This time, the question pertained to Lei Jun's character and conduct.

Shangguan Hong chose his words carefully, speaking with exceptional caution, "Disciple dares not make unfounded statements. Judging from everyday matters, Lei has an aloof nature, is wholeheartedly devoted to the Tao, and shows little interest in the various disputes within the Celestial Master Mansion. He does not provoke others; thus, both those with the surname Li and those without hold him in high regard.

In this disciple's view, he, like Master Yuan, cares deeply about Our Sect. When Our Sect is in trouble or fellow disciples are in danger, Lei can be described as cold on the outside but warm on the inside."

Shangguan Ning then looked at his eldest disciple, Lin Shan.

Lin Shan said, "I largely agree with Disciple Zhonghong's view. However, Lei is always calm and composed, so I dare not presume to know his true inner thoughts."

Shangguan Ning nodded slightly, lost in silent thought.

「…」

Lei Jun broke through to the Fifth Heaven Layer of Cultivation and successfully received his Talisman-bestowed promotion.

The news spread, causing a considerable stir not only within the Celestial Master Mansion but also attracting more attention from beyond its walls. If Lei Jun had already shown signs of standing out among his fellow Talisman-Instructed Disciples back then, now he was truly a rising star, his brilliance beginning to outshine many of his peers. This wasn't just within the Celestial Master Mansion itself. Throughout the entire Human Race's Cultivation world, the name Lei Chongyun of Dragon Tiger Mountain became even more renowned.

On one hand, people marveled at the continuous emergence of young geniuses from the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain, with new talents beginning to make their mark after Tang Xiaotang. On the other hand, some people noted another issue. This time, it was another one not surnamed Li… Many sighed upon hearing the news, their tones heavy with unspoken meaning.

"Junior Brother, it's good to advance bravely and diligently in your Cultivation, but it's best if we keep such good news to ourselves."

Wang Guiyuan sighed. "After all, a tall tree catches the wind!"

Lei Jun nodded. "It's true I've been somewhat conspicuous. However, it wouldn't be right to trouble Master by having him secretly transmit the fourth volume of the True Formula of the Great Way Scripture to me."

Hearing this, Wang Guiyuan gave a wry smile. "That's true, but still... Junior Brother, you must act with even greater caution from now on."

It wasn't just external adversaries like the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou and the Yellow Sky Sect that might target Lei Jun, the Celestial Master Mansion's new hotshot. Within Dragon Tiger Mountain's Celestial Master Mansion itself, the Li Clan's nerves had grown increasingly sensitive.

I had anticipated this, Lei Jun thought.

In the short term, the Li Clan wouldn't risk provoking Yuan Mobai by targeting him. This was mainly because, although his rise was swift, he still needed to further convert his potential into actual strength. Only if his possession of the Celestial Master Seal was exposed might certain individuals be forced to take desperate measures.

Before that happens, the balance hinges on two main factors: first, who can retrieve the lost Celestial Master's Sword. Second, when Little Senior Sister Tang Xiaotang can break through the Heavenly Moat Tribulation between the Seventh Heavenly Layer and the Eighth Heavenly Layer, achieving the same Eighthfold Heaven Realm as Xu Yuanzhen and Li Song. Of course, conversely, if any of the Li Clan's High Merit Elders, other than Li Song, were also to break through to an Eighthfold Heaven Cultivation, that could also disrupt the current balance.

"Speaking of which, Little Senior Sister has been away for several months again. I wonder how her search is progressing?" Lei Jun mused.

He had no clues related to the Celestial Master's Sword in this regard, so he couldn't help Tang Xiaotang.

During my trip to Bashu, Elder Ye Dongming of the Mount Shu Sect claimed there were clues in Ba Dong. I'm almost certain now that he was deceiving me.

Lei Jun had also tried to communicate with the Celestial Master's Sword through the Celestial Master Seal, but to no avail. He wasn't disappointed by this, though.

If it were that easy, Dragon Tiger Mountain would have found the lost Celestial Master Seal long ago using the Celestial Master's Sword and the Celestial Master Robe.

Since there were no further clues at hand, Lei Jun reined in his thoughts and continued to focus on his own Cultivation.

Cultivators of the Taoist Talisman Sect condense Earth's Evil Spirits at the Fourth Layer of Heaven. Upon reaching the Fifth Heaven Layer, it's time to refine Heavenly Gang. My next Cultivation focus will be to refine Gang Qi. After unifying Heavenly Gang and Earth's Evil Spirits, I'll start planning to establish my second Tao Palace. As for now that I'm at the Fifth Heaven Layer realm, I can cultivate my life-bound Second Law, but there's no rush. I already have some preliminary ideas. The life-bound Second Law I intend to choose isn't any of the existing True Inheritance methods currently in the Celestial Master Mansion. Similar to my earlier Five Thunder Talisman and my current Dark Five-Thunder Orthodox Talisman, I plan to add my own unique touch to my upcoming life-bound Second Law. I intend to create my own unique method. I already have a concept. During this time, aside from my own Cultivation, I've been constantly pondering and researching the Primordial Magnet Force. I've achieved initial results, but they're still rudimentary. I still need to overcome various hurdles to progress further. I should ponder this more carefully. Lei Jun wasn't in a hurry; in fact, he was quite enthusiastic.

As for refining Gang Qi, I already have a complete plan. Just like when I was condensing Evil Qi, my intention for refining Gang Qi is to simultaneously refine two types of Gang Qi into my body: one Yin and one Yang. Theoretically, for a Cultivator, refining more than one type of Gang Qi is a burden with more drawbacks than benefits, as it would affect their subsequent Cultivation. Moreover, the foundation laid by the Shadow Rabbit Vine and Heartburn Chi during the Fourth Layer of Heaven was only useful for Evil Qi and couldn't provide assistance at my current Fifth Heaven Layer realm. To once again refine both Yin and Yang Gang Qi into my body and turn a disadvantage into an advantage would require finding another solution. But for me now, it's no longer an issue. After my Root Bone was elevated to the Yin Yang Sacred Body, as long as the two types of Gang Qi I refine are a complementary Yin and Yang pair, they will meld perfectly and smoothly. At that point, the Yin Yang Gang Qi won't just avoid hindering my subsequent Cultivation but, like the former Qingxiao Divine Thunder Evil and Nine Earth Yin Wind Evil, will achieve Yin and Yang Harmony, continuously helping me advance my Cultivation even faster. When the Yin Yang Er Gang combine and then merge with the previous Yin Yang Two Evil energies, the power of my techniques will increase even further. As for which two types of Gang Qi to refine into my body, I also made plans long ago. Right now, in my own Dragon Tiger Mountain's Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect, there is a type of Gang Qi called Azure Dragon Thunder Command Gang, one of the highest-grade Gang Qi in the world, purely Yang and firm. And in the Red Abyss Cave Heaven, where I previously condensed the Nine Earth Yin Wind Evil, there is another top-tier Gang Qi called Red Dragon Abyss Gang, which happens to be of an Yin-cold nature. The two are complementary, one Yin and one Yang, making them a perfect match.

Therefore, after stabilizing his Cultivation, Lei Jun started nearby, in the Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect, by refining the Azure Dragon Thunder Command Gang. The Gang Qi merged with Heavenly Thunder; it was extremely firm and Yang, imbued with Spiritual Nature. Upon his first encounter, Lei Jun saw the Thunder Light seemingly transform into an azure electric dragon, darting across heaven and earth.

He once again established a ritual altar and performed the Star-stepping Spell. Then, surrounded by the Circle Stars Array Fight, a pillar of Spirit Light surged into the sky above his head. The illusory Central Three Pure Ones Palace appeared. Within the palace, the spirit tablets of the Three Pure Ones of the Taoist Sect and successive patriarchs could be seen, together guiding the descent of the azure Thunder Dragon.

The Thunder Dragon landed within the Tao Palace but was still unstable. Lei Jun, however, remained unfazed and used his Yin Yang Two Evil energies to draw in the Gang Qi. When the Gang Evil energies fused, he was able to extract threads of Gang Qi and continuously refine them. This was a relatively long process that could not be rushed. Lei Jun remained calm and focused on his Cultivation.

As time passed, his Cultivation gradually deepened.

During this period, another matter that Lei Jun paid close attention to was Gungun, the oversized creature he had brought back to the mountain. Everyone had been right: one couldn't judge this lazy, gluttonous creature by its appearance. When it came to Cultivation, it was truly a genius. Despite its enormous size and seemingly clumsy movements—often tumbling as it ran and jumped—its actions were surprisingly agile. Even if it stumbled, it could dash from afar to appear before someone in an instant.

Lei Jun taught it the Conversion Scripture, and it quickly opened all the acupoints in its body, becoming capable of performing Breathing Skills with Spiritual Energy almost like a human. Nourished by Spiritual Energy, Gungun's already robust physical vitality grew even stronger. This was an innate advantage; with just a little nurturing and training, it could rival Human Race Martial Arts Practitioners of a similar realm. If it were to cultivate earnestly, it would achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Moreover, after watching Lei Jun perform the Star-stepping Spell many times, the creature imitated a few steps and surprisingly managed to capture some of the form. This caused Wang Guiyuan, Lei Jun, and Chu Kun to exclaim in amazement together.

"Master, could this be considered a racial talent?" Lei Jun quietly asked Yuan Mobai when they were alone.

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