63: Chapter 31: The Grand Competition Inside the Gate – Chief Director Part 3 63: Chapter 31: The Grand Competition Inside the Gate – Chief Director Part 3 “Now, the Sect is in need of manpower…
alas, how could the outside be more comfortable than inside the mountain, but since the elders have arranged it, I can only obey.”
Weiyanzier was navigating the clouds, carrying him forward, habitually using voice transmission.
Li Ping’an simply inquired about the state of the competitions in past years, and Weiyanzier spared no detail in answering.
Briefly put, previous years’ contests were just setting up a platform at the foot of the main peak for new disciples to compete one by one.
Li Ping’an asked, “How enthusiastic are the participating disciples?”
Weiyanzier was not accustomed to such terminology but, after careful consideration, understood and laughed, saying,
“Everyone values these contests quite highly, as they can earn fame, and the rewards from within the Sect are nothing to scoff at.”
Thus, there seemed to be no issue with the competitors’ enthusiasm.
If one wanted to make the grand competition more lively, it was necessary to approach from different angles.
“Assistant, are there many immortals who watch the grand competition each year?”
“On the day of the grand competition, basically, it’s the disciples participating in the competition who come.
Older Inner Sect Disciples who are past the age limit generally don’t show up, and most immortals present are those who work in the six halls.
“This time, due to the incident of Qing Su being pursued, quite a few immortals came out of seclusion, so the Sect wants to take this opportunity to make it livelier.”
This was almost exactly as Li Ping’an had predicted.
A contest of lower-ranking disciples wouldn’t be that impressive to immortals.
The issue with the audience was not so hard to solve; he had already written down several solutions in the Jade Talisman.
Halfway through the flight, Weiyanzier seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
In the end, he spoke up:
“Ping’an, the situation inside the Mundane Affairs Hall is a bit off right now.”
Weiyanzier looked ahead, his lips moving slightly:
“Originally, the grand competition could have just followed old precedents.
There are only three things to manage: constructing the platform, setting up the Formation, and defining the rules—any Inner Sect Elder could easily preside over them.
“But this time, the Sect Leader suddenly appointed Dazhi as the overall coordinator for the Sect’s grand competition.
“Dazhi had intended to follow the old traditions, but when he discussed it with a few of the Outer Sect Elders, some of the ones who usually don’t get involved suddenly appeared, sounding half supportive and half sarcastic, and propped Dazhi up.
“Looking at their attitude, if this year’s grand competition cannot become the most extraordinary ever, then it would mean Dazhi lacks the ability and is incompetent in handling affairs.
“Tch, frustrating, isn’t it?”
Li Ping’an raised an eyebrow slightly and used his Spiritual Sense to transmit his voice, “Assistant, later when we arrive at the Mundane Affairs Hall, point those few elders out to me.”
“Alright, I’ll walk behind them and then return behind you.”
“I appreciate your trouble, Assistant.”
As they spoke, the Mundane Affairs Hall of the main peak came into view.
Upon arriving at the Mundane Affairs Hall, Li Ping’an found that his father’s condition was indeed not great.
His father was sitting with more than a dozen Outer Sect Elders in the central area of the grand hall, with numerous immortals spectating around the perimeter;
Two elders were introducing the structure of the platform’s Formation, with his father beside them looking dizzy and lethargic.
Put simply: He lacked energy.
Li Ping’an stood at the entrance of the hall, hands behind his back, as a fragment of childhood memory suddenly surfaced in his mind.
It was one of his only memories of his youth:
[Bright red banners, high-hung light bulbs, a simple podium set up with a long table, and on the table, a microphone through which the factory director, still relatively young back then, with a slicked-back, shiny head of hair, passionately encouraged the workers below with a motivational speech about production.]
Weiyanzier was calling him softly from the side, having already looped behind four Outer Sect Elders before returning to Li Ping’an’s front.
Li Ping’an pulled Weiyanzier’s arm close and whispered a few words, passing him a Storage Pouch.
Although Weiyanzier didn’t understand the reason, he didn’t ask why and took what Li Ping’an gave him, quickly heading to one side.
Shortly after, several Outer Sect Disciples carried seven or eight long tables, rushed to the center of the grand hall, and set up the tables in the shape of the character ‘门’ under the frowning gaze of the elders, covering the table surface with a dark red coarse cloth.
Li Dazhi was also puzzled: “What’s all this about?”
Weiyanzier hurried over and placed three items before Li Dazhi.
A white jade-made Tea Jar, a bar-shaped standing Magic Artifact for sound amplification, and a simple note-taking Jade Talisman.
The rim of the Tea Jar was outlined in blue, with simple immortals painted on it; there was also a small couplet beside the figures.
On the right it read: A heart of Dao solidifies immortal bones;
On the left it read: With all one’s heart and soul for the Sect;
The horizontal scroll read: Be low-key.
Li Dazhi instantly took a liking to the Tea Jar, holding it with his left hand, feeling the warmth of the hot tea inside, looking down to see several red goji berry-like fruits floating on the water, sighing in contentment with his eyes closed.
His Spiritual Sense explored the note-taking Jade Talisman, and seeing the clear and detailed sections, a smile appeared on his lips.
The Outer Sect Elders were confused.
Li Dazhi turned his head to look around and quickly located Li Ping’an standing in a corner.
Father and son locked eyes and Li Dazhi grinned.
He lifted the Tea Jar, took a sip of the scalding tea, cleared his throat, pulled the sound amplification Magic Artifact closer, leaned forward slightly, his eyes sparking with energy.
Let me say a few words!”