The entrance to Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven resembled that of the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool—both appearing as ethereal portals suspended in midair, shimmering with radiant light. However, the key difference lay in their orientation: the Immortal Pool's entrance stood upright like a conventional "door," while the Grotto-Heaven's entrance was akin to a "well" laid horizontally in the air.
Legends described the inside of the Grotto-Heaven as resembling an underground palace, with its deepest recess housing a Xuanyang Cavern filled with blazing Yang flames. It was said that when danger arose, entering the Xuanyang Grotto-Heaven would be thrilling but ultimately safe.
Lei Jun silently reviewed the implications of his fortune. The essence of this supreme good omen was not merely about visiting the Yang Mountain Branch but about seeking refuge in the Grotto-Heaven when a crisis unfolded. Without this foresight, the journey might only have been a thrilling adventure, rather than truly transforming danger into safety.
Lei Jun shifted his gaze from the entrance. There was no need to act rashly; entering the Grotto-Heaven now would only attract undue attention. He decided to wait patiently for the right moment. Outside the Grotto-Heaven, the disciples basked in the abundant Yang energy, either cultivating on their own or engaging in discussions with their peers.
Lei Jun glanced around briefly. Among the disciples of his cohort who had passed the Initiation, some prominent figures like Li Ying had already reached the intermediate stage of Foundation Establishment. Judging by their progress, most seemed likely to advance to the high stage within the next year.
Without Blue Stone Ink, their pace of advancement couldn’t rival Lei Jun’s. However, under the arrangements of the sect elders, each had their own opportunities. Among them, Elder Ziyang’s youngest daughter, Li Ying, stood out the most.
Yet, Li Ying, Shangguan Hong, Guo Yan, and others had initially chosen the Golden Barrier Talisman as their life-bound spell. The appearance of the Breaking Gold Talisman had forced them to revise their Golden Barrier Talisman, delaying their focus on cultivation.
Just then, Lei Jun’s heightened senses, honed by Night Wind Stone, detected something unusual. He noticed that while he was observing others, some fellow disciples from Tianshi Mansion were discreetly watching him.
Without turning, Lei Jun maintained a composed demeanor.
"Keep an eye on Junior Brother Lei from Yuan Master’s line," Li Xuan had said, uncharacteristically smiling. "Junior Brother Lei has limited experience outside, and he spent considerable time at the Blue Stone Ink Mine. Watch over him carefully."
Qu Yong understood the underlying message. Li Xuan was implying that if Lei Jun had indeed spent extensive time near Blue Stone Ink, his cultivation speed might be unusually rapid, possibly at the cost of hidden injuries to his body and vitality.
This subtle task given to him by Li Xuan was a rare opportunity for Qu Yong to earn recognition. Naturally, he hoped to secure this merit and earn favor from Elder Ziyang and Li Xuan.
Qu Yong had noticed that while Lei Jun hadn’t sparred with others, his solitary meditation hinted at advanced cultivation. Lei Jun appeared to have already reached the high stage of Foundation Establishment—a suspicion Qu Yong, who was at the same stage himself, couldn’t fully confirm but found unsettling.
After all, Lei Jun had only joined the sect four years ago, completing Initiation and formally apprenticing just two years prior. The pace of Lei Jun’s cultivation left Qu Yong marveling and, perhaps, slightly envious.
He consoled himself with the thought that Lei Jun’s rapid progress was likely due to the effects of Blue Stone Ink, which might leave hidden damage in the future, making it difficult for him to endure tribulations or ascend to the Altar Stage. However, Qu Yong couldn’t ascertain this just by observation and decided to consider other methods.
Lei Jun briefly glanced in Qu Yong’s direction and shook his head subtly, giving nothing away.
For the next few days, Lei Jun focused entirely on his cultivation, ignoring any distractions. Until one afternoon—
A deafening thunderclap shook the skies over Yang Mountain Branch, startling Lei Jun and the others from their meditation huts in the valley. Looking up, they saw storm clouds gathering, with lightning streaking across the heavens.
Bolts of lightning struck the protective barrier around the branch, activating radiant arrays of talismans that shielded the Dao Palace below. However, a surge of green flames soon engulfed the area, tearing a rift into the protective formation!
Through the breach, multiple figures stormed into the Dao Palace, only for some to be incinerated by lightning.
“It’s the demonic cultivators of the Yellow Heaven Sect!”
The voice of an elder from Tianshi Mansion boomed across the mountains: “Disciples, follow me and eradicate the evildoers!”
Lei Jun, among the other true disciples, responded in unison.
The Yellow Heaven Sect—an old nemesis of Tianshi Mansion—had emerged again. Lei Jun gripped his short Upper Qing Golden Bamboo staff, reflecting on the sect’s enmity.
Years ago, during a theft at the Daoist Children’s Academy, the true culprit had been a Tianshi Mansion elder secretly aligned with the Yellow Heaven Sect. Those traitors who defected had gone on to establish the sect, which had since remained a sworn enemy of Tianshi Mansion.
The Breaking Gold Talisman, which had disrupted the Golden Barrier Talisman, was also a creation of the Yellow Heaven Sect. Though Tianshi Mansion had eventually adapted to this threat, the Yellow Heaven Sect had gone underground, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Now, targeting the Yang Mountain Branch, they had resurfaced, launching a fierce assault.
Amid the chaotic battle, a sudden eruption of Yang flames from the still-developing Grotto-Heaven scorched anyone nearby indiscriminately, friend or foe. The flames then receded, creating a powerful suction force.
Taking advantage of the situation, Lei Jun discreetly adjusted his position, feigning surprise as he was pulled into the Grotto-Heaven.
Qu Yong, still keeping tabs on Lei Jun while fending off attackers, was also caught in the suction and dragged into the Grotto-Heaven. Panicked, he found himself unable to break free.
Inside the Grotto-Heaven, Lei Jun was greeted by a vast expanse of golden-red hues in the still-crude underground palace. The entrance behind them was sealed off by raging flames, cutting off escape.
With Lei Jun were Qu Yong and two disciples from the Yellow Heaven Sect. Surrounded by rolling Yang flames, the four stood facing each other, wary and on edge.