Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 81: Daoyin Cave Heaven, Zhenyi Altar

Lei Jun steadied his mind, resisting the urge to be immediately drawn to the purple lightning mirror above him.

He carefully observed it for a while longer.

The mirror flickered with a purple glow, its interior pitch-black, as though it led to another world. Yet, the Daoist aura emanating from within was clearly in line with the true legacy of the Tianshi Mansion.

After some time, Lei Jun nodded slightly.

Sitting cross-legged, he calmed his mind and focused his spirit. His soul finally left his body, rising and entering the flickering purple lightning mirror.

Lightning, the embodiment of supreme Yang energy, typically suppressed souls. But this time, it didn’t harm Lei Jun’s spirit, allowing him to pass through freely.

In his consciousness, he felt as if he’d entered another dimension—another world.

Darkness surrounded him, resembling the silent void of space.

As Lei Jun’s spirit entered, a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed through the void.

Like the primordial lightning that created the universe, a thunderclap resounded, and the silent darkness was illuminated.

Lei Jun's surroundings brightened, and he found himself standing in a vast ritual altar.

The altar contained the Eight Gates and Nine Regions, the Six Curtains and Six Halls—everything was complete.

In each direction stood nine lamps, known as the Four-Nine Lamps, representing the Thirty-Six Heavens. However, none of the lamps were lit.

A sacred banner stood in the center, rising four zhang and nine chi high. At the top was an octagonal canopy, with eight smaller banners hanging from each corner, and a large central banner hanging in the middle—all were furled.

In the center of the altar stood a three-tiered altar.

Lei Jun's spirit drifted, unable to approach the altar.

A thought formed in his mind:

True-One Altar

This was a unique pocket dimension—a Minor Grotto-Heaven.

Typically, the Tianshi Mansion had only one ritual altar: the renowned Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar.

But the Tianshi Seal was a special case.

The True-One Altar existed within the Tianshi Seal.

This lost treasure of the Tianshi Mansion contained infinite mysteries, one of which was this internal grotto-heaven.

In essence, the True-One Altar could be considered part of the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar.

The resonance of the two Tianshi Seal imprints had now opened a path to the True-One Grotto-Heaven.

However, something was clearly off with the current state of the grotto-heaven.

The Daoist aura was profound but seemed suppressed.

Lei Jun couldn't yet determine the exact whereabouts of the Tianshi Seal.

This treasure and its grotto-heaven felt less like they were dormant and more like they were sealed.

Whether the seal was self-imposed or forced, Lei Jun couldn’t be sure.

Either way, this was good news for him.

From what he’d gathered, the Tianshi Seal was still adrift and hadn’t fallen into anyone’s hands.

Whether those experts had gone to Xunjiang or Shangqing River, they all came up empty-handed.

The Tianshi Seal’s sudden appearance was still a mystery.

Lei Jun stood in the pocket dimension, contemplating.

The Tianshi Seal seemed to have emerged from the waters at the base of Feilei Mountain by the Shangqing River.

But then it submerged again near Xunjiang.

The treasure moved with the veins of the mountains and rivers, possessing its own spirit.

Restless as it was, the Tianshi Seal hadn’t yet chosen the time to reappear.

With that thought, Lei Jun calmed his mind.

His spirit wandered the ritual altar, unable to explore further.

Remaining patient, he chose to focus on what he could sense.

Time passed.

A gentle breeze seemed to stir the altar.

The sacred banners swayed lightly but didn’t unfurl.

Lei Jun remained calm, gazing upward.

Above the altar, it was as if the gateway to the true starry sky had opened. The stars shone brightly, the Milky Way radiant.

Lei Jun’s spirit naturally withdrew from the True-One Grotto-Heaven.

He traveled back through the “path,” returning to his body.

Opening his eyes, his gaze was clear, with faint Daoist runes shimmering deep within his pupils.

In retrospect, his upgrade to Exceptional Comprehension had far-reaching effects.

The progress and insights he gained were undeniable. At this point, only someone with Exceptional Comprehension could understand even a fraction of the Daoist aura within the True-One Altar.

Lei Jun examined his spirit, which now glowed softly.

He nodded and waved his hand.

In response to his thoughts, the purple lightning mirror—the “path” above—closed temporarily.

The two Tianshi Seal imprints returned to a state of tranquility, merging into the dim glow of the Breath-Taking Flag.

Lei Jun lit some Tranquility Incense, focusing on his cultivation.

Over the next few days, he immersed himself in Daoist arts, unaware of the passage of time.

Inside him, his virtual Dao Foundation Altar transformed.

The first layer, the Square Altar, and the second layer, the Octagonal Altar, now had opened portals.

Above the second layer appeared a glowing, circular ring, shining brightly.

The ring projected upward like a beam of light, connecting to Lei Jun’s crown chakra.

Within this ring, numerous Daoist runes floated like particles of light.

The Talismanic Branch divided its altar cultivation into three layers, corresponding to real-world Daoist altars:

The lower Square Altar represented Earth.

The middle Octagonal Altar symbolized Humans.

The upper Round Altar embodied Heaven.

Together, they signified the harmony of Heaven and Earth—the foundation of cultivation.

Now, with the circular ring appearing above his second layer, it signaled the emergence of the third-tier Round Altar.

“Progress is good. I need to keep at it.” Lei Jun smiled.

His cultivation speed had significantly improved thanks to his heightened comprehension.

With the newly obtained Yuan Heart Tranquil Jade, once he completed his third-tier altar, he’d be ready to advance to the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Stage.

Steadying his mind, Lei Jun opened the door and stepped outside.

His fellow disciple, Wang Guiyuan, lived in the adjacent courtyard and happened to be there.

Seeing Lei Jun, he smiled. “You seemed to be cultivating. I spoke with a few elders to ensure you weren’t disturbed. From the look on your face, you made some progress.”

“A slight improvement, still a long way to go,” Lei Jun admitted. “Thank you and the elders for looking out for me.”

It seemed his possession of the Tianshi Seal imprints hadn’t been revealed.

Wang Guiyuan smiled again. “Senior Brother Li Kong came by earlier. He brought thanks on behalf of Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong.”

Li Zhenchang and Chu Andong couldn’t visit personally due to their injuries, but they’d sent gifts.

Li Zhenchang’s gift was a Nine-Return Stone, a rare treasure that enhanced a cultivator’s mana recovery speed.

Though the stone was only the size of an egg, it was incredibly valuable, reflecting Li Zhenchang’s sincere gratitude as a true disciple and member of the Li Family.

Chu Andong’s gift was a calligraphy inkstone.

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