"And why is that?"
"Why?"
Gu Qingfeng chuckled. "A person lives in this world. Every word, every action, even every thought, gives rise to different Karma. How could one ever sever it all? How could one ever cut it completely?"
"Amitabha. Layman Gu's understanding of Karma is far deeper than this old monk imagined."
"I wouldn't call it understanding. At most, it's just some reflections."
Yes.
Reflections.
He had never deliberately sought to understand Karma. However, the events he had experienced since awakening in this world had made Gu Qingfeng realize many truths.
"Alright, let's stop here for today. We'll continue another time when we have the chance."
Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to leave, the Old Monk's voice came again.
"Layman Gu, please wait a moment."
Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"The Wu Dao Mountain is about to manifest in this world. Layman Gu must have heard of this as well?"
Gu Qingfeng nodded. "That's right. I've heard something to that effect."
"I wonder what Layman Gu's plans are?"
"Plans? I have no plans."
Gu Qingfeng shook his head. "What plans could I possibly have?"
"Forgive this old monk's bluntness, but when the Wu Dao Mountain manifests, Layman Gu will encounter a mortal tribulation."
"A mortal tribulation? Can't it be avoided?"
"Since it is a mortal tribulation, how can there be talk of avoiding it? It cannot be avoided, nor can it be circumvented."
"So you're saying this mortal tribulation is something I must face, whether I want to or not?"
Although the Old Monk did not say it explicitly, Gu Qingfeng could more or less guess what this so-called mortal tribulation entailed. "What about life and death?"
"This old monk does not know."
"Not knowing is right. If everything could be divined and foretold, wouldn't life be far too dull?"
"If this old monk's guess is not mistaken, Layman Gu should have some sense of this impending mortal tribulation within his heart."
The Old Monk was correct. Gu Qingfeng could indeed feel a sense of impending crisis, and this feeling was unprecedented. At the very least, in his five hundred years of cultivation and countless brushes with life and death, he had never experienced such a sensation before. It felt as if the heavens were collapsing and the earth splitting apart, as if the end of the world was coming.
"And then? What do you want to say?"
"Layman Gu, do not misunderstand. This old monk has no other meaning. I am merely curious, purely so, about how Layman Gu intends to deal with the imminent manifestation of the Wu Dao Mountain, which is also your mortal tribulation."
"That sounds a bit odd."
Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, looking at the ethereal temple atop the misty mountain. "We've known each other for so long, and you've never cared about my life or death before. For you to suddenly show concern this time, I must say, I'm really not used to it. It feels quite awkward."
"This old monk indeed never cared about Layman Gu's life or death before. That is because this old monk knew that Layman Gu, as a fortunate man, had Heaven's favor and could turn misfortune into blessing in all matters."
"And then? This time, this fortunate man no longer has Heaven's favor? And can no longer turn misfortune into blessing?"
"This tribulation is extraordinary. It is a mortal tribulation, and moreover, a destined mortal tribulation."
"Is that so..." Although the Old Monk's words sounded grave, Gu Qingfeng still did not take them to heart. He merely asked, "Can I ask you a question first? If I were to die just like that, what would become of the Bone Jade of Annihilation? And what would become of you, hiding within the Bone Jade of Annihilation?"
"This old monk does not know."
"Good. Then let me ask you another question. Do you wish for me to die, or do you wish for me to live?"
This time, the Old Monk fell silent.
He remained silent for a long time before finally responding, "This old monk does not know that either."
"Hahahahaha!"
Gu Qingfeng suddenly burst into inexplicable, hearty laughter. The laughter was vigorous and exceptionally unrestrained. After laughing, he spoke, "Old Monk, oh Old Monk, it seems you are also lost in confusion."
The Old Monk inquired, "How so?"
"There is one thing you have never admitted, but I know you should be a person from the Wu Dao Era. The Bone Jade of Annihilation is no exception. How you entered this Bone Jade of Annihilation, I do not know. But one thing is certain: you probably never expected the Bone Jade of Annihilation to fuse with me. Similarly, you certainly never expected that I am a person of Original Sin, and moreover, a person of Original Sin who has fused with the Blood of Original Sin."
"What probably makes you feel even more helpless is that the drop of Blood of Original Sin I fused with is an exceedingly rare one that contains life. What is even more terrifying is that my very existence was gestated from that Blood of Original Sin."
"Jun Xuanji told me that someone wants me to become that Venerable Wu Dao of your Wu Dao Era, or perhaps become a second Venerable Wu Dao. And that person might be the so-called Karma, or perhaps the so-called Fate, or perhaps the so-called Original Sin. In other words, no matter who it is, they may have already begun setting the stage long ago, and I am probably just a pawn in their hands."
"That Venerable Wu Dao buried the heavens and earth. I imagine you do not wish for me to become a second him. So, you have always been worried. From the very beginning, you have been trying to persuade me not to seek Karma. Yet you dare not advise too much, nor too heavily. You are afraid, afraid of achieving the opposite effect. Perhaps it is truly destined. Even if I do not wish it, I cannot help but admit that I have inexplicably stepped onto this path."
Gu Qingfeng gazed at the Bone Jade of Annihilation, this world within a flower and a blade of grass. "I do not know if you can leave this Bone Jade of Annihilation. But I think, even if you could leave, you would not simply depart. Because you cannot, and absolutely will not, allow me to become a second Venerable Wu Dao."
"However, you are also helpless. Because you simply cannot stop any of this."
Having said that, Gu Qingfeng asked, "I wonder if what I said is correct?"
Another long while passed.
The Old Monk ultimately let out a sigh. This sigh carried within it countless feelings of helplessness and uncertainty.
"This old monk has long known that Layman Gu is exceptionally intelligent. I have also long known that just because Layman Gu does not speak of something does not mean he is unaware. This old monk is clear, always have been clear..." For some reason, the Old Monk's voice became even more aged and feeble than before. "What Layman Gu said is correct. This old monk is indeed a person from the Wu Dao Era. By chance, I entered this Bone Jade of Annihilation back then, and I completely never expected the Bone Jade of Annihilation to choose you."
"When this old monk learned that you are a person of Original Sin, and moreover, a person of Original Sin whose existence stems from the Blood of Original Sin, I was indeed very surprised and even more worried. Just as you said, this old monk has been trying to persuade you, yet dared not interfere too much. Perhaps I was truly afraid of achieving the opposite effect, but more than that, it is because to this day, this old monk still does not know what kind of existence Layman Gu truly is, nor what kind of Karma is entangled upon your person."
"Jun Xuanji told you that someone wants you to become Venerable Wu Dao, or a second Venerable Wu Dao. And that person might be Fate, or perhaps Karma, or perhaps even Original Sin. However..." The Old Monk's tone shifted. "...that is only a possibility. Even though Layman Gu exists because of the Blood of Original Sin and has fused with a drop of Blood of Original Sin containing life, it does not necessarily mean Layman Gu will definitely become a second Venerable Wu Dao. Who the person behind it all is—whether it is Fate, or Karma, or Original Sin... no one knows."
"All of this is unknown. Especially regarding Layman Gu. Karma may be able to dictate the Fate of all living beings and myriad things between heaven and earth, but it alone cannot dictate Layman Gu's Fate."
Gu Qingfeng asked, "Why is that?"