Gu Qingfeng had once heard Da Xing the Mad Monk say that the Breath of Original Sin was formed from the might of Wu Dao Daozun, the Light of Original Sin from his obsession, and the Flower of Original Sin from his supernatural powers. There also seemed to be something called the Essence of Original Sin, which was said to be formed from his spirit.
Gu Qingfeng was very familiar with the Breath of Original Sin.
He had also seen the Light of Original Sin.
As for the Breath of Original Sin being formed from Wu Dao Daozun's might and the Light from his obsession... Gu Qingfeng couldn't really sense that.
He had always wanted to find a Flower of Original Sin or some Essence of Original Sin to study, but he hadn't encountered any in the Li Palace Void. He never expected to run into a Flower of Original Sin here in this dead-yet-intact Ancient Wasteland Space. Since he had come across it, he naturally couldn't let it slip by.
When the three Original Sin Dharmakayas engaged in combat noticed Gu Qingfeng's figure, they all stopped fighting at once, each staring at him with a predatory gaze.
"My apologies, but I'll be taking this thing. I trust the three of you have no objections?"
Gu Qingfeng didn't mince words, stating his purpose directly.
The three Original Sin Dharmakayas in the area looked at each other, wide-eyed and wary. They knew many Great Dao Ancestral Patriarchs and Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs had been swept in. Each was aware that if they couldn't quickly defeat the other two and secure the Flower of Original Sin, they would only attract more enemies, making it even harder to obtain the flower later.
However, none of the three had expected the newcomer to be neither a Great Dao Ancestral Patriarch nor an Original Sin Ancestral Patriarch, but Gu Qingfeng.
If it had been a Great Dao or Original Sin Ancestral Patriarch, they might have had the qualifications for a fight. Even facing an Original Sin Son or other Original Sin variables, they wouldn't have been too afraid. But facing Gu Qingfeng, the three Original Sin Dharmakayas didn't even have the courage to engage him in battle.
After all, back in the Li Palace Void, Gu Qingfeng had been surrounded by countless Ancestral Patriarchs from both the Great Dao and Original Sin factions, yet none dared to make a move. Even powerhouses as formidable as the Sacred Grounds didn't dare to breathe loudly, let alone three mere Original Sin Dharmakayas.
Even if they were utterly unwilling in their hearts, they could only accept their fate. Who told them to run into Gu Qingfeng, a man known as the greatest threat and the greatest variable in all of antiquity and the present world?
Immediately, one of the Original Sin Dharmakayas leaped up and flew away.
Shortly after, the second Original Sin Dharmakaya also departed in succession.
Only the last Original Sin Dharmakaya remained. Perhaps he was truly too unwilling to leave, lingering by the Flower of Original Sin, staring intently at Gu Qingfeng.
Gu Qingfeng chuckled and casually remarked, "What's the matter? You want to have a go with me?"
"So many Great Dao and Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs earlier didn't dare to fight you, sir. How could someone as insignificant as myself dare to cross hands with the Nine Nethers Emperor, whose might shakes both antiquity and the present world?"
Gu Qingfeng laughed in spite of himself. "You're quite sensible, aren't you?"
"When one's skills are inferior, there's no choice but to be sensible."
As he spoke, this Original Sin Dharmakaya moved away from the side of the Flower of Original Sin, then cupped his hands in a salute. "However, there is one matter this humble one does not understand. I hope the Nine Nethers Emperor can enlighten me."
Seeing the other party being so polite, Gu Qingfeng felt rather puzzled. "What is it you don't understand?"
"Back in the Li Palace, you publicly stated that you had no interest in the position of Original Sin True Lord, nor would you Ascend to the Pinnacle to become the Original Sin True Lord and usher in the Era Without Dao. Is that correct?"
"That's right."
Gu Qingfeng nodded, walking over to the Flower of Original Sin. He squatted down, examining the flower as he asked, "So what about it?"
"May I ask, sir, is that truly your decision?"
"Of course."
"Since you have no intention of Ascending to the Pinnacle to become the Original Sin True Lord, why come here to fight for this Flower of Original Sin?"
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng turned his head to glance at the speaker. With that one glance, the Original Sin Dharmakaya in the distance immediately grew alert, retreating swiftly while the power of Original Sin within him surged and roiled.
"Don't misunderstand. I have no intention of making a move. As for snatching this Flower of Original Sin, it's not for the purpose of Ascending to the Pinnacle to become some Original Sin True Lord. It's purely because I've never seen this thing before and I'm a bit curious, so I wanted to find one to play with."
The Original Sin Dharmakaya in the distance seemed somewhat incredulous. "That's all?"
"That's all."
After receiving this confirmation, the other party fell silent for a long moment. He then cupped his hands again and asked, "This humble one has actually always had a question I wanted to ask you, sir. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity. Since I am fortunate enough to meet you today, I wonder if you could answer one more question for this humble one."
Perhaps worried about angering Gu Qingfeng, he quickly added, "If you have no time, sir, I am willing to wait. If you do not wish to answer, I will leave immediately."
"Just based on how politely you keep calling me 'sir,' I can't bear to refuse you."
Gu Qingfeng squatted on the ground, squinting his eyes as he looked at the Flower of Original Sin, which resembled crystal. He smiled and said, "Anyway, I'm just idling here. I have plenty of time to spare right now. Ask away."
The other party cupped his hands respectfully and said sincerely, "Thank you for your indulgence, sir!"
To tell the truth, this Original Sin Dharmakaya was really quite polite. He referred to himself humbly as 'this humble one,' addressed Gu Qingfeng respectfully as 'sir' repeatedly, and frequently cupped his hands in salute with great courtesy. Whether it was genuine or feigned, at least the surface decorum was impeccably maintained.
"Alright, alright, no need for such politeness. Just ask whatever you want."
"Sir, you are clearly the most qualified and possess the greatest strength to Ascend to the Pinnacle and become the Original Sin True Lord. Why do you refuse to do so?"
"Didn't I just say? I have no interest in the Original Sin True Lord, not a shred of it."
"Then does sir have no interest in the Era Without Dao either?"
"None."
After saying this, Gu Qingfeng shook his head again. "Well, I can't say absolutely none. Let's just say my interest isn't very great. At least, it's not great enough to give me the impulse to fight for the position of Original Sin True Lord. Put it this way: if the Era Without Dao is ushered in, I'll definitely go take a look. If it isn't, that's fine too. To me, it's optional."
"Does sir not wish to break free from the shackles of karma, transcend the laws of the Great Dao, and master your own destiny?" the other party pressed. "Is sir willing to be manipulated by karma, arranged by fate, and resign yourself to heaven's will for life after life?"
The words of this Original Sin Dharmakaya were somewhat intense, carrying a tone of frustration at Gu Qingfeng's perceived lack of ambition.
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng turned his head to look at the other party again and chuckled. "That's right. I was born without great ambition, so I can only resign myself to heaven's will. If you're unwilling, go change your own destiny. As for me, I've accepted my fate."
"If this humble one possessed your strength, sir, I would definitely spare no effort to Ascend to the Pinnacle and become the Original Sin True Lord, slaughter the Three Thousand Great Daos, and usher in the Era Without Dao. I would never choose to resign myself to heaven's will like you, sir. Even without your strength, I would still strive with all my might to Ascend to the Pinnacle and become the Original Sin True Lord, to usher in the Era Without Dao."