Watching the Mountain

Chapter 39: Chapter 34: Helping You Achieve the Dao

The days of endless suffering on Spirit Stream Peak had finally come to an end. The vast majority of the Sect was heading to the battlefield—a group that naturally included Flowing Clouds Master, who cursed them out daily, and the disciples themselves.

At the thought of no longer having to endure Flowing Clouds Master’s scoldings, many couldn’t help but cheer.

The Cultivation Realm hadn’t clashed with the Evil and Demon Domains for centuries, or even millennia. For many, their concept of war was limited to the squabbles between sects, so they felt little fear.

In the eyes of many in the Sect, Flowing Clouds Master—in both appearance and conduct—didn’t seem like a Cultivator at all. He was more like a brutish bandit.

After hearing from Xu Ran what the disciples of Spirit Stream Peak had been feeling, he waved a dismissive hand and declared boisterously:

”What’s the big deal? Alright, I’ll throw a grand banquet on Spirit Stream Peak tonight and treat everyone to drinks. We’re about to head to the battlefield anyway, so let’s consider it a proper send-off.”

”There’s no conflict that a round of drinks can’t solve. After tonight, none of you will fear me anymore.”

Flowing Clouds Master said this with great confidence, and then he actually did it. That very evening, he summoned the Spirit Chefs from the mess hall to prepare a lavish feast for everyone, complete with... wine, wine, and more wine.

The ground and tables were covered with all sorts of wine jars. All of it was Spirit Wine, and although it was only Low Grade, it was still a clear display of his immense wealth—and his deep love for wine.

As the banquet began, Flowing Clouds Master lifted a wine jar and addressed the assembled disciples of Spirit Stream Peak:

”Fellow disciples, I’ve given you all a hard time lately. I won’t say more—let the wine do the talking. I’ll finish this one. The rest of you, drink as you please. Just make sure you have a good time.”

With that, he opened his mouth wide and tipped the entire jar of wine down his throat. The sheer boldness of the gesture moved the Spirit Stream Peak disciples deeply.

In truth, Flowing Clouds Master didn’t have to do this. But in his mind, he was here as a substitute for his own dear grandson, Zhang Zhentian. This was Spirit Stream Peak, not his Celestial Sea Peak, and these disciples shouldn’t have had to put up with his foul temper.

A direct man like him preferred to solve problems directly—with the notable exception of how he handled teaching Zhang Zhentian.

With Flowing Clouds Master leading the way, the atmosphere instantly came alive. Before long, the drinking grew boisterous, and people were talking loudly, boasting about all the great deeds they would perform on the battlefield.

Like Xu Ran before her, Little Xiyue hadn’t joined the Sect through the standard recruitment drive. Having joined partway through, she was the youngest one there.

As a result, she was looked after by everyone. No one tried to force wine on her; instead, they simply crowded around her.

They said things like, ”If there’s anything you want, just say the word! When we senior brothers and sisters come back from the battlefield, we’ll bring it to you as spoils of war!”

This scene made Xu Ran’s heart pound with dread. He wanted to step in and interrupt them several times, but he ultimately restrained himself.

’The mood is at its peak. It would be wrong to go up and interrupt everyone just to say that such talk before a battle is a bad omen, wouldn’t it?’

’What a buzzkill that would be.’

It wasn’t just Little Xiyue who received special attention. Xu Ran, the oldest person there aside from Flowing Clouds Master and the most senior disciple from the Instructor Hall, was also showered with care.

A drunken disciple stumbled up to him, gave him a thumbs-up, and bellowed:

”Senior Brother Xu! I, Wang Xingye, admire you from the bottom of my heart! Joining the Sect at a hundred years old... your dedication to the path of cultivation is truly astonishing! And you’ve been so diligent and hardworking ever since you joined. To think that someone like you can’t go further just because of your cultivation talent.”

”Every time I think about it, my heart breaks. Just you wait! I’ve heard the Evil Domain has Awakening Liquid that can improve one’s Comprehension. When I get to the battlefield, I’ll snatch some for you.”

”I, Wang Xingye, swear an oath here and now: I will help you, Senior Brother Xu, achieve the Dao!”

The moment he finished speaking, many other disciples crowded around, chiming in to agree:

”Count me in! I feel the same way. Senior Brother Xu always looks out for us, and we’ve never had a chance to repay him. This is a great idea! If someone as dedicated to the Dao as Senior Brother Xu can’t achieve it, that would be a cosmic injustice! I, Hao Daniu, will be the first to call foul!”

”That’s right! We must help Senior Brother Xu achieve the Dao!”

Many others began to shout in agreement. By the end, they had even convinced themselves, believing it was a foregone conclusion that Xu Ran would inevitably achieve the Dao with their help. Some even began to speak of the future.

”Senior Brother Xu, I hear that those who achieve the Dao can wander the river of time. When you get there, you’d better remember to look back on this day and don’t forget the part we played, you hear?”

There were many theories in the Cultivation Realm about what it meant to achieve the Dao. One was the ability to travel to the end of time and look back upon all of history. This was a goal pursued by countless aspiring cultivators.

”Hahaha, maybe the future Senior Brother Xu is watching us right now from the end of the river of time!”

”Hey, hey, hey, don’t forget about me! I, Ye Xingchen, will achieve the Dao for sure! My future self is right there with Senior Brother Xu at the end of the river of time, watching all of you!”

Someone scoffed. ”You? Not a chance. The one who will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Senior Brother Xu in the future will be me, Li Qingxue!”

”No, it’ll be me, Chen Qinghe!”

”It’ll be me...”

Fueled by the Spirit Wine, this group of youths—all in the prime of their lives, brimming with righteous spirit—became utterly fearless. Things they would never have dared to even think about on a normal day now spilled freely from their lips.