Watching the Mountain

Chapter 385: Chapter 208: Respective Situations, The Last Lesson

Furthermore, the bond between him, Li Daoyi, and Luo Qianxue of the Jade Radiance Immortal Sect, combined with their subsequent exploits, earned them the title of the ”Three Heroes of Changqing” in the Eastern Domain Cultivation Realm.

This signified that they were the three most outstanding young prodigies of their generation in Changqing County.

Yet now, this prodigy, once considered Li Daoyi’s equal, had a cultivation of only the late Purple Mansion Stage. It was truly a surprise.

Chu Lingxiao and Li Daoyi were around the same age, now approaching two hundred years old.

For an ordinary person, reaching the late Purple Mansion Stage before the age of two hundred would be an absolutely pride-worthy achievement.

But in Chu Lingxiao’s case, it was a huge letdown—a deep disappointment.

Li Daoyi, another of the Three Heroes of Changqing, had reached the Golden Core Stage in the third year of the Hidden Dao Era, when he was not yet a hundred years old.

The term ”Hundred-Year Golden Core” in the Cultivation Realm refers to reaching the Golden Core Stage before the age of one hundred, a feat accomplished by the likes of Yue Qingyu and Zhang Zhentian.

This is the Cultivation Realm’s standard of recognition for top prodigies.

Someone like Chen Chang’an, who reached the Golden Core Stage at two hundred and fifty, could only just be considered a genius.

After Li Daoyi reached the Golden Core Stage, everyone assumed Chu Lingxiao would soon break through as well. After all, they were both among the Three Heroes of Changqing, and the gap between their abilities had been small.

Moreover, Chu Lingxiao’s cultivation was already at the late Purple Mansion Stage, poised on the very threshold of a breakthrough. All signs pointed to his imminent success.

The entire Profound Pure Sect was waiting for him to break through. They awaited the day when two of the Three Heroes of Changqing would stand side-by-side, display their brilliance within the Sect, and lead it to greater glory in the distant future.

But that wait stretched on for a hundred years.

Yet, Chu Lingxiao’s cultivation remained stuck at the late Purple Mansion Stage. He never broke through.

This outcome was jaw-dropping for everyone.

During this time, because Chu Lingxiao had failed to break through for so long, rumors began to spread within the Sect. Some claimed he was deliberately suppressing his cultivation, unwilling to advance.

This theory gained traction with many people.

No one knew how Li Daoyi had convinced Chu Lingxiao to join their Sect. But one thing was certain: Chu Lingxiao had once been the Chief Disciple of the Illusion Spirit Sect.

And the Illusion Spirit Sect was the very sect that the Profound Pure Sect had destroyed, even if Chu Lingxiao had already defected by then.

But regardless, he still hailed from the Illusion Spirit Sect.

Though he had joined the Profound Pure Sect, perhaps he still secretly longed for his former home.

The speculation seemed reasonable and was accepted by many. After all, only Xu Ran and Li Daoyi knew the truth: that Chu Lingxiao himself had begged Li Daoyi to have the Profound Pure Sect destroy the Illusion Spirit Sect.

Chu Lingxiao heard these rumors but never offered an explanation. He even stopped Li Daoyi when his friend tried to clear the air.

He knew perfectly well that explanations wouldn’t quell rumors. To make people believe, he had to rely on actions.

’If I contribute enough to the Sect, all the rumors will naturally disappear.’

But his cultivation never broke through.

And so, the rumors never faded. In fact, they grew even more intense. If Li Daoyi hadn’t stood by his side, the past century would have likely been incredibly difficult for him.

*

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Zhang Zhentian stared at Chu Lingxiao for a moment. He understood his disciple’s intentions. Li Daoyi wanted to bring Chu Lingxiao to the Overseas Archipelago, hoping the experience would help him finally break through to the Golden Core Stage.

The Overseas Archipelago was a complex place, not just because of its lawlessness, but also due to its extreme and unpredictable climates. Certain weather phenomena there were imbued with the terrifying Power of Heaven and Earth, which even high-level Cultivators could not withstand.

Furthermore, the countless Sea Demons in the ocean depths posed another major challenge to a Cultivator’s survival.

’It would be manageable for the three of them, all Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators, to travel together. But bringing along Chu Lingxiao, who’s only at the Purple Mansion Stage, would be quite a hassle. They’d have to split their focus to protect him.’

But faced with his disciple’s request, Zhang Zhentian agreed without much hesitation.

He had always taken a hands-off approach to raising Li Daoyi, and his disciple was remarkably self-reliant. Since taking him as an apprentice, Li Daoyi had rarely asked him for anything.

Now that he had finally made such a rare request, how could Zhang Zhentian possibly refuse?

Besides, as a Supreme Elder of the Sect, he also genuinely wanted to see a former prodigy like Chu Lingxiao flourish.

’It’s just the mere Overseas Archipelago. I am the Evergreen Sword Saint, what is there to fear? Looking after a Purple Mansion Stage junior is nothing to me.’

His heart swelling with magnanimity, Zhang Zhentian beckoned to Chu Lingxiao and called out boisterously, ”Come with me.”

After he spoke, he nodded at Li Daoyi, then smiled at Xu Ran.

”Senior Brother, we’ll be back in a few decades at the soonest, three hundred years at the latest. I’ll do my best regarding the matter you mentioned. Just have the finest wine ready for my return.”

*

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*

Xu Ran and Li Daoyi stood there, silently watching the four figures depart.

Only after they had vanished from sight did Li Daoyi turn, give Xu Ran a slight bow, and take his leave.

Now that many of the Sect’s Elders and Supreme Elders had sealed themselves away, he, as the Chief Disciple, was responsible for numerous affairs and was quite busy every day.

He wouldn’t have made a special trip here if the matter hadn’t concerned Chu Lingxiao.

To him, Chu Lingxiao was both a sect brother and a dear friend—someone he valued immensely.