The Great Dao of Immortal Cultivation

Wang Steward was somewhat astonished. Senior Brother Zhang was the chief disciple of the sect's inner sect, his cultivation unfathomable. Who would dare fight him within the sect? That was simply courting death, was it not?

"Hmph!"

Seeing Wang Steward's astonished look only made Senior Brother Zhang more displeased. He immediately burst into furious curses.

"You still have the nerve to say that? What kind of bullshit plan did you come up with? You had Zhang Meng set a fire, and he made such a huge commotion that even the Law Enforcement Hall was drawn in! That Zhang Meng nearly sold both you and me out, do you know that?!"

Wang Steward's face immediately went pale upon hearing this.

"H-How could that be? I clearly gave Zhang Meng careful instructions. Besides, how could they have traced it back to him afterward? How could he have been so care... how could it have been exposed?"

"Hmph. That Zhang Meng you found was nothing but a pig. He ran from the scene the moment he set the fire. If the Law Enforcement Hall did not investigate him, who else would they investigate? He handled things so crudely. You have truly disappointed me!"

"If I had not stepped in and killed Zhang Meng at the time, it would not just have been you—even I would not have escaped implication!"

Senior Brother Zhang's face was livid as he spoke, furious beyond measure.

What angered him most was being chased all the way by that Liu Jinhu!

He clearly could have killed Liu Jinhu with a backhand blow, but he did not dare.

After all, Liu Jinhu belonged to the Law Enforcement Hall. If he killed Liu Jinhu so brazenly within the sect, it would inevitably draw an investigation from the Law Enforcement Hall's higher-ups.

Those higher-ups were not people he could deal with.

Thus, he had been forced to endure Liu Jinhu chasing him all the way, hurling every kind of curse at him from behind, and he had not even dared talk back.

Senior Brother Zhang was the chief disciple of the sect, his status so lofty. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

In the end, he had no choice but to use some means to drive Liu Jinhu away, but it still left him feeling utterly stifled.

Looking at Wang Steward kneeling on the ground, Senior Brother Zhang felt his anger rise from nowhere. He kicked Wang Steward directly, sending him flying.

Wang Steward had not yet recovered from his injuries. Struck so suddenly by Senior Brother Zhang's kick, he spat out blood and flew away on the spot.

"It is all because you useless trash could not even handle such a trivial matter, forcing me to do it myself. Hmph!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Steward was overjoyed.

"Senior Brother Zhang, you will personally make a move?"

Ignoring his pain, he hurriedly scrambled to his feet.

"That old bastard Li Ping'an is not as simple as we thought. I went to ambush him last night, but he actually had a Golden Light Talisman. That old fellow has hidden himself far too deeply."

"Oh? He even had a Golden Light Talisman?"

Senior Brother Zhang's eyes flickered, and he sneered.

"Of course. Qingyue must have given it to him. No matter. That old bastard will not live much longer."

"What?"

Wang Steward's heart leaped with joy.

"Senior Brother Zhang, what brilliant plan do you have?"

Senior Brother Zhang sneered.

"It is not much of a brilliant plan. The sect is about to issue a policy. Once that policy is released, that old bastard Li Ping'an will surely be unable to remain in the sect. When the time comes, will it not be easy to deal with that old man?"

No one knew how much time had passed. When a faint glimmer appeared at the horizon and the roosters began to crow, Li Ping'an slowly opened his eyes. His entire bearing had changed greatly.

After cultivating through the night, he had successfully cultivated the Taiyi Qi-Guiding Art to the first level.

At that moment, he felt that the spiritual energy within his body was easier to control, while his breathing during inhalation and exhalation had become fuller and steadier.

Worthy indeed of a breathing and qi-circulation art!

Though it did not bring progress as obvious as other cultivation arts, he could clearly feel the Taiyi Qi-Guiding Art making the spiritual energy in his body more solid, firm, and stable, less likely to run out of control.

That was why Li Ping'an had chosen to cultivate the Taiyi Qi-Guiding Art.

Other cultivation arts might not necessarily suit him, but the Taiyi Qi-Guiding Art definitely did.

Brushing the dust from his clothes, Li Ping'an stood up. Outside, the disciples of the Moving Mountains Hall had already begun bustling about.

They truly were highly skilled when it came to constructing buildings. Tons of timber were brought in, and they began erecting houses in an orderly fashion. The Waste Hall was being rebuilt.

He Steward stood to one side with his hands behind his back. Watching the busy disciples, he could not help sinking into thought.

He sighed.

"I have been at the Waste Hall for more than thirty years. This is the first time I have seen so many people here, and the first time I have seen such a brand-new side of the Waste Hall."

As he sighed, he noticed Li Ping'an walking over. He patted Li Ping'an's shoulder and said,

"Brother Li, I am nearly ready to retire as well. This Waste Hall may be handed over to you in the future."

Li Ping'an could not help freezing at those words.

"Steward, you are only seventy this year, and you are at the second level of the Qi Refining Realm. You still have a long lifespan ahead of you. Why say something so discouraging?"

"Alas, I am already old."

He Steward sighed.

"I do not have perseverance like yours. I have stayed in this sect for far, far too long. I have already forgotten what the mortal world is like."

"If I had the chance, I truly would like to return to the mortal world and become a carefree old man, with children and grandchildren filling the hall. That would be quite beautiful too."

As he spoke, he let out another deep sigh.

Li Ping'an could see the helplessness in his eyes. In truth, pursuing the Great Dao of longevity was the ultimate goal every immortal cultivator set when first stepping onto the path of cultivation.

When someone spoke of returning to the mortal world, it meant that cultivator had given up on pursuing the Great Dao of longevity. They knew they had no fate with immortality and had become completely disheartened.

It was no wonder He Steward seemed so desolate.

Li Ping'an patted his shoulder and said,

"The path of cultivation depends on fortuitous opportunities. Perhaps one day your opportunity will arrive, and you may break through in a single stroke. Once you reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, your lifespan can reach two hundred years. At that time, there will be a new kind of hope."

He Steward was slightly stunned by his words, then gave a bitter smile.

"Forget it. Not everyone has fortuitous opportunities. I can already more or less see my future. Perhaps I will not be able to remain in this Waste Hall much longer either."

Sighing, he watched the Moving Mountains Hall disciples rapidly constructing the buildings, and he could not help sinking into memories.

Several days later, the Waste Hall was finally rebuilt.

For some reason, Qingyue had not come to see Li Ping'an these past few days, leaving him without any scraps to absorb for days on end.

It left him worried sick.

That day, he was preparing to ask He Steward for leave and head down the mountain to Nan Zhi at the Beautiful Spring Courtyard, where he could have a good, hearty absorption.

Suddenly, a menial disciple from the Waste Hall came running over and stopped before He Steward.

"He Steward, something terrible has happened!"

"What is it? Why are you in such a frantic rush?"

He Steward asked.

The disciple spoke with panic filling his voice.

"Steward, I just heard that the sect is about to issue a policy!"