Chapter 286 - 176: Stronger Than Me

Chapter 286: Chapter 176: Stronger Than Me

He shook his head and cut straight to the point. "I’m happy to hear you say that, but I’m afraid I don’t have the ability to create a Cultivation Technique for the Nascent Soul Stage."

He waved a hand dismissively. "As for that," he said bluntly, "you’ll have to figure it out yourself."

Shen Wuchen’s face fell. He shot Xu Ran a wounded look, especially since he’d been so moved just a moment before.

A wave of disappointment washed over him. ’Master Xu has struck a nerve again.’

After a moment, he composed himself and looked at Xu Ran. "In that case, Master Xu," he asked, "why did you bring out this Cultivation Technique for us?"

He then added a well-intentioned reminder, "Qingyue’s Cultivation is already at the Core Formation Stage, so it seems she has no use for it either."

Ye Qingyue had excellent talent and a good Root Bone. Her switch to practicing the Flying Immortal Stream went very smoothly, and her Cultivation had already reached the Core Formation Middle Stage. She was not far from the Core Formation Late Stage.

At this rate, she would likely reach the Nascent Soul Realm in another two or three hundred years, allowing her to keep pace with Shen Wuchen and spend their long lives together.

Xu Ran gave Shen Wuchen a look, silently indicating that he was already aware of all this. He then explained, "This is for my grand-disciple, Mingchen."

"I am giving this Cultivation Technique to you. Once you’ve learned it, you are to teach Mingchen properly."

"His three companions, including your Senior Brother Zhang’s disciple, have all started to make a name for themselves. As the disciple of Wuchen True Monarch, I don’t have high expectations for Mingchen’s combat prowess, but his Cultivation Realm absolutely must keep pace."

"Otherwise, it would be a great stain on your reputation as Wuchen True Monarch."

Upon hearing Xu Ran’s words, Shen Wuchen, who just moments ago had been feeling a bit down about not being able to practice Master Xu’s technique, immediately felt his spirits lift.

’Master Xu said the Cultivation Technique was for my disciple, Lu Mingchen, but his true purpose was to protect my reputation.’

’Master Xu really does care about me.’

Perhaps because Xu Ran had struck a nerve too many times, Shen Wuchen had now learned to console himself.

Besides, for someone as steadfast as him, no matter how much Xu Ran’s words stung, nothing could change the image he held of his master. In his heart, he would forever remember that Master Xu had bestowed everything upon him.

As for everything else, it was just the amusing banter between a teacher and student. Nothing more.

Then, he asked with some curiosity, "Master Xu, I remember that Mingchen visits you quite often, right? Why don’t you just teach him directly? Why make a point of having me learn it first just to teach him?"

’It seems a bit redundant,’ he thought. But out of respect for Master Xu, he didn’t voice this thought.

Xu Ran shot him a glare at the question. "Nonsense," he said irritably. "He’s your disciple. If you won’t teach him, am I supposed to?"

Shen Wuchen froze for a moment before it dawned on him. ’If Master Xu taught Mingchen directly, wouldn’t that make me, his actual master, seem completely useless?’

’Master Xu is doing this for my sake, to ensure I don’t lose my authority in my own disciple’s eyes.’

Feeling moved, Shen Wuchen thought this to himself. Then, with a solemn expression, he assured Xu Ran, "Rest assured, Master Xu. I will teach Mingchen diligently."

Xu Ran, however, hadn’t thought that deeply about it. He simply felt that since Lu Mingchen was Shen Wuchen’s disciple, Shen Wuchen should be the one to teach him. It was a good way to keep him from slacking off.

After hearing Shen Wuchen’s response, he nodded. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he added another piece of advice.

"Regarding Mingchen, I suggest you have him focus on comprehending only a single Dao. Taking simplicity to its absolute extreme might be a good path for him."

"I taught them my Swordsmanship before, and Mingchen learned it as well. Ask him later if he has gained any insight from it. If not, tell him to set it aside for the time being, or to pick just one form to focus exclusively on comprehending."

"His Root Bone can’t compare to yours. If he doesn’t give some things up, he probably won’t get very far, even on the path of the Flying Immortal Stream."

"Only by taking the simple to its absolute limit can he hope to achieve anything of note."

"Of course, this is only my suggestion. He’s your disciple, so the ultimate decision rests with you and him." ℯℯ𝑙.

After hearing Xu Ran’s words, Shen Wuchen considered them seriously for a long while before slowly speaking.

"If we follow your advice, Master Xu, then Mingchen’s combat power will likely be far weaker than mine was at the same Realm."

Xu Ran nodded lightly, his expression calm as he replied, "One must lose in order to gain."

"Besides, since when have Cultivators of the Flying Immortal Stream ever cared about combat power?"

Shen Wuchen paused, taken aback, before nodding thoughtfully in agreement. "You have a point," he concurred.

Seeing that they were on the same page, Xu Ran said no more. He stood up and addressed Shen Wuchen and Ye Qingyue, "I’ve said everything that needed to be said. I’ll leave you two to it."

The pair walked him to the entrance of the Cave Mansion. Ye Qingyue smiled brightly at Xu Ran and said, "I’ll be sure to visit you often."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Wuchen, who was standing beside her, stiffened. He whipped his head around to glance at her.

Ye Qingyue saw his reaction and winked, her smiling eyes seeming to speak volumes. It was as if she were saying, ’Now do you see why Master took me as his disciple first?’

Shen Wuchen hurriedly turned back around. With a blank expression, he said to Xu Ran, "As will I."

Xu Ran looked at his interesting pair of disciples and broke into a smile. He said nothing, but his steps were much lighter as he departed.