Chapter 82: Chapter 73: The Opposite Person
Master Xuan Zhen and the others didn’t seem to mind Xu Ran’s presence, but when he saw them begin discussing the knowledge of arrays, he tactfully excused himself and left the space to them.
’It’s just about arrays, anyway. Besides, I have Little Xiyue, this disciple who makes me so proud, to teach me now. I have no interest in learning by eavesdropping in such an unwelcome manner.’
’Of course, the most crucial reason was that their discussion was far too profound. Arrays were complex to begin with, and he really couldn’t understand a thing they were saying.’
Cultivators lose all track of time when they start discussing the Dao. Five full days passed before Master Xuan Zhen and the others finally left, still feeling their discussion was incomplete.
During that time, Xu Ran went in a few times to replenish their Spirit Tea and Spirit Fruits, but people like them, once they get into a research mindset, become completely absorbed. Aside from Little Xiyue, almost no one paid him any attention.
After Master Xuan Zhen and the others left, Little Xiyue brewed a pot of Spirit Tea for Xu Ran and cooked him a sumptuous meal.
Xu Ran’s cultivation had now reached the Foundation Establishment Stage. His body had already shed its mortal shell, and he could go a long time without eating.
However, Little Xiyue was very insistent on this point. Whenever she and Xu Ran were together, she would cook right on schedule. She seemed to cherish the feeling of eating together with him.
"Master, when I told Master Xuan Zhen and the others that my inspiration came from you, I was just trying to elevate your status in their minds. I didn’t want them to think you haven’t taught me anything."
During the meal, Little Xiyue took the initiative to explain her earlier comment. There had long been rumors in the Sect, stemming from how she used to sit in on other classes as a child, that Xu Ran had never taught her anything. This made her very unhappy.
She knew her master always preferred to keep a low profile and disliked being the center of attention. Otherwise, with the accomplishments he had already achieved, he would be respected no matter where he went, if only they were publicized.
Take the increased Spirit Rice yield, for instance. For now, this rice hadn’t spread widely throughout the Cultivation Realm. But one day in the future, when the entire Cultivation Realm was planting the Spirit Rice her master had developed, they would probably all bestow the title of "Shennong" upon him.
This was no exaggeration. Spirit Rice was a cultivation resource that all Cultivators could use. The high-yield Spirit Rice her master had developed—which could also be grown in ordinary fields—would allow the population of Cultivators to increase dramatically without expanding the Cultivation Realm’s territory.
In truth, the reason the Spirit Rice hadn’t been widely distributed was twofold: first, the Profound Pure Sect’s strict control, and second, Xu Ran’s own request. He was well aware of the impact its spread would have.
Therefore, he had told Yue Qingyu he hoped the Sect could delay its distribution for as long as possible, preferably waiting until the day he left the Sect or even after his "death" to promote it. In addition, he had also provided a high-yield strain of ordinary rice, which could be heavily promoted throughout the Mortal World.
Xu Ran looked at Little Xiyue’s slightly tense expression and smiled. He could understand how she felt. It was just like a daughter who, upon hearing others speak ill of her father, would inevitably get upset and want to defend him. That was something that would never change, no matter how old she got.
"Don’t worry, I’m not angry. But you don’t need to concern yourself with these things. You just need to cultivate diligently. The day you attain the Great Dao and become a powerful expert and Array Master whose name is renowned throughout the Immortal Ancient era will be more than enough to make me proud."
Xu Ran smiled after he finished speaking and continued, "Just like earlier, when I heard Master Xuan Zhen and the others praising you, I was truly proud and very happy."
At his words, Little Xiyue lowered her head, her heart fluttering with a bit of shyness. She used to be strong-willed and sensitive, and even though she was now deliberately trying to change her personality, she still wasn’t quite used to being praised so effusively in front of her master.
But hearing Xu Ran say that, she composed herself and pushed down the feeling of awkwardness.
’Since Master is so happy, then I’ll just have to work even harder in the future to make him happier and prouder of me.’
To her, at this moment, nothing was more important than her master’s happiness. She would be willing to do anything for it.
She then nodded gently. "I will work hard to do so."
Xu Ran nodded at her response, then added, "But don’t push yourself too hard. Remember to find a balance between work and rest. Please don’t go back to how you were before."
"I will take it to heart," Little Xiyue said, nodding emphatically. She would do her utmost not to give her master cause for worry.
Then, Xu Ran asked curiously, "When did you meet Master Xuan Zhen and the others?"
"It’s been a while now. I had encountered some problems with arrays that I just couldn’t solve. I remembered that Inference Dao Peak specializes in arrays, so I decided to go try my luck there, hoping someone could answer my questions. The very first person I ran into was Master Xuan Zhen, and he is very kind..."
Little Xiyue patiently recounted to Xu Ran the story of how she met Master Xuan Zhen and the others, as well as some of the interesting things that had happened.
Xu Ran listened quietly as Little Xiyue spoke, cherishing this peaceful moment. In the past, Little Xiyue had rarely shared things about herself with him. Even when he took the initiative to ask, she would often give a brief answer, unwilling to elaborate, and he never pushed her.
He could clearly feel that over the years, Little Xiyue had grown increasingly close and gentle with him. The faint sense of resistance she had as a child was gone, and she had completely opened her heart. Recently, she had even started to proactively seek his company.
This made him sigh with emotion. Time flew so fast. In the blink of an eye, the strong-willed little girl that Xiaoque’Er had entrusted to him had grown up and become so considerate.
He had never quite understood why Little Xiyue had chosen the path of studying arrays. Logically, when she had sought out Ye Shan as a child, she should have learned Swordsmanship. Yet, she had never studied it, choosing arrays instead.
He had asked Little Xiyue about it. Her reply was that she had wanted to learn a skill quickly at the time. She had wandered around the Scripture Pavilion, happened to see something about arrays, found it interesting, and started learning.
Now, seeing her talent and accomplishments with arrays, he suddenly felt a sense of understanding. Perhaps it was destiny. She was born to be an Array Master.
The master and disciple pair, Xu Ran and Little Xiyue, settled into a peaceful and heartwarming routine. Their tranquility was broken only by the return of Ye Shan, who had been gone for a very long time.
"Junior Brother Xu, I’ve found a suitable candidate to be Junior Sister Qingxue’s disciple! Tell me what you think, see if my idea will work."
Ye Shan said to Xu Ran, a hint of pride in his expression.
Hearing his words, Xu Ran’s curiosity was immediately piqued, and he asked, "What kind of person are they?"
Ye Shan tilted his head back slightly, a look of haughty pride on his aged face. "I know Junior Sister Qingxue. If she takes a disciple, she will definitely want to train them to be like me."
"So, I spent a very long time finding someone who bears some resemblance to me, but whose temperament is my complete opposite. This will be a test for Junior Sister Qingxue."
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