Chapter 2096: The Essence of the Struggle Between Immortals and Demons

His smile slowly faded, and after a long silence, he said, "The conflict between immortals and demons reached a turning point when the Skyweb Star lit up. Before that, immortals prevailed, successfully driving the demons back to their stronghold. But in the three thousand years since, demons have been unable to descend to the human realm, and immortals have gradually lost ground, failing in the competition. Mr. Xin, what do you believe is the root cause of Ling Shan's setback?"

Xin Yi was somewhat surprised. They were just discussing the tribute issue of Panlong City; how did He Lingchuan shift the topic to this? This question was too vast and too overarching to be posed by a general from Panlong City, nor even questioned by a human. If it came from someone else, Xin Yi would probably smile faintly and dismiss them. But he had known He Lingchuan for a long time and recognized the young general's talent, so he settled down and said, "Immortals have also debated this question for three thousand years. In these three millennia, spiritual energy has waxed and waned like tides. Each time spiritual energy revived, the immortals' power rose with it, suppressing the demons' arrogance; when spiritual energy declined, the balance shifted, and demons once again held sway."

He sighed, "But Ling Shan actually knows that the success or failure of the immortal-demon conflict is not merely due to the fluctuations of spiritual energy. After the Skyweb Star appeared, the human realm and the demon realm were actually forced to become a single entity, and the beings of both realms were forced to share all spiritual energy. Three thousand years ago, it was just an immortal-demon conflict; after the Skyweb Star lit up, countless living beings also joined in, transforming it into a multi-faceted struggle."

He Lingchuan nodded. Xin Yi's words were essentially an acknowledgment of the war's complexity, with countless beings entering the stage as a powerful third force. This was also a huge variable that could not be ignored; immortals could not possibly disregard the power of living beings if they wanted to achieve anything in the war.

He Lingchuan added, "I've heard that Ling Shan also supported many factions in the past, but most of them ended in failure." Those factions either grew estranged from Ling Shan and went their separate ways, or they disintegrated and vanished. Over a longer period, demons still had one successful case, while Ling Shan hadn't managed to establish a single stable one.

Xin Yi did not refute this, as it was indeed true: "Some immortals believe that Ling Shan has consistently failed to manage its relationship with the human realm, and this is the main reason for Ling Shan's current predicament. Others believe that we have never properly utilized the new laws derived from the Skyweb Star, and now it's too late to reverse the accumulated problems."

"So, Mr. Xin, what are your thoughts?"

"My grand-master, Immortal Wuhuan, believed that the demons' gradual lead over the past three thousand years was precisely because they could not descend to the human realm," Xin Yi recalled. "My grand-master and True Immortal Qianhuan once argued over this statement, but I agree with my grand-master's view."

"Since demons cannot descend, everything must be done through the human realm, whether by spirits or humans. This means their relationship with the factions they cultivate is more harmonious. As for Ling Shan..." Xin Yi sighed, knowing Ling Shan's ways all too well. "Alright, don't keep me in suspense. Just say what you want to say, I need to leave soon."

"Mr. Xin, since you're straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either. Let's speak frankly," He Lingchuan prefaced.

Xin Yi chuckled, "We've known each other for a while, and you can't offend me, so there's no need to be so cautious or reserved." He just hoped He Lingchuan wouldn't say anything too unpleasant.

"What you just said is quite right: after the Skyweb Star lit up, the living beings of the human realm became the third party in the immortal-demon struggle, a crucial variable that can determine the success or failure of both sides. To put it bluntly, the demons have gained the upper hand in this long-running contest because they found a way to coexist with humans, while Ling Shan has not."

"A way to coexist?" In fact, Xin Yi had been thinking along similar lines. Hearing these four words, he probably understood He Lingchuan's starting point.

"Everyone in the world bustles for gain." When it was time to be direct, He Lingchuan didn't keep him guessing any longer. "The essence of both immortal and demon needs is spiritual energy. However, demons collect demonic energy through the Skyweb Star, and most of the time, they don't compete with Beijia for resources; instead, they rely on it to generate energy."

"In contrast, Ling Shan demands support from the populace: money, supplies, mystic crystals—nothing can be lacking." He Lingchuan smiled, "To put it harshly, this is competing with the people for profit, because all of Ling Shan's demands ultimately fall upon the common people."

The words were unpleasant, and Xin Yi rubbed his nose. *Is this brat so direct?*

"The demons' way of interacting with humans is one of mutual utilization and symbiosis; the immortals' way is one of mutual appropriation and competition for gain. Mr. Xin, which approach do you think can last longer?"

Xin Yi walked over, picked up the cabbage box again, and took a crunching bite. "Can your methods change this situation?"

This model was a persistent problem; immortals were certainly aware of its flaws but were powerless to improve it. To maintain their existence, they required vast amounts of sustenance. For instance, True Immortal Qianhuan — how much power from living beings was needed to sustain a Reversal Sea? He Lingchuan had just hit a sore spot, and he needed to offer a solution immediately, or Xin Yi, no matter how good-natured, would be displeased with his abruptness.

"There's a very good chance," He Lingchuan said softly. "Seven or eight years ago, this method might not have been effective, because the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was dwindling, and the human realm was stagnant. Ling Shan and the common people were in a competitive relationship, both vying for limited spiritual energy. The more spiritual energy immortals absorbed, the less sustenance was available for the common people."

He sighed, "In fact, isn't the current unpleasantness between Ling Shan and Panlong City also due to this? Guangling Mountain demands too much sustenance, and even if Panlong City provides it this time, they won't be happy about it. These losses will eventually be passed on to the common people, and Panlong City will eventually be unable to bear them. Ultimately, both sides will still clash. This scenario has likely been common throughout history.

"Panlong City struggles to give, and Ling Shan feels wronged, believing it doesn't ask for much. This is a zero-sum game, difficult to resolve under the previous circumstances." He Lingchuan said earnestly, "But in the past two years, the Emperor's Dew has erupted, and it shows no sign of stopping. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both Panlong City and Ling Shan! We finally have the chance to stop competing against each other and instead ride the same tide together!"

Xin Yi pondered in silence.

"Mr. Xin, we should seek dividends from development," He Lingchuan leaned slightly forward. "When the water rises, the boat goes higher. According to the method we propose, as long as Panlong City develops, becoming prosperous and populous, Ling Shan's profits will also steadily increase, and there will be no need to compete with the people for resources. You see, won't the relationship between Ling Shan and Panlong City, and between immortals and common people, become much healthier?"

"Mutual benefit and health lead to longevity," He Lingchuan said earnestly. "Furthermore, today, the conflict between immortals and demons is no longer merely a confrontation of spells and divine powers; it is a struggle of systems, a contest of regulations and laws. Whichever system is better adapted to the current laws of heaven and earth will gain the upper hand in this confrontation."

The two words, "system," deeply moved Xin Yi.