Chapter 152 | The Mahayana Cultivator Who Can’t Learn Magic

After Bai Yuji's voice faded, a long silence fell over the teahouse.

Everyone was busy digesting the news and prophecy Bai Yuji had brought—except for Li Yuan, who already had a rough grasp of the situation.

Noah and Leah stood supporting each other, their expressions so complicated that they didn't know how to react for a moment.

First, meeting their long-deceased ancestor was shocking enough in itself.

And then, hearing from their ancestor's own mouth that the person before them was the sole hope for the entire Empire—and indeed, this entire world...

They had completely given up on thinking. After all, this was no longer something minor figures like them could participate in.

The mission assigned by His Majesty the Emperor could be considered complete, and the relic left behind by their ancestor had fulfilled its purpose. Thinking about it now, there seemed to be... nothing left for them to do.

Li Yuan, on the other hand, did not react much to the future the other man had seen.

He merely looked at Bai Yuji. He had his own calculations regarding these matters, but as for how to act on them... it was still too early. After a moment, he spoke slowly:

“I understand your general meaning, Fellow Daoist Bai.”

Bai Yuji looked at him, a trace of solemnity in his expression.

“It is good that you understand, Fellow Daoist.”

Li Yuan shook his head gently.

“However, there are some things for which I might not be able to give you the answer you want right now.”

Bai Yuji was not surprised. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face.

“If you could be swayed by just a few words, Fellow Daoist, you wouldn't be the glimmer of a variable I saw.”

He gently waved the folding fan in his hand, his expression turning slightly more serious than before.

“I left this sliver of my divine soul behind not to morally obligate you to do anything for the Empire. Cultivators dread the entanglement of karmic ties above all else, especially at a realm like yours. I imagine you would be even less willing to be bound by another's words.”

Li Yuan nodded slightly. These words indeed hit the mark.

What he disliked most was this kind of trouble where pulling a single thread could affect the entire body.

But since trouble had already found its way to his door, there were many times when he couldn't completely avoid it even if he wanted to. He would need to employ swift and decisive measures.

Bai Yuji looked at him earnestly and sighed softly.

“I only hope that if the calamity of destruction truly falls upon this world one day, you can offer a helping hand within your capabilities.”

Having said this, he bowed to Li Yuan once more.

“This is not me using the Empire or the lives of all creation to force your hand, but merely the request of a deceased man.”

Li Yuan was in no hurry to answer such a request.

He raised his teacup, took a sip, and after a moment, let out a soft sigh and replied warmly:

“If that day truly comes, and I happen to be able to do something, I will not stand idly by.”

This reply did not provide a definitive answer, nor did it make any promises. In the end, he still kept the final say in his own hands.

Yet, upon hearing this, the expression on Bai Yuji's face visibly relaxed. It was enough.

“With these words from you, Fellow Daoist, I can rest easy.”

Standing to the side, Venus couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. In a way, this could be considered a roundabout completion of the Empire's mission.

She knew very well that while he hadn't promised to protect the Empire, he hadn't outright refused either.

However, judging from her interactions with him during this period, given his personality, saying he “will not stand idly by” was already a tacit acceptance of the matter.

Therefore, the Empire was not entirely without hope.

Bai Yuji's phantom image began to fade gradually, tiny specks of light appearing at the edges of his figure.

Leah keenly noticed the change in the phantom. She subconsciously took a step forward, her voice laced with tension.

“Ancestor, you are...”

Bai Yuji turned to look at the siblings and smiled gently.

“Do not worry. This sliver of my divine soul was meant to remain until today. Now that the person I needed to meet has been met, and the words that needed to be said have been spoken, it is only natural for it to dissipate.”

Leah opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

Although this was their very first meeting, there seemed to be so much to say, yet they didn't know where to begin.

Perhaps it was the natural affinity born of their shared bloodline, but a wave of inexplicable sorrow washed over the siblings.

Noah was more composed than her. He gave a solemn bow to Bai Yuji's phantom.

“Noah of the younger generation of the Allen family, pays respects to Ancestor.”

Leah quickly snapped out of it and followed suit.

“Leah of the younger generation of the Allen family, pays respects to Ancestor.”

Bai Yuji looked at them, his eyes filled with gratification.

“Very good.”

He nodded, then as if remembering something, continued.

“I left an ancient book with the family back then, but it is of little use to you.”

Noah was startled, immediately recalling the book his grandfather, Oslama, had once mentioned.

Bai Yuji looked at the siblings, his tone sighing with emotion.

“That ancient book contains some of my insights into the cultivation of the path of time, which I wrote down on a whim. However, after so many years, not a single one of my descendants has been able to truly cultivate this path.”

Having said this, he smiled and shook his head, continuing:

“Though you have inherited a portion of the Pupil of Time's talent, your bloodline is ultimately too diluted. You cannot step onto the true path of cultivation, so you are destined not to go very far on the path of time.”

Noah and Leah exchanged a glance, their expressions filled with a trace of shame.

They had always been proud of the Allen family's ability, but only now did they realize that this power was merely the most basic part of their ancestor's talent.

Bai Yuji had no intention of blaming them; after all, some things simply could not be forced.

“Yet, to achieve this much in a world completely devoid of spiritual qi is truly commendable. It shows you have put effort into it. It is just that leaving that book with the Allen family is a bit of a waste.”

Having said that, he looked back at Li Yuan.

“Therefore, I ask that you hand that ancient book over to Fellow Daoist Li.”

Noah froze for a moment, and Leah also looked up at Li Yuan, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

That ancient book was a vital heirloom of the Allen family. Even if they couldn't unleash its power, it was still something that had been preserved for a thousand years as the family's faith.

But since their ancestor had spoken personally, they naturally had no reason to refuse.

Bai Yuji cupped his hands to Li Yuan.

“Since you can remain untouched by the River of Time, Fellow Daoist, your attainments in the path of time must be extraordinary. Although those insights might not be of much help to you, they are still what I have comprehended over many years. Leaving them to you is my way of showing my goodwill.”

Hearing this, Li Yuan initially wanted to refuse.

Insights into the path of time truly held little meaning for him.

Or rather, they were somewhat redundant.

As long as he wished, he could step into the River of Time at any moment.

His lifebound magic treasure, 【Record of Return to the Void】, shared the same origin as the River of Time, and to some extent, even granted him a portion of “control” over it.

To make an analogy, he was practically a semi-administrator of the River of Time.

While Bai Yuji's insights might be incomparably precious to others, in his hands, they would probably only serve as casual reading material after tea.