Da Xing the Mad Monk's mind was growing increasingly muddled, and he could no longer discern who was truly the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate.
In his thoughts, if Gu Qingfeng's existence was merely a decoy planted by Wu Dao Daozun, then Taiji Boundless might be the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate. For this very reason, Genggu Wuming had also laid a destined tribulation contingency upon Taiji Boundless.
But then, what did Miao Rulai count as?
It couldn't be that both Taiji Boundless and Miao Rulai were the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate, and therefore, Genggu Wuming had laid a destined tribulation contingency upon each of them, could it?
If the opposite were true—if Gu Qingfeng was not a decoy but indeed the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate—then there was no reason for Genggu Wuming not to have placed a destined tribulation contingency upon Gu Qingfeng.
Taking a step back, even if Taiji Boundless, Miao Rulai, and including Gu Qingfeng were all not the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate, but were all so-called decoys, Genggu Wuming still had no reason to place destined tribulation contingencies only upon Taiji Boundless and Miao Rulai, while ignoring Gu Qingfeng, the greatest Original Sin variable.
This simply made no sense.
Da Xing the Mad Monk truly could not fathom what kind of grand scheme Wu Dao Daozun was orchestrating, nor what counter-intrigue Genggu Wuming was playing.
The only thing he could be certain of was that all Original Sin variables in the ancient heaven and earth might be part of Wu Dao Daozun's grand scheme, with the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate being one among them, and the others all serving as decoys.
Similarly, all destined tribulation contingencies in the ancient heaven and earth should also be part of Genggu Wuming's layout to counter Wu Dao Daozun.
As for existences like Taiji Boundless and Miao Rulai, who were both Original Sin variables and destined tribulation contingencies, Da Xing the Mad Monk pondered that perhaps Genggu Wuming suspected one of these two might be the Original Sin variable recorded in the Book of Fate, and thus had laid her groundwork upon them in advance.
However, Da Xing the Mad Monk still could not understand why Genggu Wuming would ignore Gu Qingfeng.
After all, all signs indicated that Gu Qingfeng was the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate.
Could it be that Genggu Wuming was one hundred percent certain that Gu Qingfeng definitely was not the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate?
Thinking it over and over, Da Xing the Mad Monk could only conceive of two possibilities.
One possibility was that Genggu Wuming was one hundred percent certain that Gu Qingfeng, including all other Original Sin variables, was definitely not the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate. She was only unable to determine the status of Taiji Boundless and Miao Rulai, and thus had laid her contingencies solely upon these two.
Upon reflection, this possibility seemed rather low.
Firstly, if Genggu Wuming could discern that Gu Qingfeng and the other Original Sin variables were not the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate, there was no reason she couldn't discern the same for Taiji Boundless and Miao Rulai.
Secondly, even if Genggu Wuming discerned that one of Taiji Boundless or Miao Rulai was definitely the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate, she wouldn't be foolish enough to lay her contingencies only upon these two, would she? That would be blatantly telling Wu Dao Daozun that she had already seen through his layout.
If Da Xing the Mad Monk were Genggu Wuming, even if he discerned that one of Taiji Boundless or Miao Rulai was the True Lord of Original Sin, he would definitely place destined tribulation contingencies upon all Original Sin variables to confuse Wu Dao Daozun.
Especially upon Gu Qingfeng, this greatest variable—even if he were a decoy, a contingency must be placed upon him.
Yet, Genggu Wuming had not done so.
There must be some secret within this.
Unfortunately, Da Xing the Mad Monk racked his brains but could not figure it out.
He could only sigh, lamenting that when gods fought, a mortal like himself couldn't even understand their moves.
Compared to Wu Dao Daozun and Genggu Wuming, two existences worthy of being called gods, Da Xing the Mad Monk indeed could only be considered a mere mortal. One represented Original Sin, the other represented Fate. Each had their own layout—one laying out calamity variables, the other laying out destined tribulation contingencies; one orchestrating conformity with heaven and acceptance of fate, the other scheming to defy heaven and alter destiny. It was truly dazzling, impossible to understand or see through.
Over here, Da Xing the Mad Monk was so anxious he scratched his ears and cheeks, pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan. In contrast, Gu Qingfeng, while sipping fine wine, glanced at Miao Rulai, then at Taiji Boundless, like a bystander watching the excitement. Rubbing his chin, he said with a smile, "Not bad, not bad. This is getting interesting."
"I say, kid Gu, we're at this critical juncture now, on the verge of a hair-raising crisis, and you still have the mood to watch the excitement? Before the Li Palace origin appears, we should hurry and figure out who is the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate!"
"What's there to figure out? Once the Li Palace origin appears, won't we know who the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate is?"
"You kid... Damn it, really..." Da Xing the Mad Monk was utterly speechless. He naturally knew that once the Li Palace origin appeared, they would know who the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate was. The problem was, by that time, everything would be too late.
Don't be fooled by the current calm. Once the Li Palace origin appeared, chaos would immediately erupt throughout the world. By then, the layouts of those Original Sin Patriarchs, the layouts of the Great Dao Patriarchs, Wu Dao Daozun's layout, Genggu Wuming's layout—all these various schemes would surface and pour forth.
If Gu Qingfeng truly was the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate, by then he might not even have a chance to react before becoming entangled in all sorts of schemes. No matter how powerful his strength or how high his cultivation, it would be useless. Once caught in layer upon layer of schemes, he would become utterly passive, at the mercy of others.
If Gu Qingfeng was not the True Lord of Original Sin recorded in the Book of Fate, the situation would only be worse.
Based on Da Xing the Mad Monk's own past experiences with layouts, inconsequential chess pieces were merely used and exploited. Those behind the schemes wouldn't care about your life or death at all. Not only would they not care, they might send you to your death to break the opponent's game.
In Da Xing the Mad Monk's thoughts, if all Original Sin variables were chess pieces in Wu Dao Daozun's layout, then the purpose of these pieces absolutely wasn't merely to confuse Genggu Wuming.
Think about it: merely the Original Sin spirit could affect the hearts of those touched by Original Sin.
Then what about the Original Sin soul?
Right now, the consciousnesses of these Original Sin Patriarchs were still clear, and they could withstand the influence of the Original Sin spirit. But once the Original Sin soul appeared, who could guarantee their consciousnesses would remain clear?
Perhaps the moment the Original Sin soul appeared, it would immediately trigger Wu Dao Daozun's layout. Then, all Original Sin-touched individuals present—whether Original Sin Dharmakayas, Original Sin selves, Original Sin essence, or even Original Sin true bodies—might even include Original Sin Sons and Original Sin variables—all could be affected, their consciousnesses blurred, perhaps even losing their sense of self.
Just as Da Xing the Mad Monk was filled with immense worry, Gu Qingfeng's rather playful voice came through.
"Da Xing, how chaotic do you think the current situation is?"
"As chaotic as it can possibly be."
"Heh."
Gu Qingfeng laughed. "If I were to add more fuel to the fire, would it become even more chaotic?"
Gu Qingfeng's words left Da Xing the Mad Monk somewhat unable to comprehend. What did he mean by adding more fuel to the fire?