Da Xing the Mad Monk suspected that the Original Sin Anomaly standing atop the mountain peak might be a newly born youngster.
Upon second thought, he felt it was unlikely.
Even an Original Sin Anomaly that had just been born could not conceal itself from the Heaven-Earth Great Dao, let alone become an Original Sin Dharmakaya.
Every Original Sin Dharmakaya had undergone the stages of Original Sin incarnation, Original Sin retribution body, and Original Sin response body—from losing the self, to losing the fundamental self, then gestating a new self to become an Original Sin Dharmakaya.
Even an Original Sin Anomaly born not long ago could not possibly be an Original Sin Dharmakaya from birth.
In other words, this Original Sin Anomaly could not have just been born.
This meant this Original Sin Anomaly had most likely been hiding in the shadows all along.
If that were truly the case...
Then it was far too terrifying.
Da Xing the Mad Monk might not know whether this Original Sin Anomaly had managed to conceal itself from the Nameless One of Antiquity or the Divine Sense Demonic Thoughts of the Primal Age.
But one thing he could be certain of was that this Original Sin Anomaly had definitely concealed itself from the Heaven-Earth Great Dao.
Otherwise, it would have faced the judgment of the Heaven-Earth Great Dao.
Even if it had been hiding in the Endless Desolate Ruins beyond the heavens, where heavenly judgment could not reach, the overlords of the Great Dao would have stepped forward to drag it out.
Moreover, the Endless Desolate Ruins beyond the heavens were not only fraught with danger but also hid countless Original Sin patriarchs scheming for the Original Sin True Lord.
If an Original Sin Anomaly hid within the Endless Desolate Ruins beyond the heavens, it would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den. Even without the overlords of the Great Dao intervening, it would likely be devoured by those patriarchs coveting the Original Sin True Lord.
In short, as long as an Original Sin Anomaly existed, it was impossible for it to hide in the shadows and evade the overlords of heaven and earth.
If there truly was an Original Sin Anomaly that had hidden until now, evading the overlords of the Heaven-Earth Great Dao, then the existence of this Original Sin Anomaly was probably unimaginable.
"Kid Gu, this fellow's existence is absolutely not simple. And by the looks of it, he comes with ill intent. You must be careful."
As soon as Da Xing the Mad Monk's words fell, the Original Sin Anomaly standing atop the mountain peak suddenly attacked without warning, its speed incredibly fast, arriving in an instant.
Too fast.
So fast that even someone as powerful as Da Xing the Mad Monk, and even Gu Qingfeng, had no time to react.
Gu Qingfeng acted purely on instinct, raising his hands to guard in front of him.
However, the moment he raised his hands, he felt a terrifying force transmit through, causing him to grunt. At the same time, Gu Qingfeng exerted force with a fierce push, unleashing a punch.
Boom!
Gu Qingfeng was sent staggering backward, while his opponent was also forced back by his punch.
Neither of them stopped. They lunged toward each other, each unleashing another punch to collide.
Boom!
This punch sent both of them staggering backward once more.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Gu Qingfeng and that Original Sin Anomaly exchanged five or six punches in mid-air. Each time, Gu Qingfeng was sent staggering back, and his opponent was similarly forced back.
Witnessing this scene, Da Xing the Mad Monk was inwardly shocked.
Others might not know, but Da Xing the Mad Monk was aware that Gu Qingfeng's physical body was likely the legendary Immortal Indestructible Body. Even if it hadn't fully awakened yet, it wasn't something just anyone could shake. It was no exaggeration to say that in all of ancient and modern times, those capable of shaking Gu Qingfeng's physical body were absolutely few and far between.
He also understood better than anyone how ferociously terrifying a single punch from Gu Qingfeng was. In all of ancient and modern times, those capable of withstanding a punch from Gu Qingfeng were absolutely not many.
And now, this mysterious Original Sin Anomaly could not only withstand the might of Gu Qingfeng's punch but could actually shake Gu Qingfeng's physical body.
Although Da Xing the Mad Monk knew the other party's existence was not simple, he hadn't expected it to be this terrifying.
Within the arena, after exchanging five or six punches, neither Gu Qingfeng nor that Original Sin Anomaly made another move. The Original Sin Anomaly returned to the mountain peak, still appearing ethereal and flickering, now you see it, now you don't.
Gu Qingfeng also showed no signs of discomfort, merely slightly furrowing his brow, narrowing his eyes, and staring at his opponent.
As the saying goes, a single move from a master reveals their caliber.
Although the two had only exchanged five or six punches, those five or six exchanges had given each side a rough answer in their hearts.
This answer wasn't about who was stronger or weaker, nor about how deep the other's strength truly ran.
Rather, they knew that continuing a contest of brute force was meaningless; neither could gain the upper hand over the other.
If they wanted to probe the other's depths or eliminate them, they would have to get serious.
"I bear no ill will. It's just that I have long heard of the Nine Nethers Emperor's renowned name. Meeting by chance this time, I couldn't resist the itch to exchange a few moves. I hope you can forgive my presumption."
The Original Sin Anomaly clasped its fists in a simple, straightforward explanation of its intentions.
"Is that so?"
Gu Qingfeng responded indifferently, "So it was just a chance encounter, and you attacked merely to spar? I thought you came specifically to kill me. You really gave me quite a scare."
Gu Qingfeng's words sounded like sarcasm, though they weren't entirely sarcastic, because Gu Qingfeng could tell the other party truly bore no malice—at the very least, he was certain this wasn't an attempt to eliminate him. If the other party had truly come to kill him, Gu Qingfeng would never have let it end here.
"If the illustrious Nine Nethers Emperor were truly so easy to kill, you probably wouldn't have survived until now. How many existences in heaven and earth wish to eliminate you? I believe I don't need to say more; you should understand better than anyone."
"So it seems," Gu Qingfeng said with a faint smile, "you also want to kill me?"
"Throughout ancient and modern times, anyone with great ambition wishes to eliminate you, Nine Nethers Emperor."
"You're quite good at telling the truth. However... what exactly is this 'great ambition' you speak of?"
"Naturally, to slaughter the Three Thousand Great Daos, ascend as the Original Sin True Lord, and usher in the Era of No Dao."
"There's one question I've never been able to figure out. Since we're on the topic, I might as well ask you: by killing me, can you slaughter the Three Thousand Great Daos, ascend as the Original Sin True Lord, and usher in the Era of No Dao?"
The Original Sin Anomaly replied, "No."
"Since you can't, then why kill me? Wouldn't that be superfluous?"
"If you are not killed, others' hopes of ascending as the Original Sin True Lord are slim, even hopeless. If you are killed, perhaps in the end one might not necessarily ascend as the Original Sin True Lord, but at least there is hope, and a great hope at that."
"I see," Gu Qingfeng laughed. "So after all this fuss, it turns out I'm blocking everyone's path to fortune."
"Long ago, I heard that you seemed to have no interest in the Original Sin True Lord. I always thought it was just a rumor. Only upon meeting you today did I realize you truly appear to have no interest in the Original Sin True Lord."
"Oh ho!" Gu Qingfeng asked curiously, "You figured that out too? How did you see it?"
"I didn't see it, but I could sense it."
"Really?" Gu Qingfeng shook his head and sighed. "What a pity."
"A pity for what?"
"A pity that you're the only one who can sense my lack of interest in the Original Sin True Lord. If everyone were like you, if everyone knew I had no interest in the Original Sin True Lord, I wouldn't have become such a thorn in everyone's side."