The silence in the hall lasted for a moment, and only the mellow aroma exuded by Wutu Spirit Tea flowed quietly in the air, as if it was also frozen in this decisive moment.
First Kirin's eyes were frank and ardent, and his sincerity for seeking talents was almost overflowing. He believed that the conditions he offered, looking at the entire Primordial Wilderness, would be difficult to match, and would be an irresistible temptation for any monk who aspires to the great road.
However, the reactions of Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun were not the surprise or trade-off he expected.
Zhenyuanzi slowly put down the tea cup in his hand. The simple pottery cup came into contact with Stone Table and made a crisp sound, breaking the silence in the hall.
He raised his head and faced First Kirin's expectant eyes. His face still had that heartbreaking peace and calmness, and there was no sign of being shaken by the shocking Heavenly Rules.
He smiled slightly, and that smile contained gratitude for First Kirin's kindness, and it also contained an unshakable firmness derived from the fundamental Daoist heart.
"Fellow Daoist First Kirin," Zhenyuanzi spoke, his voice gentle but extremely clear. Every word seemed to contain the weight of the earth, "Fellow Daoist's kindness and sincerity, Pindao and Hong Yun are deeply grateful. I would like to thank you."
He first solemnly bowed his hand to First Kirin and expressed his gratitude. This gesture made First Kirin's heart sink slightly, and he already had a premonition of what he would say next.
Sure enough, Zhenyuanzi straightened up, his eyes were clear and profound, and continued, "As my Daoist friend said, Qilin Clan upholds benevolence and seeks Primordial Wilderness stability and peace for all living beings. Such ambitions are deeply admired by poor Daoists. It is a blessing to be able to communicate with such a benevolent Daoist friend Emperor about Daoism."
He first affirmed the concept of First Kirin, and then changed the subject. Although his tone was gentle, it was with a firm determination:
"However, for the invitation to join Qilin Clan and share the power of Beasts with fellow Daoists..." Zhenyuanzi shook his head slightly, with a hint of apology on his face, but an extremely firm smile, "Please forgive me for being a poor Daoist, I can only accept it with my heart and cannot obey my order."
As soon as these words came out, even though First Kirin had already had a premonition, he couldn't help but feel a trace of obvious disappointment and confusion in his eyes.
He couldn't help but ask, "Why? But you think my conditions are not enough? Or do you have any concerns, but it doesn't matter." He really couldn't figure out why such a generous offer was so simply rejected.
Hong Yun on the side also had a calm look on his face, obviously already connected with Zhenyuanzi. He did not interrupt and left all the handling to Zhenyuanzi.
Zhenyuanzi looked at First Kirin and knew that he needed to give a reason that was enough for the other party to understand and not hurt his temper. He pondered for a moment and then slowly said, with a transcendent Daoist rhyme in his voice:
"Fellow Daoist has misunderstood. It's not because of insufficient conditions or worries. The sincerity of fellow Daoist can be judged by heaven and earth." He first calmed First Kirin's emotions, and then pointed out the core:
"The fundamental reason is that the path that Pindao and Fellow Daoist Hongyun seek is different from the path of relying on one clan and holding power..."
His eyes seemed to penetrate the dome of the Kirin Hall, looking at the boundless Primordial World, and his tone was ethereal and firm in pursuit of the ultimate:
"The foundation of a poor Daoist's life lies in Longevity Mountain. What he seeks is to use Earth Bearing Chaos to evolve all dharma and pursue the supreme transcendence of Primordial Chaos.
This road is rugged, so you need to be focused and accept all the opportunities from heaven, rather than being bound by the authority and Karma of one clan and one place."
He looked at Shi Qilin with a frank look in his eyes. "If you join the Qilin clan and enjoy its resources and rights, you will have to bear the cause and effect of the rise and fall of the clan's destiny, and be involved in the increasingly turbulent wave of disputes in this ancient world.
By then, will the path of poverty still be the path of pure pursuit? It may have become a tool to fight for the hegemony of Primordial Wilderness and protect the clan. This is already the opposite of my original intention."
"The same goes for Fellow Daoist Hongyun." Zhenyuanzi gestured to Hong Yun, "He used Four Symbols Return to Origin to achieve Primordial Chaos. The way is for Carefree to be free and evolve into Chaos. If you are bound by authority, like a bird in a cage, how can you talk about Carefree? How can you talk about detachment?"
His words, like Hong Zhongda Lu, struck First Kirin's heart.
First Kirin was stunned. He carefully tasted Zhenyuanzi's words, and the disappointment on his face gradually turned into a complex feeling of surprise and emotion.
He understood. Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun, the height they stood at and the goals they pursued transcended ordinary racial hegemony and power division.
Their eyes are set on the more remote and essential Primordial Chaos supreme realm! For them, racial power and huge resources are certainly attractive, but the heavy Karma and constraints that come with them will become invisible shackles for them to climb higher peaks!
What they pursue is "freedom", "detachment", and "their own path"! Rather than reaching the pinnacle below one person within a certain power system.
After thinking about this, First Kirin couldn't help but feel sincere admiration in his heart.
Being able to stay awake in the face of such temptations and stick to one's own path shows a firmness of mind that is far beyond what other people can achieve. At the same time, there is also a trace of sadness that such a talented person cannot be used by Kirin Race after all.
"I see..." First Kirin let out a long sigh, and the disappointment on his face disappeared, replaced by understanding and respect, "It's my fault.
I only saw the strength of the two Daoists, but failed to understand the ambition and determination of the two Daoists to seek the Tao. Forcing the Daoist way is indeed not the right way, and may actually hinder the future of the two Daoists."
He stood up and solemnly handed over his hands to Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun again. "I was the one who was rude. I hope you two fellow Daoists won't blame me."
Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun also stood up and returned the gift. Zhenyuanzi said, "Friend Daoist, your words are serious. My Daoist friend's kindness and kindness will be borne in mind by both of us. Although we cannot join Kirin Race, both Pindao and Hong Yun will never forget the friendship they shared through this discussion.
If Kirin Race needs it in the future, we will not refuse as long as we are within our ability and do not violate our own path."
This is a good-faith commitment that retains the possibility of future cooperation, but draws a clear line.
When First Kirin heard this, the last grudge in his heart dissipated. It is rare to get such a commitment from two Primordial Origin Golden Immortal.
A warm smile appeared on his face again, "It is enough for a Daoist friend to say this! I hope to have more contacts in the future, discuss Daoism, exchange ideas, and explore mysteries together."
"That's right." Zhenyuanzi agreed with a smile.
A solicitation that may have caused tension in the relationship turned into a more pure friendship between Daoists and Daoists under Zhenyuanzi's frank and firm response.
The three of them sat down again and exchanged ideas. They no longer mentioned the recruitment matter, and the atmosphere became more relaxed and harmonious than before.
After communicating for a while, Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun stood up and left.
First Kirin personally sent the two of them out of the Kirin Hall, and they did not say goodbye until they reached the border of Kirin Cliff.
Watching Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun turn into light and disappear into the sky, First Kirin standing alone on the edge of the cliff, I was filled with emotions.
He knew very well that Primordial Wilderness's situation had become more delicate due to the existence of these two Primordial Origin Golden Immortal who were independent of Three Races.
And the path they chose, the path to pursue ultimate transcendence, may be the real path to immortality... But this path is already too far away for him, who is burdened with the rise and fall of his family.
He turned around, his eyes becoming firm and steady again, returning to his duty as Emperor of Kirin, protecting the ethnic group and maintaining peace. The wind of Primordial Wilderness seemed to be blowing faster.