It’s said to be an obsession, but in reality, it’s a person.

Before his mentor left, he left him with a message that if, one day, he really reached a certain level, he could pass through the "Wood of Time" he left behind.

Cross a place known as the "River of Time," and he might be able to follow him. If he met a man on the River of Time, remember to show respect.

That man is the ancestor of the entire Dark Inference Demon Realm.

Without that ancestor, the entire Dark Inference Demon Realm would cease to exist, and so would he.

In truth, the person he seeks is not his mentor, but that ancestor.

However, later on, when he reached a certain level of power and was ready to use the Wood of Time to cross the River of Time, he hesitated.

As for why he hesitated, he doesn’t want to say just yet.

Seeing Su Ming remain silent, Wu Zhong didn’t pursue the topic further.

Instead, he got straight to the point, seriously saying, "Would you be willing to accept me as your master..."

Upon hearing this, Su Ming was stunned, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Because although he didn’t recognize the middle-aged man in front of him, he could sense that this middle-aged man’s status in the Divine Alliance should be extremely high, for while cultivation and appearance can be disguised, demeanor cannot.

After arriving at the Celestial Shepherd Divine Realm and reaching the highest core area of the Divine Alliance, he had met many prominent figures.

However, none of the many prominent figures he had met could compare to the one before him.

.....

"I won’t bind you, nor will I demand too much from you."

"I won’t interfere with your cultivation methods or your freedom; everything depends on your own will."

"I know you’re a clever child and can understand the meaning of my words. My intention is simple: I wish to cultivate you well, ensuring you don’t waste your talent, enabling you to go further."

Wu Zhong decided to speak plainly rather than probe various aspects.

Sometimes, sincerity is the real killer move.

Hearing these words, Su Ming was also taken aback; although it was his first encounter with this great figure, he could sense a certain quality in him that other great figures lacked, perhaps what people often refer to as charisma.

His presence was dignified, yet without any sense of arrogance.

"Senior, thank you for your appreciation."

"I"

Before Su Ming could finish his sentence, Wu Zhong waved his hand with a smile, saying, "No rush to decline, think it over before making a decision."

"I’ll take my leave first. If there’s anything, you can find me with this token."

With that, Wu Zhong pulled out a purple-gold token from his sleeve, engraved with a golden character — "Shepherd."

This level of token, Su Ming was seeing for the first time.

So, it was confirmed that this great figure must be part of the alliance’s upper echelons.

After Wu Zhong left, Su Ming sat in place, looked up at the void, pondering over something unknown.

....

Wu Zhong returned to Nanmu Immortal Island and paced back and forth in his courtyard, looking troubled.

Su Ming, unlike any other youth, has a solitary personality, but what’s with this lack of desire for anything?

Joining the alliance, not seeking resources, not seeking positions, even residing in such a humble cave dwelling.....

These aren’t really major issues.

What baffles him is that he sends his earned resource rewards to that weak Dark Inference Demon Realm; this behavior is truly strange.

From the life information provided by Dong’Er, it can be known that Su Ming left the Dark Inference Demon Realm as early as 1.7 million years ago.

1.7 million years, such a long period, with the weakness of the Dark Inference Demon Realm, it should have been reduced to dust, assimilated by other stronger worlds long ago.

Even if it wasn’t assimilated or destroyed, it should have been ruled by some powerful Immortal Domain.

But according to the intel from Dong’Er, the Dark Inference Demon Realm never belonged to any force and is an independent entity.

Over the past million years, with such turbulence across the Ten Thousand Realms, any weak world without a strong backing could be destroyed at any time.

Yet the Dark Inference Demon Realm survives well.

He discovered something odd in all the life details of Su Ming.

Once, a commander from the Shepherd of Heaven Alliance admired Su Ming and suggested that his former Dark Inference Demon Realm join the Shepherd of Heaven Alliance to find a solid backing.

But Su Ming refused.

This is perplexing; wanting to protect the Dark Inference Demon Realm while not allowing it to join the Shepherd of Heaven Alliance.

Could it be that there’s something in the Dark Inference Demon Realm he holds dear?

Perhaps this is the breakthrough point.

Unexpectedly, as the Grand Alliance Leader of the Shepherd of Heaven Alliance, a ruler above countless worlds, he is troubled over recruiting a single disciple.

Throughout the entire alliance, those wishing to be his disciple could line up from the Celestial Shepherd Divine Realm all the way to the Great Woe Immortal Realm.

.....

And so, Wu Zhong kept drinking tea in the courtyard until the morning of the next day.

Knock, knock, knock——

The door was knocked.

"Come in."

In the next second, the wooden door was pushed open, and a graceful woman in a green dress walked in.

The woman was dressed in a simple and plain green immortal robe, elegant as jade, her every subtle movement exuding Immortal Charm, and her presence made the flowers in the courtyard pale in comparison.

"Fourth Sister, when did you return?"

Seeing the visitor, Wu Zhong asked with a smile.

The woman in green was Jin Yao, who now, compared to before, was becoming more and more mature; ’mature’ isn’t even the right word — too vulgar.

Better to say that the beauty of time is etched upon her.

"Only returned a few days ago."

After Jin Yao sat down, she picked up the teapot on the table, finding it empty.

She brewed a new pot of tea and, after pouring it for Wu Zhong, smiled and said, "Big Brother, did something troublesome happen? Drinking tea all night long."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong could only sigh heavily; this was an issue Jin Yao couldn’t help with, so he could only figure it out himself.

"And you?"

"Was your recent journey smooth?" Wu Zhong changed the subject and asked.

...

"On this trip, there wasn’t much significant gain."

"Though I accepted two new disciples, which I am quite satisfied with."

Jin Yao said softly.

Upon hearing "accepting disciples," Wu Zhong sighed once more.

The keen-minded Jin Yao realized that Big Brother’s trouble must be related to a "disciple."

"Big Brother, could it be that your disciple caused some trouble?"

"I remember that all of Big Brother’s disciples are excellent and steady individuals, never having caused any problems."

Jin Yao probed tentatively.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong took a sip of tea and was ready to pour out his troubles to his fourth sister.