Xu Yuanzhen waved her hand, clearing the ink painting on the paper once more, then turned to look at Lei Jun.

Lei Jun asked softly, “Senior Sister, what if—just hypothetically—I don’t want to live that kind of life?”

Xu Yuanzhen’s bright eyes studied Lei Jun anew. “During the trip to the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool, aside from the pool water's nourishment, did you gain any other opportunities?”

Lei Jun calmly retrieved his Spirit Gathering Talisman. “By chance, I acquired this.”

“The Mist-Wrapped Cloud Crystal?” Xu Yuanzhen nodded. “Then go see Junior Uncle.”

“Master?” Lei Jun asked.

When Lei Jun met Yuan Mobai, the latter also refrained from asking about the details of Lei Jun’s acquisition of the Mist-Wrapped Cloud Crystal. He merely nodded slightly. “Yuanzhen sent you here? The Mist-Wrapped Cloud Crystal, hmm, it is indeed rare.”

Lei Jun said, “While consulting the sect’s ancient texts earlier, I read that this treasure can help cultivators at the perfection stage of the Second Realm break through to the Third Realm.”

Yuan Mobai nodded. “That’s correct. It does have that effect.”

Looking at Lei Jun, Yuan Mobai pondered briefly before speaking again.

“Chongyun, you possess the Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique. Your cultivation progresses quickly, but as your realm increases, the time and effort required will only grow. Some meticulous work cannot be skipped.”

Lei Jun nodded respectfully. “Disciple understands and dares not grow complacent.”

Yuan Mobai continued, “I have a cultivation method here that can help you ascend the Foundation Establishment stages more quickly, advancing to both the high stages and perfection stage of Foundation Establishment faster.”

Lei Jun grew curious. “What is it?”

Yuan Mobai explained, “There’s a material called Blue Stone Ink. It is an excellent talisman ink material, but it can also help Foundation Establishment cultivators progress quickly, reaching the perfection stage faster.”

Lei Jun listened quietly, sensing there was more to be said.

“However,” Yuan Mobai continued, “prolonged exposure to Blue Stone Ink can harm the body of lower-realm cultivators and greatly hinder the breakthrough from the perfection stage to the Third Realm. It poses significant risks. For this reason, I haven’t mentioned it before.”

He then added, “But with the Mist-Wrapped Cloud Crystal, it’s possible to offset the risks associated with Blue Stone Ink. Unfortunately, this crystal has been exceptionally hard to come by—until now.”

Yuan Mobai’s gaze softened as he looked at Lei Jun. “Seeing the Mist-Wrapped Cloud Crystal you brought back confirms my earlier theories. Its effects should completely negate the risks of Blue Stone Ink without impacting you negatively. In other words, with the crystal, you can break through the barrier to the Third Realm and withstand the associated tribulations.”

Suddenly, an image of a glowing sphere appeared in Lei Jun’s mind, accompanied by a message:

“Dancing swords mask hidden intent. As dragons clash, alliances form. Blessings and curses are intertwined.”

Two paths presented themselves to Lei Jun:

1. Upper-Moderate Omen

Enter the Blue Stone Ink mine for secluded cultivation. Gain a Fifth-Grade Opportunity. Escape the storm and observe the dragon drama from afar. Good fortune.

2. Lower-Moderate Omen

Remain in the mansion for cultivation. Gain Seventh-Grade and Eighth-Grade Opportunities but be drawn into a vortex of attention and danger. Hidden threats and disputes abound. Ill fortune.

Who wields the sword, and who becomes its target? Yuan Mobai’s arrangement seemed to suggest no ill intentions. On the contrary, even if there were underlying motives, they were more likely meant to keep Lei Jun away from the chaos rather than harm him.

Clashing dragons, choosing sides…

Step outside the storm, and watch the show unfold…

Sink into the vortex, and invite hidden dangers…

Lei Jun had already sensed this dynamic, even before Xu Yuanzhen hinted at it. The spotlight was bound to fall on him eventually, given his connection to her and Yuan Mobai. Though not immediately dangerous, this attention would inevitably come with strings attached.

Lei Jun thought: Why not step out of the storm entirely?

The Fifth-Grade Opportunity far outweighed the lesser-grade opportunities of the alternative.

“Master, Blue Stone Ink is an invaluable talisman ink material. If I were to use it for cultivation, wouldn’t it be excessive?” Lei Jun inquired.

Yuan Mobai shook his head with a gentle smile. “It’s not an issue. The mine lies beneath my private residence, and its resources are entirely at my disposal.”

Lei Jun clasped his hands in respect. “Then I humbly request permission to enter the mine for secluded cultivation. The environment there will surely help me focus on advancing my cultivation.”

“Very well,” Yuan Mobai replied with a warm tone. “I’ll also relocate your lessons to my private residence. Should you need anything, you may contact your senior brother, Zhonggui.”

He added with a slight smile, “Of course, this isn’t a punishment. You may come and go as you wish. Just keep a low profile. I’ll inform Yuanzhen.”

Lei Jun bowed deeply. “Disciple understands. Thank you, Master.”

---

Outside Lei Jun’s small courtyard, a young Daoist, Shangguan Hong, stood hesitantly at the gate. Hidden within his sleeve was a brocade box, alongside words entrusted to him earlier:

“It’s normal for fellow disciples to visit one another. If you two get along, give this gift to Junior Brother Lei. When the time is right, invite him for a gathering. We should foster camaraderie within the sect.”

While Shangguan Hong contemplated leaving a note, another figure appeared—a refined Daoist youth, Fang Jian, the Fourth Disciple of the Tianshi.

“Shangguan?” Fang Jian greeted with a smile. “Visiting Junior Brother Lei?”

Shangguan Hong nodded, explaining their rapport from the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool incident. Fang Jian smiled back warmly. “Perfect timing. I came to check on you and Lei, but it seems Junior Brother Lei is away.”

At Lei Jun’s neighboring courtyard, Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan informed them regretfully, “Junior Brother Lei entered the Blue Stone Ink mine for secluded cultivation two days ago. He likely won’t emerge for a year or two unless something major arises.”

Fang Jian: “…”

Shangguan Hong: “…”