High above on the cloud platform, Yuanshi Tianzun looked at Shen Gongbao with a gaze that was complex and inscrutable.
What Shen Gongbao had done today was, in essence, the very outcome he had hoped for. The Chan Sect was founded on the principle of "expounding the righteous path"; how could he allow someone of "fur and horns" to take charge of the God-Conferring Board? He had previously wounded Shen Gongbao precisely to extinguish this very prospect. Now that Shen Gongbao had voluntarily stepped aside, it had, unexpectedly, provided him with a way to climb down from his own dilemma.
Yet, at that moment, Yuanshi Tianzun felt a sudden tremor in his heart. This sense of unease was something he had not experienced since he attained the rank of Sage. What could this possibly mean? Looking at Shen Gongbao, doubt flickered in his mind. Could it be that the only reason he, a Sage, had received a warning from the Heavenly Dao was because Shen Gongbao refused to take charge of the God-Conferring Board?
*Impossible. Absolutely impossible.*
Fifteen minutes passed. Thirty minutes passed.
Seeing that Yuanshi Tianzun remained silent and offered no reaction, the others held their tongues, but Shen Gongbao could no longer wait. He was eager to see what kind of Star-Grade rewards might appear. Over the past few days, he had gained a basic understanding of the Primordial World "Lying Flat" System. The rewards were categorized into five tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Star, and Supreme. Star-Grade was already the fourth tier out of five. With the Twelfth-Grade Creation Green Lotus Seed as a precedent, the allure of a Star-Grade draw was immense for Shen Gongbao.
Without further ado, Shen Gongbao glanced at Judulsun standing nearby and spoke in a clear, resonant voice:
"Master, just a few words from Senior Brother Judulsun a moment ago helped me see the light. The Twelve Golden Immortals, hand-picked by you, truly deserve their reputation as the most outstanding second-generation disciples of our Chan Sect. In my humble opinion, the Twelve Golden Immortals are the best representatives to carry out the God-Conferring task on behalf of Yuxu Palace. Therefore, if you have not yet decided on a suitable candidate, I nominate Senior Brother Judulsun!"
As soon as these words left his lips, a stir rippled through the crowd. No one had expected Shen Gongbao to recommend Judulsun. Yet, upon closer reflection, the suggestion was not entirely unreasonable; the Twelve Golden Immortals were indeed the most representative of all the second-generation disciples. It seemed Shen Gongbao at least possessed some self-awareness.
However, the others held reservations about his proposal. Even if someone were to be chosen from the Twelve Golden Immortals to hold the God-Conferring Board, it certainly shouldn't fall to someone like Judulsun. If even he were eligible, why not them?
Judulsun, oblivious to the secret thoughts of those around him, felt his heart skip a beat. *I never expected Junior Brother Shen, despite his humble origins, to have such a discerning eye. Could it be that I have misunderstood him from the very beginning? Does he actually admire me in private?*
Previously, because Yuanshi Tianzun had excluded the Twelve Golden Immortals from the sect competition, Judulsun had abandoned any thoughts of holding the God-Conferring Board. But giving up was one thing; it didn't mean he had no longing for it. Now, Shen Gongbao’s words had reignited that desire.
*That’s right!* Junior Brother Shen was absolutely correct. They, the Twelve Golden Immortals, were the true face of the Chan Sect. If anyone were to hold the God-Conferring Board, it should undoubtedly be one of them. With Guangchengzi too stern, Taiyi too protective of his own, and Yuding uninterested in such worldly affairs… suddenly, Judulsun felt that, just as Shen Gongbao had said, he was the most suitable candidate after all.
Sensing the shifting atmosphere below, Yuanshi Tianzun’s expression darkened. He released a sliver of his Sage’s might, and Yuxu Palace fell into instant silence.
"Enough!"
Yuanshi Tianzun swept his gaze coldly over the assembly before resting it on Shen Gongbao. "Do I need you, a disciple, to point fingers at how I conduct my affairs? Since you lack ambition and have voluntarily forfeited first place in the competition, I shall grant your wish. As for who will hold the God-Conferring Board, that is not for you to worry about!"
Shen Gongbao didn't hear the rest of his words, for the moment Yuanshi Tianzun uttered the phrase "I shall grant your wish," a system notification appeared before him:
[Congratulations to the host for completing optional task 2: "I abstain, do whatever you want." Star-Grade draw unlocked.]
In the next instant, a massive spinning wheel appeared before Shen Gongbao. With his previous experience, he calmly inspected the rewards on the wheel:
* **Luo Bao Jin Coin:** A merit-based spiritual treasure capable of knocking down any magical weapon below the rank of Innate Supreme Treasure, though ineffective against conventional armaments.
* **Ghost Bone Banner:** Engraved with bone runes; when waved, it can capture souls. Mortals die upon contact, and immortals are rendered unconscious.
* **Three-Light Divine Water:** Congealed from the essence of sunlight, moonlight, and starlight. It can bring the dead back to life, regrow bones, neutralize all poisons, and mend the primordial spirit.
It was clear that the items on the Star-Grade wheel were a tier above the Gold-Grade. Even Shen Gongbao felt a surge of greed for items like the Luo Bao Jin Coin. However, just like the Twelfth-Grade Creation Green Lotus Seed, the higher the rank, the smaller the space the item occupied on the wheel.
"I offer my Master’s hundred thousand years of lifespan in exchange for a one-hit miracle!"
Shen Gongbao bowed sincerely toward Yuanshi Tianzun and pressed the stop button on the wheel.
*Master, you are a Sage, after all. Please, give me some luck!* Shen Gongbao squeezed his eyes shut, prayed silently for ten seconds, and then slowly opened them.
What met his eyes was a new system notification:
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: One Primordial Dao Seal!]
"A Primordial Dao Seal? What is this?" Shen Gongbao frowned. It was impossible not to feel a twinge of disappointment. Of all the items on the list, he had hoped most for the Luo Bao Jin Coin. The mere thought of knocking down any treasure in the world made him thrill. He had also hoped for some practical Innate Spiritual Treasures, as his current weapon, the Thunder Lord Whip, was merely a low-grade Postnatal Spiritual Treasure. During his previous bouts, the inferiority of his equipment had been a major hindrance.
But a Primordial Dao Seal—the name alone suggested it didn't meet his needs.
*It seems this Master of mine, Yuanshi Tianzun, is still not up to the task.*
"That is all. All of you, withdraw."
On the cloud platform, watching the suddenly silent Shen Gongbao and the burning gazes of his disciples, Yuanshi Tianzun felt a headache brewing. Holding the God-Conferring Board was not a task just anyone could undertake; the most important prerequisite was alignment with Heavenly Fate. Previously, his calculations had pointed to Shen Gongbao as the Destined God-Investiture Person, which was why he had made an exception to accept the demon-kin into the Chan Sect. But the Heavenly Dao was inscrutable; only later did he realize that Jiang Ziya was the true Destined God-Investiture Person.
However, he could not explain this to the disciples present. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed them all.