"So then?"
"What 'so then'?"
"I'm asking, what was the intention behind White Bone Old Demon's visit for others to see? What was the purpose?"
"Are you playing dumb or are you really that dense? Isn't it obvious?"
"Tell me."
"The purpose of White Bone Old Demon visiting you for others to see couldn't be clearer. He wanted to tell everyone that he, White Bone Old Demon—no! To be precise, it's the Blood River Patriarch behind him—is on your side. Well, not exactly on your side, but on the side of Original Sin. He hopes you will ascend to become the True Lord of Original Sin, thereby ending the Current Era, opening the Era of No Dao, and completely erasing Fate!"
"Is it really that simple?"
Gu Qingfeng slightly furrowed his brows and asked, "If it were truly that simple, the Blood River Patriarch wouldn't need to go to such lengths, would he?"
"Nonsense, of course it's not that simple."
Da Xing the Mad Monk explained, "This old monk just said that most of the beings who oppose Fate probably died in the Ancient Desolation Era. Throughout the ages, Fate's lackeys have been hunting down those who oppose Fate. Even today, although a few who oppose Fate remain, they are hidden very, very deep."
"Now, the Blood River Patriarch is the first to step forward. In this old monk's view, firstly, he wants to tell the other beings who oppose Fate that the time has come, it's time to step out. Secondly, naturally, he also wants to take this opportunity to tell Fate's lackeys, letting them know that if they want to erase Original Sin, they must first get past him. Thirdly, he also wants to tell you, kid, to make you understand that you are not fighting alone."
"Is that so..." In truth, when White Bone Old Demon visited him, Gu Qingfeng also knew things weren't that simple. There must be some hidden purpose behind it, and it was definitely related to Original Sin and Fate.
It's just that he still hadn't figured out these two major factions of Original Sin and Fate. He didn't know what beings were in the Original Sin faction, nor what beings were in the Fate faction.
Upon inquiry, Da Xing the Mad Monk was also quite troubled by this matter. "Kid Gu, don't think you're the only one who doesn't understand; this old monk doesn't either. And the waters here are deep, extremely complex. It's not something that can be explained clearly in a sentence or two."
Da Xing the Mad Monk took off the hat on his head, rubbing his bald scalp as he continued, "As for who are Fate's lackeys, that's really hard to say. But based on the news this old monk has received, most of those bastards from the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao are Fate's lackeys. For example, that bunch around the Great Sun Radiant Emperor, and that bunch around the Buddha Emperor of Western Heaven—they're all damn Fate's lackeys through and through."
"As for the Thirty-Six Cave Heavens and Seventy-Two Blessed Lands... how to put it? If you say they are Fate's lackeys, they secretly cultivate Original Sin individuals. If you say they oppose Fate, they are in cahoots with Fate. To put it simply, the Thirty-Six Cave Heavens and Seventy-Two Blessed Lands are all two-faced opportunists. They have preparations for both hands. Whether Fate is erased or Original Sin is erased, they have countermeasures."
Sighing, Da Xing the Mad Monk said, "Actually, this old monk can understand them. After all, no one wants their own fate to be controlled by others. They all hope to grasp Fate in their own hands. Unfortunately, the beings behind Fate are too powerful, like gods. To ensure their legacy continues, they can only obey Fate's arrangements."
"Don't you think they're just watching the show. Those guys from the Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands are all observing the situation right now. Once they see Fate gaining the upper hand, they will all lean towards Fate and spare no effort to erase you."
"On the other hand, if you, kid, gain the upper hand, or if Original Sin gains the upper hand, they might also help Original Sin erase Fate."
Gu Qingfeng nodded in acknowledgment, then asked again, "I can understand these Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands making two-handed preparations. But what about beings like the Great Sun Radiant Emperor and the Buddha Emperor of Western Heaven, Miaorulai? Are they really willing to have their own fate controlled by others?"
"Them?"
Da Xing the Mad Monk shook his head like a rattle-drum. "If Fate revives, their fate won't be controlled by others. On the contrary, they will definitely control the fate of others."
"The ones behind Fate are the Ancient Clan, right? If Fate truly revives, then the ones who will rule over all things and living beings in this world will be the Ancient Clan. It couldn't possibly fall to the Great Sun Radiant Emperor and the Buddha Emperor of Western Heaven, could it? Unless they themselves are Ancient Clan members."
"Neither the Great Sun Radiant Emperor nor the Buddha Emperor of Western Heaven are Ancient Clan members."
"There you have it. In the end, their fate is still held in the palms of the Ancient Clan."
"Their fate might be held in the palms of the Ancient Clan, but aside from the Ancient Clan, the Great Sun Radiant Emperor and the Buddha Emperor of Western Heaven control the fate of the Three Thousand Great Daos. And this old monk can tell you for sure, even if Fate truly revives, the Ancient Clan will only remain behind the scenes. At that time, the Great Sun Radiant Emperor and the Buddha Emperor of Western Heaven might truly become the Heaven's Will!"
"These two guys are that eager to become the Heaven's Will that rules over all things?" Gu Qingfeng laughed. "For the sake of becoming Heaven's Will, they are willing to have their own fate controlled by the Ancient Clan?"
"To each their own ambition. You, kid, just want to hug beauties and drink fine wine all day. Can't they want to become Heaven's Will? People live for something. Some seek fame, some seek profit, some want their legacy to continue for generations, and some want the admiration of the world. Not to mention becoming the Heaven's Will that rules over the fate of all things. If given the chance, who wouldn't want to be Heaven's Will for once? If it were you, wouldn't you want to?"
Gu Qingfeng shrugged, neither affirming nor denying.
"Moreover, whether it's the Great Sun Radiant Emperor or the Buddha Emperor of Western Heaven, they are no fools. On the contrary, each is more cunning than the last. They stand high and see far. It's not impossible they've seen the future. And... to be honest, if I were them, this old monk would also choose to stand on Fate's side."
"After all, Fate has a greater chance of winning, and there are more beings standing on Fate's side. It's not that this old monk deliberately pours cold water on you, but the current situation is just like that. No matter how you look at it, the hope of Original Sin erasing Fate isn't too great. Even though you, kid, are an Anomaly... but..." As he spoke, Da Xing the Mad Monk sighed repeatedly.
"Most importantly, the ones behind Fate are those Ancient Clan members. You, kid, probably don't know just how terrifying those Ancient Clan members are, do you?"
"How terrifying?"
"Even the Great Dao Progenitors of the Ancient Desolation Era fell one after another. You should be able to imagine how terrifying the Ancient Clan is. If... there are gods in this world, those Ancient Clan members are the gods, the gods who rule over all things and living beings in this world."