Watching the Mountain

Chapter 273: Chapter 168: Enlightenment Dao, High Summer

Xu Ran had been feeling much younger lately—not physically, but in his state of mind.

He had been spending more time with Li Daoyi and the others, and their vibrant energy was infectious.

In truth, given his age, Cultivation, and Mental Realm, he wasn’t so easily swayed. But when he’d heard Li Daoyi and the others laughingly declare they would change the world, Xu Ran had looked at their smiles and felt a faint emotion stirring within him.

Upon noticing this feeling, Xu Ran decisively relaxed both body and mind, allowing himself to be drawn into their atmosphere.

Teacher Qing Xuan had once said that one must actively integrate Cultivation into one’s life—to feel it, to love it.

As one’s Cultivation progressed, one discovered that the Dao a Cultivator sought was not in the heavens, but right beside them.

Everyone’s path to Enlightenment Dao was different, and Teacher Qing Xuan’s was just one among many. However, this method of finding enlightenment in the small details of daily life was perfectly suited for a Longevity Seeker like Xu Ran.

He had endless ages, after all, to witness the splendors of the mortal world and find his Dao within its dust.

Xu Ran’s Cultivation was nearing the threshold of the Purple Mansion Middle Stage. His original plan had been to enter seclusion for a time to push for a breakthrough.

But after that feeling began to stir within him, he abruptly changed his plans. He would no longer enter seclusion. Instead, he would cultivate as he always had and let the breakthrough happen naturally when the time was right.

He no longer had to worry about his superficial lifespan as he once did. After receiving the Sun-Devouring Demon Essence Fruit from that foolish disciple of his, Jiang Ling’Er, he now had all the time in the world.

He had a feeling that if, after the Golden Core realm, he could comprehend the Mental Realms for all four seasons, building on his Autumn Sorrow and the warmth of spring, he might reap an unexpected reward.

He now had spring and autumn; only summer and winter remained. But such things couldn’t be forced. He could only do his best to try.

After getting a glimpse of Ye Shan’s youthful Swordsmanship from Xu Ran, Li Daoyi, Chu Lingxiao, and Luo Qianxue started visiting him often.

Xu Ran’s grand-disciple, Lu Mingchen, also came with them.

Lu Mingchen had stayed with Xu Ran since he first began to cultivate. He was a simple and honest soul. Whenever he visited, he wouldn’t dare move about freely. Even when Xu Ran told him to relax and treat the place like his own home, he couldn’t bring himself to, and would just cultivate quietly by himself.

Though Li Daoyi was proud, his pride was directed inward. He was gentle and courteous to others. At Xu Ran’s home, he always remembered his place, acting with respectful and becoming grace, never once disturbing Xu Ran.

The one who truly livened up Xu Ran’s home was, surprisingly, the outsider Luo Qianxue.

This girl with ”snow” in her name, once she grew comfortable, was a constant chatterbox, as lively as a little sparrow.

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The sun sank completely behind the mountains. A few Spirit Stone Lamps were lit in the courtyard, their gentle glow illuminating the young faces gathered there.

Luo Qianxue finished a swordsmanship routine. After sheathing her sword, instead of seeking comments from Li Daoyi or Chu Lingxiao as she usually did, her eyes darted about, and she sidled up to Xu Ran, who was leaning against a pillar on the veranda.

”Elder Hidden Mountain,” she said, blinking with a face full of curiosity. ”That Swordsmanship of Elder Ye Shan’s you demonstrated... back when he was young, was he just like his sword? Cold, cool, and a man of few words?”

Xu Ran glanced at her. Before he could answer, he caught a glimpse of Chu Lingxiao out of the corner of his eye. Not far off, the young man had frozen for a second, his face sullen, but his ears were secretly perked.

Xu Ran smiled faintly at the sight. As he spent more time with them, he was getting to know them all better.

That Chu Lingxiao fellow seemed quiet, but he was actually the biggest gossip and loved a bit of excitement.

Whenever Xu Ran saw him eavesdropping on some juicy tidbit, all while wearing that handsome, aloof face with its sharp brows and star-like eyes, he couldn’t help but find it comical.

Hearing Luo Qianxue’s question, Li Daoyi also ambled over with a gentle smile.

”Although the elders have told me a fair bit about Senior Uncle Ye Shan, I’d still love to hear your account, Senior Uncle.”

Xu Ran looked at their curious faces and tilted his head back slightly. His gaze drifted into the distant night, as if piercing through time itself. He could almost see it again: himself, practicing his sword on Spirit Stream Peak, when a sudden sneer came from behind him, followed by the words:

”Pardon my bluntness, Junior Brother Xu, but you have no talent for Swordsmanship. I suggest you give it up. You could try something else.”

Truth be told, back when he first met Ye Shan, Xu Ran had imagined that one day, when this scorching sun finally set, he would be the one to tell his story to others.

He just never imagined—not even back then—that the time would come so soon.

A mere few centuries. For a talent like him, it was far, far too short.

At this thought, Xu Ran shook his head slightly and sighed to himself.

Then, a smile touched his lips. He lowered his head slightly, meeting their expectant gazes, and said,

”I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. Senior Brother Ye Shan wasn’t aloof at all. Quite the opposite, he was a real motormouth. The man had no tact, yet he never stopped talking.”