Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 473 - 248. Daoist Foundation Magical Treasure, Supreme Pure Jade Heavenly Immortal Bamboo (Combined Chapters 1 and 2)_2
Elder Lei was conspicuous not only for his clothing but also for his height among his fellow sect members.
Yet, the disciple about to take him as a master stood out even more.
His own master was the tallest and most upright among all the Du Shi, like a graceful jade tree in the breeze.
In contrast, this disciple was the shortest among all participants in the Transcension Ritual.
Short and chubby, round and plump.
And fluffy too.
Observing Xiaoxiong, the small bear with black and white fur, standing upright across from Lei Jun, solemnly writing his pledge alongside Lei Jun to inform Heaven, Earth, and the Ancestral Masters, the expressions of the spectating guests grew slightly peculiar.
But everyone tried hard to restrain themselves, not daring to show it.
Those who were well-informed had already heard that Elder Lei’s first direct disciple, who would initiate his formal teaching lineage, was to be a Mountain Pi. However, the fact that this Mountain Pi appeared in its natural, non-human form at the Celestial Master Mansion’s Transmission Ceremony still surprised many.
Hearing rumors is one thing; witnessing it in person is an entirely different experience.
Some began to shift their gaze toward High Merit Elder Yuan Mobai, who wore a purple robe and presided over the ceremony.
Although few mentioned it, after the last battle on Dragon Tiger Mountain involving Li Wai, it was commonly known that this Elder Yuan was also a Mountain Pi who had attained the Dao and taken human form.
Fortunately, Elder Yuan had no intention of revealing his true form.
Otherwise, the sight of two bears, one large and one small, both with black and white fur, at the ceremony would have made it difficult for people to maintain their composure.
"Elder Lei... truly has an affinity with Mountain Pi, doesn’t he?" someone couldn’t help but remark quietly.
The person next to him heard this, and his expression became even stranger.
Elder Lei’s initiating master was a Mountain Pi.
Elder Lei’s direct disciple was also a Mountain Pi.
So, Elder Lei himself...
Could this truly be a case of direct lineage inheritance?
Although no one dared to voice it aloud, Lei Jun, standing within the ritual space, could roughly sense the onlookers’ feelings.
However, he was not particularly concerned.
He often joked about it, but truthfully, he didn’t mind that his own disciple hadn’t taken human form.
Yuan Mobai and Lei Jun both appeared calm.
Their fellow sect members from the Celestial Master Mansion had grown accustomed to Zhuo Baojie’s presence over the years, so their expressions remained composed as well.
Even Lin Shan, who had seldom been on the mountain in recent years, kept his gaze steady and focused.
Everyone performed the ceremony’s rites without distraction.
After the final offering ritual, High Merit Elder Yuan Mobai, presiding over the ceremony, paid respects to the lineage of Ancestral Masters and delivered the concluding address of gratitude.
Once the ceremony was formally completed, Lei Jun, Lin Shan, and the other Du Shi, along with their respective disciples, left the ritual altar.
Outside the altar, Wang Guiyuan waited with a smile.
Disciples of the Talisman Sect participating in the Transcension Ritual were required to pay respects to three guiding masters.
In addition to the Du Shi (the master bestowing the Transcension), there were also the Recommending Mentor and the Supervising Mentor.
Generally, all disciples shared the same Supervising Mentor, who was the current Daoist Children Institute Chief Instructor.
Their Daoist Children Institute Chief Instructor, for Zhuo Baojie and his peers, was Ke Sicheng.
Ke Sicheng was a direct disciple of Yao Yuan and had been appointed an Elder alongside Lei Jun, Zhang Jingzhen, and Lin Shan. He initially served as a Patrolling Wind Elder but returned to the mountain to recuperate after an unexpected injury, subsequently taking on the role of an instructor at the Tao Boy Court.
Elder Ke was quite satisfied with this position.
After completing his initial three-year term, he continued for another three.
For him, these six years had been a rare period of relative Serene Insight and stability, leaving Elder Ke quite reflective.
However, upon the completion of his second term, the Mansion had already arranged for Ke Sicheng to be transferred to the Hall of Stewards to serve as a Duty Elder.
Even though the affairs there were more complex than those at the Tao Boy Court, this new position was undoubtedly more important.
After this Transmission Ceremony, Ke Sicheng was set to take up his new role.
For Zhuo Baojie’s Recommending Mentor, Lei Jun had asked Chu Kun, his junior martial brother from the same lineage, to fulfill this role.
Indeed, Chu Kun was one of the few fellow sect members most familiar with his little bear martial nephew.
"Back when I underwent the Transcension Ritual and entered the Mansion," Lei Jun said with a smile, standing beside Wang Guiyuan, "I came out with your Grandmaster, and it was your Eldest Martial Uncle Wang Guiyuan who was waiting here. He then presented me with my Taoist Robe and Magic Artifact. Now, I’ve also asked your Eldest Martial Uncle to help you with this final part."
Xiaoxiong stepped forward, observed all proprieties with utmost correctness, thanked Wang Guiyuan, and then went to change into his Taoist Robe.
His gray robe of today would be exchanged for the Apricot Daoist Robe, customarily worn by disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion who have completed the Transcension Ritual.
He then came before Lei Jun, who formally bestowed upon him the Passport Talisman, the Taoist Scriptures, the Talisman Scripture, and a Magic Artifact.
When receiving the other items, Xiaoxiong was meticulously formal, even more rule-abiding than a human.
The only exception was when it came time to receive the first Magic Artifact bestowed by his master; the little furry creature’s eyes darted about.
In that instant, his composure slipped, as if he had reverted to his younger self.
"Kid, can’t hold it in any longer, can you?" Lei Jun asked with a smile.
Zhuo Baojie quickly composed himself, adopting an air of ’I am an adult, very mature,’ and said, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure."
But when he saw the Magic Artifact Lei Jun presented, he was momentarily stunned.
Regaining his senses, Zhuo Baojie instinctively looked up, only to see Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan both smiling at him.
Xiaoxiong picked up the Talisman Brush in his hand, examining it from left to right. "Master, this Magic Artifact... it looks familiar to me..."
Lei Jun nodded with a smile. "This is a Yin Yang Pen that I personally forged and consecrated. Its quality in all aspects surpasses other Talisman Brushes in the Mansion. I expect you to Warm and Nurture it diligently."
With his current Cultivation Strength, Lei Jun could sketch all kinds of Talismans effortlessly and no longer required the Yin Yang Pen.
Just as he had once received the Vermilion Peak Pen from his master, Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun now passed on the Talisman Brush he himself had used during his time in the Middle Three Heavens to his disciple.
"Since Master has bestowed this Magic Artifact, disciple will certainly Warm, Nurture, and study it constantly." Zhuo Baojie carefully put away the Yin Yang Pen.
His two small eyes suddenly darted about again, and he looked at Lei Jun with an expectant gaze.
Lei Jun calmly sipped his tea.
Zhuo Baojie finally dropped his earlier grown-up demeanor, a very human-like fawning smile spreading across his face. He sidled up to Lei Jun and gently began to massage his leg. "Master..."
