Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Lei Jun had been away for quite a while on this trip.

After a long time without seeing each other, they reunited today. Looking at Chu Kun, the previously delicate and handsome youth had noticeably grown taller.

When Lei Jun left, Chu Kun was fifteen or sixteen years old; now he was nearly eighteen. Although he still looked somewhat immature, the changes were significant.

Caught off guard by Lei Jun's words, Chu Kun smiled and said, "Brother Lei, given my age, it's still possible for me to grow. Moreover, the practice of Our Sect begins with the Life Skill, and our particular lineage especially emphasizes Corporeal Life Mastery. I think it might have something to do with that too."

While speaking, he looked at Lei Jun, who still towered over him, with a somewhat helpless expression. "Although, I don't think I have any hope of growing as tall as you, Brother Lei..."

Chu Kun then turned to look at the huge Gungun lying on the ground beside him, its shoulder height already surpassing his own. "Uh... well, there's someone even taller and bigger."

Lei Jun vaguely sensed that there was more to Chu Kun's change than just his increased height. His physical body seemed to have undergone even more changes. However, Lei Jun had no intention of prying into the other's secrets. Since Chu Kun did not mention it himself, he didn't ask further.

"Brother Lei, is that the legendary Mountain Pi?" Chu Kun asked, looking at the huge Gungun with curiosity.

The large creature across from them seemed to want to sit down right there on the ground, but Lei Jun urged it to hold on a bit longer. Its round face showed a very human-like expression. It looked as if it was being petulant, which left Chu Kun staring blankly.

"Yes, that's a Mountain Pi. As for how I brought it back with me, well, that's a long story," Lei Jun said. "As for growing taller, I might be able to give you another boost."

As he spoke, he took out the Lingji Vine he had stumbled upon during his trip to Bashu. Although it had been plucked a while ago, it had not withered thanks to the Spiritual Power of the Breathing Soil Banner and was still brimming with Spiritual Energy.

Chu Kun clearly recognized the treasure and knew its function. Seeing the strange-looking vine, his eyes immediately lit up. "Brother Lei, is this the Lingji Vine recorded in ancient texts?"

Lei Jun said, "During my trip to Bashu, I stumbled upon this treasure by chance. Thinking it was perfectly suited for you, I brought it back."

Chu Kun excitedly rubbed his hands together. "I've only read about the Lingji Vine in the texts, but this Spiritual Object is rare and hard to find. I haven't seen it either in the South or after coming to Dragon Tiger Mountain in Xinzhou."

Not even on the other side of the gate... Chu Kun silently added in his mind.

He then recalled something. "Brother Lei, Middle Three Heavens Cultivators can also make use of this Spiritual Object in their cultivation..."

Lei Jun explained, "However, the effect is far less significant for Middle Three Heavens Cultivators. It's most beneficial when refined by Lower Three Heavens cultivators, especially those in the Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages. Middle Three Heavens Cultivators refining it would just waste some of its Spiritual Power. You are currently at a critical stage of Foundation Establishment. Obtaining this Spiritual Treasure is a stroke of fortune. We cultivators should act in accordance with fate."

Upon hearing this, Chu Kun took the Lingji Vine and thanked him, "Thank you for your care, Brother Lei!"

Lei Jun replied, "We are fellow disciples of the same sect; it's natural for us to help each other."

As they chatted, the two led the indolent Gungun back to Lei Jun's residence.

Along the way, the great beast beside him attracted quite a bit of attention, prompting other disciples to stop and stare.

Although Lei Jun had been away from the mountain for a year or two, he was still a prominent figure in the Celestial Master Mansion, with few who didn't know him. However, the sheer size of the Gungun next to him seemed to draw even more attention than he did at the moment.

This was also related to the current external environment. In recent years, along with the Surge of Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi, Demon Qi and Evil Miasma had also risen markedly, leading to frequent appearances of Great Demons, far more than in previous years.

Not long ago, the Human Race's Cultivation world fought a decisive battle against many Great Demons in the Western Regions, resulting in a sea of corpses and a river of blood, a cataclysm that shook heaven and earth. Led by Tang Emperor Zhang Qilong, many high-ranking experts of the Human Race perished or suffered heavy casualties. Beyond the Western Regions, other places also frequently experienced demon uprisings of varying scales.

Thus, everyone was now very vigilant and sensitive about the existence of Great Demons.

Fortunately, the True Inheritance disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion were well-versed and possessed considerable insight. They quickly distinguished that the Gungun beside Lei Jun was a young Spirit Beast, not a Demon Beast. It neither cultivated by inhaling Demon Qi and Evil Miasma, nor did it have the bloody scent associated with man-eating habits.

So, although people were amazed, they had no further reactions. Those acquainted with Lei Jun even stopped to chat for a few moments.

When Lei Jun and Chu Kun returned near their residence, they happened to run into Wang Guiyuan from the neighboring house coming out.

"Oh? Lei has returned?" Wang Guiyuan exclaimed, his face lighting up with delight upon seeing him. Then, noticing the massive Gungun beside Lei Jun, Wang Guiyuan was visibly stunned.

"Brother Wang," Lei Jun and Chu Kun greeted him together.

Wang Guiyuan came back to his senses. He didn't respond immediately, his gaze shifting back and forth between Lei Jun and the Gungun a few times before he chuckled. "Lei, your trip to Bashu wasn't in vain, eh!"

Lei Jun said, "It was a coincidence, just a coincidence. As Master and the other elders often teach, act according to Heaven's will and move with fate."

Wang Guiyuan laughed. "Regardless, it's good that you returned safely." He glanced into the distance. "Master is currently at the High Merit Pavilion; he might not return until later."

Lei Jun nodded, patting the large creature beside him. "Brother Wang, could you first help me get some food for this hefty fellow? If we let it forage freely, Dragon Tiger Mountain might be eaten bare by it."

Wang Guiyuan shook his head with a smile.

There were quite a few Spirit Pets and Spirit Beasts nurtured in the Celestial Master Mansion. Consequently, there was no shortage of Spiritual Objects and Spirit Plants to feed these Spirit Beasts.

Wang Guiyuan took Lei Jun to a special Immortal Spirit Garden in the mountains to pick some Spirit Fruits and Spirit Plants, after which they returned.