Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 493: Letter from the Abyss of Time

The tender shoot breaking through the soil flickered with a faint spiritual glow, not particularly dazzling.

The black mist lingering in the Earth Sea had already thinned considerably compared to before, but at this moment it still concealed the faint light.

However, Lei Jun observed carefully and could sense the unique mystery hidden within it.

In some ways, the environment of the Abyssal Border was even harsher than the Earth Sea.

The Earth Sea was dark and sunless, shrouded in black mist that blocked out all light.

The Abyssal Border, on the other hand, actively consumed surrounding light sources.

Once out of the Abyssal Border, the Youning Tree seedling began to take root and sprout, quickly revealing a chaotic, wild vigor like a runaway horse.

Seeing this, Lei Jun calmly tapped his finger once.

He then used his cultivation power to condense spiritual energy and manifest a transparent, matte three-tiered magical altar, like an inverted vessel placed over the tender shoot that had just broken through the soil, enclosing it once again.

Using his personal cultivation, Lei Jun carefully balanced the spiritual energy and magical essence within the transparent three-tiered pagoda.

Gradually, the Youning Tree seedling’s growth stabilized and became healthy.

Lei Jun withdrew his hand and continued to observe the Youning Tree seedling attentively.

Later, Li Tianqing, the elder stationed in the Earth Sea, contacted Lei Jun and mentioned a matter:

The Kong Sang Dudu lineage, which had originally been recuperating and preserving its heritage in the Present Han Human Realm and Datong, had its leader, Ke Lang, arrive in the Earth Sea with several core elders, seeking an audience with Celestial Master Lei Jun.

Lei Jun could guess the reason for their visit but did not mind.

Ke Lang, along with former Han Emperor Xiang Chengyuan—now an elder of Kong Sang Dudu—and another elder, Chen Xiao, met Lei Jun together, all respectfully bowing: "Greetings, Celestial Master."

Lei Jun replied, "Please, friends, no need for formalities."

After Ke Lang and the others thanked him, they congratulated Lei Jun: "Celestial Master Lei and Venerable Tang have unparalleled cultivation. Venerable Shanzhihui has finally settled the karmic debt. From now on, the mortal world will have one less calamity."

Lei Jun said, "When Emperor Tang and our sect’s senior sister first entered Kong Sang, though they withdrew, that laid the foundation for this second entry into Kong Sang. Previously, several of you contributed greatly. Now that Venerable Shanzhihui has resolved the karmic debt and Kong Sang has changed hands, it is also thanks to some of you."

Ke Lang and Xiang Chengyuan both said, "You flatter us, Celestial Master."

Lei Jun continued, "Ke Lang, you and the Dudu lineage have not returned to Kong Sang for many years. Do you intend to return to your old home?"

"Speaking of which, it has been nearly twenty years," Ke Lang sighed with emotion.

Both he and Chen Xiao relaxed at the same time.

Back then, the Dudu lineage was forced to flee Kong Sang because they opposed the Kongsang Witch King and entered the Present Han Human Realm.

In less than twenty years, Kong Sang changed masters twice, and the Witch King had long become a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, Kong Sang was not reclaimed by these great witches.

It was now under the control of the Longhu Mount Tianshi Mansion.

Fortunately, Celestial Master Lei was indifferent to greed and domineering power.

Since he had opened the golden mouth, the Kong Sang Dudu lineage could return to Kong Sang from then on.

Naturally, traveling between Kong Sang and the mortal world would also be allowed.

Ke Lang and the others did not expect that only witch cultivators would reside in Kong Sang in the future; having a place to return to the homeland was enough.

Moreover, their return to Kong Sang this time would not be like before, when they were driven to hide and live precariously by the Kongsang Witch King.

That place would truly become their blessed land.

For this, Ke Lang, Chen Xiao, and Xiang Chengyuan all repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

To him, the Han Dynasty had become a thing of the past.

Lei Jun contacted Kong Sang to notify them of the Dudu lineage’s situation.

Currently, besides Tang Xiaotang, there were also elders and disciples of Longhu Mount Tianshi Mansion present in Kong Sang.

This time, Zhang Jingzhen and Ke Sicheng led the team.

Unlike before, when there were many Buddhist followers in the Saha World, now there were few mortals in Kong Sang.

The population that once lived and multiplied in Kong Sang had been disrupted early on when the Kongsang Witch King tried to descend into the Present Han Human Realm, causing chaos in Kong Sang.

Along with the expulsion of the Kong Sang Dudu descendants like Ke Lang and Chen Xiao, many living beings and common people were also expelled, and the Han Dynasty mainly took responsibility for resettling them.

After Venerable Shanzhihui occupied Kong Sang, efforts were made to revive it, opening a portal to the Ming Human Realm.

Among them, the Western Buddhist faction relocated some believers from the Ming Human Realm, but their numbers were far fewer than before and much less than in the Saha World.

Therefore, the current management and coordination by Zhang Jingzhen, Ke Sicheng, and others was handled skillfully.

Ke Lang’s arrangements for the return of the Kong Sang Dudu lineage were also well managed.

After repeatedly thanking Lei Jun, the group proceeded to Kong Sang, first to congratulate Venerable Tang on his Dongxuan Immortal Ascension and the great victory in Kong Sang, then to coordinate with Longhu Mount Tianshi Mansion on the overall relocation of the Dudu lineage back to Kong Sang.

Lei Jun continued to remain in the Earth Sea.

On one hand, he nurtured the Daoist spiritual essence lost during his previous sojourns in the mortal realm; on the other hand, he continued to cultivate the Youning Tree seedling.

During this period, a woman in a deep red Taoist robe came to the Earth Sea and bowed to Lei Jun:

"Master!"

It was his second disciple, Han Xiaofei.

Lei Jun glanced her up and down and slightly nodded: "You haven’t been slacking off lately. Good."

Han Xiaofei smiled brightly: "Disciple would never dare."

Lei Jun said, "It seems you are already prepared."

Han Xiaofei was full of confidence: "Disciple will definitely overcome the deadly tribulation between the sixth and seventh heavens in a short time!"

Lei Jun replied, "Good momentum, but you need to be more precise."

Han Xiaofei quickly responded, "Yes, Master."

Lei Jun said, "In your next retreat period, you can put the seventh heaven’s divine talisman on the schedule for study and reference. When you achieve success, practicing it will be smooth and efficient."

"Yes!"

Han Xiaofei perked up again: "Master, I plan to observe the fate cultivation human calligraphy talisman!"

Lei Jun slightly nodded: "After returning to the mountain, follow the formal procedures and meet your ancestral master."

While speaking, Lei Jun made no other moves but his eyes brightly focused on Han Xiaofei.

Without her needing to speak, he then gave her a few more crucial cultivation tips, clearing all obstacles on her path ahead.

Finally, as a master, Lei Jun was unusually moved: "It has been twenty years since you formally entered the sect through the transmission of the Dao."

Han Xiaofei solemnly said, "Disciple today owes much to Master, the elders in the mansion, and Senior Brother for their guidance."

Lei Jun smiled and shook his head: "Your ancestral master often told me, ‘A master leads you to the door; cultivation depends on oneself.’ That remains true today between us."

This second disciple before him was gifted and talented. Although she seemed somewhat casual in other matters, her cultivation was earnest and diligent, progressing rapidly, even surpassing Lei Jun’s senior disciple Zhuo Baojie.

In twenty years of formal cultivation, she had completed a path that many cultivators struggle to achieve in a lifetime, starting to break through into the upper three heavens realm.

In recent years within Longhu Mount Tianshi Mansion, only Tang Xiaotang’s progress was evidently faster than hers.

When Lei Jun first entered the mansion through transmission, it took nearly twenty years for him to reach the seventh heaven Tongtian realm of the Daoist Talisman Sect.

Despite several postnatal enhancements to his roots and comprehension, he was still inferior to Han Xiaofei.

Yet, Lei Jun’s life experiences, opportunities, and encounters were far richer than his disciple’s.

If there was one issue with Han Xiaofei’s cultivation path, it was that her journey had been too smooth.

Although Lei Jun often teased Zhuo Baojie for changing "masters" multiple times—from Tianshi Mansion elder to high-level elder, then to Celestial Master—there was no denying that Zhuo Baojie’s early environment was far less favorable than Han Xiaofei’s.

Coupled with his unique background and image, his experience was far richer.

When Han Xiaofei first entered, Lei Jun was already the contemporary Celestial Master, a high Daoist of the ninth heaven Great Vehicle realm and one of the few top experts in the mortal world.

The very battle when Han Xiaofei was accepted into the mansion saw Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang together defeat Zongga, the former Vajra Division master of the Golden Body Venerable Shanzhihui in the Vajra Realm, who was a perfect ninth heaven master.

From the moment young Daoist Han was brought back to Longhu Mount, her status was set high.

Now, after twenty years, she had progressed smoothly.

Lei Jun did not particularly mind this.

The Great Tang cultivation world was far more stable than before, and the environment for successors of Longhu Mount Tianshi Mansion was much better.

Everything running smoothly was not a bad thing.

There was no need to seek out hardships unnecessarily.

Han Xiaofei would continue her cultivation journey; any tribulations ahead would simply be part of her cultivation life to be faced calmly and overcome.

Besides, she was not exactly a person who sought a peaceful life.

However, because of some minor personal factors involving Elder Han, her reputation in the current cultivation world was not as prominent as senior brother Zhuo Baojie’s, sometimes even causing people to overlook that she was a direct disciple of the contemporary Celestial Master.

Sometimes, one could say that it was because of Lei Jun that Elder Han had some presence.

But she was not lacking in relevant experience.

Her smooth path was partly due to her master lineage and partly due to her own abilities.

"When you successfully reach the seventh heaven realm, you will be granted talisman rank and office, becoming a leader and example for the young disciples in the mansion," Lei Jun said with a faint smile.

Han Xiaofei chuckled awkwardly.

Lei Jun waved his hand: "Alright, go now."

"Yes, Master!" Han Xiaofei bowed again and respectfully left the Earth Sea, returning to the Great Tang mortal realm mountain gate ancestral hall for secluded cultivation.

Lei Jun continued to stay in the Earth Sea.

The Great Tang imperial court had no particularly significant recent developments.

The few relatively noteworthy news items included that after Yue Xiling, the current leader of the Great Tang Pure Yang Palace, Jiang Yu, also recently announced she would enter seclusion for cultivation.

Based on what Lei Jun observed of Jiang Yu at the last grand meeting, he estimated she was beginning to challenge the ninth heaven Great Vehicle realm.

She was extraordinarily gifted and had accumulated substantial foundation; this seclusion would likely allow her to overcome the deadly tribulation between the eighth and ninth heavens.

Though Yue Xiling and Jiang Yu could not yet be compared to the great Huang Xuanpu of the past, reaching this stage meant the Great Tang Pure Yang Palace had truly emerged from its low point and seen dawn again.

As for the Great Tang Shushan Sect, it went without saying.

All Six Harmonies treasures had returned, and sect leader Zhang Taigang had also achieved the Great Vehicle high true realm, with new rising talents gradually emerging.

They had already surpassed the Great Tang Shushan Sect before the internal turmoil.

Like Longhu Mount Tianshi Mansion, the Great Tang cultivation world had enjoyed steady development and recuperation over recent years, gaining valuable time and space everywhere.

Not only the Daoist sects but also academies, Buddhist holy sites, and even the Zhang Tang royal clan had made progress in these years.

For example, the Tang Bodhi Temple abbot Ruyuan, who had come to visit Lei Jun and congratulate him on his birthday, was young but entrusted with great responsibility and had already reached the Buddhist Chanwu eighth heaven realm, revitalizing the Bodhi Temple’s cadre of eighth heaven masters and continuing silent steady cultivation.

Not only in the Great Tang mortal realm, but the Present Han human realm was also beginning to show signs of stable recovery.

The Great Song mortal realm was flourishing.

Though the Northern and Southern Jin still confronted each other, the Northern Jin Pure Yang Palace and the Southern Jin Shushan Sect had both made significant progress.

In contrast, the Ming human realm and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms human realm still had many major news events, implying ongoing instability.

"The Ming court has recently been somewhat reckless of the people's strength,"

In the Earth Sea, Meng Shaojie sat calmly in the dark, quietly telling Lei Jun what he had seen and heard.

He had spent many years in the Ming human realm, occasionally returning to the Great Tang, and had come specially to the Earth Sea to pay respects to the always respected Celestial Master Lei Jun.

"The land and its energy veins show signs of turbulence. The people's hearts and the earth’s energy veins are mysteriously interconnected. When the land is turbulent, the people's hearts are affected as well."

Meng Shaojie now even thought that the Earth Sea, once known for darkness, chaos, war, and bloodlust, was far more peaceful and serene than the Ming human realm:

"Although it has not reached the point of widespread rebellion, if this continues, the outcome is worrying."

At this moment, Mu Chunyang, the leader of Zhenwu Temple, who had come from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms human realm to meet Lei Jun, spoke slowly:

"When Venerable Shanzhihui severely damaged the Ming court’s vitality, powerful immortals from various holy realms gradually reappeared. Although few stepped into the mortal world, they still shook the hearts of men.

With Biluo reopening and the former Heavenly Palace faction returning, along with the Celestial Master and Venerable Tang’s successive Dongxuan Immortal Ascensions, this surely stirred the hearts of the Ming emperor and ministers once again.

I think these changes together may alter the balance of power in the Ming court... Ming Huang is cleverly using external threats to gain the upper hand in internal struggles."

Meng Shaojie asked softly, "Are they trying to forcibly establish Ming Huang as an earthbound saint?"

Mu Chunyang said, "While Confucian ritual and law are strong in Ming, their history is short. There has never been an earthbound saint before, so how to take this final step in the mortal world is still being explored.

The previous Chief Minister Chen had such ambitions during his western campaign, but he was defeated and died in Sumeru, leaving no progress.

Now Chief Minister Zhou, more talented and intelligent, is still exploring this path.

If he continues without success, Ming Huang will be the only hope in the Ming court, but..."

But, the efforts are costly, taxing the people and resources without guaranteed success.

Lei Jun recalled that when senior sister Xu Yuanzhen first went to the Ming human realm, she mentioned that the current Ming Huang was mediocre.

At that time, Ming Huang Han Zhi’ning was still a young emperor, newly ascended.

The special situation of emperor and ministers following Confucian theory and the Ming Dynasty’s foundation pushed Ming Huang Han Zhi’ning to the peak, sooner or later.

But to go further would require exponentially more resources and effort, with no guarantee of success.

Such a situation meant even harsher exploitation.

"The situation may be worse than expected,"

Mu Chunyang sighed softly, "Once imperial orders come down, local gentry will also take their cut, enriching themselves. Then the exploitation could be doubled."

Many resources for cultivators are difficult for ordinary people to obtain due to their special nature.

But pressures like these trickle down layer by layer.

Resource scarcity, disrupted spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and turbulent land veins cause frequent disasters, potentially more frequent and widespread than battles between high-level cultivators.

"The Great Ming Bodhi Temple abbot has been ordered to come to Kong Sang..." Meng Shaojie said.

Lei Jun’s expression was calm and steady, nodding slightly.

He was already aware of this, with Zhang Jingzhen and Ke Sicheng handling the reception.

"There’s nothing much to discuss," Lei Jun said indifferently.

The Ming emperor and ministers made him quite uneasy.

"After the Great Song, friends may have to travel again to the Ming human realm in the coming years,"

Lei Jun looked at Mu Chunyang: "Leader Mu knows the local situation well; thank you in advance."

Mu Chunyang shook his head: "Celestial Master’s words are too heavy. It is my wish to go."

Previously, he left the Ming human realm out of concern that internal unrest could be exploited by great demons.

But now, that worry no longer existed.

Celestial Master Lei seemed to hold the power of heavenly punishment, having already exterminated many great demons even without entering the mortal world.

In this case, Mu Chunyang had no reservations.

"If they do not cherish the common people and the nation, then there is no need to hold onto this land."

Lei Jun said, "However, it seems the people of the Abyssal Border have been secretly operating in the Ming human realm for years. What exactly they are scheming remains unclear. Leader Mu and friends should be vigilant."

Mu Chunyang: "Thank you, Celestial Master. We will keep this in mind."

After paying respects to Lei Jun, Meng Shaojie had to return to the Great Tang and then hurry back to Ming, so he took his leave.

Mu Chunyang lingered a bit longer.

Lei Jun said, "Leader Mu, feel free to speak if there’s anything."

Mu Chunyang hesitated before speaking: "Forgive my boldness, Celestial Master, but after the merging of the human realms, regarding... the mortal world, how does Emperor Tang view it?"

Although Mu Chunyang supported Zhou Pu, Zhou Pu faced many problems.

He had indeed started late.

With the Martial Immortal Eye, Zhou Pu was already extraordinarily powerful and could fight against experts at the ninth heaven complete realm.

But the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms human realm was still not unified.

When the human realms merged, it would be difficult for him to compete for the mountains, rivers, national destiny, and dragon vein blessings.

The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm had many experts.

Previously, the seven surviving kingdoms each had rulers who were Martial Saints, like Hou Han King Zhou Wei, Southern Chu ruler Li Weilie, and Southern Wu ruler Tang Gong.

Otherwise, they could not stand firm in this war-torn human world.

Of course, their rise had been somewhat supported by Ling Mountain Witch Sect and Saha Buddhist factions.

Now, Tang Gong and others were Zhou Pu’s opponents in his conquests.

If he exterminated them all, the human realm’s experts would be greatly reduced.

Without external interference, Zhou Pu could dominate the mortal world.

But with the merger so close, he did not have time to cultivate new talents.

As for trying to subdue Tang Gong and the others... if they were willing to submit, why not submit to a stronger figure like Emperor Tang Zhang Wantong?

The critical point was that Emperor Tang Zhang Wantong was too powerful.

No matter how hard Zhou Pu tried to improve himself, he could not catch up.

Lei Jun said calmly, "Emperor Tang is more focused on cultivation and has no intention of ruling the mortal world, but she will not tolerate Han Zhi’ning, Xiang Jing, Ang Qinfu, and their like dominating the common people."

Mu Chunyang understood.

No wonder Emperor Tang Zhang Wantong and Celestial Master Lei Jun could coexist peacefully.

"The Hou Han King has the will to nurture the people and bring peace, which is a blessing for the masses," Lei Jun continued. "But what the future holds is still too early to say."

Mu Chunyang silently nodded.

He agreed with Lei Jun’s view.

A person’s ideas could change with environment, status, and position.

Emperor Tang Zhang Wantong, from her early days under the heavenly scholar He Ying to now, had proven herself to a degree, but the future remained uncertain.

Zhou Pu, and the Present Han human realm’s Han Emperor Xiang Sheng, needed no further comment.

The future Zhou Pu might not be the current Zhou Pu.

However, for Lei Jun, Zhang Wantong, and others to live long enough, it would be difficult for those in the heavens to eliminate them.

Although Mu Chunyang currently saw Zhou Pu as consistent inside and out, even if it were a façade, in front of Lei Jun, Zhang Wantong, Tang Xiaotang, and others, he could only maintain the act his entire life.

Fortunately, if Zhang Wantong took the same stance as Lei Jun, she would not support other Great Tang royals vying for the mortal world; everything depended on ability.

Currently, few in the Great Tang royal clan could match Zhou Pu.

Those with ambition lacked ability; those with ability lacked the will.

But overall, the Great Tang had many top experts.

After Xiang Jing’s death, Mu Chunyang did not believe Han Emperor Xiang Sheng could compete with Zhou Pu.

However, there were also many top experts in the Han Dynasty.

But the news from Celestial Master Lei that Emperor Tang approved was excellent for Zhou Pu and Mu Chunyang.

After Mu Chunyang left, Lei Jun collected his spirit and continued quietly nurturing himself and the new Youning Tree seedling.

"Oh?"

One day, Lei Jun’s spirit suddenly stirred slightly.

The light of the Heavenly Communication and Earthly Hearing talisman in his eyes flickered.

A message arrived from the Great Square.

Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong, temporarily residing there, had received a letter from across the temporal and spatial turbulence in the Abyss of Time.

The source was none other than Xu Yuanzhen, who had been out of contact for some time.

Upon hearing this news, Tang Xiaotang immediately rushed from Kong Sang to the Earth Sea: "What did senior sister say? What did she say?"

Lei Jun replied, "Senior sister mentioned she is currently unharmed but will not return immediately... She finds that world very interesting."

Tang Xiaotang asked, "How so?"

Lei Jun’s expression was somewhat strange: "She said she saw many Buddhist ruins over there, but that great myriad world was entirely a chaotic demon world, with demons rampant everywhere and evil forces prevailing.

The orthodox Buddhist heirs appeared only sporadically and in insignificant numbers, whereas the Great Extinction Tathagata had a large-scale Dagong Temple legacy there.

Its scale was even greater than the Dagong Temple legacy we once saw in the Present Han Human Realm.

However, it could only hold a single region; other demon clans were equally powerful."

Tang Xiaotang curiously asked, "Are there multiple mortal realms and the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands over there as well?"

Lei Jun’s eyes shone brightly: "No, over there, there are no Nine Heavens and Ten Lands or multiple mortal realms, only the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Man."