The Daughter of Original Sin knew the truth, so she didn't find this situation strange at all. But in the eyes of Su Hua, who didn't know the truth, this scene appeared extremely bizarre. She glanced at Gu Qingfeng, who was pouring wine for himself and drinking leisurely, then looked at the Five-Direction Tribulation Sources that had withdrawn their enveloping light from Gu Qingfeng. Her face was utterly dumbfounded, completely at a loss as to what was really going on.
"We haven't even exchanged two words, and you're already withdrawing?"
Gu Qingfeng said with a half-smile, "What's the meaning of this? So many people are watching. Those who don't know better might think you're afraid I'll achieve the true Taiji Golden Core, deliberately stalling and refusing to let me undergo the tribulation. You're all great lords, masters of the Great Dao—surely you wouldn't abuse your power for personal gain, would you?"
No response.
The tribulation sources of the Five-Direction Great Dao remained still in the firmament, motionless, like a painting.
"What's this? Are you really planning to do this? Intending to stall me, refusing to descend any tribulation no matter what, leaving me with an empty, illusory Taiji Golden Core that hasn't undergone tribulation, making others covet it so they all come to snatch my Taiji Golden Core?"
Gu Qingfeng rubbed his chin, eyeing the Five-Direction Great Dao tribulation sources. "I must say, your scheme is quite sinister. This way, I'll have endless trouble from now on. Even if you can't kill me, you'll annoy me to death, right?"
In the distance.
Above the clouds, Qian Shan furrowed his brows and asked with a choked voice, "Is this guy surnamed Gu crazy? Why is he spouting such insane nonsense?"
Crazy?
Su Hua thought so too. She couldn't believe the Five-Direction Great Dao was afraid this guy would achieve the true Taiji Golden Core, deliberately stalling and refusing to descend the tribulation. What did Gu Qingfeng think he was? Could he possibly think he was the Emperor of Heaven himself? That even the masters of the Great Dao would fear him? Was that possible? Even imagining with one's toes, it was impossible!
Madman!
He must be a madman!
But if Gu Qingfeng was spouting insane nonsense, then why had the Five-Direction Great Dao withdrawn their tribulation light? Why!
Su Hua screamed wildly in her heart.
Just then, Gu Qingfeng, standing amidst the clouds, suddenly flipped his hand. In his palm appeared a ball of light—a Taiji light sphere intertwined with yin and yang, profoundly mysterious and wondrous. It seemed to contain infinite spiritual power and endless profundity. Around the light sphere flickered a layer of thunderous sparks, crackling and popping, releasing wave after wave of powerful might.
Golden Core!
This was the Taiji Golden Core!
He had truly gestated the Taiji Golden Core!
Good heavens!
What was he doing summoning his Taiji Golden Core at this moment?
Su Hua's heart leapt into her throat, because Gu Qingfeng was at his most dangerous right now. Since his Taiji Golden Core hadn't undergone tribulation nor received the acknowledgment of the Great Dao, it was, in a sense, an ownerless object. If someone else snatched it, he wouldn't even have a place to cry. Moreover, many great powers' Divine Senses were lurking nearby. Wasn't he worried these great powers might seize this opportunity to obliterate him and steal it?
Sure enough!
When Gu Qingfeng summoned his Taiji Golden Core, those great power Divine Senses hidden in the shadows grew excited one by one. In an instant, forty or fifty Divine Senses surged forth. A few of them even couldn't restrain themselves and rushed forward, though for some reason, they retreated again.
"Don't be afraid."
Not only did Gu Qingfeng not withdraw it, he even proactively reached out his hand and said, "If anyone wants it, just say the word. No need for you to make a move—I can give it to you."
What was he doing?
Was he actually planning to hand over the Taiji Golden Core to someone else?
Was he a madman or a fool?
What kind of fool would be so foolish?
Although the forty or fifty Divine Senses that surged forth were excited and thrilled, some even eyeing it covetously, no one made a move. No one spoke.
They were all old-timers, and judging from the might and killing intent contained within their Divine Senses, they were the most seasoned veterans among those who transcended immortals and demons. They might not know who Gu Qingfeng was, but the bizarre events happening at this moment forced them to be cautious. Especially the inexplicable stillness of the Five-Direction Great Dao tribulation sources—such a strange and peculiar occurrence was truly a legendary marvel through the ages.
When something goes against the norm, there must be something sinister afoot.
These old veterans certainly understood this principle.
Moreover, this young man who had achieved the Taiji Golden Core not only showed no reverence for the Great Dao but even mocked it with his words. Especially the fearless, calm and composed demeanor he exuded made these old veterans unable to gauge him, unable to imagine what kind of exalted figure he truly was.
Most importantly, even if they wanted to snatch it, now wasn't the time.
The tribulation sources of the Five-Direction Great Dao were still overhead. Who would dare to snatch it so brazenly?
"What's this? No one wants it?"
Gu Qingfeng tossed the Taiji Golden Core with one hand, as if playing with a ball, throwing it up and down. "This is the Taiji Golden Core! Once it undergoes tribulation, it gains the qualification to inherit the True Mandate! Once it inherits the True Mandate, its owner could become the Human King! In the future, commanding the world, ruling over humanity—truly formidable."
"This is a heaven-defying opportunity, worth risking everything for! Besides, even if you can't undergo the tribulation, at least you can have the thrill of it! In the future, you can say you were once someone who achieved the Taiji Golden Core. What do you think?"
The many great power Divine Senses were itching to act, yet none dared to make a move.
"I offer it to you, and you still don't dare to take it. This is all the capability you have. You'll stay like this your whole lives. Go on, do whatever you were going to do."
Gu Qingfeng shook his head, deeply disappointed. Then he looked toward Su Hua in the distance and asked, "Sister Su, what about you? Are you interested?"
Gu Qingfeng's voice reached her, causing Su Hua's delicate frame to tremble. Her mind instantly grew flustered, and her peerlessly beautiful face changed color repeatedly. Even if she had any thoughts of snatching it—which she didn't—she wouldn't dare to commit such a transgression as seizing the Taiji Golden Core.
Setting aside whether one could successfully undergo the tribulation or not.
Snatching an opportunity that didn't belong to oneself was itself an act that invited retribution. What awaited might be endless calamities—natural disasters, man-made misfortunes, separation from wife and children. For every cause, there is an effect. Planting an evil cause inevitably yields an evil result.
"Thinking it over, you're the most suitable for this thing. Alright, I'll give it to you."
Gu Qingfeng casually tossed it. A Taiji Golden Core instantly flew over, appearing before Su Hua in the blink of an eye. This frightened Su Hua terribly. Her delicate face lost all color, turning deathly pale and ashen. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She was completely stunned, feeling dizzy, with the heavens spinning and the earth turning.
"You madman... madman... I... you... you... how could you... I... I don't want it!"
Su Hua broke down. That transcendent, calm-as-still-water state of mind—after personally witnessing Gu Qingfeng's vast spiritual power, the might of the punishment thunder contained within, the Taiji Golden Core, and his irreverence toward the Five-Direction Great Dao—could no longer endure at this moment. It completely collapsed. Without a second thought, she pushed the Taiji Golden Core back.