As Zhen Yuanzi's words fell, the Wutu Essence Qi around him, heavy as mountains and firmly suppressing Minghe's Blood Fiend Qi, slowly withdrew.
The Earth Book Divine Light that had been poised to suppress the Blood Sea's filth also quietly receded.
It merely formed a hazy yellowish-brown halo around him, no longer pressing against Minghe with such sharp hostility.
On the seat of honor, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi opened his mouth, a rare flicker of astonishment passing through his eyes.
He looked at Minghe's "sincere" expression, then at Zhen Yuanzi, whose killing intent had clearly faded as he held the gourd. Finally, his gaze settled on Lu Jun, who still seemed somewhat bewildered beside them.
This... could work too?
Had Little Six stumbled upon this by accident? Or was it...
In an instant, he considered something deeper. Had Lu Jun sensed something? Or had inspiration simply struck him?
But regardless, Lu Jun's seemingly rash question had, by sheer coincidence—or rather, through Minghe's "interpretation"—become a marvelous opportunity.
It had pried open a huge crack for reconciliation in what had been a deadlock ready to explode at any moment!
Good! Tai Yi steadied himself, and the pressure on him lessened sharply.
At last, today's discussion concerning "One Attainment, Eternal Attainment" can truly begin.
That old demon Minghe does know how to read the situation and seize an offered way out.
His gaze toward Minghe gained a trace of meaning that was difficult to detect.
Meanwhile, Lu Jun, seated at the side, felt things in the simplest and most direct way.
He stared at the dark-red gourd in Zhen Yuanzi's hand, which radiated a sinister aura.
Feeling the waves that made even his soul uncomfortable, only one thought leaped and churned in his heart:
"Just as I thought! The rumors were true! The Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd really was in Ancestor Minghe's hands!"
A mystery that had troubled him for so long had been answered before his very eyes today—an answer he had personally "asked" out of them.
And he had even witnessed its transfer of ownership firsthand!
Eastern Emperor Tai Yi took in every change, secretly letting out a breath of relief.
He knew deeply that an opportunity could not be missed. He had to strike while the iron was hot and steer the topic back on course.
He composed himself and turned his gaze toward Ancestor Minghe, whose expression had already returned to calm.
"Fellow Daoist Minghe, it is truly fortunate that you accepted the invitation to visit the Sun Star today."
"The minor disturbance earlier was resolved only because you understood the greater good."
"Tai Yi offers thanks first for your consideration of the overall situation."
He nodded slightly. His words both highlighted the "righteousness" of Minghe returning the gourd—
while also subtly expressing gratitude for his cooperation in easing the atmosphere, giving him ample face.
Minghe's scarlet eyes shifted slightly as understanding dawned on him.
As expected, Tai Yi was laying the groundwork for the request to come.
He forced several traces of a "sincere" smile onto his face. His blood-red robes stirred as he cupped his hands in return. "Eastern Emperor, you overpraise me."
"To receive Tai Yi's invitation and explore the supreme wondrous realm together is also this poor daoist's good fortune."
"If some Karma can be partially settled through this opportunity, that is also this poor daoist's wish."
"If fellow Daoist Tai Yi has any request, then so long as it lies within my ability, I will certainly speak all that I know and hold nothing back."
He lowered his posture greatly, and his words even carried a trace of "gratitude" toward Tai Yi's "mediation."
He attributed his earlier concession entirely to Tai Yi's "face" and the "opportunity" of discussing the Dao.
This exchange, seemingly polite but secretly filled with verbal sparring, made Zhen Yuanzi watch coldly from the side, sneering inwardly.
Lu Jun, on the other hand, felt somewhat awkward. Whenever these old monsters spoke, it always seemed as though several veils stood between their words.
Tai Yi no longer bothered with empty pleasantries. His expression turned solemn as he got straight to the point.
"Since that is the case, Tai Yi will speak plainly. The reason I invited fellow Daoist Minghe here today is mainly to ask for one thing."
A warning bell faintly rang in Minghe's heart, but his face remained impassive. "Please speak, fellow Daoist Tai Yi."
"It is this: I wish to seek fellow Daoist Minghe's guidance regarding the supreme divine ability of Manifesting Billions of Avatars through Blood God Sons!"
"An incarnation method?"
The "sincere" smile on Ancestor Minghe's face instantly froze, and the bloodlight deep within his pupils abruptly contracted!
It was here!
As expected, Tai Yi had an ulterior motive!
And he was actually after the foundation of his survival—the Blood God Son Incarnation Great Law!
A powerful sense of vigilance and chill instantly surged through Minghe's heart.
Thoughts raced through his mind.
Why does Tai Yi seek my Blood God Son secret art?
Does he wish to probe this method's weakness?
But the Blood God Sons rely on the Blood Sea's origin. So long as the Blood Sea does not dry up, Minghe cannot die!
This is an authority bestowed by the Heavenly Dao upon the master of the Blood Sea. The flaw does not lie in the divine ability itself!
Even if he learned the method, what could he possibly do to me?
Could he intend to cultivate it himself?
At that thought, Minghe relaxed slightly, but a sense of absurdity immediately arose within him.
He forcefully suppressed his turbulent emotions and revealed just the right amount of "difficulty" and "candor" on his face.
"Fellow Daoist Tai Yi, although my Blood God Son incarnation method may seem wondrous and capable of dividing into billions—"
"in truth... in truth, it has many limitations. It is far less exquisite and profound than the Method of Severing Three Corpses to Attain Dao passed down by the Dao Ancestor!"
He immediately began to belittle his own divine ability.
"You may not know this, but when my Blood God Sons are first condensed, they are merely blood essence containing a trace of my origin mark. Their strength is exceedingly weak, inferior even to ordinary immortals and gods."
"Their existence is less an incarnation and more a 'Seed'!"
"Only when this poor daoist's main body suffers misfortune and completely perishes will a Blood God Son carrying all of this poor daoist's primordial spirit imprints, cultivation realm, and Dao attainment awaken, becoming a new 'Minghe.'"
"Each time, only a single Blood God Son becomes the main body. The other billions of Blood God Sons remain nothing more than insignificant 'Seeds.'"
"Though this divine ability appears to divide into billions, in truth it can preserve only one true self! And its foundation relies entirely upon the filthy, boundless, supremely yin and evil origin of the Blood Sea!"
"Without the Blood Sea's inexhaustible power of utmost filth and corruption as support, this method cannot be maintained at all, much less cultivated to completion!"
"Fellow Daoist Tai Yi," Minghe concluded in a "sincere" tone.
"This method may appear strange and unpredictable, but its limitations are immense. Moreover, it is utterly incompatible with your magnificent True Sun Fire and supremely yang, supremely rigid origin!"
"If cultivated by force, it may cause a clash of origins and even the collapse of one's Dao foundation! If you wish to cultivate an incarnation method, then Slaying the Three Corpses is the grand and orthodox path!"
Minghe's words had disparaged his Blood God Son divine ability until it seemed worthless.
He described its core as a survival trump card dependent on a special environment, exacting an enormous price, and capable only of "resurrection" rather than true "division," doing everything he could to dispel Tai Yi's desire for the method.
Tai Yi quietly listened to Minghe's "analysis," his expression calm and unruffled, as though he had long seen through everything.
He nodded slightly. "Naturally, I understand what Dao Brother Minghe has said."
"Hm?" Minghe froze.
You understand?
Then why did you ask?
"I understand both the mysteries and the limitations of the Blood God Sons."
Tai Yi's gaze turned once more toward Lu Jun, seated at the side. His tone was decisive. "Therefore, I do not intend to cultivate this method myself."
He raised a hand and pointed at Lu Jun, his voice clear and firm.
"I want him to cultivate it."
"Him?"
"Sixth Prince?!"
Minghe and Zhen Yuanzi cried out in surprise almost simultaneously!
Their gazes instantly focused on Lu Jun, filled with indescribable astonishment and confusion!
Minghe's scarlet eyes widened as he stared at the Golden Crow Crown Prince. Although Lu Jun's aura was solid and powerful, his realm was clearly still at the Grand Unity Immortal level. Minghe's mind was in chaos.
You want this little Golden Crow to cultivate my Blood God Sons?
What kind of joke is this!
Leaving aside whether he can withstand the Blood Sea's filthy power, even if he can, what use would this 'Seed' survival art be to him?
Does Tai Yi think he will die at any moment?
Zhen Yuanzi's brows furrowed even more deeply as he scrutinized Lu Jun's body, which radiated a Taotie-like devouring aura.
The Golden Crow Nirvana body possessed limitless potential. If Lu Jun followed the open and righteous path of devouring and the Great Dao of Sun, his future would be immeasurable.
Why did Tai Yi want him to involve himself in Minghe's sinister and bizarre path?
Was this not ruining his own future?
Amid the hall's astonished and doubtful gazes, Tai Yi's voice rang out once more. It was calm, yet like the tolling of the Chaos Bell, making the divine hall hum and causing Minghe and Zhen Yuanzi's mind and spirit to tremble violently.
"No, it is not as simple as having him cultivate an incarnation method."
Tai Yi's gaze was as deep as an abyss, as though it pierced through the barriers of time and space and fell upon the distant, endless end of the Great Dao.
"The path I want him to walk is the Path of Incarnating Billions!"
"The Path of Incarnating Billions...?!"
Ancestor Minghe cried out in shock. The composure he had been forcing himself to maintain instantly shattered, and for the first time, his face revealed an undisguisable expression of near-terror!
Zhen Yuanzi abruptly straightened from his pouf. The light of the Book of the Earth flickered unpredictably in his hand, and his eyes were filled with incredulous shock!
The Path of Incarnating Billions?
"You want him to take that legendary path? One Attainment, Eternal Attainment?"
Before you continue