Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 99: Celestial Master Seal, First Level of the True One Altar

Standing in the Daoist arena within the grotto, Lei Jun felt a gentle breeze brush against his body. It was so familiar.

The same purifying wind he felt when he first crossed into this world.

It marked the beginning of his cultivation journey.

Lei Jun smiled faintly, and his soul traversed the flying bridge, formally arriving at the True-One Altar.

Around him, the banners and sacred canopies fluttered, the lights in the grotto illuminating everything in all directions.

The weight of profound Daoist meaning imbued Lei Jun’s body and mind, making him feel completely at ease.

Yet the altar remained sealed, as if the path forward was still barred.

Lei Jun calmed his mind, and with a thought, a massive Spirit Talisman appeared above his head, glowing brilliantly. It was nine feet high and four feet wide.

The talisman’s radiance echoed with the surrounding spiritual light of the grotto, generating a subtle resonance.

In that moment, Lei Jun seemed to hear the heavenly voice of the Dao—a sound both ethereal and thunderous, filling the entire world.

Simultaneously, the True-One Altar before him began to change.

The second tier of the altar remained silent, but on the first-tier square altar, a soft and eternal light shone.

Countless Daoist inscriptions seemed to float across the altar’s surface.

With the inscriptions appeared four doors:

The Heavenly Gate, Earth Gate, Sun Gate, and Moon Gate.

Lei Jun respectfully bowed to the True-One Altar following his sect’s rites.

The procedure mirrored the ritual he had followed when he entered the Ten Thousand Methods Altar during the Initiation Ceremony.

After bowing, he stepped through the Earth Gate and entered the first tier of the True-One Altar.

Upon entry, Lei Jun felt as if he had entered an entirely new, isolated dimension—another realm within a grotto.

Looking around, he vaguely saw numerous silhouettes hovering in the air.

These weren’t real deities.

A similar scene had occurred during the Ten Thousand Methods Altar ceremony.

These figures were the spiritual essences of the Heavenly Soldiers, Guardians of the Nine Provinces, and the Grand Marshals of the Year who had been worshipped over countless years.

Ever since the Talismanic Branch altered its Daoist methods, these entities had ceased to be worshipped by the common people. Instead, they had become the foundation of the sect’s heritage.

In the Ten Thousand Methods Altar, if one ascended to the second tier, they would encounter the Three Yuan Generals, Disaster-Relief Generals, and Spirit-Treasure Generals.

On the third tier, the veneration extended to the Three Sovereigns, various Celestial Lords, and True Monarchs.

The True-One Altar essentially mirrored a part of the Ten Thousand Methods Altar.

Thus, by entering the True-One Altar, Lei Jun could also experience these profound Daoist insights.

The Daoist energy infused Lei Jun’s soul with a transformative purification, bringing his spirit closer to a state of pure tranquility and natural simplicity—an indescribable experience.

Cultivating here, or studying Daoist scriptures and spells, would yield twice the results with half the effort.

For Lei Jun, whose comprehension was at the Illuminated level, this was a chance to immerse himself in the ocean of Daoist teachings.

Just being here filled his mind with inspiration.

Ideas that had been mere sketches when developing new spells and talismans now blossomed into clear concepts.

He could hardly wait to put them into practice.

For Daoist cultivators, selecting a Life-Bound Spell was crucial.

During the Lower Heavens, cultivators refined their Life-Bound Spells. In the Middle Heavens, they refined Life-Bound Techniques.

While other spells could be cultivated, none matched the harmony and power of Life-Bound Spells.

More importantly, once a cultivator reached the Middle Heavens, they could enhance their Life-Bound Spells.

Even though they were still called “spells,” their power and effectiveness became incomparable.

For Lei Jun, having reached the Primal Talisman stage of the Fourth Heaven, he could now craft Supreme-Grade Basic Talismans effortlessly.

However, his Life-Bound Talismanic Spells—the Spirit Strike Talisman, Wind Talisman, and Five Thunder Talisman—could now be upgraded to far surpass basic talismans.

His mind buzzed with ideas, eager to test them all.

But the real surprise was that, aside from his soul’s purification, he sensed the breeze outside the altar beginning to extend into the grotto, touching his physical body.

He could distinctly feel his body undergoing a second purification from the Tianshi Seal.

Wait…

Lei Jun suddenly had a revelation.

This feeling was familiar.

But it wasn’t like the breeze that purified his body when he first arrived.

It was more akin to a rebirth.

He had experienced this twice before.

The first time was at Qingyun River Beach, when the combined power of the Purple-Gold Lingzhi Essence, Dragon Horse Scale, and Heavenly Abyss Dew elevated his bone structure from Average Physique to the Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique.

The second was in the Yunxiao Mountain Range, where the fusion of the Fire Marrow Yangfish, Water Marrow Yinfish, Unaccomplished Cauldron, and Jiji Stone enhanced his comprehension from Supreme Good to the current Illuminated level.

Now, with the Tianshi Seal nurturing his body, he felt the same sensation.

It was closer to his experience at Qingyun River Beach when his bone structure improved.

However, it wasn’t enough yet.

Lei Jun speculated that, just like before, he needed additional conditions for a full transformation.

Starting from a lower level meant easier breakthroughs.

But further advancements became progressively harder.

His current Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique would require a greater opportunity to evolve.

Regardless, accessing the True-One Altar’s first tier had provided the first step.

If he could enhance his bone structure to a Sacred Physique, his cultivation journey would undoubtedly become smoother.

Lei Jun steadied his mind and focused.

At twenty-six years old, he had successfully reached the Fourth Heaven and extended his lifespan to 400 years.

He was still very young.

Given that he had been at Mount Longhu for less than eight years, his progress was remarkable.

Yet, cultivation required diligence.

Because…

Middle Heaven cultivators had a lifespan cap of 400 years.

From the Third Heaven to the Fourth Heaven, lifespan doubled—from 200 to 400 years.

But advancing further, from the Fourth Heaven to the Fifth, and from the Fifth to the Sixth, offered no lifespan increase.

To extend his lifespan, he had to reach the Seventh Heaven, the realm of the Upper Heavens.

Fortunately, the prime window for advancing in the Middle Heavens was before the age of 100.

At twenty-six, Lei Jun had ample time.

However, after 100, advancement became significantly harder.

Between 100 and 200 years old, cultivators remained in their prime but faced greater difficulty breaking through.

Past 200, they entered their senior years, and breakthroughs became nearly impossible.

Historically, very few Middle Heaven cultivators had successfully advanced past 200, and none had succeeded beyond 300.

Lei Jun had no interest in challenging this record.

Lei Jun preferred to progress steadily and consistently rather than gamble on being an outlier.

Speaking of this, one couldn't overlook the three prodigies of the younger generation at the Tianshi Mansion: Xu Yuanzhen, Li Zhengxuan, and Tang Xiaotang.

Even in a Daoist Holy Land brimming with talent, these three were the objects of envy for countless disciples.

The background and capabilities of Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen remained shrouded in mystery, known to very few.

Senior Brother Li Zhengxuan possessed the rare combination of a Sacred Physique and Illuminated comprehension.

Junior Sister Tang Xiaotang had a Celestial Physique and Clear Tranquility comprehension, which left others feeling both envious and resigned.

All three had broken through to the Upper Heavens at a young age, surpassing many senior disciples and elders of the mansion.

Their success was certainly aided by the current era of abundant spiritual energy and frequent talent emergence, but it still drew admiration from other top sects.

“A towering skyscraper begins from the ground up. One step at a time,” Lei Jun murmured to himself.

His immediate goal was to advance within the Primal Talisman Stage of the Fourth Heaven and push towards the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace Stage.

In the Talismanic Branch, the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Stage was divided into four sub-levels: Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, and Perfection.

Younger disciples often marked their progress with the number of talismans they refined.

Lei Jun, having just crossed the tribulation into the Fourth Heaven and refined his first Primal Talisman, was at the Initial Stage.

Refining a second talisman would advance him to the Intermediate Stage, and so on.

Upon refining four talismans, representing the four cardinal directions, he would achieve Perfection in the Primal Talisman Stage and be ready to break through to the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace Stage.

Calming his thoughts, Lei Jun focused his soul on cultivation within the first tier of the True-One Altar.

As he immersed himself, the Dao insights he perceived grew deeper.

Time passed unknowingly until Lei Jun felt a subtle shift.

Amid layers of Dao inscriptions and energy patterns, something seemed to manifest within the first tier of the True-One Altar.

It felt like a wondrous talismanic scripture.

However, he couldn't yet discern its contents.

A thought crossed his mind, but after several attempts, he made no progress.

Respectfully bowing to the divine spirits of the altar, Lei Jun withdrew his soul.

This time, the first tier of the altar remained open, its surface shimmering with Daoist energy.

Lei Jun followed the sect’s ceremonial procedures to exit the altar grounds, returning his consciousness to his physical body.

Opening his eyes, he exhaled deeply, feeling utterly refreshed.

He proceeded to meet his master, Yuan Mobai.

“Have you refined your Primal Talisman?” Yuan Mobai asked with a smile.

Lei Jun detailed his experiences, including his breakthrough to the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Stage and his journey within the first tier of the True-One Altar.

After listening quietly, Yuan Mobai smiled. “The talisman you couldn’t yet discern is one of the three talismanic scriptures recorded in the Three Realms True Canon.”

Lei Jun’s eyes gleamed with recognition. “Is it the Earth Talisman Scripture?”

According to tradition, two of the Tianshi Mansion’s three treasures—the Tianshi Seal and the Tianshi Robe—contained the Three Realms True Canon.

The three tiers of the altar corresponded to the Earth, Human, and Heaven talisman scriptures.

His guess was confirmed when Yuan Mobai nodded. “It is indeed the Earth Talisman Scripture.”

The saying went, “Heavenly Thunder, Earthly Fire.”

The Earth Talisman Scripture cultivated the Nine Abyss True Fire, an extreme form of pure Yin fire—not sinister but embodying the purest Daoist Yin, complementing the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder.

Azure Flame and Purple Thunder were the hallmarks of the mansion’s highest-level Daoist arts.

Currently, high-ranking elders like Xu Yuanzhen, Yao Yuan, and Shangguan Ning practiced this scripture.

Their mastery culminated in the powerful technique known as the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Apparition, also called the Yin Fire Tiger.

While not as fierce in combat as thunder-based arts, the Nine Abyss True Fire had its own profound uses.

It excelled in refining elixirs and artifacts, offering endless applications.

Yuan Mobai was one of the mansion’s renowned elixir masters.

He wasn’t the only one; elders like Yao Yuan and Shangguan Ning, who cultivated the Earth Talisman Scripture, were also masters in crafting elixirs and artifacts.

Even the extraordinary Tang Xiaotang had initially practiced the Earth Talisman Scripture when she received the Three Realms True Canon.

Later developments stemmed from her unique circumstances.

To be honest, both Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai were curious to see what other surprises Tang Xiaotang might produce.

“So, the Human Talisman Scripture is in the second tier, and the Heaven Talisman Scripture is in the third,” Lei Jun mused.

Yuan Mobai smiled gently. “Proceed step by step, and let things happen naturally.”

Lei Jun nodded. “Forgive me, Master, but it seems you’re not particularly eager about the Heaven Talisman Scripture?”

Yuan Mobai smiled without offense. “I am sometimes curious, but only mildly. What suits you best is what’s truly important.”

Some people were suited for the Heaven Talisman Scripture, but that didn’t mean they could attain it.

Lei Jun mentally added the unspoken part of his master’s words.

He wasn’t in a hurry, either.

As Yuan Mobai had said, step by step.

“But about the other matter…” Yuan Mobai’s expression turned playful. “To my knowledge, while the Tianshi Seal has many wondrous abilities, it doesn’t grant transformations or improve one’s physique.”

If it did, the mansion would be mass-producing high-potential disciples.

“Was it just my imagination?” Lei Jun wondered aloud.

“Likely not. Your soul is now attuned to the Tianshi Seal,” Yuan Mobai mused. “It’s more plausible that some unique aspect of yourself resonated with the seal. Your theory is likely correct: to advance from a Spirit Physique to a Sacred Physique, you’ll need several opportunities aligning together.”

Lei Jun’s heart leapt with joy. He calmed himself and immersed his soul back into the True-One Altar.

After a while, he returned to his body and opened his eyes. “It felt like Nine Saints Frost, but not quite.”

Yuan Mobai clapped his hands and laughed. “Then it’s likely a spiritual item nourished by the Nine Saints Frost.”