The Triangle's Stability vs. Collusion to Embezzle Assets

The Little Golden Dragon wasn’t actually stupid at all. It was just that, being born as an artifact spirit, its thinking was somewhat rigid, so it wasn’t well-versed in the twists and turns of human interactions.

Back when it was still an artifact spirit and hung around with Ling Xiao, that guy would always say things like, “You just focus on brute force, and I’ll figure out the rest.” In the end, it got completely taken advantage of, nearly having its true spirit erased entirely!

After reviving and merging with Zhao Huazhen, it turned into a fish, spending its days eating and eating, with little opportunity to exercise its brain.

Then came its dragon transformation phase, where it became famous across the entire Profound Heaven Continent. So many powerful cultivators came trying to subdue it, but being socially anxious, it naturally avoided them, preferring not to interact with others.

Finally came its ascension to immortality. Being invincible was lonely, and Ling Xiao still refused to return its original form, leaving it with nothing to do but lurk in group chats all day.

Oh, but the folks in those groups were all such talents, so witty and fun to listen to. Secretly watching them brag and goof around was endlessly entertaining.

So, the artifact spirit of the Primordial Chaos Creation Disk remained exactly as it was when it first came into existence—except now its brain was filled with all sorts of flashy, absurd phrases, thoroughly brainwashed by the lively antics of its online friends.

That is, until today, when this powerful man gave it a lesson!

It was like a sudden enlightenment, yanking it free from its long-solidified way of thinking!

This was just simple perspective-taking—why had it never learned it all these years?

Hmm, couldn’t figure it out. Let’s try perspective-taking... If I weren’t me, then the reason I never learned it... must be because everything’s been too smooth sailing!

The only setback was nearly being wiped out by Ling Xiao. Other than that, every being it encountered was either weaker or even dumber than itself. There was no need to overthink—just charge ahead, and everything would work out. Naturally, there was no need for perspective-taking!

But then, why did Ling Xiao betray it back then? They had fought side by side for so many years, their bond deep, their friendship so strong it could be called life-and-death. So why did he stab it in the back?

Hmm, still couldn’t figure it out. Let’s try perspective-taking again... If I were Ling Xiao, trapped in a desperate situation, and suddenly obtained the help of an incredibly powerful Great Dao artifact—how lucky!

At this point, the Little Golden Dragon seemed to understand.

It remembered something one of its group members once said: “What’s cheaply bought is cheaply sold; what’s easily gained is easily discarded. What you can’t have is always alluring, but what’s taken for granted is never treasured.”

No wonder Ling Xiao favored the Bronze Coffin so much—it was because the Creation Disk had been too easily obtained!

The Little Golden Dragon was quick to extrapolate. Its once-clear eyes, now baptized by this realization, suddenly took on a less innocent glint.

“So, is it because helping me break free from Ling Xiao’s control would cross his bottom line and attract even stronger enemies, which is why you won’t cooperate with me?”

Chen Yi shook his head slightly. “No. I never planned to cooperate with you in the first place. I want it all.”

Little Golden Dragon: “...”

Not even pretending anymore, huh?

I’m still an artifact spirit, you know. If I don’t cooperate, you can’t just do whatever you want!

“How exactly do you plan to ‘take it all’?” The Little Golden Dragon racked its brain, a flash of shrewdness in its eyes. “Ling Xiao’s remaining will imprint can’t be touched, and right now, the Creation Disk is also suppressed by Wuji’s power. You can mess with me if you want, but do you dare provoke two Immortal Emperors at once?”

“Simple. You just need to become a ruler yourself,” Chen Yi said with a faint smile.

“Huh? Me?” The Little Golden Dragon was covered in question marks, feeling its brain about to short-circuit.

No matter how it thought about it, it couldn’t see how this had anything to do with itself!

The world of the strong was still too complicated—no amount of perspective-taking could help it figure this out!

“Yes, you.” Chen Yi spoke earnestly. “You know how a triangle is the most stable shape, right? When two tigers fight, one is bound to be hurt—even the winner only emerges barely alive.

“But with three forces in balance, they keep each other in check. You’re the aggrieved party—Ling Xiao owes you a massive karmic debt. I’m the third party, and there’s also that barbarian Wuji itching to make a move. Under these circumstances, Ling Xiao will feel there’s still hope. No matter how unhappy he is, he’ll have to bide his time, not daring to upset the balance lightly.”

Afraid the dumb Little Golden Dragon wouldn’t understand, Chen Yi practically spoon-fed the explanation into its brain.

But the Little Golden Dragon was still a bit disoriented.

After all, it could only manage perspective-taking for one person at a time. Now it had to consider two—no, wait, there was also that barbarian Wuji. How would they react in this situation? Like this? Or like that? Ohhh, its brain was about to fry.

Seeing its pupils dilate further, Chen Yi shook his head. What was he going to do with this kid...

Helpless, he could only guide it patiently. “Don’t always fixate on the process—that’ll just trap you in an endless whirlpool of chaos. You can never fully predict the ever-shifting hearts of men.

“So, start from the outcome. Between the best and worst possible endings lies the battleground of all parties. No matter who wins or loses, as long as you’ve prepared for the worst, you’ll already be in an unassailable position. Only then can you confidently fight for what you want, achieving the goal of ‘losing nothing, winning everything.’”

Hearing this, the Little Golden Dragon felt the tangled mess in its mind suddenly unravel and straighten out. An indescribable relief washed over it, like floating freely in a pool of immortal nectar.

That’s right!

Who cares what they think? I only need to care about what I want!

What I want... is freedom!

And for that, what does it matter if I have to make a deal with the devil?

The Primordial Chaos Creation Disk is mine—the advantage is mine!

Let’s do it!

“You’ll help me, right?” The Little Golden Dragon stared straight at Chen Yi.

Even though it was currently trapped in his palm, unable to escape the towering Five Finger Mountain, it inexplicably felt that this man could be trusted.

After all... no one had ever taught it so much before!

So what if he was also using it?

At least he was upfront about it, letting it know the consequences of its actions—unlike Ling Xiao, who never explained anything, just acted, leaving it clueless until it was nearly destroyed!

“Of course I’ll help you. Like I said, I want it all—including you.” Chen Yi was blunt. “Naturally, if you can turn the tables on your own, then more power to you. But... do you really think you can outmaneuver me?”

Little Golden Dragon: “...”

Could you at least pretend a little? That’s kind of harsh to hear...

Do I really stand no chance at all?

Hmph, I refuse to believe that!

“So... what should I do next?”

The Little Golden Dragon humbly sought guidance. It understood the theory, but the practical execution... was a bit beyond it.

Chen Yi had no qualms about teaching it. “Simple. Don’t overthink it. Just leverage your initiative as an artifact spirit, stake your claim, and carve out your own territory. Make it so neither I nor Ling Xiao can fully control the Primordial Chaos Creation Disk.”

The Little Golden Dragon pondered this. “So, we pretend to be at odds on the surface, giving him the illusion that there’s still hope, while secretly colluding behind his back, emptying out all his assets, and finally kicking him to the curb?”

Chen Yi shook his head slightly. "Why kick him to the curb? After all, his goal in creating the chat group was to build a force to counterattack the Immortal Realm. We can just pretend to cooperate with him while completely ignoring him in reality!"

"After all, we need a big brother who can shoulder the pressure from the Wuji Immortal Emperor!"

"Tsk... you’re really something else!" The Little Golden Dragon gasped, hesitating for a moment before saying,

"You’ve treated me with sincerity, so I feel I shouldn’t hide this from you. Using resources from the Ling Xiao Treasury will taint you with Ling Xiao’s will. Before reaching the Celestial Immortal realm, it’s manageable, but once you break through, his willmark will be imprinted on you, making it nearly impossible to escape his control!"

Then, the Little Golden Dragon suddenly lifted its head with a haughty expression. "And me? I’m the artifact spirit of the Primordial Chaos Creation Disk! Back then, he used my body as the foundation for his Dao, so the willmark was naturally forged with the power of Primordial Chaos Creation!"

"So, not only can I control all beings who’ve used the Ling Xiao Treasury’s resources, but I can also purify the vast resources within the treasury itself!"

"Mhm, and then?" Chen Yi glanced at it sideways.

The Little Golden Dragon paused, taken aback by his utterly indifferent demeanor. Suddenly, it felt a flicker of doubt. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll control you if you use the Ling Xiao Treasury’s resources?"

"Even if... even if you’re immune to Ling Xiao’s influence, surely someone around you has used resources from the treasury, right? I... I..."

Under Chen Yi’s utterly calm gaze, the Little Golden Dragon’s words trailed off.

Damn it! I finally worked up the courage to speak my mind, so why am I losing so miserably?!

Oh no... it seems I have no other leverage left. Am I really just going to let him have his way with me now?!

I’m doomed!!!