Facing everyone's rebuttals, Cang Xu was not the least bit flustered. He raised a hand and gestured. "Everyone, please don't rush. How about you listen to a story first?"
"Alright, fellow Daoist, please tell us!"
"Do you all still remember fellow Daoist Chong Yan?"
At the mention of the name "Chong Yan," Renxiao Divine Venerable and several other Eternal Realm Divine Venerables of great seniority all revealed clear expressions of respect and regret.
"Fellow Daoist Chong Yan..." Renxiao Divine Venerable let out a wistful sigh and took up the thread, his tone heavy. "He was one of the very few people in my life whom I truly admired from the bottom of my heart. His cultivation was profound, his Dao heart steadfast, and his strength surpassed even mine. Back then, when he resolved to seek the Annihilation Lotus Pool, I had always believed that, with his strength, he had the greatest chance of succeeding. It was only after fellow Daoist Chong Yan left and never returned, with no news of him thereafter, that I completely gave up the thought of going myself."
Cang Xu Demon Venerable nodded. A trace of pain flashed through his eyes, though his tone remained cold. "That is correct. Before fellow Daoist Chong Yan left to seek the Annihilation Lotus Pool, he entrusted his disciples to my care. Yet after all this time, fellow Daoist Chong Yan has never returned."
At this point, Cang Xu abruptly extended a bony finger and pointed straight at Shanzhi, who was sitting in a corner and doing his utmost to make himself unnoticed!
"Do you all recognize this fellow Daoist?"
Dozens of gazes immediately converged on Shanzhi!
Shanzhi felt his scalp go numb. He had no choice but to force out a smile, rise stiffly to his feet, and cup