Chapter Twenty-Five: Senior Sister, Master Said We Should Cultivate in the Future!

Only Me Sect.

On the vast and boundless platform of the First Mountain, as Wang Ran took a single step forward and his voice echoed across the land, the entire scene fell into utter silence. Every disciple felt their hearts and minds shaken, their thoughts roaring, disbelief reaching its peak.

“Damn it, how can he be this strong?”
“Wang Ran actually achieved a ten-star Foundation Establishment! What kind of fortune is that?”
“He’s already surpassed Senior Brother Ye!”
“So he’s the true prodigy of our Only Me Sect!”
“Ten stars! That’s ten stars!”

The inner and outer disciples alike were stunned, for geniuses capable of ten-star Foundation Establishment were as rare as phoenix feathers across the entire Nine Provinces—truly those favored by the heavens. Amid their shock, they contributed several points of Dao Attainment Value to Wang Ran, rekindling a faint glimmer of hope in his heart that had nearly been extinguished by poverty.

Beyond the ordinary disciples, the gathered prodigies observing the scene were thoroughly astonished. Dong Nimu was panting for breath, unable to believe his eyes. Ye Cang’s face was ashen, a vein twitching at the corner of his eye. The youngest junior sister was so excited her cheeks flushed crimson, gazing at Wang Ran with worshipful eyes, feeling as if her heart might betray her and stop beating altogether. Yao Jianjia’s gaze brightened, her impression of Wang Ran deepening, while Zhao Xiaobai grinned in delight, as if he’d made the right bet.

The happiest of all was Elder Feng Yazi, who laughed heartily in satisfaction and declared, “No wonder I chose you—your talent is truly extraordinary. Heaven favors our Only Me Sect!”

“By my command, from this day forth, Wang Ran is an inner sect disciple. He is awarded five thousand spirit jades and a private residence.” As he finished speaking, a stream of radiant light flew to Wang Ran’s hand. Looking down, he saw purple energy swirling and golden dragons embroidered—a robe unmistakably belonging to an inner disciple.

Wang Ran cupped his fists in gratitude, excitement stirring in his heart. It had been eleven years since he joined the sect at age seven, serving as an outer sect disciple all that time. Today, at last, he was promoted to the inner sect.

The joys and sorrows along the way were his alone to bear.

As he mulled over his feelings, Elder Liu, who had been stunned into silence, stepped forward and said, “Grand Elder, we have no vacant private residences left. If one is to be constructed, it will take some time.”

Feng Yazi considered for a moment. “Is that so? Well, there’s still some space on my northern shore. Your senior sister’s estate on the Third Mountain is quite empty as well. Wang Ran, do you wish to stay on the north or south shore?”

Wang Ran coughed lightly, a little shy. “Master, I have lived on the southern shore since I joined the sect. I have grown attached to it…”

Feng Yazi immediately understood, smiling wryly. “You little rascal. Very well. You’ll stay on your senior sister’s Third Mountain from now on. Remember to cultivate diligently and never slack off.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Master. I will not fail your expectations.” Wang Ran bowed in delight.

Feng Yazi nodded and turned. “Jianjia, your junior brother will be living with you. Is that all right?”

Yao Jianjia, long accustomed to solitude on the Third Mountain, was taken aback. After a moment, she replied softly, “It’s no trouble.”

Having settled the matter, Feng Yazi exchanged a few final words with Liu Ansheng about reorganizing the sect, left a parting message for Wang Ran and Yao Jianjia, and then soared into the sky. His voice thundered overhead: “You siblings must strive diligently in your cultivation. Jianjia, look after your junior brother. I will enter seclusion. If anything important arises, come find me at Sky Pillar Peak on the northern shore.”

With Feng Yazi’s departure, the Enlightenment Ceremony came to an end. The disciples remained, savoring the moment, and gradually dispersed in small groups as they discussed the events.

Ye Cang’s face was dark as he snorted coldly and departed on his sword. Dong Nimu and the other prodigies, each lost in their own thoughts, left one after another.

Zhao Xiaobai, folding his white feather fan, approached and said, “Congratulations, Brother Wang! After today, your name will surely echo throughout the Only Me Sect.”

The youngest junior sister also sidled up, stars in her eyes, worshipful to the extreme. Even Yao Jianjia couldn’t help but glance over, making Wang Ran the center of attention.

Feeling the weight of so many gazes, Wang Ran straightened his back, especially when he noticed Yao Jianjia looking his way—his heart skipped a beat, and he stood even taller.

He leaped onto the high platform, back to the crowd, his robe fluttering in the wind. From the side, his expression seemed inscrutable, his bearing that of a peerless master.

He sighed softly, “I was born a hero, unmatched in vision; born a prodigy, arrogant beyond measure… A mere ten-star Foundation Establishment? It’s nothing more than picking something out of a bag. Don’t envy me too much—for when you stand at my height, you’ll understand how lonely and desolate it can be.”

His voice grew more wistful, his figure increasingly solitary, and even the air seemed to go still, matching the melancholy in his eyes.

The youngest junior sister gazed at his back, her face flushed, utterly infatuated. Zhao Xiaobai shook his head and smiled wryly. “Brother Wang…”

“No need to call me. Allow me a little longer to savor the pain of this loneliness—it tempers my Dao heart.” Wang Ran raised a hand to stop him.

Zhao Xiaobai pressed his hand to his forehead in exasperation. “No, Brother Wang, Senior Sister Yao has already left…”

“What?” Wang Ran froze and looked back. In the distance, Yao Jianjia was already a tiny figure, not sparing a single glance his way. Embarrassment flushed across his face.

“Ahem, Brother Zhao, junior sister, I’ll take my leave.” Wang Ran cupped his fists and hurried after her. “Senior sister, wait for me~~”

His voice faded into the distance as he ran.

…

The sun set in the west, bathing the world in golden light.

Though the southern shore held several peaks, none but Yao Jianjia had a mountain to herself. This was her special reward as a true disciple, a testament to her extraordinary strength.

Trailing behind Yao Jianjia, Wang Ran looked around in amazement. “Senior sister, your place is enormous.”

Yao Jianjia tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You’ve been here once before, haven’t you?”

Wang Ran blinked and recalled what had happened last time, coughing awkwardly. “Senior sister, about before—I was rash. Sorry.”

“It’s nothing.” Yao Jianjia seemed unconcerned and led Wang Ran into the courtyard.

Despite having a whole mountain to herself, the courtyard wasn’t large. Wang Ran glanced around and noticed, curiously, that there was only a single building.

They entered, one after another. Though the room was resplendent, it was spacious and empty—there was no hint of feminine fragrance or any cozy decorations.

Yao Jianjia explained, “I usually live here alone, so there aren’t many spare rooms. Luckily, this one is spacious enough.” With a wave of her hand, she produced a wooden bed from her storage pouch and set it opposite her own, with a large screen in between for privacy.

“It’s getting late. You should rest.” With those words, Yao Jianjia gracefully leaped onto her bed and sat cross-legged to meditate.

Wang Ran, looking a little awkward, slowly climbed onto his bed. After lying there a while, he couldn’t help but recall Feng Yazi’s words from earlier. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he called out, “Senior sister.”

“Mm?” Yao Jianjia’s cool voice came from the other side of the screen.

Wang Ran hesitated, his eyes growing shyer. “Um… Master said earlier that we should work hard in our cultivation…”

Yao Jianjia heard nothing amiss and replied, “Mm… The Enlightenment Ceremony must have tired you. Rest well tonight. We can talk about cultivation tomorrow.”

Wang Ran grew anxious. “No, senior sister, Master said ‘in the days to come’—we should work hard in our cultivation.”

Yao Jianjia opened her eyes. “What do you mean? You want to start cultivating tonight?”

“Ah, senior sister, you still haven’t grasped the true meaning of Master’s words,” Wang Ran said regretfully.

“True meaning?” Yao Jianjia looked puzzled.

Wang Ran sighed and shook his head. “Forget it. Let’s discuss our future cultivation another time. Senior sister, I hope one day you’ll understand Master’s real intention.”

With that, Wang Ran wore a disappointed expression, as if looking at a hopeless junior, and fell silent.

Seeing this, Yao Jianjia grew even more perplexed. Deep into the night, she lay awake, pondering what Master’s ‘future cultivation’ could possibly mean. Was there some hidden significance?

How could her junior brother comprehend what she could not?

Wang Ran had no idea that his casual teasing would become a knot in Yao Jianjia’s heart for a long time to come…