Chapter 1145: Chapter 401: A Bit of a Billion as a Gift for the Master?_2
“Master Ancestor, please forgive !
“Since achieving the status of Quasi-Celestial Emperor, I’ve been walking on thin ice, ever vigilant and diligent. Though I haven’t accomplished grand feats of reversing calamities in heaven and earth, I’ve committed no errors in virtue or conduct. I’ve aided the Human Race, vanquished demons, stabilized the void, unified heaven and earth, won the allegiance of dragons and phoenixes, gained the support of the Witch Clan, earned the trust of the Human Emperor, and received Holy Mother’s entrusted tasks.
“I already have two masters.
“Golden Immortal Qing Su, who led onto the path, safeguarded my cultivation, and taught how to conduct myself. This is my true master.
“Golden Immortal Yun Zhongzi, who taught the art of Artifact Refining, gifted treasures, and guided onto the road of the New Heavenly Court. This is my benefactor master.
“And today… May I ask how I should address you, Senior?”
“Wang Ri,” the spirit in the coffin said indifferently, “Wang Ri Old Man.”
This sounded like an obviously made-up na.
Li Ping’an clasped his hands in greeting and said slowly: “Senior Wang Ri wishes to take as a disciple and beco the teacher of the Celestial Emperor. This involves the karma of heaven and earth, as well as connections to the creatures of the Primordial World. I must act with caution.”
The spirit in the coffin, ‘Wang Ri Old Man,’ chuckled and said: “What kind of tricks can you possibly pull? The Three Pure Ones of this realm have already consented. Are you planning to refuse? This Poor Daoist is not one to be trifled with, so don’t ruin my mood.”
Li Ping’an frowned and said: “Senior, could it be that you didn’t understand the aning behind my words?”
“Oh? What aning is that?”
“Just, so ‘implied aning.'”
Li Ping’an smiled, lifting his right hand, his thumb and forefinger rubbing against each other lightly.
Taoist Hongjun squinted slightly.
The spirit in the coffin seed puzzled: “What kind of gesture is this?”
Li Ping’an inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Judging by the spirit’s tone and initial reaction, it seed they weren’t familiar with this gesture.
Even Holy Mother Yaochi appeared sowhat confused nearby.
Li Ping’an chuckled:
“Why must I explain it so plainly? What I an is, if you want to take as your disciple, you should be soone of great virtue in heaven and earth, contributing to this world. Now, why don’t you either vanquish so Innate Gods and Demons or celestial fiends, or perhaps donate so treasures to the Heavenly Court?”
“The Heavenly Court is impoverished; I hope you can forgive us.
“Personally, I feel that, as the ultimate winner of a realm, you surely have no shortage of treasures. Any small bit of support you could offer would be endlessly beneficial to the Heavenly Court!”
Silence.
The entire great hall fell so quiet it felt like a pin could be heard dropping.
The spirit in the coffin, enveloped in black mist, felt an emotional fluctuation that even Taoist Hongjun and Holy Mother Yaochi could sense.
It was an emotion akin to a vast chaos chasm of speechlessness.
And a hint of resignation—’How did I end up picking such a disciple?’
Taoist Hongjun smiled slightly, nodded to Li Ping’an, and said warmly: “It seems you’re still unconvinced… This is the Precious Mirror of Veracity. The Heavenly Dao should be able to discern the truth; listen carefully.
“This fellow Transcender was forced to co here by your master’s senior brother ancestor. He engaged in a discussion with the Three Pure Ones of this realm, ultimately reaching a consensus: both sides decided to cultivate you into a Semi-Saint before the annihilation of heaven and earth. This will require a long stretch of ti.
“The prerequisite set by Taiqing was that the necessary Source of Heaven and Earth for your ascension must be gathered from the coffin realm.
“During the Transcender’s lectures to you, the Three Pure Ones must be inford of everything.
“Taiqing also promised not to interfere with this matter of taking a disciple, but whether or not to accept the apprenticeship depends on your own free will.
“Do you understand?”
Li Ping’an smiled and nodded: “Master Ancestor, everything you’ve said, I believe. However, as a disciple, I also have my self-respect.”
The spirit in the coffin said indifferently: “Giving you a few treasures is not a problem, yet why does your deanor feel so familiar to ?”
“Just applying what I’ve learned.”
Li Ping’an sighed, “One learns many truths after suffering enough losses in this realm.”
“What excellent use of learning!”
The spirit in the coffin asked: “Which type of treasure do you desire? Speak clearly. Most of my treasures co from my own realm, but their power within this realm is less than one-tenth of their original potential.”
Li Ping’an quickly responded: “It’s not that I personally want them; it’s mostly to fulfill the needs of the Heavenly Dao… Do you happen to have any unwanted defensive supre treasures?”
“None.”
The spirit in the coffin’s face darkened but did not conceal anything further:
“I beca the ultimate winner with three parts luck and seven parts scheming. It was due to my realm successfully inciting the Perfect Heavenly Dao and the Three Pure Ones into conflict during the endga calamity. The Three Pure Ones rged with Pangu, the Heavenly Dao achieved self-certification, and both sides were drawn into a struggle where they defeated each other, leaving to reap the benefits.
“The Tai Chi Diagram, Pangu Banner, and the Chaos Bell transford into Pangu’s Axe, yet never returned to their supre treasure forms. Most treasures under the Heavenly Dao’s control disintegrated.
“Moreover, supre treasures cannot easily cross between realms. If two Twelve-tiered Golden Lotuses from different realms appeared simultaneously, it would cause this realm to collapse.
“If you wish for Innate Spiritual Treasures, I can give you two slightly damaged ones from this realm.”
With that, the spirit in the coffin flicked its fingers, and two strands of immortal light floated slowly towards Li Ping’an.
Li Ping’an raised his eyebrow slightly.
The two strands of immortal light transford into a dragon and a phoenix. The Azure Dragon condensed into a long spear, while the Fire Phoenix took the shape of a suit of armor.
Both treasures had their innate spiritual essence suppressed by a faint gray aura.
Li Ping’an sensed their power—not present-day equivalent to even one-third of the Soul-Cleaving Banner’s potency, despite being Innate Spiritual Treasures.
Thus, Li Ping’an righteously declined the treasures and pushed them back.
The spirit in the coffin cursed: “You brat! You’d better know when to quit!”
Li Ping’an replied: “You’ve truly misunderstood . All I lack is a defensive supre treasure. I genuinely wish you would contribute to perfecting the Heavenly Dao. If you could just patch up a bit of what the Heavenly Dao is missing, I’ll build plaques, spread songs of praise, and let the world revere you. That way, when I declare you as my teacher, no one would harbor criticisms.”
The spirit in the coffin:…
Taoist Hongjun sighed and said: “Fellow Daoist, you control so many treasures—what harm is there in giving Ping’an a few? What Ping’an said makes so sense.”
The spirit in the coffin’s orange eyes glared fiercely at Hongjun.
It whispered: “I only have a few supre treasures total, most of which are damaged. They are essential for maintaining the final vitality of my realm. How could I give them to a disciple?”
Taoist Hongjun smiled: “But you possess treasures from ancient tis that you have taken from this realm, do you not?”
“You and Taiqing—truly master and disciple alike.”
The spirit in the coffin hesitated montarily but ultimately retrieved two treasures and slowly pushed them towards Li Ping’an.
One was a water-blue and earth-yellow mat called the [Water and Earth Mat], an Innate Spiritual Treasure originating from the sa root as Taiqing Sect Leader’s [Wind and Fire Mat]. Yet, the latter had undergone profound transformations by Taiqing’s creation, becoming a powerhouse treasure.
The Water and Earth Mat offered no combat value but allowed cultivators sitting on it to absorb an endless stream of spiritual power from the Chaos Sea.
Its nature aligned with Kong Xuan’s Five-Colored Divine Light.
The other treasure was a sword box—another Innate Spiritual Treasure—created from a broken sixty-petaled Green Lotus (the predecessor of the twelve-petaled Green Lotus, twelve-petaled Golden Lotus, and twelve-petaled Red Lotus) during the Creation of Heaven and Earth.
The sword box could release infinite sword energy and nourish sword-related treasures.
In the current Vast Wilderness Heaven and Earth, these two Innate Spiritual Treasures were incalculably precious, though in ancient tis they were considered moderately superior items.
Given the vast resources Hongjun managed, this spirit surely collected countless exceptional treasures.
Nonetheless, Li Ping’an understood appropriateness and holding back. He cradled the treasures carefully and bowed deeply to the spirit in the coffin.
“Disciple Li Ping’an pays respects to Teacher! The treasures bestowed by Teacher precisely and the deficiencies of the Heavenly Dao.”
The spirit in the coffin felt a sense of relief.
Nearby, Holy Mother Yaochi raised a hand to cover her face, her gaze full of emotion.
Taoist Hongjun was about to deliver so concluding remarks when the spirit in the coffin suddenly said:
“Fellow Daoist, with such profound mutual connections, shouldn’t you offer so contributions given my acceptance of a disciple?”
Taoist Hongjun smiled but shook his head gently, replying warmly, “Ping’an, which kind of treasure would you wish for?”
Li Ping’an said softly: “Master Ancestor, the Heavenly Court’s Hall of Punishnt is lacking such a Precious Mirror. If the Heavenly Dao obtains the Precious Mirror of Veracity, it would be like adding wings to a tiger, allowing it to better serve the creatures of the Primordial World.”
Hongjun’s smile stiffened slightly.
After a mont of contemplation, he pushed the mirror toward Li Ping’an, then said solemnly: “I ask the Celestial Emperor to use this item wisely.”
“Thank you, Master Ancestor, for the treasure!”
Li Ping’an handed the Precious Mirror to the still-stunned Holy Mother Yaochi nearby.
Then, clearing his throat hesitantly, he asked, “Teacher, am I your formal disciple?”
“Certainly.”
Li Ping’an’s gaze sparkled, his tone gentle: “Then will the two fellow disciples, Jie Yin and Zhunti, be subject to my oversight in the future?”
Hongjun:…
Holy Mother Yaochi:…
The spirit in the coffin:…
Li Ping’an made a light click of disapproval, his face filled with frustration: “All the hard-earned reputation I’ve built up is likely going to be ruined by those two junior disciples… Truly a significant loss. Teacher, don’t you think…”
“Scram!”
The spirit in the coffin exploded its wisp of consciousness.
“Co to Mount Lingjiu three months hence! Otherwise, I’ll destroy the heaven and earth of this realm!”
Li Ping’an smiled, looking toward Hongjun, but the latter’s silhouette vanished instantly, leaving only Holy Mother Yaochi at the outer hall of Zixiao Palace still disoriented.
The Quasi-Celestial Emperor’s smile gradually faded, and he gazed thoughtfully at the spot where Hongjun had disappeared, his eyes reflecting intricate deliberation.
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