Chapter 20: Ran Appears

At the Grand Comprehension Ceremony.

As the voice of Elder Windcliff fell, the disciples' faces lit up with excitement, each eager to have their turn.

Wang Ran stood with his hands behind his back, quietly observing the platforms before him.

These were the places for enlightenment. Once a disciple sat upon them, the aura of the Heavenly Dao would descend, greatly increasing the chance of enlightenment.

As Wang Ran pondered this, his junior sister behind him was starry-eyed, her heart pounding wildly.

"Grandfather said that Uncle is proud and discerning, only accepting disciples by fate. Anyone he admires is always a peerless talent, like Senior Sister Yao—so dazzling and brilliant. But today, my senior brother was also accepted as his disciple. It seems he truly is a dragon among men. He’s... so handsome!"

Blushing, the junior sister covered her cheeks, twisting bashfully in place, not daring to glance at Wang Ran’s back. Somehow, his not-so-tall figure now appeared to shine as radiantly as the sun.

Elsewhere, Elder Windcliff looked at Wang Ran with clear appreciation. Turning, he asked, "Jianjia, what do you think of your new junior brother?"

Yao Jianjia glanced back, thoughtful. Recalling the scene from the bathhouse that day, she replied, "Reporting to Master, I happened to have some contact with him. To my knowledge, our new junior brother is upright and principled, possessing the bearing of a true gentleman."

Hearing this, Elder Windcliff’s appreciation grew even more—clearly, he had not misjudged.

In his good mood, he recalled Yan Wanrou’s discovery of a hidden genius, so he beckoned her over. "Rou’er, come here."

Still lost in her daydreams, Yan Wanrou hurried over, cheeks flushed, her big eyes blinking. "What is it, Uncle?"

Seeing her adorable expression, Elder Windcliff smiled dotingly. "That peerless genius you mentioned—did he come today? If so, introduce him to me. If his character is good, I’ll accept him as my disciple as well."

Yan Wanrou tilted her head, eyes squinting in a grin. "Uncle, you’ve already accepted him."

"Hmm? Already?" Elder Windcliff was startled, but quickly understood. He glanced at Wang Ran, then at Yan Wanrou, finally bursting into laughter.

"So the genius you mentioned is Wang Ran! It seems fate truly works in mysterious ways. Since both of you hold Wang Ran in such esteem, my judgment wasn't wrong." Elder Windcliff addressed Yan Wanrou and Yao Jianjia with delight, his gaze toward Wang Ran growing ever more approving.

He thought this young man not only had a broad mind but an excellent character as well.

"Of course! Senior Brother is the most handsome in the sect. Hmph, I'm ignoring you, Uncle—I'm going to watch Senior Brother comprehend the Dao!" Yan Wanrou stuck out her tongue, then skipped over to stand behind Wang Ran, continuing to swoon over him.

Wang Ran paid no attention to his junior sister. He was focused on the proceedings, where quite a number of disciples had already ascended the platforms.

On one of the platforms, a tall servant disciple sat cross-legged. As he breathed and cultivated, brown stone walls rose around the platform, encasing him entirely.

Comprehending the Dao required a focused mind, undisturbed by the outside world, so these stone walls served as miniature cultivation chambers. They blocked out all sound and were built from special materials, nearly impossible for even Foundation Establishment cultivators to break.

As the disciple settled within the stone walls, a wisp of azure aura descended from the sky above, drawing murmurs from the crowd.

"Azure qi! He might succeed in his enlightenment!"

"Still, it's only a thin strand, likely just a one-star Dao comprehension."

"Heh, even one star means Foundation Establishment. Compared to the Qi Condensation stage, that's a world of difference."

"That’s true. Foundation Establishment extends life by a hundred years—a one-star achievement is still enviable."

Amid the discussions, many envied the servant disciple.

The azure aura in the sky represented the potential of enlightenment; when it appeared, success was almost certain. Its intensity marked the grade of Dao comprehension—darker hues meant higher levels. It was said that beyond eight stars, the color would even turn purple.

Though this servant disciple only produced a faint wisp, it was enough to incite envy.

Sure enough, before long, the stone walls opened, and the man strode out laughing, his presence completely transformed—he had reached the first layer of Foundation Establishment.

Elder Liu Ansheng of the Southern Bank glanced over, stroking his beard. "One-star Foundation Establishment—not bad. Report to the outer sect tomorrow."

The disciple, overjoyed, clasped his fists and bowed. "Thank you, Elder!"

Immediately, other servant disciples crowded around, offering flattery.

Though it was only one star, Foundation Establishment was a rare achievement—many never attained it in their lifetime.

It required both talent and chance. Among the sect’s twenty thousand disciples, there were only eight hundred in the inner sect, nine thousand in the outer sect, and the remaining ten thousand two hundred were servants.

Most possessed only average talent; even three-star Foundation Establishment was rare. Top geniuses like North Sea Lie and Ye Cang could be counted on two hands.

Thus, when that man returned to his former group, he was the center of honor.

After him, others stepped up to seek enlightenment, but most failed; only a few succeeded.

Then, from the crowd emerged a tall young man in blue and white robes—clearly, like Wang Ran, a genius who had entered the outer sect before reaching Foundation Establishment.

He bore an air of arrogance, leaping onto the platform and entering a state of enlightenment.

"That's Senior Brother Dong Nimu!"

"Senior Brother Dong is a genius; I heard he already achieved four-star Dao comprehension before, but he gave it up voluntarily."

"This time, he must be trying to surpass himself."

"Senior Brother Dong is kind, but his eyes are too small."

"After this, he might go straight into the inner sect."

"Very possible—he is a genius, after all."

The observing disciples speculated eagerly about how many stars Dong Nimu would achieve.

Wang Ran watched with interest. In the sky, a torrent of azure qi gathered, several times thicker than before—nearly as thick as an adult's arm.

"My god, that's at least four stars!"

"No, it could be five-star Foundation Establishment!"

"He’s surpassed his previous record!"

"Senior Brother Dong Nimu truly is extraordinary!"

As the crowd marveled, the azure qi suddenly dissipated, only to gather again—this time, even thicker.

"Wait, Senior Brother Dong Nimu gave up on purpose!"

"He wasn't satisfied with just now? He's trying again?"

"This time the azure qi is twice as thick as before!"

"Could he be aiming for six-star Foundation Establishment?"

"That's terrifying!"

The disciples around widened their eyes in awe, and even Elder Liu and Elder Windcliff paid attention. After a few breaths, the massive walls opened, and Dong Nimu strode out, brimming with confidence and vigor.

Elder Liu’s eyes lit up; after a close inspection, he exclaimed, "Excellent, six-star Foundation Establishment!"

A wave of astonished exclamations swept the crowd, even drawing Ye Cang’s attention.

Elder Liu immediately bestowed upon him a purple-white robe. "Dong Nimu, six-star Foundation Establishment. Promoted to inner sect disciple; awarded a residence on the eighth mountain and a hundred spirit jades."

At his words, the outer sect disciples’ envy grew even more intense.

To become an inner sect disciple was to enjoy privileges that made others jealous.

Dong Nimu thanked him loudly, his manner proud, and seated himself on a high platform, looking down at the crowd with disdain.

For a moment, the scene grew quiet. After Dong Nimu’s six-star display, fewer dared to try their luck; even the other outer sect geniuses felt the pressure.

Just then, another person strolled out from the crowd.

Zhao Xiaobai closed his folding fan with a smile. "Brother Wang, I’ll go and try my hand at enlightenment now."

Wang Ran nodded, and only then did Zhao Xiaobai ascend the platform at a leisurely pace and sit cross-legged.

The time required for enlightenment varied. Wang Ran didn’t know how long Zhao Xiaobai would take, so he didn’t wait.

After a moment’s thought, he also stepped forward.

In an instant, every disciple of the First Mountain turned their gaze upon him.