Watching the Mountain

Xu Ran was stunned by Master Xuan Zhen’s actions. It took him a good while to react, and he hurriedly stepped forward to help the man up.

"Master Xuan Zhen, what are you doing? Please, get up. I can’t possibly accept this bow from you."

Master Xuan Zhen remained unmoved, his attitude resolute. "My previous reaction was too extreme. I hope Elder Xu can forgive me, but I am serious. I want to take you as my master and ask that you teach me the Vermilion Bird Array."

"Perhaps this is a bit sudden. That day, when I saw the Vermilion Bird above the clouds, I thought to myself that if I could learn such an array in this lifetime, I would be willing to die the very next moment."

"As an Array Master, to not be able to witness such an array firsthand would be a regret I would carry for the rest of my life."

Xu Ran stared blankly at Master Xuan Zhen.

There is a saying: "If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die content in the evening." He had always thought it was merely an expression of one’s attitude, describing the firmness of a person’s heart in seeking the Dao. He never believed such people truly existed in the world.

It wasn’t until this very moment, seeing Master Xuan Zhen, that he understood. There truly were people in this world who pursued only truth and the Great Dao, with no regard for their own lives.

He could clearly feel the resolve in Master Xuan Zhen’s heart. If he were to tell him he would teach him the Vermilion Bird Array Map, but that he would have to die after learning it, Xuan Zhen would not hesitate for a second. And after learning it, he would most certainly die.

He fell silent for a moment before saying to Master Xuan Zhen, "To be honest, my apprentice Xiyue did indeed pass the Vermilion Bird Array on to me, and I know how to set it up. If you truly wish to learn it, Master Xuan Zhen, I can teach you. But let’s forget about this matter of taking me as your master."

"You are a Core Formation Master, while I am just a humble Foundation Establishment Cultivator. How could I possibly be your master?"

Hearing this, Master Xuan Zhen shook his head. "To an Array Master, the Vermilion Bird Array is the coveted Great Dao itself. Compared to the Great Dao, what do so-called status, strength, or Cultivation Realm even matter?"

"Among Cultivators, the one who has achieved mastery comes first. If you can teach me the Vermilion Bird Array, it wouldn’t matter if you were only at the Foundation Establishment Stage—even if you were a mortal with no Cultivation at all, I would still have to call you Master. This is as it should be. Only then can I learn the Vermilion Bird Array with a clear conscience. I hope Master will grant my wish."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Xu Ran thought for a moment and said, "How about this, then? The Vermilion Bird Array was created by my apprentice, Xiyue. If you really want to learn it through the proper channels, why don’t I accept you as a disciple on her behalf?"

When Master Xuan Zhen heard this, he nodded in agreement without the slightest hesitation. With a solemn expression, he bowed to Xu Ran.

"To be able to take Master Vermilion Bird as my master is something countless Array Masters in this world can only dream of. Thank you, Grandmaster, for making this possible."

"Grandmaster?" Xu Ran was taken aback for a second, then hurriedly explained, "No, no, no, you’ve misunderstood. I mean, you’ll be my apprentice Xiyue’s disciple. As for us, our relationship remains as it was."

Master Xuan Zhen looked at him with a strange expression and asked, "Could it be that Grandmaster dislikes me?"

"Er." Hearing this, Xu Ran knew he would never be able to convince Master Xuan Zhen. ’A person this stubborn simply doesn’t know the meaning of compromise.’

Xu Ran held a simple master-taking ceremony for him. Master Xuan Zhen went through the entire process with great seriousness, finally offering him a cup of tea with the utmost respect and calling out, "Grandmaster."

After drinking the tea offered to him, Xu Ran copied an Array Map of the Huaque Array and handed it over. It was just a simple Array Map, with no other functions.

After taking the Array Map, Master Xuan Zhen looked at the name on the Jade Scroll and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. "The Huaque Array? A good name. Using a human body to transform into the mythical Vermilion Bird... it points more directly to the heart of the matter than simply calling it the Vermilion Bird Array."

Xu Ran nodded slightly, then instructed, "I’ve given you the Array Map. Go back and study it carefully on your own."

He hesitated for a moment, then added, "I don’t understand it myself, but if you really run into a problem you can’t figure out, you can come and ask me."

Hearing this, Master Xuan Zhen looked at him silently for a few moments. He hesitated for a good while but ultimately suppressed the words he wanted to say.

’I’m his grand-disciple now. Cursing my Grandmaster would be an act of great rebellion. I’d better not. Perhaps hiding his skill is his own Great Dao. It’s not dishonesty, just humility.’

He quickly convinced himself, bowed once more to Xu Ran, and then departed in silence.

After Master Xuan Zhen left, Xu Ran went to the Phoenix Egg in the secret chamber and softly recounted what had happened with him.

After he finished his story, the Phoenix Egg vibrated slightly, emitting a halo of light.

Sensing Little Xiyue’s emotions, Xu Ran waved his hand and said:

"Hey, what’s wrong with it? My apprentice Xiyue is now a world-renowned Array Master. What’s wrong with taking a disciple?"

"If heaven had not produced my Xiyue, the Array Dao would be trapped in an eternal night. What’s so wrong with taking Master Xuan Zhen as a disciple?"

"I, your master, have already made this decision for you. You just focus on recovering."

’Xu Ran’s heart swelled with pride. His own apprentice was the best in the world! As the generational Array Master, Master Vermilion Bird, wasn’t it only natural for her to take a disciple?’

A halo of light spread out, and he sensed an emotion of shyness.

*

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*

To the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm, the Profound Pure Sect was a peculiar sect, producing one peerless prodigy after another who shocked the entire Cultivation Realm.

Now, Ye Shan had already departed with that one sword strike, leaving the Evergreen Sword Saint—the one closest to him in power—to remain active in the public eye.

However, cultivators would not forget that besides the Evergreen Sword Saint, who was closest to Ye Shan, the Profound Pure Sect also had the contemporary Chief Disciple, Yue Qingyu—one who was Ye Shan’s equal, and who had even faintly surpassed him for a long time.

Now, she had not appeared for a very long time.

The longer she remained in seclusion, the more uneasy the major sects of the Cultivation Realm became.

Ye Shan had remained in seclusion for a century before unleashing that brilliant sword strike, pioneering a new path for the Sword Dao.

So, if Yue Qingyu, who was on par with Ye Shan, was also allowed to remain in seclusion, who knew what she would do next?

Even if she couldn’t leap several major Realms like Ye Shan did, it was still highly possible for her to reach the Divinity Transformation Stage or even Above Divinity Transformation in the blink of an eye.

And given the effortless-looking strength Yue Qingyu had displayed back in the Golden Core Stage, it was entirely possible she would become invincible upon reaching the Divinity Transformation Stage.

Although, by common logic, it was impossible to skip the Nascent Soul Stage and go directly to the Divinity Transformation Stage, with Ye Shan’s precedent, the Cultivation Realm couldn’t rest easy until they had a clear understanding of Yue Qingyu’s situation.

After Ye Shan’s previous sword strike, the Cultivation Realm had already established a rule: all disputes were to be settled in the New Domain. That place was like a Gu-rearing pit, specifically used to cultivate the strong.

On the mainland of the Cultivation Realm, disputes were to be avoided as much as possible.

Besides, the momentum from Ye Shan’s feat had not yet faded, and the Profound Pure Sect was still seen as the savior of the Cultivation Realm. At least on the surface, it wasn’t wise to target them.

Therefore, if they wanted to gauge Yue Qingyu’s situation without directly acting against the sect, "exchanging pointers on the Dao" became the best excuse.

Even the disciples of the Profound Pure Sect themselves never expected that one day, so many young prodigies would come to their sect to exchange pointers on the Dao.

Practically all of the top Major Sects from the Eastern Domain had arrived, making everyone feel as if they were in a daze, like it was all a dream.