That Threshold is Toxic, Better Tear It Down
In the Celestial Emperor's eyes, the world now revolved around Chen Ping'an, emanating boundless dao principles and rhymes.
Listening closely, one could even hear the music of the Dao echoing!
He stared dumbly at Chen Ping'an, finally understanding why he was in such a state.
It turned out he had offended such a lofty being!
Before Chen Ping'an could see Long Aotian out, he exited the courtyard only to see the Celestial Emperor kneeling at the threshold, leaving him dumbfounded again.
Glaring at that threshold, he cursed inwardly.
Damn you, tripping up another one. I'll tear you down when I get the chance!
Chen Ping'an quickly went over and extended a hand to help the Celestial Emperor up, wearing an apologetic smile.
"My friend, I'm so sorry about this. I'll have to replace that threshold someday. Are you hurt?"
As Chen Ping'an supported him, the Celestial Emperor found the overwhelming pressure on him suddenly dissipating.
Leaving him marveling once more.
He quickly looked at Chen Ping'an respectfully and cupped his hands. "Su Yi greets the senior!"
Seeing Su Yi's greeting, Chen Ping'an froze again.
Another senior?!
You're also a cultivator?
Chen Ping'an didn't know how to respond for a moment.
He truly didn't understand this "senior" address.
More baffling was how so many cultivators kept tripping over his broken threshold!
Don't cultivators watch their steps?
Chen Ping'an smiled wryly. "Senior Su, I don't know who you are? Or perhaps you know Mu Rong Gong?"
Ever since meeting the Mu Rong sisters, Chen Ping'an found cultivators frequently visiting his courtyard.
Next time he saw them, he thought he should ask them not to bring too many people.
He much preferred a peaceful life.
More importantly, he couldn't cultivate himself...If he could, he'd welcome cultivators to his courtyard every day!
At that moment, Su Yi dared not look Chen Ping'an in the eye, missing his wry expression.
Yet he still responded respectfully: "Allow me to clarify, senior. I come from the upper realms, searching for my daughter. As for this Mu Rong Gong you mentioned, I've never heard of them."
Hearing "search for my daughter," Chen Ping'an's heart skipped a beat.
No way!
And hearing that Su Yi didn't know Mu Rong Gong, his face fell further.
This confirmed the man really was searching for someone!
Finally, Chen Ping'an scrutinized Su Yi with a last shred of hope.
Taking a closer look, his spirits sank.
The nose and mouth were too similar!
This was quite likely Su Ling's father...
Chen Ping'an felt uneasy.
Never expecting Su Ling's family to find her so quickly.
As for the "Upper Realm" city, he had heard of it - a major metropolis not far from the royal capital.
Chen Ping'an sighed, knowing reluctance was futile.
With her father coming for her, he had to return Su Ling.
Otherwise, he'd be a kidnapper.
Chen Ping'an turned and headed inside, saying, "Su Ling is in the house, please come in."
Huh?!
Hearing this, Su Yi suddenly startled.
My...my daughter Su Ling is...inside?!
Su Yi's eyes widened as he hurried in after Chen Ping'an.
His heart raced, hands trembling with excitement.
So she's really here!
She's really here!
His daughter must be the one this senior immortal healed!
Su Yi gazed at Chen Ping'an, overwhelmed.
In that moment, Chen Ping'an's silhouette seemed all the more towering and magnificent.
Chen Ping'an brought Su Yi inside and asked him to sit.
Though itching to see his daughter, under Chen Ping'an's word, Su Yi could only sit upright, brimming with trepidation.
For he sensed many presences in this room that struck fear into him with a mere glance.
Especially that teapot on the table!
He had never encountered such an existence!
A magical artifact?
Impossible!
Upon entering this courtyard, he did recognize one artifact.
The Golden Feather Artifact ranked quite highly in the Divine Realm.
Yet compared to the many formidable, mysterious presences here, it was like a mere puddle before a vast ocean.
The disparity spanned tens of thousands of miles.
He suspected these awe-inspiring presences could only exist in that realm.
The Divine Realm!
As a Celestial Emperor, he had some knowledge of the Divine Realm.
Yet even there, divine implements were exceedingly rare!
But in this courtyard's every corner dwelled such enigmatic existences!
Just what unfathomable heights must one reach to collect so many overwhelmingly powerful treasures?
He couldn't fathom the answer.
What perplexed him most was:
What could drive such a lofty immortal senior to reside in the mortal realm?!
Cultivation of the mind?
Impossible!
The Celestial Emperor's secret teachings recorded that those who embodied the Dao had thoroughly understood its essence, without any bottlenecks to overcome.
Once their accumulations were complete, they would directly break through.
If not mental cultivation, then what else could it be?
"Could it be...a game of cosmic stakes involving countless living beings?!"
The secret teachings mentioned how in the Divine Realm, some invincible paragons had lost all desire for further cultivation.
Their sole pleasure was not debauchery, but control!
He suspected this senior immortal was engaged in a contest of wits against another peerless Divine Realm expert!
Using the myriad realms as a chessboard, with mortals as pieces in an unprecedented, momentous game!
The thought made him gasp in shock.
"Then I...am merely this senior's chess piece?!"
He couldn't help a wry smile.
But soon shook his head.
"I'm thinking wrong. To be considered this senior's chess piece means they see value in me! That I play a decisive role!"
With this realization, it all became clear to him.
He even felt a tinge of elation.
At that moment, Chen Ping'an emerged.
Behind him came a fidgeting young girl.
Su Ling hid bashfully behind Chen Ping'an, looking wronged.
As if she had been threatened into coming out.
Chen Ping'an also wore a sheepish smile.
Just moments ago, Su Ling had stubbornly claimed she had no father and refused to appear.
Only Chen Ping'an's threat to withhold the watermelon convinced her.
"Little Ling, is this your father?"
Chen Ping'an wasn't entirely sure Su Yi was Su Ling's father.
He didn't want to carelessly hand her over.
Su Ling glanced at Su Yi and shook her head almost instantly. "No, never seen him before, no impression."
Hearing this, Chen Ping'an froze.
Not him?!