"The Taiyin Celestial Monarch isn’t dead?" A look of shock appeared on Tang Qing’s face.

Ever since he had used the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s manuscript to unearth an elder from a tomb—one who had survived multiple Cold Eras—he had been cultivating by the man’s side.

The man seemed to be the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s closest friend, so he had an extremely deep understanding of the Taiyin Refining Technique. This, combined with his considerable strength, allowed Tang Qing’s progress to advance by leaps and bounds.

This elder was known as the Tiger Roar Daoist. He cultivated the "White Tiger Refining Technique," which, while not as renowned as the Taiyin Refining Technique, was still a top-tier Qi Cultivation Method.

As for the man’s real name, Tang Qing didn’t know; he simply addressed him as Elder Tiger Roar.

"If even I couldn’t die, how could someone with his level of power possibly perish?"

"It’s just that something happened back then that left him dispirited. Even with the return of yin energy, he spends most of his time in a deep slumber," the Tiger Roar Daoist said amiably, stroking his long beard.

"Then, Elder Tiger Roar, why are you telling me all this? Do you want to find the Taiyin Celestial Monarch together?" Tang Qing didn’t quite understand.

’If the man doesn’t want to come out, it’s better to just let him sleep. Why bother him?’

Tang Qing didn’t think these old relics held much value.

The apocalyptic winter was a suitable living environment for these old relics, but it was different for people of the new era like himself.

Everyone had become a survivor in a doomsday game. Eventually, they would have to leave their own world and travel to other Doomsday Worlds to continue their struggle for survival.

Returning to their homeland would be nearly impossible by then.

But those old relics, having missed this era, were not designated as survivors.

This meant that starting from this Cold Era, their paths had already diverged.

"You are the most suitable person I have ever seen to cultivate the Taiyin Refining Technique. I want him to take you as his disciple, so such talent isn’t wasted."

"I also want him to step out from the shadows of his past and stop dwelling on what’s gone."

"With a disciple like you, perhaps things will change," the Tiger Roar Daoist said softly.

Tang Qing’s heart leaped with joy at these words. ’This man is a saint!’

He had, of course, heard of the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s reputation.

Those four words, "Number One Under Heaven," were earned through battle, not just empty boasts.

But soon, a sense of unease crept into his heart.

The reason was simple. From what the Tiger Roar Daoist had said, it was clear the Taiyin Celestial Monarch was suffering from some kind of unresolved issue.

The Tiger Roar Daoist’s motive for making him the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s disciple was to resolve this issue.

This meant there was a chance he would be rejected.

And even if he were accepted, this unresolved issue might mean his master wouldn’t teach him with his full dedication.

After receiving the Tiger Roar Daoist’s help, he had come to understand just how beneficial it was to have a guide on his path.

Especially one with so much experience.

’He’s just using me as a tool. Just as I thought, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world,’ Tang Qing thought.

Of course, this was only because he had demonstrated sufficient value.

Without the opportunities gained from his foreknowledge and the improved aptitude from his Cold Winter Ice Dragon ability, he never would have reached the third level of the Taiyin Refining Technique. Had he not, he would never have even caught the elder’s eye.

But Tang Qing, who had survived for three months in the apocalypse of his previous life, felt no particular resentment. As long as he could secure enough benefits for himself, he didn’t care if he was being used as a tool.

He needed to become as strong as possible before he had to leave for the next Doomsday World.

It was nothing more than a simple transaction.

After all, the advantage of his foreknowledge was mostly spent. He had already snatched up all the opportunities he could.

From now on, becoming stronger would be up to him alone.

"I wonder, what exactly is the nature of the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s unresolved issue?" Tang Qing steered the conversation toward what mattered most to him.

If he could understand the situation beforehand, he could prepare accordingly.

That way, he could avoid inadvertently offending the Taiyin Celestial Monarch and failing in his bid to become his disciple.

Alternatively, if the issue was so great that it would hinder his own growth, he would simply refuse the offer.

In terms of power, he was indeed no match for the Tiger Roar Daoist. But if he was willing to pay the price, he was confident he could escape using his Taiyin Refining Technique and his Cold Winter Ice Dragon ability.

"An unresolved issue is just that. Telling you about it won’t resolve it."

"If you are sincere, and can get Taiyin to speak of it himself, then there’s a chance it can be resolved."

"Telling you now would only give you preconceived notions and might ruin everything." The Tiger Roar Daoist was all smiles, but he refused to elaborate on the details.

This made Tang Qing’s heart sink.

From the Daoist’s response, he could tell that the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s issue was a serious one.

’Don’t tell me I’m being set up to take the fall,’ Tang Qing thought, well aware of his own circumstances.

’Without his foreknowledge, he was just a minor figure. Otherwise, how could his past self have survived for only three months?’

"If even you can’t resolve this matter, Elder Tiger Roar, I’m afraid I’d be powerless to help as well," Tang Qing said, his expression unreadable.

He already wanted to back out. This whole affair was simply too strange.

It felt like there was some shady business involved.

But if this unresolved issue truly stemmed from some dark secret, wouldn’t finding out put his own life in grave danger?

Peeling back the splendid veneer of becoming the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s disciple, Tang Qing keenly sensed numerous underlying problems.

It only reinforced one thing in his mind: there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

"HAHAHAHA! Matters of the heart don’t depend on one’s strength or seniority, but on the person involved."

"You, boy, are clever and have excellent aptitude. It’s only fitting that you’re the one."

"Besides, we’re already at the doorstep. It’s a bit late to be beating the retreat." With that, the Tiger Roar Daoist grabbed Tang Qing and began dragging him upward.

Tang Qing’s strength was far inferior to the Tiger Roar Daoist’s, so he could only let himself be dragged along.

He didn’t resist. Even if he wanted to escape, he would need to wait for the right moment.

With his arm in the Daoist’s grip and being so thoroughly outmatched in strength, the only way to break free would be to sever his own limb.

"Elder Tiger Roar, you can let me go. I never said I wouldn’t go," Tang Qing said, feigning compliance.

The Daoist’s attitude was pleasant, but his actions were coercive.

The moment the man let go, Tang Qing planned to transform into the Cold Winter Ice Dragon and flee.

"You think I don’t know what’s going through your head, boy?"

"The moment I let go, you’ll use your Dragon Transformation and be gone."

"I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve had rice," the Tiger Roar Daoist said, seeing right through Tang Qing’s plan. He then added reassuringly, "I truly have no ill intentions in this matter."

"I truly just took a liking to your raw talent, a fine piece of jade."

"If the Taiyin Celestial Monarch doesn’t choose you, I will personally compensate you for your trouble."

"You must be aware of the vast amount of resources the Taiyin Refining Technique requires."

Tang Qing didn’t respond, merely listening in silence. Never mind what might happen later; the fact that he was currently being restrained left him no room to object.

Seeing that Tang Qing remained silent, the Tiger Roar Daoist led him straight to the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s resting place.

Only after they arrived did he release his grip.

Tang Qing didn’t try to run. The fact that the Daoist dared to let go meant he had a way to stop him.

Clearly, some unknown contingency was in place here, waiting for him.

He watched as the Tiger Roar Daoist took out a wine gourd that was hanging from his waist.

It was, of course, filled with high-proof liquor brewed in the modern age.

"Taiyin, my friend, have a taste of this wine. It’s much better than what we had back in our day..." the Tiger Roar Daoist said, pouring the liquor out before a stone stele.

It was much like making an offering to the dead.

He hadn’t even finished his sentence, nor had he emptied the gourd, when a multitude of cracks appeared on the surface of the stele.

"Tiger Roar, I’m not dead yet. Is this your idea of giving me a taste of wine?" a hoarse, ancient voice emanated from within.

As the voice faded, the stone stele shattered. A middle-aged man in a white robe, exuding an air of melancholy, stepped out from the rubble.

Unlike the Tiger Roar Daoist, who had looked like a dried corpse when he first emerged, the Taiyin Celestial Monarch was hale and whole. His slumber seemed to have had no effect on him.

This alone revealed the disparity in power between the two.

"Ah, the wine is secondary. The main reason I’ve come this time is..." the Tiger Roar Daoist said, handing the wine gourd to the Taiyin Celestial Monarch.

The Taiyin Celestial Monarch took the gourd, took a large swig, and exclaimed, "Good wine!" cutting the Tiger Roar Daoist off.

"You want me to take him as my disciple?" The Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s gaze fell on Tang Qing, instantly understanding the Tiger Roar Daoist’s intention. "His aptitude is decent, and his Divine Techniques are powerful."

"Back in my day, he would have been worthy of being my Closed-door Disciple. But now..."

Hearing the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s words, Tang Qing breathed a sigh of relief. Something about this situation was definitely not right.

"You’re still so stubborn. Young Tang, go wait over there for a moment. I’ll try to persuade him." The Tiger Roar Daoist waved Tang Qing away, clearly intending to speak privately.

The Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s attitude actually made Tang Qing think that there were no other ulterior motives. It really did seem like they just wanted to use him as a tool to resolve the monarch’s emotional issue.

If that was truly the case, becoming the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s disciple wasn’t an unacceptable proposition.

So, he dismissed the idea of leaving and did as the Tiger Roar Daoist said, moving off to the side.

He didn’t know what method the two of them used, but the area around them suddenly became soundproof.

"For this boy to have progressed so far, it can’t be due to his talent alone, can it?"

"He must be the Fated One of this era," the Taiyin Celestial Monarch said softly.

"There’s a ninety percent chance. That’s why I brought him to you."

"Once he masters the fifth level of the Taiyin Refining Technique, we can use it as a catalyst for you and I to live for another lifetime."

"And it’s all thanks to the intricate web you’ve woven that we were able to lure the Fated One into our trap," the Tiger Roar Daoist said in a solemn tone.

"The Human Race can’t match the lifespan of the Cold Beasts. If we wish to live for another era, we can only rely on the sacrifice of the Fated One." The Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s gaze was profound as he looked at Tang Qing. He then asked, "The others haven’t awakened yet, have they?"

"That’s right. The other avatars still need more time," the Tiger Roar Daoist said. "I came to awaken you first because we’ve already found the Fated One."

"Besides, a new variable has appeared in this era."

He then explained the matter of the doomsday game, causing the Taiyin Celestial Monarch’s brow to furrow. "Perhaps it is because I am no longer human, and you are all merely my avatars, that we were not chosen to become these so-called ’survivors’."