My Father's Matchmaking Plan

This... I've walked right out?

When Wen Ling'er saw the mine ahead, her entire mind went fuzzy.

She wanted to wait for her master's transmission, but the young male cultivator beside her had already drifted forward to exchange greetings with several fellow Qi cultivators who had come out to meet them.

Wen Ling'er could only steel herself and chase after him, lowering her head as she followed behind Li Ping'an.

A middle-aged Daoist with a pale, beardless face, wearing a white robe with ink-stained wide sleeves, looked quite emotional as he sized up Li Ping'an, muttering continuously:

"You really did cultivate to immortality! Hahaha!"

"Only three years! And you've entered the Light Condensation Realm! I said it! I said back then I hadn't misjudged you! Hahahaha!"

The Myriad Cloud Sect disciples stationed here had no knowledge of Li Dazhi's existence.

This also showed that the sect's internal confidentiality work was indeed quite solid.

Li Ping'an laughed heartily: "I encountered some opportunities, received some care; all of this immortal fate relies entirely on Daoist Priest Chen's guidance back then."

"Stop with the pleasantries here!"

One of the Qi cultivators said seriously: "Let's go hide below first, so we don't alert the enemy and scare off that group of evil cultivators."

"Agreed."

"Ping'an, and this fellow Daoist, hurry down! Conceal your auras! We're lying in ambush here for a group of evil cultivators!"

The voices of the few people lowered as they beckoned Li Ping'an and Wen Ling'er to hide in the mine cave.

Li Ping'an looked up at the sky...

Wasn't Manager Xiao going to show herself?

Just then, a soft laugh came from the air.

A beam of golden Immortal Light descended from the clouds, condensing into layers of steps, like a heavenly path ascending to immortality.

At the end of the immortal path was a figure, graceful and alluring.

Xiao Yue stepped down along these stairs, making the Qi cultivators below stare unblinkingly, and the mortal laborers in the mine pit unable to form words.

Even Li Ping'an, whose Dao heart was as steady as an old dog, looked up and had a flash of insight.

This auntie, ah, no, this elder... wasn't she exactly the kind of 'Hong Kong-Taiwan starlet face' his father had liked in his past life?

Elder Xiao Yue was truly enchanting and amorous.

Several layers of pale white gauze skirts made her elegant, rounded, slender legs appear and disappear enticingly, her waist so narrow it seemed like a fragile willow branch.

This immortal's face wasn't delicate or refined—it was purely stunning beauty.

She had also cultivated some supplementary charm techniques; just a sweep of her gaze left Qi cultivators with weak Dao hearts swarming with distracting thoughts, while the mortal laborers had already fallen into infatuation.

Then Manager Xiao spoke with a smile, her voice slightly husky:

"You needn't bother hiding anymore. I deliberately spread the news of evil cultivators causing trouble, solely to add some trials to Little Friend Ping'an's outer sect examination.

"No evil cultivators will come here to cause trouble later.

"Jade must be carved to become a vessel. I did everything for Little Friend Ping'an's sake.

"Little Friend Ping'an won't blame me, will he?"

As she spoke, she descended to a height of over ten zhang; white clouds hung beneath her hem, so there was no risk of exposure.

Most of the Myriad Cloud Sect Qi cultivators recognized Xiao Yue and immediately bowed: "Greetings, Elder!"

Li Ping'an also smiled and cupped his hands in salute.

Not only was he not angry, but he gazed at Xiao Yue with an extremely sincere expression, his voice exceptionally clear and warm.

"Earlier, I suspected Elder Xiao with a petty mind, thinking you were deliberately blocking my entry into the Myriad Cloud Sect's outer sect."

Li Ping'an suddenly shifted his tone...

"But upon careful reflection, Elder Xiao holds the True Immortal Dao Fruit and manages many of the sect's external assets—how could she trouble a minor disciple who hasn't even completed Foundation Establishment?

"There must be some misunderstanding here. The renowned Elder Xiao wouldn't be so petty."

Silence.

Was this minor disciple courting death? Directly mocking her like that?

The eight or nine Qi cultivators nearby were all stunned; Elder Yan Sheng on the clouds nearly choked on his dry tobacco.

Wei Yanzi also found it quite strange.

Li Ping'an was usually amiable and quite rational in his actions—why was he directly mocking Elder Xiao Yue today?

Xiao Yue smiled as she looked down at the minor Light Condensation cultivator, finding it amusing in her heart.

Li Ping'an gazed upward with clear eyes, a smile on his lips.

At this moment, his posture was inexplicably upright;

Like a pine, like a green bamboo, like a stubborn stone by the sea, like a sheathed sword radiating the spirited vigor of youth into the world.

"And so?"

Xiao Yue said calmly:

"As an Outer Sect Elder, what's wrong with giving you a bit of hardship?"

"Of course not."

Li Ping'an continued with a smile:

"When an elder bestows, a junior dares not refuse. The hardships an elder gives a disciple are also meant to temper their will, so they face fewer trials on the path of cultivation.

"It's just... every time I've heard my father mention Elder Xiao before, it was nothing but praise.

"My father often says that Elder Xiao is not only outstanding in ability, but also gentle as water, pure-hearted, noble in temperament, and extraordinary.

"Now that I see you in person... tsk, it's far too different from what my father described.

"Elder Xiao, when dealing with a small disciple like me at the Light Condensation Realm, you only resort to using strength to suppress the weak—it's truly hard for this disciple to be convinced."

Xiao Yue pressed her lips together and furrowed her brows.

So that's how Li Dazhi spoke of her in private?

Li Ping'an pressed his advantage: "My father also said that among all the Outer Sect Elders in the sect, in terms of talent and skill, Elder Xiao ranks in the top three. It's just a pity that he only caught two distant glimpses of you and never found the chance to get acquainted—truly a regret."

"Your father flatters me too much."

Xiao Yue's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she said calmly:

"There's no need for you to be glib and keep bringing up your father.

"Others may fear your father, but I don't care much. I never truly intended to make things hard for you.

"So, take this as a reward for passing the maze formation. Don't let anyone say I'm harsh and only know how to grind down disciples."

Xiao Yue's delicate hand waved lightly, and a beam of Immortal Light crashed down toward Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an reached out with both hands and caught the brocade box just in time. His spiritual sense carefully swept over it, revealing a spiritual herb emitting a faint yellow Immortal Light inside.

Isn't this... a Heavenly Origin Earth Grass?

Judging by the root features, it's at least five thousand years old!

This is the main ingredient for refining the Earth Element Heaven Mending Pill—a rare medicinal herb that Li Dazhi had searched for a long time without finding!

For Li Ping'an, who was deficient in the Earth element, this was nothing less than a great gift that could solve his urgent needs.

But he never expected this great gift to come from a True Immortal on the opposing side.

What?

What does Manager Xiao mean by this?

Deliberately selling a favor to his father's side, trying to bet on both?

Xiao Yue raised her hand and summoned: "Ling'er, come back. You're still too inexperienced. Being teased back and forth by Young Friend Ping'an a few times is no big deal."

Wen Ling'er quickly acknowledged and flew straight to her side.

Li Ping'an's mouth twitched slightly.

When did he tease her?

Still, having just received such a generous gift from Manager Xiao, Li Ping'an didn't retort.

He looked at the petite female cultivator, who was staring at him with a pitiful expression, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Li Ping'an raised the brocade box and shouted: "Thank you, Elder, for the treasure!"

Xiao Yue gave a light snort and a faint smile, then swept her sleeve, taking Wen Ling'er into the air and flying straight east.

The few Qi cultivators around once again crowded around Li Ping'an.

At this point, except for Chen Gongmin, the others looked at Li Ping'an with a glint in their eyes that could only be described as 'Wei Yanzi's signature gleam.'

Meanwhile.

On Colorful Cloud Peak of the Myriad Cloud Sect, dozens of elegant small buildings were scattered around the edge of a pine forest.

Mu Ningning had changed into a comfortable training outfit and stood by the window, gazing absently toward the Main Peak.

Senior Brother Ping'an had been away from the mountain for nearly half a month.

She didn't know what was wrong with her. She knew that Senior Brother Ping'an had a special status, and the sect would surely protect him. He was only going to deliver a letter, so logically, there shouldn't be any trouble.

But whenever she thought of Senior Brother Ping'an returning to the mortal world right now, Mu Ningning's heart was filled with unease.

"Ningning, come here. Your master will preach the Dao to you."

A soft call came from behind. The True Immortal Qing Xu, with her long hair loose and wearing only a thin gauze dress, sat gracefully on a meditation cushion.

Mu Ningning bowed to her master, pouted, and returned to her own cushion.

Qing Xu smiled: "Worried about your Senior Brother Ping'an again?"

"Master, please don't say that."

Mu Ningning sighed.

"Surely no one truly wants to take Senior Brother Ping'an as a disciple? Though his aptitude is ordinary, his comprehension is remarkably high. Others may not know, but Master, you are aware..."

"Taking a master or not depends entirely on fate. His opportunity simply hasn't arrived yet."

Qing Xu shook her head slightly, her gaze carrying a hint of fondness as she said warmly:

"It is good that you have grown close to him, but Ningning, you must understand one thing...

"According to rumors, his father has already been listed among the candidates for Sect Leader. If he can one day reach the Origin Immortal Realm, he will wield great influence within the sect.

"Already, there are many gossiping that you are associating with him only to curry favor with his father."

Mu Ningning snorted: "There are always busybodies who love to stir up trouble. When I first met Senior Brother Ping'an, I had no idea Uncle Dazhi was so formidable."

She pursed her lips slightly, her gaze growing more resolute.

"Master need not worry. This disciple came to the mountain to cultivate in pursuit of the Dao. Mundane thoughts like romantic attachments should not exist."

Qing Xu smiled: "You are mistaken, Ningning."

Mu Ningning blinked.

Qing Xu's gaze turned distant as she said gently:

"For a Qi cultivator, it is not only about gathering Qi, nurturing the spirit, forging the Dao Body, and comprehending the Great Dao—but also about keeping the heart-platform clear and the thoughts unobstructed.

"Do not let the immortal path crush the mortal path. Do not let tomorrow ruin today.

"If you truly had no such feelings, why would you care?

"Take your Martial Uncle Qing Su, for example. Her heart holds only the Dao, her Primordial Spirit as solid as ice—because she was born beyond the mortal world, right here on this mountain.

"Ningning, you came from the mortal world. How can you cast it aside? Maintaining unobstructed thoughts is what matters. Do not wrong yourself, nor let others' words disturb you—otherwise, it will harm your cultivation.

"In all things, follow your heart."

Mu Ningning looked as if she were pondering deeply.

Qing Xu smiled:

"As master and disciple, we have no need to cling to anyone. But within our Myriad Cloud Sect, there are still some disciples who wish to latch onto your Senior Brother Ping'an.

"Before, your Senior Brother Ping'an stayed quietly in Flowing Cloud Temple, never showing his face, so there was no trouble. But now that he has entered the Affairs Hall and is about to begin his outer sect training, how can this training be stopped?

"The sect has thousands of outer disciples, and countless quasi-outer disciples in various towns—among them, no shortage of young and beautiful women...

"This matter, you must think it through clearly."

Mu Ningning lowered her head and sighed, speaking softly: "Master, right now I truly have no such thoughts. I just feel that I get along best with Senior Brother Ping'an. He has helped this disciple too much, and I don't know how to repay him."

"That's all, then. Since that is the case, set aside the noise of the mortal world and focus on cultivating with your master!"

"Yes!"

Mu Ningning clenched her small fists and nodded in acknowledgment.

The immortal path was long; she could not afford to fall too far behind her senior brother.

Yet, Mu Ningning still could not calm her heart.

'Master once said that Senior Brother may have already married in the mortal world, losing his Innate Primordial Yang. How is it that he still cultivates so quickly?'

'This time, he is going to the very mortal city where he once lived. Could it be... that he is returning to see his wife?'

'Sigh. Perhaps he will bring his wife back to the mountain gate. Maybe there will even be a child—a child just over a year old...'

"Ningning, calm your heart."

"Yes!"

Three days later.

At the Daoist temple near Wan'an City.

'Heavy drinking really is terrible.'

Swallowing a hangover-curing pill, Li Ping'an gradually emerged from his groggy state.

Morning light wrapped around the incense burner, where faint blue smoke still lingered.

Li Ping'an looked at the messy wine table and the two middle-aged Daoists sprawled untidily beneath it, their robes in disarray, and shook his head with a light laugh.

Wei Yanzi was there too.

That day, after Xiao Yue left, Li Ping'an was pulled aside by Daoist Priest Chen for a chat, mingling with a few other Myriad Cloud Sect disciples stationed in the Linzheng Immortal Dynasty.

Li Ping'an had originally planned to leave after completing his trial mission, but since Daoist Priest Chen extended an invitation, he could not refuse and returned to the temple with him for a short stay.

Two days ago, in the afternoon, a stretch of fiery clouds appeared in the eastern sky. Li Ping'an's Dao heart stirred inexplicably.

The white cloud lingering above the temple shot out a beam of rainbow light, carrying the figure of Elder Yan Sheng as it streaked toward the eastern sky.

Immediately after, Wei Yanzi descended from the cloud and explained a few words to Li Ping'an:

"Those fiery clouds are a sect distress signal.

"These past two days, an ancient relic site has appeared on the coast of the Eastern Sea. Immortals from all sides have gathered, fighting fiercely. Elder Xiao Yue went to support them earlier, and now Elder Yan Sheng has rushed over as well."

"Elder Yan Sheng instructed before he left—stay here for two or three more days, to avoid being caught up in the immortals' disputes."

"Generally speaking, any newly unearthed ancient site gets cleared out by various factions within two or three days, so there's no rush. It won't delay your return to the mountain."

Thus, Li Ping'an had no choice but to linger a few more days in this small Daoist temple.

He didn't mind the leisure, though.

Wei Yanzi didn't put on airs as a high-ranking steward; he treated Chen Gongmin like a brother. For two days straight, the three of them carried on like this—

Drinking, chatting, lightly discussing the Dao, carefree and at ease among the woods and hills.

Taking advantage of Wei Yanzi and Chen Gongmin's deep drunkenness, Li Ping'an quietly slipped out of the room, his figure drifting up to the eaves to sit in meditation.

From his bosom he took out a jasper thumb ring, then produced a booklet and a brush. Opening the booklet, he quickly set brush to paper, sketching a simple portrait of Fairy Xiao Yue, followed by two lines of commentary.

[This immortal has outstanding ability, but her temperament is somewhat harsh. Overall assessment: a passable match.]

For now, he couldn't tell what she intended. Next time they met, he'd use "Father says" to praise her a few more times, and see if he could win her over as a future ally for his father.

Thinking thus, Li Ping'an drew three stars behind Xiao Yue's portrait and slowly closed the booklet.

On this little booklet were written six bold characters:

"My Father's Matchmaking Plan."

A faint tremor suddenly came from Li Ping'an's bosom. He raised an eyebrow slightly and traced the source of the vibration to the storage artifact hanging inside his inner armor.

It was the Dao-coin-shaped white jade talisman that Steward Wang Xinhui had given him before his departure.