Guarding the River of Time-Chapter 364 - 354: Power Unfazed by Time, True Loneliness

Chapter 364: Chapter 354: Power Unfazed by Time, True Loneliness

As Su Mu and Li Qiye were conversing, the Little Black Dragon approached Su Mu, bringing a pouch of brocade bags.

Su Mu accepted the brocade bag and discovered that it contained a rather fine treasure.

After accepting it, Su Mu smiled and said to the Little Black Dragon, "From now on, you don’t need to search for treasures for me. You can focus on your cultivation."

Since Su Mu had already collected many treasures by charging tolls, he didn’t pressure the Little Black Dragon to tirelessly search for treasures for him every day.

...

Upon seeing this Little Black Dragon, Li Qiye’s eyes lit up, "Is this the elder’s Spirit Pet?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mu nodded.

"Not bad." Li Qiye sincerely praised.

.....

The Little Black Dragon scrutinized Li Qiye, becoming more alarmed the more it observed. Its first impression was that he was strong, terrifyingly strong!

Indeed, the beings that its master knew were extraordinary.

Such caliber of individuals, except for times when following by its master’s side, would otherwise be impossible to meet in a lifetime given its fate.

....

"Elder, I won’t disturb you further, I shall take my leave now." Li Qiye clasped his fists and said, then turned and left.

....

In the Longevity Immortal Realm, at a courtyard on Nanmu Immortal Island.

"Back already?"

"So, did the master say anything?" The third brother nudged forward in small steps upon seeing his brother return, inquiring about the situation.

After all, he had put in a significant effort for this treasure, struggling to snatch it from an old monster in a Lower Divine Domain.

"The master told us to focus on our cultivation and that it’s unnecessary to search for treasures for him." Elder brother Wu Zhong said.

Upon hearing this, the third brother suddenly dropped into a dejected sit: "Does the master think the treasures we find are all trash?"

No sooner than he had finished speaking, a slap landed on his face.

"What discouraging talk is that?"

"The master’s intention is for us to focus on development and cultivation, to emphasize on strengthening ourselves."

"Think carefully, the treasures we exhaust ourselves to find might not be of much use to the master."

"Therefore, we are better off wholeheartedly managing the Heaven Shepherd Alliance, growing in scale. By the time it becomes the greatest power in All Heavens and Myriad Realms, we can indeed be of true assistance to the master."

Wu Zhong, having followed the master the longest, comprehended the master’s intentions most thoroughly.

Hearing his elder brother’s words, the third brother’s eyes brightened, and he gave himself a hard slap: "Indeed! We must strengthen ourselves!"

"Elder brother, enough chatting, today in high spirits, let’s have a game with two Middle-Rank Immortal Realms!"

After saying that, the third brother transformed into a stream of light and entered the void, leaving the place.

....

In the next moment, just as Wu Zhong sat down.

A figure appeared before him without him knowing when or how.

Without any warning, it was almost instantaneous.

Frightened, Wu Zhong sprang to his feet. Upon seeing the face of the figure, he widened his eyes.

...

"You must be the Little Black Dragon?"

Li Qiye, hands behind his back, said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong clasped his fists and said, "I have met this elder."

In the Longevity Immortal Realm, a heavy grand array was set; on Nanmu Immortal Island, hundreds of powerful formations were laid. Yet this man arrived in an instant, meaning that all formations in the Longevity Immortal Realm, including all formations on Nanmu Immortal Island, were like air in his presence!

What formidable strength!

Moreover, this elder’s aura was completely restrained, but even so, the slight pressure emanating from him made Wu Zhong feel suffocating.

"Li Qiye." Since it was Elder Su’s capable subordinate, Li Qiye announced his real name.

"Wu Zhong, I have met Elder Li." Elder brother Wu Zhong clasped his fists.

....

"Elder Li, please sit."

Wu Zhong gestured for Li Qiye to sit.

After Li Qiye sat down, Wu Zhong brought out his long-treasured good tea, poured it, and smiled as he spoke, "This humble abode is crude, only having such poor tea."

.....

Li Qiye took a sip and furrowed his brow slightly.

Uh.....

It indeed was poor tea, but since it was from Elder Su’s disciple, courtesy must be given.

"It’s not bad."

Li Qiye nodded, then took out a small purple pouch from his sleeve, handed it to Wu Zhong, and said, "I have some tea here. If you like drinking tea, take it."

"No, no, no, I couldn’t possibly!" Wu Zhong quickly shook his hands.

"Take it if I’m giving it to you." Li Qiye, having given something, wouldn’t allow it to be refused.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong genuinely received it.

Within the Heaven Shepherd Alliance, he was the awe-inspiring Grand Alliance Leader, a figure second to none, stern and solemn.

But before this Elder Li, he appeared as cautious as a new recruit.

...

"What is the name of your faction again?"

"Heaven something?"

Li Qiye shifted the topic and asked.

"Heaven Shepherd Alliance." Wu Zhong replied.

"Named after Elder Su?" Li Qiye asked.

"Of course, the highest authority in the Heaven Shepherd Alliance is my master." Wu Zhong replied.

.....

"How is its scale?" Li Qiye asked.

"Five Upper-Rank Immortal Realms, fifty Middle-Rank Immortal Realms, one hundred Lower-Rank Immortal Realms, and three thousand Great Worlds." Wu Zhong stated one word at a time.

Upon hearing this, Li Qiye rubbed his chin and murmured, "Just this?"

It shouldn’t be, right?

Doesn’t suit Elder Su’s status and strength to have just this scale?

.....

Hearing Li Qiye’s words, Wu Zhong also felt dry-mouthed, in Elder Li’s eyes, the evaluation of Heaven Shepherd Alliance was "just this much?"

But pondering it seriously was normal; Elder Li’s perspective and scope must be different from his own.

...

"Is Su Elder’s subordinate just yourself alone?" Li Qiye became interested, continuing to ask.

"No, besides me, there are.... six others." Wu Zhong replied.

....

"It’s quite impressive to reach this scale with you six." Li Qiye praised.

"Elder praises too much. We stepped forward one step at a time, barely reaching this stage." Wu Zhong waved his hand with a smile.

.....

Li Qiye hadn’t established any forces.

It should be said that he had lived for such a long time, that any forces he established many, many years ago had mostly faded with the passage of time.

Because once one reaches a certain realm of strength, the followers become fewer and fewer.

Take for instance an apprentice he once took, and taught diligently, yet.... he still exhausted his lifespan, passing into nirvana.

Therefore, Li Qiye never considered having descendants, for he believed even his descendants would struggle to keep pace with his footsteps.

The final result would be that his descendants would pass into nirvana, whereas he would continue living well in the world.

In essence, Li Qiye was a solitary person.

Solitary due to being excessively strong.

This solitude amplified with endless years, but fortunately, Li Qiye’s heart held a persevering wish.

That was to find "that sheep," or rather, to find "oneself."

Later, upon the River of Time, he encountered Elder Su, only then realizing there indeed were always those stronger and higher realms beyond his comprehension...

....

"I can do you all a favor."

Li Qiye contemplated something, saying to Wu Zhong.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong was briefly stunned and said, "Elder, what do you mean?"

.....

ps: There will be another Chapter later.