83: Chapter 39: Ping’an Finally Makes a Name for Himself_2 83: Chapter 39: Ping’an Finally Makes a Name for Himself_2 “I promised you several treasures before, and if you perform well today, then I, the poor Taoist, will promise you a few more treasures.
Li Ping’an looked towards the middle-aged male cultivator surrounded by immortals and sitting in the main seat inside the hall, already knowing who had transmitted his voice to him yesterday, and promptly bowed in respect.
Since the Sect Leader has said so, as his disciple, it’s only right to comply.
He would simply demonstrate it later;
After all, this ‘Artifact Refining Industrial Standard Trial Version’ was something that would sooner or later become obsolete.
At this moment, the Mundane Affairs Hall was filled with hundreds of people, mostly sect members who had come to enjoy the show, and some who had come to receive the competition rewards.
This crowd formed a semicircle, creating the ‘arena of debate’ for what was to come.
Within the circle stood two groups of people: on the left were several True Immortals and disciples from Kaiyun Peak, and on the right stood Li Dazhi, Wei Yanzi, Ningning Mu, along with several female immortals from Caiyun Peak.
Li Ping’an stood at the center of the semicircle, with his Heavenly Immortal master behind him.
After the Wanyun Sect Leader and a few friendly sects’ leaders took their seats, they spoke no more;
An elder Inner Sect Disciple with white hair stood up, slightly cupped his hands towards the sect members and disciples.
This elder exuded an aura of authority, glanced at the Kaiyun Peak crowd in the throng of people, and then at Wang Zaizhi, who was red in the face and dared not lift his head, and said loudly:
“Regarding the issue of Kaiyun Peak’s immortals not accepting the results of the grand competition, let us settle it here and now.
“The immortals of Kaiyun Peak have three complaints:
“Firstly, why was a minor disciple from Liuyun Watch allowed access to the sect’s profound Immortal Techniques.
“According to the sect rules, only Inner Sect Disciples who have reached the Void Refinement Realm can practice the Zongyun Huanxing technique under their master’s guidance.
“Can you explain this?”
Wei Yanzi immediately stood up, cupped his hands towards the three sides, and said loudly:
“I report to the elder that Li Ping’an’s practice of Immortal Techniques was approved by the elders of the Transmission Hall.
“Since I became an immortal from Liuyun Watch, I have never spoken of it to outsiders.
Although Ping’an’s aptitude is inadequate and he started cultivating as an adult which made his cultivation progress relatively slow, he has an exquisite heart of Dao and an astonishing understanding.
It took him only one year to thoroughly master and familiarize himself with the preliminary techniques of the Zongyun Huanxing method.
“He wanted to learn it, so I stepped forward to vouch for him, thus he was permitted to practice it.
“I’m sure many of you must have seen during the grand competition that Ping’an is incredibly talented in the ways of Immortal Techniques, talismans, and formations!
“How could the sect not value such a disciple?”
Wei Yanzi felt so relieved!
He had been holding back these words for a whole two and a half years!
The surrounding immortals nodded in approval.
Li Ping’an’s only struggle in this grand competition was that he had been in the sect for only three years, which made his cultivation much lower than the other disciples; if he had the cultivation of the mid-void Refinement Realm, obtaining the top three positions in the celestial rankings with his Immortal Techniques, talismans, and Spirit Explosion Technique would have been as easy as reaching into a bag.
The presiding Inner Sect elder looked at the immortals from Kaiyun Peak and asked, “Do you have any objections to this explanation?”
Wang Zaizhi’s master hurriedly said, “No objections.”
The Inner Sect elder continued, “Secondly, why was a disciple given so many Magic Artifacts?
According to the sect’s rules, a disciple could not possess enough Spirit Stones and Treasured Materials to refine so many Magic Artifacts.
During the competition, Ping’an used hundreds of Magic Artifacts in combat.”
Li Ping’an cupped his hands and stepped forward: “Elder!
Please ask the third question first.
I shall address the second one later.”
The elder nodded and said, “The third…
indeed has some groundless allegations.
The immortals of Kaiyun Peak accuse you of valuing technique over the Dao, losing sight of the essentials, and potentially corrupting the sect’s customs.”
Li Ping’an smiled and said, “I am but a novice on the path, and have never once neglected my cultivation.
Priestess Ningning can bear witness to this.”
Ningning Mu, far from being intimidated, promptly leaped forward, bowed to the elder, and said loudly:
“I have known Brother Ping’an for a long time and feel quite ashamed when it comes to matters of cultivation.
“When Brother Ping’an was in the Qi Cultivation realm, he had already mastered the art of the Circulation of the Heavenly Cycle, and since then, he’s been cultivating ever day, steadfast and persevering.
Even after I became a disciple to a master and received meticulous guidance, Brother Ping’an’s cultivation has always been ahead of me.
“To say that Brother Ping’an emphasizes technique over Dao is truly unfounded!”
The Inner Sect elder stroked his beard with a light laugh, and his voice softened when he spoke to Ningning Mu, “You have good courage, just stay and listen on the side.”
Ningning Mu bowed again, retreated to stand behind the female immortals of Caiyun Peak, and her tightly clenched fists were sweaty.
The elder asked, “Do the immortals of Kaiyun Peak have any objections?”
“No objections,” sighed the master of Wang Zaizhi, “Yesterday, it was our moment of annoyance that led to such foolishness.
It was wrong to trouble a disciple in this way, and we ask the elder to punish us.”
The Inner Sect elder nodded slowly, “Since you have admitted your mistake, then this matter…”
An elder from the Outer Sect frowned and said,
“Shouldn’t this second matter be explained?”
Immediately, the hall became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Li Dazhi, who had been smiling on the side, gradually lost his smile and frowned at the elder, about to step forward.
Li Ping’an took two steps forward, directly bowing to the Sect Leader:
“I have a new method of Artifact Refining to offer to the sect!
This shall also explain why I was able to produce hundreds of Magic Artifacts for the Magical Combat!”
The elders, immortals, and disciples all had varying expressions upon hearing this.
They were originally there to enjoy the spectacle, but many were starting to frown at Li Ping’an’s words.
They genuinely feared that this younger disciple might make some blunder.
Li Dazhi watched his son’s figure, a smile creeping onto his lips.
Although he didn’t want to steal his son’s thunder, it was indeed time for him to speak up.
“Sect Leader Brother!
The method my son Ping’an offers today is sure to be an eye-opener for everyone!”