Chapter 2180: Chapter 2148: That Is Guilt
To be honest, calling him ’Brother Konggu’ took quite some thick skin on Li Chen’s part.
After all, who knows how many years the other party has lived, while counting from the Lower Realm, Li Chen is not even fifty years old yet.
In the Heaven Realm, at such an age, one is only considered in the ’child’ stage.
Yet he brazenly called this old monster ’Brother,’ which not only surprised him, but also the Konggu Venerable outside the mansion, who couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned.
One must know, previously Li Chen had always been indifferent and lukewarm towards him, so this sudden ’Brother’ did not anger him, but rather caught him pleasantly off guard.
In the world of cultivators, it’s always the strong who are respected, and the accomplished who come first.
Putting age aside, just in terms of strength, Li Chen indeed surpasses him by an unknown margin. It’s even fine for him to call him ’Dao Brother,’ let alone senior.
"Dao Brother." Seeing Li Chen really come out, Konggu Venerable hurriedly walked over with a cheerful smile, engaging in warm conversation with Li Chen.
"Brother, you’ve come, come, come, let’s walk around." What made Konggu Venerable feel even more peculiar was that Li Chen unexpectedly took the initiative to hold his hand and began walking around the mansion.
"Oh? Dao Brother, you seem to have more people here now?" Soon, Konggu Venerable saw a team of Nether Army Warriors practicing the Fist Technique. Although their cultivation was quite lamentable, their fists and feet were vigorous and full of vitality.
"Yes." Li Chen nodded: "They are friends and relatives from my hometown. All these years I’ve achieved this level of cultivation out there, and felt that one should not only look after oneself, so I brought them all over."
"Dao Brother is noble!" Konggu Venerable praised.
Li Chen shook his head: "It’s not about nobility; as cultivators, we must hold on to certain things in our hearts; otherwise, it’s not beneficial for our future path."
Upon hearing this, Konggu Venerable’s heart tensed, and he quickly nodded: "Thank you, Dao Brother, for the reminder."
At their level, they naturally understood what the so-called ’future path’ referred to.
For other Eighth-Rank Heavenly Sovereigns, they might simply think it’s about achieving Ninth Order Heavenly Venerate, but for Li Chen, Konggu Venerable was absolutely sure that his ambition wasn’t that simple.
"Konggu, what do you think of these fellow villagers of mine?" Halfway, Li Chen suddenly asked Konggu Venerable.
"This..."
"Never mind, just speak honestly." Li Chen smiled: "Nothing to worry about, I already know what they’re like, just want to hear others’ opinions."
Konggu Venerable pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Dao Brother, although your fellow villagers’ cultivation is indeed a bit low, their vital energy and spirit are quite abundant. Unlike old guys like me, they are full of life. In my view, as long as they keep diligently working, their future achievements shouldn’t be too low."
Konggu Venerable tried to phrase it nicely, but in his eyes, they were indeed promising seedlings.
"Then, if I were to ask you to be their guide in cultivation, how about that?" Li Chen asked with a smile.
"What?"
Konggu Venerable was stunned. He never expected that Li Chen would suddenly bring up such a matter.
Because, in his imagining, that was nearly impossible.
Even if it meant being their guide, Li Chen, with his formidable strength, would certainly be more suitable than him.
"This... Dao Brother, you’re much stronger than me, why would you think of asking someone weak like me to be their guide?" Konggu Venerable couldn’t help but smile wryly.
"To be honest." Li Chen sighed lightly: "I might not stay here for too long and won’t have the time to constantly attend to them. You’ve also seen; they’re still in the initial stages, and this stage is very vulnerable. A slight mistake in a place like the Heaven Realm, they could be devoured with nothing left."
"Moreover, my path is somewhat different; what works for me may not suit them. After much thought, on this Star Land of Heavenly Might, I could only think of you. The longer one lives, the deeper the accumulation. I think, with Brother Konggu’s depth, it should be no problem to guide this group of youngsters." Li Chen sighed lightly.
Several thoughts flashed through Konggu Venerable’s mind, considering the pros and cons rapidly. Finally, he smiled, looking at Li Chen: "Since it’s Dao Brother’s request, of course, I’ll help. After all, my life was saved by Dao Brother."
"Then thank you, Brother Konggu." Li Chen also breathed a sigh of relief, finally settling a matter of concern.
"Here are three Purging Disaster Pills, please accept them. I think if someday Brother Konggu wishes to overcome the Nine Heavenly Venerate Tribulation, these should be of some help," Li Chen said, reciprocating with the three pills.
Konggu Venerable’s face lit up with delight.
In his opinion, he indeed made the right choice this time.
Although guiding some juniors in cultivation might take considerable time, at his level, the concept of time wasn’t that pressing.
According to Li Chen, as long as they gradually grow and pass through their ’Juvenile Period,’ it’s sufficient.
How much time is needed?
Years, decades, or centuries?
One should know, it took him over a thousand years to heal from an injury in the Sea Edge Realm, does this time really matter to him?
In exchange for three Purging Disaster Pills and Li Chen’s friendship, it was indeed a bargain for him.
"By the way, I heard from Dao Brother just now that you’re planning to leave?" After a while, Konggu Venerable couldn’t help but raise his doubts.
"That’s right, I do plan to travel afar." Li Chen didn’t hide anything: "I need to head to the Borderland Realm; there are some matters to take care of over there."
"So Dao Brother is from the Borderland Realm." Konggu Venerable said solemnly.
"No." Li Chen shook his head, giving a self-deprecating laugh: "I’ve been to many places, but I haven’t been to the Borderland Realm. This time might be my first trip there, but I consider myself a Heavenly Realm person. I assume I won’t be hunted down there."
"Dao Brother, you worry too much. With your strength and Alchemy Dao cultivation, you will certainly be regarded as an important figure when you go to the Borderland Realm." Konggu Venerable said with a smile, evidently having some understanding of the Borderland Realm.
Li Chen shook his head and did not continue.
Because what he said and what Konggu Venerable said were completely different.
Why was he hunted down all these years, constantly bothering people’s minds?
It was precisely because of the Supreme Treasure he had!
In the Immortal Domain, some coveted it, in the Demon Realm, others wanted to seize it, and in the Divine Realm, naturally, no one would hold back.
So, what about the Heaven Realm?
Once they knew he possessed the Supreme Treasure, could those people sit still?
Li Chen didn’t know, perhaps he really didn’t need to know.
Because as long as he had sufficient strength, even if someone dared to make a move against him, he could simply slap them dead.
And as for his current strength, among the Four Great Realms where Palm Realm Powerhouses were all hidden, he was absolutely a peak-level existence.
"While I’m away, I’ll have to trouble Brother Konggu to look after my friends and family." Li Chen said meaningfully.
"Understood, Dao Brother, rest assured." Konggu Venerable nodded quickly, his heart tightening.
If it were just fellow villagers, Konggu Venerable might casually deal with it.
But reaching the level of ’friends and family’ from Li Chen’s mouth meant he had to take it seriously.
After all, in his eyes, Li Chen now was an absolute major support, a big backer. By staying close to Li Chen, he could have more confidence facing anyone in the future.
Though in most people’s eyes, Konggu Venerable himself was already a significant backer, even the Lord of Yantian City thought so, wanting to nestle up against Konggu Venerable.
However, the higher one’s cultivation, the broader one’s perspective; Konggu Venerable thought far more than the Lord of Yantian City.
After assigning a residence for Konggu Venerable, Li Chen leisurely left and came to the highest point of a small hill in the manor, quietly sitting down.
At this moment, he remembered sitting atop the Kunlun Great Snow Mountain in the past.
But now, his state of mind was entirely different from back then.
Taking out a Message Jade Slip, Li Chen contacted Jing Invincible and left a message about having set up a mansion there, suggesting he could come over if he wanted.
Then, moving his thoughts, Li Chen started browsing through the messages that had been sent earlier.
And the most recent message made Li Chen’s heart move.
"Messages from Old Bai and Nether? Have they already left the Ancient Battle Realm?"
With his Divine Sense included, Li Chen started reading it carefully.
"Dad, Uncle Bai and I have already left the Ancient Battle Realm. We gained something in the Little Secret Realm; Uncle Bai has become a Venerable. I think I’m almost there too."
"This departure is because people from the Four Realms have received news that they plan to temporarily cease fighting outside the Ancient Battle Realm for negotiations. I’m not very clear on the specifics, but it should be related to the Doomsday Beast Soul you mentioned."
"Now, Uncle Bai and I are preparing to return to the Heaven Realm’s base; Mom is there, several aunts, Bai Haoyue great-grandfather, and some seniors too. Oh, after this Little Secret Realm outing, I met Aunt Yang Xin—though I briefly saw her years ago, I still remember. And there’s a sister named Bai Tianyi; they’re now traveling with us, heading together to the Heaven Realm’s base outside the Ancient Battle Realm."
"It’s said negotiations involve a Four Realm conference with many powerhouses attending. Although Mom is temporarily in charge on the Heaven Realm side, many still believe her cultivation isn’t sufficient to represent the Heaven Realm. I’m worried problems might arise, so I want to rush to Mom’s side as soon as possible. By the way, I met Uncle Ning Wangyang some time ago. If he received the message, he should be on his way back too."
"Dad, I don’t know where you are now or what you’re doing. But I hope if you see this message, you can come over sooner."
"I want to protect Mom; I’ve been trying my best, but ultimately, I can’t replace you."
"Son, Li Youming."
Li Chen put away the Jade Slip, remained silent for a while, and then slowly stood up.
An indistinct pang was felt in his heart.
It’s guilt.
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