Watching the Mountain

Chapter 298: Chapter 180: Another Challenge

All good things must come to an end, as they say.

’When Li Daoyi, Chu Lingxiao, and Luo Qianxue had gathered to talk excitedly about their futures, Xu Ran had already considered that they would one day part ways.’

’He had imagined all sorts of scenarios: perhaps they would be forced to separate due to their Sects, or even turn on one another. Or maybe they would simply grow apart as adults, their ideals no longer aligned.’

’He had even considered the cliché possibility of two of them becoming Dao Companions...’

’But reality was always more unexpected than he could imagine. Even he hadn’t foreseen that the very thing to separate them would be one of their Sects ascending to the level of a Divinity Transformation Influence.’

In the Eastern Domain Thirteen Counties, the territory of Cyan Cloud County was larger than that of the other ten counties—excluding Taixu County and Profound Celestial County—put together.

It was home to seventy to eighty percent of all Divinity Transformation influences (and above) in the Eastern Domain, aside from the Ten Major Sects themselves.

To put it another way, Luo Qianxue had, in a sense, ascended. It would be difficult for her to associate with people like Li Daoyi and Chu Lingxiao, who were still stuck in the mortal sphere.

’As for whether Luo Qianxue’s Jade Radiance Immortal Sect could actually relocate to Cyan Cloud County, Xu Ran wasn’t worried at all.’

’In the Eastern Domain Cultivation Realm, the Upper Three Sects resided in Taixu County, the other seven of the Ten Major Sects were in Profound Celestial County, and the remaining seventy to eighty percent of Divinity Transformation Influences were in Cyan Cloud County.’

’This pyramid-like geographical structure said it all.’

’The philosophy of the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm was to have factions of similar strength compete against one another. This prevented higher-level powers from completely crushing the lower-level ones, giving smaller factions a path to growth and room to survive.’

’Based on this philosophy, the Cultivation Realm actively encouraged any faction that achieved a breakthrough to move from its home region and relocate to Cyan Cloud County.’

’Whenever an outside faction ascended to the level of a Divinity Transformation Influence and expressed a desire to move, they would be granted a plot of land in Cyan Cloud County to start their development. They would also enjoy a hundred-year period of protected growth, during which no established powers in Cyan Cloud County were permitted to attack them.’

’Conversely, factions that refused to relocate would find themselves bound by numerous restrictive rules, making things quite difficult. For this reason, most Sects chose to move after their promotion.’

’This was especially true for a Sect from a remote place like Changqing County, where opportunities to reach Divinity Transformation were scarce. After ascending, relocation was a necessity; otherwise, the Sect’s future development would essentially come to a dead end.’

Luo Qianxue saw Li Daoyi and Chu Lingxiao’s reactions. Her eyes darted about for a moment before a smug, gloating grin spread across her face. Pointing at the two of them, she burst out laughing.

”Wow, you two, what’s with that reaction? Don’t tell me you can’t bear for me to leave? HAHAHA.”

Hearing Luo Qianxue’s words, the ever-frosty Chu Lingxiao gave a decisive nod. His face was blank as he replied with a single, concise word:

”Yes.”

”Uh...” Luo Qianxue was clearly not expecting the resident iceman to be so direct. For a moment, she was completely stunned.

Seeing this, Li Daoyi, who was standing to the side, gave a gentle smile. ”The three of us agreed we would become top-tier experts together,” he said. ”We would lead our Sects to glory, and then our three Sects would cooperate to replace the Upper Three Sects, shaping this world into the one we envision.”

”Now that you’re suddenly leaving us, Fellow Daoist Qianxue, it’s only natural that Fellow Daoist Chu and I would be reluctant to see you go, isn’t it?”

”I guess you’re right,” Luo Qianxue replied, a little dazed. She scratched her head, looking somewhat sheepish.

’She suddenly felt as if she had let them down.’

Li Daoyi chuckled at her reaction. ”But don’t overthink it, Fellow Daoist Qianxue,” he said. ”Your esteemed Sect’s ancestor ascending to Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch is a joyous occasion of the highest order. We should be congratulating you.”

”At the same time, it means you’ve taken a step ahead of Fellow Daoist Chu and me.”

He looked at Luo Qianxue with a warm smile. ”We trust that you won’t forget our shared goals after you get to Cyan Cloud County, Fellow Daoist Qianxue.”

”The cultivation environment in Cyan Cloud County is far better than it is here. We hope you’ll be able to advance even faster than us. If you end up falling behind, Fellow Daoist Chu and I will definitely make fun of you.”

The words had barely left his lips when Chu Lingxiao chimed in icily, ”That’s right. If you become weaker than us, we will mock you.”

Hearing this, Luo Qianxue waved her hand dismissively and snorted with great pride.

”Hmph! You can forget about that! A head start is a head start. Since this Fairy is already one step ahead, I’ll never let you two catch up.”

”I will forever remain ahead of you. I’ll be waiting for you at the very pinnacle of the Cultivation Realm, and then we’ll achieve our goal together.”

As soon as she finished, Li Daoyi and Chu Lingxiao exchanged a look. Then, they both raised their hands slightly, forming a Dao Seal in Luo Qianxue’s direction, and said in a solemn tone:

”Fellow Daoist Qianxue, congratulations. Like a dragon returning to the sea, may you find a vast world awaiting you. We wish you an early attainment of the Great Dao.”

Luo Qianxue was taken aback for a moment by their solemn expressions. Then, she threw her head back and laughed, waving her hand dismissively as she said proudly:

”Once this Fairy attains the Great Dao, I’ll be sure to look after you two.”

Li Daoyi smiled faintly. ”Then we’ll be counting on you, Fairy Luo.”

Luo Qianxue’s smile grew even brighter. ”HAHAHA, it’s no problem at all! A small matter, really. Don’t mention it.”

She puffed out her chest and patted it. ”Besides,” she said, ”even if we are relocating, it’s not something that happens overnight. It’ll take several decades at least.”

She narrowed her eyes, a grin playing on her lips. ”So, what this Fairy is trying to say is... you’d better cherish the time you still have with me.”