At Nian Kong's words, Chen Lin stopped short.
He turned to look at him.
"You know, Master?"
"Heh."
Nian Kong chuckled. "Of course. It is because the Heavenly Dao is growing weaker and weaker and has no time left to wait. She wants to rapidly strengthen the origin pool, regain control of the origin rules, and suppress those who resist her."
"Those who resist?"
Chen Lin's expression shifted.
"Do you mean the Anti-Spirit Cultivators, Master?"
"Yes."
Nian Kong nodded slightly.
"It seems you have also received the Anti-Spirit Cultivator Hunt Mission, Fellow Daoist Chen. Let me offer you some advice: under the present circumstances, you would do well not to take sides lightly. The Heavenly Dao is no longer what she once was."
"That has nothing to do with me."
Chen Lin answered coolly.
"I only want to cultivate in peace. I have no ambitions. There is no need to tell me these things, Master, nor should you think of dragging me into this maelstrom."
"Hahaha!"
Nian Kong burst out laughing.
"After so many years of cultivation, you are still so naive, Fellow Daoist Chen. No wonder you possess childlike innocence."
"Since you live in this cultivation world, how could you escape the Heavenly Dao's entanglements? Either submit and become her pawn, or rise up in resistance and fight for that sliver of hope for freedom."
"If you try to keep yourself safe by staying out of everything, you will end up with nothing."
Chen Lin frowned.
He glanced around, then said gravely, "You chose to meet me here, Master. It seems the River of Karma has escaped the Heavenly Dao's control and now belongs to you."
"You are overthinking it."
Nian Kong sighed softly.
"If I could accomplish something of that magnitude, I would not need to hide here