the northern ones...”

Shen Qubing adjusted his helmet:

“You all say it’s hard. I don’t think it’s hard at all...”

Yang Haolong, after a long silence, finally said:

“I may be unworthy, but since I’ve come north, I won’t back down. At worst, I die alongside a noble cause. Besides, General Shen has proven himself time and time again—I saw it myself in the Battle of the Deep Sea.”

Yu Cheng sighed.

He had just tagged along to help.

His Hui Tiantang clinic back in the capital was thriving—and now he had to risk his life?

...Well. Why not.

He was still a martial cultivator.

“As Elder Yang said, I too will risk my life for this.” he said with resolve.

Shen Qubing waved them off:

“I’m no noble cause. I should be the one thanking you both.”

With the decision made, he said no more.
He sent a brief message back to the Tang via relay, and led his men into the Void Gateway, stepping into the Lone Eagle Khanate’s world.

Seeing the snake-headed figure with four eyes, Tang Xiaotang wasn’t surprised. She sneered,

“So it really is you, Four-Eyed Python Emperor!”

She glanced at the Vajra Division Master, and her expression turned even colder.

“You people… still think you can convert others?”

The Vajra Division Master, Jialuotu, had manifested his Vajra Body in Wrathful Aspect, yet his gaze remained calm.

Because their opportunities were limited, the Vajra Division had always targeted highly talented individuals.

But at times, depending on the situation, they were willing to make exceptions.

A Ninth Heaven great demon acting as a guardian was worth making an exception for.

That was how they’d gained another chance today to try converting Tang Xiaotang.

The Vajra Master was very pleased with Master Renzhu and Master Jiasheng’s decisions back then.

Converting the Four-Eyed Python Emperor had been a stroke of brilliance.

They had kept the Four-Eyed Python Emperor hidden within Vajra Monastery, out of sight, for this exact moment—when he could emerge unexpectedly and strike a decisive blow.

Although Tang Xiaotang’s extraordinary perception had ruined some of their original plans,

now, with the Vajra Division Master—a Ninth Heaven Perfection Realm monk—and the Four-Eyed Python Emperor, who had achieved Ninth Heaven Dharma Body, working together, they still believed they could overpower her with sheer force.

“Buddha is merciful. I cross over all those with karmic affinity. If the donor takes refuge, I will return to Mount Sumeru for seclusion,” said the Vajra Master.

The snake-headed monk with four eyes, named Monk Maga, looked peaceful and solemn, radiant with sacred dignity.

He spoke in a calm voice:

“This humble monk has let go of all past worldly attachments. Today, I join hands with my master to guide the donor into our Buddhist sect. Though it is two against one, I ask the donor’s forgiveness for any disrespect.”

With that, he formed hand seals and stomped his foot.

His figure trembled and transformed—shedding his human form to reveal his true shape: a massive python, shimmering with golden light across a pure cyan body.

Despite his immense size, he shot upward like a lightning bolt, coiling around the Pure Yang Ark floating in the sky.

The enormous golden-cyan python bound the ark, then opened its massive maw toward Tang Xiaotang.

“Heh.”

Tang Xiaotang stared calmly at the Vajra Master, not even glancing at the giant snake’s open jaws behind her. She merely scoffed.

Far above, in the distant sky, a phantom mirror hovered—its image faint and otherworldly.

Within the Grand Celestial Mirror, the image of the Four-Eyed Python Emperor wrapped around the ark was displayed in perfect detail.

In an extremely remote location, Lei Jun’s twin pupils shone with the light of the Celestial Ground-Through Talisman, allowing him to see even the number of scales on the creature’s body.

Though they were separated by a vast distance—well beyond the casting range of most Talismanic Daoists—

For Lei Jun, it was still within range.

He had stationed himself along the river precisely so that, no matter where the enemy appeared—east or west—he could reach either side quickly with minimal movement.

Even under tight time constraints, he could stay still and still strike first.

Just like now—

Above Lei Jun, multiple talismans floated quietly, circulating with power.

The Celestial Ground-Through Talisman resonated with the distant Grand Celestial Mirror in the sky.

On either side of him hovered the Thunder Law Talismanic Canon and the Mysterious Firmament Five Thunder Talisman, unleashing both masculine Purple Lightning and ominous Mysterious Thunder, with thunderclaps and dragon roars echoing together.

Their power fed into his Two-Element Celestial Talisman.

Not one—but twelve of them.

Twelve Two-Element Celestial Talismans, arranged in two diagonal rows of six, rising like twin rails before him.

Between them, a powerful magnetic force gathered—focused, not spilling outward.

Suspended in that gap was a single Tianshi Sword, shimmering with violet light, gently trembling.

The sword's tip pointed skyward. With the magnetic force intensifying, space around it began to distort.

The mountain around Lei Jun shook as stone cliffs collapsed.

He remained calm, precisely aiming through the link between the Celestial Ground-Through Talisman and the Celestial Mirror.

When the magnetic force peaked—

The thunder and dragon roars abruptly vanished.

So too did the Tianshi Sword.

Only a tearing hum remained in the air—like space being ripped open.

A streak of purple light flashed across the sky and disappeared into the distance.

At that moment, the Vajra Division Master held a strange ritual bell in hand. His Vajra Body withstood the onslaught of Pure Yang Thunderfire as he advanced toward Tang Xiaotang.

“So this is your so-called unique method of bypassing the ‘One Path, No Second’ principle?” Tang Xiaotang sneered in disgust.

Nine suns flared around her, blocking the massive jaws of the python lunging from behind.

“You harbor many misunderstandings about me and our sect,” the Four-Eyed Python Emperor said.

“I have not lost my mind. I embraced the Buddhist path willingly, seeking greater enlightenment. You, too, possess peerless talent—your potential will only soar higher…”

Before he could finish, a sudden sense of danger struck him.

As a member of the Hand Seal Techniques Lineage, with a Ninth Heaven Dharma Body, the Four-Eyed Python Emperor had sharp spiritual perception.

But even as the feeling arose, a faint streak of purple light glimmered in the sky.

“Retreat!” the Vajra Master shouted, lunging forward.

If the threat were targeting him, he might dodge or defend.

But it was aimed at the newly transformed Four-Eyed Python Emperor—and not even the Vajra Master could reach him in time.

The purple light blinked—and struck in an instant.

Just as the python tried to uncoil from the Pure Yang Ark,

his body shuddered violently!

A bolt of fierce purple lightning descended from the heavens.

It was like divine punishment!

The enormous body of the Four-Eyed Python Emperor was split clean in two by the raging thunderbolt!

Far away, Master Dongda, who had turned back to watch, was left dumbfounded.

He caught a glimpse of a dazzling sword light falling from the sky, trailing thunderfire like a comet tail.

“…”

Dongda stood frozen, watching the explosion of thunder and flame consume the Four-Eyed Python Emperor.

“…”

The Vajra Master, still holding the ritual bell, finally caught up—but his steps slowed.

He silently gazed at the protector he had painstakingly converted—now cleaved in two by a single sword.