What exactly happened in the Desolate Ancient Era? Why did everyone remain tight-lipped, even the Witch herself?
Da Xing the Mad Monk racked his brains, but he simply couldn't figure it out. What kind of event could be so terrifying that even an existence like the Witch wouldn't breathe a word about it? Even more baffling was what could be so horrifying that an existence like Genggu Wuming died in that very era.
Across from him, the Witch finally stirred, as if preparing to leave. Yet after drifting only a short distance through the chaotic currents, she seemed to remember something and halted. "Do you truly believe he is the most ideal candidate for the True Lord of Original Sin?"
Da Xing was still immersed in contemplation of the terrifying calamity of the Desolate Ancient Era. Hearing the Witch's sudden question caught him off guard, and he couldn't fathom why she would ask such a strange thing out of the blue.
After a moment, Da Xing finally responded, "Who are you talking about? Young Gu? If so, this old monk can tell you with absolute certainty that throughout the Myriad Heavens and Worlds, since ancient times, Young Gu is undoubtedly the most ideal candidate for the True Lord of Original Sin."
He paused briefly before continuing, "As I said earlier, Young Gu is the most human among all Variables of Original Sin, and also the one least willing to become the True Lord of Original Sin. He does not contend, nor does he covet. He has neither interest nor ambition. Therefore, I believe that if Young Gu were to become the True Lord of Original Sin, it would be beneficial for the Myriad Heavens and Worlds, for all sentient beings of the Great Dao, and for every existence."
"He is the most human, and the most unwilling to become the True Lord of Original Sin," the Witch said softly, her voice light. "These are his strengths, but they are also his weaknesses. If he becomes the True Lord of Original Sin, it would indeed bring benefits to the Myriad Heavens and Worlds and to all sentient beings of the Great Dao, but it would also bring harm."
At this point, she seemed to sigh faintly. "If he is the most suitable candidate to become the True Lord of Original Sin, then he is also the least suitable. He could bring infinite hope to the Myriad Heavens, Worlds, and all sentient beings of the Great Dao, but he could also bring them endless despair."
Da Xing was puzzled. "Why?"
"The reason you already stated—he is the most human among all Variables of Original Sin. You should understand that human nature is complex, and he himself is a proud and untamed man of passion. He has always cared only about those he holds dear. To protect what he cares about, he is capable of anything."
"You said he has no desire to become the True Lord of Original Sin and no interest in the secrets of the Daoless Age. That indicates he fundamentally doesn't care. If one day, the role of True Lord of Original Sin conflicts with the existence he cherishes, what choice do you think he would make?"
"In the past, for the sake of those he cared about, he was willing to become anathema to Heaven and Earth and oppose the Three Thousand Great Daos. In the future, if he becomes the True Lord of Original Sin, how can you guarantee he wouldn't, for the sake of those he cares about, slaughter the Heaven and Earth Great Dao and annihilate all sentient beings?"
"If, one day, the person he cares for truly clashes with these Myriad Heavens and Worlds, forcing him to choose, I believe he would choose that person without hesitation. He has said such words, and I believe he would certainly act on them."
The Witch's words sent a chill down Da Xing's spine.
Previously, he had only considered how Gu Qingfeng was the most compassionate and least willing to become the True Lord of Original Sin. In his view, if Gu Qingfeng ascended to that role, it would benefit Heaven, Earth, the Great Dao, and all sentient beings.
If, on the other hand, someone from the Immortal Dao, Buddhist Dao, Demonic Dao, or even the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands, the Nine Heavens or Nine Netherworlds, claimed the True Lordship, they would surely seize the chance to exterminate rival factions, dominate Heaven and Earth, and possibly become lackeys of the Ancient Clansfolk. In that case, all sentient beings would truly become ants, for such existences possessed no humanity whatsoever.
However, Gu Qingfeng was different. He belonged to no faction, answered to no one, and would not be manipulated by the Ancient Clansfolk. Most importantly, he possessed humanity. If he became the True Lord of Original Sin, he would at least not exterminate others merely to dominate Heaven and Earth. Whether it was the Three Thousand Great Daos, the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands, the Nine Netherworlds and Nine Heavens, or even all sentient beings, they could all continue to exist.
Yet, after hearing the Witch's words, Da Xing realized he had overlooked a critical issue.
He had overlooked Gu Qingfeng's character and temperament.
Da Xing had known Gu Qingfeng for a long time and understood him well. He knew the Witch's words were not exaggerated. If the day ever came when someone Gu Qingfeng cared for clashed with the Heaven and Earth Great Dao, Gu Qingfeng would undoubtedly choose that person. As for the fate of the Heaven and Earth Great Dao and all sentient beings, he would not care in the slightest. Not only would he not care, but to protect those he cherished, he might even slaughter the Heaven and Earth Great Dao itself.
"If anyone else—even the Three Thousand Great Daos or someone from the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands—became the True Lord of Original Sin, no matter how bad the outcome, it couldn't be worse than the Desolate Ancient Era," the Witch murmured softly. "But if he becomes the True Lord of Original Sin, the result might be excellent—better than if anyone else attained it. Simultaneously, the result might be terrible—worse than if anyone else attained it, perhaps even surpassing the calamity of the Desolate Ancient Era..."
"This..." Da Xing was dumbstruck. His eyes wide, face flushed, mouth agape, he stood frozen, at a loss. His expression was incredibly complex—shock, horror, regret, self-reproach, but above all, an infinite sense of relief and boundless fear.
"You are gambling," the Witch continued, "staking not only yourself but also these Myriad Heavens and Worlds and all sentient beings of the Great Dao. If you win this bet, all will be well. If you lose, then all of this will cease to exist..." She shifted her tone slightly. "However, if your sole purpose is to seek revenge against the Ancient Clansfolk, placing your bet on him is not a bad choice. As the saying goes, character determines destiny. His character dictates that after becoming the True Lord of Original Sin, he will inevitably go to war with the Ancient Clansfolk. Whether he can defeat them, however, remains unknown."
"You... I..." Da Xing stammered, unable to form coherent words.
He wished for Gu Qingfeng to claim the True Lordship of Original Sin—for the sake of the Myriad Heavens and Worlds, and for all living beings under the Great Dao. That was his selfless motive.
Yet beyond selflessness, Da Xing also harbored a personal desire: he hoped that after Gu Qingfeng became the True Lord of Original Sin, he would wage war against the Ancient Clansfolk.
However, if seeking revenge against the Ancient Clansfolk meant gambling with the fate of the Myriad Heavens, Worlds, and all living beings under the Great Dao... Da Xing could not bring himself to do it.