Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 372: What is the Extraterritorial Devil?

Outside the Yellow Springs, in the Tang Mortal Realm.

Lei Jun, still in the guise of "Chen Donglou," stood with Tang Xiaotang, Fang Jingsheng, Xiao Hang, and others at the site of the recently vanished portal to the Yellow Springs, carefully studying the changes in the spatial rift.

From the Tang Imperial Court, Prince Xiang Zhang Luo arrived after personally handling the displaced villagers attacked by Li Linxue and the others.

Zhang Taigang, Ji Chuan, and Xie Yiying reappeared one after another from Qingxiao Hall.

“Martial Uncle Chen,” Zhang Taigang asked softly, “that bone ark… it seems to be tied to the leader of the Yellow Springs sect?”

“Chen Donglou” replied casually, “It was his Life-bound Artifact, forged after he broke through to the Ninth Heaven.”

Zhang Taigang nodded repeatedly. “Then with the ark sunk, that villain must be suffering too.”

Though the Tang Shushan Sect uniformly condemned the Yellow Springs branch as wicked and corrupt, there was no denying their lineage belonged to the Daoist Artifact Refining Sect.

As such, destroying a Life-bound Artifact would certainly inflict serious internal backlash. Even if Ji Yao had a perfected Loose Immortal Body, the destruction of his artifact would still rock him to the core.

Despite being enemies, the Tang Shushan Sect acknowledged Ji Yao’s extraordinary cultivation and talents.

The Whitebone Divine Vessel he forged was indeed on par with treasures like the Five Decays Dao Bell and the current Qingxiao Hall.

But considering the eerie aura and complex formation principles of that artifact, one could infer how many lives had been sacrificed to make it. The stronger the artifact, the more bone-chilling it felt.

Now that Ji Yao was forced to sink his vessel into Wangchuan, it was a relief... Ji Chuan thought to himself.

“Chen Donglou” looked toward the vanished portal site. With a flick of his sleeve, two streaks of sword light—one green and one purple—flew back and landed beside Ji Chuan and Xie Yiying.

He spoke to Zhang Taigang, “Once Qingxiao Hall returns to the mountain, make sure the Peak of Heaven is thoroughly re-secured.”

Zhang Taigang quickly replied, “Understood, Martial Uncle Chen.”

Ji Chuan and Xie Yiying each retrieved one of the sect's twin swords—Ziweijian and Qingmingjian.

“Martial Uncle Chen, what about that vicious sword from the Yellow Springs?” Xie Yiying asked quietly.

“Chen Donglou” replied offhandedly, “It’s already been destroyed. That old hag’s dead too.”

Though the conversation seemed fragmented, everyone present quickly pieced together the context. They were referring to the Yellow Springs Sword, one of the Yellow Springs Shushan Sect's greatest treasures.

Only that sword could be considered a worthy counterpart to the Purple-Green Twin Swords now returned to Ji Chuan and Xie Yiying.

So... not only the Whitebone Divine Vessel, but the Yellow Springs Sword had been destroyed as well?

Two peerless treasures, equal to the Tang Shushan Sect’s Six Great Artifacts—completely annihilated?

And their wielder, Elder Li Linxue, a Ninth Heaven Great Ascension Master of the Artifact Refining Sect—also dead?

Though the Yellow Springs Sword wasn’t her Life-bound Artifact, she had used it to wreak havoc across the mortal world twice, leaving behind a fearsome reputation.

Now both the sword and its wielder were gone?

Everyone stared at “Chen Donglou’s” back, a chill rising in their hearts.

He had wielded both twin swords, going one-on-one against Li Linxue and the Yellow Springs Sword in her own territory—and not only defeated her but killed her outright?

Handling both swords simultaneously and using them at full power wasn’t easy, even for a master.

This Elder Chen of the Tang Shushan Sect had clearly reached the Great Ascension Realm of the Ninth Heaven.

For a sect that hadn’t produced a Ninth Heaven master in centuries, this was a monumental return.

Even Fang Jingsheng and Prince Xiang Zhang Luo of the Tang Imperial Clan fell into thoughtful silence.

Only Tang Xiaotang, still observing the remains of the spatial rift, gave a faint twitch at the corner of her mouth—on the verge of rolling her eyes.

Zhang Taigang then addressed Zhang Luo: “Your Highness, during our journey into the Yellow Springs with Martial Uncle Chen, we not only recovered Qingxiao Hall but also rescued many civilians. For now, they are being temporarily sheltered in the hall. Later, the Court will need to coordinate proper placement.”

He paused, then added, “While inside, I investigated briefly. Most of these people... aren’t citizens of the Tang Realm. Many were abducted from other realms and have lived in the Yellow Springs for years.”

Zhang Luo’s expression turned serious.

Zhang Taigang hadn’t spelled it out, but the implication was clear.

These people came from beyond the Tang borders.

The Yellow Springs wasn’t fit for human life.

Let alone for entire communities to survive and thrive for years.

This could only mean the Yellow Springs Shushan Sect had farmed them—raised them like livestock, perhaps for experiments or sacrifices.

Few present had worked directly with livestock, but most had seen spirit herbs cultivated in medicine gardens—nurtured until maturity, then harvested.

“Rest assured, Sect Leader Zhang. I will coordinate with local prefectures promptly,” Zhang Luo said solemnly.

Zhang Taigang: “Many thanks, Your Highness. Our sect will assist wherever needed.”

Zhang Luo nodded slightly, then looked at Chen Donglou’s back.

“Elder Chen…” he began, after a moment of hesitation.

Chen Donglou responded lazily, “What is it?”

Zhang Luo asked, “Do you plan to return to Mount Shushan with Sect Leader Zhang?”

“Not necessarily,” Chen Donglou replied.

Zhang Taigang, Ji Chuan, and Xie Yiying all gave helpless smiles.

Zhang Luo then said, “This Yellow Springs upheaval was quelled thanks to your efforts. The Tang realm owes its peace to you. But the world remains in chaos—monsters stir in every direction. If Elder Chen were willing to lend his strength, the western front of our empire would surely be secured.”

Chen Donglou said calmly, “I’d rather keep studying the Yellow Springs.”

Zhang Luo heard the disinterest in his tone.

Zhang Taigang and the others kept silent, sensing this wasn’t a matter to intervene in.

From the Shushan Sect’s perspective, cooperating with the Imperial Court had many advantages. The court had supported them repeatedly in their battle against the Yellow Springs branch.

So most in the sect were happy to follow the Court’s lead.

But that didn’t apply to Chen Donglou—and no one dared advise him otherwise.

Thanks to him, the sect had reclaimed both the Ziweijian and Qingxiao Hall.

Even during the first major incursion from the Yellow Springs, when the Tang Shushan Sect nearly lost the Northern Abyss Divine Spear, it was Chen Donglou who turned the tide.

“Eradicating evil to the root—Elder Chen’s caution is not unfounded,” Zhang Luo said neutrally.

The Yellow Springs branch had indeed suffered greatly.

But as long as Ji Yao—their perfected Ninth Heaven master—lived, the threat remained.

With “Chen Donglou” and the Tang Shushan Sect watching closely, the Tang Court could focus on other fronts.

The Fang Clan of Jingxiang exchanged looks and silently nodded.

You might mistake the name, but not the title.

The “Madman of Shushan” was living up to the legend—his return was as wild as ever.

He wasn’t against the Tang Court, but clearly had no intention of serving it either.

The Fang Clan, familiar with the Shushan Sect from their years in Bashu, didn’t expect him to take sides. Neutrality was more than enough.

Especially since his connection to the Shushan Sect itself seemed tenuous—perhaps a bit of past obligation, nothing more.

Tang Xiaotang now raised her National Preceptor’s Seal, its surface glowing faintly.

“The East… seems to be stirring again?” she frowned and looked at Zhang Luo. “That Sea King Ju dares return?”

Zhang Luo answered solemnly, “He was wounded by you and hasn’t shown himself again. But the portal between the Eastern Sea and the Heavenly Principle Realm has reopened. Elder Chu of Suzhou has taken position in Yuhang.”

The Tang Realm truly was facing turbulent times.

Zhang Luo had asked about Chen Donglou’s plans with this in mind.

Tang Xiaotang stepped down on the ground, sensing the calmness.

The Yellow Springs portal had vanished completely.

“Alright. I’ll go to the Eastern Sea.”

The Tang National Preceptor didn’t mind running all over the empire. “I missed it last time. This round, I’ll see what’s going on with that so-called Confucian from Tianli.”

Zhang Luo: “We’re grateful for your efforts, Preceptor.”

“Chen Donglou” then instructed Zhang Taigang, Ji Chuan, and Xie Yiying: “Leave a few people here to monitor. The rest, return to the Peak. I’ll wander a bit, see if there’s another way back into the Yellow Springs.”

Zhang Taigang: “Yes, Martial Uncle.”

Zhang Luo added, “Don’t worry, Elder Chen. I’ll have personnel stationed here for vigilance.”

The Fang Clan left behind a few guards, while the rest, led by Fang Jingsheng, took their leave for Jingxiang.

Xiao Hang from Longxi also departed.

Compared to the Fang Clan, the Xiao Clan was far more vulnerable now.

“With the sword in Uncle Chen's hands, it truly brings out the best of the Azure Abyss Sword.”

Ji Chuan was nurturing the Azure Abyss Sword while watching “Chen Donglou” walk away, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

Beside him, Xie Yiying, also tending to the Purple Star Sword, chuckled upon hearing that:

“Uncle Chen’s sword style actually suits the Purple Star Sword better.”

Ji Chuan gently shook his head, saying no more.

Xie Yiying also fell silent.

She knew Ji Chuan wasn’t disagreeing with her opinion—he was merely lamenting Chen Donglou's departure years ago.

A single misstep back then, and he never truly returned.

That he still held any lingering affection for Shushan Sect was already more than they could ask for.

To be honest, like Ji Chuan, Xie Yiying hadn't actually known much about the legendary Uncle Chen—simply because they'd entered the sect much later.

They couldn’t fully comprehend the complex emotions of seniors like Xu Duan, Ye Dongming, or Ji Dongquan.

But witnessing “Chen Donglou” simultaneously wield the Purple and Azure Twin Swords, forcing Li Shushan’s mortal enemies to break their blades in Yellow Springs and sink their vessel in Wangchuan... Xie Yiying couldn’t help but feel admiration.

And when “Chen Donglou” quietly departed after the fight, returning the Purple Star Sword to her, she felt an unexpected sense of loss.

Only now did she begin to understand a bit of what Xu Duan, Ji Dongquan, and others once felt.

“Come to think of it,” Ji Chuan broke the silence with a smile, “Uncle Chen’s sword style has evolved a lot from the past. He used to resonate more with the Purple Star Sword, but now, he fits better with the Azure Abyss Sword.”

Xie Yiying: “Mm, that’s true.”

Then Zhang Taigang said:

“Cultivation is all about continual growth and innovation—not clinging to the old ways. If even someone as powerful as Uncle Chen keeps improving, then we juniors should be even more vigilant and disciplined.”

Ji Chuan and Xie Yiying both responded, “Senior Brother is right.”

---

Tang Xiaotang privately messaged Lei Jun, currently disguised as “Chen Donglou”:

“Still poking around in Yellow Springs?”

Lei Jun replied:

“No need to worry about Yellow Springs for now. After that upheaval and sudden calm, we can’t get back in from the outside, and they can’t open a void gateway to the mortal world either. Should buy us a few years of peace.”

Tang Xiaotang snorted: “Lucky bastards.”

Lei Jun: “They’ve worked the Yellow Springs for years. They do know their stuff.”

Tang Xiaotang: “So, are you heading back to the mountain, or coming with me to the Eastern Sea?”

Lei Jun: “Things are quiet in the Eastern Sea for now. I’ll return to the mountain first.”

He concealed his presence and quietly returned to the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu.

Upon arriving, he met with his master, Yuan Mobai, who delivered grave news:

“The Southern Lin Clan has fallen.”

Lei Jun: “People from Tianli?”

Yuan Mobai gave a light nod and handed over a report.

After reading, Lei Jun shook his head slightly.

The Tianli Sect had reappeared, and cultivators from Tianli had emerged once more—not from the south like before (near Yuhang or Mingzhou), but landing from the north, between Suzhou and Qingzhou.

That just so happened to be the Southern Lin Clan’s new settlement.

It had been nearly thirty years since they’d relocated there, after their ancestral home in Jiangzhou was destroyed.

Even the better-established Cangzhou Ye Clan and Youzhou Lin Clan had yet to fully rebuild their foundations after suffering similar fates.

The Southern Lin Clan had even fewer resources.

Without a proper base, Lin Yuwei and the others couldn’t stand against such a sudden, powerful attack.

“But…”

Lei Jun narrowed his eyes at the report.

“Did Lin Yuwei himself fall in battle too?”

This side-branch scholar, who rose to become clan leader of the Southern Lin Clan, had reached the Eighth Heaven—Territorial Expansion Realm within the Confucian Divine Archery Lineage.

He was sharp and observant. If the enemy was truly overwhelming, he should’ve known to retreat.

Yet he perished in the clan’s ancestral land.

Given that the Southern Lin Clan was located between Qingzhou and Suzhou, Lei Jun’s thoughts deepened.

Yuan Mobai said, “Details are still unclear. Other than the Tianli cultivators reappearing from the Eastern Sea, a powerful demon—the Six-Horned Golden Shark—also surfaced offshore but was repelled by Elder Chu of Suzhou.”

Lei Jun: “Sounds like the shark advanced again?”

Yuan Mobai: “Yes. With the Thousand-Leaf Butterfly King dead and the Sea King Ju mostly dormant, the Six-Horned Golden Shark has now become a major threat like the Northern Sea Whale King and Lord of the Black Mountain.”

“Chu the Elder” repelled the Golden Shark, but Qingzhou’s Ye Clan Leader was stuck guarding the Penglai Gateway, leaving the center region unguarded.

That gave the Tianli cultivators a clear path—and the Southern Lin Clan paid the price.

Lei Jun nodded lightly.

Hard to say whether Ye Yan or Chu Xiuyuan had actively done anything—but they didn’t need to.

Doing nothing was enough for the Southern Lin Clan to suffer.

Lin Yuwei had spent decades relocating the clan and, thanks to the protection of the Chu and Ye Clans, they’d managed to settle between Suzhou and Qingzhou.

Later, they even pledged allegiance to the Tang Imperial Court.

From that point on, the powerful clans in the north and south watched this “little brother” closely.

Yet due to politics, everyone held back their punishments, and even fought alongside the Lin Clan at times.

But now… the end had come.

Though the Southern Lin Clan had many offshoots still scattered, the core had been utterly severed.

And with signs of a looming era of chaos, this was just the beginning.

The nightmare for the Lin Clan's remnants had only just begun.

Lei Jun set the report down and said to Yuan Mobai:

“One after another… this won’t stop.”

Yuan Mobai nodded solemnly.

Sure enough, news soon arrived that the Lo Abyss Portal—once sealed in the northern seas—had begun to open again.

Rumor had it that Xiao Xueting, wielding the Mountain and River Sword, was leading elite Tang Divine Strategy troops to the overseas frontlines to prevent a greater catastrophe.

Meanwhile, on the western front, more chaos erupted just after Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang departed.

With Yellow Springs sealed off, not even Ji Yao and other Li Shushan Sect elders could re-enter the mortal realm—

—but they’d already left behind a nasty surprise.

Elder Lu Changpeng, after heading to the Snowy Plateau to hunt a demon with the Whitebone Divine Ark, changed course amid sect infighting and attacked the Shushan Summit.

That provoked the local demons.

Especially the Snowy Sky Eagle, a creature on par with Ninth-Heaven human experts.

Now, under the eagle’s lead, a horde of snowland demons was marching east.

The Tang Dynasty was left to take the blame.

While demons weren’t mindless, they were bloodthirsty.

To them, all human cultivators looked the same.

The Xiao Clan of Longxi, led by Xiao Hang, along with Zhang Taigang and others from Shushan, immediately turned their attention to the west, attempting to block the demons from crossing Western Sichuan into Longxi and Bashu.

Meanwhile in the east, when Grand Preceptor Tang arrived at the Eastern Sea, the Tianli cultivators were quickly restrained.

Still, their movements this time were notably urgent and aggressive.

“Didn’t one of the Tianli defectors mention before that their spiritual energy is depleting?”

Wang Guiyuan asked Lei Jun.

Lei Jun: “Yes. Likely due to their court’s reliance on ritual law to forcibly anchor dragon vein fortune. It’s draining their realm faster than expected, so now they’re turning outward.”

Just as they were discussing, new intelligence came in.

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. His expression turned odd.

He handed it to Wang Guiyuan, who also looked surprised after reading:

“The Tianli cultivators are… withdrawing?”

That familiar sense of déjà vu…

Wang Guiyuan’s expression also turned strange.

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang, now at the Eastern Sea, had just experienced something similar.

Could it be that Tianli, like Yellow Springs, was facing internal turmoil?

Almost seemed like divine intervention...

“If only.”

Lei Jun held up a Heaven’s Sight and Earthly Hearing Talisman he’d crafted himself.

“It’s not divine luck—it’s our Senior Sister. She wrecked the Tianli puppet court’s fate.”

Wang Guiyuan and Yuan Mobai looked at each other and said in unison:

“The… Ming Mortal Realm?”

From Lei Jun’s words, they instantly thought of how Xu Yuanzhen had crossed into the Ming Mortal Realm via Penglai.

Lei Jun: “Senior Sister re-opened the void gateway between Ming Mortal Realm and Tianli.”

Wang Guiyuan: “...Classic her.”

The Tianli Court also claimed to be the Ming Dynasty.

But Lei Jun would probably call them a “Lesser Ming”.

That court’s origins traced back to a historical upheaval in the real Ming Dynasty’s line of succession.

The abdicated emperor, accompanied by a number of loyal ministers, had retreated into Tianli. The imperial line had continued there to this day.

However, despite Tianli’s abundant spiritual energy, it wasn’t truly part of the Mortal Realm, which made establishing a national destiny and dragon vein there especially difficult.

This minor court wanted to live in peaceful seclusion, so it naturally cut off communication between Tianli and the Ming Dynasty Mortal Realm.

Time eventually proved that Xu Yuanzhen’s earlier journey into Tianli had not been in vain.

Back then, she failed to reopen the portal from Tianli to the Ming Realm.

This time, after circling back through Penglai, she stayed true to her original intent and boldly reopened the portal from the Ming Realm side back to Tianli.

Moreover, she made sure the legitimate court of the Ming Dynasty became aware of it.

As far as Lei Jun knew, his Senior Sister had stirred up quite a storm on the other side lately.

For instance, she had exposed both the Western White Emperor and the existence of a Daoist nation within the Ming Realm.

That nation was now being universally condemned on the other side.

Of course, Xu Yuanzhen’s reputation wasn’t great either.

As Lei Jun joked, to the people of the Ming Realm, his Senior Sister was practically a living, breathing outer-realm demon…

Yet neither the Daoist nation nor the lone force that was Xu Yuanzhen drew more attention from the Ming Dynasty’s legitimate court than the minor Tianli court did.

Lei Jun currently had limited contact with Xu Yuanzhen, but from the bits and pieces she’d passed along, the Ming Dynasty had already dispatched troops to Tianli.

To them, Xu Yuanzhen and the Western White Emperor were now secondary.

One could only wonder if the elders in the Tianli minor court were cursing up a storm right about now…

But their reactions elsewhere were very real.

On the Tang Dynasty’s side, Tianli cultivators quickly retreated.

Tang Xiaotang then led the Tang forces in a direct counterattack into Tianli.

With Tang and Ming forces converging, Tianli was in chaos.

After exchanging a few messages with his Little Senior Sister Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun didn’t leave Mount Longhu.

Instead, he remained in his own sect’s mountain gate, quietly cultivating and nurturing his strength.

“This Doumu Star Iron... once I reach the Ninth Heaven Realm, I’ll forge it into the Seven-Star Sword.”

Before him, the Nine Abyss True Flame burned a tranquil, emerald green.

Seven flying swords floated within it—the Seven-Star Sword.

Truth be told, even now, it couldn’t quite compare to the Yellow Springs Sword in quality.

Lei Jun’s mana and magnetic force could maintain and protect it in battle against ordinary treasures, but head-on against the Yellow Springs Sword? The pressure was even greater than when clashing with the Five-Cobalt Vajra Pestle.

The Yellow Springs Sword truly deserved its reputation as Inner Shushan’s number one killing treasure.

The Seven-Star Sword had suffered some damage.

So, once Lei Jun had activated his Divine Court Inner Cosmos and no longer needed to hold back, he put the Seven-Star Sword away and fought using only the Purple Star and Azure Abyss Swords, eventually severing the Yellow Springs Sword.

Now, it needed to be fully repaired and restored.

With his increased comprehension, Lei Jun had developed a deeper understanding of this weapon and was contemplating multiple refinement plans.

And this Doumu Star Iron he had acquired from Li Linxue was exactly what he needed.

Considering the result he wanted, Lei Jun decided to reforge the Seven-Star Sword after reaching the Ninth Heaven Realm.

“Master, urgent news from Southern Wasteland.”

Zhang Jingzhen arrived later with the report.

Lei Jun said, “The void gateway in the Sea of Earth and Fire has finally opened?”

Zhang Jingzhen nodded solemnly.

The national destiny of the land was becoming more and more unstable.

Following the Yellow Springs, Tianli, and Luoyuan, the void gateway that connected to the Sea of Earth and Fire in the Southern Wasteland had finally been torn open.

Thick black mist surged out from within.

“The situation is unclear. The court has urgently dispatched General Shen Qubing south,” she said.

Lei Jun wasn’t surprised.

Under the Tang Imperial Court, Shen Qubing was likely the person most familiar with the Nine Li tribes in the Sea of Earth and Fire. He was fluent in their languages and even had personal connections with the Wu Li tribe among them.

Sending him was a perfect choice.

This likely explained why, when the northern pastures and forests were threatened by demons earlier, the court hadn’t sent Shen Qubing—they had been reserving him in case the Nine Li reemerged from the Sea of Earth and Fire.

“There’s more…” Zhang Jingzhen added. “Tang Junior Sister heard about the situation and left Tianli to head south.”

Lei Jun and Zhang Jingzhen locked eyes. After a pause, he replied calmly, “Senior Sister Tang is selfless and devoted to duty.”

Zhang Jingzhen cleared her throat. “Exactly. Junior Sister Tang truly lives up to her title as the Tang Dynasty’s National Guardian, touring the empire on the emperor’s behalf.”

She didn’t miss a single corner of the map…

Lei Jun didn’t even need to think to imagine the expressions of those in the Tang Imperial Court when they heard the news.

Tang Xiaotang’s logic was simple.

Now that the Sea of Earth and Fire had reopened, she had a perfect excuse to go after her old enemy Li Yan.

Back when she had broken into the Ninth Heaven there, both Li Yan and Wei Anchang had tried to exploit her moment of weakness.

Wei Anchang was now dead—by her hand.

As for Li Yan, leader of the Broken Li Tribe? She certainly wouldn’t let him off easy.

She was even willing to abandon Tianli to settle this old score.

To others, she might seem impulsive.

Fortunately, the Tianli minor court was too busy with its own problems. With Tang Xiaotang’s abrupt departure, mirroring Xu Yuanzhen back in the day, they couldn’t spare any resources to counterattack the Tang Dynasty’s cultivators.

If one looked on the bright side, Little Senior Sister could be seen as the Tang Dynasty’s emergency responder, a National Guardian of Last Resort… Lei Jun stayed calm.

More news soon arrived from the Southern Wasteland.

The Nine Li tribes hadn’t used the black mist to expand or attack the mortal world.

Li Yan and his people also hadn’t stirred up trouble again.

Although the void gate had opened, no high-level Nine Li experts had appeared.

Still, it wasn’t entirely harmless.

Recent updates indicated that a strange ritual was being performed within the Sea of Earth and Fire—one that siphoned vast amounts of spiritual energy from the Tang Mortal Realm into their own.

Worse yet, it seemed to be affecting the Tang Dynasty’s national fortune.

From that angle, Tang Xiaotang’s timing couldn’t have been better.

It was only after she stormed into the Sea of Earth and Fire that the siphoning momentum was finally halted.

As time went on, both sides seemed to settle into a deadlock.

But then, a message from Tang Xiaotang broke Lei Jun’s personal peace:

“Remember that Twin-Lotus of Grand Void you were looking for? I found it. But it’s not quite ripe yet—can’t pick it now.”