Having guessed Meng Zhao's identity and origins, even the purpose for which he had come to lurk at his side, Dragon Tree Monk's taut heartstrings had actually relaxed considerably.
He could not see through Meng Zhao's true strength clearly. Faced with such an unfathomable opponent—an enemy—unless absolutely necessary, he did not wish to confront him. After pondering for a moment, he took the initiative and said,
"Though I was born of the imperial clan, decades ago I shaved my head and entered monastic life, cast aside my surname and bloodline, and left the Land within Divine Continent Passes for these Arctic Ice Plains. I have never returned to Divine Land, nor have I had any contact whatsoever with the Beitang Imperial Clan."
"That does not sound right, Master Longshu. Just now, you took me for someone sent by Emperor Beitang Sheng. Does that not prove that he intended to reestablish contact with you? What exactly are your Beitang Imperial Clan plotting in these Arctic Ice Plains, and what is your purpose?"
Meng Zhao was no fool. He would not believe whatever Dragon Tree Monk said.
As the saying went, do not look at what a man said; look at what he did.
In other words, Dragon Tree Monk's actions were what truly determined Meng Zhao's attitude. It was not as though a slight softening of the other man's tone meant nothing had happened and they could part in peace.
To Meng Zhao, this was a rare opportunity. Dragon Tree Monk was a mighty Heavenly Being expert; opportunities to catch him red-handed were few. Once he let him go today, if the man sabotaged the Meng Family—or even Meng Zhao's own plans—in the future, capturing and killing him would become harder than climbing to heaven.
A Heavenly Being expert was no