Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 385: Great accumulation leads to great success

Nie Fang and the others returned from the Eastern Sea.

The place once known as Tianli had resumed its original name: Guizang. The void gateway connecting it to the Ming Mortal Realm had now been resealed.

Everything within Guizang was left to be gradually sorted out.

Those like Qi Haowei, who had once defected from Guizang's Minor Ming Realm to join the Great Tang Dynasty, were now returning in groups to assist Tang cultivators in swiftly settling the internal disputes of Guizang.

On Mount Longhu, Lei Jun received the news sent back by his fellow disciples.

Yuan Mobai and Wang Guiyuan had already, openly or covertly, departed from Guizang and would soon return to the ancestral grounds of Mount Longhu.

Tang Xiaotang had originally intended to travel with Xu Yuanzhen to the Ming Mortal Realm.

However, the Great Tang still held many things that drew her attention—such as the Voidbreaking Primordial Stone, among others.

Faced with this fortunate dilemma, she hesitated repeatedly, and in the end, decided to return to the Tang Mortal Realm first.

There were certain matters regarding the National Preceptor’s Seal that she wished to discuss directly with Empress Zhang Wantong.

Thus, Tang Xiaotang first headed to Longhu Temple in Luoyang, and would return to the sect later.

Back on the mountain, Lei Jun continued to oversee affairs in the Mansion while maintaining his personal cultivation routine.

Heavenly Book: Two, authored by Zhang Hui, had given him some new insights.

Lei Jun quietly studied and organized his thoughts, refining and adjusting prior drafts of ideas, developing a wave of new inspirations.

The rare treasure Starlight Crossing the Cosmos, gifted to him by Meng Shaojie, turned out to be an unexpected delight.

Lei Jun summoned the Grand Celestial Mirror, which usually hovered high in the heavens, back down to the ground.

He studied the mirror now floating before him in silence.

Under his control, the mirror’s glow enveloped the mysterious Starlight Crossing the Cosmos.

This treasure wasn’t material—it appeared as a flickering light, constantly stretching and contracting midair.

As it shimmered, it flickered in and out of visibility, untethered by any worldly constraints.

Neither the Confucians’ Geographical Compass Box nor the Daoists’ Miniature Mansion Pouch could contain this treasure.

The agile speck of light sparkled like stardust and could partially traverse the barriers of the void, moving freely among the heavens.

Hence its name: “Starlight Crossing the Cosmos.”

Lei Jun now used the light of the Grand Celestial Mirror to temporarily hold the treasure.

Though still darting like a fish within the mirror’s glow, the Starlight was now momentarily unable to escape thanks to the mirror's spiritual suppression.

Nodding slightly, Lei Jun set it aside for the time being, preparing for the eventual refinement of the Starlight and the mirror together once everything was ready.

---

Later, Chu Kun emerged from seclusion and came to see his senior brother, Sect Master Lei Jun.

Upon seeing him, Lei Jun smiled and said, “Congratulations, Third Junior Brother.”

Chu Kun also smiled.

Without suppressing his aura, starlight began to radiate gently around his body, forming a stream of celestial brilliance that looked like a river of stars.

It was not a manifestation of any Tianshi Mansion legacy technique from Mount Longhu.

Rather, it was the visible revelation of Chu Kun’s unique bone structure and physique.

It matched the descriptions found in ancient texts—

The extraordinary Heavenly River Celestial Physique.

“I have Second Senior Brother’s Heaven-Star from the Earth Surge to thank for this,” Chu Kun said.

Lei Jun shook his head. “No need to say such things between us brothers.”

He glanced over Chu Kun again. “At your current rate, you should reach the Divine Court Realm of the Eighth Heaven before you’re sixty.”

Chu Kun replied, “Yes, probably a little earlier than I expected. I’ll try crossing the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation between the Seventh and Eighth Heavens in about two years. Hopefully, I’ll pass it smoothly.”

He had already made many preparations for this key tribulation.

While not guaranteed, he had more than a 50% chance of success now.

Before attempting the leap, he would continue consolidating his understanding at the Tongtian Realm of the Seventh Heaven, maintaining peak physical and spiritual condition.

Such matters could not be treated lightly.

After all, if one failed to cross, there might not be a second chance.

Compared to renowned figures like Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun, Li Tianqing, the Future Maitreya, and Xiao Xueting, Chu Kun’s rise had been somewhat slower.

Yet he was perfectly calm about it.

Cultivation, after all, was a personal journey—not a race to be compared.

And it definitely wasn’t worth comparing oneself to those monsters...

Lei Jun knew Chu Kun very well and understood his mindset.

In his heart, Lei Jun thought:

Junior Brother, you’re being too modest.

You’re basically there now.

Welcome to the monsters’ club.

Compared to prodigies like Tang Xiaotang, Zhang Hui, and the Future Maitreya, Chu Kun’s trajectory was more like Lei Jun’s—or Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen’s.

Supported by postnatal opportunities and resources, Chu Kun’s overall aptitude had now risen significantly.

The higher one's realm, the harder cultivation became.

But Chu Kun’s current foundation was undeniably much stronger than when he first entered the path of Dao. The difference was incomparable.

“The surge in spiritual energy across Heaven and Earth benefits all cultivators like us.”

Chu Kun sighed with emotion. “As you said before, Senior Brother—when Her Majesty and the Crown Prince decided to abandon the art of the Imperial Mandate, cultivators like us could only gain from it.”

Lei Jun replied, “The world is vast, filled with all living beings. The national fortune and dragon vein’s qi, when spread evenly across everyone, doesn’t make a huge difference in daily cultivation.

But its main effect is that it may help produce more talent across the mortal realm.

And these talented individuals will have a better chance of standing out even before stepping onto the cultivation path.

Of course, for cultivators like us, the gain in daily practice may be limited—

But during key moments, that tiny edge can become the difference between heaven and earth.”

Chu Kun nodded repeatedly. “In the future, we’ll likely see more geniuses emerge from all over.”

From a certain perspective, the Tianshi Mansion’s reputation was now at its peak—like the noonday sun, spreading far and wide.

This could attract many rising stars in the future.

Although the Mansion had traditionally recruited destined individuals from outside, in today’s changing world, many things might evolve with time.

To Lei Jun and Chu Kun, this was the Empress Zhang Wantong’s real reward to Lei Jun: not just fame for the Tianshi Mansion in the present, but a foundation for long-term prosperity.

That said, the future was always uncertain. Nothing could be fully predicted now.

The Tianshi Mansion’s path still depended on its successors.

Of course, while the Mansion and many others benefitted, there were those who paid the price.

For now, three people had lost the most:

Empress Zhang Wantong, Zhang Hui, and Tang Xiaotang.

Generally speaking, the art of the Imperial Mandate doesn’t raise a cultivator’s potential upper limit,

But it does help them rapidly actualize their latent potential.

In real battle, it allows one to punch far above their weight—often ranking them at the very top of their realm.

Losing the boost from national qi and dragon veins would undoubtedly affect these three, at least to some extent.

But none of them seemed to mind.

Those who might be affected more in the long term would be members of the Zhang Imperial Clan—the future candidates for the throne.

Still, with Zhang Hui now “gone,” and Zhang Wantong being of mature age, any such ambitions would be stifled for a long time.

---

“There are still some hidden risks, aren’t there?” Chu Kun asked quietly.

Lei Jun said, “If Her Majesty can further her cultivation and reach the realm of a Confucian Literary Saint, she could break past the eight-century lifespan limit.

Even without that, a few hundred years is enough time for many things to change.

Besides, each generation handles its own affairs.

The future belongs to those yet to come.

There’s no need for us to dwell too much.”

After a pause, he gazed northward. “Do you think that Her Majesty truly puts her imperial authority and the Zhang Imperial Clan’s legacy above all else?”

Chu Kun followed his gaze in silence.

After a while, he looked back and smiled. “Senior Brother, to be fair… most people probably find your thoughts just as hard to comprehend.”

Lei Jun smiled faintly.

Chu Kun changed the subject: “Still, just as you said, the dragon vein qi might be spread thin, but that small margin can mean everything in crucial moments of cultivation…

Senior Brother, after you and Daoist Brother Li Tianqing from the Southern Wasteland, is there anyone else in this world likely to reach the Ninth Heaven Realm soon?”

Lei Jun nodded. “Xing Feng, the current Master of the Blood River Sect, is the most likely candidate.

Then comes Layman Zhang Hui, and Elder Sun from Reincarnation Abyss.

After them, General Shangguan and General Xiao from Longxi.

And aside from them, there’s one more: the Future Maitreya of the White Lotus Sect.

He cultivates all four Buddhist branches at once, so I can’t judge his progress precisely.

But unless something major disrupts it, he shouldn’t be far behind the other five.”

Lei Jun was confident that after the Sea of Land war, Xing Feng had already completed his final accumulation.

If he had no other concerns, he could immediately challenge the Heavenly Chasm between the Eighth and Ninth Heavens.

Although Zhang Hui had shed the power of the Imperial Mandate and returned to orthodox Confucian cultivation, he was in a phase of explosive growth after long accumulation.

Even without the Mandate’s boost, he wasn’t lagging.

Barring any surprises, he would likely reach the Peak of the Eighth Heaven by next year, and then attempt tribulation crossing within two or three years.

Lei Jun’s own master, Yuan Mobai, from the Bear Lineage, and Elder Sun Li from Reincarnation Abyss, had both gained greatly during the Sea of Land war as well.

They too were poised to challenge the Spirit Descent Realm of the Ninth Heaven in the Witch Sect tradition.

Among the Divine Strategy Army’s two great generals, Shangguan Yunbo had deep reserves but had been missing a breakthrough spark.

Now that the Imperial Mandate had been relinquished, Shangguan might actually benefit.

That flash of inspiration would still require delicate handling, and couldn’t be forced.

But even so, Lei Jun estimated he could reach the Martial Saint Realm of the Ninth Heaven within the next few years.

The only uncertainty was the tribulation between the Eighth and Ninth Heavens.

Xiao Xueting hadn’t accumulated as much as Shangguan Yunbo, but she was a true genius—superior even to Zhang Teng and Shangguan in many respects.

Of all current martial cultivators in Great Tang, only Shen Qubing could be mentioned in the same breath.

She had reached the Eighth Heaven nearly thirty years ago, and usually kept a low profile—just like her sword.

But once her blade was unsheathed, it was always earth-shattering.

As for the Future Maitreya, Lei Jun found him uniquely difficult to assess.

If he had focused solely on one Buddhist path, he might have already surpassed both Lei Jun and Li Tianqing in reaching the Ninth Heaven.

---

“As for the second wave—Master would be in front, then Master Chu of the Retreat Hall,” Lei Jun said.

“The rest haven’t reached peak Eighth Heaven yet, but General Shen and Master Yongshan from the Academy will likely break through next.”

Chu Kun pondered. “After that, I guess it’s Sect Master Zhang of Shushan, Sect Master Jiang of the Pure Yang Palace, Elder Yue, and the Xiao Clan Leader from Longxi…

And maybe some younger, energetic disciples of the Zhang Clan or the Southern Wasteland Witch Sect…”

In a way, this generation in the Great Tang—after years of buildup—was now finally entering a stage of breakthroughs and emergence.

At the same time, many of the chaotic entanglements of the past had finally cleared.

Lei Jun added with a small smile, “And you.”

Chu Kun laughed, “I’ll take that as a blessing from you, Senior Brother. But for now, I’ll still focus on reaching the Eighth Heaven first.”

He then asked Lei Jun for some advice on Daoist techniques and cultivation.

Lei Jun offered detailed guidance.

During their talk, Master Yuan Mobai and Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan returned to the mountain.

“This decision by Her Majesty is indeed virtuous,” Wang Guiyuan said with a sigh, “but in these changing times, we must still stay vigilant.”

Lei Jun and Chu Kun could tell the emotion behind his words.

Wang Guiyuan added, “While I was visiting the monastery, I noticed Elder Miaohui and some others showing signs of wanting to search for Shambhala.”

Lei Jun and Chu Kun both fell into thought.

Shambhala, like Mount Sumeru, was among the Nine Heavens in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—a legendary Buddhist Pure Land.

According to ancient belief, it was under the control of the Zen lineage of Chinese Buddhism.

But in all these years, at least within the Tang world, there had been no sign of its return.

“Elder Miaohui has already shared this with Abbot Miaoxin and Elder Miaokong,” Yuan Mobai said.

Lei Jun and Chu Kun both nodded slightly.

Then Yuan Mobai turned to Lei Jun. “I heard from the Sect Master that you’ve figured out how to open Datong?”

Lei Jun replied, “I intercepted the ritual and altar used by the Fang Clan of Jingxiang to link Datong to the mortal world.

All the ritual implements are intact. Once I’ve reorganized and improved the setup, it’ll be ready to use. But there’s no rush.”

Yuan Mobai nodded lightly.

Wang Guiyuan nodded in satisfaction as well.

Lei Jun had previously only shared a summary of his findings about Datong and the Han Mortal Realm via spirit talismans.

Now that both masters had returned to the mountain, Lei Jun could finally give them a complete briefing.

Chu Kun, having heard most of it already, now listened again in full detail. As he did, something suddenly struck him.

“Senior Brother,” he said, “I recall that the Dongyang Retreat you once visited had ties to the Han Mortal Realm, didn’t it?

And its master had the surname Wang?”

Lei Jun nodded. “Yes—his name is Wang Xu, styled the Recluse of Dongyang.”

He understood Chu Kun’s train of thought. “The rising Wang Clan of the Han Realm… I’ve also suspected they’re related to the retreat’s master. However…”

Chu Kun followed up, “However, he wasn’t buried in the Wang Clan’s ancestral tomb.”

Lei Jun said, “Given the condition of the retreat, it didn’t seem like he died suddenly. He likely chose that place for his burial himself.”

Chu Kun agreed, “That does seem meaningful…”

Yuan Mobai then asked thoughtfully, “So, it’s confirmed then—the Daoist tradition of Mount Longhu in the Han Mortal Realm is descended from the ancient Talismanic Sect?”

Lei Jun replied firmly: “Yes. That much is now beyond doubt.”