Watching the Mountain

Chapter 22: Chapter 17: Honorary Elder, Awakening

It had been a long time since Ning Caique had been this relaxed and happy.

After they greeted each other, Yue Qingyu gestured for her to come and sit beside her, then asked how she was faring in the Chores Courtyard.

Ning Caique seemed to have been holding back for a long time. At the question, she began chattering away like a little sparrow, endlessly sharing both complaints and interesting things she’d encountered in her daily life.

Yue Qingyu just listened with a faint smile. After quite a while, Ning Caique finally remembered the purpose of her visit with a start.

She slapped her forehead in annoyance, then looked at Yue Qingyu beside her and said,

”Senior Sister, don’t pay any mind to the rumors in the Sect. They’re just spouting nonsense. They have no idea how wonderful you are.”

Hearing Ning Caique’s words, Yue Qingyu smiled faintly and said in a calm tone, ”I knew you came because of this, Junior Sister. But don’t worry. The Sect and I intentionally guided those rumors.”

”What?” Ning Caique’s mouth fell open, and she stared at Yue Qingyu in utter confusion. ”You spread those rumors, Senior Sister? Why would you do that?”

’Why would anyone tarnish their own reputation?’ she wondered.

Watching her reaction, Yue Qingyu lifted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes seeming to gaze into the distance. She sighed, her tone tinged with complexity.

”Because Junior Brother Ye Shan is too dazzling.”

”You’re not lacking either, Senior Sister! You’re even more amazing than Senior Brother Ye Shan.”

Ning Caique shot to her feet upon hearing this, her face flushed and her fists clenched as she cried out excitedly.

Yue Qingyu saw her reaction and knew she hadn’t understood her meaning, so she explained further.

”Junior Sister, what I mean is that Junior Brother Ye Shan’s performance has struck fear into the Cultivation Realm, drawing everyone’s attention to our Profound Pure Sect.”

”In the past, when the Sect boasted about my talent, most other sects in the world didn’t pay much mind. Now, with the precedent set by Junior Brother Ye Shan, their gazes will naturally fall upon me.”

Ning Caique wasn’t foolish. After hearing Yue Qingyu’s explanation, she immediately understood. A worried expression crossed her face as she looked at her senior sister, her voice filled with concern.

”So they might disregard the rules and move against you, just like they did with Senior Brother Ye Shan? Is that why you...”

”Then, in a while, is the Sect also going to announce that your Dao Heart has been damaged because of those rumors?”

She felt she had to ask and get a clear answer, lest she become anxious when she really heard such news.

Yue Qingyu shook her head gently. ”That would be too deliberate.”

She then looked at Ning Caique and said, ”The Sect will arrange the specifics when the time comes. You don’t need to worry, Junior Sister. However, I must thank you for standing up for me.”

Ning Caique lowered her head slightly. ”I didn’t really do anything. And... will my actions ruin your plan, Senior Sister?”

”No, you did very well. It was very meaningful. If even you, who are closest to me, had no reaction, how would anyone else be convinced?”

Hearing this, Ning Caique immediately looked up, a flash of joy in her eyes. But then she frowned, saying with some displeasure,

”But even though I know you and the Sect spread these rumors, Senior Sister, it’s still outrageous that those disciples actually believe them and doubt you.”

She looked at Yue Qingyu with great sympathy. ”You were covered in blood back then, Senior Sister. How could they just turn a blind eye to that?”

Seeing this, Yue Qingyu shook her head gently and said in a calm tone,

”Junior Sister, a sect is made up of many different individuals, and the human heart is the most complex thing in the world. Even when an entire sect is striving toward a single goal, it’s natural for people to have their own little schemes. That’s what’s reasonable. It would be far more terrifying if no one had any thoughts of their own.”

”When you join a sect composed of so many people, you’re destined to face all sorts of restrictions, constraints, and troubles. But by the same token, there are also all sorts of benefits.”

”Since we’ve joined the Sect, we can’t just pursue the benefits while despising the restrictions they place on us.”

After speaking, she shook her head and added, ”It’s no big deal for me. It’s just that Junior Brother Ye Shan might have to suffer.”

Ning Caique didn’t understand. ”Senior Brother Ye Shan? What’s wrong with him?”

Then she froze, her voice full of disbelief. ”Don’t tell me... people are going to blame him? That’s impossible, isn’t it? For the sake of the Sect, he already...”

She still couldn’t imagine anyone blaming the man who was still in a coma because of his sacrifice for the Sect.

Yue Qingyu sighed softly. ”Of course not now. But the human heart is fickle. After some time, when people recall the Sect’s sacrifices, given Junior Brother Ye Shan’s situation... well, it’s hard to say what everyone will think then.”

After saying this, she glanced at the pensive Ning Caique, then turned her gaze to Xu Ran, who had been standing quietly to the side all along. She asked with a hint of curiosity,

”Junior Brother Xu, you don’t seem surprised at all. Did you guess this long ago?”

Xu Ran shook his head. ”I just saw that no one from the Sect came out to stop the rumors and figured it was likely a Sect arrangement. I just never thought it would be your idea, Senior Sister.”

Yue Qingyu nodded slightly but didn’t ask him why.

*

*

*

After leaving Yue Qingyu’s Cave Mansion, Ning Caique looked at Xu Ran beside her. After a long silence, she slowly spoke.

”I’ve always been curious. Back when you first joined the Sect and everyone was mocking you, how did you manage to endure it?”

Xu Ran was taken aback for a moment, then blurted out, ”Because I’m afraid of dying.”

Ning Caique froze. After processing what he meant, she asked in astonishment, ”That’s it?”

”What else?”

Ning Caique shook her head. ’I’d thought of so many reasons, but I never expected it to be that simple. This is so different from the person I imagined him to be. What kind of person does he think I am?’

Then she turned, faced Xu Ran, and said, ”Thank you, Xu...”

Her mouth opened twice, but no sound came out. With that, she quickly walked away.

’Today, over a hundred years later, the one who could make her feel so relaxed and happy was still that same little boy from back then.’

*

*

*

「A few days later.」

Xu Ran came to see Yue Qingyu again. This time, she had summoned him.

Upon seeing Xu Ran, Yue Qingyu spoke faintly, ”The Sect suffered a great loss this time. Not only did we have to withdraw from the Secret Realm, but we also had to give up two mines.”

Xu Ran nodded thoughtfully. He wasn’t surprised by this. He had heard that other powers had stepped forward to uphold justice for the Sect, intercepting reinforcements from the Four Major Sects. This allowed the Sect’s Supreme Elder to go on a killing spree inside the Secret Realm, causing the Four Major Sects to suffer heavy losses.

’Since others have taken action—even if it was to maintain the bottom line of the Cultivation Realm—the Sect will definitely have to show its gratitude. Otherwise, who would be willing to uphold justice for you in the future?’

’Moreover, by doing this, the Four Major Sects will be deterred from retaliating. They can only grit their teeth and swallow this outcome. At least, they can’t act openly.’

In other words, in this great battle over the Secret Realm, neither the Profound Pure Sect nor the Four Major Sects were winners.

Instead, it was those who had stayed out of it who benefited. They eliminated the potential threat of Ye Shan and gained a good reputation for upholding fairness and justice.

The Profound Pure Sect had traded one Ye Shan for over a hundred Core Formation Stage cultivators and more than half of the younger generation from the Four Major Sects within the Secret Realm. It was a loss that made both sides’ hearts bleed.

Xu Ran understood all this, but he couldn’t figure out why Yue Qingyu was telling him about it. ’I’m just an Outer Disciple. There’s no need for me to know these things, is there?’

Just as he was thinking this, Yue Qingyu explained, ”Normally, the Sect would not be able to bear such a heavy price. However, thanks to you, we can just barely manage to pull through.”

”Hm?” Xu Ran let out a surprised sound, looking at Yue Qingyu in confusion.

Seeing his reaction, Yue Qingyu explained, ”The pest control method you submitted previously has been verified, and the results are excellent. According to estimates, if we implement it, the Sect can basically eliminate the harm from Spiritual Insect infestations.”

”As a result, the annual income from assets like the Spirit Fields and the Spirit Medicine Garden can increase by ten to fifteen percent. This is a huge sum. Furthermore, we can use this method to guide other sects in their pest control, which will also be a major source of income.”

Xu Ran’s eyes widened in realization at her explanation, but then his brow furrowed. He knew his pest control method was effective, but was it really *that* good?

His research on Spiritual Insects wasn’t actually that deep. After all, he’d only had a few years to study them. Thoroughly understanding Spiritual Insects wasn’t something that could be achieved in a short time; it would take at least a century to make any significant progress.

After a moment of thought, his brow relaxed as he figured it out. ’The Sect’s Spirit Plant Masters probably made some slight improvements to my method during their experiments, based on their own knowledge and experience with Spiritual Insects.’

Just as he was thinking this, Yue Qingyu looked at him and asked, ”Your research is incredibly significant to the Cultivation Realm. This is something that could go down in history. Are you sure you don’t want to attach your name to it?”

Xu Ran only had to think for a moment before shaking his head. ”Better not.”

Seeing this, Yue Qingyu fell silent for a moment before nodding slightly. She then said,

”In that case, the Sect will respect your wishes. From now on, we will publicly declare that this is the work of an anonymous Outer Disciple.”

Xu Ran gave her a surprised glance, feeling a bit taken aback himself.

’Just as she said, this is something that could be recorded in history. Even though I expressed my wishes, the Sect—or rather, the Sect’s Spirit Plant Masters—actually didn’t try to take the credit for themselves.’

’It seems the people of the Sect have their pride after all.’

”Considering your circumstances, the Sect has decided to promote you to the position of Honorary Elder of Spirit Stream Peak. Aside from not participating in management, you will have the same authority as a regular Elder.”

”This promotion is in recognition of your abilities. As for the reward for your research, it will be paid to you in contribution points, which you can exchange for whatever you want.”

Hearing this, Xu Ran asked curiously, ”Honorary Elder? Is that like a Guest Elder?”

Yue Qingyu glanced at him and explained, ”There’s a difference. Guest Elders and Tributors, strictly speaking, are not part of the Sect. Theirs is merely an employment relationship.”

”As for an Honorary Elder, that title is given to those whose Cultivation Realm is insufficient but who have deep knowledge in areas like the Cultivation of Hundred Arts, possess special talents, or have made great contributions.”

Xu Ran nodded in understanding. ’That’s actually a pretty good system. It’s quite humane and prevents the Sect from overlooking talented individuals just because of its focus on Cultivation supremacy.’

Due to Xu Ran’s request, the Sect did not publicize his promotion to Honorary Elder. And so, quietly, he leaped from being an ordinary Outer Disciple to the status of an Elder.

Then, on the very day he moved into his new Elder’s Cave Mansion, news spread through the Sect.

Ye Shan had awoken.

When the people of the Sect heard this news, their morale was instantly boosted.

Ye Shan was in high spirits—referring to his mental state. Although his Golden Core was shattered, he was not the least bit discouraged.

In his own words, he was Ye Shan. How could he possibly fall because of such a small setback?

”Fellow disciples, do not worry. Give me some time to recuperate, and I will rally once more. With the longsword in my hand, I will lead our Profound Pure Sect to shine throughout the Immortal Ancient era.”

Hearing this, the disciples rubbed their hands in excitement, their blood boiling. They were all captivated by Ye Shan’s sheer presence.

’This is it. This is the Senior Brother Ye Shan we know. We were worried that after he fell, he would never get back up, but it seems we don’t have to worry anymore.’

’Senior Brother Ye Shan is still that peerless prodigy, the pride of our Profound Pure Sect, and the hope that will lead our Sect to glory.’

When Xu Ran heard this news, he just shook his head slightly and sighed to himself.

’Let’s hope he can really do as he says.’