Light Condensing Realm, fifth tier! Achieved!
Two beams of almost tangible Immortal Light burst from Li Ping'an's eyes. The Dharma power within him surged like ocean waves; his entire body felt at ease, his primordial soul was warm and nourished, his vision clearer, and his Spirit Platform pristine and unclouded.
What was a Heavenly Immortal master, after all?
Though Li Ping'an understood nothing at all of roughly two-thirds of what his master had taught this time, he had memorized every sentence. Once he reached the corresponding realms in the future, he could use them for reference and comparison.
Before, he had been like someone carrying a lantern through a pitch-black path of cultivation.
Now, the lantern in his hand had grown brighter and brighter, while a lighthouse ahead guided his way!
He was taking off directly!
Li Ping'an was overjoyed, but then quietly reminded himself to stay vigilant.
I've only reached the starting line of the other Inner Sect Disciples. I must not become complacent.
He planned to make a few small dishes to celebrate and show off his cooking skills before his master.
Li Ping'an stood up, only for his gaze to immediately be drawn to something new in the stone chamber.
A few wildflowers had appeared beneath the character "Dao," their yellow, white, and pink colors arranged with remarkable delicacy.
Li Ping'an chuckled.
He always felt that his own master had a younger state of mind than he did.
Was his master not in the cave abode?
Li Ping'an's spiritual awareness failed to catch any trace of his master, so he wandered around and discovered that many flowers and plants had been added throughout the cave abode.
The roots and stems of these flowers and plants had been sealed with immortal power, allowing them to be preserved for a long time without withering.
He changed robes, put on straw sandals, and took out the "Eighteen-Piece Fishing Set" he had made long ago but never used, preparing to catch a few spirit fish for the main course.
Li Ping'an left the cave abode. Just as he used an object to rise into the air, he heard a transmitted voice.
"Ping'an! Over here, over here!"
Li Ping'an extended his spiritual awareness and discovered his old father hiding in the nearby mountain forest. He promptly descended atop his flying artifact, the broken sword sheath.
"Dad, what are you hiding out here for? Come sit inside the cave abode!"
"Well now, a young man really is different after taking a master! Your cultivation has risen quite quickly too!"
Li Dazhi gave a mischievous laugh and looked Li Ping'an up and down several times. He clicked his tongue in amazement, stuffed several Storage Pouches into Li Ping'an's hands, and said with a smile:
"I only came after seeing your master return to Colorful Cloud Peak, so I wouldn't have to awkwardly run into her.
"These are for you!"
"Dad, I'm not lacking cultivation resources right now."
Li Ping'an sent his spiritual awareness inside, and his expression immediately became rather colorful.
These...
"Your father gathered all these for you at Cloud Nurturing Hall. Take them and show filial respect to your master!"
Li Dazhi raised an eyebrow.
"There's excellent immortal silkworm fabric inside. They say it's the favorite material for female cultivators' close-fitting clothes, so scarce that even a foot is hard to obtain. I got you two bolts.
"Those brand-new immortal dresses have never been touched. Female immortals in the sect made them and packed them away directly. There are also some snacks that the female immortals of Colorful Cloud Peak enjoy on ordinary days, along with little trinkets they like to play with.
"Several Deacons in the sect have specifically researched the things Colorful Cloud Peak usually buys. These should all be items your master uses on Colorful Cloud Peak. Since you've only just moved out, you can't let your Heavenly Immortal master suffer."
Li Ping'an said with a bitter smile, "Dad, this..."
"Ping'an, there's something you don't understand. Your master is one of the few immortals in the sect, and this was also requested by her master."
Li Dazhi patted Li Ping'an on the shoulder and spoke earnestly.
"Yesterday, I went to Colorful Cloud Peak as a guest and chatted with their Peak Master and several old Heavenly Immortals.
"Your master has a very simple nature. She was an orphan, adopted by the sect while still in swaddling clothes. She began studying Dao Scriptures at the age of three. Because her aptitude and comprehension were exceptional, Colorful Cloud Peak placed great hopes on her, and she began secluded cultivation at the age of seven or eight.
"Because of that, she is only skilled at two things: cultivation and battle. The immortals of Colorful Cloud Peak feel quite guilty about it. They only wanted Qing Su to cultivate before; she did not even have the chance to play as a child.
"Simply put, Qing Su has no life skills and does not really understand social customs.
"When the Ancient Ruins on the coast of the Eastern Sea emerged this time, she seized an important treasure from within... From what I heard her master imply, even they could not say what this treasure was. Only Qing Su herself knew.
"Look at that. They did not ask, and Qing Su did not even know to mention it.
"I already bragged to the skies, saying my precious son had above-average aptitude, excellent comprehension, and outstanding character—especially that he was very good at taking care of people. In any case, remember to take good care of your master. Don't let her be wronged."
Li Ping'an: ...
He had taken a master, not gotten married. It was only natural for a disciple to serve his master.
Still, judging from his father's words, the immortals of Colorful Cloud Peak were also somewhat uneasy about Qing Su suddenly taking on a disciple.
"Dad, my master is actually very kind. She takes good care of me."
Li Ping'an felt somewhat emotional.
Even after he had taken a master, his father continued to worry and work tirelessly for him.
"Dad, don't neglect your own cultivation. It's not that your son wants to nag, but your cultivation realm is our family's true support within the sect."
"Oh, I know! Why do you urge me to cultivate every day? Don't I need rest? Don't I need to cultivate my mind and body and get close to nature?"
Li Dazhi muttered a few complaints, then smiled.
"After delivering these things, I'll go back into seclusion.
"Ah, and your Grandmaster... your Grandmaster on my side, that is. He was quite happy that you became Qing Su's disciple. This is a treasure he rewarded you with."
Li Dazhi took out two brocade boxes and placed them in Li Ping'an's hands.
Inside one brocade box was none other than the Golden Immortal Life-Preserving Pill Qing Su had used earlier.
The other brocade box contained a piece of cloth. It seemed to be a corner of some portrait, and it emitted a Profound and Mysterious Dao Rhyme.
Li Ping'an asked curiously, "Dad, what kind of treasure is this?"
"I don't know either. It looks like a corner of some clothing," Li Dazhi said with a shrug. "Your Grandmaster said for you to keep it safe. When you have time, you can contemplate the Dao Rhyme on it. Your comprehension is astonishing, so perhaps you might gain some insight from it. It will certainly benefit your future."
"Mm." Li Ping'an nodded solemnly. "Many thanks, Grandmaster."
He chatted with his father for a while longer, speaking of how his master taught the Dao without holding anything back and mentioning the furniture that had descended from the sky.
Over the past two days, Li Dazhi's feelings had been rather complicated.
That feeling was difficult to describe.
His son now had someone else to rely on and depended on him much less. It was as though a small portion of his own treasure had been taken away, leaving him rather unhappy.
But when Li Dazhi saw Li Ping'an's cultivation soar overnight, he was finally more than half reassured.
After father and son talked for a while, Li Dazhi quietly slipped away and returned to the Back Mountain of the Main Peak to cultivate in peace.
Li Ping'an briefly sorted through the items his father had given him.
He placed the immortal dresses and fabric in the wardrobe of his master's bedroom, then simply arranged the snacks and candied fruits on plates and set them in the "leisure area" of the front hall.
After delaying for half an hour, Li Ping'an finally reached the pool at the foot of the mountain. He put on a straw hat and began fishing without pre-baiting the waters.
This was actually a cultivation method he had recently devised.
After casting his hook, Li Ping'an spread a bamboo scroll before him and wrapped it in Dharma power, causing it to float on its own as he carefully pondered the obscure passages within.
Perhaps because the fish of the Myriad Cloud Sect were rather simple, a spirit fish soon took the bait.
Li Ping'an felt a slight burst of joy. In an instant, many insights arose in his mind, and passages of scripture he had been unable to understand suddenly became clear.
He then cast the hook again and quietly waited for his catch.
Whenever a fish took the bait, faint ripples would arise on his Spirit Platform, and his understanding of the scriptures would deepen another layer.
"This efficiency of insight is quite good."
Li Ping'an beamed with delight and continued reading the scriptures until his spiritual awareness detected a familiar graceful figure drifting toward him.
"Senior Brother Ping'an~"
The one who came was naturally Mu Ningning.
A few ripples appeared around the fishing hook. A spirit fish flicked its tail and swam away, so Li Ping'an smoothly reeled in the line and declared today's fishing finished.
Perhaps because he had accepted that red-string protective talisman, Li Ping'an could not help looking Mu Ningning over a few more times when he raised his head.
Today, she wore a short skirt and low boots, openly displaying her straight, slender jade-like legs. Her charming figure radiated youthful vitality, while a bright smile rested upon her oval face.
Her skin was lustrous as white cream, and her dark hair carried a faint fragrance as it brushed in the wind.
"Senior Brother, are you fishing? You actually caught some!"
Mu Ningning lifted the fish basket and praised him repeatedly. Then her delicate brows furrowed as she stared into Li Ping'an's eyes.
"Senior Brother, you broke through again? Why does your aura feel so much more substantial than before?"
"Well, I took a master."
Li Ping'an clasped his hands behind his back, putting on the air of an expert as he said indifferently:
"Before, I cultivated without a master, so my cultivation speed naturally was not fast. It was only a little faster than yours.
"Now that I have found a famous master, my cultivation speed has increased by roughly forty to fifty percent. If you do not work harder, you really will be left far behind by me."
"It can't be that fast!"
Mu Ningning puffed out her cheeks and waved her fist at Li Ping'an.
"Come." Li Ping'an took out a small boat. "I'll show you around my new cave abode. Did my master go to see Uncle Qingxu?"
"I came because of that."
Mu Ningning suddenly remembered something and jumped to Li Ping'an's side, leaving less than a foot between them.
"Martial Uncle Qing Su asked my master to refine the formation core for the Mountain Protection grand formation. She told me to come inform you so you would not wonder where she had gone.
"Martial Uncle Qing Su was quite happy too. She said you could do everything and had dug the cave very beautifully!
"Senior Brother! Hurry and take me to see the cave you dug!"
Dug!
Several black lines appeared across Li Ping'an's forehead.
Fine. If his master called it digging a cave, then it was digging a cave.
"Go!"
Li Ping'an brought two fingers together in a sword gesture. The small boat rose into the air, carrying Mu Ningning back to the cave abode.
As a result, while he was not paying attention, Mu Ningning wiped out nearly half the snacks and candied fruits he had prepared for his master.
After eating her fill of snacks, Mu Ningning sprawled in a recliner and lazily stretched, inadvertently displaying an as-yet-not-overwhelming wickedness.
Li Ping'an kept the few spirit fish in the lotus pond, planning to steam them after his master returned.
"Senior Brother..."
Mu Ningning sighed.
"Your place is so comfortable. I don't even want to go back. Everywhere is so cool and refreshing."
"I set up a few simple formations to ensure the spiritual energy flows smoothly."
Having changed into a long robe, Li Ping'an strolled over and sat in the recliner beside Mu Ningning. He casually took out a book of miscellanies, thought for a moment, then put it away again.
She had complained several times before that he always read books and ignored her.
He should pay more attention.
"Ah."
Mu Ningning turned partly onto her side in the chair, her Peach Blossom Eyes seeming able to speak.
"Now we really are senior brother and junior sister."
"Hm? Were we fake senior brother and junior sister before?"
Li Ping'an turned to look at her, and their gazes unconsciously met.
Mu Ningning wanted to read something from Li Ping'an's eyes, but his gaze was always so clear.
She had long grown used to this and said happily:
"Your master and my master are senior and junior sisters, so rounding things up, we're practically real senior brother and junior sister. If anything good comes your way in the future, remember me too."
Li Ping'an laughed and scolded, "You say that as if you have not received plenty of benefits from me over the past two years."
"Oh, come on." Mu Ningning said seriously, "Can something given by Senior Brother really be called taking? Senior Brother, you're being far too formal!"
Li Ping'an ignored her and took out the brocade box his father had given him. He removed the piece of cloth and carefully examined it before him.
Mu Ningning curiously leaned closer. After looking for a while without figuring anything out, she sat back in her recliner and continued staring blankly at Li Ping'an.
"Senior Brother..."
"Mm?"
"When do you plan to find a Dao companion?"
"After I become immortal."
Mu Ningning was somewhat puzzled. "Why must it be after becoming immortal?"
"First, you need to understand what a Dao companion is."
Li Ping'an put away the piece of cloth and spoke earnestly.
"In the broad sense, Dao companions are living beings who cultivate together. Now, it mostly refers to Qi cultivators who become husband and wife.
"For the latter, first, before becoming immortal, I need to keep my Dao Body intact. My own start was already difficult, and now that I have only just gained momentum, I cannot be interrupted.
"Second, a Dao companion would distract me from my cultivation insights and affect my comprehension of the Great Dao.
"The relationship between Dao companions is like a pot of very delicate immortal grass. You must constantly think about maintaining it. As cultivation stretches on, both parties can easily grow tired of one another, so... the most important thing is never tiring of each other's company."
Mu Ningning's pretty face flushed slightly as she asked softly, "How can two people never tire of each other's company?"
Li Ping'an frowned. "How can someone so young have so many questions?"
"I'm already seventeen this year! In the mortal world, I could already be married!"
"The mortal world is the mortal world. The Immortal Sect is the Immortal Sect."
Li Ping'an searched through his robes for a while, took out a book, and handed it to Mu Ningning.
"Here. These are some cultivation insights from a True Immortal in the sect. You may gain something from them."
"Fine. Thank you, Senior Brother."
Mu Ningning raised a hand to smooth her hair, accepted the book, and casually flipped through it. She knew that Senior Brother Ping'an was deliberately changing the subject.
Li Ping'an did not know whether she was truly reading it. He continued focusing on comprehending the lingering Dao Rhyme upon the cloth.
He did not know what kind of great expert the owner of this Dao Rhyme had been. It was both infinitely complex and supremely simple, containing endless mysteries.
Why did Ancestor Master Kongming give this item to me?
Li Ping'an truly could not quite figure it out.
Mu Ningning had played here for most of the day. When Immortal Qing Su returned, she finally took her leave, clutching the cultivation insights book Li Ping'an had given her.
Li Ping'an rose and made a Daoist salute. "Master, you're back."
"Mm." Qing Su stared at Li Ping'an for a while, a trace of contemplation in her eyes.
Li Ping'an was rather puzzled. "Master, what is it?"
"The disciple tournament is coming soon, and you're only at the Light Condensation Realm."
Qing Su clasped her hands behind her back and circled Li Ping'an twice. Hesitation flickered in her eyes as she asked:
"Do you want to go?"
Li Ping'an smiled. "If Master wants this disciple to go, then I'll give it a try. If Master doesn't want me to go, then I'll stay here and cultivate."
"Then go," Qing Su said. "You'll get a great many spirit stones after the fights."
Li Ping'an blinked and asked softly, "Master, may I ask what rank you got back then?"
"First on the Heaven Ranking."
"This disciple has only cultivated for three years..."
"I was thirteen back then."
Li Ping'an instantly fell silent.
Qing Su thought carefully for a moment, then patted Li Ping'an on the shoulder with proper solemnity and said seriously:
"Your realm is too low. It'll be enough if you make it into the top fifty of the Heaven Ranking this time. It's fine if you don't; your master will properly teach you combat techniques in the future."
"This disciple accepts."
Li Ping'an answered listlessly, temporarily having no interest in cooking to show filial devotion to his master.
Qing Su clasped her hands behind her back, recalling the instructions from her senior and junior sisters. She puffed out her chest, raised her head, and strode firmly toward her bedroom.
A master's dignity.
Before you continue