Watching the Mountain

Chapter 314: Chapter 184: The Might of Evergreen

”The fact that our Sect has managed to survive means that, on the whole, the Cultivation Realm’s attitude toward Senior Brother Ye Shan is positive. This is consistent with the Cultivation Realm’s long-standing principle of unity.”

Hearing this, Xu Ran instantly understood. He frowned thoughtfully and said,

”Senior Sister, do you mean that those who want to test us are acting as individuals, and that their actions are fundamentally underhanded?”

Yue Qingyu nodded gently and said softly,

”Nothing in this world is one-sided. Where there is light, there is shadow. Even a small sect can give rise to countless complexities, to say nothing of the entire Cultivation Realm.”

”Countless people create a complex tapestry of interwoven hearts. Not everyone can be pure of heart.”

Xu Ran sighed in profound agreement. ”You’re right. Even if just one of the world’s powerful experts dislikes Senior Brother Ye Shan and doesn’t welcome his return, that alone is enough to have a massive impact on our Sect.”

Yue Qingyu nodded slightly at this, her expression calm as she said,

”Honorable people are accustomed to thinking and acting in an honorable manner. That’s why when those with darkness in their hearts make a move, it’s often too late to stop them. People only come to their senses after great destruction has been wrought and deep wounds have been inflicted upon the world.”

”This is why the world gives many people the false impression that it’s full of villains. In reality, the truly evil are but a small group. This situation only arises because good people cannot conceive of such wickedness and are thus unable to prevent it.”

Xu Ran looked at Senior Sister Yue, deep in thought. Her ability to so incisively penetrate to the heart of the matter reminded him of what Xiaoque’Er had once said: Senior Sister Yue understands everything.

What was even more admirable was her ability to see through the hearts of all people yet still maintain her own inner purity. That was an incredibly difficult feat.

He understood what Senior Sister Yue was trying to say. He didn’t need to be overly concerned. The ones targeting the Sect were just a small group of people with dark hearts, not the entire Cultivation Realm. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

But the harder part for the Profound Pure Sect was that, since this was a probe, everything would be done within the rules. No openings would be left. Even if our Sect were to be destroyed, it would just be chalked up to a normal feud or struggle.

This meant that, in theory, no power that transcended the rules would appear. It also meant that, just as Qin Yufeng had said, the Profound Pure Sect would simply have to endure for now.

Yue Qingyu didn’t speak with Xu Ran for long. As the Sect Leader, she had many other matters to attend to at a time like this.

Xu Ran understood. He didn’t disturb Senior Sister Yue any further and went to visit Supreme Elder Zi Yun instead.

He had previously intercepted Xu Teng True Monarch outside the Sect’s main gate and spoken with him. When the True Monarch self-detonated, his target was the gate, not Xu Ran specifically. Still, the aftershock from a Nascent Soul True Monarch’s self-detonation had left Xu Ran with some injuries.

Fortunately, he had managed to get some distance away at the last moment, so his injuries weren’t severe. That was why he had gone to see Senior Sister Yue first.

Upon seeing Xu Ran, a benevolent smile spread across Supreme Elder Zi Yun’s ashen face. After listening to Xu Ran’s report on the news from Qin Yufeng, he immediately patted his chest and declared that Xu Ran shouldn’t worry about those scoundrels outside. With old-timers like them still around, the Sect would be safe.

Xu Ran looked at Supreme Elder Zi Yun in silence. ’It’s because of their generation that the Sect’s spirit has always been so good,’ he thought.

Supreme Elder Zi Yun still needed to recuperate, so Xu Ran didn’t stay for long. Seeing that the elder was out of critical danger, he took his leave.

The next day, Zhang Zhentian came to see him to ask about Li Daoyi.

According to Zhang Zhentian, after going around the Sect to reassure the other disciples, Li Daoyi had returned to his Cave Mansion and had been practicing his swordsmanship ever since.

Zhang Zhentian had observed that Li Daoyi’s mind seemed far from calm as he practiced, causing his swordsmanship to be vastly different from his usual form.

Although Zhang Zhentian could see there was a problem, he didn’t question Li Daoyi directly. Instead, he came to find Xu Ran, as he was aware of his disciple’s relationship with Chu Lingxiao of the Illusion Spirit Sect.

”Senior Brother, what do you think I can do for Daoyi?”

Zhang Zhentian asked, looking at Xu Ran with a complicated expression. This was his first time teaching a disciple. More importantly, his own upbringing was completely different from Li Daoyi’s.

So even though he was a Supreme Elder at the Nascent Soul Stage, he had no experience with a situation like Li Daoyi’s and was at a loss for what to do.

Looking at Zhang Zhentian’s expression, Xu Ran could understand how he felt. He pondered for a moment before speaking slowly,

”Junior Brother, if you truly don’t know what to do, then don’t force yourself to do anything special. Just guide him in his cultivation as you normally would.”

”You know Daoyi. That child is strong-willed and has his own mind. He doesn’t need us elders to do anything out of the ordinary. Our job is simply to protect him and ensure he can grow up safely.”

”If he truly becomes lost, you can offer a bit of guidance from the sidelines. But I doubt that will happen. Just keep a close eye on him.”

Zhang Zhentian had been a mischievous and simple-minded child. He possessed a certain wisdom, but he was generally straightforward and didn’t overcomplicate things. That was why True Monarch Flowing Clouds and Teacher Qing Xuan had always sought ways to temper him.