Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 435: The Show Has Just Begun

Upon hearing what Li Yuanheng said, the Jiuli elder gave a brief nod and withdrew.

Yet unease lingered in his heart.

The Tang Mortal Realm was filled with powerful cultivators.

The current situation in the Land of the Deep Sea was no longer what it used to be.

Back when the Tanli Tribe withdrew from the Land of the Deep Sea, it had been a disgraceful mess, leaving behind too many problems.

Li Yuanheng was fully aware of this himself.

Though it was said that Li Zhongding had already turned to dust thanks to Tianshi Lei Jun of Mount Longhu, the other Jiuli experts in the Land of the Deep Sea were deeply displeased that Li Yuanheng had opened the Luoyuan gateway leading there.

Former allies like the Wuli Tribe and others had grown distant from him.

If Li Yuanheng could return to the Land of the Deep Sea and have sufficient time without external interference, he was confident he could reclaim control—over the Deep Sea and over Jiuli.

But the Tang Daoist world would not grant him such a chance.

Forget others—Tang Xiaotang and the entire lineage of Mount Longhu of the Tang Dynasty alone might never let him go.

Li Yuanheng had no illusions about getting help from the Kongsang Witch Sect or anyone else to regain the Land of the Deep Sea.

As the saying went, “It's easy to invite gods, but hard to send them off.”

Still, he hoped the other side would stir up chaos in the Han Mortal Realm.

If the Kongsang Witch Sect launched a major move, then even the Mount Longhu lineage of the Han Dynasty would struggle to stay hidden away in their secluded Grotto-Heaven forever.

To the Kongsang Witch Sect, Mount Longhu of the Han Dynasty, and even the founding ancestors of the Talismanic Branch behind them, were all potential threats and obstacles.

Bringing in Mount Longhu of the Tang Dynasty as a counterbalance? It was a perfect strategy.

Even though the Void Gateway from the Han Mortal Realm to Datong was currently sealed, and the Tang and Han Mortal Realms seemed disconnected,

Li Yuanheng firmly believed that even if the Tang side didn’t try to reopen the path, the Kongsang Witch Sect would surely work from their end to pry open a gateway leading to the Tang Mortal Realm.

As long as the Mount Longhu of the Han Dynasty made a move,

then the Tianshi Mansion of the Tang might respond in kind.

At that point, they might no longer have the time or attention to keep watching over the Land of the Deep Sea.

Still, even without Mount Longhu, the Tang Daoist world was teeming with powerful cultivators.

Would the Tanli Tribe still stand a chance?

If they missed this opportunity created by the Kongsang Witch Sect and Mount Longhu of the Han Dynasty, would there ever be a better one?

Deep in a dim canyon, Li Yuanheng remained silent.

His will was firm—he did not feel defeated, merely deep in thought.

---

Lei Jun traveled through the Two Jin Mortal Realm, passed the Han Mortal Realm, and returned to the Tang Mortal Realm.

Back at Mount Longhu, he first handed the Seamless Golden Rainbow over to Wang Guiyuan, Xu Yuanzhen, and Tang Xiaotang for inspection.

“Don't try refining this thing lightly,” said Wang Guiyuan, expression turning serious after a single glance.

Lei Jun replied, “It might be linked to Venerable Puguang of Shambhala.”

Wang Guiyuan nodded. “Indeed. Second Brother, your mana is profound, and holding it externally is no issue. But if you attempt to refine it directly, it could invite disaster.”

Lei Jun said, “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I won’t act on impulse. I already have a general idea on how to wear it down.”

“You mean… Avīci?” Wang Guiyuan caught on, then shook his head like a rattle drum. “Why go through that? That’s a double risk.”

Lei Jun was calm. “Senior Brother, do you want this item? Or should we try to revert it back to its original Three-Colored Bodhi form?”

Wang Guiyuan quickly waved it off. “I’ve no use for it. Don’t trouble yourself, Second Brother.”

He hesitated a moment, then added, “Still, be careful. Don’t take shortcuts just for temporary convenience.”

Lei Jun nodded. “I understand. I won’t act recklessly.”

Tang Xiaotang, glancing a few times, soon lost interest. Xu Yuanzhen, on the other hand, examined it closely. “Definitely Puguang’s handiwork.”

Lei Jun: “Senior Sister, do you think he took on a Daoist identity just to target Penglai, or perhaps the ancient Heavenly Palace ruins tied to the Talismanic Branch?”

If the target was the latter, then for him to achieve great success, even Mount Longhu’s Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar could be among his objectives.

Yet the Central Yellow Emperor, Yan Keji, had not entered the Tang realm.

So Lei Jun still couldn’t pinpoint the true intent.

Same with Shen Xi, the Eastern Azure Emperor, whom he failed to find during his trip through the Two Jin Mortal Realm.

“As things stand, that monk’s true priority is the Great Matrix,” said Xu Yuanzhen.

She returned the Seamless Golden Rainbow to Lei Jun: “You added something in Xinzhou of the Han Realm, didn’t you?”

Lei Jun: “It won’t interfere with your setup, Senior Sister.”

Xu Yuanzhen nodded. “Good.”

She then turned her attention to a burning sea of emerald fire nearby.

Within it, a strange sword was being tempered by the Nine Abyss True Flame, its blade continuously shifting in length—at times over ten feet, sometimes under one.

Tang Xiaotang chuckled from the side: “So the Void Gateway to the Han Dynasty is stable now? If Mount Longhu of the Han Dynasty returns, we’ll give everyone quite the surprise.”

Lei Jun: “Not everyone. If someone sees Mount Longhu of the Han Dynasty as a threat, even if we don’t open the ‘door’ ourselves, they’ll help us do it.”

Shambhala would love to see Khan Ongqinfu seize control of Datong, or at least cut off the Tang-Han connection entirely.

But not everyone in the Han Mortal Realm agreed.

Lei Jun had acted ahead of schedule after learning possible news of the Jade Purity Miro Grotto-Heaven, reaching out through the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou to head into the Two Jin Mortal Realm.

Otherwise, he might have just waited it out.

Now, he had no reason to rush. He would continue cultivating and watch from the sidelines.

Xu Yuanzhen, too, calmly continued refining the peculiar sword.

Over time, its spiritual aura steadily grew.

Yet her sword required World-Crushing Dust, which the Tianshi Mansion had failed to find within or outside the Tang realm.

Lei Jun had searched the Two Jin, Han, and Ming Mortal Realms, but found nothing.

Without this item, the sword could still be completed, just with lesser results.

Then, early in the new year, Chu Kun unexpectedly brought back a small amount of World-Crushing Dust.

“Perfect,” said Xu Yuanzhen, immediately casting it into the sea of emerald fire.

The flames surged violently.

The strange sword, its blade shifting in length, shuddered intensely.

Then, its ever-changing form began to vanish into invisibility.

“Guess I got lucky this time,” said Chu Kun with some wonder.

“You always do,” Lei Jun laughed.

Chu Kun waved it off. “Not like you or Senior Sister. Mine's just occasional dumb luck.”

Lei Jun: “Planning another ‘lucky visit’ to the Ming Mortal Realm anytime soon?”

Chu Kun blinked. “No. Something going on over there?”

Lei Jun: “Future Maitreya Huiyin is planning a trip.”

Chu Kun was startled. “Really…?”

Lei Jun nodded. “A call for help—from the Heavenly Book side.”

They’d done this before.

Back when Empress Zhang Wantong was traveling, the Inner Shushan Sect struck again.

While Zhang Hui held down Luoyang, he’d invited Future Maitreya Huiyin to help.

By now, everyone had a good sense of each other’s true identities.

Huiyin had already shown himself in Bashu back then, clearly prepared.

So this time, his request was straightforward.

His goal in Ming Mortal Realm? Clearly, the White Lotus Sect there.

Lei Jun, Zhang Wantong, and Zhang Hui all agreed, with Zhang Hui pointing him to a hidden path via Guizang.

But if Huiyin were to act openly, the secret path might no longer remain secret.

News could spread to Shambhala—and who knows what would happen then.

Though Khan Ongqinfu might currently be dormant in the Outer Void,

just in case, the Tang side prepared to seal the path at any time.

Xiao Chunhui and Meng Shaojie, both still in the Ming Realm, were informed and gave their consent.

Huiyin, understanding the stakes, apologized and promised to act discreetly.

Lei Jun and Zhang Hui had no objections.

Lei Jun would also inform Zhenwu Monastery and Shushan Sect of the Ming Realm.

But they had mostly stabilized and ceased travel; sealing the Void Gateway would pose no problem.

“I only recently learned Future Maitreya’s original Dharma name from you guys,” said Chu Kun, “but… it still sounds off.”

Lei Jun: “You’re overthinking it.”

Chu Kun: “You’re the one who misread Senior Brother’s name in the first place. I got corrupted by you.”

Lei Jun: “To borrow from Senior Brother and Huiyin’s own people—‘Originally, there is not a single thing; where can dust alight?’ If your heart feels dirty, that’s because it was never clean to begin with.”

The two shared a laugh before Chu Kun took his leave to cultivate.

Lei Jun did the same.

As summer approached…

In the Han Mortal Realm, within the region of Bashu, the Shushan Sect of the Han Dynasty recently welcomed astonishing news.

Sect Master Chen Lingfeng, who had been in seclusion for years, had successfully ascended to the Great Ascension True Daoist realm of the Daoist Artifact Refining Sect, reaching the Ninth Heaven.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the region, drawing congratulations from all directions—even from the imperial capital Chang’an, where court envoys were dispatched with formal blessings.

As one of the Three Great Daoist Holy Lands of the Han, both the Pure Yang Palace and Mount Longhu of the Han Dynasty sent emissaries—esteemed figures, no less.

From the Pure Yang Palace, even the current sect master Deng Lai came personally to offer congratulations.

While Mount Longhu’s main mountain was hidden deep within the Taiqing Salvation Grotto-Heaven, a representative remained in the mortal realm: none other than Pan Hailin, who had stepped into the Ninth Heaven even earlier than Chen Lingfeng.

Pan Hailin arrived dressed in the traditional purple robe and tall crown of a High Priest of Mount Longhu, offering his congratulations to the Shushan Sect.

“Having you here, Daoist Pan, is truly an unexpected honor,” said Chen Lingfeng, returning the greeting.

Despite looking like a young man, Pan Hailin replied with calm poise, “These are turbulent times. Storms brew across the land. Sect Master Chen's ascension to Great Ascension Realm is a true blessing for the mortal realm.”

“Credit goes to the recent surge of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy,” said Chen Lingfeng modestly. “And truth be told, Daoist Pan, you reached this stage even earlier than I. In talent and attainment, you surpass me.”

Pan Hailin shook his head. “You flatter me, Sect Master Chen.”

When Deng Lai arrived, Chen Lingfeng and Pan Hailin received him together.

Though advanced in years, and despite the recent surge in spiritual energy, Deng Lai was unlikely to break through the chasm between the Eighth and Ninth Heavens.

But as the sect master of the Pure Yang Palace, his personal presence carried enormous weight.

Seizing the moment, the key figures from the Three Great Daoist Holy Lands of the Han Dynasty gathered for a long private discussion.

Compared to the looming threat once posed by the Vast Void Temple, their recent focus had shifted.

They now discussed the Grand Shaman of the Kongsang Sect, who had assisted the monk Juexiang, the Ninth-Heaven cultivators of Shambhala, and… the cultivators of the Tang Realm.

Chen Lingfeng said slowly, “The Mount Longhu lineage of the Tang Dynasty shares the same root with your sects. Thousands of years ago, we worshipped the same line of ancestral masters.”

“Now, amid chaos, the two of your sects stand as pillars of our Daoist tradition. If we can find common ground despite our differences, there’s hope for a new golden age.”

Pan Hailin was composed as he replied, “It’s true we once worshipped the same ancestors. But those of the Talismanic Branch in the Tang Realm… that includes those active within the Han Imperial Domain, like the so-called Yellow Heaven Sect. And frankly, many of them no longer hold any reverence for their predecessors.”

“These past years, their words and actions have twisted the scriptures. Calling them disrespectful to their ancestors is putting it lightly. At this rate, they’re probably scheming to come deeper into our Han Realm, to utterly betray their teachers and ancestors.”

Pan Hailin added coldly, “Our sect already took a step back—retreating into the Taiqing Salvation Grotto-Heaven, choosing not to stoop to their level. Sect Master Chen, your mediation was well-intentioned, and we’re truly grateful. With the Han Realm caught in a time of turmoil, we have no wish to stir up more conflict. Everything can wait… I only fear that even if the tree wishes to remain still, the wind won’t cease.”

Chen Lingfeng and Deng Lai exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

“Sect Master Ji, Daoist Pan—such integrity is worthy of deep respect,” said Chen Lingfeng with sincerity.

Deng Lai spoke up next. “The Tang Mortal Realm had shown restraint for many years. Now, with all connections between the two realms temporarily severed, even Shambhala’s Treasury Division has kept quiet lately. The most pressing issue for the Han Realm remains those demon monks of the Vast Void Temple—and the Kongsang Grand Shamans behind them.”

Pan Hailin nodded. “Thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince and Elder Dongyang, those monks and shamans have been far more subdued these past two years.”

Yet Deng Lai’s expression did not ease. “On the surface, yes. But in the shadows, the currents run deep—and dangerous.”

Chen Lingfeng and Pan Hailin looked to him.

After a moment’s pause, Deng Lai finally said, “Chang’an… no, to be precise, the Hua Yin Palace—there’s a shadow hanging over it.”

The other two grew serious at once.

The Pure Yang Palace sat in Zhongnan Mountain, right within Guanlong, and clearly, Deng Lai had noticed something—he wasn’t speaking idly.

“There’s someone from the Witch Sect in Guanlong,” Deng Lai said slowly.

Chen Lingfeng spoke up. “I recall during the Battle of Datong, we uncovered a Witch Sect member named Tan Muwei. Under interrogation, it was revealed he was tied to the Grand Shaman Longfeng. Later, there were even rumors Longfeng was active in the Guanzhong region?”

Deng Lai gave a faint nod.

Chen Lingfeng and Pan Hailin fell silent.

Anywhere else would be one thing.

But Guanzhong—the imperial heartland—was different.

Nearby were powerful forces like the Yang Clan of Guanzhong, the Xiao Clan of Longxi, and the Pure Yang Palace of Zhongnan Mountain.

If a Grand Shaman had really been moving in and out of the region all these years, they shouldn't have all remained unaware—unless someone truly powerful was concealing him.

And there weren’t many figures in the entire Han Dynasty with that kind of power.

It was hard not to think of the changes in Emperor Xiang Chengyuan over the years.

People said the Grand Shaman aiding the Vast Void Temple’s abbot Juexiang was from Kongsang.

People said Kongsang Grand Shamans stood behind the Vast Void Temple.

But to this day, no one had found a Void Gateway between Kongsang and the Han Mortal Realm.

Chen Lingfeng, Deng Lai, and Pan Hailin looked at one another—eyes flashing, yet saying nothing.

---

In Kongsang, beneath a towering peak made entirely of shimmering white bones—translucent like crystal—a gathering of top Grand Shamans stood at its base.

At the center was Peng Youshan.

The bones were riddled with gaps, through which black mist billowed constantly, shrouding the mountain but never dispersing.

Flickers of red light occasionally blinked between the bones—like countless watching eyes.

“Is Longfeng prepared?”

The strange syllables did not come from the Bone Mountain, but rang directly within the minds of Peng Youshan and the others—carrying clear meaning.

Peng Youshan bowed devoutly to the mountain and answered with reverence, “Longfeng is fully prepared, my King.”

Kongsang Witch King: “The time draws near. Begin.”

“Yes, my King.”

Then Peng Youshan added quietly, “The Vast Void Temple will pose no problem. But that mad Confucian, Wang Xu, remains unaccounted for.”

Witch King: “He’s yours to handle.”

As he spoke, a crystal bone floated from the Bone Mountain—drifting down before Peng Youshan.

It looked much like the rest of the crystalline remains, but faint green light shimmered inside.

“Yes, my King.” Peng Youshan received it with reverence, then departed with the other shamans.

Once they left the dark mist surrounding the Bone Mountain, Peng Youshan carefully stored the bone and said to his fellows:

“Inform Longfeng to proceed. Let’s get ready.”

Grand Shaman Yun Qingyan murmured, “The Tang Realm… still unpredictable.”

Mount Longhu of the Han Dynasty had Zhoutian Daoist.

But the Tianshi Mansion of the Tang Dynasty, and the entire Tang Daoist world, had their own vast forces.

Mount Longhu of the Han Dynasty and Zhoutian Daoist were definite obstacles.

But if the Tang Realm moved too aggressively, that could also be a problem.

On the other hand, Shambhala, just as the Witch King had said, preferred to stay out of the fray—for now.

Early on, they would likely watch from the sidelines, maybe even support the Han Dynasty’s downfall.

But later, if the tides shifted, Shambhala might intervene—and strike the losing side.

If the Witch King could maintain control at that moment, Shambhala might even become an ally.

It all hinged on these careful plans.

To be fair, the current plan had weaknesses.

But the ritual formations had already been completed.

Missing this window would delay the effort for years.

And in the mortal realm, everything could change in a flash.

Even the Witch King could not guarantee another chance would come.

Therefore, there was no room for hesitation.

They had to do their best now, and adapt to whatever came next.

“I’ll keep an eye on Wang Xu. You help Longfeng and assist the Vast Void Temple,” Peng Youshan ordered.

Yun Qingyan, Lian Jing, and the others replied in unison, “Yes.”

Tang Mortal Realm.

Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu.

Lei Jun was cultivating in peace.

That summer marked his eighty-third birthday.

With Chu Kun, Zhang Jingzhen, Zhuo Huajie, and Qin Caiwei all gradually stepping into maturity, Tianshi Lei now mainly oversaw general affairs in the mansion, while the High Priests and elders took care of specific duties.

From time to time, Lei Jun traveled to Penglai, where he sat upon the Stargazing Platform, using the Zhou Heavenly Mirror of Jade Purity to observe the mortal realms.

There wasn’t much change in the Former Song Mortal Realm.

Since Tang Xiaotang had spent the last two years focusing on teaching her disciples, she remained at the ancestral grounds of the Tang Daoist sect.

As such, Elder Zheng Chen had rarely appeared in the Former Song Realm.

Among the Former Song survivors, who were already few in number, setbacks at the hands of the Golden Khanate had made them even more cautious and reserved.

But ironically, this pressure had united them more than ever.

Though internal factions remained, they were forced to compromise and cooperate against a shared threat.

Still, not all news was good.

The Golden Khan, though unseen in the mortal realm, now loomed like a sword suspended above their heads—its mere presence bred more dread than any direct appearance.

There were even signs of betrayal: some among the Song survivors began wavering, following the footsteps of Liang Zhuo and others before him, and shifting allegiance to the Golden Khanate.

In the Ming Mortal Realm, the flames of war still raged.

The White Lotus Sect found itself in an increasingly difficult position, struggling to maintain control over Qingzhou, and began plotting escape routes.

But the Ming court was also in dire straits.

The nomadic tribes once devastated in the Northern Campaign had begun to make a comeback.

Although Jatiluo, the Karmic Division Head of Shambhala, had not appeared personally, monks from the Karma Division had now returned in force.

Though not launching a major offensive themselves, their presence had enabled the northern tribes to become a major threat to the Ming Dynasty once more.

The Two Jin Mortal Realm was no more stable.

In the Northern Jin Dynasty, all eyes turned toward the emperor’s upcoming marriage.

The Buddhist Division of Shambhala exerted tremendous pressure on the imperial house and major noble clans.

The situation remained relatively calm—for now.

In the Southern Jin Dynasty, however, dark undercurrents were beginning to surface.

Years ago, Crown Prince Cao Kong had entered secluded cultivation with the Three-Colored Bodhi at Bodhi Monastery, under heavy secrecy.

Yet not only did Shambhala’s Northern Division find out—they even managed to infiltrate the Southern court and wreak havoc.

Though eventually repelled and heavily injured, the impact was significant.

Both Southern Jin’s Abbot Baoneng and Lei Jun—now long gone from that realm—suspected the same source: Jianye, the capital of the Southern Jin.

More precisely, the palace of the Southern Jin royal family.

The conflict beneath the surface had now erupted into view.

The bloodshed to come would rival any North–South war.

As for the Han Mortal Realm, Lei Jun could not directly observe it from Penglai’s Stargazing Platform.

But through information networks—via the Yellow Heaven Sect, Han noble families, and others—he quickly learned that a massive upheaval was about to explode.

Worse than anything in the Ming or Two Jin Realms.

Two pieces of news shattered the fragile surface calm of the Han Dynasty:

First, the demon monks of the Vast Void Temple had returned in full force—this time, aided by Kongsang Grand Shamans.

In no time at all, they surged with a force that could swallow mountains and rivers.

Crown Prince Xiang Jing personally led a force to block their advance.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

Emperor Xiang Chengyuan left the Hua Yin Palace and returned to Chang’an—but there, a horrifying transformation unfolded.

The Emperor erupted with overwhelming Witch Sect sorcery, shooting into the sky and revealing himself to be a Grand Shaman of the Ninth Heaven.

Mighty Chang’an City was instantly shrouded in black mist.

When the news broke, the entire Han realm was thrown into chaos.

Worse followed.

More and more reports revealed the shocking truth:

The current Emperor of the Han Dynasty was the true source of the recent wave of unrest—he was the one preparing to welcome the Witch King of Kongsang, whose descent into the Han Mortal Realm now seemed imminent.

And the Void Gateway to Kongsang?

It had always been right next to Chang’an, in the imperial heartlands.

The Grand Shaman known as Longfeng, said to have been seen in the Guanzhong region in recent years—was none other than Xiang Chengyuan himself!

The entire Han Daoist world was left reeling in disbelief.

Then came the call to arms: defend the king.

Even though the Kongsang Witch King was powerful, if his descent into the mortal realm could be stopped, there was still hope.

Even Shambhala’s Treasury Division, despite claiming they were short on personnel, quietly dispatched a Ninth Heaven Buddhist Master—already possessing a Dharma Body—to report to Crown Prince Xiang Jing.

In that moment, the entire Han Realm ignited.

When Lei Jun, in the Tang Realm, heard the news…

He had no reaction.

He didn’t flinch. Didn’t act.

There were too many oddities.

Instead, he remained composed, calm, and continued his cultivation.

He even advised the eager Tang Xiaotang to hold off and not act rashly.

Right now, Lei Jun truly had the peace of mind to stay still.

At Mount Longhu, he devoted himself to cultivation, without distraction.

With help from his junior brother Chu Kun, and the aid of the Supreme Azure Crystal, Lei Jun progressed faster than he’d expected—solidifying his mastery of the Five Elements and Five Vital Energies, each deep and flawless.

Having reached this level, he laid the perfect foundation for his next breakthrough.

Within his Great Ascension Dao Domain, the Xuanhuang Universe, which currently only extended a few meters in range, Lei Jun sat in stillness—preparing for the final transition in his cultivation of the Five Energies Converging to the Origin.