The Great Five Elements Creation Qi, constantly nourishing him, made Lei Jun's cultivation proceed more smoothly than ever before. This was not only reflected in his rapid improvement during routine cultivation. It also directly reduced the difficulty of crossing the Heavenly Moat Tribulation when advancing from the Fifth Heavenly Layer to the Sixth Heavenly Layer.

Once Lei Jun successfully constructed the fifth Tao Palace and after a period of Warming and Nurturing, he could attempt to surge toward the Sixth Heavenly Layer Tao Seal Realm.

He calmed his mind and first stabilized the fourth Tao Palace, nurturing his own foundation.

The Western Spiritual Officer Palace, a protector palace, once completed, would benefit a cultivator in casting spells to drive out and fight against external evil, enhancing the power of spells.

Lei Jun's refining of Yin Yang Two Evil and Yin Yang Er Gang had already increased the power of his spells, so when he engaged in Duels of Magic with cultivators of the same realm, he would refrain from acting if possible, but once he did, he would gain a significant advantage.

Now, with the construction of the Western Spiritual Officer Palace, the power of his spells could advance even further.

After the Spiritual Officer Palace was appropriately nurtured, Lei Jun, in no rush, began to steadily construct the fifth Tao Palace.

The fifth Tao Palace was known as the Eastern Mysterious Platform Taoist Palace.

The Mysterious Platform Taoist Palace symbolized wealth and accumulation.

It originated from the liver wood, mediated by Yin and Yang, producing Lesser Yang Qi, which was then used to construct the Mysterious Platform Taoist Palace.

Once completed, it could significantly enhance the robustness of the Talisman Sect cultivators' mana.

It was also beneficial in combination with the Northern Mysterious Underworld Taoist Palace, which facilitated mana recovery.

Given Lei Jun's current level of cultivation and the spells he practiced, once his five Tao Palaces were complete and he reached the Perfection of the Fifth Heavenly Layer, he could cast the Magnetosword Pellet at least twice in a short time without external assistance, and with greater power. With the aid of treasures like the Breathing Soil Banner, the number of casts could be even higher.

Lei Jun calmed his heart and continued to cultivate without anxiety or impatience.

The Great Five Elements Creation Qi was now almost depleted.

When Lei Jun's five Tao Palaces were perfected, that would also be the moment when he completely assimilated the Great Five Elements Creation Qi.

Time flowed like water, swiftly passing by.

「In the blink of an eye, the peak of summer arrived, and the fifteenth of July was approaching.」

After six or seven years of the Celestial Master position being vacant, Longhu Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion was finally going to welcome a new Celestial Master to ascend the position.

The elaborate ceremony and rites were well-prepared and about to begin.

Lei Jun and others' usual focus at the sect was now temporarily concentrated on this Celestial Master succession ceremony.

A Talisman-bestowed Taoist, appearing as a young man dressed in a deep red Taoist robe, politely greeted Lei Jun. "Lei," he said, "I've only recently recovered from an injury and my preparations were rushed. For the grand ceremony, I must ask you, Lin Shixiong, Zhang, Fang, and the others to provide plenty of guidance."

Lei Jun replied, "Ke, you're too polite. Let's look out for each other."

The young man in front of him, a Taoist, was Yao Yuan's proud disciple, Ke Sicheng.

He, along with Li Zhusheng, Chen Yi, and others, were fellow disciples.

With Chen Yi's defection and Li Zhusheng's death, Elder Yao's followers had been somewhat weakened in recent years.

Fortunately, they still had Ke Sicheng to uphold their master's reputation.

Speaking of Ke Sicheng, this man had not been particularly lucky.

In his early years, he was also named alongside Zhang Jingzhen, Li Xuan, Lin Shan, Li Kong, and Xia Xiushan as part of the first tier of young talents within the Celestial Master Mansion.

However, he suffered a severe injury during his travels some years ago, which slightly hindered his progress.

Then, in the battle against the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou, the Yellow Sky Sect, and the Blood River Sect six or seven years ago, Ke Sicheng was injured again.

After resting for several years and finally emerging from seclusion, he coincidentally became involved in the fierce battle between the Celestial Master Mansion and the Lin Clan at Poyang Lake.

Ke Sicheng was injured for the third time, and it was only this summer that he gradually recovered.

During last winter's internal strife, Ke Sicheng was still bedridden.

Because Yao Yuan stood against the Li Clan, Ke Sicheng was almost killed in retaliation by some resentful Li Clan disciples amidst the chaos.

From another perspective, he had repeatedly risked his life for the sake of the Celestial Master Mansion.

However, due to the continuous tribulations he suffered, his own cultivation was somewhat delayed, and now he found himself left behind by Zhang Jingzhen and Lin Shan.

But when Ke Sicheng thought of the once-glorious figures like Li Xuan and Li Kong, and even the former Young Celestial Master Li Zhengxuan, he couldn't help but sigh at life's unpredictability. Perhaps, he mused, his own luck wasn't so bad after all.

Currently, the Celestial Master Mansion was in dire need of revival, and the younger generation was required to step up more than ever.

Apart from Lei Jun, Zhang Jingzhen, and Lin Shan, Ke Sicheng had also become a representative figure.

Others like Fang Jian were also promising, but as their cultivation levels were still slightly low, only Lei Jun and three others were officially being added to the ranks to become elders of the sect this time.

During the past six months, Lei Jun often visited the High Merit Pavilion to receive teachings from his Master Yuan Mobai, becoming familiar with the daily affairs of the sect and slowly gaining experience.

After this grand ceremony, he would officially take up his new duties.

In comparison to the Transcension Ritual and Talisman-bestowed ceremony, this succession ceremony of the Celestial Master was even more solemn and took longer.

Although the official date of the grand ceremony was set for the fifteenth of July, the preceding rites and protocols began nine days earlier.

Yuan Mobai, Yao Yuan, and Shangguan Ning, the three High Merit Elders, led the way: one holding scriptures, one carrying a hand furnace, and one bearing a Dharma Lamp.

Lei Jun, Zhang Jingzhen, Zuo Li, Lin Shan, and other recipients of the Talisman Scriptures followed closely behind.

Then came disciples like Wang Guiyuan and Chu Kun, who were undergoing the Transcension Ritual.

The crowd first entered the Jade Emperor Hall to present their confessions and prayers. Incense and ceremonial lamps were continuously lit, while sacred chants were recited.

Afterward, dressed in a Nine-Colored Taoist Robe, the newly appointed Celestial Master Tang Xiaotang made her official entrance.

Celestial Master Tang, who had been practicing and familiarizing herself with the relevant procedures during this period, rarely showed such a serious and methodical demeanor.

The proceedings in the Jade Emperor Hall would take an entire day.

「On the second day, still led by Yuan Mobai and the other two High Merit Elders, the group left the Jade Emperor Hall and proceeded towards the Altar of Wanfa Sect.」

The Altar of Wanfa Sect opened, and a considerable amount of Dao Patterns and Tao Containment converged into a pillar of Spirit Light that reached the sky.

Traditionally, the old Celestial Master would lead the new Celestial Master inside.

Currently, without a preceding Celestial Master, the three High Merit Elders carried the Celestial Master's Sword ahead, with Tang Xiaotang closely following behind them.

Lei Jun and the others remained outside the Altar of Wanfa Sect.

The disciples erected nine Daoist Banners that waved in the wind and lit thirty-six bright lamps, fulfilling the count of four-nines.

Disciples like Lei Jun recited the Taoist Scriptures outside the altar, offering incense to keep the lamps burning incessantly.

This went on for a full seven days.

「After seven days, the Spirit Light of the Altar of Wanfa Sect finally retracted.」

All the disciples from Dragon Tiger Mountain simultaneously felt a tremor in their hearts, giving rise to a sensation of etherealness.

After the Altar of Wanfa Sect was closed, this time it was Tang Xiaotang who emerged first, followed by the three High Merit Elders.

Everyone outside the altar chanted in unison, "Disciples greet the Celestial Master, wishing boundless blessings and longevity."

After paying their respects to the Altar of Wanfa Sect, Tang Xiaotang led the way.

The assembly then proceeded to the Rear Mountain Ancestral Tomb.

This time, only Tang Xiaotang entered to burn incense and pay respects to the ancestral masters.

「After one day passed, the time finally arrived at the fifteenth of July.」

When the new Celestial Master emerged from the Rear Mountain Ancestral Tomb, the assembly formed a procession and followed to the Celestial Master Hall to begin the formal grand ceremony.

After the new Celestial Master Tang Xiaotang presented her confessions and prayers and notified the heavens, the grand ceremony finally approached its end.

At this point, standing behind Tang Xiaotang were no longer the three High Merit Elders, but rather Lei Jun, Zhang Jingzhen, Lin Shan, and Ke Sicheng, who followed her to present the scrolled edict and recite the proclamation.

With Tang Xiaotang assuming the position of Celestial Master, Lei Jun and the other three also officially became Elders of the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion.

This was not merely a respectful title used by fellow sect members on occasion. They were now officially in charge of their duties and widely recognized as Daoist Elders by all fellow Taoists across the land.

Lei Jun, not yet having reached the age of thirty-three, became the youngest Elder of the current Celestial Master's Mansion.

Elder Lei.

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