Embers of Sword

Chapter 729 Apology
"Should we not bestow 'Fountain of Immortality' upon anyone?"

Xie Xuanyi was taken aback.

In fact, he rarely bestowed the vapors of the Fountain of Immortality.

Previously, when Xie Xuanyi traveled under the alias "Xie Zhen", he would mix a little water vapor into the Dao of Life... to increase the Dao of Life's recovery ability. This increase was so great that it was almost imperceptible to others.

After the mental journey.

Once one has reached the pinnacle of the Dao of Life, injuries sustained in the Yin Spirit Realm can almost always be healed by those in the Dao Realm.

Apart from Xu Qi...

Xu Qi's injuries were too severe; the gift of the Dao of Life realm alone could only save his life.

However, if water vapor is mixed into the Dao Realm, it can help it recover quickly. This seemingly insignificant little wisp of water vapor can allow the "Dao Realm of Life" to exert the strength of the Dao Intent of the Yang God Realm.

This is a rather extravagant act, one could say it's a waste of resources.

Because the vapor from the Fountain of Immortality is always a consumable.

Before Xie Xuanyi cultivated the "spring eye".

The number of immortal springs in this world is limited, so even a tiny wisp of water vapor is extremely precious.

A single, complete drop of the Fountain of Immortality is enough to cause the great Daoist masters to fight each other, struggle, and even betray their country!
"What do you mean?"

Xie Xuanyi frowned, suddenly recalling the scene where Yuwen Bo hesitated to speak earlier.

“Those great venerables from the demon kingdom have already set their sights on you.”

Chen Jingxuan rubbed his temples, somewhat helplessly: "I don't know who spread the news... In short, all the big shots in the Demon Kingdom have heard that you possess the 'Fountain of Immortality'."

"Ah."

Hearing this, Xie Xuanyi wasn't too surprised.

Who is it?

Who else could it be!

"This message was spread by Paper Humanitarian..."

Xie Xuanyi recounted the details of the battle between Jia Yongguan and the Dead Phoenix.

Chen Jingxuan silently took a sip of tea, his expression calm.

The source of the "rumors" in the Demon Kingdom is not hard to guess. The Paper Doll Dao disappeared overnight from the Southern Frontier, so it must have gone somewhere.

half year ago.

He had already guessed the truth.

"The situation is not so bad now."

Chen Jingxuan said slowly, "Although the rumors are gradually dissipating, those great venerables of the Demon Kingdom will not easily believe Lu Yuzhen's information... Anyone who isn't blind can see that the Paper Doll Path has no good intentions. Who has had a good ending with Lu Yuzhen? Even the Holy Empress died."

“Those great lords of the demon kingdoms are all extremely afraid of their lives. Even if they want the ‘Fountain of Immortality,’ they need to think twice. No one is willing to be a foolish pawn.”

This is why the dead phoenix probed in this way.

Although Tianhuang Palace obtained information about the Paper Doll Path, it did not trust the Paper Doll Path.

Seeing is believing!
"You're preventing me from gifting you the vapors of the Fountain of Immortality... is it to guard against spies from the Demon Kingdom?"

Xie Xuanyi said.

"Yes."

Chen Jingxuan sighed softly and said, "Once the rumors about the Fountain of Immortality are confirmed, the southward offensive of the Demon Kingdom will be several times more ferocious than it is now! Even the Grand Palace Master of the Heavenly Phoenix Palace and the Holy Emperor of Great Ape Mountain will personally take action, as they are nearing their end... If they can seize the Fountain of Immortality, they might be able to extend their lives by half."

"There's another reason why I don't want you to give me 'water vapor'." Chen Jingxuan paused for a moment, "Within the Great Chu, there might be spies using the Paper Doll Technique, or traitors hidden deep within the Demon Kingdom. This war involves too much and too wide a scope. Even if the Book Pavilion uses all its Black Scale Guards to investigate, it cannot guarantee that its own backyard is clean, clear, and spotless... Moreover, the most terrifying people are often the ones you trust the most."

Xie Xuanyi's expression turned serious.

"Back then, Ling Chenzi betrayed the Daoist sect, but he only caused the death of a 'Yang God'."

Chen Jingxuan lowered his eyes and slowly said, "If such a tragedy were to happen again... the price that Da Chu would have to pay would be far more than just a Yang God."

Ling Chenzi was a great master of the previous generation of the Daoist sect.

He was of the same generation as Xiaoyaozi, Chongkan, and Junshan, and ranked third.

Ling Chenzi was exceptionally talented and gifted, advancing to the Yang God realm at a young age. Although he couldn't compare to his senior brothers Xiaoyaozi and Chongkan, he was still a pillar of strength within the Daoist sect. He was once the head of the Zhongmiaozhai, responsible for guarding the entrance and exit of the Daoist sect's Tianyuan Mountain secret realm... However, this revered Grand Master personally dealt an unprecedentedly heavy blow to the Daoist sect in the Battle of Poison!
Without warning, he betrayed the Daoist sect and Da Chu, successfully assassinating the Yang Shen realm official stationed in Shifang City.

This move directly caused the collapse of the Da Chu front, and the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. Forced by circumstances, they had no choice but to cede half of the Northern Commandery.

Chongkan's obsessive emphasis on "reputation and honor" was actually related to Lingchenzi...

When the war in the northern border was critical, Ling Chenzi, who was supposed to be stationed in Tianyuan, volunteered instead, contrary to his usual behavior.

It was only after Chongkan nodded that he was able to leave.

That betrayal directly destroyed the Taoist sect's reputation, which had been built up over thousands of years!

Ling Chenzi became a disgrace to the Taoist sect.

The Daoist sect... became a disgrace to the Great Chu.

As for Chongkan, he will never be able to look directly at this scar for the rest of his life.

Even until his death, he could not understand Ling Chenzi's actions.

This betrayal, worthy of being recorded in history, allowed Mo Zhen, the Great Venerable, to open a breach in the border of Da Chu. Due to the fall of part of Beijun, Mo Zhen, the Great Venerable, won one victory after another, and more than one "Yang Shen Realm" traitor appeared within Da Chu!
However, apart from Ling Chenzi, who was the first to betray them, none of the other traitors met a good end.

Zhao Chunyang once single-handedly infiltrated the demon kingdom and killed a Grand Venerable and a traitor.

"Are you worried... that the news about the 'Fountain of Immortality' will be confirmed by a traitor?"

Xie Xuanyi murmured, then immediately realized the problem.

Chen Jingxuan always planned carefully before acting.

Take the handling of the "Qingzhou Rebellion" as an example. When the Black Scale Guards sealed off Qingzhou, the identity of the traitor had already been confirmed.

"Do you already have someone in mind...?"

Xie Xuanyi stared into Chen Jingxuan's eyes.

However, Xie Xuanyi was met with silence.

Chen Jingxuan's eyes were very clear, so clear that no impurities could be seen, and he could not find any answers.

"Even the 'Life Realm' mixed with water vapor cannot be used casually."

Chen Jingxuan spoke very seriously, his tone initially calm, but later it sounded somewhat reproachful: "I will personally contact the Palace Master of Qiantian Palace to ensure that nothing unexpected happens... You are the most important hope of Da Chu, and I must ensure your safety no matter what. If you really value your life, you shouldn't have rushed to 'Jiayong Pass' on your own. After leaving Bingpo Cave, you should have contacted me immediately."

"……It is my fault."

Xie Xuanyi looked at Chen Jingxuan with great helplessness. After a long silence, he chose to apologize.

What else could he say?

Faced with this rebuke, he could only lower his head and submit.

"Very good, it's good that you know you were wrong."

Chen Jingxuan's tone softened considerably. He presented a case file and said earnestly, "These are the case files for the war in Beijun over the past six months... You can take a good look at them."

(End of this chapter)