Lin Junzhao's words placing herself back in that position from years ago indicate that she still acknowledges this relationship with Lin Ruxue. However, this relationship can no longer provide her with a sense of security. What she desires is a force of her own powerful enough to withstand invasions from other planes. She expressed her stance and offered conditions for reconciliation.

Tenfold? If Lin Junzhao could be won over, moving the entire Immortal Palace would be worth it. Although she declares a neutral stance for the Foundation Plane, if their relationship could be restored, her ambiguous position on key issues would be enough to tilt the balance in one's favor. Not to mention her growing subordinates; with the increasingly harmonious atmosphere among disciples from both realms, the Investigation Bureau could serve as an ally to the Immortal Palace for a long time in the future.

"Alright, since this matter that troubled us internally has been resolved, then... cough cough cough!" Seeing Lin Junzhao complete her statement and the old grievances having reached a conclusion, the Ancestral God turned his gaze to the Candle Dragon and, after coughing softly, said calmly, "Do you still insist on starting a war?"

At these words, the positions of the five Masters of Origin shifted once again. K no longer confronted Lin Junzhao but stood in a corner with the others, surrounding the Candle Dragon in the center of the field.

"Ha ha ha!" The Candle Dragon coldly laughed, clapped his hands, and raised his thumb in praise, "Brilliant! A moment ago, you were at each other's throats, and now you're making this an internal affair. It seems I truly am your greatest threat, discarding mutual disagreements to unite against an external one with just a few words."

"Candle Dragon, the situation today is of your own making. We've made sufficient concessions, yet you remain insatiable! What exactly do you want? Don't you know that continuing to disrupt the balance of the planes will have consequences?" The Ancestral God sternly hit the ground with his cane and rebuked.

"Consequences? The disruption already began when you first greedily reached into the Foundation Plane! For years, you've patched things up like cobblers mending shoes, thinking the punishment of the Heavenly Dao won't descend? Self-deceit! You're merely delaying the inevitable arrival of this process, ha ha ha!"

Amidst the unsightly expressions of the four Masters of Origin, the Candle Dragon laughed mockingly at the sky and taunted, "Who would have thought that the Masters of Origin, who possess endless life, would also have fears! Haven't you long since become indifferent to life and death? What is there to fear about starting a war? Going five against one, aren't I destined to lose completely?"

Watching the Candle Dragon's arrogant demeanor in the field and the other plane lords' angry yet suppressed expressions, Pei Yan, who had been watching the spectacle from within, couldn't help but mutter quietly, "Beat him up! What are you hesitating for? Five against one, shouldn't you be able to win?"

"Shut up!" Lin Junzhao scolded Pei Yan within her mind, "There are secrets here you can't know. Listen, if you don't want a Master of Origin to speak that movie line to you—you know too much—and then obliterate you, then keep today's events to yourself. Don't speculate or tell anyone, not your friends, superiors, or even your sister."

"Got it," Pei Yan made a silence gesture and obediently closed his mouth.

Though intimidated, Pei Yan chose temporary silence, but the Masters of Origin weren't as easily placated. The first to step out was K, who valued his status the most. He faced the Candle Dragon coldly and said, "Candle Dragon, don't act arrogant here. Do you truly think we don't dare to act against you?"

"Dare! Of course, you dare! It's merely an unworthy trade-off. Otherwise, you wouldn't have entered my world, refrained from continuing the battle, and accepted my proposal, holding this competition! Don't forget, your fragment is still in my world, opening doors for me!" The Candle Dragon didn't bother to look directly at K, glancing disdainfully from the corner of his eye.

This was yet another vital piece of information, and not only Pei Yan was curious, but also Lin Junzhao. The exploration mission deep into Bloodshade by the four great planes was not joined by Lin Junzhao because she had just escaped, her strength hadn't recovered, and she held resentment toward them. But the results clearly showed they suffered a significant setback.

Firstly, their stance toward the Candle Dragon softened, and the idea of negotiation took precedence, indirectly facilitating this competition's creation. Secondly, their attitude toward the Investigation Bureau underwent a complete reversal, from dispensable to actively wanting to recruit it as part of the same faction.

Lin Junzhao, intrigued by what truly transpired in Bloodshade, also subtly hinted during private meetings with Lin Ruxue. However, Lin Ruxue was evasive on this subject, diverting constantly. When pressed, she either said nothing or left abruptly, leaving Lin Junzhao baffled and helpless.

"Don't assume that by catching us in a weak spot, we'll endlessly compromise with you. It's better to go to war! If everyone's powers diminish, the great planes will all regress by over a thousand years! It's just time; we can afford it! But you, Candle Dragon!" At this point, Lin Ruxue, provoked by the Candle Dragon's arrogance, angrily pointed at him and shouted, "You can't simply hope to be imprisoned and calm our anger! While the Masters of Origin cannot be obliterated, if we join forces, we could potentially scatter your consciousness, reducing you to a state without awareness."

Feeling Lin Ruxue's anger and seeing the others, after brief hesitation, stand behind her, for the first time the Candle Dragon showed signs of doubt and retreat. His plan was still underway, and it wasn't time for the final showdown; initiating a battle now would place him at a disadvantage.

Realizing his past threats had lost effectiveness, the Candle Dragon touched the eyepatch over his single eye, lowered his head, contemplated briefly, and then retreated, saying, "Is there no way to ease this matter?"

"It was you who initiated this; blame no one else! Candle Dragon, your behavior crossing the line enraged me!" Lin Ruxue's anger did not subside; her aura continued to rise, this being the Daoist Realm, her home field, soon making her the strongest presence in the area.

"Cough, Spirit Lord Lin, calm your wrath! I see he has intentions to reconcile; listen to what he has to say—it isn't too late to act then!" The Ancestral God coughed twice, playing the peacemaker once more. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Yes, yes! Let's hear him out!" K, unusually, didn't stir up trouble this time, hurriedly echoing. In their hearts, they knew the full consequences of a war; no one truly wanted Lin Ruxue's suggested mutual destruction. Ultimately, the conflict was between Bloodshade and the Daoist Realm; if it could be resolved without involving themselves, that would be the best choice.