"They say men die for wealth and birds die for food, but that only describes ordinary people, those who grub after petty gains."
Liang Quan's voice suddenly rose. "People like us may pursue money and status, may long for power and honor, but if we are to pay with our lives, it must be for a higher belief in our hearts!
"We of the Directorate of Astronomy may worship the Three Pure Ones in our daily lives, but to us, they are more a symbol, an idol.
"Ultimately, even dragon qi is merely a means of sustaining our existence.
"What is truly carved into our bones and flows through our blood, what makes us persevere and even sacrifice everything, is the name of the Directorate of Astronomy alone.
"This thousand-year-old Daoist lineage is our most important, most fundamental belief!"
Liang Quan drew a deep breath. "Enough. I have answered your questions.
"I opposed your creation of a false dragon before for the sake of the Directorate of Astronomy's Daoist lineage.
"Now, even if my divine soul must be utterly destroyed, I will forcibly complete this dragon soul and carry on with creating the false dragon, still for the sake of the Directorate of Astronomy's Daoist lineage.
"It may seem contradictory, but the goal has always been the same."
He stared at the three of them and asked, each word distinct, "Now it is my turn to ask you one last question-my three junior brothers, to have your divine souls utterly destroyed, never to be reborn, for this so-called preservation of our Daoist lineage-are you willing?"
After hearing the old Daoist Liang Quan's heartfelt, sincere words, Liang Chen, Liang Ji, and Liang Gu exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.
The hesitation and struggle in their eyes gradually faded, replaced by resolve and