The World Tree, the Essence of the World?

[Hongjun has detected an attack, filled with immense killing intent. Please make a choice, host.]

[Option 1: Kneel and beg for mercy, surrender without a fight, rewarded with Heavenly Dao Divine Power, Chaos Heaven-Sealing Technique.]

[Option Two: A Head-to-Head Stand – If You Want to Fight, I Will Fight! Reward: Chaos Spiritual Root, World Tree!]

Just as Ling Xiao sensed Hongjun's arrival, the system's selection was instantly activated.

Seeing the rewards for these two options, Ling Xiao was instantly tempted. At his current level, there weren't many things that could make him crave them.

The first option, in particular, the so-called Heavenly Dao Divine Power, Chaos Heaven-Sealing Technique, sounds incredibly impressive; it might even be a powerful technique capable of sealing the Heavenly Dao.

However, the selection criteria are less than impressive.

Is the system trying to humiliate him by making him "endure hardship and bide his time"?

Temporarily submit to Hongjun, then seize the opportunity to rise up and seal the Heavenly Dao?

Kneeling and begging for mercy?

Surrender without a fight?

Ling Xiao chuckled inwardly. Throughout these countless years, though he had been cunning and steady, had he ever yielded?

"System, I choose option two."

Ling Xiao immediately made his choice. This system was too mischievous. Once he had the ability, he would definitely dissect this thing to see who was hidden inside.

The Sun Star, beneath the Fusang Wood.

Di Jun Tai Yi stood up abruptly, looking at the newcomer as if facing a formidable enemy. The newcomer was an ancient and weathered old man, seemingly in harmony with the heavens, with a kind smile on his face.

The newcomer was none other than Hongjun. As soon as he arrived, he heard Di Jun and Tai Yi calling him an Old Earthworm repeatedly, making a great fuss about it.

This was his greatest taboo. As far as Hongjun knew, there were only a handful of people in the world who knew this secret, but only he dared to discuss it openly.

Not only did these two wretches know, but they also dared to discuss it openly?

Don't I have any pride?

"Not bad, it can actually sense my arrival."

Hongjun said with a smile, looking at Ling Xiao, and then at Di Jun Tai Yi.

At this moment, the two of them felt both embarrassed and a little scared, having no doubt that the Old Earthworm had overheard their conversation.

"You two seem to be having a very pleasant conversation. Could you tell this old Daoist priest what you've been talking about?"

Hongjun said with a smile, showing no sign of anger, as if an old friend had come to visit and wanted to join the drinking party.

"Uh... it's nothing, we were just talking about a story about earthworms."

Tai Yi moment, then his expression returned to normal, and he spoke calmly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Hongjun's expression slowly darkened, and the entire Sun Star seemed to go out.

At this moment, Ling Xiao stepped forward, and a wave rippled out from beneath his feet, as if opening up the heavens and earth and bringing light back.

Di Jun and Tai Yi immediately felt much better.

"Hongjun, why are you angry about the story they told about earthworms?"

Ling Xiao said with a smile, seemingly relaxed, but in reality, he had already made countless preparations to prevent Hongjun from suddenly erupting.

The story of "Old Earthworm's " struggle was something he told Di Jun and Tai Yi when he had nothing else to do.

Unexpectedly, their first public discussion was caught red-handed by Hongjun.

"How dare you!" Hongjun shouted coldly. The wind was calm, but there was a tremendous force crashing down on Ling Xiao.

In an instant, the laws of Karma surrounded Ling Xiao, forming Karmic Barrier.

Heaven and earth fell silent.

In the eyes of Di Jun and Tai Yi, there seemed to be a Heavenly Abyss between Ling Xiao and Hongjun that could devour even Sage, and touching it meant certain death.

The scene was too terrifying to describe.

Even so, the sun continued to shine brightly on the earth beneath their feet, and nothing happened.

A moment later, everything came to a standstill. The Karmic Barrier around Ling Xiao shattered, and a hint of surprise flashed across Hongjun's expressionless face.

"Heaven and earth are sealed off; your lives and deaths are in my hands."

"Tell me, Houtu swore an oath, were you the one who plotted against her behind the scenes?"

Hongjun asked calmly and casually, as if no one else was around, displaying an air of complete composure.

The brief exchange had given him immense confidence, and he believed he had grasped Ling Xiao's true level.

Moreover, in the Primordial World, he had already communicated with the Heavenly Dao sealed off the world. If the Golden Crow tried to escape, it would face an unparalleled massacre.

Upon hearing this...

Di Jun and Tai Yi's expressions turned ugly; they hadn't expected this Old Earthworm to come prepared.

Ling Xiao remained calm, as if he hadn't heard. He simply shrugged and said unhurriedly, "You should ask the Great Dao about this; it was He who granted Houtu's vow."

"You're not scared, are you? So you came here to cause trouble?"

"You're courting death! Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?" A murderous aura rose in Hongjun's eyes; he was truly enraged.

He wanted to get something out of Ling Xiao, but the other party was ungrateful and wouldn't cooperate at all.

"Go ahead and try, let's see if you kill me first, or if I destroy the entire Primordial World and recreate it."

"If that's the case, it must be a real headache for you, right?"

"After all, you're just a lackey of Heavenly Dao's will, and you don't seem to have much say."

Ling Xiao spoke loudly, his expression unusually calm, but an invisible aura of killing intent made the air freeze.

Hongjun's expression hardened, and a chilling killing intent flashed in his eyes; he was no longer calm.

The Primordial World has evolved to its current state through considerable effort, and the Heavenly Dao will absolutely not allow it to be reborn and start all over again.

"I guarantee that if that happens, you will be buried with us, with absolutely no chance of survival."

Hongjun's face revealed murderous intent as he coldly shouted. He did not believe that Ling Xiao would really disregard everything. If the world were to reopen, everyone connected to him would die suddenly.

Di Jun and Tai Yi can't escape either; they only have one path: death.

Such ruthlessness and cruelty are outrageous.

"Hehe, Hongjun, at our level, we only seek the Great Dao and have long since severed all worldly emotions. You surely understand this, don't you?"

"Besides, how do you know we're definitely going to die?"

"You're going to kill us, and you won't even let us resist?"

Ling Xiao said coldly, which made Di Jun and Tai Yi's scalps tingle.

Third Brother, are you serious?

Is it really a fight to the death?

"No way! I just attained the Primordial Origin, and I haven't even shown off yet!"

Tai Yi thought to himself, feeling a little flustered.

However, given the current situation, it seems that all we can do is fight tooth and nail.

Thinking of this, Tai Yi's eyes flashed with killing intent, ready to strike.

Hongjun's face was gloomy, and the atmosphere was oppressive. Suddenly, he chuckled and said, "Ling Xiao, you are indeed a formidable opponent. It was my negligence that prevented me from nipping you in the bud."

"This world is far more complex than you think. Perhaps you have misunderstood and are going against me."

"But I hope you know that you shouldn't easily obstruct the natural order of things; it's for the good of the whole world."

There are some things I can't tell you directly, but you'll understand later.

Hongjun spoke slowly and deliberately, his murderous aura dissipating, making him appear harmless.

"Oh? Is that so?" A hint of surprise appeared on Ling Xiao's face.

Just then, Hongjun suddenly moved, his finger, transcending Eternal, touched Ling Xiao's brow.