Eternal Great Thousand Venerable was silent for a long time before he finally came back to himself. Now it was not only Gu An who frightened him—even Hongyi frightened him too.
With Gu An sheltering her, once Hongyi became a Saint, if she came knocking at his door then, he would still have to die.
No!
He had to resolve this karma!
Eternal Great Thousand Venerable's eyes flickered as he sank into deep thought.
Continuing to scheme against Hongyi would absolutely be courting death.
Eternal Great Thousand Venerable felt there was still room to maneuver, because Hongyi had yet to grow up.
Since Hongyi's growth was destined, why shouldn't he help her along the way, making amends by constantly releasing goodwill?
In any case, he could no longer possibly strangle Hongyi in the cradle. Faced with a Saint, he could only curry favor; meeting force with force would mean certain death.
After thinking it through, Eternal Great Thousand Venerable raised his right hand. A Silver Lotus flew out from his palm, drifting away, crossing spacetime, and falling into a dark void.
"Old Ancestor, I need help."
Eternal Great Thousand Venerable's voice came from within the Silver Lotus, his tone restored to its former coldness.
Early the next morning, Gu An came to find Hongyi and received her answer. She had changed her mind and no longer wanted to leave with him. She wanted to continue roaming the mortal world and focus on comprehending the Dao.
Gu An was very gratified, because in his view, as long as Hongyi did not leave the Heavenly Dao, no matter where she went, she would still be right under his nose. There was no true separation between the two of them at all.
He hoped Hongyi would not become his appendage, but would