When Sheng Zheng saw the treasure that stabilized the Dao, the "Mechanism-Transforming Plume," fly back on its own ahead of time, he knew that some unforeseen change must have occurred in this battle.
Now that he saw Daoist Zhi return alone, the answer was all too clear.
Daoist Zhi drew a breath and said, "Reporting to the Councilor, I do not know the precise circumstances either. Following the prior instructions of Councilors Zou and Wei, I went to attack that realm.
"Yet halfway through the assault, contact with the two Councilors was suddenly cut off. Feeling that something was amiss, I sent a message to Councilor Ling. Councilor Ling replied that I was to disregard everything else and simply continue attacking that realm, saying that he would handle matters on Celestial Xia's side himself.
"I acted according to his orders. But because Celestial Xia had reinforced its defenses this time, the initial breakthrough was rather difficult. Just as we began to make some progress, even my connection with Councilor Ling was severed."
At this point, he sighed. "At that time, I knew something was wrong, but I did not dare disobey orders and withdraw the offensive. I could only dispatch people to investigate. Yet before the results could be ascertained, Celestial Xia had already sent people to attack us. I then surmised that something must also have gone wrong on Councilor Ling's end. Given the gravity of the matter, I had no choice but to return ahead of time."
Sheng Zheng said, "You did well. Your choice was correct and decisive. Given the situation at the time, you indeed should have returned first. However, you returned without clarifying anything at all. That was your oversight."
Daoist Zhi said shamefully, "It was my fault. Had I sent people to investigate the