Xiang Si had in fact considered whether this might be a test from Origin Xia.
But upon further thought, he felt the possibility was not great.
He was already the presiding figure of Origin Xia's Lower Hall, long since bound together with Origin Xia. There was no chance of him defecting to Celestial Xia for no reason, like those Si Councillors had done. Such a test was therefore entirely unnecessary.
As for what Quan Si had said—that nothing would happen to him if he refused—Xiang Si remained doubtful.
Perhaps nothing would happen at first, but afterward, they might find ways to edge him out, seize his authority, or have him die in a conflict with Celestial Xia. If it were himself, he certainly would not spare those whose views opposed his and who might obstruct him in the future.
At this moment, he even suspected that among those who had fallen in past battles, some might have been people whom the Upper Layer had tried to win over, only for them to declare their refusal in the end.
After considering this, he said, "Xiang is also a cultivator, and I too hope that one day I may attain the upper realm. Since Quan Si intends to open a path so that I need no longer remain stranded in hardship, Xiang admires the grand aspirations of you all and am naturally willing to join in this matter."
Quan Si said, "Excellent."
At that moment, Xiang Si felt a thread of qi descend into his Primordial Spirit. He knew this was a restraining method, most likely originating from someone's Dao technique. Having agreed, he could no longer go back on his word—unless an upper-realm great power personally acted to free him.
But that was almost impossible. If an upper-realm great power truly