Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 45: A plan to improve your understanding

Lei Jun turned to the coughing Shangguan Hong and said, “I was too frivolous with my words. I owe Junior Sister Li and that Young Master Fang an apology. But causing such a commotion and injuring someone outright here on Mount Longhu—it’s hard not to exaggerate my thoughts.”

Shangguan Hong coughed twice more. “Fang Mingyuan...that young master is already quite renowned in Jingxiang. Being young and thin-skinned, he’s prone to impulsive actions.”

This young Daoist, not even twenty, commented on Fang Mingyuan with an air of maturity. While his words were subtle, they were hardly complimentary. Considering the intricate relations between the Shangguan family's imperial connections and the scholarly, generations-old prestige of the Fang clan in Jingxiang, the dynamics here were undoubtedly more delicate than those involving the Tianshi Mansion.

Lei Jun shifted his thoughts to another involved party—Elder Ziyang’s daughter, Li Ying. Judging by the aftermath, she and Fang Mingyuan seemed to be in the early stages of interaction. Using a saying from Lei Jun’s time on Blue Star, it could be called a “matchmaking meeting.”

Although the situation had developed unexpectedly, upon reflection, it wasn’t entirely without precedent. Young Tianshi Li Zhengxuan’s efforts to maintain a balance across all factions were evident. Meanwhile, Elder Ziyang’s lineage had grown closer over the years, both with Fang Jian, who had entered the Tianshi Mansion, and with the Fang clan. A union between the Li and Fang families wouldn’t have been particularly shocking.

Li Ying and Fang Mingyuan, though near the core of their respective families, hadn’t yet reached the true center of influence. The real focus of attention remained on Li Zhengxuan’s unsettled marriage.

Thanks to Zhang Jingzhen and Fang Jian’s swift handling, the medicinal garden incident didn’t escalate. Li Ying secluded herself in training to avoid further entanglements. For now, any preliminary plans for a Fang-Li alliance seemed to have been shelved. The Tianshi Mansion also subtly downplayed the situation, ensuring low-key damage control.

Meanwhile, the exchange and sparring between young disciples of the two Daoist Holy Lands concluded. Representing the Tianshi Mansion was an old acquaintance: Chen Yi.

After his misstep in the Discipline Hall early last year, his master, Elder Yao, confined him until the New Year. Now, Chen Yi appeared steadier, with a concealed sharpness—like a sheathed blade, still capable of an even brighter edge when drawn.

What the sect elders expected from Chen Yi’s appearance was unclear. However, Lei Jun couldn’t help but feel, as though influenced by the countless novels he read on Blue Star, that Chen Yi was bound to win.

And indeed, Junior Brother Chen didn’t disappoint Senior Brother Lei’s expectations. He secured victory for the Tianshi Mansion, channeling a year’s pent-up frustration and refining himself in the process. His triumph left an impression on many observers.

Later, Yuan Mobai opened a cauldron and produced 36 pills, awarding Chen Yi two, distributing the rest among the witnesses, and reserving a portion for Zhang Yuan and Fang Mingyuan, as instructed by Fang Jian.

“This aligns with the Seventh-Grade Opportunity indicated in the Moderate Omen,” Lei Jun noted to himself. While the favorable aspects were clear, the hidden dangers remained uncertain.

Lei Jun now understood the difference between an Upper-Moderate Omen and a Lower-Moderate Omen. Visiting the Grand Alchemy Hall first allowed him to detect and obtain the mysterious alchemical mortar before its spiritual essence dissipated. But had he gone to the medicinal garden first, he might have missed the mortar and stumbled upon Li Ying and Fang Mingyuan’s secret meeting, fulfilling the ominous fortune of “uncovering secrets and inviting suspicion.”

Lei Jun, being far stronger than Zhang Yuan, wouldn’t have been injured by Fang Mingyuan. However, the implication of a family as powerful as the Fangs harboring ill will, coupled with no tangible benefits, would have led to missing out on the Sixth-Grade Opportunity in the Grand Alchemy Hall.

Now, with the mortar secured, Lei Jun stood quietly by his master Yuan Mobai’s side. Despite the minor undercurrents, the Tianshi Mansion’s initiation ceremony concluded successfully. Guests began departing.

In the Chu family convoy, an extraordinary beauty, now dressed in a fitted hunting outfit, leaned against the carriage window. Outside, a Chu youth stood before the window. “That Chen Yi was quite impressive. He turned the tables after falling behind. Even I thought he was about to lose.”

The woman responded with a faint “Hmm,” her gaze distant.

The young man, unfazed by her aloofness, continued, “Later, I’ll make sure someone keeps an eye on that little Daoist. He’s worth monitoring.”

The woman nodded again but added, “Include one more—Lei Jun.”

The youth looked surprised but respectfully complied, “Understood, Aunt Chu.”

With the guests gone, the Tianshi Mansion disciples handled the post-event cleanup. Lei Jun visited Zhang Yuan, who was recovering from his injuries, and Luo Haoran, who was temporarily grounded.

Zhang Yuan’s condition was stable and required only rest, though he seemed to despair at the sight of Lei Jun. Luo Haoran, despite his confinement, remained in good spirits and even reassured Lei Jun during the visit.

“This matter with the Fangs... Elder Ziyang acted a bit hastily,” Luo Haoran commented.

Later, Yuan Mobai uncharacteristically refrained from balancing opinions and straightforwardly remarked, “As long as Nephew Zhengxuan stays composed, there will be no issue.”

Nearby, Xu Yuanzhen casually sketched on paper as she listened. “Li Zhengxuan? He’s not in a rush, but he’s indecisive, trying to keep everything for himself,” she quipped, drawing a chuckle from Yuan Mobai.

Lei Jun, meanwhile, studied his new mortar. After much observation, he realized its unique properties. It was a spiritual item balancing yin and yang energies, embodying the concept of the “Unaccomplished Cauldron” from Daoist trigrams.

Unlike the “Accomplished” trigram, where water is above fire, the “Unaccomplished” places water below fire. Most such items wouldn’t suit Lei Jun, but this one did.

Suspecting this might be a deliberate arrangement by his master, Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun cautiously asked, only for Yuan Mobai to shake his head. “This is your personal fortune. I don’t have the ability to steal credit from Heaven.”

Lei Jun nodded. “I’d been to the Grand Alchemy Hall before but found nothing. This mortar must have appeared later.”

Xu Yuanzhen examined the mortar. “Someone secretly refined this during alchemy, intending to keep it hidden. This treasure was born as a byproduct.”

Lei Jun blinked, impressed.

Given the high cultivation levels of Yuan Mobai and Xu Yuanzhen, few on Mount Longhu could create such an artifact without being noticed.

“You’re lucky,” Xu Yuanzhen said. “This Unaccomplished Cauldron, paired with the Fire Marrow Yangfish, gives you a real chance to enhance your comprehension. Now, you just need to find the Water Marrow Yinfish.”