Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 61: The Master's Work

Rumors spread that the Tianshi has been suffering from an old injury. For many years, he remained in seclusion to suppress the wound, but it still hasn’t healed. Recently, it has flared up again.

What’s more concerning is that this worsening condition has not only affected the Tianshi himself but also implicated his direct disciples. Aside from Xu Yuanzhen, who is currently traveling, the True Disciples still on the mountain have all suffered, including the Tianshi’s own son, Li Zhengxuan.

“How could this happen?”

Everyone in Tianxu Sect was shocked.

“I heard it’s a curse or Gu spell from the Southern Wasteland Witch Clan—like a parasite clinging to bone, sinister and bizarre,” someone whispered. “Through the connection of True Energy, anyone directly tied to the Tianshi’s lineage was implicated, and even…”

Even rumors spread that disciples who had tried but failed to join the Tianshi’s sect over the years were also afflicted, though their symptoms were less severe than the True Disciples. It was eerie and incomprehensible.

“How could the Tianshi, with such a high level of cultivation, fall victim to a Southern Wasteland curse?”

“Even those who didn’t have direct contact were affected? Could True Energy alone transmit this? That powerful?”

“They say the Southern Wasteland Witch Clan has a curse called Reincarnation, endless and relentless—it’s incredibly formidable…”

Though not on Mount Longhu, panic spread through the Tianxu Sect.

Lei Jun listened silently. If the current Tianshi Li Qingfeng was indeed cursed, the root cause likely stemmed from that internal conflict involving his father and Li Cangting.

Even though Li Cangting and his wife perished, the Southern Wasteland Witch Clan suffered heavy losses.

But both sides were devastated. Not only did they lose the previous Tianshi and many elders, but Li Qingfeng himself was left with an old wound.

The damage and consequences were as severe as the earlier internal conflict that had birthed the Yellow Heaven Sect.

The only hope now was that the current Tianshi had some contingency plans. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have emerged from seclusion so confidently.

Remaining in seclusion kept his condition a mystery; coming out meant he had no room to retreat.

As for the Tianshi’s disciples being implicated, it didn’t mean that merely wishing to become his disciple would trigger the curse. It referred to those officially endorsed during the Initiation Ceremony by a Sponsor Master.

For example, from Lei Jun’s group: Chen Yi, Li Ying, and Shangguan Hong, along with Tang Xiaotang, who had been hoping to join the sect.

In this world, fate was mysterious. People were careful even when swearing oaths, let alone formally praying during the Tianshi Mansion Initiation Ceremony.

Lei Jun thought of the Lower-Moderate Omen he received when seeking fortune before his initiation:

“A Lower-Moderate Omen: Ambitious goals, striving to leap forward in one step, but it’s all an illusion—troubles lie ahead. Ominous.”

But precisely because of this, Lei Jun believed the current Tianshi was aware of his situation.

That’s why he had delayed Tang Xiaotang’s initiation.

Unlike Li Ying and Shangguan Hong, Tang Xiaotang was unaffected this time. Rumor had it she was particularly active recently, likely because her talent and cultivation far surpassed the others.

Yet, if she officially became a direct disciple like Li Zhengxuan, Zhang Jingzhen, and Fang Jian, whether she’d remain unaffected was uncertain.

Whatever the reasoning, the Tianshi had indeed kept delaying Tang Xiaotang’s initiation to protect her.

Lei Jun’s thoughts wandered. The Tianxu Sect disciples continued to chatter anxiously until their sect leader, Tu Guangyu, appeared with a stern expression to calm them.

Though Tu Guangyu appeared composed, his concern was deeper than his disciples’.

The rumors were mostly true, and the reality was even grimmer. The current Tianshi, Li Qingfeng, and most of Tianshi Mansion had retreated to Mount Longhu.

The Lin Clan of Jiangzhou pressed their advantage, and the clan leader was rumored to have personally arrived in Xinzou and might ascend the mountain soon.

Tianshi Mansion faced a grave crisis.

With most of their strength drawn back, they had to strategically abandon the outer regions. The entire Daoist Talismanic Branch watched anxiously for the outcome in Xinzou.

In truth, not only the Talismanic Branch and the Lin Clan were watching.

In Jiangnan, as autumn deepened, a beautiful woman gazed at the lake from a pavilion window.

A maid entered and reported, “Mistress, Mr. Yongshan from the Fang Clan of Jingxiang is here, waiting downstairs.”

Downstairs, Fang Yue, styled Duanfeng and known as Yongshan, waited.

When the lady appeared, he stood and bowed. “Forgive me for the sudden visit, Aunt.”

The woman was Chu Yu.

Though the Fang Clan was not part of the Chu Clan, he and Fang Jian were cousins, hence his address.

Seeing his mature appearance beside her youthful looks, he appeared even more like a younger generation.

“Sit,” Chu Yu said, studying him with interest. “How are your father and uncle?”

“They’re well. They asked me to pass on their regards.”

As a maid served tea, Chu Yu gently caressed the cup. “No need for formalities between us. Did they send you here regarding the Mount Longhu situation?”

Fang Yue nodded. “What’s the Chu Clan’s stance?”

Chu Yu replied, “The Lin Clan of Jiangzhou is taking advantage, pressing hard. My father instructed that we have always been on good terms with Tianshi Mansion and should mediate. My brother is already on his way.”

The tension around Mount Longhu escalated, and Lei Jun stayed alert, understanding the perilous times they faced.

Fang Yue nodded. “Uncle is also heading there.”

The “uncle” he referred to was none other than the father of Fang Jian, a direct disciple of the Tianshi.

Chu Yu looked at Fang Yue thoughtfully, then smiled. “Duanfeng, if things continue to escalate, how do you think we should respond?”

Fang Yue replied, “The ideal solution would be for the imperial court to send a mediator. Our two clans can then assist from the sidelines.”

“You’re right,” Chu Yu said calmly. “But there’s another possibility.”

She looked at him meaningfully. “You know what it is, but you don’t want to acknowledge it.”

Fang Yue fell silent.

“The principle of ‘distant alliances and nearby attacks’ applies here. The Lin Clan of Jiangzhou, the Chu Clan of Suzhou, and the Fang Clan of Jingxiang control the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Great River. The rise of Tianshi Mansion behind Jiangzhou benefits both our clans. That’s why we’ve maintained such close ties with them over the years.”

Chu Yu’s voice remained steady. “But the world is unpredictable, and circumstances change. We can’t cling to the past. The most suitable strategy for our two clans is to publicly support Mount Longhu while waiting to see how the situation unfolds.”

“If things go well, we can join forces with the Lin Clan to suppress the Daoist Talismanic Branch. After all, the fewer outsiders who can ascend to power, the better. If things don’t go well, we can continue to balance Li Qingfeng and the Lin Clan against each other, allowing us to maintain our dominance.”

Finally, Fang Yue spoke. “I understand, but I can’t agree with such a stance.”

Chu Yu blew on her tea gently. “Many people think like this.”

“Aunt…” Fang Yue looked up, meeting her gaze. “What about you?”

Chu Yu held his gaze and smiled softly. “I just sent Chu Kun to Mount Longhu to become a disciple.”

Fang Yue was stunned.

He had met Chu Kun recently in the Yunxiao Mountain Range and knew of his intention to join Tianshi Mansion. But now, of all times…

Times of crisis revealed true intentions.

His aunt wasn’t just offering token support; she was committing wholeheartedly.

Why?

If it had been Fang Yue making the decision, he wouldn’t have hesitated. But seeing Chu Yu take this step puzzled him.

“Rest now,” Chu Yu said, putting down her teacup with a smile. “You haven’t visited Jiangnan in a long time. Stay a few days.”

In Xinzou’s Mount Longhu, the Lin Clan’s forces gathered ominously.

The outer branches of the Talismanic Branch were on high alert, though nothing had happened—yet.

Except…

“The Zixiao Sect has been surrounded. The Yunxiao Mountain Range has been raided by the Lin Clan, resulting in heavy losses and casualties.”

The Tianxu Sect leader, Tu Guangyu, wore a grave expression.

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun shook his head inwardly.

Another Lower-Moderate Omen had come true.

In the Yunxiao Mountain Range, fate had indeed shifted once again.

Fortunately, he had left the area early. Otherwise, as one of the promising young talents of Tianshi Mansion, especially after making a name for himself at Qingxiao Lake, Lei Jun would have been a prime target.

Luckily, by staying alert and moving quickly, he had evaded the danger. He smirked at the thought.

For others, interaction with Mount Longhu might be limited, but he hoped that Lu Zhaoqing, the old sect leader, could survive this ordeal.

The siege of the Zixiao Sect sent shockwaves through the other branches of Mount Longhu.

Everyone heightened their vigilance—not just against the Lin Clan, but also against old enemies who might exploit the situation.

There was no need for Lei Jun to return and defend the sect. He wasn’t responsible for such matters. Instead, he remained in the Tianxu Sect, following their arrangements and helping patrol the mountains.

He didn’t mind. It gave him the opportunity to visit Jiuzhou Ridge regularly.

A Third-Grade Opportunity was rare.

The last time he secured such an opportunity, it had transformed his bone structure from Average Physique to a Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique.

And fortune favored the persistent.

Though subtle, he noticed that Jiuzhou Ridge was gradually changing over time.