The Breeze Does Not Disturb Dreams

In the dead of night, Li Ping'an, utterly exhausted, floated back to his cave abode.

The social interactions within the Immortal Sect were a hundred times more draining than a duel on the arena…

Because his cave abode was enveloped by his Master's immortal power barrier, Li Ping'an could finally catch his breath, no longer under the scrutiny of immortal senses.

He then took off his long robe and boots, storing the discarded clothes into a storage artifact named 'Dirty Laundry Basket.' Wearing only his inner tunic and trousers, he lay down on his personal lounge chair.

The lotus pond water gurgled, and two butterflies, which had somehow been released into the abode, were sipping dewdrops on the lotus leaves.

Li Ping'an's eyes unfocused, slowly recovering the immense mental fatigue caused by the 'Spirit Detonation Art.' He felt drowsy and had a slight headache.

He had indeed been pushing himself.

To unleash the Spirit Detonation Art on such a scale today required simultaneously controlling hundreds of magic artifacts arranged in a formation to self-detonate. For him at this moment, it was a bit of a stretch, and the mental strain was enormous.

This exhaustion wasn't due to depleted magic power or physical weakness, but rather a lack of spirit.

Alas, my cultivation is still too low.

Li Ping'an sighed. He then thought that he had already taken a Master and had his father's assistance, so he already had the advantage of time, place, and people. There was nothing to complain about.

He just needed to work harder.

His father had rushed to the main peak's Myriad Cloud Hall to continue hosting the visiting guests with the Sect Master.

—Li Ping'an's current official status was merely that of an ordinary inner disciple, making it inappropriate for him to attend such an event directly.

On the cloud path back to Li Ping'an's residence, his father had pulled his arm and spoken a few words to him via telepathic transmission.

Li Ping'an felt quite gratified by this.

His father had said:

"Today, it wasn't that Wang Zaizhi deliberately tried to make things difficult for you. He's just a disciple; behind him is his Ancestor Master, Elder Bi, who arranged it.

"Since you weren't injured, after this grand competition, think of a way to get acquainted with him. It's better to resolve enmities than to create them. This disciple also represents a peak, and escalating the conflict would be detrimental to internal unity and our progress.

"From now on, we can't lose face, but we also need to find a way to give them some face, lest they resort to desperate measures… Leave the handling of this to Dad."

Finally!

His own father was finally starting to take the matter of 'Sect Master candidate' seriously!

His father was finally no longer avoiding his expectations for the next Sect Master position!

This was how it should be!

If Old Li got his act together sooner, he, Little Li, could peacefully slack off and pursue the Dao.

In fact, many times, people are simply seen as a threat by others just by occupying a certain position or having a certain identity, even if they do nothing.

Thanks to the favor of the Founding Ancestor Kongming, his father passively became a disruptor in Myriad Cloud Sect's 'power succession,' naturally becoming a thorn in the side of certain power factions.

Although many Qi cultivators in the human race were weary of power, there were always those accustomed to being high and mighty, whose Dao hearts had deviated, clinging to so-called authority…

It was just human nature.

Li Ping'an pondered these things quietly.

The main reason he had directly used the 'Spirit Detonation Art' today, expending a batch of magic artifacts to decisively defeat Wang Zaizhi, was to establish his authority.

His father and he, with their current low cultivation levels, could not afford to be easily humiliated.

Besides, Li Ping'an had a secondary objective.

—He wanted to use the Spirit Detonation Art to attract the sect's attention, and then seize the opportunity to present the set of magic artifacts that he and his father had tinkered with to the sect, thereby consolidating his father's position within the sect.

Speaking of which, the way Wang Zaizhi applied the power of talismans was quite interesting; it was something he could learn from.

As Li Ping'an's spirit recovered slightly, a few talismans appeared at his fingertips. He carefully recalled Wang Zaizhi's combat techniques.

"Ahem."

This was a gentle reminder from his Heavenly Immortal Master.

Li Ping'an quickly got up and looked at his Master, who was strolling towards him. He bowed his head, "Master, have I disturbed your cultivation?"

"No."

Qingxu naturally lay down on the lounge chair beside him, closing her eyes. Her hands were clasped in front of her abdomen. A gentle breeze blew, causing her loose, soft ice-blue long skirt to flutter slightly.

She gestured to the lounge chair next to her, "Lie down."

"Yes, Master."

Li Ping'an tidied his robes, moved his lounge chair back half a zhang, and lay down obediently.

"Master," he said somewhat guiltily, taking the initiative, "I didn't mention the Spirit Detonation Art before, not out of deliberate concealment. This method of combat was meant for life-or-death situations, and I hadn't intended to use it in the sect's grand competition…"

"It's fine," Qingxu said softly, "I also have many secret techniques that I haven't told my Master."

"Master, I only have this secret combat technique, along with several methods for pill refining and artifact forging, and some miscellaneous spells…"

Li Ping'an felt increasingly guilty as he spoke, so he added:

"I enjoy figuring these things out. My father previously helped me borrow many immortal texts from the Daoist Scripture Hall, which is why my knowledge is so varied."

"If Master wishes to know, your disciple will demonstrate them one by one for you."

"No need."

Qingxu's tone held a hint of disappointment.

"I only know closed-door cultivation and combat. I can't teach you these things."

"Master, please don't say that. What your disciple has fumbled upon are ultimately external skills!"

Li Ping'an said hurriedly, "What Master can teach me is how to cultivate, and how to survive in this Heaven and Earth. These are things that cannot be learned from ancient texts."

Qingxu turned her head and saw Li Ping'an behind her. With a light sweep of her fair hand, the wooden chair beneath her floated to a position level with Li Ping'an.

Qingxu looked Li Ping'an up and down, as if she had just met her own disciple today.

Li Ping'an's Dao heart felt a little uneasy. He always felt that his Master's clear, lively eyes were scrutinizing every bone in his body.

Qingxu suddenly asked, "They say your comprehension is extremely sharp. Is that really so?"

"I'm actually... alright."

Li Ping'an gave a wry smile.

"If you ask your disciple to praise himself, I'd be a bit too shy.

"Comprehension is hard to say. Perhaps one day I'll hit a small bottleneck and get stuck.

"For cultivation, fortune and aptitude are more important."

"Then apprentice, take a look at this."

Qingxu took out a jade slip and pushed it into Li Ping'an's hand.

Li Ping'an looked at it for a few moments. Inside were rows of delicate small characters. If observed closely, one could see that they were scriptures and Daoist texts copied down at different times.

"Master, what is this?"

"These are scriptures I couldn't comprehend before I became an Immortal."

Qingxu's bright eyes sparkled, and she seemed quite interested in this matter. She instructed, "You try it. I want to see your comprehension."

Master's practice test?

Li Ping'an muttered, "Master, so you took me as a disciple purely to repay a favor?"

"Otherwise?"

"It's fine, it's fine," Li Ping'an said with a bitter smile. "To be able to become Master's disciple is truly a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes."

Qingxu blinked. "Really?"

"Really!"

Li Ping'an said decisively, and a hint of a smile appeared on Qingxu's beautiful face.

Li Ping'an sighed inwardly... his Master was even easier to coax than Junior Sister Mu back then.

He clutched the jade slip, closed his eyes, and concentrated, beginning to ponder carefully.

The test Qingxu gave him made Li Ping'an feel quite strained;

but after comprehending one or two of the scriptures, Li Ping'an's heart was filled with insights, and he felt an urge to immediately go into closed-door cultivation and not participate in tomorrow's Heaven Ranking grand competition.

In the cave abode, Dao discussion tests the disciple; on the main peak, Immortals gather for a musical feast.

The night of the grand competition passed lively and, overall, quite smoothly. Only in the latter half of the night did a small disturbance occur in the Affairs Hall.

On the morning of the second day after the sect's grand competition, the Affairs Hall was crowded with people.

Li Dazhi, dressed in profound robes, stood before the hall entrance and cupped his hands towards the rows of Immortals before him, shouting, "Everyone!

"He who walks a hundred miles is ninety in the last ten; this speaks of the difficulty of the final stretch!

Yesterday, the Human Ranking and Earth Ranking grand competitions concluded smoothly. The events proceeded without error, and all parties coordinated perfectly, all thanks to your strenuous efforts!

"Today's Heaven Ranking grand competition is even more crucial. I hope everyone in the Preparations Hall will redouble their efforts! Do not slacken in the slightest!

"This humble Taoist has already requested permission from the Sect Master. After tomorrow's competition concludes, our Preparations Hall will celebrate here, and there will be rewards from the sect!"

Over a hundred Immortals smiled and returned the salute simultaneously.

Li Dazhi waved to someone at his side.

A melodious bell chime echoed from the main peak, and streaks of immortal light shot out from the Affairs Hall.

Two rows of immortal cranes took flight from the misty woods. The fairies on the backs of the immortal cranes scattered petals all over the sky; the enormous arena below the main peak slowly rose, and three cloud platforms rapidly took shape under the impetus of the Immortals.

The battle for the Heaven Ranking officially commenced!

Guests arrived by clouds from their respective halls. Disciples from various peaks rode clouds and artifacts, forming several colorful ribbons in the sky, converging towards the foot of the main peak.

Anyone seeing this scene would praise the Myriad Cloud Sect as a 'prosperous Immortal Sect'.

The elders in seclusion in the bamboo forest behind the mountain were all smiling.

Li Ping'an, following his Master Qingxu, couldn't help but yawn a few times.

He'd forgotten to rest.

He'd only answered thirty percent of the questions his Master had posed last night, leaving his already weary mind even more exhausted. He was now feeling quite drowsy.

Li Ping'an decided he'd be content with just making the top fifty on the Heaven Ranking today. He'd rest below the stage after his match.

He'd already drawn enough attention yesterday.

"Ping'an!"

Steward Wei Yanzi suddenly appeared from the side, bowing to Immortal Qing Su.

"Immortal Qing Su, I need to speak with Ping'an about something!"

"Mm," Qingxu nodded faintly and flickered away to wait further ahead.

Li Ping'an stood up gracefully and was immediately grabbed by the arm by Wei Yanzi, who began to transmit his voice.

"Ping'an, why do you look so exhausted?"

"I didn't regulate my breathing properly, and my Master tested me on scriptures all night."

Li Ping'an sighed weakly.

"Steward, is there something urgent? If not, I'd like to meditate for a while."

"It's nothing for me," Wei Yanzi said, "but something happened last night. I just wanted to tell you about it early."

Li Ping'an's spirits immediately lifted. "What is it?"

"Wang Zaizhi's Master is unhappy."

Wei Yanzi spoke in a low voice.

"Several Immortals went to the Affairs Hall last night...

"Sigh, I don't know if they've gone mad. Why couldn't they wait until after the grand competition to discuss things, with so many guests present?"

Li Ping'an asked, "Which peak's Immortal is his Master?"

Wei Yanzi replied, "A True Immortal from Kaiyun Peak. His strength is ordinary. The strongest in the Kaiyun Peak Master's lineage is Elder Bi."

Li Ping'an chuckled. "What are they unhappy about?"

"Firstly, they're unhappy about internal favoritism, claiming that since you cultivated at Flowing Cloud Temple before, why were you able to obtain the sect's immortal techniques? The cultivation methods for immortal techniques should, by rights, only be given to inner disciples above the Void Refining Realm."

Wei Yanzi sighed and continued to transmit his voice.

"Secondly, they're unhappy about your Spirit Detonation Art. You detonated so many magic artifacts directly, and they suspect you used the sect's treasury. Otherwise, where would you get so many magic artifacts?

"Thirdly, they're unhappy that you, a mere Qi cultivator in the Light Condensation Realm, could kill your way into the top ten of the Earth Ranking and then break into the Heaven Ranking at seventh place. They also said that if everyone valued techniques over the Dao, it would create a corrupting influence within the sect."

Li Ping'an curled his lips and asked, "How did my father handle it?"

"Quite impressively."

Wei Yanzi chuckled.

"Ancestor Master Dazhi first refuted each point.

"He first produced a special jade slip from an elder of the Merit Transmission Hall, stating that your cultivation of immortal techniques was approved by an elder of the Merit Transmission Hall and did not violate any rules.

"Then, your father said that after the grand competition, you would demonstrate your self-created artifact refining method.

"As for their claim of valuing techniques over the Dao... that was directly met with an inner disciple elder pointing at their noses and scolding them for being sore losers. Now, one by one, they've grown bold. As dignified Immortals, they're actually picking on a child."

Li Ping'an couldn't help but laugh.

Where in the world could you find a baby who's almost thirty?

Wei Yanzi asked, "Ping'an, do you have any issues with demonstrating this artifact refining method? Is there anything you need prepared?"

"Please prepare some low-quality materials for me, the kind used for refining ordinary flying swords."

Li Ping'an's eyes flickered slightly, and he said with a serious expression.

"As my father said, after the grand competition, I will personally explain to all the elders how to quickly refine a large number of magic artifacts needed to perform the Spirit Detonation Art."

Wei Yanzi asked softly, "Do you have confidence?"

"Naturally."

"Alright then," Wei Yanzi breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll go prepare the materials now. Ping'an, don't feel any pressure. Once those guests leave, those Immortals won't dare to cause trouble. They're just deliberately trying to annoy Ancestor Master Dazhi."

Li Ping'an said, "Please rest assured, Steward."

Wei Yanzi gave him a thumbs-up and then hastily departed on his cloud.

A flash of immortal light appeared beside Li Ping'an, and Qingxu reappeared, taking him along as they continued forward.

Li Ping'an seemed hesitant to speak.

He could sense his Master's concern for him but didn't know how to alleviate her worries.

As they neared the arena, Qing Su suddenly said, "Don't be afraid."

"Hm?"

Qing Su said calmly, "Wang Zaizhi's Master can't beat me."

Li Ping'an: ...

He was truly touched;

but his Master's intentions were also genuinely pure.

Looking at his Master's retreating back, which was so close, Li Ping'an felt a warmth in his heart.

The rules for the Heaven Ranking battles were basically the same as the Earth Ranking. First, there was a points system, followed by a group round-robin and then an elimination tournament. Starting from the quarterfinals, a double-elimination format was used, emphasizing maximum spectacle.

On the arena today, disciples in the True Unity Realm had already begun to appear.

For disciples who had been around for nineteen years and sixty-eight months, their cultivation levels were far beyond those of disciples like Li Ping'an, who had only been in the sect for three years.

Li Ping'an had already hogged the spotlight yesterday, so today he was very low-key. With three wins and three losses, he barely made it into the top sixty-four elimination rounds and gracefully stopped at the top thirty-two. His disciple ranking settled around thirtieth.

Today, his strategy was mainly about "winning by luck" and "losing with grace."

The other disciples had originally wanted to see Li Ping'an use the Spirit Detonation Art again;

unfortunately, Li Ping'an's opponents today were quite polite, even overly so. Two of them wanted to surrender immediately upon seeing Li Ping'an. Those who won against Li Ping'an kept cupping their fists and apologizing, terrified of being blown up.

Fortunately, Li Ping'an proactively promised not to use the Spirit Detonation Art again today, and only then did he complete his matches normally.

In the end, Li Ping'an only used spear formations and talismans to fight.

Wang Zaizhi was the only disciple in the sect to benefit from the Spirit Detonation Art.

After his own matches concluded, Li Ping'an could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He hid behind his Master, closed his eyes, and meditated. Before long, he began to doze, recovering the spirit he had expended over the past two days.

A short while later, Qing Su turned her head to look behind her, tilting her head slightly.

Bathed in immortal light, Li Ping'an slept with a smile on his lips, his head bowed. The frown that usually creased his brow had relaxed slightly, and his handsome face looked clean and clear.

Qing Su watched him quietly for a moment, then raised her hand and conjured a wisp of immortal light, enveloping Li Ping'an with Heavenly Immortal power to shield him from the noise of those around him.

Before long, Mu Ningning quietly snuck over and sat in meditation behind Qing Su.

Mu Ningning had also prepared some dishes and snacks, waiting for Li Ping'an to wake up so they could eat and drink together.

In the distance, a petite figure occasionally looked up towards them.

The Heaven Ranking grand competition was in full swing, and Li Ping'an slept ever more soundly.

Li Dazhi was busy flying on clouds, preparing for the closing ceremony of the grand competition.

As for the trouble Li Ping'an would face after the competition to prove his artifact refining methods... Li Dazhi was confident and completely unfazed.