Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 59: The third best

"Uncle Junior Master..."

Tang Xiaotang blinked. “Over the years, there have been at least eight hundred rumors about the Tianshi Seal, if not a thousand…”

Yuan Mobai smiled. “If the Tianshi Seal returns to the ancestral court of Mount Longhu one day sooner, it’s worth a bit of running around.”

Tang Xiaotang muttered softly, “If it was so precious back then, then…”

Even someone as blunt as her stopped herself at this point.

Lei Jun silently finished the sentence in his mind:

…then they shouldn’t have lost it in the first place.

“The Tianshi Seal was lost back then because…” Lei Jun asked tentatively.

Tang Xiaotang, standing to the side, answered, “I heard it was lost during a past internal conflict, but I don’t know the details.”

Tang Xiaotang looked at Yuan Mobai curiously.

After a moment of pondering, Yuan Mobai nodded and said, “Since you’re all starting to venture out on your own, it’s good for you to know. You can keep an eye out for any related information.”

He sighed. “Our sect has a long history and profound legacy, but it’s also faced many twists and turns.”

Among the Three Great Daoist Holy Lands, Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu has the oldest history, predating Pure Yang Palace and Mount Shu. It even rivals some of the prominent clans with over ten thousand years of heritage.

Among the Four Great Buddhist Holy Lands, only Bodhi Temple has a comparable history. The other three are considered juniors in comparison to the Tianshi Mansion.

Having thrived for ten thousand years, the Tianshi Mansion naturally has deep foundations. However, compared to Confucianism, which is currently the leading philosophy, it has fallen behind for various reasons.

One significant reason is the repeated internal conflicts that weakened the Tianshi Mansion.

“Every sect has external enemies,” Yuan Mobai said, “but our sect’s history has seen several… internal disputes.”

“The first conflict occurred thousands of years ago. It was caused by disagreements among our ancestors regarding changes in Daoist practices. It happened too long ago to dwell on now.”

Lei Jun nodded.

When Lei Jun formally became Yuan Mobai’s disciple, Yuan Mobai had briefly mentioned this.

In the past, the Tianshi Mansion’s spells and talismans were executed by invoking celestial decrees from the Daoist ancestors. Later, they transitioned to directly harnessing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

This transition was evidently not peaceful and led to severe internal conflict, even a split.

This was the first major blow to the Tianshi Mansion.

“The second conflict is known to many, but seldom discussed.” Yuan Mobai continued, “It involved multiple generations of Tianshis from the Li Family.”

To be precise, up to the current Tianshi, there have been four Li Family Tianshis in three generations.

“The first Li Family Tianshi was my grandmaster,” Yuan Mobai explained. “His cultivation and leadership were highly respected.”

This was the grandfather of the current Tianshi, Li Qingfeng.

During his time, the Li Family flourished, and the sect enjoyed a golden age, rivaling even the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou.

Despite losses from conflicts with the Lin Clan, the Tianshi Mansion held its ground.

However, no one realized that a new era for the sect was beginning.

“When my grandmaster passed, the second Li Family Tianshi took over, my martial uncle.” Yuan Mobai explained further, “They were brothers, both descendants of my grandmaster.”

The first Li Family Tianshi had three sons. The youngest was Li Song, now the Supreme Elder.

“Both my martial uncle and my master were the most outstanding of their generation. Even if my martial uncle hadn’t taken the position, my master would have.”

Thus, the transition was accepted, but seeds of discontent began to grow.

“Then came the beginning of chaos.” Yuan Mobai’s smile faded. “My martial uncle nurtured his son, Li Cangting, a prodigy…”

The second Li Family Tianshi intended for his son Li Cangting to inherit the title.

But…

“That name sounds unfamiliar,” Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang exchanged glances.

Yuan Mobai continued, “The plan for Li Cangting to succeed caused an uproar.”

The idea of the Tianshi title becoming hereditary finally triggered a revolt. Senior members of the sect rose up against the second Li Family Tianshi.

Conflicts escalated into civil war. The Tianshi Mansion was devastated, and many elders perished, including the second Li Family Tianshi.

“Li Cangting was still young and inexperienced,” Yuan Mobai explained. “Ultimately, my master ended the chaos and became the third Li Family Tianshi.”

But this continued the Li Family’s leadership. Those who opposed fled and later founded the Yellow Heaven Sect.

Tang Xiaotang blinked. “So messy.”

Lei Jun processed everything carefully.

Yuan Mobai nodded as if understanding Lei Jun’s thoughts. “My master stabilized the sect, but…”

The third Li Family Tianshi passed the title to his son, Li Qingfeng, the current Tianshi.

“During the third internal conflict, Li Cangting’s wife from the Southern Wasteland Witch Clan supported him.” Yuan Mobai’s voice grew somber. “The war was brutal. Both Li Cangting and his wife perished, along with many from both sides.”

The Tianshi Seal was lost during this chaos.

Lei Jun pondered deeply.

Tang Xiaotang puffed out her cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I could’ve asked those witches I fought in the Southern Wasteland!”

Yuan Mobai smiled. “The Southern Wasteland is in constant turmoil. Those witches are long gone.”

Finally, a message appeared in Lei Jun’s mind:

“Great chaos is coming. A ship sails on stormy waters—find solid ground.”

Four fortunes followed:

1. Supreme Good Omen: Go to Jiuzhou Ridge in Tianxu Mountain—you’ll gain a Third-Grade Opportunity.
2. Moderate Omen: Seek refuge away from the three mountains.
3. Lower-Moderate Omen: Return to Tianshi Mansion—danger looms.
4. Lower-Moderate Omen: Stay in Yunxiao Mountain—danger awaits.