Upon hearing this, Ye Qingran paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "No need to thank me."

"We are all on the same path, and our direction is the same."

"If you must thank someone, thank yourself for your perseverance."

After hearing Su Ming’s words, Ye Qingran realized that he had resolved his inner conflict, and the task given by her mentor was considered successfully completed.

On the surface, it was a task given by her mentor, but in fact, it was also Ye Qingran’s own business.

She and Su Ming were "fellow travelers" with similar experiences, so being able to guide Su Ming in the right direction made her genuinely happy.

The past grievances on the Four Emperors Continent were long gone, like a mirage, mere trials and tribulations on the road.

In fact, she quite admired Su Ming, admiring his determination.

Alone, he ascended from the barren Four Emperors Continent without relying on any external help, and made it here, even earning the recognition of their mentor.

If he had given up, they wouldn’t have met in the Divine Domain or become fellow disciples.

Therefore, she was gratified that someone like Su Ming could join the Heaven Shepherd Alliance, as she also hoped for its growth and strength.

...

"If it weren’t for you telling me, I might... never have known,"

Su Ming said with a bitter smile.

Unbeknownst to them, the hostility and barriers between them had vanished.

"It’s because of your own efforts and perseverance that I had the opportunity to tell you," Ye Qingran said slowly.

...

"With Junior Brother Su’s strength, he has probably secured a good position in the Alliance," Ye Qingran shifted the topic.

Su Ming paused, giving an awkward smile: "Don’t be surprised when I say this, I currently hold no official position, just a lowly ’soldier’."

For years, he had refused the Alliance’s offers of promotion and reward, focusing solely on cultivation.

Mainly because his inner conflict wasn’t resolved, he wasn’t sure if staying in the Alliance was the right path, so he didn’t want to get too deeply involved.

If things had gone normally, with the great military achievements he had made, he would have long been at the level of a Vice Commander.

...

"I suppose it’s more that he refuses to accept,"

Ye Qingran said slowly.

Through conversations with her mentor, she learned of Su Ming’s great achievements in the Alliance, yet he refused to accept any titles or promotions.

Like Ye Qingran at the start, Su Ming was unsure if this path was right, and initially resisted the Heaven Shepherd Alliance.

Upon hearing this, Su Ming simply smiled without a word.

"And what about you, Senior Sister Ye?" Su Ming asked.

"I haven’t been in the Divine Domain long, so I don’t have any position either,"

"However, Moon Cicada and I have apprenticed under the same master," Ye Qingran answered.

.....

"May I ask the name of your master?" Su Ming inquired.

"Jin Yao."

Upon hearing the name "Jin Yao," Su Ming was stunned.

The fourth leader of the Heaven Shepherd Alliance, Jin Yao!

"You’ve got quite the fortune, apprenticing under a good master," Su Ming said with a smile.

They all came from the same place, yet their encounters were vastly different.

Su Ming had no one to support him on his journey, relying entirely on himself.

However, he was not envious of them, just a bit thoughtful.

.....

Seeing that the time was about right, she planned to leave.

"Moon Cicada and I have some matters to attend to, so we’ll leave now."

With that, Ye Qingran and Bai Yuechan left Mutei Temple.

....

After they left, Su Ming was alone, kneeling before the statue.

He raised his head, gazing at the statue of the Ancestor, unknowingly clenching his fists tightly.

At this moment, his obsession completely transformed; he wanted to ignite his greatest light for the Heaven Shepherd Alliance.

He took out the token left to him by the middle-aged man from his sleeve, staring at it in a daze....

......

"How did it go?"

Jin Yao, seeing Ye Qingran and Bai Yuechan return so quickly, wondered if they had failed to persuade him.

"Failure is okay; that boy’s personality is too peculiar, let our mentor worry about it himself,"

Jin Yao said with a smile, comforting the two.

In Jin Yao’s eyes, Su Ming was just a boy, as were Ye Qingran and Bai Yuechan, mere kids in her view.

.....

"I think it was successful."

Ye Qingran responded with a smile.

Jin Yao was taken aback, "So easily?"

Ye Qingran nodded.

Soon, Jin Yao took Ye Qingran and Bai Yuechan to Nanmu Island.

...

On Nanmu Island, in the courtyard.

"So, has he come to terms with it?"

Wu Zhong was surprised at how easily Ye Qingran and Bai Yuechan persuaded Su Ming. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He himself had tried everything, but to no avail.

"It seems the tie of old hometown friends is indeed strong," Wu Zhong said with a smile.

At those words, Ye Qingran shook her head, "Actually, Su Ming and I used to be enemies."

Upon hearing this, Jin Yao also became interested and leaned in.

Ye Qingran hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell them everything about their past on the Four Emperors Continent and their karmic ties with the Lord Ancestor.

There was no need to hide these things from their master and mentor, as they were one of their own.

....

After listening, Wu Zhong and Jin Yao exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.

Who would have thought... the master had planted such a seed of karma before.

No wonder that boy Su Ming refused to acknowledge him as a master or accept any promotion from the Alliance, his loyalty was already pledged elsewhere!

Upon uncovering this truth, Wu Zhong also grew more appreciative of Su Ming.

This alone showed Su Ming’s absolute loyalty and his deep sense of attachment and duty.

The master’s charisma truly is remarkable!

....

After hearing Su Ming’s life story, both Wu Zhong and Jin Yao respected him more.

Born on a barren continent, originally nothing more than an earthworm, defying fate, ascending all the way without any benefactors, relying solely on his effort, step by step reaching this point.

Even before Dong’Er recommended him, Su Ming had already earned recognition through his own effort.

Therefore... Su Ming was worth Wu Zhong’s focus on nurturing.

Someone who is extremely devoted to cultivation, once helped, would surely rise higher, unleashing his ultimate potential.

No wonder Dong’er said Su Ming’s potential ranked in the top five among the young people in the entire Alliance.

Now he believed it, starting from the worst script, amidst a disastrous opening, he had fiercely carved out a grand avenue!

.....

After Jin Yao, Ye Qingran, and Bai Yuechan left.

Wu Zhong also found Dong’er, explaining the whole situation.

After hearing it, Dong’er fell into deep thought, her expression somewhat unnatural.

"Dong’er, what’s wrong?" Wu Zhong asked, puzzled.