My Immortal Father

Myriad Cloud Hall Sect Master's Immortal Decree:

"Outer Sect Deacon Wei Yanzi and Outer Disciple Li Ping'an have rendered meritorious service in aiding fellow disciples, bringing glory to the Myriad Cloud Sect. Each shall be rewarded with a spirit stone, six pots of immortal pills, and twelve boxes of treasured materials for artifact refining."

"Deacon Wei Yanzi failed to establish timely contact with the sect, causing a large number of fellow disciples to journey to the mortal realm in vain. He is hereby reprimanded verbally, his Cloud Nurturing Hall monthly allowance will be deducted for twenty years, and he is ordered to copy the sect's communication methods three thousand times, to be completed within six months."

"Disciple Li Ping'an, for his composure, ability to adapt to circumstances, and exceptional courage, the sect elders have specially awarded him a residential courtyard within the sect. He may choose the location himself. He is also bestowed with the immortal magic treasures, the Azure Cloud Immortal Crossing Robe and the Flowing Cloud Sun Piercing Shuttle."

"This award shall not be publicly announced; it is sufficient for the parties involved to know."

After Immortal Qing Su returned to the mountain, he immediately went into closed-door cultivation on Colorful Cloud Peak, which Wei Yanzi found quite displeasing.

"Ping'an, look at this. You toiled for days, and you didn't even get a 'thank you'!"

Li Ping'an smiled without a word, holding the 'Outer Disciple' identity token and examining it for a long time.

The two of them had already returned to Flowing Cloud Temple and were gathered in Li Ping'an's wooden building.

On the table, two spirit stones emitted a hazy immortal light. The immortal pills, treasures, and immortal magic treasures awarded by the sect had all been brought here together.

As for the Myriad Cloud Return Sect Token, Li Ping'an didn't feel it was appropriate to keep it directly. He returned it to Deacon Wang Xinhui.

Wei Yanzi admired the robe Li Ping'an had just received, clicking his tongue in amazement, but he didn't feel comfortable trying it on.

At this moment, what made Li Ping'an happiest was not the spirit stones and immortal pills, nor these two immortal magic treasures, but the fact that his name had been recorded in the Myriad Cloud Sect's immortal registry.

From this day forward, he was an official disciple of the Myriad Cloud Sect. Not only would he receive a monthly allowance of three low-grade spirit stones, but he could also freely enter and exit the several mountain peaks where outer disciples cultivated, attend immortal lectures six times a month, and openly practice various low-level spells of the Myriad Cloud Sect. He could also seek guidance from the outer sect deacons at any time and, when the time was right, request to be stationed in the mortal realm.

Now that his father was in the Myriad Cloud Sect, and his home was in the Myriad Cloud Sect, he no longer needed to waste his years in the mortal world.

In summary, Li Ping'an had already exceeded the goals he had set for himself years ago!

Now, Li Ping'an only had two pain points left in his heart.

He was lacking earth in the Five Elements;

He was lacking a Master in his destiny.

"Deacon," Li Ping'an said with a smile, "Please put away your reward for now. Junior Sister Mu should be arriving soon. As the saying goes, 'those who see should get a share'..."

"Hmph! If she sees it, she can have a share!"

Although Wei Yanzi spoke generously, his actions were quite honest as he nimbly put away his own share of spirit stones and treasures.

For a Qi cultivator who had recently ascended, this amount of spirit stones and treasures was quite a fortune.

Wei Yanzi was in a great mood and couldn't help but exclaim, "Following you and your father, my fortune has truly been boosted! Ahahaha!"

Li Ping'an smiled and shook his head, not correcting his flawed phrasing.

Li Ping'an was unsure if Deacon Wei Yanzi truly followed him;

But Li Ping'an could say with certainty that Deacon Wei Yanzi was definitely the foremost general under his father's command.

Li Ping'an continued to inventory his gains. He glanced at the immortal robe a few times before casually putting it away.

This immortal robe was mainly for show; its defensive capabilities were not as good as the inner armor he was wearing. It was elaborately designed with complex patterns, belonging to the category of 'ceremonial attire for grand events'.

The Flowing Cloud Sun Piercing Shuttle could be small or large. Normally, it was like a wooden shuttle used for weaving. When used, it could transform into a shuttle about ten feet long, with astonishing speed.

Li Ping'an took the treasure, examined it carefully for a while, and then eagerly began to refine it.

"This Flowing Cloud Sun Piercing Shuttle is quite a good treasure."

"That's not right," Wei Yanzi said with a smile. "Clearly, your robe is better."

"A magic treasure that is useful to oneself is a good magic treasure."

Li Ping'an smiled:

"I am currently only in the Condensing Light Realm and cannot unleash even one-tenth of this shuttle's power, yet I can travel ten thousand miles a day with it.

"Perhaps the sect elders discovered my talent for evasion and specially bestowed such a precious treasure upon me."

Wei Yanzi said seriously, "Then how can you call it evasion? This is clearly a strategic withdrawal of ten thousand miles, soaring to the heavens! Hahaha!"

A soft call came from outside the door: "Senior Brother Ping'an?"

Wei Yanzi immediately stood up: "I won't disturb you. You two chat, you two chat."

Li Ping'an was about to stop him, but Wei Yanzi had already cast a spell, transforming into a wisp of cloud and mist that drifted to the second floor, then out the window and disappeared.

After the 'high-intensity training' of the past few days, Wei Yanzi's evasion technique level had also risen dramatically.

Li Ping'an put away the shuttle, put on the robe, and opened the door to see a graceful figure standing in the courtyard.

Mu Ningning had clearly dressed up carefully today.

Her black hair was styled into a double-ringed bun, her pretty face was lightly powdered, and a pink and white long dress reached just above the floor, revealing her embroidered shoes only when she moved.

It was unclear whether the white dress was designed this way, or if her figure was too outstanding, but the fabric in the front seemed to be stretched quite tightly, and her soft waist, bound by a sash, was almost too slender to grasp.

She was holding a food box and was currently standing on tiptoe, peering into the house.

"Deacon Wei Yanzi just left."

Li Ping'an said with a smile, and slowly walked towards the tree.

Mu Ningning asked softly, "Senior Brother, did you only return with Steward Wei Yanzi?"

Li Ping'an chuckled, "Isn't Senior Qing Su also here?"

"Ah! That's right!"

Mu Ningning suddenly became happy, her peach blossom eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled. Her fair skin was quite translucent in the sunlight. She hopped a few steps to Li Ping'an's side.

Li Ping'an swept away fallen leaves from the low table and cushions with a flick of his sleeve, then sat down with Mu Ningning.

The two of them, one not bothering with hostly etiquette and the other not minding guest formalities, naturally created a harmonious atmosphere.

Shortly after, the table was filled with dishes Mu Ningning had prepared. Li Ping'an brought out a pot of spirit fruit wine he had brewed himself.

Today, entering the outer sect, was worth celebrating.

Li Ping'an suddenly said, "Hmm? Why are you kneeling today? Are you feeling constrained?"

"This..." Mu Ningning lowered her gaze to the side. "A senior sister said that women appear more gentle when kneeling. It's not like I'm performing a ritual, it's just a sitting posture... That's how I see it..."

"There's such a saying?"

Li Ping'an was speechless and chuckled, not bothering her further.

He asked, "In the past half month, have you seen the phenomenon of ascension in the sky from the main peak, Junior Sister?"

"Ascension phenomena? I haven't seen anything like that."

Mu Ningning lowered her head to pour Li Ping'an a cup of wine, then stood up and switched to cross-legged sitting, letting her skirt spread out casually beside her.

Li Ping'an couldn't help but worry.

Had his father still not overcome the heavenly chasm to become an immortal?

Or was his rapid cultivation advancement causing an unstable foundation? Or had the three times he transferred cultivation to himself left some hidden dangers?

"Senior Brother? What's wrong? Two hours ago, Uncle-Master came to Colorful Cloud Peak looking for me."

"Oh? My father went to your place?"

"Uncle-Master gave me a jade pendant. He said... he said..."

She suddenly blushed, raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and continued in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum:

"He said it was your family's heirloom jade, and although it's just a mortal item, it has extraordinary significance and the like, asking me to keep it safe."

"I, well, I couldn't refuse, so I accepted it directly."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Li Ping'an choked on the fruit wine, his gaze becoming incredibly complex.

No wonder Mu Ningning was acting so strangely today!

Although as she grew older, she sometimes deliberately hid her true nature and tried to act gentler, she had never been this shy and demure!

His father was already resorting to the 'family heirloom jade pendant' trick?

Would he have to help him deliver heart-shaped stones in the future too!

This was too much!

"Senior Brother," Mu Ningning asked nervously, "What's wrong?"

Li Ping'an smiled and shook his head, sighing, "You know my father. He's always worried about my life events... Don't overthink it."

Mu Ningning pouted and snorted, "I'm not overthinking anything."

"Come, come, let's drink, drink. Find your usual state, being carefree is much better."

Li Ping'an smiled and said, "When I returned to the mortal world this time, while I can't say it was a brush with death, I did experience quite a few hardships. I can tell you all about it now."

He pulled Mu Ningning along and began recounting his thousand-mile escape. Mu Ningning listened intently, her eyes fixed on him.

After a few cups of fruit wine, Mu Ningning finally shed her ladylike facade and returned to her true, chivalrous nature.

Her laughter became more endearingly naive, and her voice grew clearer.

She suddenly asked, "Senior Brother, when you returned to the mortal world this time, didn't you go see your family?"

Li Ping'an was puzzled, "My only family is this old father. When I returned to the mortal world, severing worldly ties simply meant dividing family property and dismissing servants."

"Huh?"

Mu Ningning's eyes were full of question marks. Her heart warmed, and she blurted out, "You don't have a wife or concubines in the mortal world?"

"Where would I get wives and concubines? I am a good lad devoted to the Dao."

"Then how did you not lose your primordial yang?"

Mu Ningning blinked her eyes, then feigned sudden realization, giving Li Ping'an a look of disdain:

"You actually went to places like brothels!"

Li Ping'an was about to explain when Mu Ningning had already forgiven him.

"But everyone makes mistakes when they're young, so I can't really blame you! Hehe, you don't even have a wife or concubines in the mortal world."

She giggled happily, leaning on the wooden table with her delicate hands cupping her cheeks, looking at Li Ping'an with a playful grin.

Her ulterior motives were as clear as day.

Li Ping'an sighed inwardly. He wasn't entirely indifferent to the cute girl Mu Ningning, but he needed to nurture his Dao body right now. Forming a Dao companion too early would only affect his cultivation progress. He couldn't consider such matters for the time being.

Change the subject, change the subject.

"Has Junior Sister entered the Condensing Light Realm yet?"

"Senior Brother, look!"

Mu Ningning closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and a faint light appeared on her forehead.

Her primordial soul had gathered, but her divine transformation had not yet begun.

Mu Ningning said proudly, "I'm a Qi cultivator in the Condensing Light Realm now too!"

"See, your cultivation realm is catching up to me again," Li Ping'an sighed. "It's different when you have a Master guiding you."

Mu Ningning laughed, "Are you indirectly praising yourself? Even with my Master's guidance, I'm barely keeping up with your cultivation progress. I'm starting to doubt if the sect's experts misjudged Senior Brother's talent!"

"I'm lacking earth in the Five Elements, what's there to misjudge? It's just that my father has been helping all along... Did your Martial Uncle Qing Su say anything after returning to the mountain?"

"He didn't say much, he just went into closed-door cultivation in a hurry."

Li Ping'an sighed dejectedly.

Well, that investment was a bust. Immortal Qing Su probably wouldn't recommend a Master for him.

"What's wrong, Senior Brother?"

"It's nothing. I'll continue to rely on myself and not think about these things. I can comprehend my own universe on my own!"

Li Ping'an cheered up and continued to talk about his interesting experiences while he was away.

Under the phoenix tree in the courtyard, they drank and reminisced.

The white clouds above, Li Dazhi was smiling as he waited for Mu Ningning to leave, not disturbing the young couple.

Youth is truly wonderful.

Then, Li Dazhi looked at the lotus phantom beneath his feet and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Ascension isn't bad either.

As dusk approached, Mu Ningning flew towards Colorful Cloud Peak on a sword.

Just as Li Ping'an was about to return to his room to meditate, a beam of immortal light struck down.

Li Dazhi's still imposing figure slowly descended from the immortal light, drawing the gazes of a group of young boys and girls from Flowing Cloud Temple.

Li Ping'an was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up, "Dad, you've ascended!?"

"Calm down, calm down."

Li Dazhi turned around, cradling his belly, and winked and chuckled at Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an asked in surprise, "Didn't you say you could reshape your immortal body after crossing the Heavenly Bridge? Dad, why do you still have a beer belly?"

Li Dazhi immediately broke character, "I'm used to this appearance, so I'll just keep it... Let's talk inside, I have something to discuss with you!"

Discuss something?

Li Ping'an squinted and smiled, following behind his father into the second-floor bedroom.

Li Dazhi activated an immortal power barrier to shield them from external detection, then put on his authoritative father persona.

He sat behind the desk, gestured for Li Ping'an to stand before him, cleared his throat a few times, and put on a serious expression.

"Ping'an, you're not young anymore. Now that I've also ascended, it's time..."

"Right!"

Li Ping'an interrupted him forcefully and said earnestly, "Dad, you should also consider remarriage."

"Re-remarry?"

Li Dazhi's eyes widened:

"Remarry what? Am I betraying your mother!"

"Dad," Li Ping'an sighed, "You've stepped onto the immortal path, your lifespan is ten thousand years, and your life has been extended by a large margin. Are you planning to stay single like this for the rest of your life?"

Li Dazhi said firmly, "I'll consider my own matters after you've settled down and started a family!"

"That won't do," Li Ping'an shook his head. "If I really get married, I'll be moving from the original family to a new, smaller family. Then you'll be all alone, which would be very unfilial! Hey, Dad, have you met Elder Xiao Yue?"

"Ah, yes, I have. What's wrong?"

"Don't you, uh, feel any stirring of Dao heart? When I was little, didn't you like beauties with this kind of appearance?"

"You think you're so smart!"

Li Dazhi glared fiercely at Li Ping'an.

"Don't try to pull any of that nonsense on me! I never intended to find a Dao companion!

"Back in my day, I was already at the stage where I was preparing to hold my grandson. My Dao heart was settled at that stage! And yet, you're here trying to arrange things for me haphazardly!"

Li Ping'an lowered his head and listened to the lecture. After Li Dazhi finished scolding him, he took the initiative to talk about the matter of the East Sea ancient ruins.

He successfully managed to get through it.

"Ping'an," Li Dazhi said, "This matter of the East Sea ancient ruins has caused many Immortals in the sect to come out of seclusion. The elders in the Affairs Hall want to take this opportunity to hold a grand disciple competition. It will be held within the next seven to eight days."

Li Ping'an shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not an inner disciple."

Li Dazhi leaned to the side and whispered, "It can be arranged."

"Dad, how can it be arranged?"

"I plan to give them some suggestions to allow outer disciples to participate as well, as long as they are above the fourth stage of the Spirit Gathering Realm and joined the sect within the last twenty years."

Li Dazhi narrowed his eyes and smiled. He then continued:

"I've just ascended, and the immortal spiritual energy hasn't dissipated yet. Let's see if I can help improve your Dao foundation.

"Also, I'll transfer some cultivation to you again today. You can go and compete in this grand competition, let the Immortals in the sect see your abilities."

Li Ping'an gave a wry smile. "Transferring cultivation is fine, and I'd like to benefit from your immortal energy. As for the sect competition, let's forget about it. I don't really like crowds."

"That's fine too, then I won't bother arranging it."

Li Dazhi stretched his sleeves and chuckled.

"Do whatever makes you comfortable. Come over and meditate!"

Li Ping'an took off his outer robe, wearing only his inner garment. He closed his eyes and meditated in front of the Dao character hanging on the wall.

Li Dazhi walked behind Li Ping'an with his leisurely gait, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and inhaled. Seven great stars gradually appeared behind his head.

A purple great star appeared above Li Ping'an's head, intersecting and echoing with the seven stars behind him.

A moment later, wisps of immortal spiritual energy flowed into the great star above Li Ping'an's head, then transformed into ribbons that rained down on him.

This cultivation transfer lasted for about a moment.

Li Dazhi opened his eyes and observed his son's condition. He saw that Li Ping'an's Dao body hadn't changed much, but his cultivation was steadily improving. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and guard Li Ping'an from the side.

Another half an hour passed.

Rumble—

Without any warning, the ground suddenly began to tremble, and the spiritual energy in the world became restless. Small ice shards appeared everywhere in Myriad Cloud Sect.

Li Ping'an interrupted his cultivation, turned his head in surprise to look at his father. Li Dazhi also looked bewildered.

"Dad, did you cause this commotion?"

"It has nothing to do with me," Li Dazhi said, looking at his own fair and tender hands. "Is it an earthquake?"

The father and son exchanged a glance, then simultaneously got up and rushed to the window to look out.

At Colorful Cloud Peak, the phantom image of a giant ice lotus rapidly took shape. The ice lotus had not fully bloomed yet, emitting boundless immortal light and manifesting numerous auspicious signs.

The laughter of the Peak Master of Colorful Cloud Peak echoed within the mountain protection formation:

"An Immortal in my Colorful Cloud Peak is breaking through the Heavenly Immortal barrier!

"All sect members and disciples can come to the vicinity of Colorful Cloud Peak to witness the ceremony. If you gain any insights, you will benefit for a lifetime!"