Chapter 907

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

The cheers from outside took a long time to gradually subside.

The birthday banquet concluded; the cultivators and commoners who had come to offer congratulations dispersed one after another, while the Qingmu Sect disciples busied themselves cleaning up the venue.

The spirit lamps still swayed on either side of the mountain gate, reflecting a riot of colorful light across the night sky.

At the highest point of the Shuiding Qiongxin District, a viewing platform floated amid clouds and mist.

Xu Zhangqing, Li Wudao, Mo Qiu Shui, and Xu Ping'an stood side by side, leaning on the railing and looking down.

The myriad household lights of Fengrao Commandery at night looked thoroughly steeped in the smoke and fire of mortal life.

Sporadic laughter and cheerful voices still rose from the streets and alleys, a scene of peaceful harmony.

After a moment of silence, Li Wudao spoke first, breaking the stillness: "Sect Master Xu, Liu Xuan Zhou came today ostensibly to offer birthday congratulations, but in reality he was acting on orders from the Sect High Level to notify Ping'an to go to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan for experience training as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, the delight on Xu Ping'an's face faded, replaced by a hint of surprise; he hurriedly turned to look at Li Wudao: "Master, I only just broke through to Nascent Soul not long ago, my cultivation level isn't even stabilized yet, and I'm to go to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan already?"

Though he had a daring streak, he also knew clearly that his own foundation was not yet firmly established.

What's more, there were still many things left unfinished; it was truly too fast.

Xu Zhangqing frowned slightly and said: "It is indeed too early.

At the very least, we must wait until after Ping'an and Yueyao are married before discussing the matter of experience training."

Yueyao is Xu Ping'an's Dao Companion; the two share deep affection and have long since betrothed.

As a father, Xu Zhangqing naturally hoped his son could first settle this lifelong major event.

Mo Qiu Shui stood quietly to the side, silent from beginning to end.

He was taciturn by nature, and moreover this matter had nothing to do with him.

Li Wudao nodded: "I understand this reasoning as well; therefore, I have already explicitly refused.

But the Sect High Level's arrangement cannot be evaded forever; after all, the Qingmu Sect still nominally falls under Dongting's jurisdiction."

He paused, his gaze settling on Xu Ping'an, and continued: "So Ping'an, you can remain in the Tianyuan Realm for five years at most.

After five years, regardless of whether your cultivation level is stabilized, regardless of whether the wedding is held, you must go to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan."

Xu Zhangqing turned to look at his youngest son, his eyes holding a touch of concern: "Ping'an, this matter concerns your cultivation path, and even more your life and death; you must consider it carefully."

Xu Ping'an took a deep breath, his gaze gradually firming; he nodded forcefully: "Father, Master, five years is enough.

To speak honestly, I not only have no aversion to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan, but rather anticipate it greatly.

In the current Tianyuan Realm, among those of the same cultivation level, I already have no opponents.

Rather than cultivating peacefully here, stagnating in complacency, it is better to venture out and roam, to temper my dao heart and raise my cultivation amid peril."

His nature was stubborn; once he set his mind on something, he would walk that single road to the end, even if mountains of sabers and seas of fire lay ahead, he would absolutely not retreat.

In Xu Ping'an's view, though the Tai Xu Lie Yuan was a dangerous place, it was the best destination for him to break through himself and surpass his limits.

Xu Zhangqing shook his head: "Since your mind is made up, then arrange the wedding with Yueyao as soon as possible, so you can complete the marriage early."

Li Wudao looked at the father and son, his expression sinking a few degrees more, as if recalling something: "There is one more thing I must tell you.

Actually, originally Liu Xuan Zhou's visit this time, besides notifying Ping'an to go to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan, also wanted Sect Master Xu to go along as well."

"No!"

Xu Ping'an did not wait for Xu Zhangqing to speak, refusing first: "Father only just advanced to Nascent Soul; his cultivation level is not yet consolidated. How can he go to a perilous place like the Tai Xu Lie Yuan? What kind of heart does this Liu Xuan Zhou harbor!"

In his heart, his father had always been a spirit farmer, spending his days cultivating spirit plants, never having fought.

Now he has just broken through to Nascent Soul, his foundation unsteady; if he goes to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan, it is undoubtedly more ill fortune than good.

Li Wudao glanced at the father and son, and said in a solemn tone: "In fact, when Sect Master Xu had not yet broken through to Nascent Soul and was still at Golden Core, Liu Xuan Zhou had already proposed to the Sect High Level that you both go to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan together."

Li Wudao glanced at the father and son, and said in a solemn tone: "In fact, when Sect Master Xu had not yet broken through to Nascent Soul and was still at Golden Core, Liu Xuan Zhou had already proposed to the Sect High Level that you go together to Tai Xu Lie Yuan."

After a brief moment of thought, he understood Liu Xuan Zhou's thinking.

It turned out this person had harbored ill intentions from the very beginning.

The reason the other party proposed that he also go to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan was obviously to scheme for something else.

Now the Qingmu Sect is developing rapidly, its prestige rising daily, controlling many spirit veins of Fengrao Commandery; it has long since become a piece of fat meat.

Unexpectedly, Liu Xuan Zhou covets control of the Qingmu Sect; seeing that he was only at Golden Core, he wanted to use the pretext of looking after his son to send him away, then seize the opportunity to wrest away the Qingmu Sect.

Only, Xu Zhangqing unexpectedly advanced to "Nascent Soul," and moreover a rare Superior Nascent Soul, even condensing a Creation Dharma Aspect; this result far exceeded Liu Xuan Zhou's expectations, thoroughly disrupting his plans, so he dared not reveal his ambition again, even lowering his stance.

It was just that Xu Changqing unexpectedly advanced to Nascent Soul, and it was even the extremely rare Superior Nascent Soul, even condensing a Creation Dharma Aspect; this result far surpassed Liu Xuan Zhou's expectations, thoroughly disrupting his plans, therefore he dared not reveal his ambitions again, even lowering his stance.

This person is an Enforcement Elder, and holds extremely heavy influence in the Immortal Sect.

Xu Ping'an also reacted, a trace of worry appearing on his face; he asked urgently: "Master, now my father has also reached the Nascent Soul Stage.

Will the Sect High Level be even more inclined to make him go to the Tai Xu Lie Yuan?"

He was not afraid of going to a dangerous place himself, but feared his father would fall into crisis because of it.

He was not afraid of going to a dangerous place himself, but feared his father would fall into crisis because of it.

Li Wudao let out a heavy sigh and said in a deep voice: "Once the Immortal Sect formally issues an edict, no one can refuse, unless..."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Xu Ping'an's eyes; as long as there was a sliver of hope, he did not want his father to take the risk, so he hurriedly pressed: "Unless what?"

Mo Qiu Shui, who had been silent all along, finally spoke at this moment; his voice was clear and cold, without a ripple: "Unless you betray the Immortal Sect!"

This sentence drifted lightly, yet carried the weight of a thousand jun; in an instant the viewing platform fell into dead silence.

Betraying the Immortal Sect meant making an enemy of the entire Dongting; it meant the Qingmu Sect would fall into a situation of isolation without aid; it meant facing pursuit and suppression; the consequences were unthinkable.

Betraying the Immortal Sect meant becoming enemies with all of Dongting, meant the Qingmu Sect would fall into a helplessly isolated situation, meant facing pursuit and suppression — the consequences were unthinkable.

Xu Ping'an clenched his fist and said in a firm tone: "I won't let Father defect from the sect, nor will I let Father take risks in Tai Xu Lie Yuan."

"At worst, I'll go to Tai Xu Lie Yuan ahead of time; as long as I make a name for myself over there, the Sect High Level might withdraw their decision!"

Li Wudao shook his head: "It's not that simple, unless you have enough strength to contend with the Sect High Level."

"Otherwise, no matter what, this outcome cannot be changed!"