Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 84: Another good fortune

Chu Yu waved her hand, and the papers on the table disappeared.

She left the pavilion and headed toward the front hall.

In the front hall, the Chu Family youth who had accompanied her to Mount Longhu for the Initiation Ceremony immediately stood up straight and bowed:

"Aunt."

Chu Yu asked, "Fifteen, how are the preparations?"

The Chu Family youth respectfully replied, "Everything is basically ready. We can leave for Mount Longhu anytime."

Chu Yu nodded, "Good. Let's depart then."

The Chu Family youth asked softly, "Have Grandfather and the others made their decision?"

"It’s not hard to choose. No matter what, Mount Longhu is better than the Yellow Heaven Sect." Chu Yu replied casually, "Having the Tianshi Mansion and the Li Family of Xinzou blocking the Witch Sect from advancing north is a good thing."

The Chu Family youth nodded silently, then asked, "What about the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou?"

"That’s more complicated." Chu Yu smiled. "But with Big Brother handling it, we don’t need to worry."

The Chu Family youth followed her out of the residence:

"Aunt, are you really planning to hand over the clues about the Tianshi Seal to Mount Longhu?"

Chu Yu nonchalantly replied, "Since Mount Longhu lost the Tianshi Seal during their internal conflict, others might as well try their luck. If we’re not fated to have it, helping others achieve success is no big deal."

---

Lei Jun observed a few more times, but he didn’t see any further changes in the True-One Altar Grotto-Heaven.

He mentally noted this, staying vigilant without letting it consume his thoughts or make him overly anxious.

He continued his usual routine. Aside from focused cultivation, he also followed his sect’s orders, going down the mountain with his fellow disciples to eliminate enemies. In his spare time, he refined and improved the Five Thunder Talismans.

After further efforts, he managed to increase the spiritual energy conversion rate to lightning from a 10% improvement to nearly 20%. In battles where the smallest margins determine victory or defeat, this difference was significant.

Through several combat tests, Lei Jun confirmed he had reached a new plateau. To improve further, he would need to advance his cultivation level or refine his skills from other angles.

While Lei Jun made progress, the overall situation at Mount Longhu remained deadlocked. Under the leadership of Yu Qingling and Perfected Peace Daoist, Yellow Heaven Sect cultivators persisted in their struggle against the Tianshi Mansion.

Meanwhile, the Blood River Sect was becoming increasingly active, with more mid- and high-level disciples appearing around Mount Longhu.

Fortunately, Tianshi Mansion wasn’t completely isolated. In addition to support from the Chu Family of Suzhou, the Fang Clan of Jingxiang, one of the Five Great Surnames, also sent representatives to assist Mount Longhu. Though the numbers were small, it demonstrated their commitment.

Moreover, this wasn’t mere symbolic support. Fang Jian, both a True Disciple of Tianshi Mansion and a member of the Fang Clan, coordinated the efforts, with the Fang disciples joining the battle directly alongside the Tianshi Mansion’s disciples.

Lei Jun and his fellow disciples welcomed the assistance. However, among the Fang Clan disciples, he noticed an old acquaintance: Fang Mingyuan.

Fang Mingyuan appeared modest and respectful, standing quietly among the crowd.

"The clan elders have a comprehensive plan for the Mount Longhu situation," Fang Jian addressed his fellow clan members. "Your presence here is a critical part of that plan."

The Fang disciples, including Fang Mingyuan, nodded.

After a few more words from Fang Jian, the group dispersed.

"Mingyuan…" Fang Jian called out. "You’re of age now; it’s time to take on more responsibilities in the clan."

The incident in the Tianshi Mansion’s Medicine Garden had caused some awkwardness between the Fang Clan and the Tianshi Mansion, but since word hadn’t spread, their overall relationship remained intact. This support mission was a chance to smooth things over.

"Don’t worry, Tenth Brother. I’ll remember the teachings of the elders and you." Fang Mingyuan replied dutifully.

Beside him, his sister Fang Lu smiled. "Tenth Brother, I’ll be here to help Mingyuan."

"I trust Mingyuan," Fang Jian nodded. "You be careful too, Sixteenth Sister."

Lei Jun glanced briefly at Fang Mingyuan and then looked away. Strictly speaking, he had no personal grudge against him. However, Fang Mingyuan’s character made him wary. If it weren’t for Fang Yue being present at Qingxiao Lake, who knew what Fang Mingyuan might have done…

The Fang Clan’s involvement dampened the morale of the Yellow Heaven Sect, but the more violent and bloodthirsty Blood River Sect remained undeterred.

The Blood River Sect’s activities were widespread. Several areas had Blood River Arrays designed to gather blood energy and fiendish energy.

While the Tianshi Mansion’s elders dealt with the Blood River Sect experts, Lei Jun and his fellow disciples scoured the region, destroying one Blood River Array after another.

Though busy, Lei Jun found this to be valuable training. He efficiently managed his time, ensuring his cultivation continued.

The outline of the Third-Tier Round Altar in his illusory Second-Tier Octagonal Altar became clearer. He even had spare energy to study the inkstone gifted by Chu Andong.

He noted distinct differences between Confucian inkstones and Daoist inkstones. Using a Daoist inkstone to grind talisman ink made it easier to gather spiritual energy. Conversely, a Confucian inkstone helped stabilize already-gathered spiritual energy when creating talismans. A purely Confucian inkstone would likely lead to failure, but Chu Andong’s inkstone, nurtured by the Tianshi Mansion elders, was reliable.

As he immersed himself in his studies, Lei Jun and several fellow disciples received a notification from Fang Jian, the Tianshi’s fourth disciple:

A newly excavated underground palace had been discovered about a hundred miles south of Mount Longhu, reeking of blood—likely containing a Blood River Array.

The group immediately set out. They had destroyed several arrays already, making this routine.

However…

"The Blood River gathers, hundreds of streams flow to the sea. The pure and the impure meet; fortune and calamity intertwine."

The light sphere in Lei Jun’s mind flashed, displaying four omen predictions:

1. Supreme Good Omen: Follow the Blood River to the Blood Sea, stay patient, and wait for the right moment. You’ll find a Fourth-Grade Opportunity with no future worries. Very Lucky!

2. Moderate Omen: Go upstream into the Eight Desolations Blood River Array for a Seventh-Grade Opportunity, but face dangers and calamities. Neutral.

3. Lower-Moderate Omen: Follow the Blood River to the Blood Sea and seize the initiative, but end up benefiting others and suffering great calamity. Bad.

4. Lower-Bad Omen: Go upstream to the Eight Desolations Blood Pit and fall into extreme peril. Disastrous!