Time returned to the present.
The six Sages' positions were all but clear.
Netherworld and Ling Xuan wanted no part in this matter, while Shen Yuan had declared that anyone who stood in the way would be his enemy. Di Yi Yun supported Qin Shuo's approach.
Yuan Chen and Dong Hao had yet to take a stance.
Deep within the Imperial Palace in the Demon Capital.
This time, Shen Yuan stood before Mirror Lake, with Shen Tian, Shen Yue, and Cheng Ming behind him.
Shen Yuan asked gravely,
"Tian'er, tell me honestly. How confident are you about gathering Humanity's Way to slay the Heavenly Dao?"
Shen Tian chuckled.
"Imperial Uncle, however confident the Human Emperor is, I am just as confident."
Shen Yuan frowned, but Cheng Ming, standing nearby, laughed first.
"Please don't worry, Demon Sage. His Majesty is only joking. In my view, this great gamble has a very good chance of success."
Shen Yuan turned to Cheng Ming.
"And what does that old Qilin think?"
Cheng Ming smiled mysteriously.
"Demon Sage, do you think I would dare speak so boldly before you without my father's approval?"
Shen Yuan studied Cheng Ming, then suddenly smiled.
"So that old Qilin has been involved in this all along, hasn't he?"
Without waiting for Cheng Ming to answer, Shen Yuan continued,
"Let me guess again. The person who appeared before Xiao Bai after he debated the Dao with Humankind's prodigies, talked him into going to the True Knowledge Secret Realm, and whose strength Xiao Bai couldn't gauge-that was probably him too, wasn't it?
"And that so-called confidant at Qin Shuo's side is probably him as well. Am I right?"
Cheng Ming froze. Wasn't the Demon Sage supposed to be fierce and unyielding, with no taste for scheming? He had never expected him