Heading East

Affairs Hall General Notice:

In recent years, Ancient Ruins had emerged along the coast of the Eastern Sea. Immortals fought in chaotic battles, and living beings suffered grievously. Several great demons had fallen on the coast of the Eastern Sea, their corpses polluting the seawater and drawing many Demonic Evils to occupy the shallows. Recently, they had often raided mortal fishing villages, injuring hundreds of mortals.

Until the Demonic Evils were eliminated, the mortals could know no peace.

Therefore, the Sea Gazing Sect, an orthodox immortal sect on the coast of the Eastern Sea, had invited five major immortal sects to organize a joint training exercise for disciples of six sects. The original intent was to eliminate demons and defend the Dao, while tempering the disciples as well.

Myriad Cloud Sect would select one disciple from each peak, for a total of thirty-six disciples to travel east to the Eastern Sea for the appointment.

Those who received this Jade Talisman must arrive at the Affairs Hall before noon tomorrow.

There must be no delay.

Li Ping'an finished reading the Jade Talisman's contents at a glance and immediately called out to the Mountain Patrol disciple who was about to leave.

"Senior Brother Ping'an," the Mountain Patrol disciple said, respectfully cupping his hands in salute, "what are your instructions?"

Li Ping'an returned the salute with cupped hands and smiled. "Our cultivation levels are close. There is no need for such formality. May I ask how many people have received these Jade Talismans?"

The Mountain Patrol disciple quickly calculated. "You are the thirty-seventh."

What?

They needed thirty-six disciples, yet thirty-seven Jade Talismans had been delivered?

Had his father forcibly arranged for him to join?

Since he was also part of Colorful Cloud Peak's lineage, Li Ping'an directly asked, "May I know which senior sister received one from Colorful Cloud Peak?"

The Mountain Patrol disciple smiled. "Colorful Cloud Peak selected Senior Sister Lianruo, who is at the middle stage of the Truth Integration Realm."

Li Ping'an understood at once. He truly was the one outside the plan. He cupped his hands toward the disciple and smiled. "Thank you for informing me."

"Well..."

The Mountain Patrol disciple looked somewhat nervous. Lowering his voice, he quietly said:

"When I came here, Elder Yan Sheng specifically instructed me that if you asked this question, I was to tell you... the Sect Leader personally named you to participate in this trial."

Li Ping'an was momentarily speechless.

The Sect Leader...

During the sect tournament two years ago, that Sect Leader had said that if Li Ping'an made it into the top ten of the Earth Ranking, he would be given several treasures.

Even now, he had not even caught a whiff of those treasures!

A true master of empty promises.

The disciple's eyes were filled with admiration as he quietly said, "Senior Brother, I have heard of your deeds. You began cultivating as an adult, reached the Light Condensing Realm in three years, mastered a hundred immortal arts, and suppressed a host of Truth Integration Realm disciples during the sect tournament two years ago. I saw it myself back then. Your Spirit Detonation Art has become the strongest secret art below the Immortal Realm! Everyone talks about it regularly."

"It is merely rumor growing with every retelling. How could it be so exaggerated? The Spirit Detonation Art is only used to destroy artifacts."

Li Ping'an took out several spirit stones and stuffed them into the Mountain Patrol disciple's hands, instructing him:

"Please report back to Elder Yan Sheng that I recently went astray while practicing and am not fit to travel."

"Ah?"

The Mountain Patrol disciple was a little dazed.

He had thought Li Ping'an was joking.

This was an opportunity to make a name for himself and steal the spotlight, yet this senior brother intended to refuse?

Li Ping'an said seriously, "Just say that."

"Ah, all right. Then I... I will report it that way!"

The Mountain Patrol disciple left in a daze atop his flying sword.

Li Ping'an watched him depart. Only then did he close the cave entrance and activate the array. Like a fallen leaf lifted by the wind, he drifted toward a corner of the front hall.

Over the past two years, his Heavenly Immortal master had spent no little effort tending to this cave abode.

Warm-colored drapes had been added before the walls, while exquisite furniture, calligraphy, paintings, and potted plants now filled the corners. Compared to when it had first been opened two years ago, it had gained much more of a feeling of home.

Li Ping'an landed before a bookshelf and pushed open a hidden compartment on it, revealing an opening no larger than a fist.

He then activated an escape art, transformed into mist, and drifted inside. After several breaths, he descended roughly six or seven hundred zhang and arrived at the underground hall he had opened up last year.

Calling it a hall was rather generous. It was really just a square, orderly mountain cave.

The hall was somewhat empty, and all six stone walls had been covered in thick protective arrays. Even if two Qi cultivators of the Truth Integration Realm fought for their lives here, there would not be the slightest disturbance outside.

Naturally, this place was intended for proper use, though Li Ping'an had also considered turning it into a privacy-focused residence in the future.

A wooden plaque hung directly above the hall, bearing the words:

Research and Development Center for New Spirit Explosion Artifacts.

What six-sect trial? What contest between disciples of six sects? He would have to leave the mountain, go somewhere crowded and complicated, perhaps gain no benefits, and still bear the basic risks of traveling outside for no reason.

He might as well remain in the mountains and continue advancing the development of his new artifacts.

Now, his father had become increasingly secure within the sect. The previous clamor had gradually faded away, and his safety within the sect was completely guaranteed.

His Heavenly Immortal master taught him the Dao, while his kind and honest father protected him on his path.

He should seek the carefree life of an immortal. Why fight desperately over empty fame?

Li Ping'an's only goal now was to reach the Void Refining Realm and Truth Integration Realm, cross the Bridge of Heaven and Earth, and arrive at the first shore beyond the sea of living beings.

Seek the Dao, become immortal.

Everything else, such as the new artifact research he was about to conduct, existed only so that after obtaining the Dao Fruit in the future, he would be able to protect it.

Li Ping'an took off his robe and tossed it onto a clothes rack in the corner, then removed a suit of iron armor from his portable storage treasure.

This suit of armor truly looked rather ugly. It was covered from head to toe in patches of various colors, and wearing it made him look bloated and made movement extremely inconvenient.

However, dozens of previous experimental accidents had proven that this suit of armor possessed formidable defensive effects.

More protection, more peace of mind.

Li Ping'an used his spiritual sense to activate the restrictions on the armor. With a casual hand seal, a crack opened in the stone wall in the corner, and a ring-shaped storage treasure flew out.

The storage treasure scattered a faint glow, leaving behind a charred stone table. Several simple tools rested on the tabletop, while at its center sat a round disc inlaid with dozens of spirit stones of different colors.

Li Ping'an picked up the disc and examined it carefully.

This plan should work.

Only by solving the issue of energy storage could his Immortal Armor Project truly be put into practice.

Li Ping'an took a breath, raised a hand toward the hidden recording pearl in the upper-left corner of the hall, and loudly announced:

"Immortal Armor Project, Type D power core, thirty-ninth experiment."

He carefully leaned toward the table, somewhat laboriously raised his hand, and drew three fingernail-sized golden spirit stones from the floating ring-shaped treasure above. They slowly descended toward the final three grooves on the disc.

As the three golden spirit stones drew near, the spirit stones of every color on the disc were simultaneously activated, and the disc began to tremble lightly.

As the spirit stones continued vibrating, restriction patterns ten times thinner than a strand of hair appeared beneath the disc's base.

Li Ping'an continued pressing down on the spirit stones, his movements growing slower and slower. His late-stage Void Refining Realm spiritual sense penetrated every part of the disc, monitoring the state of every tiny restriction.

The disc began to vibrate violently, as though it wanted to flee to one side. Several beams of Immortal Light shone from beneath the stone table, firmly locking the disc in place.

—The furniture that could remain in this hall was certainly no ordinary item.

The spirit stones were about to enter the grooves!

Li Ping'an sharply inhaled.

Hesitation would only bring chaos. Success or failure hinged on this single move!

"Set!"

Azure magical power surged from his fingertips as the three spirit stones were forced downward. With a click, the hall fell silent for an instant, and the disc sank into an eerie stillness.

It worked?

The spiritual energy channels had stabilized? The simulated meridians constructed within could now sustain spiritual energy moving on its own...

Something was wrong!

Just as a trace of delight bloomed in Li Ping'an's eyes behind his faceplate, a warning suddenly stirred in his Dao heart. His body shot backward faster than his mind could react, while the spiritual sense he had extended into the disc had no time to withdraw.

Buzz, boom!

The disc suddenly collapsed inward, and a surge of multicolored spiritual energy erupted forth, filling the entire hall in an instant.

"Damn it!"

Li Ping'an's body slammed heavily into the wall flashing with Immortal Light, and he let out a shout.

Inside the mostly undamaged iron armor, Li Ping'an opened his mouth and spat out a puff of black smoke. He suddenly grinned, then tilted his head and passed out.

Rumble—

The mountain trembled faintly.

In the rear hall of the cave abode, within the Heavenly Immortal's bedroom filled with flowers and grass, Qing Su opened her eyes and tilted her head slightly.

Her disciple was fiddling with those strange artifacts of his again.

Two years was far from enough to leave any trace of time upon a Heavenly Immortal's appearance.

Qing Su slowly rose. The Immortal Light suffusing the hem of her white dress flowed down toward her feet like water. She directly escaped into the ground and, before long, carried the unconscious Li Ping'an back to the front hall and laid him on a reclining chair.

Li Ping'an was not seriously injured. His primordial soul had merely suffered an impact.

Since an Immortal Treasure protected the area around his primordial soul, no injuries had been left behind.

Qing Su drew over a stream of water and washed the ash from Li Ping'an's face. She stared at her disciple for a while, then turned and departed for Colorful Cloud Peak.

At the southeastern corner of the mountain gate stood a peak newly built with more than ten interconnected immortal halls.

The immortal halls here were naturally far more imposing than the mountain cave Li Ping'an had dug underground. Glazed immortal tiles covered every roof, and carved beams and painted rafters could be seen everywhere.

Sect members and disciples hurried in and out of the various halls. As the arrays covering the area opened and closed, clanging and rattling noises appeared and vanished intermittently, creating a bustling scene.

This place was Myriad Cloud Sect's newly established money tree and treasure basin of the past two years—Casting Cloud Hall.

The central immortal hall was comparatively quiet. A wooden plaque reading Casting Cloud Hall hung at its entrance. Inside, dozens of long tables were arranged neatly, and behind them sat the resident Outer Sect Deacons of Casting Cloud Hall, writing furiously.

In the northwestern corner of the hall;

A square area formed by screens and windows was filled with warm sunlight.

A slightly plump Origin Immortal in a wide brown robe sat behind a desk covered in Jade Talismans, meditating with concentration. A faint glow of Immortal Light flickered between his brows.

Suddenly, he sighed with satisfaction. Streams of Immortal Light bloomed from his Dao Body, only for him to casually suppress them again.

"Another breakthrough."

Li Dazhi shook his head, then calculated the time. He intended to visit his son later, pass on some cultivation techniques, and bring him some cultivation resources.

Over the past two years, the spirit stones and treasures awarded by the sect would have been more than enough to support ten Heavenly Immortals cultivating for a thousand years.

He was only a third-grade Origin Immortal now, still several major steps away from becoming a ninth-grade True Immortal. Moreover, the higher one's realm, the slower breakthroughs became. How could he possibly use so many spirit stones and treasures?

His storage treasures were nearly filled with other storage treasures.

"I'll finish this bit of work first."

Li Dazhi picked up the Jade Talisman he had been reviewing and continued checking all the accounts from last month.

A report suddenly came from outside. "Hall Master, Deacon Wang requests an audience."

"Come in."

Li Dazhi had no choice but to set down the Jade Talisman again, revealing a faint smile.

A petite figure flashed out from behind the screen. Wearing a short skirt of pink and white, with her long hair tied into twin looped buns, she respectfully made a gesture of invitation.

It was Wen Ling'er.

Deacon Wang Xinhui hurried over, casually activated the array here, walked directly before Li Dazhi, and cupped his hands in salute.

"Ancestor Dazhi..."

"What is it? Just sit."

"Ah." Wang Xinhui's square face showed some difficulty. "Elder Yan Sheng sent me here. There is something rather troublesome, and I fear we need you to step in."

Li Dazhi leaned back in the round-backed chair personally made by his son and smiled. "What is it? Haven't things been rather peaceful in the sect these past few months?"

"There is nothing major within the sect. It is like this..."

Wang Xinhui said:

"The Sea Gazing Sect, one of the ten greatest immortal sects on the East Continent, has invited Myriad Cloud Sect to participate in a joint training exercise for disciples of six sects.

"Such training exercises have been common before. Myriad Cloud Sect has held several as well. Usually, disciples below the Heaven and Earth Bridge Realm participate. This time, Sea Gazing Sect has suddenly organized one, so we must show them some respect.

"After the elders reported it to the Sect Leader, the Sect Leader personally named Ping'an and ordered him to join the training.

"The Sect Leader even joked that this sort of training was really just sending disciples to compete for a prize, and it was also a good chance to bring honor to the sect. If another sect bullied us, Ping'an could simply throw out eight hundred or a thousand artifacts and blow up the place.

"Ancestor, the Sect Leader means for Ping'an to go no matter what."

Li Dazhi smiled. "Then let him go. That child has been cooped up in the mountain gate for two years. Going out for a walk could help him relax."

"But the problem is, Ping'an says he went astray while practicing and does not wish to leave the mountain!"

"Ah?"

Li Dazhi widened his eyes and asked, "Did he really go astray?"

"Of course not. The Mountain Patrol disciple said Ping'an was perfectly fine and had no injuries at all!"

Wang Xinhui did not know whether to laugh or cry. He sighed and said:

"Ping'an has already entered the Void Refining Realm, and his Dao Body has completed Foundation Establishment. How could he still go astray while practicing... Ancestor, could you go persuade Ping'an?

"The Sect Leader's decree has already been issued. We cannot possibly report to the Sect Leader that Ping'an went astray while practicing."

"Hahaha!"

Li Dazhi leaned back, his face splitting into a broad smile.

"Then you have truly come to the wrong place. I may be his father, but before my Ping'an, I am only the one getting lectured.

"Why don't you go find Immortal Qing Su? Just don't let my son know.

"My son's master is very simple-minded and easy to fool... Cough, very understanding.

"Just tell her that the sect needs Ping'an to go out and bring honor to the sect. Ping'an will definitely report to the Affairs Hall obediently."

"Oh? Thank you for the guidance, Ancestor!"

Wang Xinhui rose and cupped his hands, turning to leave.

"Hey, why are you in such a hurry to run!"

Li Dazhi called Wang Xinhui back and asked again:

"For this trip, how many immortals will the sect send to protect them from the side? And how many disciples are needed?"

"Originally, thirty-six were needed, one from each peak. With Ping'an added, there are exactly thirty-seven disciples."

Wang Xinhui said:

"We will send twelve Origin Immortals and six True Immortals to provide protection, with Elder Yan Sheng personally leading the team.

"Quite a few True Immortals and Origin Immortals from other sects will also be present. As the host, the Sea Gazing Sect will naturally have a Heavenly Immortal stationed there.

"Moreover, the coast of the Eastern Sea has our Myriad Cloud Sect's Heavenly Immortals guarding the Market Town. Should any trouble arise, they can appear at any time."

"Then that's good." Li Dazhi felt much more at ease. "Xinhui, do you think we can add one more spot among these disciples?"

Wang Xinhui immediately said, "Yes. Since Grandmaster has spoken, of course we can. The sect's disciples are all eager to improve, and this list does not have any rigid rules!"

"Mu Ningning of Colorful Cloud Peak," Li Dazhi said with a smile. "She has always been close with my Ping'an. Her cultivation is rather low, though she should be nearing the Void Refining Realm. Let her go along and gain some experience."

"Yes, Mu Ningning of Colorful Cloud Peak. I have noted the matter."

Wang Xinhui immediately cupped his hands and agreed.

"Do you have any other instructions, Grandmaster?"

"Nothing else. I'll get back to work." Li Dazhi waved his hand, then could not help sighing. "The Sect Leader has practically buried me here. I haven't seen my son even once in months."

"The capable ones must bear more work. Then please carry on with your work."

Wang Xinhui withdrew with a smile, turning and hurrying away.

Not long afterward, Wen Ling'er entered carrying tea and placed a cup beside Li Dazhi's desk.

"Please have some tea, Grandmaster."

"Mm."

Without raising his head, Li Dazhi said slowly, "Send word to your master. My Ping'an is going to the Sea Gazing Sect on the coast of the Eastern Sea for training."

Wen Ling'er carefully asked, "Do you have any other instructions? Should I only send word of this?"

Li Dazhi looked up at the "young" girl and smiled. "Let your master comprehend the deeper meaning herself. You may leave."

"Yes, Grandmaster."

Wen Ling'er lowered her head and withdrew. Li Dazhi shook his head slightly.

Although this little one looked adorable and was fairly clever, her mind truly was not very sharp. She had been in Casting Cloud Hall for two years already, yet she still could not judge which questions should be asked and which should not.

What else could it mean when he told Xiao Yue to prepare in advance?

Over the past two years, Xiao Yue had gained both fame and profit through Casting Cloud Hall, and her standing within the sect had risen steadily. No matter what, she ought to show some appreciation to his Old Li family.

Li Dazhi shook his head and continued checking the accounts before him, devoting himself wholeheartedly to the grand endeavor of earning spirit stones.

At the same time.

Qing Su rode a cloud away from Colorful Cloud Peak. On her way back to her cave abode, she encountered Deacon Wang Xinhui, who had been looking for her.

Following Li Dazhi's instructions, Deacon Wang Xinhui spoke of the matter of "the sect needing Ping'an to bring it glory."

Qing Su calmly acknowledged it, saying that she would relay it to her disciple, then continued descending toward her cave abode.

Wang Xinhui was somewhat puzzled... He did not know whether it was just his imagination, but he felt that Immortal Qing Su seemed to be preoccupied.

Doesn't Qing Su cultivate the Pure Heart Dao? What troubles could she possibly have?

Deacon Wang Xinhui naturally could not make sense of it, but it was not appropriate for him to ask.

Meanwhile, Qing Su returned to her cave abode, activated the formation, shut the doors, and frowned at Li Ping'an, who was sound asleep on a reclining chair. With a flick of her slender hand, a jade slip appeared in it.

Written upon it were the words: "The Way of the Good Teacher."