"Who goes there!"
Mu Chen demanded coldly.
The feeling immediately left him somewhat rattled.
It seemed that ever since he had arrived in the Primordial World, no one had ever been able to enter his Cloud Sea Grand Formation uninvited.
So he had grown complacent.
Yet now Mu Chen was certain that someone was inside his Cloud Sea Grand Formation.
It was just like a ghost story.
Anyone who could enter without a sound had to be a Sage!
At the thought of a Sage standing right beside him without his noticing a thing, he could not help trembling with fright.
A Sage, a Sage!
If one started fighting, it would be no laughing matter.
No sooner had his words fallen than someone appeared.
An elderly human slowly walked out of the sea of clouds.
His face was classical and otherworldly.
He wore a blue Daoist robe and held a fly whisk.
It was none other than Laozi.
"No need to be nervous. I merely came to take a look, but I discovered that your formation was rather wondrous. It actually contains the Great Dao, barring anyone below a Sage from entering, so I grew a little curious."
Laozi smiled gently.
"I heard of you from Nuwa and my master long ago. With some time to spare today, I came uninvited. If I have disturbed you in any way, I truly apologize."
Mu Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
Among the Three Pure Ones,
only Laozi had a somewhat better temperament.
He had no desires or demands, nor much selfishness.
Mu Chen immediately put on a lackey's smile.
"No disturbance at all, none at all! Having a Sage visit my Daoist sanctuary truly makes this humble dwelling shine!"
"It's just... might I ask what important business brings you here, Sage?"
Appreciation shone in Laozi's eyes.
"Xuandu told me that you created the Great Way of the Golden Elixir? Very good, very good. Your understanding of the Dao of alchemy truly exceeded my expectations. I simply wonder where you studied and cultivated it."
Mu Chen had long since prepared his explanation and spoke slowly.
"Ahem, some time ago, when you expounded the profound teachings of the Human Sect at your overseas sanctuary, Sage, I was fortunate enough to listen from the sidelines a few times!"
Ever since the Three Pure Ones had begun spreading their teachings among mortals,
the various sects had all begun recruiting disciples, and Laozi had naturally preached in person as well.
Of course, Mu Chen had never gone.
But with so many people listening to the sermons, how could Laozi possibly know every last one of them?
It was perfectly normal to overlook one or two.
Sure enough,
Laozi was initially taken aback.
Then a look of understanding crossed his face.
After that, undisguised admiration filled his eyes.
A genius!
He could create profound teachings after hearing just a few sermons. No wonder Master said this child's talent far surpassed everyone else's.
At that thought, Laozi's bearing abruptly changed.
He became indescribably ethereal and majestic.
It was as though the Supreme One had arrived in person.
"I see that you are intelligent and gifted, with a promising future on the Great Dao. Would you be willing to join the Human Sect? I can grant you a portion of Primordial Purple Qi to help you become a Sage!"
He spoke earnestly.
"Ding, Laozi's invitation detected. Host, please choose." "One: refuse the invitation and quietly cultivate in seclusion for ten thousand years. You may obtain one Innate Spirit Treasure through random fishing." "Two: join the Human Sect and obtain a wisp of Primordial Purple Qi painstakingly nurtured by Laozi."
Mu Chen fell silent.
To be honest, he was not particularly delighted.
Had he been a normal person, he would certainly have latched onto Laozi's thigh at once, obtained the Primordial Purple Qi, and lived the arrogant, domineering life of a second-generation heavenly heir from then on.
However... he was merely a salted fish.
A salted fish with spoilers, at that.
The Investiture of the Gods Great Tribulation was truly far too brutal.
It was even more terrifying than the First Dragon-Han Tribulation and the Great Witch-Demon Catastrophe.
It could be counted as the most terrifying and dangerous calamity among the immeasurable tribulations of heaven and earth.
Because its protagonists were the Human Race!
And what it implicated was the very foundation of the Sages' Great Dao.
Before the Great Dao, who would readily yield?
Fights and contests between Sages would break out at the slightest provocation.
At a time like that, he absolutely could not become entangled in the karma between Sages. Once he was schemed into it, the danger would be immense!
Seeing that Mu Chen was still hesitating,
Laozi thought briefly, then said,
"True enough. Xuandu has already joined my Human Sect, so there would be a difference in seniority. In that case, once you reach Quasi-Sage with the help of the Primordial Purple Qi, you may serve as the Human Sect's deputy sect leader and manage the sect on my behalf. How does that sound?"
Deputy sect leader of the Human Sect!
Mu Chen's eyelid twitched.
But he was not tempted.
He could only say earnestly,
"Sage, I still do not wish to emerge into the world. I fear dying in a tribulation. Right now, I only want to cultivate quietly in seclusion."