Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 11: The Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining, complete!

This time, Lei Jun used up all of the essence from the Purple-Gold Lingzhi and Heavenly Abyss Dew, but it was well worth it.

The Dragon Horse scale was still in his possession, though its radiance had temporarily dimmed. Yet, Lei Jun could feel that the item wasn’t fundamentally damaged; it only needed some time to recover its vitality.

"Your task here is complete. I’ll return to the mountain first."

Xu Yuanzhen gave Lei Jun a quick nod and, without speaking further to any other disciples from the Tianshi Mansion, stepped onto a dark thundercloud and disappeared into the sky.

Lei Jun calmed his mind and went to inform his senior brothers, Luo-daozhang and another. The two True Disciples of the Tianshi Mansion seemed unfazed, expressing only gratitude for Xu Yuanzhen’s help but saying little else.

However, Lei Jun could see a hint of worry in Luo-daozhang’s gaze, as though fearing that a healthy and promising disciple might be led astray by their Senior Sister…

Lei Jun didn’t rush back to the mountain immediately. Instead, he remained calm and continued assisting with the relief efforts at Qingyun River Beach, helping with disaster relief and pest control.

After a few days, a new group of apprentices arrived for their training duties, allowing Lei Jun and the first group assigned to Qingyun River Beach to finally complete their tasks and leave.

"Is Junior Brother Chen still under confinement?"

Upon returning to the Daoist Children’s Academy at the foot of Mount Longhu, Lei Jun and Zhang Yuan heard the latest gossip.

"They’re all still in confinement for reflection, including the young nobles and ladies from the First Academy. No visits allowed," replied a young apprentice. "It seems the Mansion is trying to curb recent misbehavior, and no one involved in the brawl at the Ink-Making Workshop has been let off."

Zhang Yuan slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "This Junior Brother Chen has stirred up quite a storm—he’s truly the talk of the year!"

The other apprentices nodded. "Indeed. Ever since Senior Sister Tang stopped visiting the Daoist Children’s Academy, it’s been Junior Brother Chen’s time to shine."

Zhang Yuan added, "Senior Sister Tang is still way ahead, but Chen Yi sure knows how to cause a stir."

The Tianshi Mansion, being a Daoist Holy Land, might hide incredible talent even within the Daoist Children’s Academy. Some believe that young prodigies often come with trouble and are quite the talk of the town.

Every generation brings forth new talent.

This time, it was Junior Brother Chen’s turn.

Lei Jun commented, "Some people are bound to get caught up in misfortunes beyond their control."

Zhang Yuan, hearing this, gave a wry smile.

He had gone with Lei Jun to Qingyun River Beach, seemingly escaping the chaos at the Ink-Making Workshop. Lei Jun had arrived late at the Steward's Hall, leaving him with only two arduous tasks to choose from.

But Zhang Yuan had arrived earlier, watching as others claimed the easier assignments. Only when Lei Jun arrived was he left with the two challenging choices of either the Ink-Making Workshop or Qingyun River Beach.

Neither was ideal, though Qingyun River Beach, though less severe, was still grueling—long hours, tough conditions, and it disrupted cultivation progress.

Due to Xu Yuanzhen’s presence, no one else at Qingyun River Beach knew about Lei Jun’s recent breakthrough.

Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but wonder:

This Junior Brother Lei seems unusually lucky, evading the chaotic brawl at the Ink-Making Workshop.

But does he really need to follow Lei Jun everywhere? If he simply chose a different assignment without waiting, he could have avoided the workshop’s chaos and the hardships of Qingyun River Beach. Zhang Yuan rubbed his face, lost in self-reflection.

Lei Jun listened to the chatter in the cafeteria, had his dinner, and then returned to his small courtyard to cultivate.

That night, he achieved a breakthrough, establishing his tenth Qi Sea, advancing his cultivation to the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining.

Lei Jun took a deep breath.

After reaching the Ninth Layer, he had felt his progress slowing down. Despite having ample Purple-Gold Lingzhi essence left, the higher he climbed, the more challenging each step became.

Before going to Qingyun River Beach, he estimated it would take him until the end of the year or early next year to reach the Tenth Layer. Compared to most who might spend decades or even a lifetime reaching the Twelfth Layer, Lei Jun was already exceptionally fortunate.

Even the basic Daoist arts taught to apprentices at Tianshi Mansion were exceptional. Although their cultivation resources didn’t match those of True Disciples, it was still far superior to what was available outside the Mansion.

Mount Longhu, being the sacred ground of the Talismanic Branch, was one of the most revered places in the world. The dense spiritual energy far exceeded ordinary locations.

Guided by wise teachers, many paths became clear at a single point, sparing him from unnecessary mistakes or dead ends.

But precisely because this was the Tianshi Mansion, talent was everywhere, with prodigies gathering in droves.

Lei Jun could almost feel an underlying sentiment from his peers:

"Junior Brother, do you think our lives are as easy as you imagine?"

"No, you're mistaken."

"The happiness of us prodigies is beyond your comprehension."

"Hmm, the joy of being a genius—now I can relate," Lei Jun nodded to himself.

With that, he continued cultivating with focused determination.

When October arrived, Lei Jun advanced from the Tenth Layer to the Eleventh Layer of Qi Refining.

Wang Guiyuan was surprised. "Junior Brother Lei, you really are extraordinary. With a Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique, you’re truly exceptional—on the verge of soaring."

Lei Jun responded, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Wang."

Wang Guiyuan replied, "Not at all. I can’t take credit."

He then looked at Lei Jun thoughtfully. "At this rate, Junior Brother, you might be ready for the Initiation Ceremony early next year!"

Lei Jun affirmed, "That is my goal."

Finally, in late November, as all twelve Qi Seas within Lei Jun surged, he successfully opened the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining, reaching the perfection of the First Realm!

The vast True Energy surged like a mighty river.

In its depths, a hidden dragon seemed to swim, occasionally leaping skyward.

Wang Guiyuan remarked, "Achieving the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining before twenty is not uncommon in the Tianshi Mansion, but advancing from the First Layer to the Twelfth within two years is rare indeed."

After a few words of congratulation, he looked at Lei Jun more seriously:

"Junior Brother Lei, the Master has returned to the mountain and has summoned you."

"Please, lead the way." Lei Jun left his courtyard, following Wang Guiyuan up the mountain.

Winter had set in, with the year’s end approaching. After the New Year, the Initiation Ceremony would take place.

Lei Jun looked up at the grand Dao Palace in the mountains.

He’d made it.

If he succeeded in the Initiation, he could soon reside in the Dao Palace on the mountain.

With the chance to join the Initiation Ceremony, he would need to carefully consider his future mentorship options.

Wang Guiyuan led him, not to Elder Yuan’s residence in the Mansion, but to a cave mansion in the mountains.

As with Elder Du, many elders had private residences in the mountains.

Inside, Lei Jun felt the warmth of spring. The outside winter seemed to have no effect here.