Chen Pao continued, "We have all thought it through. Ever since entering this realm, many things have become predetermined. Even if we wanted to return to being ordinary people, we wouldn't be able to reintegrate."
"Rather than that, we might as well go all out and seize this opportunity to pursue our original aspirations and dreams!"
Wow, elevating a mere ambition to dreams. Li Chonglou's expression turned a little strange, but the four of them were very resolute.
It was evident that the four had given this decision deep consideration.
Their intense sincerity at this moment was less about showing off to Li Chonglou and more about convincing themselves, giving themselves a firm reason.
However, Li Chonglou still reminded them, "Once you enter, many things won't be as free as they are now. You need to be clear about this."
Chen Pao nodded, "Don't worry, Master. We've discussed this. If there are gains, there will definitely be sacrifices. If we can truly break through our limits, this world is so vast, what is such a small price to pay?"
Li Chonglou smiled. He didn't believe a single word of what they said about original aspirations and dreams. Few people who reached this realm, especially those who were free agents, were truly pure.
Whether the four were convincing themselves or trying to convince him, he wouldn't believe such words.
But the latter part was different. That was a pursuit of tangible self-interest, which was convincing to Li Chonglou.
"Very good. It's good that you have this realization. In the past, you might have lived more freely, doing as you pleased and not doing as you didn't please, but you know the price for this freedom."
The four nodded.
Yes, in terms of freedom, they were certainly free, otherwise, they wouldn't be called free agents. But behind this freedom lay a helplessness in their pursuits.
How many people who cultivated to this level weren't ambitious for further advancement? But unfortunately, resources were limited, and talent was limited. While still young, they could already see their limits.
In such a situation, this freedom was actually a compromise and a settling for life!
The choice Li Chonglou was offering them now was undoubtedly to face their inner selves once more, to follow them! Only by understanding this would they not regret their choice today, whether they succeeded or failed in the future.
This was precisely the kind of words Li Chonglou wanted to hear.
Then, his gaze fell upon Du Tian and the others.
Before he could speak, Du Tian proactively said, "No need to look at me. Although I am older than you, and much older, I am willing to call you Master."
Having lived to this age, many people would think they had a broader perspective, but that wasn't the case. The older people were, the thinner their skin tended to be. For a sixty or seventy-year-old to call a twenty-something Master was something very few could achieve.
Seeing Du Tian's hearty laughter, Li Chonglou couldn't help but nod, "It's fine if you know the rules. You don't have to call me Master habitually, or you can add 'Li' to it."
Master Li, was still Master, even though it seemed a bit distant, it was a way to save face for him.
However, Du Tian's realization was clearly higher than Chen Pao's. Without a second thought, he directly said, "I will call you Master. If the lineage's potential allows me to advance further, it would be like giving me a second life. Only these two words can bear such a kindness."
The old fox was indeed an old fox, speaking in a way that was so pleasant.
Li Chonglou smiled and nodded. For Du Tian and Chen Pao, it wasn't about showing off his authority, but about the rules. If someone was unwilling to call him Master, he wouldn't truly pass on the lineage's potential.
How could he trust someone who couldn't even manage themselves to not use the lineage's potential for something harmful?
Then, Li Chonglou's gaze fell upon Yue Hai.
The latter said a little aggrievedly, "Brother Li, I only went out for a trip, how did I suddenly get so many senior brothers..."
In terms of time, he had followed Li Chonglou the longest among everyone, but eventually, everyone else started calling him Master, yet he hadn't been truly acknowledged.
Even for a major event like going to the underground world, it was Zhou Tong and Chen Peiyue who informed him.
The more Yue Hai thought about it, the more wronged he felt, and for a moment, he lowered his head with a hint of dejection.
"You brat, you actually know to come back. You leave without saying a word. If there's anything to resolve, do you treat us as outsiders?"
Yue Hai's expression froze. He quickly raised his head to explain, but Li Chonglou smiled, "Forget it, I'm just teasing you. Everyone has their own secrets. As long as you have a sense of proportion, it's fine."
Yue Hai was about to speak, but was interrupted again.
"However, you only have one senior sister. As for senior brothers, listen up, Yue Hai is my second disciple. You can discuss the order among yourselves later, but you still have to call him senior brother."
Li Chonglou grinned, and everyone was stunned.
Yue Hai was even more taken aback, looking at Li Chonglou with a look of astonishment.
The matter was settled. Although Chen Pao and the others were clearly reluctant, due to Li Chonglou's attitude, they could only accept this junior brother who was much weaker than them.
Only Du Tian's expression remained calm, as if he had seen through something.
Zhou Tong was also present throughout the entire process. After he and Li Chonglou left the conference room, Zhou Tong couldn't help but say, "Brother Li, is this really okay? Yue Hai's strength is at the bottom among them, can he command their respect?"
In his opinion, Chen Pao and the others calling Li Chonglou Master was Li Chonglou getting a great bargain. Therefore, if he had finally managed to get a group of disciples, and they immediately did something that couldn't be obeyed, it might affect the future.
Li Chonglou, however, said seriously, "Actually, if it weren't for Xiao Yue being more reliable than Xiao Hai, I would have made him the actual senior disciple, rather than having a senior sister above him."
Zhou Tong was confused.
Li Chonglou explained, "Yue Hai has been with me the longest. In terms of knowing him inside out, I trust him more than any of them. Moreover, Xiao Hai's talent isn't bad at all. He can even be considered a genius."
"He only lacks two things: a better guide and the growth of his character. As long as these two points are addressed, I believe his potential is no lower than Xiao Yue's."
Zhou Tong was somewhat surprised. This was the first time he had heard such high praise from Li Chonglou.
But if he valued him so much, why wasn't he notified about entering the underground world this time?
There was no need for guesswork between their relationship, and Zhou Tong directly asked this question.
Li Chonglou sighed, "Xiao Hai's biggest weakness now is his character. He can't keep up with our pace. If this point were addressed first, I actually didn't really hope for him to go to the underground world now."
What Zhou Tong didn't know was that before Yue Hai met Li Chonglou, he had already managed to explore the lineage's potential on his own!