Wang Guiyuan was taken aback by Lei Jun's question and then burst into laughter. "Where did your mind wander? That's the Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven; who wouldn't want to enter?"

Lei Jun heard this, leaned back slightly, and re-evaluated his senior brother from head to toe.

Wang Guiyuan held his teacup and smiled. "Although my Cultivation Realm is sufficient, I don't have much potential left—far less than you and Junior Brother Chu. That's why I haven't been Talisman-bestowed yet. However, there's no need to worry about me. Everyone has their own destiny, and it can't be forced. We Cultivators should just follow the way of heaven."

"Is that so...?" Lei Jun remained unconvinced. "Senior Brother, could you really deceive the Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven?"

Wang Guiyuan, who had just taken a sip of water, nearly spat it out. He looked at Lei Jun, torn between laughter and exasperation. "Junior Brother, the more you talk, the more outrageous it becomes!"

Lei Jun spread his hands. "I just feel it's a pity that you, Senior Brother, can't cultivate higher-level Taoist Laws and scriptures. You're not like our junior sister, after all."

Master Yuan Mobai had indeed mentioned this point before.

"Everyone has their own destiny. It's not a pity, not a pity at all," Wang Guiyuan laughed. After a slight pause, choosing his words carefully, he added, "If all goes well, I will consider trying at the next Lecture Ceremony six years from now."

Lei Jun grew thoughtful upon hearing this. Even though Prince Wu was finished, the fame he helped Wang Guiyuan build must have still had some impact…

Hearing Wang Guiyuan say this, Lei Jun decided not to comment further. Indeed, just as his senior brother had said, everyone has their own destiny.

The Lecture Ceremony began and concluded smoothly.

Apart from Lei Jun's own martial brothers—both senior and junior—drawing attention, another transmission disciple who became Talisman-bestowed during the ceremony also stirred up considerable discussion. This was Xu Rui, Li Zhengxuan's disciple.

This individual had been accepted as the principal disciple by the Yong Celestial Master due to his superior Root Bone and Comprehension. It had been eleven years since his Transcension Ritual into the Celestial Master Mansion. Based on all standards, he was indeed qualified to undergo Talisman-bestowal this year.

However, after the recent internal conflict within the Celestial Master Mansion, his status had become exceedingly delicate and controversial. He himself maintained a peaceful mindset and cultivated diligently, exhibiting an attitude of taking things as they came.

Before the Lecture Ceremony, when the list of participants was being decided, some had suggested holding off on Xu Rui for at least one term and observing him for a few more years. In the end, Tang Xiaotang and several High Merit Elders made the final decision, approving Xu Rui's participation in the Talisman-bestowal.

Just as his Transcension Ritual into the Mansion and becoming Li Zhengxuan's disciple had drawn considerable attention years ago, his success in now being Talisman-bestowed sparked equally significant discussion.

Li Zhengxuan had perished but had not been removed from the annals and talisman records of the Celestial Master Mansion. Thus, Xu Rui was still considered his disciple. However, with Li Zhengxuan deceased, another would take his place to impart the teachings. Similar situations were not uncommon in the histories of various sects. Generally, someone would be chosen from Li Zhengxuan's own lineage—one of his martial brothers—to take over the role of imparting teachings and skills.

With Xu Yuanzhen not on the mountain and Zhang Jingzhen needing to focus on his breakthrough to the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm, the responsibility of guiding Xu Rui fell to Fang Jian. Given Fang Jian's origins, this once again became a topic of private discussion.

However, since this was an arrangement ordered by the New Celestial Master, Tang Xiaotang, there were no overt objections within the Celestial Master Mansion. People from other regions also adopted a wait-and-see approach. For the Celestial Master Mansion, which urgently needed to recover its depleted Primordial Qi, outsiders were more focused on whether Dragon Tiger Mountain could produce more Upper Three Heavens powerhouses in a short period.

After the Lecture Ceremony concluded, Lei Jun's focus at work returned to the complex and trivial daily affairs of the Hall of Steward. Besides that, he continued learning the art of Alchemy from Master Yuan Mobai while also pursuing his own cultivation.

After a period of Warming and Nurturing, Lei Jun could feel his essence, qi, and spirit gradually reaching their peak state, poised and ready.

One day after summer began, Lei Jun informed his Master Yuan Mobai of his intentions. Yuan Mobai arranged for someone to temporarily cover Lei Jun's duties in the Hall of Steward. Lei Jun himself then began a new period of reclusive cultivation.

After becoming an Elder, according to regulations, Lei Jun was permitted to establish his own private abode outside his existing residence within the Celestial Master Mansion. However, Lei Jun had no particular desire for this; he was accustomed to his original residence and had not made any changes. It wasn't until this period of reclusive cultivation that he finally established his own private abode in the mountains.

Leaving Gungun to watch over the small courtyard, Lei Jun went into reclusive cultivation in his new private abode.

Within the cave abode, a Three-tiered Dharma Altar was erected. Lamps burned continuously on it, and azure smoke rose ceaselessly. Above the Altar, numerous intricate yet delicate Spirit Talismans, like tiny specks of light, enveloped the surroundings. This made the top of the Altar appear as if it were covered beneath a splendid Star River.

Amidst the radiance, Lei Jun moved with measured steps, his feet performing the Star-stepping Spell. He held a memorial document in his hands, his voice resonating as he recited its contents. From the inside out, from his Spiritual Soul to his physical body, he established a profound connection with heaven and earth, as if he had become an intrinsic part of the natural world.

Above Lei Jun's head, as the light flickered, five Tao Palaces appeared. They occupied the five cardinal directions, suspended in mid-air.

From the southern Dragon Tiger Palace, the Qi of the Sun emerged.

From the northern Mysterious Underworld Taoist Palace, the Taiyin Qi emerged.

From the western Spiritual Officer Palace, the Lesser Yin Qi emerged.

From the eastern Mysterious Platform Taoist Palace, the Lesser Yang Qi emerged.

The Central Three Pure Ones Palace, positioned in the center, harmonized Yin and Yang.

Streams of Spiritual Energy merged with Lei Jun's Mana, eventually coalescing above his head to faintly form a square, well-defined, yet illusory Great Seal.

Lei Jun, still performing the Star-stepping Spell, took his final step and came to a halt. As his movements ceased, his Spiritual Soul instantly left his body. It soared into the air, merging completely with the square, illusory Great Seal.

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