Why had he entertained such a thought?
Li Taicang froze slightly. It was a curious question. He did not believe Gu Yuanqing failed to understand why he had come.
After a moment of silence, he sighed softly. "Daoist Friend Gu, are you truly unwilling to undergo Dao Integration?"
Gu Yuanqing said mildly, "I have never liked people using some righteous cause to pressure me. I do have some affection for the Great Li Divine Dynasty. Do not squander it on meaningless matters like these."
"I understand. Sorry for the trouble. Still, I ask that you give this matter some more consideration."
Li Taicang smiled bitterly, cupped his hands in farewell, and left.
Gu Yuanqing looked beyond the mountain. Some other old fellows had accompanied Li Taicang. Clearly, this was not Li Taicang's idea alone, but the result of deliberations among numerous sects.
Over these thousands of years, Gu Yuanqing had stood beneath the Great Dao, his imposing presence growing ever more formidable. It could be said that no one could approach his side.
Back then, quite a few people had come to challenge him, intending to step on Gu Yuanqing's shoulders and ascend to the position of Number One Person, then face their Calamity and undergo Dao Integration with an invincible spirit.
But no matter how powerful they were, the outcome never changed. Gu Yuanqing was like a towering mountain barring the way between them and the Great Dao.
He had left an indelible mark in their hearts, one that grew larger with time until it became a shadow.
Without breaking through it, their hearts would remain flawed. During their Calamity, it would become a heart demon, making it difficult for them to truly achieve Dao Integration.
Yet there was something peculiar about this.
The path of cultivation differed from