"Mr. Chen!"

Upon seeing Chen Tianwen, both Cui Shengshi and the two clan leaders, Ming She Xuan Gui, bowed in greeting.

Although all three were at the Immortal Lord level, they all showed great respect to Chen Tianwen.

Chen Tianwen gradually got used to this identity, and if he kept declining, it would seem a bit pretentious.

"Envoy Cui, what are our plans next?"

After exchanging pleasantries with the others, Chen Tianwen turned to Cui Shengshi and asked a question.

Instead of answering directly, Cui Shengshi inquired about Chen Tianwen's thoughts:

"Mr. Chen, what are your plans?"

Chen Tianwen shook his head and said:

"To be honest, Envoy Cui, this Xuanwu Secret Realm is far more dangerous than I imagined. Once you've finished exploring it, I'd like to leave at any time!"

Cui Shengshi laughed heartily, laughing at Chen Tianwen's retreat and lack of ambition. But isn't someone like that more reassuring?

The serpent patriarch was more observant, and looking at Chen Tianwen, he asked with a puzzled expression:

"Mr. Chen, why is your strength now only at the mid-stage of the Golden Immortal realm?"

The words of the Nether Serpent Clan Chief also made both Cui Shengshi and the Xuan Turtle Clan Chief look at Chen Tianwen. Sensing the faint aura on Chen Tianwen's body, both of them were full of doubt.

Chen Tianwen shook his head with a wry smile and said:

"I ran into some trouble and had to use an elixir that forcibly boosted my strength. I'm afraid I'll only be able to stay at the Golden Immortal realm from now on!"

Chen Tianwen's bitter expression seemed genuine, and his aura was indeed that of a Golden Immortal. This made Envoy Cui frown and reprimand Cui Xiangdong:

"I told you to protect Mr. Chen, what were you doing? You're all perfectly fine, only Chen Tianwen suffered such serious injuries, and you still have the nerve to come back to see me!"

In fact, there was a second half of what Cui Shengshi didn't say: if Chen Tianwen's strength were to decline and delay his grand plan of refining immortal pills, then Cui Xiangdong and the others would have committed an unforgivable crime!

Cui Xiangdong wanted to explain, but he was indeed in the wrong, so he could only stand there stammering, letting the Holy Envoy Cui scold him, not daring to say a word.

Envoy Cui scanned the area, but did not find Cui Xiangxi or Cui Xiangnan. His face darkened again, and he said to Cui Xiangdong:

"Where are your two junior brothers?"

Cui Xiangdong knew he would have to face this sooner or later, but he really didn't know how to answer the question.

As the master's most trusted disciple, he entrusted several of his fellow disciples to him and also placed the responsibility of protecting Chen Tianwen on his shoulders.

Chen Tianwen's strength has declined due to the use of secret elixirs, and his two junior brothers have also died tragically.

After all these incidents, how could I possibly have the face to explain them to my master?

However, Cui Xiangdong dared not refuse to answer the Holy Envoy Cui's question. He looked at Chen Tianwen hesitantly and stammered out:

"My two junior brothers, Xiangxi and Xiangbei, died at the hands of the Golden-Winged Eagle."

"Golden-winged eagles? Golden-winged eagles are ferocious beasts of immortal lords. Why are you provoking them?"

Envoy Cui had also heard about the Golden-Winged Eagle. He was heartbroken to hear that his two disciples had died at the hands of the Golden-Winged Eagle, but he still looked at Cui Xiangdong with disappointment.

Chen Tianwen knew that it was time for him to step forward. Although it was very pleasant to watch Envoy Cui reprimand Cui Xiangdong, the consequences would be unimaginable if Envoy Cui really lost his temper.

Chen Tianwen had already prepared his explanation. Now he stepped forward and took out a magical herb from his robes. Although the herb was not particularly valuable, it was not commonly seen in the outside world. This was exactly the effect Chen Tianwen wanted.

Chen Tianwen handed the immortal herb to Envoy Cui, who looked at it with a puzzled expression, unable to recognize what kind of immortal herb it was.

Before Envoy Cui could ask any questions, Chen Tianwen began to explain:

"Envoy Cui, this is a Heavenly Spirit Red Grass, a key ingredient in the elixir that will help you eliminate the aftereffects!"

Chen Tianwen's words delighted Cui Shengshi, but he remained silent, knowing that Chen Tianwen's intervention at this moment was not merely to offer him the immortal herb.

Sure enough, Chen Tianwen then spoke:

“Envoy Cui, I, Chen, am truly to blame for the deaths of your two beloved disciples.”

Suppressing his anger, Envoy Cui asked:

"Mr. Chen, why do you say that?"

Chen Tianwen sighed and continued:

"That day, when we passed by the Golden-Winged Eagle's nest, I mentioned that a kind of immortal herb called Heavenly Spirit Red Grass often grows in the Golden-Winged Eagle's nest. This immortal herb is very useful for the aftereffects of Envoy Cui's illness."

“Envoy Cui, you should know the filial piety of your four beloved disciples. After hearing this news, the four of them began to discuss going to the Golden-Winged Eagle’s nest to steal the Heavenly Spirit Red Grass.”

Cui Shengshi nodded repeatedly upon hearing this. If that were truly the case, his four disciples would indeed do such a thing.

Cui Shengshi's expression softened considerably; besides feeling heartbroken, he also felt a sense of relief.

Choi Sang-seik was naturally pleased that his apprentice was so filial.

However, Envoy Cui clearly wouldn't believe Chen Tianwen's one-sided account, and asked Cui Xiangdong:

"Xiang Dong, is what Mr. Chen said true?"

At this moment, Cui Xiangdong's admiration for Chen Tianwen was like a surging river, flowing endlessly.

Upon suddenly hearing his master's question, Cui Xiangdong quickly nodded.

Envoy Cui snorted coldly and said to Cui Xiangdong:

"Hmph! You're all far too overconfident! You four Great Luo Golden Immortals dare to provoke a Golden-Winged Eagle at the Immortal Lord level. Your three junior brothers are impulsive; don't you, as their senior brother, have any sense of propriety at all?"

Cui Xiangdong initially thought he had gotten away with it, but after being reprimanded by Cui Shengshi, he was at a loss for words.

Chen Tianwen bowed slightly to Envoy Cui and said:

“Envoy Cui, please forgive my offense.”

Envoy Cui nodded, signaling Chen Tianwen to continue.

"I believe that Young Master Xiang Dong is truly a man of great wisdom and resourcefulness. The acquisition of the Heavenly Spirit Red Grass this time was entirely due to Young Master Xiang Dong's intelligence and strategy. Therefore, I do not agree with your assessment of Young Master Xiang Dong."

Chen Tianwen spoke with righteous indignation, and if Cui Xiangdong hadn't known his own limitations, he probably would have believed him!

"Oh? What do you mean by that?"

Envoy Cui became somewhat curious, as his disciple was indeed quite clever.

However, since he had always been within the sect and had never been given any important responsibilities, Cui Shengshi was unsure whether his disciple was truly as resourceful as Chen Tianwen had described.

If Cui Xiangdong truly lives up to the reputation of being resourceful and wise, then Ambassador Cui will be very pleased.

When the apprentice is skilled, the master also gains face!