Villain: After Slacking Off, The Protagonist Collapse

In the Pure Yang Holy Land—

The Sun God King glanced at the Pure Yang Holy Master with exasperation. "You're truly insufferable," he muttered.

Beside him, the Pure Yang Holy Son nodded in agreement. "You're clearly the one orchestrating all this chaos."

"What's wrong with that?" The Pure Yang Holy Master smirked. "We've never been on good terms with them anyway. Now, we can worsen their relationship a little more. Besides, what if they decide to team up in the future? While we're strong, if they join forces, it wouldn't be good for us."

"Besides, isn't it amusing to watch them tear each other apart?" he added with a laugh.

Neither faction realized that their arguments and disputes were all orchestrated by the Pure Yang Holy Master.

He had skillfully instigated the chaos, yet remained entirely uninvolved, leaving the ancient imperial clans and human alliances to clash.

"No wonder they call us the ultimate troublemakers," the Pure Yang Holy Son remarked, his tone one of sudden understanding. "It all starts with the Holy Master!"

Smack!

The Pure Yang Holy Master delivered a sharp punch to the Holy Son, snorting coldly. "Don't you dare shift the blame onto me because of your sharp tongue."

He could tell the Holy Son was trying to make him take the fall for everything. Though he did have a penchant for causing trouble, the Holy Son's loose tongue wasn't his fault.

"But my master is your disciple!" the Holy Son protested, feigning innocence. "If not for your teaching, would my master have learned such behavior? I heard my master was a kind-hearted youth before following you. Ever since, he's grown worse and worse!"

"My master learned from you, and I learned from my master. We're all part of the same lineage!" the Holy Son declared indignantly.

Hearing this, the Sun God King couldn't help but chuckle, while the Pure Yang Holy Master's face darkened.

—

In the Primordial Holy Land—

"These people are so bored!" one elder remarked. "They're arguing over such a trivial matter. Why are they so panicked when we haven't even said anything?"

"They're afraid we'll accuse them of stirring up trouble and target them. After all, the Holy Son's heavenly tribulation hasn't ended yet," another elder observed.

The Third Patriarch mused, "The instigator behind this conflict doesn't match the style of either faction. The initial voice was so well-hidden that even I couldn't trace it."

"That's because the troublemaker here is none other than the Pure Yang Holy Master," Dongfang Mingyue interjected with a sigh.

"That guy has always had a penchant for mischief. Half the bad reputation of the Pure Yang Holy Land is his doing. He probably started this chaos to worsen relations between the two factions."

"After all, with our current momentum, it's easy to provoke fear and force the two sides to join forces. If they truly ally, it won't be a good situation for us," Dongfang Mingyue observed calmly.

She understood the Pure Yang Holy Master well, as they were contemporaries and had a close relationship between their two holy lands. While his methods were often unconventional, she approved of his approach—better to prevent disaster before it strikes.

The Primordial Holy Land was undeniably powerful in this era, perhaps more so than any force in countless ages. Even the legendary True Dragon Clan of the past might not compare. However, excessive strength could also be a double-edged sword, potentially uniting opposing factions against them.

If there were a shared enemy, alliances that seemed impossible in the past, like between the human race and the ancient imperial clans, could become reality—just as it had a million years ago when facing the Heavenly Demons.

"If they truly intend to ally, today's events won't stop them. These minor disputes won't change anything," Mu Jianxue said coldly, her voice cutting through the conversation like ice.

Dongfang Mingyue responded calmly, "That may be true, but at the very least, we've made things unpleasant for both sides."

The group fell silent, acknowledging the truth in her words. The constant bickering and blame-shifting between the two factions had left them both defensive, eager to avoid taking the blame.

Ironically, no one suspected the Primordial Holy Land, allowing them to sit back and enjoy the spectacle. Watching so many immortal factions hurl insults at each other was a rare and amusing sight.

—

Meanwhile, in the void—

Boom!

With no interference, Jiang Chen swiftly defeated the Emperor Will. As the nine Emperor Wills collapsed, the heavenly tribulation subsided, and the vast sea of lightning poured into Jiang Chen's body, bolstering his aura.

His overwhelming presence swept across the heavens, and the great Dao descended, proclaiming him its sovereign.

Standing amidst the starry sky, surrounded by the power of the Dao, Jiang Chen resembled an unparalleled ruler, his mere presence causing the spectators to pale in awe.

He seemed like an emperor of ages past.

"What great ambition—to walk such a path!"

"Instead of choosing one Dao, he seeks to conquer all Daos!"

"The Holy Son of the Primordial Holy Land is truly proud and ambitious, forging a path that no one has dared to tread!"

The gathered experts exchanged thoughts, their divine senses clashing as they expressed both shock and disbelief. Jiang Chen's chosen path was unprecedented.

In the long history of cultivation, no one had dared to walk such a road. Most cultivators chose their path based on their own Dao—like Mu Jianxue's Sword Dao or the Pure Yang Holy Master's Pure Yang Dao. Even if two Daos shared similarities, each cultivator's path was unique.

But Jiang Chen's ambition to dominate all Daos and become the master of all was unheard of. If he succeeded, his achievements would be beyond imagination.

"What audacity!"

"The greatest prodigy of all time walks the greatest path ever conceived—it almost makes sense!"

"This is a rarity beyond words!"

"Only the Holy Son of the Primordial Holy Land would have the courage to attempt such a thing!"

"Hmph, reckless arrogance! Walking this path will surely lead to regret!"

"If he had chosen a single Dao and followed it, his future achievements would have been limitless. But to attempt the path of mastering all Daos is sheer madness!"

Some sighed in admiration, while others sneered in disdain. Many marveled at Jiang Chen's boldness, attempting a path no one else dared to tread.

Whether he could reach the end was uncertain, but if he did, he would undoubtedly become the greatest being in history—beyond even the Eternal Emperor.

However, not everyone was convinced. Some believed Jiang Chen was overly arrogant and would regret his choice.

As Jiang Chen completed his tribulation, the wave of his sovereign Dao swept across the heavens, causing a massive stir.

—

In the hidden depths—

Some ancient monsters, long dormant, stirred at the sight of Jiang Chen. Unable to contain their frustration, one cursed loudly, "Who told me there was hope in this era?"

"This so-called grand era is nothing but a stage for one man! What use is it to us?"

"This isn't the grand era I envisioned. Forget it—I'll return to seclusion!"

The presence of Jiang Chen, an insurmountable figure dominating the age, left many of these ancient beings hopeless.

Faced with the realization that they couldn't compete, they chose to retreat into obscurity once more, unwilling to participate in a grand era they could not conquer.