Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 57: The First Taoist Boy and the First Talented Woman

The first idea Lei Jun tried was the most fundamental and straightforward approach: a chain detonation, or what could be called a sympathetic explosion. Multiple of the same type of Spirit Talismans would activate simultaneously.

Lei Jun chose the Flame Talisman for his initial experiment.

After his comprehension had advanced to the Illuminated level, many of the obstacles he’d encountered in his earlier research were easily overcome. His ideas gradually took shape into something practical.

Although detonating multiple Spirit Talismans at once placed immense demands on the practitioner’s mana and soul, and even if successful, the burden was tremendous, making it impractical to fire from multiple wide-ranging angles, he found another way: using one Spirit Talisman to detonate other nearby Flame Talismans.

The attack angles and range might be slightly smaller, but the coverage and firepower were unquestionably enhanced.

“Not bad, not bad. This has the essence of the Wind-Fire Fortress Talisman and the Boundless Sea of Flames Talisman.”

Watching the wave of flames erupt in sequence, forming a fiery sea, Yuan Mobai nodded slightly. The two talismans he mentioned were high-level Tianshi Mansion talismans that only cultivators at the Third Realm and above could master.

Although many outstanding figures in Tianshi Mansion’s history had refined basic talismans, most preferred to dedicate their time and effort to cultivating higher-level talismans or even advanced mystical Daoist abilities.

Lei Jun had heard of these before, but he didn’t plan to wait until the Fourth Realm to pursue such high-level talismans. It wasn’t that he was impatient.

Firstly, experimenting with and refining various spells had always been one of his joys and motivations in cultivation. Secondly, his approach to learning spells focused on foundational types that were highly adaptable and versatile. This allowed him to tinker, modify, and improve upon them.

“So, is this chain Flame Talisman going to be your third life-bound spell?” Yuan Mobai asked.

Lei Jun shook his head. “I’ll think about it later. I have some new ideas.”

He hadn’t rushed to choose because he wanted to test some concepts first. Judging by the experiment’s results, some of his ideas seemed feasible.

After experimenting with chaining the same type of Spirit Talismans, Lei Jun began combining different talismans, starting once again with the Flame Talisman.

He first tried pairing the Flame Talisman with the Wind Talisman. His aim was to extend the Flame Talisman’s casting and attack range, which were relatively short. This was a common characteristic of the Talismanic Branch of Daoism—most of their combat techniques were mid-to-close range. Compared to other long-range attacks, their reach was somewhat limited. Of course, it was still far better than that of body-refining warriors.

The Wind Talisman was typically used for enhancing a cultivator’s movement. Lei Jun’s idea was to use it to propel the Flame Talisman, extending its strike distance.

And then...

“Boom!”

In the back mountains of Qingxiao Monastery, the ground suddenly shook. A ball of fire exploded between the trees, charring the vegetation.

Lei Jun rushed over and extinguished the flames immediately. Standing amid the scorched forest, he placed his hands on his hips and shook his head in dissatisfaction.

The range had indeed increased, but stability was still lacking. Accuracy was nonexistent. Who knew where the “shell” would land once fired?

Nevertheless, Lei Jun was in good spirits. As long as it could “fly” at all, it was a crucial first step. Further improvements could come later. This was all groundwork. He’d focus on normal adjustments first, building technical foundations before venturing into unconventional methods.

“Later, I’ll try linking the Flame Talisman with other talismans.” Lei Jun nodded.

After that, he planned to combine talismans other than the Flame Talisman. Recently, he was completely absorbed in his research.

His master, Yuan Mobai, and others were busy too. Elder Ziyang had also arrived from Mount Longhu. The previously inconspicuous Yunxiao Mountain Range was suddenly bustling with experts.

As for the Lin Clan’s situation, it was hard to say. Acting as the Lin Clan’s pawn to test the Tianshi Mansion’s response, the Dong Clan downstream of the Qinglan River was already on the brink of collapse.

Lei Jun mused: Why would you even bother…

But every family had its troubles. Outsiders rarely knew the full story.

The next big question was whether the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou would truly go to war with Tianshi Mansion. Lei Jun didn’t expect to remain completely uninvolved, but such matters were certainly not his responsibility. He just waited for news and focused on his own cultivation and talismanic studies.

As for the attention from being the first among his fellow Initiate Disciples to reach the Third Realm, that had already faded.

Why? Because someone else made even bigger news:

A Daoist apprentice from Tianshi Mansion had been caught up in a shocking incident involving the Buddhist sects.

Just as Tianshi Mansion had its nemesis, the Yellow Heaven Sect, the Buddhist sects had their own: the White Lotus Sect. For years, the Four Great Buddhist Holy Lands had been suppressing the White Lotus Sect, but the sect would occasionally strike back.

This time, the White Lotus Sect caused trouble again. A high monk from one of the Four Great Holy Lands, Bodhi Temple, was traveling nearby with his disciples when they were ambushed. At the critical moment, a Daoist apprentice from Tianshi Mansion happened to stumble in and saved the elder and his disciples.

Such dramatic news naturally captured the attention of cultivators far and wide.

As for that Daoist apprentice...

“Hehe.”

A tall woman with her hands behind her back sauntered in front of Lei Jun, as if an invisible tail were wagging behind her with pride.

Lei Jun nodded. “Congratulations on making headlines again, Little Senior Sister.”

Tang Xiaotang, who had come to visit Lei Jun on Qingxiao Mountain, grinned. “You’re too kind. This is just the beginning.”

Lei Jun smirked. “Didn’t I tell you before? Contrast is key. Doesn’t the title of Daoist apprentice feel pretty good now?”

“Uh…”

Tang Xiaotang’s smile froze. “You always know how to hit a sore spot!”

But she quickly changed the subject. “What are you up to lately?”

Seeing the various talismans, papers, and inks used in Lei Jun’s experiments, Tang Xiaotang’s curiosity was piqued. “Are you trying to create your own talismans?”

Lei Jun replied, “Not full creation. I’m modifying and experimenting based on existing talismans from the sect.”

Tang Xiaotang laughed. “Interesting! I love that. I started something similar before, but I had to put it on hold while I was away. Now that I’m back, I’m determined to finish it.”

Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What kind of talisman?”

“I’m not messing with small stuff.” Tang Xiaotang waved her hand. “If I’m going to do it, I’m going big!”

As she spoke, her expression suddenly shifted, and she looked toward the distant forest.

Moments later, the head of Qingxiao Monastery, Lu Zhaoqing, arrived with two guests.

Before Lu Zhaoqing could introduce them, Tang Xiaotang spoke curtly. “What are you doing here?”

Her gaze landed even more sharply on one of the female guests.

The woman remained calm. “We’re here to visit Elder Yuan and his brilliant disciple, Lei Daozhang. Elder Yuan is currently occupied, so we’re waiting. We heard Lei Daozhang was here, so we asked Lu-Daozhang to lead us over.”

Lei Jun glanced at the woman. It was Chu Yu, the Chu Family aunt he’d met briefly at last year’s Initiation Ceremony.

The other guest was a boy around thirteen or fourteen, who was curiously looking at Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang.

“You’re visiting my Junior Uncle, fine. But why do you need Lei Jun?” Tang Xiaotang’s displeasure was evident.

Chu Yu ignored the hostility. But when she heard Tang Xiaotang’s question, she glanced at the tall woman with mild surprise.

She’s like a fledgling beast guarding its food…

Her gaze flitted between Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun. Smiling knowingly, she said, “A younger member of my family wishes to join Tianshi Mansion and study under Elder Yuan. We were hoping Lei Daozhang could put in a good word for us.”