Watching the Mountain

Xu Ran often saw Li Daoyi helping other members of the sect. While proud, he was also incredibly passionate and caring toward every one of his fellow disciples.

Although he wanted to lead the Profound Pure Sect to glory through his own strength, he never left a single disciple behind.

Just as he’d said that the sect’s success depended on the effort of every disciple, he truly lived by those words.

Xu Ran was also very supportive of Li Daoyi’s goal.

Xu Ran wanted to cultivate in peace and leisure, which meant he had to rely on the Profound Pure Sect for protection. His own talent was only average, so it was unlikely he could contribute much to the sect’s combat power anytime soon. Seeing the sect grow stronger would therefore put his mind at ease.

In contrast to Li Daoyi, Shen Wuchen’s disciple, Lu Mingchen, continued to methodically cultivate under Shen Wuchen’s guidance.

Lu Mingchen was a down-to-earth person with a very sober self-awareness. After getting to know Li Daoyi, while he deeply admired and longed for such strength, he never held unrealistic illusions about his own potential. He remained resolute in his practice of the Flying Immortal Stream.

Although his natural talent was lacking, by sticking to the path of the Flying Immortal Stream for ten years since joining the sect, his Cultivation had reached the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer. Among the disciples of his cohort, this was considered quite impressive.

The Flying Immortal Stream might seem faster than traditional cultivation, but it was actually highly dependent on one’s Root Bone. It could be said that it took the concept of "aptitude is supreme" to its extreme.

If two people of average talent and Comprehension were given the same resources, with one following traditional cultivation and the other the Flying Immortal Stream, the traditional cultivator would, in all likelihood, progress much faster.

Lu Mingchen’s Root Bone and Comprehension were both average. Reaching his current level was a testament to his hard work—though, of course, having Shen Wuchen as his master also played a part.

Therefore, he was also selected to participate in the upcoming inter-sect tournament.

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This time, it was the Profound Pure Sect’s turn to host the inter-sect tournament for Changqing County.

And so, the Profound Pure Sect’s own Evergreen Sword Saint, Zhang Zhentian, volunteered to preside over the tournament.

When the members of the various Changqing County sects saw the magnificent Evergreen Sword Saint, they were overcome with a sense of being honored. ’As expected of the Profound Pure Sect,’ they thought. ’As the leading sect of Changqing County, their courtesy is impeccable.’

To think they would send a legendary figure like the Evergreen Sword Saint himself to welcome everyone—it was an incredible honor.

Meanwhile, the young disciples from the various sects participating in the tournament all gazed at Zhang Zhentian on the stage with looks of pure admiration.

Xu Ran, who had come to watch, observed Zhang Zhentian—now a major figure basking in the crowd’s admiration and reverence. He then turned his head to Shen Wuchen, who stood beside him, and asked:

"Well? Seeing your Senior Brother Zhang like this... feeling envious?"

When Shen Wuchen first broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage, he too was admired by all in the same way. The title "the youngest Nascent Soul True Monarch the Cultivation Realm had seen in a hundred thousand years" had spread far and wide.

But then he challenged Zhang Zhentian, who was only at the Golden Core Stage at the time. This move, however, ended up making a name for Zhang Zhentian instead. Shen Wuchen’s own reputation plummeted, and he became little more than a benchmark for measuring other prodigies—a role he used to earn a few Spirit Stones.

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, Shen Wuchen shook his head and replied expressionlessly:

"Master Xu, I remember you once told me that by choosing the Flying Immortal Stream, I would be forever cut off from fame and glory. I have long since accepted that."

Xu Ran watched his reaction and nodded slightly, then chuckled. "You’ve accepted it, but you’re still envious deep down, aren’t you?"

Shen Wuchen’s expression froze at his words. He then turned to Xu Ran with a somewhat reproachful gaze and said:

"Master Xu, you really didn’t need to say that out loud."

’Couldn’t you have let me save a little face?’

’Why else would he persist despite all the losses? Wasn’t it because he firmly believed the Flying Immortal Stream could reach the very pinnacle? That one day, he too would finally have his moment to shine?’

Watching his reaction, Xu Ran waved a dismissive hand. "There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. If you told me you weren’t the least bit envious, I’d seriously question if you were normal."

"This is a good thing. Envy breeds motivation. I’m looking forward to the day you finally defeat Zhang Zhentian."

Shen Wuchen nodded. His gaze fixed on Zhang Zhentian, who was basking in the limelight on the stage, and he replied with conviction:

"Don’t worry, Master Xu. I will make sure you are there to see that day with your own eyes."

Xu Ran nodded gently. "Mm. I’m looking forward to it."