Watching the Mountain

Hao Miaomiao had returned after several decades. Out of recognition and respect for her efforts, Xu Ran personally escorted her back to her old Cave Mansion.

In truth, given her current age and Cultivation, she should have theoretically been automatically dismissed from the Sect, unable to retain her status as a disciple.

However, like Xu Ran back in the day, she wasn't technically a Sect disciple in the strictest sense. As long as Xu Ran was willing to support her, her status would remain.

To allow her to compile her medical texts in peace, Xu Ran gave her a sum of Contribution Points. This way, she wouldn't have to do anything else and could just focus on completing her work.

Hao Miaomiao expressed her gratitude for Xu Ran's concern and arrangements. She wasn't fussy or hesitant; she seemed completely at peace.

Her path in Cultivation had reached a dead end, and she didn't have much of her lifespan left. She had no other desires in life except to finish her medical writings. She had long since come to terms with everything else.

Xu Ran thought her mindset was quite good. It saved him the trouble of having to persuade her. But seeing her calm acceptance, he couldn't help but feel a trace of pity.

'This kind of calm, peaceful maturity is good, but when we last parted, she was just a very polite and courteous young girl.'

Xu Ran sighed inwardly and silently walked out of Hao Miaomiao's Cave Mansion.

Just as he stepped out of Hao Miaomiao's Cave Mansion, a surprised voice reached his ears. "Elder Xu, what are you doing here?"

Xu Ran looked over and met Wang Zhenye's astonished gaze.

"Huh? Isn't that Sister Miaomiao's home? Elder, has Sister Miaomiao returned?"

Wang Zhenye looked at the wide-open gate of the Cave Mansion behind Xu Ran. After a moment of thought, a delighted expression appeared on his face.

He had joined the Sect at the same time as Hao Miaomiao, and they had become neighbors.

Unlike Hao Miaomiao, who had become an old woman, Wang Zhenye cultivated for the sake of a carefree and enjoyable life and placed great importance on his appearance.

Early in his Cultivation, after learning of the Youthful Appearance Pill's existence, he had scrimped and saved for five years to accumulate enough Contribution Points to trade for one. He had even fallen behind in his Cultivation because of it.

But he didn't regret it one bit. If he couldn't cultivate freely and happily, what was the point?

Besides, his luck was quite good. Since he started cultivating, he'd had many fortuitous encounters. Every time he went out on a mission, he would come back with some unexpected gains.

Thus, even though he started cultivating late—joining the Sect when he was nearly thirty—had average talent and aptitude far below the Sect's average, and later hampered his progress for a Youthful Appearance Pill, his Cultivation had actually surpassed many of the disciples from his cohort after several decades. He was now at the late-stage of Foundation Establishment and was already preparing to break through to the Purple Mansion Stage.

Xu Ran had always kept an eye on Wang Zhenye and knew a lot about him. Regarding this, he could only say that some people were just born as favorites of the heavens.

The guy's personality was clearly that of a street-smart hustler, without a shred of a Cultivator's bearing. Yet, he was extremely popular with the female cultivators of the Sect, living an enviable life with a woman on each arm. And somehow, all the women around him even got along harmoniously.

Seeing Wang Zhenye's lifestyle, Xu Ran sometimes couldn't help but grind his teeth in envy. He felt like his hands were empty, missing a shovel.

In response to Wang Zhenye's question, Xu Ran nodded and replied, "Yes, Miaomiao is back."

Wang Zhenye was overjoyed to hear this. "Really? That's great! I haven't seen Sister Miaomiao in so long. I've really missed her. I'll go see her."

Xu Ran didn't stop him. Seeing this, Wang Zhenye excitedly stepped into the Cave Mansion.

Xu Ran, who had been about to leave, couldn't help but stop and wait outside. He was also a little curious about how Wang Zhenye would react upon seeing Hao Miaomiao again.

About an hour later, Wang Zhenye walked out of Hao Miaomiao's Cave Mansion with a cheerful smile. However, the moment he stepped out, the smile vanished from his face. He lowered his head slightly, his expression looking downcast and melancholic.

When Xu Ran saw him come out, he waved him over. "How did it go?"

Wang Zhenye lifted his head, his spirits low, and replied, "It went well. Seeing that Sister Miaomiao is still alive, I can rest easy now."

But just a moment after he finished speaking, he suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face, muttering with a vexed expression:

"Aiya, back then, I shouldn't have held back from making a move on Sister Miaomiao just for the sake of our elders."

Hearing this, Xu Ran raised an eyebrow and stared straight at him. "What, you regret it now that you've seen she's grown old?"

Wang Zhenye nodded vigorously, his tone filled with regret as he lamented:

"Regret. So much regret. If I had just been a bit more persistent back then and pursued Sister Miaomiao, after she experienced some 'happiness,' she definitely wouldn't have thought about leaving the Sect. Then she wouldn't have grown old, and her Cultivation would surely have reached the Foundation Establishment Stage by now."

He shook his head as he spoke and let out a long sigh. "It wouldn't have come to an outcome like this... *Sigh*!"

Watching Wang Zhenye sigh again and again, Xu Ran was also stunned by his bizarre train of thought. He had assumed the man felt sorry for Hao Miaomiao because she had grown old, but who knew it was actually about this.

More importantly, he had said it so matter-of-factly—that after letting Hao Miaomiao experience "happiness," she wouldn't have left—without the slightest bit of subtlety.

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