Watching the Mountain

Chapter 401: Chapter 214: Academy

He moved so quickly that Senior Sister Yue didn’t have time to finish her instructions. She could only watch helplessly as her master was enveloped by the Dust-Sealed Stone.

However, it was because Taihua True Monarch had taken the lead that the older generation of Nascent Soul True Monarchs, such as Supreme Elder Zi Yun, were willing to enter the Dust-Sealed state.

Otherwise, while it was hard to say for the others, someone with Supreme Elder Zi Yun’s temperament would have definitely insisted on staying behind to stand guard.

The younger generation, including Senior Sister Yue and Li Daoyi, had always enjoyed the protection of the Supreme Elders. They certainly hoped that these elders could live to see the coming prosperous era of the Great Dao and attempt to reach even greater heights.

Even if the hope was slim, they were willing to try.

This was the very meaning of the Sect’s existence. The younger generation couldn’t just enjoy the protection of their elders and then forget them when an opportunity arose. They had to ensure the elders could also share in this opportunity; only then could they honor their sacrifices.

*

*

*

Xu Ran had only attended the Profound Pure Sect’s great assembly a handful of times, but every time he had, the Sect’s Great Hall had been packed with people.

This was especially true after the emergence of the Flying Immortal Stream. Coupled with several recruitment drives to deal with the New Domain and the appearance of the Secret Realm, the number of disciples at every Realm had skyrocketed, making the Great Hall feel even more crowded.

In the past, whenever Xu Ran came, the sight of several hundred figures in the hall would fill him with a profound sense of security. After all, everyone qualified to sit here was at least at the Core Formation Stage.

Even though the majority of them followed the Flying Immortal Stream, the sight of several hundred cultivators at the Core Formation Stage or higher gathered together was enough to make anyone feel a surge of pride and an immense sense of security.

Now, however, that magnificent sight was gone.

The entire Great Hall held only sixty or seventy people, roughly ten percent of its former numbers, making the space feel much more desolate.

One could foresee this situation worsening once the Dao Concealment fully set in. When that time came, the threshold for attending the assembly might be lowered to the Purple Mansion Stage, or perhaps even lower.

Inside the Great Hall, Xu Ran, as usual, remained silent.

Before the assembly began, he had already relayed the news from Qin Yufeng to Li Daoyi, Chen Chang’an, and the Supreme Elder of Guiyuan Peak.

He had included his own speculations and opinions, so there was no need to repeat himself now.

”Sect Leader, what do you think we should do?”

After Li Daoyi recounted the situation, the Elders present began to discuss it with grave expressions. Some believed there was no need for excessive worry, citing the agreement made between the major powers before the Dao Concealment Era.

Other Elders, however, argued that they couldn’t pin their hopes on an agreement. If the Overseas Archipelago was accelerating the Dao Concealment, they must be plotting something. The most likely possibility was that they coveted the mainland of the Cultivation Realm.

Facing the expectant gazes of the Elders, Li Daoyi spoke, his expression composed.

”Whether the Overseas Archipelago has designs on the mainland of our Cultivation Realm or not, we must strengthen ourselves. That way, we can face any future surprises with composure.”

”Due to the Heaven and Earth Dao Concealment and the Dust-Sealed Stones, some in the Sect have grown complacent. From this day forward, we will restore our discipline. Everyone must cultivate diligently and remain prepared for battle, so that we are not caught in a panic when the unexpected occurs.”

As he spoke, he waved his hand lightly. Dozens of Jade Scrolls transformed into streaks of light, landing precisely in the hands of every Elder present.

”These are some strategies I’ve recently formulated for the Sect’s future development. In addition to what is detailed there, I have decided that starting this year, the Sect will resume recruiting new disciples, beginning with a small intake.”

”Furthermore, going forward, our disciples must practice fighting collaboratively. To that end, certain missions will now be team-based...”

Xu Ran sat in a corner, silently watching Li Daoyi methodically lay out one plan after another. His arrangements covered every aspect of the Sect and were both comprehensive and perfectly suited for the current era.

Clearly, Li Daoyi had devised these plans after careful deliberation, specifically to address the challenges of the Heaven and Earth Dao Concealment era.

Watching this, Xu Ran felt a stir of emotion as the image of his first meeting with his martial nephew surfaced in his mind.

’Back then, Daoyi said that he and Senior Brother Ye Shan were not walking the same path.’

’It certainly seemed that way now.’

’The difference between him and Senior Brother Ye Shan was immense.’

’If Ye Shan were sitting up there now, he would probably just spout some unpleasant, grating words before declaring, ”I am Ye Shan! I fear nothing!”’

’But Li Daoyi was different. His every consideration was based on the Sect’s development.’

’He was a natural-born Sect Leader, destined to lead the Sect to glory.’

Xu Ran watched Li Daoyi on the head seat, his gaze softening with a deep sense of gratification.

’This nephew of mine... he’s finally reached this point.’

’I look forward to seeing where he’ll lead the Sect in the future.’

After the great assembly dispersed, Li Daoyi found Xu Ran and spoke with his usual composure.

”Senior Uncle, what did Master and the others say?”

Before the meeting, the two had agreed that Xu Ran would contact Zhang Zhentian and Shen Wuchen. He was to ask them to gather intelligence on the movements of the Overseas Archipelago and see if they were making preparations for war.

”They said they haven’t found anything unusual for now but will continue to investigate.”

Li Daoyi frowned slightly at this reply, though he wasn’t surprised. After all, the message had only just been sent. It was unrealistic to expect any useful information in such a short amount of time.