Yuan Mobai replied courteously, and Lu Zhaoqing responded with equal politeness, “Elder Yuan, you’re too kind. Having your esteed presence here truly honors Qingxiao Temple.”
Following his master’s lead, Lei Jun addressed Lu Zhaoqing as “Martial Uncle.”
Before leaving the mountain, Wang Guiyuan had ntioned that the Qingxiao Temple Master, Lu Zhaoqing, was a peer of Yuan Mobai, both being true disciples of the Tianshi Mansion. However, unlike Yuan Mobai, Lu Zhaoqing wasn’t a direct disciple of the previous Tianshi; his training ca from another lineage within the mansion. In terms of cultivation and eventual achievents, the gap between them was significant.
Moreover, throughout the years, Lu Zhaoqing had maintained closer ties with Elder Ziyang than with Yuan Mobai. That said, Yuan Mobai was known for his amiable nature and had built strong relationships across the sect. In recent years, he had also increased his interactions with Elder Ziyang, ensuring there was no friction with Lu Zhaoqing.
Lu Zhaoqing’s deanor was calm and composed, showing no sign of underlying discontent. The Qingxiao Temple welcod Lei Jun and his master warmly, making every effort to ensure their stay was comfortable.
Yuan Mobai’s humility and generosity were reciprocated as he conducted several Daoist teachings within the temple. His lectures left the temple’s disciples deeply inspired, wishing fervently that he could stay for years. Even disciples from neighboring sects like the Zixiao Sect and others from the Yunxiao Mountain Range ca to listen.
Compared to his master’s high profile, Lei Jun kept a low profile, finding peace in the relative quiet. He ventured into the depths of Qingxiao Mountain to investigate the Cold Spring ntioned by Xu Yuanzhen. At first glance, it seed ordinary, but at the bottom, faint traces of spiritual energy resonated with Lei Jun’s internal Fire Marrow Yangfish, creating a mix of resistance and excitent. Yet, for the spring to transform into the usable Water Marrow Yinfish would require more ti.
Yuan Mobai left a minimal power seal at the site to monitor it without drawing undue attention. Lei Jun, maintaining a calm and patient mindset, shifted his focus back to cultivation while awaiting the spring’s maturation.
Within his internal Dao Foundation Altar, he had already opened the Eight Gates and established the Six Curtains. Five Dao Halls stood in opposition, and the sixth virtual Dao Hall was now glowing faintly, nearly fully ford.
One day, as Lei Jun sat ditating in his chamber, the light from his Dao Foundation Altar gradually faded. The sixth Dao Hall was fully established—his Foundation Establishnt realm had reached perfection.
Lei Jun opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them as he exhaled deeply, a smile appearing on his face. After nurturing his Dao Foundation for a mont longer, he bathed, changed into clean robes, and set up a purification altar.
Now that his cultivation had reached perfection within the Foundation Establishnt realm, Lei Jun no longer required his Vermilion-Tipped Brush to create his life-bound Spirit Strike Talisman or Wind Talisman with complete success. His success rate for other Spirit Talismans had risen to at least ninety percent as well.
With the support of the Tiger Spirit Hall and Initiation Hall, the effectiveness of his life-bound talismans was now significantly greater than before—about twenty percent stronger. Lei Jun nodded slightly, reflecting, “Still within the range of basic-grade Spirit Talismans.”
The talismans Lei Jun and other Initiate Disciples studied from their Talismanic Scriptures were considered basic-grade. Their efficacy depended not only on materials like the brush, ink, and paper but also on the cultivation level of the talisman maker. At Lei Jun’s stage of cultivation, his talismans remained in the basic low-grade category. Even with the cultivation peak of Foundation Establishnt, their power would only marginally improve.
To craft talismans of dium-grade effectiveness required the cultivation of the Third Heaven Altar stage. Lei Jun, using an ordinary Black-Brush Talisman Pen, could not surpass this barrier. However, when he brought out the Vermilion-Tipped Brush and followed the full ceremonial process, the results were different.
Reverently burning incense, he invoked celestial blessings and inscribed the talisman. The finished life-bound Spirit Strike Talisman glowed faintly—dium-grade! A talisman of this level typically required a Third Heaven cultivator to produce, yet Lei Jun had achieved it at his current stage.
Encouraged, he attempted other talismans beyond his life-bound ones, but these remained basic low-grade. Shaking his head without disappointnt, Lei Jun thought, “To craft dium-grade non-life-bound talismans, it seems I still need to reach the Third Heaven.”
Far from being discouraged, Lei Jun felt anticipation growing. “What if, upon reaching the Third Heaven, I use the Vermilion-Tipped Brush to create my life-bound talismans?”
Inspecting a Spirit Gathering Talisman infused with Mist-Wrapped Cloud Crystal—useful for advancing to the Third Heaven—Lei Jun approached Yuan Mobai.
At the edge of a cascading mountain waterfall, Lei Jun sat cross-legged on the water’s surface, his power keeping him afloat as steadily as if on solid ground. Under Yuan Mobai’s observation, the water below surged upward, forming a luminous platform beneath Lei Jun. The glowing water split into distinct layers, rising to form a three-tiered altar.
As the flowing water reshaped itself back into the pool, the altar stood firm. Suddenly, flas of intangible shadow arose from beneath. The flas surged upward, threatening to consu the altar and Lei Jun’s cultivation foundation.
This was the Tribulation of Heaven’s Chasm, an unavoidable trial.
As shadow flas engulfed his body, Lei Jun’s physical form, Dao Foundation, and spirit faced simultaneous assaults. Remaining calm, Lei Jun softly intoned, “Truth is singular; the heart remains unclouded.”
In the next mont, a brilliant light burst forth from Lei Jun and his altar, extinguishing much of the shadowy flas. Below the pool, a talisman paper surfaced, its frosted surface dissolving under the flas, releasing a dense mist that enveloped Lei Jun.
When the mist cleared, the altar and Lei Jun stood unhard. The virtual altar retracted into his Dao Foundation Altar, settling firmly within the Eight Gates alongside six aligned Dao Halls. Although only the first layer of the altar was present, its establishnt marked Lei Jun’s successful ascension to the Third Heaven Altar realm.
Floating gently back to the water’s surface, Lei Jun t Yuan Mobai’s approving gaze. The elder smiled broadly, nodding as he remarked, “Though I never doubted your success, your swiftness and ease exceeded my expectations.”
Bowing respectfully, Lei Jun replied, “It was only thanks to your prior guidance, Master.”
Yuan Mobai smiled, his tone both praising and instructive, “Your composure and resilience set you apart. These qualities will be your greatest strengths. Many underestimate you.”
With a playful grin, Lei Jun added, “Master, though I pride myself on a thick skin, such high praise leaves both delighted and humbled.”
Yuan Mobai chuckled, “No matter. I’ll complint you more often, and you’ll grow accustod.”
The two discussed Lei Jun’s cultivation adjustnts, with Yuan Mobai passing on the second volu of the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness, the Tianshi Mansion’s foundational scripture for the Talismanic Branch. Having mastered the first volu, Lei Jun now began studying the second, fitting for his new realm.
The Altar stage comprised three layers. Building all three completed the Third Heaven realm, paving the way to higher cultivation. Although Lei Jun had just entered the first layer, the difference between it and the Foundation Establishnt realm was imnse. His physical strength alone, combined with talisman power, outmatched his previous peak capabilities.
Lei Jun’s ability to craft talismans also significantly improved. Even with an ordinary talisman brush, he could now produce dium-grade talismans with relative ease. Using the Vermilion-Tipped Brush, he could achieve high-grade talismans for his life-bound symbols, dramatically amplifying their power.
As his practical experience grew, Yuan Mobai guided him to simplify certain ceremonial steps in talisman-making, though this ca at the cost of quality for non-life-bound talismans. Such efficiencies allowed greater adaptability in the field.
Discussing future advancents, Yuan Mobai explained that at the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman stage, creating talismans would no longer require formal processes, while material limits would naturally elevate outcos.
Their conversation shifted to broader topics, including the progression from techniques to divine arts across the Nine Heavens. Yuan Mobai emphasized the enduring value of life-bound techniques, which evolved alongside cultivation breakthroughs.
Grateful yet focused, Lei Jun declared his intent to refine his plans for his next life-bound technique, subtly hinting at a new creation. Yuan Mobai’s intrigue grew as he asked with a smile, “Are you planning to invent a new foundational talisman, Chongyun?”
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