Chapter 548: Chapter 547: Shen Gongbao’s Heart Is Set, Heading to the North Sea

"Releasing the North Sea Dragon Race, huh..."

Lin Heng was thoughtful, his gaze fixed on Shen Gongbao, who avoided eye contact, appearing somewhat guilty.

However, after some internal conflict, he met Lin Heng’s gaze, speaking with a hint of embarrassment, "To be honest, at the very beginning of establishing the Destiny Dynasty."

"Ao Bing and I had plans to seize the Immortal Court. I wanted to become the Lord of Daoism, and he wanted to release his clansmen."

Shen Gongbao confessed his past treasonous intentions, feeling somewhat ashamed, but after speaking out, he seemed much more at ease.

"Oh, so why did you end up giving up?" Lin Heng asked, with a calm demeanor, seemingly indifferent.

Shen Gongbao gave a bitter smile, "The Daoist Lord’s growth speed was too fast, so fast that we couldn’t keep up with our plans, and even if we wanted to seize power, we couldn’t."

He was being honest.

Back when Lin Heng released him from the North Sea, Lin Heng’s strength did not yet match Shen Gongbao’s.

At that time, he was indeed plotting to seize the Immortal Court.

But Lin Heng’s breakthrough speed was unimaginably quick, so much so that before Shen Gongbao could gather his forces, Lin Heng had already grown to a level where he could easily overturn any situation.

The most crucial point was, after returning from the Jambudvipa Continent, Sun Wukong had advanced to the Quasi-Saint Realm.

Even if Lin Heng went out, with Sun Wukong in the Immortal Court, Shen Gongbao felt powerless.

"You gave up just because you felt there was no chance?" Lin Heng asked. Faced with Shen Gongbao’s honest confession, he wasn’t angry, but rather appreciative.

"There were indeed other reasons."

Shen Gongbao pondered for a moment, looking seriously at Lin Heng, "In fact, whether under my master’s tutelage or later assisting the Great Shang, I was never truly trusted."

"I always said, the prejudices in people’s hearts are like mountains. They either didn’t recognize my capability or my loyalty, and everyone was wary of me."

"But..."

He paused a bit, a complex smile appearing in his eyes, "Here, only here, only you, Daoist Lord, didn’t care about my past, didn’t doubt my abilities, nor bothered with others’ opinions. You gave me full authority and truly provided a platform for my talents."

"Therefore, I am grateful to you."

"From the bottom of my heart."

Shen Gongbao enunciated each word, having faced the cold eyes of the world, he who rarely revealed his true feelings, for once expressed the thoughts in his heart.

This made Lin Heng quite emotional, so he also spoke candidly, "Actually, from the beginning, many people advised me to be vigilant of you."

"To be honest, I never fully trusted you either."

"I just thought, you are a senior in Daoism, even if there were internal conflicts in the future, it would still be our own business, and your capability is evident to all. So I thought, even if changes occur one day, the Daoist Court in your hands would be the most suitable choice."

"That’s why, whether it was Ao Bing winning over the military’s loyalty or you showcasing your talents, it was all to help you gain people’s support."

"So that, even in my absence, this Daoist Court wouldn’t fall apart."

Lin Heng’s tone was incredibly calm and frank, revealing his true thoughts to Shen Gongbao.

This left Shen Gongbao with immense emotion, after a long time, he finally smiled and bowed to Lin Heng:

"From now on, I am willing to go through fire and water for the Daoist Lord, never regretting life and death!"

[Congratulations to the host for gaining a Diehard Level Believer, Reputation +100000]

Seeing the floating subtitles in his mind, Lin Heng couldn’t help but smile.

Clearly, the present Shen Gongbao truly no longer harbored any disloyalty toward him.

Returning to the main topic, Lin Heng asked, "Ao Bing is your disciple. Do you think we should help him release the North Sea Dragon Race?"

Shen Gongbao spoke bluntly, "Ao Bing is actually pure-hearted and always grateful to the Daoist Lord, but he cannot go against the North Sea Dragon Race."

"So, after helping him release the North Sea Dragon Race, if the Dragon Race is willing to join the Daoist Court, all will be well."

"But if the Dragon Race aims to form their own force, Ao Bing is bound to return to his clan."

"The crux lies in betting on the Dragon Race’s ambitions."

"Of course, if I may suggest, it’s best to comfort him with words but indefinitely postpone, because the Immortal Court cannot do without Ao Bing!"

Shen Gongbao said with utmost seriousness.

Lin Heng was torn between laughter and tears, "But he is your disciple."

Shen Gongbao replied, "The affairs of the Immortal Court outweigh everything. I will apologize to him later."

His gaze was exceptionally firm.

Lin Heng was moved, rising up, he said, "No need to apologize, just tell him that I will help him with this matter."

Shen Gongbao was stunned, hesitated and said, "What if he leaves with the Dragon Race, what will happen to the Immortal Court?"

Lin Heng said lightly, "No worries, I have an old friend, a pure-blooded Phoenix, if the need arises, I will personally request his aid."

Shen Gongbao was taken aback and suddenly realized, "The Phoenix Immortal Sect, that little prince who fell into the Small Thousand World, Celestial Demon Emperor?"

Lin Heng smiled slightly, "Precisely."

... 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

After leaving the Immortal Palace, Shen Gongbao found Ao Bing.

He relayed the conversation from the Immortal Palace to Ao Bing, without any reservation, even including his suggestion to the Daoist Lord not to assist Ao Bing, he spoke all truthfully.

Ao Bing, pure of heart, was overwhelmed with emotions after hearing it all, falling into a long silence.

Clearly, he hadn’t anticipated that his mentor would give such advice to the Daoist Lord.

Yet, he also hadn’t expected that the Daoist Lord would still agree to his request...

And it wasn’t a delay tactic.

It was immediate preparation to go to the North Sea!

"This will be difficult. I am ultimately not of the Rakshasa Race, though I learned a Unique Skill from Red Boy’s mother, breaking the entire North Sea Array requires enduring pressure far beyond my capability."

Above the clouds, Lin Heng, the Ox Demon King, and Ao Bing were heading towards the North Sea.

The pressure to break the Grand Array set by the Ancient Celestial Court was exceptionally immense on the Ox Demon King.

"Don’t worry."

"Just do your best, the Immortal Slaying Sword Array will settle everything."

Lin Heng said.

During these days, he had long since achieved Perfection in mastering the Immortal Slaying Sword Array.

Only by mastering this array can one truly sense the terror of this sword array!

Ao Bing was moved and said, "It’s alright if the array can’t be broken, there’s always time, I’m not concerned."

Lin Heng smiled, and in the next second, his eyes suddenly focused, looking towards the center of the North Sea.

"What’s the matter?"

His sudden change in expression was noticed by the Ox Demon King, who immediately inquired.

The next second, he felt a terrifying ripple emanate from the center of the North Sea.

In that instant, the clouds of the nine heavens descended, the waters of the North Sea surged to the sky.

As the ripple passed, layers of the void cracked open, the terrifying power made the Ox Demon King and Ao Bing feel death loom over them.

Until Lin Heng flicked his finger, causing the ripple at the front to halt instantly.