Gacha pull: I obtained a god-level talent.

The aura of "Ruins" dissipated between heaven and earth.

"Tsk...this move is not good."

The figure on the left clicked his tongue and retrieved the fallen white piece, causing the phantom image of the chess piece in the sky to dissipate.

"Eh? 'Good move,' once a move is made, it cannot be taken back. How can you take it back?"

The figure on the right suddenly spoke, pressed down on the hand of the figure on the left holding the chess piece, and pushed the piece back onto the chessboard.

The illusory image of Bai Zi reappeared in the sea of ​​tribulation, fell down, and finally dissipated into light and shadow.

The next instant, the shattered sea of ​​calamity returned to its original state, as if the "Ruins" had never existed.

As the Sea of ​​Calamity was repaired, the two people playing chess in the void also disappeared without a trace.

Zhang Yuan stared at the empty void, feeling somewhat dazed.

Everything that just happened feels like a dream.

"Little Yuanzi, those two chess players, they must be your two cheap masters whom you've never met, right?"

Hua Yue's voice rang out from the side, and Zhang Yuan snapped out of his reverie, nodding and saying, "Yes, that supreme expert known as 'Ruins' uttered 'good' and 'evil,' I'm pretty sure I'm not mistaken."

Hua Yue looked up at the empty void above, caught the gray fur ball that had regained its freedom in her arms, and sighed, "Those two old men are really strong. 'Ruins' is a top-tier single-character title, yet they couldn't even hold onto a single chess piece. I wonder what it would be like if they went serious."

“It shouldn’t be long before we see it,” Zhang Yuan smiled. “After all, we’ve now come into contact with the level of the strongest beings, and ‘Good’ and ‘Evil’ seem to be among the strongest as well.”

"maybe."

Hua Yue didn't focus too much on "good" or "evil," but instead looked at the colorful seeds in Zhang Yuan's hand and asked curiously, "What are these things? I've only been gone for two minutes, where did you get them?"

"The item I got from the gashapon machine is called 'Seed of Root - Destiny'."

Zhang Yuan didn't hide anything and quickly recounted how he got the "Seed of Origin" from the gashapon and how "Ruins" came out to snatch it after it appeared.

After listening to Zhang Yuan's story, Hua Yue looked at the colorful seed in Zhang Yuan's hand, her eyes shining. "It seems that this is truly an extraordinary treasure, that it could actually make a supreme expert risk his life to snatch it."

"Little Yuanzi, while the residual power of 'good' and 'evil' is still present, quickly refine and absorb them to avoid attracting more supreme experts."

"Hmm, let Little Grey protect me. I'll try to refine it, and then I'll send you back to 'Dark Heaven'."

Zhang Yuan had the same idea. He said something to Hua Yue, then sat down cross-legged and tried to refine the "Seed of Origin - Destiny".

[Do you wish to implant the "Seed of Origin - Destiny" into your soul? Note that each being can only possess one Seed of Origin, and once implanted, the Seed of Origin will merge with the soul and can never be separated again.]

Upon seeing the message pop up on the information panel, Zhang Yuan didn't immediately refine it. Instead, he asked Xiao You, "Xiao You, why don't you go ask your father if I can refine and absorb this 'Seed of Origin'?"

Xiao You: "Master, Father has just left a message. There are many 'Seeds of Origin' in the world. Everyone who obtains a 'Seed of Origin' is a chosen one and will receive blessings from the unknown realm. Moreover, the 'Root of Destiny' is extremely suitable for you, Master. After merging with it, you will receive unprecedented benefits."

When Zhang Yuan heard Xiao You's words, he frowned slightly: "Xiao You, did your father really say that?"

Xiao You: "Yes, Master. What's wrong?"

Zhang Yuan pondered, "Given your father's style, he usually only gives a simple answer regarding whether or not one can absorb the 'Seed of Origin.' This is the first time he's given such a lengthy explanation."

Xiao You, however, didn't see anything wrong with it and laughed, "Master, aren't you overthinking it? This 'Seed of Origin' is something even the strongest beings would risk their lives to seize. Isn't it normal for Father to introduce it to you more?"

"I still feel like something's not right."

Zhang Yuan shook his head slightly. "Xiao You, didn't you notice that your father talked a lot of repetitive things, but didn't give me any clear advice?"

"Huh?" Xiaoyou was taken aback. "It seems so..."

Hua Yue, who was standing guard beside Zhang Yuan, noticed that Zhang Yuan had not yet refined the "Seed of Origin" and was instead frowning. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Little Yuanzi, is there a problem?"

"There are some doubts, which may require everyone's consideration."

Zhang Yuan didn't let anyone speculate. He took out the Heaven-Refining Gourd and told everyone about Xiao You's father's message and his own strange feeling.

Hua Yue: "Hmm... Little Yuanzi, do you mean your cheap master deliberately said all that to hint to you? Not to absorb the 'Seed of Origin'?"

The voice of the "Queen of Ashes" echoed from within the Heaven-Refining Gourd, "Zhang Yuan, could you be overthinking it? I didn't hear anything about any harm in absorbing the 'Seed of Origin' from those words."

Astraea interjected, "Indeed, so many top beings were vying for the 'Seed of Origin' just now. If it were me, I would definitely refine this treasure immediately. Zhang Yuan, if you don't want it, give it to me!"

Li Xue'er, however, said, "I think A Yuan's concerns are not without merit. Let's not forget the existence of 'Heavenly Dao.' Every world, regardless of size, has 'Heavenly Dao.' Perhaps the Unknowable Realm also has such a kind of rule, restricting 'good' and 'evil,' allowing them only to be riddle tellers."

Yan Li: "Yes, I agree with Li Xueer's opinion. In fact, there was already a very obvious 'hint' in that sentence, and I even felt that it was so obvious that it was somewhat against the rules."

Astraea looked completely bewildered: "Huh? What's wrong with it?"

Hua Yue: "Is he the 'Chosen One'?"

Yan Li: "Yes, Zhang Yuan is the Ancestor of the Calamity Sea Emperor. In a sense, Zhang Yuan is already the 'Chosen One.' There's no need to add the phrase 'good' and 'evil' when introducing the 'Seed of Origin.'"

Zhang Yuan pondered, "So, the 'Seed of Origin' might actually be the problem? But I got it from a gacha pull, and the gacha was given to me by the system, which is the work of both 'good' and 'evil.' If they didn't want me to absorb the 'Seed of Origin,' why would they go to all this trouble?"

Yan Li: "Indeed... this is where the logic doesn't make sense. I can't figure out what their purpose is in doing this."

"Um...can I give my opinion?" At this moment, Xiao Shui's voice came from the Refining Heaven Gourd, attracting everyone's attention.

Zhang Yuan: "Xiao Shui, what are your thoughts?"

Xiao Shui: "I'm wondering if this is like playing a video game, where absorbing the 'Seed of Origin' or not creates two different paths leading to different endings?"

"You see, a good game designer doesn't interfere with the player's choices; they only guide and lead the player forward. The actions of 'good' and 'evil' are like a game designer creating a game for Zhang Yuan. Although the system guides Zhang Yuan through the main storyline, it never interferes with his choices."

"In the game, players will inevitably reach the final boss. Will Zhang Yuan be the same way? No matter what choices Zhang Yuan makes during the process, he will still reach the final game boss, only the ending will be different?"

"So, 'good' and 'evil' are allowed to emerge from the 'Seed of Root,' because this 'Seed of Root' is a necessary step in facing the final boss?"

As soon as Xiao Shui said this, everyone present fell silent.

Seeing the lively discussion suddenly quiet down, Xiao Shui immediately chickened out and quickly said, "I... I was just expressing my opinion. If I'm wrong, you can ignore it!"

Zhang Yuan pondered for a long time, then sighed, "Xiao Shui... perhaps you are right."

……

Is that right?