Chapter 2088: Unwilling Farewell

He knew someone had lit a lamp for him, someone was waiting for his return. "Being needed" gave meaning to all his hard work and sacrifices.

Sun Fuling was touched, and her grip on his hand tightened. "You..."

He Lingchuan waited for her to continue.

But she hesitated, seeming to want to say something more, then finally stood on tiptoe and quickly pecked his lips.

This was a small alley, not a bustling street, but for Madam Sun to openly lose her composure was a first.

He Lingchuan noticed her eyes were suspiciously red-rimmed, so he countered, "My turn to ask. What am I to you?"

"What are you?" Sun Fuling tilted her head, pondering deeply. For a moment, the spore lamps lining the road reflected in her eyes, turning them a translucent amber.

Just as she was about to speak, someone passed the alley entrance, had already walked past, then suddenly backed up.

"General He?"

He Lingchuan turned and saw someone waving at him.

In recent years, Dragon City had seen the rise of many new talents, one of whom was General Baishan. This person was one of his subordinate generals, named Liu Guangyu.

He was one of the first cultivators dispatched by Spirit Mountain to Dragon City. He was skilled in divine abilities and incredibly brave in battle. He had trained for six months under He Lingchuan's Ximo Legion before being transferred to General Baishan's command, so he was quite familiar with He Lingchuan.

"I'm going now!" The moment the man spoke, Sun Fuling quickly withdrew her hand.

Knowing He Lingchuan had military duties, she turned first, not forgetting to wave back at him on her way, her smile like a blooming begonia.

They parted ways at the street corner, each going their separate direction.

Her figure was soon obscured by a wall of flowers.

Liu Guangyu watched her leave, sighing, "The affection between General Huye and Madam Sun truly makes us idlers envious."

He Lingchuan chuckled, "Don't you have a proprietress too?"

Liu Guangyu also had someone he admired in Dragon City, the female owner of a tailor shop.

At He Lingchuan's words, Liu Guangyu's face fell, and he shook his head. "My master sent word, ordering us back to the sect. I'm... I'm going to gather at the South Gate now."

"Leaving today?" He Lingchuan knew he was a disciple of the Illusion Sect, and specifically a grand-disciple of Xiao Wencheng, the sect leader.

The disciples of the Illusion Sect were exceptionally loyal to their master. When the Illusion Sect ordered a retreat, Liu Guangyu dared not disobey.

"Master's orders cannot be defied. I must leave now; the army has already held a farewell banquet for us," Liu Guangyu said solemnly. "General He, it has been my honor to fight alongside you. I will never forget it even after returning to the sect!"

"You've truly worked hard these past few years," He Lingchuan said, walking beside him. "I'll walk you to the South Gate."

"You're still busy..."

"It's fine," He Lingchuan interrupted. "If you leave now, what about the proprietress?"

"I invited her to return to the Illusion Sect with me, but she refused outright," Liu Guangyu sighed. "She said she's a Dragon City native."

He Lingchuan patted his shoulder in comfort.

It was very close to the South Gate, just a hundred steps or so away.

The majestic city gate stood before them, and Liu Guangyu sighed, "After returning to the mountains, I won't see such a magnificent gate again."

"Isn't your Illusion Sect's mountain gate also luxurious and splendid?" He Lingchuan knew this perfectly well, as in reality, he lived in the Vermilion Cloud Golden Palace!

"Alas, it's not the same."

Wilderness, wind-blown sand, a city forged in blood and iron. This feeling, Liu Guangyu had only experienced in Dragon City.

This was the unique charm belonging solely to Dragon City.

The Illusion Sect's mountain gate was certainly exquisite and imposing, but it was too clean; it didn't immediately transport one to a battlefield of clashing weapons and charging horses.

As they spoke, a dragon's shadow swept across the city wall. A massive black dragon stopped directly above the city gate, seemingly gazing intently at the people passing below.

Liu Guangyu pointed instinctively, "We don't have such a wondrous artifact in our mountains."

He Lingchuan chuckled, "The Illusion Sect has vast divine powers. What kind of guardian beast can't they conjure?"

Isn't the Illusion Sect's specialty endless transformation?

Liu Guangyu shook his head so vigorously it seemed like a rattle-drum. "No, no, this one is unique. I heard it was formed from a Shadow Dragon Pearl and named the 'Grand Cycle Heavenly Pearl' by the Dragon God."

"Exactly. Mitian guided us to give it to the black flood dragon on the city wall. On one hand, it can effectively protect Dragon City, and on the other, it allows it to be imbued with the mundane world's vitality and experience endless life force; only then can it comprehend the Grand Cycle calculations. It's just that—" He Lingchuan sighed with a hint of melancholy, "Mitian estimates the Grand Cycle Heavenly Pearl will need to remain on this wall for at least forty to fifty more years before it has a chance to fully mature."

"Forty to fifty years." Liu Guangyu scratched his head. "That's quite a long time."

They both hoped Dragon City could endure until then, a mutual understanding unspoken between them.

Past the South Gate, some thirty to forty people were gathered outside. He Lingchuan recognized most of them; some were already officers in the army. Seeing General Huye arrive, they all bid him farewell, their words filled with emotion and regret.

These were all disciples previously sent by Spirit Mountain, and now, by Spirit Mountain's command, they were returning.

And this was only the first batch of returning personnel.

If Spirit Mountain and Dragon City failed to reach a cooperation agreement later, more would be recalled.

He Lingchuan bowed to the crowd and stated clearly, "For the past few years, you all have striven, fought, bled, and sacrificed for this place. Dragon City will forever remember this friendship! Should any of you face difficulties in the future, I will certainly offer my full assistance."

He took a deep breath: "Though mountains are high and waters long, we will meet again."

These cultivators had no prior connection with Dragon City. Only because a banner of resistance against the Heavenly Demons was raised here did they accept Spirit Mountain's assignment and dedicate themselves to the fight against the Heavenly Demons.

The battles over the years had been fierce; many were wounded, and many sacrificed their lives. They had indeed rendered great service.

The crowd bowed in return, saying, "General He, take care. Dragon City, take care. We will meet again!"

He Lingchuan watched their figures disappear down the official road before turning back.

When Liu Guangyu and the others returned to the Illusion Sect, they would surely bring news of this place back with them. He Lingchuan had specifically mentioned the Grand Cycle Heavenly Pearl, hoping that Qianhuan would receive this message and understand that seizing the pearl would be meaningless.

Even if Qianhuan were to seize it now, it couldn't be used. It would be better to let it remain on Dragon City's South Gate, absorbing the vitality of the mundane world.

This way, would Qianhuan covet the pearl less? And would Dragon City gain a bit more safety?

The black dragon on the South Gate swam over again, poking its large head out from the wall.

He Lingchuan reached out and stroked its hard cheek, sighing. Just then, a mother and son passed by. The boy curiously asked, "Brother, can I touch the big dragon?"

They were traveling merchants and didn't know who He Lingchuan was.

The woman was startled and pulled her son's arm. "Don't talk nonsense! The fireworks are about to start, aren't you going into the city quickly?"

He Lingchuan, however, smiled, "Of course, you can."

With that, he picked up the boy with one arm, lifted the child's hand, and gently pressed it against the black dragon's scales.

"Wow, it's so cold, it's stone!"