Volume One: Youths Meeting in Obscurity - Chapter 142: Let's Go! 2

Shen Yuan had his own considerations for agreeing. Whether judged by the Daoist Priest or by Li Yu, both were clearly extraordinary individuals, making this the optimal time to forge a connection with them. It has always been easy to add flowers to a brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow. Such difficulty often depends as much on the people involved as on encountering the precise moment when the charcoal is needed.

For Shen Yuan, this was the most opportune moment.

At present, Li Yu was at his most vulnerable. He had not truly stepped onto the path of cultivation, possessed not a shred of spiritual power, and had no inkling of where his future lay. For Shen Yuan to act as Li Yu's guardian at this juncture meant fulfilling the role of both a protector on the Dao and, in many ways, that of a half-mentor and companion.

Given time, Shen Yuan believed that Li Yu would eventually become a presence that everyone had to look up to with reverence. When that day arrived, who was to say he might not reap another karmic opportunity won entirely by his own hand?

Upon hearing Li Yu's words, Shen Yuan remarked, "You possess a clear mind. I hope you will maintain this clarity in the future, and refuse to let the dazzling world outside bewilder your eyes or disturb your heart."

Li Yu offered no immediate comment. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, "May I ask, sir, how is my friend?"

Ever since Xu Kaijiang had stepped into Li Yu's place to bear the full force of the karmic backlash, he had remained unconscious. Although Li Yu had administered timely aid to save his life, his cultivation foundation had been severely damaged, leaving him trapped in a deep slumber. If not properly handled, it was feared he would never be able to practice cultivation again.

Li Yu had entrusted Xu Kaijiang to Shen Yuan's care before a succession of events overtook them. These continuous developments left him no time to look after Xu Kaijiang, and by the time everything had concluded, he no longer had the emotional energy to concern himself with anyone else.

Now, remembering Xu Kaijiang, he had no idea how the other was faring.

Hearing this, Shen Yuan teased Li Yu slightly, saying, "I thought you had forgotten all about your friend! Ever since you returned yesterday, you've been entirely consumed by your own grief, as though you were desperate to follow your master into the afterlife."

Unfazed, Li Yu replied softly, "I am a person of flesh and blood, with genuine emotions. When my master departed, of course I felt sorrow. That I refuse to give up in despair does not mean I am free from emotional struggles."

Only after hearing these words did Shen Yuan finally set his mind at ease. He had feared that Li Yu was merely putting on a brave face, for if that were the case, inner demons would inevitably take root over time. After all, once a cultivator's inner state faltered, inner demons would swiftly seize the opportunity to manifest.

He asked Li Yu, "So now, have you completely let it go?"

Li Yu glanced at him, then looked toward the horizon, and said, "I do not want to let it go, nor will I. To me, nothing I have experienced will ever be truly cast aside. I will cherish the good things and feel gratitude for them, while the bad things—though I owe them no thanks—their very existence serves as a reminder: if I never wish to endure those trials again, I can only make myself stronger."

Shen Yuan had expected to hear Li Yu say he had already let the matter go. To hear such a declaration instead came as quite a surprise.

He thought to himself silently, "If this boy maintains this state of mind, his inner realm alone will carry him straight into the realm of immortals!"

To truly let go has never meant to forget; rather, it means allowing things to remain in one's heart without weighing heavily upon the mind—like a mountain that is yet not a mountain, gazing at mountains from within the mountains, where mountains exist yet are no longer merely mountains, defying simple definition.

They did not pursue the topic any further. As long as Li Yu had managed to pull himself out of the abyss, the manner in which he chose to let go was of little consequence to Shen Yuan.

"Your friend's cultivation foundation was damaged, but it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. When your master transformed into the Dao, aside from the Li family boy receiving the grace of that legacy, your friend also shared in your master's bestowal."

Puzzled, Li Yu looked at Shen Yuan, signaling him to continue.

Shen Yuan went on, "After you handed him over to me, I stabilized his foundation to prevent any further deterioration. Healing him entirely would have been difficult even with my abilities. Fortunately, however, when your master dissolved into the Dao, the entire Heavenly Gate Town was bathed in the gospel of the Great Dao. Your friend's cultivation foundation has been slowly mended by this grace. Furthermore, through breaking comes rebuilding, which has made his foundation far more solid and profound than before. When he resumes cultivation in the future, it will be much easier for him! Therefore, wouldn't you say this is a blessing in disguise?"