Watching the Mountain

Chapter 18: Chapter 13: It Makes No Sense

Xu Ran was also aware of the recent discussions within the Sect about whether Yue Qingyu or Ye Shan was more suitable to become the next Sect Leader.

He just hadn’t expected the situation to be a bit more serious than he had anticipated.

Right now, before his very eyes, a group of people was arguing over this exact issue.

”Senior Sister Yue is the chosen one of our Profound Pure Sect! Before her, our Profound Pure Sect never had such a dazzling prodigy. After she appeared, the number of geniuses in our Profound Pure Sect has increased year after year. Now, we even have someone like Senior Brother Ye Shan, a genius capable of suppressing the Ten Major Sects.”

”This shows that Senior Sister Yue’s appearance caused our Profound Pure Sect’s fortune to soar, leading to the emergence of one genius after another.”

”She’s merely the Sect Leader’s disciple right now and already has such an effect. If she were to take charge of the Sect, our Profound Pure Sect’s fortune would surely soar even higher! At that time, even more prodigies would definitely appear.”

”Do you want one Senior Brother Ye Shan, or do you want countless Senior Brother Ye Shans?”

”Besides, Senior Sister Yue has already reached the Golden Core Stage. She is our Profound Pure Sect’s number one genius. The position of Sect Leader should naturally be passed down to the strongest.”

”She was just born earlier than Senior Brother Ye Shan! If Senior Brother Ye Shan were her age, he would have definitely reached the Golden Core Stage long ago too.”

”Besides, Senior Brother Ye Shan has been fighting constantly for our Profound Pure Sect. What has Senior Sister Yue ever done?”

”While Senior Brother Ye Shan was fighting for the Sect, she was using her status as the Sect Leader’s disciple to enjoy the fruits of victory that he brought back. How could someone like that be worthy of leading the Sect?”

The two sides argued until they were red in the face, each defending their chosen candidate and refusing to back down.

After listening for a while from the side, Xu Ran quietly departed.

He had already encountered many such scenes today on his way from Spirit Stream Peak to Celestial Profound Peak, where Yue Qingyu resided.

A few days ago, everyone was only discussing it in secret, not bringing it out into the open. But now, they were debating it so openly, without any reservations.

This struck Xu Ran as a little strange. Logically, something that could affect the Sect’s unity shouldn’t be discussed like this. At most, it should be a few whispered comments in private. It shouldn’t have blown up into such a widespread commotion.

What was even stranger was that not only had no one from the Sect’s upper echelon stepped in to stop it, but many Elders had actually joined the discussion. That made even less sense.

’Perhaps there’s some inside story here that I don’t know about.’

He didn’t dwell on it, though. Both Yue Qingyu and Ye Shan had shown him kindness. No matter which of them became the next Sect Leader, he would offer them his sincere congratulations.

However, he felt he probably wouldn’t be able to witness that moment himself. When Yue Qingyu or Ye Shan inherited the position of Sect Leader, they would surely have a cultivation at the Nascent Soul Stage. That would be hundreds of years from now.

Although he had publicly claimed to have consumed a Longevity Fruit, the life extension from such a fruit was limited. A Longevity Fruit that could be consumed by a mortal or someone at the Qi Cultivation Stage extending one’s life by several decades or a century was already considered excellent. Any more than that would cause one’s body to explode. It would be impossible for him to still be alive by then.

Given his current cultivation progress, he would have certainly left the Profound Pure Sect by then and gone to some unknown corner of the Cultivation Realm. Naturally, he wouldn’t be able to witness their succession.

’But even if I’ve left, I’m sure I’ll still hear the news of their succession. When that time comes, I’ll just quietly offer them my congratulations.’

At this thought, Xu Ran shook his head slightly, cast the notions aside, and walked straight to the entrance of Yue Qingyu’s Cave Mansion.

Yue Qingyu seemed to have some obsession with white clothes. Every time he saw her, she was dressed in flowing white robes, with waist-length hair and a fair, delicate face.

Her beautiful eyes landed on Xu Ran. She nodded lightly and spoke first, asking, ”Are you also here because of the topic the Sect has been discussing recently?”

”Also?” Xu Ran was a little taken aback.

”Junior Sister Que’Er came by yesterday.”

Xu Ran nodded slightly upon hearing this. ’I see. If it was Ning Caique, there’s no doubt she’s firmly on Yue Qingyu’s side. She probably came over to show her support.’

Just as he was thinking this, Yue Qingyu spoke softly, ”You all don’t need to worry too much about this matter. There are some things I can’t tell you, but I will be leaving in a few days.”

Xu Ran looked astonished. ’Leave? Where to?’

Yue Qingyu seemed to see his question and explained, ”To the Secret Realm.”

”The Secret Realm?” Xu Ran exclaimed in surprise. He then recalled the discussion he had heard on his way here, about how many people were saying she was just enjoying the fruits of Ye Shan’s labor within the Sect.

”Is it because of those rumors in the Sect?”

Yue Qingyu didn’t answer his question, instead asking one of her own, ”Do you think so?”

After a moment of thought, Xu Ran shook his head. ”I don’t think Senior Sister is that kind of person.”

Xu Ran couldn’t quite put his finger on what kind of person Yue Qingyu was. One might call her cold and aloof, yet she was always polite and considerate in her actions. One might call her easygoing, yet she had an otherworldly air that made people hesitant to approach.

Logically, someone like her should be naive about the ways of the world, yet when it came to certain worldly matters and the human heart, she seemed to understand them better than anyone.

’She’s a contradiction, complex and hard to see through, making it impossible to say what kind of person she truly is.’

’But there’s one thing he was sure of: she absolutely did not care about the rumors in the Sect.’

After hearing his answer, Yue Qingyu explained calmly, ”In the Secret Realm, the battles among the younger generation are now basically over. The next stage is the battle between the older generation.”

Xu Ran was stunned for a moment, but then he understood. Although Yue Qingyu was only a dozen or so years older than him, making her just over a hundred, her cultivation was already at the Golden Core Stage.

In the Cultivation Realm, regardless of the Sect, the Golden Core Stage was considered part of the upper echelons.

In other words, even though she was only around a hundred years old, in terms of status, she was solidly a member of the ”older generation.”

Therefore, she was naturally qualified to participate in the battles between the older generation of the major sects. And given the importance of the Secret Realm, it was highly likely the Sect was treating her as their hope for turning the tables.

Just like Ye Shan was now.

While Ye Shan was still fighting against those disciples called prodigies, Yue Qingyu had already entered the inner circle, fighting as a high-level combatant. He wondered what Ye Shan’s supporters would think if they knew about this.

Yue Qingyu was unwilling to say more about the Secret Realm. After her brief explanation, she looked at Xu Ran with great interest and said:

”I heard you comprehended a sword technique? Can you demonstrate it for me?”

Xu Ran gave her a surprised look, taken aback that she actually knew about this.

However, he didn’t ask any questions. Upon hearing her request, he summoned his Flying Sword and held it in his hand.

Seeing this, Yue Qingyu beckoned to him, signaling for him to attack her.

Xu Ran didn’t hold back, attacking her with all his might.

The tip of the sword touched Yue Qingyu’s slender finger and could advance no further. Xu Ran wasn’t surprised by this and quietly retracted his longsword.

Yue Qingyu closed her eyes to sense it for a moment, then nodded slightly. She gave him an appreciative glance and said, ”Not bad. What is this sword technique of yours called?”

”Silent Sparrow.”

Yue Qingyu frowned in thought for a moment, then smiled lightly. ”If Junior Sister Que’Er knew, she would definitely jump for joy.”

After speaking, she took out a Jade Talisman and sent it into Xu Ran’s hand, wrapped in Spiritual Power.

Xu Ran looked at the Jade Talisman in his hand, then at her with a puzzled expression.

”This is a voucher. In the future, if you can reach the threshold of the Foundation Establishment Stage, you can use this Jade Talisman to receive Foundation Establishment Pills at will. The first ten are free. After ten, you can exchange for them at half price using Contribution Points. After thirty, you can exchange for them at the normal Contribution Point cost, with no limit on quantity, but they are only for your own use.”

After she finished, Yue Qingyu added, ”This is the Sect’s decision. It has nothing to do with me.”

Hearing this, Xu Ran was completely bewildered, his eyes filled with confusion.

’What’s happening all of a sudden?’

He quickly fumbled through his Storage Bag for the fruits of his research. The Jade Scroll was still there. He was certain he hadn’t had a chance to give it to Yue Qingyu yet, nor had he even mentioned it.

’In that case, why would the Sect suddenly place so much importance on me?’

’I can’t figure it out. It makes no sense.’