Watching the Mountain

Chapter 9: Chapter 6: Have You Ever Faced Life and Death?

As Xu Ran recalled, the Spirit Fields of Spirit Stream Peak suffered from pest infestations quite often. In fact, the frequency was alarmingly high. He had participated in several large-scale pest extermination missions, and each time an infestation struck, the Spirit Rice harvest would be drastically reduced.

Such frequent infestations were hardly normal.

In the past, Xu Ran hadn’t paid it any mind or given it much thought. ’Now that I’m focused on it,’ he thought, ’I can probably start there.’

He couldn’t produce any pesticides, but he felt he could summarize and organize some of the pest prevention and control experience from his past life.

’There’s no rule stating that contributions to the Sect have to be a tangible product. A set of practical, effective methods and theories should also count.’

Having found a direction, Xu Ran felt a renewed sense of purpose. Outside of his daily cultivation, he dedicated himself to studying the Lingxi Insect.

Although he could draw on his knowledge of pest control from his past life, the two worlds were ultimately different. Spiritual Insects and ordinary insects also had many distinctions.

Adapting his past-life knowledge to this world wasn’t something that could be done overnight. It would require a great deal of time spent in observation and research. He could only propose a control method after gaining a thorough understanding of the Spiritual Insects.

Xu Ran wasn’t anxious about this, and he moved toward his goal at a steady, unhurried pace.

*

*

*

However, just as he was eagerly anticipating the day he could present his comprehensive pest control plan, he was met not with that success, but with a new low in his life.

In the second year after the Sect’s grand competition ended, the Profound Pure Sect began a new round of recruitment.

In this recruitment drive, Spirit Stream Peak gained over three hundred new disciples.

Xu Ran was quite happy about this. He had joined the Sect late, which meant that until these new disciples arrived, he was the most junior member of the entire Sect. He had to address everyone he met as ”Senior Brother” or ”Senior Sister.”

’Now that new disciples have joined,’ he thought, breathing a long sigh of relief, ’I can finally be called ’Senior Brother’ and, in turn, call others ’Junior Brother’ and ’Junior Sister.’ This is a huge step up.’

That day, he headed to the Instructor Hall for a lecture, just as he always did. With the new disciples present, the atmosphere was a bit more bustling than usual.

Normally, new disciples were the most well-behaved. After all, having just arrived in an unfamiliar environment, they were unacquainted with everything and didn’t dare to act out of line.

But today was different.

During the Magic Technique lesson, the Elder on the dais had only been speaking for a short while when a sudden sneer came from the audience. ”Elder, everything you’re teaching is too basic. Can’t you talk about something more advanced?”

The speaker’s voice sounded young, but his tone was incredibly arrogant and domineering. Anyone could tell he was a spoiled brat.

Sure enough, looking toward the source of the voice revealed a sturdy-looking youth. With his arms crossed and nose in the air, he stared disdainfully at the Elder lecturing on the dais.

The sudden interruption silenced the hall instantly. Many of the disciples held their breath, unsure of what would happen next.

The Elder giving the lecture was Qing Xuan Master, a man known for being upright and incorruptible. He had, on several occasions, argued until he was red in the face with the Peak Master and other high-ranking officials to defend ordinary disciples he barely knew.

Furthermore, unlike the other Instructor Elders, who mostly seemed to be just going through the motions, he was extremely earnest and patient when he lectured the disciples.

Qing Xuan Master was also the only person since Xu Ran had joined the Sect who would take the initiative to ask if he understood the lesson and tell him to feel free to ask about anything he found confusing.

Whenever Xu Ran came to the Instructor Hall, he most looked forward to hearing Qing Xuan Master’s lectures.

’This troublemaking brat is so arrogant, he must have an extraordinary background,’ Xu Ran thought. ’But now that he’s run into someone with firm principles like Qing Xuan Master, his arrogance probably won’t last long.’

Things happened just as Xu Ran predicted. Qing Xuan Master fixed the disruptive brat with a cold stare and said:

”You’re Zhang Zhentian, right? I know you—the grandson of the Grand Elder of Celestial Sea Peak. But that doesn’t give you the right to cause trouble in my hall. Besides the Elder Council and the Law Enforcement Hall, the Instructor Hall also has the authority to directly punish disciples without needing to file a report.”

”Seeing as this is your first offense, I will let it slide. But if it happens again, you can gamble on whether or not I dare to have your name struck from the Sect’s records and expel you.”

The brat, Zhang Zhentian, was momentarily stunned by Qing Xuan Master’s imposing aura, but he wasn’t particularly frightened. He raised his hands, formed a Dao Seal toward Qing Xuan Master, and said respectfully:

”Reporting to the Elder, I had no intention of causing a disturbance. I merely stated that the material you are teaching is too basic. For an Elder of your stature to be teaching such things is, frankly, disappointing. Even if you wish to punish me, shouldn’t you at least make me accept it wholeheartedly?”

”Oh? And what do you propose?”

When Zhang Zhentian saw Qing Xuan Master take the bait, his face lit up. He quickly said, ”I would like to challenge one of the senior brothers present to prove that my words are true and that I have no need to listen to these lessons. I hope the Elder will grant my request!”

He then quickly added, ”Of course, I have only just begun my Cultivation and my Realm is low. I hope I can compete with my senior brother at the same Cultivation Realm, or it would be acceptable if my opponent is one layer higher than me.”

Qing Xuan Master could have refused, but the brat was simply too arrogant. Seeing such a rebellious disciple, he wanted to personally teach him a lesson in manners, so he agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

”You may choose anyone you wish. If you lose, you will go to your grandfather and tell him that from this day forward, I will be responsible for all of your instruction. You will accept this willingly and without defiance.”

”No problem,” Zhang Zhentian agreed, full of confidence.

Watching the drama unfold from the sidelines, Xu Ran mused to himself. ’This kid might be a brat, but he’s not an idiot. He’s methodical, plans his moves... When he grows up, he might become a truly formidable figure.’

But at that very moment, Zhang Zhentian, who had been scanning the crowd, suddenly pointed a finger at him.

”Then I’ll have to trouble this senior brother to a match. He looks like the oldest one here, so he must have the most experience. If I can defeat him, that should be enough to convince you, Elder.”

He didn’t know Xu Ran; he simply assumed that the oldest-looking person must also be the strongest.

Upon hearing this, Qing Xuan Master’s expression froze. The faces of the other disciples who knew who Xu Ran was also turned strange.

Xu Ran, the target of Zhang Zhentian’s finger, was completely dumbfounded. Before he could refuse, Qing Xuan Master turned to him and spoke.

”Xu Ran, since he has challenged you, go ahead and have a match with him.”

As he spoke, he began to seal Xu Ran’s Cultivation. He subconsciously chose to leave it at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer—one layer higher than Zhang Zhentian’s.

’If it had been anyone else, he wouldn’t have done so, but with Xu Ran...’

Qing Xuan Master sighed inwardly. ’Oh well, let’s just leave it to fate.’

Zhang Zhentian noticed that Xu Ran’s Cultivation was now a layer higher than his own, but he didn’t care. After all, he himself had said it was acceptable.

After the two exchanged formal bows, Zhang Zhentian let out a loud cry and attacked.

The instant Zhang Zhentian made his move, Qing Xuan Master’s heart sank, and he slowly closed his eyes.

’With his keen eyes, he could immediately see the boy’s exceptional talent. As expected of the junior most valued by the Grand Elder of Celestial Sea Peak. He truly has the makings of a genius.’

’Forget Xu Ran; even most of the others present probably couldn’t defeat Zhang Zhentian at the same Cultivation level.’

Just as he expected, it wasn’t long before Xu Ran was defeated.

Xu Ran felt helpless about it. He rarely fought anyone and had practically no combat experience. The brat opposite him, on the other hand, was clearly extraordinary from the moment he attacked, his skill far exceeding his years.

Having won the match, Zhang Zhentian’s face was a mask of pride.

Qing Xuan Master watched him, and after a moment of silence, said slowly, ”From now on, in my lectures, you may do as you please, so long as you do not disturb the others.”

With that, he waved his hand, dismissing the class for the day. However, he asked Xu Ran to stay behind.

Once everyone else had departed, Qing Xuan Master stared at the ashamed and restless Xu Ran. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

”Xu Ran, have you ever, in your entire life, faced a true life-or-death crisis?”