61: Chapter 31: The Grand Competition Inside the Gate – Chief Director 61: Chapter 31: The Grand Competition Inside the Gate – Chief Director “Disciple, you’ve learned a diverse array of techniques; although you are able to integrate and apply them, they can make you overthink during magical combat,”
“In the upcoming competition among the disciples, you are allowed to use only three techniques against other disciples…
um, you can use more when you are about to lose, but try your best to win and avoid getting injured.”
“Cultivating the ability for magical combat is merely for the protection of one’s Dao Fruit; do not lose sight of the essence in pursuit of the trivial, and always remember that the Dao is paramount.”
The reminders from Master Qing Su still echoed in his ears;
Li Ping’an was alone in the woods.
He sat cross-legged on the grass and arranged a small Spirit Gathering Array with nine Spirit Stones; the Immortal Treasure’s Long Spear lay across his legs, as a wisp of faint breath flowed out from Li Ping’an’s mouth and nose, merging into the spear.
Li Ping’an was following the sacrificial refining technique taught by his master to nourish the Long Spear with the power of his Primordial Soul.
As a Qi Cultivator in the Spirit-Gathering Realm, one’s soul would coalesce into the Primordial Soul.
It was only in the Refining Void Realm that one could “shed the spirit” and gradually transform towards the Primordial Spirit.
His master’s decision to limit him to three techniques during the competition undoubtedly added a layer of difficulty to his path in the upcoming contest.
Li Ping’an, of course, understood his master wished for him to move from complexity to simplicity, to streamline his combat techniques as much as possible.
What could he do, though?
Compared to his father, his cultivation progress was far too slow; to acquire more abilities, he had no choice but to practice a greater number of techniques.
Li Ping’an did not show all his combative techniques to his master today; he had hidden some unorthodox techniques he had figured out on his own.
Firstly, these unconventional moves likely wouldn’t be needed in the in-house contest.
these moves were primarily of a kind ‘not typical of the orthodox path.'”
Of course, Li Ping’an had his own unorthodox techniques, such as the “Explosive Spirit Art,” which could detonate specially made Magic Artifacts, and the accompanying ‘detonating artifact array.’ These could largely compensate for Li Ping’an’s current low realm and weak mana during combat, requiring only a small amount of mana to trigger an instantaneous burst of powerful Spiritual Power, alleviating his innate fear of being outgunned for a while.
The only downside to this technique was that it was rather costly in terms of Spirit Stones.
‘The benefits of winning this competition are nothing more than in-house rewards, and gaining recognition within the sect is of little use to me.
Let’s take it as it comes; breaking into the top fifty in the heaven-ranking will be considered a win.’
Li Ping’an’s Spiritual Sense suddenly flared with an alert; someone had quietly approached him, and this person did not have even the slightest hint of presence!
He was about to leap up and flee, calling for his master, when he heard his father’s deeply suppressed voice calling:
Li Ping’an turned to look towards the corner, his expression filled with confusion.
Li Dazhi has his upper body sprawled on a tree branch, his legs still embedded in the trunk of the tree, and he was gently waving at him.
The good news: his father had truly listened to his advice and diligently practiced the Five Elements Escape Technique.
The bad news: his father had applied the Five Elements Escape Technique in some peculiar ways.
Letting the Long Spear float behind him, Li Ping’an walked to the base of the tree and said with a wry smile, “Dad, you could have just come openly, why always sneak around?”
“I didn’t want to bump into your master and make things awkward for everyone,”
Li Dazhi chuckled “heh heh,” his smile betraying a hint of sheepishness, and he changed the subject awkwardly, “So, how has your cultivation been these past two days?”
Li Ping’an’s gaze sharpened immediately, “Dad, didn’t you say you were going into secluded cultivation?”
“About that, really, someone called me out to do some work, and I couldn’t really refuse,”
Li Dazhi spoke hesitantly.
Li Ping’an sighed inwardly and then laughed, “Dad, did you make some promises outside that are now giving you trouble?”
“That’s my son for you!
Li Dazhi crawled out of the tree trunk, jumped in front of Li Ping’an, and pounded his son’s shoulder while laughing heartily, then suddenly became serious again:
“But you’re actually wrong this time.
“I didn’t recklessly promise anything to anyone; the Sect Leader ordered me, appointed me as a Great General.”
Li Ping’an was somewhat bewildered, “The Sect Leader gave an order?
Why did he suddenly issue an order?”
Standing before you now is—”
Li Dazhi stood tall with his chest out, hands behind his back, like a Great General on a stage, shaking his head and strutting around before he casually murmured:
“A Wanyun Sect’s Patriarch’s close door disciple, the father of the strongest disciple of tomorrow’s Wanyun Sect, and also, the general director of the Wanyun Sect’s Inner Sect Disciples’ Grand Competition!”
What’s that supposed to mean?
Li Ping’an’s forehead was full of question marks.
Li Dazhi sighed and continued earnestly:
“The ‘general director’ bit is something I added myself.
“The Sect Leader has ordered the Miaoyun Hall, Nourishing Clouds Hall, and Mundane Affairs Hall to fully support me in organizing this Inner Sect Disciples’ Grand Competition, and mentioned that we should try to add some new elements to make it lively.”
Upon hearing this, Li Ping’an frowned, “Could this be a setup for us?”
“I did inquire about it,” Li Dazhi sighed, “During the sect’s high-level meeting, an elder surnamed Bi brought it up, saying I was also a newly joined disciple and should participate in this competition.”
Li Ping’an’s gaze immediately became piercing.
This person harbored ill intentions.
Li Dazhi added, “Fortunately, the Sect Leader favored me, changing my participation in the competition to involvement in the event.”
Li Dazhi looked around cautiously, his voice becoming more careful, and his dialect grew thicker:
“We should remember this favor from the Sect Leader.
“As for those despicable characters, once I have the power to overcome them, I’ll pay them back slowly.
Right now, there’s no need to bother with them as the power isn’t allowing it.
“The trouble with this assignment is, the Sect Leader wants me to organize this competition…
“Ping’an, as you know, I once messed up just coordinating a factory social gathering; I’m absolutely fine with manufacturing, I was nearly a level eight fitter, but with these evening galas, social gatherings, sports days, and the like, I really don’t know how to handle them!”