The Black Pig Monster King had no friends.
Not even a single one.
For one, he didn't like making friends, and for another, those who knew him well wouldn't befriend him either.
To the Black Pig Monster King, Gu Qingfeng was not exactly an enemy, but he was definitely not a friend either.
He had always kept a respectful distance from Gu Qingfeng, avoiding him as far as possible—this was true in the Ancient Era, and even more so in the Present Era.
Back in the Ancient Era, Gu Qingfeng had burned the Nine Heavens, slaughtered the Nine Underworlds, stood alone against the Three Thousand Great Daos, and provoked the wrath of heaven and the resentment of all. In the Present Era, he went even further, becoming a thorn in the side of all existences across the Myriad Heavens with a single flicker of Original Sin Karmic Fire.
He had originally planned to leave quickly and find a secluded place to heal his wounds, but for some reason, as he kept talking, he found himself drawn deeper into the conversation.
Perhaps it was because he had suffered too many grievances along his journey, or perhaps because he had been bullied too severely by the Great Wasteland Magnates over the years. His belly was full of pent-up frustration, making him deeply depressed. Unconsciously, he let down his guard around Gu Qingfeng and was no longer as cautious as before.
Throughout, Gu Qingfeng had remained silent, simply listening attentively.
The Black Pig Monster King did not consider him a friend, and likewise, Gu Qingfeng did not consider the Black Pig Monster King a friend either.
That said.
Not being friends didn't necessarily mean they were enemies.
Putting everything else aside, just based on that special bond they shared from their adventures in the Nine Underworlds—where they would scheme against enemies when they had them, and scheme against each other when they didn't—he would never consider the Black Pig Monster King an enemy.
Moreover, his impression of the Black Pig Monster King was actually quite favorable. Although the guy was a bit despicable, a bit treacherous, and had little sense of morality to speak of, Gu Qingfeng knew he himself was no saint either.
"Old Master Gu, do you know?
All those terrifying existences hiding in the shadows now, the Original Sin beings secretly groomed by the Great Wasteland Magnates, along with the Nine Heavens and Nine Underworlds, Paradise and Hell, Sacred Grounds and Forbidden Lands, the Abyssal Ruins and Desolate Ruins... all sorts of demons and monsters have emerged."
The Black Pig Monster King sighed with emotion. "Earlier, when Genggu Wuming proclaimed to heaven and earth that 'Original Sin is not a sin,' I heard people say that his statement didn't just shatter the peace that had lasted ten thousand years in the Present Era. No!
It didn't just shatter the Present Era's peace, but shattered the tranquility that had persisted from the Primordial Era all the way to the present. At the same time, it also raised the curtain on a grand spectacle."
"When I first heard those words, I didn't quite understand them, nor did I know what spectacle was being unveiled. It wasn't until I entered this Desolate Ancient Black Hole that I gradually began to comprehend. Genggu Wuming's declaration that 'Original Sin is not a sin' not only raised the curtain on the Original Sin spectacle but also on the Desolate Ancient Era spectacle. It might even have raised the curtain on the Daoless Age spectacle as well."
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng walked over and patted his shoulder, smiling slightly. "Great minds think alike."
"Oh?"
The Black Pig Monster King said, "Old Master Gu, do you think so too?"
Indeed.
Gu Qingfeng thought the same.
He didn't have any special feelings about Genggu Wuming proclaiming to heaven and earth that Original Sin was not a sin. However, when Genggu Wuming came to see him, he had a feeling—an extremely strong one.
That feeling told him that it was about to begin.
As for what was about to begin.
Gu Qingfeng couldn't articulate it at the time.
It wasn't until he entered this Desolate Ancient Black Hole that he gradually came to understand. The so-called beginning was exactly as the Black Pig Monster King had said: the beginning of the struggle for the True Lord of Original Sin, the beginning of the Desolate Ancient Era's return, and the beginning of the Daoless Age gradually surfacing.
"By the way, what are your plans from now on?"
"Look at the state I'm in now?"
The Black Pig Monster King's expression made it seem like he even despised himself. "What plans could I possibly have?
Forget about leaving this Desolate Ancient Black Hole alive; whether I can even leave this Desolate Ancient Ruin alive is an unknown."
"There's not even a bird's feather in this Desolate Ancient Ruin. In your current condition, even if no one kills you, you won't last long. In my opinion, you'd better stay here obediently and heal your wounds. As long as I'm alive, this space won't collapse."
"This..." The Black Pig Monster King hesitated.
To be honest, he really wanted to stay here and heal.
Because he also knew that the Desolate Ancient Ruin wasn't just a barren wasteland; it was also filled with countless, innumerable unknowns. No one knew what terrifying things might happen here.
The Black Pig Monster King was well aware that even if he weren't severely injured, his life could be snuffed out in an instant within these ruins.
But as for staying here to heal... he was genuinely afraid.
Whether he was afraid of Gu Qingfeng's presence.
Or afraid of being associated with Gu Qingfeng.
The Black Pig Monster King himself couldn't quite explain it. He was just very afraid. This fear made him panicky, an innate terror that unsettled his very soul.
After much deliberation, the Black Pig Monster King shook his head. "Old Master Gu, I appreciate your kindness, but I think it's better to forget it...
I'm used to being alone."
"What's this? Are you really afraid I'll kill you?"
"No!
That's not it!
I...
I..." The Black Pig Monster King tried to explain for a long time but couldn't come up with a proper reason, utterly unsure how to answer the question.
"Fine. Since you've made your decision, I won't force you. However..." Changing the subject, Gu Qingfeng looked at the Black Pig Monster King with a playful smile. "I want to give you a gift."
"Wh...
What?"
The Black Pig Monster King's heart tightened violently, his mind thrown into turmoil. His intuition told him something bad was coming, especially as he looked at Gu Qingfeng's smiling face. The bad feeling grew even stronger. That sly, mischievous grin at the corner of Gu Qingfeng's mouth was all too familiar to the Black Pig Monster King.
Back when they adventured together in the Nine Underworlds, every time Gu Qingfeng's lips curled into that playful smile, misfortune would befall the Black Pig Monster King.
Now, with that same playful smile gracing his lips again, could it be...
"You...
What are you going to do?"
"Nothing much. Just giving you a palm, that's all. Don't be afraid."
"What!"
The Black Pig Monster King was horrified, his face turning ashen with fear. His first instinct was to run, but this space was created by Gu Qingfeng; there was nowhere to escape. What to do?
Fight?
What a joke.
Even if given ten thousand times the courage, the Black Pig Monster King wouldn't dare lay a hand on Gu Qingfeng.
"Gu, you...
Are you going to kill me?"
"What do you think?"
With that, Gu Qingfeng's figure suddenly and inexplicably vanished, disappearing without a trace.
The Black Pig Monster King was terrified. Just as he was about to release his divine sense to investigate, he sensed something amiss. Looking up, he was shocked to find a hand descending from above as if from the heavens, aiming directly for the crown of his head.
It was a very ordinary hand, slender and long, neither glowing with light nor possessing any profound mysteries. Yet, this utterly ordinary hand felt like the vast heavens and earth that gave birth to all things.