Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 98: The fourth heavenly talisman, the third day of cultivation

Although the position of Tianshi was vacant, the ceremony began smoothly and ended successfully—except for the disappointing absence of some of the top candidates who should have attended.

For Lei Jun, everything went well.

After leaving the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar, he examined his Talisman Plate.

During the Tianshi Mansion's initial Talisman Conferral, they granted the "Taishang Three-Five Merit Canon Talisman," abbreviated as the Merit Talisman.

Lei Jun's Daoist rank was Seventh Grade.

Traditionally, after receiving a talisman from Mount Longhu’s Tianshi Mansion, the ranks for Daoist positions are divided into seven grades, starting from Seventh Grade, with First Grade being the highest.

Recipients of the Merit Talisman are categorized into Sixth Grade and Seventh Grade. Lei Jun and his peers all started from Seventh Grade. Whoever first achieves the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Realm can be promoted to Sixth Grade.

Progressing further requires passing corresponding examinations. Those who succeed will receive a higher Talisman Conferral.

The second Talisman Conferral is called Elevation Conferral, which grants the "Taishang True-One Oath Canon Talisman," abbreviated as the Oath Talisman, covering Fourth and Fifth Grades.

A fundamental requirement is to reach the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace Realm of the Talismanic Branch. In theory, Tianshi Mansion Daoists who achieve this level can leave the mountain and establish their own sects, expanding the legacy of Mount Longhu.

Thus, a cultivator who passes the test with a Fifth Heaven cultivation receives a Fifth Grade Daoist rank. Those who establish their own sects and manage a region are granted a Fourth Grade rank. Depending on personal preference, disciples leaving the mountain to start a sect can continue wearing the deep-red robe or switch to a blue robe.

The third Talisman Conferral, known as Additional Conferral, grants the "Shangqing Three-Cavern Five-Thunder Canon Talisman," abbreviated as the Five-Thunder Talisman. One requirement is to reach the Sixth Heaven Dao Seal Realm, which grants a Third Grade Daoist rank.

The fourth Talisman Conferral, called Additional Elevation, grants the "Shangqing Three-Cavern Canon Talisman," commonly known as the Three-Cavern Three-Realm True Canon or Three-Realm Canon Talisman. Reaching the Seventh Heaven cultivation level, stepping into the Upper Heavens, qualifies for a Second Grade rank.

In this world, those with Upper-Heaven cultivation are typically called Presiding Masters and wear purple robes.

Finally, the fifth Talisman Conferral is the "Shangqing Grand Cavern Canon Talisman," abbreviated as the Shangqing Talisman, granting a First Grade Daoist rank. This is exclusive to the Tianshi and is not conferred to others. The Tianshi’s robe is a unique nine-colored silk robe.

Generally, there are time intervals between each Talisman Conferral that cannot be bypassed. Only in extremely special circumstances, with substantial merit and passing rigorous tests by the Three Masters, can exceptions be made.

In their generation, only Xu Yuanzhen and Li Zhengxuan had managed to receive a Talisman Conferral ahead of the prescribed time.

As for Tang Xiaotang, she was a unique exception among exceptions. The Tianshi Mansion made nearly every possible exception for her. Otherwise, she would still be in the Daoist Children’s Academy memorizing Daoist canons and rules.

"Normally, you need to have at least a Fifth Grade rank to establish a private residence on the mountain," Wang Guiyuan explained to Lei Jun. "You don’t need to move yet, but you can rearrange your current place as you wish."

In other words, once he reached the Fifth Heaven cultivation level, he could establish a separate residence. Lei Jun nodded slightly.

He was quite satisfied with his current residence, which was near his master Yuan Mobai’s mansion, ensuring no disturbances.

However, as Wang Guiyuan mentioned, now that Lei Jun was a Talisman Disciple, his privileges significantly improved compared to when he was an Initiate Disciple.

While his house remained unchanged, he could replace all the furnishings and decorations. In this world, different materials offer varying degrees of nourishment. Over time, this subtle difference accumulates significantly.

Previously, Lei Jun used medicinal herbs from the mansion for herbal baths. Now, with his successful Talisman Conferral, the mansion provided a custom-built bath for him. The bath was crafted from the limited Yin-Yang Warm Jade found in the mountains, offering superior and lasting nourishment compared to any previous herbal baths.

Additionally, there were abundant spiritual items and herbs to assist in cultivation.

The various Daoist tools distributed at the Talisman Conferral Ceremony weren’t merely ceremonial. The Talisman Plate and Scripture were the most crucial items. The Command Flag, Talisman Tablet, and Sword primarily served to help him attract spiritual energy during cultivation, enhancing his practice.

If he wanted to refine elixirs or tools, hanging these items in his room would help expel impurities and increase success rates.

The Decree Tablet wasn’t just for ritual prayers; it also aided in meditation and nourishing the spiritual essence during cultivation.

The Ghost-Punishing Stick and Heavenly Ruler were useful for combat, though Lei Jun found them less critical than the other tools. If he needed to fight, he had better options.

What excited Lei Jun most was the upgrade to his daily allocation of Talisman Brushes, Inks, and Papers.

Talisman Paper upgraded from basic Yellow Paper to superior Vermilion Cloud Paper.

Talisman Ink improved from basic Cinnabar to superior Yuan Crystal.

Talisman Brush upgraded from the basic Black-Brush Pen to the superior Azure-Brush Pen.

Of course, if Lei Jun obtained better materials, he could substitute them. For instance, his master Yuan Mobai once used the Vermilion-Tipped Brush, which was superior to the Azure-Brush Pen.

For now, he planned to use the Azure-Brush Pen for practice. He was also familiar with Blue Stone Ink, which surpassed Yuan Crystal ink.

However, there was no rush. To master these advanced materials, he planned to first improve his cultivation level.

It had been over six months since he perfected his Third Heaven Altar Realm. With his steady progress and the Yuan Heart Tranquil Jade, he was ready to challenge the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation and advance to the Fourth Heaven Realm.

Lei Jun calmed his mind, meditating to reach his peak state.

His Dao Foundation Altar glowed, with the virtual Three-Tiered Altar inside him shining brilliantly. Above it, a phantom star river shimmered.

With focused intent, his soul descended onto his internal altar, reaching the third tier.

Standing atop the altar, he gazed at the vast, star-filled sky, lost in its wonders. He sat cross-legged, his soul tranquil.

Suddenly, he felt a cold breeze—an internal Heavenly Chasm Tribulation. This was the Third Heaven to Fourth Heaven breakthrough challenge: an internal Yin Wind tribulation.

Failing meant severe consequences, even death.

“True Law is One; Embrace the Source and Return to Truth,” Lei Jun chanted calmly.

The Yin Wind raged, yet his soul remained intact.

In the physical world, a gentle light from the Yuan Heart Tranquil Jade enveloped him, calming the Yin Wind.

A soft crack signaled the jade breaking, but the light persisted.

Smiling, Lei Jun opened his eyes, his body floating above a manifested altar. A mystical talisman formed, signifying his successful breakthrough to the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Realm.

“Success.”

Determined, he ventured deeper into his soul, ready for the next challenge within the Tianshi Seal Grotto.

Lei Jun walked through the Daoist Ground within the Tianshi Seal Grotto, his mind focused and unwavering. He soon arrived at the silent Three-Tiered True-One Altar.