Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 429: The True Teachings of the Non-mainstream Heavenly Master

Although Martial Immortals like Huangjin Khan Ang Qinfu were more adept at crossing the void on their own...

For Ancestor Zhoutian, as long as he could move freely through the mortal realm without being disturbed by the dissipating Daoist essence of the human world, the unique strengths of the Talismanic Branch’s legacy allowed him to freely pinpoint the location of other disciples from the same lineage, thus identifying various positions across different mortal realms and worlds.

Even though the Tang Dynasty’s Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu had diverged from the ancient Talismanic Branch, making it harder for Ancestor Zhoutian to locate individuals precisely, finding the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar was still relatively easy.

The void separation between the Tang Mortal Realm and the current Han Mortal Realm posed no obstacle to him.

But all of this—was a matter for later discussion.

Everything hinged on one premise: that he could remain in the mortal realm.

To do so, either the mortal realms had to merge again, or the current schemes of the Kongsang Witch King had to succeed.

“Master, is that one from Qingwei Heaven about to ascend soon?” Mu Weizi asked softly.

Ancestor Zhoutian gazed into the distance and after a long while replied, “He is not in Kunlun at the moment. I can’t confirm if he’s ascending—but… he might be about to take that step.”

Dao Body Bone Structure.

Innate Comprehension.

All of it bestowed from birth—such divine talent, even before the catastrophe at the end of the Han Dynasty, hadn't appeared in many, many years.

A figure like that—truly a peerless genius.

And in terms of age, he was still significantly younger than Mu Weizi in this lifetime.

The Han Mortal Realm had the Han Emperor and the Eastern Yang Hermit in the distance, and the Crown Prince Xiang Jing close at hand.

The Tang Mortal Realm saw the rise of many talents from the Zhang-Tang Imperial Clan and the Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu.

But none of them could rival the youth from Qingwei Heaven of Kunlun in ascending at such a young age.

With a naturally Dao-attuned physique and bone structure, and innate comprehension of the Dao, he was born close to the Way—needing no teacher to reach profound understanding.

Mu Weizi sometimes even wondered whether the fact that he studied the Daoist Alchemical Sect instead of the Talismanic Branch was a blessing or a curse for their side.

Had they struck early and crushed him in the cradle, perhaps it would’ve been a different story—but in those years, an old ancestor from Shushan in the Scarlet Heaven had interfered.

Once that old ancestor vanished without a trace, the Alchemical Sect disciple from Qingwei Heaven had already made his mark, frequently wandering beyond Kunlun.

Now, even though only Ancestor Zhoutian remained in Kunlun, the presence of the other two continued to weigh on people’s minds…

As Mu Weizi pondered all this, Ancestor Zhoutian suddenly asked, “Any updates from Bilu?”

Mu Weizi shook his head slightly. “Bilu remains sealed.”

The previously serene and ethereal young Daoist now showed rare signs of gloom:

“If not for those rebels back then, how could it have come to this? The Heavenly Palace’s glory would have long since been restored. Heaven and Earth would be orderly once more, and peace would reign across the four seas—how could things be as chaotic as they are now, with the mortal realms splintered and in disarray!”

Ancestor Zhoutian: “Those who betrayed the Heavenly Palace—do remnants still remain? Are they hidden within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths… or have they reincarnated to start over?”

Mu Weizi: “Judging from the sealed state of Bilu, they’ve likely reincarnated and begun anew… I suspect it’s either the one from Qingwei Heaven, or someone in the Tang Mortal Realm.”

Ancestor Zhoutian reclined again, facing the Alchemy Furnace, eyes closed. “We’ll find out soon enough. For now, be patient.”

Mu Weizi bowed his head. “Yes.”

Tang Mortal Realm.

Lei Jun had just celebrated his eighty-first birthday.

Summer passed into autumn, and winter approached.

The New Year was near.

Tianshi Lei Jun sat upright.

Before him stood a towering Doumu Star God Apparition, shrouded in swirling starlight.

This Destined Star Avatar was immense—far beyond ordinary proportions.

Countless talismans rotated around it like a galactic river. Each Spirit Talisman resembled an independent star, each with its own trajectory and rhythm.

With every movement of the Doumu Star God, boundless power surged forth, enough to move mountains and seas.

“Not bad. You’ve clearly put in the hard work,” Lei Jun smiled.

As he spoke, without much visible movement, the endless stream of Spirit Talismans encircling the Star God abruptly shattered.

Facing the invisible assault, the Star God responded unhurriedly and struck back with great force.

Each shattered talisman was instantly replaced with new ones, cleverly harnessing the attacking force to grow stronger—demonstrating the classic pattern of gaining strength through adversity.

Lei Jun nodded slightly. The invisible attacks dissipated.

The talisman-filled star river around the towering avatar also began to fade.

As the starlight waned, the spellcaster’s true form was revealed—a massive panda with black and white fur.

Its body shrank back to a height of only a few feet, now clothed in a Purple-Gold Daoist Robe and matching Daoist Crown, the traditional attire of a High-Ranking Master of the Tianshi Mansion.

It was none other than Lei Jun’s senior disciple, Zhuo Huajie.

He bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Master, for passing down the art.”

Lei Jun waved his hand, and a luminous page floated mid-air: “Like your master before you, you have a natural talent for balancing yin and yang, and comprehending the duality of the cosmos. This page from the Heavenly Book: Three touches on matters beyond your current reach, so I won’t formally transmit it yet. But you may come study it from time to time—it will benefit your cultivation.”

The page explained the mysteries of yin and yang, aligning well with Yuan Mobai and Zhuo Huajie’s cultivation paths.

Yuan Mobai had once studied it regularly, and now Zhuo Huajie would take his turn.

Hearing that this treasure might involve matters not to be disclosed, Zhuo Huajie immediately understood and kept it to himself.

He thanked his master and began meditating and comprehending in silence.

After a while, once he had finished, he again bowed to Lei Jun.

Lei Jun: “You’ve been invited to lecture at the Daoist Children’s Academy these days?”

Zhuo Huajie: “Yes. I remember Master once said, teaching younger disciples is a way to reflect and consolidate one’s own learning. I’ve been preparing my lessons with care.”

Lei Jun nodded with a smile. “Good.”

Zhuo Huajie paused in thought, then smiled. “The next Initiation Ceremony is approaching. Junior Sister Han will soon be formally initiated. She’s a born genius—congratulations on accepting such a gifted disciple.”

Lei Jun replied naturally, “Most of the time, you’ll be the one guiding her.”

“Rest assured, Master. It’s my duty to help and take care of Junior Sister,” Zhuo Huajie replied readily.

He had expected this. First, his master was often occupied with mansion affairs; second, he sometimes had to leave the mountain.

As the eldest disciple, it was only proper for Zhuo Huajie to care for his junior.

The only small concern was… due to certain special reasons, he sometimes worried he might lose her…

After business was settled, Tianshi Lei Jun, with no sense of restraint, pulled his eldest disciple over and gave him a few affectionate squeezes.

“It's getting harder and harder to resist hugging you. But soon I won’t be able to do it as often. Even though you're not exactly the model of a master, as Senior Brother you’ve got to save face in front of your Junior Sister. Such a shame, truly.”

Zhuo Huajie calmly straightened his robes. “Thank you for your concern, Master.”

Lei Jun: “Oh, by the way, your Martial Aunt Tang is taking in a disciple too. You’ve been getting to know her while at the Academy, right?”

Now grown, Zhuo Huajie pulled a face. “Forgive my bluntness, Master—and I hope Martial Aunt Tang won’t mind—but I don’t really get along with Junior Sister Cheng.”

Lei Jun couldn’t help but laugh.

He had an inkling this was the case.

It wasn’t that there was any real conflict—more like Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen and Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan, whose personalities simply clashed.

“No worries, she won’t make things hard for you,” Lei Jun said with a chuckle.

Cheng Rongrong and Han Xiaofei were both going to participate in the upcoming Initiation Ceremony on the fifteenth day of the first month, after the New Year.

Although they had only recently joined, both girls had a solid foundation before entering the sect. After a year of studying the rules and rites at the Daoist Children’s Academy, and becoming familiar with the Daoist scriptures, they were ready for formal initiation.

For Cheng Rongrong’s entry into the sect, Tang Xiaotang, who was usually out traveling, had returned to Mount Longhu specifically for this occasion.

It was her first time taking in a disciple, and since there were no major matters occupying her, she naturally wouldn't miss it.

As for Han Xiaofei, her initiation carried a different kind of significance within and beyond the Tang Daoist world.

The Tianshi Mansion finally had a second direct disciple under the current generation.

When Zhuo Huajie joined Lei Jun, Lei had not yet officially taken charge of Mount Longhu.

Now, more than twenty years into his tenure as Tianshi, this was his first time taking on another disciple—naturally drawing attention both within the mountain and from the outside.

Of course, compared to his predecessor—who had served as Tianshi for twenty-eight years and never took a single disciple—Lei Jun was still playing in the kiddie pool.

This time, the two of them taking disciples together, and also serving as each other’s Sponsor Masters, was a unique sight in the history of Mount Longhu.

“You really are lucky, huh? You actually managed to snag a Tai Xu Celestial Physique,” Tang Xiaotang clicked her tongue in amazement.

At the moment, Han Xiaofei was still wearing her gray Daoist robe, but stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the purple-robed Zhuo Huajie behind Lei Jun.

Under Tang Xiaotang’s gaze, though she maintained proper decorum, she didn't seem nervous. She met her Martial Aunt Tang’s eyes curiously.

It wasn’t that she was being rude—it was just that her martial aunt's behavior… was a little unusual.

Before returning to the mountain, Han Xiaofei had already heard that Tang Xiaotang was considered the most beautiful woman on Mount Longhu. But also—slightly unreliable.

Seeing her in person today, Han Xiaofei had to admit: indeed, Tang Xiaotang was dazzling—an absolute head-turner, breathtaking.

But also, indeed… a bit strange.

For example, her hand was currently resting on a fluffy, oversized tail, which she was stroking nonstop.

That tail belonged to the girl standing beside her, also wearing a gray robe—Cheng Rongrong.

This was the girl who had entered the sect just ahead of Han Xiaofei, a sort of “big-little sister.”

Strictly speaking, she was a red panda, but Han Xiaofei had grown quite close to her over the past year.

To be honest, every time they met, Han Xiaofei really wanted to scoop her up in her arms. Especially that plush, luxurious tail—it was irresistible. Her hands practically had a mind of their own.

But since Cheng Rongrong had stated she didn’t like it, Han Xiaofei had reluctantly held back.

Right now, she watched as her friend calmly pulled her tail back from Tang Xiaotang’s grasp.

Beside her, Zhuo Huajie kept a perfectly composed expression, eyes on his nose, nose on his heart—pretending he saw nothing.

“Senior Brother, forget others. Don’t you secretly enjoy when Sect Leader Aunt treats you like a kid?”

Cheng Rongrong’s words from the past echoed in his mind.

When their eyes met again, he looked away.

He always felt like her gaze carried the same weight as his when he looked at Master or Third Uncle. Silent, yet clearly conveying:

“When are you adults going to grow up?”

But in Cheng Rongrong’s eyes, he was just faking maturity.

Otherwise, he’d be like her—daring to reject their master’s rough affection outright, instead of quietly putting up with it…

Of course, as a High-Ranking Daoist Master, Zhuo Huajie didn’t agree with her view.

This little brat’s the one pretending to be grown-up!

Now that Tang Xiaotang’s hands were empty, she didn’t go for the tail again, but instead laughed and said, “These two little ones really do get along.”

Zhuo Huajie and Cheng Rongrong glanced at each other—and simultaneously looked away.

Lei Jun observed it all with a smile and commented, “They share similarities but have their differences. Getting along is about respecting both.”

Both Zhuo Huajie and Cheng Rongrong understood. He was referring to the fact that neither of them chose to assume human form.

The reason, for both, was the same:

“I was not born human.”

Cheng Rongrong, though raised by humans and given a name by adoptive parents, had lost them now. Since her master Tang Xiaotang and Mount Longhu placed no pressure on her, she had no desire to maintain human form for long.

Of course, she had learned the Transformation Art, and could use it when traveling if necessary.

In this, she found unexpected common ground with the slightly childish Senior Brother Zhuo.

“Master, Martial Aunt Tang…” The girl beside Zhuo Huajie raised her hand.

Though she hadn’t yet been officially initiated, given the familiarity of everyone present, she and Cheng Rongrong were allowed to speak informally: “Senior Brother Zhuo and Senior Sister Cheng learned human transformation—are there any spells to change into birds or beasts?”

Tang Xiaotang tried to stifle her laughter. Lei Jun, on the other hand, stayed calm: “There are, but they’re mostly illusion spells—they won’t fool anyone at your level.”

“…But you might be an exception.”

Han Xiaofei put her hand down, her eyes darting around, clearly plotting something.

Zhuo Huajie and Cheng Rongrong, watching her, sighed in unison.

Wang Guiyuan, in a private meeting with Lei Jun, echoed a sentiment with a light chuckle:

“Though Han Junior Niece is quite different from Zhuo and Cheng, I have to say… the disciples under you and Martial Sister Tang really are something else.”

You mean they’re not exactly mainstream… Lei Jun thought to himself.

Geniuses—they were definitely all geniuses.

But yes, they were certainly… unique.

Still, Lei Jun saw no problem with that.

“Flowers bloom in a hundred hues—not everything needs to be the same shade. That’s the beauty of it.” He smiled.

No matter the internal differences, outwardly, the new Initiation Ceremony at Mount Longhu proceeded smoothly.

State Preceptor Tang finally had her first direct disciple.

Tianshi Lei Jun had taken on his second true disciple.

Tang Xiaotang would be staying at the ancestral sect grounds of Mount Longhu for a rare stretch of time, teaching her disciple.

One day, during a quiet moment, she recalled something.

“Is Senior Sister still over in that war-torn mortal realm?”

Lei Jun nodded.

At that time, in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Mortal Realm, multiple states coexisted, waging constant war. The lands and borders shifted endlessly.

The Later Chu Dynasty had already fallen into history.

In its former territory, Zhou Wei and his adopted son Zhou Pu had established a new regime—the Later Han Dynasty.

Unlike Later Chu, which had close ties to the Witch Sect, Zhou Wei's Later Han had deep associations with the Buddhist Sect.

This marked one of the unique features of this mortal realm.

Military strongmen ruled the lands, and the rise and fall of banners on city walls often came with backing from either the Witch Sect or the Buddhist Sect.

The entanglement of different dynasties and kingdoms was often connected to the overarching struggle between the Great Shamans of Spirit Mountain and the Pure Lands of Shambhala.

Zhou Pu, calm as always, stood by Zhou Wei in welcoming a visiting delegation from the Liuli Zen Monastery, led by Abbot Zhiquan.

The meeting was cordial and festive.

At the end of the visit, Abbot Zhiquan raised a matter:

“Your Majesty and General—have either of you noticed the movements of a certain Daoist recently?”

Zhou Wei and Zhou Pu exchanged glances and shook their heads.

“Nothing of particular note. Could the Master describe this Daoist’s characteristics?”

In this mortal realm, Confucianism and Daoism were rarely seen, with few outstanding figures.

Zhou Pu’s mind immediately jumped to his encounters related to the Dark Side of the Heavenly Book Universe.

“She’s a female Daoist,” said Abbot Zhiquan.

“Wearing a Purple Robe, a black cloak, petite in stature, skin white as snow, and eyes cold as ice.”

“She’s from the Talismanic Daoist Lineage.”

Zhou Pu had no recollection of such a Daoist priestess.

But the owner of the Dark Side of the Heavenly Book Universe had once told him to keep an eye on those from the Ancient Talismanic Branch and remnants of the Heavenly Palace.

Could there be a connection?

He pondered quietly, keeping his expression unchanged.

Zhou Wei said, “We haven’t heard of her. But since the Abbot brought it up, we’ll issue orders to monitor her movements.”

He looked to Zhou Pu, who replied, “Yes, Father.”

—

Outside the capital of the Later Han, across the distant plains...

A petite Daoist priestess stood alone, yet everyone around—no matter near or far—acted as if she didn’t exist. It was as though she were completely invisible to the world.

“So… one of Lei Jun’s Dark Stars is in that city?”

Xu Yuanzhen gazed toward the Later Han capital.