Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

"Mm, just leave this person to me." Xia Bo took the captive from Lei Jun.

He looked at Lei Jun, "On your way back, aside from Tang Shi-nephew, did you see Xu Shi-nephew?"

Over on Tang Xiaotang's side, Xia Bo didn't need to ask much, he had received word before meeting Lei Jun—Tang Xiaotang had just made a trip to the Red Abyss Cave Heaven.

There was no activity from the Yellow Sky Sect over there for the moment.

Although Tang Xiaotang made a trip for nothing, for the Celestial Master Mansion, the safety of Red Abyss Cave Heaven was still good news.

But Xu Yuanzhen was out pursuing the mysterious powerhouse who ambushed the Celestial Master, and neither of the two had reported back in some time.

Lei Jun said, "I didn't see her, and I've heard no news about Senior Sister either."

Xia Bo muttered, "That mysterious murderer who harmed the Sect Leader is truly hateful, but in these troubled times, I still hope Xu Shi-nephew will be careful—never chase a cornered enemy."

Lei Jun said, "Master Xia, who exactly is that mysterious criminal?"

Xia Bo shook his head, "It's still unclear, we can only wait for Xu Shi-nephew to return to the mountain and see if she discovers anything."

He looked at Lei Jun, then smiled widely, "About what happened at the Tianxu Sect, I heard all about it. You handled it very well, Senior Brother Tu praised you highly."

"Besides, Chongqing almost fell into the hands of the Yellow Sky Sect demons, but you rescued her just in time and helped her escape."

Chongqing was Xia Qing's Daoist name; Xia Bo was both her clan uncle and mentor.

"Most credit for Mount Tianxu belongs to Senior Master Tu who led everyone to work together; only then did we drive off the enemy. I simply followed the teachings of our sect elders and obeyed Senior Master Tu's orders."

Lei Jun said, "Our sect always teaches us to help and care for each other. I believe, if I were the one in danger, Senior Sister Xia would also offer her aid."

Xia Bo nodded with a smile, "That's true, but where merit is due, it must be rewarded. Whether I am your elder in the sect or Chongqing's clan uncle, how could I fail to show appreciation?"

He thought for a moment, then produced a brocade box of rather large size,

"You study the Dao with Brother Yuan, and lack for nothing—ordinary items, I can't just give away. But I thought this one should suit you quite well."

Lei Jun accepted the brocade box, "A gift from my elder, how could I refuse? Thank you, Master Xia, for the treasure."

Leaving Xia Bo, Lei Jun opened the brocade box, and a surge of spiritual energy burst forth from within.

Before his eyes appeared a giant black sac, shaped like a raindrop but nearly a foot across.

The black sac's surface showed no luster, but pulsed with potent spiritual nature from within.

Its scent faintly carried traces of blood—not putrid, but rather a wild, scorching aroma.

[Bear King's Mysterious Gall]

Lei Jun was struck by a flash of insight—the name appeared in his mind.

"Is this the Sixth-Rank Opportunity mentioned in the second moderately good lot?"

Lei Jun nodded and stowed it away for safekeeping.

*Still, curiosity nagged him—if he hadn't hurried back to Dragon Tiger Mountain right away, would he have missed out on this treasure?*

*Lei Jun couldn't help but wonder, on Tang Xiaotang's side, what kind of Fifth Grade Opportunity did the first moderately good lot refer to?*

He closed the lid of the brocade box, then took out the Cosmic Coordinate Box that Chu Yu had given him earlier, and temporarily stored the giant brocade box inside, big box inside the small box.

Having gathered his possessions, Lei Jun asked his fellow disciples about the current state of the mountain's gate.

Xu Yuanzhen, Yuan Mobai, and Tang Xiaotang were all away.

Wang Guiyuan and Luo Haoran were still around on the mountain.

Lei Jun first went to visit his fellow disciple Wang Guiyuan.

"Lei, you're back safe—that's really great."

Wang Guiyuan was first delighted, then sighed, "If I'd known so much would happen afterward, I would have prepared even more supplies for you when you left."

Lei Jun laughed, "You gave me plenty. I even had leftovers to bring back."

The two sat down, and Wang Guiyuan started by updating Lei Jun on the current situation atop the mountain.

The Sect Leader, Master Li Qingfeng, had died—a heavy blow to the Celestial Master Mansion.

*…It might sound disrespectful to the late Celestial Master, but truth be told, what saved them, if anything, was that the Celestial Master managed to take down the Lin Clan Chief with him before dying.*

Nowadays, the Jiangzhou Lin Clan drew even more attention than the Celestial Master Mansion; the other major powers were still mostly focused on Jiangzhou.

That gave the Celestial Master Mansion a chance to regroup.

Even if the Current Celestial Master was gone, in a one-on-one against their nemesis Yellow Sky Sect, Dragon Tiger Mountain could still hold them in check.

At present, Master Li Hongyu was defending against Sect Leader Taoist Taiping of Yellow Sky, wearing the Celestial Master Robe.

Master Li Ziyang, Master Yao Yuan, Lei Jun's master Yuan Mobai, plus Tang Xiaotang—these four experts were leading attacks in four directions, successfully driving all of Yellow Sky's masters out of the Dragon Tiger Mountain area, returning peace to their mountain gate.

Master Shangguan Ning was outside the mountain as well, supporting Yuan Mobai and the others while also keeping an eye on Jiangzhou.

Now, the focus wasn't on the Lin Clan anymore, but on the other major powers in the cultivation world.

They had to be careful lest some new powerhouse turn their sights toward Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Shangguan Ning was also responsible for maintaining contact and communication with the Great Tang imperial family.

The Young Celestial Master Li Zhengxuan, wielding the Celestial Master's Sword, was stationed at the mountain with Supreme Elder Li Song.

Overall, in the counterattack against Yellow Sky, the Celestial Master Mansion was showing some restraint.

They weren't being cautious just for Yellow Sky—they were watching out for outsiders waiting to fish in troubled waters.

"How have things been for you lately, Senior Brother?" Lei Jun asked.

Wang Guiyuan said, "I've stayed on the mountain the whole time—no fights with enemies, but the weight on my shoulders is still heavy."

Lei Jun asked, "Oh? What duties are you entrusted with, Senior Brother?"

Wang Guiyuan replied, "Along with a few other brothers, I'm keeping watch over the Rear Mountain Ancestral Tomb forbidden ground, under a Master."

"..."

Lei Jun leaned back slightly, giving Wang Guiyuan another once-over.

Wang Guiyuan's face was solemn, "Lei, you wanna join us? It's a heavy responsibility!"

Lei Jun said, "It truly is. Only talents like you can handle it. As for me, I just follow the elders' arrangements."

Wang Guiyuan regretted, "You're always ready to step up, Lei, but it's just more risky that way. Take care out there."

......

While Lei Jun and his brother chatted, over at Xia Bo's side, another disciple came to pay respects.

"Master Xia, I am glad I did not fail you."

Chen Yi, twenty years old but already a striking young man, saluted Xia Bo.

Xia Bo nodded with a warm smile, "Well done—you've earned plenty of merit and virtue, and should be rewarded."

After speaking, he nodded at a young man waiting nearby.

The young man wore a deep red Taoist robe; he was a Talisman-Instructed Disciple. Seeing Xia Bo's signal, he immediately handed Chen Yi a jade vial, "Brother Chen."

Chen Yi accepted it, "Thank you for the treasure, Master Xia. And thank you, Senior Brother Xia."

The young man's name was Xia Xiushan, Xia Bo's senior disciple as well as his clan nephew—a sibling of Xia Qing by blood.

After seeing Chen Yi off, Xia Xiushan then looked curiously at Xia Bo, "Master…"

Xia Bo said, "What is it?"

In a low voice, Xia Xiushan said, "I remember you mentioned before you were planning to reward Brother Chen with the Bear King's Mysterious Gall?"

Chen Yi's master was Yao Yuan, who had always kept close ties with Li Hongyu and the couple Xia Bo, so Xia Bo looked out for Chen Yi.

Though there had been some mix-ups in the past, overall, Xia Bo was quite appreciative of Chen Yi.

"At the time, I didn't know about Lei saving Chongqing. I really was considering it, but eventually decided to go with fate."

Xia Bo smiled, "It's no problem. The way things are divided now, they each got something suitable for them."

"Bear King's Mysterious Gall is pretty rare—first come, first served. Whoever gets it, that's just another opportunity. Those who cultivate the Dao move with fate and follow the will of heaven."