The Pot Lid That Couldn't Be Covered

The rain had stopped.

The sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

The rain that had poured for three days and three nights finally ceased, thanks to a battle that had shaken the heavens and earth.

Long after Su Qingqiu had departed, a dozen or so people cautiously landed at the battle site. Gazing at the mountain that had vanished into nothingness and the plants that lay scattered in a radial pattern, the scene, resembling a natural disaster, silenced everyone.

"A Land Immortal!"

Someone sighed deeply.

Others meticulously surveyed the lingering battle effects, as if calculating something.

Still others stood in silent contemplation, sensing the sharp aura that permeated the air.

After a while, these individuals began to depart, followed by wave after wave of people from other factions.

There were Monks from the Dragon-Raising Temple, as well as people from the imperial court. All of them uttered exclamations of astonishment and fell into a shared silence.

Fang Wenshan and Xuan Ye were among them.

At this moment, Xuan Ye, looking at the land that seemed to have been plowed over, felt the dense Spiritual Light and unyielding Devilish Qi remaining in the air, his expression grave.

After a long while, he murmured to himself, "That was a dragon, it must have been a dragon, right?"

Though phrased as a question, he was inwardly certain.

Fang Wenshan, standing beside him, let out a wry smile and sighed, "It was indeed a dragon. However, it was a spiritual dragon formed from powerful Spiritual Light. This subordinate cannot comprehend what kind of immense Spiritual Light could achieve... could perform such a miraculous technique."

Spiritual Light condensing into a dragon!

Unheard of!

For a moment, even the well-traveled Fang Wenshan was at a loss for words to describe the scene, resorting to the word "miracle."

Even though the crimson Fire Dragon formed by Spiritual Light had long since dissipated, the residual Spiritual Light in the air still made everyone's scalps tingle, their skin prickling.

Moreover, the dense Evil Qi was equally shocking.

Could there be such a powerful Demon within Zhaoyang Country? The Demon that appeared later far surpassed the Great Asura Lord in comparability; its strength was undoubtedly on par with a top-tier Land Immortal.

Yet, none of those present had ever heard of or seen such a Demon. If it hadn't been summoned by the Great Asura Lord before his death, perhaps everyone would never have known of its existence.

Just the thought of a Demon more terrifying than the Great Asura Lord lurking in the shadows, coveting Zhaoyang Country, sent a shiver down their spines.

Even Xuan Ye only knew that the imperial court had some cooperation with the Great Asura Lord, but he was unaware of an even stronger Demon behind him.

After a long pause, suppressing his shock and unease, Fang Wenshan continued, "Your Highness, the issue is no longer whether there was a True Dragon. The question is how we will face the counter-attack from the Dragon-Raising Temple."

"We openly schemed against them this time. I fear the Dragon-Raising Temple might harbor rebellious intentions later. For Your Highness's safety, I implore you to leave Chiyang City immediately... no, leave the Great Wasteland. It would be best to return to the imperial city."

In the Great Wasteland, the Dragon-Raising Temple held significant influence among the populace. If their conspiracy against the Dragon-Raising Temple were exposed, even Fang Wenshan wouldn't be entirely confident in suppressing a public outcry.

In such a scenario, if Xuan Ye remained in Chiyang City, he would become the perfect scapegoat presented by the imperial court to appease the public's anger.

Therefore, he had to leave this land of strife as quickly as possible before the matter was revealed.

Xuan Ye understood this logic. This entire endeavor had essentially ended in failure, and staying here would be futile.

He gazed steadily at the majestic temple standing amidst the rain, taking a deep breath. He knew it was time to leave.

"Returning is for the best."

"My imperial brother will not be content with this failure. He will continue to probe, eventually discovering the true whereabouts of the True Dragon."

"He has become blinded by greed in his pursuit of immortality."

"After I leave, you will submit a memorial stating that a True Dragon has indeed appeared at the Dragon-Raising Temple, suspected to be a young dragon with strength at the peak of the middle tier. However, due to its status as a young True Dragon, it requires a top-tier Land Immortal to suppress it."

"I refuse to believe the Emperor can remain calm, nor can that old immortal in the palace. Don't think I don't know there's another old immortal still alive just because the Emperor doesn't mention it."

The words Xuan Ye revealed caused a flicker of surprise on Fang Wenshan's face. However, he was shrewd and merely listened, asking no questions.

"Oh, and the Dragon-Raising Temple needs to be appeased for now," Xuan Ye continued after some thought. "How about this: issue a plaque to the Dragon-Raising Temple on my behalf, inscribed with 'Loyalty and Integrity Exemplary.' Also, send a gift directly to Yuanhui."

"Make sure to present it in front of all the Monks. Go to my chambers and take those spirit teas as well."

"At that time, clearly state that I was startled by the events and need to return to the imperial city to recuperate. I will not disturb Master Yuanhui for the time being. However, time is long, and if Master Yuanhui wishes to spar in Buddha dharma with me in the future, I will welcome him with open arms."

Fang Wenshan nodded, jotting down the key points Xuan Ye had instructed.

There were a few actions he couldn't quite grasp, but a smart person wouldn't ask; he would simply carry them out.

Fang Wenshan accepted the order and departed.

Xuan Ye once again looked towards the Dragon-Raising Temple, his eyes filled with unwillingness and coldness.

Even though the warm sunlight now bathed the land, it couldn't dispel the chill in his heart.

"True Dragon... heh, it truly is a True Dragon."

At this moment, thoughts that shouldn't have arisen in his mind began to surface involuntarily.

The old emperor wants the blood of the True Dragon, why can't he have it?

It is said that the emperors of Zhaoyang Country all have a curse-like obsession with the True Dragon, a legend passed down since the founding emperor Xuan Qianqiu.

Xuan Ye, who calls himself a sage ruler, could not escape this cliché.

"However, this matter still requires further planning. This True Dragon is not easy to deal with. Even such a powerful Demon retreated in fear, and the Great Asura Lord died tragically on the spot."

"Furthermore, the Dragon-Raising Temple has already raised its guard. If we want to make a move again in the future, we will have to consider whether the person making the move is qualified enough."

Xuan Ye repeatedly shook his head and sighed.

What a great opportunity, but due to the Great Asura Lord's incompetence, it ultimately failed.

It will be difficult, difficult, difficult to make a move again in the future!

Fortunately, it wasn't a complete loss.

"Your Highness, is everything truly alright with the Dragon-Raising Temple?"

A blurry figure appeared behind Xuan Ye, faintly shrouded in Devilish Qi.

This person was referring to their planned scheme and whether it would be leaked by Yuanhui.

"Heh heh, what do you think?"

"These people outside the mundane world have quite a few troubles right now, and the storm has only just begun."

"My imperial brother has already started this. With the imperial court involved, how can other forces possibly hold back?"

"We'll just sit back and watch the other forces perform. I'm truly looking forward to how the Dragon-Raising Temple will respond next."

This was the gain!

The True Dragon has been confirmed. Even if it isn't, the major powers now are unwilling to believe it.

Explanations are useless.

They will only choose to lift the lid that has been placed on the Dragon-Raising Temple with their own hands, and see for themselves what is simmering inside this pot!

Dragon essence grants longevity, dragon blood grants immortality. The world is driven mad by it.