Chapter 768: Chapter 768

The Dragon Origin Dojo was where Supreme Dao Origin preached the Dao.

For those blessed with great fortune across the universe, this was a rare and invaluable opportunity.

Unlike other Supremes, Dao Origin had long embarked on the path of researching fortune and reincarnation, a pursuit that had spanned countless eras.

Many who once emerged from the Dragon Origin Dojo as "Children of Fortune" later rose to fame and glory. Some even ascended to become mighty Heavenly Emperors.

With such a legacy, it was no surprise that the Dragon Origin Dojo continued to draw in cultivators from all corners of the universe.

Holding the Dragon Origin Dojo Token, Li Pin followed the guidance of its power. As if a path had unfolded before him, he leapt forward, swiftly traversing the route.

Before long, he arrived in an entirely different space.

It was a mountain, soaring tens of millions of meters high.

Li Pin stood at its summit, on a plaza paved like a chessboard. In every direction, a boundless sea of clouds stretched to the horizon.

This... doesn't seem like a Supreme World, Li Pin thought, releasing a faint wave of his inner spirit.

"This is Supreme Dao Origin's Vessel of Origin," having sensed the fluctuation in Li Pin's inner spirit, Sasha quickly explained. "It's a Supreme Divine Weapon, forged with a Transcendent Technique.

"It can travel freely across the universe and even pass through the outer boundaries of the Astral World without triggering any backlash... as long as its energy output stays low enough."

"So, as long as it doesn't go overboard, the Astral World just turns a blind eye?" Li Pin asked.

Li Pin had arrived early. The area was still quiet, with hardly anyone around.

He glanced about before walking over to a spot in front of the "Player" and taking a seat.

His gaze swept over the surroundings. The place he'd chosen was clearly a position on the board.

A faint smile curved his lips. "So, every being is nothing more than a chess piece?"

Li Pin didn't think much of it and simply waited quietly.

Supremes aside. Even Astral Gods were famously stubborn. Unless they faced crushing defeat, they held absolute faith in themselves.

As for the Cosmic Radiances who had condensed True Spirits, it was even more pronounced. Their inner spirits, which had to remain pure and flawless, operated entirely on subjective belief. That alone made them unlikely to ever consider another viewpoint.

It wasn't that they lacked regard for the bigger picture. It was simply that, in their worldview, their way had always been the right one. Anyone who opposed them was either rebellious or disrespectful.

If even the Cosmic Radiances thought this way, then the Supremes, who had only ever known success in life, were even more so. Those who succeed naturally assume that everything they did must have been correct and successful.

This was why Sasha had warned Li Pin that not every Supreme was as easy to deal with as the Black Abyss Highlord.

As time went on, more and more cultivators, guided by their Dragon Origin Dojo Tokens, arrived at the Dragon Origin Dojo.

Their cultivation levels varied widely. Some were only at the Starshine Realm, while others had reached the Cosmic Radiance level. Among them, Li Pin even spotted a Sacred Monarch.

When the Sacred Monarch spotted Li Pin, he gave a slight nod but didn't say much.

In truth, he wasn't the only one. Most Cosmic Radiances behaved the same way. Some of the Starshine and Solar Flare cultivators even acted as though Li Pin didn't exist.

On one hand, they felt they lacked the status to approach him, so greeting him would seem pointless. On the other hand, just being able to enter the Dragon Origin Dojo was proof that each of them carried exceptional fortune. Their future accomplishments were unlikely to be minor.

Some, especially those confident in their own abilities, even thought to themselves, So what if Li Pin succeeded? If I had been given the same chance, I could have done the same.

With thoughts like that, a quiet hostility began to take root.

Fortunately, their envy hadn't clouded their judgment.

Knowing that Li Pin was a Cosmic Radiance who had already condensed a True Spirit, none of them dared to voice their resentment. They kept their distance. Follow current novels on novel·fıre·net

As Li Pin continued scanning the area, a man and a woman approached. Both looked unusually young for Cosmic Radiances.

The two greeted him with polite smiles and cupped fists. "I'm Qing Gang, and this is my sister, Zi Shuang. We're from the Omni-Merchant Guild. Greetings, Light of Origin."

While Li Pin was still processing their words, Sasha had already transmitted their profiles to him.

Cosmic Radiance, known as the Light of the Universe, represented the backbone of not only the human race but all major factions throughout the universe. Their data was accessible in all major faction and species databases, with only minor variations.

These two were, indeed, members of the Omni-Merchant Guild.

Moreover, they were direct disciples of Heavenly Emperor Tai Yi. Among them, Zi Shuang had ascended to the seventy-seventh step of the Supreme Ladder, placing her among the strongest in the Cosmic Radiance Realm.

Li Pin gave a slight nod. "Greetings."

Qing Gang smiled and said, "Lord Light of Origin, I didn't expect you to have also obtained a Dragon Origin Dojo Token. But then again, with your talent, it's only natural that great fortune follows. Entering the Dragon Origin Dojo is entirely expected.

"Now that we're all entering Dragon Origin Dojo together, it's almost like we're classmates. A rare bit of fate, wouldn't you say?"

Li Pin looked at him, slightly puzzled. He said, "Light of the Azure Edge, if you have something to say, just say it."

In other words... if there's nothing important, don't bother me.

Qing Gang's smile faltered slightly at those words, but he quickly composed himself.

"As expected of you, Lord Light of Origin. You are truly direct and decisive. Over the past while, our Omni-Merchant Guild has held several meetings just because of your name, which shows the level of importance we place on you.

"Even my master speaks highly of you and often praises you. May I, on behalf of my master and the Omni-Merchant Guild, extend an invitation for you to visit us as our honored guest?"

He continued with a smile, "The Omni-Merchant Guild has access to everything. Our foundation and wealth rank among the top six factions in the Astral World. If a supreme prodigy like yourself were to join us, rest assured, we would give you the highest priority.

"Whether it's a Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon or cultivation resources, everything would be provided. If you're willing to take up a position within our guild, we can offer a remuneration of one hundred thousand Creation Profound Crystals per epoch."

It quickly became clear to Li Pin that they were trying to recruit him.

However... one hundred thousand Creation Profound Crystals per epoch?

That amount could buy two Pinnacle Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapons. If I worked there for just three to five epochs, I could probably afford a Sovereign Divine Weapon.

The Omni-Merchant Guild truly lived up to its reputation for vast wealth and extravagance.

"You should be careful," Sasha's voice suddenly echoed in Li Pin's mind. "There's a reason 'merchant' is in their name—they take business to the extreme. Some of their practices would be considered distasteful, even in the mundane world.

"They've often used indirect investments to support the descendants of Tyrants, Sacred Monarchs, and Heavenly Emperors, providing them with cultivation resources. But their real goal was always the elders. Once those descendants amassed enormous debts, they'd turn their sights on the Tyrants and Sacred Monarchs, forcing them to work for the guild."

She then offered a clear analysis, "Now, they're offering you a salary far beyond what even a Tyrant, Sacred Monarch, or Heavenly Emperor would normally receive—one hundred thousand Creation Profound Crystals per epoch.

"This either means they want to use your popularity to promote themselves, or they're trying to bind the Black Abyss Highlord through you. If it's the latter, it might be acceptable. But if it's the former... unless you can maintain your rise, maybe even reach the level of a Heavenly Emperor within an epoch and earn the right to negotiate with them—then you'll be lucky to even receive one full epoch of that salary."

He remembered how, back in the Gaia Era, some managers had been lured in with generous salaries and grand promises. They brought their clients along, only to be discarded once the company had absorbed everything of value. Those managers would be shoved into a corner office, left to sit on a cold bench, met with biting sarcasm, until they eventually quit on their own.

"Isn't the Omni-Merchant Guild worried about making enemies?" Li Pin asked.

Sasha replied, "In business, it's all about profit. But it's not all predatory. Sure, they offer help when the skies are clear and pull away when the storm hits.

"But they've also lifted overlooked talents to greatness. Those people remain fiercely loyal to the guild. And besides... the Omni-Merchant Guild has two Supremes behind it—Foundation and Genesis."

Li Pin's mind echoed the names, Foundation and Genesis.

Among the Supremes, Genesis was widely acknowledged as the undisputed number one among the Human Race.

Of course, that was if one didn't count Supreme Regalheaven, who, in a sense, should be counted as two people.

In one-on-one combat, only the Highlord of the Heaven Ordainment Sect could barely surpass him.

"So, would it be fair to think of the Omni-Merchant Guild as a loan company?" Li Pin asked.

Sasha paused, then answered promptly, "You could see it that way. Or maybe as a bank. The difference is, they're much more legitimate."

She paused briefly, then added, "Because... they're powerful enough. Which means they represent the rules. They are the law."

Li Pin gave a slight nod. "Understood."

Just when I am worrying about not having enough Creation Profound Crystals, the Omni-Merchant Guild has shown up?

He turned to Qing Gang and said, "I have no doubt about the wealth of the Omni-Merchant Guild. In today’s world, which Radiance does not take pride in joining them? After all, becoming one of them often means never having to worry about resources again...”

Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Qing Gang’s face. Light of Origin’s words might sound harsh, but at least he handled matters with a practical mind.

Just then, Li Pin suddenly shifted the topic. "It's just that... I haven't spent much time at either the Humanity Sanctum or the Sacred Flame Hall. Considering that Hall Master Mo Xuan has treated me with sincere trust, if I were to leave the Sacred Flame Hall now and accept an offer from your guild—"

At that, Qing Gang hurriedly interjected, "Honored Light of Origin, if memory serves me right, you have yet to formally join the Sacred Flame Hall..."

"That's precisely why I'm still talking with you," Li Pin replied, meeting Qing Gang's gaze. "I'm certainly tempted by the Omni-Merchant Guild, but I can't just overlook the kindness Mo Xuan has shown me."

Qing Gang frowned slightly. "Light of Origin, you mean to say..."

"An advance payment," Li Pin said. "If the Omni-Merchant Guild is willing to pay me upfront, say, for eight to ten epochs, I'll take that generous offer to Hall Master Mo Xuan. Lay everything out, speak with reason."

He paused, then smiled. "I believe, for the sake of my future, he won't try to stop me from joining your guild."