Guarding the River of Time

Chapter 467 - 457: The Players on the Chessboard, Choices and Loyalty

Upon hearing this, Su Mu accepted the seven-colored leaf and placed it into the Dantian Space.

If he could really reach that point in the future, really meet the great figure Li Qiye mentioned who holds reincarnation, he would definitely help Ah Fei enter reincarnation, to be reborn as a new life, an independent entity.

Li Qiye waved his hand, collecting the sapling that only had two leaves left into his Dantian.

Although it lacked "a part," Li Qiye did not regret it; he would find a way to make up for the missing part through other means.

After this event, Li Qiye’s impression of Elder Su greatly improved.

He thought, for a prominent figure like Elder Su, who guards the River of Time and commands numerous spirit beasts, to go to such lengths for a single spirit beast under his command speaks volumes... Elder Su is definitely someone worth following.

From the moment he stripped Ah Fei’s "consciousness," he already made an important decision in his heart, which was to follow Elder Su.

Looking back at Li Qiye’s vast and magnificent life, he had always been someone others followed. He had lived through so many epochs, traveled through countless worlds, and his followers had all achieved great things, becoming rulers of various realms.

Because Li Qiye’s pace of progress was so fast, none of his followers could catch up with him.

So, before meeting Elder Su, he had always felt he was at the "forefront."

But now, after meeting Elder Su, when he looked ahead on the path of cultivation, he could only see the silhouette of Elder Su.

A person’s vision is always changing, and in this epoch, many significant events have happened, with many hidden figures gradually emerging. Li Qiye also gradually realized his own insignificance...

The Ten Thousand Realms have become unstable, and this instability made Li Qiye feel somewhat bewildered and anxious.

Because he did not know what conclusion this instability would eventually lead to, whether he could protect himself, and whether he could step out of the chess game, to live wisely, peacefully, and quietly cultivating.

Later he found out that he couldn’t. The Time Flood came surging, and he couldn’t escape; he could only face it.

Therefore, he must take a stand.

Because he couldn’t see clearly who was really playing the game from the biggest chessboard...

He speculated that given Elder Su’s strength and status, he must be one of the players in the game, so... he chose Elder Su as the player to follow.

What made him resolute was Elder Su’s attitude toward Ah Fei. By following him, regardless of other things, Elder Su would definitely not abandon him, that was for sure.

After a moment of silence, Li Qiye looked at Su Mu with a serious expression and said solemnly, "Elder Su, if you don’t mind, I would like to work by your side."

"Although I don’t have much ability, for as long as I can do it, I am willing to go through fire and water without hesitation."

Upon hearing Li Qiye suddenly say this, Su Mu was taken aback.

Why would he suddenly pledge himself to me?

Facing Li Qiye’s pledge, Su Mu did not immediately respond but fell into deep thought.

He himself was currently in a very dangerous situation, being watched over and trapped on this river, caught in a passive situation. If he were to bring Li Qiye into this, it would surely harm him.

Though Li Qiye is also very strong, the enemies are stronger.

Most importantly, he didn’t really know much about Li Qiye as a person.

However, judging from the recent interactions and his release of Ah Fei, Li Qiye should be someone trustworthy.

"It’s not about following."

"Let’s just consider ourselves friends and call each other equals."

With these words, Su Mu essentially accepted Li Qiye.

Hearing this, Li Qiye was slightly stunned and then smiled, saying, "I will rely on Elder Su from now on."

After speaking, Li Qiye pulled out a strand of his hair, and with a thought, the hair turned into a round jade pendant, which he handed to Su Mu, saying, "If Elder Su ever needs me, just infuse your spiritual power into this jade pendant."

"No matter where I am, or where you are, I will be there immediately."

Hearing this, Su Mu looked at the jade pendant, hesitated for a moment, but accepted it.

With this backup from Li Qiye, Su Mu felt somewhat reassured.

Ah Fei had given Su Mu a huge favor, using its life to help Su Mu find a strong and powerful ally.

.....

"Elder Su, I will take my leave first and not disturb you any longer."

With that, Li Qiye clasped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.

Because what he needed to do most now was to refine the "sapling," enhancing his own power so he could better assist Elder Su. He also felt the urgency.

Su Mu watched Li Qiye’s figure disappear at the end of the river.

.....

Returning home, the little ones ran up to him with anxious expressions.

They were very worried about their master and didn’t know what kind of trouble Ah Fei had caused, requiring such extensive measures from their master.

"Ah Fei has gone."

Su Mu didn’t tell the real situation about Ah Fei but said he left, to avoid worrying the little ones.

After all, Ah Fei was the most outstanding subordinate of the little ones.

Hearing this, the little ones were taken aback, feeling a mix of emotions but not daring to ask too many questions.....

Without Ah Fei, they lost their most outstanding leader, and it seemed their plan to rejuvenate and expand the medicine garden had to be greatly postponed....

"Father, did Ah Fei really leave....."

Nannan held Su Mu’s large hand, speaking in a low tone.

Nannan also liked Ah Fei very much.

Because every time Ah Fei went out to find great medicines, he would bring back some fresh and fun things for Nannan.

Hearing this, Su Mu paused, ruffled Nannan’s hair gently, and said softly, "Ah Fei only left temporarily; he will come back. Father promises."

Su Mu would definitely allow Ah Fei to be reincarnated, and as for whether it would return to his side after reincarnation, that would depend on its own choice. He hoped more that Ah Fei would have a free life.....

"That’s great!" Nannan nodded happily.

......

Ah Fei’s sudden departure not only made the little ones very sad, but the hundreds of little spirit beasts under their command were also very upset.

Because with Ah Fei around, their daily tasks would be much lighter.

Ah Fei could handle half of their workload alone, who wouldn’t like such a hard-working and skilled colleague?

The little ones sat on a piece of green stone in the backyard, their expressions heavy, continually sighing.....

With Ah Fei gone, who could take over Ah Fei’s position, or rather, who had the capability to do so?

"Oh!"

"I thought of a possible candidate!"

The second, Little Brown Bear, suddenly remembered something and told the other four.