Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

They focused on repairing and reconstructing the areas damaged by the great war. They also surveilled and investigated movements in Jiangzhou and the Southern Wilderness. As for the Yellow Sky Sect, though heavily hit, it had not been completely eradicated. The Celestial Master Mansion currently lacked the strength to pursue them to the end. They could only investigate clues more thoroughly, leaving the matter to be addressed in the future.

Overall, the vicinity of Dragon Tiger Mountain had finally regained temporary calm. Everyone could look forward to celebrating a peaceful New Year.

Winter passed and spring arrived. As the aftermath of the war gradually settled, the new Lecture Ceremony was finally scheduled. This was one of the most important ceremonies of the Taoist Talisman Sect. By convention, the date for the Lecture Ceremony was chosen during the Three Primes Festival. The Three Primes Festival occurred on the fifteenth day of January, July, and October each year.

The fifteenth of January was definitely too soon. Preparations for the Lecture Ceremony, coupled with the time needed for talisman students from various regions to travel to Dragon Tiger Mountain, could not be rushed.

Thus, the long-awaited new Lecture Ceremony was set for the fifteenth of July.

As the date approached, the list of talisman students hoping to participate in the Lecture Ceremony was also gradually released.

Since talismans hadn't been bestowed for many years, Lei Jun estimated the list of participants should be quite long. However, the number of names Yuan Mobai announced was clearly smaller than Lei Jun had estimated.

"So many people are missing," Lei Jun remarked, curious.

Many names were relatively unfamiliar, having been reported by various branches of local sects. It wasn't that they were unqualified, but the widely recognized front-runners—the favored candidates—were noticeably absent.

Lei Jun began by asking about those he knew well. "I don't see Senior Brother Luo Haoran's name."

Yuan Mobai's tone remained calm. "Chonghao mentioned that when you all descended into the Blood River Sect's underground palace, he felt he failed Chongqing and other fellow disciples from Senior Brother Xia's lineage. Therefore, as Chongqing is not participating in this Talisman-bestowal for certain reasons, Chonghao voluntarily withdrew."

"I was wondering, Senior Sister Xia Qing isn't participating either?" Lei Jun asked.

Yuan Mobai replied, "It has been reported that Chongqing met Chen Yi this year. According to her, she was unable to capture or kill Chen Yi. However, there are testimonies proving that the two had considerable interactions in the past."

Lei Jun commented, "...Senior Sister Xia would hardly be swayed by personal bias."

The phrase 'considerable interactions in the past' is essentially meaningless. Xia Qing's master and clan uncle, Xia Bo, had a good relationship with Chen Yi's master, Yao Yuan. It was perfectly normal for their respective disciples to interact. As a result, Xia Qing had to withdraw to avoid suspicion and engage in self-reflection, thereby missing this year's Lecture Ceremony.

No matter how you look at it, this is clearly a targeted move against her.

"What about Senior Brother Li Zhenchang and Senior Brother Chu Andong?" Lei Jun continued to ask.

Wang Guiyuan answered on behalf of his master, Yuan Mobai, "Last year, during the invasion by the Worm Arts Demon Person from the Southern Wilderness, Junior Brother Li and Junior Brother Chu encountered the enemy together. They were gravely injured after a fierce battle. Upon investigation, it was determined to be due to Junior Brother Li's reckless advance. Therefore, Junior Brother Li is in seclusion for self-reflection and voluntarily gave up participating in this Lecture Ceremony."

"And Junior Brother Chu?"

"Junior Brother Chu was implicated by the Moon Chamber Master. The matter of the lost Celestial Master's Sword still had some bearing on this. Both the Moon Chamber Master and Junior Brother Chu voluntarily stated that Junior Brother Chu would not participate in this Talisman-bestowal."

Lei Jun asked, "Senior Brother Fang Jian should surely have no issues, right?"

Although Li Qingfeng had passed away, Fang Jian, as his direct disciple, had played a crucial role in coordinating between the Jingxiang Fang Clan and the Celestial Master Mansion during the great battle at Dragon Tiger Mountain. His contributions were significant. Even if others might not secure a place in the Lecture Ceremony, he certainly deserved one.

Wang Guiyuan grimaced. "It's still about your trip to the Blood River Sect's underground palace. Some disciples reported that the Eight Desolates Blood River Array which previously trapped them was remarkably similar to the Eight Desolates Blood Cavity where the Fang Clan's Fang Mingyuan and Fang Lu met their demise. They also claimed they were only trapped by the Eight Desolates Blood River Array after being attacked by someone..."

That might be true, but firstly, there's no clear evidence. Secondly, it's not appropriate to bring this up under the current circumstances... Lei Jun thought.

Nothing had been said before, but now that it was time to decide on the candidates for Talisman-bestowal, someone spoke up. It's clear someone is targeting Fang Jian.

So...

"Without the external threat posed by Eldest Senior Sister, the Li Clan has started their internal squabbles again," Lei Jun summarized.

Wang Guiyuan gave a wry smile. He shook his head repeatedly. "It hasn't been that long, and I really can't understand it. Our Sect is still united against external threats, not giving outsiders any opportunities. So why have the Li Clan's internal struggles flared up so quickly again? Shouldn't they be more united, especially since both Master Ziyang and the Celestial Master's Sword are gone?"

Lei Jun wasn't surprised. "I once read in history books about the last years of a dynasty. It was under attack by foreign tribes, with only half its territory remaining. The nation's demise was clearly imminent, yet internal strife never ceased. At the time, I was perplexed.

"At first, I assumed they prioritized fighting for power and profit above all else. Later, however, I felt that wasn't entirely the case. A considerable number of them probably thought something like this..."

He spread his hands. "The nation's demise is imminent, and only I can save our land and people! You fools and villains aren't listening and uniting to exert our full strength. Instead, you're holding me back! You're truly despicable!"

Wang Guiyuan gaped. "Is that possible?"

Lei Jun continued, "Master Ziyang and the others will try to convince themselves they shouldn't act or think this way. Yet, they'll still be unable to help feeling that the other side is foolish and malicious, holding them back.

Of course, on the other hand, the current list from the High Merit Pavilion is indeed quite... artfully constructed."

He turned his head towards Yuan Mobai. "Master, who first proposed the initial list of candidates for the High Merit Pavilion?"

Yuan Mobai glanced at Lei Jun. "Yuan Zhen."

Lei Jun understood. "Truly insidious."

It seems like Li Zhengxuan was left out. But Tang Xiaotang currently has no voting rights, and Xu Yuanzhen herself is rarely home. So, most of the time, the High Merit Pavilion effectively has five votes, and three of those belong to individuals named Li. Shangguan Ning is mostly neutral. This sense of security they're given... it's utterly false. On the surface, the Li Clan appears dominant. But I know without even thinking that when a critical moment truly arrives, Xu Yuanzhen has plenty of ways to cause trouble for them. There's a saying: 'More than capable of ruining things, but incapable of accomplishing anything.' In the current Celestial Master Mansion, Xu Yuanzhen might not be able to get everything she wants. But she can definitely ensure others don't get what they want either.

Based on his understanding of Xu Yuanzhen, Lei Jun fully suspected she was just waiting for such a day.

In fact, Xu Yuanzhen might already be enjoying the spectacle.

The list for the Talisman-bestowal was released. This business of tripping each other up had nothing to do with Xu Yuanzhen or Yuan Mobai; it was the Li Clan tearing itself apart internally, now that their sense of security had returned.

Although Fang Jian was Li Qingfeng's direct disciple, he was currently considered a favored candidate put forth by Li Zhengxuan and Li Ziyang's faction for this Talisman-bestowal. If Li Ziyang's second son, Li Ming, hadn't died, he would have been one of them too.

Xia Qing was the favored candidate from Li Hongyu's faction. Chen Yi might also have been included, but now, that was out of the question.

Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong were the favored candidates from Li Song's faction.

But now, they had all effectively neutralized each other.

Besides them, several others who had seemed almost certain to be chosen were also out. Tang Xiaotang's adolescent rebellious streak, her desire to be unique, was another matter entirely.

So now, looking at the list again, the only favored candidate left was...

"Me?"

Lei Jun pointed at the tip of his own nose.

Yuan Mobai nodded with a smile.