The Apricot Realm's flow of time differed slightly from that of the outside world.
"Senior Long Xing, I am about to die!"
"Hm?"
"After I die, the Lecherous Old Daoist will inevitably invade the Apricot Realm... Senior, I have a question: can one mountain hold two tigers?"
"What do you mean?"
"You need only answer whether it can or cannot."
"It would be difficult."
"Good. As long as you know it would be difficult, that is enough! The nine ancestral trees were born from chaos and are rare treasures of the world. Once the Lecherous Old Daoist enters the Apricot Realm, his first reaction definitely will not be to destroy you. Nor does he possess such ability. Most likely, he will appeal to your feelings and reason with you, asking you to move to Gui-Zhe Holy Mountain and reside there permanently. Would you agree?"
"Absolutely not. The Holy Mountain already has God-Worship Willow and Nine-Sacrifice Osmanthus."
"What if Nine-Sacrifice Osmanthus were willing to share it with you, to jointly guard Gui-Zhe Holy Mountain—even make you the lead, sharing the Holy Mountain's fortune?"
"Still impossible!"
"What if the Lecherous Old Daoist could promise even more benefits, ones even I could not imagine—the sort that would definitely tempt you? He can think of far more than I can."
"Xu Xiaoshou, there is no need to test me further. You and I are bound as World Tree and World Master. When lips are gone, teeth grow cold. I... will never be tempted."
"I am asking you to be tempted!"
"Oh? Why?"
"If you are not tempted, how do you intend to respond? Fight to the death and protect my true body?"
"..."
"Can you protect it?"
"I... will never let him enter the Apricot Realm!"
"No! No! No! Senior Long Xing, you are