No Longer a Mortal Thanks to Silver Alliance Leader Da Ying Yu De for the Generous Support!

Li Dazhi sat on a prayer mat, waiting in a daze.

This day and night had been quite extraordinary.

He had now figured out his situation—because of that vague, elusive talk of fortune, this great immortal sect had treated him like a priceless treasure.

There were many things Li Dazhi still had not figured out, but he knew one thing:

As long as he managed to establish himself in the Myriad Cloud Sect, Ping'an would face far less resistance and have one more source of protection on his future path of cultivation.

That counted as an unexpected blessing.

It was just a pity about the family wealth he and his son had worked so hard to build in the mortal world.

Li Dazhi had also heard that the Myriad Cloud Sect was doing its best to keep the news contained, unwilling to let other cultivation sects know that it had obtained a disciple with supreme fortune. Yet within the sect, disputes had arisen, and quite a few elders wanted to take this mortal merchant as their disciple.

—Great fortune had a contagious effect. Master and disciple shared a great karmic bond and deep connection; taking Li Dazhi as a disciple could bolster one's own fortune.

After several rounds of debate, the immortals had reached the final stage of selecting a disciple. An old immortal said to be incredibly formidable had just come out of seclusion and promptly overshadowed the current Sect Leader and several Grand Elders.

Li Dazhi understood that he would most likely become this Golden Immortal's disciple.

He was actually rather displeased about it. He felt like some kind of accessory, being fought over and passed around.

As for what a Golden Immortal was, Li Dazhi had no clear idea at the moment.

Previously, Li Ping'an had always handled cultivation matters himself, and Li Dazhi had not asked much.

As his thoughts ran wild, Li Dazhi suddenly heard a gentle greeting from behind him. "Little friend, what is your name?"

Little friend?

Half his body was already in the grave, and this man still called him little friend!

Then Li Dazhi looked up and saw the white-haired, white-bearded old immortal with his gaunt face, and immediately accepted it.

If he was half in the grave, then this old immortal looked as if he had just been carried out of a coffin that had been sealed for several centuries.

"Dazhi, Li Dazhi!"

Li Dazhi forced a weary, bitter smile. "How should I address you, old immortal?"

"Hahaha!"

The old man stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

The Sect Leader beside him, who appeared middle-aged, said with a smile:

"Do not be disrespectful! This is the Founding Ancestor of our Myriad Cloud Sect. The Myriad Cloud Sect was established by this immortal! Ancestor is also one of the sect's only three Golden Immortals. He has attained the Dao Fruit of longevity and has been renowned throughout East Continent for tens of thousands of years."

"Ai," the old immortal said, waving a hand. "This poor Daoist's Daoist name is Kongming, and I belong to the Kong generation of the Myriad Cloud Sect... You carry great fortune and possess peerless aptitude. This poor Daoist wishes to shamelessly take you as a disciple. Are you willing?"

Li Dazhi looked toward the Sect Leader, who nodded with a smile.

Li Dazhi immediately prepared to kowtow.

"Grandmaster!"

A doubtful voice Rang Out from the side:

"Grandmaster, you once said that you would accept a final disciple within a hundred years. Many outstanding talents in the sect have been eagerly waiting for Grandmaster to come out of seclusion.

"Today, Grandmaster is taking this mortal merchant as a disciple without any selection. I fear... it will invite criticism from our fellow disciples."

The Myriad Cloud Sect Leader frowned. "Ancestor Kongming has protected our Myriad Cloud Sect for tens of thousands of years. Must he seek our approval to take a disciple?"

Daoist Master Kongming smiled with narrowed eyes and said nothing more.

The moment Li Dazhi heard this, he confirmed that this little old man before him was the strongest, most prominent, and highest-ranking immortal in the sect. How could he let such an opportunity slip away?

If one rounded it off, would that not raise Ping'an's standing as well?

Without further hesitation, Li Dazhi ignored the sharp gazes of the old cultivators nearby, rose to his feet, and directly kowtowed to Daoist Master Kongming.

"Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"

There was some finesse to this. Calling himself "your disciple" sounded far more intimate than simply saying "disciple."

Daoist Master Kongming slowly nodded and gently placed a hand on Li Dazhi's forehead.

Li Dazhi's body was enveloped in a trace of green light. Strands of turbid aura dispersed on their own, and his entire body instantly slimmed down by two sizes.

"Good."

The old Daoist swept his gaze around. The immortals all lowered their heads in congratulations, and no one dared say another word.

Daoist Master Kongming said warmly:

"There is no need to make arrangements for this poor Daoist's acceptance of a disciple. From today onward, Li Dazhi is this poor Daoist's final disciple.

"Sect Leader, please take him through the Immortal-Mortal Halls, register him in the Myriad Cloud Sect's immortal records, and then bring him to this poor Daoist's cave abode."

The Sect Leader beside him acknowledged with a smile.

"Master! I still have a son—"

Li Dazhi looked up, only to find that the old immortal had already vanished.

The Sect Leader approached with a beaming smile, personally helped Li Dazhi to his feet, and offered his congratulations.

Yet several old immortals nearby flicked their sleeves and left, displeasure written across their faces.

"Junior Brother Dazhi."

The Sect Leader said warmly:

"I already know about your offspring. There are a few matters I must remind you of. There are certain taboos here."

Five days later.

Front Mountain of the Myriad Cloud Sect, Flowing Cloud Temple.

Li Ping'an yawned and stretched in his little courtyard, loosening his sore limbs after meditating through the night.

Steward Wei Yanzi had been right. The mountains offered freedom above all else.

With Five Grains Pills, there was no need to worry about going hungry;

There was a small channel in the rear courtyard fed by mountain spring water. As long as he carried a few buckets indoors, there was no need to worry about thirst.

Beyond eating and drinking, there was only cultivation.

For Li Ping'an, the only slightly unpleasant thing was that Steward Wei Yanzi had yet to send over the Daoist robe he had promised.

Li Ping'an had gone to look in the front courtyard, but there were no clothes that fit him. He could only wear one robe while the other dried, then dry one while wearing the other.

At night, he used a ladle to wash himself with clean water, but he had no spare underwear. He could only wrap a blanket around his waist and meditate naked while waiting for his underclothes to dry, which made Li Ping'an feel deeply embarrassed.

Whenever Li Ping'an wandered outside, he often saw some youths.

Some struck poses in their courtyards, apparently practicing some kind of cultivation technique. Others sat meditating on rooftops before the rising sun, their expressions utterly serious.

Li Ping'an did not enjoy speaking with others. Most of the time, he merely watched for a while before returning to his own little courtyard.

If he did not consider the influence his father would bring later on, then according to his original plan, he only had three years.

If no immortal in the sect took a liking to him within three years, then the outer sect examination would be his only remaining path.

That was plenty of motivation.

Whenever he took a Five Grains Pill, Li Ping'an worried about his father, wondering whether he had enough to eat and warm clothes to wear. He could only comfort himself by believing that his father's supreme fortune would keep him from encountering any trouble.

For five consecutive days, Li Ping'an meditated in his room.

The only cultivation technique and texts he could access at present were this Visualization Diagram and its few hundred words of mnemonic verses. He did not even know the cultivation realms after the Qi Refining Realm, Spirit Gathering Realm, and Light Condensation Realm, so he single-mindedly began Absorbing Qi and Nurturing Essence.

Adults no longer possessed the innate Primordial Qi brought from their mother's womb, making this step especially difficult.

In a daze, Li Ping'an vaguely sensed weak spiritual energy flowing through the air. Through breathing exercises, he drew it into his chest and abdomen, but the spiritual energy merely made a circuit before drifting back out, leaving behind only an extremely faint wisp.

He had always heard that cultivation for adults who had lost their primal yang was several times more difficult at the beginning.

Only after experiencing it himself did he understand the hardship involved.

What was he supposed to do?

What else could he do? He had been the one who went out to have fun with his college girlfriend. He had enjoyed himself, so now he could only bear the consequences.

One word—grind!

At noon, Li Ping'an sat bare-chested before the Visualization Diagram, contemplating the profundities of the mnemonic verses, sensing the flow of spiritual energy inside and outside the room, and pondering how to improve his efficiency in absorbing spiritual energy.

Daoist Wei Yanzi's loud shout suddenly Rang Out outside:

"Li Ping'an! Where is Li Ping'an! Hurry out here! The Vice Sect Master wants to see you! He's in the front courtyard, now move it!"

Li Ping'an's spirits lifted.

The Vice Sect Master?

Had his father brought news again?

He immediately leaped to his feet, threw on his robe, pulled on his cloth boots, and rushed outside with his hair hanging loose.

Daoist Wei Yanzi reached him in a single step, grabbed his arm, and leaped into the air. He moved like an eagle soaring through the skies, like a white crane in flight.

Li Ping'an only felt the ground grow distant, then near again, before he landed steadily in the front courtyard.

The Vice Sect Master Daoist Wei Yanzi had mentioned was a Daoist with the face of a child and hair like a crane's. He wore a broad gray-white Daoist robe and held a whisk in his hand. Clouds rose and mist fell around him, lending him an extraordinary bearing.

Beside this Vice Sect Master stood a plump, middle-aged man in a Daoist robe, his hair gathered in a Daoist topknot. Who else could it be but his father, Li Dazhi?

"Dad!"

Li Ping'an immediately rushed over, wanting to hug him but feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Whether in this cultivation world or back home, their people's traditional way of expressing father-son affection was usually reserved.

Li Dazhi stepped forward, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Li Ping'an. When he saw weak spiritual energy circling Li Ping'an's body, he immediately broke into a wide grin.

"Don't worry, Dad's fine. You'll just have to endure a little hardship for a while."

Li Dazhi glanced at Wei Yanzi before continuing:

"The sect has rules. I begged my master for several days, but he still refused to directly accept you into the sect. After all, taking a master is much like taking a godfather. It involves both a connection of fortune and the importance of destiny.

"Don't worry. Once Dad gets acquainted with the Peak Masters, I'll carefully pick a few masters for you!"

Wei Yanzi frowned as he looked at Li Dazhi, suspicion in his eyes as he muttered inwardly:

This fat man looks unfamiliar. How come he talks such a big game?

Li Ping'an said seriously, "Dad, from now on, you cultivate your way and I'll cultivate mine. If no master takes a liking to me, then I'll just lie low and wait for you to carry me. For now, don't let yourself be distracted by worrying about me."

"What kind of nonsense is that! What do you mean, you cultivate yours and I cultivate mine? Haven't I worked hard for half my life just to save up a little family wealth for you? Oh, right, these are for you. Take them and use them."

Li Dazhi took two jade thumb rings from his sleeve and directly slipped one onto Li Ping'an's thumb.

Li Ping'an asked quietly, "What are these?"

"Storage artifacts. You can open them once you reach Qi Refining Stage Six. I put some pills inside to assist your cultivation and improve your constitution, as well as life-saving pills refined by your Grandmaster—my master. They're good stuff!"

Li Dazhi paused.

Li Ping'an frowned. "Qi Refining Stage Six... Dad, you've already reached Qi Refining Stage Six?"

"Ah, yes."

Li Dazhi blinked.

"It seems to be called... Initial Dao comprehension. Your Grandmaster guided me through it.

"The first time I meditated, I sat there for three whole days. I closed my eyes, opened them again, and I had already passed the Qi Refining Realm. I seem to be at Spirit Gathering Third Stage now?"

Li Ping'an: ...

No!

He had not even gotten started yet!

He had not even gotten started!

"That was a bit fast, huh?" Li Dazhi chuckled twice.

Li Ping'an could only clench his fists and sigh toward the sky. "Fine, then I'll work harder!"

"Don't put pressure on yourself. You'll definitely be fine too."

Li Dazhi's voice suddenly rose sharply. "What? You're asking who Dad's master is?"

Li Ping'an frowned and pressed his lips together.

Li Dazhi smiled. "Remember this, Ping'an. Your Grandmaster's Daoist name is Daoist Master Kongming."

Wei Yanzi, standing nearby, nearly lost his footing.

Daoist Master Kongming?

Was that not the Founding Ancestor, the ancestor of the Sect Master's lineage, the foremost among the sect's only three Golden Immortal Daoists?

This, this, this!

The Vice Sect Master stroked his beard and smiled.

"Junior Brother Dazhi, it is time to return.

"Martial Uncle is still waiting to preach the Dao for you. After this preaching, Martial Uncle will continue his seclusion.

"Nephew Ping'an will naturally have his own destiny. Later, if a Heavenly Immortal wishes to take him as a disciple, this poor Daoist will put in a few good words for him."

"Alright, thanks, Senior Brother!"

Li Dazhi sighed, grabbing Li Ping'an's arm with a few traces of reluctance in his eyes.

"Ping'an, I may be cultivating for several months, perhaps half a year, this time. Stay well here, and don't pick fights with anyone."

"Don't worry, Dad," Li Ping'an said with a smile. "Cultivation is quite interesting too. I'm already getting into it."

"That's enough, then. Anyway, you'll definitely be better than Dad at everything. I'm off!"

Li Dazhi suddenly stepped forward and forcefully patted Li Ping'an on the shoulder. Then he walked back to the Vice Sect Master, turning around every few steps.

White clouds slowly rose beneath the Vice Sect Master's feet, carrying Li Dazhi as they flew towards the Back Mountain.

Li Ping'an watched his father disappear at the edge of the thick mist.

His father was fine. His heart was finally at ease!

From now on, he could focus wholeheartedly on studying cultivation without even a bit of worry!

Hm?

Li Ping'an turned to look at Daoist Wei Yanzi beside him. Seeing the Daoist staring blankly ahead, he cautiously asked:

"Deacon, what is happening?"

"This poor Daoist is fine, fine. Um, I'm fine, cough!"

Wei Yanzi looked up at him, his face suddenly breaking into a broad smile.

The wrinkles gathering on the Daoist's face reminded Li Ping'an of the daisy outside his courtyard.

"Little Friend Ping'an, forgive my disrespect, forgive my disrespect. If there is anything you do not understand about cultivation in the future, come ask me anytime. I can still offer some guidance through these first few realms.

"How about we move you to the front courtyard? That way, it will be easier for me to personally protect your safety.

"Well then, let's have a drink first! Come, come, come! I have quite a few treasures hidden in my room!"

Li Ping'an: ...

Well, after working so hard for so long, he was once again living beneath the protection of some obscure township entrepreneur.

He was used to it, anyway.