At the time, Lei Jun found himself amidst towering mountains with a vast river stretching out before him. Across the river lay a verdant green mountain, while behind him extended barren wilderness as far as the eye could see.
It was then that the Light Sphere in his mind appeared for the first time, presenting him with four paths:
1. Upper-Moderate Omen: Cross the river heading north, enter the mountain, traverse over its peaks, and emerge from the forest. This path would lead to a Second-Grade Opportunity, but it might also carry the risk of entangling him in karmic complications. Proceed cautiously. Good fortune.
2. Moderate-Moderate Omen: Turn south and head into the wilderness. Water would run out, and survival would become difficult. However, a twist of fate might lead to rescue—though at the cost of his freedom. Proceed cautiously. Neutral outcome.
3. Lower-Moderate Omen: Head west, following the river upstream. He would acquire a Fifth-Grade Opportunity, but at the expense of becoming a target, beset by danger and peril. Bad fortune.
4. Lower-Bad Omen: Follow the river downstream to the east. This was a path of certain doom, leading only to death. Great misfortune.
Later, Lei Jun would realize that he had stumbled into an encirclement.
- If he turned south, he would encounter a caravan of a prestigious family, aligning with the Moderate-Moderate Omen.
- Heading west would lead him into the path of a sinister Southern Wasteland Gu Master, matching the Lower-Moderate Omen.
The Lower-Bad Omen was particularly grim. Due to his unique circumstances as a Blue Star transmigrant, others saw him as a highly toxic entity. Encountering a Tianshi Mansion disciple hunting Gu Masters could lead to Lei Jun being eliminated as an afterthought—a tragic end before even beginning his journey.
The Lower-Moderate Omen was equally fraught. While the Gu Master might see him as a treasure instead of a disaster, such a person was infamous for committing massacres to test their gu techniques, thus pursued by the righteous. Even if Lei Jun were valued, the Gu Master would likely take him south to the Southern Wasteland's stronghold, drawing the wrath of both righteous cultivators seeking justice and other evil sects vying for the prize. As foretold, Lei Jun would become a target of many, teetering on the edge of life and death.
The Moderate-Moderate Omen led to the caravan. Though they might not treat him as a treasure, they could still exploit him as a biological weapon, restraining his freedom. While this path offered temporary safety, his fate would remain uncertain.
Lei Jun chose the Upper-Moderate Omen—to forge ahead into the green mountain.
In the mountain, Lei Jun initially found nothing remarkable. However, at the summit, a gentle breeze seemed to cleanse him, leaving him with an inexplicable sense of renewal, as though he had been reborn. While searching for further signs, he found nothing and eventually descended the mountain, where he encountered Xu Yuanzhen.
Unlike other disciples, Xu Yuanzhen did not slay the toxic newcomer. This wasn't due to an unusual temperament but because Lei Jun’s passage through the green mountain had purified him, stripping away all toxicity. When Lei Jun later encountered the Tianshi Mansion disciple hunting the Gu Master, they, too, noticed nothing unusual.
Only then did Lei Jun realize that something significant had happened atop the mountain. The breeze had cleansed the poisonous energies within him. This cleansing set the stage for Xu Yuanzhen to take him to Mount Longhu, where he was accepted into the Tianshi Mansion.
Reflecting on this experience, Lei Jun often pondered the Second-Grade Opportunity hinted at by the omen. It was the highest-grade opportunity he had ever encountered yet also the most enigmatic. Was it meeting Xu Yuanzhen and joining the Daoist Holy Land, Tianshi Mansion? Or was it the purifying breeze at the mountain's summit?
Even Xu Yuanzhen's rare affinity for Lei Jun might have been influenced by that breeze. Lei Jun resolved to return to the green mountain to investigate once his cultivation advanced. Although Xu Yuanzhen had inspected the summit, finding nothing, Lei Jun held hope for uncovering its secrets.
Pulling himself back from his musings, Lei Jun turned his attention to Tang Xiaotang before him.
“That Gu Master’s massacres laid waste to the land,” the tall young woman said. “I heard from Senior Sister that your homeland might have suffered too.”
Lei Jun nodded. “I wasn’t cultivating at the time, so I didn’t understand. Looking back, it seems likely. Fortunately, the Gu Master was slain on the spot by Senior Sister.”
To the people of this world, Lei Jun was a nonentity. His origins were fabricated by Xu Yuanzhen to pin the blame on the Gu Master. Dead men tell no tales, and there was no fear of investigations.
Tang Xiaotang nodded. “Senior Sister dealt with the main culprit, but I found a few other Gu Masters during my recent outing. Funny enough, it played out like your story. First, I took out two minor ones at the Fourth Realm. Afterward, an old ghost at the Sixth Realm showed up, and I handled him too. Sadly, I didn’t find anyone higher up the chain.”
Lei Jun glanced at Tang Xiaotang, surprised—not at her strength but at her decision to target Gu Masters specifically.
Tang Xiaotang, noticing his gaze, misinterpreted it. “Don’t worry! First, those bug-playing scum had it coming—they killed countless innocents. Second, those two Fourth-Realm Gu Masters picked a fight with me first…”
Lei Jun’s expression grew serious. “Little Senior Sister, thank you. Truly.”
What had started as an offhand comment became a mission Tang Xiaotang had taken to heart. Lei Jun appreciated her sincerity.
“It’s the first time you’ve talked to me ,” Tang Xiaotang replied, a little startled. “Not even when I gave you the Night Wind Stone…”
Lei Jun explained earnestly, “The Night Wind Stone was something you already had and kindly gifted me. I appreciated it then, and I appreciate you remembering my words now. The latter means even more.”
Stunned, Tang Xiaotang stammered, “You don’t have to dwell on it. It’s just like the Night Wind Stone. Besides, if I ever need help…” She quickly regained her composure. “Wait! What am I saying? I can handle anything myself!”
Lei Jun chuckled, changing the subject. “I’ve always admired your abilities, Little Senior Sister.”
A thought struck him. “By the way, Little Senior Sister, your bone structure is a Celestial Physique. What about your comprehension?”
Tang Xiaotang grinned. “Looking for a confidence boost? I don’t bring it up often because I don’t want to crush anyone’s spirit.”
Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. “So?”
Behind her mischievous smile, it was as though a phantom tail wagged with pride. “I’m a Qingjing (Clear Tranquility).”
Comprehension was graded from Lower Grade to Superior Grade, with legendary tiers beyond: Exceptional, Illuminated, and Qingjing.
With a Celestial Physique and Qingjing Comprehension, Tang Xiaotang embodied the pinnacle of talent. No wonder the Tianshi Mansion made repeated exceptions for her.
Lei Jun remained calm. While unsurprised, he mused: if bone structure could be enhanced, could an opportunity exist to elevate comprehension as well?