Luohu paused, then changed tack, his tone growing more pointed.
"Fellow Daoist, who among us do you think is most likely to seize the opportunity to attain the Dao in the Primordial Wilderness?"
"Not me, and not you."
"Hongjun."
"When it comes to control over the Primordial Wilderness, to entanglement with this world's fortune, which of the five of us can compare to Hongjun?"
"He has cultivated his power here for countless kalpas, sinking his roots deep into every corner of this world."
"For this opportunity to attain the Dao, he holds the greatest advantage of home ground."
Yang Mei fell silent. Luohu was right.
Hongjun had been rooted in the Primordial Wilderness for countless kalpas.
The one who had unified with the Heavenly Dao. The Dao Ancestor.
He knew every law and every thread of fortune in the Primordial Wilderness by heart.
Even now that the Heavenly Dao was dead, his connection to this world remained deeper than anyone else's.
Yang Mei was a latecomer.
So was Luohu.
Hongjun was the true master here.
Yang Mei said nothing.
But his silence was itself an answer.
Luohu saw it and struck while the iron was hot.
"Surely you don't want to toil your way back from Chaos, only to end up sewing Hongjun's wedding robes for him?"
"As long as you cooperate with me, we can eliminate Hongjun first."
"Then you and I can fight fairly to decide the final victor."
"When that time comes, even if I fall by your hand, I will have no complaints. I will blame only my inferior skill, and my death will be no loss."
He paused, then continued.
"Besides, I believe you will honor our agreement after attaining the Dao."
"Once you attain the Dao, you will surely abide by the agreement the