"Is there a potential risk with the Golden Barrier Talisman?"

Lei Jun was somewhat surprised.

"But the Wind Talisman might actually bring about an Opportunity?"

Lei Jun didn't mind the Wind Talisman. Back on Blue Star, he always paid special attention to attributes like movement speed and agility in games.

"I'll choose the Wind Talisman for my second technique," Lei Jun announced.

Yuan Mobai nodded slightly. "Alright, let's begin."

Under Yuan Mobai's guidance, Lei Jun continually refined his skills, inscribing both the Spirit Strike Talisman and the Wind Talisman onto his Dao Foundation.

The Dao Foundation intertwines with one's life essence, merging with both spirit and body—it’s the very source of power.

Inscribing the Dao patterns of the Spirit Strike and Wind Talismans onto Lei Jun’s Dao Foundation was equivalent to engraving them onto his spirit and body.

Each bit of energy Lei Jun refined complemented these two Life-bound Spells.

In his small residence, Lei Jun took a deep breath, placing the Spirit Strike Talisman he'd crafted earlier against his chest.

A flash of spiritual light appeared at his chest, and the red patterns on the yellow paper vanished as if absorbed into Lei Jun’s body.

He removed the yellow paper and set it aside, launching himself into the air like a dragon emerging from the sea.

His movements were agile as he employed the internal martial arts of Tianshi Mansion’s True Dao Legacy, blending strength, speed, and dexterity.

Lei Jun’s senses were heightened, and he could clearly feel his responsiveness to his surroundings, even sensing the subtle shifts of the plants and trees around him.

As he moved, Lei Jun retrieved another talisman, pressing it against his body.

The talisman’s symbols turned into streams of light, merging into his body, and Lei Jun’s already swift movements became even faster.

In an instant, his residence was like a whirlwind, with his figure flashing all around; an ordinary eye would barely discern his true form.

The Wind Talisman’s effect also left him satisfied.

What pleased him even more was the short staff in his hand—or rather, the Golden Bamboo shoot he wielded.

Sure enough, it worked harmoniously with the Spirit Strike Talisman.

With the Spirit Strike Talisman’s support, the golden glow on the bamboo shoot’s surface was even more pronounced.

Holding it, Lei Jun could feel an extra burst of strength within it.

With each swing, the impact intensified.

"Junior Brother Lei, you truly are a natural fit for our sect’s Dao techniques."

Having finished assisting Elder Liu, Wang Guiyuan stood in the courtyard, nodding repeatedly. "Not only have you awakened the Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique in cultivation, but you also have talent in spellcraft and practical application!"

Lei Jun often combined the Spirit Strike Talisman and Wind Talisman to attack from behind, which particularly resonated with Wang Guiyuan.

"Senior Brother, you're too kind." Lei Jun stopped, slowly controlling his breath as he ended his practice.

For now, his mastery of the talisman spells was still limited, and their effects lasted only briefly.

But with more experience, this would improve.

As Lei Jun’s cultivation advanced, he would eventually reach a stage where he wouldn’t need to draw the talismans in advance; his Dao Foundation would naturally generate them, applying their effects directly to his body.

Wang Guiyuan smiled. "Choosing the Wind Talisman is a smart move. Safety comes first, after all."

...Senior Brother, you actually just think I'm too reckless, right? And you’re worried that I might get into trouble if I don’t use the Golden Barrier Talisman for protection?

I have the Dragon Horse Scale, which provides decent defense for now.

Combining it with the Spirit Strike and Wind Talismans is ideal; there's no rush for the Golden Barrier Talisman...

Lei Jun thought to himself but didn’t comment further. Instead, he asked, "Senior Brother, did you choose the Golden Barrier Talisman as your Life-bound Spell?"

Wang Guiyuan nodded. "My first technique is the Spirit Strike Talisman, which all of us in this lineage learn. For my second technique, I chose the Golden Barrier."

Lei Jun replied, "Senior Brother, pardon my boldness, but I’ve had some thoughts recently. The Golden Barrier Talisman is excellent, but blessings often come with hidden dangers. Given its fame, it’s a prime target. If I were an enemy targeting Tianshi Mansion disciples, my first step would be to figure out how to counter the Golden Barrier Talisman."

Wang Guiyuan looked back at Lei Jun, his expression more serious as he slowly nodded.

"Junior Brother Lei, that’s a good insight. I often ponder the Golden Barrier Talisman myself, investing much time and energy into understanding it, precisely because of this concern.

I had initially worried that your vigor might be too strong to be contained, but with thoughts like these, I’m relieved. Even without choosing the Golden Barrier Talisman for defense, you’ll be fine."

Lei Jun nodded, feeling reassured by Wang Guiyuan’s response.

In the days that followed, Lei Jun devoted himself to his cultivation.

He focused on nurturing and refining his Qi, working to elevate his cultivation level.

Meanwhile, he studied the Talismanic Scriptures, familiarizing himself with various spirit talismans.

Over time, Lei Jun’s skills progressed in all areas.

However, the cultivation resources allocated to him by the Mansion were consumed rather quickly.

Now that he was familiar with the Mansion’s routines, Lei Jun decided not to trouble Wang Guiyuan. Instead, he took an afternoon to head to the Treasure Pavilion to report and claim a new batch of cultivation resources.

"Lei Jun?"

As he arrived outside the pavilion, he heard a loud voice behind him.

Turning, he saw a tall girl approaching—it was Tang Xiaotang.

After the Initiation Ceremony, she had gone back into seclusion, and it looked like she had just emerged.

"Here to pick up supplies?" Tang Xiaotang asked.

Lei Jun replied, "Yes, here for some talisman paper and cinnabar."

Tang Xiaotang asked, "Have you started learning talisman crafting? How’s it going? Have you chosen your Life-bound Spell?"

Generally, cultivators wouldn’t easily reveal their Life-bound Spells to others, and asking directly would be considered impolite.

But Tang Xiaotang had her own unique style and simply looked at Lei Jun with curiosity.

Lei Jun didn’t hide it from her. "My first technique is the Spirit Strike Talisman, and the second is the Wind Talisman."

Tang Xiaotang's eyes brightened as she heard this, and she smiled. "That’s quite the coincidence. When I went out for training last year, I happened to acquire something that might be useful for you. Wait here—I’ll find it."

She rummaged around for a bit and finally produced a small bundle. Opening it, she revealed a black crystal stone with what appeared to be swirling air currents inside.

"This is called a Night Wind Stone. It’s not particularly high-grade but fairly rare, and it just so happens to complement the Wind Talisman of our sect. It could help you enhance your Wind Talisman!"

Could this be the Sixth-Grade Opportunity predicted by my Upper-Moderate Omen...? Lei Jun raised an eyebrow.

Seeing Tang Xiaotang’s casual demeanor, he didn’t hold back, accepting the Night Wind Stone. "If I get the chance, I’ll keep an eye out for any treasures you might find useful, Senior Sister."

Tang Xiaotang waved it off with a laugh. "You’d better work hard then. I’m not interested in just any ordinary items."

The two went into the Treasure Pavilion, collected what they needed, and then left.

As they walked through the Mansion, they overheard some gossip circulating.

Rumor had it that Elder Ziyang’s new disciple Li Ying and Elder Shangguan’s disciple Shangguan Hong had both recently been punished.

The story went that Li Ying was punished for damaging some spiritual herbs, while Shangguan Hong was penalized for entering a restricted area.

Had the hidden problems for those who sought to become Tianshi’s disciples already started showing up?

"But..."

Lei Jun sensed a difference.

Li Ying’s offense had happened under Elder Ziyang, who was both her master and father.

In contrast, Shangguan Hong’s offense had been outside, and he was punished with seclusion—not by Elder Shangguan’s own judgment.

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