Chapter 765: Losses of Lingxu City

**Chapter 758: The Losses of Lingxu City**

The next morning, He Lingchuan went up the mountain to meet Elder Dao again.

This time, Dong Rui and Granny Zhu did not accompany him. Instead, they wandered around the town at the foot of the mountain, giving He Lingchuan some space for a private conversation.

Unexpectedly, another person was present. He appeared to be under fifty, with slightly streaked temples and beard, and an extraordinary demeanor.

Standing next to him, Elder Dao looked significantly older.

“This is our Sect Master Xue.”

The Sect Master of Rongshan Sect came to see him in person? He Lingchuan was startled, then stepped forward to pay his respects as a junior.

Sect Master Xue gave a slight supporting gesture and said with a smile, “No need to be so polite, please dispense with the formalities.”

He had, of course, already heard Elder Dao’s account. Now, he sized up He Lingchuan, praising him without reservation: “A youthful hero, excellent, truly excellent.”

He and Elder Dao had already discussed the matter thoroughly. Elder Dao then asked He Lingchuan:

“Sect Master Xue, Songyuan, and I are all people of Lingshan. Young Master He, do you know what ‘Lingshan’ means?”

The secret code given by Fang Canran mentioned ‘Lingshan,’ and He Lingchuan surmised it was the name of an organization. Moreover, when he was fleeing from Bai Zhantian’s pursuit in Xushan, he passed by the Dao-Seeking Tree and heard myriad leaves and a thousand voices.

It was as if countless people were watching him and instructing him, but the two words He Lingchuan heard most clearly were:

“Lingshan!”

Was it the Dao-Seeking Tree, Venerable Wood Spirit, or other senior members of the Dahuan Sect who had passed away beneath the tree, who spoke this name to him?

He later asked Granny Zhu, but even this thousands-year-old spider demon did not know where ‘Lingshan’ was.

In ancient times, Lingshan was everywhere in the world; no single mountain was specifically named as such.

Later? He hadn't heard of it then either.

Thus, He Lingchuan hesitated before saying, “I seem to have heard of it, but I don’t know its full extent.”

“Lingshan is deeply hidden, unknown to the world. For Young Master He to have heard of it, you must be extraordinary,” Sect Master Xue said with a smile. “Since you’ve come with Songyuan’s token, we will be frank with you.”

To win him over, the first step was to show sincerity.

Furthermore, the significant actions of He Lingchuan and his companions warranted Rongshan Sect’s attention.

He Lingchuan said solemnly, “Sect Master Xue, please enlighten me.”

This solemnity showed respect for the power behind Sect Master Xue, Elder Dao, and Fang Canran.

His experiences in Beijia and his actions in Lingxu City profoundly warned him: one cannot achieve great things alone.

Without the strong cooperation of Li Qingge and Fang Canran, his Xushan plan could not have succeeded at all.

While offending Beijia, he also became more deeply connected with the organization behind Fang Canran, a connection not dependent on his will.

They likely shared common goals and aspirations.

After leaving Lingxu City, He Lingchuan had pondered repeatedly. Reason told him that facing a colossus like Beijia, he could not fight alone. Similarly, Lingxu City would regard them as a single entity—enemies Beijia should crush with a single blow.

“Lingshan is not a specific mountain range; it’s merely a code name. Like us and Songyuan, those with common aspirations refer to themselves as people of Lingshan.”

He Lingchuan understood; the organization behind them was called “Lingshan.”

“Not a single sect or faction?”

“No, not a single sect or faction,” Sect Master Xue said softly. “Some are Daoist recluses, others serve as officials in the court, and even—”

He paused, then added: “—there are even ancient exiled immortals!”

These last four words carried significant weight. However, he didn’t see much surprise on He Lingchuan’s face; the young man merely nodded vigorously: “As expected!”

“As expected?”

“Before we evacuated, we saw a giant Azure Bird summon a wind tornado to wreak havoc in Lingxu City. That’s at least the level of a half-immortal or higher.”

From then on, He Lingchuan knew that the organization behind Fang Canran was likely connected to immortals.

Deploying the Azure Bird at that specific moment was also to announce to Lingxu City, to the Heavenly Palace, and to the world:

The immortals have returned.

Elder Dao let out an “Oh.” “That was Lord Dufeng, who once fought against the Heavenly Demons in ancient times. The great demon Chifeng was its descendant.”

He Lingchuan remembered that Chifeng had perished in Lingxu City, so it seemed the Azure Bird was avenging its offspring.

“In short, our people are spread throughout the world. If Young Master He shares our goals, we can cooperate sincerely from now on.”

He Lingchuan asked directly, “May I ask what ‘Lingshan’s’ objective is?”

“To resist the Heavenly Demons and revive spiritual energy!” Elder Dao said gravely. “As long as the Heavenly Demons plague the world, there will be no future for us.”

He Lingchuan understood that “us” referred to cultivators.

If the Heavenly Demons are not stopped from seizing Nightmare Qi, cultivators in the human realm will gradually revert to being mortals, losing their path to transcendence.

“So, where have the immortals been for the past three millennia?”

This was not only He Lingchuan’s question but also that of all living beings in the world.

Elder Dao exhaled. “I can only say they are where they ought to be.”

He Lingchuan concealed his true emotions: “Are they now planning to re-enter the world?”

“The thoughts of the High Immortals are unfathomable,” Sect Master Xue said, narrowing his eyes slightly. “However, Lingxu City suffering this calamity is great news for everyone, and also great news for the war in the east.”

Right, Beijia was still fighting the state of Mou in the east. News of the upheaval in Lingxu City reaching the front lines would certainly have a morale-shifting impact on both armies, possibly even altering the decisions of their generals.

It also let the world know that Beijia was not as invincible and unassailable as it boasted.

“What happened to Lingxu City?” Several months had passed since He Lingchuan’s great disruption in the Heavenly Palace. He was curious how Lingxu City was cleaning up the mess. “And Zuju, that fiery giant.”

“On the night of the unrest, Lingxu City suffered immense casualties. The official death toll was nine thousand, but given Lingxu City’s usual character, we estimate the true number to be more than four times that. Additionally, over four thousand people were listed as missing,” Elder Dao said. “Considering Lingxu City alone, the total losses, both official and civilian, amount to approximately eighty million taels (about eighty billion coins).”

Missing meant they simply couldn't be found; living people vanished into thin air.

He Lingchuan raised an eyebrow: “Only eighty million taels?”

Lingxu City’s permanent population was eight million, and the deaths of forty to fifty thousand people were already horrifying, especially since it wasn't wartime.

He Lingchuan vividly remembered the chaotic scene on the night of the Lingxu unrest.

Amidst the flames and under the iron hooves, how many civilians cried out in anguish, how many families were torn apart?

Yet the total monetary loss for the entire city wasn't as alarming.

“Most of the deceased were merely civilians and merchants, and most of what was destroyed were ordinary residences. The homes of the powerful and influential were mostly untouched, with the sole exception of Tiantong Island. The Thunder Beast horde charged into Tiantong Island via Jinghong Pass, destroying half of it, with the Ke family suffering the greatest losses.” Elder Dao stroked his long beard. “Of that eighty million in losses, the Ke family accounted for at least a tenth. More than forty members of the Ke family also died, including the most highly esteemed fifth son, Ke YanJing.”