This was Li Chonglou’s true intention.
After this incident, he knew that their current strength was insufficient to support his future plans. Seeking out other experts posed a significant trust issue and limited his resource options.
The best approach was to help everyone grow as quickly as possible.
Before discovering the underground world, this presented certain difficulties. However, it was no longer a problem.
Furthermore, Li Chonglou intended to impart the Mai Qian technique to all of them. Only with the coordination of Mai Qian could they truly reach the level he envisioned.
This made their relationships paramount.
If they remained mere partners, Li Chonglou would not pass on the Mai Qian technique. While he believed in its potential for widespread dissemination, human hearts were complex. A potent weapon in the hands of a good person could be a world-saving blade.
But in the hands of someone with ulterior motives, it would become a bloody butcher’s knife!
Only by fully integrating them into his own circle would Li Chonglou share the Mai Qian technique as he intended, offering them his assistance.
The hall fell silent once more, with Du Tian being the most conflicted.
His emergence from seclusion was largely due to unavoidable circumstances. Compared to Chen Pao and the others, Du Tian desired freedom more than anything and had his own plans, which set him apart from Chen Pao and the rest.
If he agreed to Li Chonglou’s terms, it would mean he was no longer completely free, and his own plans could be jeopardized.
Li Chonglou did not rush them.
Truthfully, he didn’t hold many expectations or hopes for Du Tian. Even as a partner, Du Tian ranked lower in his estimation than Chen Pao and the others.
However, the final outcome was somewhat unexpected.
Among everyone, only Yi Defa chose to refuse.
“Have you truly thought this through?”
Li Chonglou spoke with a deep voice, sweeping his gaze over everyone before settling on Du Tian.
Chen Pao and the others stated resolutely, “Boss, no cultivator can refuse a world of their own. Since we’ve chosen this path, we naturally have our ambitions!”
Du Tian also spoke slowly, “I know you don’t fully trust me yet, but that’s fine. I can follow their lead.”
Du Tian gestured towards Chen Pao and the others, his words serving as an oath of allegiance. After all, his strength far surpassed theirs.
Li Chonglou smiled, “Trust isn’t built overnight, of course. Welcome aboard.”
“But I have one more request. I want them to go in with me as well.”
The “them” Du Tian referred to were naturally his subordinates. Li Chonglou nodded without hesitation, “That’s not a problem, but I hope you can honor your word.”
Li Chonglou cast a casual glance at Du Tian, the implication of which the latter clearly understood. He nodded firmly.
Thus, for the first time, everyone truly became core members of the Tong Gu Ming Jin Company.
Li Chonglou wasted no time. He first asked the refusers, Yi Defa and Zhou Tong, to leave, then began imparting the basic principles of Mai Qian to the rest.
“I know each of you has your own secrets and core cultivation techniques. However, to grow in the shortest possible time, it’s best to temporarily suspend your current practices and focus entirely on training Mai Qian.”
“I guarantee that only Mai Qian can achieve that level!”
As he spoke, fierce confidence surged in Li Chonglou’s eyes. Mai Qian was fundamentally different from other cultivation methods. Although his improvements eliminated the need to cripple one’s meridians and start anew, it still involved first conquering one’s internal self and enhancing potential.
Only in this way could everyone unleash more of their latent abilities and push their limits higher.
Upon understanding the philosophy and cultivation methods of Mai Qian, everyone, except Chen Peiyue, was utterly astonished. For the first time, they comprehended why Li Chonglou’s strength was so mysterious and formidable.
“Boss, what realm have you cultivated to?”
Kulinan, being the most direct, voiced the curiosity in his heart. The others also turned their gazes towards Li Chonglou.
According to Li Chonglou’s description, Mai Qian, upon initial entry, could elevate one’s limits to a new height. What about progressing further? Especially reaching its ultimate limit?
To what extent could one develop themselves?
Li Chonglou replied calmly, “Entry is called ‘Minor Accomplishment.’ Following that are ‘Major Accomplishment’ and ‘The Way.’ I have only just entered ‘The Way’ myself.”
This realm division was his own compilation and creation. ‘The Way’ referred to opening and integrating all the acupoints in the body. After entering ‘The Way,’ Li Chonglou had further classified it into one to nine levels based on various integration methods.
In truth, if he were to be entirely honest, Li Chonglou felt he had reached at least the fifth level. After all, during the previous competition for the strongest young generation, he had secretly learned many methods for acupoint coordination.
Through the special and prolonged trials in that mystical space, Li Chonglou not only mastered what he had learned but also gained considerable insights.
In his perception, he had completed at least half of the exploration. To progress further, he would need new inspirations and methods.
Telling them he had only just entered ‘The Way’ was partly to retain some of his strength and partly to avoid placing too much pressure on them.
When Li Chonglou, using only the strength of the third level, could overwhelm Yuan Bei, who was at the seventh level, everyone naturally attributed it to Mai Qian. They couldn’t help but exclaim, “You’re already this strong after just entering ‘The Way,’ Boss. We’ve really hit the jackpot this time.”
Hawkeye quipped, “Does this mean we’re all your disciples now? Should we start calling you Master from now on?”
The honest Meat Mountain nodded directly, but Li Chonglou shook his head, “No, your master is not me, for now.”
Unbeknownst to them, Li Chonglou had no intention of revealing the entirety of Mai Qian to them yet. What he was teaching was merely the introductory method. Mai Qian, unlike other cultivation techniques, required senior guidance for each subsequent step.
Otherwise, relying solely on oneself, unless they possessed Li Chonglou’s same encounters and talent, it would take thirty to fifty years to reach his level!
The group was stunned, failing to grasp Li Chonglou’s meaning.
Chen Pao directly asked, “Boss, if you’re not our master, then who is?”
Li Chonglou suddenly flashed a peculiar smile, looking towards Chen Peiyue.
Before the others could react, they heard him say, “Xiao Yue is my true disciple. Becoming my disciple isn’t that simple. The subsequent techniques of Mai Qian will be taught by Xiao Yue.”
The expressions of the four changed drastically.
Chen Peiyue herself was utterly stunned.
“Wait, Master, they are also my masters now. If I teach them, wouldn’t that mean…”
Li Chonglou smiled gently, “That’s right. From now on, you will be their master.”