"Don't fall for his attempt to drive a wedge between us, Fellow Daoist Cold Flame! I had no other intention than to take some precautionary measures in case enemies arrived on the scene while we were busy breaking these restrictions, and it seems that my efforts were very much necessary," Xiong Shan said.

Patriarch Cold Flame's expression eased slightly upon hearing this, but he was still looking rather hesitant about who to believe.

"Is that so? In that case, why did you summon the flag in secret without telling Fellow Daoist Cold Flame?" Han Li asked with a faint smile.

"That... was indeed an oversight on my part," Xiong Shan conceded in a slightly awkward manner.

He hadn't actually summoned the flag for the purpose of attacking Patriarch Cold Flame. Instead, it was just a hidden trump card that he could call upon to seize the initiative in the case of any mishaps. Of course, he was prepared to use it against Patriarch Cold Flame if necessary, but given the circumstances, things weren't so easy to explain.

"You're not to blame, Fellow Daoist Xiong. I was simply too gullible and susceptible to the words...