Everything that needed to be said had been said. Shen Bai felt it was time to get to the point.

Since their surroundings were shielded, the next topic would inevitably touch upon the core secrets of the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple.

Shen Bai was quite curious about it.

Sure enough, after Shen Bai spoke, Daoist Chongling only pondered for a moment before stating the purpose of his visit.

"The Temple Master said that there is a world within this mirror. And inside that world, we can find what he left behind. It is also the key to understanding the secret of why the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple does not accept disciples."

"A world inside the mirror?" Shen Bai looked at the Copper Mirror before him, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

It was the first time he had ever encountered such a Deceitful Object.

"That is what the Temple Master said back then, but as for the specifics, we have no way of knowing."

Daoist Chongling held his duster, lightly flicking the dust from it, and continued, "The Temple Master once said that when we are able to control this Copper Mirror, we can use it to enter the world inside. The problem is, we are unable to control it. Since you, Lord Shen, are the one the Temple Master said would meet the conditions, perhaps you can uncover its secret."

Hearing this, Shen Bai stroked his chin. "If that’s the case, then it might be possible."

When Daoist Chongling heard this, his calm expression immediately changed. "Lord Shen, can you truly uncover the secret of the Copper Mirror?"

He had just heard Shen Bai say it might be possible, so he felt a surge of eagerness.

After all, this secret had plagued the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple for many years.

He had expected Shen Bai to be at least a little perplexed, but he never imagined Shen Bai wouldn’t show the slightest hesitation.

Shen Bai nodded. "If controlling the Copper Mirror is the key to uncovering the secret, then I do have a method. However, this method might cause some damage to the mirror."

’His method was simple: just use his Golden Finger to appraise the Copper Mirror.’

’The only issue was the side effect. Any Deceitful Object he appraised would become an ordinary, unremarkable item, losing its unique aura completely.’

Of course, Shen Bai wasn’t about to expose his Golden Finger. He simply said that he would use a special technique that *might* cause damage to the Copper Mirror.

The word "might" left him plenty of room to maneuver.

He was giving Daoist Chongling a heads-up first. If the Daoist was willing, he could try appraising the Copper Mirror.

If not, then so be it.

’Shen Bai was a man of principle, after all.’

’This was their treasure, and it held the key to their core secret.’

’If they didn’t agree, he wouldn’t press the issue.’

’It was just one Deceitful Object. He would encounter plenty more in the future.’

’Shen Bai wasn’t in a rush.’

Upon hearing Shen Bai’s words, Daoist Chongling agreed without a shred of hesitation. "No problem. Please, Lord Shen, do as you see fit."

This immediate and unconditional agreement made Shen Bai a little curious.

"Daoist Chongling, aren’t you afraid that if this Copper Mirror is damaged, the secret of the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple will be lost forever, and its restriction will never be lifted?" Shen Bai asked.

After all, this was the only known way to lift the temple’s restriction.

If it were accidentally broken, the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple might be trapped under this restriction forever.

Knowing the disposition of the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple’s disciples, they would likely never defy the Temple Master’s final words.

But to Shen Bai’s surprise, Daoist Chongling simply shook his head.

"We do not care."

The answer took Shen Bai by surprise.

"Why not?" Shen Bai pressed.

The excitement on Daoist Chongling’s face had subsided, replaced by a look of acceptance. "We survived the hardest of times. What does a little more hardship matter?"

"We are bound to obey the Temple Master’s last words. If we now have a chance to unravel the secret, we will take it. If we cannot, and the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple fades into oblivion... so be it."

"At least while we are still alive, we can ensure the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple endures for a little while longer."

Shen Bai stroked Amber’s head and asked, "If the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple were to lose its followers from this day forward, would you truly not find that a pity, Daoist Chongling?"

Daoist Chongling shook his head. "A pity it may be, but everything is a matter of fate. We of the Daoist Sect believe in following the natural course of the Dao. If this cannot be undone, then it is simply the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple’s tribulation to bear, and we accept it as such."

This detachment, combined with Daoist Chongling’s current demeanor, unmistakably revealed the bearing of a great Daoist master.

In all his travels from Shengyun County to Fenglin State, Shen Bai had never met someone so completely detached.

He felt as though Daoist Chongling had seen through it all and made his peace with any outcome.

Despite his tranquil demeanor, he was still doing everything in his power to solve the problem.

But if it truly couldn’t be solved, then, just as Daoist Chongling said, it was a matter of letting fate run its course.

Shen Bai clapped his hands, drawing Daoist Chongling’s attention.

Daoist Chongling asked, puzzled, "Lord Shen, what is the meaning of this?"

Shen Bai cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. "Your disposition, Daoist Chongling, has my utmost admiration. In fact, I, Mr Shen, hold the entire Celestial Purity Daoist Temple in high regard."

There wasn’t a hint of falsehood in his words; Shen Bai spoke them straight from the heart.

That was the kind of person he was—often direct, but not without a sense of tact.

He genuinely admired the heroic conduct of Daoist Chongling and the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple.

’If it were him, he could never do the same.’

Daoist Chongling smiled. "In truth, Lord Shen, you are the one I admire."