"Very well, since that is the case..."
"Then let us try what you suggested, second brother!"
As his words fell, the last trace of serene nonaction on Laozi's face, once as still as an ancient well, shattered completely.
In its place came a resolve unlike any he had ever shown.
His Dao had reached a dead end.
Without change, only death awaited!
A thief?
Shameless?
So what!
As long as the Human Sect could regain its glory, as long as he, Taishang, could once again secure his position as the Profound Gate's senior-most disciple, what did a little infamy matter!
At that moment, Laozi's Dao Heart was firmer than ever!
"Good! Good! Good!"
Seeing this, Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi's face burst with uncontrollable joy.
He exclaimed "good" three times in succession.
Yuanshi had gone to such painstaking lengths to persuade Laozi.
Naturally, it was not solely out of concern for the Human Sect.
More importantly, if the Human Sect could flourish again, it would bring a substantial boost to the Profound Gate as well.
Beside him, Laozi had already made his decision!
He said nothing more and drew a deep breath.
Then he swept his hand fiercely!
Hum-!
In an instant, an aura of mystery upon mystery, wonder upon wonder, filled the entire Jade Void Palace.
An ancient stone stele slowly emerged from the void, mysterious yellow from top to bottom, cast from some unknown material.
There was little ornate carving on the stele. Only countless Great Dao Divine Patterns intertwined across it, tracing the supreme principles of heaven and earth and unfolding the mysteries of the universe's birth and destruction.
Those divine patterns were abstruse and inscrutable. Even a Sage would have to expend mental effort to glimpse a fraction of their meaning.
At the very center of the stele,