Watching the Mountain

Chapter 395: Chapter 211: The Agreement

”With this Command Token, you can ask our Creation Sect for help, now or at any time in the future, as long as it’s not beyond my master’s authority.”

”But Master also said that if you need help with something particularly difficult, you can reveal your Shennong identity. The Sect will definitely provide greater assistance if you do.”

”This...” Xu Ran fell silent for a moment as he looked at the Command Token in his hand.

Liu Yunge saw his reaction, waved her hand, and said nonchalantly, ”Don’t even think about refusing. Master told me to give this to you. I’m just completing my task. If you want to refuse, you can give it back to him yourself.”

Xu Ran’s expression turned strange. ’Does Liu Yunge think too highly of me? How could I possibly refuse a fortunate opportunity that’s fallen right into my lap?’

He had only hesitated because he was trying to think of the right words to express his gratitude.

But since she had misunderstood, he didn’t bother explaining. He just put the Command Token away, then solemnly formed a Dao Seal with his hands toward Liu Yunge and said:

”Fellow Daoist, please thank Elder Cloud Sea Guest on my behalf.”

Liu Yunge grinned, her eyes crinkling. ”Got it, Fellow Daoist Hidden Mountain. Wuyang and I will head back now. See you in the future.”

”Alright. See you in the future.”

Xu Ran nodded with a smile and, along with Chen Chang’an, watched them leave.

After Zhao Wuyang and Liu Yunge had departed, Xu Ran turned to Chen Chang’an and asked:

”Senior Brother Chen, when are you planning to enter Dust-Sealing?”

Although Chen Chang’an was a Supreme Elder of the Sect, he had refused to manage any affairs, holding only a nominal position.

Logically, someone like him with no major responsibilities should have entered Dust-Sealing long ago. Yet, for some reason, he had lingered without giving any explanation.

In response to Xu Ran’s question, Chen Chang’an shook his head. ”I haven’t decided yet. I’m not in a hurry. I’ll let you know when I’ve made up my mind.”

After speaking, he gave Xu Ran a nod and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Xu Ran felt a bit resigned.

He shook his head and decided not to dwell on it. ’Since that’s what he said, I’ll just wait to hear from him.’

「The next day」

He left his Cave Mansion and headed for Spirit Stream Peak.

After arriving at Spirit Stream Peak, he first found Jiang Nian and handed him a Jade Scroll.

Ever since learning about the Heaven and Earth Dao Concealment, he had been conducting research on being a Spirit Plant Master from time to time in between his cultivation sessions.

After the Dao Concealment began, Spiritual Qi would decline and resources would dwindle. To sustain cultivation, certain Spirit Medicines and Spiritual Plants would become crucial.

He naturally understood a principle that was clear even to Jiang Nian.

However, back then, he hadn’t yet broken through to the Golden Core Stage. He had to prioritize his own cultivation. Otherwise, as time went on and cultivation became more difficult, breaking through would have been even harder.

Since Jiang Nian was so talented, he decided to research more theories and pass them on to him. This way, it wouldn’t take up too much of his own time, and he could also mentor Jiang Nian and accelerate his growth.

When Jiang Nian saw the Jade Scroll, he was overjoyed and hastily thanked him.

Xu Ran waved his hand and said, ”The best way to thank me is to work hard, fully master the theories on this scroll, and turn them into tangible results.”

”I will work hard.” Jiang Nian flashed a grin, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth, his eyes brimming with confidence.

”I believe in you,” Xu Ran said encouragingly. He didn’t linger any longer and headed off in another direction.

「Not long after」

He arrived at the residence of his former student, Li Tianhe.

He was greeted by a sturdy young man who seemed dull, taciturn, and extremely shy.

This was none other than Li Tianhe’s grandson, Li Shaobai, who had inherited a Body Cultivator legacy.

Logically, with Li Shaobai’s talent and aptitude, he should have been qualified to receive a Dust-Sealed Stone. But as it happened, he had failed to be selected for one of the slots.

The main reason was his personality; he had been too nervous and failed to display his true strength and talent.

This outcome left Xu Ran feeling rather helpless. He happened to have a few Dust-Sealed Stones that he didn’t need for himself, which made him think of his former student’s grandson.

However, when he had previously offered a Dust-Sealed Stone to Li Shaobai, the young man had refused, saying he had not yet completed the mission his grandfather and father had entrusted to him.

Xu Ran asked him what it was.

Li Shaobai blushed and remained silent for a long time before mustering the courage to say, ”To carry on the family line.”

Xu Ran’s expression froze for a second. After a moment of silence, he said faintly, ”Ah, that is indeed a major affair. In that case, we’ll wait until you’ve completed your mission before you enter Dust-Sealing.”

The two of them made an agreement. Now, thirty years had passed. Xu Ran figured that by this time, Li Shaobai’s child should be an adult, meaning he could finally enter Dust-Sealing, so he had come to find him.

After walking into the Cave Mansion, Xu Ran glanced around before looking at Li Shaobai and asking:

”Where’s your child? Not at home?”

Hearing Xu Ran’s question, Li Shaobai stood frozen in place for a long time before finally forcing out two words: ”No child.”

”What?” Xu Ran didn’t quite process it at first. It was only when Li Shaobai lowered his head slightly and repeated himself, ”I don’t have a child,” that it sank in.

His eyes widened in disbelief. ”No child? Then what have you been doing for the past thirty years?”

He was truly speechless. ’Before I came,’ he thought, ’I was thinking that after thirty years, if things had gone well, he wouldn’t just have a child—he might even have grandchildren by now.’

’But instead, he just tells me he has no child. This is ridiculous.’

At these words, Li Shaobai lowered his head even further. He stood there silently, seemingly afraid to look at Xu Ran’s expression. After a long while, he spoke, embarrassed:

”No one likes me.”

”What?” Xu Ran exclaimed in surprise, then quickly understood. ”You mean none of the senior or junior sisters in the sect like you?”

”Mhm.” He ducked his head and nodded.

Xu Ran gave him a strange look. ’Li Shaobai isn’t bad-looking. He has handsome features and a powerful, muscular build. He’s also talented and has good aptitude. Logically, there should be no shortage of interested women.’

’Then again,’ he mused, ’considering his dull, taciturn, and shy personality, maybe it is possible.’

He then asked, confused, ”If that’s the case, why don’t you just look for someone outside the sect? With your status, if you just took a trip outside, I’m sure plenty of Loose Cultivators or even small families would proactively propose marriage arrangements.”

Li Shaobai shook his head and replied shyly, ”It... it has to be someone I like.”

Hearing this answer, Xu Ran put a hand to his forehead in utter exasperation. ’Oh, brother. He’s actually a romantic who’s holding out for true love.’

His gaze fell on Li Shaobai and he frowned. ’With this guy’s personality, getting him to successfully pursue a woman he likes... he probably won’t manage it even by the time the Dao Concealment ends and the prosperous era arrives.’

He stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment. Then, an idea struck him. He took out his Communication Jade Talisman and said to Li Shaobai, ”Wait a moment.”

About an hour later, Wang Zhenye walked in. He called out enthusiastically to Xu Ran, ”Elder Hidden Mountain, what can this junior do for you? Just say the word! Whatever you ask, I’ll go through fire and water to get it done, no questions asked.”

He thumped his chest to show his resolve.

As soon as Wang Zhenye entered, Li Shaobai froze, his eyes fixed on him.

His gaze seemed to hold a hint of admiration.

Seeing Li Shaobai’s reaction, a look of understanding dawned on Xu Ran’s face.

’That makes sense,’ he thought. ’Wang Zhenye’s name is known by practically everyone in the Profound Pure Sect. He’s an existence envied by nearly every male disciple. For someone like Li Shaobai, who couldn’t find a Dao Companion in thirty years, Wang Zhenye is basically a god.’

Xu Ran then explained the situation to Wang Zhenye.

After hearing Xu Ran’s explanation, Wang Zhenye waved his hand. ”So that’s how it is. Don’t worry, Elder. Since this is the case, just leave Junior Brother Li to me. With my help, it won’t be long before he’s surrounded by children and grandchildren.”

Xu Ran nodded slightly at his words, then turned to the shy, blushing Li Shaobai and said, ”You should know who he is, right? From now on, you’ll follow him.”

”Thank you, Elder.” Although Li Shaobai was shy, he still mustered his courage to call out to Xu Ran.

”Mhm.” Xu Ran gave a slight nod, gave a few instructions to Wang Zhenye, and then quietly departed.

With Wang Zhenye on the case, he wasn’t worried at all about whether Li Shaobai could find a Dao Companion. ’If even Wang Zhenye can’t help him and he still ends up single,’ he thought, ’then probably no one in this world can.’

「Time flowed on, and soon, it was the one hundred and fifth year of the Hidden Dao Era.」

On this night, the late hours were silent and still. The sky was moonless for a change, with only the faint twinkle of starlight.

Yue Qingyu came to Xu Ran’s Cave Mansion. She said that the Sect’s affairs were mostly in order and that she was also preparing to enter Dust-Sealing.

As per their previous agreement, she would enter Dust-Sealing beside Xu Ran.