Chapter Nineteen: What an Honest Child!

First Mountain.

On the summit plaza.

Beiming Lie, standing opposite Wang Ran, was momentarily stunned, then broke into a cold sneer, thinking Wang Ran was putting on an act again. “Afraid now? Too late. Today, I, Beiming Lie, will teach you a lesson—no one can save you!”

His expression brimmed with arrogance, powerful spiritual energy swirling about him, his robes fluttering despite the absence of wind, exuding a fierce and imposing presence.

Everything happened so quickly that many nearby disciples hadn’t yet grasped the situation.

“What’s going on?”

“Not sure. Wang Ran’s in conflict with Beiming Lie, the pride of the inner sect?”

“From the sound of it, Beiming Lie has quite the grudge against Wang Ran.”

“That Wang Ran, always shirking cultivation, finally deserves a good lesson.”

“He’s provoked Senior Brother Bei—he’s doomed!”

Whispers spread among the crowd, their tone full of schadenfreude.

Wang Ran, meanwhile, maintained a modest expression as if he heard nothing. He cupped his fists in salute, his manner ever more sincere. “Thank you, Senior Brother Bei, for repeatedly ambushing me. It’s made me better understand the cruelty of the cultivation world. I am grateful for the lesson.”

Beiming Lie’s brow furrowed in confusion, assuming Wang Ran was admitting defeat. A trace of contempt flashed in his eyes as he looked down from on high. “Hmph. It’s too late for apologies. Today, I must teach you a lesson!”

At these words, the disciples erupted again.

“Looks like Wang Ran is destined for disgrace today.”

“Yeah, Senior Brother Bei isn’t giving him a chance to back down.”

“This will be a show worth watching.”

The disciples joked and laughed, none caring for Wang Ran’s safety. But gradually, for some unknown reason, their chatter faded, and a heavy silence settled over the area. No one dared to even breathe loudly.

All because, high in the sky behind Beiming Lie, two figures had appeared, hovering in midair.

Beiming Lie remained oblivious to their presence, assuming the sudden quiet was due to his own overwhelming aura. He raised his brows in greater disdain and sneered at Wang Ran, “Now, how would you like to die?”

Wang Ran glanced silently at the Grand Elder standing just behind Beiming Lie, mocking Beiming Lie’s self-destructive bravado in his heart, but outwardly kept an innocent look, replying in a clear voice, “Senior Brother Bei, though I am a junior, I have always been diligent in the sect and am widely known as an outstanding disciple. But if you take a dislike to me and wish to beat me, I have not a word of complaint!”

Beiming Lie sneered again. “Exactly. I simply can’t stand you. Don’t worry. Today, no one can save you!”

At this, the Grand Elder behind Beiming Lie frowned deeply, his displeasure plain. He thoroughly despised Beiming Lie’s bullying, privileged attitude.

Wang Ran continued to dig the pit, feigning caution. “Truly, no one can save me?”

“Of course.” Beiming Lie swept his hand grandly, shouting to all around, “Whoever dares help Wang Ran today, is making an enemy of me!”

Wang Ran’s expression grew stranger. “What if an elder helps me?”

“An elder? Ha! My grandfather is the Elder of Formations, mighty and influential—who would dare cross me? Even if an elder did show up, I’d beat him too!”

Everyone has the urge to show off, and Beiming Lie was no exception. After boasting, he saw the astonished faces of the surrounding disciples and thought it was due to his intimidating presence, feeling more invincible than ever.

He didn’t realize that the elder he’d just mentioned was standing right behind him, coldly watching.

Nor were the other disciples awed by his swagger; rather, they were shocked by his audacity in threatening an elder right in front of one.

Wang Ran now wore a relieved and slightly bashful smile. “Well then, Senior Brother Bei, please—do your worst, don’t hold back!”

“Hmph, since you seek death, I’ll oblige!” Beiming Lie’s eyes flashed coldly, spiritual energy erupting around him. In the next instant, he lunged for Wang Ran’s face, unleashing a punch whose power surpassed anything he’d shown before.

But Wang Ran didn’t dodge, a hint of a smile flickering at the corner of his mouth. For some reason, Beiming Lie’s heart suddenly clenched with unease—but his movements didn’t falter.

Just as Beiming Lie’s fist was about to strike Wang Ran, a crushing force swept across the mountaintop plaza.

“Enough!”

A furious shout rang out. Beiming Lie stumbled in midair, spewing a mouthful of blood. Horrified, he turned to see the Grand Elder standing behind him, face livid with rage.

A crisp slap cracked through the silence.

Beiming Lie was sent flying several meters, skidding across the ground in a trail of blood, a vivid red handprint marring his pale cheek.

Stunned, he raised his head, his mind ringing, utterly dazed by the blow.

Only after recognizing the purple-robed man’s figure did he suddenly shudder. “Gr-Grand Elder?”

Recovering himself, he glared at Wang Ran in fury. “You little wretch, you set me up! Believe it or not, I’ll—ow!”

Before he could finish, another slap landed.

“Beiming Lie! You call yourself an inner sect prodigy, yet you use Foundation Establishment cultivation to bully a mere Qi Condensation disciple, even resorting to hidden weapons. You’ve shamed your grandfather!”

The Grand Elder’s anger was plain on his face. After berating Beiming Lie, he turned with concern to Wang Ran. “Child, you have suffered.”

Wang Ran was momentarily stunned; a hint of moisture appeared in his eyes. He wiped away a tear, cupped his fists, and replied, “Grand Elder, I… I’m not wronged. All for the sake of the sect, I would go through fire and water!”

His words rang out with steely resolve. Zhao Xiaobai at his side nearly believed it, and the Grand Elder was all the more moved.

“Good, good! Heaven has eyes—our sect finally has a paragon of both virtue and martial skill. From today forward, you are my personal disciple!”

“I’ve heard about your situation, Wang Ran. The rear mountain is barren of spiritual energy—abandon that dwelling. You may henceforth stay at my North Shore Second Mountain residence. Of course, you may also go to your Senior Sister Yao Jianjia’s South Shore Third Mountain. Jianjia, come greet your junior brother.”

Not far away, Yao Jianjia was taken aback, and all the disciples stared in disbelief!

The Grand Elder, Feng Yazhi, had actually accepted Wang Ran as a disciple?

He was second only to the sect master, and his criteria for discipleship were strict. Until now, he’d accepted only Yao Jianjia as his direct disciple.

Yet today, Wang Ran was also taken under his wing!

Wang Ran hadn’t expected such an unexpected windfall. Recovering quickly, he unleashed his full acting prowess: with tears and snot streaming, he clung to Feng Yazhi’s leg, wailing, “Master! These past days, I’ve dreamed every night of a towering figure shielding me from the storm, though I could never quite see his kindly face. Today I finally know—that person was you!”

The onlookers were dumbstruck by Wang Ran’s display.

Beiming Lie’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Damn you!

Have you no shame?

This is outrageous!

You’re trying to ruin me!

Sure enough, Feng Yazhi’s heart softened at Wang Ran’s tearful confession. With a sigh, he turned to Beiming Lie, more incensed than ever. “Announce my order: Inner sect disciple Beiming Lie, for bullying a fellow disciple, will forfeit half a year’s stipend and be confined to Beast Mountain for reflection. Carry this out immediately.”

Elder Liu at his side bowed hurriedly. “As you command.”

With a sweep of his sleeve, the Grand Elder sent Beiming Lie flying, his figure vanishing from the summit plaza in the blink of an eye.

This was a technique called Spatial Shift, a feat of great power. The surrounding disciples watched in awe, not daring to breathe.

Feng Yazhi helped Wang Ran up, full of paternal concern. “Such an honest child. Don’t worry—with your talent and rare character, now that you’re under my protection, no one in our sect will dare bully you. Give your all in today’s Enlightenment Ceremony—do not disappoint your master’s hopes.”

Wang Ran, shedding his aggrieved demeanor, cupped his fists solemnly. “We cultivators must forge ahead against the current, striving with the heavens. Master, rest assured—today, I will surely attain enlightenment!”

“Haha, that’s the spirit! That’s the disciple I want!”

Feng Yazhi, in high spirits, turned to the assembled disciples, his voice booming like thunder.

“Disciples, hear my order—today, I hereby declare the Enlightenment Ceremony officially begun!”

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PS: Happy New Year! Wishing everyone joy and longevity!