Jiang Hao stood calmly before the Seeker of the Dao.
At this moment, the Elder Xu remained kneeling on the ground, overwhelmed with shame.
Years of effort had turned into nothing more than a cruel joke.
Seeing no answer from Elder Xu, Jiang Hao gently raised his hand and helped him to his feet.
However, upon meeting Jiang Hao's gaze, Elder Xu bowed his head once again, unable to look him in the eye:
"We are ashamed before the sages, ashamed before all beings. I questioned you several times without considering that a person like you could grow to such heights in this era.
"Now, someone of your caliber has emerged—someone whom all have heard of. Yet we stubbornly clung to our own beliefs, doing nothing for years. We even worked to justify our ignorance, questioning you. Truly, I am overwhelmed with shame."
Jiang Hao shook his head and said, "It’s natural that you couldn’t find me. Even Chengyun couldn’t find me, so how could you?
"Besides, the path I’ve traveled had nothing to do with you and didn’t require your help.
"You owe me nothing, and I owe you nothing.
"What you owe is to the beings of the world. The Three Thousand Great Daos you approved to give me—those were never mine.
"Of course, this city has provided me with significant assistance.
"If it belongs to you, then I owe you."