Immortal Father

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"Cultivation is about the law, wealth, companions, and land, and the rewards for such a grand competition are quite substantial."

"However, it's also important to remember not to be greedy for achievements or to rashly advance. Qi Cultivation, Spirit Gathering, and Light Condensing are all stages of Foundation Establishment. It's better to be slower than to have regrets that could affect your future journey."

Ningning Mu nodded obediently, holding the Spirit Stone in her hand and smiling, "Then, Senior Brother, I'll aim for second place, and you can be the first!"

Li Ping'an sighed, "I can't participate, it's the Inner Sect Disciple competition."

"Nn..."

Ningning Mu quickly closed her mouth.

The challenging issue of Senior Brother Ping'an finding a master had also troubled her for a long time.

Li Ping'an asked, "Steward, when does my Outer Sect trial begin? Do we have an exact time?"

Wei Yanzi replied, "This is quite flexible. After all, it's just an entrance trial for Outer Sect Disciples. Usually, no one takes this seriously. You just need to go to Mundane Affairs Hall at the main peak to start the trial."

"Then I'll go today."

"Today?"

Wei Yanzi was also a bit astonished:

"Isn't that a bit too rushed? Maybe we should notify them first, so that the Sect can make more preparations."

"What preparations does the Sect need to make?"

Li Ping'an stretched and stood up:

"If I delay any longer, my father will ensure that I pass the trial without even stepping outside the house."

"In the past two years, my father has made many friends during his cultivation, and the noise within the Sect has become increasingly irritating. I'd rather do things by the book, and not give people anything to talk about."

Wei Yanzi stood up and said, "I'll let Mundane Affairs Hall know, so they can prepare early... You are really in a hurry!"

Ningning Mu said, "Senior Brother, shall I accompany you to Mundane Affairs Hall?"

"Let's do it by the rules. This is a trial, not a leisure trip."

Li Ping'an smiled:

"Although it's just a simple task of delivering a message, I'll give it my all."

"Sister, you go back to Caiyun Peak and continue your cultivation. You're also a young lady now, and if we were to be seen together so often, it would be unavoidable to attract idle gossip."

"Let them talk."

Ningning Mu pursed her lips but didn't say much more. She gently and softly urged Li Ping'an to take care of himself several times before reluctantly flying away on her sword.

...

Meanwhile;

In a corner of Wanyun Sect, atop a mountain with several Heavenly Immortal caves.

In a pavilion shrouded by mist, a few of the Sect's Heavenly Immortals were gathered, sipping tea and chatting.

The one brewing the tea was a beautiful fairy in a complicated ancient dress.

Those drinking the tea were several older men with mostly somber expressions.

Several elders said:

"It seems that the merchant's son is about to participate in the Outer Sect trial."

"So what if the son of a merchant attends the Outer Sect trial? Are you going to prevent him from entering the Outer Sect? Moreover, what's there to care about with an Outer Sect Disciple? The many problems within the Sect all stem from that merchant, not his son!"

"Yes, it's only been two or three years, and that merchant is said to be close to ascending to immortality. Half of the thirty-six peak masters in the Sect are familiar with him... Just last year, a few Spirit Mines were discovered near the mountain gate, all claimed to be moved by his Great Fortune..."

"The rumor that he will be the next Sect Leader, in a few years, might not be just a rumor anymore."

"What can we do? With three Golden Immortals watching over the Sect, are we supposed to take his son hostage and force him to swear he won't compete for the position of Sect Leader?"

The atmosphere in the pavilion grew heavy again.

An elder said: "Moyi, as the Vice Sect Leader and of the Sect Leader's lineage, we thought you'd assume the position after a few thousand years..."

"Ah!"

The gray-haired elder known as Moyi waved his hand lightly, smiling gently:

"What benefit does the position of Sect Leader truly hold for cultivation?"

"If the Sect needs me to take on such responsibility, even if it means wasting thousands of years not cultivating, I would do so without hesitation to serve my fellow disciples."

"If the Sect doesn't need me for that, I am more than happy to be at ease and focus on seeking the profound state of a Golden Immortal."

"Moyi, if you truly don't compete for it... do we really hand over the position of Sect Leader to a mere worldly merchant?"

"Sigh!"

The others shook their heads, but said nothing more.

The beautiful woman brewing tea chuckled and poured a few cups of tea, laughing:

"Why be so anxious, gentlemen? Nothing is certain yet."

"I heard from an elder that the merchant's son will soon go into the mundane world. Why don't we arrange some menial tasks for him, to tarnish the merchant's face a bit?"

"Xiaoyue."

The elder known as Moyi cautioned with a frown:

"You've been managing the Sect's town businesses and various affairs for hundreds of years, and you have always followed protocols. I shouldn't need to tell you much, but do remember this for the situation at hand."

"Wanyun Sect suffered grievous losses from internal strife a thousand years ago, and upon returning, our three founding masters issued a strict order forbidding power struggles and private fights among disciples."

"This merchant's son is still a disciple of our Wanyun Sect. Remember, do not actually harm him. Otherwise, if the founding masters blame us, it could mean the end of our paths."

"Moyi, rest assured, I understand."

The beautiful woman narrowed her eyes and laughed softly, clearly not concerned about a minor cultivator.

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