The Main Business of a Qi Cultivator

A gong's roar shook the celestial palace, and six white clouds hung in the sky.

The cloud platforms on the island had not dispersed, and several Sea Gazing Sect Immortals remained there, maintaining the stability of the platforms.

—There still needed to be a place to rank and award prizes later.

On the Myriad Cloud Sect's white cloud, the disciples were eagerly recuperating and meditating, adjusting their conditions to their best.

Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning still occupied an inconspicuous corner, their arms no more than three inches apart, as if a slight movement would cause them to touch.

Li Ping'an could smell her fragrance, and Mu Ningning could hear her senior brother's breathing.

"Senior Brother."

Mu Ningning's pretty face flushed slightly as she actively reached out and tugged at Li Ping'an's sleeve, but she transmitted her voice to ask an unimportant question.

"Why does everyone habitually use the sound of gongs?"

She had pondered this question for a long time, and the answer wasn't particularly important.

Li Ping'an smiled and transmitted his voice, "There aren't many sounds that can be used in such an occasion. String instruments are too soft, wind instruments are too long; the sounds of gongs, drums, large bells, or explosions are most suitable for opening sounds like this."

"Oh," Mu Ningning said, "So that's how it is."

Then, the small hand that was tugging at Li Ping'an's sleeve did not retract.

Li Ping'an slowly lowered his left hand, allowing her to hold it more discreetly.

Mu Ningning's face was covered by a white veil, and only the slightly mischievous smile in her peach blossom eyes could be seen.

'Senior Brother didn't pull away.'

Gu Qingcheng, the deputy team leader, had already made a round among the disciples, distributing the 'Ping'an Senior Brother's Special Secret Recipe Cloud Bursting Pills' evenly. No one received more, and no one received less; the main focus was fairness and impartiality.

Afterward, Gu Qingcheng said, "Everyone, let's form your teams as we divided before."

The disciples shifted their positions, dividing into six teams of five and two teams of four, each bowing to the others.

A steward from the Origin Immortal Realm shouted, "The Elder has spoken, disciples, listen!"

The disciples immediately quieted down and looked at Elder Yan Sheng at the forefront of the white cloud.

Elder Yan Sheng took a puff of his thousand-year spirit root smoke and said slowly:

"Then I shall say a few words.

"Our human race was born in ancient times. At the beginning of our birth, we were one of the hundred races. However, our human race, by the grace and virtue of Saint Mother Nuwa's creation, was born with the Innate Dao Body. Our comprehension of the Great Dao was much more convenient than other beings, hence we began to flourish.

"It was also because our human race was too dazzling that we incurred jealousy and hatred. The ancient Heavenly Court, which should have been jointly governed by the hundred races, began to oppress our human race. Most of the hundred races opposed our human race and repeatedly waged war against us.

"At our human race's weakest point, there were less than ten million people in this vast Heaven and Earth.

"Fortunately, the Saint Mother returned from beyond the heavens in time, and the incense of our human race was preserved.

"It is in this way that, facing the extermination efforts of the ancient Heavenly Court and the hundred races, our human race still survived tenaciously. Moreover, after the great catastrophe, we gained fortune. Heroes and sages emerged from our human race, while the ancient Heavenly Court was severely weakened by internal strife among the hundred races.

"Later, our human race's Fire Emperor Suiren emerged, cutting off the fortune of the ancient Heavenly Court for dozens of Yuan Hui. Our human race began to occupy a foothold on the Southern Continent, showing signs of great prosperity.

"After that, the Three Pure Ones Ancestors appeared and passed down many cultivation laws to our human race, helping our human race to achieve complete prosperity.

"To this day, our human race possesses the lands of the Southern Continent and the Eastern Continent. The footprints of human Qi cultivators are spread across the four continents and a hundred regions. There are also increasingly more human Qi cultivator cave abodes outside the heavens.

"The Southern Continent became the foundation of our human race's fortune, protected by the Saint Mother with the Grand Heaven-Sealing Formation;

"The Eastern Continent is the place for human Qi cultivators to cultivate, inheriting the Dao lineage of the Three Pure Ones Ancestors.

"When our human race destroyed the ancient Heavenly Court, the hundred races retreated to the Western Continent and became affiliated with the disciples of the two Sect Masters of the Western Teachings;

"At that time, under the mediation of the two Sect Masters of the Western Teachings, our human race's sages, mindful of the hardships of ancient beings, did not exterminate the hundred races. This also sowed the seeds of disaster.

"As soon as the hundred races recovered some strength, they began to raid our human race's lands. After the experts of the hundred races cultivated the Innate Dao Body, as long as they could conceal their original appearances, they looked not much different from our human race to the naked eye. They also specialized in transformation techniques, evading the pursuit of our human race's experts. Afterward, they would lurk in various places and kill innocent people indiscriminately.

"The demon race you usually hear about actually had many original names, such as 'Jing,' 'Ling,' 'Sheng,' and could also be named according to their original form before cultivation, such as the Pig Demon tribe, the Magpie tribe, etc.

"But now, we humans call them by only one word—'demon.'

"This feud has lasted for several Yuan Hui, and it is unknown when it will end."

Elder Yan Sheng sighed softly, then continued:

"Therefore, when facing demons, you need not show any mercy. Any demons that appear near the Eastern Continent, except for a small portion that are formed by local beings cultivating on their own, the rest are mostly enemies stained with human blood.

"Cultivation is not just about the immortal fruit of longevity, but also about protecting all living beings.

"We human Qi cultivators, having enjoyed the blessings and protection of our predecessors, should naturally uphold their will and be irreconcilable with the demon race!

"The ancient ruins ahead erupted in a great battle two years ago. At that time, a great demon tried to fish in troubled waters but was eventually slain by the combined efforts of our human Qi cultivators.

"The remnant soul and resentment of the great demon transformed into miasma. Most of the lesser demons that now occupy this place are sea creatures contaminated by this miasma. Today, there will also be some demonic creatures secretly placed by Immortals from the Sea Gazing Sect.

"Therefore, you can go all out today. Consider it a test of the fruits of your years of cultivation."

Li Ping'an, along with the other disciples, bowed in unison and accepted the order: "Understood, Elder's command!"

"All disciples, remember this!"

Another Outer Sect Elder exhorted:

"First, fellow disciples should protect each other and not stand by and watch when danger arises!"

"Second, if disciples of other sects encounter danger, and our Myriad Cloud Sect disciples can protect themselves, they must offer assistance.

Third, this place has been exposed for two years, and the treasures within have long been taken. The only things remaining are the miasma left by the great demons that perished here. If you encounter a faint black mist floating on the sea surface, do not approach it, as it can cause considerable trouble and may even give rise to inner demons.

Try to travel together. The Immortals of our sect will follow above you, but remember, if you require our intervention, you must withdraw from this trial yourselves."

The disciples bowed in agreement again.

Elder Yan Sheng suddenly said, "Team leader, say a few words to inspire the disciples."

Li Ping'an, who had been observing their surroundings, had anticipated this. He cupped his hands and said slowly, "This trial is to broaden your horizons. Prioritize self-preservation in all matters. If you encounter danger, call for help immediately."

The disciples turned and cupped their hands in a respectful bow to Li Ping'an, who returned the gesture.

Elder Yan Sheng chuckled, "Hearing you say that, you don't sound like a spirited young man, but more like an old fellow like myself."

The disciples all chuckled lightly.

An Immortal laughed, "The last time we came to these ancient ruins, we could still see the grand formations and pavilions here. I never expected that in just two years, even the tiles would be almost completely scavenged by rogue cultivators."

The disciples followed the sound and looked towards the sea ahead.

On the calm sea, a continuous expanse of broken walls and ruins appeared, like ancient city walls rising from the sea. The color of the water below had also become lighter, revealing a circular outline with a diameter of several hundred miles.

Li Ping'an recalled the scene when these ancient ruins first emerged.

Hundreds of miles in diameter, a grand formation enveloped the sea, countless beams of immortal light shining in all directions. Within, buildings were clustered and stretched endlessly. Black dots, like locusts, flew from all over, tearing through the formation and rushing towards the divine light.

No, that wasn't right.

His master had also been there at the time, obtaining a great treasure, only to be surrounded and severely injured. He had eventually escaped using the Sect Return Token.

Describing them as locusts was too inappropriate.

It was more like a beautiful butterfly and a swarm of moths surging forward, tearing through the formation and rushing towards the divine light.

Li Ping'an mused this in his heart, his gaze shifting to various locations.

The Sea Gazing Sect had already cleared the area. Dozens of Immortals were stationed at various points to guard it.

In the distance, on the sea surface, several hundred rogue cultivators could be seen scattered about. Among them were not a few aging elders at the Harmonious Truth and Heaven and Earth Bridge realms. They were likely curious onlookers who had heard the news. Further away, more figures were heading towards this place from the shore.

Humans were numerous, and there was no shortage of spectators everywhere.

Six white clouds arrived at the most central area of the ancient ruins.

Several streams of light flew out from the Sea Gazing Sect's white clouds. A few white-haired elders stood between the sea and the sky, speaking some perfunctory words loudly, re-reading the specific rules for the trial of the six sects' disciples.

It was nothing more than disciples killing demons, and Immortals counting. The six teams with the most demon kills would receive some rewards.

The Sea Gazing Sect had also prepared a set of counting magic treasures. They first named each team, then had the Immortals from each sect use jade slips to count and display the kill count of each team in real-time on a large bronze mirror.

The immortal senses of the Immortals could cover the entire venue, so such counting naturally prevented cheating.

With another gong strike, the trial for the disciples of the six sects officially began.

A total of over two hundred disciples jumped down from the six white clouds. Each displayed their own methods and divine abilities, diving into the sea together to begin searching for traces of demons.

Half of the Immortals who came from the six sects protected their own disciples, while the other half flew above the disciples of other sects, serving as mutual supervision and representing the mutual support of the orthodox immortal path.

Li Ping'an, Mu Ningning, Gu Qingcheng, and Yu Yingshu formed a team. After entering the sea, they each activated their magic power shields and, under Li Ping'an's leadership, headed towards...

the area with the least demonic energy, advancing stealthily.

Gu Qingcheng used the seawater to transmit his voice and asked softly:

"Senior Brother Ping'an, why aren't we keeping an eye on the Sea Gazing Sect disciples? Many of the demons here were placed by the Sea Gazing Sect. They must know where the demons are concentrated."

"Sigh!"

Li Ping'an transmitted his voice back:

"Why follow them? Are you looking for trouble?

Brother Gu, your flying sword's 'crotch-piercing' move caused that Sea Gazing Sect immortal seedling to lose face. His Dao heart is now unstable. What if he seeks trouble with us later?"

"That's true," Gu Qingcheng nodded slowly and chuckled sheepishly. "I really didn't mean to. It's just that my swordplay felt good when I was breaking clothes at the time, and I got carried away."

Yu Yingshu asked, "Senior Brother Ping'an, in the direction we're heading now, I don't smell any demonic aura."

Li Ping'an smiled, "There are only four of us, and two of us are carrying the burden of Senior Sister Mu and myself. Our chances of making it into the top six are slim."

The three nodded simultaneously.

"Since we're destined not to win the top six, why bother competing? There are plenty of minor demons here, and we can still hone our combat skills."

Li Ping'an instructed:

"The outcome won't be any different anyway, so wouldn't it be better to take it easy?"

Mu Ningning covered her mouth and chuckled softly, saying gently, "Senior brother is right. I don't like fighting and killing."

Gu Qingcheng and Yu Yingshu exchanged glances and smiled, feeling much more relaxed.

What they didn't know was that Li Ping'an only appeared relaxed.

The moment he entered the sea, his Void Refining Realm spiritual sense fully unfurled. The 'Demon Seeking Needle' and 'Demon Identifying Bead' hidden in his sleeve had already been activated.

Li Ping'an had already planned it out. This kind of trial had no substantial meaning. He would just get through it safely. As long as their ranking wasn't at the bottom, they wouldn't be disgracing the sect.

He glanced upwards, faintly catching Elder Yan Sheng's aura.

This put Li Ping'an at ease, a faint smile lingering on his lips.

Elder Yan, a peak Grand Perfection of the first-rank True Immortal realm, certainly provided a sense of security.

Myriad Cloud Sect, Casting Cloud Hall.

Li Dazhi sat behind his desk, finishing up a few jade slips before walking over to a nearby couch to meditate cross-legged.

He took out the familiar Yin-Yang Mirror from his sleeve, gazing at the vast, clear waves within it, sensing Li Ping'an's aura.

"Why did he run off to the sea?"

Li Dazhi was quite displeased about not being able to see his son.

This was because he had asked Elder Yan Sheng to look after his son Ping'an and, incidentally, to observe the situation there using this Yin-Yang Mirror.

A father worries when his child travels far.

If not for Li Dazhi's short cultivation time, not yet reaching the Heavenly Immortal realm, and his Master Daoist Master Kongming forbidding him to leave, Li Dazhi would have personally gone to secretly protect Li Ping'an during his outward trial.

"Sigh, this great fortune."

Li Dazhi sighed deeply.

This thing could bring both opportunities and dangers, and these two brothers, opportunity and danger, always walked hand-in-hand, leaving Li Dazhi no choice but to worry.

Li Dazhi recalled the past five years, having a vague concept of his so-called 'great fortune.'

Simply put, it meant everything going smoothly and good fortune pouring in.

"If only Ping'an could have half of this great fortune."

As shown by the Yin-Yang Mirror, slight spiritual energy fluctuations emanated from the sea below. Although layers of water waves had already exploded on the distant sea surface, it didn't attract even half a wisp of Li Dazhi's immortal sense.

Li Dazhi's eyes lit up, and he stared intently at the Yin-Yang Mirror.

Awesome! Ping'an has started killing demons!

To be unable to sense this historic moment except through his immortal sense was truly a pity.

Unnamed Mountain, Heavenly Immortal Cave Abode.

"Disciple, today's meal is..."

Qingxu's voice abruptly stopped.

She stood quietly in the large front hall of the cave abode, lost in thought by the lotus pond for a while before turning back to the inner hall.

"Senior Brother, be careful, let me do it!"

Dazzling sword light continuously flashed on the fine sand at the bottom of the sea.

Mu Ningning, with her sword, a magic treasure-grade water-repelling pearl floating above her head, moved as if on solid ground in the sea, constantly unleashing sword energy ahead, beating several half-zhang long black-armored shrimp demons until they were bloody and broken.

Li Ping'an stood with his hands behind his back, admiring Mu Ningning's graceful figure, using his spiritual sense to control two pearls that circled and protected her.

Mu Ningning was quite excited now. To fight a few shrimp demons equivalent to the Spirit Gathering Realm, she had directly used her sharpest immortal treasure long sword and even employed the movement technique she had learned from the Swallow Escape Stakes.

I need to teach her to use talismans and formations. Close combat is too disadvantageous; she could easily get hurt.

Li Ping'an thought this, already formulating a 'junior sister teaching plan' in his mind for when they returned to the sect. A wisp of his spiritual sense remained locked onto those Sea Gazing Sect disciples.

Li Ping'an had a slight premonition that Bu Linhai would likely cause trouble.

But he couldn't figure out what kind of trouble Bu Linhai could cause... Using formations to trap them? Secretly poisoning them with seawater? Secretly driving demonic beasts to cause trouble? Inviting Sea Gazing Sect Immortals to secretly make things difficult? Or perhaps a scheme of self-inflicted injury, provocation, killing with a borrowed knife, two tigers fighting, or driving wolves to chase tigers... Who was Bu Linhai's father? Could he be a big shot in the Sea Gazing Sect?

Li Ping'an gradually fell into thought.

Yu Yingshu and Gu Qingcheng, seeing Mu Ningning in action for the first time, exchanged glances.

This girl...

Was she really the cute and gentle junior sister from the journey?