Chapter Twenty: Ran Appears!
At the Grand Comprehension Ceremony.
As Master Windcliff’s voice faded, all the disciples became visibly excited, eager to put their skills to the test.
Wang Ran stood with his hands behind his back, quietly gazing at the high platforms before him.
These were the places for seeking enlightenment. Once a disciple sat atop one, the aura of the Heavenly Dao would descend, greatly enhancing the chance of enlightenment.
While Wang Ran pondered, his little junior sister behind him was starry-eyed, her heart pounding wildly.
“Grandfather always said that Uncle is proud and exacting, accepting disciples solely on a whim. Those he takes under his wing are invariably peerless talents—like Senior Sister Yao, stunning beyond compare. But today, even Senior Brother was chosen by Uncle as a disciple. It seems Senior Brother truly is a dragon among men, so handsome it’s almost unthinkable!”
Her cheeks flushed deep red, she covered her face shyly, twisting in place, not daring to look at Wang Ran’s back. Though he wasn’t especially tall, at this moment, his presence blazed like the sun.
Elsewhere, Master Windcliff cast a look of appreciation at Wang Ran, then turned and asked, “Jianjia, what do you make of this junior brother?”
Yao Jianjia glanced back, thoughtful, recalling a certain scene in the bathing chamber that day. She answered, “Master, I happened to have met this new junior brother. From what I know, he is upright and principled, with the bearing of a true gentleman.”
At this, Master Windcliff’s admiration deepened—perhaps he had not chosen wrongly after all.
In high spirits, he recalled Yan Wanrou’s mention of discovering a hidden genius. He beckoned her over, saying, “Rou’er, come here.”
Lost in her daydreams, Yan Wanrou’s cheeks puffed as she hurried over, blinking her large eyes. “What is it, Uncle?”
Seeing her adorable expression, Master Windcliff smiled fondly. “Rou’er, did the peerless genius you spoke of today arrive? Introduce me—if his character is sound, I’ll take him as a disciple as well.”
Yan Wanrou cocked her head, squinting with a grin. “Uncle, haven’t you already accepted him?”
“What? Already?” Master Windcliff was taken aback, then quickly realized. He glanced from Wang Ran to Yan Wanrou and burst out laughing.
“So the genius you mentioned is Wang Ran himself! Truly, fate works in mysterious ways. Since both of you hold him in such high regard, it seems my judgment was sound.” He spoke cheerfully to Yan Wanrou and Yao Jianjia, each glance toward Wang Ran bringing him greater satisfaction.
He felt this young man possessed not only great breadth of mind but also admirable character.
“Naturally! Senior Brother is the handsomest in the sect—hmph, I’m done talking to you, Uncle. I’m going to watch Senior Brother seek enlightenment!” Yan Wanrou stuck out her tongue, then skipped over to stand behind Wang Ran, continuing her adoration.
Wang Ran, however, paid little heed to his junior sister. His attention was fixed on the enlightenment platforms, where several disciples had already ascended.
Upon one high platform, a tall servant disciple sat cross-legged. With every breath, brown stone walls rose from the edges of the platform, encasing him entirely.
Because enlightenment required protecting one’s spirit from outside distractions, these stone walls served as a miniature cave dwelling, isolating the disciple from all external influences while the Heavenly Dao’s aura descended.
These walls, crafted from special materials, were utterly soundproof and incredibly sturdy—even Foundation Establishment cultivators would struggle to break through.
Once the disciple was fully enclosed, a faint thread of azure qi appeared high in the sky, drawing a wave of discussion from the crowd.
“It’s the blue qi—a sign he’s likely to succeed!”
“Still, it’s just a wisp. He might only achieve a one-star Dao method.”
“Even a single star marks Foundation Establishment. Compared to the Qi Condensation stage, that’s a world apart.”
“True enough. Foundation Establishment adds a hundred years to one’s life. Even a single star is greatly envied.”
Amid the murmurs, many expressed envy for the servant disciple.
The azure qi in the sky represented one’s potential for enlightenment. Generally, once it appeared, success was assured.
The richness of the qi also denoted the Dao method’s grade—the deeper the color, the higher the level. It was said that above eight stars, the qi would turn purple.
Though this servant disciple summoned only a thin wisp, many looked on with longing.
As expected, before long, the stone walls parted and the disciple emerged, laughing heartily. His aura had utterly transformed—he had reached the first level of Foundation Establishment.
Elder Liu Ansheng of the Southern Bank glanced at him, stroked his beard, and said, “One-star Foundation Establishment—well done. Report to the outer sect tomorrow.”
The disciple bowed with joy. “Thank you, Elder!”
At once, other servant disciples crowded around, eager to curry favor.
Though it was only a single star, Foundation Establishment was still a towering achievement—some would fail for life.
Success required both innate talent and fortune. Of the sect’s twenty thousand disciples, only eight hundred were in the inner sect, nine thousand in the outer, and the remaining ten thousand two hundred were servants.
Most possessed only average aptitude. Three-star Foundation Establishment was rare, while top talents such as Beiming Lie and Ye Cang could be counted on one hand.
Thus, the honor the sturdy man received upon returning to the servant disciples was immense.
Besides him, others attempted enlightenment, but few succeeded.
Then, from the crowd, a tall youth stepped forward—clad in blue and white robes, clearly a genius admitted to the outer sect before reaching Foundation Establishment, just like Wang Ran.
He bore a proud expression, leapt onto a high platform, and entered a meditative state.
“That’s Senior Brother Tony Mu!”
“Brother Tony is a genius—he once achieved four-star Dao methods but gave them up willingly.”
“This time, he’s aiming to surpass himself.”
“Senior Brother Tony is kind, but his eyes are too small.”
“If he succeeds this time, he might enter the inner sect straight away.”
“It’s possible—he’s a prodigy after all.”
The watching disciples speculated eagerly about how many stars Tony Mu would attain.
Wang Ran watched with interest as a torrent of azure qi, vastly denser than before, gathered above the sky—nearly as thick as a grown man’s arm.
“Heavens, that’s at least four stars!”
“No, it might reach five-star Foundation Establishment!”
“He’s already surpassed his last attempt!”
“Brother Tony Mu is truly extraordinary.”
As the crowd gasped, the azure qi suddenly shattered—only to coalesce anew, even thicker than before.
“What—did he just abandon his success willingly?”
“He wasn’t satisfied with the last one, and wants to try again?”
“This time, the azure qi is twice as thick!”
“Could he be aiming for six-star Foundation Establishment?”
“Amazing…”
All around, the disciples stared wide-eyed. Even Elder Liu and Master Windcliff turned their attention to the platform. After several breaths, the massive stone walls opened, and Tony Mu strode out, brimming with power.
Elder Liu’s eyes shone. After a quick inspection, he declared, “Astounding—six-star Foundation Establishment!”
A chorus of astonished shouts erupted; even Ye Cang took notice.
Elder Liu immediately bestowed a purple-and-white robe, saying, “Tony Mu, six-star Foundation Establishment—promoted to inner sect disciple. Awarded the eighth mountain cave residence and one hundred spirit jades.”
At these words, the outer sect disciples grew even more envious.
Becoming an inner sect disciple brought immense prestige and privilege.
Tony Mu thanked them loudly, then, still aloof, seated himself on a high platform, surveying the crowd with imperious pride.
The scene quieted. After Tony Mu’s breakthrough, few dared ascend the platforms. The outer sect’s geniuses felt an increasing sense of pressure.
Just then, from the crowd, someone stepped forward.
Zhao Xiaobai closed his folding fan with a smile. “Brother Wang, I’ll go seek enlightenment as well.”
Wang Ran nodded. Only then did Zhao Xiaobai ascend a platform at a leisurely pace, sitting cross-legged.
The duration of enlightenment varied; Wang Ran didn’t know how long Zhao Xiaobai would take, so he didn’t wait.
After a moment’s thought, he too stepped forward.
In an instant, every disciple of the First Mountain turned their gaze upon him.