After completing the talisman creation, Lei Jun finished his incense offering and prayer to the heavens. He cleared away the ritual altar and let out a long breath of relief.

“Drawing talismans at the High Foundation Stage doesn’t significantly enhance the power of a basic Spirit Talisman compared to the Intermediate Foundation Stage. For a noticeable improvement, I’d likely need to reach the Perfection Stage.”

He adjusted his Daoist robe, stretched his legs, and assumed a Daoist internal fist posture. Practicing another set of punches, he could feel his advanced Dao Foundation, capable of opening the Eight Gates and erecting the Six Curtains, continuously channeling mana. It nourished his body, boosting his strength, speed, and reflexes comprehensively.

Around Lei Jun’s body, spiritual energy gathered with his movements, forming a miniature whirlwind. When he finished the set and returned to his stance, the spiritual energy vortex centered on him slowly dissipated.

“Not bad. Practicing daily and adapting to these changes should allow for further improvement,” Lei Jun nodded slightly.

Now it was time to continue cultivating from the High Foundation Stage toward Perfection. If he could condense the illusionary forms of the Six Halls at the Dao Foundation Altar, he would reach Perfection and prepare to breach Heaven’s Chasm of the Third Realm.

“Using Blue Stone Ink to aid cultivation is more effective for transitioning from the Intermediate to High Foundation Stages than progressing to Perfection,” he mused.

Lei Jun had anticipated this. Yuan Mobai’s methods had already halved the time required for his transition from Intermediate to High Foundation Stages. What was initially expected to take three years had been completed in about a year and a half. Progressing from High Foundation to Perfection, however, yielded slightly less benefit. Without the Blue Stone Ink, it would take around six years; with it, the estimate dropped to four.

If some unexpected opportunity or resource came his way during this period, the timeline might shorten further. But there was no rush. By maintaining a steady cultivation pace and preparing well, he could seize opportunities when they arose. Lei Jun remained calm and focused on his path.

As agreed earlier with Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun moved out of the Blue Stone Ink mine beneath his master’s private residence after advancing to the High Foundation Stage. He returned to his own residence in the Mansion, resuming responsibility for collecting his allocated resources without relying on Wang Guiyuan.

While collecting talisman paper and ink, Lei Jun discreetly also took ordinary Black-Brush Talisman Pens, even though he possessed Yuan Mobai’s Vermilion-Tipped Brush. This kept the latter’s existence a secret while providing him with tools for regular practice.

Lei Jun’s reappearance drew visits from familiar figures in the Mansion. Among them were Fang Jian, the fourth disciple of the Tianshi’s direct lineage, and Shangguan Hong, a disciple of Elder Shangguan. After a year and a half of absence, their interactions were now more grounded, resembling normal exchanges between fellow disciples.

Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen had not returned since leaving the mountain last time, and most of the others’ attention was focused on Yuan Mobai. Following his “prison ordeal,” Lei Jun’s daily life seemed more understated. Yet one visit stood out as unexpected.

“Junior Brother Lei, while steadiness is commendable, you’re still young and shouldn’t lose your edge,” remarked Luo Haoran, a young Daoist who had approached Lei Jun.

Lei Jun remembered Luo Haoran from their time in the Daoist Children's Academy. They had crossed paths twice before: once during a theft investigation and another during disaster relief at Qingyun River Beach. Luo Haoran had admired Lei Jun then. After Lei Jun underwent the initiation, they became fellow disciples, though not from the same lineage.

Their interactions, while less close than those with Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, or Wang Guiyuan, were amicable. A year of Lei Jun’s seclusion had meant little contact.

“Uncle Yuan is always fair and won’t hold onto the past. Despite occasional ups and downs, you don’t need to worry too much going forward,” Luo Haoran reassured him.

“Thank you, Senior Brother. I’ve always viewed past events as my master’s way of tempering me. I won’t let them bring me down,” Lei Jun replied confidently.

Relieved, Luo Haoran smiled. “That’s good. It seems I was overthinking. Your steadfast mindset is admirable, Junior Brother.”

After a few more words, Luo Haoran took his leave. Lei Jun watched him disappear from view and smiled faintly.

In the days that followed, Lei Jun stayed on course, focusing on his cultivation without distraction. Despite no longer living near the mine, he continued to receive a steady supply of Blue Stone Ink.

During this time, he noticed an intriguing phenomenon: prolonged exposure to Blue Stone Ink only harmed the bodies of low-realm cultivators if accumulated over time. It wasn’t effective for direct attacks. However, as he refined the ink’s spiritual energy and merged it with his mana to hone his Dao Foundation, his mana began to exhibit Blue Stone Ink’s unique properties. With further refinement, it might provide an edge against other cultivators in similar stages, such as those in the Altar Stage.

This potential sparked Lei Jun’s interest, turning it into a secondary cultivation project.

As spring turned to summer, temperatures rose. One day in April, Yuan Mobai mentioned during a lesson:

“The Mansion will soon organize a training expedition to the Yang Mountain Branch for selected disciples. It will last ten days to half a month.”

Lei Jun and Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan exchanged glances. “The Yang Mountain Branch? Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven? The new grotto established by our sect outside?” they asked.

The Tianshi Mansion, vast and resourceful, had developed numerous grottos and blessed lands outside Mount Longhu. Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven was the newest among them, rich in blazing yang spiritual energy, making it even more effective for cultivation than the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool.

“The grotto’s periphery has been stabilized,” Yuan Mobai explained. “For newly initiated disciples, it’s mature and safe as long as they don’t venture too deep. Senior Brother Ziyang organized this training, and I have been allotted two spots.”

“Master, I trust you and Senior Uncle Ziyang, but I’d rather sit this one out,” Wang Guiyuan said.

Noticing Lei Jun’s glance, Wang Guiyuan elaborated, “Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven is still newly established. While precautions have likely been taken, staying cautious is best. Missing an opportunity is better than encountering unforeseen danger.”

Lei Jun listened attentively while noting the glowing sphere in his mind, which released two divinations:

- Supreme Good Omen: “Though the branch is newly established, its dangers are overstated. By going to Yang Mountain Branch, entering Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven will yield a Fourth-Grade Opportunity with no lingering concerns. Great Luck!”

- Moderate Omen: “By staying in the Mansion to cultivate, you will avoid risks but gain nothing. Average.”

Smiling faintly, Lei Jun considered his next move.