Persuading 'Father' to Study Hard

The disciple from Medicine Dust Peak who had failed to properly watch over the guardian spirit beast was penalized three years of monthly provisions;

In an attempt to evade responsibility for his own crimes, this disciple had intended to attack two fellow disciples. He was sentenced to twenty years of seclusion and reflection. Both offenses would be punished together, and he was listed as a disciple under internal supervision. Should he commit another offense in the future, his cultivation would be abolished and he would be expelled from the Myriad Cloud Sect.

The two junior disciples of Flowing Cloud Temple were sentenced to three months of seclusion and reflection and were forbidden from leaving Flowing Cloud Temple without authorization again. Though they were suspected of injuring fellow disciples, since the matter had been instigated by the Medicine Dust Peak disciple, they would not be punished.

After the Affairs Hall delivered this judgment, the Amusement Immortals within the sect dispersed.

Elder Yan Sheng personally examined Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning's internal injuries once more.

Li Ping'an had not forgotten his actual task. He took out Steward Wei Yanzi's identity token and explained that Flowing Cloud Temple had run out of Five Grains Pills and needed more.

Elder Yan Sheng immediately arranged for two deacons to head to Flowing Cloud Temple on the Front Mountain, taking Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning back with them along the way.

After returning to the rear courtyard of Flowing Cloud Temple, Mu Ningning still looked rather dazed.

"Senior brother?"

Li Ping'an, who had been about to return and meditate so he could quickly digest the medicinal power of that Immortal Pill, turned and asked, "What is happening?"

Mu Ningning bit her lip lightly and asked in a low voice, "You really are some... privileged young master in the sect..."

"How could I count as some privileged young master?"

Li Ping'an laughed helplessly, but he did not hide anything. He briefly explained how he and His Own Father had attended the test in Wan'an City, and how His Own Father had soared to greatness and become a disciple of the Myriad Cloud Sect Founding Ancestor.

Mu Ningning was stunned for quite a while before sighing dejectedly.

Li Ping'an was slightly puzzled. "What?"

Mu Ningning said gloomily, "Well, this is great. Now I've become one of those petty people who fawn on the powerful."

"Ha ha ha!"

Li Ping'an laughed louder than he had at any point since entering the mountain.

"Senior brother, you're still laughing!"

Mu Ningning gave a huff:

"I'm going back to cultivate!

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have gone wandering around with you. No wonder, when I was leaving the Affairs Hall, I heard a voice transmission asking whether I had a master."

She turned and left at once, her Pretty Face carrying a faint pout, though she truly cared about such a "reputation."

Li Ping'an did not explain anything. Instead, he called out, "Junior Sister Mu!"

"Hmm?"

Mu Ningning turned around and looked back.

The gradually setting Sun Star cast its warm light, which nourished all things, over Mu Ningning. A barely visible smile Appeared on her slightly weary face;

With eyes reflecting golden light, she watched Li Ping'an. Her small hands were tucked behind her back, her waterfall-like Black Hair outlining the edges of her thin dress, while that dress traced the girl's delicate, graceful figure.

Li Ping'an used his spiritual power to send her a small Mechanical Crossbow, along with twelve Top-grade Spirit Mu Jins that ordinary Qi cultivators would struggle to find.

—A gift from Grandmaster.

Mu Ningning was somewhat confused. "What is this?"

"Thank You, junior sister, for guiding me in the sword path earlier. I benefited immensely and have no other way to repay you."

Li Ping'an's gaze was clear and sincere:

"You and I joined hands to survive a trial today. We can already be considered friends bound by loyalty. Please accept these, and do not refuse."

Mu Ningning blinked and hugged the Mechanical Crossbow and Spirit Mu Jins to her chest.

"Who, who went through a trial with you... I was just upholding justice..."

After saying that, she secretly glanced at Li Ping'an a few more times, tossed her head, and quickly returned to Her Own small courtyard.

Li Ping'an smiled and shook his head. He turned, leaped back into his small building, and figured that His Own Father would need some time before arriving. He thus sat down to meditate, working hard to absorb the remaining medicinal power of the Immortal Pill and strengthen his cultivation.

This junior sister is someone I can properly befriend in the future.

Her personality is just a little too innocent. It would be easy for bad people to take advantage of her.

Those were his final thoughts before entering meditation.

The moon shone bright amid sparse stars, and Within the Mountain Gate was peaceful.

The window on the second floor of Li Ping'an's wooden building slowly opened. Li Dazhi peered inside and softly called out:

"Ping'an? Are you cultivating?"

Li Ping'an Opened his eyes. Faint ripples of spiritual energy spilled out Around Her body, while a trace of pill fragrance filled the room.

Now that he thought about it, Elder Yan Sheng, the elder on duty, had actually given an Immortal Pill directly to him, a disciple in the Qi Refining Realm—and one that he could slowly absorb at that...

That was truly generous.

Outside the window, Li Dazhi chuckled. He flipped inside, rubbed his stuffed belly, and let out a wine burp. His somewhat plump face was filled with satisfaction.

"Brother Yun Chenzi is really quite a fellow."

Li Ping'an did not understand. "Yun Chenzi?"

"Ah." Li Dazhi raised his brows at his son and sat in the chair beside the bed. "He's the Peak Master of Medicine Dust Peak."

Li Ping'an lowered his head in thought.

Li Dazhi smiled. "Don't worry, it's all settled! These are for you!"

As he spoke, Li Dazhi shook a pile of porcelain bottles from his sleeve. The bottles directly buried Li Ping'an's calves.

Li Ping'an's mouth twitched wildly.

How much compensation had Father taken from Medicine Dust Peak?

"These are all Immortal Pills and spiritual medicines," Li Dazhi said with a smile. "Medicine Dust Peak is best at pill refinement. Many of these are precious medicines that can improve one's physique and strengthen one's Dao foundation."

Li Ping'an sighed in his hometown dialect. "Dad, why did you take so much..."

"Ah," Li Dazhi replied dismissively in the same dialect, "these are merely gifts offered because they want to befriend us father and son for the sake of Your Ancestor Master. Don't overthink it."

The father and son continued speaking in their hometown dialect.

"Dad."

Li Ping'an frowned:

"Could it be that you've forgotten? There were already Heavenly Immortals in the sect dissatisfied with your becoming Grandmaster's disciple.

"Today, you successfully befriended the immortals of Medicine Dust Peak. You may simply have wanted more friends and fewer enemies, but in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, wouldn't this look like the beginning of winning people over?"

"Winning people over?"

Li Dazhi scratched his head and could not help clicking his tongue:

"That really does seem to be the case.

"But I truly had no intention of recruiting Medicine Dust Peak as preparation for becoming Sect Leader in the future!

"Ah, no, that's not right. I never even thought about becoming Sect Leader!

"Several Heavenly Immortals in the sect have their eyes on the next Sect Leader's position. Why would I join that mess?"

Li Ping'an: ...

Based on what he knew of His Own Father, it was not difficult to determine that His Own Father had absolutely considered becoming the Sect Leader of the Myriad Cloud Sect!

The strange lust for power of middle-aged and elderly men.

"Dad, I'm only saying that this matter carries hidden risks."

Li Ping'an said seriously:

"There are naturally drawbacks, but there are also benefits, and the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

"Medicine Dust Peak is the sect's money tree and has a deep foundation. They are willing to befriend you because you gave them enough face today. You can visit them more often later.

"But next, Dad, you need to focus temporarily on cultivation. Do not take the initiative to befriend other factions in the sect.

"These pills also need to be dealt with... Dad, you can entrust the Affairs Hall to sell these pills outside the Mountain Gate in exchange for Spirit Mu Jins and treasures."

"Sell them?" Li Dazhi wondered. "Wouldn't that be slapping them in the face?"

"Just listen to me. Keep some, sell some, and tell everyone that you've only just entered the sect and possess neither treasures nor wealth."

Li Ping'an smiled:

"Immortals are mostly proud and arrogant. The title I heard most often in the hall was Merchant's Son.

"In that case, Dad, you might as well first shape yourself into an ordinary mortal merchant—someone who knows only immediate profit and not long-term plans, who covets small advantages and does not engage in personnel maneuvering.

"In the cultivation world, a Qi cultivator's cultivation is the foundation of everything. Doing this is merely to reduce possible targeting, so that before you enter the True Immortal and Heavenly Immortal Realm, you will face less resistance from other competitors in the sect.

"Grandmaster will not be displeased by this either. After all, in their eyes, this is what you should be like."

Li Dazhi's expression grew solemn. He considered it carefully, then widened his eyes. "What competitors! Oh my! I truly don't have those intentions!"

"I understand, I understand."

Li Ping'an narrowed his eyes with a smile:

"Dad merely wants to contribute something to the collective, fully bring out the role of the individual within the collective, and thereby realize his own value."

"That's right!"

Li Dazhi puffed out his chest. "Comrade Little Li, your ideological awareness has been rather good lately."

"Comrade Old Li, before achieving the immortal path, we must not slack off!"

"Let us encourage each other and create brilliance together!"

Li Dazhi waved a broad hand, full of spirit.

Li Ping'an asked with a smile, "Dad, what is your cultivation level now?"

Li Dazhi had originally wanted to tell the truth, but feared discouraging Li Ping'an. He hesitated before saying, "More or less... the second or third stage of Light Condensing Realm."

—The six realms before immortality were: Qi Refining, Gathering Spirit, Light Condensing, Void Refinement, Truth Integration, and Heaven and Earth Bridge.

Li Ping'an earnestly advised:

"Dad, talent and aptitude are meaningless if you do not work to realize them.

"Your own cultivation will be the greatest support for us father and son in the future.

"From now on, I hope you cultivate diligently, improve every day, ascend into the immortal realms soon, attain the Dao and longevity, so that I can lie back more securely."

Li Dazhi nodded with utter seriousness. He had just been about to respond when he vaguely sensed that something was not quite right.

Wait!

Had he just been urged by his own son to study hard?

Li Dazhi glared and cursed, "Hey! This is all backwards!"

"By the way, Dad," Li Ping'an abruptly changed the subject, giving his father no chance to lecture him, "can you get hold of some books on history and knowledge?"

"What kind of thing is that?"

"Books in which the immortals of the Myriad Cloud Sect describe this world."

Li Ping'an said:

"Sooner or later, we need to understand what this world is like.

"We also need to learn the Myriad Cloud Sect's standing among cultivation sects, as well as whether it has any enemies."

"Mm." Li Dazhi nodded. "Right now, all I know is that the Holy Mother truly created humanity, that the Holy Mother truly exists and is the protector of our human race. I've also heard of the Three Pure Ancestors. We are currently in East Continent... and our Myriad Cloud Sect is among the top twenty great Immortal Sects in East Continent!"

Li Ping'an raised his brows and smiled. "Dad, help me get more books. I can already circulate my heavenly cycle on my own now. Get as many as you can, and perhaps find a way to borrow some from the sect as well."

"Sure! No problem! That's a small matter!"

Li Dazhi patted his chest:

"Just rest assured... put this away."

As he spoke, Li Dazhi took out a Jade Talisman.

"If you encounter danger again, crush this Jade Talisman. Your Ancestor Master will appear and save you."

Li Ping'an frowned tightly and said in a low voice, "Dad, you are Grandmaster's disciple, but I am not. This would actually be disrespectful to Grandmaster, and I'm afraid it would make Grandmaster unhappy."

"Ah, why are there so many rules? Your Ancestor Master is a wonderful person!"

Li Ping'an firmly refused to take it.

Li Dazhi had no other choice but to put the Jade Talisman away.

He stayed for another half hour before Li Ping'an persuaded him to leave.

Maintaining his pale complexion, Li Ping'an stood by the window and watched His Own Father vanish into the clouds and mist among the mountains. He then noticed a white cloud drifting toward Flowing Cloud Temple.

Upon that white cloud, two middle-aged Female Immortals were discussing something.

Li Ping'an revealed a slight smile at the sight.

These two Female Immortals had previously pointed at Mu Ningning and whispered in the Affairs Hall. They likely wanted to take Mu Ningning as a disciple.

This could be considered Junior Sister Mu's opportunity.

When will I be able to take a master? I'm not asking for a Heavenly Immortal—even a True Immortal would do.

Let fate decide.

Li Ping'an sighed, shut the window, and drifted back to his bed, preparing to continue absorbing the abundant remaining medicinal power within him.

He had barely settled down when the window was pushed open slightly, and a voice transmission entered his ear.

"Little Friend Ping'an, am I disturbing you?"

Upon hearing that voice, a square, broad face immediately Appeared in Li Ping'an's mind;

It was the high-ranking deacon named Wang Xinhui.