Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 460: Nine Heavens Complete: Five Qis Face the Mystery, Bridge to the Beyond

In the secluded chamber for quiet cultivation, Lei Jun unfolded his Great Dao Manifestation.

Within the Xuanhuang Universe, Lei Jun himself sat cross-legged.

The Mystic Primordial Qi he cultivated intertwined to produce Dark Dust of the Abyss and Heaven-Heart Thunder.

The two fused into one, indistinguishable from each other, as if invisible thunder rumbled endlessly beneath the murky soil of the underworld.

The Three Elixir Qi transformed into the radiant Threefold Glow Clouds and the luminous Poles-Tide Sea Eyes.

These, too, wove together—within the brilliant clouds, vortexes spun endlessly.

The Five Spirits and Five Qi became a weave of multicolored clouds and the Solitary Phase Water—at once dazzling and vibrant, yet cold, lonely, and unchanging.

As they mingled and merged, a sense of contradictory harmony and distorted unity emerged.

Lastly, the Seven Brilliant Qi Lei Jun had accumulated took form—seven strands of white light and flawless Golden Rainbow. The former was razor-sharp, the latter firm and unyielding.

All these wondrous phenomena now surrounded Lei Jun. As they intertwined and transformed, they stirred a deeper, more mysterious existence in the unseen.

The Dark Dust of the Abyss seemed to bridge the netherworld, summoning the Yellow Springs.

The Heaven-Heart Thunder rose to the firmament, reaching the Jade Heavens.

The Five-Colored Clouds extended toward Penglai, while the Solitary Phase Water drew upon the power of Guixu.

The Sevenfold White Light and Golden Rainbow collided between Saha and Avīci, grinding against each other's edge to spark transformation.

Beyond these six celestial realms, the Threefold Glow Clouds and Poles-Tide Sea Eyes came from Lei Jun's deep foundation, amassed over many years, birthing even more variation.

At this moment, the flowing transformations of these phenomena seemed to form a complete and all-encompassing world of myriad appearances.

Lei Jun traversed them all, and now, he appeared to have gained full mastery—able to manipulate each transformation with ease.

Under his control, these arcane visions gradually merged with his Xuanhuang Universe.

His Great Dao Manifestation—the Xuanhuang Universe—began evolving further.

The dark cosmos and the brilliant Yuanmagnetic Star Tracks seemed to vanish.

In their place, the entire manifestation transformed into a complete, fully-realized world of mortals.

And yet, something still seemed missing.

“Just a hint of vitality,” Lei Jun said with a soft smile.

As he spoke, the world before him began shifting again.

Amidst the convergence of phenomena, strands of greenish-blue air currents began to form.

Though still faint and threadlike, their presence immediately infused the world around Lei Jun with a trace of vitality.

Like the final stroke in a masterful painting, it brought everything to life.

The world of myriad forms transformed from a flat scroll into a vivid, living realm.

Lei Jun remained calm and unmoving, seated in silent meditation.

Soon, another wisp of greenish-blue spiritual energy emerged.

Then a third.

A fourth.

A fifth...

Until the ninth strand formed.

Nine faint threads of azure spiritual energy floated together, merging into a single current.

At that moment, the seemingly real world around him began to shift once more.

The vibrant multicolored world returned to a deep, starless cosmic void.

All around was darkness, with only scattered starlight in the distance.

Streams of golden Yuanmagnetic Star Tracks reappeared—neither fully real nor illusory—crisscrossing the heavens.

The unified azure current now hovered before Lei Jun.

He inhaled.

That spiritual energy—formed from the union of nine qi—was drawn into his body.

This was known as the Azure Spirit Nine Qi.

It was the final qi needed for the Five Qi Facing the Profound cultivation, exclusive to Talisman Sect cultivators of the Ninth Heaven.

With this, Lei Jun had fully attained all Five Qi.

The Fifth Layer of the Ninth Heaven realm was complete.

Though the Azure Spirit Nine Qi was still just a sliver, Lei Jun felt a profound clarity in both mind and body.

His cultivation subtly shifted in quality.

It was like the jump from imperfection to completeness.

Although not as monumental as his previous breakthrough from the Eighth to the Ninth Heaven, it still far surpassed the leaps from First to Second, or Third to Fourth Layer of the Ninth Heaven.

Being naturally attuned to the Dao and in harmony with the universe, Lei Jun now sensed that an illusory portal in the void had become much clearer.

He needed no further confirmation—it was the legendary Celestial Gate, said to lie beyond the Ninth Heaven.

Lei Jun looked up at the gate with a faint smile, then calmed his thoughts, choosing not to linger on it.

For now, he would focus on his own cultivation.

With the Azure Spirit Nine Qi complete, as Lei Jun circulated spiritual energy and nourished his power, the fused qi thickened, becoming denser.

Later, the seemingly plain azure qi began to shimmer subtly.

The glow flowed without end—not blinding, but richer and more vivid than the Threefold Glow Clouds or Five-Colored Clouds.

Nine hues shimmered together.

The radiance lit up Lei Jun's face, yet his expression remained serene.

This was the mystical phenomenon derived from the Azure Spirit Nine Qi, known as Nine-Colored Flowing Radiance, capable of nurturing life and restoring essence.

For a Talisman Sect Grandmaster in the Great Vehicle Realm, beyond enhancing daily cultivation and tempering body and soul, this radiance had potent healing abilities in battle.

It could also be used to heal others within Lei Jun’s manifestation.

Another miraculous effect—especially for aging cultivators entering decline—was its power to slow aging and maintain strength.

But for Lei Jun, not yet a century old, this particular benefit didn’t apply.

Thanks to his innate affinity with nature and the Two Aspects Immortal Body, Lei Jun already had plans related to the Nine-Colored Flowing Radiance. There was no rush.

What drew his attention now was another change.

As the Azure Spirit Nine Qi deepened and the Nine-Colored Flowing Radiance intensified, a new mystery began to unfold before him.

He lifted his gaze again.

Between himself and the Celestial Gate, a Bridge of Profound Connection began to appear.

A bridge to the divine.

Heaven, Earth, Humanity, and the Netherworld—at this moment, they all seemed interconnected.

Should Lei Jun ascend this bridge, the world would no longer be the same.

And he now seemed even closer to the illusory Celestial Gate.

“The Bridge of Profound Connection…” Lei Jun nodded softly.

This was the mystical gain upon reaching the fifth layer of the Ninth Heaven and completing Five Qi Facing the Profound.

It was widely acknowledged: among Talisman Sect cultivators, those who reached the Ninth Heaven's perfection were the closest to the Celestial Gate—second only to Confucian Sages who achieved Cloud Ascent.

Of course, whether one was a Cloud Ascending Confucian or a bridge-crossing Talisman Grandmaster, truly pushing open the Celestial Gate was no easy feat.

Many had perished crossing tribulations or remained stuck in the mortal world for eons.

Yet Lei Jun, standing upon this Bridge of Profound Connection, was not like others.

He could clearly feel that he was closer to the gate than ever before.

Even without it, he could now perceive the secrets of Heaven and Earth with far greater clarity.

Through this bridge, Lei Jun’s dual manifestations of the Great Dao began forming deeper links, generating further changes.

Smiling, he retracted his Xuanhuang Universe.

In the air, only the Bridge remained—its ends fading into the void, origin and destination unknown.

Just an illusory path suspended in the sky.

Lei Jun sat cross-legged at its center, closing his eyes again in meditation.

In the human realm of the former Song Dynasty—the capital of the Golden Khanate.

After Haritana, Hasen of the Sumeru Lotus Division, and the demonic tiger Arata, the top experts, departed west on their campaign, the one left in charge of Central China was Arslan, son of Golden Khan Ongqinfu.

Earlier, he too had briefly left the capital.

That was to aid Guixu in descending once more upon this human world along the eastern seaboard.

Although the Kunpeng Demon Saint did not descend in person, many great demons from Guixu did arrive.

The southern remnant populations of the Song were handed over to these Guixu demons. Using their strength, they cleansed the region and prevented the reopening of Yellow Springs or Earth Sea.

Arslan himself did not linger long in the south. He promptly returned to the Golden Khanate’s capital.

He had to stay and hold the capital, awaiting news from his father, Ongqinfu.

And so he waited—through countless days and nights.

Ongqinfu remained dormant in the void beyond the world. The biggest problem with this was that whether it was Sumeru or the Golden Khanate, no one could contact him directly. It all depended on luck—no one knew when he might respond.

Now, in the former Song realm, the Golden Khanate had achieved sweeping victories both west and south, meeting their strategic goals: keeping external powers from interfering with what was to come in this world.

But Ongqinfu had yet to reply.

Thus, both the Wise Benefactor of Sumeru and the Kunpeng Demon Saint of Guixu waited in patience.

Fortunately, they did not have to wait for decades or centuries.

That day, the golden imperial standard standing tall in the palace of the capital suddenly became unnaturally still despite the roaring winds.

Those who had been watching it closely—Arslan and the others—immediately perked up.

Arslan personally lit a bonfire beside the golden standard.

Thick black smoke shot straight upward into the sky.

In the heavens above, that smoke began to spread like dark clouds, blanketing the sky.

From the rolling black smoke, a vague human figure took shape in midair.

Though the silhouette was indistinct, Arslan and the other elite warriors of the Golden Khanate immediately bowed in salute.

At the same time, the highest-priority encrypted message was dispatched from the capital—one to the west, one to the south—sent to Haritana, Hasen, and the Guixu demon lords in the south.

Hasen and the demon lords would in turn quickly pass the message to the Wise Benefactor and the Kunpeng Demon Saint respectively.

—

In Sumeru.

Upon receiving the message, the Wise Benefactor gave a subtle nod: “Golden Khan has awakened. Though it's not the same as him walking the mortal world in full, we must proceed swiftly.”

At the base of Mount Sumeru, the Lord of the Buddha Division Bimośa, Lord of the Treasure Division Vandata, and Lord of the Karma Division Jadira all formed seals and saluted. “Yes, Benefactor.”

Jadira, the Lord of the Karma Division, spoke softly: “According to the latest intel, there’s no movement from Earth Sea or the Tang Dynasty realm.”

The Wise Benefactor responded, “Move quickly. Give them as little time to react as possible. But that alone still isn't enough.”

He turned to Bimośa, who immediately understood. “I shall proceed to the Two Jin Dynasties.”

After bowing to the Wise Benefactor, Bimośa departed for the human world of the Two Jin Dynasties.

There, Bimośa, lord of the Sumeru Buddha Division, took out a treasured orb—a sacred item once bestowed upon him by the Wise Benefactor.

Quietly channeling his Buddhist powers into the orb, he set it into motion.

The orb glowed brightly in midair.

Though it emitted Buddhist radiance, the intent within the glow was not purely Buddhist.

Rather, it subtly resonated with the philosophical patterns of Confucian learning.

Inside the Buddha light, a phantom scroll began to appear—unfolding to reveal a vast landscape of mountains and rivers.

Yet, the moment that scroll appeared, another map—the Great Jin Imperial Geography—deep within the mystical current, was affected.

One of the first people to sense this disturbance, surprisingly, was someone who seemed unrelated at all—Lei Jun, currently in the Tang Dynasty realm.

At that moment, as Lei Jun meditated quietly within the Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

Within his pupils, the power of heavenly talismans flowed—visions and anomalies erupted, linking him to the Shangqing Thunder Grotto-Heaven, and through it, to the Taiqing Salvation Grotto-Heaven in the Han realm.

With those two grotto-heavens as anchors, the third—Yuqing Miluo Grotto-Heaven—also emerged in his mind.

Previously, Lei Jun had been unable to pinpoint its location precisely, because it had been veiled by a Great Jin Imperial Geography Scroll, which worked in tandem with the landforms of the Two Jin realms to obscure it.

But now, he felt that scroll’s power fade away.

Both the Shangqing Thunder Grotto-Heaven and Taiqing Salvation Grotto-Heaven trembled in response, activating the arrangements Lei Jun had left in the Two Jin realm years ago.

At last, the location of Yuqing Miluo Grotto-Heaven began to surface clearly.

Lei Jun wasn't the only one sensing this. Shen Xi, who had been searching for the grotto-heaven in the Two Jin realm all this time, also sensed something.

Although he couldn’t yet confirm the exact coordinates, he was absolutely certain of one thing:

The interference he felt, the force blocking his search, was all too familiar.

It came from the Southern Jin Buddhist faction—from the Little Western Heaven, or perhaps even from Saha Realm.

“Yuqing Miluo is currently in Saha's hands?” Shen Xi frowned.

At the same time, he used a talisman Lei Jun had gifted him in the past to send a message back to the Tang Dynasty.

By now, Lei Jun had already left Tianshi Mansion and was en route to Penglai.

While traveling, he received Shen Xi’s message.

Cross-referencing it with his own deductions, Lei Jun was able to confirm: Yuqing Miluo Grotto-Heaven had indeed fallen into the control of the Saha Buddhist Sect—though its exact location still needed further confirmation.

However, Lei Jun didn’t take action immediately.

The exposure of the whereabouts of the Jade Purity Miluo Grotto-heaven, along with the dissolution of the Great Jin Shanhe Diagram, felt far from ordinary.

Rather than blaming Saha for its own carelessness, Lei Jun leaned more toward the theory that someone had deliberately interfered and sabotaged their operation.

In a place like the Human Realm of the Two Jins, Lei Jun’s first suspect was naturally the Sumeru Buddhist Sect.

Combining this with what had happened earlier in the Former Song Human Realm, it seemed the other side was making their move.

But how could Sumeru be so certain that Saha wouldn’t attempt to negotiate with the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu—or more broadly, the Daoist community of the Tang Dynasty?

Was it because Venerable Puguang was too proud to yield? Or was it that even if he wanted to return the Jade Purity Miluo Grotto-heaven to Mount Longhu, he was objectively unable to?

While these thoughts stirred in Lei Jun’s mind, he first arrived at the Stargazing Platform of Penglai Temple.

There, using the Jade Purity Universal Celestial Mirror, he surveyed the various Human Realms—not only the Two Jins, but also places like Former Song.

———

Meanwhile, within Saha,

Inside the Western Heavenly Thunder Sound Temple, Venerable Puguang sat in quiet composure.

His disciple, Chan Master Chonghui, came before him:

“Master, there’s a shift in the Great Jin Shanhe Diagram.”

Venerable Puguang remained serene: “A move from Sumeru.”

Though the two sides had previously collaborated to accelerate the spiritual energy surge in the Two Jins, that didn’t prevent them from being adversarial in other matters.

Chan Master Chonghui pressed his palms together:

“Senior Brother Baoneng and the others mentioned that someone seems to be searching for the Jade Purity Miluo Grotto-heaven in the Two Jins.

Now that the Shanhe Diagram has shifted, I fear the grotto-heaven can no longer be hidden.”

Venerable Puguang replied, “Looks like Sumeru is about to make a move elsewhere. Hence, they're diverting disaster eastward.”

Chonghui suggested:

“The Tianshi Mansion lineage of the Daoist Talisman Sect from Mount Longhu shouldn’t be underestimated—especially with the Tang Emperor aligned with them. If a large number of experts flood into the Two Jins, the situation could spiral out of control. Perhaps we should preemptively seal the void passage between the present Han Human Realm and the Two Jins?”

Due to a mass migration of noble families from the Han Dynasty to the Two Jins, secrecy had become nearly impossible—the matter was already known among higher-level cultivators.

Chan Master Chonghui considered joining forces with Abbot Baoneng of the Southern Jin’s Xiaoxitian. With two monks at the fifth stage of the Ninth Heaven, they could work together to seal the void passage near Jiangzhou, cutting off access from the Han Realm.

More precisely, cutting off Daoist cultivators from the Tang Dynasty.

“That alone won’t be enough to block them.” Venerable Puguang spoke calmly.

Back in Penglai, he had manifested as the Central Yellow Emperor “Yan Keji” and had interacted frequently with the likes of the Northern Black Emperor Huang Xuanpu and the Western White Emperor Han Qingtao. He also had insight into how Lei Jun and others had stormed Penglai.

The Daoist Shushan Sect of the Tang possessed the Taiyi Innate Pagoda.

The Shushan Sect of the Ming had the Void-Crossing Shuttle and the Taiyi Gap-Splitting Sword.

These were top-tier Daoist treasures specializing in void traversal.

If Lei Jun and company from Mount Longhu made use of such artifacts, the outcome would be hard to predict.

Not to mention...

“Xu Yuanzhen of Mount Longhu—based on rumors about her reverse challenge against Kunlun—may very well possess the Universal Immortal Body of the Daoist path. And since she has already crossed the Daoist Bridge of Comprehension, her attainments in the art of spatial manipulation must be formidable.”

Venerable Puguang continued,

“She previously ventured into that martial-dominated Human Realm, and even then, she secretly coveted Saha. Even without the Two Jins as a bridge, she would still find her way here.”

He instructed Chan Master Chonghui:

“Have Baoneng and the others return to Saha. If necessary, I’ll handle it personally and mobilize the Tenfold Endurance Lands.”

Chonghui chanted a Buddhist verse: “May Buddha be merciful.”

Though his expression stayed composed, his heart was anything but calm.

If Venerable Puguang personally activated the Tenfold Endurance Lands, not even immortals could breach the defense.

But doing so would also mean Saha would be sealed off from the outside to a significant extent.

This would affect not only the Buddhist holy lands like Southern Jin’s Xiaoxitian and Bodhi Temple, but also Abbot Duming and others in the Xiaoxitian of the Ten Kingdoms.

Given that Abbot Zhiquan, Master Duci, and the King of Southern Chu—Li Weilie—were all shockingly buried in the Great Matrix, the Buddhist sects in the Ten Kingdoms were already suppressed by the Wumen of Mount Ling.

If the monks of the Ten Kingdoms also had to retreat to Saha, the consequences would be dire.

“The seeds we sowed back then now bear fruit. Since we can no longer return the Jade Purity Miluo Grotto-heaven to the Daoist Talisman Sect to settle karmic debt, we must now calmly accept the result.”

Venerable Puguang continued instructing his disciple:

“As for you—go to the Two Jins Human Realm in secret. Act alone. Be cautious.”

Chan Master Chonghui bowed deeply with palms together: “Yes, Master. Your disciple shall remember your teachings.”

In the Two Jins, the Green Lotus Platform had not yet transformed into the Immovable Honored Lotus Platform.

Even if the Southern Jin’s Xiaoxitian legacy were abandoned, that platform was something Puguang and Chonghui were determined to obtain.

With the spiritual energy tide rising in the Two Jins, the platform was mid-transformation.

Though the platform originally came from Sumeru, after Venerable Puguang’s handling, it had become extremely discreet.

Sumeru had not yet had the time to track it down, making it even more concealed than the Jade Purity Miluo Grotto-heaven.

Puguang had anticipated that Sumeru would cause trouble.

But there are always trade-offs.

To obtain the Immovable Honored Lotus Platform, Saha was willing to take this risk.

From here on, no matter what fate awaited Saha, Chan Master Chonghui would not interfere.

His sole mission was to guard the Lotus Platform, claim it, and—through the aid of Buddhist scriptures and relics—strive to ascend beyond the Ninth Heaven and become a new Golden Body Venerable of Buddhism.

Should he succeed, everything would change.

Of course, even in the best-case scenario, it wouldn’t happen overnight—it would take time.

Venerable Puguang’s worst-case plan to seal Saha was precisely to buy this time and negotiate with the outside world.

“Master,” Chonghui asked softly before departure, “Do you think the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu might provoke an Endless Catastrophe through the White Lotus heretics, targeting our Tenfold Endurance Lands?”

“They might even try to seize Luoyuan…”

Puguang’s face remained calm: “It won’t matter.”

As he spoke, a monk’s staff stood upright before him.

Buddhist radiance flowed over the staff.

Light shimmered outward, forming six halos encircling it.

Within each halo, the faint image of a different Bodhisattva appeared, all sitting solemnly.

It was the Sixfold Manifestation of Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha.

Back in the final calamity of the Late Han era, Venerable Puguang had come from the Holy Land of the Vow Lineage—Tianlong Temple.

Chan Master Chonghui, as his personal disciple, bowed respectfully to the staff and the six Kṣitigarbha halos. Then, he quietly departed Saha and entered the Two Jins, without alerting anyone—vanishing in the blink of an eye.

———

Lei Jun left Penglai.

Officially, Tang Xiaotang was still in seclusion at her sect’s ancestral grounds.

Lei Jun contacted Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen, and the two headed to the Two Jins to investigate.

Instead of taking the Tang Dynasty’s northern void portal directly to the Han Realm, Lei Jun added a detour through Datong.

While passing through Datong, he first met with Empress Zhang Wantong. After exchanging some views and plans, Lei Jun left behind a few talismans and continued to the Han Realm.

From there, he passed through its void portal and arrived at the Two Jins.

This time, Lei Master didn’t conceal his presence.

As the current sect master of Mount Longhu, he came openly for the Jade Purity Miluo Grotto-heaven—a legitimate visit.

Unfortunately, the talks failed.

The Buddhist sect of Saha had no intention of relinquishing the grotto-heaven.

They weren’t even considering using it as a bargaining chip to ally with Daoism against Sumeru.

Before Lei Jun even arrived, Xu Yuanzhen had already met with them—and the discussions had collapsed.

Saha’s Buddhists were unapologetically blunt.

They had clearly prepared in advance.

Even the Southern Jin’s Xiaoxitian, Bodhi Temple, Xuanyuan Temple, and Tianlong Temple had begun withdrawing their forces back into Saha.

With Venerable Puguang personally holding the fort, Saha was formidable even without fully deploying the Tenfold Endurance Lands.

But Xu Yuanzhen seemed thrilled.

To be exact, she couldn’t wait for them to fully activate the endurance lands—

This way, she could better understand their mysteries and prepare for her next advancement.

“The Jade Purity Miluo Grotto-heaven holds tremendous significance for our sect. Please, Saha, do grant it. We’ll return the favor in due time,” Lei Jun said as he arrived at Saha’s portal near Southern Jin’s Xiaoxitian.

A voice echoed, seemingly from both Saha and the Two Jins simultaneously:

“The successor of Mount Longhu has come to the wrong place. The Jade Purity Miluo Grotto-heaven is not here.”

After hearing Venerable Puguang’s reply, Lei Jun said nothing more and immediately moved to assist Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen.

A massive battle broke out at the portal between Saha and Southern Jin’s Xiaoxitian.

The entire Southern Jin was shocked by the sudden conflict.

Among them, members of the Han noble clans who had migrated—like Lin Xiaoyi—felt cornered and helpless.

The Northern Jin factions were also closely watching.

Venerable Puguang didn’t commit his full power.

Much of his focus remained on his old enemy—Sumeru.

Though he suspected that the Sumeru’s Wise Compassionate Venerable had his own plans, if Saha showed any weakness, there was no telling whether Sumeru might seize the chance to strike.

Thus, Puguang’s priority was holding the line in Saha.

His only other concern was Chan Master Chonghui and the Immovable Honored Lotus Platform.

Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen attacked fiercely.

But only the two of them could tell—

Neither of them was going all out.

Lei Jun was still watching the north—Sumeru—and the Former Song Human Realm, where the Golden Khanate and the Primeval Beasts lay.

Xu Yuanzhen, meanwhile, was deeply observing and analyzing something.

———

Within Sumeru,

The Lord of the Buddhist Division, Vimosha, returned and saluted Wise Compassionate Venerable with a mudra:

“As you predicted, Saha has no intention of returning the Daoist grotto-heaven. A battle has already broken out. Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen are confirmed to be present, though Tang Xiaotang is absent. And the Tang Emperor must not be underestimated…”

“That’s already quite good. Let’s not ask for more,” the Wise Compassionate Venerable nodded slightly, then turned to the Lord of the Karmic Division, Jatilā:

“The Golden Khan’s window is short. Let’s begin.”

Jatilā bowed and quickly departed.

Through Sumeru, he exited via the void portal to the Former Song Human Realm.

Upon arrival, he briefly informed the Lotus Division and the Golden Khanate, then proceeded south.

Crossing the great river, he headed to a secret location.

Once, one of the Ten Earths—Kongsang—had opened a void portal here. Wumen experts ambushed Tang Xiaotang, allowing the Jiuli expert Li Yuanheng to escape.

Now that Li Yuanheng was dead, the Kongsang Tianjing lineage was in shambles.

Jatilā arrived with a special ritual bell—

Originally used during the conflict between the Kongsang Witch King and Daoist Zhou Tian of Kunlun.

He now intended to use it to reopen the Kongsang portal in the Former Song Human Realm.