Foundation Establishment Perfection? Third Layer Altar!

Foundation Establishment Perfection? Third Layer Altar!

Yuan Mobai was courteous, and Lu Zhaoqing even more so. "What are you saying, Elder Yuan? With you deigning to station your dharma presence here, Azure Firmament Temple is honored from top to bottom."

Following his master's form of address, Lei Jun called him Martial Uncle.

Before leaving the mountains, he had heard Wang Guiyuan mention that Azure Firmament Temple's master, Lu Zhaoqing, was a True Disciple of Celestial Master Mansion from the same generation as Yuan Mobai.

Of course, Lu Zhaoqing was not a Personal Disciple of the Previous Generation Celestial Master. He had another master within the Mansion, and whether in cultivation or eventual achievements, he was far behind Yuan Mobai.

Moreover, from his early years until now, he had always been closer to Elder Ziyang.

However, Yuan Mobai made friends far and wide. In the past two years, he had even had more dealings with Elder Ziyang, so there was even less chance of any conflict with Lu Zhaoqing.

The other man's manner was mild, with no sign that anything was amiss in his state of mind.

Everyone at Azure Firmament Temple warmly received Lei Jun and his master, inviting them to stay.

Yuan Mobai was humble and broad-minded. Returning peach for plum, he opened the altar and lectured on the Dao several times at the temple. The entire Azure Firmament Temple listened as if entranced, wishing Elder Yuan would stay for ten years or eight.

Even disciples of the Purple Firmament Sect and other Taoist Sects throughout the Cloud Firmament Mountain Range hurried over upon hearing the news to attend his lectures.

Lei Jun was comparatively inconspicuous.

He was happy to have some peace and quiet.

He first made a trip into the distant Azure Firmament Mountain to investigate the Cold Spring Xu Yuanzhen had mentioned.

Sure enough, faint traces of spirituality had emerged at the bottom of that seemingly unremarkable spring, making the Fire Marrow Yang Fish within Lei Jun resonate with it—both resistant and eager.

But it would still take some time before it could truly transform into a usable Water Marrow Yin Fish.

Yuan Mobai left behind a restriction of Magic Power here for surveillance. To avoid making it look like protesting too much, he had not poured too much Magic Power into it.

Lei Jun calmed his mind. Neither impatient nor rash, he waited for the melon to ripen and the stem to fall, focusing first on his own cultivation.

Within the Dao Foundation Altar in his body, aside from the Eight Gates being opened and six curtains erected, five Dharma Halls stood facing one another. A sixth phantom Dharma Hall shimmered with light, already taking shape and awaiting only its final establishment.

One day, Lei Jun sat quietly in his room.

As the radiance over his Dao Foundation Altar faded, the sixth Dharma Hall was completely established.

Foundation Establishment Perfection.

Lei Jun opened his eyes. His gaze was clear and bright as he let out a long breath, a smile appearing on his face.

After sitting quietly a while longer to nurture his Dao Foundation, he bathed and changed clothes, cleansed his mouth and hands, then set up a Ritual Altar.

Now that his cultivation had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, Lei Jun could draw his Natal Spirit Invocation and Wind Riding Talismans without using the Vermillion Point Brush and still achieve a one hundred percent success rate.

When making other Spirit Talismans, he could likewise attain a success rate of at least ninety percent.

With the blessings of Divine Tiger Hall and Ordination Hall, the Natal Spirit Invocation and Wind Riding Talismans Lei Jun drew were also more powerful than when he had been at the Foundation Establishment High Stage.

"About twenty percent stronger or more."

Lei Jun nodded faintly. "But they're still within the category of Lower Grade basic Spirit Talismans."

The Talisman Scripture currently studied by Lei Jun and the other Transmission Disciples recorded Spirit Talismans generally known as basic Spirit Talismans: Golden Barrier Talismans, Wind Riding Talismans, Spirit Invocation Talismans, Thunderstrike Talismans, Blazing Flame Talismans, Mind Cleansing Talismans, Spirit Gathering Talismans, and so on.

Aside from implements such as brushes, ink, and paper, the maker's own cultivation determined a Spirit Talisman's power.

Spirit Talismans drawn by cultivators in the Second Heaven Foundation Establishment Realm were known as Lower Grade basic Spirit Talismans.

Generally speaking, although reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection could slightly increase a Spirit Talisman's power, it still remained within the category of Lower Grade basic Spirit Talismans.

Only when cultivators of the Third Heaven Altar Realm drew basic Spirit Talismans could they attain Middle Grade power.

Even using an ordinary Black Hair Brush, Lei Jun currently could not cross that hurdle.

So he took out the Vermillion Point Brush.

He respectfully offered incense and prayed to Heaven, his brush startling dragons and serpents.

He empowered the talisman.

The talisman was complete.

Natal Spirit Invocation Talisman, Middle Grade!

A Middle Grade basic Spirit Talisman, something normally only a cultivator of the Third Heaven Altar Realm could create, had been made!

Lei Jun nodded slightly and continued.

Next, he attempted Spirit Talismans other than his Natal Talismans.

Unfortunately, they were still Lower Grade basic Spirit Talismans.

"If I want non-Natal Talismans to reach Middle Grade, it seems I'll still need Third Heaven cultivation."

Lei Jun was not discouraged. Instead, he felt somewhat expectant. Then what if I use the Vermillion Point Brush to draw Natal Talismans when I reach the Third Heaven?

He took out the Spirit Gathering Talisman he had carefully preserved and examined the layer of Mist-Wreathed Cloud Crystal upon it, which could help a Second Heaven cultivator break through to the Third Heaven, before going to see Yuan Mobai.

A mountain waterfall plunged straight down, crashing into the pool below.

Yuan Mobai sat beside the pool, watching Lei Jun seated upon its surface.

Under the influence of his Magic Power, Lei Jun floated atop the water without sinking, sitting upright as though on level ground.

Suddenly, influenced by his Magic Power, the pool water surged backward into the air, carrying his body upward.

Beneath him, faint light continuously gathered, gradually turning into lines that sketched through the air and divided the pool water.

As water sprayed in every direction, beneath Lei Jun seemed to sit a gleaming Three-Layer Altar formed of water. It stood a full twelve feet tall: square on the bottom level, octagonal in the middle, and perfectly round on top.

Then, the flowing water that formed the altar fell back into the pool.

Yet the altar did not disperse.

But at that moment, flames suddenly arose from nowhere beneath the altar.

Formless, illusory yin fire.

The Heavenly Chasm Tribulation arrived as scheduled.

The yin fire rose from below, seeking to burn away the illusory Dharma Altar, destroy the foundation of all Lei Jun's Magic Power, and destroy Lei Jun himself.

At that instant, fire also sprang up from nowhere in the Dao Foundation Altar within Lei Jun's body, attacking his Dao Foundation, flesh, soul, and spirit alike. The yin fire reached everywhere.

Yuan Mobai remained seated, watching calmly.

This trial could only be overcome alone. No one else could help.

Even in the Daoist Holy Land of Celestial Master Mansion, with senior members of the sect guarding at one's side, they could not intervene during the tribulation. Afterward, they could only try to pull the person back from death, and even that was exceedingly difficult.

And even if they were saved, Qi Deviation would cause their life force to decline. They would be crippled, with no chance of remedy.

Between life and death lay great terror; amid cultivation lay great tribulations.

This was one of the greatest perilous passes for cultivators in this world.

Because of the Hidden Dragon Spirit Body, Lei Jun had passed the tribulation from the First Heaven to the Second Heaven with exceptional ease.

Today was the first time he truly encountered genuine hardship and danger.

But he had to pass this trial.

As the yin fire assailed his body, Lei Jun remained tranquil and composed, softly chanting, "True Oneness admits no duality, and no confusion can arise."

The next moment, Lei Jun himself and the Dharma Altar lit up together.

In an instant, most of the formless yin fire was cleared away.

At the bottom of the pool, a sheet of talisman paper neither floated nor sank, suspended in the water with frost forming across it.

At this moment, the frost crystals were touched by the yin fire and suddenly melted.

Layer upon layer of clouds and mist spread over the pool, enveloping Lei Jun and the Dharma Altar.

In the end, the clouds and mist dispersed, and the yin fire was extinguished completely.

The illusory, glowing Dharma Altar remained unharmed. As a whole, it slowly withdrew into Lei Jun's body and settled upon his Dao Foundation Altar, within the Eight Gates of its city walls.

Six curtains stood in a row before the altar, while six Dharma Halls stood divided to either side.

A small and exquisite, complete illusory Abstinence Altar Dojo thus appeared within Lei Jun's body.

However, after entering Lei Jun's body, that Dharma Altar currently retained only its first, square level. The second and third levels above it were nowhere to be seen.

This Dharma Altar marked Lei Jun's successful breakthrough from the Second Heaven Foundation Establishment Realm into the Third Heaven of the Taoist Talisman School!

His body hovered in midair, then slowly descended after a moment, returning to a seated position atop the pool.

At the water's edge, Yuan Mobai, who always wore a smile, smiled even more broadly and nodded repeatedly.

"Though your master always believed this trial would ultimately not defeat you, your crossing another tribulation so quickly and smoothly still exceeds my expectations."

Lei Jun rose and walked across the water. Reaching Yuan Mobai, he bowed. "It is largely thanks to Master's previous guidance."

Yuan Mobai said, "Chongyun, your state of mind is calm yet resolute, beyond what ordinary people can compare to. I hope you can maintain it forever. Compared to your natural talent and comprehension, your temperament and will are your greatest strengths. Many people have underestimated you."

Lei Jun said, "Master, this disciple has always considered his skin rather thick, but with you praising me like this, though I'm secretly delighted, I can hardly bear it."

Yuan Mobai smiled. "No matter. Your master will praise you more in the future, and you'll gradually grow accustomed to it."

He instructed Lei Jun to recuperate for a while, then guided him in adapting to all the changes brought by his increased realm.

Once Lei Jun had a general grasp of them, Yuan Mobai handed him a scroll of Daoist scripture.

The second volume of the "Great Dao Scripture of True Orthodox Dharma."

This was the fundamental orthodox teaching of the true transmission of Celestial Master Mansion's Talisman School in this world.

While Lei Jun had been in the Second Heaven Foundation Establishment Realm, he had consistently cultivated the first volume.

Now that he had reached the Third Heaven Altar Realm, Yuan Mobai began passing the second volume's Dao methods to him.

After thanking his master, Lei Jun diligently studied it under his guidance.

The First Heaven Qi Refining Realm was divided into the Twelve Story Building.

The Second Heaven Foundation Establishment Realm was divided into four levels: initial, middle, high, and perfection.

The Third Heaven Altar Realm, meanwhile, was divided into three layers.

When one could unite one's Magic Power and life essence to establish a Three-Layer Altar, it was equivalent to Altar Realm perfection, allowing one to begin planning an ascent toward higher realms.

Lei Jun's Dharma Altar had only just formed, placing him at the First Layer Altar.

Yet compared with the Foundation Establishment Realm, there was already a gulf like a heavenly chasm.

There was no need to mention the continual training and strengthening of the physical body.

Lei Jun at Foundation Establishment Perfection, paired with a Natal Spirit Invocation Talisman.

Lei Jun at the First Layer Altar, bare-handed.

The latter could beat the former until his head was covered in bumps.

Beyond that, the greater difference between the Altar Realm and Foundation Establishment Realm lay in talisman crafting.

Having attained the First Layer Altar, Lei Jun could now make Middle Grade basic Spirit Talismans with an ordinary Talisman Brush, even without the aid of the Magical Artifact Vermillion Point Brush. Their power was at least fifty percent greater than that of Lower Grade basic Spirit Talismans.

If he wanted to draw Upper Grade basic Spirit Talismans, then generally speaking, the First Layer Altar and Second Layer Altar were still insufficient.

He would need the Third Layer Altar—that was, Altar Realm perfection.

However, the Vermillion Point Brush came into use again at this point.

After resting and restoring his energy, Lei Jun once more used the Vermillion Point Brush to make talismans.

For non-Natal Talismans, they were still only Middle Grade.

But when Lei Jun used the Vermillion Point Brush to draw his Natal Spirit Invocation and Wind Riding Talismans, there was now a certain chance of producing Upper Grade ones!

Compared to Middle Grade basic Spirit Talismans, Upper Grade basic Spirit Talismans were about fifty percent more effective. Compared to Lower Grade basic Spirit Talismans, they were more than twice as powerful.

With the enhancement of physical Life Cultivation combined with the increase in talisman power, there was an enormous gulf between practical combat ability at the Third Heaven and the Second Heaven... Lei Jun nodded to himself.

And now, it was not merely that he could draw higher-grade basic Spirit Talismans...

"Though your master still advises you to follow the complete Ritual Performance when making talismans in ordinary times, without omitting anything."

Yuan Mobai instructed, "There are times when circumstances are exceptional and everything must be simplified. Now, you can omit certain steps of the talisman-making Ritual Performance."

Lei Jun gave it a try.

Sure enough, after a Dharma Altar had formally been erected within the Dao Foundation Altar in his body, even though it had only one layer, there had been a qualitative change.

Now, he no longer had to specially arrange an Abstinence Altar and set out a Ritual Altar, preparing all implements and completing every procedure and step before he could make talismans.

Provided his mind and body were in good condition and his Magic Power was sufficient, Lei Jun of the Altar Realm could simplify the talisman-making process.

As long as he had the necessary raw materials, such as talisman paper and a Talisman Brush, Lei Jun could use the phantom Abstinence Altar of his own Dao Foundation to temporarily replace a physical Abstinence Altar for making Spirit Talismans.

The process was greatly simplified, saving time and greatly lowering the demands on the environment and equipment.

Of course, for now, there were both advantages and disadvantages.

When simplifying the process, a First Layer Altar cultivator could only make Lower Grade talismans again.

To make Middle Grade basic Spirit Talismans, he still had to set everything out and conscientiously complete the entire process.

With the Vermillion Point Brush in hand, Lei Jun could ensure that his Natal Talismans remained at Middle Grade even when simplifying the process.

"Master, what if cultivators of higher realms make talismans?"

During a break in cultivation, Lei Jun asked as master and disciple chatted.

Yuan Mobai said, "When you cultivate to the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Realm, you should be able to complete basic Spirit Talismans with a single stroke, no longer needing a complete Ritual Array."

Their grade might even surpass the limits of Upper Grade.

Just like the Golden Barrier Talisman Yuan Mobai had given Lei Jun before.

Even an Upper Grade Golden Barrier Talisman drawn by a cultivator at Third Layer Altar perfection could not compare with it.

Basic Spirit Talismans drawn by cultivators above the Third Heaven were generally all called Supreme Grade, with no further distinction in rank.

It was not because the cultivators' own cultivation did not differ in strength, but because the raw materials of basic Spirit Talismans had limits.

Although once cultivation reached a certain level, one could make talismans without talisman paper or talisman ink, cultivators above the Third Heaven generally no longer kept their focus on basic Spirit Talismans.

Celestial Master Mansion's lineage possessed different Talisman Scriptures that recorded numerous Talismans.

By convention, those below the Fourth Heaven studied basic Spirit Talismans.

Those from the Fourth Heaven to the Sixth Heaven studied High-Grade Spirit Talismans.

Those above the Sixth Heaven studied Divine Ability Dharma Talismans.

Lei Jun said, "So that corresponds exactly to Natal Talisman Arts, Natal Talisman Dharmas, and Natal Divine Abilities?"

Cultivators in this world cultivated Natal Spells, with one corresponding to each of the Nine Heavens' major realms.

However, by common convention, they were not designated from first through ninth.

From the First Heaven to the Third Heaven, what one cultivated were Arts, thus called the First Art, Second Art, and Third Art.

From the Fourth Heaven to the Sixth Heaven, what one cultivated were Dharmas, called the First Dharma, Second Dharma, and Third Dharma.

From the Seventh Heaven to the Ninth Heaven, one finally touched the edge of the Dao. Arts and Dharmas came close to the Dao itself, becoming Natal Divine Abilities, thus called the First Divine Ability, Second Divine Ability, and Third Divine Ability.

"Your Natal Spells will not be discarded simply because your cultivation realm rises."

Yuan Mobai smiled. "When your cultivation breaks through to the Fourth Heaven and even the Seventh Heaven, although your earlier Natal Spells will still be called Arts and Dharmas, they will transform along with you."

Non-Natal Spells did not receive such treatment.

Although high-realm experts wielded basic arts, their power was still far greater than that of low-realm cultivators.

"Aim high, keep your feet on the ground."

Lei Jun smiled as well. "Though this disciple has many aspirations, for now, I should focus on my current cultivation."

Yuan Mobai nodded with a smile. "Very good."

He looked at Lei Jun. "Come to think of it, you have crossed another heavenly chasm tribulation and advanced your cultivation to the Third Heaven. You can cultivate another Natal Talisman Art now."

Yet Lei Jun said, "As for the Third Art, this disciple plans to put it off for the time being."

Yuan Mobai: "Oh?"

Lei Jun: "This disciple has some new ideas, but I have not thought them through yet. I plan to ponder them some more."

Yuan Mobai asked with a smile, "Is Chongyun planning to create a new kind of basic Spirit Talisman himself?"

(PS: This chapter contains quite a lot of setting details, so I wrote it as a large chapter. This will not affect today's second update later, so rest assured. Lastly, I still have to ask everyone to support the follow-up reading—it is very important!)