Watching the Mountain

Chapter 307: Chapter 182: Parting Ways

What’s more, after being eroded by the ages, the weapon had long turned into scrap metal. It was completely useless.

Xu Ran was a little stunned. ”If that’s the case,” he asked, ”then why are you so happy, Senior?”

Upon hearing this, True Monarch Flowing Clouds gave a faint smile. ”To an ordinary person, that weapon is indeed scrap metal. However, it still retains traces of that Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch’s Dao.”

His tone carried a hint of pride as he said, ”Don’t look down on these traces. They’re not ordinary. You can see a clear path within them, which is incredibly rare. Even a brand-new Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch Level Magical Treasure obtained today couldn’t compare.”

”It’s already more precious than the vast majority of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the world.”

He sighed softly, his tone filled with emotion. ”Especially for Sects like ours that have lost their Divinity Transformation inheritances.”

He shook his head. ”The Cultivation Realm always says it hopes that we Nascent Soul Sects will grow and produce Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarchs. But at the same time, they keep all the inheritances and even the slightest traces of the path to Divinity Transformation under tight wraps, not letting a single bit get out.”

”The powers that have Divinity Transformation cultivators are concentrated in a few places. It might seem like they’re protecting us factions without them, saving us from being suppressed, but at the same time, aren’t they also cutting off our path forward?”

Xu Ran nodded slightly. He’d long since considered this aspect of the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm’s structure, so he wasn’t too surprised.

He then looked at True Monarch Flowing Clouds and asked, ”Have you already given the weapon to Junior Brother Zhang, Senior?”

’True Monarch Flowing Clouds follows the path of the Flying Immortal Stream, so he definitely can’t use it. The only reason he’d be this happy is if it were useful to Zhang Zhentian.’

Hearing Xu Ran’s question, True Monarch Flowing Clouds nodded and said,

”That boy, Zhentian, has already reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage. Although the Divinity Transformation Stage is still a long way off, our Sect lost its Divinity Transformation inheritance long ago. It’s best to prepare these things as soon as possible.”

”I’d hate for him to reach the Nascent Soul Late Stage and be preparing to break through to the Divinity Transformation Stage, only to start preparing then. I don’t want him to miss his chance to break through simply because he’s struggling with the lack of a clear path forward.”

Xu Ran nodded thoughtfully. ”No wonder you’ve been so busy since Junior Brother Zhang had his breakthrough, Senior. So this was all for the sake of his future advancement.”

True Monarch Flowing Clouds replied with a calm expression, ”Of course. Now that Zhentian has reached the Nascent Soul Stage, with his talent and aptitude, there’s a chance he can go much further.”

”His strength is already far beyond mine. He doesn’t need my help with anything else. All I can do is help him accumulate more resources and build a stronger foundation. I’ll be satisfied even if I can help him just a little bit on his path to his next breakthrough.”

His tone was very calm, but his eyes shone with incredible brightness, revealing his hope and longing. He was clearly looking forward to the day his grandson would become a Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch.

Xu Ran fell silent as he watched the True Monarch’s expression.

’True Monarch Flowing Clouds has truly given his all for his grandson, Zhang Zhentian.’

’When Zhang Zhentian was just a little brat, the True Monarch was already worrying about his development. He even sent Zhang Zhentian away from his side, to Qing Xuan True Monarch on Spirit Stream Peak.’

’All because he felt that having Qing Xuan True Monarch raise him would be better for Zhang Zhentian’s growth.’

’Later, when Zhang Zhentian earned the title of Evergreen Sword Saint, True Monarch Flowing Clouds was immensely proud and could finally relax, ready to enjoy his later years in peace and leisure.’

’But he hadn’t enjoyed those days for long before he was busy once again, striving to help Zhang Zhentian achieve the Divinity Transformation Stage.’

’And this kind of work was even more mentally taxing than before.’

’After all, True Monarch Flowing Clouds was only at the Nascent Soul Stage. Opportunities related to the Divinity Transformation Stage weren’t rare for a Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch; they might even stumble upon one just by taking a short walk.’

’But for someone who hadn’t yet reached that stage, they could search their entire life and never get the chance.’

’The fact that he was so happy just from finding a scrap-like weapon in the ruins of a Cave Mansion proved he was truly doing everything he could.’

’Before this, he must have found nothing at all.’

At this thought, Xu Ran looked at True Monarch Flowing Clouds, his expression becoming incredibly serious as he spoke.

”With a grandfather like you supporting him, I’m sure Junior Brother Zhang can become a Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch. He might even have a chance at becoming a Daoist Venerable, or reaching an even higher Realm.”

True Monarch Flowing Clouds waved his hand dismissively. ”If that happens, it will be that boy Zhentian’s own achievement. I can’t help him with much.”

”All I can do is use the time I have now to help him accumulate more resources and build his foundation, to make his path a little smoother.”

After speaking, he narrowed his eyes slightly and gave Xu Ran a proud look, chuckling slyly.

”When that boy Zhentian becomes a Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch, then I’ll be the grandfather of a Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch! I’ll have to do some serious bragging then.”

Xu Ran couldn’t help but smile. ’I remember how True Monarch Flowing Clouds used to say, ”My grandson is the Evergreen Sword Saint,” every other sentence. If Zhang Zhentian really reaches the Divinity Transformation Stage, won’t he be even more insufferably smug?’

At this thought, Xu Ran lifted his chin and puffed out his chest slightly, then said in a casual, breezy tone:

”I, too, look forward to the day Junior Brother Zhang becomes a Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch. However...”

”I should let you know, Senior, that my disciple is Master Vermilion Bird, Ning Xiyue.”

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, True Monarch Flowing Clouds instantly recalled the time they had argued. His eyes widened, and he shot back heatedly: