As Lei Jun received congratulations from his fellow disciples, within the Myriad Daoist Altar, a pillar of light shot straight into the sky. Within the radiance, talismanic patterns and Daoist essence condensed, manifesting the images of past grandmasters of the Daoist lineage.
"Tianshi Mansion disciple Lei Chongyun, today receives the confernt of the Shangqing Three Caves Canon, assuming the duty of upholding the Divine Firmant Jade Pivot, observing the Yin-Yang True Dao, with utmost reverence and humility, offering this sincere declaration."
Lei Jun first solemnly prayed to heaven and earth, then paid his respects to the past grandmasters before bowing to the present Tianshi, Tang Xiaotang.
Afterward, he turned to face his fellow disciples outside the altar, who had saluted and congratulated him, and returned a formal half-bow in accordance with tradition.
Later, Lei Jun would accompany Tianshi Tang Xiaotang to the restricted ancestral tomb at the back of the mountain to once again offer sacrifices to the spirits of past grandmasters.
Before that, he sat cross-legged inside the Myriad Daoist Altar, closed his eyes, and silently focused his mind.
Inside the altar, a vast number of talismanic patterns and Daoist essence swirled around Lei Jun like mist.
The Three Caves Five Thunder Talismans he had obtained from his fourth talismanic confernt shone brilliantly, gradually rging with him.
At the sa ti, imrsed in the Myriad Daoist Altar, Lei Jun’s mind began to manifest profound Daoist scriptures—mystical insights from the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness, Volu Six, the core scripture of the true lineage of Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu.
Only Qi Refining Seventh Heaven cultivators of the Talismanic Branch were permitted to study it.
Within the altar, Lei Jun remained in deep cultivation. His participation in the New Year Grand Ceremony had concluded, and now he only awaited the mont to leave the Myriad Daoist Altar and proceed to the ancestral tomb for the sacrificial rites.
Outside the altar, after completing the current rites, the elders and disciples, under the leadership of Tianshi Tang Xiaotang, continued with the next steps of the New Year Grand Ceremony.
However, many still had their thoughts on Elder Lei.
“So in the end, Junior Brother Lei was a step ahead…” Lin Shan, who had not returned to the mountain for a long ti, looked toward the Myriad Daoist Altar with a sigh.
For the past few years, he had spent most of his ti teaching at the Imperial Academy in the capital, only occasionally returning to Mount Longhu.
While lecturing at the academy, Lin Shan also maintained connections with the capital’s nobility. So sought to send their children or grandchildren to Mount Longhu to pursue the Dao and asked him to arrange for their care.
Among these youths, a few promising ones had trained at the Daoist Children's Academy on Mount Longhu for several years and had now earned the right to undergo the Initiation Ceremony at the beginning of the year.
According to tradition, Lin Shan was their Initiation Master.
Thus, before the New Year Grand Ceremony, Lin Shan had specifically returned to the ancestral grounds—not only to visit fellow disciples but also to formally accept new students. He planned to return to the capital after the Initiation Ceremony on the fifteenth day of the first month.
Due to the aftermath of the upheavals in Jiangzhou and Youzhou, Shangguan Ning had left the mountain to maintain ongoing negotiations with the Tang Imperial Court and would be staying in the capital for the New Year.
As her senior disciple, Lin Shan was now hosting his fellow disciples, including Shangguan Hong.
He had also arrived just in ti to witness Lei Jun’s fourth talismanic confernt and his appointnt as a High Priest.
Lin Shan had long known of Lei Jun’s extraordinary talent. If he had once harbored any competitive thoughts, they had long since faded after Lei Jun achieved the Dao Seal Realm of the Sixth Heaven in just over a decade—a cultivation feat that had taken Lin Shan himself several decades of arduous effort.
Even if their cultivation levels were now similar, they were no longer on the sa level.
Lin Shan had no doubts that Lei Jun would successfully overco the tribulation between the Sixth and Seventh Heavens and ascend to the Upper Three Heavens.
He had only thought it would take a few more years.
By his expectations, Zhang Jingzhen should have reached that stage before Lei Jun.
Yet, unexpectedly, Lei Jun was the first to take that step.
“Elder Lei is a prodigy as astonishing as the Tianshi and Elder Xu,” Shangguan Hong said softly. “Even if we set aside the future, his achievents thus far are already enough to leave a lasting mark in history.”
As one of the disciples who had entered the Mansion through the Initiation Ceremony in the sa year as Lei Jun, Shangguan Hong felt this more deeply than most.
Having formally entered the sect nearly twenty years ago, he now wore a deep-red Daoist robe, having advanced to a Talismanic Disciple of Mount Longhu. He had reached the Third Heaven Altar Realm of the Talismanic Branch and was striving to break through to the Middle Three Heavens.
He was still under forty, giving him a fair amount of ti.
If he could reach the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Realm before fifty, he would gain extended longevity and prolong his golden cultivation years.
Yet, compared to him, Lei Jun was on a completely different level.
While Shangguan Hong aid to reach the Middle Three Heavens by fifty, Lei Jun had already achieved the Upper Three Heavens before that age.
A lifespan of 800 years. A High Priest appointnt.
Looking across the present world and through history, such talent was unprecedented.
Moreover, Lei Jun had just accomplished a great feat—assisting Tianshi Tang Xiaotang in breaking through the ancestral stronghold of the Lin Clan in Jiangzhou, Mount Longhu’s long-ti adversary.
News had already spread.
Lei Jun, newly ascended to the Seventh Heaven, had slain Lin Clan’s Elder Lin Chi, a grand scholar of the Upper Three Heavens.
The world had long recognized Lei Jun—Lei Chongyun—as a genius, yet because he had rarely displayed his strength, so had regarded him as unproven.
But his victory in Jiangzhou, where he killed Lin Chi, instantly made his prowess undeniable.
Mount Longhu had truly produced yet another monstrous talent!
“Our sect has endured both internal strife and external threats in recent years, making things difficult. But now, we have co together with newfound strength, like withered trees reviving in spring,” Lin Shan remarked. “It is inspiring, but we must not beco complacent.”
Shangguan Hong nodded. “Senior Brother speaks wisely.”
He glanced at Lin Shan, then lowered his voice. “Senior Brother, have you heard any rumors in the capital?”
Lin Shan also lowered his voice, remaining calm. “Since Senior Sister has ascended to the Ninth Heaven, alongside the Pure Yang Palace’s Elder Huang, our Daoist sect now has two Great Ascension True Immortals. This should be a good thing for the court, but… it has also caused so unease among certain old allies.”
Shangguan Hong looked up at the sky. “Her Majesty?”
Lin Shan shook his head. “Her Majesty is wise and holds no suspicion toward our sect.”
Shangguan Hong fell silent.
If it wasn’t the Empress, then it must be the other imperial clansn and nobility.
And at the forefront of that concern was the Shangguan family.
He had heard whispers of changes within the Shangguan clan.
Hearing Lin Shan’s words now, Shangguan Hong couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
“So in the imperial clan are uneasy, but not necessarily because of Senior Sister’s breakthrough,” Lin Shan continued in a hushed tone. “Rather, it’s because of how she and the Sect Leader dismantled the Lin strongholds in Youzhou and Jiangzhou.”
The court had long wanted to suppress the Five Great Surnas and Seven Prominent Clans, so they were pleased to see Tianshi Mansion’s success.
But there was one problem.
Among the imperial clan were many Confucian cultivators.
And thods like barbarian suppression and Scholar’s Shackles had made them uneasy.
As Lin Shan spoke, his gaze shifted to another figure in the distance.
A true disciple of Tianshi Mansion, a descendant of the Fang Clan of Jingxiang—Fang Jian.
“Senior Brother Fang’s resolve is steadfast, far beyond mine,” Shangguan Hong sighed.
Lin Shan looked at Fang Jian and felt a similar sentint.
The divide between the Fang Clan and Tianshi Mansion had now beco undeniable.
As for any sense of disparity...
Twenty years ago, when Lei Jun had just entered the sect, Fang Jian was already the direct disciple of the previous Tianshi, Li Qingfeng.
However, six or seven years ago, Fang Jian was still just an Initiate Disciple, while Lei Jun had already beco an Elder of the Mansion.
If there was any gap between them, it had existed back then.
Now, witnessing Lei Jun achieve the Upper Three Heavens realm and beco a High Priest Elder, Fang Jian was less focused on their difference in status and more overjoyed at the Tianshi Mansion's recovery of its forr vitality.
If he had to describe his feelings, he even had the ti to consider his fellow sect mber, Zhang Jingzhen.
The two of them could be considered comrades in hardship...
Compared to Fang Jian, Zhang Jingzhen—who had spent these years preparing for the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation between the Sixth and Seventh Heavens—might need so ti to adjust her mindset if she were to witness her junior brother, who had entered the Mansion later than her, surpass her right before her eyes.
Fang Jian was even a little relieved that Zhang Jingzhen had spent the past few years in complete seclusion, cut off from the outside world...
Among the spectators, everyone had different emotions.
Inside the Ten Thousand thods Sect Altar, Lei Jun was fully focused on his cultivation.
He was imrsed in studying and comprehending the sixth volu of the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness.
This volu did not exist in written form; it had to be understood through self-realization.
Lei Jun, now possessing exceptional comprehension, swiftly absorbed the glowing talismanic runes and Daoist insights flickering within the altar.
Once he had finished, he finally stood up and once again paid homage to Heaven, Earth, Nature, and the spirits of past Daoist Ancestors.
Apart from the Daoist Canon, it was customary to also receive mystical Daoist abilities and talismanic canons.
However, Lei Jun had already made a na for himself with his Life Canon.
With the Tianshi Seal still kept secret for now, the official explanation was that Yuan Mobai had been the one to pass it on to him.
According to the mansion’s rites and rules, Lei Jun should have learned the Life Canon later in his training, making his path sowhat irregular.
But given his recent decisive battle with the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou, no one raised any objections.
Leaving the Ten Thousand thods Sect Altar, Lei Jun found that the New Year Grand Ceremony at the mansion had already concluded.
He joined the current Tianshi, Tang Xiaotang, and together, they headed to the ancestral tomb’s restricted area in the rear mountains for a formal ceremony to pay respects to past Daoist Ancestors.
Though the event was not public, Lei Jun secretly separated his soul from the Tianshi Seal, causing it to shine once more. The ancestral spirit tablets in the tomb suddenly flickered slightly before dimming again.
"Later today is the Initiation Ceremony, and you'll officially be opening your own sect to accept disciples. Even though your disciples are already chosen, you still need to prepare."
As they left the ancestral tomb's restricted area, a certain Tianshi spoke with a smile.
Despite the serious tone, there was a hint of seniority in the words—yet Lei Jun could tell, just from the voice, that this "Little Senior Sister" was eagerly waiting to watch the show unfold.
"How about you, Little Senior Sister? Any plans to take in disciples?" Lei Jun countered. "Right now, our sect has no direct disciples of the Tianshi, which—while not unprecedented—has never lasted long in history."
Tang Xiaotang waved her hand dismissively. "Not for now. I was in and out in a hurry this ti, didn’t get the chance to look around properly. I'll take my ti and find the right candidate next ti I go out."
Her eyes lit up as she grinned mischievously. "I haven’t taken in any disciples before, but I’d rather have none than settle for diocrity. I’ll make sure to find the best possible student and train them well. Heh, I already have so ideas!"
That look on your face… you're not thinking of a disciple as a student, but as a toy... Lei Jun shook his head slightly.
To be fair, was Tang Xiaotang capable of teaching a disciple?
Actually, yes.
She wasn’t soone who only focused on her own cultivation without the ability to guide others.
Over the years, Lei Jun had frequently sought her out for discussions on Daoist arts and spells, and they had insightful conversations.
Not to ntion, the very first ti he t her, she was already modifying the Daoist Children's Academy’s teaching materials.
And the results of her changes? Even the elders of the mansion had to acknowledge them.
Back then, soone was still just a Daoist apprentice...
Though, of course, this particular apprentice’s cultivation realm was rather unusual.
Tang Tianshi's problem was never about ability—it was always about her attitude and personality.
Lei Jun suddenly thought that perhaps it wasn’t so bad that no one inherited Tang Tianshi’s teachings. Otherwise, for her disciples, their fate would truly be unpredictable.
After so casual conversation with Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun returned to his residence.
When he had first beco an elder at the Fifth Heaven Realm, his living conditions improved significantly.
Now, as a High Priest Elder of the Seventh Heaven Realm, he was entitled to even greater privileges.
However, Lei Jun wasn’t too particular about such things.
As long as his living space t the needs of his cultivation, spell refining, alchemy, and artifact crafting, he was content.
Now that he was a High Priest Elder, he had unrestricted access to the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven.
That place was far more suitable for his cultivation.
But for now, Lei Jun chose to remain where he was.
In just ten days, the Initiation Ceremony would take place.
During these days, Lei Jun was paying more attention to his panda, Gun Gun.
Aside from that, he used his spare ti to continue refining his cultivation.
One focus was deepening his understanding of the sixth volu of the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness.
The other was refining and evolving his Life-Bound Spells.
Before reaching the Seventh Heaven Realm, Lei Jun had cultivated three spells and three arts:
Heavenly General Talisman, derived from the Spirit Strike Talisman.
Wind Thunder Talisman, derived from the Wind Talisman.
Yin Five Thunder Orthodox Talisman, derived from the Five Thunder Talisman.
Stepping the Big Dipper.
Two-Elent Magnetic Mantra.
Heaven-Seer Earth-Hearer Talisman.
Now, he had also cultivated his first divine ability: Destiny Star God, manifesting the Doumu Star God Apparition.
Additionally, his original three spells and three arts had evolved:
Heavenly General Talisman beca Spirit Officer Talisman.Heaven-Seer Earth-Hearer Talisman beca Heaven-Penetrating Earth-Comprehending Talisman.Wind Thunder Talisman beca Celestial Motion Talisman, granting movent between Heaven and Earth.
Lei Jun’s cultivation had now reached the point where his speed and movent techniques were no longer about running or physical exertion.
Rather, they involved the mystical arts of teleportation, space, and ti manipulation.
From Wind Thunder Talisman to Celestial Motion Talisman, this was a natural evolution.
At this mont, Lei Jun sat cross-legged in ditation.
Beneath him, starlight gathered and ford a three-tiered Starlight Altar.
As the starry sky expanded around him, Lei Jun's Stepping the Big Dipper technique evolved further—transforming into Encircling Stars, Arraying the Dipper.
This was indeed the mainstream choice for most Upper Three Heavens cultivators of Mount Longhu who practiced Stepping the Big Dipper and sought to refine it further.
Although personal interpretations varied, leading to different internal intricacies, outwardly, the technique appeared largely the sa.
Lei Jun followed the mainstream approach in this technique. He didn't always strive to be unconventional or deliberately unique. While he frequently experinted during his cultivation, in the end, the most suitable thod for himself was always the best.
For Stepping the Big Dipper, he followed tradition, but for other techniques, he sotis introduced variations.
For example, his second Life-bound Spell, the Two-Elent Magnetic Mantra, was a technique he continuously innovated and refined. Upon reaching the Seventh Heaven, it underwent a transformation and evolved into the Two-Elent Celestial Talismanic Canon.
Although Lei Jun had withdrawn the starlight from his body, a new kind of radiance erged around him.
It resembled lightning yet wasn’t lightning, resembled starlight yet wasn’t starlight.
It wasn’t particularly grand in scale, but the power contained within was unsettling.
Strands of twisted magnetic force intertwined and converged upon two mysterious talismans.
The two talismans looked identical, yet the aura they exuded was distinct in nature. At this mont, they hovered in midair to Lei Jun’s left and right.
Through the interplay of magnetic forces, the two reached an exquisite compromise and balance.
Spirit Officer TalismanHeaven’s Movent TalismanMysterious Firmant Five Thunder TalismanOrbiting Stars, Aligning the DipperTwo-Elent Celestial Talismanic CanonHeaven-Piercing, Earth-Penetrating Talisman
Together with the Life Canon, this amounted to three spells, three talismanic thods, and one divine ability—Lei Jun’s seven Life-bound Arts.
“Alright, we’ll stop here for today.” Lei Jun nodded with a smile before leaving the quiet chamber.
Ti passed silently.
It was now January 13th.
Tomorrow night would mark the prelude to the Initiation Ceremony.
“Co here, let hug you,” Lei Jun beckoned.
A short, round figure had already been waiting nearby.
Hearing Lei Jun call, the little one spoke in clear human speech, “Master, how about you just call by my nickna—Gun Gun?”
The small, round figure was dressed in a gray Daoist robe, specially tailored to fit him, identical to those worn by the Daoist apprentices of Mount Longhu. However, no matter how one looked at him, he seed rather unusual.
Because… he wasn’t human.
Black-and-white fur peeked out from his robe sleeves and collar—this was, unmistakably, a chubby little panda with dark eye circles.
Despite his non-human appearance, his facial expression was highly expressive, and at this mont, his face clearly said: “I have no words for this.”
Aside from Gun Gun, there was another person in the room—Lei Jun’s fellow disciple, Chu Kun, who was laughing uncontrollably.
“Calling you Bao Bao isn’t wrong either,” Chu Kun teased.
The little panda’s face beca even more exasperated.
Master… did you na just for this mont?
This little one was the panda Lei Jun had brought back from Bashu years ago.
Although he had grown older, his physique had actually shrunk due to his unique constitution.
He had long made progress in cultivating the Rebirth Sutra, yet he had never transford into a human, and Lei Jun never forced him to.
As he matured, Lei Jun, as his Master and Initiation Guide, bestowed upon him a formal Daoist na—just as Yuan Mobai had received his na from the previous Tianshi.
Lei Jun nad his disciple Zhuo Baojie, inspired by the elegant na for bamboo, Baojie-jun (lit. "Upright and Pure").
As for the surna, Yuan Mobai once ntioned that his original surna held no special aning. It was given to him by his master, the Third Tianshi Li, who had selected the character "Yuan" from the Shangqing Lingbao Talismanic Canon.
Following this tradition, Lei Jun picked the character "Zhuo" for Gun Gun from the sa canon, granting him the na Zhuo Baojie.
At first, Gun Gun was quite pleased with his formal na.
Until…
“Alright, Bao Bao, go find Senior Brother Ke and prepare,” Lei Jun waved him off.
Chu Kun grinned and waved at him as well.
The little panda sighed like a resigned old man, glancing at his master and martial uncle with an expression that clearly said, “Can you two be a little more mature?”
Then, he respectfully saluted them before retreating.
“Let’s go, ti to welco the guests.”
Lei Jun said, and Chu Kun nodded.
The Initiation Ceremony was drawing near, and many guests had arrived to observe.
The attendees were of high status.
After the battles in Jiangzhou and Youzhou, Tianshi Mansion had made an explosive impact, shaking the political landscape of the North and South.
Even now, various factions were still dealing with the aftermath, with turbulence continuing to rise.
With the Initiation Ceremony approaching, many powers sent envoys to observe—not just to witness the event, but also to communicate and assess the true strength of Tianshi Mansion.
“Elder He, your presence brings great honor to our humble abode,” Lei Jun welcod He Dongxing, an elder from the Shushan Sect.
Although Lei Jun had recently beco a Seventh Heaven High Priest, Shangguan Ning was still in the capital for the New Year, and Yao Yuan had been sent into seclusion at the Ancestral Tomb Restricted Area for reflection. As a result, Mount Longhu was still short on High Priests.
Lei Jun had just been appointed, yet he was already bearing responsibilities.
Fortunately, he had previously served as a Steward Elder in the Steward’s Hall, so preparing for the ceremony was nothing new for him.
The guests from Shushan Sect were old acquaintances—He Dongxing had been injured by Xiong Gang, an elder of the Blood River Sect, during their battle in the Southern Wasteland two years prior.
Since then, he had been in seclusion, recovering. This was his first ti traveling after his injury.
“Daoist Lei, you’re too kind. It is I who should apologize for intruding,” He Dongxing greeted him with a smile.
Another guest from the imperial court was also an acquaintance—Prince Xunan, Zhang Mu.
Lei Jun welcod him with formal pleasantries.
“After Elder Yuan, your sect has produced yet another martial Dao expert in Elder Lei—truly a joyous occasion,” Zhang Mu said with a smile.
“Lin Chi was no ordinary opponent, yet he still fell under your fists. Your strength is truly admirable, Elder Lei.”
Lei Jun responded humbly, “Your Highness flatters . In truth, Lin Chi had already suffered from the collapse of his ancestral land and was distracted, which allowed an opening. I dare not claim undue credit.”
After exchanging polite words, Lei Jun left Chu Kun to host the two guests while he welcod others.
“Elder He, it’s been a while. How is your health?” Zhang Mu asked He Dongxing.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. After the Southern Wasteland, this old body has finally regained so strength,” He Dongxing replied.
As they conversed, Zhang Mu casually remarked,
“The Jiangzhou Lin Clan conspired with the Vast Void Temple rebels and even colluded with demonic entities—their cris are unforgivable. The fact that they were eradicated is thanks not only to Tianshi Mansion, but also to Shushan Sect.”
He Dongxing caught the subtle implication in his words and fell silent for a mont before speaking.
“Your Highness… to be honest, our sect wished to assist Tianshi Mansion, but with the Fang Clan of Jingxiang interfering, we were forced to hold them at bay, preventing them from aiding Jiangzhou.”
Zhang Mu stopped walking and pondered in silence before finally saying:
“Elder He… I may as well tell you directly—His Majesty had actually dispatched imperial forces southward to aid in suppressing Jiangzhou. However, the war ended far sooner than expected.”
Did Tianshi Mansion really conquer Jiangzhou alone?
Or was there an unknown force assisting them?
The two exchanged glances, montarily speechless.
anwhile, the Initiation Ceremony comnced as scheduled.
For this Initiation Ceremony, Tianshi Tang Xiaotang rely observed from the sidelines, while Elder Yuan Mobai presided over the formal rites.
Lei Jun, following the established ceremonial process, actually had fewer duties to perform once the ceremony officially began.
Because today, he was to act as the Initiation Master, officially accepting disciples into his tutelage.
Among the gathered guests, He Dongxing and others watched the tall, young purple-robed Daoist, feeling a surge of emotions.
The once young Daoist apprentice still retained his youthful vigor, yet he had already ascended to such a position…
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