37: Chapter 22: The Celestial Descends [Three Updates, Vote Please!] 37: Chapter 22: The Celestial Descends [Three Updates, Vote Please!] The drizzle washed over the small Daoist temple, dampening its walls.
Li Ping’an shed his Daoist robe, wearing only a loose undergarment, and placed a bamboo stool under the eaves to sit quietly and gaze into the distance.
Not long after, he closed his eyes and emptied his mind.
The spiritual energy, washed by the rain, had gained a touch of refreshing coolness.
This was already the fourth day since Elder Yansheng left, and Li Ping’an still couldn’t be sure if returning to the Wanyun Sect now would be safe.
Yesterday, Minister Weiyan received a Messaging Jade Talisman—someone from within the sect was inquiring about Weiyan’s safety.
Clearly, the situation in the East Sea was still very tense, and it seemed that some of the Immortals within the sect had temporarily lost contact with the Wanyun Sect.
‘This has nothing to do with me at the moment.’
So thought Li Ping’an, a minor cultivator in the Ningguang realm.
He wasn’t one to seek excitement, and in his view, external things like magical treasures and Spiritual Medicine were far less important than one’s own comprehension of The Great Dao.
Even if he were an Elemental Immortal, a True Immortal, unless ordered by his sect, he would most likely not participate in the commotion.
“Ping’an, come and try the game I just prepared!”
Daoist Chen Gongmin, holding a roasted rabbit, rushed through the misty rain and into the Daoist temple, calling out loudly.
Upon seeing this, Li Ping’an also laughed.
Master Chen always enjoyed preparing game rich in spiritual energy as a side dish with his drinks, which hadn’t changed.
Li Ping’an brought over a small table and took out two pots of fine liquor he had managed to get from his own father.
Daoist Chen Gongmin then ran behind the temple to gather some wild vegetables and dug out some of the sweet sauce Li Ping’an had “invented” years before.
Chen Gongmin wondered aloud, “Where did Minister Weiyan go?”
“He said he went to cultivate on the back mountains,” Li Ping’an shrugged, “He’s only about ten miles away from here; who knows what he’s tinkering with.”
“Let’s wait for the minister to come back before we prepare one for him.
For now, let’s eat while it’s hot.”
Chen Gongmin handed a rabbit leg to Li Ping’an.
Having not eaten food directly for over a year, Li Ping’an’s appetite was roused by the sight of the juicy roasted rabbit leg.
He took a bite and chewed slowly, awakening his taste buds and feeling a sense of satisfaction.
The way of desire does not lie in the form but in the mind.
He stored his small insights, continued to chew on the rabbit meat, and sighed softly.
Chen Gongmin leaned back in the bamboo chair, sipped from the spout of a wine pot, and looked blissful:
This is genuine Immortal Brew!
It’s different—Immortals make wine unlike any other!”
Li Ping’an remarked with a smile, “The difference lies in whether drinking too much gives you a headache or just makes you dizzy.”
“I heard you sigh just now…
have you been wronged within the sect?”
Chen Gongmin’s clean-shaven face showed a smile tinged with concern.
“In these past few days, I’ve heard many things about you and your father from Minister Weiyan.
I never would have thought that your father had such formidable luck and attributes for cultivation.
“As the city’s custodian, I truly missed seeing it.”
“There’s no need to worry; the sect has strict orders not to divulge the matter, and I too will keep a tight lid on the secret.”
“It’s only that you didn’t interact much with my father originally.”
Li Ping’an poured himself a cup of wine and, looking at the trembling liquor, said softly:
“It might be difficult for me to take a True Immortal as my master now, but what a master can offer, my father can give me too, so it’s not such a bad thing.
“The only concern is, without a master to guide my cultivation, I’m not sure if I may go astray in the future.”
“Your worries would indeed make others envious,”
said Chen Gongmin with a laugh:
“The Current Sect Leader is a grand-disciple of the ancestor Kongming, and the sect values both nominal and actual seniority.
“Nominal seniority is based on one’s level of cultivation, allowing someone in the Heavenly Immortal Realm to call others of the same realm ‘Daoist friend.’ Actual seniority reflects the real generational relationships passed on through the lineage of master and disciple.
“When Immortals accept disciples, they still consider actual seniority; indeed, it would be difficult for you to find a master.”
“However, the speed of your cultivation surprises me.
How did you manage to reach the Ningguang realm in just three years?”
Li Ping’an shrugged, “It’s definitely one-part luck, three parts opportunity, and six parts hard work.”
Chen Gongmin regarded him with skepticism.
Li Ping’an could only add, “Plus ninety parts of support from my father.”
Chen Gongmin laughed heartily, while Li Ping’an shook his head and continued nibbling on the rabbit leg.
After a while, Li Ping’an added leisurely, “My father should be Ascending to become an Immortal now.”
Chen Gongmin abruptly stopped laughing, and with a complicated expression, looked at Li Ping’an and then lowered his head to bite into the rabbit leg.
After a few mouthfuls of Immortal Brew, Master Chen couldn’t help but grumble.
“The gap in innate abilities between Qi Cultivators is too great!
“Those with good abilities are naturally in harmony with The Dao; their cultivation breakthroughs are as simple as drinking water.
But what about us mediocre cultivators who can barely practice cultivation?
“The sect doesn’t care, our progress in cultivation is slow, and we have to fight for resources if we want to cultivate.
“If we’re mired in cause and effect, how can our hearts remain as still as an ancient well?
“The Great Sect Leader from Jinao Island in the East Sea says that the pursuit of The Dao is the fairest thing for all beings, but in my opinion, how can there be fairness among all creatures.”
Li Ping’an chuckled, “Isn’t being able to cultivate already surpassing nine out of ten beings?”
“Indeed,” Chen Gongmin laughed, “Now that you put it that way, I feel much more at peace.”
Li Ping’an held the wine pot, took a sip, and looked sideways through the pattering rain curtain.
He murmured, “The individual differences in this world are too vast; to speak of ‘fairness’ is nothing but a fool’s dream.”
“Individual differences?”
Chen Gongmin smiled and said:
“That’s an interesting way to put it, and indeed true.”
“These matters have nothing to do with you or me.”
Li Ping’an said with a laugh:
“We are just minor cultivators.
Let’s focus on becoming Immortals and seeking The Dao first.
Even as Elemental Immortals, we’re barely making a stand in this world.
Taking care of ourselves is enough.”