"My Father's Matchmaking Plan"

Th-this was it? They were already out?

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

She had wanted to wait for her master to send her a message, but the young male cultivator beside her had already drifted forward and exchanged greetings with several fellow Qi cultivators who had come out to meet them.

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

A middle-aged Daoist with a fair, beardless face and a wide-sleeved ink-washed white robe was visibly excited as he sized Li Ping'an up and down, muttering incessantly:

"You finally cultivated your way to immortality! Hahaha!"

"Only three years! You actually entered the Light Condensation Realm! This poor Daoist said it! I said I hadn't misjudged you back then! Hahahaha!"

The Myriad Cloud Sect members stationed here knew nothing of Li Dazhi's existence.

This showed just how well the Myriad Cloud Sect handled internal secrecy.

Li Ping'an laughed heartily. "I encountered a few opportunities and received some assistance. All of these immortal fortunes came from Daoist Priest Chen's guidance that year."

"Don't exchange pleasantries here!"

One of the Qi cultivators said gravely, "Let's hide below first, lest we alert the enemy and scare off those Evil Cultivators."

"Agreed."

"Ping'an, and this fellow Daoist as well, hurry down! Conceal your auras! We're lying in wait for a group of Evil Cultivators here!"

The group lowered their voices and called for Li Ping'an and Wen Ling'er to hide inside the mine.

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

Why had Manager Xiao not shown herself yet?

Just then, a soft laugh drifted down from above.

A beam of golden immortal light descended from the clouds, condensing into a series of steps like an immortal road climbing to heaven.

At the end of that immortal path stood an immortal figure, graceful and alluring.

Xiao Yue descended step by step, leaving the Qi cultivators below staring without blinking and the ordinary young men in the mine too stunned to speak.

Even Li Ping'an, whose Dao heart was as steady as an old dog's, had a flash of inspiration when he looked up.

This auntie—cough, no, this elder... wasn't she exactly the type of "Hong Kong and Taiwanese celebrity face" his father had liked in his previous life?

Elder Xiao Yue was truly seductive and charming.

Several layers of pale pink gauze left her beautiful, round, slender jade legs half-hidden and half-revealed, while her waist, slender enough to fit in one hand, resembled a tender willow branch.

This immortal's face possessed none of the delicate purity or elegant refinement of beauty. It was simply ravishing.

She had also cultivated a little in the arts of seduction. With merely a sweep of her gaze, distracting thoughts arose in the Qi cultivators whose Dao hearts were unsteady, while the ordinary young men had already revealed infatuated expressions.

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

"You needn't deliberately hide anymore. The news of Evil Cultivators causing trouble was spread by this elder on purpose, merely to give young friend Ping'an's Outer Sect Trial a few more hardships.

"No Evil Cultivators will come here to cause trouble later.

"Unpolished jade cannot become a fine vessel. This elder has done everything for young friend Ping'an's sake.

"Young friend Ping'an wouldn't blame me, would you?"

As she spoke, she descended to a height of over a dozen zhang. White clouds floated beneath her skirt, so there was no danger of any accidental exposure.

Most of the Myriad Cloud Sect Qi cultivators recognized Xiao Yue and hurriedly saluted her. "Greetings, Elder!"

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

Not only was he not angry, he gazed at Xiao Yue with utmost sincerity, his voice exceptionally clear and gentle.

"Previously, I had judged Elder Xiao by my petty heart and thought Elder Xiao had deliberately obstructed my entry into the Myriad Cloud Sect Outer Sect."

Li Ping'an suddenly changed the subject...

"But after thinking it over carefully, Elder Xiao possesses the True Immortal Dao Fruit and oversees so many of the sect's external enterprises. Why would you make things difficult for a minor disciple like me, one who has not even completed Foundation Establishment?

"There must be some misunderstanding here. A renowned elder like Elder Xiao would not be so petty and narrow-minded."

Silence.

Was this little disciple tired of living? He had directly mocked her?

The eight or nine Qi cultivators nearby all froze at once. Elder Yan Sheng, high in the clouds, nearly choked on his dry tobacco.

Wei Yanzi also found it rather strange.

Li Ping'an was normally mild and amiable, and he acted with considerable reason. Why was he openly mocking Elder Xiao Yue today?

Xiao Yue smiled as she gazed at the minor Light Condensation cultivator below, finding the situation amusing.

Li Ping'an looked up at her with clear eyes, a smile on his lips.

At that moment, his figure seemed indescribably upright;

Like pine and cypress, like green bamboo, like a stubborn stone standing beside the sea, he resembled a treasured sword returned to its sheath, radiating the youthful vigor of a young man toward heaven and earth.

"What?"

Xiao Yue said calmly:

"As an Outer Sect elder, what is wrong with giving you a little more hardship?"

"Nothing at all."

Li Ping'an continued smiling.

"When elders bestow something, juniors dare not decline. An elder's hardships for a disciple are also meant to temper the disciple's character and leave fewer hardships upon the path of cultivation.

"It is only that every time I heard my father mention Elder Xiao before, his words were nothing but praise and admiration.

"My father often said that Elder Xiao was not only exceptionally capable, but also gentle as water, intelligent and graceful, elegant in temperament, and extraordinary beyond compare.

"Yet now that I see you... tsk, you seem rather different from what my father described.

"For Elder Xiao to treat a minor Light Condensation disciple like me by simply using strength to oppress the weak is truly difficult for this disciple to accept."

Xiao Yue pursed her lips and frowned.

Did Li Dazhi truly speak of her like that in private?

Li Ping'an struck while the iron was hot. "My father also said that among all the Outer Sect elders, whether in talent or capability, Elder Xiao ranked among the top three. It was only a pity that he had met Elder Xiao from afar merely twice and never found an opportunity to befriend you. He considered it a great regret."

"You flatter me through your father's high regard."

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

"You needn't sweet-talk me by constantly mentioning your father.

"Others fear your father, but I care little for him. Nor did I truly intend to make things difficult for you.

"Very well. I shall give you this item as a reward for passing the maze formation. Do not let others say that I am harsh and mean, knowing only how to temper disciples."

Xiao Yue lightly waved her delicate hand, and a beam of immortal light shot toward Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an held out both hands and caught the brocade box. His spiritual sense carefully swept over it, revealing a spiritual herb within that emitted pale yellow immortal light.

Wasn't this... Heavenly Origin Earth Grass?

Judging by the characteristics of its roots, it was at least five thousand years old!

This was the main ingredient for refining the Earth Element Heaven Mending Pill, a rare medicinal ingredient Li Dazhi had searched for without success for a long time!

For Li Ping'an, whose Five Elements lacked earth, this was nothing less than a great gift that answered his most urgent need.

He simply had not expected that such a great gift would come from the hands of a True Immortal standing on the opposing side.

What?

What was Manager Xiao trying to do?

Was she deliberately extending goodwill toward his father's side, intending to place bets on both sides?

Xiao Yue raised a hand and called out, "Ling'er, come back. You are still too immature. Being teased several times by young friend Ping'an is hardly a major matter."

Wen Ling'er hurriedly acknowledged her and flew straight to Xiao Yue's side.

Li Ping'an's lips twitched slightly.

How had he teased her?

Still, having just received a great gift from Manager Xiao, Li Ping'an did not retort.

When he looked toward the petite female cultivator, she was gazing at him pitifully, as though she had suffered some enormous injustice.

Li Ping'an raised the brocade box and called out, "Thank you, Elder, for bestowing this treasure!"

Xiao Yue gave a soft snort and a faint smile, then swept her sleeve and rose into the air with Wen Ling'er, flying directly eastward.

The surrounding Qi cultivators once again gathered around Li Ping'an.

At this moment, aside from Daoist Priest Chen Gongmin, the others all looked at Li Ping'an with a little of that "Wei Yanzi-style radiance" in their eyes.

Meanwhile.

At the Myriad Cloud Sect's Colorful Cloud Peak, dozens of elegant small buildings stood scattered around the edge of a pine forest.

Mu Ningning had changed into comfortable training clothes and stood by the window, staring absentmindedly toward the Main Peak.

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

She did not know what was wrong with her. She clearly knew that Senior Brother Ping'an's identity was special, that the sect would certainly ensure his safety, and that he had merely gone to deliver a message. By all reason, nothing troublesome should happen;

Yet whenever she thought of Senior Brother Ping'an having returned to the mortal world, Mu Ningning felt inexplicably troubled.

"Ningning, come here. Your master will expound the Dao for you."

A gentle call came from behind her. True Immortal Qing Xu, her long hair loose and wearing only a soft, thin gauze dress, sat gracefully on a prayer mat.

Mu Ningning bowed to her master, then sat back down on her own prayer mat with puffed cheeks.

Qing Xu smiled. "Thinking about your Senior Brother Ping'an again?"

"Master, please don't say that."

Mu Ningning sighed.

"Is there really no one who wants to take Senior Brother Ping'an as a disciple? Although Senior Brother Ping'an's aptitude is ordinary, his comprehension is exceptionally high. Others may not know it, but you do, Master..."

"Whether one takes a master depends entirely on fate. His opportunity simply has not arrived yet."

Qing Xu gently shook her head. Her eyes held a trace of affection as she said softly:

"It is naturally good that you have become close with him, but Ningning, you must understand one thing...

"According to rumors, his father has already been listed within the sect as a candidate for Sect Leader. If he can reach the Origin Immortal Realm in the future, he will naturally be able to wield great influence within the sect.

"Already, quite a few rumors claim that you befriended him only to attach yourself to his father."

Mu Ningning snorted. "There will always be troublemakers who gossip. When I first met Senior Brother Ping'an, I did not even know that Uncle Dazhi was so formidable."

She lightly pressed her lips together, and her gaze became more resolute.

"Master need not worry. This disciple came to the mountains to cultivate in pursuit of the immortal Dao. Mortal notions such as romance between men and women should not exist."

Qing Xu smiled. "You are wrong, Ningning."

Mu Ningning blinked.

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

"For Qi cultivators, it is not only necessary to accumulate qi, nurture the spirit, forge the Dao Body, and comprehend the Great Dao. One must also keep the mind clear and one's thoughts unobstructed.

"Do not use the immortal path to suppress the mortal path. Do not let tomorrow's mistakes ruin today.

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

"Take your Martial Uncle Qing Su. Only the Dao exists in her heart, and her primordial spirit is like solid ice, because she was born beyond the mortal world. She was born on this mountain.

"Ningning, you came from the mortal world. How can you cast it aside? Keeping your thoughts unobstructed is what matters. Do not wrong yourself, nor let others' words disturb you, or else they will harm your cultivation rather than benefit it.

"In all matters, you must follow your heart."

Mu Ningning appeared thoughtful.

Qing Xu smiled.

"Neither you nor I, as master and disciple, need attach ourselves to anyone. Yet within our Myriad Cloud Sect, there are still some disciples who wish to attach themselves to your Senior Brother Ping'an.

"Previously, your Senior Brother Ping'an had stayed in Flowing Cloud Temple and did not show himself publicly, so nothing happened for the time being. But now that he has entered the Affairs Hall and is about to begin his Outer Sect training, how could such training possibly stop him?

"There are several thousand Outer Sect Disciples in the sect, and countless prospective Outer Sect Disciples in the various market towns. Among them are no lack of young and beautiful women...

"You must think this matter through carefully."

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

"Very well. Since that is the case, cast aside the noise of the mortal world and focus on cultivating with your master!"

"Yes!"

Mu Ningning clenched her small fists and nodded in response.

The immortal path was long. She could not allow herself to fall too far behind her senior brother.

Yet Mu Ningning still could not calm her mind.

Master once said that Senior Brother might have already married in the mortal world and lost his Innate Primordial Yang. How could he still cultivate so quickly?

This time, he went to the mortal city where he originally lived. Could it be... he went back to see his wife?

Ah, perhaps he will bring his wife back to the mountain gate. Perhaps they may even have a child, one who might only be a year old...

"Ningning, calm your mind."

"Yes!"

Three days later.

Inside that Daoist temple near Wan'an City.

Drinking heavily really was a terrible idea.

After swallowing a sobriety pill, Li Ping'an gradually awakened from his groggy state.

The morning light enveloped the incense burner, where wisps of smoke still lingered.

Li Ping'an looked at the chaotic wine table and the two disheveled middle-aged Daoists sprawled beneath it, then shook his head with a faint smile.

Wei Yanzi was here as well.

After Xiao Yue had departed that day, Li Ping'an had been pulled aside by Daoist Priest Chen for a conversation and had gotten acquainted with several other Myriad Cloud Sect disciples stationed in the Linzheng Immortal Dynasty.

Li Ping'an had intended to leave once he completed his trial task, but Daoist Priest Chen invited him, and he could not refuse. He returned to the Daoist temple with Daoist Priest Chen and stayed for two days.

The afternoon before yesterday, a stretch of fiery clouds had appeared in the eastern sky, and Li Ping'an's Dao heart had inexplicably trembled.

The white cloud lingering above the Daoist temple released a streak of Rainbow Light. Elder Yan Sheng's figure was within it as he shot toward the eastern sky.

Immediately afterward, Wei Yanzi descended from the clouds and explained a few things to Li Ping'an:

"Those fiery clouds are the sect's secret method for requesting aid.

"These past two days, a secret Ancient Ruins realm appeared along the coast of the Eastern Sea. Immortals from all sides gathered there and fought fiercely. Elder Xiao Yue went to provide support earlier, and now Elder Yan Sheng has gone as well.

"Before Elder Yan Sheng left, he instructed you to stay here another two or three days, lest you get caught up in a dispute among immortals.

"Generally speaking, the Ancient Ruins that emerge each time are emptied out by all sorts of factions within two or three days. There's no need to hurry; it won't delay your return to the mountain."

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

He was quite content to enjoy the leisure.

Wei Yanzi did not put on airs as a high-ranking Deacon. He addressed Chen Gongmin as a brother, and for two days straight, the three of them did nothing but—

Drink, chat, and casually discuss the Dao, living carefree among the mountains and forests.

While Wei Yanzi and Chen Gongmin were dead drunk, Li Ping'an quietly left the room and drifted up to the eaves to meditate.

He took a jade thumb ring from his robes, then pulled out a booklet and a brush. Opening the booklet, he swiftly sketched a simple portrait of Immortal Xiao Yue, then wrote two lines of commentary beneath it.

This immortal was highly capable, though her personality was somewhat sharp-tongued. Overall, she could be considered a good match.

It was still impossible to tell what she wanted. The next time they met, he should praise her a little more under the guise of "my father says" and see if he could win her over as support for his father in the future.

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

Six simplified characters were prominently written on its cover:

"My Father's Matchmaking Plan."

A faint vibration suddenly came from Li Ping'an's robes. He raised a brow and found the source within the Storage Artifact hanging from his Inner Armor.

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