Watching the Mountain

Chapter 295: Chapter 179: Divinity Transformation

But whenever he tried to break through before, he always felt that something was missing, which consistently held him back.

It wasn’t until Jiang Nian told him that Jiuyou County was filled with nameless, faceless statues of himself that a wondrous feeling welled up in his heart. The sense of something missing was instantly remedied.

Only then did he have an epiphany: the one thing he had been missing was the very Path of Emotion he had chosen to follow.

Over the past few centuries, his understanding had grown continuously. He had not only comprehended multiple Mental Realms but had also created a Cultivation Technique perfectly suited to himself.

Yet, on his chosen path, he was still missing a crucial spark of emotional resonance. Emotion, after all, cannot exist without being moved; it is the very fluctuation of feelings that allows one to deeply sense its presence.

When Jiang Nian told him that the world was now filled with his statues, he suddenly perceived the feeling of channeling the warmth of all living beings to enter his path.

Channeling the warmth of all living beings wasn’t just about taking it from them; it was also about giving it back.

It was just as Senior Sister Yue had once said: the Great Path is a solitary journey, but one always encounters others and experiences events along the way. These encounters keep the road of cultivation from being too desolate.

He felt he was beginning to understand. The distant gratitude and respect, the people who survived because of his actions—they were all part of his path, too. He had simply never looked up to see them before.

However, this didn’t mean he needed to do anything deliberately. He only had to continue following his heart, taking care of the people before him and handling the tasks at hand.

As for where this sentiment might flow and what echoes it might create, he would let it all unfold naturally.

Perhaps this was the nature of the Path of Emotion: starting from what’s near and extending to what’s far, from oneself to others, until finally, one can no longer see its end. Yet, it always originates from that first spark of warmth and perseverance within the heart.

It was just like how he had first walked the path of a Spirit Plant Master simply to repay Senior Sister Yue’s kindness, yet had unknowingly left his indelible mark upon the world.

After finding the missing piece of his cultivation, Xu Ran didn’t immediately enter seclusion to break through. Instead, he first organized his new theoretical understanding to fulfill his promise to Jiang Nian.

If not for Jiang Nian, he might have been stuck at this bottleneck for much longer. And without fulfilling his promise, he wouldn’t have been able to break through with a clear mind.

Now that the matter was settled, he could enter seclusion and focus solely on his breakthrough without any distractions.

His seclusion this time went exceptionally smoothly. With all conditions met, everything fell into place naturally. Without the slightest hitch, his cultivation advanced to the Purple Mansion Middle Stage in just three days.

However, he didn’t emerge from seclusion immediately after his breakthrough. He first took some time to consolidate his new realm and carefully contemplate the changes it brought.

More importantly, the world’s malady had yet to be resolved. After his breakthrough, he endured another half-month ”sickness” period before finally emerging from seclusion.

Not long after he emerged, Senior Sister Yue, who had been in Taixu County for a meeting, also finally returned.

Upon hearing the news of Senior Sister Yue’s return, Xu Ran went to pay her a visit.

When he saw Senior Sister Yue, she still had her usual ethereal air and a calm expression, but Xu Ran could clearly sense that her heart was not at ease.

Seeing this, Xu Ran immediately thought, ’The meeting must not have gone well.’

”Senior Sister, did something unpleasant happen at the meeting?”

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, Yue Qingyu fixed her beautiful eyes on him. ”Why would you think that, Junior Brother?”

”I sense that your heart is a little heavy.”

Yue Qingyu gave a light wave of her hand, her expression remaining calm as she spoke.

”Junior Brother, life’s ability to adapt is very strong. When an environment cannot be changed, people stop thinking about changing the environment. Instead, they think about how to become strong within it so they can control more resources.”

”With your wisdom, Junior Brother, surely you can understand my concerns.”

Xu Ran’s expression faltered for a moment. He understood what Senior Sister Yue meant.

When a disaster strikes a place, people might unite in the beginning, thinking of how to resolve the crisis.

But as time passes and the disaster persists, people grow accustomed to living with it. At that point, the disaster itself is no longer important; in a sense, it no longer even exists.

Some people’s minds will begin to wander, and they will start thinking of ways to profit from the situation.

This is only natural. Human hearts are all different; it’s practically impossible to make everyone adhere to a single idea.

In other words, in the hundred-plus years since the malady appeared, the Cultivation Realm still hasn’t found a solution. Now, some people are no longer willing to keep searching for one.

At this thought, Xu Ran couldn’t help but sigh internally.

’How long has it really been?’

’Barely more than a hundred years.’

’So impatient.’

’No wonder Senior Sister Yue’s heart is so heavy.’

As it was, many in the Cultivation Realm already harbored resentment toward the Profound Pure Sect because of the malady. They believed it was a disaster brought about by Ye Shan, and that none of this would have happened if not for him.

But before, the prevailing sentiment in the Cultivation Realm had been one of unity. Even if some people complained, no one would dare step out of line in that general atmosphere.

But if, as time went on, that prevailing sentiment were to change completely... what would the Profound Pure Sect do then?

Senior Sister Yue had always seemed unperturbed no matter the situation, as if she could handle any problem with graceful ease.