Ping'an's Fame

"Senior brother... Senior brother?"

Li Ping'an opened his eyes groggily and looked at Mu Ningning, who was gently nudging him.

How long had he slept? It was already dark.

Li Ping'an looked around. Only his Master stood with his hands behind his back. The once massive 'audience seating' cloud platform now only had the part he was sitting on.

The Heaven Ranking arena had already fallen back to the valley floor. The disciples from each peak had long since returned to their own peaks. Elder Yan Sheng and another elder with white hair and a white beard stood not far away, watching Li Ping'an with a smile.

Li Ping'an then remembered that he still had to prove that 'the magic artifact you used was refined by yourself.'

Mu Ningning whispered at his side, "Senior brother, the two elders have been waiting for a while."

"I'm coming now."

Li Ping'an straightened his collar. After sleeping, he felt refreshed, with an indescribable clarity from his Nascent Soul to his Dao Body.

He turned to look at Mu Ningning, who was about to follow him:

"Junior sister, don't come with me. This isn't a fun matter."

"I've already heard all about it!"

Mu Ningning's peach blossom eyes held a hint of annoyance. She even showed the communication jade slip in her hand and huffed, "My Master said that if any Immortal from Kaiyun Peak bullies a disciple of our Caiyun Peak, I should use the jade slip to call them over to argue. "Can't they even afford to lose the sect's grand competition? They have to keep harping on it! "Senior brother, don't worry. If we're in the right, what do we have to fear! Our Caiyun Peak has never lost an argument!"

Qingxu nodded with a slight smile.

Li Ping'an could almost see his Master's Nascent Soul avatar waving its fists and shouting, "Exactly!" "Exactly."

He chuckled wryly, "Alright, junior sister. If you want to follow, then follow. But Kaiyun Peak and Caiyun Peak are both dojos of the Myriad Cloud Sect. Don't let this small matter cause any unpleasantness. Don't say another word today, and don't use the jade slip to call for backup. I'll handle it."

Mu Ningning pouted her lips and whispered, "I'll listen to you. I was just afraid others would bully you."

"Who in the sect can bully me?"

Li Ping'an walked forward with a smile, humming as he said, "My father, Li Dazhi."

Qingxu glanced over.

Li Ping'an immediately added, "My Master is Immortal Qingxu."

Qingxu tilted her head back with a smile. She was clearly quite pleased with Li Ping'an introducing himself like this.

Mu Ningning covered her mouth and giggled. She jumped onto the white cloud beneath Qingxu's feet and followed her own Martial Uncle.

Li Ping'an hurried to Elder Yan Sheng's side. The elder took his arm, and they began to communicate telepathically as they headed towards the Affairs Hall.

Elder Yan Sheng said gravely, "Do you have confidence in handling the situation today?"

"Rest assured, Elder," Li Ping'an replied with a telepathic smile. "When I used that secret technique to suppress the Kaiyun Peak disciple yesterday, I had already thought of how to deal with the aftermath. I was even afraid they wouldn't come to cause trouble."

"Oh?"

Elder Yan Sheng's small eyes fixed on Li Ping'an as he continued telepathically, "The Sect Master is paying attention to this matter. Although most of the guests have left, there are still several sect masters from other sects here. With a sweep of their immortal sense, this matter cannot be hidden. "Don't be rash out of youthful pride. If you don't have a way to deal with it, I will help you cover it up a little."

"Your kindness is appreciated, Elder. I am grateful."

Li Ping'an frowned at this and asked in a low voice, "Elder, could you please ask a few inner sect elders to come and seal off the Affairs Hall? Prevent those sect masters from investigating?"

"Why?"

"Today, I will not only be handing over the initial version of the Spirit Detonation Art to the sect."

Li Ping'an said solemnly, "My father has been pondering a refining method for three years. He had a flash of inspiration and suddenly understood it. Today, my father wants to use my mouth to advise the sect. This matter concerns the sect's spirit stone livelihood."

Elder Yan Sheng's gaze was filled with confusion.

If any other Light Condensation Realm disciple had said such a thing, Elder Yan Sheng would have arranged for some stewards to cleanse that disciple's Dao heart.

But it was Li Ping'an saying it now...

"You go to the Affairs Hall slowly," Elder Yan Sheng telepathically conveyed.

"I will go report to the Sect Master. The Sect Master's previous intention was to handle this matter in front of those distinguished guests from other sects, so as to avoid being accused of unfair dealings by our Myriad Cloud Sect."

Li Ping'an cupped his hands. "Thank you, Elder."

"A small matter," Elder Yan Sheng transformed into a beam of rainbow light, shooting straight towards the summit of the main peak.

Another outer sect elder glanced curiously at Li Ping'an, unsure what Elder Yan Sheng had whispered to the young disciple. At this moment, following Elder Yan Sheng's instructions, he slowed the cloud's speed by more than half.

Li Ping'an had initially thought the Affairs Hall would be sealed off soon;

But to his complete surprise, Elder Yan Sheng returned as quickly as he had left and said to Li Ping'an:

"The Sect Master said... seal what? Is there anything that cannot be discussed with outsiders? This matter should be explained openly, so as not to make a laughingstock of ourselves in front of the Immortals from other sects!

"Ping'an, just display it. Since the Sect Master has said so, what further doubts do you have?"

Li Ping'an: ...

That wasn't all.

As Li Ping'an descended towards the Affairs Hall, a white cloud carrying five middle-aged Daoists, three men and two women, slowly landed within the Affairs Hall. A group of Immortals quickly clasped their hands in greeting, calling out "Sect Master."

Li Ping'an's forehead was covered in dark lines.

That's right, their own Sect Master not only didn't send away the Sect Masters from other sects, but even brought them over directly!

Just as Li Ping'an decided that he would rather take some scolding today than reveal his 'artifact forging production line' and risk leaking trade secrets;

A familiar telepathic message entered his ear, saying:

"Elder Yan said you are going to offer the magic incantation for detonating artifacts to the sect, and that it can improve the sect's spirit stone business.

"Come, in front of these Sect Masters, let them see the demeanor of our Myriad Cloud Sect disciples!

"I promised you a few treasures earlier. If you perform well today, I'll promise you a few more treasures, how about it?"

Li Ping'an looked at the middle-aged male cultivator seated in the main seat, surrounded by Immortals inside the hall. He now knew who had sent him the telepathic message yesterday and immediately bowed his head in a salute.

Since the Sect Master had said so, he, as a disciple, would obey.

He would display it directly later;

After all, this 'artifact forging industrial standard trial version' was something that would be phased out sooner or later.

At this time, hundreds of people had gathered in the Affairs Hall, most of them disciples who came to watch the fun, and some disciples who came to collect their grand competition rewards.

This crowd of spectators formed a semicircle, demarcating the 'debate ground' that was about to take place.

Two groups of people stood within the circle. On the left were several True Immortals and disciples from Kaiyun Peak. On the right stood Li Dazhi, Wei Yanzi, Mu Ningning, and a few female Immortals from Caiyun Peak.

Li Ping'an stood in the center of the semicircle, with his Heavenly Immortal Master behind him.

The Myriad Cloud Sect Master and the Sect Masters from several allied sects sat down and remained silent;

A white-haired inner sect elder stood up and cupped his hands slightly towards the disciples.

This elder was quite imposing. He glanced at the Kaiyun Peak group in the crowd, and at Wang Zaizhi, who was flushed red and dared not look up, and announced loudly:

"Regarding the matter of Kaiyun Peak Immortals disagreeing with the results of the grand competition's combat, we will bring it to a conclusion here.

"The Immortals from Kaiyun Peak have stated three points:

"First, why did the sect allow a young disciple from Flowing Cloud Temple to come into contact with the sect's profound immortal arts?

"According to sect rules, only inner disciples who have reached the Void Refining Realm can cultivate the Cloud Soaring Illusionary Form under their master's tutelage.

"Is there an explanation for this matter?"

"Yes!"

Wei Yanzi immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute to all three sides, and said loudly:

"Reporting to the Elder, Ping'an's cultivation of immortal arts was approved by the Elder of the Merit Transmission Hall.

"Since I became an Immortal from Flowing Cloud Temple, I have never spoken of it to outsiders. Although Ping'an's aptitude is insufficient and he began cultivating as an adult, his progress in cultivation has indeed been relatively slow. However, he possesses a pure Dao heart and astonishing comprehension. In just one year, he has mastered and practiced the prerequisite techniques for the Cloud Soaring Illusionary Form.

"Since he wanted to learn, I vouched for him, so he was allowed to cultivate.

"As you all must have seen during the grand competition, Ping'an has extremely high talent in the Way of Techniques, the Way of Talismans, and the Way of Formations!

"How can the sect not value such a disciple?"

Wei Yanzi spoke with such delight!

These words had been bottled up for a full two and a half years!

The surrounding Immortals nodded their heads.

Li Ping'an's only disadvantage in this grand competition was that he had only been initiated for three years, and his cultivation was far below that of other disciples. If he had the cultivation of the mid-stage Void Refining Realm, with his immortal arts, talismans, formations, and Spirit Detonation Art, he could have easily secured a top three spot on the Heaven Ranking.

The inner sect elder presiding over the matter looked at the Immortals from Kaiyun Peak: "Do you have any objections to this explanation?"

Wang Zaizhi's master quickly replied: "No objections."

The inner sect elder continued: "Second, why was a disciple given so many magic artifacts? According to sect rules, the spirit stones and precious materials a disciple can receive are far from enough to forge so many magic artifacts. During the combat, Ping'an used hundreds of magic artifacts."

Li Ping'an cupped his hands and stepped forward: "Elder! Please ask the third point first. I will explain the second point later."

"Good."

The elder nodded: "Third... this is also somewhat baseless. The Immortals from Kaiyun Peak claim that you value artifacts over the Dao, pursue the trivial and neglect the fundamental, and are likely to corrupt the sect's ethos."

Li Ping'an chuckled, "My cultivation is merely too shallow, and I've never once slacked off in my practice. Junior Sister Mu, who is familiar with me, can vouch for this."

Mu Ningning wasn't intimidated either. Upon hearing this, she immediately stepped forward, cupped her hands in greeting to the elder, and said loudly:

"I've known Senior Brother Ping'an for a long time. Regarding cultivation, I am quite ashamed.

"When Senior Brother Ping'an was in the Qi Refining Realm, he had already grasped the method of the Heavenly Cycle's self-rotation. Afterward, he practiced diligently every day without fail. Even after I became a disciple and received my Master's careful guidance, Senior Brother Ping'an's cultivation progress always surpassed mine.

"To say that Senior Brother Ping'an values magic artifacts over the Dao is utter nonsense!"

The inner sect elder stroked his beard and chuckled, his voice softening considerably when speaking to Mu Ningning, "You have good courage. Listen from the side."

"Yes!"

Mu Ningning bowed again and returned behind the female immortals of Colorful Cloud Peak, her small clenched fists covered in sweat.

The elder asked, "Does any immortal from Kaiyun Peak have any objections?"

"We have no objections," the master of Wang Zaizhi sighed. "Yesterday, we were momentarily angered, which led to this foolish act. It was wrong to trouble a disciple. We ask for the elder's punishment." The inner sect elder nodded slowly, "Since you have admitted your mistake, then this matter..."

"Wait a moment!"

An outer sect elder frowned and said, "Shouldn't the second point be explained a little?"

The hall instantly became so quiet that a needle drop could be heard.

Li Dazhi, who had been standing by with a smile, gradually let his smile fade. He frowned and looked at the elder, about to step forward.

"Disciple!"

Li Ping'an took two steps forward and directly bowed to the Sect Master:

"I have a new artifact refining method to present to the sect! This can also explain why I was able to produce hundreds of magic artifacts for combat!"

The expressions of the elders, immortals, and disciples varied upon hearing this.

They had initially come to watch the show, but many frowned slightly upon hearing Li Ping'an's words.

They genuinely feared that this young disciple might make a fool of himself later.

Li Dazhi looked at his son's figure and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Although he didn't want to steal his son's thunder, it was indeed time for him to speak.

"Sect Master Senior Brother! The method my son Ping'an presents today will surely broaden everyone's horizons!"

"Hahaha!"

The Sect Master's hearty laughter echoed through the hall:

"Junior Brother Dazhi, I know this child Ping'an has high comprehension, but don't speak too confidently. If Ping'an fails to broaden our horizons later, I will punish you!"

This was a way to give Li Dazhi and his son an out.

Li Dazhi bowed slightly, cupped his hands, and smiled, "Sect Master, rest assured, it won't be lacking... Ping'an, show them the artifact refining method you chanced upon."

"Father, this was originally taught to me by you."

Li Ping'an smiled and sighed. Then, with a wave of his wide sleeve, twelve ring-shaped storage artifacts floated in front of him, slowly spreading out.

Li Ping'an said loudly, "I need the assistance of twelve disciples, the lower their cultivation, the better!"

The people around looked at each other, a bit confused. Only Mu Ningning stepped forward immediately.

"I'll do it!"

A sword cultivator with a sword on his back jumped out. It was Gu Qingcheng from Sword Cloud Peak, whom Li Ping'an had met during the grand competition.

As soon as Gu Qingcheng appeared, more than ten disciples stepped forward, their cultivation levels being in the Void Refining and Hezhen Realms.

Li Ping'an cupped his hands to the disciples, then asked them to stand behind a storage artifact each. He then opened the storage artifacts and took out twelve strangely shaped magic artifacts, each quite large.

Li Ping'an rolled up his sleeves and busied himself for a while, setting up two 'conveyor belts' to connect these twelve large magic artifacts.

Afterward, Li Ping'an inserted spirit stones into each of these artifacts, and the formations on them lit up.

Li Ping'an took the initiative to explain:

"These are formations modified using the method for refining formation bases. As long as spirit stones are embedded, these twelve magic artifacts can operate automatically. If one does not wish to expend spirit stones, they can also be modified to be powered by immortal energy or magic power."

An outer sect elder nearby suddenly exclaimed, "Isn't this the casting furnace and pill furnace that I gave Uncle-Master Dazhi back then?"

Li Dazhi laughed, "If you gave it to me, you can't take it back now, can you? At most, I'll treat you to a couple of drinks later!"

The elder laughed heartily, "Wonderful, wonderful!"

Li Ping'an said loudly, "Reporting to the Sect Master! These twelve magic artifacts were all modified by my father. Most of them came from the outer sect elders of the sect!"

Having said that, Li Ping'an walked to the first cauldron-shaped magic artifact and took out a common treasure material called 'Meteorite Iron' from his sleeve, handing it to Gu Qingcheng.

"Please place the treasure material into the furnace,"

"Okay."

Gu Qingcheng did as he was told and watched as the large cauldron emitted flames, quickly melting the treasure material.

His task was now complete.

Li Ping'an waited a while longer, then tapped the large cauldron with his finger, and the two 'conveyor belts' slowly began to turn.

The silver molten metal was completely drawn out by the pot-shaped magic artifacts hanging on the conveyor belts, swaying and entering the second large magic artifact that resembled an 'earthen stove'.

Mechanical sounds came from within the second magic artifact, a faint firelight appeared inside, and it began to repeatedly temper these precious materials.

This was the treasure that Li Dazhi and Li Ping'an, father and son, were presenting to the sect today—the fully automatic artifact refining standard assembly line, trial version!

This refining method was divided into ten main steps:

Melting materials, tempering, casting shape, hammering, applying fire, engraving, extracting spirit, polishing edge, inlaying, sealing spirit.

Following these were two more steps, primarily for testing the quality of the artifact and its initial packaging.

Li Ping'an wasn't intentionally giving all the credit to his father;

Although he designed this 'assembly line,' his old man, the fitter, had painstakingly crafted it bit by bit. Li Ping'an was only responsible for solving a few key processes.

Under the simple operation, or perhaps just the vacant stares, of these twelve disciples, a common-grade flying sword of upper-middle quality, inlaid with spirit stones, slowly took shape.

To make the sect's Immortals understand the specific meaning of 'assembly line,' Li Ping'an directly placed enough precious materials in the melting cauldron to forge over a dozen flying swords. He then calmly took a few steps back, closed his eyes, and waited.

His task was complete;

The rest of the stage belonged to Old Li.