The Sea Gazing Grand Stage

"Excuse me, are the friends from the Myriad Cloud Sect on this ship?"

Before the two cloud ships even approached, a hearty laugh came from the Sea Gazing Sect's side:

"This is Bu Linhai, a disciple of the Sea Gazing Sect, here to guide our fellow Daoists from the Myriad Cloud Sect!"

On their side, Li Ping'an looked at Gu Qingcheng beside him. He saw a hint of nervousness in the seemingly bold sword cultivator.

Gu Qingcheng took a few steps back, reached out, and tugged on Li Ping'an's sleeve, transmitting his voice: "What should I say back to him?"

Li Ping'an frowned and glanced at him.

Didn't this guy usually have so much to say?

Couldn't he come up with anything at a crucial moment?

Li Ping'an transmitted his voice, grumbling: "Volume represents the sect's honor, and your voice's resonance represents the sect's bearing. They're probably here to pick a fight, so we need to overwhelm them with our presence first."

"Wahaha! Alright!"

Gu Qingcheng suddenly put his hands on his hips and burst into laughter. The surrounding disciples shivered a few times, glaring fiercely at the sword cultivator who had suddenly gone mad.

The sword cultivator roared:

"These are the disciples of the Myriad Cloud Sect, escorted by Immortals from our sect, here to participate in the Six Sects' disciple trials in the Eastern Sea!"

Li Ping'an calmly dodged to the side, no longer looking at Gu Qingcheng's pleading eyes. He carefully studied the intricate cloud and mist embroidery on junior sister Mu's skirt.

"Hahaha!"

On the opposite cloud ship, Bu Linhai from the Sea Gazing Sect gave a dry laugh. Recalling the elders' instructions, he announced loudly:

"The sea island below is where all the disciples will gather!

"The other four sects arrived three or four hours ago. Our Myriad Cloud Sect is a bit late, but we assume it's due to the long journey and not intentional disrespect!"

The expressions of the Myriad Cloud Sect's Immortals changed.

Upon hearing this, Li Ping'an also shook his head inwardly.

This Sea Gazing Sect is truly petty.

If they wanted to humiliate the Myriad Cloud Sect, they should have just done it directly. Even if they arranged for a few disciples to spar forcefully, Li Ping'an would have thought that this top ten sect of the immortal path had some class.

He never expected the Sea Gazing Sect to tamper with the 'arrival time' notification.

How could the Myriad Cloud Sect's Immortals possibly be intentionally late?

Didn't they travel slowly precisely to arrive at the right time?

Arriving too early would diminish their own prestige, while arriving too late would be disrespectful to the other sects.

Gu Qingcheng reacted quickly and immediately exclaimed, "Is that so? Could it be that we miscalculated the time?"

"Hahaha! That must be it! Please!"

The Sea Gazing Sect disciple named Bu Linhai laughed heartily, then soared into the air. More than ten Sea Gazing Sect disciples simultaneously put their hands behind their backs and ascended.

They used some kind of magic treasure, and a piece of immortal light emerged beneath their feet. As the immortal light surged and rolled, they descended from the cloud ship, a rather spectacular sight.

The disciples of the Myriad Cloud Sect were completely unprepared for this. They looked at each other, and someone was about to take out some flashy magic treasure to compete with them.

Li Ping'an, hiding behind Mu Ningning, suddenly spoke:

"All disciples obey the etiquette; the elders go first."

The six outer sect elders nodded with smiles, and all the disciples cupped their hands in salute.

Elder Yan Sheng lightly tapped his jade pipe, and a white cloud lifted everyone on the ship, slowly descending towards the immortal island in the sea.

An Immortal then piloted the cloud ship to a nearby location, awaiting the return of the Myriad Cloud Sect members.

Li Ping'an tugged on Mu Ningning's sleeve.

Mu Ningning quickly asked, "Senior Brother, what is it?"

"Look over there."

Li Ping'an tilted his chin westward, his voice deliberately drifting in the clouds.

Mu Ningning looked over. Several loose, goose-feather-like clouds hung in the blue sky, occasionally disturbed by passing Qi cultivators who added a few more wisps of down.

Below, the vast blue sea stretched out boundlessly, and where the sky met the sea, a range of rolling tall buildings could be faintly seen.

"How magnificent," Mu Ningning whispered. "Is that a market town over there?"

"According to the map, that should be Guanlan City, one of the largest market towns on the coast of the Eastern Sea, and it's the main territory of the Sea Gazing Sect."

Li Ping'an smiled:

"If you want to visit, we can ask the elders for leave after this trial assembly is over."

"Okay!"

Mu Ningning's peach blossom eyes twinkled with more laughter, and she said softly, "It's fine if it's too much trouble. Senior Brother, you prefer quiet to movement; others may not know, but I certainly do."

Li Ping'an nodded with a light smile, not saying much more.

Talking about this was enough.

The casual chatter between the two of them gradually calmed the slightly tense Dao hearts of several Myriad Cloud Sect disciples, and as the disciples looked down at the island below, their expressions became more settled.

Elder Yan Sheng, however, frowned deeply, falling into a slight predicament.

Their Myriad Cloud Sect hadn't purchased much property in Guanlan City, and this was Sea Gazing Sect's territory, so it wasn't easy for them to interfere.

Should they send someone to buy a small seaside courtyard now?

Under what pretense could they buy it? If an outer disciple used spirit stones to buy a courtyard, allowing a young pair to live together, it would be seen as misusing sect resources.

The clouds parted and the mist dispersed, and the Myriad Cloud Sect group had arrived at the gathering point for this trial.

The desolate island was covered by a massive hexagonal cloud platform, where hundreds of Qi cultivators from six sects had gathered. Sect flags floated in front of each group.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed only the Myriad Cloud Sect's seats that were empty.

Elder Yan Sheng announced loudly, "Please forgive us, everyone. We only received the message jade slip last night. We traveled day and night, yet we are still a little late."

An Elder from the Sea Gazing Sect, who was in the Heavenly Immortal Realm, chuckled, "Please take your seats, fellow Daoists. We had a rather unique experience discussing scriptures and the Dao here last night."

Where there was a white face, there was naturally a black face.

A True Immortal Elder from the Refining Heaven Creation Sect, an immortal sect from the Eastern Sea, announced loudly:

"Three Golden Immortals in one sect, truly extraordinary! To have kept us waiting for so long for just a simple apology."

Elder Yan Sheng wasn't in a hurry and watched with a smile as his disciples took their seats.

From the Kuiyuan Sect's contingent, an old woman said with a smile:

"It's just that the Myriad Cloud Sect's Daoists received the news late.

"I imagine the message jade slip must have encountered some deviation on its journey. This sort of disciple trial isn't a major event; our lifespans are long, why fear a night of sorrow?"

Another Elder from the Earth Splitting Mountain Moving Sect chimed in:

"That may be so, but why not send an Immortal ahead to inform us?"

An Elder from the Sky Abyss Gate laughed, "With the time it takes for an Immortal to fly over, wouldn't it be faster to just come directly? It's a small matter, why fuss over it?"

The situation on the field was already quite clear.

The Sea Gazing Sect, Refining Heaven Creation Sect, and Earth Splitting Mountain Moving Sect were clearly allied, while the Myriad Cloud Sect, Kuiyuan Sect, and Sky Abyss Gate were close to each other. The two sides were distinct.

—The Myriad Cloud Sect had agreed to participate in the trial organized by the Sea Gazing Sect precisely because these two allied sects were also invited.

Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning sat in a corner of the cloud platform, able to vaguely overlook the entire scene.

Mu Ningning tugged at Li Ping'an's sleeve and whispered telepathically, "Senior Brother, they're not going to actually fight, are they?"

"Our Myriad Cloud Sect is full of talented individuals; our senior brothers and sisters will naturally step forward to handle it."

Li Ping'an took out a bag of snacks and placed it into Mu Ningning's delicate hand, whispering telepathically, "If I'm not mistaken, the disciple named Bu Linhai who just spoke will volunteer to step forward... Look, he's starting to move, here he comes."

Mu Ningning blinked and looked down, indeed seeing several disciples in splendid attire, led by Bu Linhai, walk to the center of the cloud platform and cup their hands in greeting to the Sea Gazing Sect elders.

Li Ping'an was communicating telepathically with Mu Ningning, while Bu Linhai was shouting from below; the two events were almost simultaneous.

Li Ping'an transmitted to Mu Ningning:

"Disciples have long heard of the Myriad Cloud Sect's exquisite Cloud Control techniques. Today, we have a rare opportunity to spar a bit with the Daoists of the Myriad Cloud Sect, purely to learn the art of Cloud Control, with no intention of seeking victory."

What Bu Linhai said was:

"Disciples have long heard of the Myriad Cloud Sect's profound immortal techniques and their methods of Cloud Control. During this Six Sects trial, before we go out to slay demons and eliminate monsters, I wish to take this opportunity to spar with the talented disciples of the Myriad Cloud Sect. I am merely excited by the prospect, with no intention of provoking trouble. I request the elders' permission!"

Li Ping'an shook his head, "Look."

Mu Ningning let out a snicker. Sensing many immortal senses converging on them, she immediately pursed her lips and blinked, feigning innocence.

Fortunately, she was wearing a veil, so no one could see how hard she was trying to suppress her laughter.

The script was still unfolding.

An Elder from the Sea Gazing Sect sternly rebuked Bu Linhai:

"Nonsense! With the Six Sects gathered here today for such a grand event, how can we allow a few disciples to squabble? Retreat! You'll be laughed at by the seniors of all the sects!"

Bu Linhai bowed deeply:

"I implore the elder to grant this disciple's wish! I am not a person who seeks conflict, I merely wish to spar with the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples and learn their supreme Cloud Control skills!"

Several elders from the Sea Gazing Sect showed displeasure.

Elders from the Refining Heaven Creation Sect and Earth Splitting Mountain Moving Sect began to play a duet, one taunting the Myriad Cloud Sect and the other praising the Sea Gazing Sect.

Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning suddenly had two bags of their own roasted spirit melon seeds in their hands, crunching away in the corner.

Just then, Gu Qingcheng lowered his head and quickly approached Li Ping'an.

At this moment, hundreds of Qi cultivators in the field were all watching the Myriad Cloud Sect. Seeing Gu Qingcheng, the 'disciple leader', walk towards the corner of the cloud platform and whisper to a young disciple who looked unremarkable at first glance but quite handsome upon closer inspection, they wondered what they were discussing.

Soon, Gu Qingcheng nodded, left the rear, and in two steps, jumped directly to the center of the cloud platform, turned, and bowed to the Myriad Cloud Sect elders.

"Elder! This disciple is willing to fulfill the Sea Gazing Sect disciple's wish!"

Elder Yan Sheng nodded, "Go ahead, but don't injure anyone during the spar."

"Yes!"

Gu Qingcheng replied with a steady voice, turning to look at Bu Linhai.

The Elder from the Sea Gazing Sect also said, "Linhai, since Elder Yan from the Myriad Cloud Sect has agreed, you should go and gain some experience. Don't worry about winning or losing in this spar, but since you were so disrespectful this time, you will be punished with three years of solitary confinement after returning to the sect."

"Thank you, Elder, for your understanding!"

Bu Linhai's mouth twitched slightly.

That wasn't what they had said yesterday!

Yesterday, they had only told him to persist in his petition, and the Elder would scold him a bit. How could he be sentenced to three years of solitary confinement today...

A hint of frustration welled up in Bu Linhai's heart. When he turned to look at Gu Qingcheng again, he saw that this person was only at the third or fourth level of the True Unity Realm, and his Daoist robe was brightly colored, not like that of a master. A sense of annoyance naturally grew in his heart.

He would definitely show this disciple of the Myriad Cloud Sect a thing or two today!

Bu Linhai bowed in greeting and held a white jade transverse flute in his right hand.

"Bu Linhai, an inner disciple of the Sea Gazing Sect, requests guidance from fellow Daoist."

Gu Qingcheng cupped his hands in return and bowed. He shook his left sleeve, revealing a dark sword box. Immortal light surged from above the sword box, and three immortal swords extended out by a few inches.

"Gu Qingcheng, an inner disciple of the Myriad Cloud Sect! I dare not accept your guidance. I have long heard that the Sea Gazing Sect's water manipulation techniques are unparalleled in the Eastern Sea. Today, I shall broaden my horizons!"

"Good!"

Bu Linhai gave a light shout, and his figure suddenly flew up, with a water-blue radiance blooming beneath his feet.

Gu Qingcheng also shot into the sky in sync. The three immortal swords were drawn simultaneously, their ringing echoing through the heavens.

In a flash, Gu Qingcheng recalled the three pieces of advice he had just received.

These were the instructions from Senior Brother Ping'an:

'Brother Gu, do not delay during combat.'

'The Water Manipulation Art can slightly affect our Myriad Cloud Sect's Cloud Taming Technique; aim directly for the opponent's vital points.'

'Your Sword Control Technique combined with the Cloud Bursting Pills will have a miraculous effect. Remember to conceal the sound of your sword's cry.'

Gu Qingcheng suddenly let out a loud shout and pushed his left palm forward. Six black dots shot towards Bu Linhai.

Bu Linhai reacted extremely quickly. He gently shook the jade flute in his hand, and several ripples spread out from around him. The sound of crashing waves could be heard everywhere.

Bu Linhai was 100% confident of winning this duel. His spiritual platform and primordial soul glowed brightly.

Next, as long as he did this and then that, he could deal with this Myriad Cloud Sect disciple in this way and that!

Suddenly!

Bang!

The six black pills exploded simultaneously, and six giant white clouds surged out, instantly engulfing Bu Linhai's figure.

Above the island, a thick cloud hundreds of feet wide blocked spiritual senses from both inside and outside.

Bu Linhai subconsciously tried to dodge, but he had already missed his chance.

Gu Qingcheng had his left hand behind his back, his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised, and a smile on his lips. The three immortal swords retreated into the cloud. Although their speed was ninety percent less than extreme speed, they were advantageous in their silence.

In the next moment, several muffled groans came from within the thick cloud.

The flying swords harassed him, and the mist disoriented him. Bu Linhai seemed to have lost his bearings.

Gu Qingcheng's right hand, in a sword finger gesture, flicked lightly. He suddenly cupped his hands gracefully towards all directions and said calmly, "If this were a real fight, he would have already been slain by me."

Then, the immortal swords returned to their scabbards, and he turned and floated back to the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples' cloud platform.

Within the thick cloud, Bu Linhai's figure crashed back and forth, like a headless fly.

The music and the sound of waves that occasionally rang out sounded profound and imposing, but any Qi cultivator who glanced at Gu Qingcheng, who was leisurely sitting by the side, felt...

Quite ironic.

At the edge of the platform, Gu Qingcheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and he sighed inwardly.

'To leave your opponent on the stage during a martial arts tournament is truly satisfying. My Dao heart is sufficient, my Dao heart is sufficient.'

Finally, an Immortal from the Sea Gazing Sect brushed his sleeve, and Bu Linhai's figure fell out of the thick cloud.

His Daoist robe was cut open in more than a dozen places, but his inner garments were not damaged at all.

Bu Linhai glared angrily at Gu Qingcheng. Just as he was about to shout, he felt a chill behind his buttocks. His Dao heart trembled, and he instinctively grabbed a piece of clothing to cover his exposed lower back.

The Elder of the Sea Gazing Sect said coldly, "Retreat quickly!"

Bu Linhai's face turned red, and he quickly retreated to the side of the arena.

On the Myriad Cloud Sect's side, the disciples each smiled, holding several black 'Cloud Bursting Pills' in their hands, waiting for their turn to enter the arena and make a name for themselves.

The disciples subconsciously turned to look at Li Ping'an in the corner, their eyes filled with more respect.

The little trinkets of Senior Brother Ping'an were truly miraculous.

Li Ping'an was sharing a bag of dried spirit herbs with his junior sister Mu when a voice transmission entered his ear, filled with surprise and confusion.

"Are you the son of Da Zhi, young friend?"

Li Ping'an didn't understand what was happening. It was hard for him to pinpoint the location of this Immortal's telepathic message.

He didn't respond. The telepathic message seemed to have gone to someone else. Li Ping'an saw Elder Yan Sheng nod slightly.

Immediately after, a communication jade slip appeared from the Kuiyuan Sect, flying through the clouds towards the western sky.

Meanwhile, the disciple combat segment specially arranged by the Sea Gazing Sect was easily resolved by Li Ping'an's few magic artifacts. The Myriad Cloud Sect disciples gained prestige, while the Sea Gazing Sect disciples were utterly embarrassed, their Elder's face turning as black as the bottom of a pot.

This kind of disciple combat was, in the first place, just an appetizer.

At this moment, the Elder glanced at the disciples below, telepathically instructing them about the trial, then raised his hand in invitation and said loudly:

"This disciple trial was originally because of the proliferation of demons in the sea..."

This transition is a bit abrupt.

Li Ping'an chuckled inwardly and carefully considered the possible scenarios that might unfold.

It would likely involve the Sea Gazing Sect's disciples making things difficult for their own disciples.

Although Li Ping'an didn't feel he carried much weight in the Myriad Cloud Sect, nor did he have a strong sense of collective honor, he decided to do something to ensure his side could pass smoothly and that his old man wouldn't be too embarrassed upon their return to the sect.

Li Ping'an telepathically called out to Gu Qingcheng. When the vice team leader arrived, he handed Gu Qingcheng a storage bag containing a magic treasure.

Gu Qingcheng telepathically asked, his voice reaching Li Ping'an's knees, "Brother Li, what is this?"

"Cloud bursting pills, specially made, they can explode underwater," Li Ping'an replied.

"They're mixed with ordinary Three Absolute Soul Scattering Powder. When the mist blooms, Qi cultivators below the Immortal level will either react slowly or fall unconscious directly. Please use them sparingly. The Immortals of Medicine Dust Peak are unwilling to refine stupefying pills or poison pills, so this is a drug my father spent considerable effort to obtain."

Gu Qingcheng's Adam's apple bobbed as he telepathically asked, "Brother Li... Ping'an, is this appropriate?"

"It's for dealing with demons," Li Ping'an winked. "If other disciples accidentally get caught because they're too close to the demons, that's not our concern."

"Ah, right."

Gu Qingcheng grinned, and a trace of admiration appeared in his eyes as he looked at Li Ping'an.

This Senior Brother Ping'an always came up with all sorts of tricks, and his words and actions gave people an inexplicable sense of security.

Above the cloud platform, the Elder of the Sea Gazing Sect announced the rules for the disciple trial, passionately explaining the importance of eliminating demons and protecting the mortal world, and declared the scope of the trial grounds.

An Immortal struck a celestial gong from outside the cloud platform.

Dong—

The Elders of the Six Immortal Sects each cast a spell, and six white clouds, each about three mu in size, slowly rose into the sky, carrying the disciples towards the ruined ancient site.