Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Chapter 919 - 342: Pivotal Influence

In the land of Youzhou, lacking great Taoist houses, staying there inevitably leads to obscurity. After Prince Zhao came to know about this, he intended to sponsor them to come south to Dragon Tiger Mountain to seek the Tao.But before that, naturally, he had to first ask the Celestial Master’s opinion.

Lei Jun understood the implication, whether he, the newly appointed Celestial Master, had plans to take direct disciples again.

Over the years, those who have been concerned about this issue, Prince Zhao Zhang Teng was not the first one.

Including Prince Xun’an Zhang Mu, Shangguan Sheng from the Shangguan Clan, also concerned themselves with this aspect.

Especially today, when Lei Jun assumed the portal of the Ancestral Court of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

If people previously were still concerned about Master Lei’s marital affairs, as Lei Jun aged and his cultivation grew, no one dared to inquire much about this matter anymore.

Some began to focus on the position of Lei Jun’s direct disciple.

Nowadays, being a direct disciple of the Celestial Master holds extraordinary significance and privileges.

Just like when the former Celestial Master Li Qingfeng chose disciples during his time, it always attracted attention.

Some choices among them were particularly intriguing.

Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang never had heirs or followers.

Under Lei Jun, there was at least Zhuo Baojie.

Since the precedent had been set, everyone began to pay attention to it.

"Our sect welcomes those who seek the Tao back to the mountain, emphasizing fate rather than compulsion."

Facing Jiang Yuan, Lei Jun calmly remarked: "If talented individuals proactively come to Dragon Tiger Mountain to seek the Tao, it is also a form of fate, and certainly feasible. Prince Zhao is thoughtful."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Unlike the time of Li Qingfeng.

Now, to become a direct disciple of Lei Jun, it seems family background is not enough; one must catch Lei the Celestial Master’s eye.

However, Lei Jun did not exclude people from the Northern Land Youzhou coming to Dragon Tiger Mountain to seek immortality and the Tao.

At least, he did not reveal any obvious hostility to Prince Zhao.

Having realized this, Jiang Yuan’s previously worried heart was largely put at ease.

After all, Prince Zhao often interacted with the Youzhou Forest Clan and the Cangzhou Ye Clan, who had previously been in conflict with the Celestial Master Mansion.

Fortunately, Celestial Master Lei was serene and peaceful, unlike Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang who were sharp...

Jiang Yuan spoke with Lei Jun a few more words before he chose to leave voluntarily.

After he exited, he saw in the distance two scholars conversing.

One was Shangguan Zhengqing who had come out slightly earlier.

The other was Meng Shaojie who also used to be the Crown Prince’s personal reader.

But as far as Jiang Yuan knew, Meng Shaojie had left the Eastern Palace a long time ago.

"A scholar altered should be viewed anew. Shaojie’s accumulation has resulted in a surge, worthy of joy and congratulation."

Shangguan Zhengqing chatted with Meng Shaojie, expressing surprise.

Because Meng Shaojie, unexpectedly like him, already reached the Sixth Heavenly Layer cultivation realm.

Once, among several Crown Prince’s personal readers, Meng Shaojie had the lowest cultivation and slowest progress, constantly studying diligently, yet far behind the shadows of Shangguan Zhengqing and others.

Unexpectedly, he soared high, reaching a realm parallel to Shangguan Zhengqing.

"Thanks greatly to Mr. Xiao and Sacrificial Official Fang’s guidance."

Meng Shaojie said calmly: "Also, thanks to Celestial Master Lei’s advice."

He smiled slightly:

"I’ve come to the mountain to attend the ceremony, firstly to congratulate Celestial Master Lei, secondly to seek some knowledge from the Celestial Master."

Meng Shaojie’s incident of fainting on Dragon Tiger Mountain and being saved by Lei Jun was well known to Shangguan Zhengqing, as he was present on the mountain back then.

Later during Lei Jun’s travels in the Imperial Capital Luoyang, the incident of Meng Shaojie’s visit was also heard of by Shangguan Zhengqing.

Yet the familiarity Meng Shaojie had with the newly appointed Celestial Master Lei Jun was somewhat beyond Shangguan Zhengqing’s expectations.

He casually chatted with Meng Shaojie about trivial matters, while many thoughts flashed through his mind:

There’s a saying, when one succeeds, those around prosper. Previously, the focus was solely on those related to Celestial Master Mansion and Celestial Master Lei Jun, neglecting the need to also watch those outside closely.

Luckily, while Meng Shaojie was familiar with Xiao Chunhui, he was also acquainted with Crown Prince Zhang Hui, preventing one side from having additional ways to gain Celestial Master Lei’s inclination.

After chatting for a while, Meng Shaojie bid farewell and left, as Shangguan Zhengqing watched his figure disappear.

His smile faded thereafter.

The situation changes unpredictably, under current circumstances, the new Celestial Master Lei Zhen and Celestial Master Mansion carry significant weight, even the smallest detail related to them cannot be ignored... Shangguan Zhengqing thought.

Returning to his place of stay, he found his clan uncle Shangguan Sheng already waiting there.

"Uncle." Shangguan Zhengqing greeted him.

Shangguan Sheng calmly looked at his clan nephew: "You’ve made up your mind and decided to place your hope in the Crown Prince?"

Shangguan Zhengqing sighed: "Uncle, we actually don’t have much choice.

The current emperor’s actions...are even more unpredictable than those of the former Master Tang.

She overly focuses on common people.

The Celestial Master Mansion being a Taoist sacred land is one thing, but the Divine Strategy Army is becoming more and more nonsensical."

Shangguan Zhengqing frowned: "Shen Qubing reached the Eighth Heavenly Layer, and another named Jin Daowu, a Weapon Strike Cultivator, quickly boosted in the Divine Strategy Army by the emperor’s decree, has already reached the Seventh Heavenly Layer.

Letting loose about us and the Lu Family and other founding nobles, suffered greatly through several big battles, if this continues long term, the consequences could be unimaginable.

If the emperor realizes the errors, naturally these issues become a non-problem, but as it stands now, we can’t help but make another set of arrangements."

Shangguan Sheng: "The Great General wouldn’t be pleased to see you do this."

Shangguan Zhengqing: "The current emperor and Crown Prince, both surnamed Zhang."

Shangguan Sheng left: "Be cautious, remember, some things are better thought than said, and should never be put into action, otherwise we would seek out traitors ourselves."

Shangguan Zhengqing: "Naturally."

During the uncle-nephew confrontation, Lei Jun had met with Meng Shaojie and offered some advice.

Later, Meng Shaojie again sparred with Lei Jun’s direct disciple Zhuo Baojie.

Lei Jun himself, then headed to the Great Elixir Room within the mansion.

There, he invited four groups of guests simultaneously.

Medicine King Sun Mingjing and his disciple Yu Cheng, the Hall Master of Hui Tian Hall.

Xiao Chunhui and Prince Xun’an Zhang Mu from the Tang Imperial Court.

Zhang Taigang and Ji Chuan from Mount Shu Sect.

And, Temple Master Nie Fang from Mystery Observatory, a subordinate branch of Celestial Master Mansion.