Watching the Mountain

Chapter 257: Chapter 162: Succession

”Based on how my master and the Sect treat you, Senior Uncle, there’s a ninety-nine percent chance you aren’t the kind of person I despise. But that sliver of possibility remains, so I must boldly ask you to clear my confusion.”

After he finished, he gave Xu Ran another slight bow, his expression serious.

Xu Ran watched his reaction, silent for a moment. Then an odd expression crossed his face as he said in a casual tone:

”Perhaps you don’t know the inside story, Junior Nephew. The reason your master and I are on such good terms is because I did him a great kindness when he was young. Let’s just say I helped with his development.”

”So, his attitude toward me isn’t really a reliable reference.”

”As for my secret...”

Li Daoyi looked at him, stunned.

Xu Ran smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, ”Sorry, but I don’t feel like telling you. If you want to know, Junior Nephew, you’ll just have to find the answer yourself.”

As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes and added meaningfully, ”Oh, and one more thing, Junior Nephew. The person who arranged my identity holds a very high position and great power within the Sect.”

”If you want to find the answer, you’ll have to work much harder. Perhaps when you become the Chief Disciple, you’ll have the chance to learn my secret.”

”Don’t you want to lead the Sect to glory, Junior Nephew? Then you’d better become the Chief Disciple soon. I look forward to the day you’re able to uncover my secret.”

After hearing this, Li Daoyi was silent for a long while. Then, he saluted him, said nothing, and silently turned to leave.

*

*

*

As Xu Ran spoke to Li Daoyi, he felt quite pleased with himself. The sight of a young prodigy, one destined to become a powerhouse, being thwarted right in front of him was highly amusing.

However, he had overlooked one small detail: the timing of Li Daoyi becoming the Sect’s Chief Disciple.

In his original estimation, no matter how talented Li Daoyi was, it would still take several decades, after his cultivation reached the Purple Mansion Stage, before he’d have a chance to become the Chief Disciple.

But he forgot that after Senior Sister Yue started her cultivation over, she had already reached the Nascent Soul Stage, and the Sect had long been looking for someone to inherit her position as Chief Disciple.

Not long after that day, he suddenly received a message from Senior Sister Yue, telling him to come over.

When Xu Ran arrived at Senior Sister Yue’s place, the first thing she brought up was Li Daoyi.

”I heard that disciple of Junior Brother Zhang’s often visits you, Junior Brother?”

”Yes, that’s right. He often comes to spar with me.”

Yue Qingyu nodded slightly. ”You’ve interacted with him a lot, Junior Brother. What’s your impression? Is he capable of taking on the role of Chief Disciple?”

Hearing this, Xu Ran was taken aback. ”Chief Disciple? Isn’t he only in the Qi Cultivation Stage right now?”

Yue Qingyu chuckled lightly. ”I’m already at the Nascent Soul Stage. It’s no longer appropriate for me to continue as Chief Disciple. It’s time to pass the title on.”

”In a few more years, the grand inter-sect competition for their generation of disciples will begin. If he can lead our Sect to first place then, and his cultivation has reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, the timing would be perfect.”

Hearing this, Xu Ran’s expression grew awkward. Just a few days ago, he had pretentiously told Li Daoyi to work hard, saying he looked forward to the day he became Chief Disciple and could uncover his secret.

He had thought it would take several decades, but now, in the blink of an eye, the boy could meet the conditions.

’I got careless.’

Seeing Xu Ran’s reaction, Yue Qingyu asked with some confusion, ”What’s wrong? Do you think he’s unsuitable, Junior Brother?”

Xu Ran quickly shook his head and denied it. ”No, no, no, Senior Sister, you’re overthinking it. He’s very suitable. Whether it’s his natural talent or his character—he’s a great fit in every aspect.”

He wasn’t about to spout nonsense about Li Daoyi being unsuitable and block him from becoming Chief Disciple just for his own sake.

Yue Qingyu’s beautiful eyes studied him for a moment before she nodded lightly and said, ”In that case, come with me to see Master, Junior Brother.”

Although Xu Ran wondered why they were going to see the Sect Leader, he didn’t ask any questions.

Soon, the two of them arrived at the main hall of the Sect on Celestial Profound Peak. The Sect Leader, Taihua True Monarch, and Supreme Elder Zi Yun were both there.

What Xu Ran found a bit strange was that the Sect Leader looked extremely serious at the moment. He was like a completely different person from the one at their first meeting, who had been full of pride and couldn’t stop talking about ”my disciple, Qingyu.”

After walking into the main hall, Yue Qingyu raised her hand in a slight salute to Sect Leader Taihua True Monarch and Supreme Elder Zi Yun, speaking softly, ”Master, Supreme Elder Zi Yun.”

Taihua True Monarch put on a stern, dignified air, nodding slightly and letting out a soft ”Mm.”

Supreme Elder Zi Yun, on the other hand, beamed, his eyes crinkling kindly as he greeted Yue Qingyu with great warmth.

Seeing this, Xu Ran nodded thoughtfully. He remembered Senior Sister Yue had once said that her impression of the Sect Leader was that of a very serious person.

He instantly understood why the Sect Leader before him looked so serious, like a completely different person from before.

’So that’s why! It’s all because Senior Sister Yue is here.’

’He puts on this stern, dignified act in front of his disciple, but when he’s away from her, it’s nothing but ’my Qingyu’ this and ’my Qingyu’ that.’

Xu Ran lowered his head slightly. ’I can’t help it,’ he thought. ’The Sect Leader’s posturing is just too childish. It’s making me want to laugh.’

After a few pleasantries, Supreme Elder Zi Yun turned to Xu Ran with a chuckle and said: