The Three-Year Term Has Come

Mu Ningning seemed to have left, yet also seemed not to have left.

While Li Ping'an was in seclusion, she took a master. When Li Ping'an emerged from seclusion, she was already begging her master to bring her to Flowing Cloud Temple to "visit family."

The whole thing was simply "as if she had left."

Afraid of delaying Mu Ningning's cultivation, Li Ping'an told her to focus on meditation and comprehending the Dao, and not run around without cause.

Mu Ningning naturally agreed, even making a lofty vow that she would attempt to reach the immortal realm within a hundred years.

Her master, Daoist Qing Xu, was a True Immortal Realm Qi cultivator of Colorful Cloud Peak. She was usually rather low-profile and not particularly renowned, but she had only recently considered taking disciples, and Mu Ningning was her eldest disciple.

This True Immortal had an exceedingly gentle temperament and doted greatly on Mu Ningning, her eldest disciple.

Li Ping'an was naturally extremely envious.

He probed indirectly and learned that Daoist Qing Xu had three senior and junior sisters of her generation who had also reached the True Immortal Realm. Unfortunately...

Colorful Cloud Peak did not accept male disciples.

This time, Mu Ningning had begged her master to bring her back to see Li Ping'an, but she would have to leave after only half an hour.

Before departing, Mu Ningning counted on her fingers and said:

"My master said that as long as I reach the mid Spirit Gathering Realm, roughly after the fifth stage of Spirit Gathering, I'll be able to control objects and fly through the air. My master will forge several aerial magic treasures for me, and then I can come see Senior Brother whenever I want!"

"My master also said cultivation isn't about speed, but stability. Who knows how many gifted geniuses became trapped at some insignificant bottleneck and died in despair?"

"My master also said..."

"That's enough, Junior Sister Mu!"

Li Ping'an smiled with narrowed eyes, though the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"I know you have a master now. Stop keeping the word 'master' on your lips all the time."

"Hmph, I wasn't deliberately showing off my master!"

Mu Ningning giggled.

"My master told me all about it. Senior Brother, it wasn't easy for you to take a master because your father's seniority is too high. The immortals in the sect must also avoid suspicion, lest people say they are relying on your father.

"How about this, Senior Brother? If there's anything you don't understand in your cultivation later, you can secretly tell me.

"I can go ask my, mas, ter!"

Li Ping'an made as if to hit her.

Mu Ningning nimbly dodged, her little mouth producing a string of silver-bell laughter.

Before leaving, she said she would come see Li Ping'an once she could fly through the air. Li Ping'an did not take it to heart.

Just as Wei Yanzi had said, Flowing Cloud Temple was merely a transfer station for junior disciples. Those who left here all gained new environments and new friends.

The difference was that some obtained immortal opportunities, while others ultimately returned to mortal lives.

Yet what surprised Li Ping'an somewhat was...

Mu Ningning truly was someone who kept her word.

Around seven months later, Mu Ningning, now much taller, wore a light-blue disciple's dress, rode an immortal sword, carried two food boxes brimming with fragrance, and called open the immortal formation outside Li Ping'an's wooden building.

She had returned.

From then on, Mu Ningning flew to Flowing Cloud Temple every few days. Sometimes she brought treasures and medicinal pills, and sometimes "delicious dishes" she had made herself.

By Li Ping'an's incomplete count, during the Two and a Half Years after Mu Ningning took a master, she came to Flowing Cloud Temple over thirty times, and her visits had recently become increasingly frequent.

She came more often than even his own father!

It was not that the two had already kindled the flame of a Dao companion. After over two years together, one could only say a spark had just begun; it had not reached the point of ignition.

Rather, Mu Ningning gradually discovered...

Whenever she encountered a cultivation problem she did not understand, or whenever her progress in cultivation slowed even slightly, she could come to Flowing Cloud Temple and consult Senior Brother Ping'an.

Senior Brother Ping'an often needed only one or two sentences of guidance for her to feel enlightened, and the problems troubling her would be resolved with ease.

Li Ping'an was also never stingy toward this only junior sister who could freely joke around with him.

Because he had developed the Self-Running Heavenly Circuit early on, Li Ping'an had ample time to read books of knowledge and experience, and study the arts of artifacts, pills, and formations. Over the past two years, he had made quite a few little items for Mu Ningning.

Of course, he had also made Mu Ningning serve as a "test subject" for medicine plenty of times.

Life cultivating in the mountains was mostly peaceful, and Myriad Cloud Sect's usual atmosphere was upright and harmonious.

When Mu Ningning returned to Flowing Cloud Temple for the thirty-sixth time, Li Ping'an had happened to complete three full years at Flowing Cloud Temple.

The three-year term had come.

According to sect rules, since Li Ping'an had failed to take a master at Flowing Cloud Temple, he had to pass the Outer Sect Trial and become an Outer Sect Disciple before he could remain within the mountain gate to cultivate.

Half a month earlier, Li Ping'an had proactively submitted an application for the trial, but the Affairs Hall had yet to give him a reply.

That afternoon.

Before the wooden building in the rear courtyard of Flowing Cloud Temple, the senior brother and junior sister sat beneath the shade of a tree, drinking tea and chatting.

Li Ping'an was dressed simply. Beneath, he wore a loose, soft, bright-white inner robe, with a green outer garment over it.

His somewhat thin frame was enveloped in faint spiritual energy, giving him an air of transcendence.

Or perhaps because he had read a vast number of Myriad Cloud Sect's books over the past three years, his swordlike brows held no extra sharpness, his starry eyes carried no worldly dust, and a faint smile always seemed to rest upon his lips, making him appear entirely harmless.

Li Ping'an held a small carving knife, sculpting a spirit stone the size of an egg.

A bamboo scroll floated open before him, its text ancient and obscure. Most of Li Ping'an's attention was actually on the bamboo scroll; carving was merely something he did in passing.

Compared to Li Ping'an, who was dressed like the host, Mu Ningning was much more particular about her appearance.

Mu Ningning was already sixteen or seventeen this year, having grown from a graceful young girl into a slender, charming beauty.

A full moon was called plump, and her curves were truly exquisite.

Today, she still wore a plain white disciple's dress, a jade belt cinching her slender waist. Beneath the skirt were soft, thin silk trousers. Her delicate little feet wore the "flip-flops" Li Ping'an had made, her ten toes crystal clear, like fresh, delicious lychees stripped of their skins.

Perhaps having grown older and developed a love for beauty, faint traces of makeup were easy to see on her pretty face. Her fair skin was tinged with rosy color and seemed tender enough to break at a touch. Her bright Peach Blossom Eyes were gentle and alluring, and whenever her long lashes fluttered lightly, her rippling eyes reflected Li Ping'an's profile.

She sat crookedly at the table without any proper posture. With her slender hand supporting her chin, she could daydream there for an entire day.

A light breeze passed by, making the wutong tree's canopy sway gently.

The sounds made by junior disciples active throughout the area vanished after being filtered through the formations around the wooden building.

Mu Ningning could not help asking, "What realm are you actually at now?"

Li Ping'an continued fiddling with the item in his hand. "Guess?"

Mu Ningning, already at the Peak Spirit Gathering Realm, puffed out her cheeks and complained, "How does Senior Brother do it? Your cultivation speed is always just a little faster than mine... Ah, Uncle has arrived!"

A white cloud drifted over from the direction of the Main Peak and entered the bounds of Flowing Cloud Temple.

On the cloud stood two Daoist priests, one fat and one thin. They were precisely Ancestor's disciple Li Dazhi and Wei Yanzi, the high-ranking deacon of Flowing Cloud Temple.

Mu Ningning pursed her lips and stood. "I'll go back and cultivate first."

"You run away every time you see my father. My father doesn't eat people."

Li Ping'an smiled.

"Wait until I finish carving this.

"I've engraved the Numerous Understandings I gained when I lit One Light on the Spirit Platform into this spirit stone. It should help with your later breakthrough into the Light Condensation Realm.

"According to sect rules, anyone wishing to enter the Outer Sect from Flowing Cloud Temple must undergo the Outer Sect Trial. The Outer Sect Trial must involve the mortal world, since the Outer Sect's main purpose is to manage worldly affairs.

"I should be making a trip to the mortal world next. Even at the fastest, I won't be back for over half a month."

Mu Ningning could not help puffing out her cheeks, saying gloomily, "Fine! I knew it! Senior Brother, you've definitely entered the Light Condensation Realm."

"Well..."

Li Ping'an put away the bamboo scroll and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Is there a possibility that it isn't because I cultivate quickly, but because Junior Sister cultivates too slowly?"

"Not at all! I'm now the acknowledged immortal seedling of Colorful Cloud Peak!"

Mu Ningning had been bickering with Li Ping'an a moment ago, but in the blink of an eye, she revealed a radiant smile. She rose and hurried into the courtyard in tiny steps, bowing toward the descending white cloud.

"Greetings, Ancestor Dazhi."

"Ningning is here too! The little girl has grown even more lovely! I'll go speak with Ping'an first."

Li Dazhi greeted her with a smile and narrowed eyes, already arriving before Li Ping'an.

Without avoiding the matter, he said directly, "Everything's arranged! Ping'an, don't worry! I've taken care of the Affairs Hall from top to bottom! If you ask me, don't participate in any trial. Why not just go cultivate in the Outer Sect?"

Li Ping'an said via Voice Transmission, "Dad, we should still follow the rules. Too many people are watching you now, waiting for you to make a mistake."

Wei Yanzi stood at the courtyard gate, watching the father and son with a chuckle, without stepping forward to join the conversation.

Wei Yanzi had only drunk with Li Dazhi a few times, yet he already showed signs of becoming the "chief attendant" to an Ancestor's disciple.

Without stopping his carving, Li Ping'an sighed. "There was no need to arrange things so thoroughly. Deliberate actions are more likely to invite trouble. It would be better to let me participate in the trial openly and properly."

"Isn't it because I'm afraid others will cause trouble?"

Li Dazhi patted his belly and laughed.

"Don't worry. As long as you reach out to draw lots, you'll draw Yellow Character Twenty-Three. The slips inside will all be identical!

"As for the specific trial task, you'll find out then! The difficulty definitely won't be high!"

Li Ping'an smiled and nodded, then abruptly changed the subject. "Dad, it seems you've been slacking off in cultivation again lately..."

Li Dazhi sprang up at once as though someone had placed a hot iron beneath him.

"Well, I have another drinking engagement! Several Peak Masters invited me to dinner. I'll go deal with them, then return and find Your Ancestor Master to cultivate. I'll strive for the Origin Immortal Realm!"

After saying that, Li Dazhi rose into the air. His figure riding a cloud away looked somewhat disheveled.

"Hahahaha!"

Wei Yanzi laughed heartily, stroking his goatee. Then he raised a hand in invitation and returned beneath the tree with Mu Ningning, sitting on either side of Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an asked, "Deacon, what trial task did my father arrange for me?"

Wei Yanzi smiled. "The easiest one. Go to the mortal Wan'an City and deliver a letter to that fellow Chen Gongmin."

"Oh?"

Li Ping'an raised an eyebrow slightly.

"I've also been wanting to return to Wan'an City for a look. After all, I lived there for two years.

"When I came up the mountain, things were too rushed for me to pack. Many books I had collected were left behind in the mortal world. I don't know whether I'll still be able to find them when I return."

"All you know is your books."

Mu Ningning said unhappily.

"I only come over at most once a month, and every time I come, Senior Brother has his nose buried in a book. You never even look at me properly."

Wei Yanzi laughed. "See? Ping'an, don't neglect such a lovely young lady."

"That's not true," Mu Ningning hurriedly said. "Deacon, how can you say such things? Senior Brother and I share a bond of loyalty. It's not... what you think..."

Li Ping'an happened to finish his work. He looked up at Mu Ningning.

For some reason, Mu Ningning lowered her head and muttered softly.

"Senior Brother Ping'an hides here cultivating every day and never goes out all year... Otherwise, he would surely meet many true immortal maidens who would fall in love with him at first sight."

"Here."

Li Ping'an tossed the spirit stone over and smiled.

"What I want to do now is find a new wife for my father. Even if I truly met such an immortal maiden, because of cultivation matters, I would not consider taking a Dao companion for myself for the time being.

"Junior Sister Mu, you must continue cultivating diligently at Colorful Cloud Peak.

"I heard that in the next few months, the sect will hold a grand competition for disciples who entered the sect within the last twenty years. Junior Sister, you have only been on the mountain for three years. If you can reach the Light Condensation Realm in these next few months, you will surely make a name for yourself in this competition.

"Cultivation values Law, wealth, companions, and location. The rewards for such a competition are extremely generous.

"But remember, cultivation cannot be rushed in pursuit of merit. Qi Refinement, Spirit Gathering, and Light Condensation are all within the Foundation Establishment realm. It is better to be slower than leave regrets behind that could affect your future path."

Mu Ningning nodded obediently, clutching the spirit stone in her hand as she smiled. "Then, Senior Brother, I'll take second place, and you can take first!"

Li Ping'an sighed. "I can't participate. That is a competition for Inner Sect Disciples."

"Mm..."

Mu Ningning quickly shut her mouth.

Senior Brother Ping'an's long-standing problem of taking a master had troubled her for quite some time as well.

Li Ping'an asked, "Deacon, when does my Outer Sect Trial begin? Is there an exact time?"

Wei Yanzi answered, "It's rather casual. After all, it's merely an entry trial for Outer Sect Disciples. Usually, nobody takes it seriously. You only need to go to the Affairs Hall on the Main Peak, and the trial can begin."

"Then I'll go today."

"Today?"

Wei Yanzi was also somewhat stunned.

"Isn't that too rushed? How about informing them first, so the sect can make more preparations?"

"What does the sect need to prepare?"

Li Ping'an stood and stretched.

"If I delay any longer, my father will let me pass the trial without leaving the house.

"Over the past two years, Father has made many friends in his spare time from cultivation, and some of the noise within the sect has become increasingly grating. I should handle things according to the rules and not give anyone grounds to criticize."

Wei Yanzi stood as well. "I'll go inform the Affairs Hall and have them prepare early... You really are in too much of a hurry!"

Mu Ningning said, "Senior Brother, shall I accompany you on a trip to the mortal world?"

"Let's follow the rules. This is a trial, not a sightseeing trip."

Li Ping'an smiled.

"Though it's only a small task of delivering a letter, I'll still give it my full effort.

"Junior Sister, return to Colorful Cloud Peak and cultivate first. You're a grown young lady now as well. If you and I were always together, people would inevitably gossip."

"Let them talk."

Mu Ningning pursed her lips, but did not say much more. In a gentle voice, she repeatedly told Li Ping'an to take care of himself. Only then did she reluctantly ride her sword away.

At the same time;

In a corner of Myriad Cloud Sect, upon a mountain dotted with several Heavenly Immortal Cave Abodes.

Inside a pavilion enveloped in clouds and mist, several Heavenly Immortals of the sect were gathered together, drinking tea and chatting.

The tea was being prepared by a beautiful immortal maiden dressed in an elaborate ancient gown.

Those drinking tea were three to five elderly men, most of them wearing somewhat gloomy expressions.

Several elders said:

"That Merchant's Son is said to be about to participate in the Outer Sect Trial."

"What could it matter if a Merchant's Son took part in the Outer Sect Trial? Could you stop him from entering the Outer Sect? Besides, what is there to care about in an Outer Sect Disciple? The sect's many troubles all lie with that merchant, not his son!"

"Indeed. In only two or three years, that merchant is said to be not far from Ascension. Among the Thirty-six Peaks, half the Peak Masters are acquainted with him... Several Spirit Mines were discovered near the mountain gate just last year, and it was said that the fortune of the Immortal Sect had been stirred by his great fortune..."

"The rumors of making him the next Sect Leader may cease to be rumors in a few years."

"What else can we do? With the three Golden Immortal Ancestors watching over the sect, can we possibly seize his son and force him to swear not to contend for the position of Sect Leader?"

The atmosphere within the pavilion grew heavy once more.

An old man said, "Senior Brother Mo Yi is the Vice Sect Master and belongs to the Sect Master's lineage. We had originally thought that, after a few thousand years, the position of Sect Leader would be yours..."

"Alas!"

The gray-haired elder known by the Daoist name Mo Yi lightly waved his hand and smiled gently.

"What benefit does being Sect Leader bring to cultivation?

"If the sect needs this humble Daoist to shoulder such duties, then even if I waste several thousand years without cultivating, I would still be duty-bound to serve my fellow disciples.

"But if the sect does not need me to do such things, then I would be happy to live in peace and devote myself to seeking the wondrous realm of Golden Immortal longevity."

"Senior Brother Mo, if you truly do not contend... must the position of Sect Leader truly be handed to a mere mortal merchant?"

"Alas!"

The few people shook their heads, but said nothing more.

The beautiful woman brewing tea let out a soft laugh. Holding a clay teapot, she poured several cups of tea and said with a smile,

"Why must you all be so anxious? This matter has yet to be decided.

"This humble Daoist heard an elder mention that the Merchant's Son will soon make a trip to the mortal world. Why not arrange some idle tasks for him and make that merchant lose face?"

"Junior Sister Xiao Yue."

The old Daoist named Mo Yi frowned and cautioned her.

"You have overseen the sect's Market Town businesses and many other affairs for Several Hundred Years. You have always acted with proper measure, and I Should Not Say More to you, but there is one thing you must remember.

"Ten thousand years ago, my Myriad Cloud Sect suffered several internal conflicts and sustained grievous Casualties. After the Third Ancestor Master returned, he issued strict orders forbidding struggles for power and position, and forbidding disciples from fighting one another in private.

"Whatever else he may be, the Merchant's Son is still a disciple of my Myriad Cloud Sect. Remember not to truly harm him, or if the Ancestor Master places blame upon us, both our paths ahead will be cut off."

"Rest assured, Senior Brother Mo. This humble Daoist understands."

The beautiful woman narrowed her eyes and smiled, clearly not taking some minor cultivator seriously.