Three Choices, A Subtle Decision

Di Jun and Tai Yi both turned their gazes toward Ling Xiao, seeking his opinion.

Ling Xiao did not answer immediately, for the system had once again presented him with a choice.

[Detection: Hongjun's second sermon is imminent. Please make the following selection.]

[Option 1: Go to Purple Heaven Palace to listen to the sermon. Reward: The complete Method of Severing the Three Corpses, with no side effects.]

[Option 2: Refuse Red Cloud's invitation and firmly refuse to leave. Reward: One Fragment of the Jade Plate of Creation.]

[Option 3: Do not go yourself, but send Di Jun and Tai Yi instead. Reward: Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure Qilin Seal, one Fragment of the Time God and Devil Law.]

"Three choices?"

"System, just how many fragments of the Jade Plate of Creation do you actually have?"

Ling Xiao looked over the three options, feeling a mix of amusement and helplessness.

"There are thirty-six fragments of the Jade Plate of Creation in total. Please choose boldly, Host; there is no need to worry about running out," the system's mechanical voice replied.

"Is it the quantity I'm worried about?"

Ling Xiao was speechless. One look at these three options told him the system was trying to lure him out.

It had to be said, the complete version of the Method of Severing the Three Corpses was quite tempting. Theoretically, achieving the Golden Immortal of the Origin was much easier than proving the Dao through sheer strength, and one wouldn't have to worry about being plotted against by Hongjun.

"Pity, if you had come earlier, I might have chosen it."

Ling Xiao thought to himself. He was already halfway down his own path now, having painstakingly gained insights into so many laws; how could he easily give that up?

He dismissed the first option immediately.

He was about to choose the second when a thought suddenly struck him. He looked at Di Jun and Tai Yi and asked, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, do you wish to go listen to the sermon?"

He wanted to consult them, as the third option provided by the system was actually quite intriguing.

Upon closer reflection, this choice was very subtle.

After all, they hadn't attended the first sermon; if they skipped the second as well, Hongjun might start to grow suspicious.

If he let Di Jun and Tai Yi go over to put on a show of listening to the Dao, it wouldn't be a bad way to buy some time for development.

Even a salted fish needs to flip over once in a while.

He had to let Hongjun know that they were active, striving, and making progress.

"Naturally, I wish to. The Dao Ancestor is expounding on the path of the Quasi-Saint; perhaps we might benefit greatly from it," Di Jun said with a smile. Although Ling Xiao had told them about the subsequent cultivation methods, it had been very general; perhaps the Dao Ancestor could offer something different.

"Listening to the sermon is secondary; I want to go and see the world," Tai Yi said with a laugh.

Ling Xiao nodded and said to Zhenyuanzi and Red Cloud, "Two fellow Daoists, please excuse us for a moment. My brothers and I have some private matters to discuss!"

Zhenyuanzi and Red Cloud didn't think much of it and went outside the Sun Star to wait.

"Third Brother, what do you want to say? Why so mysterious?"

Di Jun and Tai Yi were somewhat suspicious.

Ling Xiao didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, I won't be going to this sermon, but I have a few things I want to entrust to you."

"What? You aren't coming with us?" Di Jun asked in surprise.

"Third Brother, this time Hongjun is expounding on the path of the Quasi-Saint. It's a rare opportunity; are you truly not going to take a look?"

Both Di Jun and Tai Yi tried to persuade him. Going to listen to a Saint preach was better than closing one's doors and building a carriage at home.

"I have had some insights in my heart; I truly cannot go," Ling Xiao said with a smile. This excuse never failed.

Sure enough, hearing that it was a matter of cultivation, Di Jun and Tai Yi stopped persuading him and instead asked in astonishment.

"Third Brother, you aren't about to break through to the Golden Immortal of the Origin, are you?"

Ling Xiao was already at the perfection of the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal; if he had further insights, wouldn't that mean the Golden Immortal of the Origin? What else could he be sensing?

"Just about," Ling Xiao replied casually.

"Hiss!"

The two of them gasped, and the Sun Star seemed to grow a little colder.

He was too monstrous.

After they had finished discussing the Dao with Zhenyuanzi and Red Cloud, their cultivation had advanced greatly, reaching the late stage of the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, with perfection not far off.

They had originally thought they were on par with Ling Xiao, but they hadn't expected that he was already about to break through to another great realm.

"When you go to Purple Heaven Palace to listen to the sermon this time, remember to keep a low profile."

"You must follow the three 'nots': do not contend, do not snatch, and do not accept."

Ling Xiao continued, his expression solemn.

"At Purple Heaven Palace, don't fight for any benefits, and don't snatch them. If anyone offers you anything, don't accept it. In short, just listen to the sermon properly and don't concern yourself with anything else."

It was now Hongjun's second sermon. If things went according to the original plot, the Demon Race's Heavenly Court would be established around this time.

If Hongjun didn't play by the rules and directly let Di Jun and Tai Yi establish the Heavenly Court.

Given their natures, they would likely accept.

Wouldn't that cause chaos?

So, he had to make it clear to them beforehand: listen to the sermon and nothing else.

"Third Brother, we're just going to listen to the sermon, is it really that serious?" Di Jun said with a smile.

"It's a matter of great importance, it could be big or small. Just keep it in mind," Ling Xiao said with a serious expression.

Seeing Ling Xiao's solemn tone, without a hint of joking, Di Jun and Tai Yi also put away their smiles and nodded heavily.

Although they couldn't understand their third brother's meaning, since he said it, it was definitely right to follow his instructions.

"Third Brother, is there anything else? If not, we'll be going?"

"Go ahead." Ling Xiao waved his hand, watching Di Jun and Tai Yi leave.

"System, I choose three."

The reward for the third choice was the top-grade innate spiritual treasure Qilin Seal, and a fragment of the Time God and Devil's laws.

The Qilin Seal was the companion treasure of the Beginning Qilin, on par with the Ancestral Dragon Pearl and the Primordial Phoenix Furnace.

Although it was powerful, Ling Xiao wasn't very interested. What he was interested in was the fragment of the Time God and Devil's laws.

Time law was one of the most powerful and difficult laws to comprehend. With the fragment of the Time God and Devil's laws, combined with the Chaos Bead, he could quickly comprehend the law of time to a very deep level.

"Law of Time... here I come!"

Ling Xiao's mind stirred, and he began to absorb the fragments of the law of time, falling into cultivation.

Meanwhile.

Di Jun, Tai Yi, Zhen Yuanzi, and Red Cloud left the Sun Star and headed towards the endless chaotic void.

It was Di Jun and Tai Yi's first time going to Purple Heaven Palace, but Zhen Yuanzi and Red Cloud were already veterans.

The four traveled together, a mighty procession, exuding a powerful aura that ordinary people dared not provoke.

They arrived in the chaos. Di Jun and Tai Yi, without any prior instruction, raised their magic treasures above their heads to protect themselves, entering the layer of lightning and fire. The myriad bolts of lightning struck them, but they remained unmoved.

Zhen Yuanzi and Red Cloud did the same, each conjuring magic treasures or using great divine abilities to shield themselves, keeping the lightning at bay.

After passing through the lightning layer, they entered the Nine Heavens Gale layer. Streaks of cyan wind blades transformed into swords, knives, and axes, dense and covering the sky, surging towards them.

Besides the four of them, many other powerful beings were also making their way to Purple Heaven Palace to listen to the sermon.

With the combined efforts of Zhen Yuanzi, Red Cloud, Di Jun, and Tai Yi, they naturally broke through all obstacles, getting ahead of everyone else.

The journey was long. In the blink of an eye, a thousand years had passed.

Finally, Purple Heaven Palace appeared before them.

They breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt surprised.

Because fellow Daoists were already waiting at the entrance of Purple Heaven Palace, having arrived before them.