220: Chapter 86 The Fate of Two Young Men 220: Chapter 86 The Fate of Two Young Men “No, how could Ping’an possibly encounter a bottleneck?
Isn’t everything going well?”
Behind the main peak of Wanyun Sect, several figures surrounded Li Ping’an, who was sitting in meditation, each with a frown in deep thought.
None of these figures were strangers to Li Ping’an.
Daoist Kongming, the founder of Wanyun Sect clothed in a mysterious robe; Granny Linghua, the Golden Immortal ancestor of Wanyun Sect, dressed in a light purple robe; Daoist Yun Mo, the current Sect Leader of Wanyun Sect, also wearing a mysterious robe; and Li Dazhi, his slightly thinner father.
There was also a female immortal dressed in a fitted white dress, standing proudly like a solitary orchid in an empty valley, naturally his master, Heavenly Immortal Qing Su.
Li Ping’an’s bottleneck had already lasted for two years, with three consecutive attempts at transferring power without any progress in cultivation.
Having no other option, Li Dazhi sought help from his own master.
After Daoist Kongming conducted a comprehensive diagnostic on Li Ping’an, he expressed such a doubt.
Granny Linghua asked in surprise, “You didn’t notice anything?”
“Hmm,” Daoist Kongming stroked his beard and hummed, “You have a look, you’re better at these things than I am.”
“Allow me to use some techniques.”
Granny Linghua’s expression became more solemn as she raised her hand in a gesture as if pinching flowers; one by one, silver needles appeared at her fingertips and she gently tossed them toward Li Ping’an.
Li Ping’an’s spiritual senses felt no threat, as thirty-six silver needles gently pierced various points around his body.
Granny Linghua closed her eyes and concentrated, streams of extremely pure Golden Immortal essence flowed through the silver needles into Li Ping’an’s Dao Body.
— On the surface, the diagnosis was for finding the cause of Li Ping’an’s bottleneck, but it also served to improve his constitution.
After all, Li Ping’an was now quite an important figure for the image of Wanyun Sect.
Granny Linghua’s brows furrowed deeply, “There’s something odd.”
Li Ping’an pursed his lips and looked towards this Golden Immortal powerhouse, his Dao heart growing even more restless.
Li Dazhi hurriedly asked, “Aunt-Master, what’s wrong with Ping’an?”
Granny Linghua slowly shook her head, pondering for a moment, then said in an aged voice:
“Generally speaking, there are three types of bottlenecks.
“One, lack of enlightenment.
This is a common problem for most Qi Cultivators who encounter bottlenecks; no matter how others explain a principle, they just can’t comprehend it, even with the best guidance.”
“Two, deviation in cultivation.
This happens when one has gone astray on the path of cultivation and cannot correct it in the short term, yet is unwilling to sever their Dao Foundation to start over.”
“Three, innate deficiency.
If one’s talent is limited, such as Ping’an having a deficiency in the Earth element yet insisting on cultivating the Earth Dao—it’s akin to going against the natural order, which makes progress extremely difficult.”
“Yet Ping’an’s enlightenment is brilliant, filling his spiritual platform.
He was probably a bit too hasty before, having almost completely comprehended the first half of ‘Wanyun Jue.’ There wouldn’t be a problem for him to become an immortal.”
“Looking at the mana within Ping’an’s body, it’s balanced and harmonious, crystal clear, purer than that of most disciples in our sect who have not yet become immortals, with no sign of deviation.”
“As for innate deficiency, this could be a possibility.”
“Ping’an’s talents are above average, but such talent at the True Immortal Realm might not be sufficient to support his pursuit of the immortal Dao.
One could understand being unable to step onto the Heaven and Earth Bridge, but it’s really not clear in this case.”
“Let me calculate a bit more carefully.”
Having said this, Granny Linghua closed her eyes and focused, her hands moving back and forth as she manipulated her fingers.
Daoist Kongming asked, “Could it be that there’s an issue with Ping’an’s Dao heart?”
Qing Su replied, “Respected Founding Master, Ping’an’s Dao heart is very stable.
I’ve inspected it with the secret techniques of the Heartful Dao, and his Dao heart is transparent, without any obstructions.”
Li Dazhi spoke with some unease, “Could it be because I’ve transferred power too many times, destabilizing his Dao Foundation?”
After pondering for a moment, Daoist Kongming got up and walked over to Li Ping’an, pointing a finger at Li Ping’an’s forehead.
Li Ping’an tried to empty himself, feeling a cool sensation unfurling from his forehead.
When he opened his eyes, he saw several faintly visible Ninth Grade Green Lotuses slowly revolving around him.
Daoist Kongming said cheerfully, “It’s not a problem with the Dao Foundation.
Look at Ping’an’s Dao Foundation, although he has yet to step into the Heaven and Earth Bridge Realm, it already exhibits the qualities of the Ninth Grade.
Such a Dao Foundation is enough to support his entry into the Heavenly Immortal Realm, and the Dao Foundation can still slowly improve through continual cultivation.”
Li Dazhi asked, “Master, what grade is my Dao Foundation?”
Eleven-and-a-half grades.”
Daoist Kongming shook his head:
“You are of supreme talent, almost perfect in your Dao Foundation before becoming immortal.
“How can Ping’an compare with you?
With his natural talent, to have formed such a Dao Foundation is already one in ten thousand.”
“If you truly formed a perfect Dao Foundation, in ancient times it would have attracted divine punishment and condemnation.
Eleven-and-a-half grades is already the limit for a Human Race Qi Cultivator.”
Li Ping’an sighed softly and said with a smile, “You have taken a lot of trouble, Great-Grandmaster.”
You child!” Daoist Kongming frowned and said, “Why so informal, don’t call me Great-Grandmaster, you should call me…”
The old man glanced at Qing Su nearby and finally said:
“Stop with the nonsense.”
Qing Su looked somewhat puzzled.
Li Dazhi sighed and said, “What exactly is the problem?
If it gets out that Ping’an hasn’t progressed in his Dao Realm for two years, our Wanyun Sect’s reputation for the Enlightenment Stone will be ruined.”
“That would be for the best, Father!”
Li Ping’an’s eyes were filled with resentment.
He certainly hadn’t forgotten the gimmicks his father had come up with using his name over the past two years!
Two years ago, every magic artifact shop of Wanyun Sect hung his picture and advertised with the slogan “Wanyun Enlightenment Stone, magic artifacts blessed for an extra boost,” causing a surge in sales of Wanyun Sect’s quality magic artifacts.
Last year, when the high-end magic artifact shop of Wanyun Sect opened, with Senior Xu Sheng backing the store, they again used his endorsement to promote their products, launching the “Master Forger, Wanyun Sect Enlightenment Stone Special Edition.”
In one year, customers who spent over ten thousand Spirit Stones in the store could receive a Wanyun Sect Enlightenment Stone talisman for protection.