Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 410 - 231. Good intentions can lead to bad outcomes.
The former incident had left Lin Shan, the Celestial Master Mansion’s representative for teaching at the Scholarly Mansion, seriously injured. Fortunately, Lin Shan’s life was not in danger, and after a period of recuperation, he had recovered without major issues.
The latter had attacked the Buddhist Sect’s representative teaching at the Scholarly Mansion.
If memory served, that was a Vajra Temple elder by the Dharma name Fashan.
Monk Fashan hadn’t been as lucky as Lin Shan, dying in the assault by the Great Void Temple and reaching the end of his path.
The one who had personally killed Fashan was an elder from the Great Void Temple, named Jitong.
The Sacred Land of Buddhist Oath Lineage, Tianlong Temple, had immediately dispatched experts to rush to the Capital City, joining hands with Tang Imperial Court masters to hunt down the rebels from the Great Void Temple. In the end, they successfully wiped out those disciples.
That included Monk Jitong.
Lei Jun recalled it being said back then that Jitong had been slain on the spot—so Monk Fashan could rest in peace.
But unexpectedly, Future Maitreya was now inquiring about this matter.
White Lotus Sect and Great Void Temple were both Outer Ways of the Buddhist Sect, and it was true that both were notorious rebels in this world.
Due to the greater circumstances and a common enemy, White Lotus Sect and Great Void Temple had sometimes cooperated, such as jointly ambushing Vajra Temple’s incoming abbot in the past.
Yet, the two weren’t allies.
To the contrary, hostility and suspicion ran between them—conflicts had even broken out.
*Could it be that Future Maitreya of the White Lotus Sect was about to avenge Jitong of Great Void Temple?*
*Lei Jun wondered, but kept silent, just quietly listening in.*
"I’ve heard bits about how Great Void Temple was purged," YueYao mused aloud, "as I understand, Monk Jitong was killed by Elder Miaokong of Tianlong Temple. Is this what you have doubts about?"
Mu Yao, Future Maitreya, said, "I heard this as well, but apparently the account comes solely from Elder Miaokong—no one else witnessed it."
*The seriousness with which you respectfully call your rival Miaokong ’Elder’... you’ve got the makings of a professional actor,* Lei Jun mused inwardly.
At that moment, his gaze shifted from Mu Yao, Future Maitreya, over to YueYao’s side.
*Regardless of whether YueYao was the Empress, that one certainly grasped more secrets about the Celestial Book’s main Chapter.*
*Had YueYao already known the identities of the other six participants beforehand?*
*Lei Jun kept his silence, his face indifferent.*
After hearing Future Maitreya’s words, YueYao replied, "It seems Elder Miaokong had no reason to lie."
*Not to mention Miaokong’s junior, Monk Fashan, had just been killed before.*
Even putting that aside, it was perfectly normal for Elder Miaokong, a direct heir of Tianlong Temple—the orthodox Buddhist Sacred Land—to slay Jitong, an Outer Way Great Void Temple monk.
Mu Yao, Future Maitreya, said, "My doubts stem from hearing, via another source, that when Jitong died, Elder Miaokong was elsewhere—the time and location don’t match up."
"Oh? Is that so..."
YueYao reflected briefly, "All I can say is, to my knowledge, Great Void Temple’s Jitong was definitely struck down by the Tianlong Temple’s secret art, the Mighty Celestial Dragon—he was subdued by the power of Tianlong itself. But as for whether it was Master Miaokong’s own technique, I can’t say for certain."
Mu Yao, Future Maitreya, said, "Not quite the answer I hoped for, but still, thanks for your reply. Is there anything you wish to inquire about? Anything I know, I’ll tell you straight."
YueYao said, "This time, I’m looking for information about a certain treasure, the Jiamu Treasure."
Mu Yao, Future Maitreya, looked troubled, "Jiamu Treasure? I have no leads on that..."
YueYao replied, "No problem, it’s not urgent. Just keep it in mind. I’ll also try to get more details about Jitong’s death at Great Void Temple."
Mu Yao, Future Maitreya, said, "Understood, thanks."
Aside from Mercury Water Luminary, who did not attend for unknown reasons, another participant who’d been mostly silent until now—Saturn Earth Guardian—finally spoke up, "Today, I’m hoping to ask for guidance from you all."
As he spoke, several characters appeared in the starlight shining from Earth Guardian.
The handwriting was neat, upright, and well-formed—easy to decipher.
Under Earth Guardian’s control, the words lined up in one row, perfectly straight.
They didn’t look like a complete sentence—seemed like something he’d copied from somewhere.
Though the words stood alone, with Lei Jun’s present insight and comprehension, just a few glances were enough for him to sense something.
*He hadn’t studied Confucian heritage and doctrine much, yet even so, could still detect a faint artistic conception from these words.*
*But the aura was strange.*
Compared to the full, elegant script, the emanating aura was so orderly and rigid—it held a sense of inevitability and unchangeability within its conception.
Yet not quite the imperial grandeur of the Emperor’s Skill wielded by the Tang Emperor.
More like countless traditions and history accumulated over time, merging with Wenhua Qi to become something new.
Lei Jun started digging through his memories.
The Great Tang’s Five Clans and Seven Families had all founded their houses for generations on the Scriptures Studies, but, as far as he remembered, none had such a conception as their family doctrine.
The handwriting likely belonged to a Great Scholar, but felt quite unfamiliar.
*Then again, Lei Jun wasn’t a Confucian Sect cultivator, so he couldn’t be sure...*
"This doesn’t match with any of the Five Clans and Seven Families’ house teachings, nor the imperial family’s traditions. In history, there’s no record of this. Did you invent this script and literary conception yourself?" YueYao asked in a firm tone.
Earth Guardian replied, "I did not create it myself. Though the script and conception are novel, they don’t suit my own taste.
I came upon a mysterious character scroll by chance, and copied these five tenths as best I could. It feels utterly unfamiliar to me, so I’m asking for your guidance."
YueYao, hearing this, said no more.
Lei Jun and the others clicked their tongues in wonder, observing for a while—none had seen it before.
Earth Guardian stowed away the characters, "If any of you come across a similar style or script later, please keep an eye out. Thank you all in advance."
Not much useful intel had come out of today’s gathering.
But no one seemed disappointed. They bade farewell and "logged off."
Lei Jun stayed a little longer.
He privately messaged YueYao.
"Regarding the Jiamu Treasure, I happen to have something," Lei Jun said, "Would Green Sun Mysterious Frost serve your purpose?"
Jiamu, as opposed to Lei Jun’s Yin Thunder of Yi Wood, was Yang Wood Qi.
Earlier in the Southern Wildernes, Lei Jun had obtained a tiny vial of Green Sun Mysterious Frost from Wang Jingfang, a traitor of Pure Yang Palace.
Aside from its rich, pure Yang Qi, this treasure also carried abundant spirit-wood generative energy—perfect for a Jia Wood attribute.
"Green Sun Mysterious Frost, that’s exactly what I need."
YueYao sighed, "However, I currently don’t have more updates on the Youzhou Forest Clan for you."
Lei Jun replied, "No problem—the deal stands long-term."
YueYao sighed again, "Looks like I’ll have to press harder for news."
He didn’t mention what he’d do if the Youzhou Forest Clan truly didn’t make a move for a long while—how he would respond to Lei Jun.
In that case, he would just have to accept his rotten luck.
Lei Jun said, "So be it. Thanks for your trouble."
Leaving the Celestial Book Starry Sky universe, Lei Jun quietly pondered for a moment.
*Fang Jingsheng, Monk Jitong... waves rose and fell, people from all sides converged—just as the tree wants to be still, and the wind doesn’t cease.*
Lei Jun shook his head softly, reined in his thoughts, and returned to his cultivation.
Now able to directly enter the True One Altar, even though he hadn’t practiced Fire Dharma Earth Script Talisman, he could still utilize stray Nine Abyss True Fire to assist his artifact refining.
The Supreme Pure Golden Bamboo had been nourished by Kui Ox Blood, its foundation much improved.
Lei Jun had already resolved that once he reached the Seventh Heavenly Layer, he would properly reforge this bamboo shoot, to turn it from a Magic Artifact into his very first Magical Treasure.
No need to rush for now.
More urgent was the metallic rail used to accelerate the Magnetosword Pellet—the increasing depth of Lei Jun’s mana meant he needed to adjust it further.
Last time, when he blasted Elder Tu Dong of the Blood River Sect, the Primordial Magnet Force had been so strong that even the metal rail had twisted and buckled.
This was a good time to reforge it.
The days passed—Lei Jun continued his cultivation.
One day, Junior Brother Chu Kun came to find him unexpectedly.
"Senior Brother, do you have any high-grade Spirit Talismans with serious firepower on hand?" Chu Kun asked.
Lei Jun replied, "What’s up? Headed out?"
Chu Kun nodded, "Thinking of going on a little journey."
With his current cultivation realm, he couldn’t craft high-grade Spirit Talismans himself.
Wang Guiyuan had left the mountain, and Yuan Mobai was in closed-door training, so Chu Kun naturally came to Lei Jun for help.
Given his personality, he was probably not venturing out to wander for real, but Lei Jun didn’t pry and trusted his junior to handle things sensibly.
Lei Jun was about to answer when a sphere of light flashed in his mind, and characters appeared:
[Good causes can breed evil fruits, kindness may bear disaster, the safety of loved ones hangs on a single thought.]
Following that were three lot readings:
[Moderately Good Lot, gift Chu Kun a mid-grade high-grade Spirit Talisman—chance for a Fourth Rank Opportunity, no risk, no harm, auspicious.]
[Perfectly Neutral Lot, do not give Chu Kun a Spirit Talisman—no gain, no loss, flat.]
[Moderately Unlucky Lot, gift Chu Kun a top-tier or high-grade Spirit Talisman—no gain, no immediate risk, but future trouble lies buried, ominous.]
