A trace of contemplation flickered in Haoran Sage's eyes. He had never underestimated Li Qing.
He had also been gathering everything related to Li Qing.
He had collected the memories of every mortal in Li Qing's hometown and knew everything about Li Qing before he began cultivating.
He had even investigated everyone Li Qing came into contact with after entering Jixia Academy.
Some weak cultivators had even been subjected directly to soul-searching and dissection, their deepest memories laid bare for him to see.
He possessed an extraordinarily detailed understanding of Li Qing.
Li Qing himself could only be considered of average intelligence, but he possessed a supreme treasure that allowed him to toy with all living beings in the palm of his hand.
He relied on that treasure's formidable powers of perception and deduction.
"What a pity. When he first set off that major event and established the supreme foundation, we failed to uncover him. Now, this man has already grown into a force to be reckoned with."
"Trying to find him now is harder than ascending to Heaven!"
"Countless years of rule have dulled our decisive ways!"
"If this had been in a more ancient age, we would have directly purged every region where such an existence was discovered."
"He would never have had any opportunity at all."
In truth, Haoran Sage did not know that once any lifeform gained sufficiently great power, authority, and the ability to absolutely crush others, its intelligence would decline.
The greatest reason was that power and authority could make many matters simple. Problems could be solved through brute force, reducing the need for thought.
This phenomenon was called obstinacy and self-righteousness. It was a weakness of human nature that no living being could escape.
Only by examining oneself every three days, constantly reflecting