Watching the Mountain

Zhao Wuyang and Liu Yunge were going to the Secret Realm for a rendezvous, a fact they made no effort to hide.

It was impossible to maintain contact with the Cultivation Realm from within a Secret Realm, so before they left, they made a point of sending a message to Xu Ran and chatted for a long while.

They revealed their plan to Xu Ran. These new Secret Realms had an unusually large number of entrances and exits, connecting to all the various domains.

Their idea was to first enter the Secret Realm from the Eastern Domain’s side, then travel to the Northern Domain through one of its exits, and finally enter the Secret Realm from there.

It was true that the Netherworld Sect and the Creation Sect were renowned throughout the entire Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm. However, they were ultimately powers based in the Eastern Domain. People in the other domains had only heard of their Sects’ names but wouldn’t recognize them personally.

At that point, all they would need to do was disguise themselves slightly and conceal their auras, and they could be together openly and without fear.

Xu Ran was left speechless after hearing their plan. ’These two,’ he thought, ’one is the leading disciple of a Demon Sect, the other the leading disciple of an Immortal Sect. Instead of focusing on their Cultivation, all they think about day in and day out is how to arrange their next secret date.’

They had certainly gone to great lengths just for a rendezvous. He asked, a bit puzzled:

”If that’s the case, couldn’t you have done this before? Just use a Cross-border Teleportation Array to travel to the ends of the earth, watch the sunrises and sunsets, and live happily ever after.”

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, Zhao Wuyang laughed heartily and replied, ”Fellow Daoist Xu, you’re taking things for granted. As disciples of our Sects, how could we just leave whenever we pleased? Especially since we’re the leading disciples of our respective generations.”

”Besides, every use of a Cross-border Teleportation Array is recorded. Where could we possibly go?”

”But it’s different now. Everyone is going into the Secret Realms to search for opportunities, and it’s impossible to report back to the Sect from inside. More importantly, there are currently no requirements to register or report your information at the entrances and exits of these Secret Realms.”

”The Secret Realm that has appeared this time is simply enormous. It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to spend a hundred or even a thousand years inside. In fact, as long as the Secret Realm doesn’t close, it’s quite common for people to stay inside for their entire lives.”

”So, Fellow Daoist Xu, you should understand now, right? With the appearance of these Secret Realms, the shackles of our identities have essentially been removed. From now on, Yun Ge and I can be together openly, just like normal people.”

”We contacted you this time to let you know that if this Secret Realm remains open, we’re planning not to come back until our strength is sufficient.”

Hearing this, Xu Ran was slightly taken aback and asked in astonishment:

”Not coming back? What about your Sects...?”

Sensing Xu Ran’s hesitation, Zhao Wuyang chuckled and explained, ”These Secret Realms... while we call them that, they’re actually more like minor worlds. It would be impossible to explore them completely in a short amount of time—it would likely take at least several hundred, if not thousands, of years. That’s why all the major powers are allowing everyone to enter.”

”During this period, the entire Cultivation Realm’s attention will be focused on what’s happening inside the Secret Realms. Nothing much will happen back in the main world. All we’ll need to do is send a message back to our Sects periodically to check in.”

Hearing this, Xu Ran nodded thoughtfully. ”Well, congratulations to you both, then.”

Zhao Wuyang replied, his voice filled with happiness, ”It truly is a joyous occasion. Just as you said, Fellow Daoist Xu, Yun Ge and I will be able to watch the sunrises and sunsets together. This is the life we’ve been dreaming of for so long.”

He went on to list many more things he planned to do with Liu Yunge. Finally, Xu Ran couldn’t take it anymore and said irritably:

”Are you two calling to say goodbye or to flaunt your love life? At least have some consideration for a lonely old empty-nester like me.”

”Empty-nester? HAHA, that’s an interesting way to put it. But Fellow Daoist Xu, you aren’t that old, are you?”

”You’ve probably heard about my situation. My actual age has long surpassed the lifespan limit of the Foundation Establishment Stage. The only reason I’m still alive is that our Senior Sister Yue extended my life by three hundred years. In terms of Cultivation Realm, I’m already ancient.”

”We have heard a little about that. In that case, I suppose you really do qualify as an empty-nester, Fellow Daoist Xu. But if you’re lonely, why not just find a Dao Companion? Seeing as Fellow Daoist Yue from your Sect was willing to extend your life, perhaps you could consider her?”

”Please don’t make fun of me, Fellow Daoist Zhao. Senior Sister Yue extended my life for other reasons, which I can’t really explain in detail. Besides, you should know that our Senior Sister Yue is a pure Seeker. Her entire life is dedicated to pursuing the Dao. How could she ever let something like romance hold her back?”

Zhao Wuyang laughed. ”So what if she’s a Seeker? In that case, couldn’t you just become the Dao she seeks, Fellow Daoist?

But Fellow Daoist Yue is truly exceptional. As your close friend, I naturally hope you can find the most outstanding Dao Companion. But if you really want to make that happen, Fellow Daoist Xu, you’ll have to work for it.

Faced with Fellow Daoist Yue of your esteemed Sect, even I would feel like an ordinary person standing before her. It’s impossible to feel any sense of pride in her presence.”

Xu Ran nodded in deep agreement with this. He also felt a swell of pride. ’That’s my Senior Sister Yue for you, so outstanding that anyone standing next to her would seem dim in comparison.’

As for becoming the Dao that Senior Sister Yue seeks... Xu Ran paused for a moment, then shook his head.

He didn’t dwell on the issue with Zhao Wuyang. After a bit more small talk, they offered each other their blessings, said their farewells, and ended the transmission.