Everyone understood. Everything had its advantages and disadvantages, because the universe did not distinguish between benefit and harm at all.
Confidence based on real conditions, experience, and laws was merely normal confidence. Star Gods like You Li Ye Er and Gu Lan Ba Tuo were powerful and wise. If, based on their knowledge and strength, they could absolutely accomplish something, then of course they would be confident.
Back then, Gu Lan Ba Tuo had guarded the Heavenly Gate alone, sealing the Low-Dimensional Gate with one hand. His confidence had been incomparable, but this was the obvious answer that would result even after the universe's physical laws were calculated countless times. It could not be called a miracle.
It was precisely the consciousness beneath such obviousness that was not free.
Yet if a person was destitute and down-and-out, but confidently believed that one day he would become richer than anyone in the world, without the slightest confusion, and no setback could shake that belief—this was true free will.
Of course, he would most likely remain poor until death, perhaps even die a miserable death. If he instead positioned himself reasonably and acted according to all sorts of frameworks—social frameworks, physical frameworks, and so on—then perhaps he could still live out his life normally and comfortably.
The Eternal Ancient One said frankly, "I was shallow, Dad. Congratulations on breaking through your psychological limit."
Heavenly Decline enjoyed that immensely, practically beaming with delight.
Gai Yu wore a strange expression as he said from the side, "Why do I feel like the Eternal Ancient One is cursed? Eternal Ancient One, ever since I met you, I've never seen you win a bet."
The Eternal Ancient One said in astonishment, "What does that have to do with me? I have won before!"
"When?"
"When I