250: Chapter 96: Return to the Mountain with Honors [Happy National Day] 250: Chapter 96: Return to the Mountain with Honors [Happy National Day] Li Dazhi looked at himself in the bronze mirror and heaved a deep sigh, then picked up the Immortal Treasure razor that was beside him.
“This patchy balding, better off without it!”
However, Li Dazhi was somewhat apprehensive again.
He still had some hair to lose at the moment, but if he shaved his own hair and later continued the incense ritual to lend luck to his own Ping’an, then if he had to lose more hair, where would it fall from…
Li Dazhi looked down at his own armpit and touched the hairs there.
This is a symbol of manhood.
If these were to fall out, wouldn’t that take away from the manliness?
“Dazhi Grand-Master!”
Suddenly, a voice rang out as the gatekeeping Immortal reported:
“Ping’an has returned!
Qing Su Immortal and Ping’an have gone to the Mundane Affairs Hall!”
Li Dazhi sprang to his feet, holding the razor and laughing heartily.
He slapped his hand over his forehead, and strands of hair showered down, revealing his brightly polished bald head.
Li Dazhi shook his head, feeling light all over.
Even in the mirror, there seemed to be an added trace of a ‘Buddha-like’ appearance.
— The concept of ‘Buddha’ did not exist in this world, and what Li Dazhi thought of as a Buddha-like appearance was based on the concepts from his hometown.
Li Dazhi rode the clouds with his belly leading the way, hurrying out of Castcloud Hall, attracting many gazes and pulling numerous Spiritual Senses his direction.
Approaching the Mundane Affairs Hall, he happened upon Qing Su guiding Li Ping’an through the clouds.
The master and disciple duo had just returned from restoring the Wanyun Homeward Command.
Li Ping’an set his sights ahead.
There was light, bright light.
Unable to hold back his laughter, Li Ping’an immediately leaped forward, “Why did you decide to keep this hairstyle?”
“Doesn’t it look open and clear?”
Li Dazhi shook his head, looking quite comical, yet he didn’t go into detail about what he had done these past three years.
He said, “How about you, what did you gain from your trip this time?
Let me check your Dao Realm.”
Li Ping’an squinted with a smile, divine light bursting from his eyes as his Dao Body was filled with the force of the Primordial Spirit.
Li Dazhi grabbed Li Ping’an’s arm, his voice loud though he was supposed to whisper, barely able to contain his joy, “You broke through your bottleneck?!”
“Broke through,” Li Ping’an replied with a smile, “I’ve stepped into the realm of the Heaven and Earth Bridge.
What blocked my cultivation of the Path of Clouds was, in fact, some of the force of the Heavenly Dao.
Now, it still has an effect, but it’s not much of an obstacle anymore.”
“That’s good, that’s good.”
Li Dazhi squinted and smiled, then released Li Ping’an’s arm and bowed to Qing Su, saying with a laugh:
“Ningning has given you quite the trouble, Qing Su.”
Qing Su nodded slightly and said directly, “Normally, he gives me more trouble than I give him.
I only assist with Magical Combat, but he has a lot more to attend to.”
You can’t say that, you can’t say that,” Li Dazhi hurriedly said, “You two have just returned.
Go back to the cave dwelling and rest.
Xiao Wen has been diligent, cleaning the cave dwelling every day.”
A call came from nearby: “Brother!”
Li Dazhi turned and saw Li Ping’an riding the clouds forward to meet Ningning Mu, who was arriving on her sword.
The young pair both showed joy on their faces, having missed each other over the three years.
Ningning Mu was still dressed in the common disciple robes, evidently in such a rush she forgot to dress up.
Though she was without makeup, she was still a pitiable beauty.
Ningning Mu just tied her waterfall-like black hair up in a simple style, her fair neck and butterfly-like collarbones drawing glances, and beneath her skirt were her flawless legs, kicking in backless embroidered shoes.
Since completing the Foundation Establishment, Ningning Mu’s appearance had ceased to change.
But as her Dao Realm improved, her aura became more ethereal.
At this moment, thinking of her Senior Brother with her eyes and lips pressed with joy, she wanted to fly into his arms like a homing swallow but then remembered she was near the Mundane Affairs Hall, with countless Spiritual Senses and eyes likely watching her.
Ningning Mu had to restrain the ripples of her Dao heart, bending forward slightly to greet him: “Senior Brother, have you just returned?”
“Yes,” Li Ping’an took the initiative to step forward, naturally grasping her right hand, “I was just about to visit you.”
“Let’s go to your place to talk,” Ningning Mu said, not daring to look into Li Ping’an’s clear yet intense eyes, her cheeks blushing and her breath quivering.
Such pulling and dragging in front of the sect gate is hardly dignified.
Apart from that time in Castcloud Hall, their handholding had always been hidden within the cave dwelling, behind the veil of Formation…
Li Ping’an turned with a smile:
“I’ll prepare a great feast.
You come over later, and we’ll have a family banquet.”
Li Dazhi was in high spirits and winked at Li Ping’an:
“Forget the family banquet, I’ll invite a few friends over to join us for some food and drink.”
“Hurry back and rest.
You and your teacher have had a long journey, make sure Xiao Wen serves tea and water diligently!
Otherwise, dock her Spirit Stones!”
Li Ping’an gave a salute to bid his father farewell.
Qing Su stepped forward, taking Li Ping’an and Ningning Mu back to the cave dwelling in a streak of rainbow light.
Qing Su was anxious to start her closed-door cultivation; she had accumulated three years of insights ready to assist her in joining the ranks of Eighth-Grade Tianxian.
Barely had the cave dwelling’s Formation activated.
“Disciple, Ningning, no need to prepare my portion for the meal today.”
Qing Su expressed her regret yet did not dare to neglect, “I am going to close-door cultivate and will probably emerge in three months.”
Li Ping’an quickly asked, “Do you need the Cangyue Bead, Master?”
I’m on the verge of breaking through!”
Qing Su’s figure flashed into the inner cave, taking a seat by the hot spring and meditating, the dense immortal power forming a barrier, enveloping the inner cave completely.
Li Ping’an and Ningning Mu exchanged smiles.
Ningning Mu gasped in surprise, “Senior Brother, have you also made many breakthroughs?
I can’t see through your Dao Charm at all now.”
Li Ping’an replied with a smile, “Yes, I’m only two to three steps away from becoming an Immortal.
Your cultivation progress isn’t bad either; you’ve actually reached the third stage of Merge True.”
Ningning Mu put her hands behind her back, stood tall, and puffed out her chest, her face full of pride.
“Everyone says you are the Enlightenment Stone of the East Continent.
If I lagged behind in breakthroughs, wouldn’t that tarnish your signboard?”