Immortal Father

Li Ping’an laughed and said:

"If the Desolate Era wants to progress forward, and the Heavenly Court desires to uphold justice, these principles must be respected.

"My decision is made, Dragon King, no need to persuade me further.

"If I truly can’t solve the onset of the Longevity Calamity later, stepping down voluntarily might actually be a good thing, so as not to have all beings gossiping about me."

Jade Pool sighed beside him: "With this mindset, Your Majesty, I shall advance and retreat with you."

"The Heavenly Court cannot be leaderless for a day," Li Ping’an said solemnly, "Yao Er, you oversee the judiciary and penalties of the Heavenly Court. Not a hint of disorder can occur in this matter."

Jade Pool sighed gently, wanted to speak but hesitated.

Qin Guang King bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"What is it?"

"It is a message from the Houtu Ancestor for you. The Heavenly Dao intends to suppress the power of living beings, who should rise up in resistance, making it difficult for the Heavenly Court to navigate the situation."

Qin Guang King spoke slowly:

"Houtu Ancestor suggests you might as well advance by retreating, pulling yourself out from this whirlpool.

"You can pretend to have a quarrel with the Queen Mother, leave home, or something to that effect, to avoid the storm."

"You are of Human Race origin, and the Human Race is the main body of life between heaven and earth. As long as you are not despised by the Human Race, when everything settles, you can come forth to calm the Human Race, preventing greater unrest."

Li Ping’an glanced around and laughed, "Next time report such things privately; you’ve already laid out the strategy, how do I use it now?"

"This..."

Qin Guang King was taken aback: "I thought there were no outsiders here, Your Majesty. I acknowledge my fault."

"No problem, I was just teasing you."

Li Ping’an laughed and sighed:

"Avoiding the storm won’t solve the problem. If I truly wanted to avoid this issue, there’d be no need to quarrel with Yao Er.

"The main issue now is not knowing who is pushing this from behind... Forget it, I still need to consult with the Saints, all of you ministers temporarily go to the Lingxiao Hall and await orders, Yao Er, go to the Lingxiao Hall and stabilize the situation.

"I will seek the Saints to find a solution."

"Your Majesty’s toil cannot be substituted, I am deeply ashamed."

The various immortals paid their respects individually, and Li Ping’an gave Yun Zhongzi a hand gesture, then his figure flickered and disappeared.

Li Ping’an didn’t even need to go check everywhere.

His Avenue of All Beings had long been boiling.

...

Moments later.

Within the Azure Wander Palace.

"A Saint did this? Which Saint did it!"

Tongtian Sect Leader, with a dark face, angrily shouted:

"Is this an attempt to destroy my Jie Sect into ashes prematurely?

"The Desolate Era has come from ancient times; cultivation relies on one’s own perception, and all beings should have a sliver of an opportunity for longevity. Where does the heavenly tribulation come from?

"Ping’an, do tell me, is it Zhunti and Jie Yin stirring up trouble again!"

This Saint’s young face was full of anger.

Li Ping’an sighed inwardly, truly, the Jie Sect was a victim in this matter, and the suspect index of Tongtian Sect Leader dropped significantly.

Li Ping’an laughed and said, "Great Uncle Master, please don’t be angry, I am also investigating this matter. As soon as I find any clues, I will immediately inform you... Great Uncle Master, could you not deduce from the Heavenly Dao, has no Saint become involved in this matter?"

"I am not good at deducing."

Tongtian Sect Leader chuckled awkwardly, sat back in his chair, and frowned, saying:

"What exactly does the schemer behind this want to achieve?

"Suppressing the power of living beings, is it beneficial to the Heavenly Dao? Not long after the Dao Immortal Tribulation, a great calamity of the end might occur. Wouldn’t it be better to have more powerful beings?

"Or perhaps, by reducing the number of powerful beings, lowering the number of longevity immortals, it could reduce the loss of Essential Source Objects of Heaven and Earth, thus extending the life of heaven and earth?"

Li Ping’an slowly nodded, "That’s how I think as well. The Dao Immortal Tribulation and the establishment of heavenly tribulation are essentially the same, but everything requires consideration of method and process; forcing it in this way can only result in more harm than good."

"Sigh," Tongtian Sect Leader sighed and said, "This heaven and earth really becomes more incomprehensible. After becoming a Saint, it’s like being tied by the Heavenly Dao, though stronger, it feels unfree and dispassionate."

Li Ping’an smiled and responded with a few words, then found an excuse to hastily take his leave.

His second stop was Nüwa Palace.

Li Ping’an had a simple conversation with Nüwa, and she also did not know who was behind the actions. However, she vaguely indicated that only two individuals could do such a thing without leaving any traces.

Taiqing and Yuanshi Tianzun.

Li Ping’an smiled bitterly, "What I was thinking is not much different from what Lady Nüwa thinks."

"You mustn’t directly confront these two brothers."

Nüwa gently admonished:

"This is most likely propagated by the two brothers. If you openly oppose them, it’s easy to anger the two of them.

"Your current handling is quite good, let the world blame Jie Yin and Zhunti, they have done many misdeeds, and more scolding is reasonable."

Li Ping’an sighed with a smile, "I am of course duty-bound to blame them, but until this matter is clarified, I always feel somewhat uneasy at heart, and my thoughts aren’t fully clear."

"Some matters are inherently unclear."

Nüwa’s eyes showed a hint of affection:

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"You are the Heavenly Emperor; there’s no need to be overly straightforward. When it’s time to feign ignorance, you should feign ignorance.

"Let me offer you a piece of advice; though I may not be able to persuade you, do not pursue this matter further. It’s best for you to hide.

"Hiding at this moment is the best strategy."

"Yes, I understand, Empress. You have my deepest gratitude for your considerate advice."

Li Ping’an sighed softly, bowed with hands clasped in a Daoist salute, and turned to take his leave.

Nüwa merely sighed lightly but said nothing more.

Leaving Nüwa’s palace, Li Ping’an headed straight to the Jade Void Palace.

He attempted once more to communicate with the Heavenly Dao, but the Heavenly Dao did not provide a clear response.

Without the Faceless One of Heavenly Dao, communication with the Heavenly Dao became quite ’mysterious’. Li Ping’an needed to enter a state of Dao comprehension, allowing The Great Dao to convey his inner voice, leading to new insights within his heart.

Li Ping’an inquired of the Heavenly Dao again whether this was the act of Jie Yin, and he received a clear realization.

[No].

’Could it truly be the Ancestor or Grand Ancestor?’

Li Ping’an was somewhat reluctant to believe this conclusion.

He resolved to first consult the Ancestor. If it was confirmed not to be the Ancestor’s doing, then he would make a trip to Ling Mountain.

The Heavenly Dao cannot be fully trusted, as it can also be deceived and obscured.

At this moment, Li Ping’an performed the Heaven and Earth Escape Technique, traversing the space beyond the painting, reaching the Jade Void Palace in an instant.

Without disturbing the Chan Teaching Immortals nor seeking a boy attendant to report his presence, Li Ping’an slowly manifested within the hall by himself. In front, a few beams of immortal light chased each other and transformed into a middle-aged face of the Saint of the Heavenly Dao.

It was indeed Yuanshi Tianzun.

Li Ping’an bowed his head in salute, "Ancestor, disciple comes seeking an answer."

Yuanshi Tianzun asked, "What kind of answer?"

"Longevity Calamity and Dao Immortal Tribulation," said Li Ping’an, "Such heavenly edicts are about to manifest in the Heavenly Court. As the Heavenly Emperor, I can prevent their birth, but the Heavenly Dao indicates that there’s a saintly force behind this. Therefore, I dare not act recklessly and have come to seek your guidance."

"A saintly force?"

Yuanshi Tianzun calculated with his fingers; his expression showed no change, yet he couldn’t help but let out a faint gasp.

Li Ping’an’s heart trembled greatly.

Had he found the answer?

However, Yuanshi Tianzun slowly shook his head and said gently:

"I calculated the heavenly mysteries but found them shrouded in chaos. I only know that the Dao Immortal Tribulation and Longevity Calamity should be under the purview of the Heavenly Dao. It was just that previously the Heavenly Dao was incomplete, encountering many obstacles, therefore beings attaining immortality and longevity were unrestricted.

"However, it is understandable that with the sudden enforcement of Heavenly Dao, there are bound to be widespread grievances among the beings.

"This matter should indeed be plotted by a saint from behind the scenes."

Li Ping’an asked, "Ancestor, which saint would be plotting?"

Yuanshi Tianzun once again calculated with his fingers, but this time, after calculating for an hour, he still didn’t reach any conclusion, and his expression grew increasingly solemn.

"This matter, do not pursue it further."

Yuanshi Tianzun said in a deep voice:

"The grievances of all beings are not instigated by you. Though you are the Heavenly Emperor, this responsibility is not yours alone to bear.

"Since the Heavenly Dao desires it, let the Heavenly Dao accomplish it."

Li Ping’an spoke aloud, "But Ancestor, the grievances of all beings will inevitably be directed towards my Heavenly Court. If I evade this matter, I risk losing the trust of all beings."

Yet Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Is your title as Heavenly Emperor bestowed by the Heavenly Dao, or do you serve as the emperor of living beings?"

Li Ping’an pondered for a moment and smiled, "As a disciple, I ought to be the emperor of myself, the king of my true self."

"Well said."

Yuanshi Tianzun’s face showed a smile:

"Previously, Zhunti wanted me to impose some punishment on you and revoke your position as Heavenly Emperor. I was somewhat hesitant, yet now there’s no need to linger on it. That Zhunti harbors improper intentions and cannot accomplish great matters.

"You would do best to return to the Heavenly Court. Do whatever you wish.

"I will protect you as you pass this trial."

Upon hearing this, Li Ping’an bowed his head in salute, "Disciple thanks Ancestor for your protection... I wish to consult with the Grand Ancestor. What does Ancestor think?"

Yuanshi Tianzun stroked his beard and shook his head, "The Old Lord is right there in your Heavenly Court; why seek him afar?"

"Disciple almost forgot."

Li Ping’an hurriedly performed a Daoist salute:

"Thank you, Ancestor, for enlightening me!"

With these words, he turned and disappeared instantly.

Yuanshi Tianzun sat in the hall, lost in thought for a long time, and couldn’t help but murmur:

"Why does Senior Brother suddenly push for this matter; could there be some profound plan that even I cannot comprehend?"