[Qian Renxue, God-bestowed Spirit—Seraphim, Innate Level 20 spirit power, Holy attribute, Born with God-level potential SSS-grade, Current potential is SS-grade… ]
Su Ran's eyes once again swept over Qian Renxue's potential panel; if only looking at potential, she was indeed an excellent disciple.
What a pity.
"I cannot teach you what you wish to learn. Governing a nation requires an Emperor's heart, and managing the common people requires a worldly heart. Neither of these is my forte. If you are willing to cultivate diligently, I can teach you a path of cultivation that is even better than your current one."
Su Ran said indifferently.
A path of cultivation better than my current one?
Qian Renxue did not speak. As someone chosen by God, she did not need guidance in cultivation; she was already on the path to godhood. Was there a better path on the continent than becoming a god?
Although Qian Renxue knew that Su Ran's teaching ability was extraordinary, she had no confusion regarding her cultivation:
"Su Teacher may not know, but Xue'er, as the Holy Maiden of the Elder Palace, already has an excellent path of cultivation…"
"I know, but there is no 'best' path of cultivation, only 'better'. Perhaps, even for you, I can teach you something."
Su Ran showed a faint smile on his face. When it came to teaching cultivation, that was his strong suit.
Even if it was the Angel God's path, what of it?
That Angel Demigod body couldn't even withstand a single drop of Tang San's Guanyin Tear. Was it truly strong?
When Su Ran spoke these words, the confidence he exuded and the gaze in his peach-blossom eyes seemed to penetrate everything, giving Qian Renxue a sense of shame as if all her secrets had been seen through.
Especially the raised corner of Su Ran's mouth beneath his mask caused Qian Renxue to momentarily lose herself, until Su Ran continued:
"If you haven't thought it through, then forget it."
Although this disciple with extraordinary potential was rare, Su Ran would not force anyone to become his disciple; if there was no 緣, then so be it.
"Su Teacher, you truly make one feel endlessly mysterious."
Qian Renxue's eyes met Su Ran's, and she seemed to see a vast galaxy within them. In the galaxy, a lush, enormous immortal peach tree grew, and beneath that peach blossom tree was a peerlessly ethereal white-robed back. She couldn't help but say:
"Su Teacher, I will seriously consider your words today. I cannot make a decision for now, but I will definitely give you an answer in the future."
"However, there's one thing I've always wondered about you, Su Teacher. Regardless of wind, sun, or impending ice and rain, why do you always wear a mask? I wonder if, in return for Xue'er asking Gold Crocodile Grandpa to help out, Su Teacher might remove your mask and let me see you? That would make this trip worthwhile."
Qian Renxue finally made a request.
Earlier in Heaven Dou City, when she met Su Ran as Xue Qinghe, she already had this question, but she didn't bring it up at the time.
Now, with the two of them alone beneath the Angel White Orchid tree, the vast white orchids and peach blossoms intermingling, and having conversed much with Su Ran, her mind settled. Seeing Su Ran standing there, naturally perfect, Qian Renxue couldn't help but develop some interest in the young man's appearance.
Regarding concealing his face, Su Ran had already explained the reason to his disciples. Now, when Qian Renxue inquired, Su Ran could only give a helpless smile:
"The reason for this, if told, might invite laughter, so it's better left unsaid. In summary, it's simply a matter of unwillingness."
"If not for the helplessness of the world, why would one willingly live under concealment, in disguise, with darkness everywhere? How could one live freely and openly?"
Qian Renxue sighed. Perhaps those unaware wouldn't notice, but Su Ran could hear that Qian Renxue's words likely contained her own feelings about years of disguise in Heaven Dou Royal Academy:
"I just don't know why Su Teacher prefers to live behind a mask rather than reveal his true appearance."
Actually, the reason is quite easy to guess.
Firstly: He has powerful enemies he cannot afford to offend, and he wishes to avoid being recognized. However, Su Teacher doesn't even seem to care much about my Spirit Hall, so I can't imagine what kind of enemy would make Su Teacher hide his appearance.
Secondly: His face has flaws, and Su Teacher is quite particular about it, unwilling to show his flaws to others. From my understanding of Dean Su, he shouldn't be someone who judges by appearance, so he wouldn't do this for that reason.
Then there is only the third reason: The exact opposite of the second. Su Teacher's appearance is extremely good, and he has a sense of self-respect, unwilling to show his appearance to others, so as not to gain a reputation where his looks are valued more than his talent."
Qian Renxue truly lived up to her reputation as someone capable of disguising herself for so many years within the Tian Dou Royal Family. She was indeed intelligent. Although her guesses had slight flaws, the direction was correct.
Su Ran was speechless. How was he supposed to answer that?
"However, I do think that the opportunity to be oneself is very rare. Su Teacher, why must you conceal yourself so tightly, so impenetrably? Doesn't that mean you're limiting yourself, sticking to old ways, and not living as yourself?"
Seeing that Su Ran did not answer, Qian Renxue spoke. It wasn't that her insights were particularly profound, but rather her own monologue from years of disguise:
"So, Su Teacher, why not be yourself again, take off your mask, and let Xue'er see you?"
Qian Renxue revealed a faint smile, a sweet smile that looked like a golden angel. The falling white orchid petals were perfectly in sync with the moment.
Qian Renxue's words might have been unintentional, merely wanting a glimpse of Su Ran's appearance.
She had once, in Heaven Dou City, as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, asked the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor Ning Fengzhi:
Why Dean Su always wore a mask and never took it off.
Ning Fengzhi's face, however, showed a mysterious smile, his eyes seeming to sink into some vortex, and he only told her one sentence:
Unfathomable, do not be curious.
This, instead, planted a seed of curiosity in Qian Renxue's heart.
But Qian Renxue's words caused Su Ran's eyes to fall into confusion. A difficult problem appeared in Su Ran's mind. He murmured to himself:
"Be myself again? Not living as myself? Limiting myself?"
"So that's how it is… So that's it!"
"This… Is this my Ninth Tribulation?"
"Eight lifetimes of meditation, comprehending human nature, understanding the path of a teacher, and this ninth hurdle… It's not the reincarnation meditation given by the system, but the present—my own life?"
"As a teacher, if one cannot even face everything about oneself, how can one impart knowledge and teach? Is this the Titled Douluo challenge the system wants me to overcome?"
Buzz—
At this moment, a powerful spirit power fluctuation suddenly emanated from Su Ran's body.
The young man sat cross-legged beneath the blooming white orchids, and behind him, an enormous, flourishing peach tree actually grew, a hundred times more brilliant than the Angel White Orchids in the garden.
Tens of thousands of petals broke free from their branches and floated in mid-air. In the pink and white vortex, each thin, cicada-wing-like petal reflected different light and shadow:
Grass tips glistening with morning dew, earthen houses washed by heavy rain, willow catkins in a child's palm, wrinkles at an elder's eyes… all were the past meditations of countless lifetimes.
A fine golden light shimmered deep within Su Ran's pupils, and vein-like patterns spread from his glabella to his temples. An aura formed around him, as if he were a peach immortal sitting cross-legged beneath a tree.
This sudden change startled Qian Renxue:
"Su Teacher?"
"What's happening?"
"Is Su Teacher… breaking through?"
"How could he suddenly break through just like that?!"
…
"Holy Maiden, what happened? I felt an extremely powerful force outside. Did that kid make a move?!"
Outside the garden, Gold Crocodile Douluo rushed over and asked Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue stood guard outside the peach tree, reaching out to catch a falling peach blossom petal. Her eyes were filled with disbelief and awe, already captivated by the extraordinary and transcendent aura emanating from the young man.
Hearing the elder's concerned words, she slowly turned back, placing her index finger to her lips, and softly hushed the elder:
"Shh, Grandpa Crocodile, don't disturb Teacher's epiphany. During this time, don't let anyone enter or leave here."
"Oh, oh…"
"Wait, what? Teacher?!"
The Second High Priest, Gold Crocodile, widened his eyes.
Families, cast your recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, and likes to accelerate Su Ran's epiphany, revealing his face to amaze all!
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