CHAPTER 49: 48. LEI, THERE ARE RISKS IN CROSSING THE TRIBULATION!

Lei Jun indeed had some new ideas. "You flatter me, Master. I still have a long way to go."

Back in the Xuanyang Cave Heaven, neither he nor Qu Yong and the others could do more than throw out Blazing Flame Talismans one by one. Although they could be cast consecutively, Lei Jun felt the firepower was still too scattered. He hoped to make it more concentrated, on a larger scale. Although other spells might achieve this in the future as his cultivation realm improved, Lei Jun was still eager to try his hand at it now. For now, however, it was merely a rudimentary idea with many challenges yet to overcome. If he couldn’t solve these challenges over an extended period, Lei Jun wouldn’t allow himself to become overly fixated.

But if he could obtain the Water Marrow Yin Fish soon and successfully improve his own Comprehension, things would be different. In this respect, he had already experienced the benefits.

After briefly discussing his ideas about Spirit Talismans with Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun stretched out one hand, fingers splayed and palm facing upward. He silently operated his Mysterious Skill, and mana converged, infusing his right palm. A faint blue layer emerged in his palm, shimmering slightly. It was as if a hidden blue undercurrent, a subterranean river, flowed beneath the skin of Lei Jun’s palm.

When Lei Jun waved his hand, the blue light remained concealed beneath his skin. Yet, the flesh-corroding, bone-deep hidden power was startling to behold. Without external defenses, a direct blow from Lei Jun’s palm would cause an opponent’s flesh to decay extensively and swiftly.

"Have the Green Stone Ink Spiritual Power and your own mana merged to create a new form of energy?" Yuan Mobai smiled as he watched.

Lei Jun: "I seek Master’s guidance."

Originally, Green Stone Ink required years of prolonged exposure to erode and damage a person’s vital energy and flesh. But now, after Lei Jun’s continuous study and refinement, it had finally transformed into an energy that could be deployed rapidly. Although mastering it required long practice with the Green Stone Ink Mine, its power could be unleashed extremely quickly once achieved.

Lei Jun named it "Dark River Energy."

He closed his fingers, making a fist. The blue light receded into his palm, becoming almost invisible, yet the concealed power still lingered within his hand. A punch thrown now had a similar effect to the previous palm strike, but with greater concealment.

I clearly want to be a dashing, light-armored warrior—swift, agile, fierce, and nimble—one who retreats if the first strike misses, darting in and out of combat. Why is my style drifting towards that of a sly old fox? Something must be wrong...

Lei Jun thought.

Nevertheless, successfully creating a new form of energy still made him quite happy. It was still primitive, not even qualifying as a Taoist Law or technique. Yet, transforming his ideas into reality since transmigrating to this world from Blue Star was one of his chief pleasures as a cultivator. He had achieved this not only because his cultivation had progressed from Foundation Establishment to the Altar Stage, but also due to the spiritual nourishment from the Huo Sui Yang Yu.

This made Lei Jun look forward even more to improving his Comprehension soon. Not just Dark River Energy, not just the Chain Blazing Flame Talisman. He had many ideas he wanted to put into practice.

"Considering your age and cultivation level, it’s quite remarkable." Yuan Mobai’s smile deepened. He then guided Lei Jun through some minor adjustments, further perfecting this entirely new energy. He taught in a traditional fashion but also allowed Lei Jun freedom. Therefore, he only offered suggestions on other aspects of Lei Jun’s cultivation.

Although the spiritual energy here was not as abundant as on Dragon Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun had anticipated this. He had brought sufficient resources, so his daily cultivation would not be affected. So, master and disciple waited quietly in the mountains for the Cold Spring Yin Fish to mature, continuing their training.

Time passed unnoticed in the mountains. Before they knew it, summer had arrived.

One day, the tranquility was suddenly broken. Yuan Mobai informed Lei Jun that he had to leave Qingxiao Temple temporarily for some business. His return date was uncertain, but he estimated he would be back before the Water Marrow Yin Fish appeared. Lei Jun was to remain at Qingxiao Temple during this time. Though Lei Jun was curious, he naturally agreed. Before leaving, Yuan Mobai assigned him some cultivation tasks, and Lei Jun practiced on his own.

「One day, during the midday meal.」

"Lei, to speak from my heart, I truly envy you, being able to enter Dragon Tiger Mountain and, even more, to study under Elder Yuan, listening to the Elder’s teachings every day," Qin Tao, the ’Vice Temple Master’ of Qingyun Temple, remarked with a sigh. "In just these few months, merely hearing Elder Yuan lecture a few times has resolved many of the confusions I’ve harbored for years in my cultivation."

Lei Jun glanced at the other man. Qin Tao appeared to be around forty years old. He was dressed in a Taoist Robe and Taoist Crown, with three long whiskers on his chest. Like Temple Master Lu Zhaoqing, he possessed the auspicious appearance of one who had attained the Tao. In the villages and towns near Qingxiao Mountain, he was also a divinely revered figure. However, as far as Lei Jun knew, the man was likely already over fifty, with a cultivation at the Second Heavenly Layer of Foundation Establishment.

Seeing Qin Tao overcome with emotion, Lei Jun simply said, "My Master’s Taoist Laws are profound, and it was only by good fortune that I became his disciple."

Qin Tao set his bowl and chopsticks aside and picked up his teacup. "Forgive my boldness, but I heard that Lei is just over twenty this year?"

Lei Jun: "Twenty-four."

"Such incredible talent!" Qin Tao exclaimed in admiration. "Judging by Lei’s stature and vitality, I presume you’ve already achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection?"

Instead of answering, Lei Jun asked, "Does Senior Brother Qin also appear to have reached Foundation Establishment Perfection?"

Qin Tao offered a bitter smile. "After years of cultivation, I’ve gained a little. Sadly, the Heavenly Chasm is hard to cross, and I have always been unable to enter the Third Heavenly Layer." Looking at Lei Jun, he spoke earnestly, "Lei, having crossed the tribulation from the First Heavenly Layer to the Second Heavenly Layer, you must understand what I mean."

Lei Jun: "...Yes."

Qin Tao’s voice grew grave. "In cultivation, the tribulations between Great Realms are perilous and can be fatal. They can truly claim lives! Three years ago, among the disciples newly admitted to our Purple Cloud Sect, one of them recently failed to establish his foundation during his Tribulation Crossing and ended up severely wounded from falling into a demonic state. If not for the timely rescue by the Sect Elders, he likely would have died on the spot."

Lei Jun listened quietly. The other wasn’t being overly alarmist. In the Cultivation World, it was tradition that if one was not confident enough, it was best not to challenge the Heavenly Moat Tribulations between Great Realms. Because if you failed, there were no second chances, no room for trial and error. It was literally ’try and die.’ Even the tribulation between the First Heavenly Layer and Second Heavenly Layer could result in death.

"Then, last year," Qin Tao continued, "the foremost disciple of this temple, who was challenging the Third Heavenly Layer Altar Stage, failed his Tribulation Crossing. That time, he couldn’t be saved and died on the spot. So, the position of foremost disciple in this temple is currently vacant."

At the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, a Transcension Ritual is held every three years, while the date for bestowing Talismans varies. The Tao Palaces on the mountain are large, with many disciples, but not to an exaggerated extent. One reason is that favored disciples often leave the mountain to establish their own lineage, continuously branching out. Other reasons are rather disheartening.

As a Sacred Land of the Taoist Sect, abnormal deaths among Celestial Master Mansion Disciples have actually been infrequent in recent years. The two main factors for attrition are reaching the natural end of one’s lifespan and death from failing Tribulation Crossings. This isn’t unique to the Celestial Master Mansion; Prestigious Families and Sacred Cultivation Grounds all face this issue. For Taoist sects and prominent families like the Purple Cloud Sect, which are a tier below, the situation is even more severe.

But after listening to Qin Tao, Lei Jun didn’t feel grateful, even though the other man wore an expression of utmost sincerity. Generally, the Celestial Master Mansion or the Purple Cloud Sect only warn newly admitted disciples about the dangers of the Heavenly Moat Tribulation, seldom mentioning specific past failures. This isn’t to make disciples like Lei Jun complacent. But with some things, the more you know, the more obstacles arise. The more you think, the more you fear. And the more you fear, the more likely you are to perish in the Heavenly Chasm!

Although Qin Tao concealed it well, Lei Jun had realized even before today that Qin Tao, as a branch lineage descendant, occasionally revealed envy or even jealousy towards the True Inheritance disciples of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Main Residence. He was already over fifty, past the prime cultivation window for Foundation Establishment and Altar cultivators. His future progress would likely be far less efficient. Considering his previous rate of improvement, it was almost certain that reaching the Fourth Layer of Heaven before the age of one hundred was hopeless. In other words, the most he could likely achieve in this life was to live to be two hundred years old. To ordinary mortals, this was an unattainable lifespan. But compared to True Inheritance disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion like Lei Jun, their futures were on entirely different levels.

Qin Tao suffered from insomnia. His mindset was also unbalanced. With Yuan Mobai away, his approaching Lei Jun today to speak this way was not as well-intentioned as it seemed on the surface. He had even specifically chosen a time in the dining hall when only he and Lei Jun were present.

"What Senior Brother Qin says is very true; between life and death, there is great terror!" Lei Jun agreed.

Qin Tao’s eyes darted around. "Yes..."

Lei Jun: "But as cultivators, we must still strive to advance. After all, there is something more terrifying than death..."

Qin Tao: "Uh?"

Lei Jun’s tone was even more sincere than his: "Waiting to die."