This time, the Purple-Gold Ganoderma essence and Sky Abyss Dew were all used up, but it was a complete and utter windfall. The Dragon Horse Scales still remained in Lei Jun's hands, their luster merely dimmed for the time being. However, Lei Jun could feel that this treasure was not fundamentally damaged and only needed a little time to rest and recover its Primordial Qi.
"I've done what I could here. I'm heading back to the mountain first," Xu Yuanzhen simply informed Lei Jun, not bothering to converse with the other Heavenly Master Mansion Disciples, and vanished into the air on a dark thundercloud.
Lei Jun composed himself and went to inform Taoist Luo and his two fellow disciples. The two True Inheritance Disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion seemed not to be surprised by this; apart from thanking Xu Yuanzhen for his help, they did not say much. Nevertheless, Lei Jun could distinctly see a touch of concern in Taoist Luo's gaze, as if he feared that a perfectly healthy and promising seedling might be led astray by that senior sister...
Afterwards, Lei Jun was not in a rush to return to the mountain immediately. He calmed his mind and continued to assist with disaster relief and disease elimination at Qingyun Shoal Riverside. It was only after several days, when a new group of Tao Boys arrived for their training assignments to help, that Lei Jun and the other Tao Boys from the first group dispatched to Qingyun Shoal handed over their duties and said their farewells.
"Chen Yi and the others, they're still locked up?"
Back at the Tao Boy Court at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun, Zhang Yuan, and the others heard the latest gossip.
"They're still reflecting in solitary confinement, and all the young masters and ladies from the First Branch are too, with visits forbidden."
A little Tao Boy replied, "It seems the Celestial Master Mansion is determined to put an end to the recent misconduct. None of those who participated in the brawl at the Talisman Ink Workshop were spared."
Zhang Yuan slapped his thigh. "This Chen Yi has really stirred up quite a storm; he's certainly been an influential figure this year!"
The other Tao Boys nodded in agreement. "Yeah, since Sister Tang doesn't come to the Tao Boy Court as often, Chen has become the most talked-about."
Zhang Yuan said, "Sister Tang is still much stronger, but the trouble caused by Chen Yi is also significant."
The Celestial Master Mansion is a sacred land of the Taoist Sect, where even the Tao Boy Court at the foot of the mountain could harbor hidden talents. However, whether it was a stereotype or indeed the case, such young geniuses were usually recognized as problem children and the subject of much talk. Each generation produces its own talents.
Today, it was young Chen Yi's turn.
Lei Jun said, "Some people, after all, were the innocent bystanders who suffered from others' troubles."
Zhang Yuan, who was beside him, gave a wry smile upon hearing this. He had indeed followed Lei Jun to Qingyun Shoal Riverside, seemingly avoiding the chaotic brawl at the Talisman Ink Workshop. But when Lei Jun had gone to the Hall of Steward, he had been late, leaving only these two training assignments to choose from. Zhang Yuan, on the other hand, had arrived early, watching others take the easier assignments, and was only left with these options when Lei Jun arrived. If not for this, Zhang Yuan would not have had to go to either Qingyun Shoal Riverside or the Talisman Ink Workshop.
Between the two unpleasant assignments, going to Qingyun Shoal was not the worst one, but it was still hard enough with its long duration, poor conditions, and the delay it caused in his own cultivation.
Because of Xu Yuanzhen's involvement, no third person at Qingyun Shoal Riverside knew about Lei Jun's transformation.
Thus, at this moment, Zhang Yuan began questioning his life choices again: Maybe Lei Jun really does have good luck, managing to dodge this unexpected calamity of the Talisman Ink Workshop's brawl once again. But did I really need to follow everything he did? Had I not waited for Lei Jun and taken other training assignments myself, I wouldn't have chosen to go to the Talisman Ink Workshop and be embroiled in chaos, nor would I have had to suffer at Qingyun Shoal… Rubbing his face vigorously with both hands, Zhang Yuan found himself caught in a deep quandary.
After listening to some casual talk and having dinner at the cafeteria, Lei Jun returned to his own courtyard.
He focused on his cultivation.
That night, his tenth sea of Qi was formed, and his cultivation level rose to the tenth layer of Qi Refinement.
Lei Jun let out a long breath of relief.
In fact, after reaching the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, he had felt his speed of improvement gradually slow down again. At that time, there had been a generous surplus of Purple-Gold Ganoderma essence. But as his realm increased, the difficulty of progress grew ever larger. Before going to Qingyun Shoal Riverside, he, with his Average Stature and Root Bone, had still hoped to continue advancing quickly, but bottlenecks and obstacles were destined to become more numerous.
Before heading to Qingyun Shoal Riverside, he had estimated that he would only be able to break through to the tenth layer of Qi Refinement by the end of this year or even the beginning of next year.
In fact, compared to the multitudes who spent most of their lives or even their entire lifetimes attempting Qi Refinement's Twelve Floors, Lei Jun was already very fortunate. Even the Taoist Laws for initiating Tao Boys and establishing foundations provided by the Celestial Master Mansion were exceptional. Although the resources supplied for cultivation were far less compared to the official disciples who had undergone the Transcension Ritual, they were still far superior to anything offered in the outside world. As the Ancestral Court of the Talisman Sect within the Taoist Sect, Dragon Tiger Mountain was among the select sacred lands rich in Spiritual Energy, far surpassing ordinary places. With a renowned teacher to guide him, many paths became clear at once, saving him the time wasted on detours, wrong routes, backtracking, or even finding no path at all.
But precisely because this was the Celestial Master Mansion, there were simply too many geniuses, a gathering of the extraordinary.
Although no one voiced it outright, ever since he had entered the mansion, Lei Jun felt as if he could read such an atmosphere: Junior Brother, do you think we are as happy as you imagine us to be? No, you are mistaken. The happiness of us geniuses, you cannot imagine.
"Yes, the happiness of geniuses, I can imagine it now," Lei Jun nodded earnestly.
And so, in the following period, Lei Jun quieted his mind to continue his serious cultivation.
「And then, the days entered October.」
Lei Jun had advanced from the tenth layer of Qi Refinement to the eleventh layer.
Wang Guiyuan was also somewhat surprised. "Junior Brother Lei, you really keep a low profile. With the Hidden Dragon Spirit Body, you truly stand out. Now it seems you're ready to soar to the skies."
Lei Jun said, "I am grateful to Senior Brother Wang for his guidance during this time."
Wang Guiyuan replied, "Not at all. I can't take credit for that."
He calculated the days, then looked at Lei Jun and said, "At this rate, Junior Brother Lei, you may well make it to the Transmission Ceremony at the beginning of next year!"
Lei Jun said, "That is my goal, and I am working hard toward it."
「So, by the end of November.」
When the twelve Qi seas within Lei Jun were boiling at once, it meant he had successfully opened up all of Qi Refinement's Twelve Floors.
Cultivating the First Heaven Layer to Perfection!
Overwhelming True Qi, like a raging river, flowed coherently, powerful and imposing. Within the vast ocean of True Qi, a hidden dragon seemed to swim, occasionally soaring to the skies.
Wang Guiyuan sighed and said, "To reach the twelfth layer of Qi Refinement before the age of twenty is not uncommon in our Celestial Master Mansion, but to rise from the first layer to the twelfth within less than two years of initiation, now that is rare."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, he straightened his expression and said, "Junior Brother Lei, our Master has returned to the mountain and summons you for an audience."
"Please lead the way, Senior Brother," Lei Jun said, leaving his small courtyard and ascending the mountain alongside Wang Guiyuan.
It was already winter. The end of the year was near. And after the New Year, the Transmission Ceremony would take place… Lei Jun gazed at the magnificent Tao Palaces amidst the mountains.
He had successfully made it in time.
If he passed the Transmission Ceremony, he too could move to live on the mountainside near the Tao Palaces.
Now that he had the opportunity to participate in this Transmission Ceremony, it was time to carefully consider his options for a future mentor.
Wang Guiyuan led the way, not towards Elder Yuan's main residence, but to a cave abode amidst the mountains. Like Elder Du, most of the other elders also had their own separate abodes in the mountains.
Upon entering the cave abode, Lei Jun suddenly felt as if spring filled the room, the outside world's winter no longer relevant here.