Immortal Father

Li Ping’an was initially prepared to take his leave, but Guang Chengzi pulled him back, not allowing him to depart. The Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Teaching held an Immortal Banquet, inviting Li Ping’an to join in the feasting and merriment.

One must say, when it comes to feasting and merriment, the Chan Teaching is far less enjoyable than the Heavenly Court.

When the Heavenly Court hosts a banquet, it’s filled with groups of celestial maidens, teams of musicians, and the exclusive dancers of large Heavenly Court events—Chang’e and others gracefully dancing, while the immortals discuss poetry, literature, and gossip from various families.

When Chan Teaching hosts a banquet, there’s no melodious music, no gourmet delicacies, though there is plenty of Immortal Brew. Everyone sits together discussing the Dao, cultivation, great tribulations, heavens and earth, and in high spirits, they take a few Elixir Pills together, then display expressions of utter comfort.

Li Ping’an considered himself lucky to get some Elixir Pills.

Halfway through the Immortal Banquet, each of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Teaching came forward to toast Li Ping’an, and Li Ping’an rose to respond to each.

Once the toasting was done, it was time for free chatting.

Immortal Taiyi plopped down beside Li Ping’an and gave him a knowing wink.

Li Ping’an scooted his seat aside: "Uncle Taiyi, what are you hinting at?"

"Just a little reminder," Immortal Taiyi muttered, "How to avoid the Dao Immortal Tribulation? You’re the Heavenly Emperor, don’t tell me you know nothing about it. Isn’t the Dao Immortal Tribulation meant to strengthen the gods of the Heavenly Court?"

Li Ping’an chuckled, "It’s rare to hear you speak without sarcasm, Uncle."

"Hey, what do you mean by sarcasm," Immortal Taiyi downed his cup, "This Poor Daoist merely speaks out with chivalry."

"No need to rush, Uncle. When the time is ripe, the patriarch will bestow the method to avoid the Dao Immortal Tribulation."

Li Ping’an sighed:

"I’d really like you, Uncle, to take a post in my Heavenly Court.

"But alas, you long for freedom and relaxation, Uncle."

"Actually, taking a position as a heavenly official wouldn’t be impossible," Immortal Taiyi lightly clicked his tongue, "You can be revered by the masses and earn merits from the Heavenly Dao, but alas, this Poor Daoist has no such blessing to enjoy it; best leave such fortune to the broad friends of Jie Sect."

Li Ping’an merely smiled and said nothing.

Sensing a certain thought arise, he looked at Immortal Taiyi inquisitively, "Do you have any disciples, Uncle?"

"I have two little servants," Immortal Taiyi smiled, "and a bead."

"A bead?"

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"Ah, this bead is somewhat related to your Heavenly Court, around two hundred years ago, your Great Lady had a Peach Banquet, and this Poor Daoist was among a few who were invited to attend.

"Those massive peaches were truly delicious."

Immortal Taiyi clicked his tongue with a chuckle:

"It was a whim when I saw a little boy sticking to a group of celestial maidens, looking as exquisite as carved jade, full of spirit.

"This Poor Daoist chatted with him, and eventually brought him back to my cave, accepting him as a disciple.

"He is called Ling Zhuzi, originally a spiritual bead from the Jade Pool in the Heavenly Court, although he’s a male, having spent so much time with the female immortals, lacks a bit of masculine energy."

Li Ping’an slowly nodded.

Goodness, why hadn’t Zi Yao mentioned this while he was in seclusion? Was it considered too trivial to report?

Ling Zhuzi was here all along, was the Heavenly Dao hiding it from him, having arranged the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm so thoroughly?

Isn’t Ling Zhuzi just Nezha in his past life?

Isn’t Li Jing still in the Heavenly Court now?

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

Immortal Taiyi blinked, and suddenly the gossiping soul in his eyes flared up, inquiring through transmission:

"Ping’an, could it be that Ling Zhuzi is your... a male celestial child in the Jade Pool, it doesn’t make sense, only female immortals should be there..."

"Huh? What about me?"

Li Ping’an’s mouth twitched slightly, speaking calmly:

"Don’t get carried away with wild ideas. I have no offspring."

"Feeling guilty," Immortal Taiyi waggled his eyebrows furiously, "Otherwise, why would you jump to such conclusions?"

Quite a few of the Twelve Golden Immortals perked up their ears.

Li Ping’an sincerely wanted to roll his eyes.

But as the Heavenly Emperor, he must try not to display such behavior.

He smiled wryly, "I swear by the Heavenly Dao, there’s no such thing, don’t spread unfounded rumors, otherwise it would be difficult for me to explain when I go back. Ling Zhuzi’s original form is likely a spiritual bead. While the Jade Pool is formed by Primordial Beings, even if I did have offspring with her, even if not from the Human Race, it should still be a being of flesh and blood, right?"

"That’s true," Immortal Taiyi grinned sheepishly, "No fun, no fun at all."

Li Ping’an cursed playfully: "If I had offspring with the Jade Pool, why hide them? Wouldn’t it be better to raise them openly in the Heavenly Court? It might even give those old officials of the Human Race a little more security. Please, don’t start any rumors that would make things difficult for me to explain later."

"That’s also true."

Immortal Taiyi mumbled:

"You’ve been married for quite a while now, why don’t you have any offspring yet? The Ancient Demon Emperor had over a dozen sons and daughters, while Xihe had them in litters back then."

"Do you not like children? Or are you not good at this?"

Li Ping’an made a motion as if to kick him, and Immortal Taiyi jumped sideways, holding a wine jug and drifted away.

Thinking of the offspring of the Ancient Demon Emperor, Li Ping’an couldn’t help but recall Daoist Luya.

Daoist Luya was also an important figure in the Investiture of the Gods.

Could it be that he too has already been arranged by the Heavenly Dao?

Li Ping’an raised a hand to rub his temples.

He pondered carefully. Over the past few hundred years, making arrangements for the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm meant lingering between heaven and earth, with the help of the Transcender Teacher to enhance his strength, ultimately maximizing benefits.

Besides, what arrangements can one make in the Investiture of the Gods?

In essence, it’s just to preserve more battle strength of living beings.

’No need to meddle too much, just sit back and enjoy the show. Later on, I should check on the adopted sister I haven’t seen in centuries. She might already be preparing for Yang Jian.’

Li Ping’an decisively let it go.

Manjushri Guangfa Tianzun was approaching with a toast, and Li Ping’an greeted him with a smile, engaging in a cheerful conversation.

The banquet was in full swing when a white cloud drifted in from outside the hall, with Ran Deng Daoist sitting on it.

Li Ping’an gently raised his eyebrows when he saw this, as he had matters to discuss with Ran Deng.