My Heavenly Immortal Master

"Ping'an suddenly became a disciple?"

Watching Li Ping'an ride on the cloud with the young and beautiful female immortal, heading towards the main peak together, Li Dazhi couldn't quite snap out of it.

This should have been a happy occasion, but Li Dazhi didn't know what was wrong with him; a sense of inexplicable emptiness filled his heart.

This Heavenly Immortal wasn't someone he had found.

However…

Ping'an became a disciple on his own, without relying on his father's help.

His thoughts shifted, and Li Dazhi narrowed his eyes and smiled.

Wasn't this also a testament to Ping'an's own abilities?

Congratulatory voices rang out one after another:

"Congratulations, Ancestor Master Dazhi! Young friend Ping'an has found a renowned master, and Ancestor Master Dazhi can finally put this matter to rest!"

"Daoist Qingxu is likely among the top ten fastest to reach Heavenly Immortal in the history of our Myriad Cloud Sect! She can now aim for the Golden Immortal realm. Ping'an is truly fortunate!"

"Uncle-Master Dazhi must host a banquet! Hahaha!"

"You're too kind, too kind."

Li Dazhi cupped his hands in return, his eyes crinkling into slits as he smiled. Then, as if remembering something, he chuckled and said:

"Ping'an finding a renowned master today is due to his own destiny and fortune. He should be the one to host a banquet to thank everyone for their good intentions. I won't presume to make decisions for him."

An old outer sect elder reminded him, "Uncle-Master Dazhi, Ping'an is about to change his immortal registry to enter the inner sect. Won't you go and witness the ceremony?"

"I must go, I must go!"

Li Dazhi smiled and cupped his hands to the immortals around him:

"Fellow Daoists, there's no need for you to join the fun. It's just a junior disciple becoming a disciple; it's not a major event within the sect. My Ping'an is too thin-skinned. With so many people, I fear he'll be embarrassed."

An immortal said, "If that's the case, we'll come to congratulate you later!"

"Thank you all for your understanding!"

Seeing the immortals of the sect disperse, Li Dazhi stepped forward, took the arm of a familiar outer sect elder, and they rode the clouds back to the main peak together.

Li Dazhi transmitted his voice to inquire, "Does Ping'an need to prepare any gifts for becoming a disciple?"

"That... preparing them is fine, not preparing them is also fine. The sect isn't that particular."

The elder chuckled:

"I never expected Ping'an to become Qingxu's disciple. Life is truly wondrous. It was Ping'an who saved Qingxu earlier."

Li Dazhi pondered for a moment and then asked, "What kind of immortal is this Qingxu, specifically? What is her character like?"

"This..."

The question put the elder in a difficult position. He stroked his beard and pondered for a long time before finally saying:

"Now that you ask, Master Uncle, I truly don't know how to answer.

"Qingxu is from the lineage of the Colorful Cloud Peak's Peak Master. Her seniority isn't high, but she is a key rising star being cultivated by the sect. Her talent and comprehension are top-tier, and she cultivates the Pure Heart Dao.

"I haven't had much contact with her before... in fact, not many immortals in the sect have had much contact with her. She should have a cool and detached personality, focused solely on the Dao and with only the Dao in her heart.

"Many immortals in the sect were quite shocked when she suddenly took on a disciple, especially a male disciple."

Li Dazhi's eyes lit up: "So, this newly ascended Heavenly Immortal only has Ping'an as her disciple?"

The elder chuckled, "If I recall correctly, that should be the case. The Qing-generation of Colorful Cloud Peak is quite remarkable. In the past few hundred years, they've produced four True Immortals, and they haven't taken on many disciples."

Li Dazhi's face immediately broke into a wide grin.

This was excellent. Ping'an would receive his master's full attention, and if this Heavenly Immortal were to take on more disciples in the future, Ping'an would be the eldest disciple.

Ahead, a group of female cultivators from Colorful Cloud Peak appeared on the clouds, heading towards the Affairs Hall for the ceremony.

"Uncle!"

Mu Ningning waved and called out. Li Dazhi smiled and nodded.

Li Dazhi could tell that this girl was quite excited at the moment, clearly also happy that Ping'an had found a renowned master.

This Ningning is such a good child. I'll prepare more betrothal gifts for her later.

Several white clouds arrived at the Affairs Hall simultaneously.

Before even entering the hall, Li Dazhi used his immortal sense to search for his son's whereabouts.

Qingxu and Li Ping'an stood in a corner. An old immortal was diligently writing, entering Li Ping'an's name into the registry for inner disciples.

Li Dazhi thought about it and found Li Ping'an's discipleship to be quite amusing.

Colorful Cloud Peak had very few male disciples in its history. In the future, when Colorful Cloud Peak held a grand meeting, Li Ping'an would be a single sprout of green amidst a sea of flowers, the sole male presence.

First, Li Ping'an changed his disciple registry in the Affairs Hall and received his disciple jade slip. Then, he went to the Cloud Nurturing Hall and hung the disciple jade slip on one of the designated racks for Colorful Cloud Peak.

This signified his joining the Colorful Cloud Peak lineage.

These preliminary steps were something Li Ping'an could handle on his own. He had intended to let his Master rest and have some tea, but Qingxu remained by his side the entire time without a word.

From her demeanor, it seemed she was worried the Immortals within the sect might give Li Ping'an a hard time.

The final step was the formal tea ceremony to accept a disciple, held in the Cloud Nurturing Hall.

Qingxu sat before the giant character 'Cloud', dignified, elegant, calm, and detached.

Under the watchful eyes of his father, Li Dazhi, dozens of Colorful Cloud Peak disciples, and hundreds of irrelevant onlookers, Li Ping'an knelt on the cushion and respectfully raised the teacup above his head.

Qingxu took the tea, sipped it, and said softly, "Disciple, rise."

"Yes, Master."

Li Ping'an rose in a backward motion, lowered his head, and bowed again.

An Elder nearby held a tray, on which were three jade slips. One contained the general outline of the first half of the Myriad Cloud Sect's core cultivation technique, the Myriad Cloud Art. Another was the inner sect rules, and the third was Li Ping'an's identity jade slip.

A Colorful Cloud Peak Immortal discreetly transmitted instructions to Qingxu on how to proceed.

Qingxu took Li Ping'an's identity jade slip in her hand, pointed her right index finger at it, and inscribed the characters 'Qing Su'.

The script was square and simple, without any embellishments.

Afterward, Qingxu took the tray and walked to Li Ping'an, placing it in his hands.

Mimicking the transmitted voice she heard, Qingxu said:

"From now on, you must cultivate diligently, ascend the immortal path as soon as possible, and contribute more to the sect."

"This disciple respectfully obeys Master's teachings!"

"Mhm," Qingxu nodded, then looked directly at her junior sister, Qingxu, who was standing nearby.

Qingxu quickly transmitted, "This is sufficient. Take the disciple back to his cave abode."

Qingxu thought for a moment, then said, "Alright. You go back to your cave abode first. I'll find a place to establish a new cave abode and then bring you over."

"This disciple obeys."

Li Ping'an looked up at his Master. His gaze fell upon her ethereal and beautiful face, which seemed untouched by worldly concerns.

"Hm?"

Qingxu seemed to be asking if he had any questions.

Li Ping'an smiled, "Master, you just broke through. Why don't you return to Colorful Cloud Peak to go into closed-door cultivation first? Come find me after you've digested your breakthrough insights."

"Alright."

Qingxu agreed, turned, and walked towards the hall door.

Li Ping'an called out again, "Master! I'm staying at the Flowing Cloud Temple!"

"Mhm."

Qingxu responded, her figure flickered, and she appeared outside the hall, transforming into a rainbow and flying back to Colorful Cloud Peak.

Li Ping'an's eyes were filled with emotion.

'Our Master really gets things done efficiently!'

Following this, Li Ping'an felt a sense of daze.

He had taken a disciple?

He had actually taken a disciple?

It felt like a dream, and he had even taken a newly ascended Heavenly Immortal as his Master...

A large hand waved in front of him.

Li Ping'an looked at his own old father, his eyes still a bit unfocused.

"Come on, let's go back to your place!"

Li Dazhi nudged Li Ping'an with his shoulder:

"I'll cook for you myself and throw a celebratory banquet! We'll invite those Immortals you're familiar with! Hahahaha! Your Master's cultivation is quite good! Hahahaha!"

Listening to his father's hearty laughter, the sense of unreality that had just surfaced in Li Ping'an quietly receded.

An hour later.

In the wooden building of the Flowing Cloud Temple.

Li Dazhi had prepared a table full of delicious dishes and invited Wei Yanzi, Elder Yan Sheng, Wang Xinhui, and two other outer sect Elders to offer Li Ping'an a small celebration.

Everyone offered their congratulatory remarks, and Li Ping'an repeatedly expressed his thanks.

After a few cups of immortal wine, Wei Yanzi looked dejected.

"Alas! Ping'an has taken a disciple, and my peaceful days at the Flowing Cloud Temple are numbered!"

Wang Xinhui frowned, "You should come work at the Affairs Hall too! There are so many tasks within the sect, and everyone wants to go into closed-door cultivation. There are rarely enough people to do the work!"

Li Dazhi chuckled, "Which hall does fellow Daoist Wei Yanzi want to go to? The most senior Elders of the outer sect are all here. If you want to advance, you should offer them some drinks yourself."

Wei Yanzi quickly rose and picked up his wine cup.

The three white-haired elders exchanged glances, each showing a smile.

Elder Yan Sheng took a puff from his pipe and said slowly, "Don't worry, I've already arranged a place for you. The East Sea Market Town is short-handed recently, so you can go there to be a patrol officer."

"Ah? I'm going to the East Sea?"

Wei Yanzi put down his wine cup, his eyes a little dazed, and he sighed, looking down.

He knew very well that the jobs in the East Sea Market Town were all 'dripping with oil.' It wasn't that Wei Yanzi would actively extort bribes once he got there, but as long as he held that position, the gifts from below would be plentiful.

This was indeed a good assignment.

Li Ping'an picked up his wine cup and said gently, "Steward, thank you for your care these past three years."

"Hey, don't say that. Who knows who's been taking care of whom!" Wei Yanzi waved his hand, picked up his wine cup, and drank it all in one go.

Li Ping'an raised his cup and drank heartily.

Wei Yanzi's Dao heart felt the effects of the wine, and he muttered repeatedly, "I should be the one toasting you with this cup, Ping'an. I was stuck at that bottleneck, just lacking that little bit of insight. My Master poured so much insight into me, but it was useless, just missing that little bit... If you hadn't accidentally enlightened me, how could I be where I am today? I probably would have died of old age at Flowing Cloud Temple... I toast you!"

Wei Yanzi poured another cup of wine and, ignoring Li Dazhi's attempts to stop him, rose and cupped his hands to toast Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an rose to reciprocate, bowing to Wei Yanzi.

Wang Xinhui's square face twitched slightly, "Look at that, these two male cultivators are bowing to each other."

Li Dazhi clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

Wei Yanzi also felt a bit embarrassed and quickly sat down to serve himself food.

Li Ping'an didn't sit down either. He took the opportunity to toast everyone with a cup of wine, then used the excuse of being unable to hold his liquor to go to the second floor to pack his belongings.

As the night deepened, the wooden building's barrier became even livelier.

Li Ping'an hummed a little tune as he sorted the books on his shelves, categorizing them and packing them into a storage artifact. He didn't know when his Master would come to pick him up, so it was always good to be prepared.

At this moment, Li Ping'an recalled all the events since he met Qingxu at a mortal Daoist temple, and he felt a sense of how wondrous worldly affairs were. Had he spent so much effort and traveled thousands of miles just to save a Master for himself? Li Ping'an almost burst out laughing.

When he had mostly finished tidying up the second floor, the potent effects of the immortal wine began to kick in. He simply sat behind his desk and closed his eyes to rest.

From downstairs came the boisterous shouts of those who had had too much immortal wine: "I'm just saying! Ancestor Master Dazhi! Your methods before were all wrong! Ping'an is lacking earth in his Five Elements, you can't compensate for it with earth-element spells. I have a secret, unpassed-down technique, and today I'm going against ancestral teachings to reveal it to you."

"What? What secret technique?"

"Earth-element spiritual herbs that are over three thousand years old. Remember, they must be earth or water element spiritual herbs. Gently, softly, pull them out by the roots, along with the soil. Remember to keep the soil. Then let Ping'an eat them while they're still warm."

"With the soil?"

"Of course! You have to eat a bit of dirt! Earth-element spiritual herbs over three thousand years old, the soil attached to their roots, is that ordinary soil?"

"Got it, got it. This method sounds like it'll work!"

Li Ping'an's forehead was covered in dark lines. Would Father really do that in the future?

Sleepiness washed over him, and Li Ping'an yawned. Before long, he fell into a deep sleep.

Li Ping'an had a dream. In his dream, he went up the mountain alone, apprenticed himself to Flowing Cloud Temple, then entered the outer sect to cultivate, and finally returned to the mortal world to settle down, marry, have children, and be filial to his father. He witnessed the vicissitudes of life in the mortal world, becoming a famous Immortal Elder within a radius of several hundred miles, and died at the age of four hundred.

When he awoke from his dream, his heart was filled with many insights. He secretly composed a poem. After finishing his poem, he brushed his sleeves, put away the long table, and went downstairs.

Of the Immortals who had come for wine last night, only Wei Yanzi was left, snoring by the table.

Li Ping'an took out a small magic artifact furnace and put all the leftover dishes and bowls into it. He activated the restrictions on the furnace, and it spewed out a tongue of flame, like a spirit beast that had eaten too much and let out a burp.

—Next time I need to use bowls and chopsticks, I can just have the Immortals use immortal spells to clean them.

He had intended to clean up the first floor as well, but after only a few steps, he caught sight of a graceful figure standing in the courtyard through the window.

An ice-blue long skirt, hair like a waterfall, a figure that even immortal sense couldn't capture... If this wasn't the Master he had just taken yesterday, who could it be?

Li Ping'an tidied his Daoist robe and rushed out the door.

Qingxu turned and looked at him, asking softly, "Can we go?"

"Yes, Master. When did you arrive?"

"In the middle of the night, while you were sleeping, I met your father and spoke with him for a few words."

Li Ping'an asked cautiously, "Master, has someone mentioned my father to you?"

"Mm," Qingxu nodded slightly.

Only then did Li Ping'an notice that his Master's jawline was nearly perfect.

Wait, why am I observing my Master's appearance for no reason!

Li Ping'an inwardly warned himself. He had taken an immortal as his Master and needed to pay more attention to such details from now on.

Qingxu said softly:

"Yesterday, during my closed-door cultivation, I quickly recorded my insights.

"Your Ancestor Master came to find me and told me your father's identity, saying your father was the Ancestor's final disciple and might become the next Sect Master.

Li Ping'an could only offer a wry smile.

"Your Ancestor Master asked me what I would think if people outside gossiped about me because of this."

Qingxu said calmly:

"I replied, what does my disciple's father have to do with me? I am not my disciple's father's Master.

"Since I am your Master, I shall explain the Great Dao to you and teach you immortal techniques and Divine Abilities.

"Your Ancestor Master was thus persuaded and left."

There seemed to be a hint of pride in her voice.

Li Ping'an smiled, "Thank you for your trouble, Master."

Qingxu then asked, "Does the position of Sect Master benefit cultivation?"

"It shouldn't," Li Ping'an chuckled. "It's a responsibility and a duty. It does allow one's name to be carved on the Myriad Cloud Sect's monument. Many older Qi cultivators, after their cultivation is blocked, focus their minds on this. They gain respect and admiration, extending their lives this way."

"Anything that doesn't grant longevity is a minor art."

Qingxu turned around with her hands behind her back, a white cloud forming beneath her feet.

"Let's go. I've already prepared a cave abode before I came."

Li Ping'an glanced at Wei Yanzi, who was sleeping soundly inside, then turned and leaped to his Master's side, deliberately falling half a step behind her.

Master is only an inch shorter than me, she's quite tall... Cough!

I wonder how grand a Heavenly Immortal's cave abode would be.