Chapter 306 - 182: Parting Ways

Chapter 306: Chapter 182: Parting Ways

Even though he had been mentally prepared for this, he still felt a sense of defeat.

However, he didn’t give up. He made it his long-term goal, vowing to continue his research as long as the pathological changes in the Cultivation Realm remained unresolved, until things returned to normal.

This kind of research couldn’t be done by holing himself up. Xu Ran would often stroll around the Sect to relax his mind, and while he was at it, he would pay attention to the latest developments in the Sect and the Cultivation Realm, seeing if any new information had surfaced.

First was the matter of the Demon Race. He hadn’t been in contact with Qin Yufeng for a long time, but he knew that the Demon Court was currently developing at a rapid pace. More and more of the great clans of the Demon Race had already announced they were joining the Demon Court.

Furthermore, their academies were also expanding swiftly. It was said that the first batch of Demon Cultivators had already graduated from the Demon Court’s academies and integrated into every corner of the Demon Race, beginning to contribute their strength to its development.

The Cultivation Realm wanted to halt the Demon Race’s progress, but they could never bring themselves to declare war.

War was the kind of thing where a single move could affect the entire situation. The ramifications were too broad. Unless they were absolutely certain of the outcome, they would not launch an attack so easily.

Xu Ran only paid passing attention to these matters. As he was now, he was powerless in the face of such grand-scale events. Perhaps in the distant future, he might have a chance to make a difference.

One day, however, he had a rare encounter with True Monarch Flowing Clouds. The man was wandering idly through the Sect like a common old man with nothing to do, his posture relaxed and leisurely.

The sight left Xu Ran utterly astonished.

Ever since Zhang Zhentian broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage, True Monarch Flowing Clouds had completely abandoned his previous retirement-like demeanor and become incredibly busy, disappearing for days on end.

And yet, before that, he had claimed his cultivation path had reached its end and that his greatest wish in this life was simply to live a few more years so that Zhang Zhentian wouldn’t lose his grandfather.

But his subsequent actions completely contradicted his earlier words. He showed no intention of living a quiet, retired life and was busier than someone just starting on their cultivation path. No one knew what he was so busy with.

Now that he had this rare chance to see him, Xu Ran couldn’t help but walk up and greet him.

"Elder Flowing Clouds, what a rare sight. To think I’d actually run into you in the Sect."

Thanks to their connection through Zhang Zhentian, and because Xu Ran and True Monarch Flowing Clouds had often drunk together in the past, the two were quite familiar. Theirs could be considered a friendship that transcended their age difference.

Moreover, True Monarch Flowing Clouds was a straightforward and fiery-tempered man. Once he got to know someone, he hated formalities and much preferred boisterous, rowdy banter.

Thus, when Xu Ran greeted him, he didn’t need to be as formal as he was with others, allowing for a more casual air.

Hearing Xu Ran’s sarcastic tone, True Monarch Flowing Clouds retorted irritably,

"If you have something to say, you brat, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush. I don’t like it."

"Er..." Xu Ran gave an awkward smile. "It’s just been a while, I thought this kind of greeting would feel a little more friendly."

True Monarch Flowing Clouds shot him a look and said gruffly,

"Oh, it’s friendly alright. So friendly I feel like punching you."

Xu Ran waved a hand, showing no fear. "I’d advise you to think twice, Elder. You should know that the world-renowned Evergreen Sword Saint is my junior brother."

True Monarch Flowing Clouds’s eyes bulged. "That’s *my* grandson! Since when did he become your backer?"

Xu Ran replied with a calm expression, "Is he not?"

True Monarch Flowing Clouds stared at his placid expression and opened his mouth, as if about to let loose a string of curses. But just as the words were about to escape, he seemed to recall something and held them back. Instead, he let out a cold snort and said,

"That boy, Zhentian, certainly owes a part of his current success to you. Now that he’s powerful, it’s only right that he serves as your backer."

Xu Ran shot a surprised glance at True Monarch Flowing Clouds, not having expected him to say such a thing.

’It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with True Monarch Flowing Clouds’s words. It was just that, given his old temperament, even if he believed it, he would never have said it so directly. He definitely would have picked a fight with me first, and then we’d have argued about it over drinks all night.’

Seeing Xu Ran’s reaction, True Monarch Flowing Clouds tilted his head back slightly and spoke in a rather smug tone,

"What, are you disappointed I didn’t start a fight with you?"

Xu Ran shook his head. "Not at all. I’m just a little puzzled. When did your temper become so restrained, Elder?"

"Because I’m in a good mood right now and don’t feel like arguing."

"Oh? Then would you care to share with me what good news has put you in such a high spirit, Elder?"

At this, True Monarch Flowing Clouds glanced around, then beckoned to him. "Come over to my place."

Seeing this, Xu Ran didn’t hesitate in the slightest.

Only after they had arrived at True Monarch Flowing Clouds’s Cave Mansion did he lower his voice and say to Xu Ran,

"A few years ago, I entered the ruins of a cave mansion. In there, I obtained an item."

Hearing this, Xu Ran quickly waved his hands. "Perhaps you shouldn’t tell me, Elder. I don’t want to know too much."

True Monarch Flowing Clouds shot him an annoyed glare. "Look at you, you spineless brat. I’m offering to tell you, and you don’t even have the guts to listen."

He waved his hand with a grand air and declared, "Don’t worry. To an ordinary person, that thing is completely useless. You don’t need to be so cautious."

He then explained to Xu Ran that what he had obtained in the ruined cave mansion was a weapon used by a Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch from a long-forgotten era.