Watching the Mountain

Chapter 4: Chapter 2: Propriety

Xu Ran gazed at the extraordinary, towering mountain gate before him, his heart filled with unease.

He was no longer the ignorant boy he once was, who knew nothing of this world.

A hundred years had passed, and he had come to a rather deep understanding of the world.

This realm was called the Immortal Ancient World. It had Five Domains, and each domain contained thirteen counties.

The Profound Pure Sect was located in the Eastern Domain’s Changqing County. Although it wasn’t ranked among the Eastern Domain’s top ten Immortal Sects, it was still one of the most powerful forces beneath them, with several Nascent Soul True Monarchs presiding over it.

Countless geniuses vied to join such a powerful Sect. For an ”old man” over a hundred years old like himself to want to join was undoubtedly a fool’s dream.

But Xu Ran had no other choice. Over the past century, he had tried to join other sects, but without exception, all his attempts had ended in failure.

Now, his only hope was Yue Qingyu, the person who had guided him onto the path of cultivation.

...

Yue Qingyu arrived quickly. She was still dressed in white, her figure tall and graceful, her long hair flowing. Her face always bore an expression of indifference to everything around her.

However, despite her cool and otherworldly appearance, her manners were polite and proper, never inspiring antipathy.

Upon seeing Xu Ran, before he could even speak, she raised her hands and formed a Dao Seal, a faint smile on her face as she said:

”Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Xu, on leaping the dragon’s gate and stepping onto the path of the Dao. Since your Cultivation has reached the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, it naturally means I misjudged you back then. As per our agreement, I will recommend you for entry into the Sect.”

”I hope that after you join, you will continue to cultivate diligently and achieve great heights soon.”

She had taken the initiative to mention their agreement, completely ignoring the issue of Xu Ran’s age and even encouraging him as she would any other new disciple.

This allowed the perpetually anxious Xu Ran to breathe a long sigh of relief. He hurriedly bowed in thanks, but Yue Qingyu simply waved her hand and replied:

”You should understand the meaning behind me giving you the Cultivation Technique back then. The fact that you are standing here today is the result of your own hard work.”

Xu Ran understood she was referring to how she had been certain he couldn’t cultivate, which was why she gave him the technique. But to him, regardless of her intentions, she was the one who had shown him the way.

Just as he was about to bow in thanks to Yue Qingyu again, a cold snort suddenly sounded in his ear:

”You really have the nerve to show up. Take a look at your age! So what if you join the Sect? At your age, how many years can you even cultivate in the Sect? Why must you force this path? You’d be better off living out the rest of your days peacefully in the Mortal World.”

Hearing this, Xu Ran looked up to see a middle-aged female cultivator in a blue, cloud-patterned satin robe, her hair tied in a high bun. She was staring straight at him, her gaze as sharp as daggers.

From her words, Xu Ran guessed that this was the same girl from all those years ago—Xiaoque’Er, who used to wear her hair in buns and follow him around like a shadow.

However, he didn’t call her by that name. Instead, he cupped his hands in a respectful salute and asked, ”Greetings, Elder. May I ask for Elder’s name?”

”Ning Caique,” the woman spat out coldly.

Hearing this, Xu Ran bowed again. ”Xu Ran greets Elder Ning. In response to Elder’s words, I fell off a cliff in my youth and accidentally consumed an Exotic Fruit. My lifespan was extended as a result. If not for this, I would not have the audacity at my current age to ask the Moon Fairy for a recommendation to the Sect.”

This was the reason Xu Ran had prepared before coming to the Profound Pure Sect. Given his age, if he wanted to stay in the Sect for many years without revealing the Longevity Dao Fruit, this was undoubtedly the best excuse.

His Longevity Dao Fruit allowed him to adjust his apparent age and could fool inspections. The age he currently projected was that of a man in his fifties or sixties.

Unfortunately, it could only adjust his age—allowing him to appear as a youth, a young man, a middle-aged man, or an old man—but it couldn’t change his facial features or transform him into someone else. Otherwise, it would have been even more perfect.

In the Cultivation Realm, rare treasures and exotic fruits that could extend one’s lifespan were precious but not unheard of. It wasn’t an excuse that would attract unnecessary trouble.

When Ning Caique heard how Xu Ran addressed her, her expression softened considerably.

She knew he had recognized her, but he hadn’t called her Xiaoque’Er. Instead, he addressed her as Elder Ning, which showed that he understood propriety.

She looked at Xu Ran and snorted lightly. ”You’re certainly lucky.”

Then, her tone shifted as she continued, ”But so what? With your aptitude and Comprehension, even if you could live for another few decades or a century, you still have no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment. You’ll just end up wasting a lifetime only to turn to dust. You’d be better off living a carefree life in the Mortal World.”

Xu Ran’s expression remained calm as he replied, ”What Elder Ning says may be correct. But no matter what, there is nothing wrong with having a heart that seeks the Dao, is there?”

”You...” Ning Caique’s face flushed with urgency, and she was about to say more when Yue Qingyu waved a hand, cutting her off.

”Enough, Junior Sister. Just as Fellow Daoist Xu said, there is nothing wrong with having a heart that seeks the Dao.”

After speaking, Yue Qingyu nodded to Xu Ran. ”Wait here a moment. I will report your matter to the Sect.”

As she spoke, she took out a Communication Jade Talisman.

”I’ll have to trouble you, Fairy,” Xu Ran replied respectfully.

A short while later, Yue Qingyu put away the Communication Jade Talisman. Her gaze fell on Xu Ran, and she nodded slightly.

”It is done. From this moment on, you are an Outer Disciple of my Profound Pure Sect.”

”Considering your age, it’s not suitable for you to undertake dangerous missions. I’ve taken the liberty of assigning you to Spirit Stream Peak.”

”Spirit Stream Peak’s main focus is Alchemy and the cultivation of Spirit Medicine. There are almost never any combat-related tasks. Of course, if you are unwilling, I can arrange a different assignment for you.”

Hearing this, Xu Ran hurriedly bowed in thanks. ”The Fairy’s arrangement is exactly what I wished for. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.”

Yue Qingyu nodded, offered him a few words of encouragement, and then turned to instruct the nearby Ning Caique to take him to Spirit Stream Peak to register. With that, she walked away at a leisurely pace.

”Follow me.” Seeing that the matter was settled, Ning Caique said no more. She gestured to Xu Ran and then turned to walk in a specific direction.

Xu Ran saw this and silently followed her.

He didn’t mind Ning Caique’s attitude. ’People grow up, after all. If, after a hundred years, she was still tugging at the corner of my sleeve and calling me Brother Xu like she used to, I’d be the one who was terrified.’

’I used her youth and ignorance to get in touch with Yue Qingyu back then. Her current attitude is actually quite restrained, all things considered.’

It seemed Spirit Stream Peak had already received the news. Under Ning Caique’s guidance, Xu Ran smoothly processed his Identity Jade Talisman at the Internal Affairs Hall, receiving two sets of robes and a Jade Scroll.

The process was completely smooth and without incident.

After they left the Internal Affairs Hall, Ning Caique took out two Jade Bottles and thrust them into Xu Ran’s hands without explanation. ”Take these.”

Xu Ran looked at the Jade Bottles in his hand and then at Ning Caique, confused. ”Elder Ning, what are these?”

”Qi Gathering Pills,” Ning Caique said, her face expressionless.

Just as Xu Ran was about to refuse, Ning Caique’s face hardened as she continued:

”Senior Sister Yue is kind-hearted and treats every disciple well. This leads many to forget their place and constantly try to curry favor with her, disturbing her cultivation. I hope you are not one of those people.”

”Rest assured, Elder Ning. The Moon Fairy overlooking my lack of talent and recommending me to the Sect is already a monumental kindness. How could I have the audacity to disturb her cultivation further?”

Hearing Xu Ran’s reply, Ning Caique’s expression softened. She let out a soft ”Mm” and said, ”It’s best that you think that way.”

”Remember what you said. If you run into any trouble in the Sect, you can... come find me. Just don’t disturb Senior Sister Yue.”

With that said, she turned and left without waiting for Xu Ran to react.