Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 78: Beating a grandson

Lei Jun carefully read the three fortunes.

The content of the fortunes surprised him.

Based on the hints he derived from the Tianshi Seal imprints, the most likely directions were one west, one north.

The west direction corresponded to the Shangqing River.

The north direction corresponded to the Xunjiang River.

But the fortunes showed that one was a Moderate-Moderate Omen, and the other was a Lower-Moderate Omen.

As for the Upper-Moderate Omen …

Bilei Ridge wasn’t far from where Lei Jun was; it was part of the outer region of Mount Longhu, one of the branching ridges extending out from the main peak.

The best option was right at his doorstep?

It wasn’t impossible, but this conclusion seemed slightly at odds with the imprints of the Tianshi Seal.

Lei Jun was puzzled. After a moment of thought, he finally decided to try his luck at Bilei Ridge.

On one hand, the fortunes had always been accurate.

On the other hand, the reappearance of the Tianshi Seal would surely have drawn significant attention.

Even if others hadn’t noticed, on the mountain, Li Zhengxuan with the Tianshi Sword in hand, and the senior elders Li Song and Yu Qingling fighting outside, these Upper-Heaven experts would certainly search for the Tianshi Seal’s whereabouts at the first opportunity.

They could reach the Xunjiang or Shangqing River faster than Lei Jun could.

Given this, Lei Jun decided to follow the Upper-Moderate Omen and see what he could find.

The upheaval in the world came and went quickly. Not long after, calm returned, leaving the disciples of the Tianshi Mansion and Yellow Heaven Sect around Mount Longhu in confusion and curiosity.

But after the initial shock, the fighting quickly resumed.

Lei Jun remained calm and initially moved with the group. Once everyone dispersed, he quietly headed toward Bilei Ridge.

Upon arrival, the ridge was serene. There was no sign of conflict between the two sects. Only distant sounds of spells clashing echoed through the mountains.

Lei Jun took out the Breath-Taking Flag. Spiritual power transformed into yellow earth, enveloping him in concealment.

He examined the Tianshi Seal imprints on the flag, but they showed no movement.

Since he was already here, Lei Jun decided not to hesitate.

He calmed his mind, sitting cross-legged, quietly meditating and cultivating while he waited.

Time passed.

Suddenly, the imprints on the flag began to shimmer faintly.

Lei Jun opened his eyes.

He remained still.

Patiently, he observed his surroundings.

Dusk settled in.

The once-quiet Bilei Ridge suddenly filled with noise.

Three figures approached his position.

The three were locked in battle: two against one.

But the lone figure was clearly stronger. He fought the two, forcing them to retreat.

Lei Jun recognized the pair. When they got closer, it turned out to be Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong, whom he had encountered recently.

Chasing them was a thin old man dressed in the traditional attire of the Southern Wasteland.

A Gu Master… Lei Jun's mind clicked.

The old man was formidable, clearly injured, but the wounds weren’t inflicted by Li Zhenchang or Chu Andong.

Despite his injuries, the old Gu Master still summoned strange Gu insects, suppressing the two true disciples of the Tianshi Mansion.

Lei Jun observed carefully.

In practice, the Southern Wasteland's Gu arts shared some similarities with the Talismanic Branch of Daoist arts.

At least at lower and mid-level stages.

Daoist talisman practitioners prepared talismans in advance, using them in battle. Their spells were powerful, efficient, and versatile.

Gu Masters raised their Gu insects beforehand. In battle, they released the insects to attack or defend.

However, Daoist talisman practitioners were skilled in close combat, often seeking to engage in melee.

Gu Masters typically kept their distance, avoiding direct contact, and relied on mid-range attacks, protected by their Gu insects.

For example, the old Gu Master Lei Jun was watching had a primary Gu called Blooming Flowers.

Once released, it spread a colorful mist across the area, cloaking the old man and his other Gu attacks within it—deceptive, hidden, and relentless.

Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong, both skilled in Daoist arts, immediately countered with Flame Talismans, trying to burn away the mist.

But the old Gu Master had prepared many Blooming Flower Gu, maintaining the mist.

He wasn’t going to let them destroy his Gu.

Within the mist, various techniques emerged:

There was the Madness Gu, which drove people insane.

The Ice Gu, which froze everything in its path.

The Golden Armor Gu, which turned into a shield.

And the Exploding Gu, which hid Yin Fire and exploded unexpectedly.

Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong used Tranquility Talismans against the Madness Gu, Flame Talismans against the Ice Gu, and Golden Barrier Talismans against the Exploding Gu, maintaining coordination.

But the old Gu Master’s cultivation was higher.

His deadliest technique was a tiny, deadly golden light that flew so fast it pierced through their defenses.

“Golden Silkworm Gu!” Li Zhenchang’s face paled.

The Golden Silkworm Gu broke through their defenses, followed by other Gu attacks.

After a fierce struggle, the old Gu Master temporarily subdued the two true disciples.

Chu Andong fell, severely injured.

Li Zhenchang was frozen by the Ice Gu.

The old Gu Master wasn’t unscathed. He coughed blood, his injuries worsening.

“I’m getting old. Even fighting two Lower-Heaven juniors is exhausting.”

He coughed violently. “And that injury from before… cough cough!”

He needed to finish this quickly before reinforcements arrived.

Just then—

A tall, young Daoist in a yellow robe appeared.

A true disciple of the Tianshi Mansion.

“How unexpected…” Lei Jun looked at the old man. “You have something on you? Is this because of the third internal conflict of the Tianshi Mansion, when the Southern Wasteland was involved?”

The Breath-Taking Flag’s imprint reacted, pointing to the old Gu Master.

Something was on him, likely taken during that conflict.

The old Gu Master seemed unaware of its importance.

“Doesn’t matter…” Lei Jun activated a talisman.

The old man straightened, coughing. “Another brat? Fine, I’ll take another one with me!”

Mist spread again, hiding countless lurking Gu.

But—

“Boom boom boom!”

Lightning and fire erupted, scattering the mist.

The old man’s eyes widened. “You… have Fourth-Heaven cultivation?”

Lei Jun’s talisman glowed. “Doesn’t matter. This is enough.”

The old man coughed, straightening. “It seems I’m too old.”

“Not at all,” Lei Jun said. “Beating you is like beating a grandson.”