Fulfilling One's Wish!

Qingxu broke through to Heavenly Immortal so quickly?

Li Dazhi, riding a cloud with Li Ping'an, headed towards Colorful Cloud Peak. Along the way, they encountered many familiar Immortals, and the sounds of greetings and pleasantries were endless.

Li Ping'an stood behind his old man, maintaining a polite smile.

This was his first time attending a sect 'grand event' with his father, and it suddenly gave him a sense of déjà vu, like when he followed his father to weddings in middle school.

Greetings and pleasantries were everywhere, and all he saw were friendly smiles.

Although Li Ping'an really wanted to focus on observing the grand spectacle of someone breaking through to Heavenly Immortal, he couldn't be too rude at the moment. He could only keep smiling and nodding. When his father introduced this Peak Master or that Elder, he would dutifully perform the disciple's courtesy.

Li Ping'an mentally kept count:

On the cloud path from Flowing Cloud Temple to Colorful Cloud Peak, he greeted over sixty 'seniors' and met twelve male cultivators who 'looked like they were his age,' as well as over forty female cultivators who 'looked like young girls but were actually a hundred or eighty years old.' These young cultivators were all immortal seedlings from various peaks, mostly in the Heaven and Earth Bridge realm.

Their communication style was also very uniform: first, they would ask if their cultivation had been going smoothly, then they would arrange to have a drink together if there was an opportunity later, and finally, they would start praising each other's disciples.

Fellow disciples would praise Li Ping'an in various ways, and Li Dazhi would also eloquently praise the disciples of these Immortals.

Immortal Sect social events were nothing more than this.

Finally, Li Ping'an welcomed his savior.

"Senior Brother Ping'an! It's closer over here!"

Mu Ningning, wearing a light blue disciple skirt, stood behind her Master and waved enthusiastically at Li Ping'an from a nearby white cloud.

Li Dazhi nudged Li Ping'an's shoulder and said with a smile, "Go on, I still need to chat with some Elders, I won't accompany you."

Li Ping'an thanked his old man for his 'anti-social' grace and, under the gaze of the younger disciples, floated over to Mu Ningning's side.

"Disciple Ping'an, greetings, Senior Qingxu."

True Immortal Qingxu nodded with a smile, "Please don't call me senior. Young friend, you and Ningning can play freely."

"Thank you, Senior!"

Li Ping'an let out a soft breath, stood shoulder to shoulder with Mu Ningning, and looked up.

An ice lotus that seemed almost substantial bloomed at the mountain's peak, with a diameter exceeding a thousand zhang. A blurry figure sat quietly in the center of the ice lotus.

This ice lotus was the manifestation of Qingxu's Great Dao.

Mu Ningning smiled joyfully, "Senior Brother, Senior Aunt Qingxu is the first in Colorful Cloud Peak's Qing generation to break through to Heavenly Immortal! The second will definitely be my Master!"

"The Dao charm of Heavenly Immortal is so complex."

Li Ping'an stared intently at the flowing patterns on the ice lotus, trying to comprehend even a sliver of its Dao charm.

He felt that each wisp of Dao charm was so grand and vast to him now, as if it contained endless profound realms.

Mu Ningning whispered, "Senior Brother, it is said that Senior Aunt Qingxu has the potential to break through to Golden Immortal in the future."

Li Ping'an smiled, "If she can truly break through, then it would be excellent. Our Myriad Cloud Sect would have another Golden Immortal to protect us."

Mu Ningning sighed, "I heard my Master and the others talking. The process from Heavenly Immortal to Golden Immortal will take no less than a thousand years, possibly tens of thousands or even a hundred thousand years... Heavenly Immortals can live for several Yuan Hui. It's truly enviable."

"Cultivate diligently, and the immortal path is within reach."

"Um... Senior Brother..."

Li Ping'an looked down at Mu Ningning.

She must have been brought out by her Master during her cultivation. Although she was bare-faced, her skin was still fair and translucent, her face as delicate as a peach, without a single blemish.

This was the benefit of being nourished by spiritual energy daily.

Mu Ningning whispered, "Senior Brother, this is for you."

A red string circled her fingertips, and she gently pulled it outwards, revealing a freshly braided protective charm.

She looked up at Li Ping'an, "This is... a return gift for that jade pendant."

"Take one of these every month."

Li Ping'an took the protective charm and, in passing, handed her a bottle of the Yuan Cultivating Immortal Pills that the sect had previously awarded.

Their eyes met for a moment before quickly darting away, and they each put the items in their hands into their storage artifacts.

True Immortal Qingxu, standing in front, couldn't help but put her hands behind her back, gaze up at the celestial phenomenon in the sky, and a smile touched her lips.

The weaving method of that protective charm was also taught by her, her Master.

It was an old tradition of their Colorful Cloud Peak.

Li Ping'an looked up at his father and saw him muttering something to a few outer sect Elders, with Elder Yan Sheng also present. They nodded and smiled from time to time.

His father's 'family heirloom jade pendant' had completely disrupted his originally planned rhythm.

'I should find something for my father to do. He'll be even more idle after ascending to immortality.'

Meanwhile.

Li Dazhi pulled aside a chubby outer sect Elder and whispered, "Can you find me a few more jade pendants, jade bracelets, and the like... Yes, yes, just like the last time, find them from the mortal world, preferably precious jade passed down in mortal families, well-preserved... Yes, they need to have some age to them, imbued with human essence... Get me a few more! Thank you, thank you!"

The Elder stroked his beard and nodded.

Myriad Cloud Sect controls one medium-sized and two smaller mortal immortal dynasties, making it as easy as picking something up to find such mortal jade.

It's just that I don't know what Grand Ancestor Li Dazhi needs this thing for.

In the air, the ice lotus had entered its final blooming stage.

Qingxu was at a critical juncture for her breakthrough. Tiny ice shards appeared more and more frequently in the air, and heavy snow began to fall on the mountaintop.

Many cultivators sensed something and focused their minds to comprehend.

Li Ping'an had already begun meditating on the clouds, with a few ice crystals swirling around him.

Myriad Cloud Sect's protective mountain array was fully activated. The smooth, lubricating array wall was enveloped in a thin mist, concealing the grand spectacle within the sect.

On a mountain peak within the sect, over a dozen figures stood at a pavilion, gazing in the direction of Colorful Cloud Peak.

Vice Sect Master Mo Yi and several elders were gathered there, discussing the cultivation of Pure Heart Dao and marveling at another Heavenly Immortal expert in their sect.

One elder, whether intentionally or not, remarked:

"Could it be that our Myriad Cloud Sect's fortune is truly being influenced by Martial Uncle Dazhi? Recently, several True Immortals nearing their end-of-life have reached the verge of breakthrough and entered closed-door cultivation."

The atmosphere in the pavilion immediately turned cold.

An elder glared at the speaker and said in a low voice, "Cultivation depends entirely on one's own comprehension and opportunities. How can there be any 'influence'?"

Vice Sect Master Mo Yi chuckled, "Perhaps there is some influence, but cultivation is ultimately one's own matter. Don't speak like that to outsiders, lest our fellow disciples who have recently broken through feel awkward."

"Indeed."

"Precisely, precisely!"

An inner sect elder walked up to the Vice Sect Master. Their Daoist robes brushed against each other as they began transmitting messages.

The elder said:

"Vice Sect Master, can this great fortune of Li Dazhi truly allow him to ascend to the heavens in one step?

"I have already read the secret letter sent by Xiao Yue.

"According to Xiao Yue, whenever she intended to cause trouble for Li Ping'an, some unexpected event would occur, and all her plans would fall through.

"And then there's the matter of Li Ping'an rescuing Qingxu. A disciple in the Light Condensation Realm, commanding a steward who had only recently ascended, managed to evade the pursuit of so many experts and escape for thousands of miles.

"If it weren't for his father's protective fortune, I would never believe it."

"The theory of fortune can ultimately not be proven."

Mo Yi smiled:

"This young man has some quick wit and is good at adapting. It's a pity his aptitude is poor and his immortal path is fraught with obstacles. For now, he is not a cause for concern.

"As for Xiao Yue... her secret letter is just for reading.

"Xiao Yue has been clever since childhood. Although I watched her grow up, she isn't very close to me and always keeps something back in her actions. She merely wants to sit on the sidelines and play both sides, being somewhat greedy.

"She actually has the aptitude and comprehension to become a Heavenly Immortal. It's just a pity that the sect, seeing her quick mind, has assigned too many worldly affairs for her to handle. She now values these worldly affairs, and her own cultivation has been neglected.

"Later, we'll see what she does, no need to listen to what she says. If it's not good, advise her to return to the mountain and cultivate steadily. Constantly moving among mortals will inevitably lead to some turbid energy."

"Yes, what the Vice Sect Master says is reasonable."

The elder asked again:

"Li Dazhi has ascended. Although the sect has not officially announced this news, the inner sect elders have all been informed by the Sect Master.

"The Sect Master's intention is for the elders to discuss a suitable position for Li Dazhi, one that won't consume too much energy and will still allow him to hold a post in the Six Halls.

"This is clearly paving the way for Li Dazhi... Alas, I truly don't know what the Sect Master is thinking."

"The Sect Master is also considering the interests of our Myriad Cloud Sect."

Mo Yi narrowed his eyes slightly:

"We should comply with the Sect Master's arrangements and not overthink it.

"Although Martial Nephew Xiao Yue's trip south was fruitless, her previous line of thought was correct."

The elder pondered carefully and smiled, "I understand. Li Dazhi has the protection of the Ancestor Master, and no one can touch him. But what he values most is Li Ping'an. Later, we just need to find an opportunity to make Li Ping'an make a fool of himself, and we can ruin the reputation of father and son."

"Reputation," Mo Yi said with a hint of emotion, "Today's reputation is tomorrow's prestige. This is the rule of the Immortal Sect."

The elder glanced in the direction of the main peak and also sighed softly, transmitting his thoughts:

"The sun is high in the sky."

A slight anomaly appeared in the direction of Colorful Cloud Peak. Everyone in the pavilion watched intently. The two old Daoists stopped transmitting messages and talking.

The giant ice lotus had fully unfurled.

A beam of ice-blue light shot up into the sky, piercing the protective mountain array and stirring up layers of clouds in the high heavens.

Heaven and Earth changed color accordingly, and the sun and moon dimmed.

Within the beam of light, a female immortal slowly ascended. Her three thousand strands of black hair danced freely, her skirt rippled like waves, and her serene face was suffused with divine light, as if she were about to depart with the Dao.

"Martial Uncle Qingxu is about to break through to Heavenly Immortal!"

"Martial Uncle Qingxu is so beautiful!"

"If I could achieve even one-tenth of Martial Ancestor Qingxu's cultivation level, I would die without regret in this life!"

Several young female cultivators gathered around Mu Ningning, all gazing up at Qingxu's figure and chattering incessantly.

Li Ping'an's meditation was interrupted by the noise of the female disciples on Colorful Cloud Peak. He sat up and looked towards the ice-blue pillar of light.

The phenomenon of a True Immortal breaking through to Heavenly Immortal was more than a hundred times more spectacular than when Wei Yanzi ascended.

That's good.

Now that Qingxu has ascended to Heavenly Immortal, the Golden Immortal life-saving pill she promised to repay should be secured.

Li Ping'an had just had an epiphany, gaining a deeper understanding of the so-called Pure Heart Dao.

The Pure Heart Dao refers to a method of 'self-restraint,' a type of 'auxiliary cultivation technique.' It follows a path of purity and detachment, keeping the Dao heart in a state of a tranquil, clear mirror, which facilitates the comprehension of the Great Dao.

The primary cultivation technique of Immortal Qingxu, and the source of her immortal power, remains the Myriad Cloud Sect's cultivation method, the "Myriad Cloud Art."

Li Ping'an had seen in the sect's ancient texts that, tracing back to its origins, the "Myriad Cloud Art" originated from the "Cloud Diagram Treasure Record," created by the great cultivator Yun Zhongzi of the Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain.

—This point is actually unprovable and likely a forced connection by past Immortal elders of the Myriad Cloud Sect, trying to piggyback on the prestige of the Three Pure Ones' dojo.

Regardless, the "Myriad Cloud Art" has been proven by Daoist Master Kongming to be an extremely precious cultivation technique capable of achieving longevity.

Immortal Qingxu's main cultivation technique is also the "Myriad Cloud Art." The 'attribute' of the immortal power within her is similar to that of other Immortals in the sect. On this foundation, she has forged her own Dao.

Cloud Origin Water, Cloud Contains Ice.

Roughly speaking, it is like this.

Li Ping'an felt a sense of understanding and began to ponder the paths he could choose in the future.

Based on the Dao of Clouds, what kind of extension should he pursue?

His Five Elements lean towards wood and lack earth. Developing in the direction of 'Water Nourishes All Things' would be the most ideal. Before becoming an Immortal, he could cultivate more water-controlling techniques, drawing closer to water and comprehending the Great Dao of Water.

The Great Dao is the rule, and rules are hidden in nature...

Li Ping'an's mind stirred with another realization. He glanced at the female Immortal bathing in boundless immortal light in the sky, then lowered his head and closed his eyes, continuing to comprehend his own Dao.

He temporarily withdrew his outwardly released spiritual sense back to his spiritual platform, and the surrounding noisy disturbances indeed lessened by half.

After a short while, wisps of qi began to swirl around Li Ping'an.

His current state was not particularly conspicuous. At this moment, on various cloud tops near Colorful Cloud Peak, many sect members and disciples were meditating and cultivating.

But Li Ping'an gradually began to sense something was amiss.

First, the surrounding air became fresher, and the spiritual energy increased;

Immediately after, the noise around him suddenly ceased;

It felt as if someone was standing in front of him, and that 'burning sensation' of being scrutinized by many Immortals reappeared. Mu Ningning's soft call also echoed in his ears.

"Brother Ping'an... Brother!"

"Hmm?"

Li Ping'an opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the ice-blue skirt with a gauzy texture.

He didn't understand. He looked up, and the tall female Immortal, whose skin radiated a shimmering immortal light, was standing right in front of him.

Her three thousand dark tresses cascaded like a waterfall, and her ice-blue eyes blinked gently.

Heavenly Immortal Qingxu!

When did she descend?

Li Ping'an quickly got up. Qingxu had already spoken. As she had just broken through, her voice carried a hint of etherealness:

"I didn't respond to you earlier because a True Immortal cannot open another cave abode within the sect, and Colorful Cloud Peak does not accept male disciples.

"Now that I have ascended to Heavenly Immortal, I can move out of Colorful Cloud Peak.

"Do you still wish to take me as your Master?"

Li Ping'an was stunned for a moment.

After returning to the sect, she hadn't recommended him to other Immortals because she had misunderstood his intentions. She thought that the words he had spoken then were him wanting to become her disciple?

Li Dazhi in the distance's eyes widened. He was about to say something, but the words caught in his throat, and he forcefully held them back.

It was not for any other reason than that Li Dazhi saw the excited glint in his son's eyes.

It had been many years since Li Dazhi had felt such emotion from his son. The last time Li Ping'an had shown such an expression was when he received his university acceptance letter...

"Yes! Yes, I do!"

Li Ping'an's nose tingled, and he lowered his head to kowtow, uttering the words he had prepared for many years:

"Disciple Ping'an, humbly requests your tutelage!"

Qingxu slightly leaned down. Just as everyone thought she was going to help Li Ping'an up, she gently stroked the top of his head.

"Mm, come with me."

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