In a more abstract sense, cause and effect can be understood as an arrow, either emanating from Li Xingkong to others, or pointing back to Li Xingkong from others. In the early stages of establishing this connection, it is a one-way arrow.
To fully resolve this Karmic Thread, it needs to be transformed from a one-way arrow into a two-way one.
In reality, this means that one should avenge wrongs and repay kindness.
Whether Li Xingkong bestows favors upon others or others bestow favors upon Li Xingkong, in order to settle the karmic debt, this favor must be repaid.
After gaining a better understanding of this cause-and-effect relationship, Li Xingkong felt more and more that this thing was a forced version of Zigong redeeming cattle.
You want to help others without expecting anything in return? That won't do. You're not going to settle this karmic debt.
It's incomprehensible, especially to Li Xingkong. Helping others casually or having a sudden whim to do good deeds is a common occurrence. If this counts as karma, then he's going to be busy for a while.
"Great, just what I wanted!"
Before Li Xingkong could express his opinion, he heard Xiao Chongshan chuckle from the side.
"What suits your taste perfectly?"
Li Xingkong a little curious. Even someone like him, who devoted most of his time to cultivation, was worrying about karma. Why was Xiao Chongshan not worried at all, but instead seemed happy?
"Emmm, it's nothing, it's nothing."
Upon hearing Li Xingkong's question, Xiao Chongshan swiftly put away the ball of light in her hand, but she couldn't suppress the smile on her face for a moment.
Something's wrong. Something's very wrong.
"What were you hiding? Let me see! You're so happy."
"You really want to see it?"
"Have a look."
Xiao Chongshan thought about it and realized that showing it to Li Xingkong wouldn't be a big deal.
With a flick of his wrist, the ball of light landed right in front of Li Xingkong.
Li Xingkong opened it and saw a list, a densely packed list that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Most of the names at the beginning were underlined, with only two or three still lit up.
Li Xingkong scrolled down for a while, looking at names, names, and more names.
He didn't quite understand what it was.
"What kind of messy roster is this? Is it the Death Note?"
"Oh, no, this is my grudge notebook."
Xiao Chongshan casually remarked.
"Holding a grudge? Keeping a little notebook?"
Li Xingkong estimated that the number of names within this cluster of light was probably more than the entire population of the Solar System.
"And those crossed-out ones..."
"Those issues have already been resolved."
Xiao Chongshan nodded with a grin.
"I wasn't very clean when I first started, taking care of one only to have ten more added, and the number of cases just kept piling up. Oh well, I was just young and naive."
Speaking of this, Xiao Chongshan was even a little embarrassed.
"So what are you doing...?"
"Hey, I was thinking that since we're in new territory, if I can't handle these guys, I should just let it go. At least my cultivation level is higher now, so I'm too lazy to bother with them. But look, I'm even thinking of letting them go, but fate won't allow it. This karma still needs to be resolved."
"Oh, this..."
Li Xingkong was speechless; she really was a petty woman.
Don't mess with her, don't mess with her.
Li Xingkong felt a chill on the back of his neck, and his mind raced through memories related to Xiao Chongshan.
It seems that I haven't offended her at all.
Just as Li Xingkong was reflecting, he felt something shrink back to his side.
Li Xingkong glanced at it and realized it was the system.
Li Xingkong was clearly not the only one startled by Xiao Chongshan's actions.
"Hahaha, is that so? Then please make your way."
As for saying something like persuading Xiao Chongshan not to seek revenge, or suggesting that they let bygones be bygones, Li Xingkong couldn't bring himself to say such things.
All virtues and moral principles, whether benevolence, righteousness, or gentlemanly conduct, are meant to restrain oneself, not to persuade others.
Besides, with the path to immortality ahead, I won't become an obstacle for others.
Li Xingkong would never utter such nonsense as "let bygones be bygones."
He held only one belief: even a feud spanning ten generations could be avenged.
Repay kindness with kindness, and repay injustice with justice; there's nothing more to say.
If making a mistake can be dismissed with a simple "it's all in the past," that would be far too unfair.
"Hehe, this time I'm going to make those three old guys regret it!"
Xiao Chongshan had already devised countless revenge plans, just waiting for his cultivation to be sufficient before returning to wreak havoc on the world.
Now that I've reached the threshold of immortality, it's time to go back.
"I said, settling karma doesn't mean you have to kill everyone."
Looking at the murderous aura emanating from her, Li Xingkong suddenly felt that the guy next to him might also be a demon.
"How could that be? I've also looked at the cultivation technique, right? Only those who are qualified are worth my time. Those who aren't, I'll just give them a taste of the Five Deficiencies and Three Lacks."
How could someone nearing ascension to immortality be blinded by a mere hint of murderous intent?
"Well, I hope so. Let me know when you're ready so I can take you back."
No need to prepare, you can do it now.
Xiao Chongshan was clearly starting to lose his temper.
"Alright, alright, I'll take you back now."
Li Xingkong didn't say much. Anyway, the small world and the Primordial Universe were connected, so going back and forth was no different from going out to take out the trash.
Only after Xiao Chongshan's figure disappeared through the teleportation portal did the system quietly peek out from behind Li Xingkong.
"They've left?"
"Let's go! No, why are you being such a coward?"
Li Xingkong couldn't help but laugh when he saw the system's expression.
"Isn't it fear? If you're in her notebook, you'll be lucky to escape with your life."
"Hahahaha, you're a system, what's there to be afraid of in a woman?"
"You talk as if you're not afraid."
The system rolled its eyes at Li Xingkong. It had been right next to Li Xingkong just now, and the guy was clearly startled too.
"Tch, who's afraid? I'm just not going to bother with her!"
"Alright, alright, we'll do as you say. But what about your karma? You don't have a little notebook to hold grudges."
Speaking of this, Li Xingkong also had a bit of a headache.
There's no intuitive way to observe cause and effect, nor is there a suitable method for quantification. The so-called resolution is entirely based on one's subjective ideas.
You might think you've settled a matter, but to others, it's far from over.
So, how exactly to do it, and what would be the final solution, remained a very troubling question for Li Xingkong.
If only his problem were as simple as Xiao Chongshan's.
They're all enemies; all I need to do is kill them.