Watching the Mountain

Chapter 49: Chapter 43: Turns Out You Can Do It Like That

During the following duels, everyone except for the participants seemed absent-minded.

Some people stared at the Wangyue Sect’s contingent, as if a few more glances would allow them to see right through them.

Others shot Xu Ran strange looks. Previously, when they saw a person at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer on his team, they had mused to themselves:

’Regardless of whether that disciple is just lucky, his master must still have some skill. After all, even a genius needs a good teacher. To be able to cultivate this prodigy without any mistakes is a kind of skill in itself.’

But now, after witnessing Shen Wuchen’s performance, everyone had instantly changed their minds.

’Perhaps the Profound Pure Sect really has fallen,’ many thought. ’To actually let someone like this take charge of the Instructor Hall... Even if he’s only teaching new disciples, this is just too ridiculous.’

Some even narrowed their eyes, staring at Xu Ran with faint smiles as they thought, ’I have to say, it takes a special kind of skill to raise a genius to be like *this*. After all, never before in the history of the Immortal Ancient has there appeared such a weak cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. It wasn’t that Shen Wuchen lost to the Wangyue Sect disciple, but the sheer lack of power and comprehension of Dao Rhyme he displayed.’

Now that the grand competition was officially underway, there was no need to maintain the friendly and polite facade from the entrance ceremony. This was the dueling segment, the time when the atmosphere was at its most fiery.

Certain thoughts that people had suppressed for various reasons now bubbled to the surface. During a break, a Qi Refining cultivator leading another Sect’s team approached Xu Ran, grinning as he said:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, I heard that you once defeated the Evergreen Sword Saint when you were both at the same realm. I’ve always deeply admired your strength. Why don’t we take this opportunity to have a little exchange and liven things up? Would you be willing to offer me some guidance?"

Xu Ran had already sensed that some people in the crowd were looking at him strangely. He had anticipated something like this might happen.

He looked at the man before him, pointed to himself, and said:

"Fellow Daoist, since you’ve read my file, you must know I’m nearly two hundred years old. Now look at yourself—a young, brilliant prodigy in your prime. Is it really appropriate for you to challenge a frail old man like me to a duel?"

The man’s face froze. He had considered that Xu Ran might refuse, but he never expected him to put it like that. Wasn’t he basically accusing him of bullying an old man?

His expression flickered, but he quickly composed himself and maintained his smile.

"Surely you jest, Fellow Daoist Xu. You’re the man who defeated the Evergreen Sword Saint! Countless geniuses have fallen at his hands. The fact that you could best him makes you a rare prodigy yourself. How could you possibly be considered old and frail?"

Without even raising his eyes, Xu Ran replied, "Fellow Daoist, have you ever seen a prodigy who’s still in the Qi Refining Stage after cultivating for more than a century?"

The man’s face froze again, but he pressed on, unwilling to give up. "Be that as it may, it is a fact that you defeated the Evergreen Sword Saint, Fellow Daoist Xu."

"Oh, that," Xu Ran said. "You could have done it too. He was just a twelve-year-old kid who had barely started his cultivation, fumbling even the simplest Daoist Techniques. I was over a hundred years old at the time. I suppressed my cultivation to match his and relied on my vast experience to eke out a lucky win."

"Er..." The man’s expression faltered. ’So that’s how it was?’ he thought.

The expressions on many of the onlookers’ faces became quite a spectacle. Their intelligence reports only stated that Xu Ran had once defeated the Evergreen Sword Saint, Zhang Zhentian, while at the same realm. The reports hadn’t mentioned any of the specific details.

The only reason it was included in his file at all was that it was Xu Ran’s sole combat record.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Xu Ran chuckled and remarked wistfully:

"I never imagined that the mischievous little troublemaker from my lectures would achieve so much in the blink of an eye."

He glanced around at the crowd, his face a mixture of pride and smugness as he continued:

"But of course, just as my fellow daoist here said, it is also a fact that I once defeated the Evergreen Sword Saint, who is now at the height of his power on the Evil Demon Battlefield. That is the single most glorious achievement of this old man’s life. I can brag about it for the rest of my days."

"I’m planning to have it officially recorded when I get back. Then, when I finally pass away, I’ll have it carved on my tombstone so the world will forever remember this accomplishment."

After speaking, his eyes twinkled, his expression turning cunning. "It seems I’ll have to find more children to duel when I get back. What if one of them soars to prominence one day, just like that Zhang Zhentian boy? Wouldn’t I have yet another great victory to boast about?"

As his words fell, many people in the crowd stared at him, their eyes wide with disbelief.

’How can this person be so shameless?’

But then, their expressions shifted. A flicker of calculation entered their eyes, their faces a mixture of anticipation and conflict.

*

*

*

Xu Ran had shown all the fellow Daoists present that if you’re shameless enough, you’ve already won half the battle.

Seeing him act this way, the man who had challenged him lost all interest. After muttering an apology for his offense, he turned and walked away, looking heavy-hearted.

As for the others who had been nursing similar ideas, they too lost interest in him. ’He’s just a lucky pile of mud,’ they thought. ’A thick-skinned, shameless man. No need to make a big fuss over him. It’s just a pity for the Profound Pure Sect, letting someone like him run the Instructor Hall.’

After the first day of duels concluded, Chen Minghe asked Xu Ran on the way back, "Steward Xu, what are your thoughts on the Wangyue Sect affair?"

Now that he no longer needed to ask Xu Ran for a favor, his form of address naturally reverted from "Junior Brother Xu" to "Steward Xu."

Xu Ran didn’t mind. For a man who had become a Steward of the Internal Affairs Hall simply through seniority, his willingness to step up and take full responsibility moments ago was a testament to his character. One couldn’t ask for him to be more perfect.

In response to Chen Minghe’s question, Xu Ran shook his head, pointed to himself, and said, "Take a look at me. Do you really think I possess that kind of wisdom?"

Chen Minghe was taken aback for a moment. He looked at Xu Ran, fell silent, and then nodded in profound agreement. "You have a point. Never mind, then."

’What was I thinking,’ he mused, ’to even ask for Steward Xu’s opinion?’

Then, with a serious expression, he said to Xu Ran, "Regarding the matter of Shen Wuchen’s strength, I will report it truthfully to the Sect when we return. I must apologize in advance, Steward Xu. It’s my duty, so I hope you won’t hold it against me."

Xu Ran understood what he meant. To have cultivated someone at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer to turn out like *that*... The weakness Shen Wuchen had displayed was practically historic.

As the head of the Instructor Hall and the one responsible for teaching Shen Wuchen, he was inextricably involved.

He could already feel the disciples on their team giving him strange looks, especially the ones from his own Spirit Stream Peak. They were all frowning, their faces showing pensive expressions.

Xu Ran replied with a solemn expression, "I understand completely. I will support any decision the Sect makes. Steward Chen, you needn’t worry about my feelings. Just handle it all impartially."

Chen Minghe nodded, looking relieved. He reached out, patted Xu Ran’s shoulder, and said comfortingly, "But don’t you worry too much. As you said before, his situation is special. I’m sure the Sect will take that into consideration."

Xu Ran nodded. "Then I’ll be counting on you, Steward Chen."

*

*

*

That night, a heavy-hearted Shen Wuchen sought out Xu Ran. He glanced around furtively, and seeing no one else nearby, he whispered:

"Master Xu, about that Ye Qingyue... why did she surrender at the very end? Do you think she... she might..."

His face flushed as he lowered his head, mustering all his courage before continuing, "Could it be because she has... special feelings for me?"

"Don’t get me wrong! I’m not reading too much into it. It’s just... if that’s not the reason, I really can’t think of any other explanation for why she would do that. That’s the only reason I’m guessing."

"Ah..." Xu Ran’s expression went blank for a second. ’One of the three great delusions of life,’ he thought, ’she likes me.’

Xu Ran knew from experience that when someone was in this state, any attempt at rational persuasion would only be met with displeasure.

He pondered for a moment, then reached out to pat the young man’s shoulder and said with a smile:

"It’s hard for me to say. Only she knows what she’s truly thinking. But in my heart, you will always be a disciple I am proud of."

Shen Wuchen’s head shot up at his words, and he looked at his master, deeply moved.

Seeing this, Xu Ran put on an encouraging expression and continued:

"I only want to offer you one piece of advice: Some things, and some people, will be a lifetime of regret if you miss them. So, when that opportunity arises, you must not hesitate. Seize it boldly. Even if you’re mistaken, it doesn’t matter. It’s no big deal. At worst, when you’re old and look back on this, you’ll just have a little laugh."

After a long moment of silence, Shen Wuchen nodded with determination. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Xu. I know what to do now."

Xu Ran nodded in satisfaction and shot him an encouraging glance.

The next day, Shen Wuchen left early in the morning. He returned around noon with a cold, aloof expression on his face.

When Xu Ran asked what had happened, he replied expressionlessly, "In this life, I live only to seek the Dao. Nothing can sway my heart from this path."

With that, he turned away, his back ramrod straight and facing Xu Ran.

Seeing this, Xu Ran nodded thoughtfully. ’I get it,’ he thought. ’Too bad I can’t ask for the details right now. Looks like I’ll have to wait a few days for him to calm down before I can get the gossip.’