Watching the Mountain

The Spirit Stream Peak Master was against Xu Ran joining Qing Xuan Peak.

He argued that it would be a dereliction of his duty if a Spirit Plant Master as accomplished as Xu Ran didn’t stay at Spirit Stream Peak, a peak specializing in Spiritual Plants and Alchemy.

He did everything he could to convince Xu Ran to stay at Spirit Stream Peak.

Even when Xu Ran explained that he had switched to studying Arrays and given up his research as a Spirit Plant Master, the Peak Master insisted it didn’t matter. He said that Xu Ran’s past achievements were a summit that most Spirit Plant Masters could only hope to look up to in their entire lifetimes.

He also promised that if Xu Ran was worried about his safety, he would swear on his Dao Heart that no one would be able to harm him as long as the Peak Master himself was still standing.

Xu Ran was stunned by his attitude, completely unable to understand how he could say such a thing.

The Spirit Stream Peak Master explained that when he was a child, he had been saved by a Spirit Plant Master during his most desperate hour. As a Spirit Plant Master himself, he believed that theirs was the one profession among the Cultivation of Hundred Arts that ought to transcend all boundaries—race, territory, and faction—and be treated with kindness by all living beings.

This was why he treated all the Spirit Plant Masters of Spirit Stream Peak with such respect.

Xu Ran was deeply moved and grateful for the Spirit Stream Peak Master’s attempt to keep him, but his own master was on Qing Xuan Peak, and he would rather be by his side.

Upon hearing Xu Ran say this, the Spirit Stream Peak Master fell silent for a long time. With a deep sigh, he stopped insisting.

He then took out a very peculiar sculpture, placed it in Xu Ran’s hands, and told him it was a life-saving item to be used if he ever faced mortal danger.

He specifically stressed that if Xu Ran were to encounter members of the Evil Demon Race and Phoenix Race, he must take it out, as it would save his life.

He explained that he had specifically developed it to counter the Evil Demon Race and Phoenix Race. Xu Ran didn’t think much of it, guessing that the Peak Master had grown to hate them after what happened with his disciple.

After hesitating for a moment, Xu Ran accepted the Peak Master’s kind gesture.

’The Peak Master is a genuinely kind and decent man. If I refuse, he’ll probably feel guilty and uneasy.’

Just as he’d expected, upon seeing him accept the gift, the Peak Master revealed a smile of relief.

Finally, the two bid each other to take care and reluctantly parted ways.

*

*

*

Although Qing Xuan Peak’s Scripture Pavilion was newly established, its collection of Cultivation Techniques was no smaller than Spirit Stream Peak’s.

Whenever a new main peak was established, the other peaks in the Sect would offer their support, imprinting copies of their non-exclusive Cultivation Technique books for Qing Xuan Peak.

Xu Ran was thrilled about this, as it contained many Cultivation Techniques and Daoist Techniques he had never seen at Spirit Stream Peak.

He was especially interested in the more basic Cultivation Techniques and Daoist Techniques that weren’t particularly profound. Although the Scripture Pavilion had advanced techniques, he wasn’t enthusiastic about them; instead, he was very keen on the simple, foundational ones.

Because they were simple, they were easier to get started with. The more profound Cultivation Techniques weren’t suitable for him at the moment. It was fine to get a general idea of them, but as for actually learning them, he’d better pass.

Because of his previous experience in the Spirit Stream Peak Scripture Pavilion, this time he resolved not to interact with any disciples inside.

He would only be responsible for organizing the collection of books and hiding in a corner to watch for any disciples disturbing the peace. As for registration, he left that to others.

However, while things were quiet in the Scripture Pavilion, his home was anything but.

Because the Little Witch, Ye Qingxue, had found him again.

Ye Qingxue looked somewhat weary, but even so, the fatigue only added a different kind of charm to her bewitching appearance.

Simply put, a tired beauty is still a beauty.

With her was a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy, who was none other than Ye Shu.

After five years, Ye Shu had grown even more handsome, with bright, dark eyes. But for some reason—and Xu Ran wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination—he felt the boy looked a bit dazed.

"What brings you here, Elder?" Xu Ran asked, curious.

Ye Qingxue’s face twisted in frustration as she asked him:

"I heard your aptitude is terrible. Let me ask you, how did you study back then? How did you cultivate? I don’t have any experience with how you more... mediocre people cultivate."

Xu Ran’s face stiffened. ’Are Ye Shan and the Little Witch ever going to let this go?’

"Is Ye Shu’s aptitude that bad?"

Ye Qingxue pressed a hand to her forehead, her expression complex. "It’s not that it’s bad. His Root Bone is acceptable, and his Comprehension test was fine, but... look at him." She sighed.

She let out another helpless sigh. "In any case, he’s just exceptionally slow at learning."

As she spoke, Ye Shu, who stood beside her, lowered his head slightly, his face flushing red as he looked at her. "Mother, I need to use the privy."

Ye Qingxue’s expression froze. She waved a dismissive hand. "Go."

Watching Ye Shu’s retreating figure, Xu Ran nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. He’s not very bright. In that case, I’m sorry, but Elder Qingxue, you may not be aware—while my Comprehension is terrible, I am actually quite clever."

Meeting Ye Qingxue’s astonished gaze, he stated calmly:

"This isn’t nonsense. You can ask Senior Sister Yue to verify it. She was the one who said I was unsuited for cultivation because I was too clever."

Xu Ran puffed out his chest. At last, he could say something so confidently in front of Ye Shan and Ye Qingxue.

"Besides, Elder, based on my usual words and actions, do I strike you as an unintelligent person?"

At his words, Ye Qingxue nodded thoughtfully, then sighed in resignation. "Then is there no other way?"

"That is something only you can figure out, Elder. He is your child, after all. Aren’t you the one who understands him best?"

Ye Qingxue fell silent for a long while at his words, then quietly left with Ye Shu.

*

*

*

Xu Ran watched her weary figure retreat. ’It seems dealing with Ye Shu has really worn her out lately.’

’I wonder how Ye Shan ever found Ye Shu.’

But the peaceful days didn’t last long before another piece of news suddenly spread through the Sect.

The Evergreen Sword Saint, Zhang Zhentian, had returned. However, unlike his previous triumphant return, this time he came back as a failure, sent back by the pioneering expedition.

It was said that during his years pioneering the New Domain, he had fought many battles, all of which ultimately ended in defeat.

In the most recent engagement, his actions had led to disastrous losses for the Sect’s pioneering team.

Due to his special status, the Sect had deliberately concealed the news about him.

But this time, the losses were too heavy to be concealed any longer, and so he had been recalled.

When the disciples of the Profound Pure Sect first heard this news, they could scarcely believe what they were hearing.

The invincible Evergreen Sword Saint had actually been defeated, and not just once?

It was only when they saw his forlorn figure that they reluctantly accepted the truth.

When Xu Ran saw Zhang Zhentian, the latter cracked a wry, helpless smile.

"Senior Brother, I’m sorry. I failed."