Watching the Mountain

The Profound Pure Sect was truly on the mend.

Previously, when Qing Xuan True Monarch broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage, he had declined to hold a promotion ceremony, citing the need to prioritize settling the disciples who had retired due to injury and the families of those who had sacrificed their lives.

Now, with the Spirit Stream Peak Master and an Elder from Inference Dao Peak also breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage one after another, a traditional promotion ceremony of the Cultivation Realm was simply unavoidable.

A joint promotion ceremony for three Nascent Soul cultivators was such a grand occasion, a rare and momentous event even in the long history of the Cultivation Realm.

The day of the ceremony was incredibly lively. Not only did the sects from the surrounding Changqing County attend, but even more distant sects sent representatives. Those who couldn’t come mostly sent congratulatory gifts through others.

Of course, all of this was to be expected. The most important thing was the rumor that on the day of the ceremony, all the Major Sects of Changqing County sat down together for a "pleasant" meeting. They re-drew the lines of influence in Changqing County and, while they were at it, sorted out some previously disputed resource industries and mineral deposits.

A few sects that had disputes with the Profound Pure Sect proactively declared that they lacked the moral character to handle certain resources. It was, they said, more appropriate to hand them over to the Profound Pure Sect, the "big brother" with such a long history and deep foundation.

The sects of the Cultivation Realm knew the score. By voluntarily backing down, they ensured the Profound Pure Sect wouldn’t go too far, leaving them with some scraps. If they had waited for the other side to make the first move and take what they wanted, they would have likely had to cough up some blood.

After all, the Profound Pure Sect hadn’t just gained three Nascent Soul True Monarchs. Two of them had even broken through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage and Nascent Soul Late Stage, respectively. The sect’s overall strength was now a cut above what it had been before the calamity.

On that day, the disciples of the Profound Pure Sect walked with their chests puffed out, exceptionally straight and tall. Ever since the incident at the Ye Shan Secret Realm, the sect’s morale had hit rock bottom. Now, it had finally recovered its former glory.

Many began to dream of the future. The sect still had four prodigies renowned throughout the Cultivation Realm. What would the sect be like when they fully matured?

For Xu Ran, the only regret was that his teacher, Qing Xuan True Monarch, had only made a fleeting appearance at the ceremony before returning. He didn’t give a public sermon like the Spirit Stream Peak Master and the Supreme Elder from Inference Dao Peak.

He hadn’t heard a sermon from Teacher Qing Xuan in a very long time. Compared to the others, he still felt that Teacher Qing Xuan’s sermons were the most comfortable to listen to and the easiest to understand.

’I really miss it.’

*

*

*

About half a year passed after the promotion ceremony. The disciples who had represented the sect in the New Domain Grand Competition returned, led by a Supreme Elder.

On the day of their return, the entire sect was in an uproar. Many people went out to welcome them.

Xu Ran also took Little Xiyue and went along.

When they saw the Four Great Prodigies, led by Yue Qingyu, step out of the Flying Ship, the disciples in attendance erupted into a deafening cheer.

The scene made Xu Ran sigh with emotion. ’When Cultivators get this fanatical, they’re no different from ordinary people. This is just like a celebrity fan meeting.’

Beside him, Little Xiyue saw his expression and asked with some curiosity, "Master, seeing Senior Sister Yue and the others like this, do you ever regret your choice? Or perhaps feel a longing for it?"

In Little Xiyue’s mind, if her master were willing to reveal his achievements as a Spirit Plant Master, the reception he’d get would probably be similar, if not even more respectful.

After all, there were many faceless statues of her master in the Mortal World now.

Hearing this, Xu Ran pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "It would be a lie to say I don’t long for a scene like this at all," he replied. "But compared to this, your master has a higher pursuit."

"What is your pursuit, Master?" Little Xiyue’s eyes burned as she stared at him.

"My pursuit has never changed. It has always been to attain the Great Dao and achieve immortal freedom."

Xu Ran’s tone was calm. He already had immortality; now, he just needed the freedom.

Little Xiyue was slightly taken aback. She had indeed heard her master say this before, but she had always thought he was joking. After all, with her master’s innate talent and aptitude, wanting to attain the Great Dao was, frankly, a bit of wishful thinking.

But hearing him say it again now, and seeing the look on his face, she suddenly understood. ’It seems Master is serious. This truly is his pursuit.’

Little Xiyue’s eyes flickered for a moment. Then, she nodded firmly and said to Xu Ran with a serious expression, "I believe in you, Master. You will definitely attain the Dao and achieve your freedom."

Xu Ran reached out, intending to pat her on the head, but his hand stopped mid-air. He looked at Little Xiyue’s height. ’She’s not a little child anymore.’

Seeing his hesitation, Little Xiyue suddenly reached out, took his hand, and placed it on her own head. She gave him a sweet smile, saying nothing.

As he felt the soft silkiness of her hair, Xu Ran put on a stern face and nodded. "Don’t just talk about me," he said to Little Xiyue. "You must also cultivate diligently. I hope to see you on the path to attaining the Dao in the future."

Although the possibility was very low, Xu Ran still voiced his hope.

After all, he had long grown accustomed to having Little Xiyue by his side. She was different from everyone else. She was with him day in and day out, under the very same roof. No one else could compare.

"I know, Master. I will work hard to follow in your footsteps."

"Mm, as long as you understand."

*

*

*

As the other disciples who participated in the New Domain Grand Competition emerged, the welcoming crowd would erupt in enthusiastic cheers.

Until...

When Shen Wuchen walked out, the atmosphere instantly fell silent.

It was as if a torrential downpour had suddenly descended upon a lively candlelight party, extinguishing all the passion in an instant.

An ordinary person, faced with this abrupt silence, might have felt extremely uncomfortable, perhaps even so frightened they would run back inside the Flying Ship.

But Shen Wuchen was no ordinary person. From the moment he stepped out of the Flying Ship, he looked down upon the disciples present with a cold, arrogant, and expressionless face.

Faced with the sudden silence, he didn’t even blink.

With that haughty demeanor of one who looks down upon all creation, he descended from the Flying Ship step by step.

Many who were seeing him for the first time were taken aback by his aura. Some couldn’t help but turn to the person next to them and ask:

"Is that Shen Wuchen? He doesn’t quite look the part. That appearance, that temperament, that aura... that’s not something a person who’s lost five hundred matches in a row can project. If you told me he was some peerless prodigy who crushed the entire competition, I’d be more likely to believe it."

Shen Wuchen was naturally good-looking. He was tall and slender, with sword-like brows and star-like eyes—extremely handsome. Paired with that arrogant face, his temperament would make any ordinary person exclaim, ’This is no common man.’

The person who was asked also became a little unsure. After all, so many years had passed since the New Domain Grand Competition; it wasn’t impossible that they had mistaken him for someone else. They rubbed their eyes hard and checked again and again before finally nodding with certainty.

"That’s right. It’s him, Shen Wuchen."

Hearing this, many people were utterly bewildered. If that really was Shen Wuchen, then what right did he have to carry himself like that?