"Junior Brother Lei, now that you've awakened the Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique and perfected the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining, you're indeed only one step away from Foundation Establishment."

Wang Guiyuan's expression turned serious. "But don't rush it, especially during breakthroughs to major realms. These transitions are exceptionally challenging."

Lei Jun gave a slight nod.

In this world, breaking through from the First Realm to the Second Realm, and each realm transition after that, is far more challenging than previous cultivation stages. These transitions are commonly known as "Heaven's Chasm" or "Cultivation Tribulations."

Crossing Heaven's Chasm, overcoming tribulations. Failing to overcome could lead to minor injury from mental deviation or, at worst, death and soul dissipation.

Of course, one can choose to remain in the current realm instead of attempting the breakthrough.

The Tianshi Mansion, as a Daoist Holy Land, boasts profound traditions and talented disciples, so such setbacks are rarely seen here. However, in smaller sects and minor clans outside, it's common for cultivators to remain in the Qi Refining stage their whole lives.

But they would then face the gradual decline of old age and the limits of their lifespan.

The True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness practiced at Tianshi Mansion is incredibly refined, and Lei Jun, with his Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique, rarely gives Wang Guiyuan cause for concern over the First Heaven’s Chasm.

Wang’s main worry was that Lei Jun might be too eager and end up disturbing his own mental state, thus risking his tribulation.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I understand," Lei Jun smiled.

Wang Guiyuan nodded approvingly. "That's good."

With everything settled, he returned to his duties, temporarily assisting Elder Liu as an apprentice.

Lei Jun continued his cultivation at his own pace.

Each morning, he took a cup of Essence Nourishing Liquid to lay a strong foundation for the day.

Morning lectures and a Daoist scripture session with his teacher, Yuan Mobai, followed.

After lunch, Lei took a Qi Spirit Pill and lit a stick of Tranquility Incense, engaging in quiet Qi Refining.

During his training, he placed Warm Spirit Jade Tablets in his palms, setting up a cycle of energy nurturing: the jade warmed his spirit, the spirit invigorated his Qi, and Qi strengthened his body, yielding enhanced results with less effort.

At evening class, he summarized his questions from the day and consulted with Yuan Mobai.

After evening class, he returned to his residence, prepared a medicinal bath with a scoop of mother liquid and auxiliary herbs, mixed it with mountain spring water, and created a large pool of medicinal liquid.

Sitting in the pool, Lei Jun used the bath to refine his body, continually nourishing and harmonizing his Qi.

Thus ended his day’s cultivation as he peacefully went to sleep, solidifying his foundation.

Cultivation makes time fly by, and before he knew it, a month had passed.

One evening, while soaking in the medicinal bath, Lei Jun’s body suddenly lifted.

It wasn’t of his own will; he steadily floated seated above the water's surface, as though sitting on solid ground.

Within him, his once-vast True Energy condensed as if solidifying, transforming into a tangible power.

It was as if a great volume of gas had condensed and transformed into a single strand of liquid—seemingly small, yet far more potent and agile than his previous reservoir of True Energy.

Even a wisp of this condensed power could crush a Qi Refining cultivator’s True Energy reserve.

This was the transformation from quantity to quality.

Lei Jun smiled with satisfaction as he exited the bath.

The formation of his power marked his breakthrough to a new cultivation realm—Foundation Establishment!

He transitioned from Qi Refining of the First Realm to Foundation Establishment of the Second Realm.

"I didn’t feel any calamity…” Lei Jun murmured, somewhat surprised.

As soon as the question arose, inspiration struck him:

Hidden Dragon Spirit Physique...

Just like a real dragon hidden in the abyss, leaping skyward when released.

What is a life-or-death barrier for most doesn’t stop a Hidden Dragon from emerging.

"No wonder there are legends of top geniuses advancing at breakneck speeds."

Lei Jun reflected on himself, then mused:

"I wonder what Tang Xiaotang’s Celestial Physique would be like to cultivate."

Shaking his head, he cleared his thoughts, resuming his meditation and refining his Qi.

Lei could now clearly sense that his vitality had greatly increased.

His lifespan had extended.

With his achievement in Foundation Establishment, he could now live for 200 years.

Lei Jun had entered the path at eighteen under the guidance of Xu Yuanzhen, beginning his cultivation late when he was brought to Mount Longhu.

But with the favorable fortune and many opportunities that followed, in less than two years, he had reached Foundation Establishment, surpassing countless others.

Now, approaching twenty, he could enjoy his life with the perspective of a 200-year Foundation Establishment cultivator.

However...

“The cultivators here have such limited lifespan increases with each realm,” Lei Jun noted, “Two hundred years isn’t much.”

A serious issue lay ahead.

Transitioning from the First Realm of Qi Refining to the Second Realm of Foundation Establishment extended lifespan from 100 to 200 years.

But advancing from Foundation Establishment to the Third Realm, the Altar Stage, brought no further lifespan increase.

Only by reaching the Fourth Realm, the Primal Talisman Stage, could one extend their lifespan again.

Foundation Establishment and Altar Stage cultivators, though enjoying lifespans of 200 years, ultimately face the same issues as Qi Refiners.

The golden period for Qi Refiners to progress peaks around the age of 25.

For Foundation Establishment cultivators, that window extends to about 50.

But at 50, even Foundation Establishment cultivators enter a plateau, maintaining peak condition but with slowed progress.

At around 100, Foundation Establishment cultivators enter their decline, just as Qi Refiners do after 50.

Their cultivation stagnates, and both strength and vitality start to wane.

Foundation Establishment cultivators aged 100 and above rarely advance further, with only a handful of exceptions across history.

Yet, a sliver of hope remains.

Around 150, they enter an irreversible decline, with strength often regressing within their realm until death.

The real frustration is that Altar Stage cultivators at the Third Realm face the same predicament.

To continue advancing, cultivators must strive to reach the Primal Talisman Stage of the Fourth Realm before the age of 100 for another lifespan extension.

At Tianshi Mansion, the distinction between Initiate Disciples and Talismanic Disciples aligns with the division between the Third and Fourth Realms.

Ideally, one should reach the Fourth Realm within the golden 50-year window to maximize potential.

True to the meaning of “Foundation Establishment”—Lei Jun’s earlier joy settled as he steadied his heart.

The next morning, Lei Jun, as usual, sought out his teacher, Yuan Mobai.

With a warm smile, Yuan Mobai said, "I'm even more pleased that, despite your smooth Foundation Establishment, your mind remains calm."

Lei Jun responded, “I’m just following your example, Master, observing and learning.”

Yuan Mobai nodded with a smile, “Since your heart is at ease, we’ll continue as usual.”

The morning classes and cultivation discussions continued as before.

But by the afternoon and evening lectures, Yuan Mobai adjusted the teachings.

"Now that you’ve reached Foundation Establishment, your progress should be steady and unhurried.”

He set up an incense altar in the courtyard and said to Lei Jun, "As a disciple of Tianshi Mansion, it’s time for you to begin studying the Talismanic Scriptures and learning the art of talisman crafting.”