Am I Really That Kind of Person? . . .
"There surely is," Erhuo meowed with a sense of certainty. "However, the lesser the pain he will go through, the lesser the benefit he will receive."
Cha Eun Xiao was taken aback by Erhuo's revelation. The prospect of reducing Li Wuliang's pain while minimizing his potential gains left him astonished.
As the sun's warm rays began to flood the cave, Li Wuliang finally conquered the initial wave of excruciating torment. He regained his composure and, upon opening his eyes, observed the rivulets of sweat streaming down his face, cascading onto the floor beneath him.
The perspiration formed a continuous stream, eventually reaching and saturating the quilt. Cha Eun Xiao now understood how the once-pristine rock had turned a dark shade. Li Wuliang's daily struggles had led to profuse sweating, which repeatedly soaked the stone, causing it to darken over time.
Li Wuliang's voice, although weary, resonated with pride and exuberance as he addressed Cha Eun Xiao, "Haha! What do you think? I didn't even flinch! Could you endure this if you were in my shoes?"
Despite the physical distress and exhaustion he was enduring, Li Wuliang exuded an air of unwavering determination and spoke spiritedly.
"Absolutely astounding! You're truly admirable and resilient! I'm humbled by your strength," Cha Eun Xiao acknowledged sincerely.
Li Wuliang responded with an indignant snort, "Don't give me that look. What's the point? It's just pain. I'm not dying. As long as I'm alive, there's hope. Two years is nothing. I could endure ten, twenty, or even an eternity of this torment, if it means returning to my prime and astonishing the world once more!"
Unbeknownst to him, he had just foretold his own future.
Cha Eun Xiao spoke earnestly, "I believe in your ability to persevere, but Li, don't you desire a reduction in your suffering?"
Li Wuliang's eyes sparked with anticipation. "You know a way to alleviate the pain?"
Cha Eun Xiao nodded. "I can't guarantee a hundred percent success, but there is potential. I believe you're familiar with the two formidable powers within your body. They are exceptionally potent. If we use another opposing force to counteract the two powers within you, they might be somewhat alleviated. You'll experience some relief. However, keep in mind that the more you endure, the greater the ultimate rewards. The Ghost Ganoderma is a profound blessing for you. It will be your crucible, and you must endure the agony as you assimilate its energy. If you can endure until the day you fully absorb its power, you will become invincible within the Qing-Yun Realm."
Li Wuliang remained silent, pondering this revelation. "Is that so? Hmmm... How long will I need to persevere? Do you have an estimate?"
Cha Eun Xiao paused for a moment before answering, "Perhaps less than twenty years, maybe even as little as ten."
"Ten years!" Li Wuliang exclaimed, his expression reflective.
An hour passed, and once again, the excruciating pain washed over him. He sat motionless, lost in thought, his face contorted in agony.
Nevertheless, he did not waver.
This episode of torment persisted until nightfall. Cha Eun Xiao provided some sustenance, but Li Wuliang remained silent, immersed in contemplation.
After a while, the anguish returned, lasting until midnight this time. As the clock struck midnight, the pain finally ebbed away once more.
Following this ordeal, Li Wuliang eventually rose to his feet. He gazed upon the wounds that had recently closed and said nothing.
Afterward, he made his way to the cave's entrance, clasping his hands behind his back as he observed the moonlight bathing the snowy landscape outside, casting a pristine glow over everything.
"Ten years... Ten years of relentless suffering to achieve invincibility in the Qing-Yun Realm," Li Wuliang murmured. "Ten arduous years..."
Cha Eun Xiao affirmed his sentiment. "A decade of torment, indeed. It may seem lengthy, but in the grand scope of our lives, it is relatively brief. I believe it is a worthwhile endeavor. My faith in you is unwavering, my brother. I know you can do it. I truly do."
"I hold no trepidation about enduring ten years of suffering, none at all," Li Wuliang replied matter-of-factly. "I've already endured it for two years on my own. Ten more years, or even longer, is manageable. I must possess exceptionally strong nerves."
"Furthermore, now that you've found me, I anticipate a considerably improved quality of life compared to the past two years. So long as I remain steadfast, the pain is but a minor inconvenience," he added quietly. "Trading ten years of anguish for invincibility over thousands of years in the Qing-Yun Realm is a prudent decision."
"It is an equitable exchange. I am confident that you can endure the ten years. I have faith in you," Cha Eun Xiao reassured him.
Li Wuliang then inquired, "I have faith! I know I can do it! But what about you? I can endure ten years of suffering in anticipation of the day I attain invincibility. What about all of you?"
Turning to Cha Eun Xiao, Li Wuliang fixed his gaze on him.
Cha Eun Xiao offered a faint smile and replied, "Brother, your concerns are my concerns. Focus on your journey, and do not fret over matters beyond your purview."
"Your brother's concerns are indeed my concerns. However, can we not consider my brother's concerns as my own?" Li Wuliang posed the question with gravity.
The phrase was somewhat tongue-twisting, but he delivered it with the utmost solemnity.
"For the next ten years, will my brother forgo his quest for vengeance?" Li Wuliang asked Cha Eun Xiao.
Cha Eun Xiao remained silent. Both men understood the answer.
Li Wuliang pressed on, "You confronted the three factions on my behalf. When you ventured to battle against the most potent adversaries, did you truly believe you would emerge victorious? You are certain to engage them in combat once more. How many of you will lose your lives? Can you guarantee your own survival, Ye Xiao? Should you perish once more, do you believe you will be fortunate enough to receive a third lease on life?"
"Even if you could, what of our other comrades? Will they share the same fortune? How many will lay down their lives in pursuit of vengeance? If I were to abstain from this perilous path, content to bide my time until I attain supposed invincibility in the Qing-Yun Realm while you all fight to the death...what would that make me? If I were to cower in the shadows, bearing witness to your potentially fatal struggles, would I still be Li Wuliang? Would I still be the brother you recognize?"
Li Wuliang drew closer to Cha Eun Xiao and inquired with stern determination, "Do I appear as a coward to you?"