Chapter 2179: Human World in Continuous Warfare

He was accustomed to orchestrating schemes and could smell a conspiracy even across realms.

Nailuotian said eerily, "You're projecting human thoughts onto gods."

He Lingchuan chuckled and asked no further questions.

"The next major Imperial Dew eruption... will happen in a month."

Nailuotian's objective had been achieved. He concluded: "If I were you, I'd be most concerned about myself."

"What do you mean?"

"You possess too many treasures: the Grand Square Pot and a Divine Spark of Fate. Which one isn't coveted by the gods? Once the Sky Gods can descend, they certainly won't let you go."

"Thank you for your concern," He Lingchuan said with a smile. "Just bring it on."

He knew deep down that despite their numerous seemingly cordial transactions, Nailuotian harbored intense hatred for him due to the stolen Divine Spark of Fate. If he could descend, Nailuotian would undoubtedly try every means to reclaim the Spark and seize the Grand Square Pot from him.

Nailuotian said no more, vanishing in an instant.

He Lingchuan put away the small figurine, opened the window, and took a deep breath of the cool air. With the increased spiritual energy concentration, even the evening breeze carried a refreshing fragrance.

The Soul-Snatching Mirror in his arms spoke up: "No wonder Nailuotian was so eager for the characteristic weapon blueprints and materials. It turns out Shilitian acquired many Dragon Punishment Pillars and wants to quickly absorb more Nightmare Qi. If you give those to him, won't the West be plunged into misery?"

"If I don't give them to him, will he stop fighting?"

"Uh... you're right."

"These materials from Shanjing are also sold to Beijia and Mou; do you think they buy them to worship them?" He Lingchuan said calmly. "He Yue once asked me why, if war allows sky demons to absorb human Nightmare Qi, Big Brother initiated the Dragon God War to unite Shanjing."

The Soul-Snatching Mirror's memory was excellent: "Yes, your answer then was: 'Better a short, sharp pain than a prolonged one.'"

The root of Shanjing's misfortunes was incessant warfare. Emperor Jiuyou established his nation through the Dragon God War, using war to end war, which was the only way to restore peace to the Shanjing Plain.

"He Yue had another question."

What was truly different about the war Big Brother initiated compared to past wars on the Shanjing Plain?

"It's about the aftermath," He Lingchuan had answered him. "If long-term peace, stability, and prosperity cannot be achieved after the war, then ultimately, there's no difference."

The Shanjing Empire of a thousand years ago failed to achieve these two points, didn't it eventually crumble?

Therefore, He Yue remarked, this was also his father's ambition. He Chunhua had also told him the exact same thing: "Better a short, sharp pain than a prolonged one!"

Vast swathes of land to the west and south of Shen had also been in chaos for a long time. It was common to see dynasties change every twenty or thirty years. For the people there, what difference did it make who was emperor? It was merely a change of flags on the city walls.

Thus, once Shen's foundations were stable, He Chunhua began to consider outward expansion. As the saying goes, fertile lands under heaven belong to the virtuous.

He Lingchuan could only say, "As expected of He Chunhua."

This naturally aligned with Shilitian's intentions. As long as Shen launched wars, Shilitian, who had recently acquired numerous Dragon Punishment Pillars, would be able to collect abundant Nightmare Qi.

For many years, Shilitian had watched the Lingxu Cult grow stronger, consistently finding himself at a disadvantage in conflicts; it would be strange if he weren't anxious. Now that he finally had power and Dragon Punishment Pillars, shouldn't he seize the opportunity to harvest a massive wave of Nightmare Qi?

"Can He Chunhua bring lasting peace and stability to western Beijia?"

"That depends on his capabilities; it's too early to predict. However, as of now, He Chunhua is indeed a diligent and ambitious emperor. Shen's trade is gradually recovering, and its people are living in peace and prosperity, many tiers above the previous Kite King."

He Lingchuan exhaled softly: "And what about the Demon Realm? Do you think the Lingxu Cult will just sit back and watch Shilitian comfortably absorb Nightmare Qi and grow stronger? Their despised opponent now possesses more Dragon Punishment Pillars than they do, and even neutral Greater Sky Gods have sided with Shilitian, who seems poised for a resurgence."

"In contrast, the Lingxu Cult themselves have recently lost many important members, suffering a blow to their strength," He Lingchuan asked the mirror. "If you were the Lingxu Cult, what would you do?"

The mirror thought for a moment: "Then you'd have to suppress Shilitian quickly before his momentum builds, and while you're at it, seize the Dragon Punishment Pillars. Oh, then it would be even more chaotic in the heavens!"

"Even if the sky demons are fully aware, the storm of greed triggered by the Dragon Punishment Pillars will never cease," He Lingchuan said calmly. "Previously, Shao Jian used only two thousand Dragon Punishment Pillars to cause decades of turmoil in the Demon Realm. Let's see how much chaos eight thousand Dragon Punishment Pillars can stir up in the heavens this time!"

Whenever Imperial Dew erupted and spiritual energy revived in the human world, the sky demons would devise ways to cause trouble among humans, thus prompting Nightmare Qi to flow back into the Demon Realm.

No matter. He Lingchuan intended to make the Demon Realm even more chaotic! It was a contest between the two realms to see who could accumulate more spiritual energy or Nightmare Qi.

Since its establishment, Emperor Jiuyou had already achieved unparalleled feats, and now, having defeated Ya and conquered Bailie, the Dragon God's reputation had reached its zenith, soaring like the midday sun! In many places, Shanjing people's daily greetings, casual chats, and business discussions often began with, "May the Dragon God be above."

He Lingchuan had just returned to Ju City, the capital of Cangyan, when he heard that Ya had successfully defended Frost Plain after seven days of bitter fighting, causing a several-day halt in battles between the two armies. Frost Plain was renowned for producing Ya's finest warhorses, and this victory significantly boosted morale throughout Ya.

There were no formal agreements between these two nations, unlike the clear contractual obligations between Ya and Cangyan. Mou had not withdrawn its troops and remained within Ya's territory. It had already occupied a large portion of fertile land in western Ya, but both sides were exhausted from the fighting, leading to a temporary truce.

Everyone knew this was the calm before the next storm.

He Lingchuan had mastered the art of knowing when to quit while ahead, a wisdom Mou, even with a change in its chief advisor, had failed to grasp. This outcome did not surprise He Lingchuan.

The Soul-Snatching Mirror exclaimed, "So Ya has such deep foundations! It's a good thing you withdrew your troops after taking Baiqiuyuan!"

If He Lingchuan had been a bit greedier then, attempting to swallow Ya whole, he might have become mired in the quagmire of war, unable to extricate himself, just like Mou.

"I'm not crazy; Cangyan simply cannot swallow Ya right now," He Lingchuan retorted. "Taking Baiqiuyuan was Cangyan's limit, and that was only achieved through my careful planning and the debut of the characteristic weapons."

The formidable power of the characteristic weapons had severely intimidated Ya, causing it to panic and freeze at that time. Otherwise, how could such a fierce nation have conceded so easily? Cangyan lacked the capacity for sustained warfare; continuing the fight would have been counterproductive.

"How long has Cangyan been established? Its past wounds are still far from healed. Forcibly fighting these additional battles was merely to create a favorable external environment for Cangyan's future development," He Lingchuan sighed. "This time, upon returning, I will shift my focus to domestic affairs and the economy."