Watching the Mountain

Chapter 414: Chapter 217: Millennium

It was no wonder some people thought this way. Everyone could see that the seven’s current performance was largely due to their flawless coordination. If any of them were singled out, they would likely be far less impressive.

Regardless, the potential they displayed in actual combat was certainly enough to be listed among the Dust-covered.

The fact that the seven of them weren’t Dust-covered could only mean that the Profound Pure Sect simply had too many geniuses.

This speculation reached its peak after the seven of them, while only at the Purple Mansion stage, joined forces to repel a Core Formation Stage enemy.

In this era of widespread mediocrity, where everyone was just a novice squabbling with other novices, being able to repel an enemy from a higher stage was simply too sensational.

They also sparked countless discussions in Changqing County.

However, they did not receive the title of the Seven Sons of Profound Pure as Elder Xu had hoped. During this time, another person’s performance was on par with theirs—and in fact, was even more dazzling.

This person was none other than Li Shaobai, who had received the legacy of an Ancient Body Cultivator.

To be honest, Xu Ran felt rather exasperated about Li Shaobai being stuck in this era.

He had originally thought that after handing him over to Wang Zhenye, it wouldn’t take long for the boy to come to his senses. He would find a Dao Companion and complete the task his family had entrusted to him: continuing their bloodline.

However, what he hadn’t expected was that a mere few years after entrusting Li Shaobai to Wang Zhenye, Wang Zhenye came to him with a pained expression and said,

”Elder Hidden Mountain, please, just take Shaobai back. I really don’t have what it takes to help him find a Dao Companion.”

Xu Ran was astonished by this.

Wang Zhenye was a veritable god of romance, the envy of countless male disciples in the Sect. He was surrounded by a bevy of beauties every day.

’A man like that is saying he can’t manage Li Shaobai?’

’What on earth is wrong with the kid?’

Wang Zhenye explained that Li Shaobai’s biggest problem was his naivete. He wanted to find a Dao Companion, but he also insisted on a ”pure” love, completely free of any ulterior motives.

What’s more, he didn’t dare to actively pursue anyone. He just figured if he was impressive enough, a woman would take the initiative and pursue him instead.

No matter how Wang Zhenye tried to guide or teach him, he couldn’t change Li Shaobai’s way of thinking.

He felt that if things went on like this, forget teaching Li Shaobai—he himself was about to lose interest in Dao Companions altogether.

The moment that thought occurred to him, he put an immediate stop to it and returned Li Shaobai to Xu Ran. He really couldn’t stand guiding him any longer.

Finding Dao Companions was the greatest pleasure in his life. He had no intention of losing interest in it.

After hearing Wang Zhenye’s explanation, Xu Ran understood.

He could understand it. People like Li Shaobai, who harbored such overly idealized notions of love, often had a hard time settling down in the real world.

Especially since the boy was unwilling to learn any ”game,” insisting on winning a true heart with nothing but his own. Add his refusal to take any initiative to the mix, and his goal became virtually impossible.

No wonder even a man like Wang Zhenye, the envy of all his peers, was complaining nonstop.

’There’s really nothing to be done.’

After Wang Zhenye left, Xu Ran found Li Shaobai. He asked if he wanted to remain in the current era to find a Dao Companion and continue his family line, or if he wanted to become Dust-covered right away.

Li Shaobai chose the former without the slightest hesitation.

He told Xu Ran, ”My grandfather’s and my father’s greatest wish was for the Li Family to flourish and establish a Cultivation Clan.”

”Once the clan is established, future descendants with decent talent will have a foundation to rely on, allowing them to walk the path of the strong.”

”If I become Dust-covered, it means the Li Family will have left no trace in this world throughout the long Dao Concealment Era. If my grandfather and father knew that from beyond the grave, they would surely be furious.”

Xu Ran looked at Li Shaobai’s earnest expression and let out a soft sigh.

It was only then that he truly understood. His former student, Li Tianhe, had never, from beginning to end, been able to let go of his dream of becoming a powerhouse who could light up the world.

When Li Tianhe spoke of letting go, he had simply found another path. He would establish his own Cultivation Clan, giving future generations of geniuses the backing of a family.

It seemed the devastating blow his child had suffered in the New Domain had made him realize that a genius without backing could hardly hope to reach their full potential.

It was precisely this understanding that led him to the idea of establishing his own clan.

Realizing this, Xu Ran no longer tried to force Li Shaobai to become Dust-covered.

He shook his head, his expression complicated. ’It makes sense, though,’ he thought. ’My student, Li Tianhe, was always ambitious, even as a child. He always yearned for the world of the chosen. How could he ever easily let go of that obsession?’

He then nodded at Li Shaobai and said,

”Very well, then. Work hard. Do your best to find a Dao Companion soon and allow the Li Family to flourish. I look forward to the day the Li Family makes its name known throughout the Cultivation Realm.”

A complicated look crossed his face.

’Perhaps even my student, Li Tianhe, never imagined this. His dream was a fine one, but his own grandson has become the greatest obstacle to achieving it.’

’Given the traits Li Shaobai has displayed, whether the Li Cultivation Clan of Li Tianhe’s dreams could ever be established is a true unknown.’

’On a personal level, I hope the Li Family does come into being. If they become a first-rate clan in the Cultivation Realm one day, perhaps I could even pay them a visit and tell them:’

’”The founding ancestor of your family was my student. A rebellious one, at that.”’

’That would be an interesting scene.’