Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Tang Xiaotang cultivated her path, rarely crafting Magic Artifacts or concoctions. Even as her Cultivation Realm grew, she seldom used Spirit Talismans.

Perhaps proud of her exceptional innate talent, Tang Xiaotang focused more on honing her own skills rather than relying on External Alchemy.

Apart from treasures like the Celestial Master Seal and the Celestial Master's Sword, which held special significance for her ascent to the Celestial Master position, Tang Xiaotang had little interest in other Magic Artifacts and treasures. She preferred to enhance her own Cultivation Realm and refine her arsenal of Magical Powers and Divine Skills.

Over these years, she had not personally refined any Magic Artifacts.

This, coupled with her senior brother Wang Guiyuan viewing various opportunities as being as dangerous as a flood or a beast, meant Lei Jun found himself in a relatively relaxed and amiable environment.

He could focus more on his own cultivation, at least without having to engage in cutthroat competition with those around him.

When faced with difficult problems, there was always a strong backer to rely on.

Of course, relying on a strong backer wasn't always for his own benefit.

This time, the Radiant Sun Crystal proposed by Riyao was something Lei Jun valued greatly.

He could use it himself.

But to maximize its effectiveness, the person best suited for this treasure was his junior sister, Tang Xiaotang.

The contest for the Celestial Master's Sword was progressively heating up.

Within the Celestial Master Mansion, an undercurrent of tension simmered between those with the Li surname and those with other surnames.

The Celestial Master's Sword was a key point in this shifting balance of power.

However, apart from the Celestial Master's Sword, other matters could also potentially upset this balance.

For instance, if Tang Xiaotang could achieve another breakthrough in her Cultivation Realm.

The Radiant Sun Crystal could potentially be the crucial opportunity.

The Pure Yin Yin Moon Soul Stone had a certain restraining effect on her.

Conversely, the Pure Yang Radiant Sun Crystal could be a significant boon!

As for the treasure of the Spiritual Soul that Riyao needed, Lei Jun happened to have one.

Soul Dispersion Essence.

This Spiritual Object might have limited use for Lei Jun or for disciples of the Talisman Sect.

But it perfectly matched what Riyao described—it could help the Spiritual Soul leave the body and travel far.

This coincidental match even made Lei Jun wonder: did the other party already know his true identity, and even more, that he possessed this Soul Dispersion Essence? If they had such ability, they might as well come directly to Dragon Tiger Mountain to trade with me openly, unless we had an old feud... Lei Jun shook his head slightly.

While a coincidence seemed likely, if he had been a solitary Loose Cultivator struggling on his own, Lei Jun might have ignored it, not considering the risk.

However... I can call for backup!

Lei Jun calmly made his way to the outer edge of the Altar of Wanfa Sect.

When I, Lei, navigate this Cultivation World, I rely entirely on seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster... No, scratch that. When I, Lei, navigate this Cultivation World, I rely on three things: guts, loyalty, and having enough people!

Upon seeing Xu Yuanzhen, Lei Jun suddenly remembered something and looked his senior sister up and down.

Xu Yuanzhen's eyes remained on the Sword Scar Stone Strip floating before her. Without turning her head, she asked, "What is it?"

Lei Jun said, "Senior Sister, what's your opinion on the Seven Luminaries of the Heavens?"

Xu Yuanzhen replied casually, "The stars and luminaries... they're important if you consider them so, but otherwise, they're just so-so."

It seems Senior Sister isn't one of the Seven Luminaries Members... Lei Jun nodded to himself.

Ensuring no one was around, he spoke earnestly, "Senior Sister, have you ever seen a very special kind of paper—one or a few sheets, shiny, as if torn from some book...?"

This time, Xu Yuanzhen reacted.

She turned her head directly. "Have you seen it? Or do you have it?"

Lei Jun nodded candidly. "I chanced upon one page."

He looked at Xu Yuanzhen. "Do you have one too, Senior Sister?"

Xu Yuanzhen said, "I don't. I encountered it once before and missed the opportunity. It was a rare treasure that got away, so I remember it vividly."

Lei Jun raised his eyebrows. "That's quite surprising. Someone snatched something from right under your nose?"

Xu Yuanzhen said, "I didn't get it, nor did she. The page fluttered away, and we all missed out." Her gaze turned cold and sharp, icy and bright. "That page, I remember, had a number on it, a 'six.' What about yours?"

Lei Jun said, "The page I have is 'three.'"

Celestial Book, page 'Six'... that likely corresponds to the Mars Fire Radiance in the starry sky within the book. So far, it still seems to be without an owner.

He recounted the incident to Xu Yuanzhen.

After hearing his account, Xu Yuanzhen became somewhat interested. However, her interest wasn't in the few pages of the Celestial Book.

"Oh, besides you, there are three others?" Xu Yuanzhen asked. "And there are three empty slots?"

Lei Jun nodded.

Xu Yuanzhen said, "Contact that Riyao. Tell them you want the Radiant Sun Crystal. It doesn't matter if they don't accept the Soul Dispersion Essence. Ask what they want instead; I'll check my inventory."

No matter how secure the trading location and method, if the other party possessed superior Cultivation Strength, Lei Jun could still be double-crossed, or his background could be thoroughly investigated.

But if Xu Yuanzhen went, it would be a different story.

Lei Jun asked, "What about the trading location, time, and method?"

Xu Yuanzhen answered without hesitation, "The other party can decide the location. As for the time, within the next two days. I'll temporarily suspend operations here at the Altar of Wanfa Sect and attend this meeting to see who they are."

Lei Jun immediately immersed his consciousness, projecting it into the True One Altar Cave Heaven, and used the page of the Celestial Book to leave a message for Riyao.

The other party did not reply immediately; it was unclear whether they were busy or taking time to deliberate.

Sometime later, they finally sent a reply to Lei Jun:

The Soul Dispersion Essence was indeed what they required.

Although it was common knowledge that the Radiant Sun Crystal was more valuable, Riyao agreed to trade it for Lei Jun's Soul Dispersion Essence.

The trading location was set on an island in the East Sea Ocean. It appeared open, but the turbulent ocean currents made it ideal for covert activities.

Lei Jun handed the Soul Dispersion Essence to Xu Yuanzhen.

The two of them informed Yuan Mobai, temporarily closed the Altar of Wanfa Sect, and entrusted the Sword Scar Stone Strip to Yuan Mobai for safekeeping.

Then, Xu Yuanzhen departed.

"It's unlikely they saw through your identity; it was probably a coincidence," Yuan Mobai commented. "However, this Taiyang Riyao, by revealing the Radiant Sun Crystal, clearly intends to test the waters and lure willing parties."

After hearing a general account of the events, he indeed didn't pry into how Lei Jun had obtained the Celestial Book. Instead, he discussed the technical aspects of the matter with his disciple.

Lei Jun said, "If not for the Pure Yang Palace drawing attention, Disciple wouldn't have made this decision."

In other words, the likelihood of Riyao being a member of the Pure Yang Palace wasn't zero, but it wasn't high. Resisting the allure of the Radiant Sun Crystal enough to offer it as bait in a trade was likely something no one from the Pure Yang Palace would do. If they could exercise such restraint, Lei Jun would truly have to give them a thumbs-up.

Yuan Mobai considered for a moment, then said, "Martial Niece Yuan Zhen happened to be on the mountain this time. If she isn't around when you encounter a similar situation in the future, don't rush to agree. Let me, your Master, investigate first, then we'll make a decision."

Lei Jun acknowledged, a little curious.

Yuan Mobai himself rarely left Dragon Tiger Mountain due to his duties presiding over the Altar of Wanfa Sect. Thus, he couldn't step in for Lei Jun in such matters.

Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang often traveled, their whereabouts unpredictable. This time, Lei Jun was fortunate that Xu Yuanzhen was on the mountain, allowing him to successfully call for backup. He might not be so lucky next time.

As for Wang Guiyuan, regardless of his strength, expecting him to take such a risk was unrealistic.

However, Yuan Mobai's earlier words seemed to imply he had other methods. Since his Master didn't elaborate for the time being, Lei Jun naturally didn't ask.

"Speaking of which, I'm more interested in two other pieces of news," Yuan Mobai mused.

Lei Jun asked, "That Suppressing Demon Guards General Sheng Yan and Prince Wu, along with the Abbot of the Bodhi Temple, are heading to Youzhou in the Northern Border?"

Yuan Mobai nodded slightly.

Lei Jun recalled that Prince Wu had once personally visited Dragon Tiger Mountain and met with his master.

"His Highness, Prince Wu, is discontented," Yuan Mobai said leisurely. "Back in the day, regarding the matter of succession, he once competed with the late Emperor, only to lose by a single move."

Lei Jun understood. Similar situations existed within their own Celestial Master Mansion. It wasn't about Master Li Cangting and the former Celestial Master Li Qingfeng, who were paternal cousins. It was actually Li Qingfeng and his biological sister, Master Li Hongyu, who had once vied for the position of Celestial Master. Li Hongyu had always believed she was no less capable than Li Qingfeng. Even Li Qingfeng's breakthrough to the Eighth Heavenly Layer first was, in her opinion, due to their father's partiality.

Prince Wu had once contended with the late Emperor Zhang Qilong. After Zhang Qilong passed away, he still missed the throne by a whisker.

All of this could be summed up in one sentiment: he was not reconciled.

Lei Jun didn't care whether Prince Wu was reconciled or not; what mattered was the extent of his potential influence on the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion. "Master, you sent Prince Wu away, yet he's still making such a fuss. What is he relying on? Surely not just a Suppressing Demon Guards General?"