Chapter 1549: Chapter 558: Clouds Disperse, Ice Melts, and the Lovely Master

But whenever the words were about to leave his lips, he seemed to see the person in front of him, clad in white like snow, disappear into the vast snow, and felt an inexplicable tugging pain in his heart. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Qing Su asked, "So, disciple, how many years do you think it will be before the end-of-world calamity befalls this realm of ours?"

"If we take an optimistic view, maybe a few tens of thousands of years left."

Li Ping’an replied slowly:

"Previously, we hunted so many innate gods and demons beyond the skies, that the Essential Source Object of Heaven and Earth has thickened considerably.

"If no external forces intervene and the Six Saints do not suddenly betray this world, perhaps we could survive another eon before the end-of-world calamity arrives.

"That’s the most ideal scenario."

Qing Su asked, "Why do you say that?"

"Because I personally feel, or rather, judging from the various signs at present, the Transcender Teacher will not give us too many chances."

Li Ping’an sighed helplessly:

"There is definitely some variable present now.

"This variable could affect my teacher’s ability to extract the Essential Source Object from our world, and as soon as the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm is completed, this variable will be extinguished.

"I haven’t figured out exactly what the variable is, and speaking this way may actually sound quite vague.

"The variable could possibly refer to the Jie Sect, which has now amassed enormous combat strength among sentient beings, specifically targeted by the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm.

"It could also be a change in the state of the Heavenly Dao.

"In any case, none of us want to sit idly by; be it the Heavenly Court, the Three Pure Ones, or all sentient beings, they will certainly attempt to increase our chances against the Transcender’s plundering when passing through the end-of-world calamity, and the Transcender Teacher, having total initiative, will surely act when his chances of success are highest, otherwise, why would he wait after plotting since ancient times?

"So I pessimistically estimate that once the Investiture of the Gods Cataclysm finishes, Teacher will probably act, in at most two or three thousand years."

Li Ping’an’s spirits dampened considerably when speaking of this, and in a low voice said, "We might only have two or three thousand years left, Master."

"That short?"

Qing Su spoke casually.

"Actually, it’s not that short, two or three thousand years is long enough for us to live for quite a while. I’m already hundreds of years old, and after turning a hundred, I told myself that every day lived onward was just a bonus, haha..."

"How about I stop being your master?"

Qing Su suddenly spoke softly.

Li Ping’an nearly choked on his drink.

"Wait, why?"

"I’ve long had nothing to teach you. Among your three masters, I’m the weakest in strength and lack other skills."

Qing Su spoke calmly, nor did she look at Li Ping’an, just stared ahead a bit absentmindedly.

She said, "Moreover, even after all these years of being your master, I only taught you some skills in magical combat and cultivation in the first few years. Yet, I’ve gained more benefits from you."

"Once a master, always a master."

Li Ping’an said anxiously:

"Master is like a beam of moonlight in the disciple’s heart!

"Whenever disciple is lost and clueless, thinking of Master gives me endless motivation!

"Master’s influence on disciple is far greater than that of the other two teachers! Master, don’t feel pressured just because your cultivation time is shorter!"

"Is that so?"

Qing Su seemed not too happy, and yet a little content.

Her delicate and moist face rarely showed expression; sometimes, a slight pursing of her lips signified a smile, while sometimes appearing dazed when actually expressing displeasure.

Close to the Dao, distant from the worldly dust.

Qing Su quietly drank some wine.

Li Ping’an truly couldn’t understand. His usually quick-turning mind was nearly short-circuited at this moment.

Li Ping’an turned to look at her, noticing the Treasure Bead adorning the cave, emitting faint celestial light that illuminated her skin with a crystalline glow.

"I don’t want to be your master anymore."

Qing Su said softly:

"It’s not about skills; I just don’t want to anymore."

"This..."

Li Ping’an chuckled wryly, "Is it because I haven’t been communicating much with you, Master? Recently, I have indeed been busy cultivating and worrying about many matters of this world. If I didn’t have so many ties here and was just your disciple, I actually wouldn’t do much, I’d be content staying quietly in the mountains. But, as I walked this path, I ended up with many things on my mind... I..."

"I want to do something else."

"Huh?" Li Ping’an hesitated for a moment.

Qing Su turned her head to the side; her previous words had been spoken as softly as a mosquito’s buzz, and now her elegant face showed a trace of unease.

Li Ping’an did not reply.

He continued drinking, his eyes betraying some contemplation.

Qing Su seemed to understand something, and likewise drank dull wine beside him.

Both seemed to hold some concerns, and the source of those concerns was an early compilation by Li Dazhi...

"The Condor Heroic Couple."

The atmosphere here shifted from previously natural and harmonious to slightly awkward.

Qing Su said, "If you don’t want to, just pretend I didn’t mention it..."

"Should we use a different title for each other?" Li Ping’an suddenly asked.

"What?"

"Like, should we call each other by different names?" Li Ping’an said softly, "Like Yang Guo calling Little Dragon Girl by nickname, ’Long’er’ or something."

"Well, um," Qing Su cleared her throat, "the others call me Qing Qing, you can use my Dao title."

"Su’er?"

"Yes, then I’ll call you An’er."

Li Ping’an’s forehead bore a few dark lines.

Qing Su realized something might be amiss and quietly said, "Then I’ll use your real name. After all, you are the Heavenly Emperor, maintaining dignity even privately."

"Okay... Su’er..."

"Li Ping’an."

Li Ping’an’s heart felt as though lightly grasped and tossed up to the clouds, momentarily drifting and wavering, unable to find ground.