Lei Jun thanked his master, Yuan Mobai, and left with Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan. That night, he rested.

Early the next morning, he packed his personal belongings at the Daoist Children’s Academy, preparing to move up the mountain.

Two others also returned to the Sixth Academy to pack with him.

At last night’s Initiation Ceremony, a total of thirty-two Daoist apprentices participated, officially transforming from apprentices to Daoists and becoming true disciples of the Tianshi Mansion.

Apart from the special First Academy, the other seven academies each had between two to four disciples attend the ceremony. Including Lei Jun, three Daoist apprentices from the Sixth Academy successfully advanced.

Though they returned to the Academy to pack, they didn’t need to lift a finger.

“We wouldn’t dare make Daoist Lei move his own belongings; let us take care of it.”

A group of young apprentices lined up, bowing to Lei Jun.

Those who usually got along with him showed no hesitation or awkwardness, easily shifting their attitudes. Truthfully, they’d already begun preparing for this mentally once it was confirmed he’d attend the Initiation Ceremony.

Zhang Yuan was the most enthusiastic.

Last year, he’d been injured in Elder Du’s altar explosion. Although he recovered, it delayed his cultivation progress, and by this year’s Initiation Ceremony, he’d only reached the Eleventh Layer of Qi Refining.

Though he was still among the top ranks in the Sixth Academy, he couldn’t make this year’s ceremony and had to continue cultivating for another three years.

Watching Lei Jun, now donned in the official yellow Daoist robe of a true disciple, Zhang Yuan couldn’t help feeling a tinge of regret.

However, he’d long accepted it:

Firstly, there was no prior conflict or rivalry between them.

Secondly, Lei Jun had been taken in by Elder Yuan.

Thirdly, Lei Jun had achieved the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining’s peak in less than two years—an impressive feat, even in a Daoist Holy Land like Tianshi Mansion.

So, while everyone was astonished, they also had a new respect for Lei Jun, who now seemed poised to soar.

With this prior rapport, even if they didn’t actively seek his favor, they certainly wouldn’t turn against him. Zhang Yuan had made his peace.

The other apprentices shared similar sentiments.

While maintaining their old relationships with Lei Jun wasn’t out of the question, they knew they’d have to earn their own true disciple status first—at least three years down the line.

Lei Jun had few belongings. After a simple farewell with Zhang Yuan and the others, he left for the mansion on the mountain.

Wang Guiyuan waited outside his new residence. Seeing Lei Jun, he smiled and said, “In the Daoist Children’s Academy, apprentices must live alone, without servants. But now that you’ve entered the Mansion, you’re allowed two servants, though all expenses are self-covered. Do you need any assistance?”

Lei Jun replied, “Some disciples have family to help them, but what about those who don’t?”

Wang Guiyuan answered, “In the town below the mountain, there are families who come to reunite with their relatives. Since each disciple has a limited number of people they can bring, some have others working under them. If you need help, I can introduce you to someone.”

Networking in another form…Lei Jun nodded.

But he smiled, “I’ll manage for now. If I need help, I can call on the Daoist Children’s Academy for temporary assistance.”

Wang Guiyuan nodded and signaled someone to bring over several trays filled with items, which he handed to Lei Jun. “As a new Initiate Disciple, the sect provides supplies to assist your cultivation. This is the first batch for you to use.”

Lei Jun thanked him, had the items brought into his residence, and bid farewell to Wang Guiyuan before organizing his belongings.

The supplies included:

- Fifty Qi Spirit Pills

- Fifty sticks of Tranquility Incense

- Ten jars of Essence Nourishing Liquid

- A vat of medicinal bath base

- Various other bath supplements

- A pair of Warm Spirit Jade Tablets

- Three Black-Brush Talisman Pens

- Twenty ingots of Cinnabar Talisman Ink

- Ten stacks (a thousand sheets) of Yellow Paper

Additionally, incense, rice wine, and other items.

For reference, apprentices at the Daoist Children’s Academy typically received only one Qi Spirit Pill daily and shared a single stick of Tranquility Incense during major lectures... Lei Jun thought.

Becoming a true disciple clearly came with a substantial upgrade in resources.

After storing everything, he lit a stick of Tranquility Incense and took out the first volume of the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness, passed down by Yuan Mobai, to begin studying.

Even before his Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique was awakened, Lei Jun was considered quite perceptive, but he still found the text complex and challenging.

Fortunately, his prior training in the Daoist Children’s Academy laid a solid foundation; otherwise, he’d struggle to grasp many of the terms, let alone understand them fully.

Reading through just one or two pages took him the entire night.

But instead of feeling discouraged, Lei Jun was more intrigued than ever.

After putting away the Canon, he took a Qi Spirit Pill and a small amount of Essence Nourishing Liquid before meditating to adjust his breathing.

The mountain’s rich spiritual energy, combined with the Qi Spirit Pill and Essence Nourishing Liquid, filled his twelve Qi Seas, refining his True Energy.

After meditating, Lei Jun slept soundly, waking refreshed the next morning to meet Yuan Mobai with Wang Guiyuan.

“Your spirit looks good.”

Yuan Mobai’s gentle smile felt like a spring breeze. “Zhonggui, explain to your junior brother.”

Lei Jun had assumed Wang Guiyuan’s Dao name was Wang Chongyuan, but it turned out to be Wang Zhonggui, a revelation he found amusing.

Wang Guiyuan cleared his throat and began,

“Lei, back in the Daoist Children’s Academy, we learned that our sect’s Daoist arts focus on dual cultivation of essence and spirit.

However, we prioritize ‘essence’ over ‘spirit’—not that essence is more important, but because it’s the foundation.

Humans are microcosms, while the universe is the macrocosm. Cultivating essence first doesn’t mean isolating ourselves but creating a bridge between these two realms.

Similarly, our talismans are another bridge, allowing us to draw upon Heaven’s boundless power.”

Lei Jun thought for a moment.

Yuan Mobai smiled, “What’s on your mind?”

Lei Jun replied, “I’ve heard that our talismans involve invoking the divine and calling upon ancestral powers…”

Wang Guiyuan glanced at Yuan Mobai, who nodded for him to continue.

“Did you hear that in the Academy, or from Senior Sister or Tang?”

Lei Jun replied, “Back in the Academy, though I forget who mentioned it.”

Wang Guiyuan explained, “You’re right; originally, our talismans invoked the Daoist ancestors.

However, after generations of refinement, our talismans now directly channel the power of Heaven and Earth, though we’ve retained the original rituals and protocols.”

Lei Jun nodded, “I see.”

Yuan Mobai continued, “The Academy has already covered the basics, so today, we’ll start directly from the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness.”

His teachings were clear and profound, making the Canon, which had seemed obscure, feel suddenly accessible.

In the mornings, he’d lecture Lei Jun and then instruct the more advanced Wang Guiyuan.

The structure was straightforward, similar to classes in the Daoist Children’s Academy but more in-depth.

After the morning lesson, the master and disciples held discussions, clarifying doubts. Lunch followed, with free time in the afternoon, then an evening lesson after dinner.

“In the morning, we cover the Daoist scriptures, while in the evening, we practice talisman and elixir arts,” Wang Guiyuan explained over lunch. “However, Master’s advice is that you focus on preparing for Foundation Establishment first, then study external arts once your Daoist core is stable.”

Lei Jun agreed, “That’s my plan as well.”

Wang Guiyuan added, “Let me know if you need more supplies. I’ll be assisting Elder Liu with a project for the next few days, so I can help you before I leave.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother,” Lei Jun replied, “Who is Elder Liu?”

“Nothing major,” Wang Guiyuan said, “Elder Liu needs a special talisman ink made from Jade Pine Essence, and he requires the help of a few Initiate Disciples. Master assigned me.”

Lei Jun recognized Elder Liu as another elder in the Mansion, a colleague of Yuan Mobai. Though from a different line, they shared a good relationship.

The rare Jade Pine Essence was evidently invaluable.

Initiate Disciples, once reaching the Third Realm Altar stage and meeting certain requirements, could apply to advance to Talismanic Disciple, granting higher privileges.

For instance, Elder Liu’s talisman ink would use Jade Pine Essence instead of standard cinnabar, greatly enhancing its power.

Elder Liu had no disciples, so he borrowed a few Initiates for assistance, a privilege granted to Talismanic Disciples.

Talismanic Disciples, like the Initiates borrowing apprentices, could borrow Initiates, provided their own masters didn’t object.

In the Daoist Children’s Academy, apprentices addressed all Initiates with honorifics. Likewise, Initiates showed respect to Talismanic Disciples, addressing them as Daoists or Elders.

This tradition led to the phrase: “Initiate Daoist, Talisman Daoist.”

Wang Guiyuan added, “Talismanic Disciples are authorized to perform rituals outside the Mansion and establish their own sect branches under the lineage of Mount Longhu.”

Initiate Disciples could join these new branches as core members, helping expand the Mansion’s influence.

Wang Guiyuan concluded, “After advancing, besides our current talismans, scriptures, and tools, the Mansion bestows additional treasures like the decree tablet, command flags, the Heavenly Ruler, and more.”

Lei Jun smiled, “My goal is to cultivate diligently and reach Foundation Establishment first.”