Chapter 1432: Xin Yi

If Lingshan were to become their patron, the struggle against Beijia might then have hope and a chance of victory.

However, Zhong Shengguang sought out He Lingchuan for this conversation, indicating his trust in He Lingchuan and his desire to hear the opinions of General Huyi. He Lingchuan, therefore, spoke plainly: "Beijia treats the Sky Demons as servants attending their master. What Lingshan desires are loyal, obedient servants, not an independent human nation with its own will."

Would Panglong City, under Zhong Shengguang’s leadership, genuinely obey Lingshan's every command? If told to go east, would they not dare to go west?

He Lingchuan found that scenario unimaginable.

"What was the attitude of the immortals towards humans during ancient and medieval times? I believe Lingshan is indeed extending aid to Panglong City now, but it will not be unconditional."

He emphasized, word by word: "Unless you intend to pledge allegiance to Lingshan, you must prevent Lingshan from seizing Panglong City for its own!"

Of course, cooperation remains essential. There are no truly pure individuals or entirely righteous powers in this world. All cooperation is founded on constant evaluation and compromise.

It's about seeking common ground while acknowledging differences, with each party getting what they need.

However, it's an unyielding law of the world that for every gain, there is an inevitable loss.

The crucial question was what Panglong City would have to sacrifice, and what price Zhong Shengguang would be willing to pay.

Zhong Shengguang gazed out the window, standing in silence for a long time before finally nodding.

He Lingchuan also moved to the window, observing the new green shoots emerging from the corner of the wall. He understood that the discussion was concluded, and Zhong Shengguang likely had his own strategy in mind.

Although difficult, Panglong City still needed to secure its own space for maneuver.

On a side note, He Lingchuan recalled that Lingshan had eventually achieved its objective in reality, establishing its own human nation on the surface: Mou State.

This occurred after the fall of Panglong City.

He cleared his throat lightly. "Excuse me, Sir Zhong, how is General Hong doing?"

Before he departed Panglong City for the Glimmergold Plains, there had been a few "minor issues" between General Hong and Mitian:

General Hong's rapidly increasing strength had created the hidden risk of Mitian's divine descent occurring prematurely.

Zhong Shengguang exhaled. "Do you remember the Lamp of Insight I asked you to bring back from the Glimmergold Plains?"

He Lingchuan nodded, a premonition of ill omen washing over him.

"There was a problem during the experiment. This path has no successful precedent; we're entirely fumbling our way through it, and we have to do it right under Mitian's nose." Zhong Shengguang's face was devoid of expression, but He Lingchuan sensed the matter weighed heavily on him. "Therefore, I inquired with Lingshan regarding the Lamp of Insight, hoping that powerful beings there might have studied this kind of treasure."

After all, Lingshan is a gathering place for immortals, and few places possess a richer repository of knowledge.

He Lingchuan was taken aback. Could it be that Xin Yi was...?

As expected, Zhong Shengguang continued: "Not long after, Mr. Lu returned, and Lingshan reassigned Mr. Xin to come here instead. Publicly, they merely stated that a new liaison officer had been appointed."

"Is Mr. Xin here to study the Lamp of Insight?"

"He has some insights into the Lamp of Insight and wishes to study it further. In exchange, I informed him of the true function of the Black Dragon Mark."

He Lingchuan suddenly understood.

He had initially been puzzled, as Zhong Shengguang was a man of deep strategy, not one to carelessly reveal secrets to outsiders.

So that was it; Xin Yi had indeed studied the Lamp of Insight.

However, he immediately recalled the Lingshan mission he had received in reality: to help the guards of Mou State locate a stolen Lamp of Insight!

Furthermore, every thirty-odd years, Mou State would retrieve a Lamp of Insight from Mount Baimao, its purpose remaining unclear.

Considering Zhong Shengguang’s current revelation, could Mou State's initial acquisition of the Lamp of Insight have stemmed from Xin Yi's visit to Panglong City?

"This path is fraught with difficulties, but I must succeed," Zhong Shengguang stated slowly. "I have always believed that where there's a will, there's a way."

Otherwise, he would be a sinner in this world!

The two men discussed various strategies and tactics. When General Nanke arrived to see Zhong Shengguang, He Lingchuan took his cue and departed.

At that hour, Panglong City was just beginning to light up. As He Lingchuan walked through the streets, he saw seven or eight-year-old children carrying pottery jars to buy soy sauce, and spice merchants haggling with customers.

The streets hummed with the vibrant energy of everyday life.

This ordinary daily life was everything that Zhong Shengguang, General Hong, and he were determined to protect.

As night deepened, the clamor of the streets gradually gave way to silence.

Xin Yi gazed out the window, where the moonlight, like water, cascaded onto the rooftops of humble homes.

Having completed the annotations for another book, he set down his brush, stretched, and walked to the window.

A waiter from the inn happened to pass through the backyard and greeted him:

"Mr. Xin, do you require anything?"

"No, thank you. You should get some rest too," Xin Yi replied with a smile, gently closing the window and casually setting up a protective barrier.

There was a small stove in the room. Xin Yi boiled water to brew a cup of hot tea, then took an unripe soapberry fruit and dropped it into the brush washer on the table, casually pouring a few sips of hot tea over it before slowly enjoying his own drink.

As soon as the hot water was poured, the green fruit suddenly split open. It immediately took root, sprouted, and grew leaves right there in the green porcelain brush washer, astonishingly resembling a ginseng root. Its main body was thick and plump, with a cluster of aerial roots growing beneath and a few small green leaves on top.

Then, the main body transformed, developing indentations and protrusions within a dozen breaths, eventually settling into a shape that surprisingly resembled a human face.

It was very blurry, akin to an abstract painting.

During this process, Xin Yi didn't simply sit and wait. He casually took out a bag of five-spice water chestnuts, peeling and eating them with evident contentment.

A few more breaths passed, and the face on the soapberry tree suddenly stirred, and an ancient voice resonated:

"Using a soapberry fruit again?"

"Mmm-hmm," Xin Yi replied without surprise, cracking open another water chestnut with a snap. "Every little bit saved helps. As you know, long-distance communication is the most energy-intensive."

"How was your trip to Panglong City? You've been there for over a month now."

"Zhong Shengguang is truly an exceptional individual. He doesn't have many generals under him, but each one is capable of holding their own."

"Panglong City is a small place, after all," the soapberry figure remarked. "What about Mitian and General Hong?"

"Mitian hasn't shown herself. I've only seen General Hong twice, and she is indeed different from an ordinary body of divine descent."

"In what way?"

"A power far exceeding her age and cultivation level. She must be able to wield Mitian's divine energy!"

"During a divine descent..."

"Not during a divine descent, but *normally*!" Xin Yi stated with certainty. "If Mitian had descended, I would definitely know. Yet she remains a mortal body, even though Mitian's divine power undulates within her!"

"In the current world, no mortal can bear the power of a Heavenly God," the soapberry figure stated. "Either Mitian has modified her body, or General Hong has a method to temporarily contain Mitian's divine power without it destroying her physical form."

It paused, then continued: "If Mitian discovers a way to release more divine power into the human realm, it would truly be ill tidings for us."

"I will continue to observe General Hong and Mitian," Xin Yi said, taking a sip of hot tea. "This tea is quite good... As for the Black Dragon Mark, Zhong Shengguang has already told me it's a naturally formed totem. Within its area of influence, not only does it bring favorable weather and abundant harvests, but even spiritual energy and Nightmare Qi are not absorbed."

"Not even spiritual energy?" the soapberry figure pressed. "Are you certain?"

"I set up a small spiritual energy gathering array nearby, and indeed, I couldn't collect any spiritual energy," Xin Yi said, shifting into a more comfortable sitting position. "If the Black Dragon Mark could spread throughout the world, it would be a severe blow to the Sky Demons."

"What kind of good news is that?" the soapberry figure grumbled, letting out a disgruntled snort. "The characteristics of this mark are, however, consistent with the Divine Venerable's lineage; it doesn't seem to care much for us, only for the humble beings. From this perspective, it must be an embodiment of the Divine Venerable's will."

Xin Yi scoffed lightly. "Humble? This world has long belonged to humanity. You've been holed up in your cave for too long; you should come out and see for yourself."

The soapberry figure said faintly, "If it weren't for them, how could the Sky Demons absorb Nightmare Qi so freely? Hmm, have you discovered the reason why Panglong City acquired the Black Dragon Mark?"

"Currently, I have no leads," Xin Yi replied, shaking his head. "The Divine Venerable's actions are always inscrutable."

"In your estimation, can Panglong City be utilized by us?"

"Facing the threat of Beijia, Panglong City's desire for Lingshan's support is urgent. I also sense that Zhong Shengguang’s relationship with Mitian might not be harmonious, so it shouldn't be difficult to win him over, provided we offer appropriate assistance." Xin Yi paused. "However, one of his young generals is wary of me; he even asked me a question today: Where does the spiritual energy that immortals imbue into grotto-heavens and blessed lands come from?"

The soapberry figure fell silent for a moment. "That's not a good question... Did he ask it on his own initiative, or was Zhong Shengguang instructing him?"

"I believe it was his own inquiry," Xin Yi said. "If Zhong Shengguang had detected this, he would have directly consulted Mitian. Mitian would have provided the answer; he wouldn't have needed to ask me."

"Indeed, there are always a few thorny individuals everywhere," the soapberry figure remarked, then asked him, "As for this person, do you intend to...?"

"No need," Xin Yi stated decisively. "In the upcoming great war, he will be a key general; without him, the battle on the east side of Panglong City will be much more difficult. And besides, even if Zhong Shengguang were to find out, what then?"

"He is already an enemy of Beijia, and Mitian cannot be relied upon. Apart from seeking refuge with Lingshan, does his most cherished Panglong City have any other recourse?" He peeled another water chestnut, crunching it audibly. "What humans excel at is compromise; these high-ranking individuals among them will carefully weigh the pros and cons."

"As long as you are confident," the soapberry figure added. "We just received news that Yao State, the most powerful nation on the Glimmergold Plains, has had its ruler lead its subjects in converting to the Spirit Void Pantheon."

Xin Yi's chewing paused for two seconds. "Didn't they originally worship Xali Heaven?"

"It goes to show the fierce struggles within the divine realm," the soapberry figure commented. "Capitalizing on the surging Imperial Nectar and and the gradual recovery of spiritual energy, we hope this time to turn the tide in one decisive stroke."

It told Xin Yi, "Lingshan requires powerful human forces capable of resisting Beijia. You must complete this mission."

Having spoken, the soapberry figure stiffened, and numerous bubbles erupted all over its body.

Xin Yi knew that the entity he had been conversing with had departed.