Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Compared to the myriad beings in this world, the fact that we can comprehend the mysteries of the Taoist Laws, live more years, and pass away peacefully at the end of our allotted years is already a blessing.

"When the time comes for me to truly grow old and approach the end of my lifespan, who is to say there won't be a next life where we will meet again? Wouldn't that also be a beautiful story of karmic connection?"

Lei Jun looked at Wang Guiyuan, then turned to Yuan Mobai at his side.

After a while, he nodded lightly. "Senior Brother is right. I was too fixated."

...Not really.

The more Lei Jun listened to Wang Guiyuan, the more he felt something was off. He gradually mulled it over, and suspicions began to form in his mind. But since Wang Guiyuan did not bring it up himself, Lei Jun didn't press further.

Subsequently, he refocused on his cultivation and studies. On one hand, he made all sorts of preparations to undergo the Heavenly Moat Tribulation between the Third Heavenly Layer and the Fourth Heavenly Layer. On the other hand, he familiarized himself with and memorized the various rites for being Talisman-bestowed, in preparation for the grand ceremony.

As the fifteenth of July drew closer, Transcension Disciples from various external branches who had been approved, as the new batch of candidates for the Talisman-bestowing ceremony, began to arrive at Dragon Tiger Mountain's Ancestral Court. After last year's series of turmoils and terrifying waves, the Celestial Master Mansion had finally regained some joy and vigor, with a festive atmosphere even stronger than during this year's New Year.

Guests who came to witness the ceremony also started to arrive. The Talisman-bestowing ceremony is one of the most important rituals at the Ancestral Court of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Generally speaking, guests attending to observe were typically of higher standing than those who came for past Transcension Rituals. However, given the special circumstances of the Celestial Master Mansion at present and out of consideration for etiquette, unless they intended to cause trouble, leading figures from other major powers would not personally visit Dragon Tiger Mountain at this juncture, to avoid agitating the still-sensitive nerves within the Celestial Master Mansion. Aside from the high-profile imperial envoys representing the Great Tang Imperial Court, other major forces mostly prepared generous gifts to be delivered by their younger generations. Of course, the Celestial Master Mansion would not feel slighted by this, as it was the outcome of earlier negotiations. To be precise, everyone in the Mansion preferred that the other top-tier powers treat them as insignificant for the time being.

At this time, they had to once again thank their old adversary, the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou. The selection of their next Clan Chief was also proving difficult. Compared to the Celestial Master Mansion, the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou had made more enemies over the years. Setting aside other clans, why would the Great Tang imperial family miss this golden opportunity? They obviously kept a close watch. The Fang Clan from Jingxiang upstream on the Grand River, and the Chu Clan from Suzhou and Hangzhou downstream, naturally paid close attention as well.

Compared to the Celestial Master Mansion, the Lin Clan had more enemies but also more allies. Yet sometimes, this was not necessarily a good thing. With the new Lin Clan Chief proving difficult to establish, several powerful figures within the clan stood in parallel, a situation inseparable from the strong support of various in-laws and allies. For the Lin Clan as a whole, these were allies. But when it came to the individuals within the Lin Clan, there were further distinctions of intimacy and distance. Compared to the Celestial Master Mansion, the Lin Clan possessed more substantial resources and deeper foundations. Therefore, they drew more concern. Fortunately, the Lin Clan was able to maintain an outward harmony, not descending into major internal strife. During this period, it was said that various clan elders were jointly managing affairs. But there was still a long way to go before the matter was truly settled.

Given such external circumstances, the Celestial Master Mansion, outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, methodically prepared for its first Talisman-bestowing ceremony in over a decade.

Compared to the Transcension Ritual, the Talisman-bestowing ceremony was even more solemn. During the Transcension Ritual, a disciple had to invite three masters: their own Transcension Master, a Supervisory Master, and an Endorsement Master. The Talisman-bestowing ceremony, however, was presided over by the Three Main Masters and Six Dharma Protector Masters. The Three Main Masters were known as the Bestowal Master, the Supervisory Master, and the Endorsement Master. The Bestowal Master is responsible for imparting the Correct Unity Talisman. The Supervisory Master is responsible for ensuring that the Talisman-bestowing process is conducted fairly and impartially. The Endorsement Master is responsible for protecting the Talisman, precepts, and incense. These Three Masters, who presided over the entire Talisman-bestowing ceremony, were all High Merit Elders from Dragon Tiger Mountain, highly respected for their profound cultivation in Taoist Laws. The Six Dharma Protector Masters consisted of the Talisman Protector Master, Dharma Protector Master, Scripture Protector Master, Altar Protector Master, Precept Protector Master, and Tao Protector Master, all selected from qualified elders within the Mansion.

Generally, the current Celestial Master would act as the Bestowal Master, personally presiding over the grand ceremony. In rare cases where the Celestial Master did not assume the role of Bestowal Master, they would participate in the grand ceremony as the Supervisory Master. This year's Talisman-bestowing ceremony was special, as the position of Celestial Master was temporarily vacant. Three High Merit Elders from the High Merit Pavilion—Yuan Mobai, Li Hongyu, and Li Song—took on the roles of Bestowal Master, Supervisory Master, and Endorsement Master, respectively, to preside over the grand ceremony.

When the auspicious time arrived, Yuan Mobai activated the Altar of Wanfa Sect. Myriad rays of light shot into the sky, piercing the celestial vault, then spread outwards in all directions like a luminous curtain, enveloping the entirety of Dragon Tiger Mountain and its surroundings. Within the curtain of light, numerous Daoist Talismans circled and danced, their Tao Containment infinite. Since the demise of the previous Celestial Master Li Qingfeng, the Altar of Wanfa Sect had finally been activated once more.

Under the guidance of the Master of Ceremonies and the procession of ritual paraphernalia, including banners and flags, Lei Jun and the other disciples participating in the Talisman-bestowing welcomed the Three Main Masters and the Six Dharma Protector Masters into the Altar. Lei Jun's position in the queue was not prominent. Disciples were arranged according to their seniority of entry into the Sect, so Lei Jun stood at the very end. But he himself was too conspicuous. Not yet twenty-six years of age, yet he had already reached Perfection in the Altar Stage of the Third Heavenly Layer. Even within a Sacred Land-level power, this was a rare achievement. Considering he had been formally initiated into the Celestial Master Mansion for less than six years, this was even more remarkable. The attention of the many guests who came to watch the ceremony was inevitably focused solely on him.

As the sole standout candidate, this is the drawback... Lei Jun thought with a touch of self-deprecation. He had always preferred to act discreetly, but in such a situation, he did not shy away, remaining calm and taking things as they came.

Everything that followed proceeded according to the meticulously rehearsed rites and procedures. After Yuan Mobai, the other two Main Masters, and the Six Dharma Protector Masters entered the Altar of Wanfa Sect, they paid homage to the Ancestral Masters and revered The Supreme Heaven and Earth. Lei Jun and the other disciples followed them in worship. Subsequently, the Three Main Masters and the Six Dharma Protector Masters took turns expounding upon the scriptures and precepts.

In this world, for disciples of the Taoist Talisman Sect, the most important ceremonies are the Transcension Ritual and the Talisman-bestowing ceremony. For disciples of the Taoist Dan Ding Sect, it is the Coronet Ceremony and the Receiving of Precepts. Although disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion, like Lei Jun, do not need to receive the Grand Precepts of the Three Altars like disciples of the Pure Yang Palace, the standard precepts and regulations of Our Sect are indispensable.

Next were rites such as repentance and submitting petitions: rituals to communicate with the deities, confess transgressions, and pray for protection, longevity, and life extension. Once the rites were completed, Lei Jun and the others were conferred with their Talisman Credentials, scriptures, Magical Sword, Commanding Flags, Orders, Tablet (Imperial Missive), peachwood staff for subduing ghosts, Heavenly Canopy Ruler, and other important symbolic items. They were then granted their Taoist ranks and official duties.

Besides the difference in personal Cultivation and status treatment within the Mansion, a major divide between Talisman-bestowed Taoists and Taoists of the Transcension Ritual, as often mentioned by fellow sect members, is being listed in the Heavenly Registry. In earlier times, before the Dragon Tiger Mountain Taoist Heritage underwent its first reform, when petitioning the Ancestral Masters to perform rites, it was known as having a connection to the Heavenly Registry of the Divine Court. Only Talisman-Instructed Disciples could act on behalf of Heaven to command spiritual entities. Legend had it that they could issue decrees to Heaven and Earth, command Heavenly Generals and Attendant Officials according to their merits, transcend the mundane to attain Truth, eternally preserve the Way of life, avoid becoming lesser ghosts, and never fall into the netherworld. However, as the world has changed, Dragon Tiger Mountain's own Taoist Heritage has also evolved; similar assertions within the Celestial Master Mansion now are more a matter of custom and lean towards legend. However, some characteristics still remained.

For instance, Talisman-Instructed Disciples left a sliver of their spiritual consciousness at the Dragon Tiger Mountain Ancestral Court. Previously, if Transcension Disciples like Lei Jun, who had not yet been Talisman-bestowed, encountered fatal danger far from the mountain or in unusual circumstances, the elders in the Celestial Master Mansion might not sense it immediately. But if a Talisman-Instructed Disciple were to die outside, in most cases, the elders of the Sect would detect it immediately. Depending on the specific circumstances, they might even discern the location and some details of the death.

For Lei Jun, the more immediate significance was that once he successfully received the Talisman, within the boundaries of Dragon Tiger Mountain, whether cultivating or casting spells, he could harness more Global Spiritual Qi than when he was just a Transcension Disciple. With the Talisman Credential, Yuan Mobai could then teach him the third volume of the True Formula of the Great Way Scripture and the Talisman Scripture that records High-grade Spirit Talismans. Lei Jun then had every confidence that, within a short time, he could overcome the Heavenly Moat Tribulation, forge the Original Talisman, and achieve the Fourth Heavenly Layer realm.

A doubled lifespan was beckoning him.

The Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven was beckoning him.

The True One Altar within the Celestial Master Seal was also beckoning him.