Taking the Initiative

He who travels a hundred miles is only halfway there at ninety.

Li Ping'an continued probing the road ahead with his spiritual sense. Far from relaxing over these last few hundred miles, he became even more cautious.

Not until that familiar stretch of mountain forest came into view.

Li Ping'an stopped atop a hill. Across the lush valley, he gazed at the tiny Daoist temple halfway up the opposite mountainside, overcome with emotion.

After rain in the empty mountains, white mist hung hazily in the air.

Five summers ago, armed with nothing but a woodcutting knife and a hunting bow, he had followed several woodcutters' directions, drinking spring water and eating wild game as he endured countless hardships to find this Daoist temple.

It was here that he had knocked open those tightly shut doors and found the turning point of this life.

Li Ping'an had always been grateful to Daoist Priest Chen Gongmin.

Using the Glazed Mirror in his palm to glance at the clouds overhead, Li Ping'an took out the disciple robes he had prepared beforehand, tied up his Daoist headband, pulled on his cloth boots, and inserted a bamboo hairpin through the band. Two long green ribbons hung from either side of the hairpin.

Then, Li Ping'an fumbled around his face with both hands. Right before the immortal in the clouds, he removed a mask as thin as cicada wings and revealed his original appearance.

Li Ping'an pondered inwardly:

That female cultivator disguised as an old woman knew a transformation technique. That is quite a rare art.

If she is also a Myriad Cloud Sect disciple, perhaps I can ask her where she learned it when I get the chance.

His body drifted up with the mountain wind. He allowed a trace of his magic power to leak out as proof of his identity.

Daoist Priest Chen Gongmin was already one hundred and twenty years old, yet he still looked middle-aged. His cultivation had stalled at the Void Refining Realm, still some distance from the True Unity Realm. Ascension was but a distant dream.

Daoist Priest Chen was an Outer Sect Disciple of the Myriad Cloud Sect stationed in the mortal Immortal Dynasty. His main duty was to watch over Wan'an City and its surrounding towns. If demons or monsters caused trouble, he would destroy those he could defeat on the spot and report those he could not to the sect.

There were likely two or three thousand Myriad Cloud Sect Qi cultivators stationed throughout the Linzheng Immortal Dynasty like Daoist Priest Chen. Most were in the Void Refining Realm or Hezhen Realm, and they were mostly stationed in major cities and along the borders.

In the border regions of the Linzheng Immortal Dynasty, where conflicts frequently broke out, Myriad Cloud Sect immortals were stationed as well.

Barring any surprises, Daoist Priest Chen would continue cultivating here for the next several decades. If he could break through to the True Unity Realm, he could return to the sect and build up his seniority. With someone to support him, he might become a low-ranking Outer Sect Deacon like Wei Yanzi had once been.

When Li Ping'an had watched Wei Yanzi ascend back then, a question had occurred to him.

Why were there no heavenly tribulations for Ascension in this world?

Only after consulting countless records did he discover that this world had never possessed the concept of heavenly tribulations.

The Heavenly Dao remained unseen, while order arose on its own.

The Heavenly Dao of this world referred to the Way of Heaven's course, rather than a manifestation of Heaven and Earth Will. What people called order was all built by living beings themselves.

That left Li Ping'an somewhat helpless.

Whether he wanted to follow Lord Heavenly Dao or curse the thieving heavens, both were nonsense.

A moment later, the young disciple from the Myriad Cloud Sect arrived before the Daoist temple's gates.

Li Ping'an gathered his thoughts, lowered his head to straighten the outer lapels of his Daoist robe, smoothed the hair tie before his chest, and lightly knocked on the wooden gate.

Knock, knock!

He stood tall, deliberately intending to show off a little before Daoist Priest Chen, joking inwardly:

I suppose this counts as returning home in glory.

Just then, white mist rose around the Daoist temple.

A faint wall of light from a formation appeared, completely covering the courtyard. The formation gate was the temple entrance itself.

Since when did Daoist Priest Chen become so extravagant?

Li Ping'an smiled at first, then grew wary.

Qi cultivators from the sect stationed among mortals had never possessed many cultivation resources. To reduce the expenditure of spirit stones, Daoist Priest Chen normally activated the formation here only when he was in secluded cultivation.

Li Ping'an took two steps back and called out, "Disciple Ping'an has come under orders to deliver a letter. Is my old friend cultivating within?"

He added a little magic power to ensure his voice would carry inside.

The formation wall around the Daoist temple trembled two or three times before shutting down.

Li Ping'an's vigilance instantly rose to its peak.

The instant the formation closed, he sensed an unfamiliar aura and Daoist rhythm. It belonged to the Myriad Cloud Sect lineage as well, yet it differed greatly from Daoist Priest Chen's aura.

Li Ping'an immediately clasped a homemade magical artifact the size of a date pit in his right palm.

Creeeak—

The hinges let out a dying groan.

A petite little head poked out from behind the gate, and the two pink hair buns on either side were especially eye-catching.

Twin buns?

The female cultivator who had used a transformation technique to pose as that old woman had worn the same hairstyle.

The young female cultivator peeked outside. Upon seeing Li Ping'an, she blinked her large, watery eyes and softly asked in a gentle voice:

"Who are you looking for? My master has gone out."

Li Ping'an frowned deeply, and his expression turned cold.

Could Daoist Priest Chen have fallen victim to this group's schemes?

Seeing Li Ping'an as he was now, Wen Ling'er's Dao heart wavered as well.

It was not because she had been frightened by Li Ping'an's earlier talk of cremation. Rather...

Is this what he really looks like? He is so handsome.

Wen Ling'er pulled open both wooden doors and continued playing the innocent, harmless young girl. Her short skirt did not reach her knees, leaving her fair, jade-like legs unadorned.

Her attire differed slightly from that of ordinary female cultivators. Her slender feet wore grass sandals woven from jade strips, with conspicuously thick heels.

Wen Ling'er's almond-shaped eyes sparkled as she gently asked, "Judging by your aura, are you also a disciple of the Myriad Cloud Sect?"

"I came from the Myriad Cloud Sect," Li Ping'an said with a frown. "Daoist Priest Chen is your master?"

"Mm-hm!"

"Daoist Priest Chen and I are close friends. We have only been apart for three years, yet I never expected him to have gained a disciple in the Light Condensation Realm!"

Li Ping'an's gaze was somewhat forceful.

Wen Ling'er calmly explained:

"Please do not misunderstand. I only became his disciple within the past two years.

"Before that, I cultivated in a market town along the coast of the Eastern Sea. I worked at one of our Myriad Cloud Sect's pill shops and received Outer Sect cultivation techniques. After cultivating for decades, I achieved only this modest result.

"I heard that my master had a chance at becoming immortal and was cultivating in the sect, so I pulled many strings before becoming his disciple.

"Once Master returns to the sect, I can follow him back and enter the Immortal Registry...

"It is merely for the sake of a future."

With that, Wen Ling'er lowered her delicate brows. Her petite body trembled slightly as she lowered her head and sighed softly.

Li Ping'an's thoughts raced, and his expression gradually eased.

He said, "What you have said does not sound fabricated, but do you have proof?"

"Of course."

Wen Ling'er took out several items—several pages of account books from a Myriad Cloud Sect pill shop in a market town, some empty jade bottles bearing the Myriad Cloud Sect's mark, and the pill shop's identity jade disc.

Li Ping'an decided to test her, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

He said, "It seems I wronged you, fellow cultivator. Where did Daoist Priest Chen go, and when will he return?"

Wen Ling'er hurriedly replied, "My master received an urgent message a few days ago. A group of Evil Cultivators had set their sights on a nearby spirit mine. Over a thousand mortals worked in that mine, yet only four sect Qi cultivators guarded it, so they asked my master to go reinforce them... Let us not speak outside. If Master finds out, he will scold me for being discourteous again. Please come in."

"Thank you."

Li Ping'an had already scanned the inside and outside of the Daoist temple several times with his spiritual sense. He cupped his hands and followed the woman through the gate.

The small courtyard of the Daoist temple was clean and tidy. Moss dotted the flagstone ground, and in the center of the courtyard was a seven-foot-square fish pond where more than ten koi swam leisurely beneath lotus leaves.

Li Ping'an smiled. "This courtyard has not changed at all since my last visit."

Wen Ling'er quickly went to the side room to brew tea.

Li Ping'an sat down in the stone chair by the doorway as if he knew the place well, turning to watch Wen Ling'er's retreating figure.

She was truly not very tall, but she was delicate and adorable, and the proportions of her legs to her body were excellent.

Li Ping'an suddenly asked, "Did Daoist Priest Chen never mention me to you?"

Wen Ling'er did not pause as she tended the stone stove for magical artifacts. Smiling, she said, "I have only recently become Master's disciple, and he rarely mentions his friends. How should I address you?"

"Li Ping'an. Like you, I have yet to formally enter the Outer Sect."

Li Ping'an smiled.

"I am currently carrying out an Outer Sect Trial mission. My luck was good, and I drew an exceptionally simple trial mission: delivering a letter to Daoist Priest Chen.

"If I pass it smoothly, I will count as a Myriad Cloud Sect disciple."

"That is truly enviable."

Wen Ling'er approached gracefully with a tea tray, exchanging pleasantries with a smile.

"From your appearance, you should be quite young, yet you already possess Light Condensation Realm cultivation? You have used some technique to conceal yourself, so I cannot see through you.

"Logically speaking, someone as young and accomplished as you should have immortals eager to take you as a disciple. Why must you also undergo an Outer Sect Trial?"

Li Ping'an's gaze flickered slightly. "The circumstances are rather complicated. You could say I was dragged down by my father."

"Dragged down by your father?"

Wen Ling'er bent slightly as she poured tea, asking curiously, "How do you mean?"

Li Ping'an calmly said, "My father became the disciple of the sect's Founding Ancestor, Daoist Master Kongming. His seniority made him the Founding Ancestor's disciple, and mine was raised along with his. Perhaps the sect immortals are wary of such things. I suppose my opportunity has simply not arrived yet."

With that, he picked up the cup of tea and brought it directly toward his lips.

Wen Ling'er's smile froze on her face.

The Founding Ancestor's... grandson disciple!

A grandson disciple of the sect's Golden Immortal Ancestors!

The person she was about to harm was the grandson disciple of the sect's Founding Ancestor!

Li Ping'an made as if to drink.

"Ah! Sir!"

Wen Ling'er raised her hand to seize the teacup, then forcibly stopped herself. Her whole body seemed to shudder, and her sweet voice began trembling.

"F-fellow cultivator! This tea is from last night!"

"Hmm?"

Li Ping'an looked up at Wen Ling'er, but merely brought the cup to his nose and lightly fanned it with his other hand.

He appeared to be smelling it, but he had already sealed his mouth and nose with magic power. Smiling, he set down the cup and looked up at Wen Ling'er.

At that moment, Wen Ling'er felt as though she stood beneath the blazing sun, her Dao heart somewhat dazed.

Had she become embroiled in a power struggle at the very highest level of the sect?

Li Ping'an asked again, "How should I address you, fellow cultivator?"

"Ling'er... My name is Wen Ling'er."

Wen Ling'er adapted fairly well. Though Li Ping'an had thrown her thoughts into disarray, she immediately forced out a smile. "I never expected you to have such a background."

"I merely benefit from my father's standing."

Li Ping'an said:

"I encountered something amusing on my way here. I met an old woman who claimed to be the mother of a Myriad Cloud Sect disciple.

"That old woman wanted to end her own life, saying her children were unfilial and that she no longer wished to live.

"I found it quite amusing, so I deliberately teased her.

"She believed her disguise was flawless, but she had not even handled the most basic details and was exposed at a glance.

"At her age, if her children were truly unfilial, how could her complexion be so rosy, her body so agile, and even the tea she brewed so foul-smelling?"

Li Ping'an looked up at Wen Ling'er. "What do you think, fellow cultivator?"

Wen Ling'er instinctively took half a step back. Clenching her pink fists, she stared at Li Ping'an, her pretty little face filled with conflict and confusion.

If Li Ping'an had not flaunted his father's status earlier, Wen Ling'er would have already attacked him.

But now, she did not dare.

"Fellow cultivator Wen Ling'er, is there nothing you wish to say to me?"

Li Ping'an maintained a gentle smile, his voice still unhurried.

"If what you said outside the Daoist temple was true, then you have spent decades in the mortal world and should understand how to assess the situation.

"You said you came from the coast of the Eastern Sea. The coast of the Eastern Sea is quite long and contains over twelve hundred market towns of various sizes. Our Myriad Cloud Sect has several hundred shops, most concentrated in the dozens of market towns along the central stretch of the coast.

"The shoes on your feet are rarely seen in the Eastern Continent, but they are quite fashionable in the overseas immortal mountains of Yingzhou. In several of the market towns and large cities closest to Yingzhou, there happen to be major market towns jointly controlled by our Myriad Cloud Sect and several other sects.

"If my guess is correct, you cultivated there?"

Wen Ling'er forced a stiff smile. "You are truly well-informed. Though you cultivate within the sect, you know of places ten thousand miles away."

"I merely enjoy reading miscellaneous books."

Li Ping'an sighed softly.

"Since you have not denied it, I roughly know who the immortal in the clouds overhead is.

"The person in charge of those shops is Elder Xiao Yue of the Outer Sect. She is known in the sect as Manager Xiao, and she is a disciple of a sect Golden Immortal, so she need not fear offending my father.

"I imagine that what happened today was most likely arranged by those sect elders who believed the rumors that my father would become the next Sect Leader and asked her to make my trial a little more difficult.

"Whether I pass this Outer Sect Trial does not matter much to me. At worst, my father will lose a little face.

"But what about you, Fellow Cultivator Wen?"

Wen Ling'er's little face turned deathly pale.

She instinctively looked up at the sky and whispered, "You seem to be speaking nonsense... I-I do not know any of this."

Li Ping'an suddenly asked, "Is Daoist Priest Chen safe?"

"He is safe! He is definitely safe! He is at the spirit mine!"

"Then let us go."

Li Ping'an rose to his feet and looked into Wen Ling'er's eyes. Then he suddenly laughed.

"You are also a member of the Myriad Cloud Sect. You were merely acting under orders today, so there is no need to make things too difficult for you.

"Wherever you originally intended to lead me, take me there now.

"I imagine Elder Xiao merely wishes to test a junior disciple like me."

With that, Li Ping'an took out the jade talisman and placed it on the table before them.

"This is the letter the sect gave me. Leaving it here counts as delivering it to Daoist Priest Chen. If Daoist Priest Chen does not see it, I will ask the sect to investigate this matter thoroughly."

Wen Ling'er blinked lightly.

She suddenly came to her senses.

After going around in such a huge circle, this fellow seemed to only want to ensure Chen Gongmin's safety?

Li Ping'an looked up at the cloud where Xiao Yue was hiding and cupped his hands toward her from afar, saying nothing more.

Above the clouds, Xiao Yue frowned tightly.

Li Ping'an had actually seen through her?

This boy had actually taken the initiative to invoke the Golden Immortal Ancestors behind his father, using only a few words to put her in a bind and render all her schemes meaningless...

Xiao Yue suddenly received a voice transmission. Elder Yan Sheng had taken the initiative to call her, inviting her to ride the clouds with him and observe the ceremony.