Chapter 2221: Showdown

"The demon realm is currently in chaos, and the order painstakingly established by Saint Venerable Lingxu faces collapse. This is a rare opportunity for the human realm, one that occurs perhaps once in a millennium. As long as we resolve disputes, maintain stability in the surrounding areas, and avoid large-scale conflicts, the spiritual energy in the human realm will become increasingly abundant."

"Immortals are indeed powerful, but relying solely on them still leaves the odds of victory low. Therefore, the act of gathering all worldly resources to support immortals is no longer advisable."

From the perspective of cost-effectiveness and outcome, this is no longer a good choice.

He Lingchuan continued, "I've heard that at the beginning of the Mu Kingdom's establishment, some well-governed and harmonious regions also saw the appearance of Black Flood Dragon markings, receiving the Dragon God's attention and protection. This indicates that the initial ideals of the Mu Kingdom were affirmed by the Dragon God. As for why they disappeared later, I suspect it's inextricably linked to Mount Ling, isn't it?"

Emperor Mu took a sip of tea.

The appearance of the Black Flood Dragon totem in the early days of the Mu Kingdom did indeed spark many thoughts in his mind, as it seemed to prove that his path was correct and that the Mu Kingdom's establishment had earned the appreciation of the Dragon God's spirit in heaven. However, after the Mu Kingdom had done many things for Mount Ling, especially after setting up Spirit Gathering Arrays in certain areas, the Black Flood Dragon markings vanished.

This incident also led Emperor Mu to reflect for a long time.

Before the ancient war, the Dragon God, out of pity for mortals, had already had disagreements with the immortals. The disappearance of the Black Flood Dragon markings might have been an expression of disappointment in Emperor Mu, a belief that he was once again following Mount Ling's old path.

But he had his helplessness; the Mu Kingdom had been deeply bound to Mount Ling since its inception, making it absolutely impossible to sever ties for the sake of the Black Flood Dragon markings.

He knew that many of Nine Underworlds' words were true, as he had deeply experienced them himself.

However, the Mu Kingdom's stance and actions could not change immediately due to his one or two "realizations."

He Lingchuan also knew that he wouldn't answer this question, so he shifted the topic: "In any case, I will diligently explore the secrets of primal power; there's still time."

"The power of immortals has long been proven by time, while the primal power you pin your hopes on remains ethereal," Emperor Mu said, glancing at him. "Are you that confident?"

He Lingchuan knew his background, understood his difficulty in abandoning his stance, and also knew that people tend to believe what they want to believe. He then smiled:

"Then let's conduct an experiment and make a wager. Your Majesty can continue with the old system, relying on Mount Ling as the ultimate power. As for me, I will fully accumulate and cultivate the power of all sentient beings to see if it can become one of our final resorts against the Sky Demons."

Emperor Mu nodded, "Good."

Our paths may differ, but perhaps they can lead to the same destination.

"Your Majesty has always been farsighted, and I admire that. However, one's stance often dictates one's attitude and perspective. You actively entered the mortal world, even sacrificing your profound cultivation and willingly tainting yourself with the mundane 'red dust.' Isn't that precisely because you didn't want your original stance to influence your judgment?"

As He Lingchuan spoke, he stroked the end of his eyebrow.

He used his index and middle fingers, joined together, to stroke from his glabella to the end of his eyebrow, then pressed his temple.

Emperor Mu's gaze froze upon seeing this.

Why did Nine Underworlds suddenly make that gesture? Was it his own habit, or...?

Or perhaps Nine Underworlds heard about it from the Mu Kingdom's imperial court?

This was Emperor Mu's signature gesture, so it shouldn't be difficult to inquire about.

But Emperor Mu clearly knew in his heart that it wasn't that simple. Especially since Nine Underworlds had previously mentioned in his letters that he would regularly send Bright Lamp Grass in the future.

His specific mention of it indicated his awareness of Bright Lamp Grass's importance.

Now, he was talking about stances, about entering the mortal world, and about his original "profound cultivation."

Hmm... had he figured it out?

Emperor Mu smirked. No wonder Nine Underworlds wanted to discuss laws, Sky Demons, primal power, and Mount Ling with him today; he had figured out his true identity.

He chuckled, "It sounds like you know me better than I know myself."

"Your Majesty abandoned immortality, willing to descend into the mortal world and seek truth through personal experience. You even embraced the karma that other immortals avoid like the plague. Such magnanimity and character make True Immortal Qianhuan unworthy of even carrying your shoes." He Lingchuan stood up, bowed to him, and declared, "I, He, am deeply impressed!"

He had plainly revealed it.

This encounter by the Zhao River was a founding emperor facing another founding emperor, a titan of an era meeting an unparalleled hero.

The breadth of their minds, their insights, and their wills could only be understood by each other; how could others comprehend even a fraction of it?

"You flatter me," Emperor Mu said, remaining seated, with only curiosity in his eyes. "How did you know?"

This matter was arguably the Mu Kingdom's greatest secret, known to no more than three individuals.

Now, Emperor Nine Underworlds would have to be added to that count.

Such a shocking secret was casually revealed during the conversation between the two emperors.

"The mutated Bright Lamp Grass within the Carefree Sect, when watered with black dragon blood, can be made into special Bright Lamp Wicks," He Lingchuan said with a slight smile. "They can pierce through the mists of the womb, helping to retain memories during body possession."

Whether it's soul attachment or body possession, the process always involves an outsider's memories overwriting the original body's, and one must also pass through the mists of the womb. Some practitioners get lost directly, as if their souls are scattered, yet the victims remain unharmed, merely experiencing occasional dreams or flashes of strange, familiar-yet-unexperienced fragments or images in their minds.

Those are residual memories of the practitioner.

Other practitioners succeed, but the transplanted memories inevitably become blurry or incomplete. Zhu Erniang, having shed her shell several times, which is equivalent to body possession, could not retrieve many of her memories.

Emperor Mu let out a low "Heh."

Based on just this clue? Impossible.

Remembering Emperor Nine Underworlds' close connection with the Great Flask, perhaps he obtained the clue from there?

However, since He Lingchuan didn't elaborate, he didn't press further.

He Lingchuan casually asked, "In the past hundred-plus years, has no one else discovered this secret?"

"They have. It just didn't spread."

Emperor Mu spoke nonchalantly, and He Lingchuan didn't ask what happened to those people.

There was no need to ask.

Emperor Mu's demeanor was calm and composed, showing no surprise or alarm, and He Lingchuan likewise wasn't worried about him suddenly launching an attack.

The higher one's status, the fewer one's anxieties.

He was already Emperor Nine Underworlds, and regardless of whether Emperor Mu could successfully carry out a sneak attack, any move from him would shatter the hard-won friendship between two great nations.

He Lingchuan deliberately exposed this not to show off, but because he also had a question:

"Regarding the Bright Lamp Wicks, I have one more question to ask."

The person opposite him was the actual user of the Bright Lamp Wicks, having used them more than once, and thus possessed the richest practical experience.

Emperor Mu nodded slowly, indicating that he should ask freely.

"Besides piercing through the mists of the womb, what other uses do these Bright Lamp Wicks have?"

General Hong needed Bright Lamp Wicks for a purpose certainly different from Emperor Mu's, so their usage would naturally differ.

"Whether you say it can pierce through the mysteries of the womb or that it has other uses, the essential effect of these Bright Lamp Wicks is singular: to awaken preserved memories and prevent their loss!" Emperor Mu lightly tapped his temple with his index finger. "You are who you are because of experiences different from others, and these experiences are ultimately stored in your memories."