Lei Jun had been away for a while this time.

After such a long separation, they met again today. Looking at Chu Kun now, the previously delicate-looking boy had grown noticeably taller.

When Lei Jun left, Chu Kun was around fifteen or sixteen. Now, nearing eighteen, though he still had a youthful air, the changes were evident.

Chu Kun paused when Lei Jun pointed this out, then smiled and said:

“Senior Brother, at my age, I can still grow a bit more. Besides, in our sect’s cultivation, we start with the cultivation of physical vitality. Our lineage focuses even more on the physical body’s cultivation. I think that might have something to do with it.”

As he spoke, he glanced helplessly at Lei Jun, who was still much taller than him: “But, I don’t think I’ll ever grow as tall as you…”

Chu Kun then looked at the giantGungunlying beside them. Its shoulder height alone surpassed his own height: “Uh… well, there’s someone even taller and bigger here.”

Lei Jun had a hunch that Chu Kun’s change wasn’t just about his height. His physical body seemed to have undergone deeper transformations. But Lei Jun had no intention of prying into Chu Kun’s secrets. Since Chu Kun didn’t mention it, he left it alone.

“Senior Brother, is this the legendaryMountain Ferret?” Chu Kun asked curiously, looking at the massiveGungun.

Chu Kun watched in stunned amazement.

“Yes, it is aMountain Ferret. As for how I brought it back, well, that’s a long story,” Lei Jun said. “And about growing taller, I might be able to help you with that.”

As he spoke, he took out theSpiritual Stem Vinehe had come across in Bashu. Though he had picked it some time ago, thanks to theBreath-Taking Flag’sspiritual energy, the vine hadn’t wilted and was still brimming with vitality.

Chu Kun immediately recognized this treasure and knew its value. Seeing the strange-looking vine, his eyes lit up: “Senior Brother Lei, could this be theSpiritual Stem Vinementioned in the ancient texts?”

Lei Jun nodded: “I happened to come across this treasure in Bashu and thought it would be useful for you, so I brought it back.”

Chu Kun was thrilled, rubbing his hands together eagerly: “I’ve only ever read about theSpiritual Stem Vinein books. This spiritual item is incredibly rare. Whether in Jiangnan or here at Mount Longhu in Xinzou, I’ve never seen it.”

He silently added in his mind that he hadn’t encountered it inthat placeeither…

He recalled something and said: “Senior Brother, evenMiddle Heaven Realmcultivators can use this spiritual item…”

Lei Jun explained: “But it’s far less effective for them. The best results come for cultivators in theQi RefiningorFoundation Establishmentstages. IfMiddle Heaven Realmcultivators use it, they’d waste some of its spiritual energy. You’re currently in a critical stage of Foundation Establishment, so obtaining this treasure is truly a blessing. As cultivators, we should act in accordance with fate.”

Chu Kun took the vine and thanked him: “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Lei Jun smiled: “We’re fellow disciples; helping each other is only natural.”

As they chatted, they led the lazyGungunback to Lei Jun’s residence. Along the way, the massive creature attracted a lot of attention from their fellow disciples.

Even though Lei Jun had been away for a year or two, he was still a well-known figure in the Mansion, and few didn’t recognize him. However, the giganticGungunbeside him was so enormous that it almost overshadowed him.

This was partly due to the current climate outside the Mansion. In recent years, with the surge of spiritual energy,demonic energyhad also increased, leading to the emergence of moreGreat Demons. The battles with these demons were far more intense than in past years.

Previously, the human cultivators fought a decisive battle against numerous Great Demons in the Western Region, a conflict that resulted in mountains of corpses and rivers of blood. Many high-ranking human experts, led by Emperor Zhang Qilong, were killed or injured.

Even outside the Western Region, smaller-scale demonic outbreaks were common.

As a result, everyone was now extremely wary and sensitive to the presence of Great Demons.

Fortunately, the true disciples of theTianshi Mansionwere experienced and sharp-eyed. They quickly identified Lei Jun’sGungunas aspirit beast, not a demon beast. Since it didn’t exude demonic energy or bloodthirstiness, everyone merely expressed curiosity without alarm.

Some who knew Lei Jun stopped to chat briefly.

When they returned near Lei Jun’s residence, they happened to encounter Wang Guiyuan.

“Oh? Junior Brother Lei, you’re back?” Wang Guiyuan’s face lit up upon seeing him. Then his eyes landed on the massiveGungun, and he paused, visibly stunned.

“Senior Brother Wang,” Lei Jun and Chu Kun greeted him together.

Wang Guiyuan blinked, his gaze shifting between Lei Jun and theGungun, then laughed: “Junior Brother, your trip to Bashu wasn’t in vain!”

Lei Jun chuckled: “Just a coincidence. As our master and the elders always teach, go with the flow and act according to fate.”

Wang Guiyuan smiled: “Either way, it’s good to have you back safely.”

He glanced toward the distance: “Master is currently in theHigh Priests’ Halland might return later.”

Lei Jun nodded and patted theGungun: “Senior Brother, can you help me get some food for this glutton? If I let it roam freely, it might eat Mount Longhu bare.”

Wang Guiyuan laughed and shook his head.

In theTianshi Mansion, many spirit beasts and pets were raised, so there was no shortage of spiritual plants and fruits for them.

Wang Guiyuan led Lei Jun to theImmortal Gardenon the mountain to gather some spiritual fruits and plants before returning.

When they came back, the massiveGungunwas playfully scheming with Chu Kun, eyeing hisSpiritual Stem Vine. Chu Kun looked both amused and exasperated, unable to deal with the stubborn creature at his current cultivation level.

Luckily, Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan returned just in time to save Chu Kun.

TheGungunwas greedy but picky, eating what Lei Jun brought while its small eyes darted around, still dissatisfied. Clearly, it was thinking about theUpper Qing Golden BambooLei Jun had promised.

“Patience, patience,” Lei Jun said, trying to sound sincere.

Chu Kun quickly stored away hisSpiritual Stem Vine.

“By the way, Senior Brother, is there anything you need?” Lei Jun asked Wang Guiyuan. “If I come across it in the future, I’ll bring it back for you.”

Chu Kun also looked at Wang Guiyuan.

Wang Guiyuan smiled and shook his head: “There’s nothing I need. Don’t worry about me. If you take risks for my sake, that would be my greatest guilt.”

Looking at his two junior brothers, he added: “I’m not being polite. I truly don’t need anything. You really don’t have to worry.”

He glanced at Chu Kun’s stored vine and Lei Jun, then sighed:

“Both of you are progressing rapidly. Your futures are boundless. As cultivators, the best path is to focus on steady, diligent cultivation. Fortunes and opportunities are good, but if they don’t come, that’s fine too. Never force them. Danger often hides behind what seems like a great opportunity.”

Wang Guiyuan warned seriously: “The world is unpredictable. We often can’t see the full picture. What if these ‘opportunities’ are traps laid by powerful figures, like fishermen baiting fish? We might be happy to take the bait, but the future is uncertain.”

Lei Jun nodded: “You’re right, Senior Brother.”

Chu Kun was deep in thought.

“The world is vast, and everyone has their own plans. But nothing is certain,” Wang Guiyuan said with emotion. “Even the late Emperor Zhang Qilong, with his grand ambitions, couldn’t fulfill his dreams.”

A few months ago, Emperor Zhang Qilong, who had been bedridden, succumbed to his injuries. His death left the Tang Dynasty in turmoil. The powerful Shangguan family, closely tied to the imperial family, also suffered severe losses.

The new emperor, Zhang Qilong’s younger sister, Princess Zhang Wantong, would officially ascend the throne next month—the first empress of the Tang Dynasty.

This outcome was both expected and unexpected. In the critical battle in the Western Region, she had turned the tide alongside the Pure Yang Sect’s Elder Huang. Without her, Zhang Qilong might never have returned alive.

But despite the new empress’s promises, the future remained uncertain.

“Storms lie ahead,” Wang Guiyuan sighed.

Chu Kun added: “If not for the heavy losses among the noble families during the Western Region battle, conflicts might have erupted immediately.”

Lei Jun looked at him.

Chu Kun smiled wryly: “Being from a noble family, I can’t help but think that way. Honestly, I suspect some forces even pushed the Western Region chaos to such extremes.”

“Chu Kun, if you know words can bring trouble, stop talking,” Wang Guiyuan laughed bitterly.

The three exchanged glances and fell silent.

The world’s future was shrouded in storm clouds.

At that moment, the courtyard gate opened, and a young man in purple entered.

It was Yuan Mobai.

“Master!” they greeted him together.

Yuan Mobai smiled warmly, then turned to theGungun. The two stared at each other for a while.

Lei Jun thought it was the first time he’d ever seen his master look… speechless.

Yuan Mobai sighed: “You’re back, Chongyun? Tell me more about the Shu Mountain Sect matters later.”

Wang Guiyuan pulled Chu Kun aside: “We’ll come back for the evening lecture.”

They left, leaving only Lei Jun, Yuan Mobai, and theGungun.

“Rebellious disciple!” Yuan Mobai sighed, though his tone was more amused than angry.

TheGungunlooked clueless.

Lei Jun said: “Master, it really was a coincidence. It was drawn by theUpper Qing Golden Bamboo.”

Yuan Mobai gave him a look and walked inside.

Lei Jun patted theGungunand followed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com