Watching the Mountain

Things went exactly as Xu Ran had predicted; neither Zhao Wuyang nor Liu Yunge made a move against him.

Zhao Wuyang was cautious. He worried that attacking would bring disaster, especially since they were on someone else’s territory. Making a rash move was not in his nature.

He then persuaded Liu Yunge to stand down as well, telling her he had a gut feeling that if they dared to attack, they would likely die before they could even harm Xu Ran.

Hearing this, Xu Ran grew thoughtful. ’It seems Teacher Qing Xuan must be observing from the shadows.’ He trusted the intuition of someone as cautious as Zhao Wuyang.

"So what do we do now? We can’t just let him tell everyone about us, can we?" Liu Yunge asked Zhao Wuyang, gesturing toward Xu Ran.

Zhao Wuyang frowned, staring at Xu Ran with a troubled expression.

"I can swear a Dao Vow. I’ll never reveal a thing about you two," Xu Ran hurriedly said, raising a hand in an oath.

"As the saying goes, it’s better to tear down ten temples than to ruin a good match. I only have sincere blessings for you two. I would never try to sabotage your relationship."

At Xu Ran’s words, the expressions on both their faces softened.

Perhaps it was because they had been hiding for so long, always so careful, terrified of being discovered by the elders of their respective sects. To now hear someone offer them a blessing was like a beam of light in the darkness, allowing them to see a sliver of hope for their future.

"I suppose that’s our only option. After all, we can’t actually kill you," Liu Yunge sighed.

They only relaxed slightly after Xu Ran swore the Dao Vow in front of them.

Zhao Wuyang wasn’t entirely reassured by the Dao Vow, but when he recalled that premonition of death, he decided against pushing Xu Ran too hard and let the matter drop.

Liu Yunge, however, was now staring at Xu Ran with bright, expectant eyes.

"You just said you’d give us your blessing... Do you really think we’re a good match? Considering our backgrounds..."

Xu Ran saw her cautious expression and felt that in this moment, she had completely lost the aura of the Righteous Dao’s current leader. Instead, she seemed like an ordinary woman, carefully guarding her relationship and hoping for another’s blessing and approval.

He didn’t answer her directly. Instead, he said with utmost sincerity, "When it comes to matters of the heart, there’s no such thing as ’suitable’ or ’unsuitable.’ There’s nothing wrong with wanting to pursue your own happiness, is there?"

He had once answered Yue Qingyu and Xiaoque’Er with, ’There’s nothing wrong with having a heart that seeks the Dao.’

Now, he used similar words to answer Zhao Wuyang and Liu Yunge.

The two of them stared blankly at Xu Ran. It seemed their misunderstood love had finally found validation.

*

*

*

When Xu Ran activated one array after another to invite Zhao Wuyang and Liu Yunge into his Cave Mansion,

Zhao Wuyang shivered, suddenly certain that his earlier decision had been the right one. He looked at Xu Ran in terror, then raised his hand in a formal gesture of apology, his expression one of immense relief. "I was offensive just now. I hope Elder will forgive my transgression."

Xu Ran and Liu Yunge both stared at him in confusion.

Zhao Wuyang explained to Liu Yunge, who was beside him, "Think about it. Could an ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator set up so many High-Level Arrays around their Cave Mansion? It’s a good thing that Elder didn’t stoop to our level. He even gave us his sincere blessing and was willing to swear a Dao Vow. He is truly a great and virtuous master!"

Liu Yunge was surprised. "But aren’t the defenses around your Cave Mansion even more formidable?"

"How can that be the same? I’m from a Demonic Dao Sect! Without those defenses, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night."

Xu Ran looked at the frightened Zhao Wuyang, feeling a little helpless. ’Cautious people really do overthink every little thing.’

After hearing Zhao Wuyang’s explanation, however, Liu Yunge stared at Xu Ran with a thoughtful expression. She cupped her hands in a salute and said meaningfully,

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. Our Creation Sect has a long and storied history. Like you, we are people who hold justice in our hearts. It’s no wonder our paths were fated to cross."

Xu Ran was slightly taken aback. ’She specifically mentioned a "long and storied history" and "holding justice in our hearts." She must be guessing at my identity. A sect protected by so many arrays... The only one that would come to her mind is probably Shennong.’

He understood her unspoken message: she wouldn’t expose his identity.

However, he waved his hand dismissively and said to Zhao Wuyang, "Elder Zhao, you’re overthinking things. The reason I have so many High-Level Arrays here is because my disciple is Ning Xiyue."

The moment he finished speaking, both of them stared at him in utter shock.

’The master of Ning Xiyue, the Array Master who became the Vermilion Bird?’

Zhao Wuyang shivered. ’Isn’t that even more terrifying?’

Xu Ran was rendered speechless by his reaction. ’He’s the top disciple of his generation in the Demon Sect, for crying out loud. How is he more timid than I am?’

He hurriedly explained to them, "But don’t misunderstand. My Cultivation is indeed at the Foundation Establishment Stage. As for my disciple Xiyue, while we are master and disciple, she’s more like an adopted daughter to me. I haven’t taught her any particular skills."

He smiled and said to them, "I’m sure you two must have heard a few things about my disciple Xiyue, haven’t you?"

Hearing his explanation, it finally dawned on them. They recalled that Master Vermilion Bird was indeed less than a century old, so it all added up. Besides, this was information that could be easily verified; he had no reason to lie to them.

However, they didn’t look down on Xu Ran in the slightest. On the contrary, they became even more respectful.

After all, he was the master and adoptive father of the legendary Array Master, Master Vermilion Bird. That status alone commanded the respect of all.

At the same time, they were even more relieved they hadn’t attacked him. The consequences would have been unimaginable. The Profound Pure Sect wouldn’t have even needed to get involved; the world’s Array Masters alone would have been enough to tear them to shreds.

Now that Xu Ran had discovered their relationship, they cast aside their inhibitions and began acting all lovey-dovey right in front of him.

It was more that they had been suppressing their feelings for far too long. The rare chance to openly express their affection in front of someone else made them savor the moment.

Liu Yunge even went so far as to tell Xu Ran the story of how they met.

It was an incredibly sweet story that unfolded on the Evil Demon Battlefield: from enemies, to an accidental encounter, to a misunderstanding, and finally, to becoming inseparable.

It was like a fairy tale—exceptionally pure and beautiful.

"From now on... could we come to your Cave Mansion every day, Fellow Daoist?"

"We’re not interested in Fellow Daoist Yue’s business. We only came here to see each other. In return for your kindness, we’ll find a way to resolve this current situation for you."

They acted as shy and awkward as a young couple in the throes of first love, afraid of being discovered by their parents, able only to secretly think of one another and dream about their future together.

Even Xu Ran never expected to witness such a pure romance in the Cultivation Realm. And this beautiful love story was blossoming between the current leaders of the Righteous and Demon Dao, two paths that were sworn enemies.

It was truly a wondrous thing.