Immortal Father
Chapter 1116: 390: Isn't It Reasonable to Call for a Little Help?

Chapter 1116: Chapter 390: Isn’t It Reasonable to Call for a Little Help?

Upon seeing Ran Deng Daoist, Li Ping’an’s Dao heart grew three parts more vigilant.

He couldn’t help it—Ran Deng Daoist’s reputation was something he’d heard of countless times in the mythological tales back home. Here, he was also called the Ancient Buddha Ran Deng. Li Ping’an couldn’t help but be cautious.

In the previous significant events where the Precept Teaching Immortals appeared, Ran Deng Daoist’s presence was never seen;

Yet now, the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Chan Sect had suddenly shown up—what could his intentions be?

Li Ping’an smiled faintly and cupped his hands: “Vice Sect Leader Ran Deng, your courtesy is too great. Truly, I should not refuse your invitation. However, East Continent is in turmoil, its creatures suffering untold misery. As the Heavenly Emperor-to-be, granted the virtue of the Heavenly Dao, I must remain here to aid the living beings.”

Ran Deng Daoist smiled warmly: “Your Majesty diligently handles all affairs personally. This matter, this poor Daoist has long heard of. Seeing it today makes it clear that you are indeed the blessing of the living beings.”

Hmm?

That old Daoist was making flattering remarks—could he have some request?

Li Ping’an smiled and said: “Vice Sect Leader flatters me. If the Vice Sect Leader has something to discuss, why not come to Dong’an City? I will arrange a feast to host you.”

Ran Deng Daoist shook his head slightly and solemnly replied:

“What this poor Daoist must report to Your Majesty relates to the survival of heaven and earth, and the life and death of all living beings.

“Your Majesty, I implore you not to decline.”

Li Ping’an’s expression remained unchanged, yet his Dao heart rippled with suspicion.

Such matters could never be easily trusted.

Li Ping’an decided to test Ran Deng.

He spoke slowly and calmly: “Vice Sect Leader may be exaggerating a bit. What matter could possibly concern the survival of heaven and earth, and the life and death of all beings? The Inner Heavenly Dao has already been entirely suppressed by the Outer Heavenly Dao. The Inner Heavenly Dao Illusionary Realm has been destroyed, and while some Inner Heavenly Dao deities remain, they can no longer achieve significant influence. Are you perhaps referring to the battle of the Western Continent?”

Li Ping’an sighed and continued:

“The battle of the Western Continent brought heavy losses to the Human Race, and the Hundred Tribes’ creatures, coerced by the ancient sinful monsters, were strewn across the land like corpses. However, such conflicts among living beings have ceased. Now the Western Continent is jointly governed by the Heavenly Court and the Human Race.

“The Heavenly Court will provide the Hundred Tribes a place to recuperate. It will cleanse the remnants of the ancient monsters within the Hundred Tribes, allowing them to become creatures anew.

“What hidden hazard could remain here?”

Ran Deng Daoist pondered for a moment, visibly stumped by the young Heavenly Emperor before him.

He spoke in a heavy tone: “Your Majesty, what this poor Daoist speaks of will sound inconceivable. The reason this poor Daoist waited until now to come here is due to two matters.”

Li Ping’an asked curiously: “What two matters?”

“First, Your Majesty has ascended into the Golden Immortal Realm. Though your Dao cultivation is shallow and your powers modest, you can now comprehend what this poor Daoist must report.”

Ran Deng Daoist then continued slowly:

“Second, the broader structure of heaven and earth is now largely established. The West has retreated, calamities lack strength, the Heavenly Court allies with the Dragon Clan while also bringing in the Roc Bird, gaining the Heavenly Fury Guards. Though it may not force all mighty powers to withdraw, it indeed possesses the poise to govern the Three Realms.

“Thus, this matter can be reported to Your Majesty—and must be reported to Your Majesty—for Your Majesty to decide.”

Li Ping’an felt he might have been intimidated slightly by Ran Deng Daoist.

Reflecting thoughtfully for a moment, he smiled and said: “Since Vice Sect Leader has spoken so, if I were to refuse, it would indeed be failing the living beings of heaven and earth.”

Ran Deng Daoist revealed a composed smile.

“In that case,” Li Ping’an replied sternly, “for such a significant matter, I will likely need to consult with several masters of the Three Teachings afterward. How about asking the Vice Sect Leader to wait a bit while I invite three to four trusted and familiar masters to accompany me to your dwelling? How would that be?”

Ran Deng Daoist furrowed his brows tightly, staring at Li Ping’an intently.

He seemed to be hesitating, a trace of struggle evident in his gaze.

After that struggle, Ran Deng Daoist let out a faint sigh. Ultimately, he chose to compromise.

“As Your Majesty wishes.”

At this moment, Ran Deng Daoist didn’t know that within an hour, he would pay a “price” for these eight words.

…

Chaos Sea, Zixiao Palace.

On either side of the chessboard, two old men frowned to themselves.

Taoist Hongjun muttered: “What is that fellow planning?”

“Shouldn’t be under the Coffin Spirit’s orders.”

Taiqing spoke gently:

“Teacher, can you explain why, whenever the Coffin Spirit speaks, you must follow his will?”

Taoist Hongjun shook his head, only saying: “He once assisted me. I owe him several favors, and there are still two favors I haven’t repaid.”

Taiqing nodded without further comment.

Taoist Hongjun dispersed the mist on the chess pieces, his gaze turning pensive.

“Ran Deng, his true form is merely that lamp. By logic, he should be that person’s subordinate.”

“The Stone Coffin is a foreign object, whereas Ran Deng is a domestic spirit.”

Taiqing said:

“This scheme comes from Yuanshi.

“After Ran Deng took shape, though influenced by the Coffin Spirit, he also possesses his own spiritual nature and identifies as a creature of the Primordial World.

“Yuanshi granted him the title of Vice Sect Leader likely due to trust.”

Taoist Hongjun laughed wryly: “Your second brother’s greatest weakness is his poor ability to discern spirits.”

Taiqing glanced at a corner nearby, at the light column ranked second in progress of completion.

At this moment, Taiqing was merely a shadow, for he was trapped within the light column, having completed the process of merging with the Heavenly Dao.

—And the force trapping him wasn’t that of Hongjun but the Hongmeng Purple Qi itself.

Taoist Hongjun asked: “How much do you know about that person?”

“Whatever Teacher knows, I also know.”

“Oh?” Taoist Hongjun frowned, “Do you know when he arrived?”

“If Teacher doesn’t know, I naturally don’t know.”

Taoist Hongjun smiled bitterly: “Between the two of us, who’s the teacher? As expected, that person said it right—every Three Pure Ones in the Vast Wilderness Heaven and Earth inherits different remnants of the Pangu God. You probably gained Pangu God’s memories and insights into the Great Dao.”

“Indeed,” Taiqing affirmed, “That wasn’t something I intended to conceal from Teacher.”

“No harm,” Taoist Hongjun tossed aside the chess piece in his hand, “Playing chess with you is too exhausting. Forget it, let’s stop.”

Taiqing said: “May I request Teacher to open the Cloud Mirror again?”

“What, you still want to watch?”

Taoist Hongjun laughed:

“You just can’t help but worry. You speak of tranquility and non-action, yet you concern yourself with everything.”