One Breath Transforms Into Three Crows? A Hint For Baize

Baize refused to give up, his expression earnest as he spoke in a low voice.

The moment he saw Ling Xiao, his innate intuition made him even more certain of his conviction.

He knew the heavens above and the geography below; although he could not see through Ling Xiao's fate, his remaining intuition told him that this Golden Crow was no simple being.

Ling Xiao fell silent, not out of contemplation, but because the system had issued a new choice.

[The conflict between the Witch Clan and the demon tribes has reached a critical juncture. Please make the following choice.]

[Option One: Agree to Baize and unite the myriad tribes. Reward: Pangu's legacy cultivation technique—Nine-Turn Profound Art!]

[Option Two: Refuse Baize and remain safely in seclusion. Reward: The art of splitting one's essence—One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones.]

Upon seeing this choice, Ling Xiao barely hesitated.

"System, I choose option two."

He had never intended to go out in the first place; giving him a choice was practically handing him a gift.

The Nine-Turn Profound Art might be formidable, but it was of little use to him; that technique was specialized for the physical body and tailored specifically for the Witch Clan.

Since he possessed a Primordial Spirit, such a method of physical cultivation was not a priority.

Did they really think a mere Nine-Turn Profound Art could lure him out into the world?

Unfortunately for them, he was a crow of principle.

If he said he wasn't going out, he wasn't going out.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao, have you considered it? As long as you agree, I, Baize, am willing to assist you with all my heart!"

Seeing that Ling Xiao remained silent, Baize offered further conditions.

In the Primordial World, who didn't know that he, Baize, knew the heavens and the earth, and was a spirit of great auspiciousness and immense fortune?

Ling Xiao snapped back to reality and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Baize, my Golden Crow clan has no intention of uniting the myriad tribes. You had best seek someone more capable."

Baize's expression shifted slightly, a headache brewing as his gaze flickered. "Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao, in my heart, you are the only suitable choice. If you refuse, I truly do not know who else to seek."

Hearing this, a meaningful smile appeared on Ling Xiao's face.

"As far as I know, it is not as if there are no others more suitable than us. For instance, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng of the North Sea—did he not also refuse you?"

As the words fell, Baize was about to speak, but he hadn't expected Jimeng, who had been silent until now, to beat him to it.

"That is not the case; we have been acting separately..."

"Jimeng!" Baize blurted out, glaring fiercely at his teammate.

At this moment, Ling Xiao's smile deepened. Just as he had expected, Baize and his companions were not without a backup plan.

"Two fellow daoists, enough has been said. Please return."

He had no desire to speak further and issued a dismissal.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao, please listen to my explanation. In truth, in my heart, you are the most suitable to rule the myriad tribes."

Baize said helplessly. It sounded like a desperate excuse, but it was indeed what he thought; otherwise, he would not have come to the Sun Star in person.

Beside him, Jimeng shrank his neck, realizing he had spoken out of turn and regretted his slip of the tongue.

However, he could not entirely be blamed. When Ling Xiao had asked the question, his gaze had remained fixed on him, as if questioning him directly, and in a daze, he had simply let it out.

It could only be said that he had been subtly influenced by Ling Xiao and had fallen into a trap.

"Fellow Daoist Baize, there is no need to explain. Regardless of what you think, it has nothing to do with me. We, the Golden Crow clan, will not emerge into the world."

Ling Xiao said solemnly. He had no intention of leaving, and as for what Baize and the others thought, it was of no concern to him.

Baize sighed helplessly, feeling a deep sense of regret. He cast a resentful look at Jimeng, feeling that if not for his loose lips, there might still have been a chance.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao felt it necessary to add a few more words.

"Baize, you need not be discouraged. Although we will not emerge, I can offer you a few suggestions."

"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao, please speak."

Baize forced himself to perk up; compared to suggestions, he still preferred Ling Xiao to step forward.

"In my view, it is not just my Golden Crow clan, or even Kunpeng, but other great beings who could also unite the myriad tribes."

"Moreover, they are more suitable than we are."

Ling Xiao said slowly, preparing to broaden Baize's horizons.

Baize looked suspicious and asked in confusion, "I do not know who Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao is referring to. Most of the current innate great beings are in seclusion; who would be willing to step forward?"

"There are some, it just depends on how you approach them," Ling Xiao continued.

"You could try Mount Buzhou."

"Mount Buzhou?"

Baize said in surprise, for there were far too many great beings on Mount Buzhou.

Just as he was about to press for more details, he saw Ling Xiao shake his head.

"I have said all that I will. Go."

Baize wanted to speak but hesitated, ultimately leaving the question unasked as he bid them farewell.

"Fellow Daoists of the Three Crows, we shall take our leave."

"Walk slowly, we won't see you out."

Ling Xiao and the other two watched them depart.

"Third Brother, this elder brother does not quite understand. Why could we not agree to Baize's proposal?" Di Jun asked, looking puzzled.

He could not wrap his head around it; it was such a good opportunity, so why refuse? By integrating the myriad races, they could enjoy endless destiny.

What a wonderful thing that would have been!

"Big Brother, have you forgotten? Third Brother possesses the divine ability to foresee the future; he must have his reasons for doing this."

Tai Yi spoke up, unconditionally trusting Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao glanced at the two of them. Tai Yi's mindset was fine, but Di Jun's way of thinking was somewhat dangerous.

He seemed very eager to establish the Demon Race. Ling Xiao could understand this point; if Di Jun did not want to, he would not be a natural-born emperor.

However, this idea was perilous.

He needed to brainwash him a little.

Thinking this, Ling Xiao spoke up.

"My two elder brothers, I know you do not quite understand why I rejected Baize."

"Integrating the myriad races and vying for hegemony over the Primordial World is certainly fine, but times have changed."

"Now that Hongjun has attained sainthood and is preaching the Dao, in the days to come, many great powers will emerge in the Primordial World, and there will even be existences that transcend worldly power."

"By then, even if we occupied the entire Primordial World, in their eyes, we would still be nothing more than ants."

"No way! Is it really that terrifying?" Di Jun and Tai Yi looked astonished.

"Do not look at how powerful the Witch Clan is now, or how fierce the Twelve Ancestral Witches are; in the eyes of existences like Hongjun, they are no different from weak ants."

Ling Xiao continued, reshaping the worldviews of Di Jun and Tai Yi.

"Vying for hegemony over the Primordial World is all an illusion. Even if one truly dominated the Primordial World, so what? Everything is an uncertain variable."

"Only one's own powerful cultivation is real."

"Striving to cultivate and becoming an existence like a saint—that is our goal!"

Di Jun and Tai Yi's expressions went blank. They suddenly recalled the scene of Hongjun attaining sainthood that day: his pressure blanketed the Primordial World, reaching everywhere, high and unreachable, indescribable. Before him, any living being was like an ant.

Thinking of it this way, compared to integrating the myriad races and leading them to fight against the Witch Clan, staying home and cultivating in peace seemed far more appealing.

Just as Ling Xiao said, even if they dominated the entire Primordial World, so what? Could it guarantee they would become as powerful as a saint?

If not, then in the eyes of a saint, they were merely slightly stronger ants.

"Third Brother, we have realized the truth!"