Immortal Father
Chapter 1234: 439: Phoenix Clan's Crisis [Update 3! Please vote!] _2

Chapter 1234: Chapter 439: Phoenix Clan’s Crisis [Update 3! Please vote!] _2

“Daoist Houtu hasn’t made preparations yet. What do you think about this, Dad? Should we give it a little push?”

“A push? How?”

Li Dazhi exhaled a puff of smoke:

“This matter must follow its natural course and wait for the right moment. Don’t worry, the Heavenly Dao surely has it all planned out already.”

Li Ping’an was stunned for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Li Dazhi flicked his cigarette butt away with a smile: “I won’t chat idly with you any longer. You enjoy your honeymoon; I still need to get back to work for you.”

“There’s no such thing as a honeymoon for me.”

Images of romantic scenes flitted through Li Ping’an’s mind, tempering his Taoist heart.

His father was right, newlyweds should spend more time together at the Jade Pool.

After all, he would rely on her to manage the affairs within the Heavenly Court in the future. Keeping the Jade Pool satisfied would be crucial to the stability of his Heavenly Emperor’s regime.

Li Ping’an understood that trying to conquer a woman solely by lovemaking was too idealistic.

Power and desire were the only things that could bind the Jade Pool.

He must be careful in this regard. Affection between husband and wife is one thing, but when it comes to power, he must balance and suppress the Jade Pool to prevent his Heavenly Emperor authority from being undermined.

Before long, the Heavenly Emperor rode the clouds to the Jade Pool.

He wasn’t bringing any pomp—there was no need for that yet.

However, just as Li Ping’an and the Jade Pool were drinking and chatting, ready for intimacy, a celestial maiden’s report came from outside the door:

“Your Majesty and Your Highness, General Da Peng urgently seeks an audience.”

The Jade Pool turned into a wisp of divine light, hiding behind the screen, and her descending long skirt instantly returned to its neat state.

Li Ping’an suppressed his temper and gently said: “Come in.”

The celestial maiden answered, and then opened the hall doors, temporarily halting the operation of the barrier and formation.

The Roc Bird rushed into the hall at a quick pace, knelt before Li Ping’an on one knee, and hastily said:

“Your Majesty! My brother has urgently summoned me! I must take a leave to return to the Phoenix Clan’s secret realm!”

Kong Xuan urgently summoned the Roc Bird?

“What’s the matter?” Li Ping’an frowned, asking, “Do you need to go to the secret realm in the Chaos Sea?”

The Roc Bird quickly replied: “I don’t know either, but the peacock feather my brother left me has just spontaneously burned. This was something my brother and I agreed upon, naturally indicating some trouble in the secret realm, requiring my support!”

Calculating swiftly in his mind, Li Ping’an took a treasure bead from his sleeve and handed it to the Roc Bird, directly saying:

“The Chaos Sea is fraught with danger. There have been Innate Gods and Demons attacking Xuan Capital City and the Dragon Ancient Realm before. Keep this on you when you head to the Phoenix Clan’s secret realm. If there’s trouble, crush it immediately.

“I’ll seek aid from the Chan and Jie Sects, bringing Taoist experts to support your Phoenix Clan’s secret realm.

“Remember, don’t act impulsively.”

“Yes!”

The Roc Bird accepted the treasure bead, his eyes full of gratitude.

He bowed deeply, turned around, and hurried away. As soon as he left the Heavenly Court, he accelerated to the utmost speed, heading straight for the outer realms.

Li Ping’an sat in his chair, pondering carefully.

Trouble in the Phoenix Clan’s secret realm?

Who would want to cause trouble for the Phoenix Clan? The Phoenix Clan now only has two purebloods left. Kong Xuan is even claimed to be an undefeated quasi-saint in the Chaos Sea…

“Your Majesty.”

The gentle call of the Jade Pool reached his ears. Li Ping’an looked up, temporarily setting these concerns aside, and focused on a romantic interlude.

The Phoenix Clan’s secret realm was in the Chaos Sea, not far from Xuan Capital City. Even with the Roc Bird’s speed, it would take at least half a day for any news.

Half a day was more than sufficient.

…

After the Roc Bird left, Li Ping’an felt increasingly uneasy.

After the passions had subsided, Li Ping’an quietly left the Heavenly Court, instructing the Jade Pool to claim he was still there as a cover.

He went to Demon Infant Island, requesting Guiling to invite several Jie Sect experts, and sent a message to Uncle Huanglong via a communication jade talisman.

The situation with the Phoenix Clan was still unknown. Li Ping’an couldn’t tell these experts it was ‘just in case.’

Li Ping’an had heard the story of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ since childhood.

He and his master prepared a feast of top-quality ingredients—mostly from Qing Su’s private collection.

Qing Su arranged a copper pot hot pot, while Li Ping’an set up a grill, creating the atmosphere for a small gathering.

With guests yet to arrive, starlight faintly shone in the courtyard.

Little Yao Ji swallowed her saliva while hiding behind the fake mountain in the small courtyard, eagerly watching yet not daring to approach.

Li Ping’an smiled: “Master, why is Yao Ji so afraid of me?”

Qing Su said, “Probably because you once had thoughts of killing her.”

“I was only thinking about alleviating the worries of the Vast Wilderness Heaven and Earth,” Li Ping’an thought for a moment, cleared his throat, and called out in his deep male voice, “Yao Ji, come over here, your brother has a small gift for you.”

Little Yao Ji suddenly burst into tears.

Two celestial maidens flew over, picked up the little Heavenly Court princess dressed in a small celestial skirt with pigtail braids, and soothed her.

No one dared to criticize the Heavenly Emperor for scaring a child.

Li Ping’an grinned awkwardly and didn’t bother with the little one, instead helping out with the barbecue.

After setting the plates, Qing Su tossed over a bottle of hundred flower brew and calmly sat in a rocking chair beside the barbecue, her white dress adding a touch of slenderness to her.

“Shouldn’t Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor be with the Queen Mother now? After all, you’ve just recently married.”

Li Ping’an laughed, “I was just worried Master might feel too lonely being here by yourself.”

“I quite enjoy solitude,” Qing Su’s sapphire-like eyes showed a hint of contentment, “There’s no need to worry about it.”

Li Ping’an dared not speak any foolish words and quickly said:

“Actually, I came to gather reinforcements. I’m not sure what’s happening with the Phoenix Clan, but the Roc Bird was urgently summoned back.”

Qing Su nodded slightly, “Why not directly go and support them then?”

“We are unsure about the situation; what if it’s a trap?”

Li Ping’an laughed:

“The Chaos Sea is unlike our realm. Someone like Zhao Shishu, his Binding Sea Bead would have its power reduced in the Chaos Sea.”

“Unless necessary, we should not easily start a battle in the Chaos Sea, especially with unknown numbers of powerful Innate Gods and Demons hidden within.”

“Alright then,” Qing Su said, “Though Roc Bird once committed evil, he now diligently serves the Heavenly Court, so let’s not discourage him.”

Li Ping’an replied earnestly, “Rest assured, Master, this disciple will not act like the ungrateful Emperor Jun.”

Nearby, Taoist Duobao laughed, “No wonder we’re invited to a feast—I guess the nephew of our sect leader has a bone to pick!”

The cosmos tore open a circular hole, and the figures of Duobao, Zhao Gongming, Qiong Xiao, and Guiling descended simultaneously.

The hole silently dissipated.

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and said with a smile, “If Your Majesty wants us to lend a hand, just say so! The Heavenly Court now stands high above; naturally, we won’t fear being denied our due merit!”

“Hahaha!”

Li Ping’an cupped his hands in greeting:

“Merit is one thing, but the Chaos Sea is treacherous and dangerous, and we don’t know the situation of the Phoenix Clan, so I dare not speak directly.”

“Forgive me, Senior Uncle, forgive me, Senior Master.”

Duobao waved and with a cheerful laugh, sat down directly, “Then let’s hurry and eat and drink because we might have to head out soon!”

Celestial Maiden Qiong Xiao gracefully went to Little Yao Ji, starting to play with the Heavenly Court princess who couldn’t yet speak human language along with Guiling.

Li Ping’an suddenly remembered he hadn’t given this little one a title.

Little Yao Ji being just his sworn sister, naturally requires a decree to be formally titled as a Heavenly Court princess.

The Magic Artifact Table activated a restriction, and soon, the aroma of meat wafted from the copper pot.

Qing Su and Li Ping’an, the master-disciple pair, accompanied, enjoying themselves with the four disciples of the Jie Sect, conversing for an hour before a white cloud slowly descended from the direction of Kunlun Mountain.

Li Ping’an initially thought that the Chan Teaching’s response this time would be from Taiyi and Yu Ding, the two brothers, but those who came today were Immortal Huanglong, Taoist Cihang, and Chi Jingzi.

Was Taiyi on vacation?

That’s good; the probability of direct conflict between the two sects significantly decreases.

Taoist Duobao exclaimed, “Your Majesty really emphasizes balance; in truth, chores like these should be left to us of the Jie Sect, as they are not short of merit.”

Li Ping’an could only pretend to be ignorant with a silly smile.

He truly had no way to respond to those words.

Guilingling hushed, “Senior Brother, lower your voice! Knowing the nephew of the first disciple is in a predicament, why talk such words!”

“I!”

Buzz, buzz!

From within Li Ping’an’s sleeve came vibrations as the Cangyue Bead, which had advanced to a Postnatal Merit Spiritual Treasure, suddenly leaped out, followed by a Precious Mirror.

This Precious Mirror was the third supreme treasure nurtured by the Heavenly Dao within the Golden Cloud, akin to the Xuantian Tower and Lingxiao Hall.

Originally, Li Ping’an thought this Precious Mirror was the famed Demon-Revealing Mirror, but after studying its usage, he realized it was a probing treasure meant to investigate places beyond the Vast Wilderness Heaven and Earth with leftover Heavenly Dao resonance.

The Cangyue Bead whirled, and a blurry scene appeared on the Precious Mirror.

This should be the view from the Roc Bird’s palm, showing dozens of Innate Gods and Demons continuously colliding with a massive Five-Colored Divine Light, within which there were hundreds of human silhouettes.

Dozens of Innate Gods and Demons…

“How do we reinforce this?”

Taoist Duobao frowned while saying, his expression deeply solemn.