```
He just wanted to cultivate quietly, and had no desire to become some kind of human-shaped Enlightenment Stone.
"Your considerations are not bad."
Minister Weiyen smiled with squinted eyes and continued to transmit his voice:
"Since you do not wish to draw the attention of the sect members, I will help you conceal this matter from the outside."
"I am unable to repay the kindness of your guidance, young friend."
"I plan to stay in Liuyun Hall until you take a mentor, young friend. If you require anything in the future, do not be a stranger!"
At this moment, Minister Weiyen's face, which had originally looked somewhat sleazy, now seemed to radiate an aura of integrity.
Li Ping'an urged with a smile, "Minister, please go ahead and socialize. Many immortals are about to lose their patience and come down."
"Hahaha!"
Minister Weiyen laughed heartily, and before releasing Li Ping'an's arm, he did not forget to transfer a stream of an immortal's primeval essence to Li Ping'an, slightly improving Li Ping'an's Dao Foundation Quality.
This was his way of saying thanks.
Thereafter, the Elemental Immortal ascended directly into the clouds, changed into a grey, shiny Daoist robe in the mist, placed his hands behind his back, rode the clouds, recited poetry, and headed towards the gathering Wanyun Sect immortals in the sky.
Li Ping'an watched Minister Weiyen's retreating figure, with undeniable yearning in his eyes.
Cultivate.
The path is walked one step at a time; one can't become as plump as old Li back home in one bite!
Touched by Minister Weiyen's ascension, Li Ping'an's mood became much more cheerful, and when he meditated, his Daoist heart rippled slightly as if mildly intoxicated.
Before long, his Daoist heart began to replay the scene of Minister Weiyen's ascension, his own insights surged like a gushing Spiritual Spring, and the immense medicinal power stored in his body became increasingly lively.
Around Li Ping'an, a few visible whirls of Spiritual Energy formed.
About two days later.
After the ascension feast and changing his identity documents, Minister Weiyen arrived outside Li Ping'an's wooden building, intending to offer Li Ping'an a serious thank you once more.
The guidance given is like that of a half-mentor!
Minister Weiyen had not yet spoken when he immediately noted something unusual about Li Ping'an. He hastily set up a Formation to envelop Li Ping'an's wooden building and threw out a Jade Talisman to guard above it.
"Goodness, his insights are never-ending, aren't they? He truly is a young man highly regarded by this senior minister."
Minister Weiyen chuckled, just about to bring over a rocking chair to keep watch when he saw two female immortals approaching from the horizon. Minister Weiyen had to ride the clouds to wait and greet them in the air.
Minister Weiyen had been in Liuyun Hall for hundreds of years and could instantly tell that these two female immortals were here to take on disciples.
He just didn't know which lucky little disciple would catch the favor of the immortals from Caiyun Peak.
...
'Why wasn't there a heavenly tribulation during ascension?'
With such doubts, Li Ping'an opened his eyes;
feeling the surging mana within him, the confusion in his eyes quickly turned into clarity.
Li Ping'an introspected his inner self, observing the changes in his body, and felt a vastness in his Qi sea, his meridians began to initially fuse with his body, and his body started to transform into a Dao Body. Some corners inside him, once not permeated by primeval essence, were now enjoying a nourishing spring rain.
His body felt as light as a feather, and his spiritual platform was beginning to take shape.
'I've actually reached the eighth stage of Qi Cultivation, not far from the Spirit-Gathering Realm.'
The stage of Qi Cultivation accumulates primeval essence, strengthens the Dao Body;
The Spirit-Gathering Realm forges the Primordial Soul, tempers the will;
Li Ping'an had already devised a set of enhancement 'cultivation packages' for the Spirit-Gathering Realm, just waiting for the moment to breakthrough to the Spirit-Gathering Realm to begin his [Fierce Ghost] special training.
How long had this cultivation session lasted?
Li Ping'an got up and walked to the window, a slight enlightenment arising in his heart.
Based on his body's perception of the environment, it should be nine or ten days that had passed.
Li Ping'an couldn't help but worry...
Would such a rapid breakthrough result in an unstable Dao Foundation?
Better to stay in this realm for a while and properly prepare for the Spirit-Gathering Realm.
'After all, I'm already of age and on the cultivation path; why rush and compete for the speed of progress? Wouldn't it be better to strive for as perfect a Dao Foundation as possible?'
Squeak—
The wooden window made a slight noise as it opened, disturbing the meditating immortal outside the courtyard.
```
Minister Weiyen turned his head and, seeing Li Ping'an salute, immediately returned the gesture.
Whether it was because appearances reflect the heart, or because his lifespan had increased, Minister Weiyen now appeared as a middle-aged man. His once graying white hair had turned black again, and his goatee was meticulously groomed.
"Thank you for acting as my protector, Minister,"
"It's nothing! I'll set up a few Immortal Formations for you later on!"
Minister Weiyen said with a smile:
"You might be comfortable in seclusion, but it's given me quite the hardship.
"Elder Yansheng personally instructed me to take good care of you. From now on, that will be the proper duty for us high-ranking external ministers!"
Li Ping'an said with a smile, "The sect pays attention to my father, and I also benefit from the good fortune that comes with it... Minister, has my father been here?"
"He was here yesterday, left you many books, all placed downstairs."
Minister Weiyen pondered for a moment:
"Your father is going into seclusion for a while. He said he can come to see you in a few months and told you not to go out anymore, just to cultivate at the Liuyun Cloister.
"There's something else I need to tell you; Ningning Mu has taken a master, she's been accepted by Caiyun Peak's True Immortal Qingxu, of the Peak Master's lineage.
"Ningning seems to think a lot about you. She also said that once she's settled in at Caiyun Peak, she will come to look for you."
Li Ping'an was momentarily stunned but showed little emotion.
That's good.
The little heroine has finally got what she wished for.
Thinking of himself, he couldn't help feeling a pinch of sorrow.
Li Ping'an naturally knew that with the continuous help from his father, and with that marvelous Divine Skill which united father and son, his cultivation speed would not be too slow.
But Li Ping'an still hoped to be accepted by a renowned master early on.
If he could follow a master in his cultivation, he wouldn't have to grope his way forward on his own. His cultivation journey would be much more secure.
Seeing Li Ping'an's wistful expression, Minister Weiyen thought Li Ping'an was feeling sentimental about a trifle of romantic interest and kindly advised:
"I still ought to say this.
"Disciples always say they'll come back to visit after getting accepted, but once they have a master, only a few really do come back to visit.
"After all, every disciple is but a passerby in this Liuyun Cloister.
"It's fine if they are doing well, don't think too much about it."
Li Ping'an said with a smile, "It looks like I'll be able to keep you company for a long while, Minister."
"Hahaha! Let's not talk about these things! Let's go have a drink in the front yard!"
Minister Weiyen's Daoist robe billowed as he spoke, and Li Ping'an rose into the air on a cloud with him, both drifting toward the front yard.
Under the welcoming pine, Minister Weiyen set up a small table and pulled Li Ping'an over for a drink.
Minister Weiyen started to share his insights on ascending to Immortality, intentionally giving some 'inspiration' to Li Ping'an.
Listening, Li Ping'an found it abstruse and difficult to understand, due to the vast difference in their cultivation realms; he could only grasp a small part of it.
When Minister Weiyen mentioned about the Heavenly Immortals in the sect that were now eligible to take disciples, Li Ping'an let out a long sigh, drained his cup in one go, his young and handsome face mostly filled with helplessness.
Li Ping'an asked, "Are there any Heavenly Immortals in the sect who are of the proper generational seniority to take me as a disciple and who would also be willing to do so?"
"Now that you mention it..."
Minister Weiyen said in a deep voice:
"This is indeed difficult. Although the sect distinguishes virtual seniority based on cultivation level, it also values the real seniority that comes from master-disciple relationships.
"Your father is a disciple of the founder, which makes you the founder's grand-disciple. The only ones in the sect who could accept you are those dozen or so old Heavenly Immortals.
"But either they're wandering between heaven and earth, or they've already passed away or closed themselves off in seclusion to break through to the Golden Immortal Realm... It's really hard to find a Heavenly Immortal who doesn't care about seniority right away.
"Ah, wanting to find a master is truly difficult for you."
'A True Immortal would actually do.'
Just as Li Ping'an was about to say this, a breeze blew by, bringing with it a faint scent of flowers.
His tied-up hair and headband fluttered in the wind, his wide Daoist robe billowed slightly, and then he heard a distant, joyful call ringing in his ears.
"Ping'an, senior brother!"
He turned his head to look and saw clouds floating in from the horizon and, upon them, a slender figure clad in disciple garments, waving continuously in his direction.