Chapter Nineteen: Truly an Honest Child
First Mountain.
On the summit plaza.
Standing opposite Wang Ran, Beiming Lie was momentarily taken aback, then broke into mocking laughter, convinced Wang Ran was merely putting on an act. “Feeling afraid now? Too late. Today, I, Beiming Lie, will teach you a lesson—no one can save you!”
He finished speaking with an expression of utmost arrogance. A powerful aura of spiritual energy swirled about him, making his robes flutter though there was no wind, his presence fierce and intimidating.
Everything happened so quickly that many nearby disciples hadn’t yet reacted.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure. Wang Ran is actually at odds with Beiming Lie, the pride of the inner sect?”
“From what Beiming Lie says, it seems there’s some deep enmity between them.”
“This Wang Ran is always neglecting his studies. He deserves a little discipline.”
“He’s provoked Senior Beiming. He’s doomed!”
The crowd discussed animatedly, their words tinged with schadenfreude.
Wang Ran, meanwhile, wore a humble expression as if he hadn’t heard a thing. He clasped his hands and bowed, his demeanor even more sincere. “Thank you, Senior Beiming, for your repeated underhanded attacks. You have made me better understand the cruelty of the cultivation world. I have learned much!”
Beiming Lie frowned, not understanding what was happening. He assumed Wang Ran was admitting defeat, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes as he looked down. “Hmph, admitting your mistake now is too late. Today, I must teach you a lesson!”
As his words fell, the surrounding disciples erupted in an uproar.
“Looks like Wang Ran is destined for humiliation today.”
“Yes, Senior Beiming isn’t giving him a chance to bow his head.”
“This will be entertaining.”
“...”
The disciples laughed and chatted amongst themselves, none concerned for Wang Ran’s safety. Yet gradually, those voices faded inexplicably, and a hush fell across the plaza. No one dared even to breathe loudly.
For above Beiming Lie’s back, two figures had appeared in the sky, standing suspended in midair.
Beiming Lie, oblivious to the presence behind him, assumed the silence was due to his overwhelming aura. His arrogance deepened, and he sneered at Wang Ran, “How do you want to die?”
Wang Ran glanced silently at the elder standing just behind Beiming Lie, inwardly mocking Beiming Lie’s talent for courting death. Outwardly, his expression remained harmless as he spoke loudly, “Senior Beiming, as your junior, I have always worked diligently within the sect and am known as an outstanding disciple, but if you dislike me and wish to strike me, I will not utter a single complaint!”
Beiming Lie sneered again, “You’re right. I do dislike you. Don’t worry, no matter who comes today, no one can save you!”
At this moment, the elder behind Beiming Lie furrowed his brow, his displeasure reaching its peak.
---
He despised Beiming Lie’s bullying ways.
Wang Ran continued to dig a pit for Beiming Lie, cautiously asking, “Really? No one can save me?”
“Of course.” Beiming Lie waved a hand and shouted to the crowd, “Anyone who helps Wang Ran today is against me, Beiming Lie!”
Wang Ran’s expression turned peculiar, “What if an elder helps me?”
“An elder? Ha! My grandfather is the Array Elder, with high rank and authority. Who would dare provoke me? Even if an elder does come, I’ll beat him too!”
Everyone has a need to show off, and Beiming Lie was no exception. After boasting, he noticed the disciples’ eyes widening in shock, thinking his intimidation had worked, and felt himself more awe-inspiring than ever.
He didn’t realize that the elder he spoke of was standing right behind him, watching coldly.
The disciples were not stunned by his bravado, but by his audacity to threaten an elder in front of the elder himself.
Wang Ran now adopted a relaxed expression, a bit shy as he said, “Well then, Senior Beiming, please, you must strike me!”
“Hmph, since you seek death, I’ll oblige you!”
A cold flash sparked in Beiming Lie’s eyes as his aura exploded. In the next moment, he charged straight toward Wang Ran, unleashing a terrifying punch, whose force was even greater than before.
Yet Wang Ran neither dodged nor resisted, a faint smile flickering at the corner of his eye. Beiming Lie felt a sudden pang of unease, but his movements did not falter.
Just as Beiming Lie’s attack was about to strike Wang Ran, a sudden pressure enveloped the summit plaza.
"Enough!"
A furious shout rang out. Beiming Lie, midair, stumbled violently, spitting a mouthful of blood. In shock, he turned to see the elder’s furious face behind him.
A moment later—a crisp slap.
Beiming Lie’s body flew several meters, scraping a long bloody trail across the ground. A vivid red palm print appeared on his fair cheek, startling all who saw it.
He raised his head in utter bewilderment, his mind buzzing, completely stunned.
When he finally recognized the purple-robed figure, he shuddered, “G-Great Elder?”
He quickly recovered, glaring furiously at Wang Ran, “You little beast, you dared to set me up? Believe it or—ow!”
His words were cut short as the elder slapped him again. “Beiming Lie, you claim to be an inner sect prodigy, yet use foundation-stage cultivation to bully a disciple barely at the peak of Qi Condensation, even resorting to hidden weapons. You’ve shamed your grandfather!”
The elder’s anger was undisguised. After scolding Beiming Lie, he turned with concern to Wang Ran, “Child, you’ve suffered.”
Wang Ran was momentarily stunned; then a mist appeared in his eyes. He wiped away a tear, clasped his hands, and bowed, “Great Elder, disciple... disciple is not aggrieved. All for the sect, I am willing to brave any hardship!”
His words rang out with strength and integrity. Off to the side, Zhao Xiaobai was nearly convinced, and the elder was deeply moved.
---
“Good, good! Heaven has eyes. Our sect at last has produced a talent both virtuous and strong. From today onward, you shall be my direct disciple!”
“Wang Ran, I have heard of your plight. The spiritual energy at the back mountain is thin—abandon that place. From now on, live at your master’s North Shore Second Mountain. Or, you may join your senior sister Yao Jianjia at South Shore Third Mountain. Jianjia, come greet your junior brother.”
Not far away, Yao Jianjia was momentarily stunned, and the disciples were all left speechless!
The Great Elder Feng Yazi actually accepted Wang Ran as his disciple?
It was well known that Feng Yazi, second only to the sect leader, was exceedingly strict in selecting disciples. Until now, he had only one disciple, the true transmission disciple Yao Jianjia.
Yet unexpectedly, today he took Wang Ran under his wing!
Wang Ran himself hadn’t anticipated such a windfall. Once he realized it, his acting skills exploded. He clutched Feng Yazi’s leg, weeping and wailing, “Master! These days I have dreamed nightly, seeing a majestic figure shielding me from wind and rain. Yet I could never see his kindly face clearly. Today, I finally know—it was you!”
His display left everyone around dumbfounded.
Beiming Lie’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Damn you!
Have you no shame?
Who plays the game like this?
You’re trying to bury me alive!
As expected, Feng Yazi’s heart softened at Wang Ran’s crying. He sighed, then turned to Beiming Lie, even more enraged. “Pass my order: Inner sect disciple Beiming Lie has oppressed his fellow disciple. Deduct half a year’s salary and confine him to Beast Mountain for reflection. Execute immediately.”
Elder Liu beside him quickly bowed, “As you command.”
Then, with a wave of his sleeve, the Great Elder sent Beiming Lie flying. His figure vanished from the summit plaza in the blink of an eye.
This was the art of shifting forms, a feat of great power. The surrounding disciples were awed, hardly daring to breathe.
Feng Yazi helped Wang Ran to his feet, deeply concerned. “Such an honest child. Rest assured, your talent is outstanding, and your character rare and precious. Now that you are under my name, no one in our sect will dare bully you. Today’s Dao Comprehension Ceremony—strive hard, do not let your master down.”
At these words, Wang Ran adopted a solemn posture, clasped his hands, and declared, “As cultivators, we must go against the current and vie with heaven for glory. Please trust me, Master. Today, your disciple will surely succeed in comprehending the Dao!”
“Haha, that’s the spirit! That is the disciple of Feng Yazi!”
Feng Yazi, in high spirits, turned to the gathered disciples. His voice thundered across the plaza.
“All disciples, hear my command. I now declare—the Dao Comprehension Ceremony... begins!”