novelsite Chapter 2645 The Routine is an Open Scheme
Chapter 2645 The Routine is an Open Scheme
Chapter 2645 The Routine is an Open Scheme
Having no other choice, the withered True Venerable sighed softly, "Since you say so, then let me add something. The Mysterious Venerable once said..."
"The one who can save the heavens has incomparably profound mysteries in both eyes, isn't that true?"
"Damn it..." Qu Jianlei's face remained expressionless, but inwardly he let out a deep sigh: "There's no escaping him!"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyou gave him a subtle glare: You said your right eye also shows signs of aging, I knew it... you liar!
"That still doesn't prove anything!" Han Li stubbornly insisted, "Some investigative methods..."
"Forget it," Qu Jianlei sighed. If the other party really had that kind of ability, and was provoked into probing the Dao Stele or something, then we would be even more doomed!
He could only snort coldly, "Fellow Daoist, you've made thorough preparations."
After a pause, he continued, "Speak frankly, I will distance myself from this cause and effect and try my best to sever it."
“Hmm,” the withered True Venerable nodded slightly, “I heard you, but… why?”
"Because I'm afraid," Qu Jianlei stated frankly, "I'm afraid of disappointing you, but I'm even more afraid of facing this calamity!"
“That’s right, the collapse of the heavens was a calamity of the realms,” Jin Ge said, showing his encyclopedic knowledge.
"Most realms cannot successfully overcome the tribulation, but you, once you intervene... will be the one truly destined to face the tribulation."
Everyone is familiar with what those destined for disaster look like, so it's truly remarkable that Qianhuan survived.
Not only did he have to save face for the emperor, but he also went bankrupt. Otherwise, would Qu Jianlei have let him go?
“That’s right,” Qingkong also spoke up, “Even a Xuanzun has to avoid it, and you’re letting a Zhenzun take the lead?”
"With this kind of persistent energy, why don't you go pester that person? Or are you just bullying the weak and fearing the strong?"
Even the True Venerable of the Myriad Realms, who was traveling with Xiao You but rarely spoke, couldn't help but say, "I don't think we're that weak."
However, the withered Venerable was not angry at all. He looked at Han Li and said, "This fellow Daoist has extraordinary insight."
"What may be a calamity for a Mystic Venerable may not be an opportunity for a True Venerable... Do you agree with this statement?"
Han Li pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then slowly nodded, "I acknowledge it, but this opportunity... can we refuse it?"
He wasn't trying to reject the opportunity on behalf of others, but since Qu Zhenzun had no intention of taking on this task, all he could do was offer his assistance.
The withered True Venerable sighed, "Fellow Daoist may have already guessed where I came from. That's right, my lineage was affected by the karma of the Profound Venerable."
"Look at my appearance, do you know that I am only a little over three thousand years old?"
"Indeed young," Han Li nodded slightly and spoke expressionlessly, "There are very few True Venerables whose true forms are willing to be ascetic cultivators."
"How could I be some kind of ascetic?" The withered True Venerable gave a bitter smile. "It's all due to the karma of the Mysterious Venerable."
"Why am I representing the other fellow Daoists in negotiating with your side? Because... I am the one responsible for investigating the Heaven-Slaying Man!"
“Oh, the causal relationship between realms has also affected you, that’s why you look like this,” Han Li nodded, indicating that she understood.
"But given all this, is this really convincing?"
"I am merely proving that what I said was not false," the withered Venerable said calmly.
"There are some things I really can't say too much, but if we succeed in turning the tide, there will be tremendous benefits, right?"
"But it has to be successful," Han Li replied subconsciously.
Then he glanced at Qu Jianlei and decisively backed down, saying, "The rest is up to you to decide. We can't always be the ones blocking your way."
Upon hearing this, the withered Venerable actually laughed, "Let me argue with you. Since you say you are the one destined for tribulation, your perception may not be accurate."
“I don’t want to make the decision either,” Han Li refused decisively.
In fact, at this moment, he was quite conflicted.
He didn't want Qu Zhenzun to take any risks, but he was also afraid that his decision would affect his fellow Daoist's opportunity.
He couldn't help but complain, "Why do you keep telling me? I'm not the one in question."
“Because you two have the deepest karmic ties,” the withered Venerable replied casually, “if you can persuade him, then he can too. I dare not advise him too much.”
Han Li's lips had just curled into a smile when Jin Ge became annoyed. "What about me? Their karmic ties are the deepest... What about me?"
"You..." The withered True Venerable pondered for a moment before replying, "Fellow Daoist seems to be a man of strong emotions, I will not comment."
“Then tell me,” Han Li suddenly felt like taking the blame, “first tell me, what are the chances of success?”
"How would I know?" The withered Venerable shook his head and said calmly, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate, that's all."
Han Li's eyes darted around. "So, if it succeeds, how much benefit will the Xuanzun gain?"
What kind of outrageous question is that? Even the withered Venerable is finding it hard to bear.
Actually, he had his own guesses about this, but he didn't dare to say anything.
In the end, he could only sigh and vaguely reply, "If the realm can survive this calamity, everyone will definitely benefit."
"This answer is far too perfunctory," Han Li said with dissatisfaction, but inwardly she snorted coldly.
What nonsense! The idea that a celestial being doesn't want to be entangled in karma is utter rubbish. Karma already exists when divination is performed!
However, he had no intention of arguing too much. "In any case, you should show some sincerity first."
If the gift prepared for such an important matter is insufficient, then there's no point in even discussing it.
As it turns out, the other side had made a considerable investment, at least for a large world in its final stages.
Although that profound meaning of creation was not included in the gift, since a promise was made, it should be kept, shouldn't it?
No matter where you are in the world, the rules of creation are something you can only encounter by chance, and the true meaning of creation is even more difficult to grasp.
It's truly rare that such a treasure still exists in the Star Realm at this moment.
Everyone spent some time appraising the treasures—yes, just appraising, not deciding whether to accept them yet.
"This little bit of treasure..." After examining the treasure, several True Venerables all had some reservations.
Especially the Four True Venerables from the Realm of Virtue, they didn't really think anything of it. Having conquered other worlds for so long, their standards had risen.
Fortunately, the appraisal of the treasures is just a formality, which allows both parties to maintain private contact and communication during the process.
Finally, Qu Jianlei coughed lightly, "Such a gift is too precious, I dare not accept it!"
Sounds like a compliment? Wrong, that's not it at all. The point isn't "valuable," but rather "gift."
A gift is just a formality and doesn't mean anything—at worst, you can always return the favor with a gift later.
He was trying to define these treasures as simply a matter of courtesy; accepting them did not mean that one had to do anything with them.
In fact, he might not even accept it; he's just trying to put the other party down.
However, to his surprise, the several True Venerables opposite him said in unison, "Of course, it's a greeting gift."
The mere gift was a token of good fortune... Qu Jianlei almost laughed: What kind of family is this?
"Then we'll pack up and leave," he said, too lazy to say more. "If we meet again in the future, it's fate... I won't hold it against you for blocking our way."
Of course, that's what he said, but he definitely didn't think he could just leave like that; he just wanted to see how the other party would respond.
Or perhaps they go back on their word, or plead for mercy, or engage in verbal provocation?
However, the withered Venerable calmly replied, "Fellow Daoist, a simple greeting gift could not possibly be this heavy; that is the truth."
"But we didn't expect that such a small gift could solve such a big problem."
"What we're thinking is that you shouldn't feel pressured, just go for it... even if it doesn't work out, you'll still have these."
"If it succeeds... and we even reap some rewards, it will definitely be more than this!"
"Damn it," Qu Jianlei frowned in pain, "since sincerity is indeed the ultimate weapon, is this the greeting gift before making a move?"
He could have easily ignored it, but this tactic is really hard to resist.
The other party's logic was not wrong at all; in fact, it could be said to be very considerate.
Many people are reluctant to act rashly when faced with a request, because they are concerned about this: it's easy to act, but what if it doesn't work out?
Their attitude is: you just try, even if you don't succeed, you'll still get these benefits.
Otherwise, even the most powerful deity could not bear the true meaning of creation as a mere greeting gift.
Moreover, the other party's attitude was very clear: although he was the main person in question, the entire Wantianqing team would benefit!
It can be said that even the Star Realm's move was not only generous but also extremely lavish, meaning the other six essentially made a clean profit.
It has been more than three years since the Seven True Venerables appeared. Although they each have their own purposes, the time they have spent is real.
The only real gain for everyone was those three Star-Devouring Beasts; everything else was practically nothing, just expenses.
Everyone can clearly jump on the bandwagon and make a quick buck now, so if Qu Zhenzun refuses again, he'll be acting like a bad person.
Otherwise, even he himself would have sighed that sincerity is the ultimate weapon.
Seeing his hesitation, Xiaoyou spoke up, saying, "Don't worry about us, who needs such a small token?"
She was wealthy and powerful, so she spoke naturally. The other two True Venerables, who were in charge of her, naturally did not utter a word to refute her.
Han Li's eyes darted around, and after a moment's thought, she asked, "Just offering some ideas counts as helping out, right?"
Qu Jianlei glanced at him upon hearing this, a little puzzled: Did this guy... have a falling out with Xiaoyou? Did their love turn into hatred?
"Of course it counts," several True Venerables opposite answered in unison when they heard him speak—this was the only one who could persuade the main character!
"To save the world from collapse"... what a heavy burden those three words are.
Even among the true masters of Lianxing, none of them would hesitate to take action, but so far, there is still no suitable strategy!
Moreover, these true masters are not hard of hearing; they heard the main figure say, "I'm worried that they might be disappointed!"
This shows that the other party is very particular about their work and wouldn't try to fool you with some random excuse!
Even if it's a previously rejected plan, so what? As long as there's a fresher idea, it's fine to pick it up again.
Upon hearing the other party's agreement, Qu Jianlei could only give a wry smile, "Taking this step... is easy, but backing down will be difficult!"
He could see through the other party's plan: once they were in the game, the cause and effect would be completely set, and whether their current thinking was correct or not was irrelevant.
(End of this chapter)