The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 291: Where the Heart Was Settled; Where the Friendship Ties!

Where the Heart Was Settled; Where the Friendship Ties! . . .

Master Bai let out a weary sigh, his eyes seemingly aglow with the brilliance of a starry river.

Cha Eun Xiao nodded in acknowledgment, understanding that despite Master Bai's lowered head, the man could perceive more than met the eye.

Master Bai, in an unexpected twist, raised his head and offered a faint, enigmatic smile. "You are a clever individual, indeed. You possess a remarkable ability to discern what eludes others' perception."

Though it appeared as though he was gazing directly at Cha Eun Xiao, his eyes held an inscrutable depth, akin to an abyss. He began recounting the unfortunate sequence of events: "The first instance, I lost all my cultivation capabilities. The second time, I lost all my abilities, rendering my hands immobile. The third time, I lost all my abilities, and my meridians were shattered. The fourth time, I lost my capabilities, my meridians, and my vision..."

He continued, his voice laced with irony. "...The seventh time. Now, the ninth. I have lost everything—my abilities, my vision, my legs, my meridians, even my spiritual consciousness."

"Such a disability can only be attributed to the divine reverse impact—a retribution for the countless lives I have taken."

He dismissed the notion of any illness or ailment being responsible for his condition.

Master Bai drew a deep breath before adding, "You claim to possess the ability to cure it. Despite the reputation of your supreme dan beads, often referred to as divine-level dan beads, they are still nothing more than ordinary dan beads. Can they truly effect a cure?"

Cha Eun Xiao responded with a wry smile. "In this world, every organization, power, or individual holds you in fear. No one dares to oppose you. Simultaneously, there are countless individuals who yearn to end your legend and replace it with their own. Yet, none have succeeded. Nevertheless... I doubt there are many who possess the audacity to stand before you and proclaim an ostensibly impossible task, correct?"

Master Bai returned his enigmatic smile. The depths of his eyes harbored an absolute pride—a pride that exuded indifference toward all else in the world. He lightly tapped his knees with his immaculate white hands, still wearing that smile, and remarked, "Indeed, there are few, if any. Yet, perhaps I am now in the presence of one."

Cha Eun Xiao chuckled. "Or maybe you're simply encountering an opportunity."

Master Bai regarded him with keen interest. "Oh?"

"In all honesty, I have no desire, and it isn't within my best interests, to offer you such a convenience," Cha Eun Xiao candidly admitted.

"Because I am attempting to bring about the fall of the Kingdom of Chen."

"That's correct."

Master Bai's eyes assumed a deeper contemplation. "So, it seems your connection to this kingdom is stronger than you'd like to admit. Is it, perhaps, a form of restraint?"

Cha Eun Xiao took a measured breath and nodded in confirmation. "Yes."

Master Bai's eyes dimmed as though a veil of mist had descended, obscuring his clarity of vision. He realized that his previous assumptions had been misguided.

He had believed that Feng Monarch hailed from a higher realm, at least the Qing-Yun Realm. Such individuals typically displayed a tough, haughty, and self-centered demeanor. Their hearts were seldom swayed by attachment to the Land of Han-Yang or the kingdom they resided in.

They would sooner betray anyone else than allow themselves to be betrayed. This was a fundamental principle they all lived by. However, the man currently standing before Master Bai displayed an unmistakable connection to his homeland—a bond that seemed to restrain him.

Master Bai arrived at this conclusion internally but chose not to voice it aloud, ultimately dismissing the notion.

**\[Feng Zhiling appears to be deeply rooted in the Land of Han-Yang, a devoted citizen of the Kingdom of Chen even!\]**

\[This realization, given the circumstances, could work greatly in my favor. I can utilize it to my advantage, despite my initial reluctance. It provides me with an additional means to exert influence over him. I hold sway over his vulnerability—a valuable asset in the present situation. Cooperation with him, though proposed by him, isn't necessarily unfavorable. It will grant me a degree of initiative in our relationship. I can manipulate it to my advantage, maintaining control over every aspect, particularly the true source of power.\]

\[However, an individual who has lived in the Qing-Yun Realm and was born in the Land of Han-Yang... I have never encountered such a character before.\]

Master Bai's voice remained placid as he stated, "A country is but a formidable entity within the world. The emotional bond you speak of is merely a method employed by kings to exert control over their subjects. Feng Monarch, you are a man of experience. How could you entertain such naive notions? It hardly aligns with the image I have cultivated of Feng Monarch."

While he spoke, his eyes shone brightly, his voice laden with gravitas, devoid of any hint of doubt. In reality, he was conducting a test.

He was subtly assessing the man before him, endeavoring to discern if he was being deceptive.

Cha Eun Xiao responded with solemnity. "Perhaps it is a method, but loyalty and devotion represent the fundamental tenets of human nature—a righteous path that should always be embraced. As inhabitants of this world, we should possess unwavering convictions, something worth fighting for."

Master Bai raised an eyebrow in response. His furrowed brow resembled two dragons crouching in a mountainous valley, only to transform into two azure dragons soaring high above the clouds as he unfurled his brow.

Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but be astounded by this incredible ability. It was unlike anything he had ever witnessed—changing the appearance of one's eyebrows through a simple furrow and unfurl. This wasn't a skill acquired through practice; it was an innate gift.

Cha Eun Xiao pondered for a moment, his words flowing deliberately as he articulated, "As an individual, as a man, there should be something one holds dear—a cause worth defending, a set of values to uphold. It's about possessing an unwavering sense of honor, unwavering loyalty, and a steadfast commitment to truth. Regardless of one's actions or motivations, as long as they can maintain a clear conscience regarding the outcome, external consequences become insignificant."

"The land of my birth is my belief. I cannot forsake or abandon it."

As Cha Eun Xiao expressed these sentiments, he experienced a profound sense of relief. Ever since he had entered the room, there had been an underlying discomfort he had suppressed, but now, he felt as though he had fully exhaled that stifling burden. The tension had vanished entirely, leaving him in a state of profound relaxation.