Eight-Armed Yama was one of Free Emperor Mo Wentian's many friends, and he had always admired the Free Emperor's character. Therefore, when Free Emperor Mo Wentian stepped forward intending to stop the Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs present, Eight-Armed Yama's heart was filled not only with surprise but more so with disappointment and a kind of anger.
"Brother Free, if I recall correctly, you once said with your own mouth that although you are within Original Sin, your heart lies neither in Original Sin nor in the Great Dao."
Free Emperor Mo Wentian nodded in affirmation, saying, "Those words were indeed spoken by me."
"Since that is the case, then dare I ask, Brother Free, what is your intent in stepping forward to stop us?"
Eight-Armed Yama's solemn face was filled with anger as he shouted, "If you are attached to the Great Dao, just say so! Even if you were to stop us from opening the Daoless Age alongside those Great Dao Ancestral Patriarchs, I would not blame you. That is your choice. As a friend, I would certainly respect your choice."
"But!"
"You should not have deceived me!"
"This is not something friends should do to each other. All these years, I have trusted you in vain!"
Among the many Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs present, quite a few were also friends of Free Emperor Mo Wentian. Discovering that Free Emperor Mo Wentian had stepped forward to stop them, they felt the same disappointment and anger as Eight-Armed Yama.
The reason for their anger was not that Free Emperor Mo Wentian had ultimately chosen to stand on the side of the Great Dao, but that they had misplaced their trust in such a loyal and righteous friend.
"I am within Original Sin, but my heart lies neither in Original Sin nor in the Great Dao. These are words I, Mo Wentian, once said, and they remain my words now."
Free Emperor Mo Wentian looked at Eight-Armed Yama and the other Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs, saying, "The reason I step forward today to stop you all is likewise neither for Original Sin nor for the Great Dao, but for a friend!"
"Brother Yan, you just said that no matter whether I choose the Great Dao or Original Sin, you would not blame me, because it is my choice, and as a friend, you would respect my choice!"
"I give the same words back to you."
Free Emperor Mo Wentian said, "You Di is also my friend. Although I do not know why he has chosen to 'let go of himself,' as a friend, I likewise respect his choice."
If anyone else had said they were stepping forward today not for Original Sin or the Great Dao, but for a friend, perhaps no one would have believed it. But when these words came from Free Emperor Mo Wentian's mouth, none of the assembled Ancestral Patriarchs present doubted them.
The world knew that Free Emperor Mo Wentian valued loyalty and righteousness above all.
For a friend, he could climb mountains of blades and descend into seas of fire. No matter where he was, if a friend was in trouble, he would rush over to lend his full support.
He had once, for a friend from the Nine Heavens, ventured alone into the Nine Netherworlds. He had also, for a friend from the Nine Netherworlds, stormed the Nine Heavens in anger.
He had once, to resolve a feud, not hesitated to harm himself. He had also, to save a life, not hesitated to punish himself.
For friends, he had been swept into spatial turbulence and into forgotten spaces. He had even, for friends, violated the Heavenly Dao's laws and been judged by the Heavenly Dao itself.
Today, not hesitating to make enemies of all the Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs was nothing strange for Free Emperor Mo Wentian.
It was precisely because Free Emperor Mo Wentian valued loyalty and righteousness that his friends were spread throughout this ancient heaven and earth.
It was precisely because his righteousness reached the heavens that he was hailed as a true hero and champion of this ancient heaven and earth.
"What a loyal and righteous Free Emperor you are!"
Eight-Armed Yama glared angrily at Free Emperor Mo Wentian, saying, "Dare I ask, am I your friend?"
"Of course!"
"Since that is the case, why do you not respect my choice?"
Before Free Emperor Mo Wentian could respond, Green Robe Ancestor, not far away, immediately began to fan the flames, letting out a sinister chuckle. "Lord Yama, do you still not understand? For Mo Wentian, your friendship naturally isn't as deep as his with You Di! Hehehe! Lord Yama, forgive me for saying something you won't like to hear, but I truly feel pity for you. You've really chosen the wrong person to befriend!"
Free Emperor Mo Wentian responded, "If you were on a battlefield, locked in a life-and-death struggle due to some feud, I, Mo Wentian, would absolutely not interfere. But right now, You Di is in the process of 'letting go of himself.' Brother Yan is actually joining forces with them to try and stop him. Such a case of many bullying the few, and moreover, planning to take advantage of his vulnerable state—I, Mo Wentian, cannot stand idly by."
"Hahaha!"
Eight-Armed Yama did not get angrier but instead laughed, his laughter exceptionally carefree. After laughing, he looked at Free Emperor Mo Wentian and shouted, "Good! Good! Good! Truly worthy of being the righteous Free Emperor whose honor reaches the heavens! I indeed did not misjudge you, and I certainly did not befriend the wrong person! Today, for the sake of your face, Free Emperor Mo Wentian, I have decided to withdraw."
True to his word, Eight-Armed Yama immediately flashed away, disappearing from the crowd.
After Eight-Armed Yama withdrew, more than twenty other Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs withdrew one after another. Moreover, these Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs were also friends of Free Emperor Mo Wentian.
As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together.
The friends Free Emperor Mo Wentian made might include great saints or great sinners. Yet, whether saint or sinner, whether of Original Sin or the Great Dao, most were people who valued loyalty and righteousness.
If one did not value sentiment and righteousness, one could absolutely not become Free Emperor Mo Wentian's friend. Free Emperor Mo Wentian would disdain to call such people brother.
As they spoke, some more Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs withdrew one after another. Although they could not be considered friends with Free Emperor Mo Wentian, they had some degree of acquaintance and also respected Free Emperor Mo Wentian's character.
Although many Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs withdrew because of Free Emperor Mo Wentian, it did not affect the overall situation. Among those present who wanted to stop You Di from 'letting go of himself,' if there weren't ten thousand, there were at least several thousand. Losing one Eight-Armed Yama still left many Sons of Original Sin.
Regarding this, those Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs who wanted to stop You Di did not take it seriously, nor did they pay it any mind.
"Hehehe! Mo Wentian, your face really is quite significant!"
Green Robe Ancestor laughed, "However, relying on just you alone, even adding Lady Wuyue, if you think you can stop us, isn't that a bit too fanciful!"
"I wonder if adding just one more person would be enough."
Suddenly.
A cold, icy voice came through. Immediately after, a black shadow streaked across and appeared beside Gu Qingfeng.
It was a man dressed in black.
The man's figure was tall and straight, majestic and extraordinary. His demeanor was cold and stern, his expression icy. Around his body shimmered a faint purple radiance, like a round purple moon.
It was a purple moon brimming with demonic energy, a purple moon filled with baleful aura.
It was none other than Demon Emperor Weiyang, Ren Tianxing.
For Free Emperor Mo Wentian to step forward to protect You Di was one thing, but why was Demon Emperor Weiyang now also stepping forward to protect You Di?
Free Emperor Mo Wentian valued loyalty and righteousness; for a friend, he would not hesitate to make enemies of all the Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs. Everyone could somewhat understand that.
But why was Demon Emperor Weiyang stepping forward?
Everyone knew Demon Emperor Weiyang was notoriously cold and ruthless, a mass murderer, and moreover, a demon born of heaven and earth. Could he also be friends with You Di?
Even if they were friends, was this friend, You Di, worth him risking his life to make enemies of all the Original Sin Ancestral Patriarchs?