Watching the Mountain

Xu Ran was very excited to see Teacher Qing Xuan again. He looked to be in excellent condition and spirits.

This eased his previous worries. It seemed that breaking through in that state hadn’t had much of a negative impact on his teacher.

Qing Xuan True Monarch looked at him and offered a sincere smile, one that lacked its usual severity and was quite relaxed.

"It has been a long time since I have guided you. I am about to enter seclusion again. While I have the time now, tell me about any problems you’ve encountered recently."

Xu Ran’s heart warmed when he heard this, and he stared dazedly at Teacher Qing Xuan.

’In this world, Teacher Qing Xuan is probably the only one who consistently worries about my cultivation.’

’From the moment I joined the Profound Pure Sect, Teacher Qing Xuan was the first person to care about my cultivation. For him, it’s just his duty; he treats every disciple this way.’

’But for me, this was the first time I truly felt a teacher’s guidance.’

’Yue Qingyu cares about me a lot, but her approach is more hands-off. How far I can go is entirely up to me; she only provides support in other areas.’

’They are both benefactors on my path of cultivation.’

Xu Ran calmed himself, then told him about condensing his Dao Seed and about his Melancholy Realm.

"A Dao Seed’s first priority is the self, followed by comprehension of the Heaven and Earth Dao. You must first understand that a Dao Seed nurtures *your* Dao, not a great Dao that already exists between heaven and earth."

"So, after achieving a Bright Heart, have you truly tried to perceive, experience, and then walk your own Dao?"

Hearing this, Xu Ran was taken aback for a moment before an inexplicable sense of gratitude welled up in his heart.

’As expected of Teacher Qing Xuan. The moment he speaks, it’s completely different from everyone else. My colleagues in the Scripture Pavilion spoke in such cryptic and profound terms that my head was spinning, leaving me completely lost.’

’Only Teacher Qing Xuan’s teachings are clear enough for me to understand.’

"Then, Teacher, what should I do?"

Qing Xuan True Monarch pondered for a moment before saying, "Some things can’t be explained too bluntly. If they’re made too clear, they can inadvertently become shackles, obstructing your own destined opportunities."

"What I can tell you is this: carefully recall the Dao you first realized. Afterward, go observe, experience, and feel it for yourself. That initial realization is just the beginning, not the end."

"So, think hard. Are you truly living your Dao?"

Hearing this, Xu Ran fell into deep thought.

A long while passed before Qing Xuan True Monarch roused him, telling him not to be hasty. He then asked Xu Ran to display his Melancholy Realm for him to experience.

Some time later, he slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was fixed on Xu Ran, his expression incredibly complex and filled with a mixture of emotions.

"Teacher, is there a problem?" Xu Ran asked nervously, seeing his reaction.

Qing Xuan True Monarch shook his head, then asked, "What did you say you call this Mental Realm of yours again?"

"The Melancholy Realm."

His brow twitched slightly, and he asked again, "Why do you call it that?"

"Because when I experience this Mental Realm, I feel an inexplicable sadness... a kind of, um, homesickness."

Qing Xuan True Monarch was silent for a long time before asking, "Let me ask you, under what circumstances does a person become homesick?"

Xu Ran paused, thought for a moment, and replied, "After being away from home for a long time?"

Qing Xuan True Monarch nodded slightly and continued to ask, "If that’s the case, then why did you say you gained a deeper understanding when you saw your former students, unchanged after so many years?"

"That...?" Xu Ran hesitated.

Qing Xuan True Monarch continued, "Think again. Is that feeling of Sadness really about being homesick?"

Xu Ran froze for a moment, then clasped his hands and bowed to Qing Xuan True Monarch. "Please enlighten me, Teacher."

Seeing this, Qing Xuan True Monarch sighed, his expression complex. "The greatest sorrow in the world is when the seas have turned to mulberry fields, and the people are no longer who they were."

"Time is the origin of all sorrow."

Hearing this, Xu Ran was stunned for a moment, then said with a look of shock, "Teacher, are you saying this is a Mental Realm of Time?"

Qing Xuan True Monarch nodded slightly.

Xu Ran was completely dumbfounded. After a long moment, he asked in disbelief, "But my Mental Realm doesn’t have any time-related abilities."

’In my understanding, time should involve things like stopping, accelerating, or reversing it. How could my Melancholy Realm be related to time?’

Qing Xuan True Monarch looked at the bewildered Xu Ran with an expression of resignation. He sighed softly and then explained:

"First, it’s because your Cultivation Realm is too low and your comprehension of this Mental Realm is too shallow. Second, it only touches upon the *concept* of time; it doesn’t mean your Mental Realm is time itself."

"Think of it as a key. As your Cultivation Realm and your comprehension of this Mental Realm deepen, you will be able to touch upon the domain of time."

"’When the seas have turned to mulberry fields, and the people are no longer who they were’—this is itself a manifestation of the passage of time. As for what specific level you can comprehend, that will be up to you."

Qing Xuan True Monarch looked at him, his expression complex. ’Just how many times has this student shocked and surprised me like this?’

’Originally, I saw him join the sect at a hundred years old, neither arrogant nor rash, his heart firm in its pursuit of the Dao. But his natural talent and Comprehension were just too poor, so I felt a stir of pity and decided to look after him a little.’

’But in the end, his achievements have far exceeded my expectations. Never mind his accomplishments as a Spirit Plant Master; just these two Mental Realms, death and time, are enough to place him far above many of the world’s so-called chosen geniuses and monstrous talents.’

’No wonder the Moon True Inheritance was willing to pay such a great price to extend his life by three hundred years. If I had such means, I would gladly do the same.’

’Just give him enough time, and perhaps he truly will one day attain the Dao of eternal life and unbound freedom.’

*

*

*

After parting ways with Teacher Qing Xuan, Xu Ran’s heart was still racing. He never imagined that the Melancholy Realm he had spontaneously comprehended back in the Instructor Hall would actually point to Time itself.

’This is *Time*... Am I really that much of a genius?’

But before long, he discovered he wasn’t the only genius around.

Because Little Xiyue, who had been away for a long time, had returned. Not only that, but her Cultivation had also broken through, reaching the Purple Mansion Stage.

This greatly surprised Xu Ran. Little Xiyue was only a few years older than Shen Wuchen, but her aptitude was far inferior. For her to break through at this age was truly unexpected.

In response to Xu Ran’s confusion, Little Xiyue simply smiled and said, "I had some fortuitous encounters."

Hearing this, Xu Ran didn’t press for details. A Cultivator’s journey wasn’t determined by talent and aptitude alone; fortuitous encounters were just as crucial.

At dinnertime, Xu Ran noticed several dishes on the table he had never seen before. When he asked about them, Little Xiyue paused for a moment, then replied, "These are dishes from my mother’s hometown."

Xu Ran paused. "You went to Xiaoque’Er’s hometown? How is her family? Are they doing well?"

Little Xiyue paused. "They’re probably doing fine. I didn’t get to see them. I heard they moved away after Mother began her Cultivation."

Xu Ran didn’t think much of it and nodded. "Well, we can try looking for them again when we have the chance."

"Okay." Little Xiyue smiled sweetly and nodded gently.