Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 472: Unexpectedly Smooth

The Saha World and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era of the mortal realm were connected, allowing free passage between them. Although disciples from Mount Longhu's Celestial Master Mansion rarely traveled the mortal world, ever since Daoism replaced Buddhism, many pilgrims from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms often came to pay homage.

Additionally, with frequent exchanges between the Witch Sect of Mount Ling and descendants of the True Martial Temple of Later Han, certain news gradually spread within the Saha World.

What Qin Caiwei had seen and heard, Bai Mei was also aware of.

But Bai Mei suddenly bringing up the Great Square now made Lei Jun particularly attentive.

Clearly, she was looking at the cracked Saha World before her and drawing certain associations with the Great Square.

"As far as this humble Daoist knows, such a thing indeed exists, but currently there's no stable void portal connecting the Great Square to that war-torn mortal realm," Lei Jun replied.

Bai Mei withdrew her gaze, refocusing on the intermittently visible massive cracks in the Saha World: "Before the mortal realms split, there were rumors that the Great Square had cracked."

Lei Jun: "Wasn't that caused by the great calamity at the end of the Han dynasty?"

Bai Mei: "Hmm, even before that, the Great Square should have already been damaged."

Bai Mei seemed to know his question: "It's true that the Great Square was contested between Confucian cultivators and martial artists before, but the overall cracking and damage to heaven and earth occurred even earlier. Subsequent caretakers all attempted repairs without success. There are rumors that the cracks there are quite special."

Lei Jun's expression remained unchanged: "I've heard it had deep connections with the former subordinates of the Heavenly Palace during the late Han period."

Bai Mei: "I've heard similar, though the specifics aren't clear. I only know your sect's Celestial Master Zhuang killed the last martial immortal caretaker of the Great Square, Yan Rizhong."

"Our sect's Founder Zhuang..." Lei Jun's face betrayed nothing, though he thought to himself that Bai Mei's account matched what he knew of the Great Square's situation.

The Abyss of Time there was indeed completely different from the cracks in the Saha World here. The Saha involved only the mysteries of space, while the Great Square concerned the secrets of time.

Not just Xu Yuanzhen - even Lei Jun was quite curious about it. However, he currently had other matters demanding his attention.

Venerable Shanzhihui, Daoist Zhou Tian, and the Peng Demon Saint were still at large, while Venerable Puguang had previously withdrawn from the Saha World. Even disregarding others, these represented threats both major and minor.

Currently, Wang Guiyuan was studying the ruins of Thunderclap Monastery to further understand Venerable Puguang and the Thunderclap Monastery lineage. Lei Jun's own purpose in coming to the Saha World after completing his recovery and refining treasures from the Yellow Springs was the same.

......

While Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan were studying Buddhist teachings in the Saha World, Tang Xiaotang was already approaching the portal to Canghuan.

With hands clasped behind her back, she looked around with great interest. The cloud beneath her feet was no longer golden but had transformed into an extremely pale, nearly transparent white cloud.

On this white cloud stood another person - a female Daoist in purple robes, none other than Qin Caiwei. Flying alongside the cloud was a pure blue luan bird.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuyin, is your clansman coming out from Canghuan to meet us?" Tang Xiaotang withdrew her gaze and asked curiously.

The blue luan Zhuyin opened her beak: "Indeed, Elder Brother Fengming sent word that he wishes to meet your sect's Daoist Qin."

Qin Caiwei stood behind Tang Xiaotang: "This junior's skills are but insignificant tricks."

Tang Xiaotang turned and patted Qin Caiwei's shoulder: "Well done!"

Qin Caiwei thought to herself that her love for tending plants had unexpectedly earned her an invitation from spiritual beasts of Canghuan, which made her somewhat nervous.

Her plant expertise came not just from natural talent but also from Bai Mei's guidance. With Bai Mei absent now, she'd have to rely entirely on herself.

However, her earlier exchanges with the blue luan Zhuyin had already been greatly beneficial. Now meeting Zhuyin's far more capable clansman filled Qin Caiwei with eager anticipation.

Long before reaching the meeting place, Tang Xiaotang's eyes flashed as she gazed into the distance. Only after considerable time could Qin Caiwei faintly see multicolored light flowing between distant mountains.

Within the colored light, a figure flickered in and out of view. Drawing closer, she could make out the form of a bird - smaller than the blue luan beside them.

According to ancient texts, this golden bird radiating five-colored light, standing about six feet tall in midair with extraordinarily long tail feathers and five characters on its back, was none other than the legendary phoenix.

This phoenix quietly watched as the two humans and luan approached. His gaze lingered momentarily on the faint white mist beneath Tang Xiaotang's feet but took no further action.

"Zhuyin."

The phoenix turned his gaze to the blue luan Zhuyin, his clear, melodious cry pleasant to hear.

"These are Celestial Master Mansion's Celestial Master Tang and Daoist Qin," Zhuyin introduced. "This is my clansman, Fengming."

Strictly speaking, they weren't of identical lineage but had always been close.

"Daoist Qin is the one I mentioned who cultivated Yaolin trees from withered seeds..." As Zhuyin introduced Qin Caiwei, Tang Xiaotang unabashedly looked the phoenix Fengming up and down.

Qin Caiwei watched nervously, forcing herself to remain calm: "Senior Zhuyin flatters me. Successfully cultivating Yaolin trees depended greatly on guidance from other seniors in our sect."

Phoenix Fengming seemed oblivious to Tang Xiaotang's scrutiny. After quietly listening to Zhuyin's introduction, he nodded and asked:

"I see Daoist Qin has brought Yaolin saplings with her?"

Though a simple question, Qin Caiwei was impressed. She had indeed brought saplings stored in her dimensional pouch which should have concealed them, yet the phoenix had discerned them at a glance.

"Since Senior Zhuyin mentioned Canghuan had need, with Celestial Master Tang's permission, I brought some saplings," Qin Caiwei smiled. "They're not particularly rare life-seeds - please don't laugh, Senior Fengming."

Phoenix Fengming replied: "Not at all, I should thank you both for your generosity. Though Canghuan is currently unsettled, meeting guests outside is still discourteous. If you wouldn't mind, please enter my humble abode in Canghuan so I may properly host you as apology."

Hearing this, Qin Caiwei was surprised while Zhuyin remained calm.

With Canghuan's complex situation and recent connection to the mortal realm, their limited understanding of the outside world warranted caution. Hence Fengming had personally come out to meet them.

Though Yaolin saplings were valuable, they weren't enough to lower their guard. But Fengming possessed a rare ability even within Canghuan - he could discern good and evil, sensing danger.

Evidently, the two from Celestial Master Mansion meant no harm and had passed his test. Otherwise, his words would have been quite different.

Qin Caiwei was astonished. If it were just her, such an invitation would be understandable given her seventh-level cultivation. But Tang Xiaotang was another matter entirely.

At the ninth level's fifth tier perfection with Five Qi converging toward the Mysterious, she wasn't comparable to ordinary ninth-level fifth tier cultivators. With Canghuan's two Immortal Spirit rulers - the Solar Sage Lord and Brilliant Sage Lord - currently at odds, Tang Xiaotang's entry could shift Canghuan's entire balance of power.

Was this invitation a trap then? Or an attempt to recruit Tang Xiaotang's assistance? As Qin Caiwei wondered, she heard Tang Xiaotang cheerfully reply: "In that case, we won't stand on ceremony."

...Just like that? Without any hesitation? Qin Caiwei looked at her senior in renewed surprise.

But Tang Xiaotang appeared completely at ease. Just as Fengming sensed no malice from them, she detected none from him nor any impending danger. Thus she saw no reason to hesitate.

She'd long wanted to enter Canghuan - only Wang Guiyuan's exhaustive warnings about potential misunderstandings had held her back. Now she could enter openly.

Phoenix Fengming nodded to Zhuyin, and they led the way as Tang Xiaotang brought Qin Caiwei following behind. The two birds and two humans soon reached the void portal connecting the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era to Canghuan.

At the portal hovered other strange birds. Tang Xiaotang and Qin Caiwei first noticed two fire crows and two other birds resembling the legendary bifang.

Seeing Fengming, they didn't approach but called from afar: "Master of Azure Phoenix Peak, who are these two?"

Without pausing as he flew into the portal, Fengming replied: "My guests." The fire crows and bifang asked no further, watching as Tang Xiaotang, Qin Caiwei and Zhuyin entered Canghuan.

Inside, the sky was crystal clear. In the distance at heaven and earth's center stood an enormous divine tree, its canopy vast as it spread sunlight across the land.

Tang Xiaotang watched with fascination: "Is that the Solar Sage Lord's abode?"

Zhuyin confirmed: "Indeed."

The Golden Crow Solar Sage had ruled Canghuan for years, achieving Immortal Spirit status before the Han dynasty's calamity. Recently however, he faced a new challenger - the True Dragon Brilliant Sage.

Though proud, the Golden Crow wasn't without magnanimity, allowing new Immortal Spirits to rise. But he wouldn't tolerate challenges to his rule.

Zhuyin explained calmly: "Had the Brilliant Sage ruled first, he too would have accepted new Immortal Spirits but refused to live under another's authority. He expressed gratitude for the Solar Sage's past tolerance, vowing to leave Canghuan to him after proving his superiority by establishing a greater domain elsewhere."

The Golden Crow's response wasn't anger but more an invitation to try. Though the two supreme beings hadn't yet clashed directly, tension filled Canghuan.

Phoenix Fengming remained composed as he led them south, where another remarkable tree came into view - not tall but conspicuous among the mountains, radiating colorful light with incredibly vibrant life energy.

"Divine Parasol Tree?" Tang Xiaotang's eyes shone.

Fengming introduced: "This is Senior Chaoyang."

The glowing tree's branches swayed slightly as an elegant, somewhat aged voice emerged: "Long has it been since meeting Celestial Master Mansion Daoists. To encounter orthodox Daoist talisman successors today honors this Chaoyang."

Tang Xiaotang performed a Daoist salute: "You honor us too greatly, senior."

Fengming alighted on the Divine Parasol's branches: "As Celestial Master Tang and Daoist Qin generously assist, we should reciprocate. But my recent preparations leave me short of gifts, so I must ask Senior Chaoyang's help."

Qin Caiwei had previously discussed with Zhuyin her interest in rare plants and vitality-rich treasures for her sect seniors. Clearly Fengming was preparing for Canghuan's impending changes - not just the potential clash between the Golden Crow and True Dragon, but also the unexpected portal opening.

With the two Immortal Spirits about to contend, Fengming paid special attention to the sudden portal. Yet he wouldn't unilaterally seal it either.

As Chaoyang's branches swayed, one detached and floated before Tang Xiaotang and Qin Caiwei - far more precious than Yaolin saplings.

Qin Caiwei was stunned, first suspecting Fengming sought to recruit Tang Xiaotang to aid the Golden Crow. But Fengming simply said: "I too appreciate rare flora. Please help seek out transplants for our collection. My apologies if this seems presumptuous."

He'd feared neither Tang Xiaotang entering Canghuan nor them absconding with the Divine Parasol branch.

Tang Xiaotang replied casually: "Our sect should thank you instead. Regarding plants, we'll entrust everything to Junior Caiwei. Any difficulties can be reported to the mansion for full support."

"Your disciple obeys," Qin Caiwei responded promptly though bewildered. Matters were settled so simply?

While her earlier talks with Zhuyin had gone smoothly, negotiations between Tang Xiaotang and Fengming concluded even faster. She knew her senior's bold nature, but this ancient spiritual beast matched her directness remarkably well.

Setting aside her doubts, Qin Caiwei focused on the Divine Parasol's surroundings - mountains filled with exotic flora that dazzled her. Were it not for her sect and Senior Bai, she'd beg to stay for years.

"Could you introduce me to other Canghuan residents?" Tang Xiaotang asked.

Fengming replied calmly: "Certainly." He then instructed Qin Caiwei to first deliver the Divine Parasol branch to Lei Jun in Saha before gathering mortal realm plants to bring back, with Zhuyin accompanying her.

After thanking them, Qin Caiwei left Canghuan with Zhuyin.

When Lei Jun received the Divine Parasol branch, he and Wang Guiyuan exchanged rare looks of astonishment at how smoothly things had progressed.

"...Celestial Master Tang kept some leaves, saying the sect leader needn't worry about her share," Qin Caiwei reported.

After hearing her account, Lei Jun understood and roughly guessed the situation. "Quite fortunate indeed," he remarked, examining the branch.

Wang Guiyuan laughed: "Such serendipity required both parties' cooperation - a once-in-a-millennium occurrence. Ordinarily we'd need far more caution and preparation."

Lei Jun nodded while telling Qin Caiwei: "As Celestial Master Tang said, we'll entrust this to you. Your Saha duties will be reassigned - no need for concern."

Qin Caiwei bowed and withdrew.

Soon, Tang Xiaotang sent further updates: "So many spiritual birds - besides phoenixes and luan, there are bifang, chongming birds, fire crows and more, plus numerous plant spirits. I've met both the Golden Crow and True Dragon - they're determined to compete, though not necessarily to the death. I quite like Canghuan's atmosphere."

Her extended stay brought more insights. Phoenix Fengming was essentially Canghuan's third strongest after the two Immortal Spirits, comparable to a perfected ninth-level human cultivator but with extraordinary innate abilities that earned both rulers' admiration.

His companion, the Divine Parasol Chaoyang, was Canghuan's most senior being after the Golden Crow. Both preferred tranquility over conflict.

"It's clear Canghuan's beasts didn't open the portal," Tang Xiaotang reported. "But during previous dimensional instabilities, some may have accidentally crossed over, enabling outsiders to later access Canghuan."

"I see..." Lei Jun pondered before asking: "Will the Solar and Brilliant Sage Lords clash soon?"

Tang Xiaotang: "No set date yet. They'll publicly announce a formal duel witnessed by all Canghuan beings to determine supremacy."

Lei Jun: "Such pride feels almost unnatural to hear."

Tang Xiaotang laughed: "You overthinkers can save your schemes - they're useless in Canghuan but might work outside."

Lei Jun: "True enough."

"By the way, I visited the Solar Sage's Fusang Divine Tree. Though sunlight shines everywhere, there's no readily available solar essence." Knowing Lei Jun's Tai Chi body refinement still required solar and lunar treasures, she'd kept an eye out but found nothing yet.

Lei Jun smiled: "Heavenly treasures can't be forced. We'll follow destiny's course."

"I'll keep looking," Tang Xiaotang decided to remain in Canghuan until the Immortal Spirits set their duel date, as the environment suited her cultivation.

Lei Jun stayed in Saha, first storing the Divine Parasol branch. After selecting several leaves for refinement, he sat cross-legged within his grand Dao scenery of Profound Yellow Universe, circulating energy.

Azure Spiritual Nine Qi swirled around him, forming Nine-Colored Splendor nourished by the Divine Parasol leaves. Meanwhile, his Two Rituals Immortal Body manifested a vast black-and-white Tai Chi diagram within the Profound Yellow Universe, stimulating the Azure Spiritual Nine Qi from another angle - connecting to storms from Luo Abyss, one of the Ten Earths.

These opposing forces, long prepared, required Canghuan's treasures to fully manifest. With conditions now met, as Lei Jun's Tai Chi diagram rotated, alongside the Nine-Colored Splendor emerged something new - dark and gloomy compared to the radiant colors, just a wisp but already showing sharp character like wind from hell's deepest abyss.

"This counterpart to Nine-Colored Splendor could be called Nether Luo Tempest," Lei Jun nodded. With foundations laid, he could now focus on steady cultivation.

......

While Lei Jun cultivated, others in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era were less content. Witch Zhen Jia Xianting, who had facilitated Canghuan's arrival, sat quietly in a distant cave dwelling, gazing toward the portal.

He'd hoped Canghuan's beasts would intervene in the mortal realm, altering its dynamics. But results disappointed him.

Unlike Saha's Buddhists, Mount Ling's witches, Sumeru's Buddhists, or other factions, Canghuan's inhabitants showed little interest in the mortal realm despite their power.

This, Jia Xianting concluded, stemmed from their two Immortal Spirit rulers. The Golden Crow's tolerance of another supreme being's rise was unexpected.

Initial disappointment gave way to realization - the impending duel between Immortal Spirits presented an even greater opportunity than he'd imagined. Whether he could seize it depended on his preparations.

After making offerings in his cave, Jia Xianting continued his work.

......

Time passed swiftly. Xu Yuanzhen also obtained Divine Parasol leaves from Lei Jun to nourish her Azure Spiritual Nine Qi.

After listening with great interest to Lei Jun's descriptions of Canghuan, she expressed rare regret: "An Immortal Spirit duel sounds fascinating, but with no set date, I lack Tang Xiaotang's patience to wait. Your account of Bai Zhenjun's information about the Great Square interests me more - I'll go there first."

Brandishing her stone blade, she notified Chu Kun before departing for the Great Square, amusing Lei Jun.

Wang Guiyuan in his monk guise stood nearby, similarly unsurprised: "Senior Sister's interests are less fickle than Junior Sister Tang's. Her focus - whether picking up or putting down - carries Buddhist undertones."

Lei Jun agreed. Xu Yuanzhen pursued matters with singular focus until completion, after which she moved on without hesitation - like her current disinterest in Saha.

"Any leads on Thunderclap Monastery members?" Lei Jun asked, examining an alms bowl from Wang Guiyuan with his Heaven-Penetrating Earth-Piercing Talisman active.

Wang Guiyuan shook his head: "Just preliminary traces. Though Chong Hui perished, Bao Neng and Du Ming remain as perfected dharma bodies, with Venerable Puguang's golden body making detection risky - they'd sever connections immediately if alerted."

But Lei Jun seemed not to hear, insistently asking: "Senior Brother, any more leads?" Dressed in full Celestial Master regalia, he held out the bowl while extending his other hand expectantly.

"......" Wang Guiyuan swallowed his words and placed a staff in Lei Jun's outstretched palm.