Watching the Mountain

Shen Wuchen knew Master Xu had been in low spirits lately. Senior Sister Ning’s sudden departure was bound to have made him miserable.

He felt that as Master Xu’s only prospective disciple, he had a responsibility to help his master pull through this difficult time.

The only problem was, he wasn’t exactly sure how to do it. He had no experience with this sort of thing.

’But that’s alright. No matter what, I should go over first and see how Master Xu is doing. I can figure out a plan from there.’

’The most important thing is to make sure Master Xu doesn’t feel alone.’

’That’s my responsibility as his future disciple.’

Truth be told, Shen Wuchen could never understand why Senior Sister Ning would join Ye Shan in his madness. He had heard some rumors circulating within the Sect that she was doing it to avenge her mother.

But he didn’t believe a word of it.

He had interacted with Senior Sister Ning more than most, and he could tell that there was no hatred in her heart.

Perhaps there had been in the past, but after all her time with Master Xu, that hatred should have long since dissipated. He could see that to Senior Sister Ning, Master Xu was the most important person in her life. Compared to avenging her mother, staying by Master Xu’s side to protect him should have been her top priority.

Therefore, even if she had once considered avenging her mother, she would have changed her mind after meeting Master Xu. There was no way she would have continued down that path.

However, Qingyue told him that Senior Sister Ning had chosen to do this precisely for Master Xu’s sake.

Shen Wuchen was confused.

Qingyue explained that ever since the high-yield Spirit Rice was revealed—or rather, from the very moment Master Xu developed it—he had been placed on the kill list of the Evil Demon Race and Phoenix Race.

The Sects of the Cultivation Realm would only need to share and purchase the seeds; they wouldn’t cause trouble for Master Xu. But as long as the Evil Demon Race and Phoenix Race remained in the Cultivation Realm, they would never allow a Shennong-like figure who could change the entire paradigm of the Cultivation Realm to live.

The current Spirit Rice, once it spreads, would allow the Cultivation Realm to train at least thirty percent more Cultivators, even if all other resources remained the same. And what if he came up with even greater innovations in the future?

Qingyue said gravely that she didn’t know what the Evil Demon Race and Phoenix Race were plotting while lurking in the Cultivation Realm, but for now, eliminating Master Xu, destroying the Profound Pure Sect, and getting rid of the high-yield Spirit Rice Seeds was undoubtedly their top priority.

So, if it weren’t for the sudden appearance of Ye Shan and Senior Sister Ning, it might not have been long before both the Sect and Master Xu were completely lost to history.

Now, the Cultivation Realm has been swept clean. She didn’t know what the Sect’s ultimate fate would be, but Master Xu was now absolutely safe.

After hearing Qingyue’s explanation, Shen Wuchen instantly understood Senior Sister Ning’s choice. If he were in her shoes and had the power, he would have made the same decision.

’A Shennong who could change the paradigm of the Cultivation Realm?’

’As expected of Master Xu.’

Shen Wuchen reflected with a surge of pride.

*

*

*

In fact, Xu Ran had figured this out as well. A few days ago, the Sect had suddenly asked if he wanted to publicly reveal his identity, saying they could guarantee his absolute safety.

Xu Ran understood at once. The Sect only had this confidence because the Evil Demon Race and Phoenix Race had vanished from the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm.

And all of this was thanks to his own disciple.

’Avenging her mother? In truth, it was all just to create a peaceful world for me, her master.’

Yet neither she nor Ye Shan had mentioned a single word about it.

’What’s that about?’

’Are they worried I can’t handle it?’

So, the moment Xu Ran figured it out, he jotted the matter down in his notebook.

’I’ll have to teach her a good lesson in the future.’

’Yes, and Ye Shan, too. I’ve noted this grudge. Once I achieve the Dao, he’s got it coming.’

He was one to hold a grudge.

The moment he chose to walk the Path of Emotion, he knew exactly what to do when faced with the departure of loved ones.

And that was to write them down in his notebook.

But putting grudges aside for a moment, there was something even more vexing on his mind these days: that kid, Shen Wuchen, kept showing up.

The problem wasn’t just that he came over. After arriving, the kid would do nothing and say nothing. He’d just sit there with a blank, aloof expression, staring at him until sunset, and then he’d leave.

It left him utterly speechless.

’Who wouldn’t be annoyed seeing a blank, aloof face first thing in the morning every day?’

So, after several days of this, he finally couldn’t take it anymore and asked irritably, "What do you want?"

He could clearly see Shen Wuchen jolt the moment he spoke. The boy’s expression then became even more aloof.

His face was rigid, betraying no emotion as he stated in a stiff tone, "This disciple is keeping you company."

Hearing this, Xu Ran’s expression froze. "I don’t need it. Go on, leave."

However, Shen Wuchen remained unmoved, firmly rooted to his seat.

Xu Ran sighed inwardly with utter resignation. He could guess what the boy was thinking. It was simply that with Little Xiyue gone, he had come to keep him company.

It was just that Shen Wuchen didn’t know how to offer comfort, what to say, or what to do. This uncertainty left him a nervous, anxious wreck, which was why he put on such a face.

He knew this student of his very well.

But...

’It’s been so many days. Has the kid still not figured it out?’

’If you want to comfort me, just say a few pleasantries. I can play along and go through the motions. That way, we both save face as master and disciple, things don’t get awkward, and we can both go on our merry way.’

’How hard could that be?’

’But no, this kid has been stuck like this for days. He won’t even give me the chance to go through the motions.’

Xu Ran slapped his forehead and shot Shen Wuchen a glare. Then, he waved his hand dismissively and said in a tone of utter exasperation:

"I appreciate the sentiment. Now go."

Shen Wuchen didn’t understand what he meant, so he didn’t move.

Xu Ran fell silent for a moment before asking wearily, "How about this: is there anything you want to do?"

Shen Wuchen was taken aback. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked:

"Master Xu, can I formally become your disciple ahead of schedule?"

"Why?"

"Now that Senior Sister Ning is gone, the plan for her to accept me as a disciple on your behalf is no longer possible..."

Before he could finish, Xu Ran shot him a glare. "Can’t we still just carve your name on the tombstone?"

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he saw the hesitation on Shen Wuchen’s face. He was taken aback for a moment. After a brief pause to think, he asked in a low, serious voice:

"Have you become afraid?"

He instantly thought of it. To others, that stunningly brilliant sword strike from Ye Shan might have just been a source of amazement.

But for Shen Wuchen, who was determined to defeat the Evergreen Sword Saint, Zhang Zhentian, it was a true glimpse into the world of those invincible prodigies.

After all, Zhang Zhentian was known as "the second Ye Shan," and had even once been hailed as someone who could potentially surpass him.

’After witnessing Ye Shan’s sword strike, does he still have the confidence to defeat Zhang Zhentian?’

"Are you backing down?" Xu Ran asked again, his gaze fixed on him.

Shen Wuchen lowered his head slightly and didn’t speak, but his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.