Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 689 - 685: Foundation

Speaking of this, Lu Ren turned his head to look at Tathagata, who was standing not far away with a sinister expression, and said with a face full of smiles, "Old Tathagata, why not give me that Joyful Bodhisattva? I have a Nine-tailed Fox of the same origin at home. If they make their debut, they're sure to become a big hit!"

Tathagata, who hurried over in a rush, didn't have a pleasant expression on his face as he looked at the leisurely manner of Lu Ren. To be honest, those Buddhist scriptures and moral principles are just for show; at their level, they've long since shed the pretense.

However, Tathagata still had enough self-restraint to maintain appearances and wouldn't act shamelessly like Lu Ren. But upon hearing Lu Ren's overt words, he gave a forced smile, countering him.

"If Fellow Taoist Lu can get Joyful Bodhisattva to willingly leave, I would gladly fulfill your wish. But where is this so-called dual-sex cultivator of yours? Perhaps Joyful Zen would suit them more. How about you bring them over and let me train them for a while?"

At that moment, the Jade Emperor, who had just arrived, felt somewhat reassured upon seeing Lu Ren's amiable appearance. He feared that Lu Ren might suddenly lose control and, out of jealousy, smash the Ascension Platform, which they had planned and built over the past hundred years, with just one punch.

Beside him stood someone dressed in the White Jade Emperor Robe with the Taoism Fruit spinning behind their head, faintly carrying Immortal Taoism Scripture within — a clear sign of nobility. However, having weathered many storms, there was really no pleasant expression on his face at this moment.

"Fellow Taoist Lu, why aren't you fooling around in your little domain? What are you doing here? I suppose you're not just here for the scenery?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Lu Ren wasn't angry at the Jade Emperor's unvarnished words. Honestly, if an uninvited guest like Lu Ren had barged into the Land of Huaxia, being a hostile intruder, Lu Ren would have found a way to kill them on the spot. If not kill, at least cripple them, or failing that, drive them out.

The three of them were already in a state of total irreconciliation, so verbal exchanges were certainly direct and unwavering.

Thus, with Lu Ren displaying such an attitude, it's a testament to the excellent mental cultivation of the Jade Emperor and Tathagata that they didn't act jointly against him. This Qi cultivation technique was indeed mastered to the point of transformation; there was nothing more to say.

He smiled faintly, "I just heard that the Jade Emperor and Tathagata joined forces to build the Ascension Platform, hoping to connect Enlightenment Land. I was just concerned about your progress and came over to see how it's going."

The Jade Emperor's face was as calm as water: "No need for you, Fellow Taoist Lu, to worry."

"Ah, how can I not be concerned?" Lu Ren's eyes sparkled as he gazed at the Ascension Platform rising straight into the sky, almost reaching the outer atmosphere, "If you guys really manage to bring over the opportunity for enlightenment and become Golden Immortals one by one, wouldn't I be ground down by you?"

Tathagata had a faint smile on his face, "You're joking, fellow Taoist. Since returning from that unknown place, both the Jade Emperor and I have been in Recovery mode, still a small distance from returning to the Celestial Immortal Realm; that Golden Immortal status is indeed still quite distant."

Listening to Tathagata's words, Lu Ren instead felt his heart tighten. He scrutinized Tathagata carefully, frowning, "Your foundation is deep, having absorbed a massive amount of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi over these decades, along with the boundless energy from the Cosmos. With the Taoism Fruit you've condensed, I'm guessing it's only a matter of years before you step into the Celestial Immortal Realm... What are you waiting for?"

The Jade Emperor's eyes flickered, suddenly raising his guard. That Lu Ren would put this on the table caught him off guard. He understood that Lu Ren was nothing like those muscle-headed Barbarian Witches from the Primordial Era, oblivious to destiny, ignorant of the cosmos' changes.

He had observed the development of the Human Race, and in co-practicing the three paths of Immortal Martial Witch, they combined with external objects. Now, those spaceships were flying chaotically all over the Galaxy. Even some mere mortals could pilot those so-called starships to navigate the starry seas.

As for external technological advancements, the Jade Emperor completely dismissed them. Any power would ultimately return to oneself. At his level, he could overturn the tens of thousands of battleships accumulated by Huaxia with a mere wave of his hand.

But that's not something pure Barbarian Witches could conceive.

Silent for a moment, the Jade Emperor said, "Nowadays, the entire River System True Realm is polluted by the Old Gods. The number of contamination sources is increasing. If the root isn't addressed, the only path left will be madness and descending into a Fallen Demon."

Tathagata added, "Fellow Taoist Lu, this is not like millions of years ago. The Celestial Immortal Taoism Fruit isn't so easily obtained. Once you step into it, it becomes just like..."

The Jade Emperor suddenly shouted, "Tathagata!"

Tathagata's expression remained calm; he glanced at the Jade Emperor, who stopped him from speaking further. Despite the tinge of displeasure on his face, he said nothing more. Often, battling enemies is about playing with informational asymmetry.

Moreover, to these rising stars of this era, many Profound Secrets are only known to them. In the eyes of the Jade Emperor and Tathagata, Lu Ren, despite his decent strength, was otherwise a complete novice.

Many times, it requires the precipitation of years to truly solidify one's foundation.

Lu Ren observed all of this in his eyes, his gaze deep, with a faint and unchanged smile on his face, leaving others unable to discern his thoughts.

Truthfully, Lu Ren did not believe Tathagata's words. It's not that Tathagata was lying, for the highest form of lying consists of telling some truths while omitting key information to mislead others — a practice even worse than lying.

Much like Tathagata now, appearing to accidentally leak key information only to be interrupted by the Jade Emperor, but who knows if they're acting?

Though, Lu Ren was not interested in this. Having a system at his side, he only needed to spend ten Destiny Points to deduce the Celestial Immortal Path's cultivation technique. With his current Physique and Spirit, once he gathered enough Skill Points, he might directly step into the Celestial Immortal Realm.

As for the Ascension Platform built by the joint efforts of the Jade Emperor and Tathagata to lure in the opportunity for enlightenment, Lu Ren wasn't interested at all.

It's purely a helpless measure.

With a subtle shift of gaze to the Ascension Platform, Lu Ren said with a meaningful tone, "Are you two nearing the end of your lifespans, stepping into old age? Otherwise, why resort to such futile expenditure of manpower and resources?"

In Lu Ren's view, that so-called opportunity across the shore, the chance to become a Golden Immortal, was perhaps extremely elusive. In their pursuit, Tathagata and the Jade Emperor would definitely turn against each other, their heads clashing like mad dogs.

All he needed was to quietly watch on the sidelines. Once having clarified he posed no threat, he could sit back relaxed.

(Apologies, I've been in a bit of a burnout phase, and with the next phase about to begin, I need some time to think. Also, for the sake of full attendance next month, I'll have to update regularly. Rong Youdao will take a short rest these days to ensure daily updates!

Returning to normal after New Year's.)