Guarding the River of Time-Chapter 265 - 259: The Return of the Great Love Immortal Venerable, Former Karmic Ties

Chapter 265: Chapter 259: The Return of the Great Love Immortal Venerable, Former Karmic Ties

The wooden raft stopped in the middle of the river, ten meters away from Su Mu.

The mist cleared, and only then did Su Mu see clearly the appearance of the man on the raft.

The man was dressed in a clean black robe, devoid of any patterns or designs, exuding a low-key elegance and dignity. His build was not burly, but his shoulders were broad.

His features were somewhat handsome, though not girlishly so, as there was less youthful charm and more scholarly majesty. His angular face, like a reserved Treasure Sword beneath a serene cold pool, was breathtaking. His eyes were deep like an abyss, holding countless thoughts and a composed ease towards the world, calm yet resolute.

The man, who typically wore a serious expression, revealed a slight smile upon seeing Su Mu, clasped his hands in respect, and said, "Senior."

Hearing this, Su Mu also scrutinized the man in the black robe.

The next second, an image of a young boy emerged in his mind, becoming increasingly clear...

There was once a time, a young boy crossed the river, treading on a simple bamboo pole, unable to afford the crossing fee, penniless, with only a cicada in his possession.

That time, it was Su Mu’s only exception; he didn’t charge a crossing fee or write an IOU, merely taking a strand of the boy’s hair as a pledge.

Because that young boy was unusually calm, very intelligent, and incredibly sincere, leaving a deep impression on Su Mu.

Much later, he did not see the boy return, and Su Mu thought he had been fooled. After all, it was the only time he broke his rule, the only time he chose to trust a boy’s promise.

Unexpectedly, years passed, and the young boy returned again, but... no longer carried the shadow of a boy. Now he was powerful, reserved, low-key, elegant...

Back then, he barely managed to cross the river with a single bamboo pole; now, he stood effortlessly on an entire row of rafts.

"Fang Yuan?"

Su Mu nodded and inquired.

Hearing these words, the man in the black robe was taken aback, not expecting the senior to remember him. A flash of surprise crossed his pupils, and he responded with a smile, "I didn’t expect you to remember me, senior."

.....

"You’ve changed quite a bit; it seems you’ve done well." Su Mu, for the first time, sincerely praised someone.

Because he had changed so drastically from that destitute boy.

Back then, in Su Mu’s eyes, he was just a down-and-out boy, with talents that were not outstanding compared to most young Cross River Men.

The only reason Su Mu remembered him was his extraordinary calmness and clarity of mind, making decisive decisions...

.....

"Senior hasn’t changed much, still as strong and youthful as ever."

Fang Yuan, upon seeing Su Mu, was also immensely shaken inside.

He hadn’t expected that after all these years, having reached such a high level himself, upon returning to the River of Time, he still felt as insignificant as an ant facing Mount Tai before the senior.

"Senior, I’ve come today to repay the grace of the past."

Fang Yuan spoke earnestly to Su Mu.

In fact, he could have returned the favor at the River of Time a long time ago, but he hadn’t found an appropriate gift.

Because the senior guards the River of Time, standing above all, the debt he owed was immense, and he had to present his very best, the most valuable treasure worthy of the senior’s regard.

Hence, over the years, Fang Yuan had been planning, searching, and finally had refined an exceptional artifact, the best he could offer.

After finishing his words, Fang Yuan slowly retrieved a transparent cicada from his sleeve.

He placed it in his palm and handed it to Su Mu.

As the transparent cicada appeared, ripples grazed the water’s surface beneath Fang Yuan’s feet.

Su Mu’s gaze fell on the motionless transparent cicada, and he was momentarily stunned.

After taking it in his hand, he could feel the myriad of energies and vibrations contained within the cicada, its aura was very refined, very powerful...

After a simple appraisal, he could already confirm this was a Supreme Treasure!

Moreover, among all his treasures, this Supreme Treasure could even rank in the top five!

...

Fang Yuan anxiously observed Su Mu’s expression, for this treasure was everything he had.

He had surpassed the Tenth Transition, reaching the legendary Twelfth Transition, and was even advancing towards the Thirteenth Transition. He had refined all the Gu of the world, and combined all the opportunities and treasures he had obtained over the years into this one artifact.

One could say, he now had only this one treasure on him.

This was all his hard work, the culmination of many years.

Did Fang Yuan have regrets?

He had no regrets, because if the senior hadn’t let him cross the river, and even gifted him a Spring and Autumn Cicada, he would have died long ago.

Therefore, giving all the opportunities and treasures he would have in the future to the senior was no regret at all. On the contrary, he felt he got a bargain and even thought it was insufficient to repay the grace.

After all, his power was so great now, and even if all the opportunities and treasures were gone, he could start over, thus he had no regrets.

He had successfully fulfilled the promise he made back then.

A transaction of the future.

Fang Yuan traded his future, and successfully repaid his debt.

Su Mu accepted the transparent cicada with a hint of embarrassment, as back then, he had only let him cross the river and gifted him a cicada, not offering much help.

.....

Seeing the senior accept it, Fang Yuan’s heart, which was anxious, finally settled down peacefully. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

This cause and effect was finally resolved, and the gratitude that weighed heavily on his mind was returned completely.

Fang Yuan had never felt as light and transparent in mind and body as he did at that moment.

"Come ashore for a cup of tea before you leave."

Su Mu, in a rare good mood, was preparing to invite Fang Yuan to his cottage for a cup of tea.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan turned his head, looking towards the shore of the River of Time, with a hint of longing and envy in his eyes, but ultimately shook his head, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, senior."

How he wished he could.

But at his current stage, he wasn’t qualified or capable enough to step ashore.

"Alright then, come by again next time if possible, and we’ll share a drink."

Su Mu didn’t press further, saying with a smile.

Upon hearing these words, Fang Yuan paused, then smiled: "Senior, I will strive for it."

His greatest wish was to one day share a cup of tea with the senior, but... that wish seemed so distant.

After all, the senior stood at such a high place, and currently, he could only look up...

"Senior, I’ve got a long-standing question, and I seek your wisdom to enlighten me..."

Fang Yuan clasped his hands towards Su Mu, inquiring.

"Speak."