A person's reputation precedes them, like the shadow cast by a tree.
Virtually every elder from the Desolate Ancient Era knew exactly what kind of character Green Robe was. Even those not from that era had heard more or less about him. Therefore, when Green Robe appeared, everyone knew this scoundrel was surely up to no good again.
Within the space, Green Robe first glanced at the slowly rotating Li Palace vortex directly below, then surveyed the countless, densely packed Original Sin cultivators gathered around it, before finally lifting his head to look at the dazzling array of Creation Treasure Artifacts filling the sky. He laughed uproariously, "Heh heh heh heh… It seems something momentous is destined to happen at the Li Palace this time."
"And this event will inevitably affect the Original Sin Cataclysm of the present era."
"If the Original Sin Cataclysm of this era is affected, then the fate of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, and the fate of the Wu Dao Age, will also change."
"Heh heh heh heh…" Green Robe laughed uncontrollably, his laughter tinged with schadenfreude and a hint of smug complacency. Moreover, it was even more hoarse, deeper, and more scalp-crawling than before.
"Whether you gentlemen yearn for the Wu Dao Age, wish to seize the initiative within it, or scheme for the title of True Lord of Original Sin, this is an unparalleled opportunity that cannot be missed. It may also be the only chance, or even the last chance."
Although Green Robe was notorious, one had to admit his words were an undeniable, irrefutable truth.
If Original Sin had already chosen its True Lord long ago, or if the True Lord of Original Sin was predestined by fate, then this time, Original Sin might change hands.
If fate had long decreed that the Wu Dao Age would fail to open, then this time, perhaps the Wu Dao Age could successfully commence.
To be more precise:
If anyone had schemed for the title of True Lord of Original Sin for many years, then the transformation of the Li Palace this time would disrupt their so-called machinations.
Similarly, if Fate had used Causality to weave its schemes for many years, with the sole purpose of protecting the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, then Fate's schemes might also be disrupted by the changes at the Li Palace.
Green Robe understood this point clearly.
Not only he, but eight or nine out of ten Original Sin cultivators present also understood.
Precisely because they understood, they had gathered here today.
Just as Green Robe said, this might be the only chance, or the last chance, to alter fate. No matter what, it could not be missed. One had to gamble on it.
Even if one couldn't seize the title of True Lord of Original Sin, seizing an early advantage within Original Sin would suffice.
Even if one couldn't seize that early advantage, enabling the Wu Dao Age to open would not be a waste of the Original Sin Dharmakaya forged through losing oneself and then re-conceiving a new self.
Original Sin was a path of no return; there was no turning back.
Once tainted by Original Sin, one could only grit their teeth and walk this single dark road to the end. Among the countless Original Sin Dharmakayas present, when they first became tainted by Original Sin, it wasn't necessarily for the title of True Lord, nor for an early advantage, nor even for the so-called Wu Dao Age. Tainting themselves might have been out of momentary curiosity, or perhaps greed for Original Sin's immense power.
Only after stepping onto this path did they discover how treacherous the waters ran. Regret was too late, because the path of Original Sin offered no return.
There was no choice but to grit their teeth and continue. Especially after learning that the deeper they sank into Original Sin, they would not only lose their Ego but also their original self, possibly spending their entire lives reduced to unconscious, wandering ghost-like Original Sin Retribution Bodies.
To say they didn't regret it would be a lie.
But regret was meaningless to them. No matter how deep they sank into Original Sin, they could only keep walking.
Fortunately, although many among them had been lost as Original Sin Retribution Bodies for a very, very long time, they had ultimately re-conceived new selves and cultivated Original Sin Dharmakayas.
Compared to the unconscious Original Sin Retribution Bodies within the Nine Palaces of the Desolate Ancient, they were indeed lucky, having endured and emerged.
They originally thought that after re-conceiving a new self and cultivating an Original Sin Dharmakaya, they would reach the end of the Original Sin path and could do as they pleased.
For many Original Sin Dharmakayas, the first thought after re-conceiving a new self was to scheme for the title of True Lord of Original Sin.
The reason was simple.
They all believed that cultivating an Original Sin Dharmakaya qualified them to vie for the title of True Lord.
Even those Original Sin Dharmakayas with little ambition or desire also wanted to compete for it.
After all, cultivating an Original Sin Dharmakaya was no easy feat. Having walked this path, enduring untold hardships, not competing for the title would, firstly, be a disservice to all the Original Sin they had suffered, and secondly, would lead to lifelong regret.
It was like struggling desperately, narrowly escaping death countless times, finally climbing to a mountain peak, only to find a supreme treasure of heaven and earth there. Obtaining it would grant dominion over all. Although many had climbed the peak, and the competitors were numerous, no one would give up. They would gamble with their lives.
Of course.
This was only what those Original Sin Dharmakayas thought when they first conceived self-awareness.
Later, after more experiences, they gradually realized that the Original Sin Dharmakaya was not the end of Original Sin. Beyond it lay the Original Sin Self, the Original Sin Essence, even the Original Sin True Body. After re-conceiving an Ego, they still had to re-conceive their original self, even their true self.
These two paths were likely even longer.
Later still, they gradually realized that although cultivating an Original Sin Dharmakaya qualified one to vie for the title of True Lord, it was merely a qualification.
In terms of qualifications, the Original Sin True Body, the Original Sin Essence, and the Original Sin Self all had greater qualifications than their Original Sin Dharmakayas.
More crucially, above these Original Sin Bodies were the Original Sin Children who had integrated True Blood of Original Sin, and the Original Sin Variables who had even greater qualifications to vie for the title than the Children.
Upon realizing this, many Original Sin Dharmakayas, knowing hope for the title was slim, could only settle for the next best thing: seizing an early advantage within Original Sin. Once the Wu Dao Age opened, at least possessing that early advantage would give them a higher starting point.
"Heh heh heh heh!"
Green Robe laughed heartily again, looking up at the Creation Treasure Artifacts filling the void. "This transformation of the Li Palace is a rare opportunity for Original Sin, and equally a rare opportunity for the Great Dao. Heh heh heh heh…"
"Legend has it that the Book of Fate records: 'When Original Sin finds its True Lord, the Great Dao falls, heaven and earth are reborn, and the Wu Dao Age opens…'"
"Heh heh heh heh, if the records of the Book of Fate are true, then this time, the Great Dao has every hope of changing its fate."
"Heh heh heh heh… In the past, this Ancestral Patriarch never believed Fate was fair. But now, I feel Fate can sometimes be fair. At least, before this opportunity presented by the Li Palace's transformation, the Great Dao and Original Sin are on equal footing. It all depends on who can seize this chance."