"This is... I heard the Sect Leader sent you to the Eastern Sea to take part in the Six Sects Trial..."
Li Dazhi set down his teacup and looked Li Ping'an up and down, taking in his disciple robes.
Five years had passed since he entered the mountain to cultivate, yet Li Ping'an still looked much the same as when he had come from the mortal world, save that his complexion had grown fairer.
Just like him!
Li Dazhi continued:
"I only looked over a few account books, and then I heard you were about to set off.
"I hurriedly put aside my work and came to give you a few reminders, to see whether you had neglected your cultivation."
Before all the elders, Li Ping'an declared energetically, "Father, rest assured. Your son now cultivates under Master's guidance. The immortal path is long, and I would not dare slacken in the slightest."
Li Dazhi nodded with a smile.
Several Outer Sect elders immediately chimed in:
"Ancestor Dazhi handles countless affairs every day, while we idle away our days here like carefree clouds and wild cranes. We are truly ashamed."
"If there is any task, Martial Aunt Dazhi, simply leave it to us. Let these old bones of ours get some exercise too. Otherwise, how can we improve?"
"Martial Aunt, you work far too hard in your daily life. Our Myriad Cloud Sect is flourishing, and within a hundred years, we will surely return to the ranks of the Eight Great Immortal Sects! Hahaha! It is all thanks to the fortune you have brought us and your unmatched ability. We truly wish to contribute more to the sect as well, to burn away the last of our remaining years."
Li Ping'an: ...
What had happened to the sect's atmosphere?!
It had only been two short years. Did this still look anything like an immortal sect?!
His old father was clearly about to lead the Outer Sect immortals astray. Was the Sect Leader not going to do anything about it?!
Thankfully, the Outer Sect Deacon elders accounted for only a small portion of the sect's immortals. Otherwise, Li Ping'an might have felt a faint sense of guilt. After all, he was a small accomplice in his father gaining such prestige.
"Everyone is too courteous," Li Dazhi said, rising with cupped hands. "I have some intimate father-son words to exchange with my Ping'an. Please excuse us for a moment."
"Grandmaster, no need to move, no need to move."
"We shall make ourselves scarce."
The elders held Li Dazhi back and voluntarily took their leave.
As Deacon Wang Xinhui departed, he casually added several layers of immortal power barriers around the inner hall.
Li Dazhi winked at Li Ping'an.
"Dad."
Li Ping'an leisurely walked over and sat beside his father, switching to their hometown dialect.
"Why did you insist on arranging for me to go out? I don't want to travel. Going out means I might run into trouble, and there's not much to gain from it."
"This was arranged by the Sect Leader. By the time I heard the news, the order had already been issued."
Li Dazhi smiled as he advised him:
"I don't want you wandering around either. Your Grandmaster said that my fortune drives your fortune. When you go out, you will easily encounter opportunities, but you will also encounter all kinds of disturbances brought by those opportunities.
"Still, this time, six immortal sects are holding a disciple trial. Each of the six sects has sent quite a few immortals, so just keep a low profile.
"Why have you become more and more cautious these past two years?
"When we were back home, I never saw you being this careful."
Li Ping'an replied calmly, "Back home, murderers died. Here, murderers thrive."
"That actually makes quite a bit of sense when you put it that way."
Li Dazhi smiled.
"We stand with the Myriad Cloud Sect. We prosper together with it, and we suffer together with it.
"Besides, your Grandmaster and the Sect Leader have both treated us well. Going out to win some honor for the sect is not a bad thing."
Li Ping'an asked, "How has your cultivation progressed recently?"
"I haven't been slacking," Li Dazhi clicked his tongue. "I'm not far from the True Immortal Realm now, but breakthroughs are getting slower and slower. Without some fortuitous encounter, reaching the True Immortal Realm within ten years would indeed be difficult."
Li Ping'an slowly nodded.
He had actually misunderstood a little.
He thought his father meant he needed another ten years.
What Li Dazhi meant was ten years of cultivation.
"Ah."
Li Ping'an's gaze went a little unfocused.
"My immortal armor set failed again. I can never take that most crucial final step.
"I have gone through every kind of scripture in the sect, and my artifact-refining methods have hit a bottleneck too. The components Master refined for me are almost used up as well.
"This path is too difficult."
"I heard that the Kuiyuan Sect specializes in artifact refining and also possesses secret puppet arts. Their puppets can move just like ordinary people."
Li Dazhi smiled.
"Once we work with them to establish Casting Cloud Hall, I'll get hold of some of their artifact-refining insights for you."
Li Ping'an immediately perked up at those words and said seriously, "I have already seen the secret methods the Kuiyuan Sect uses to refine puppet artifacts in quite a few books on sect lore. I am genuinely interested in that."
"Fine, fine, fine! I'll remember it!"
Li Dazhi said sternly:
"You say you want to cultivate diligently and don't want romance to delay your great undertaking of becoming immortal, but I never see you constantly meditating in seclusion. Instead, you spend every day tinkering with those artifacts and pills.
"Is that useful?
"If you make a hundred strange artifacts now, can they compare to a single strike from a true Origin Immortal? You might as well put some thought into romance. Is it really so hard for me to want a grandson..."
"Dad!"
Li Ping'an could only laugh awkwardly. He grabbed the tea at his father's side and gulped down a mouthful, then rose to his feet.
"The other disciples are still waiting. I'll be going!"
"Hey! Why are you running?"
"I'm off! At the Six Sects Trial in the Eastern Sea, your son will work hard to bring glory to the sect!"
"I was going to give you something! Remember, harmony is precious in all things. Don't fight disciples from other sects!"
Li Dazhi tossed over a Storage Pouch.
Li Ping'an caught it and swept it with his senses. It contained over twenty Storage Artifacts of various styles, and within them were spirit stones and treasures piled into small mountains.
Li Ping'an waved a hand and left without taking a single cloud with him.
He had grown used to this kind of overwhelming support from his father.
Li Ping'an had originally intended to speak with Deacon Wang Xinhui and have his title as lead disciple removed.
But when he rounded the screen, he saw that the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples traveling with him had already boarded a thousand-foot cloud ship. Junior Sister Mu was waving gently to him from the rear deck.
Li Ping'an could only hurry over, without any chance to say a word.
The cloud ship was generally shaped like a mortal Tower Ship. Its hull was wrapped in mist and clouds, while beneath it floated a small immortal island. The vessel was broad-bodied and rounded at both ends, equipped with multiple formations. It could be propelled by spirit stone formations or moved forward by immortal spells.
For this Eastern Sea trial, the sect had assigned not only over ten immortals as escorts, but also more than twenty ordinary Deacons to accompany them.
The cloud ship swayed as it flew out of the Mountain Protection formation. It was expected to take a full day and night to reach the coast of the Eastern Sea.
Some disciples found corners to meditate in, while others gathered in groups of three or five, setting up barriers to play chess and chat.
Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning found an inconspicuous corner. Each took out a Prayer Mat, and Mu Ningning deliberately mimicked Li Ping'an's movements, sitting cross-legged in perfect sync with him.
Li Ping'an rummaged through his sleeve and took out several packets of preserved fruit.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
"I never said I prepared these for you."
Li Ping'an deliberately teased her, but Mu Ningning was not annoyed. Her little hands flashed like lightning as she snatched two oil-paper packets, her lips curling into a smug smile.
"Hmph. I don't care. If I saw them, they're for me."
"That's theft by force."
Li Ping'an took out a Jade Talisman, closed his eyes, and studied it carefully as he spoke slowly.
"Junior Sister, I'll cultivate for a while. If you get bored, go find some senior sisters you know to play with."
"But Senior Brother, aren't you the leader?"
Mu Ningning blinked and transmitted her voice to him.
"Aren't you going to greet the senior brothers and sisters?
"As far as I know, everyone actually wants to get acquainted with you. But because of your father, they do not dare approach you first. They are afraid people will say they are currying favor with you and becoming your followers.
"Everyone's feelings are rather complicated."
"Junior Sister, I think you misunderstand. What Qi cultivators seek is an unobstructed Dao heart. In everyone's eyes, I am merely a fellow sect cultivator."
As he spoke, Li Ping'an swept the crowd with his spiritual sense and found two familiar faces among the disciples.
One was Yu Yingshu, a body cultivator with dark skin and the build of a black bear.
The other was Gu Qingcheng, a sword cultivator carrying a black sword case on his back and wearing a gaudy, multilayered robe as he played chess with several young cultivators.
Li Ping'an had met both of them during the grand competition two years ago, but they had not interacted afterward.
As for the reason, Mu Ningning had just explained it.
Everyone needed to keep a little distance, lest they gain a reputation for clinging to power and influence.
Sure enough, when Li Ping'an opened his eyes, he saw Gu Qingcheng secretly glancing their way. Gu Qingcheng then hastily looked up at the sky and called out:
"Ah, these white clouds are moving so slowly."
Li Ping'an could not help smiling.
He shook his head and closed his eyes again, continuing to study the Jade Talisman in his hand.
To be fair, Li Ping'an rather appreciated the temperaments of these disciples. They were much more likable than those "enthusiastic progressives."
Mu Ningning took out a booklet containing insights from a True Immortal. As she ate snacks and turned its pages, it felt as if they had returned to their usual time together, comfortable and peaceful.
Two hours passed like this before one sword cultivator finally could not resist strolling over to Li Ping'an.
A voice transmission slipped into Li Ping'an's ear.
"Cough, um... am I disturbing you, Senior Brother?"
Li Ping'an opened his eyes and looked at Gu Qingcheng, then turned to glance at Junior Sister Mu, who had already entered meditative cultivation. He rose and exchanged cupped-hand greetings with Gu Qingcheng.
It was already dusk, and most of the disciples were meditating on the cloud ship's deck.
More than ten immortals were stationed at the front and rear of the cloud ship, their Immortal Sense enveloping several hundred li around them.
Li Ping'an took out a luminous pearl and suspended it above Mu Ningning's head. It scattered specks of starlight around her, shielding her from disturbance as she comprehended the Great Dao.
"Let's talk over here."
Li Ping'an gestured invitingly, and he and Gu Qingcheng moved several steps aside to the edge of the deck.
Beyond the Immortal Light surrounding the great ship, the sea of clouds had been dyed pale gold by the setting sun.
Strands of spiritual energy spilled from passing clouds and were quietly absorbed by the ship's formations.
Gu Qingcheng seemed a little at a loss. Smiling, he said, "Well, there is something I wanted to ask of you, Senior Brother Leader."
"We can address each other as we did during the grand competition."
"All right, Brother Li."
Gu Qingcheng folded his arms and spoke bluntly.
"Yesterday, I sought out senior brothers and sisters who had taken part in this sort of trial before. Generally speaking, multi-sect trials may not have disciples directly fight on an arena, but at their core, they still make disciples compete.
"These trial gatherings also have several unwritten rules.
"For example, only disciples who entered the sect less than thirty years ago may participate, and only disciples in the True Unity Realm and Void Refining Realm may take part.
"Looking at the Jade Talismans the Affairs Hall gave us, several of us figured that this trial will mainly involve exterminating demons in the Eastern Sea. The sect rankings will likely be determined by the number of demons killed.
"Brother Li, since we have come all the way to the Eastern Sea, we cannot let the sect lose face..."
Li Ping'an smiled. "Brother Gu speaks wisely. Then do you have some clever plan to help us win a good ranking?"
"No," Gu Qingcheng said with a laughing curse. "Why does it feel like you're using that tone to coax the immortal children of Flowing Cloud Temple?"
"Haha!"
Li Ping'an chuckled softly and said slowly:
"You know, Brother Gu, that I usually just cultivate under Master's guidance. I have no experience leading a team at all.
"This position as leader is merely because the elders are giving my father face. I truly do not understand these matters.
"Brother Gu, please speak plainly."
"All right, then I'll get straight to it."
Gu Qingcheng smiled.
"I wanted to ask... Brother Li, did you bring any artifacts for use with the Spirit Blast Art?
"Or could we request permission from the elders to transfer a batch of artifacts from East Sea Market Town, so that everyone can carry some mortal-grade artifacts?
"If the situation looks bad later, we can let them witness the Myriad Cloud Sect's new secret art!"
Li Ping'an swept the area with his spiritual sense and found that many disciples had perked up their ears to listen. Clearly, they cared deeply about this matter.
Li Ping'an found it amusing too.
If explosions were art, then everyone had quite a talent for art.
Li Ping'an took a Jade Talisman from his sleeve and placed it in Gu Qingcheng's hand, instructing him:
"This contains the Spirit Blast Art I improved last year, as well as the introductory formation diagram for the Spirit Detonation Art. It can trigger eighty-one artifacts at once, achieving a complete release of spiritual power. Please pass it around for everyone to read.
"Using more artifacts would require more complex formations, which cannot be mastered quickly.
"I'll go ask Elder Yan Sheng now whether we can transfer six thousand artifacts here. We can distribute one hundred and sixty-two artifacts to each disciple. What do you think?"
Gu Qingcheng's primordial spirit staggered, and he looked at Li Ping'an with a complicated expression.
He said softly, "Brother Li, we're... we're only taking part in one trial. Wouldn't such a huge expense bring blame upon the sect?"
"If they go unused, we can return them to the sect."
Li Ping'an smiled.
"We are bringing glory to the sect. Oh, and please give these little things to the other fellow disciples as well."
Li Ping'an took out two bags filled with several hundred black beads, each no larger than a little fingernail.
Gu Qingcheng asked in confusion, "What are these? Pills? Why are they packed so casually?"
"They are not pills. Look, Brother Gu."
Li Ping'an pinched out a bead and flung it over the side of the ship, casually forming a hand seal.
Bang!
A mass of mist exploded outward, swiftly transforming into a vast bank of clouds.
The disciples all looked over curiously.
Li Ping'an said seriously,
"I happened to find an ancient method while consulting the sect's records. After improving it, I refined these 'Cloudburst Pellets.' They may look like medicinal pills, but they are actually simple magical artifacts.
"Their only function is to create a large expanse of cloud and mist in an instant using only a tiny amount of spiritual power.
"This cloud and mist can briefly obscure the Immortal Sense of those in the Origin Immortal Realm, causing living beings to temporarily lose their sense of direction. Stronger Immortal Sense cannot be blocked, however.
"Used together with our Myriad Cloud Sect's Cloud Taming Technique and Cloud Escape Art, they can produce unexpected effects during magical combat.
"These little things are merely troublesome to refine and are not particularly valuable. Consider them a gift from me to all my senior brothers and sisters."
"This is... so amazing!"
Gu Qingcheng clicked her tongue in wonder, and the other disciples grew interested as well.
Li Ping'an sighed softly to himself. After handing the Cloudburst Pellets to Gu Qingcheng, he turned and went to find Elder Yan Sheng.
Although he carried several thousand spirit-explosive artifacts of various grades, those artifacts were his trump cards and naturally could not be given away lightly.
He could simply ask the sect to send over some ordinary magical artifacts. The elders presumably would not refuse.
As Li Ping'an approached the cabin where the elders were drinking tea, he muttered to himself.
Wasn't he supposed to be here sightseeing? How had he already started working?
He turned to look at Gu Qingcheng, who was surrounded by the disciples, and lightly raised an eyebrow.
This sword cultivator was quite good at handling things.
At Li Ping'an's suggestion, Gu Qingcheng was appointed deputy leader of this disciple training expedition for being the first to step into the elders' cabin with her right foot, responsible for all manner of errands.
A moment later, a Jade Talisman was sent to the Market Town on the coast of the Eastern Sea. Six thousand magical artifacts could be delivered within half a day.
Meanwhile;
On the coast of the Eastern Sea, at the mountain gate of the Sea Gazing Sect.
Upon the towering seaside cliffs, pavilions and palaces stretched out in succession. Viewed from the sea, the place resembled an immortal realm.
In a corner of the Sea Gazing Sect's main hall, several elderly Daoists with graying hair and beards sat in positions of honor, summoning several young disciples before them.
Before you continue