103: Chapter 46: Failed Attempt to Lie Flat_2 103: Chapter 46: Failed Attempt to Lie Flat_2 But as he turned the screen, he saw his fellow Wanyun Sect disciples had already boarded a thousand-foot “cloud ship”, with Priest Ningning waving to him gently from the rear deck of the cloud ship.
Li Ping’an could only hurry over, with no chance to start a conversation.
This cloud ship, in overall shape, was roughly similar to mundane ships, its hull wrapped in mist, and at the bottom was a small Immortal Isle; the hull was wide, with round ends, equipped with multiple formations, capable of being propelled by Spirit Stones or by immortals casting spells.
For this East Sea training, the sect not only arranged for more than ten immortals as escorts but also had over twenty ordinary stewards accompanying them.
The cloud ship, shaking gently, flew out of the Mountain Protection Array, and it was expected to take a day and a night to reach the shores of the East Sea.
The disciples either found a corner to meditate or gathered in small groups, setting up barriers to play chess and chat.
Li Ping’an and Ningning Mu found a nondescript corner and sat down with their own meditation cushions, Ningning Mu purposely imitating Li Ping’an’s movements, sitting down cross-legged in a neat and uniform manner.
Li Ping’an fumbled in his sleeves for a while and took out several packets of candied fruit.
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
“I didn’t say these were prepared for you.”
Li Ping’an teased her on purpose, but Ningning Mu wasn’t annoyed, and her small hand, quick as lightning, snatched away two oil-paper packets, her lips curling into a triumphant arc.
“Hmph, then I don’t care, if I see it, it’s mine.”
“You are taking by cleverness and force.”
Li Ping’an took out a Jade Talisman, closed his eyes, and savored it carefully, speaking slowly:
“Junior Sister, I’ll be cultivating for a while, if you feel bored, go and find some familiar sisters to play with.”
“But Senior Brother, aren’t you the team leader?”
Ningning Mu blinked her eyes and sent a voice transmission:
“Aren’t you going to greet the other senior brothers and sisters?
“To my knowledge, actually many of them would like to be acquainted with you, but because of Uncle, they dare not approach you actively, fearing being accused of currying favor with you and becoming your follower.
“Everyone’s thoughts are quite subtle.”
“Junior Sister, you might be misunderstanding, what cultivators pursue is an unobstructed Dao Heart; in everyone’s eyes, I am just a fellow sect disciple.”
While speaking, Li Ping’an’s Spiritual Sense swept across the group and indeed, he discovered two acquaintances among the disciples.
One was a Body Cultivation disciple with dark skin, looking like a black bear, Yu Yingshu;
The other, carrying a black Sword Box and wearing a colorful robe of many layers, was playing chess with several young cultivators, the Sword Cultivator, Gu Qingcheng.
These two he had met during the Grand Competition two years ago, but afterward, they did not interact much.
The reasons, Ningning Mu had just mentioned.
Everyone was somewhat cautious, afraid of being labeled as seeking connections through power.
And now, as Li Ping’an opened his eyes, he saw Gu Qingcheng sneaking glances this way; then Gu Qingcheng quickly looked up at the sky and called out:
“Ah, these white clouds are moving so slowly.”
Li Ping’an couldn’t help but smile with narrowed eyes.
He shook his head and continued to read the Jade Talisman with closed eyes.
To be honest, he quite admired these disciples’ characters, which were much more likable than those ‘progressive activists’.
Ningning Mu took out a book of True Immortal insights, munching on snacks, flipping through the pages, as if returning to the usual daily interactions between the two, comfortable and at ease.
After two hours had passed, a Sword Cultivator couldn’t help but stroll over to Li Ping’an.
A whisper of voice transmission entered Li Ping’an’s ear:
“Cough, um, did I disturb Senior Brother?”
Li Ping’an opened his eyes and looked towards Gu Qingcheng, then turned to glance at Ningning Mu who had entered meditation, stood up, and gave Gu Qingcheng a bowing gesture.
It was now dusk, and most of the disciples were meditating on the cloud ship’s deck.
More than ten immortals were distributed at the front and rear of the cloud ship, enveloping hundreds of miles with their Spiritual Sense.
Li Ping’an took out a Treasure Bead and placed it over Ningning Mu’s head; the bead scattered specks of starlight and enveloped Ningning Mu, so as not to disturb her contemplation of The Great Dao.
“Let’s talk over here.”
Li Ping’an made a gesture of invitation and moved with Gu Qingcheng to the edge of the deck.
The immortal light surrounding the large ship turned the sea of clouds into a pale gold with the setting sun.
Streams of Spiritual Energy spilling from the passing clouds were quietly absorbed by the large ship’s Formation.
Gu Qingcheng, a bit at a loss, smiled and said, “Well, I have a favor to ask of the team leader, Senior Brother.”
Li Ping’an said, “You and I can address each other as we did during the Grand Competition.”
“Alright, Li Brother.”
Gu Qingcheng crossed his arms, speaking straightforwardly:
“I asked Senior Brothers and Sisters who participated in such training before, and generally speaking, although disciples from multiple sects won’t directly compete in an arena, deep down, it is still about letting disciples struggle against each other.
“This kind of training event also has several unwritten rules.
“For instance, only disciples who have not surpassed thirty years of entry can participate, and it’s limited to Merge True Realm and Void Refinement Realm disciples.
“Looking at the Jade Talismans given to us by the Mundane Affairs Hall this time, we figured that the main content of the training is likely exorcising demons in the East Sea, and the ranking of the sects will be determined based on the number of demons slain.
“Li Brother, since we’ve come all this way to the East Sea, we surely can’t let our sect lose face…”
Li Ping’an smiled and said, “What Gu Brother has said makes a lot of sense.
Then does Gu Brother have any brilliant strategies for us to get a good ranking?”
“Not that,” Gu Qingcheng laughed and cursed, “I always feel like the way you talk is like coaxing the immortal children of Yunzhong Pavilion!”
Li Ping’an laughed softly and spoke slowly:
“As you know, Gu Brother, I usually just follow my master in cultivation, I really don’t have much experience leading a team.
“This position of team leader is just a courtesy from the elders to my father, I indeed don’t understand it.
“Gu Brother, speak your mind.”
“Alright, I’ll just be direct then,”