Watching the Mountain

The advent of Xu Ran’s Flying Immortal Stream lowered the threshold for breakthroughs several times over. Cultivators who had been stuck at their current Realm, needing only that one final push, were able to bypass that crucial step entirely. Naturally, breaking through was no longer a difficult task for them.

This sudden emergence of eleven Nascent Soul Stage cultivators and dozens more at the Core Formation Stage was the result of the Sect’s long-accumulated reserves suddenly bursting forth. Perhaps a few more Nascent Soul cultivators would appear in the coming years, but once this explosive growth subsided, the rate would return to normal. It would be entirely expected if not a single one appeared for several hundred years after that.

The shockwave from eleven new Nascent Soul Stage cultivators and dozens at the Core Formation Stage completely ignited the Sect’s morale. The disciples grew fanatical, and some even began shouting slogans to restore their ancient glory.

What was this ancient glory?

Every disciple of the Profound Pure Sect knew the answer. In the distant past, the Sect had a glorious history, a time when several Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarchs presided over it simultaneously.

And this, of course, was the glory they were now shouting to restore.

In stark contrast to the fanatical atmosphere within the Sect, the rest of the Cultivation Realm—especially the sects surrounding Changqing County—felt as if they had been plunged into an icy abyss. They were completely numb with shock at the Profound Pure Sect’s pace, which seemed to be producing a new Nascent Soul every year.

These were Nascent Soul True Monarchs, the very measure of a sect’s power and foundation! Just a few years ago, the Flame Sun Sect’s newly promoted Nascent Soul True Monarch had died on the Evil Demon Battlefield, causing a break in their lineage. That was what had driven Ancestor Yanyang to madness.

It was easy to imagine just how difficult it was for a sect to produce a single Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Just a few years ago, the Profound Pure Sect had produced Qing Xuan True Monarch and two other Nascent Soul True Monarchs in a short span, which had already frightened the other sects into sleepless nights and proactive concessions. And now? Now, they had added eleven more.

Including their original Nascent Soul True Monarchs, the Profound Pure Sect now possessed a staggering twenty-one in total. This number surpassed even that of some of the weaker Divinity Transformation Sects.

Their hearts were filled with terror and dread. This was the collective feeling of the sects surrounding Changqing County.

The flames of war, first ignited by the pioneering of the New Domain, had now spread throughout the Cultivation Realm. Conflicts erupted daily, and disputes were everywhere.

And yet, Changqing County, the home of the Profound Pure Sect, remained remarkably peaceful—even more so than ever before. Even the typically chaotic world of low-level cultivators had become quiet and orderly.

Xu Ran had always felt the Sect’s approach was a bit too high-profile. He had even discussed it with Flowing Clouds Master over drinks once.

However, Flowing Clouds Master explained it was a choice born of necessity. The New Domain was destined to become a tide that would sweep across the world. The baptism of blood and fire forges the strong; only those who survive the coming wave will have a future.

If the Sect wanted to survive this tide, its only choice was to display its deterrent strength.

’If the Sect hadn’t produced so many powerful cultivators recently, the flames of war might have already spread to our own lands, just like everywhere else,’ Xu Ran thought and had to agree.

Flowing Clouds Master clapped Xu Ran on the shoulder and sighed earnestly, "Cultivate well. I must now focus on expelling the Dao scars and recovering from my injuries. If the day comes when war engulfs the Sect, these old bones of mine can still put up one last fight."

Xu Ran watched Flowing Clouds Master’s retreating figure and fell into deep thought. His first thought was of Little Xiyue, who had been so elusive lately, coming and going like a phantom.

Ever since she broke through to the Purple Mansion Stage, Little Xiyue had become even more furtive, and he had no idea what she was busy with each day.

It was one thing before, but with the world in such chaos, it was far too dangerous. ’I can’t let her carry on like this,’ Xu Ran thought. ’I have to impress upon her that she must stay within the Sect and not go anywhere.’

Just as he was thinking this, Little Xiyue, who had been gone for over a month, returned. A smile graced her face; she seemed to be in high spirits.

"Master, come and eat!" Little Xiyue had just returned and waved to him excitedly. With a flick of her wrist, a spread of delicious food appeared on the table.

"What delicacies have you brought this time?" Xu Ran chuckled.

Lately, every time Little Xiyue returned, she would bring him tasty treats. They were always delicacies he had never seen or heard of before, dozens of different kinds at a time. He had no idea where she found them all.

Little Xiyue tilted her head back, smiled at him, and said, "You’ll know once you have a taste."

As she grew older, Little Xiyue had become increasingly close to Xu Ran. It was as if she had become a completely different person, so lively and cheerful in his presence.

It gave Xu Ran the strange illusion that Little Xiyue was aging in reverse. Now, in front of him, she acted like a lively, adorable, and slightly naive child. In contrast, the tiny girl he had first met had been like a miniature adult, remarkably mature.

Seeing her like this, Xu Ran smiled dotingly. He then sat down and began to sample the food she had brought back.

It was, once again, something he had never tasted before. While not as delicious as the food Little Xiyue cooked herself, it had the charm of novelty.

While they ate, Xu Ran brought up the matter of her staying safely within the Sect and not going anywhere.

After hearing this, Little Xiyue thought for a moment before replying, "I can listen to you, Master. I’ll stay in the Sect and focus on my cultivation, and I won’t go anywhere. In return, however, I hope you can agree to one small request of mine."

"I agree," Xu Ran said without a second thought, not even bothering to ask what her request was. As long as Little Xiyue was willing to stay in the Sect, that was all that mattered.

"Hee hee, you’re the one who said it, Master. You can’t go back on your word, okay?" Little Xiyue’s eyes twinkled. With a flip of her hand, two Jade Bottles appeared in her palm.

She presented the Jade Bottles to Xu Ran. "In that case, Master, please take this Rejuvenation Pill and this Youthful Appearance Pill."

"What?" Xu Ran was taken aback. He waved his hand in refusal. "Didn’t I tell you before? I don’t want to become young again."

The Rejuvenation Pill was used by those whose appearances had aged to restore their youthful looks. It wasn’t an uncommon elixir in the Cultivation Realm.

Little Xiyue had suggested he take one before, but he had refused.

His Longevity Dao Fruit already allowed him to adjust his apparent age; he could revert to his younger appearance at any time if he wished.

He was just never willing to do so.

’If I ever have to leave the Profound Pure Sect one day, I can restore my youthful appearance then. It would be like becoming a completely new person; no one who knew me would recognize me. So much more convenient.’

"Master, you just promised," Little Xiyue said, her eyes now boring into him.

"But..." Xu Ran started to explain, but Little Xiyue came over, grabbed his arm, and began to wheedle him like a little girl.

"Oh, come on, Master! I want to see what you looked like when you were young. Please, just do it for me, okay?"

Hearing that tone of voice from Little Xiyue, a shiver ran down Xu Ran’s spine. He froze, completely stunned.

This was the first time he had ever seen Little Xiyue cajole him. He simply couldn’t imagine that the stern-faced little adult from their first meeting would ever behave this way.

At the same time, faced with the cajoling of the disciple he spent every day with, he was completely defenseless. His head swam, and he felt a light, floaty sensation.

There is a unique happiness that comes from a daughter pleading with her father.

This was exactly how Xu Ran felt now.

"You want to see that badly?"

"I do," Little Xiyue said, nodding vigorously.

"All right, then." Xu Ran relented, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

’Oh, well,’ he thought. ’I’ll worry about the future later. For now, I should just grant my dear disciple’s wish.’

"Wait a moment." With that, he took the Elixirs and walked into his private chamber.

Half an hour later, a young man in his twenties emerged from the private chamber. He wore green robes, his long hair was half-tied back, his features were clean-cut, and he stood tall and straight.

Little Xiyue stared, transfixed, at the man who walked out. After a long moment, her eyes crinkled into a sweet smile.

"Master, you’re so handsome."

Xu Ran had granted Little Xiyue’s request, and in turn, she honored his. For the following period, they both remained in the Sect, cultivating in peace.

Time passed slowly. A few years later, Xu Ran’s Cultivation had a breakthrough, and he reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

At the same time, news spread through the Sect: Shen Wuchen had broken through to the Golden Core Stage.

Xu Ran was happy for his student when he heard the news.

But just a few days later, Little Xiyue also broke through to the Golden Core Stage.

This left Xu Ran utterly astonished. He had already been shocked when Little Xiyue managed to break through to the Purple Mansion Stage at nearly the same time as Shen Wuchen.

But for her to do it again, reaching the Golden Core Stage almost simultaneously with him... this was no longer a pleasant surprise. This was terrifying.