Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 236 - 188: The Threat of the Ghost Taoist!_2

Chapter 236: Chapter 188: The Threat of the Ghost Taoist!_2

The Ghost Taoist, seeing Li Ping’an’s indecision and mistaking it for fear, sought to reassure him:

"Dragon Mountain has not sent anyone to the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master for forty years, and I was merely passing by today. When I walked past the gate of Moyun Temple, I heard the greeting Taoist boys mock the disciples of Dragon Mountain. When I inquired, I learned that Dragon Mountain had indeed sent a delegate this year. I was worried that you would be bullied, so I showed up to bolster your confidence. You don’t have to be afraid of me! We’re on the same side!"

"Heh,"

Li Ping’an gave an embarrassed chuckle upon hearing the explanation—never had he imagined that by pretending to be a disciple of Dragon Mountain to gain entry in search of Zixia, he would inadvertently draw out this Demon Daoist. Utterly embarrassed, Li Ping’an stuttered in response:

"My name is Li Ping’an... my master has already passed away... "

"Li Ping’an?"

The Ghost Taoist cocked his head and pondered for a while before exclaiming in surprise:

"Although I’ve been away from Dragon Mountain for some time, I still know a bit about the current state of affairs there and have never heard of a disciple named Li Ping’an. Does that mean you are a new disciple of Dragon Mountain?"

Seeing that the Ghost Taoist had not become suspicious, Li Ping’an immediately continued along this line:

"That’s right, that’s right."

"Good! Good! Good!"

After casting an approving glance at Li Ping’an, the Ghost Taoist’s demeanor suddenly shifted as he became intimidating and threatened Li Ping’an:

"Since you are a disciple of Dragon Mountain and representing it at the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master, if you bring shame to Dragon Mountain, I will kill you!"

"What?"

Li Ping’an was internally groaning. He had initially planned to intentionally lose when it was his turn to compete to avoid the hassle of fighting, but now the Ghost Taoist was pressuring him to place in the top four—how troublesome.

"What position do you expect me to get then?"

Li Ping’an said helplessly, rolling his eyes:

"You also know that Dragon Mountain isn’t strong, so don’t you go expecting me to win first place!"

"I’ve got that figured out!"

The Ghost Taoist calculated with his fingers and then continued to threaten:

"Top eight, it must be from the top eight of Groups A, B, C, and D. Otherwise, I will definitely kill you, so whether it’s today or tomorrow, you have to give it your all!"

"Hey! My temper..."

Li Ping’an thought to himself that he was already a Terrestrial Immortal, and this nobody dared to threaten him; the audacity was simply shameless.

He wanted to rage, but the cautious side of him immediately manifested Divine Power: Insight into the Hidden to check the Ghost Taoist’s cultivation. Just like when he previously failed to discern the cultivation of the Six Demons of Five Fingers Mountain, National Teacher Pudu Cihang, Yan Chixia, Li Wubai, and Supreme Tathagata Dragon Tree Monk, he couldn’t see the Ghost Taoist’s level of cultivation either.

That meant only one thing: the Ghost Taoist’s cultivation was above his own.

Startled by the significant difference in strength, Li Ping’an could only grudgingly agree:

"Fine, fine, the top eight it is; no problem!"

Seeing Li Ping’an’s ready agreement, the Ghost Taoist’s face lit up with pleasure as he nodded in approval:

"That’s the spirit a cultivator from Dragon Mountain should have. Of course, if you can’t beat them, heh, I’ll help you from the shadows!"

"No way! I don’t want to make enemies left and right by drawing attention to myself!"

Having killed Pei Yuanjing and incurred the wrath of Flame Cloud Sect—though they were still unaware of it—Li Ping’an certainly didn’t want to be targeted by them that day. Out of agitation, he inadvertently voiced his inner thoughts.

The Ghost Taoist replied with displeasure:

"Hm? What did you just say?"

Li Ping’an quickly clarified:

"Don’t rush, what I meant was, didn’t you just agree not to interfere with the competition? And with so many eyes watching, how are you going to help me?"

The Ghost Taoist boasted:

"Heh, that’s none of your concern."

"Damn it, this scoundrel is pushing me into making enemies with all the Taoist sects under the heavens! If someone finds out I cheated, how will I ever be able to rely on Zixia to join Qingyun Sect later on?"

Li Ping’an glared at the Ghost Taoist, but given the disparity in their strengths, he could only silently endure and figure out a way to beat his opponents with his own abilities, and make sure the Ghost Taoist didn’t intervene!

In the following competitions, both Zixia and Wang Tianran entered the arena and won their matches with ease, while Li Ping’an watched with apparent disinterest.

By evening, the top eight of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master’s four groups—A, B, C, and D—had emerged. Individuals from respectable but not overly prominent sects such as Kunlun Sect’s Kunlun Three Sages He Zudao, Mount Shu’s Dan Chenzi, Hehuan Sect, and Yanyue Sect had all advanced to the next round.

However, to everyone’s surprise, a disciple from a minor sect, Zhengyi Temple, which was considered inconsequential, managed to break into the top eight of Group B.

This was the first time in the last forty years that a disciple from such a small sect had made it to the second round of competition, but no one really took much notice of him.

As the sun was setting and the sky began to darken, the Observatory Master of Moyun Temple, Immortal Fei He, announced to all the cultivators present:

"Today’s competitions for the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master are now concluded. The second round will commence early tomorrow. Those who have advanced, please return and rest well to prepare yourselves for tomorrow’s decisive battles!"

"Good!"

The cultivators nodded in agreement.

Observatory Master Immortal Fei He then added:

"Although many sects didn’t make it to the next round today, the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master is full of excitement. It remains to be seen who will rise to fame in battle. Therefore, I invite those sects not advancing to join us in spectating the matches!"

After the cultivators gave their assent, they began to disperse, preparing to return to their respective temples to rest.

"Kid, I didn’t expect you to be so lucky, advancing directly into the top eight of Group D, not bad at all!"

The Ghost Taoist nodded in approval at Li Ping’an:

"Remember, luck is also a part of strength. I’ll come to watch your matches tomorrow! Don’t forget our agreement!"

After saying this, the Ghost Taoist transformed into a dark shadow and disappeared within Moyun Temple.

Taking the opportunity, Li Ping’an made a secret sign to Zixia, signaling her to follow him quickly, and then he merged into the crowd and left Moyun Temple.

"Senior brother, you go back first, I’ll come later..."

"Junior sister, what the heck are you going to do?"

Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect asked, clearly annoyed.

But Zixia didn’t respond, just hurriedly finished speaking and briskly made her way through the crowd to follow Li Ping’an.

After the Night Traveler, Muqiang Baoshan, bid farewell to the leaders of The Four Great Noble Paths and the senior brothers, he immediately commanded the Night Travelers behind him:

"Keep a close watch on Li Ping’an! He must not leave Chang’an City until the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master has concluded!"

"Yes!"

The Night Traveler quietly followed suit.

...

"Hey, hey, hey! Wait up for me!"

At the entrance to Moyun Temple, Wang Tianran had somehow made his way behind Li Ping’an and grabbed hold of him.

"You fatso, what do you want?"

Li Ping’an asked impatiently.

"My good brother, we’re fated to be friends. I intended to get to know you and become close friends. Last night, that rash monk got in the way. How about I treat you to some drinks tonight, eh?"

Wang Tianran said hopefully, and as Li Ping’an turned to glance at Zixia, who was quickly approaching, he pushed the fat Wang Tianran away and pretended:

"Hey, hey, hey, fatso, I’m not the Li Ping’an you’re talking about!"

Wang Tianran pointed at Li Ping’an’s mask and chuckled mischievously:

"Don’t play the ghost with me, you think just because you’re wearing a mask I don’t know you’re the Li Ping’an I met last night at the True Buddha Temple!"

"Damn!"

Li Ping’an exclaimed in surprise:

"You fatso, I’m wearing a mask. How do you know I’m Li Ping’an?"

Wang Tianran elbowed Li Ping’an slyly and said:

"In today’s world, aside from you and that rash monk, who else dares call me fatso? Come on, stop pretending. Tonight, let’s just stay at the Music Bureau. I know that the Red Garment Workshop recently got a few Western Region beauties, top-notch in both figure and appearance. I’ll treat you, and we can enjoy their company all night long!"