Watching the Mountain

When Xu Ran first joined the Sect, it was Senior Sister Yue who used her own Contribution Points to support him.

Xu Ran planned to do the same for Wang Zhenye and Hao Miaomiao.

Both of them were joining the Sect late in life and were on the older side. With his current status, no one would have said much even if he had arranged for them to be admitted directly.

However, he felt it was necessary for him to carry on Senior Sister Yue’s noble spirit of kindness.

While he was getting their Identity Jade Talismans processed, the Steward at the Qing Xuan Peak Internal Affairs Hall gave him a surprised look after hearing his arrangements, then said:

"Actually, these two are descendants of disciples who sacrificed their lives on the Evil Demon Battlefield. Arranging for them to join directly would be in line with Qing Xuan Peak’s principles. I doubt anyone would complain, even if they found out."

Xu Ran shook his head at this and replied, "But they’re joining the Sect through me, aren’t they?"

With his stipend, supporting two cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Stage was no burden. Once they reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, they wouldn’t need his support anymore. There was no need to cut this corner, take advantage of the Sect, and corrupt its values.

Seeing his refusal, the Steward didn’t press the matter, but his expression grew warmer and more amicable.

People like him found it most annoying when Elders skirted the edges of the Sect’s rules, which put them in a very difficult position. Someone like Xu Ran made their jobs much easier.

After giving the Identity Jade Talismans to Wang Zhenye and Hao Miaomiao, he had originally planned to take them under his wing and care for them personally.

After all, since they had come all this way, he should see things through to the end, not just do a half-hearted job of getting them into the Sect and then ignoring them. If he did that, the favor he owed would seem far too cheap, and he would be failing the sacrifices of Wang Xingye and Hao Daniu.

But to his surprise, upon hearing his plan, Wang Zhenye waved his hand and refused outright, saying:

"The fact that you could arrange for our entry into the Sect and grant us the opportunity to cultivate is already an immense kindness. I, Wang Zhenye, may not be a great person, but I know how to appreciate a favor."

"I don’t know what happened between you and our ancestors, and I don’t want to know. All I know is that you’ve already done more than enough. Any more would be more than I can bear."

"If you feel you haven’t done enough, then save it for someone else. In any case, I don’t think I’m worthy of using up the entire debt of gratitude owed to my ancestor all by myself."

After speaking, he didn’t forget to look over at Hao Miaomiao, wiggling his eyebrows and grinning. "Right, Miaomiao?"

Hearing his words, Hao Miaomiao stiffened slightly. She forced a gentle smile, nodded lightly, and replied:

"That’s right. I feel the same way. Senior, you have already done more than enough for us. We can’t trouble you any further."

After saying this, her tense body relaxed, as if she had let out a long sigh of relief.

’Actually, she had originally been thinking that since Xu Ran could arrange for their direct admission, it meant he must hold a certain status within the Sect.’

’If she could cultivate by the side of someone like that, she would be able to grow much faster.’

’She was cultivating for the sake of those who suffered from illness and pain. Every moment she delayed could mean more people dying from their afflictions.’

’Therefore, she felt a sense of urgency. She wanted to achieve success in her cultivation as quickly as possible so she could go out and fulfill her ideals.’

’But Wang Zhenye had already spoken. If she were to insist, she would seem far too ungracious.’

’So, she could only suppress her heartache and voice her agreement.’

’Once the words were out, she suddenly felt her whole body relax, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.’

’She reflected for a moment and felt that her previous state of mind had been a bit off. She couldn’t be so tactless as to expect the whole world to accommodate her just because she had the ideal of saving all its people, could she?’

’Even a rascal like Wang Zhenye understood this principle, yet she had been so reluctant, wanting to rely on their senior’s kindness to take a shortcut. It was truly improper of her.’

Having come to this realization, Hao Miaomiao’s gaze became firm. She nodded emphatically, raised her hands, and bowed slightly to Xu Ran.

"You have already done what you needed to do. For the road ahead, please, let us walk it ourselves."

Xu Ran looked at the two of them with some surprise, especially Wang Zhenye. When they had first met, the man had acted rather flippantly, and his words and actions were like those of a rascal. He never expected him to say something like this.

He pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "Are you sure? You’re joining the Sect late, you’re a bit on the older side, and the combined results of your aptitude and talent tests were average. If you go this route, it will be very difficult to keep up with your peers. The road ahead won’t be easy."

’Xu Ran understood this from personal experience. If he hadn’t met a good teacher like Qing Xuan True Monarch back then, and later encountered Ye Shan and the others, he might still be stuck at the Qi Cultivation Stage if he had relied solely on himself.’

"Our minds are made up. We hope Senior will grant our wish."

This time, it was Hao Miaomiao who answered first, likely because she was unwilling to be outdone after he had spoken before her.

Wang Zhenye, however, waved his hand and said in his somewhat flippant tone:

"Senior, say no more. Just think about it, would you be happy seeing a scoundrel like me every day? Likewise, I don’t want an elder watching over me all the time. I’d rather be on my own; it’s more freeing."

The moment he finished speaking, Hao Miaomiao’s expression stiffened, and her gaze fixed on him intently.