First Encounter with Ascension—Please Vote and Bookmark!

Li Ping'an swiftly threw on his Daoist robe, opened the window, and drifted down into the courtyard.

Wang Xinhui, a high-ranking deacon of the Myriad Cloud Sect, stood in the courtyard in a dark robe, a faint smile lingering on his broad square face.

Li Ping'an cupped his hands in greeting. "Deacon Wang, were you looking for me?"

"You need not stand on ceremony, young friend."

Steward Wang Xinhui said warmly:

"Elder Yan Sheng sent me to ask whether you intend to continue cultivating at the Flowing Cloud Temple from now on."

Li Ping'an smiled. "Do I have anywhere else to go?"

"According to sect rules, disciples who have not taken a master may indeed only cultivate at the Flowing Cloud Temple or an Outer Sect residence."

Steward Wang Xinhui switched to voice transmission:

"However, your father is a disciple of the Founding Ancestor. In terms of actual seniority, you rank above the overwhelming majority of immortals in the sect, so finding you a master may prove rather difficult.

"Though the Myriad Cloud Sect's rules are strict, they are not entirely devoid of human sentiment. There should be room for consideration.

"Elder Yan Sheng's suggestion is to establish an Immortal Array in the forests near the Affairs Hall and arrange for you to cultivate there. Spirit stones, immortal arts, and all other necessities would be fully provided. This would also prevent incidents like the recent conflict between disciples from happening again."

The sect wanted to keep him under its wing so his father would remain completely loyal?

Li Ping'an pondered for a moment, then sighed.

"My father and I have only just arrived in these mountains. We have neither foundation nor cultivation, so we should act with caution in all things.

"Besides, I cannot depend on my father for everything. I have my own plans and expectations as well.

"I ask that Elder Yan Sheng and Deacon Wang allow me to continue cultivating at the Flowing Cloud Temple. If no one takes me as a disciple, then when the time comes, I will participate in the Outer Sect examination and enter the Outer Sect to continue cultivating.

"I must ultimately hold to my own bottom line."

A trace of admiration appeared in the high-ranking deacon's eyes.

"Even so, I would still like to offer you a few words of advice, young friend."

Wang Xinhui smiled.

"A father's influence is always unavoidable. There is no need to restrain yourself too much just to avoid suspicion.

"I will relay your words to Elder Yan Sheng exactly as spoken. If you encounter any difficulty later, you may directly have Wei Yanzi come to the Main Peak to seek me."

"Thank you for your care, Deacon."

Li Ping'an performed a Daoist salute.

Deacon Wang returned the salute, then turned, preparing to ride the clouds away...

"Hm? This spiritual energy?"

Wang Xinhui suddenly raised his head toward the sky.

Puffs of white cloud darkened in an instant, transforming into layers of black clouds that blocked out the sunlight.

Rolling spiritual energy surged in from all directions, rapidly gathering toward the Flowing Cloud Temple's front courtyard.

The mountain-protection grand formation enveloping more than a hundred peaks of the Myriad Cloud Sect revealed a thin, smooth formation barrier. The barrier gently rippled like jelly.

More figures appeared above the various peaks, and streams of Immortal Sense swept over to investigate.

In the Flowing Cloud Temple's front courtyard, a beam of immortal light shot up from the ground, illuminating the dark clouds overhead from below. Boundless spiritual energy poured toward that immortal light, while a figure slowly rose from the base of the beam.

Immortal light covered the land, divine spirits surged, and auspicious clouds revealed a brilliance of pure splendor.

"Hahahaha!"

Wang Xinhui clapped his hands and laughed.

"Fellow Daoist Wei Yanzi has ascended!"

Li Ping'an's eyes lit up as he stared at the pillar of light that seemed to pierce through heaven and earth. Endless emotion welled up in his Dao heart.

This was how it should be.

When living beings walked this world, this was how it should be!

Yet before Li Ping'an's smile could fully bloom, Wei Yanzi, rising within the pillar of light, laughed and shouted:

"Wonderful! Wonderful! To attain the Dao is wonderful!"

"Hahahaha! Unity of knowledge and action, Virtue of Heaven and Earth! Wonderful! Wonderful!"

"Ping'an! Thank you, young friend Ping'an, for breaking my confusion and helping me become immortal! Thank you, young friend Ping'an, for breaking my confusion and helping me become immortal! Hahahaha!"

"Master! Your disciple has ascended!"

Amid Wei Yanzi's cries, countless rays of immortal light surged toward him.

Wei Yanzi's entire body seemed transparent, wrapped layer upon layer in rosy clouds. Immortal cranes could vaguely be seen circling in the air, along with fairy maidens presenting gifts and faint imprints of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts.

The many phenomena continued for a short while.

A faint breeze passed through, leaving only a Daoist priest wrapped in Immortal Dust in the sky.

He had shed mortal dust and entered the immortal valley; from this day onward, he was no longer a figure in a painting.

Wei Yanzi took half a step through empty air, and Immortal Dust scattered in all directions. This newly ascended immortal, who seemed to have grown several hundred years younger out of nowhere, revealed boundless emotion in his eyes.

Then Wei Yanzi descended directly from the air and performed a Daoist salute to Li Ping'an.

At that instant, Li Ping'an heard the crisp sound of something shattering and felt streams of Immortal Sense locking onto him.

The burning sensation of being watched by so many immortals made Li Ping'an deeply uncomfortable.

Thoughts raced through Li Ping'an's mind. He smiled and returned the salute, speaking first.

"It was not that this disciple said anything, but that you heard something.

"You accumulated insight over many years and broke through in a single day. It should have little to do with anything I said.

"This disciple has only cultivated for a few months. I have not even fully understood the Qi Refining Realm yet."

"Now that you put it that way... it does make quite a bit of sense..."

Wei Yanzi, still brimming with excitement, understood that Li Ping'an deliberately wished to hide his talents. He did not press the matter and merely kept grinning.

Wang Xinhui gave Li Ping'an a meaningful glance, then cupped his hands toward Wei Yanzi. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Wei Yan, on crossing the Heaven and Earth Bridge. From this day onward, you walk the immortal path and roam freely through the world!"

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist! Thank you!"

Wei Yanzi hurriedly returned the salute.

"This poor Daoist will first go to my master's Cave Abode to announce the good news, then head to the Main Peak to replace my Immortal Registry!"

"Then I shall wait for you at the Cloud Nurturing Hall and invite our fellow disciples to celebrate with you."

Wang Xinhui made an inviting gesture. With a smile, he glanced at Li Ping'an once more before riding the clouds toward the Main Peak.

Wei Yanzi grabbed Li Ping'an's arm and said via voice transmission:

"What a wonderful chance to make a name for yourself! Your comprehension is, ahem, the greatest I have seen in my life. The sect will certainly value you even more!"

Li Ping'an blinked, moved closer to Wei Yanzi, and used his immortal power to conceal the sound of his voice. He quietly said, "The tree that rises above the forest will surely be destroyed by the wind."

He only wanted to cultivate in peace. He had no desire to become some humanoid Dao Enlightenment Stone.

"Your way of thinking is not unreasonable."

Wei Yanzi narrowed his eyes with a smile and continued via voice transmission:

"Since you do not wish to draw the sect's attention, I will help you conceal this matter from others.

"I have no way to repay the kindness of your guidance.

"I plan to remain at the Flowing Cloud Temple until you take a master. If you need anything in the future, do not stand on ceremony with me!"

At this moment, Wei Yanzi's originally somewhat lecherous face unexpectedly gained a hint of uprightness.

Li Ping'an urged him with a smile. "Deacon, hurry and attend to your guests. Many immortals are already about to descend."

"Hahahaha!"

Wei Yanzi threw back his head and laughed. Before releasing Li Ping'an's arm, he did not forget to pass a thread of Immortal Origin Essence into Li Ping'an, slightly improving the quality of Li Ping'an's Dao foundation.

This counted as his gift of thanks.

Afterward, the Origin Immortal Daoist vanished directly into the clouds. Within the mist, he changed into a glossy gray Daoist robe, clasped his hands behind his back, rode the clouds, and recited poetry as he went to greet the Myriad Cloud Sect immortals gathering in the sky.

Li Ping'an watched Steward Wei Yanzi's departing figure, unable to conceal the yearning in his eyes.

Cultivate.

The road had to be walked step by step. He could not grow as fat in one bite as Old Li!

Moved by Wei Yanzi's ascension, Li Ping'an's mood became much brighter. As he meditated, his Dao heart gently rippled, like the faint intoxication of wine.

Before long, his Dao heart began replaying the scene of Wei Yanzi's ascension. His Own Understanding surged forth like a spiritual spring, while the vast medicinal power stored in his body grew increasingly active.

Several visible Spiritual Energy Vortices appeared around Li Ping'an.

About two days later.

After attending the Ascension Banquet and replacing his Identity Document, Wei Yanzi arrived outside Li Ping'an's wooden building, intending to formally thank Li Ping'an once more.

The favor of guidance was equivalent to half a master!

Before Wei Yanzi could speak, he immediately noticed something unusual about Li Ping'an. He quickly set up a formation around Li Ping'an's wooden building and tossed out a Jade Talisman to guard above it.

"Good heavens, does he have more insight than he can even use? As expected of a young man favored by this high-ranking deacon."

Wei Yanzi chuckled. He had just been about to bring over a rocking chair to stand guard when he saw two female immortals flying in from the horizon. He could only ride the clouds into the air to await and receive them.

Wei Yanzi had been at the Flowing Cloud Temple for several hundred years. With one glance, he could tell that these two female immortals had come to accept disciples.

He simply did not know which junior disciple would be fortunate enough to win the favor of immortals from Colorful Cloud Peak.

Why had there been no heavenly tribulation during ascension?

With this doubt in mind, Li Ping'an opened his eyes.

Feeling the ceaselessly surging dharma power within him, the confusion in his eyes swiftly turned into clarity.

Li Ping'an examined himself inwardly and observed the changes within his body. His sea of qi now felt vast and boundless, his meridians had begun to merge with his body, and his flesh was beginning to transform into a Dao Body. Corners of his body that had previously not been nourished by Primordial Qi were now moistened as though blessed by spring rain.

His body was light as a feather, and his Spirit Platform had begun to take shape.

I am already at the eighth level of the Qi Refining Realm. The Spirit Gathering Realm is not far away.

The Qi Refining Realm accumulated Primordial Qi and strengthened the Dao Body.

The Spirit Gathering Realm forged the origin soul and tempered the will.

Li Ping'an had already devised a strengthening "cultivation regimen" for the Spirit Gathering Realm. Once he naturally broke through into the Spirit Gathering Realm, he would begin his own evil ghost special training.

How long had this cultivation session lasted?

Li Ping'an rose and walked to the window side, a small realization appearing in his heart.

Judging by his body's perception of the surroundings, nine or ten days should have passed.

Li Ping'an could not help feeling somewhat worried...

This breakthrough had come too quickly. Would it make his Dao foundation unstable?

It would be better to remain at this realm for a while and properly prepare for the Spirit Gathering Realm.

I have already come of age and stepped onto the path of cultivation. Why should I rush to compete over momentary speed? Better to try establishing the most perfect Dao foundation possible.

Creak—

The wooden window hinge made a soft sound, yet it disturbed the immortal meditating in midair outside the courtyard.

Wei Yanzi turned to look over. Seeing Li Ping'an cup his hands in greeting, he immediately returned the salute.

Whether because one's appearance reflected one's heart or because his lifespan had increased, ascension was like living a second life. Wei Yanzi had now returned to the appearance of a middle-aged man. His once gray-streaked hair had become black again, and even his goatee was neatly groomed.

"Thank you, Deacon, for guarding my cultivation."

"A small matter! I will set up several more Immortal Arrays around this place later!"

Wei Yanzi smiled.

"Your seclusion was comfortable enough, but it made things miserable for me.

"Elder Yan Sheng personally instructed me to take good care of you. From now on, this is the proper duty of this High-Ranking Outer Sect Deacon!"

Li Ping'an smiled. "The sect values my father, so I have benefited from some of that good fortune as well... Deacon, has my father come by?"

"He came once yesterday and left you many books. They are all downstairs."

Wei Yanzi pondered briefly.

"Your father is going into seclusion for a while. He said he would not be able to see you for several months and told you not to go wandering outside. Just cultivate at the Flowing Cloud Temple.

"There is another matter I should tell you. That Mu Ningning has taken a master. She became the disciple of Qing Xu, a True Immortal of Colorful Cloud Peak, from the Peak Master's lineage.

"Mu Ningning seems quite concerned about you. She said that once she settled down at Colorful Cloud Peak, she would come seek you."

Li Ping'an paused, but did not reveal much emotion.

That was good.

The young heroine had gotten what she wished for.

Thinking of himself, however, he could not help feeling a little melancholy.

Li Ping'an naturally knew that with his father's unceasing support, along with his father's marvelous Father-Son Unity divine ability, His Cultivation would certainly not be slow.

Yet Li Ping'an still wanted to find a renowned master as soon as possible.

If he could follow a master in cultivation, he would not have to keep feeling his way forward alone. The path of cultivation would offer many more safeguards.

Seeing Li Ping'an's melancholy expression, Wei Yanzi assumed he was saddened over matters between men and women and kindly reminded him:

"Well, I should probably say a little more.

"When they say things like they will come back to visit, just listen and leave it at that. Before taking masters, all those junior disciples claimed they remembered the favors I gave them. But after taking masters, very few actually returned to visit.

"To all disciples, this Flowing Cloud Temple is ultimately only a stop along the way.

"It is enough for them to do well. Do not dwell on it."

Li Ping'an smiled. "It seems I can keep you company for quite some time, Deacon."

"Hahahaha! Enough of that! Let us drink in the front courtyard!"

Wei Yanzi swept his Daoist robe, clouds formed beneath Li Ping'an's feet, and the two drifted together toward the front courtyard.

Beneath that Guest-Greeting Pine, Wei Yanzi set out a small table and pulled Li Ping'an over for a light drink.

Wei Yanzi spoke of his insights from ascension, deliberately offering Li Ping'an some "inspiration."

Yet Li Ping'an found it obscure and difficult to understand. Their cultivation realms were too far apart, and he could only comprehend a small part of it.

When Wei Yanzi began discussing the Heavenly Immortals in the sect currently willing to accept disciples, Li Ping'an let out a deep sigh and drained his cup in one gulp. His young, handsome face was filled with helplessness.

Li Ping'an asked, "Are there any Heavenly Immortals in the sect who have the actual seniority to accept me and are also willing to take disciples?"

"Now that you mention it..."

Wei Yanzi said gravely:

"This matter is indeed rather difficult. Although the sect divides nominal seniority by cultivation realm, it also places great importance on the actual seniority created through master-disciple relationships."

"Your father was a disciple of the Founding Ancestor, which makes you the Founding Ancestor's disciple-grandson. Within the sect, only those dozen or so old Heavenly Immortals can take you as a disciple.

"But they have either wandered through Heaven and Earth, long since died and vanished from the Dao, or entered life-or-death seclusion to break through to the Golden Immortal realm... For the moment, it truly is difficult to find a sect member in the Heavenly Immortal Realm who does not care about seniority.

"Ah, it really is hard for you to find a master."

A True Immortal would do too.

Just as Li Ping'an was about to say that, a light breeze drifted past, carrying a faint floral fragrance.

His tied-up long hair and Hair Tie fluttered in the wind, his loose Daoist Robe billowed slightly, and a distant, delighted call came from beside his ear.

"Senior Brother Ping'an!"

He turned to look and saw clouds drifting in from the horizon, as well as a slender, graceful figure on the clouds. She had changed into disciple attire and was continuously waving at him.