Chapter 1507 - 98: Hidden Thread_2
The Divine Soul Illusion presented by the Ruyi Order is related to the environment where the Commander resides.
In the past.
Every time Xie Xuanyi met with Chen Jingxuan, it was in the Book Tower.
The golden lines flew across the dome, and tea mist curled around the tea table.
But these two times, it was at Cloud Smoke Lake.
Chen Jingxuan sat at the bow, still holding a scroll in his hand, with a small oil lamp hanging beside him, lit by Primordial Fire, illuminating the surroundings for three zhang, as bright as day.
He smiled and said, "Are you mocking me?"
"Of course not."
Xie Xuanyi shook his head and said sincerely, "I’m very happy to see you here...if there were another guy next to you, I’d be even happier."
"Sorry, I guess I’m not the guy who should be by your side, sir."
A deep voice sounded, still carrying a teasing laugh.
"So...was my coming inappropriate?"
This time was different from when Xie Xuanyi previously used the Ruyi Order to connect souls and build illusions for one-on-one conversations with Chen Jingxuan.
Along with the sound of this deep voice,
A large red figure appeared on the big ship on Cloud Smoke Lake, wearing a Python Robe, exuding an imposing aura.
It was Sea Surfing King, Chu Lin.
Since the battle at Erosion Sun Swamp...
To Xie Xuanyi, Chu Lin no longer had "secrets".
This conversation was exactly what Xie Xuanyi intended.
His "Dark Child" within the Great Saint Mountain was precisely Chu Lin. After the battle at Erosion Sun Swamp, Chu Lin went north alone, coming to this Great Ape Mountain. With his Yang God Realm strength, he naturally wouldn’t be turned away from Great Ape Mountain.
"No, you came just in time."
Chen Jingxuan held his head and sighed softly.
He knew what Xie Xuanyi meant, it was a reminder to spend more time with Master Tang of Tang Pavilion.
Although there weren’t many affairs in the Book Tower now, there were many in Great Chu.
He still had no time to leave the Imperial City.
On the Northern Border Great Wall side, peace was the best news for him.
"Brother Chu Lin, long time no see."
Xie Xuanyi stood on the side of the big ship, respectfully saluting Sea Surfing King from a distance.
"Master Xie, you are too kind."
Chu Lin immediately returned the salute.
The battle at Erosion Sun Swamp left an extremely deep impression on him.
At that time, Xie Xuanyi was just a newly promoted Yang God and had already erupted with overwhelming strength...
It could be said that in the four-person siege and slay of the Sun Erosion, Xie Xuanyi’s contribution accounted for more than fifty percent.
"Although the Primordial Energy of the Demon Country is weak, there are two strongest individuals who have set up a great array not weaker than the Iron Curtain or Roundness Instrument."
Chen Jingxuan said warmly, "This meeting via Ruyi Order cannot last too long. My Heavenly Destiny Gold Line can ensure that within the time of half a stick of incense, the conversation is safe, untraceable by Star Gate or Earth Abyss."
"Half a stick of incense is enough."
Xie Xuanyi said softly, "I wonder how Brother Chu Lin has been these days?"
"It’s a long story..."
Sea Surfing King smiled complicatedly and succinctly recounted his experiences during this period.
His solitary journey north was not smooth.
With the death and path disappearance of the Sun Eater Venerable... he, as the ruler in the Great Marsh and a cultivator of the Human Race, was naturally suspect. Initially seeking refuge at Great Ape Mountain, the elders of Great Saint Mountain were reluctant to accept such a human renegade, it was only after "Ling Chenzi" intervened that Sea Surfing King found a place.
"So, I am now under Ling Chenzi."
Chu Lin said softly, "Over the past year, Ling Chenzi has been wary of me... up until recently, he was still probing me."
"How does he test you?"
Chen Jingxuan was a little curious.
"Recently, the Nether Sea Venerable initiated a vote at Great Saint Mountain."
Chu Lin squinted his eyes and slowly said, "The content of the vote... was about whether the Holy Emperor’s Birthday Banquet should be held."
"Hmm?"
Xie Xuanyi’s eyes lit up.
For such a major decision, all the elders of Great Saint Mountain must express their position.
Although Chu Lin is an outsider.
But... after all, he possesses a Yang God body.
"Ling Chenzi used the excuse of being in meditation, unable to attend, and asked me to attend and vote in his stead."
Chu Lin said helplessly, "This seemingly casual arrangement, in my view, is a test..."
With Primordial Saint absent, Saint Prince absent.
The astute could see this was a plot designed by the Nether Sea Venerable.
This vote was a... position-taking.
"How did you vote?"
Chen Jingxuan asked in a deep voice.
"Naturally... abstention."
Chu Lin said calmly, "Neither agreeing nor opposing. I’m just an outsider, not qualified to express an opinion on the affairs of Great Saint Mountain, and Ling Chenzi has been indifferent and reclusive over the years, I am but a ’Three-named House Slave’, even if I sided with Nether Sea, it may not win his favor."
Whether it was the Saint Prince or Nether Sea, neither would truly consider Chu Lin as "one of their own".
Therefore...
In this vote, the only thing he could do was to lessen his presence.
Whether it succeeded or not, it had nothing to do with him.
"Hmm... there’s no problem with this decision."
Chen Jingxuan nodded.
The internal struggle within Great Ape Mountain had nothing to do with Chu Lin, the only thing he needed to do was ensure his own safety.
"It’s just that this test isn’t over."
Chu Lin shook his head, his expression solemn, "These few days, Ling Chenzi has summoned me alone... He asked me for my opinions about the Nether Sea Venerable and the Saint Prince."
This struggle within Great Saint Mountain, though not apparent on the surface, had actually reached a life-or-death point.
As strong as Ling Chenzi was,
No matter how much he avoided it, he still had to face that question.
He had to choose one of the two.
Xie Xuanyi frowned, "How did you respond?"
"Nether Sea wants to seize power."
Chu Lin said calmly, "Ling Chenzi... cannot possibly be unaware. Since he knows and does not oppose, then he supports."
"So I told him."
"I do not care about the differences between the Saint Prince and Nether Sea..."
"Whichever side wins or loses doesn’t matter to me..."
"I only seek longevity, I only seek the Great Dao."
Chu Lin paused for a moment here.
This was an unassailable answer.
But clearly,
This answer could not satisfy Ling Chenzi.
At the meeting that day, Ling Chenzi was determined to clarify Chu Lin’s stance.
"Immediately after, Ling Chenzi asked me another question."
Chu Lin sighed lightly, "He asked me whether I thought... the Holy Emperor was dead or alive?"
This, is the root of all this struggle and conflict.
If the Holy Emperor is alive,
Nether Sea’s power grab is meaningless.
As long as this strongest being appears before the world, even if just for a moment, it would be enough to reverse the outcome.
The Holy Emperor said, this great position is to be inherited by the Saint Prince.
Then no matter what tactics Nether Sea uses, it would be in vain. All the elders, Great Cultivators, standing with him would instantly change sides. The moment the Holy Emperor appears, all dissidents would be instantly killed, and regardless of how dire the Saint Prince’s situation, he would assume an almost overwhelming status to ascend the Mountain Peak, then become the new ’King’ of Great Ape Mountain.
But...
If the Holy Emperor is dead, then everything is different.
Since the moment when the Nether Sea Venerable started arranging the banquet, the "life or death" of the Holy Emperor had become the focus of speculation and doubt among the top-level figures.
The Nether Sea Venerable is no fool.
Everything he did...was a declaration of war against both the Saint Prince and the Holy Emperor.
"So, what was your answer?"
Xie Xuanyi gazed into Chu Lin’s eyes.
"I believe, the Holy Emperor is already dead."
Chu Lin said word by word, "If the Holy Emperor were alive... from the moment the Nether Sea convened the elders’ meeting, Fighting Holy Peak would not be so silent. Conversely, if Nether Sea didn’t have absolute confidence, he would never start this fight; he is someone capable of hidden endurance for decades, unwilling to leave his retreat. A ruthless person willing to pay any price to achieve his purpose."
"The fact that Nether Sea acted only means one thing."
"The Holy Emperor... is dead."