Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

"I am but a junior disciple, still learning, and the pressure is immense."

Lei Jun said this, but he appeared relatively calm. "Being on this list, I have you to thank, Master."

The various families were holding each other back, and their top prospects were essentially wiped out.

This time, for the Lecture Ceremony, Elder Shangguan's disciples weren't particularly outstanding, so we needn't mention them.

As for Yuan Mobai's faction, the main figure was Lei Jun.

With no one holding him back, he stood out uniquely for a time.

He was not without hidden worries, though.

As one of only two disciples Xu Yuanzhen had brought back to Dragon Tiger Mountain to begin their Taoist cultivation, if one considered only her faction, there were plenty of people who would want to obstruct him.

But as the direct disciple of Yuan Mobai, everyone tacitly granted Yuan Mobai this consideration.

On one hand, Yuan Mobai now presided over the Altar of Wanfa Sect.

This Lecture Ceremony was primarily to be hosted by him in person.

On the other hand, considering the current situation at the Celestial Master Mansion, Yuan Mobai was an important figure maintaining balance, and all sides were trying to win him over.

Thus, this peculiar scene ensued.

While other families were undermining each other to the point of practically rolling up their sleeves to capsize each other's boats, Master Lei's side remained calm and collected, securely reaching the shore.

"In this regard, I dare not take all the credit," Yuan Mobai smiled and shook his head. "It's also because you, Chongyun, have consistently forged good connections and assisted your fellow disciples, which is why you now enjoy such widespread support."

The master and disciple exchanged glances and shared a smile.

Xia Qing, rescued by Lei Jun twice at Mount Tianxu and Blood River Palace.

Luo Haoran, saved by Lei Jun twice at Qingxiao Lake and Blood River Palace.

Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong, helped by Lei Jun once at Green Thunder Ridge.

Fang Jian, assisted by Lei Jun once during the outbreak at the Eight Desolates Blood Cavity.

To the top prospects from other families, Lei wasn't a competitor but a genuinely good person.

Not counting Fang Jian and the others, Qu Yong from Elder Ziyang's lineage had also received Lei Jun's help in Xuanyang Cave Heaven before.

He truly lived up to the reputation of being the disciple of the amiable Elder Yuan, known throughout the Mansion as a kind and helpful man.

Truly, he was the new generation's 'Timely Rain' of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the Celestial Master Mansion's 'Protector of Loyalty.'

...It seemed there might also be some potential for an alliance?

The old saying still applied.

For many people, achieving something is not easy.

But sabotaging something is not as difficult as imagined.

Conversely, for others, the absence of sabotage from other people means they can accomplish many things.

As for what Li Ming, Fang Mingyuan, Fang Lu, and the others thought? Let them think whatever they wished. Those were accidental incidents, for which I personally expressed deep regret.

However, Lei Jun turned to Wang Guiyuan, who was off to the side, and asked, "Senior Brother, are you... not participating in the Talisman-bestowed either?"

Wang Guiyuan smiled. "My Talisman-bestowed is scheduled for a bit later. There's no rush."

Lei Jun turned to look at his master, Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai nodded. "Chonggui is not participating in the Talisman-bestowed this time; it's his own decision."

Lei Jun said, "Although it's indeed conspicuous for the two of us to participate together, Senior Brother, this is after all the Talisman-bestowed..."

Wang Guiyuan shook his head repeatedly. "You don't need to feel pressured. I'm really not in a hurry. It's not that I'm deliberately yielding to you; even if you weren't participating this time, it wouldn't change my decision."

Lei Jun looked at him, then suddenly changed the topic. "By the way, Senior Brother, may I be so bold as to ask your age this year?"

Wang Guiyuan replied, "Why the sudden interest in my age?"

"I've just never seen you worried about longevity or the tribulations of the Fourth Layer of Heaven," Lei Jun explained.

Wang Guiyuan, like Lei Jun himself, Xia Qing, Li Zhenchang, Chu Andong, and others, wore an Apricot Daoist Robe, indicating he was still a transmission disciple.

Although the Celestial Master's previous period of secluded cultivation had caused some delays, generally speaking, the current Authenticated Talisman-bestowed Successors of the Celestial Master Mansion had already reached Middle Three Heavens cultivation.

Upon reaching the Original Talisman realm, a cultivator's lifespan would double compared to the Foundation Establishment and Altar realms, potentially reaching four hundred years.

Correspondingly, a cultivator's prime window for cultivation would also extend to one hundred years.

Over the years, Lei Jun had been paying close attention. He'd noticed that Wang Guiyuan had considerable seniority. Many direct disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion, even those over fifty, also called him Senior Brother. If Wang Guiyuan was indeed over fifty and still hadn't reached the Original Talisman realm, it implied he had already missed the Golden Opportunity Period for advancing his cultivation...

"By worldly reckoning, I am already past sixty," Wang Guiyuan said with a calm smile.

Lei Jun leaned back slightly, looking at his senior brother afresh.

Wang Guiyuan's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "Some say that cultivation is a struggle against fate, a battle with the heavens. However, we Taoist Disciples should not always think of defying the heavens; our foremost priority should be to accord with the heavens and empathize with humanity."

His expression was tranquil, his tone candid. "Unlike you, Lei, or Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen, Junior Sister Tang, and the others, my aptitude for cultivation is truly quite ordinary. If not for Master's benevolence in making an exception, I would never have had the opportunity to cultivate in a Sacred Land.

To have reached this point is already a great harvest for me. I dare not hope for more. On the contrary, I often remind myself to take a step back, yield, and ensure stability."

If this were one of the novels Lei Jun had read on Blue Star before he transmigrated, such a mentality might have actually benefited one's cultivation. But it didn't apply in this world. This was a world where one's youth determined one's entire life, where late bloomers were exceptionally rare, and the phenomenon of an 'old tree blossoming' was utterly nonexistent. One step ahead meant every subsequent step also led ahead. One step behind meant every subsequent step also trailed behind. It was a veritable case of 'if you don't work hard when you're young, you'll only grieve in vain when you're old.' In any world, one must abide by its fundamental laws.

Lei Jun watched Wang Guiyuan in silence.

Wang Guiyuan smiled serenely. "Junior Brother, there's no need to worry about me. Birth, aging, sickness, death; creation and annihilation—even the stars in their celestial cycles are subject to these, let alone us mortals?"