Primordial Simplicity glanced at Zhuang before saying, "I presume Zhang already knows why I have come. I am here to invite Zhang to cast an incarnate self into Origin Xia. Then, no matter which of our two sides wins or loses, no matter which side obtains the Great Dao, one may ultimately still attain the Dao."
Hearing this, Zhang Yu realized that, just as Zhuang had said, Origin Xia intended to invite him into Origin Xia. Within Origin Xia, just like those higher gods, there would then be another self of his.
If he agreed at this moment, he would be wholly aligning himself with the Dao of the five ancient sages.
But he had no intention of doing so. He immediately refused, "There is no need. Origin Xia's Dao is not what I seek. The Dao I take is solely the Dao of Celestial Xia. Ancient Sage Primordial Simplicity, please return."
Having received this answer, Primordial Simplicity did not force the issue. His expression remained calm as he said, "Since that is so, Primordial Simplicity shall not disturb you further."
After speaking, he bowed once more to the two of them, then turned and departed. Just as when he had arrived, he swiftly vanished without a trace.
Zhang Yu watched him leave. He knew that once he had made his stance clear, he had completely placed himself on the other side's opposing side. Yet he upheld the Dao-thought of Celestial Xia and had his own Dao methods to put into practice. These people were foes who had to be eliminated.
The fact that the other side could come here to persuade Zhuang and himself was likely, to some extent, due to the tacit approval and indulgence of the five Archons. As for making him abandon the convictions he had