Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 42: Tang Xiaotang's defense is broken

After listening to Xu Yuanzhen's words, Lei Jun asked, "Harmonizing yin and yang—our sect should have plenty of spiritual items for that, right?"

The Daoist tradition has always emphasized the balance of yin and yang, and the Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu further stresses the fusion of water and fire, the convergence of dragon and tiger.

"There are indeed many, but not all may suit you," Xu Yuanzhen shook her head.

Yuan Mobai smiled and explained, "The Dao has countless paths, and even items for harmonizing yin and yang can differ in subtle ways. Your Fire Marrow Yangfish is already quite unique, so there's no need to rush. That's why I always say you should wait for the right opportunity."

Lei Jun nodded. "Thank you, Master, and Senior Sister, for your guidance. Next, I'll focus on searching for Water Marrow Yinfish and other yin-yang spiritual items."

Yuan Mobai added, "When I established the Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven, I had already considered this matter. However, Water Marrow Yinfish is hard to find even within the grotto-heavens controlled by our sect. You'll need to explore other options. I’ve heard that if you head north of Xunjiang, there are cold springs in the mountains. You might find some leads there."

Lei Jun acknowledged the advice.

In the following days, he focused on his cultivation, undistracted by external changes. After several months, Lei Jun observed his inner self. On the Dao Foundation Altar within him, alongside the Eight Gates and Six Curtains as well as the original Virtual Chanting Hall, he had successfully added two new halls: the Refinement Hall and the Universal Alms Hall.

In this world, the Talismanic Branch of the Daoist tradition establishes altars in reality. The Refinement Hall is used to guide lost souls and corpses to ascension, overseeing their journey into the underworld. The Universal Alms Hall establishes the Six Paths and Four Lives, dividing the Nine Provinces and setting up altars to provide sustenance for ten kinds of wandering souls and lingering spirits.

For cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, constructing virtual versions of these halls on their Dao Foundation Altar has different purposes. The Virtual Refinement Hall is used to refine the nature and fortify the soul, while the Virtual Universal Alms Hall nurtures the essence and spirit. Both emphasize spiritual and soulful cultivation.

The Tianshi Mansion's legacy prioritizes the practice of life force, but it still maintains a balanced approach to cultivating both life force and spirit. By establishing the Virtual Refinement Hall and Universal Alms Hall, Lei Jun no longer needed to house his Fire Marrow Yangfish in the Virtual Chanting Hall. This allowed the "fish" to thrive comfortably, as if swimming in its natural habitat.

As a result, Lei Jun’s soul further benefited from the feedback and nurturing provided by the fish's spirituality, making his thoughts and mental agility even sharper.

While Lei Jun cultivated in peace, not everyone was as content.

In late September, the current Tianshi, who had recently ended his seclusion, retreated once again. The entire mansion fell into a stunned silence. Although life continued as usual, the mood was starkly different from the hopeful anticipation of six months earlier when everyone eagerly awaited the Tianshi's emergence.

The most disappointed person was undoubtedly Tang Xiaotang, who had happily ended her own seclusion in early November. Upon learning that the Tianshi had retreated again and would not preside over the new year’s Initiation Ceremony, she was devastated.

To use Lei Jun’s words from his previous life on Blue Star:

“She broke down. Well, not entirely.”

"I. Do. Not. Believe. This!" Tang Xiaotang gritted her teeth, emphasizing each word as she resolved to skip her fifth Initiation Ceremony since arriving at Mount Longhu.

Before his seclusion, the Tianshi had already informed others that his retreat duration would remain indefinite. Thus, he would not participate in the new Initiation Ceremony early next year.

Tang Xiaotang, feeling disheartened, decided to leave the mountain once again for a journey.

“This time, her adventures will probably be even more chaotic than the last,” Lei Jun remarked. Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.

Xu Yuanzhen gazed out the window and replied casually, "A trip might not be a bad idea."

Lei Jun asked, "Did the sect master leave any instructions about Junior Sister?"

Xu Yuanzhen shook her head.

Lei Jun fell silent. The Tianshi surely didn’t intend for Tang Xiaotang to remain a Daoist child for life. Even if it was some eccentric scheme to mold the “strongest Daoist child in history,” she had long surpassed that threshold… Ahem!

Regardless of speculation, the matter was settled. Tang Xiaotang had once again been stood up by the Tianshi.

Fortunately, despite her being treated as a Daoist child in name, key figures like Yuan Mobai, Li Hongyu, and Li Ziyang all tacitly refrained from viewing her as an ordinary apprentice. On the contrary, her treatment had even improved.

And so, the year ended in a mix of oddities and liveliness. A new year began.

It had been almost five years since Lei Jun entered the Daoist sect at Mount Longhu, starting with the Daoist Children's Academy. On January 15th, exactly three years after formally becoming Yuan Mobai’s disciple, the 23-year-old Lei Jun participated in his second Initiation Ceremony at the mountain.

This time, he was no longer the central figure of the ceremony. The spotlight belonged to the new generation of disciples.

Lei Jun’s role was to assist his master, Yuan Mobai, who served as the Presiding Master of this year’s ceremony.

His senior brother, Wang Guiyuan, had recently entered a critical stage in his cultivation and chose to focus on secluded meditation. Thus, Yuan Mobai currently had only Lei Jun under his direct tutelage. Fortunately, the sect assigned additional support for the event.

“Senior Brother Luo, I lack experience—please guide me,” Lei Jun said, greeting Luo Haoran warmly.

Luo Haoran smiled. “Don’t worry. Let’s just follow Yuan Martial Uncle’s instructions and stick to the ritual process.”

The ceremony's procedure was identical to that of the previous generation. As a newly initiated disciple of just three years, Lei Jun had no challenging responsibilities. His main task was to stay by Yuan Mobai’s side, ensuring the incense never went out during the rituals.

Due to his position, Lei Jun wasn’t grouped with the Daoist children in the front rows but stationed beside the altar’s incense burner.

Looking over, he recognized most of the Daoist children participating in this year’s initiation. Having left the Daoist Children's Academy only three years ago, Lei Jun was familiar with nearly all of them, either through direct interaction or past encounters.

For example, Zhang Yuan, who had finally reached the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining and gained approval from his Sponsor, Overseer, and Initiation Masters, was eligible to join the initiation this year and officially become a true disciple of the mansion.

However, there were a few exceptions. A boy who looked only about eleven or twelve stood out as unfamiliar.

“That’s a Daoist child brought into the sect by the Senior Brother over two years ago,” Luo Haoran explained before the formal ceremony began. “I heard he reached Qi Refining Perfection in just two years, allowing him to join this year’s initiation.”

Lei Jun remarked, “So, he’ll become Senior Brother’s first disciple?”

Until now, the Young Tianshi, Li Zhengxuan, had not accepted any disciples. Rumor had it that his first disciple would have been his nephew, the grandson of Elder Ziyang—Li Xuan’s son.

But it now seemed the Young Tianshi’s first disciple would be an outsider.

Over two years ago, during the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool incident, Li Ming had tarnished the Li family’s reputation. Although the family’s standing had since recovered, Li Ming’s actions had cost his nephew the position of the Young Tianshi’s first disciple.

What Li Ming might think in his grave didn’t concern Lei Jun. He focused on assisting Yuan Mobai with the ceremony.

As before, after preparations on the 14th night and the 15th day, the formal initiation ceremony began on the evening of the 15th. Outside the altar, guests from beyond the sect took their seats as observers.

Most of the attention was on the new disciples joining the Tianshi Mansion.

However, Lei Jun sensed something peculiar. From the spectators’ area, one gaze wasn’t focused on the Daoist children—it was directed at him.