Chapter 2195: The Key to Failure

What’s the rush about what comes next, or even further down the line? As long as I’m getting stronger every day!

“You’re too optimistic, all of you,” Xin Yi said, slowly picking up a piece of pickled radish. “This is what they call a hidden danger.”

Seeing his troubled expression today, He Lingchuan said bluntly, “Even Beijia can’t do anything to us for now, so where would the disaster come from? Brother Xin, just tell me directly.”

“Beijia hasn’t been able to deal with Panlong City, and you know why. Firstly, this area isn’t large; even after several expansions, Beijia doesn’t see it as a threat, so they haven’t put their full effort into dealing with you. Secondly, Mount Ling is restraining Beijia to its east, diverting most of its energy. Thirdly, Beijia also has some internal issues, and the Demon Emperor doesn’t want to easily dispatch troops here.”

“Look, these are all external factors, and they are all subject to change. Once one or two of them change, Panlong City will no longer be safe. How can you hope for long-term peace?”

He Lingchuan remained silent.

In fact, the people of Panlong City have always felt a sense of urgency, precisely because they have lived for years amidst the turmoil brought by war.

The so-called long-term peace is only a recent development of the past few years. However, the benefits of peace are simply too great, so much so that even Zhong Shengguang is reluctant to let go.

“If Panlong City continues to develop this rapidly, no matter how much you try to keep a low profile, Beijia will keep a close eye on you,” Xin Yi said. “In the past six months, the frequency of Panlong City being mentioned in Beijia’s imperial court has noticeably increased compared to before. This shows that they are already paying attention to you. When they will intervene to disrupt your peaceful development might just be a matter of the Demon Emperor’s word.”

The biggest obstacle to Panlong City’s development might just be its proximity to Beijia.

The Xiluo Kingdom, which separates them, exists only in name.

“Mount Ling once proposed to you that they were willing to lend the deterrent power of a true immortal, but Commander Zhong refused, and everyone in Panlong City also rejected it. Therefore, if that time truly comes, you will only be able to rely on yourselves.”

If Beijia knew that Panlong City could also borrow the power of Mount Ling’s true immortal, perhaps Beijia wouldn’t press Panlong City so hard.

However, Mount Ling would naturally not lend such a deterrent force for free; the condition for exchange was that Panlong territory would have to house a Spirit Gathering Array.

Zhong Shengguang refused.

He wanted all living beings in the territory to enjoy the benefits of spiritual energy recovery and was unwilling to go down the old path of gathering the power of all beings to support an immortal sect.

So, from now on, the people of Panlong City can only rely on themselves.

Xin Yi paused, then continued: “Three hundred years ago, in the fertile Qinjin River basin, a powerful regime called Feng emerged. Its military was strong, its forces robust, and its primal energy abundant. Their leader was young and capable, also a great strategist, who led his people to prosperity and strength, annexing several neighboring countries one after another—Alas, all of this is strikingly similar to Panlong City today; even the territory size is almost identical. It’s just that Feng was closer to Beijia, and its geographical location was more unfavorable.”

“And then?” He Lingchuan knew a “but” was coming.

“Feng soon attracted Beijia’s attention. At that time, Beijia wasn’t as powerful as it is today. They tried to win Feng over but were refused, and attempts to get them to surrender also failed. So, Beijia launched a three-year war, completely eradicating this regime.” Xin Yi took a sip of wine. “Feng was indeed powerful. I’ve looked up records; Beijia had to summon over ten Heavenly Demons to descend before they finally captured its capital.”

He Lingchuan calculated based on the timeline that this must have happened about 150 years after Beijia was founded. Ha, Beijia was still quite young then, comparable in age to the later Mu Kingdom.

So, this must have been Beijia’s peak period of political and military strength, its most efficient time. For Feng to have resisted it for three years, it truly could be called a dazzling rising star.

“To perish in three years, what a pity.” It clearly had great potential, but sadly, it faded from the historical stage almost as soon as it appeared. “By the way, did Mount Ling ever contact Feng?”

“Yes,” Xin Yi replied without hesitation. “King Feng was unwilling to cooperate with Mount Ling.”

No wonder Feng and Panlong City are so similar.

Equally stubborn.

“Why?” He Lingchuan immediately asked. “Cooperating with Mount Ling would have allowed them to seek the protection of a true immortal. Why did King Feng refuse?”

“He was only in his thirties at the time, arrogant and proud, unwilling to revere high immortals. He flatly refused, his attitude even more resolute than your Commander Zhong’s.” Xin Yi shrugged. “Mount Ling had no choice but to give up.”

He Lingchuan laughed. This world truly never lacked stubborn individuals.

“There are a few things I’m not sure if I should say.”

“What’s there to be unsure about?” Xin Yi thought to himself, ‘You’ve already brought it up, how can I not let you speak?’ So, he had to be magnanimous. “Today, we part ways. Let’s cast aside our official roles and prejudices, and simply speak as friends.”

“Alright, don’t blame me for being blunt.” He Lingchuan had spent several years with him and understood his temperament. “Mount Ling has painstakingly nurtured so many forces, so why has none of them ultimately succeeded?”

“Oh, really? You understand it now too?” Xin Yi’s interest was piqued. He proactively picked up the wine jar and poured for He Lingchuan. “Go on, I’m listening.”

“Spiritual energy is a core interest for every regime. Any state or power willing to concede such an interest to Mount Ling, to put it bluntly, lacks foresight and backbone.” Spiritual energy affects food production, economic prosperity, military strength, and public stability within every faction’s territory.

In short, it encompasses almost everything.

Spiritual energy is also an extremely rare strategic resource, as important as sovereignty and territory.

Xin Yi was unconvinced: “There’s no absolute in this. On several occasions, Mount Ling’s assistance began even before these forces established their states. That wouldn’t involve foresight or backbone.”

“When the strong willingly help the weak, it’s certainly not without cost; that much is always true,” He Lingchuan slowly said. “As a leader of a region, one naturally has to make choices at such a time. If, for the sake of temporary smooth development, one sells off the spiritual energy within their territory, that’s essentially selling off the dividends and benefits that their people rightfully deserve, all without their knowledge.”

Mount Ling’s establishment of Spirit Gathering Arrays was extremely secretive. He Lingchuan wouldn’t have known about it unless he had visited the Shanjing Plain.

Xin Yi did not refute.

“So, a core conflict actually arose between these forces and Mount Ling.” He Lingchuan stopped beating around the bush. “They sold off such precious spiritual energy precisely to exchange for Mount Ling’s assistance and protection. Naturally, they hoped Mount Ling would step in to resolve all their problems, especially in confronting Beijia.”

In one sentence:

‘I’ve sold myself to you, so shouldn’t you protect me?’

“And Mount Ling? Mount Ling nurtured these forces hoping they would grow strong on their own and help Mount Ling resist Beijia. If Mount Ling had to resolve everything, what would they need these forces for?”

“Brother Xin, do you see the fundamental disagreement here?”