Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Lei Jun had already been mentally prepared for what Yuan Mobai said.

Generally speaking, Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven maintained extremely strict controls on entry and exit, and only a very select few could come and go.

The Celestial Master and all the High Merit Elders held the highest authority, allowing them to enter and exit at will.

But that privilege applied only to themselves.

Elders at the Sixth Heavenly Realm could enter Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven once per year.

Direct disciples of the Celestial Master could also enter once per year.

The rest—Talisman-bestowed Taoists below the Sixth Heavenly Realm—had to accumulate enough merit and good deeds to earn a single chance at entry.

Aside from that, every true inheritance of Celestial Master Mansion who succeeded in the Talisman-bestowed ceremony would, after the grand ceremony, directly receive one chance to enter Cave Heaven, and after that, also had to rely on accumulated merit and virtue.

Furthermore, for everyone except the Celestial Master and High Merit Elders, time spent inside the Cave Heaven remained highly limited.

These regulations were enforced with utmost strictness.

Even during the Li Clan's most high-profile era, they never made an exception to this.

...Through the endless ages, there had only been one exception: Tang Xiaotang.

It was both because of her extraordinary talent, and because her master-disciple situation was truly vexing.*

So, although she neither underwent the Transcension Ritual nor received Talisman-bestowed ordination, many factors combined to create a special approach to her training—with rules set to follow her cultivation realm as the standard.

In recent years, now that Tang Xiaotang had ascended to Upper Three Heavens cultivation, the terms of her entry and exit for Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven became identical to those of the High Merit Elders.

Lei Jun and the other new Talisman-bestowed disciples taking part in this year's new grand ceremony would all be granted a single chance to enter Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven.

After that, further access would once again depend on the accumulation of merit and virtue.

"Disciple may depart at any time," Lei Jun replied, looking at Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai directed, "Before you go, claim your sixth-rank official Tao position."

He looked at his disciple and smiled, "There's nothing wrong with keeping a low profile, but the moment you set foot in Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven, you won't be able to hide it."

Lei Jun accepted the sixth-rank Taoist office, which meant he had publicly revealed that he had already reached the Four-layered Heaven Yuan Talisman Realm.

He had not been officially initiated for six full years, advancing from First Layer Qi Refinement to Second Layer Foundation Establishment, then to Third Layer Dharma Platform, and now already to Four-layered Heaven Yuan Talisman.

Such a pace of progress was considered exceptionally eye-catching.

However, Lei Jun's mood remained calm.*

He never took the initiative to show off, but since entering Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven would inevitably reveal everything, there was no reason to purposely bury his talents, nor would he forgo or postpone the opportunity to enter cave heaven.*

Come to think of it, since Yuan Mobai was now presiding over the Wanfa Ancestral Altar, and Lei Jun was one of only two disciples under him—in fact, the sole seed disciple in this Talisman-bestowed grand ceremony—if he tried to keep too low a profile, it might even seem forced.*

Let things unfold naturally.*

After Lei Jun left Yuan Mobai's mansion to register for his new Taoist position, it set off a wave of amazement; news spread at once, from ten to a hundred, traveling throughout the entire house.

The last person to cause such a stir had been Tang Xiaotang.

Although Lei Jun was not as prodigiously shocking as Tang Xiaotang, he still became a hot topic in the mansion.

For a time, even the young Tao boys from the Sixth Division at Tao Boy Court below the mountain looked upon everything with great pride, making the boys in other divisions green with envy.

As for Lei Jun himself, aside from raising his Tao office from seventh to sixth rank, he paid no extra mind to the event.

He now looked forward even more to his journey to Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven.

On the appointed day, Lei Jun and the other newly ordained Talisman-bestowed disciples for this year gathered atop Dragon Tiger Mountain's main peak.

Besides the local mansion's own true inheritors, some were also from branch lineages outside the mountain, who had traveled here this year to participate in the ordination at the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

After the ceremony, they did not leave, partly to foster connections with fellow sect members, and partly to wait for what might be their only lifetime opportunity to enter Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven.

The High Merit Elder responsible for opening Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven today was Shangguan Ning.

Elder Shangguan's gaze swept over those assembled, finally settling on Lei Jun and a female disciple.

"Jingzhen, this time you will lead the team," Shangguan Ning instructed.

The woman was none other than Zhang Jingzhen, the third direct disciple of the previous Celestial Master, Li Qingfeng.

She had already received Talisman-bestowed ordination, but was coincidentally also due to enter Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven; thus, Shangguan Ning instructed her to take charge today.

The two were technically cousins, but on the mountain, always addressed each other as Master and Nephew.

Having heard Shangguan Ning's order, Zhang Jingzhen immediately bowed, "Disciple obeys."

Shangguan Ning then looked at Lei Jun, "Lei, since you are now a cultivator of Middle Three Heavens, you may assist Jingzhen."

Lei Jun answered, "Yes, Master."

Among the new Talisman-bestowed disciples, aside from him, everyone else only possessed the Third Heavenly Layer Law Platform realm of cultivation.

Once Elder Shangguan Ning finished giving instructions to Zhang Jingzhen and Lei Jun, he waved his hand.

A number of Spirit Talismans flickered with blue flames, circling in the air like a burning cloud of fire.

Above the blue-flamed fire cloud, the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestral Dharma, manifesting as a giant, fierce tiger, appeared, lifting its head and howling long into the sky.

The thunderclouds overhead, flashing constantly with thunder light, opened up in silence.

Thunder light that seemed violent poured down from the hole in the thundercloud, enveloping the main peak of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Already instructed on the process, Lei Jun and the others first offered ritual respects to The Supreme Heaven, then gave thanks to Shangguan Ning—all before stepping together into the thunder light.

Lei Jun glanced around.

On the heads of the other new Talisman-bestowed disciples hovered Law Platform lights of varying numbers of layers, showing that all were at the Third Heavenly Layer Law Platform realm.

Most of them had three-tiered Dharma Altars.

This year, after all, marked the first new ordination in more than a decade.

But above Lei Jun's head was a Spirit Talisman as big as a door plank, standing out amid the Dharma Platforms like a crane in a flock of chickens.

As expected, entering Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven would inevitably reveal everything.

However, thanks to Zhang Jingzhen traveling with him, Lei Jun was not overly conspicuous.

Because the light hovering over her head was a Tao Seal.

Taoist Talisman Sect, Sixth Heavenly Level cultivation—the Dao Mark Realm... Lei Jun nodded to himself.*

Once everyone stood ready, Shangguan Ning gave another wave, and that grand tide of thunder light retracted back into the sky's thunderclouds.

The parted thunderclouds resealed themselves, with only thunder light continuing to flicker and electric snakes darting in all directions.

A dazzling flash crossed Lei Jun's vision.

By the time his sight returned, a brand-new world of blue and purple stretched out before him.

The ground looked like clouds condensed into solid form but presenting an azure hue.

Looking up, the sky was an ocean of purple—bright in color and not at all dark.

Though now and then, lightning still danced and streaked across the sky overhead.

Looking far into the distance, he saw ranges of Immortal Mountains and wondrous realms stretch out, adorned everywhere with rare orchids, jade trees, clouds of colored light, and flying waterfalls.

In the most distant mountains, a few immortal peaks soared the highest, shimmering in faint flowing light beneath the purple vault of heaven.

Lei Jun took a soft, deep breath, practicing his breathing skills.

The spiritual energy here was richer than anything at the main mansion of Celestial Master Mansion atop Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Only within the Wanfa Ancestral Altar could one feel an environment so good as this.

He didn't need to do anything; simply being here and sleeping overnight would be supremely nourishing.*

"Time is limited, let's make good use of it and not waste such a paradise," Zhang Jingzhen said, smiling in a way that put people at ease.

But in the next instant, her face grew a shade more solemn, as she first pointed to the few highest, most visible peaks among the distant mountains,

"Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven is indeed filled with boundless spiritual nature, and most times it's safe, but over by Biyou Immortal Mountain, divine thunder often falls—none of you should approach there."

Her gaze scanned over everyone, Lei Jun included.

Lei Jun nodded calmly, "Understood, Senior Sister."

The others made the same gesture.

Only then did Zhang Jingzhen's expression brighten again, and she continued her introduction, "That over there is Yunluo Peak, there is Hidden Dragon Valley, there is Xianming Spring, and this is the Immortal Bamboo Forest..."

Finally, Zhang Jingzhen said, "Except for Biyou Immortal Mountain, which is somewhat dangerous, the rest can all be freely visited.

Whether or not you encounter immortal opportunity depends on personal luck and timing.

If you want to focus on cultivation and receive spiritual energy baptism from cave heaven, then the Immortal Bamboo Forest is the best place."

With limited time, it was not possible to travel to many places.

So choosing where to go took much consideration, but everyone had to decide soon.

In Lei Jun's mind, a sphere of light began to shimmer once more, and words appeared:

[Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion, endless mysteries, hidden within—choose with care.]

This time, four divinatory lot choices presented themselves to Lei Jun.

At first glance, he frowned inwardly,

[Moderately Good Lot: At sunrise, go to Xianming Spring and you will obtain one third-rank opportunity, but hidden dangers lie beneath—be extremely cautious in the future, Auspicious.]

[Moderately Good Lot: At sunrise, climb Nanhua Cliff and you will obtain one fourth-rank opportunity, with no hidden dangers and no risks, Auspicious.]

[Perfectly Neutral Lot: Stay long within the Immortal Bamboo Forest to gather spiritual energy—no waves, no extra gain, no extra risk, Average.]

[Moderately unlucky lot: Approach Biyou Immortal Mountain, and while the spiritual energy is denser, danger is inherent—Ominous.]

All of the lots were good ones.

But, somehow, they seemed a little too good.*

Once again, two moderately good lots appeared at the same time.*

Yet, those two lots happened to have a scheduling conflict.*

Just now, while Zhang Jingzhen briefly played tour guide and pointed out landmarks, Lei Jun had paid close attention.

Xianming Spring and Nanhua Cliff were far apart.

In terms of sheer speed, given Lei Jun's current realm, as long as the definition of "at sunrise" was not excessively strict, he was confident he could dash from one to the other on time.*

But based on prior experience, when the divinatory lot involved timing, it rarely allowed for him to double up on rewards.*

So once again, he faced the torment of too many blessings.*

Except this time, he had no reliable teammates.*

The luck from the last time—where he and Tang Xiaotang each went separate ways—could not be hoped for now.*

Lei Jun, like everyone else here including Zhang Jingzhen, did not actually know anyone else among the participants.*

He could neither tip them off,

nor did he have that much rapport with any of them.*

As always, each to their own fate.*

As for which lot Lei Jun should choose...

He leaned toward the second moderately good lot.*

Although the fourth-rank opportunity from the second lot might not seem as impressive as the third-rank opportunity from the first, it was safer—there were no hidden dangers or future consequences.*

Between the two, if he had to pick one, Lei Jun was inclined toward that option.*

Still, thinking of the True One Altar and Nine Sacred Frost Dew, he remained curious about the third-rank opportunity in the first moderately good lot.*

He still had some time—maybe it would be possible to visit both Nanhua Cliff and Xianming Spring first?*

At that moment, Zhang Jingzhen turned to look at Lei Jun, "Lei, are you going to the Immortal Bamboo Forest?"

Lei Jun replied, "I haven't decided yet."

Zhang Jingzhen said, "Here's the situation, Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven is generally safe, but to guard against mishap, it's best to stay alert.

Only you and I are cultivators at Middle Three Heavens. If you are not planning on meditating long-term at Immortal Bamboo Forest, I would invite you to help me patrol the four corners of cave heaven, to look after our fellow disciples."

Lei Jun nodded, "Senior Sister's devotion to our sect is a model for us all. Lei Chongyun is happy to go wherever you lead."