Golden Barrier Talisman, could there be hidden dangers?
Lei Jun was somewhat surprised.
Wind Riding Talisman, on the other hand, might actually bring fortune?
Lei Jun didn't object to the Wind Riding Talisman.
Before he transmigrated, back on Blue Star, he always focused a lot on movement speed and mobility when he played games.
"For my second art, I choose the Wind Riding Talisman," Lei Jun said,
Yuan Mobai nodded slightly, "Alright, let's begin."
Under his guidance, Lei Jun repeatedly contemplated and cultivated, engraving the Divine Strike and Wind Riding Talismans onto his Dao Foundation one after the other.
The Dao Foundation, cultivated along with one's life, merged with both the spirit and body, was the source of mana.
The Dao patterns and Tao containment of the Divine Strike Talisman and Wind Riding Talisman, once engraved on Lei Jun's Dao Foundation, would also be inscribed on his spirit and body.
Every strand of mana he refined in turn would complement and enhance these two life-bound talismans.
In his own small courtyard, Lei Jun took a deep breath and placed the Divine Strike Talisman he had made earlier onto his chest.
There was a flash of spirit light on his chest as the vermillion marks on the yellow paper disappeared, as if imprinted directly into Lei Jun's body.
The yellow paper was peeled off and set aside, and Lei Jun leapt into the air like a dragon leaping from the sea.
His movements were agile, deploying the twelve-stance Taoist sect neijiaquan, true transmission of the Celestial Master Mansion, balancing strength, speed, and dexterity.
Lei Jun's own hearing and vision were keen, *and he could clearly sense that his awareness of the outside world, as well as his reactions to changes in the grass and trees, were even sharper than usual.*
As he stepped, Lei Jun raised a hand to pull out another spirit talisman.
He stuck this talisman to himself, its patterns turning to a stream of light that merged into his body, and Lei Jun's already swift and agile figure instantly became even faster.
In a flash, the small courtyard seemed filled with sweeping winds, shadows darting everywhere, and an ordinary person would have found it nearly impossible to track Lei Jun's real form with the naked eye.
The effect of the Wind Riding Talisman satisfied him as well.
What pleased him even more was the short rod in his hand—no, the golden bamboo shoot in his hand.
Sure enough, paired with the Divine Strike Talisman, it worked even better.
With the Divine Strike Talisman's boost, the faint golden glow shimmering on the bamboo shoot's surface was denser than before.
Lei Jun gripped it in his hand and could clearly feel extra power bursting out from within.
When he swung with it, his strikes gained added force.
"Lei, you really are a promising seedling suited for our sect's Taoist laws,"
Having wrapped up helping out Elder Liu, Wang Guiyuan stood in the courtyard, nodding repeatedly, "Not only did you awaken the Hidden Dragon Spirit Body in cultivation, but in spellcasting and sparring, you're even more talented!"
Especially since whenever Lei Jun punched or swung his short rod, he often relied on the boosts of both the Divine Strike and Wind Riding Talismans to launch flanking attacks from behind.
This, in particular, made Wang Guiyuan feel a special resonance with him.
"Senior brother flatters me," Lei Jun stopped, slowly practicing breathing skills as he ended his session.
Since he had just learned them, the effect duration of the spirit talismans was still short.
But over time, as he became more skilled with talisman methods, this would also improve.
When Lei Jun's cultivation rose in the future, the Divine Strike and Wind Riding, his two life-bound talismans, might no longer need to be pre-drawn. He could activate them at will, talisman light arising straight from his Dao Foundation, working directly on himself.
Off to the side, Wang Guiyuan laughed and said, "Going with the Wind Riding Talisman is a good move! In life, safety always comes first, after all!"
*…Senior brother, you just think I'm not cautious enough, and since I didn't pick the Golden Barrier Talisman as my life-bound talisman, you're scared I'll get myself killed, right?*
*I have Dragon Horse Scales, which can ensure a certain level of defense for now.*
*Paired with the Divine Strike and Wind Riding Talismans, it's perfect. There's no rush to pick up the Golden Barrier Talisman…*
That was what Lei Jun thought, but he didn't say it. Instead, he asked, "Senior brother, did you pick the Golden Barrier Talisman for your life-bound talisman art?"
Wang Guiyuan nodded, "First art, Divine Strike, same as our whole lineage. For the second art, I chose Golden Barrier."
Lei Jun said, "Senior brother, forgive my boldness, but I've had some thoughts lately.
Of course, our sect's Golden Barrier Talisman is great. But as fortune and misfortune go hand in hand, the Golden Barrier's reputation attracts attention.
If I were the enemy, and I had to face disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion, the first thing I'd figure out is how to break the Golden Barrier."
Hearing this, Wang Guiyuan turned to look at Lei Jun.
His expression grew more serious, and he nodded slowly, "Lei, well said! To tell you the truth, I'm always pondering the Golden Barrier, pouring a lot of time and energy into it, exactly because of these concerns.
I used to worry that you'd be too impulsive, but since you've thought this far, even though you didn't pick the Golden Barrier for defense, I feel reassured."
Lei Jun nodded as well, and hearing Wang Guiyuan say this, he too felt at ease.
In the days that followed, Lei Jun continued to focus on cultivation.
On one hand, he built up his qi refinement, accumulating progress in his cultivation realm.
On the other, he studied the Talisman Scripture, mastering all types of spirit talismans.
After a period of effort, Lei Jun improved in all aspects of cultivation.
But the various cultivation resources distributed to him by the mansion were getting used up quickly.
As Lei Jun had gotten used to the surroundings, he no longer troubled Wang Guiyuan. One afternoon, he went alone to the Treasure Pavilion to register and receive a new batch of resources.
"Lei Jun?"
Just as he reached the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, Lei Jun suddenly heard a loud, carefree voice behind him.
Turning around, he saw a tall young woman approaching, none other than Tang Xiaotang.
After the Transmission Ceremony, she'd gone into seclusion again, and now it looked as if she had just come out.
"Here to pick something up?" Tang Xiaotang asked,
Lei Jun said, "Yeah, came to get another batch of talisman paper and cinnabar."
Tang Xiaotang, "Started learning to draw talismans lately? How's it going, have you settled on your life-bound talisman art yet?"
Generally speaking, cultivators didn't care to reveal their life-bound spells to others, and probing about them seemed very impolite.
Among peers, it usually only went as far as what Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan did—brother disciples under the same master who knew each other well.
But Tang Xiaotang had her own way, simply looking curiously at Lei Jun.
Lei Jun didn't hide it from her either, "First art, Divine Strike; second art, Wind Riding."
Hearing this, Tang Xiaotang's eyes lit up and she grinned, "That really is a coincidence. Last year when I was out training, I stumbled on something—I think it might come in handy for you. Wait a sec, let me find it."
As she spoke, she fished around left and right, and finally dug out a small bundle from who-knows-where. Unwrapping it, she revealed a pitch-black crystal stone.
Inside the crystal, it looked as if air currents flowed.
Tang Xiaotang said, "This is called Night Wind Stone. Not exactly super precious, but it's rare enough. It just so happens to be compatible with our sect's Wind Riding Talisman—it should help you enhance your Wind Riding further!"
*So this was the moderately good lot's seventh-grade fortune mentioned by the draw…* Lei Jun raised a brow.
Knowing Tang Xiaotang's style, he didn't stand on ceremony, and took the Night Wind Stone, "If I get the chance, I'll keep an eye open for treasures you can use, too, little senior sister."
Tang Xiaotang didn't mind, waving her hand with a laugh, "You'd better work hard—you know, I turn my nose up at ordinary stuff."
The two of them entered the Treasure Pavilion one after another, picked up what they needed, and came back out together.
Walking through the mansion, they heard some rumors in the air.
The new disciple under Elder Ziyang, Li Ying, and Elder Shangguan's new disciple Shangguan Hong had both recently been punished.
Rumor had it that the first was for damaging spiritual medicine; the latter for trespassing in a forbidden area.
*So the hidden dangers from those who tried to become the Celestial Master's disciples were finally starting to play out?*
"But…"
Lei Jun, however, felt there was something different.
Li Ying got in trouble with her own master and father, Elder Ziyang.
Shangguan Hong, on the other hand, got in trouble outside and was sentenced to face the wall in reflection—not by Elder Shangguan's judgment.