Chapter 870: Heavenly God and the Great Square Pot

He then added, "Revered Deity, I have a question that I hope you can clarify for me."

"Yes."

"Why are the gods so persistent in their pursuit of the Great Square Flask?"

From Mitian over a hundred years ago, to the unknown deity who descended upon Songyu two years ago, to the gods of Lingxu, and even Naraku-ten, whom he served—all coveted the Great Square Flask.

They desired it even more deeply than a mouse craves honey. Why?

Naraku-ten knew this was He Chunhua's way of asking him to show sincerity, a prerequisite for signing a divine pact with the Kunsu God.

If Naraku-ten wouldn't even reveal a small secret, why would He Chunhua risk his life and future?

These cunning mortals, hah!

It slowly spoke: "Actually, Lingxu fears it falling into the hands of other deities far more than it being held by mortals."

"Why?" He Chunhua immediately recalled Panlong City and Mitian.

So, over a hundred years ago, was Mitian, who possessed the Great Square Flask, the most feared by the gods?

Hmm, it seems that way. Otherwise, why would Panlong City and Zhong Shengguang have met such a tragic end?

The slaughter of the city itself was an expression of hatred and fear.

"Few in the divine realm are privy to this secret." This implied that only a handful of deities knew. Naraku-ten's avatar hesitated before continuing, "Even I... can only make deductions based on the information I possess."

So, even Naraku-ten couldn't guarantee it? He Chunhua grew even more curious.

What kind of secret could be so profound that even such a majestic and powerful true deity didn't fully comprehend it?

"Your deductions, Revered Deity, are certainly reasonable and authoritative." The flattery came easily, as it cost nothing.

If He Lingchuan had been there, he would have understood Naraku-ten's underlying meaning:

Originally, like Shinan, it was merely a minor wild god. Later, it extensively collected nightmare energy using the Dragon Punishment Pillar, causing its power to skyrocket, thus allowing it to climb to the position of a true deity. However, it had been in this circle for too short a time, and compared to other established true deities, it undoubtedly knew fewer inside details.

Nevertheless, Naraku-ten's deductions carried weight.

"The gods of Lingxu have always suspected that Mitian did not truly perish."

He Chunhua was greatly surprised: "Didn't they personally witness Mitian's demise when Panlong City was destroyed over 150 years ago?"

"No! So you knew nothing." Naraku-ten's tone was strange. "Mitian fell even earlier, even before the Emperor's Dew descended upon the human world. The divine realm has confirmed this; there can be no mistake."

He Chunhua stared, momentarily unsure how to react. "What?"

If Mitian had already fallen before the final battle, then who led Panlong City to hold out until the very last moment?!

"How... how did Mitian fall?"

"Unknown."

"This?" Could even the God of Destiny not predict it? But He Chunhua then thought, his own experiences that night had already proven that the God of Destiny was not omniscient.

It had also been outmaneuvered by He Lingchuan.

"Mitian fell, Zhong Shengguang and Panlong City also failed, and the Great Square Flask merged with the ruins of Panlong City. It seemed as though everything had ended," Naraku-ten continued. "But Mitian's vessel was extraordinarily powerful, defying all logic and remaining unexplainable. Furthermore, Mitian had vanished long before its demise, leading some deities to believe—"

Naraku-ten paused before resuming: "—that Mitian had attempted to use the Great Square Flask to descend into the human world!"

"What?!" Had he heard correctly?

Before He Lingchuan could speak, Naraku-ten's avatar added, "When I say 'descend,' I don't mean an avatar's divine descent!"

"Are you saying that Mitian could use the Great Square Flask to break through the barriers between realms and directly—" He Chunhua gestured toward the ground, "—descend into the human world in its true form?"

"A deduction, this is a deduction!" Naraku-ten corrected. "Reliable sources indicate that the Lingxu Saint also believes this. As for whether this deduction is correct or not, it remains unproven. However, the Great Square Flask is exceptionally unique; if it truly can achieve this, I would not be surprised."

"Do you understand now? On one hand, the gods of Lingxu worry that other deities might use the Great Square Flask to descend directly into the human world. Should this happen, it would be a catastrophe for the entire divine realm. On the other hand, they also believe that although Mitian fell, its divine soul did not perish but continued to exist in another form—for example, residing within the Great Square Flask."

"Therefore, whoever possesses the Great Square Flask becomes a target for all."

"I see." Remembering how this rare treasure had eluded him, He Chunhua felt his throat go dry.

Oh well, he lacked the fortune.

"But regardless, the Great Square Flask merely causes internal strife within our divine realm; it has nothing to do with you," Naraku-ten said nonchalantly. "Even if we don't obtain it, the time of the gods' descent will only be delayed slightly."

Hearing the last sentence, He Chunhua's eyes widened.

What did that mean?!

No, it couldn't be what he was imagining, could it?

"Your current decision to seek a new master is very wise," Naraku-ten remarked, then immediately changed the subject. "As for He Lingchuan, how do you plan to explain his absence to others? I believe he won't reappear for some time."

He Chunhua barely managed to compose himself. "Your wisdom is profound, Revered Deity; I share that opinion."

After the Panlong Secret Realm vanished, he had initially worried that He Lingchuan would return for revenge, but after careful consideration, he realized his concerns were unwarranted.

If He Lingchuan had intended to eliminate him, the best opportunity would have been within the Panlong Secret Realm, when father and son confronted each other and he only had Zhao Qinghe by his side.

But the "eldest son" never made a move, indicating a lack of strong murderous intent.

After leaving the Panlong Secret Realm, He Chunhua was once again surrounded by soldiers and generals. He Lingchuan, however, was short on manpower and lacked established influence in the Yuan Kingdom, thus reversing their respective strengths.

This person's mind was meticulous; he wouldn't place himself in danger. Therefore, as Naraku-ten stated, He Lingchuan was unlikely to reappear for some time.

The best evidence was that the disciples of Rongshan were all gone.

In the vast yellow sands, he likely wouldn't find He Lingchuan or those dozen-plus individuals.

However, he had arrived with his eldest son, but was returning without him. He indeed needed to provide an explanation both at home and to the public.

He Chunhua slowly said, "Both internally and externally, I will declare that Chuan'er died in battle at Panlong City; as for the Rongshan disciples, they all returned after the adventure in the Panlong Desert concluded."

In any case, the funds Rongshan lent to the Yuan Royal Court had already been delivered.

Naraku-ten hummed in acknowledgement, then asked, "After you return to Yazhou, do you plan to march north to punish Dong Haoming?"

"No, of course not." He Chunhua looked at his wound. "I am gravely injured and require proper rest."

Naraku-ten chuckled softly, its voice filled with sarcasm.

Then, the incense on the altar extinguished.

The sky was bright; it was actually almost three in the afternoon.

He Lingchuan returned to reality, finding himself in the ruins of Weicheng, about five li outside Panlong City.

The Great Square Flask was quite considerate, knowing that the Panlong ruins were now crawling with outsiders, so it simply placed him outside.

But this also demonstrated the Great Square Flask's control over this desert.

He walked out, deep in thought. The ruins of Weicheng were deserted. Looking up again, he saw something moving through the yellow sand, stopping before him.

It was another earth dragon.

The first time was strange, the second time familiar; He Lingchuan jumped onto the earth dragon's back, and it moved swiftly, both fast and steady.

Despite several hours of exertion, he felt no fatigue; instead, his mind raced.

The past night felt like a dream. Although his journey to the Panlong Desert had been somewhat convoluted, his objective was ultimately achieved: successfully tricking Naraku-ten into descending as an avatar and trapping it within the Great Square Flask.

This was the result of months of planning and arduous effort.

He was finally free.

He was finally safe.

The relaxation and ease of having no more worries made the hot wind blowing against his face feel gentle.

He Lingchuan exhaled deeply.

The earth dragon traveled faster than other creatures in the desert, but it was already nightfall by the time they reached Baiyuan Post Station.

Before entering the sight of other humans, the earth dragon set He Lingchuan down and then swam back into the sea of sand.

He Lingchuan donned his cloak and veiled hat, entered the post station, and reunited with Qiu Hu and the others.

These individuals were all eating in the guest room, with only Mouse Xiaoqiao left outside as a lookout.

A quick headcount confirmed everyone was present; even his mount, the rock goat, and the eyeball spider had been brought back by Qiu Hu.

He Lingchuan casually set up a barrier before asking about the whereabouts of He Chunhua and the others. Upon learning that He Chunhua had recovered his army and was heading south back to Heishui City, he instinctively grabbed a wine glass and drained it.

He Chunhua was still alive. Perhaps this was fate?