Heading East

[Myriad Cloud Sect Edict:

In recent years, ancient ruins have appeared on the coast of the Eastern Sea, leading to widespread chaos among Immortals and devastation for the populace. Several great demons have fallen on the coast of the Eastern Sea, their corpses polluting the seawater and attracting numerous sea demons and malevolent spirits to the shallow waters. Recently, these have frequently raided mortal fishing villages, injuring hundreds of mortals.

Without the eradication of these malevolent spirits, the mortal realm cannot find peace.

Therefore, the Eastern Sea's orthodox Immortal sect, Sea Gazing Sect, has invited five major Immortal sects to initiate a disciple trial. The original intention is to eliminate demons and uphold righteousness, as well as to temper the disciples.

Myriad Cloud Sect will select one disciple from each peak, totaling thirty-six disciples, to attend the rendezvous in the Eastern Sea.

Those who receive this jade slip must arrive at the Affairs Hall before noon tomorrow.

No delay is permitted.]

Li Ping'an finished reading the contents of the jade slip 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 respectfully cupped his hands in greeting, "What are your orders?"

Li Ping'an returned the salute, smiling, "Our cultivation levels are similar, so please don't be so formal. May I ask how many people have received such jade slips?"

The mountain patrol disciple calculated briefly and quickly replied, "You are the thirty-seventh person."

This?

They needed thirty-six disciples, but thirty-seven jade slips had been sent out?

Was his father forcing him into this?

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

The mountain patrol disciple smiled, "Colorful Cloud Peak has selected Senior Sister Lian Ruo, who is in the middle stage of the True Unity Realm."

Li Ping'an understood then. He was indeed the 'unplanned' one. He cupped his hands to the disciple and smiled, "Thank you for letting me know."

"This..."

The mountain patrol disciple's expression turned somewhat nervous. He lowered his voice and said quietly, "When I came, Elder Yan Sheng specifically instructed me to tell you this if you asked such a question... it was the Sect Master himself who personally named you to participate in this trial."

Li Ping'an was momentarily speechless.

The Sect Master...

That Sect Master had promised him some treasures if he made it into the top ten of the sect's grand competition two years ago.

To this day, he hadn't even caught a whiff of those treasures!

Truly a master of empty promises.

The disciple looked at him with envy and whispered, "Senior Brother, I've heard of your deeds. You began cultivating as an adult, condensed light in three years, and have mastered a hundred immortal arts. Two years ago, you surpassed many True Unity disciples in the sect's grand competition. I was there and saw it. Your Spirit Detonation Art has become the strongest secret technique below the Immortal level! Everyone discusses it daily."

"It's just hearsay, it's not that exaggerated. The Spirit Detonation Art is merely for destroying magic artifacts."

Li Ping'an took out a few spirit stones and pressed them into the mountain patrol disciple's hand, instructing him, "Please report back to Elder Yan Sheng that I recently had a mishap in my cultivation and am not fit to travel."

"Ah?"

The mountain patrol disciple was a bit stunned.

He thought Li Ping'an was joking.

This opportunity to gain fame and glory, and this Senior Brother was actually refusing it?

Li Ping'an said seriously, "Just report it as I said."

"Alright, I... I will report back like this!"

The mountain patrol disciple left, dazed, riding his flying sword.

Li Ping'an watched him leave before closing the cave door, activating the formation, and transforming into a falling leaf blown by the wind, drifting towards a corner of the front hall.

In the past two years, his Heavenly Immortal Master had spent considerable time managing this cave abode.

Warm-colored curtains had been added in front of various walls, and exquisite furniture, calligraphy, paintings, and potted plants were placed in the corners. It had a much more 'homely' feel than when it was first established two years ago.

Li Ping'an landed in front of a bookshelf, pushed open a hidden compartment on the shelf, revealing a hole only about a fist in size.

He then activated his escape technique, transforming into mist and entering it. After a few breaths, he descended about six to seven hundred zhang, reaching the underground grand hall he had excavated last year.

Calling it a grand hall was an exaggeration; it was essentially a square, regular cave.

The hall was somewhat empty. Thick protective formations were placed on all six stone walls. Even if two Qi cultivators in the True Unity Realm were to fight to the death inside, there would be no sound outside.

This place was naturally intended for serious use, although Li Ping'an had considered developing it into a private residence in the future.

A wooden plaque hung directly above the hall, inscribed with:

[New Spirit Explosion Magic Artifact Research and Development Center]

What was the point of the Six Sects Trial, the competition among disciples of the Six Sects? It required going out, going to a crowded and chaotic place, not necessarily gaining any benefits, and also bearing the inherent risks of traveling.

It was better to stay in the mountains and continue advancing the research progress of new magic artifacts.

Now that his father was becoming more established within the sect, the previous clamor had gradually disappeared, and his safety within the sect was completely guaranteed.

My Immortal Master taught me the Dao, and my kind old father protected my path.

When seeking the carefree life of an Immortal, why bother competing for fleeting fame?

Li Ping'an's sole objective now was to reach the True Unity Realm, cross the Heaven and Earth Bridge, and arrive at the first shore of all living beings.

To seek the Dao, to become an Immortal.

Everything else, like the 'new magic artifact research' he was about to undertake, was merely to protect his Dao Fruit after he attained it in the future.

Li Ping'an took off his robe and tossed it onto a coat rack in the corner. He then retrieved an 'Ironclad Armor' from his personal storage artifact.

This treasure armor was indeed ugly, covered in patches of various colors. Wearing it made him look bulky and significantly hindered his movement.

However, after dozens of experimental accidents, the armor's defensive capabilities had been proven to be quite formidable.

Multi-point protection, more thoughtful.

Li Ping'an activated the restrictions on the treasure armor with his spiritual sense and cast a magic incantation. A crack appeared in the stone wall in the corner, and a ring-shaped storage artifact flew out from within.

The storage artifact cast a faint light, revealing a charred stone table. On the table were a few simple 'tools,' and in the center was a disc inlaid with dozens of spirit stones of various colors.

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

This plan should work.

Only by solving the 'energy storage' problem could his 'Immortal Armor Plan' truly take flight.

Li Ping'an took a deep breath, pointed at a hidden recording treasure orb in the upper left corner of the hall, and declared loudly:

"Immortal Armor Plan, Type Ding Energy Supply Core, Thirty-ninth Experiment."

He cautiously approached the table, raising his hand with some effort. From the ring-shaped artifact floating above, he drew out three fingernail-sized golden spirit stones and slowly lowered them into the last three slots on the disc.

As the three golden spirit stones neared, the spirit stones on the disc were simultaneously activated, and the disc began to vibrate gently.

The spirit stones vibrated continuously, and patterns finer than a hair's breadth appeared on the base of the disc.

Li Ping'an continued to press down the spirit stones, his movements becoming slower and slower. His late-stage Void Refining Realm spiritual sense delved into every part of the disc, monitoring the state of each minute restriction.

The disc began to vibrate at high speed, as if trying to escape to the side. Beams of immortal light shone from the bottom of the stone table, firmly locking the disc in place.

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

The spirit stones were about to enter the slots!

Li Ping'an took a deep breath.

Hesitation leads to ruin; success or failure hinges on this moment!

"Stabilize!"

His fingertips erupted with cyan magic power, and the three spirit stones were pressed down forcefully. With a click, the hall fell silent for a moment, and the disc entered a strange stillness.

Success? It succeeded?

The spiritual energy channel was stable? The simulated meridians constructed within could sustain the flow of spiritual energy from… from…

Something's wrong!

A flicker of joy appeared in Li Ping'an's eyes behind his faceplate, but his Dao heart suddenly gave a warning. His body reacted faster than his mind, shooting backward. His spiritual sense, which had penetrated the disc, couldn't be retracted in time.

Buzz, boom!

The disc suddenly collapsed inward, and a torrent of colorful spiritual energy surged out, instantly filling the entire hall.

"Damn it!"

Li Ping'an's body slammed heavily against the wall flashing with immortal light, and he let out a shout.

Inside the undamaged Ironclad Immortal Robe, Li Ping'an opened his mouth and spat out a puff of black smoke. He suddenly grinned, turned his head, and fainted.

Rumble—

The mountain body trembled faintly.

In the back hall of the cave abode, in the Heavenly Immortal's bedroom covered in flowers and plants, Qingxu, clad in a white dress, opened her eyes and tilted her head slightly.

Her disciple was messing with his peculiar magic artifacts again.

Two years were far from enough to leave any trace of age on a Heavenly Immortal's appearance.

Qingxu slowly rose, the immortal light emanating from her skirt flowing like water towards her feet. She directly merged into the ground, and before long, she retrieved the unconscious Li Ping'an and placed him on a lounge chair in the front hall.

Li Ping'an was unharmed, only his primordial soul had suffered a shock.

Because his primordial soul was protected by an immortal treasure nearby, there were no lingering injuries.

Qingxu summoned a stream of water, washing the ash from Li Ping'an's face. She gazed at her disciple for a moment before turning to leave, taking the path towards Colorful Cloud Peak.

On the southeastern corner of the mountain gate, atop a peak where more than ten interconnected immortal palaces had recently been built.

These immortal palaces were far more magnificent than the mountain cave Li Ping'an had dug underground, adorned with glazed immortal tiles and intricate carvings everywhere.

Disciples hurried in and out of the various palaces. With the formation covering the area opening and closing, noisy clanging sounds could be heard intermittently, creating a bustling atmosphere.

This place was the Myriad Cloud Sect's cash cow and treasure trove for the past two years—the Casting Cloud Hall.

The central immortal palace was relatively quiet. A wooden plaque reading "Casting Cloud Hall" hung by the entrance. Inside, dozens of long tables were neatly arranged, with resident Outer Sect Deacons of the Casting Cloud Hall diligently writing behind each one.

In the northwest corner of the great hall;

A square area formed by a screen and a window was filled with warm sunlight.

A slightly plump Origin Immortal, dressed in a loose brown robe, sat behind a desk piled with jade slips, meditating intently. A faint immortal light flickered in his eyes.

Suddenly, he let out a sigh of contentment, and strands of immortal light bloomed from his body, only to be casually suppressed by him.

"Broke through again."

Li Dazhi shook his head. He then calculated the time and planned to visit his son later to impart some cultivation techniques and send him some cultivation resources.

In the past two years, the spirit stones and treasures rewarded by the sect were more than enough to support ten Heavenly Immortals for a thousand years of cultivation.

He was currently only a third-rank Origin Immortal, still a long way from a ninth-rank True Immortal. Moreover, the higher one's cultivation level, the slower the breakthroughs. There was no need for so many spirit stones and treasures.

His storage artifact was almost overflowing.

"I'll finish this work first."

Li Dazhi picked up the jade slip he had been reviewing and continued to check all the accounts from the previous month.

Suddenly, a report came from outside the door: "Hall Master, Deacon Wang is here to see you."

"Come in."

Li Dazhi had to put down the jade slip again, a slight smile appearing on his face.

A petite figure flashed from behind the screen. She was wearing a pink and white short skirt, her long hair tied in a double-ring bun, and she respectfully made a gesture to invite him in.

It was Wen Ling'er.

Deacon Wang Xinhui hurried in, casually activated the formation in the area, and walked straight to Li Dazhi, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Ancestor Dazhi..."

"What is it? Please, sit down."

"Ah," Wang Xinhui's square face showed a hint of difficulty. "Elder Yan Sheng sent me. There's a matter that's quite troublesome and might require your intervention."

Li Dazhi leaned back in the armchair his son had personally made and chuckled, "What's the matter? Haven't things been quite peaceful in the sect these past few months?"

"There are no major issues within the sect, it's just that..."

Wang Xinhui said:

"The Sea Gazing Sect, one of the top ten immortal sects in the Eastern Continent, has invited our Myriad Cloud Sect to participate in a trial for disciples of the six sects.

"These kinds of trials have been common before. Our Myriad Cloud Sect has also hosted a few, usually involving disciples below the Heaven and Earth Bridge realm. This time, the Sea Gazing Sect has suddenly organized such an event, and we need to show our support.

"After the elders reported to the Sect Master, the Sect Master personally named Ping'an, asking him to participate in the trial.

"The Sect Master even joked that such a trial is essentially an opportunity for disciples to compete for prizes and bring glory to the sect. If any other sect bullies us, Ping'an can just throw out a thousand or eight hundred magic artifacts to blow up the place.

"Ancestor Master, the Sect Master means that Ping'an must go."

Li Dazhi smiled, "Let him go. This child has been cooped up in the sect for two years. Getting out and about will help him relax."

"But the problem is, Ping'an says he's had a qi deviation during his cultivation and doesn't want to go out!"

"Ah?"

Li Dazhi's eyes widened. "Did he really have a qi deviation?"

"Not at all. The mountain patrol disciples said Ping'an is perfectly fine and has no injuries!"

Wang Xinhui was torn between laughter and tears. He sighed, "Ping'an has already entered the Void Refining Realm, and his Dao body is complete after Foundation Establishment. How could he possibly have a qi deviation... Ancestor Master, please, could you go and persuade Ping'an?

"The Sect Master's decree has been issued. We can't exactly go back to the Sect Master and report that Ping'an had a qi deviation."

"Hahaha!"

Li Dazhi leaned back, his face splitting into a wide grin.

"Then you've come to the wrong place. I am his biological father, it's true, but in front of my son Ping'an, I'm the one who gets lectured.

"Why don't you go find Immortal Qing Su? Just make sure my son doesn't find out.

"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 glory to the sect, and Ping'an will obediently report to the Affairs Hall."

"Oh? Thank you for your guidance, Ancestor Master!"

Wang Xinhui stood up, cupped his hands, and turned to leave.

"Hey, where are you rushing off to!"

Li Dazhi called out to Wang Xinhui and asked, "How many Immortals will be accompanying them on this outing, and how many disciples are needed?"

"Originally, it was supposed to be thirty-six people, one from each peak, plus Ping'an, making it thirty-seven disciples in total."

Wang Xinhui said:

"We will dispatch twelve Origin Immortals and six True Immortals to provide protection, led personally by Elder Yan Sheng.

"Many True Immortals and Origin Immortals from other sects will also be present. The host, Sea Gazing Sect, will naturally have Heavenly Immortals stationed there.

"Furthermore, our Myriad Cloud Sect has Heavenly Immortals guarding the market town on the coast of the Eastern Sea. They can appear at any time if trouble arises."

"That's good," Li Dazhi felt much more at ease. "Xinhui, can we add one more disciple to the list?"

Wang Xinhui immediately replied, "Yes, Ancestor Master. If you say the word, of course, we can. The disciples in the sect are all eager to improve, and there's no strict rule about this list!"

"Mu Ningning from Colorful Cloud Peak," Li Dazhi said with a smile. "She's always been close with my Ping'an. Her cultivation is a bit low, she should be nearing the Void Refining Realm soon. Let her go along for some experience."

"Understood. Mu Ningning from Colorful Cloud Peak. I've noted this matter."

Wang Xinhui cupped his hands and agreed immediately.

"Ancestor Master, do you have any other instructions?"

"Nothing much. I'm going back to work," Li Dazhi waved his hand, then couldn't help but sigh, "The Sect Master has buried me here. I don't even see my son once in a few months."

"The capable are always given more work. Please, you carry on with your tasks."

Wang Xinhui smiled and took his leave, turning to depart in a hurry.

Not long after, Wen Ling'er entered with tea, placing a cup by Li Dazhi's desk.

"Ancestor Master, please have some tea."

"Mm."

Li Dazhi, without looking up, said slowly, "Send a message to your Master. My Ping'an is going to the coast of the Eastern Sea to train at Sea Gazing Sect."

Wen Ling'er asked cautiously, "Do you have any other instructions? Should I just convey this message?"

Li Dazhi looked up at the 'young' girl and smiled, "The essence of this matter is for your Master to comprehend on her own. You may go."

"Yes, Ancestor Master."

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

Although this little one looks cute and is quite clever, her mind isn't really sharp. She's been in Casting Cloud Hall for two years, and she still can't gauge which questions are appropriate and which are not.

He asked Xiao Yue to prepare in advance, so what else could there be?

In the past two years, Xiao Yue has gained both fame and fortune through Casting Cloud Hall, and her status within the sect has risen. She should at least show some gratitude to Old Li's family.

Li Dazhi shook his head and continued to review the accounts in his hands, fully engrossed in his grand endeavor of earning spirit stones.

Meanwhile.

Qing Su left Colorful Cloud Peak on her cloud and encountered Steward Wang Xinhui on her way back to her cave abode. He had been looking for her.

As instructed by Li Dazhi, Steward Wang Xinhui spoke of 'the sect needing Ping'an to bring glory.'

Qing Su calmly acknowledged, stating she would inform her disciple, and continued her descent towards her cave abode.

Wang Xinhui seemed slightly puzzled... He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he felt that Immortal Qing Su seemed preoccupied.

'Qing Su cultivates the Pure Heart Dao, what could possibly be bothering her?'

Steward Wang Xinhui was understandably clueless about this but didn't dare to inquire further.

On the other side, Qing Su returned to her cave abode, activated the formation, and closed the door. She frowned as she looked at Li Ping'an, who was sound asleep on the lounge chair. With a flip of her delicate hand, a jade slip appeared in her palm.

It was titled: "The Way of the Good Teacher."