Chapter 334: That's All the Ancestor Can Do to Help You
As the lightning struck down, Sakura immediately screamed in fright and began maneuvering the bird-head staff to dodge left and right.
However, it was clear she didn't have much flying experience. Several evasive maneuvers caused the staff to become unstable, and she nearly fell off.
Fortunately, Li Xiaolang, with his years of martial training and quick reflexes, released his magic sword and swiftly wrapped his arm around Sakura's waist with one hand, while grabbing the staff tightly with the other, steadying it again.
"Xiaolang, that's all the ancestor can do to help you."
Seeing this, George revealed a satisfied smile. Then, his whole body erupted with lightning far more massive than that of the Thunder Beast as he stepped forward and grabbed the back of Raijin's neck.
"Seal!"
Unleashing the sealing technique, he forcibly sealed the Thunder Beast's energy, turning it back into an ordinary Clow Card.
With his power, sealing these nearly mana-depleted Clow Cards was no difficulty at all.
He hadn't done it before because he knew these Clow Cards had been left specifically for Sakura by Clow Reed. His purpose was only to study them, not to claim them for himself.
This intervention was an exception. From now on, regarding the collection of Clow Cards, he would mostly stand by and watch. When Sakura and Xiaolang gathered them and he needed them, he would borrow them for research.
"Ancestor, are you alright?"
While holding Sakura, Xiaolang steered the bird-head staff and finally flew to George's side.
George looked at Sakura and Xiaolang and smiled.
"Of course I'm fine. Are you two okay?"
"We… we're fine."
Only then did Xiaolang realize he was still holding Sakura. He quickly let go and lowered his head, his face flushing red.
As for Sakura, her face was already red as a monkey's bottom.
"Kids in this world really do mature early."
Seeing this, George knew his goal had been achieved and sighed to himself.
Honestly, if children in this world weren't so precocious, all he did would have been useless.
He remembered that when he was ten, he was still playing with mud in the fields, shooting marbles, setting off firecrackers, and collecting Water Margin heroes from instant noodle packs, with no interest in girls whatsoever.
But kids in this world were different. Sakura had already developed feelings for her brother's friend Yukito. Lady Tomoyo's psychological maturity rivaled that of most adults.
And in their class, Sasaki Rika had a crush on their homeroom teacher Terada Yoshiyuki.
The key point was that this pair actually got together in the end.
It really validated the saying: "While you're working, your future wife is still in elementary school."
After landing, George took out the Thunder Card he had just sealed and said:
"The sealing of the Clow Cards should have been a competition between the two of you. This time was an exception.
In a while, I will release this card again. At that time, whoever captures it will own it.
That would be more fair. What do you think?"
"Mm-hmm."
The blush on Sakura and Xiaolang's faces hadn't faded yet. They both nodded in agreement.
After clarifying everything, George brought the Thunder Card and teleported with Li Xiaolang back to the villa. Xiaolang finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Xiaolang, you don't blame the ancestor for not giving you this Clow Card directly, do you?"
"Ancestor, I understand you want me to earn the recognition of the Clow Cards with my own ability. Otherwise, even if I obtained the cards, I wouldn't be able to use them properly, let alone become a qualified sorcerer.
I will collect the Clow Cards with my own strength and become their true master!"
Li Xiaolang replied resolutely.
George nodded.
"Not bad. Ambitious. Actually, I was going to say—forget it. Go do your homework. Capturing Clow Cards is important, but so is studying."
He had initially wanted to share his thoughts with Li Xiaolang, but reconsidered.
At that age, if you said too much, the kid might just get rebellious. It was better to let things unfold naturally.
Still, he needed to discuss this with the family head and Xiaolang's mother.
After sending Li Xiaolang to do his homework, George returned to his room and made a long-distance call to Li Yelan, summarizing the situation on his end.
"I didn't expect the guardian beast to choose the successor to the Clow Cards first. That complicates things."
On the other end, upon hearing the situation, Li Yelan's voice revealed concern.
If the guardian beast didn't acknowledge Li Xiaolang and only recognized its chosen successor, then even if Xiaolang ended up with more Clow Cards, he still might not inherit them properly.
If the cards self-sealed again at the end, everything would be in vain.
"Yelan, you need to broaden your perspective. I actually have a different idea."
George then shared his thoughts.
"I've seen Sakura. She's got a good appearance, lost her mother early, her father's a university professor. Being chosen by the guardian beast shows her character is excellent, and she has great spiritual potential.
Most importantly, I can see that she and Xiaolang have great chemistry and get along well.
In my view, if by the end the guardian beast insists on its chosen successor, then Xiaolang can present his Clow Cards as a dowry to Sakura.
When they grow up, he can marry her into the Li family. That way, we get both the Clow Cards and a top-tier sorceress."
"Ancestor, that idea is brilliant!"
After two minutes of silence, Li Yelan's voice came through with admiration.
Truly worthy of being the ancestor—coming up with such a perfect, win-win solution.
"Too bad I can't leave Hong Kong, or I'd definitely go meet my future daughter-in-law."
"No worries, wait for the winter break. I'll find a chance to bring them to Hong Kong so you can meet her."
George replied with a smile.
He remembered that this winter break, Sakura had indeed come to the Li family in Hong Kong and even captured a Clow Card there, meeting a female sorceress who had suffered from one of Clow's malicious tricks.
After hanging up, George used household magic to prepare Xiaolang's dinner in advance, then entered seclusion to study the Li family's lightning arts and the Thunder Card.
For the next while, he almost never left the villa.
During that time, Sakura captured:
—The Sword Card, which granted the user master-level swordsmanship and the ability to cut through anything.
—The Flower Card, a gentle and dance-loving curly-haired lady capable of producing beautiful flowers.
—The Shield Card, capable of blocking all attacks with immense defensive power.
George also gained many insights from studying the Thunder Card until one day, while experimenting with lightning spells in the room he had modified, the entire town suddenly rang with the sound of bells.
Then, he distinctly felt the flow of time in the entire world start to reverse. The sensation was somewhat like using a time turner, but with notable differences.
And this time, time was reversed by a full 24 hours.
(End of Chapter)