Chapter 1942: The City Within the Bottle

"It's integrated with the entire Panlong Desert, and no one can retrieve it. But you're right, I do have an intricate connection with the Grand Flask—" He looked at Fang Canran and said softly, "Its relationship with me is like its relationship with King Yuan over a hundred years ago, and its relationship with Zhong Shengguang."

Fang Canran was stunned: "Are you... are you saying...?"

No way, it couldn't be what he was thinking, could it?

"Over 170 years ago, before the fall of Yuang Kingdom, King Yuan had your ancestor, Shao Jian, take the Grand Flask and deliver it to Zhong Shengguang," He Lingchuan said slowly. "One hundred seventy years later, though the Grand Flask wasn't directly handed to me, it and Panlong City have taught and accompanied me in a more subtle way."

"Brother Fang, please follow me."

Under the clear daylight, he stepped into the Haoyuan Golden Mirror.

Fang Canran's eyelids twitched; this was unexpected.

This mirror could be entered and exited freely?

He composed himself and stepped in after him.

Then, the scene before them changed:

This was no longer the Ziwu Society. It was clearly a vast, bustling square, with crowds of people, buildings lined up in neat rows, and a vibrant atmosphere of everyday life.

"Where is this?"

Suddenly, a sharp female voice from behind called out, "Hey, move!"

Fang Canran subconsciously looked back and realized he was blocking the main entrance of a house.

A fierce, broom-browed old woman stepped out of the door, glaring coldly. "What are you doing loitering in front of my house? Trying to steal something?"

Fang Canran had thought this was an illusion, but the woman's gaze was fixed on him, and her chubby hand was almost touching his nose.

Just then, He Lingchuan turned around. The plump woman's expression instantly changed when she saw him, bursting into a beaming smile. "General Huyi!"

He Lingchuan glanced down. "Aunt Wu, your chicks have escaped again."

As she opened the door, two tiny yellow specks squeezed out through the gap and dashed off towards freedom.

Aunt Wu exclaimed, then hurried off to chase the chicks.

He Lingchuan led Fang Canran forward.

Fang Canran didn't ask where they were anymore, because he saw the massive, towering, mountain-like city wall directly ahead!

On the wall were two majestic characters:

Panlong!

That's right. Earlier, when he saw Miaozhantian and Qianhuan's battle in the Haoyuan Golden Mirror, that scene was of Panlong Solitary City!

It was this very square, this very wall, this mountain-like gate!

The only difference was that here, people came and went in an orderly fashion, while in the Solitary City, there were only shattered tiles, crumbling walls, and the ravages of war.

"Panlong City?" Fang Canran's voice caught in his throat. "This... this isn't real, is it?"

The real Panlong City should have been buried in the sands of history.

"This is Panlong City, the Panlong City that exists only within the Grand Flask," He Lingchuan's voice carried through the bustling market to Fang Canran's ears. "It's neither real nor illusory."

Fang Canran didn't understand. "Then where is it?"

"It's between the two," He Lingchuan knew it couldn't be explained in a few words, so he changed the subject. "It was Mr. Shao Jian who brought the Grand Flask to Zhong Shengguang, thus beginning this period of Panlong City's history. He himself visited here many times."

Fang Canran was moved. "You... you met my ancestor right here?"

"Exactly," He Lingchuan walked with him towards the city gate, through the crowded thoroughfare. "When Mr. Shao took the Dragon Punisher Column from Mitian, I happened to be right there."

Previously in Lingxu City, He Lingchuan had mentioned Shao Jian's past, but he had fabricated a very unconvincing lie that Fang Canran could easily see through.

Now that Fang Canran understood what was happening, he instinctively asked, "Can I... see him too?"

"I'm sorry, but history here cannot be rewound," He Lingchuan shook his head. "In Panlong's chronology within the Grand Flask, Mr. Shao Jian took the Dragon Punisher Column and left Panlong City two years ago, and he hasn't returned since."

He phrased it euphemistically, but it was more than "not since." Shao Jian never returned after taking the Dragon Punisher Column.

Fang Canran pressed his lips tightly together.

He Lingchuan approached the South City Gate, and the guards saluted him, addressing him as "General Huyi."

Their admiration was evident.

Fang Canran couldn't help but ask, "Are you a living person, or is it an heroic spirit from here that has taken over an external body?"

"Of course I'm a living person. But to the citizens here, I'm still a comrade, still General Huyi who protects their homes and city."

The two passed through the heavy South City Gate, and Fang Canran instinctively ran his hand over the large stone bricks of the wall.

It was ancient and rustic, bearing more than just the marks of wind and frost. Everywhere were indelible black stains, which Fang Canran knew were blood that had long since congealed.

While he was still lost in thought, the wall suddenly bulged outwards, and a massive dragon head emerged!

Fang Canran startled, leaning back.

The black dragon's sharp teeth were almost touching his forehead. He could see a red light flickering inside its mouth, as if it held a precious pearl.

Then, the dragon's head slowly lowered, its massive eyes meeting his gaze.

He could even see his own shocked expression reflected in its pale golden pupils.

"Dragon... God?"

With such a distinctive appearance, it would have been strange if he hadn't recognized it.

The black dragon watched him for a moment, seemed to confirm he posed no threat, then turned and swam back into the wall, disappearing as if submerging into water.

Fang Canran knew this wasn't a real divine dragon, but a manifestation of divine power and magic.

"In Panlong Solitary City, was it this creature that sent the two great powerhouses scrambling?" Fang Canran shook his head again. "No, that dragon was gray."

"This is Panlong City's guardian beast, powered by the Great Evolving Heavenly Pearl, which is the pearl in its mouth," He Lingchuan explained. "The gray dragon in the Solitary City was the residual shadow-dragon malevolence from the Great Evolving Heavenly Pearl."

"The Great Evolving Heavenly Pearl?"

"It's what True Master Qianhuan took from here before Panlong City's destruction."

Fang Canran's expression subtly changed. "Miaozhantian said he betrayed Panlong City for this pearl?"

"That was at least one of the reasons," He Lingchuan added, without embellishment. "All that is past. True Master Qianhuan took his answers to the Netherworld."

Fang Canran turned around again and saw a vast, open sky, a surging river, golden waves of wheat rippling in the wind, and human caravans arriving slowly.

So this was what it used to look like outside Panlong City.

He Lingchuan smiled. "Mr. Shao Jian also liked to stand under the city gate and look out over the plains. Yes, right where you are standing now."

The area outside the South City Gate was the best viewing spot, and many people stood there to admire the scenery.

Fang Canran subconsciously touched the city wall again. This was living history; his ancestor had also entered and exited this mighty city and witnessed its bustling everyday life.

What he saw today was what his ancestor had seen over 160 years ago—the beauty of human life worth protecting with one's own life.

At that moment, he understood Shao Jian's and He Lingchuan's persistence.

"Let's go back," He Lingchuan patted his shoulder.