Watching the Mountain

He really planned to go to the Demon Race alone this time. However, when he arrived at the plaza where the Cross-border Teleportation Array was located, he was once again taken aback.

Several figures were already waiting there.

Meeting Xu Ran’s gaze, Chen Chang’an said with a calm expression:

"I’ve sparred with you for sixty years. This is your first real battle; I have to be there."

"I also want to see the swordsmanship that Senior Brother Ye Shan had such high hopes for."

Xu Ran nodded slightly at his words and turned his gaze to the others.

Whenever Shen Wuchen was in a crowd, he always wore an aloof, expressionless mask. He spoke in a stiff tone:

"I don’t believe they will all be Nascent Soul Stage experts. What if there are cultivators below that level?"

He glanced around at the people present and continued, "Master Xu, you can’t possibly intend for *them* to deal with those, can you?"

Xu Ran nodded. He understood Shen Wuchen’s meaning: ’Are you really going to make these other esteemed people deal with mere cannon fodder? They have reputations to uphold.

But I don’t care.’

He was moved. It seemed Shen Wuchen would really have his work cut out for him.

Xu Ran could understand why the others were here, but when Supreme Elder Zi Yun also appeared, he was truly at a loss.

Xu Ran looked with confusion at Supreme Elder Zi Yun, whose weary face spoke of a lifetime of hardship.

Meeting Xu Ran’s gaze, True Monarch Zi Yun’s long-suffering face twisted in anger as he said in a deep voice:

"I have heard about your apprentice from Qing Xuan. My life has been full of hardships; I cannot bear to see others follow in my footsteps."

"To cause a young girl who should be innocent and carefree to lose her trust... This matter fills me with rage. I must bring her back."

"Qing Xuan originally wanted to come, but I stopped him. This time, I will accompany you."

Xu Ran was slightly taken aback by his words, silently watching Supreme Elder Zi Yun.

’Is it because he’s been caught in so many storms in his own life that he can’t stand to see others get rained on?’

Supreme Elder Zi Yun was at the Nascent Soul Late Stage. His presence would be an extra layer of security.

Thinking this, he then turned his gaze to Zhang Zhentian.

"Senior Brother, how could I miss out on all the fun?"

Zhang Zhentian flashed a grin, revealing a row of white teeth.

Xu Ran glanced at him and said no more. So many people had already come; what was one more?

However, just as he thought everyone had arrived, a sudden sound of footsteps was heard. Immediately after, the young couple, Zhao Wuyang and Liu Yunge, walked over, led by two Elders.

When he saw those two, Xu Ran really couldn’t keep a straight face.

’What is going on? Weren’t these two having a secret rendezvous? Why are they here?’

But after the two arrived, they didn’t look at Xu Ran, nor did they even greet him.

Zhao Wuyang walked up to Chen Chang’an’s side and said, "Brother Chen, I’m here."

Liu Yunge went to Yue Qingyu’s side, smiled brightly, and bowed with her hands clasped. "Sister Yue, I’m here."

Then, they looked at each other, snorted coldly with stony faces, and turned away as if they were mortal enemies, not sparing each other another glance.

Then, Zhao Wuyang’s voice transmission sounded in Xu Ran’s ear:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, something’s been off with the Demon Race lately. Our Sect was just preparing to send people to investigate the situation."

"Yun Ge and I had a fortuitous encounter in the Secret Realm and broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage. When I returned to the Sect to report, I was sharing the good news with Brother Chen when I heard about your situation, and I had a bad feeling."

"The situation with the Demon Race is unclear right now, and something big could happen. If you run into trouble over there, your esteemed Sect won’t be able to bear the consequences."

"If Yun Ge and I go with you, and something does happen, our respective Sects will be there to back us up, so there’s no need to worry."

Xu Ran met Zhao Wuyang’s gaze, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded.

’It’s true. If my personal affairs ended up implicating the Sect, that would be completely unjustifiable.’

He was deeply moved. Zhao Wuyang and Liu Yunge had thought things through for the long term.

The key was, this couple truly made him feel that pure friendship could be stronger than gold.

Zhao Wuyang and Liu Yunge had accepted missions from their respective Sects to investigate the Demon Race. One of them used the pretense of being invited by Chen Chang’an, and the other by Yue Qingyu. This way, even if they appeared together, they wouldn’t have to worry about what others might say.

Chen Chang’an and Yue Qingyu were prodigies of the same generation. It was perfectly normal for them to have deep friendships with one another.

’Coming to find a fellow daoist to carry out a mission, only to happen upon your sworn rival, whose mission also happens to be the same? What’s the problem with that?’

No problem at all.

And so, they appeared together, openly and with a clear conscience.

The few from the Profound Pure Sect who didn’t know about their relationship also saw no issue with it.

’But, I remember that Senior Sister Yue shouldn’t know about their relationship. Why would Liu Yunge contact her first?’

But now wasn’t the time to ask, so he didn’t dwell on it.

Once everyone was gathered, they stepped into the Teleportation Array.

’So many companions... Just as I thought before, perhaps I’m far more outstanding than I imagined.’

*

*

*

Xu Ran had always considered Jiang Xiaohui to be exceptionally reliable. Even when he was just an ordinary puppy, he had rescued Jiang Ling’Er from mountain bandits who were trying to trick her.

The last time, he was only unreliable because Jiang Ling’Er had asked him to lie. It was a rare exception.