A Smile So Gentle It Could Kill

When the Divine Dragon perished, its divine essence scattered, and its blessings overflowed in all directions.

Those who inherited its True Origin Bloodline possessed innate, heaven-defying power.

However, the True Origin Bloodline passed down from the Divine Dragon would continuously deplete with each generation of inheritance until it completely dissipated. The cause had been researched for a long time, and many methods had been tried, but it remained elusive and irreversible.

Thus, the divine beasts that inherited the True Origin Bloodline and once reigned supreme thousands of years ago had all vanished without a trace.

Even the Tengshe itself only managed to maintain its bloodline and survive by relying entirely on the Divine Dragon's blessings in Yunmengze.

But this was not a permanent solution. The current Yunze could still barely be called a Tengshe, but if the bloodline were passed down again, only heaven knew if the successor would still be a Tengshe.

Perhaps the True Origin Bloodline was so absurdly powerful that it simply did not belong to the mortal realm, which was why it could only dissipate and never be replenished.

Regarding Chu Xingchen's proposal, Yunze was naturally tempted. First of all, it was certain that Yun Li possessed a much purer True Origin Bloodline than it did. Moreover, with a Divine Sea inheritance, Yun Li might very well be some ancient entity hidden away by a thousand-year-old monster.

If there truly was a method to maintain the completeness of its Tengshe bloodline, that would naturally be excellent.

Even if the majority of the benefits went to Yun Li, from Yunze's perspective, it was still acceptable.

After all, if they didn't share it now, Yunze might not even have the chance to share it in the future.

Having a sip of hot soup was better than having nothing at all. It would be good enough if the Tengshe bloodline could be passed down for just one more generation. If the method could sustain it long-term, that would be a massive profit.

Maintaining the Tengshe bloodline was also the top priority for Yunmeng.

Yunmeng naturally leaned toward agreeing first to see how things would play out, but after a moment of thought, it suppressed all the palpitations and desires in its heart.

Since Senior is willing to discuss this, I naturally understand Senior's sincerity, Yunze bowed again, speaking in a humble tone. However, this matter is of great importance. Please allow me a moment to consider.

Regardless of how one put it or whether it was admitted, Yunmengze was currently sheltering under the Yunmeng Pavilion.

Even if it could rely on Chu Xingchen's prestige to agree on its own now, it would likely have to pay the price for it in the future.

After all, Yunmeng Pavilion was not to be trifled with.

No matter how great the temptation was now, for the sake of Yunmengze's future survival, it absolutely could not agree prematurely.

At least not until it found a suitable reason or obtained the approval of Yunmeng Pavilion.

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen smiled. He did not look angry, and merely said in a calm tone:

Since this is a discussion, it is only natural for Fellow Daoist to take your time to think. If you do not agree, that is also perfectly reasonable.

Yunmeng breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Whether they were just polite words or not, at least they sounded pleasant for now. A smile appeared on its face:

Thank you for your understanding, Senior...

Before Yunmeng could finish speaking, a lesser demon maidservant hurried over from the doorway and prostrated herself on the ground before Yunmeng.

Did I not say that I am hosting an esteemed guest today, and everything else must wait? Yunmeng frowned slightly, though its tone remained relatively mild. Push everything back and step down.

The lesser demon maidservant remained prostrate on the ground without moving. Trembling, she whispered continuously:

Outside the door... there is someone claiming to be Bai Xuanling...

The reprimand Yunmeng was about to deliver to the blind maidservant abruptly stopped, and its gaze shifted back to Chu Xingchen.

He had just been acting so gentle and refined, saying it was normal to take time to consider. Yet, hardly two sentences after being refused, how did he suddenly bring Bai Xuanling to kick down the door?

It seemed this good cop, bad cop routine had been prepared long in advance.

Yunmeng slightly lowered its eyes to conceal the anger within. Chu Xingchen was clearly determined to completely dominate it and the entirety of Yunmengze today.

Bai Xuanling's arrival was likely not only aimed at itself but also at the Yunmeng Pavilion elder residing here.

After all, with a living True Immortal holding the fort here, what could Yunmeng Pavilion even do?

Please invite her in. Yunmeng's tone remained as mild as before. It adjusted its mindset, looked at Chu Xingchen's somewhat surprised expression, cursed his excellent acting skills in its heart, and continued, Since Senior Bai has also arrived, I should host you both together. Otherwise, it would make my Yunmengze appear ignorant of the rules.

Would you believe me if I said I didn't know she was coming either?

Senior, please do not tease me. Who in this world doesn't know that you and Senior Bai share a profound relationship.

Receiving the order, the lesser demon maidservant immediately retreated.

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen did not explain further. Instead, he quietly gazed toward the door. He naturally understood that Bai Xuanling's arrival probably meant she had other important matters to discuss with him in person.

Yunmeng did not try to make further conversation either. Instead, it followed Chu Xingchen's gaze toward the door, feeling both a bit nervous and curious.

What exactly did the only living True Immortal of the present age, who once bore the title of Living Yama, look like? Did she wear a sinister grin? What kind of demeanor did she truly possess?

They did not have to wait long.

A woman dressed in white casually stepped into the hall.

The woman's demeanor was somewhat frivolous. Her face held little expression, yet she exuded an aura of unyielding authority without anger. Her exquisite features went without saying. She wasn't constantly radiating any oppressive aura; in fact, one couldn't detect any pressure from her at all.

However, when Yunmeng actually looked at Bai Xuanling, its heart still trembled for a moment—Bai Xuanling's eyes were like a tranquil pool of water, entirely devoid of ripples.

As a Tengshe, seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster was one of its instincts.

The instant Yunmeng saw Bai Xuanling's eyes, its entire instinct to avoid danger swept through its body, as if warning it that taking one more look would mean it would never need to avoid anything again.

It hurriedly lowered its head.

Chu Xingchen consciously stood up from the main seat, speaking with a somewhat helpless tone:

I'm guessing you're definitely not here to deliver any good news, but please, start with the better part.

Hearing this, the corners of Bai Xuanling's mouth curled into a smile. She did not answer Chu Xingchen, but instead turned her gaze to Yunmeng. After observing it for a moment, she said in an amused tone:

Your true form is a Tengshe? That's quite rare. I came presumptuously, and looking at you, it seems I've frightened you a bit. However, as everyone knows, I am a kind and amiable person, so there's no need to be so restrained.

Yunmeng cursed endlessly in its heart, but when the words reached its mouth, there was only one sentence:

Thank you, Senior.

Bai Xuanling smiled and nodded, then finally looked at Chu Xingchen and continued:

There is no good news at all. I'll tell you something that isn't quite as bad first.

Chu Xingchen sighed slightly upon hearing this.

Bai Xuanling revealed a satisfied smile and said:

Boluo already knows about our methods for observing the flow of spirit veins.

Chu Xingchen nodded: That's somewhat expected...

Bai Xuanling tossed out a freshly recorded array ritual drawn from her spatial ring over to Chu Xingchen, saying:

Boluo possesses a ritual we have never seen before. It can be driven by blood vitality and has almost no spiritual energy fluctuations, making it hard to detect. Yet, it has a probing effect that can identify concealed auras even at my level.

You need to prepare for the worst, which is that they might not use any spirit veins at all. They might only need to pile up blood vitality to activate their so-called grand array.

If they intend to do this and gather blood vitality, absolute devastation of all living beings will happen in an instant.

I don't know if Boluo intentionally let me discover this, or if they are trying to force us to make the first move.

"Now, you need to make a plan."

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen gave a helpless smile.

"They really are like muck stuck to the sole of a shoe that you just can't shake off. They always have some fresh trick to sicken people."

Bai Xuanling raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Tell me about it. Do you have anything new to throw back at them?"

At her words, a gentle smile appeared on Chu Xingchen's face.

Seeing this, a satisfied expression also appeared on Bai Xuanling's face.

But when Yunmeng saw the look on Chu Xingchen's face, she couldn't help but shudder involuntarily.

The Soaring Serpent's instinct for seeking fortune and avoiding danger was warning her.

That gentle smile was absolutely deadly.