Chu Xingchen looked at Xu Jin, who had suddenly moved closer, and pushed him away with a hint of disdain, signaling him to step back.
At this point, the conversation had only explained the general situation from back then and revealed what Xu Jin often referred to as the "Mandate of Heaven" from the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect.
Chu Xingchen's gaze turned somewhat inscrutable as he looked at the pristine Rule Crystal.
At least, based on the contents of the Rule Crystal, the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect's claims weren’t entirely baseless.
But the fact that they were sharing these secrets with him meant he was inevitably tied to them.
Xu Jin and the others might not know what a "system" was, but they had likely thoroughly researched concepts like the Mandate of Heaven and destiny.
Still, Chu Xingchen remained relatively calm. If a great calamity truly came, he probably wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed—especially since his system had a "Great Calamity Mission."
If he reframed his thoughts—this mission meant the entire Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect would have to rally behind him.
Thinking this way, Chu Xingchen still felt the urge to curse.
His eyes fixed on Xu Jin as he asked calmly,
"So, you think I’m the chosen one this time, just like that dragon that died halfway?"
Xu Jin nodded calmly. "Theoretically, yes. But our current situation is far better than back then. The bloodshed of the past has borne some fruit."
"Every immortal sect occupying a spiritual vein has signed the Heavenly Dao Covenant. When the calamity comes again, the eighteen major sects will be the first to face it."
"That’s why the eighteen sects have been silently hunting traces of the [Demonic]. As for the Buddhist sects… whether it’s just a faction acting alone or the entire sect is involved remains unknown…"
Before he could finish, Chu Xingchen abruptly interrupted,
"You should investigate those matters yourselves. That’s not my concern for now. You called me here—surely not just to ramble about this?"
Chu Xingchen cleared his throat, his tone suddenly solemn.
"I’m ready. Hand it over now."
Xu Jin was taken aback, staring at Chu Xingchen’s serious expression before asking in confusion,
"...What exactly are you asking for?"
"The 'Chosen One’s Grand Gift Pack,' of course. The Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect has been preparing for so long—you must have a full set ready for the Chosen One. Hand it over so I can equip it."
"Chosen One’s Grand Gift Pack?"
"Top-tier armor painstakingly forged for me, capable of withstanding attacks from Mahayana or even Tribulation Transcendence experts. And maybe a peerless spiritual treasure that can annihilate the world with a single strike."
"If the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect had such things, why would we need to bring you here to see this? Why wouldn’t I be the Chosen One myself?" Xu Jin laughed in exasperation, pulling out his spiritual sword.
"This is the most powerful weapon the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect could forge at great cost. If you want it, I’ll give it to you."
Chu Xingchen glanced at it. By his standards, this sword was undoubtedly among the finest.
But it was far from enough. At best, he could sell it for a hefty sum of spirit stones.
He changed the subject. "Then there must be some hidden supreme cultivation technique, reserved for the Chosen One..."
"The strongest technique in the sect is the one I’m cultivating. If you want it, I can make a copy for you."
"So after all this preparation, you didn’t leave anything good for the Chosen One?" Chu Xingchen said disdainfully. "At the very least, there should be a spirit stone gift pack, right?"
Xu Jin pressed his lips together. For some reason, he almost wished he had mistaken Chu Xingchen for the chosen one.
After these exchanges, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Chu Xingchen might sell out the entire world if the price was right.
After a moment of thought, Xu Jin finally replied,
"If your requests are reasonable and within our means, the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect will naturally provide."
Chu Xingchen studied Xu Jin’s earnest expression before speaking after a pause,
"So why am I here? To inherit the destiny of humanity or the Heavenly Mandate of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect?"
"The destiny of humanity belongs to all mankind—a reward for facing the calamity. The Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect cannot use it, nor can the Chosen One."
"Then I’m here to inherit your Heavenly Mandate?"
Xu Jin met his gaze frankly. "No need to inherit. It’s already with you. Two hundred years ago, the Heavenly Mandate carried by the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect began fading, along with some of its rules. We believe the Heavenly Dao was reclaiming it."
"Perhaps the sect can no longer bear this calamity. The Heavenly Mandate must go where it belongs."
"Strictly speaking, you’re not the Chosen One—you’re the Child of Heaven’s Mandate. The destiny belongs to mankind, but you alone bear the Heavenly Mandate."
"Reflect on your life, and you’ll know if I speak the truth."
"We brought you here to lay everything bare. No matter what, when the calamity comes, the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect will give its all—not for you, but for this world."
"The Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect bears the Heavenly Mandate and thus the Heavenly Mission. Even now that the Mandate has left us, we will still fulfill our duty."
"If a mission calls, the sect will act as it did millennia ago."
"At any cost!"
"We charge first!"
Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect, Main Hall.
Li Moze calmly observed Bai Xuanling standing at the center of the hall. Her expression was solemn, spiritual energy coiled around her, and her divine sense aggressively probed outward, nearly enveloping the entire sect.
If anything seemed amiss outside, she wouldn’t wait for Chu Xingchen’s signal—this Tribulation Transcendence killing god would strike first.
Li Moze chose to ease Bai Xuanling’s tension with words.
"One must admit, the Tianyan Sect’s divination arts have truly reached the pinnacle."
Bai Xuanling glanced at him, her tone flat.
"As expected of a sect leader—such flattery is rare. Save it for when my own sect leader is here. I don’t practice divination."
Li Moze smiled faintly at her prickly response.
Bai Xuanling’s abrasive demeanor was well-known.
As long as she wasn’t drawing her sword, it counted as politeness.
From what he could see, Chu Xingchen clearly trusted Bai Xuanling deeply.
And Bai Xuanling, in turn, fiercely protected him. For someone of her notorious reputation, such protectiveness could only come from genuine care.
As for whether Chu Xingchen would share all the information with Bai Xuanling after learning of it, Li Moze wasn’t overly concerned. Sometimes, fate passively guides people to where they ought to be and to the ones they ought to meet.
Even if it’s just a subconscious urge, a sudden impulse to act.