Chapter Eighteen: This Young Man Is Extraordinary!

Northern Shore of the Sect of Self.

Those who lived in this area were mostly elders and stewards. It was also the place where the sect master and others handled affairs, and the location of the Fire Array within the grand protective formation of Wind, Fire, and Thunder. If the southern shore was the foundation for cultivating disciples, then the northern shore was the true core of the sect’s survival, housing all its upper echelons, even boasting Nascent Soul cultivators. Thanks to their presence, the Sect of Self was renowned throughout the continent and feared across Yunzhou.

At this moment, two streaks of light sped across the river separating north and south. Within the streaks were two middle-aged men—one clad in purple robes, the other in crimson.

The crimson-robed man addressed the one in purple with deference, “Grand Elder, the Enlightenment Ceremony at First Mountain of the southern shore is nearly prepared. Once we arrive, it can commence immediately.”

The purple-robed man nodded slightly, pondering, “Ansheng, the southern shore has thrived under your management these years. I’ve heard you’ve cultivated many outstanding disciples for the sect.”

Liu Ansheng hurriedly waved his hand, “Not at all, Grand Elder. It is your wise leadership.”

The purple-robed man flicked Liu Ansheng’s forehead lightly and admonished, “Enough, no need for empty flattery in front of me. I don’t buy that.”

Liu Ansheng quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak further.

The purple-robed man mused, then asked, “Right, I recall there are several promising juniors on the southern shore. How is Ye Cang, the one with the Millennium Sacred Body?”

Elder Liu Ansheng smiled, “Ye Cang is currently one of the top disciples in the inner sect, the most likely to inherit the Sect of Self’s legacy and become a true inheritor.”

“Good, that’s reassuring.” The purple-robed man nodded approvingly, then suddenly remembered something and inquired, “By the way, when Ye Cang joined the sect, wasn’t there another youngster who entered at the same time? I recall he was also quite gifted, a genius rarely seen in a century.”

How could Liu Ansheng not know he was referring to Wang Ran? He immediately cupped his hands again, “Grand Elder, you’ve been in seclusion for years and just emerged, so you aren’t yet aware of the changes in the sect. That Wang Ran is now less capable than Ye Cang, unable to match him even if he tried.”

Concerned about affecting the Grand Elder’s opinion of his management—after all, he’d overseen the southern shore for the past decade—Liu Ansheng didn’t dare be too harsh, lest it look as though he’d failed to foster disciples, merely stating Wang Ran was less accomplished than Ye Cang.

But to the Grand Elder, the meaning was different. Ye Cang, with his Millennium Sacred Body, had once shocked the entire sect; few could ever compare. To say Wang Ran was less than him still implied Wang Ran was a genius.

The Grand Elder patted Liu Ansheng’s shoulder, speaking earnestly, “Ansheng, you’ve managed the southern shore for decades now. If you find any disciple worth cultivating, it’s not amiss to nurture them personally. Always act for the good of the sect.”

“Yes, yes, Grand Elder’s guidance is wise.” Liu Ansheng bowed in flattery.

“So spare me the perfunctory replies… By the way, I heard the Second Elder’s daughter is also on the southern shore, learning worldly wisdom in the Mission Hall. She’s reportedly achieved some progress and even discovered a rare, extraordinary genius for the sect. Yesterday, after I emerged from seclusion, I visited the Second Elder, and the girl praised this disciple to the skies. Today, I must see for myself.”

As the purple-robed man finished, Elder Liu’s expression soured, realizing he’d completely forgotten about the Second Elder’s daughter being sent to the southern shore for training.

Sect matters had been overwhelming lately, especially after a four-person enforcement team mysteriously disappeared, leaving Elder Liu frantic. In all the chaos, he’d neglected to look after the young lady.

When did she manage to find an extraordinary genius for the sect?

If there truly were such a genius, how could he, the elder of the southern shore, not know?

A faint sense of unease began to rise in Elder Liu’s heart. He wanted to warn the Grand Elder, but seeing the latter’s eager expression, he dared not say more.

As the two conversed, First Mountain of the southern shore came into sight…

Meanwhile—

On the plaza of the Enlightenment Ceremony.

Wang Ran’s dashing, unrestrained entrance immediately left many gaping in astonishment.

“What on earth is Wang Ran doing now?”

“He even brought along a junior sister to dance for him? How shameless can he get?”

“Absolutely disgraceful!”

“That’s right! How could he do such a thing?!”

Voices filled with righteous indignation echoed from the disciples nearby, though the envy in their tones was palpable.

After all, Sister Yan Wanrou was truly beautiful, adorable beyond compare; anyone would feel affection upon seeing her. Yet now, such a lovely, fresh-faced girl was willingly acting as Wang Ran’s follower, provoking jealousy among many disciples.

Wang Ran didn’t care in the slightest. Wearing a hint of lonely mastery on his face, he scanned the crowd, pausing briefly on Ye Cang, then burst out laughing, “Well, isn’t this Senior Brother Ye Cang? How have you been lately? My, it’s shocking how you’ve grown even more—uh—unfortunate in appearance!”

Ye Cang’s face stiffened instantly, a flicker of murderous intent flashing in his eyes as he looked at Wang Ran.

Wang Ran, even with his eyes closed, could sense Ye Cang’s desire to kill him, but he remained unfazed, continuing, “But don’t worry, Senior Brother Ye; you may be a bit ugly, but it’s not as if you’ll never find a wife. In our village, there’s a young widow named Murong Cuihua—I wonder if you remember her. I’ll introduce you sometime; you two are a perfect match! Listen, don’t mind that she’s a widow; in fact, she’s still untouched, a maiden in her forties. Quite the bargain for you!”

Wang Ran spoke with exaggerated gestures, eyebrows dancing.

Ye Cang had never been ridiculed like this before; his face turned ashen, a chill radiating from him.

The surrounding disciples were startled.

But before Ye Cang could react, a streak of light came roaring from the crowd.

It was Bei Minglie!

“You! The aura of the breaking talisman is unmistakable. You dared bully my brother—prepare to die!” Bei Minglie unleashed a punch, stirring a tidal wave of power, aiming straight for Wang Ran’s face.

Wang Ran’s playful expression vanished instantly. His brow furrowed, “Bei Guoxia’s brother? The inner sect prodigy Bei Minglie? He actually figured out I took his brother’s talisman?”

No time for further thought; seeing the fist mere inches away, Wang Ran’s body flashed with brilliance, erupting with his Vajra Glass Body, meeting the punch head-on.

Boom!

In an instant, a shockwave radiated from their center, forcing many nearby to retreat several steps. Cracks appeared beneath Wang Ran’s feet, while Bei Minglie fared slightly better, though he was equally stunned.

He hadn’t expected Wang Ran, at the peak of Qi Condensation, to withstand his sixth-layer Foundation Establishment blow. Though he hadn’t used his full strength, it was still remarkable.

Wang Ran’s right fist trembled, blood seeping out, his face darkening as he grew irate at Bei Minglie. Secretly, he bought an enhanced grenade from the system shop, intending to let Bei Minglie taste the fury of flames, when his gaze inadvertently swept the sky, noticing two black dots floating not far away.

His eyes flickered; he quickly stowed the grenade and put on a grateful expression, shouting loudly to Bei Minglie, “Thank you, Senior Brother Bei, for this sparring match. You’ve helped me grasp the essence of martial arts. Though you gritted your teeth and unleashed your full strength, almost as if you meant me harm, I know you were simply pushing me to unlock my potential, all for my own good. I managed to withstand your attack, but I see you’re about to pull out a dart hidden in your sleeve, likely to teach me that one must never drop their guard in the world. Senior Brother Bei’s thoughtful lesson is deeply appreciated by this underrated genius, Wang Ran!”

Wang Ran spoke forcefully, ensuring all within a kilometer heard him.

Bei Minglie was left dumbfounded.

I used my full strength?

I had a dart hidden in my sleeve?

What the hell are you talking about??

As Bei Minglie stood bewildered, in the sky behind him—

The two latecomers witnessed the scene.

The Grand Elder’s eyes shone as he looked at Wang Ran, full of praise, “Excellent! So young, yet already at peak Qi Condensation, able to withstand a full-force blow from a sixth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, and afterward so modest and magnanimous. Truly a fine seedling. As for that Senior Brother Bei—not only did he strike his fellow disciple so harshly, he even attempted to use a hidden weapon. Such cruelty! Thankfully, this young junior is generous and does not bear a grudge. Humph! Dock that Senior Brother Bei’s salary for half a year and send him to Beast Mountain to reflect on his actions. As for Wang Ran, he truly is an underrated genius! Elder Liu, you must nurture him well. This one… is extraordinary!”

The purple-robed man finished, oblivious to Elder Liu beside him, who stood slack-jawed in shock!

Wang Ran, extraordinary?

Wang Ran withstood Bei Minglie’s full-force blow?

Heavens above!

Is this really the Wang Ran I know?

Have I been opening the wrong door all along?