Immortal Father

Li Ping'an quickly donned his Daoist robe and floated out the window towards the courtyard.

Xinhuai Wang, a high-ranking official of the Wanyun Sect, stood in the yard, wearing a dark-colored long robe, his square face adorned with a faint, barely discernible smile.

Li Ping'an gave a cupped fist salute, "Official Wang, did you want to see me?"

"Young friend, no need for such formalities," came the warm reply.

Official Wang Xinhuai continued:

"Elder Yansheng has asked me to inquire whether you intend to continue practicing within the Liuyun Pavilion?"

Li Ping'an smiled, "Do I have another place to go?"

"According to the sect rules, disciples who haven't taken a master indeed can only practice within the Liuyun Pavilion or at external stations."

Official Wang Xinhuai then conveyed in a muted voice:

"However, your father was a disciple of our founding master, and your actual status within our sect is above that of the vast majority of Immortals, which makes taking a master somewhat problematic."

"Although the Wanyun Sect rules are strict, they are not without flexibility and consideration for special circumstances."

"Elder Yansheng proposes setting up a celestial array in the mountain forest near the Mundane Affairs Hall, where you can practice. Spirit Stones and immortal methods will be fully provided, and this arrangement would also prevent a repeat of the recent conflicts among the disciples."

The sect intends to 'sponsor' me so my father gives up completely?

Li Ping'an pondered for a moment and sighed:

"As newcomers to the mountain, we lack both foundation and cultivation. It is only proper that we act with consideration."

"Moreover, I can't rely on my father for everything; I have my own plans and expectations."

"I would ask the elder and the official to permit me to continue practicing at the Liuyun Pavilion. If no one takes me as a disciple, I will participate in the external assessment when the time comes and continue my practice in the outer sect."

"I must, after all, maintain my own baseline."

A flicker of appreciation appeared in the eyes of the high-ranking official.

"Even so, I'd like to offer some advice to our young friend," he said, smilingly.

Wang Xinhuai laughed:

"The influence of one's elders is always inevitable; one doesn't need to be overly reserved out of fear of suspicion."

"I shall relay your words to Elder Yansheng without alteration. If you encounter any difficulties later, you can directly send Weiyanshi to seek me at the main peak."

"Thank you for your care, Official," Li Ping'an replied, making a formal Daoist salutation.

Official Wang returned the salute with cupped fists, then turned to leave on a cloud...

"Eh? This Spiritual Energy?" he suddenly looked up at the sky.

Billows of white clouds grew denser, quickly turning into layers of dark clouds, obscuring the sunlight.

From all directions, surging Spiritual Energy rapidly converged toward the front courtyard of the Liuyun Pavilion.

The Mountain Protection Array that enshrouded the hundred peaks of Wanyun Sect now revealed its thin, luminous barrier, which quivered gently like jelly.

More figures appeared above each peak, as strands of Immortal awareness probed forth.

In the front courtyard of the Liuyun Pavilion, a beam of immortal light rose from the ground, brightening the dark clouds above as boundless Spiritual Energy poured into it, with a figure slowly rising at the base of the light.

Immortal light flooded the ground, while auspicious clouds formed, bringing forth a display of exquisite beauty.

"Hahaha!" Wang Xinhuai clapped and laughed loudly:

"Weiyanshi Daoist friend has ascended to immortality!"

Li Ping'an's eyes shone as he gazed toward the light pillar that seemed to penetrate heaven and earth, his heart filled with boundless emotions.

It should be thus;

All beings traverse this world once, it should be thus!

However, before Li Ping'an's smile had fully bloomed, he heard Weiyanshi's laughter from within the pillar:

"Wonderful! Splendid! Such wondrous attainment of the Dao!"

"Hahaha! The virtue of harmonizing knowledge with action in heaven and earth, marvelous! Marvelous!"

"Ping'an! Thank you, my friend Ping'an, for breaking my barriers, assisting me in becoming an Immortal! Thank you, my friend Ping'an, for breaking my barriers, assisting me in becoming an Immortal! Hahaha!"

"Master! Your disciple has ascended to immortality!"

Amidst Weiyanshi's loud exclamations, thousands of gleaming Immortal Lights surged toward him.

Weiyanshi's body seemed translucent, enveloped in layers of rosy light, with celestial cranes circling vaguely, fairy maidens presenting gifts, and faint marks of the four divine beast symbols.

The various phenomena lasted for a brief moment.

A gentle breeze blew, leaving only the Daoist shrouded in immortal dust in the sky.

Mortal bonds shed to enter the valley of immortals, henceforth no longer among the denizens of the painted scroll.

Weiyanshi stepped half-way into thin air, scattering the immortal dust in all directions. This freshly minted, seemingly centuries-younger Immortal, showed an infinite reflection in his eyes.

Following this, Weiyanshi descended straight down from the air and made a formal Daoist salutation to Li Ping'an.

In that instant, Li Ping'an heard the sound of something shattering and felt the burn of many Immortal gazes locking onto him.

The intense scrutiny made Li Ping'an quite uncomfortable.

Li Ping'an's thoughts raced, and with a smile, he returned the gesture hastily, interjecting:

"It wasn't so much what the disciple said, but what the official overheard.

"Your years of accumulation led to a breakthrough, which likely had little to do with anything I said.

"I've only began practicing a few months ago, still not even clear on the basics of Qi Cultivation."

"When you put it that way... it does make sense..."

Weiyanshi, still beaming with excitement, realized Li Ping'an was deliberately downplaying his role and did not pursue the matter, simply continuing to smile broadly.

Wang Xinhuai gave Li Ping'an a meaningful look and congratulated Weiyanshi with cupped fists: "Congratulations to Daoist Weiyanshi for crossing the Heaven and Earth Bridge, stepping on the path of immortality, and wandering the world at leisure!"

"Thank you, Daoist friend! Thank you!" Weiyanshi hastily returned the salute:

"I must first go to the entrance of my master's cave dwelling to share the news, then head to the main peak to update the Immortal Rolls!"

"Then I will await Daoist friend at the Nourishing Clouds Hall and invite our fellow sect members to congratulate you," Wang Xinhuai gestured invitingly, smiling warmly at Li Ping'an before flying off towards the main peak on a cloud.

Weiyanshi grabbed Li Ping'an's arm and whispered:

"What a splendid opportunity for fame! Your insight is the finest I, ahem, have seen in my life. The sect will surely pay you much more attention!"

Li Ping'an blinked and moved closer to Weiyanshi, borrowing his immortal power to conceal their conversation, and replied in a low voice, "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be destroyed by the wind."