Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 366: The general trend will be established

In the early years, he once made a deal within the Heavenly Book Universe with the Solar Luminary—that is, the Empress—in exchange for Earth Soul Flame Heart, so he could rapidly cultivate the Fire Law Talismanic Canon and attain the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Apparition as soon as possible.

Since then, when she saw him later master both the Mysterious Firmament Thunder Ancestor Apparition and the Nine Heavens Thunder Ancestor Apparition, the Empress must’ve started suspecting something.

That’s why, during a previous imperial reward granted to the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, one of the treasures offered was something called the Primordial Dual Essence. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed tailor-made for Lei Jun.

If that was just a guess at the time, then this time, with the reward of Heaven and Earth Reversal, it basically confirmed that the Tang Imperial Family had already determined Lei Tianshi’s bone structure to be the Two-Element Celestial Physique.

Lei Jun smiled faintly and set aside the Heaven and Earth Reversal for safekeeping.

Among the other items, the most precious were the Nine-Turn Star Radiance, the Earth Lung Crystal, and the Golden Stamen Vermilion Flower.

The Nine-Turn Star Radiance didn’t have any specific user in mind. For those from the Tianshi Mansion who cultivated the Doumu Star God Apparition, it was universally beneficial.

Even for cultivators at the Middle Three Heavens, as long as they practiced Stepping the Big Dipper, refining this treasure would be a huge help.

However, cultivators at that level generally couldn’t handle the spiritual energy within, and only refining part of it would be a waste.

It was a spiritual item suited for those cultivating the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Apparition—extremely beneficial for cultivation.

From that angle, although there were multiple suitable users, the imperial court clearly had considerations.

During this war against the Lone Eagle Khanate’s invasion and the rebellion of the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru, the Tianshi Mansion deployed participants north and west. Besides Lei Jun and the Tang Court’s National Preceptor Tang Xiaotang, there were also two High-Ranking Elders, Chu Kun and Zhang Jingzhen.

Chu Kun cultivated the Life Canon and attained the Doumu Star God Apparition, while Zhang Jingzhen cultivated the Fire Law Talismanic Canon and attained the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Apparition.

In some sense, the Nine-Turn Star Radiance and the Earth Lung Crystal were meant for them.

Although there was no explicit rule in the Tianshi Mansion, Lei Jun and the others tacitly acknowledged that in such cases, Chu Kun and Zhang Jingzhen had the right of first refusal.

If they didn’t claim the items, they would be placed in the Treasure Pavilion.

As for the Golden Stamen Vermilion Flower, it would be sent directly to the Medicinal Garden for cultivation.

“Let’s place the Nine-Turn Star Radiance in the Treasure Pavilion,” said Chu Kun with a smile. “This credit mostly belongs to you and Senior Sister Tang. The rest of us can’t really claim any merit—at best, we did hard work, but compared to Sister Zhang and the others who got injured, we didn’t even do that much.”

Lei Jun handed the Shrunken Pouch back to Chu Kun: “Junior Brother, what you did was far from just grunt work. Without your funding, Little Senior Sister and I would’ve had to fight differently—and the outcome might’ve been very different.”

They had won this war, but Chu Kun’s retirement savings took a major hit.

“Steel should be used on the blade,” Chu Kun replied, taking the pouch. “It was just my backup stash anyway. I’ll slowly build it up again. If I really can’t save enough, then Senior Brother, allow me to learn more from our Senior Brother.”

Lei Jun chuckled. “Rather than you learning from Senior Brother, I’d better help you build it up again.”

The two exchanged lighthearted banter, before Lei Jun shook his head: “Too bad the best items in this batch of rewards—the Heaven and Earth Reversal and the Pure Yang Heart Blood—aren’t suitable for you. Only the Nine-Turn Star Radiance works. Then there’s the Taiyu Stone from last time.”

A few years ago, during the suppression of the Mortal Daoist Nation and the retreat of Inner Shushan, the Tang Imperial Court had rewarded the Tianshi Mansion with three Taiyu Stones.

These treasures were incredibly useful for cultivators of the Talismanic Branch at the Upper Three Heavens.

Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen took one, Lei Jun took another, and one still remained.

The usual practice was that if a treasure didn’t have a specific recipient, whoever was most likely to advance would take it.

Tang Xiaotang, Yuan Mobai, and Yao Yuan had all explicitly declined.

Thus, the last Taiyu Stone was still at the Tianshi Mansion, likely reserved for one of the other High-Ranking Elders.

Chu Kun smiled: “Compared to the Nine-Turn Star Radiance, the Taiyu Stone would actually help me more—but right now, that’s not my focus.”

Lei Jun: “Oh? What do you mean?”

Chu Kun didn’t hide anything. “Just like Senior Sister Tang, I’m one step away. Of course, she’s aiming for the Primordial Dao Body, while I’m just aiming for a Celestial Physique. Not quite the same tier.”

Lei Jun recalled what he’d read in various ancient texts. “There’s no precedent for upgrading the Celestial Constellation Sacred Physique. There’s no record of how, or to what it could evolve. Among known Innate Celestial Physiques, the only possible matches would be... the Cosmic Celestial Physique or the Celestial River Physique?”

“Celestial River Physique,” Chu Kun confirmed. “I’ve been working on it quietly for years. Of course, guessing blindly wouldn’t work—but with a few lucky finds for comparison, I think there’s a real chance.”

Lei Jun: “So what’s the last thing you’re missing?”

Chu Kun: “I’m looking for a spiritual item called Earth Surge Celestial Star, but there’s been no lead so far.”

Lei Jun thought for a moment. “Yeah, it hasn’t shown up for thousands of years. And not just in our realm—far as I know, it hasn’t been seen in the Song Mortal Realm or the Ming Mortal Realm either.”

Shen Qubing had visited the Song Mortal Realm.

Nie Fang came from Tianli and had read some records on the Ming side.

Lei Jun often exchanged information with them, asking about rare items even if he didn’t need them personally—just to expand his information network.

“I spoke with Daoist Nie from Xuanji Monastery—definitely none in Tianli, and while the Ming Mortal Realm isn’t confirmed, there hasn’t been any record of it there either.”

Chu Kun said calmly, “It doesn’t matter. As Master taught us—cultivators follow Heaven’s will and act according to fate.”

Lei Jun: “I won’t be leaving the mountain anytime soon. I’ll let Senior Sister and Little Senior Sister know—maybe they’ll run into something out there.”

Sumeru.

After a bout of chaos, the Nine Heavens’ Sumeru had finally begun to return to peace.

The flooding Ganges flowed back into its original course.

The earlier rampaging floodwaters had receded.

Numerous monks came and went, clearing away the piles of mud and silt.

On the land that once belonged to the Miaoxi Pure Land of the Vajra Division, devastation was everywhere.

A few monks stood amid the wreckage, sorrow written across their faces.

Though they were all cloaked in kasayas, the inner linings of their robes differed in color—marking which of the five divisions of the Vajra Realm in Sumeru they belonged to.

The Five Division Colors: White for the Buddha Division, Red for the Lotus Division, Blue for the Vajra Division, Yellow for the Treasure Division, and Green for the Karma Division (also known as the Action Division).

Now, at the ruins of the Miaoxi Pure Land, monks could be seen with white, red, yellow, and green linings.

But none bore the blue of the Vajra Division.

A group of monks sighed as they cleaned up the charred remnants left behind by the rampaging thunder and fire.

One monk from the Treasure Division left and made his way to the foot of a golden-glowing divine mountain at the center of Sumeru.

The light radiating from Mount Sumeru had finally regained stability.

At the mountain’s base stood three monks.

One of them, a thin and gaunt figure, was none other than Vandata, the head of the Treasure Division.

The monk arrived and first saluted Vandata, then bowed to the other two monks. “Masters.”

The other two were a striking pair—one looked like a youthful boy, delicate and handsome, with a constant gentle smile and a noble, sacred demeanor.

The other had the appearance of a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man—towering over the others, and though his features were frightfully ugly, he exuded a sense of tranquility, wisdom, and completeness.

“The Three Great Treasures of the Vajra Division have been destroyed. What’s more, nearly all disciples of the Vajra Division have perished or been gravely wounded. The scriptures housed within the Miaoxi Pure Land have been scattered or lost as well,” the Treasure Division monk reported softly.

The Buddha Division’s youthful leader maintained his smile, his tone calm and soothing:

“There may still be hope for the scriptures. What matters now is rescuing the surviving disciples of the Vajra Division.”

“Yes, Master,” the monk responded and quietly withdrew.

After he left, the towering monk—the head of the Karma Division—spoke up: “There are still a few members of the Vajra Division scattered across that realm known as the Tang Mortal Realm. But both Sumeru’s and the Song Mortal Realm’s void gateways leading to it are currently sealed. We can’t retrieve them.”

It was obvious the Tang Dynasty would continue pursuing and eliminating the remnants of the Vajra Division in their realm.

With the gateways closed, the chances of survival for those stranded disciples grew slimmer by the day.

The Buddha Division’s master said, “We can’t find another way into the Tang Mortal Realm from elsewhere either, for now.”

Vandata of the Treasure Division added, “Then for the time being, we must rebuild the Vajra Division from within Sumeru and restore the Five Divisions of the Vajra Realm.”

The Buddha Division master nodded. “Very well. I’ll begin the arrangements immediately. In the meantime, I’ll leave Mount Sumeru in your care.”

Both Vandata and the Karma Division master responded in unison, “Understood, Junior Brother.”

In Sumeru’s Buddhist system, daily affairs were handled by the Five Divisions of the Vajra Realm: Buddha, Lotus, Vajra, Treasure, and Karma.

These also corresponded with the Womb Realm, which emphasized the virtues of Great Calmness, Great Compassion, and Great Wisdom, mapping to the Buddha, Lotus, and Vajra Divisions respectively.

The Buddha Division was the gateway of serenity, the Lotus Division represented mercy, and the Vajra Division embodied wisdom—thus, the deities of both the Vajra Realm and the Womb Realm could be categorized within these three.

Furthermore, the Buddha Division was known for achieving the dual perfections of benefiting self and others. Within it were two sub-divisions: the Treasure Division (the self-attaining side, connected to the Void Treasury Hall), and the Karma Division (the altruistic side, connected to the Shakyamuni Hall).

In short, the variations between the Five Divisions and the Three of the Womb Realm lay in how they opened and unfolded.

Had it been the Treasure or Karma Division that fell this time, the damage, while severe, would have been recoverable so long as the Buddha Division remained intact.

But the destruction of the Vajra Division caused one corner of both the Vajra Realm and the Womb Realm to collapse simultaneously—restoration would be anything but easy.

The Buddha Division’s leader could only move forward slowly and steadily.

At the same time, no matter how urgent, they couldn’t afford to neglect Mount Sumeru.

As things stood, the operations of the Buddha, Treasure, and Karma Divisions in the various Mortal Realms would inevitably suffer.

The fall of the Vajra Division wasn’t just its own misfortune—it was a blow to the future of all five divisions, and to Sumeru itself.

Apart from the Lotus Division Master, who was still tied up with critical events in the Song Mortal Realm, the other division heads had returned to Sumeru immediately.

But the Miaoxi Pure Land had collapsed sooner than expected, and they hadn’t made it back in time.

“Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, the Talismanic Branch...” muttered the Karma Division Master, standing at the base of Mount Sumeru, glancing back toward the ruins of the Miaoxi Pure Land and the Ganges.

“Their methods don’t feel very... Daoist,” he said with a frown.

Vandata nodded slightly. “I had the same impression.”

The Karma Division Master continued, “Let’s revisit this later in detail. For now, let’s focus on rebuilding Mount Sumeru.”

Vandata nodded silently.

This place, after all, was the very heart of Sumeru.

The rise of the Buddhist Mudra Lineage within Sumeru owed everything to this sacred mountain.

As long as this foundation remained, the Five Divisions of the Vajra Realm could one day regain their strength.

Yet...

Vandata couldn’t help recalling the man and woman who had spearheaded the counterattack into Sumeru. A shadow crossed his mind.

He wasn’t thinking about avenging the Vajra Division.

But judging from how hostile those two were toward the Vajra Division—and Sumeru Buddhism as a whole—it was hard to imagine the remaining four divisions getting along with them in the future.

Be it due to past grudges or future conflict—they were dangerous enemies.

In the rear hall, Elder Fang was personally receiving a small group of guests.

But every guest in the rear hall carried significant weight.

There was Chu Lin, the eldest son of Elder Chu—the former patriarch of the Suzhou Chu Clan—and currently the Grand Chancellor of the Secretariat. Then there was Elder Ye Zhuo from the Ye Clan of Qingzhou, and Princess Zhang Qiongrong of Dongping.

Also present was Fang Huansheng, father of Fang Zhu. After being injured in the Northern Frontier War, he stepped down from the frontlines. Instead of returning to the Fang Clan's ancestral land in Jingxiang, he stayed in Luoyang to recover.

Compared to the lively, festive atmosphere in the front hall, the rear hall was somber and serious.

As host, Fang Hezhou spoke in a calm tone: “His Highness, Prince Zhao, is about to leave the capital and return to Youzhou.”

Everyone nodded slightly, but no one spoke.

A long silence followed, until Elder Ye Zhuo of the Qingzhou Ye Clan finally broke it with a soft voice:

“Could it... still be a ruse?”

Fang Hezhou gently shook his head. “Not likely.”

His gaze swept across everyone before him as he let out a sigh. “If Her Majesty is truly in good health, then the momentum is with her. She no longer needs to fake injury.”

Everyone present understood the implication behind his words.

The so-called “momentum” wasn't just about the Empress’s personal strength—it was comprehensive.

The most critical factor was the Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu.

That place had consecutively produced three top-tier cultivators.

Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang were both bona fide Ninth Heaven cultivators with overwhelming power—no further elaboration needed.

But the game-changer was Lei Jun.

Over the years, Lei Jun had gradually proven himself. Even at the Perfection Stage of the Eighth Heaven, he was already on par with those in the Ninth Heaven.

And in the recent campaign to wipe out Buddhism in the Western Region, Lei Jun demonstrated he could not only hold his own against a Ninth Heaven cultivator—but possibly even kill one.

That was a significant turning point.

Until now, key figures from major noble families—including Prince Zhao, Zhang Teng—had deliberately avoided appearing in the same place. That way, if one was suppressed, the others could act freely.

“Acting freely” didn’t mean rescuing one another, but rather moving unrestrained once the burden of caution was removed.

This mutual understanding preserved a delicate balance and deterred the Tang Court from taking them down one by one.

But now, even with all the decentralization, the Empress’s forces were almost fully in place.

And when you say she’s got the numbers, it doesn’t just mean one-on-one matchups—it means being on the offensive.

If worst came to worst, Zhang Teng, Ye Moquan, Ye Yan, Chu Xiuyuan, and Fang Jingsheng could try to retreat.

But for the Tang Court to achieve a total, risk-free victory, they’d need to win in all five battlefronts—flawlessly. Only then could they guarantee Ye Moquan and the others had no chance of escape.

In that case, the smarter choice for Ye Yan, Ye Moquan, and the rest would be to surrender right away rather than resist.

The only reason they hadn’t done that yet... was because that point hadn’t been reached.

But if the Tianshi Mansion fully sided with Empress Zhang Wantong, and the heads started getting counted, the situation would become crystal clear.

Zhang Wantong herself.

Xu Yuanzhen.

Tang Xiaotang.

And then... Lei Jun.

That lineup was enough to make even someone like Fang Huansheng or Chu Lin wake up in a cold sweat.

Lei Jun was still at the Eighth Heaven, and he already had that kind of presence. Who among them dared doubt he could break through to the Ninth?

They all exchanged glances, saying nothing aloud—but their eyes confirmed the same thought.

No one questioned whether the current Tianshi could ascend to the Ninth Heaven as a Great Ascension Daoist Sage.

In fact, most believed it was just around the corner.

Even now, if Lei Jun wanted, he could temporarily lend out the Three Treasures of the Tianshi Mansion.

Not to Xu Yuanzhen or Tang Xiaotang, but to his master, Yuan Mobai.

If the Tianshi Mansion went all-in—deploying its full potential even while split across battlefronts—they could all hold their own.

And when you add in those on the Empress’s side who wield the Dangkou Golden Halberd, Mountain and River Sword, and Righteous Sword—like Shangguan Yunbo, Xiao Xueting, and Xiao Hang—the picture becomes terrifying.

Zhang Wantong, Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, and Lei Jun—each commanding a front.

Everyone else gathering to crush the fifth.

Without external threats in play, the conditions for the Empress to spark a full-scale civil war in Tang were nearly ripe.

That is, if both she and Lei Jun were in peak condition.

That’s why Fang Hezhou said she no longer needed to feign injury.

If the Empress were unharmed, then the nation’s fortune would remain stable. The Void Gateways wouldn’t reopen across regions, and the odds of foreign invasion would drop drastically.

In that case, the only thing in her way would be Lei Jun’s recovery—and Xu Yuanzhen still being in the Eastern Sea at Penglai.

“Senior Xu of the Tianshi Mansion isn’t trapped in Penglai,” Chu Lin said at that point. “If anything, the real uncertainty is whether she’ll respond to a summons from Her Majesty.”

Princess Zhang Qiongrong asked, “Has your father, Elder Chu, returned from overseas? He hasn’t gone back to Suzhou?”

Chu Lin nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”

The Empress’s numbers were dangerously close to complete.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiuyuan and Ye Yan both made immediate decisions—Chu Xiuyuan feigned illness and left the overseas Penglai region, separating himself from Ye Yan.

Despite doubts about the Empress’s health, neither of them was willing to take risks.

From that moment on, Chu Xiuyuan’s whereabouts became a mystery. He didn’t even return to the Chu Clan’s ancestral land in Suzhou.

Of course, that couldn’t become the norm.

While Ye Yan, Fang Jingsheng, and Ye Moquan didn’t go to such extremes, they were all making backup plans.

“Xu Yuanzhen might not obey Her Majesty,” said Elder Ye Zhuo of Qingzhou. “Back in the day, after the Youzhou and Jinzhou incidents, she never went after the Lin Clan of Youzhou or the Ye Clan of Cangzhou.”

Chu Lin added, “Among the Tianshi Mansion trio—Xu, Tang, and Lei—Xu is the most inscrutable.

“Lei is actually relatively calm. All his major moves have been directed at rogue Daoist nations and the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru. He’s detached and indifferent, seemingly uninterested in power. Ironically, that may make him the hardest for Her Majesty to directly control.

“Tang, on the other hand, is easily provoked and deeply indebted to Her Majesty. She’s the most likely to charge ahead for her—but the twist is, both Xu and Lei are close to her.”

Silence once again fell over the rear hall.

“If the Tianshi Mansion could stay neutral, none of this would matter,” said Fang Huansheng, who had remained quiet until now.

“I hope so too,” he added, “but... we can’t pin all our hopes there. Better to prepare for the worst.”

Fang Jingsheng, Ye Yan, and the others couldn't afford to gather in one place.

But those currently here—representing Suzhou, Jingxiang, Qingzhou, and parts of the royal family opposing the Empress—could act as their proxies.

“The worst-case scenario,” Fang Huansheng sighed, “might also be the best opportunity... and perhaps the last.”

Give it a few more years, and even if the Empress was injured now, she’d likely recover.

Lei Jun would heal too—and possibly ascend to the Ninth Heaven.

And on the noble families’ side, after Lin Huan of the Youzhou Lin Clan had her rise interrupted, the person with the most potential to reach the Ninth Heaven was Chu Zhe—the third son of Chu Xiuyuan and younger brother of Chu Lin.

Then there’s... Chu Yu and Xiao Xueting.

Both of them stood with the Empress.

So how were they supposed to wait?

Most of those present were already at odds with the Vajra Division, and outright enemies with the Lone Eagle Khanate.

But they had to admit, both of those forces acted at just the right moment.

If they hadn’t disrupted things when they did, once the Empress’s momentum became unstoppable, guess who’d be the first to get steamrolled?

Exactly.

The Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans had ridden the waves of history for generations.

But this time... Fang Huansheng and the others could feel it.

The tide wasn’t just passing over them—it was crashing down on them.

Thankfully, the Lone Eagle Khanate and the Vajra Division had taken the first hit.

Unfortunately, neither was a viable ally...

“Some signs are already beginning to show,” Fang Hezhou said. “The Void Gateway at Mount Boyan in the Northern Frontier is proving hard to seal. The one at Dihai of the Southern Wasteland is showing signs of instability. The national fortune... is indeed in decline.”

Ye Zhuo from Qingzhou said, “No matter what, the Crown Prince must ascend the throne openly and rightfully.”

And they, too, must be open and righteous—supporting the realm, advising the government, taking charge of a region, and bringing benefit to the people.

Fang Hezhou nodded. “Naturally.”

Even if they suspected the Empress might truly be injured, no one would be foolish enough to walk up and test it personally.

Not when Tang Xiaotang was still around, and Xu Yuanzhen might return from the Eastern Sea at any moment.

The task of toppling the regime had to fall to someone else.

The new ruler to replace the Empress had to be one who could “set things right.”

Still seated, Fang Hezhou glanced northeast. “That prince in Youzhou is probably thinking the same.”

There might be irreconcilable conflicts between the two sides—but before that, they shared many unspoken understandings.

“Will His Highness the Crown Prince make it in time?” Chu Lin asked softly.

Ye Zhuo replied confidently, “Within three years.”

Fang Huansheng followed up, “So... it’s true.”

Ye Zhuo nodded. “He’s brimming with talent, blessed by divine insight. After forty years of nurturing Righteous Qi, now is the moment when all that quiet preparation erupts.”

And it wasn’t just Righteous Qi.

He also carried the Qi of the National Dragon Vein.

Fang Hezhou looked intently at Ye Zhuo. “And His Highness’ exact thoughts...?”

Ye Zhuo answered, “The imperial mind is much the same across history. We naturally understand it.”

Fang Hezhou gave a small nod.

Ye Zhuo continued, “All we ask is for a reign like those of the founding emperor, Emperor Taizong, and Emperor Gaozong. As long as it’s not like the late emperor or the current one, we’re content.”

He turned to look at Princess Zhang Qiongrong and gave her a slight nod.

Zhang Qiongrong was direct: “For us, a reign like during the late emperor’s time would be enough. Of course, right now, this is a cooperation—we should prioritize common ground.”

Everyone present nodded in agreement.

The dissatisfaction of Zhang Qiongrong, Shangguan Zhengqing, and others had a simple root.

Compared to the Imperial Academy, the Divine Strategy Army was where the Empress made her biggest changes.

The control that the Zhang Imperial Clan and the Shangguan Family had over the army had been declining year after year.

The most recent example?

The Divine Strategy troops led by Shen Qubing, who charged into the Red Sun Grassland, were all commoners and civilians by birth.

Yet their supply, training, and even equipment rivaled what the imperial clans could only dream of.

In the recent war against the Lone Eagle Khanate, captured prisoners mentioned how the Khanate’s troops lacked quality gear.

Truth be told, Tang was facing the same shortage. Although recent surges in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy had brought back powerful natural treasures, elite gear for high-level martial cultivators was still in short supply.

But that unit under Shen Qubing?

They were practically armed to the teeth...

Later, after sending off Zhang Qiongrong, Chu Lin, and Ye Zhuo, Fang Hezhou and Fang Huansheng remained where they were.

Sometime after, Fang Zhu returned from seeing off the guests.

“Uncle-grandfather. Father.”

Fang Hezhou smiled. “Something on your mind?”

Fang Zhu hesitated. “Her Majesty must be mindful of external threats. But for us and the Crown Prince... isn’t this perhaps too risky?”

Fang Hezhou sighed but said nothing.

Fang Huansheng answered instead. “You’ve long been aware of the situation within Tianli, haven’t you?”

Fang Zhu replied, “Yes. I’ve studied all the intel from each region.”

Fang Huansheng nodded. “We could follow in the footsteps of the Xiao Clan of Longxi and the Southern Lin Clan. But in the end, we’d become like those prestigious families in Tianli—still scholarly, yes, but not like those who’ve been bound to the nation’s Fortune of Mountains and Rivers.”

He patted Fang Zhu’s shoulder. “Behind us is a great clan, not just a small household.

“True, in a total collapse, no egg remains unbroken. But with Tenth and Thirteenth Sons already out in the world, if we look ahead—thinking not just in years but in centuries and millennia—the worst case is our great clan becomes a mere household.

“And so, we must try to seize a better outcome, one where we preserve the family. As for the risks... they’re inevitable. All we can do is carry them with resolve.”

His tone was calm, as if speaking of matters that had nothing to do with him.

Fang Hezhou and Fang Zhu both fell silent.

Mount Longhu, Tianshi Mansion.

Lei Jun was quietly nurturing his magical treasures and spirit items.

The mountain was peaceful.

But news was continuously arriving from beyond the mountain.

The newly sealed Void Gateways in the Western Region and Mount Boyan in the Northern Frontier were currently stable.

The Yellow Springs Gateway in Nanzhao was sealed from the opposite side by Inner Shushan—currently calm.

But several older Void Gateways had begun stirring.

Most notably:

• The Dihai Void Gateway in the Southern Wasteland was unstable.

• The Tianli Void Gateway in the Eastern Sea was in flux.

• The Luoyuan Gateway in the Northern Sea was unsteady.

• The Yellow Springs Spring beneath Shushan’s Xiaoding was rumbling.

• During the Lone Eagle Khanate’s previous incursions, the Void Gateways at Greater and Lesser Pass Mountains and on Guyu Plains had also shown signs of destabilization.

In the Northern Frontier, the Black Mountain Lord, a powerful demon, had reemerged—likely a Ninth Heaven-level threat.

In the Southern Wasteland, the Nine-Winged Golden Centipede was active again, and many demons were approaching human settlements.

In the Eastern Sea, monstrous beings were causing frequent tsunamis—but due to the complex ocean conditions, the identity of the threat remained unconfirmed.