Seeking Humiliation, Finding Humiliation

As Gu Qingcheng began to sense and break through beside Li Ping'an, many Qi cultivators within the sect started whispering about the matter.

"See? You can gain insights from sparring with Li Ping'an. This is his father's great fortune."

"I remember two years ago, there was a steward who was stuck at the peak of the Heaven and Earth Bridge. After a few words of advice from Li Ping'an, he directly entered the Origin Immortal Realm."

"No way? Someone who hasn't even completed Foundation Establishment in the Light Condensation Realm, what advice could he give? If he's really that capable, why hasn't his own cultivation improved?"

"Senior Brother, now that you mention it, I suddenly recall. This fellow Daoist Li Ping'an seems to have entered Flowing Cloud Temple for cultivation in his twenties. For three years, he had no master's guidance, only his father's, and now he's already in the mid-Light Condensation Realm!"

"Hiss—"

"Now that you put it that way, this young man is indeed quite extraordinary."

"What's so great about it? It's just Ancestor Dazhi's great fortune influencing things. I'd be the same with a father like that."

"Ancestor Dazhi is now sitting behind the Sect Master, truly remarkable."

"Ancestor Dazhi became an immortal in three years, which is rare in history. If he can reach True Immortal within a hundred years, the position of the next Sect Master will basically be secured."

"Wasn't there a Vice Sect Master who also wanted to be Sect Master?"

"I don't know about that. What business do we Origin Immortals have meddling in these matters? Besides, being Sect Master is so tiring. It's so comfortable cultivating in the mountains. I wonder what the seniors in the sect are thinking."

And so on, and so forth.

Li Ping'an occasionally felt the gazes of others but didn't pay much attention.

He would occasionally glance at his Master meditating on the observation platform, look at his old man standing behind the Sect Master, search for his junior sister Mu Ningning laughing and joking with the female cultivators of Colorful Cloud Peak, and then continue to observe the battles on the Earth Ranking.

An hour later, Li Ping'an won his next round, easily securing victory. He had now won three matches and lost one.

Gu Qingcheng, who was beside him, had to forfeit a round due to her temporary breakthrough.

Gu Qingcheng's internal Qi was slowly rising. She should have broken through the barrier from the eighth to the ninth stage of the Void Refining Realm. She should wake up soon and wouldn't be eliminated due to her impromptu breakthrough.

The setting sun cast its glow over the various peaks of Myriad Cloud Sect. Magic treasure lanterns were lit in various places on Colorful Cloud Peak.

A Heavenly Immortal cast a spell, making the stars in the night sky shine even brighter, illuminating every corner and adding a touch of immortal charm to the scenery.

In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth round of the competition, and Li Ping'an was drawn to be the first to ascend the stage.

There seemed to be some commotion near the arena. Wei Yanzi and two stewards from the Origin Immortal Realm were gathered around the drawing wheel, frowning and comparing something.

Just as Li Ping'an was about to get up, a large hand suddenly reached out from the side, blocking his path.

It was Gu Qingcheng, who had woken up.

"Brother Li! Please accept my bow!"

Gu Qingcheng stood up and performed a Daoist salute.

Li Ping'an sidestepped to receive half the bow and said with a smile, "I'll go fight first, and we can chat when I get back."

Gu Qingcheng glanced at the arena, frowned slightly, and couldn't help but mutter, "Your luck is terrible, Daoist. Among the Earth Ranking, my cultivation ranks in the top three. I know the person above, his name is Wang Zaizhi. His cultivation was slightly higher than mine before, but now it's on par. He has many treasures, but his strength is just average."

Li Ping'an looked at the fellow disciple waiting on the stage and cupped his hands with a smile, "Thank you for the reminder. If I really can't win, I'll just concede. There's still another match later."

"Don't push yourself. Just do your best, Daoist!"

Gu Qingcheng waved her hand with considerable bravado.

"After the match, we must have a drink. Let me think of a way to repay your guidance!"

Well, another person who enjoys a good drink.

Qi cultivators have always been heavy drinkers, it's been this way since ancient times.

Li Ping'an cupped his hands to bid farewell to Gu Qingcheng, then leaped onto the edge of the arena and bowed from afar to the Kaiyun Peak disciple on the other side.

Two transmitted voices suddenly echoed in his ears.

One came from Wei Yanzi, not far away: "There's a problem with the draw."

The other was Elder Yan Sheng's voice: "Be careful, this disciple is Elder Bi's grand-disciple."

Elder Bi?

Wasn't that the inner sect elder who had previously suggested to the Sect Master that his father should also participate in this grand competition?

And he's part of Vice Sect Master Mo Yi's faction...

Li Ping'an remained outwardly calm and cupped his hands towards the young male cultivator in front of him, then turned to jump off the stage.

"Heh," the other party suddenly spoke, his voice particularly grating. "The rumored son of Dazhi, are you only capable of scurrying away with your head between your legs?"

Li Ping'an's movements halted, and he sighed inwardly.

The moment the other party mentioned his father's name, the nature of this match had changed.

If he were to flee without fighting or lose too miserably, it would be a humiliation for both father and son. The disciples and Immortals of the sect might look down on him and his father.

His father genuinely wished to become the Sect Master;

Li Ping'an had also been planning and strategizing for this matter;

Today was the first time most of the disciples of Myriad Cloud Sect were seeing his father. It was essentially their first impression, and it was quite important for his father.

Now, Li Ping'an could not retreat even half a step.

Wang Zaizhi's body floated three feet off the ground, the hem of his Daoist robe and long hair fluttering slightly. A sixteen-story pagoda slowly circled around him, and the thin lips beneath his hooked nose curled into a cold sneer.

Li Ping'an stepped forward and said calmly, "Li Ping'an, a disciple of Qingxu, requests guidance from senior brother."

"Guidance?"

Wang Zaizhi was still using provocation:

"I wouldn't dare to teach you anything.

"Your father is a disciple of the Ancestor, and I am just a minor cultivator within the sect. If I were to accidentally injure you, I would be reprimanded by the elders and stewards of the sect."

Although their cultivation levels were low, they were currently on the competition stage.

Gazes watched them, and disciples observed from layers above.

Many drowsy Immortals, catching a whiff of confrontation, immediately perked up and carefully observed the two on the stage.

Li Ping'an smiled casually, "Does this fellow Daoist not have a father? You keep mentioning my father, are you perhaps envious?"

"You!" Wang Zaizhi glared furiously.

Li Ping'an said leisurely, "Everyone is born of their parents, but cultivation is inherently a personal matter. Why must we concern ourselves with the titles of our fathers?"

"Good!"

Wei Yanzi below the stage shouted loudly, and many Immortals nodded with a smile.

In terms of this verbal sparring, Li Ping'an had clearly won.

Wang Zaizhi sneered, "Sharp-tongued! Today, I will not rest until this matter is settled! Do you dare to promise not to surrender or flee in this battle? If you think my cultivation is superior to yours, I will seal my own cultivation!"

Li Ping'an directly replied, "Listening to your words, do you intend to fight me with real swords and spears today? Just like a true battle?"

"I fear you lack the courage!"

"However, real swords and spears are a bit boring. I think your pagoda is quite nice, and coincidentally, I also have a tower-shaped treasure."

Li Ping'an took out a small pagoda from his sleeve. It was just an ordinary magic treasure, used for warding off evil. He said calmly:

"Why don't we add a stake?"

"How dare I not!"

Wang Zaizhi was almost amused to death. He closed his eyes, took a breath, and pointed at his immortal treasure pagoda, saying:

"If I lose to you today, I'll give you this pagoda, how about that?"

"Then let's begin."

Li Ping'an calmly popped three Qi recovery pills into his mouth. He wrapped the pills in magic power and swallowed them without activating them, making them convenient for restoring magic power during the fight.

He made a gesture of invitation to Wang Zaizhi:

"Fellow Daoist, there's no need to seal your magic power. Let's treat this as a real battle.

"If I surrender or flee today, I will retreat three steps and bow to you from now on."

"Good! I will do the same!"

Wang Zaizhi couldn't tell who was using provocation anymore. His anger meter was maxed out. His body slowly rose, and black paper talismans flew out from his sleeves.

"Today, I will make you understand what it means to be 'there are always people better than you, and heavens beyond heavens'! A mere Light Condensation Realm!"

He clenched his right fist, and the talismans transformed into fireballs, smashing towards Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an had already made his move. His body swayed left and right, his footwork creating afterimages. He flung his Cloud Soaring Spear, unleashing several streaks of green light!

The two unleashed their full power from the very first move!

Mu Ningning below the stage was extremely nervous, almost crushing the scabbard of the sword in her hand, holding her breath as she watched Li Ping'an's figure.

The True Immortals of Colorful Cloud Peak surrounding the stage had all stood up, frowning as they looked at the scene within.

The sect's Immortals did not stop the two disciples from fighting. Resolving personal grudges on the stage was an unwritten rule; if the younger disciples lacked spirit, the sect would eventually decline.

As long as one side was defeated, the four True Immortals would immediately intervene to protect them.

Judging by the momentum of the fight, Wang Zaizhi was clearly stronger.

Wang Zaizhi's cultivation held an absolute advantage, and he attacked without holding back, fully channeling his magic power into the talismans, bombarding Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an executed several sets of exquisite footwork, his steps tracing the Five Elements, treading the Hexagram, and passing through the Seven Stars, dodging all of Wang Zaizhi's attacks. The ground he passed over was littered with paper talismans.

Both sides were skilled in talisman techniques, but their usage was entirely different. Li Ping'an primarily used talismans to conserve his own magic power, while Wang Zaizhi used them to enhance the power of his spells.

Li Ping'an feigned an advance.

Wang Zaizhi indeed fell for the bait, charging towards Li Ping'an. A long sword, shimmering with water, appeared in his hand.

Wang Zaizhi wanted to end the fight quickly. He was a ninth-stage Void Refining cultivator fighting a fifth-stage Light Condensation cultivator. If he couldn't win swiftly, what face would he have to stand before his fellow disciples?

Not to mention, for this battle today, he had obtained numerous treasures in the past few days, and even the robe he wore was an immortal treasure!

Li Ping'an, who had been advancing, suddenly veered to the side. He pressed down with his left hand, and the many yellow paper talismans he had previously placed around the stage exploded simultaneously!

The entire stage was instantly shrouded in mist, and Wang Zaizhi charged straight into it!

Spear formation!

Li Ping'an only had a moment to escape the spear formation, but he failed to seize it due to his underestimation. By the time he wanted to counterattack, rapid whistling sounds of spears echoed around him.

The situation was completely different from his previous fight with Li Ping'an.

Dozens of spear shadows shot out simultaneously!

Compared to the previous fight, the power of Li Ping'an's spear formation had increased severalfold!

Even though Wang Zaizhi's Dao body was sturdy and he wore an immortal robe, he wasn't a body cultivator like Yu Ying Shu. At this moment, he could only use his magic power to activate his pagoda to scatter immortal light to protect himself.

He took the beating head-on.

However, even though Wang Zaizhi blocked all the incoming spear shadows, the force of the shadows couldn't be directly dissipated. He was suppressed by the spear formation with no room to retaliate.

Wang Zaizhi soon discovered that the surrounding clouds and mist had begun to function as an illusion array. His spiritual sense probed into it and vanished without a trace.

He couldn't capture Li Ping'an's shadow at all!

While Wang Zaizhi was suppressed within the clouds and mist, unable to see the entire arena, the expressions of the Myriad Cloud Sect immortals watching from all directions were incredibly varied.

It was no wonder, for within the spear formation Li Ping'an had set up, there were a full eighteen illusory figures!

He was only in the Light Condensation Realm, but he had clearly mastered Cloud Soaring Illusionary Form, one of the Myriad Cloud Sect's most difficult immortal techniques, to a profound level!

And Li Ping'an's cultivation to this point...

Had only been three years.

Seeing someone provoke his son, Li Dazhi had almost rushed onto the stage. It was only when the Sect Master stopped him that he stayed on the stage to watch.

As a result, Li Dazhi didn't even hear the greetings from the sect masters of the allied sects beside him.

The sect masters were saying:

"Is this Daoist friend Dazhi's son?"

"At such a young age, to be able to perform a Myriad Cloud Sect secret technique to this extent, the Myriad Cloud Sect has gained another great talent!"

"Although his aptitude is insufficient, his comprehension can make up for it. Wonderful."

"You flatter me," the Myriad Cloud Sect Master said with a squinting smile. "Ping'an's aptitude is not good, but his comprehension is quite strong. He is also a key immortal seedling being nurtured by the sect. His cultivation is not high, so such an offensive will eventually be difficult to sustain."

The immortal experts from the Eastern Continent seated nearby simultaneously noted the name 'Ping'an'.

Li Dazhi paid no attention to his surroundings, his eyes fixed on the stage.

Damn it!

He really hadn't expected these old immortals to be so shameless!

If they couldn't deal with him, they would go after his son!

If Ping'an got even a scratch, he would definitely... But he couldn't defeat those people now, so he could only go and complain to his Master.

Not far away, Immortal Qing Su, who had been cultivating, opened her eyes and quietly observed the fight below, constantly calculating with her fingers.

She was calculating how long Li Ping'an's magic power would last.

Li Ping'an's forceful activation of the immortal technique consumed a huge amount of his own magic power.

However, the effect of the fight was indeed pleasing to the eye.

Eighteen cloud mist illusory figures wielded long spears, dancing wildly. The disciple who had spoken rudely had no power to fight back. Although he was protected by the pagoda and immortal robe, he was still battered, his Blood Essence surging, his face red and his ears burning, looking extremely disheveled.

How should my disciple win? The realm difference is too great, and the magic power difference is also significant. Once this momentum passes, it will likely be unsustainable.

Qing Su pondered, tapping her chin.

Just then, Li Ping'an's shout suddenly rang out from the stage:

"Master!"

All eyes turned towards Qing Su.

Qing Su, seemingly oblivious, stood up and looked at the stage. Her clear and cold voice echoed everywhere, "What is it?"

Li Ping'an's voice came from left and right within the cloud mist, shouting, "Although your disciple is not at a disadvantage right now, I am truly indignant. May I use three or more types of techniques to defeat the enemy!"

Qing Su nodded slightly, "Yes."

"Thank you, Master! Then your disciple will not show mercy to this senior brother!"

Li Ping'an shouted very loudly.

This was naturally his psychological warfare, intended to humiliate Wang Zaizhi.

Wang Zaizhi was truly enraged. With a roar, his magic power vibrated, his Dao body swelled, and he charged straight into the sky, his entire body's magic power erupting fiercely.

At this moment, he was like an arrow shot towards the ten suns of ancient times!

But as Wang Zaizhi charged out, he was stunned.

Talismans.

Fifteen feet above the ground, a bit of cloud mist was instantly evaporated. Three hundred and sixty green talismans shimmered with a faint light, and against the backdrop of the starry sky, they possessed a unique spiritual charm.

In the cloud and mist below, eighteen illusory figures simultaneously shattered their cloud spears, their movements perfectly synchronized as they formed talisman-controlling hand seals!

Over a thousand talismans erupted with brilliant firelight, which transformed into a sky full of fire eagles that swooped down towards Wang Zaizhi!

The talisman array was complete!

Wang Zaizhi's figure was engulfed by the firelight, forcefully suppressed once more, roaring in frustration beneath the pagoda.

These fire eagles almost instantly evaporated the surrounding clouds and mist, causing vast amounts of water vapor to rise.

Boom, boom, boom, boom!

The eighteen illusory figures formed by immortal techniques exploded and scattered simultaneously!

However, Li Ping'an's true body was not on the stage!

Suddenly, chanting sounds echoed through the air.

Li Ping'an stood a hundred zhang above the ground, his feet on his sword sheath, hands behind his back, looking down at Wang Zaizhi, who was suppressed by the talisman array on the stage.

Behind Li Ping'an, six ring-shaped storage artifacts were lined up. From within them, points of starlight began to fly out in rows.

Then, a swarm of stars descended upon the stage!

These were, in fact, flying swords, flying daggers, long needles, meteor hammers, nunchucks... all sorts of hidden weapons and armaments, totaling five hundred!

A full five hundred magic artifacts!

These artifacts shared several common characteristics.

For one, they were all ordinary magic artifacts, but they were crafted with great precision and were of quite good quality.

Furthermore, each artifact was inlaid with a spirit stone the size of a fingernail. Inside these spirit stones appeared to be carved simple restrictions. They were now suspended densely around Wang Zaizhi, vibrating unstably.

Talisman array, artifact array;

These offensive methods, which did not require much of his own magic power, were Li Ping'an's only path to victory today.

Li Ping'an's gaze flickered towards Elder Bi, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and he said calmly:

"Elders and teachers of Wang Zaizhi, there is no need to worry. This disciple knows his limits."

With that, he pressed down his left hand, his fingers pointing towards Wang Zaizhi from afar, and elegantly clenched his fist.

Myriad Artifact Spirit Explosion!