"Celestial Venerable, please speak."
For the first time, the twelve people saw the Celestial Venerable show such a serious expression.
In truth, Han Xiaopao did not know whether he should reveal it, but for the peace of the Spirit Realm after his departure and the safety of future generations, he decided to leave behind precautions.
"I have a creditor."
"I worry he will come to the Spirit Realm to cause trouble after my Ascension."
The creditor mentioned by Han Xiaopao was a mysterious man who once forced him to sign a contract.
Even though many years have passed and he does not know if the man is still alive or exists, to be safe, he decided to speak up.
Upon hearing this, the twelve people looked at each other, seeing shock and disbelief in each other's eyes.
A creditor of the Han Celestial Venerable??
Who in this realm could qualify as a creditor of the Han Celestial Venerable??!
Moreover, they heard a hint of worry in the Celestial Venerable's voice... meaning, his creditor seemed very powerful?!
"Celestial Venerable, we don't quite understand your words."
"May we ask who your creditor is?"
"Are you saying that your creditor is more powerful than you?"
They asked tentatively.
Hearing this, Han Xiaopao began to recall the scene when he first met the mysterious man. At that time, he had no Cultivation, so he could not sense the man's power, nor how strong he was.
However, over these millennia, he has been searching for that river.
With his means and strength, if he cannot find it, then it can be confirmed that that river definitely does not exist in this world.
Then there is one possibility, which is that the river might exist in a world superior to this one, and if that's true, then the man's Cultivation strength is certainly unfathomable.
As for whether he is stronger or weaker than himself, that doesn't matter.
What matters is, once he ascends, if that man comes, it will be a catastrophe for the entire Spirit Realm.
So, he must prepare for the worst. After ascending, he must at least leave some assurance for his Spirit Realm, his descendants, his friends, and family.
"In terms of strength, he should be stronger than me."
Han Xiaopao expressed the worst-case scenario with the purpose of giving them a sense of urgency, not to take it lightly.
Hearing this, the twelve people showed fear on their faces, with a storm surging in their hearts. A foe stronger than the Celestial Venerable would be an overwhelming existence. Once he comes, after the Celestial Venerable's ascension, who in the Spirit Realm could resist??
"You needn't fear."
"I only owe him some things. As long as I repay them, he wouldn't take his anger out on the Spirit Realm."
With that, he waved his large hand, and an image appeared, depicting a blurred face without fine details, only showing the brows and eyes.
It was a portrait Han Xiaopao drew from memory as best as he could, only managing to draw the brows and a vague outline.
With his memory, recalling a person's appearance after so many years should be easy.
Yet, the more he recalled, the blurrier the face in his memory became, as if shrouded by a mist of nothingness, obscuring the man's figure, making it impossible to discern.
"This is what my creditor looks like."
"Due to the long passage of time, I can only remember these brows and general outline."
Han Xiaopao handed the portrait to the group.
They all gathered around, eyes fixed on the outline, engraving it deeply in their minds.
"If one day he comes asking."
"Tell him I have already ascended and left, no longer in this world."
"Regarding the owed items, I've left them somewhere in the Spirit Realm. Hopefully, he won't take it out on the Spirit Realm. If dissatisfied, let him go to the Upper Realm to find me."
Han Xiaopao placed ten quite decent treasures somewhere in the Spirit Realm and left a trace of his own aura, knowing with the man's means, finding them would be simple.
These were his precautions, only hoping the man would abide by the agreement.
If he was still dissatisfied, let him come to the Upper Realm to find him if he could.
Upon hearing this, the twelve people uncontrollably swallowed hard.
Once power reaches the Celestial Venerable's level, such events are disasters for a whole realm. Even standing right below one person and above all others, they had to watch their steps, seeking a way to survive.
"We understand."
They cautiously put away the portrait, nodding solemnly.
This tiny portrait bore the Spirit Realm's fate and cataclysm.
"In the next century, I will go into seclusion to cross the tribulation. The management of the Spirit Realm, I entrust to you."
"You have followed me for so long, helping with countless matters in the Spirit Realm. I trust you are capable of managing it."
Han Xiaopao intended to use a hundred years to attempt the final step towards Ascension. He made thorough preparations, with a confidence of about sixty percent.
Thus, before going into seclusion to cross the tribulation, he arranged these matters. Even if he failed the tribulation and unfortunately perished, it wouldn't lead to chaos in the Spirit Realm,
"We shall not fail the Celestial Venerable's great trust."
"Celestial Venerable, please enter seclusion with peace of mind. Regarding the Spirit Realm's numerous troublesome issues, there's no need for concern. Rest assured in striving for Ascension, and we will do our utmost to maintain peace and manage all matters large and small in the Spirit Realm."
The twelve also understood that the Celestial Venerable's seclusion to cross the tribulation was of utmost importance to the entire Spirit Realm.
Once the Celestial Venerable ascends to the Upper Realm, they will have someone to rely on, and if fortune allows them to reach Ascension, they could follow in the Celestial Venerable's footsteps to ascend.
Therefore, the Celestial Venerable was their belief, a person worth following.
"Go make arrangements."
Han Xiaopao waved them away, then sat alone on the cliff's edge, gazing into the distance, to the horizon, and beyond.
...
Upon the River of Time, Su Mu, tired from the day's work, finally got some rest.
He lay beneath a willow tree, fanning himself.
Though restoring the river was exhausting, seeing the five hundred Favor Points earned made it feel less tiring.
Effort and reward must be proportional to keep the drive going.
Just like before crossing over, those grueling jobs with a monthly wage of three thousand—still expect me to work overtime?
After a long day of hard work, coming home to a three-thousand salary slip, the bent back immediately breaks.
But a monthly pay of fifty thousand?
Tired?
Is this tired?
Tiredness becomes greatness!
Tired? I don't feel it!
The people are more tired!
This is the realization of a high salary.
The company is my home, the boss is my muse, I love working! Work is humanity's greatest destination!
Just like now, after an afternoon's effort earning five hundred Favor Points, the satisfaction can't be overstated.
He opened the attribute panel, checked his Favor Points balance, and then drifted into a pleasant sleep.
After Su Mu fell asleep, a willow branch bent down to pick up the fan that had fallen to the ground, gently fanning him..
He slept for about two hours, sensing something in his dreams, suddenly opening his eyes and walking towards the riverside.