80: Chapter 38: The Gentle Breeze Doesn’t Disturb the Dream_2 80: Chapter 38: The Gentle Breeze Doesn’t Disturb the Dream_2 “I’m actually…
Li Ping’an said with a wry smile,
“You ask your disciple to praise himself, but I am somewhat shy.”
“Comprehension is unpredictable; you never know when you’ll hit a minor bottleneck and get stuck there.
“For cultivation, it’s still more important to have good fortune and talent.”
“Then, disciple, take a look at this.”
Qing Su took out a jade talisman and pushed it into Li Ping’an’s hands.
Li Ping’an looked at it for a moment.
It contained neat rows of delicate characters, and upon closer inspection, one could see they were scriptures and passages from different periods.
“Master, what is this?”
“These are scriptures that I couldn’t comprehend before becoming an Immortal.”
Qing Su’s bright eyes shone with interest as she instructed,
“Give it a try, let me see how good your comprehension is.”
My mentor’s list of wrong answers?
Li Ping’an muttered, “Master, it seems that you took me as your disciple just to return a favor.”
“Nothing, nothing,” Li Ping’an gave a bitter smile, “To have you as my master is truly a blessing from several lifetimes of cultivation.”
Qing Su blinked, “Really?”
Li Ping’an said decisively, and Qing Su’s beautiful face brightened with a smile.
Li Ping’an sighed inwardly…
his mentor was easier to please than the priesthood sister back in those days.
He held the jade talisman and closed his eyes to concentrate, beginning to thoroughly ponder over it.
The test Qing Su had given him was challenging;
But after comprehending one or two of the scriptures, Li Ping’an felt a rush of realization and was tempted to immediately go into closed-door cultivation, skipping the Heavenly Ranking competition the next day.
In cave dwellings, mentors tested disciples, and at the main peak Immortals gathered for the music festival.
The competition was lively throughout the night.
Overall, it proceeded smoothly, except for a bit of disorder in the Mundane Affairs Hall in the late hours.
On the second morning of the sect’s internal competition, there was a buzz of activity within the Mundane Affairs Hall.
Li Dazhi, dressed in a dark robe, stood before the hall’s entrance, addressing rows of Immortals with a bow,
“The phrase ‘the last leg of a journey marks the halfway point’ speaks of the challenge at journey’s end!
Yesterday’s Humanity and Earth Rankings were concluded successfully, without any mishaps, thanks to everyone’s coordination and efforts!
“Today’s Heavenly Ranking competition is of utmost critical, and I hope everyone in the Preparatory Hall will redouble their efforts!
No trace of complacency is allowed!
“I have already informed the Sect Leader, after the end of tomorrow’s competition, we shall celebrate here at the Preparatory Hall, and there will be rewards from within the sect!”
Over a hundred Immortals returned his gesture with a smiling bow.
Li Dazhi waved his hand to the side.
Sounds of bells rang out from the main peak, and beams of Immortal light flew out from the Mundane Affairs Hall.
Two rows of cranes emerged from the mist between the trees, with Immortals on their backs scattering petals through the air; the large platform beneath the main peak slowly rose into the sky, and three cloud stages rapidly formed under the manipulation of the Immortals.
The battle of the Heavenly Rankings had officially begun!
Guests came from the main hall, riding clouds.
Disciples from various peaks gathered in the sky, forming colorful ribbons that converged at the foot of the main peak.
Anyone witnessing this scene would surely praise the Wanyun Sect as ‘the pinnacle of Immortal sects.’
Several elders in seclusion within the bamboo forest behind the mountain were also smiling at this moment.
Li Ping’an followed behind his master Qing Su, unable to suppress several yawns.
He had forgotten to rest.
Last night’s exercise given by his master kept him answering questions until he was exhausted.
Now, he felt groggy and heavy-headed.
Li Ping’an made up his mind that achieving top fifty in today’s ranking would be enough.
After his fight, he intended to rest below the stage.
He had already drawn enough attention yesterday.
Minister Weiyen suddenly popped up from the side, bowing politely to the Immortal Qing Su.
“Immortal Qing Su, I have a small matter to discuss with Ping’an!”
“Hmm,” Qing Su nodded indifferently and proceeded to wait a bit further ahead.
Li Ping’an stood up leisurely, only to be grabbed by the arm by Minister Weiyen who whispered inquiringly,
“Ping’an, why do you look so exhausted?”
“I didn’t rest properly, and master tested my scriptural knowledge all night.”
Li Ping’an sighed listlessly,
“Is there something urgent, Minister?
If not, I’d like to take this chance to meditate for a bit.”
“I don’t have anything important,” said Minister Weiyen, “something happened last night, and I just thought I’d mention it to you early on.”
Li Ping’an immediately perked up, “What happened?”
“That Wang Zaizhi’s master is unhappy.”
Minister Weiyen spoke in a low voice,
“Several Immortals made a fuss at the Mundane Affairs Hall last night…
“Ah, who knows if they’ve lost their minds, but with so many guests around, couldn’t they wait until after the competition to speak their piece?”
Li Ping’an inquired, “Which peak’s Immortal is his master from?”
Minister Weiyen replied, “A True Immortal from Kaiyun Peak, of ordinary strength.
The strongest amongst the lineage of that Peak Master is Elder Bi.”
Li Ping’an laughed, “What are they unhappy about?”
“Firstly, they are unhappy about the sect being partial, questioning why you could learn Immortal Techniques at Liuyun Pavilion when the teachings are supposed to be given only to Inner Sect Disciples above the Void Refinement Realm.”
Minister Weiyen sighed and continued in a silent voice,
“Secondly, they doubt your use of the Explosive Spirit Art, with so many Magic Artifacts exploding at once, suspecting you had access to the sect’s treasury, where else could so many artifacts come from.”
“Third, they are skeptical about a minor cultivator like you in the Solid Light Realm being able to secure the seventh rank in the Earth Ranking and break into the Heavenly Ranking.
They also claimed that if everyone prioritized magic over the path, it would lead to a harmful ethos within the sect.”
Li Ping’an curled his lips and further asked, “How did my father handle it?”
“Quite impressively.”
Minister Weiyen smiled,
“Sect Leader Li first refuted each point one by one.
“He brought out a special authorization talisman from the Elder of Transmission Hall, indicating that your cultivation technique was approved and did not break any rules.
“Afterward, he said that after the competition, you would demonstrate your unique Artifact Refining technique.”
“As for the claim that you are ignoring the correct path for magic…
one of the Inner Sect Elders immediately scolded them, criticizing their inability to accept defeat and remarking that nowadays, even proper Immortals seem to find ways to trouble a young child.”