Chapter 1943: The Fire Seed of Panlongcheng

A sudden gust of wind blew, fine sand striking his face, and Fang Canran instinctively lowered his head.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself once more beside the Unknowing Pavilion of Purple Abode, wild cassia trees overhead and a tin wine flask at his feet.

Tiny cassia blossoms fell upon his shoulders; he reached to brush them off, touched his face, and realized tears streamed down his cheeks.

A man's tears are not lightly shed.

"Forgive my weakness," Fang Canran said, wiping away his tears and giving a light cough.

"This is my first time entering Panlongcheng, and I too was moved to tears." He Lingchuan conjured a pot of fine wine and two cups, filling them for Fang Canran, "Brother Fang, we are so alike."

Fang Canran raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

"Your ancestor Shao Jian took the Punishing Dragon Pillar from Mi Tian's hands and, by his own strength, threw the entire demon realm into chaos. Over these past hundred and sixty years, how many heavenly demons have fallen because of the Punishing Dragon Pillar? Such a vast and profound cause and effect must all be credited to the late Mr. Shao."

"I have inherited Panlongcheng's creed, driving myself day and night, never daring to slack for a moment; Brother Fang also upholds Mr. Shao's dying wish, infiltrating Between Between Between Beijia to defy the heavens—how many great deeds have you done?" He Lingchuan spoke solemnly, "Brother Fang and I are of the same kind! Only—"

He sighed softly: "Those who inherit Panlong's dying will—perhaps only we two remain in this world."

Fang Canran closed his eyes and exhaled deeply: "He Xiaoyao, what will you do next?"

"Panlongcheng has placed the fire seed in my hands. What I must do is naturally the same as what Yuan Guo and Panlongcheng have done." He Lingchuan rose, clasped his hands behind his back, and took two steps, "Heaven-shaking change has always required unyielding perseverance and successive sacrifices!"

These last words moved Fang Canran deeply.

"But I must learn from the lessons of the two before me, accumulate greater strength, lay a firmer foundation, and forge a stronger army—only then will I not follow in their footsteps!" A gust of wind came, lifting He Lingchuan's left sleeve and carrying his words, word by word, into Fang Canran's ears, "Therefore, this world needs the Nine Nether Great Emperor; and the Nine Nether Great Emperor needs the Flash Gold Plains!"

For the first time, he revealed his ideals and convictions to a living person.

After this frank exchange, Fang Canran finally understood what the "Nine Nether Great Emperor" truly sought to accomplish.

Yuan Guo rebels against Between Between Between Beijia;

Panlongcheng confronts the heavens directly;

Now He Lingchuan has become the Nine Nether Great Emperor, claiming to be the reincarnated Dragon God, inheriting not only their beliefs but also their unfulfilled duties!

This responsibility is too heavy—too heavy to dare leak even a word beforehand.

Fang Canran recalled his first meeting in Lingxu City, the cooperation on the Shan Shan Islands—now he realized how deeply He Lingchuan had concealed his intentions!

He Lingchuan said earnestly: "Brother Fang, you must understand me."

What he truly wants to do, he never states plainly to others, not even to Dong Rui and Zhu Xiuer—precisely because he fears being misunderstood.

One can hear, but not comprehend.

You are merely a mortal—why should you defy the tangible gods for the illusory "all-under-heaven"?

As Bai Ziqi said, how could mortals hate heaven?

How dare ants rebel against elephants?

So far, only Fang Canran, who likewise upholds Yuan Guo's dying will, can resonate with him in belief.

So far.

"Originally, it was not just the Shan Shan Merchant Guild." Fang Canran sighed, "He Brother's efforts for the Flash Gold beings are nothing short of boundless merit!"

The two spoke of the Great Square Vase, of Panlongcheng, and even without many words, he understood everything.

As He Lingchuan said, they share a common belief, and thus they are kindred spirits.

Yes, how could those chosen by the Great Square Vase be inferior?

The Punishing Dragon Pillar, the Spirit-Gathering Grand Formation, the Flood Dragon Seal, the Dragon God's reincarnation—countless thoughts flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.

Having known each other for years, he long knew He Xiaoyao: though appearing smooth and adaptable, he is actually obstinate; though seeming amiable and warm, he is actually ruthless and cruel. The qualities for great achievement have long been assembled.

Most importantly, whatever He Xiaoyao meticulously plans, never fails to come to pass.

Wise in strategy, bold in resolve, daring in action—and equally important—possessing luck.

He Xiaoyao said today he would pierce this heaven. To others it sounds like idle talk, but Fang Canran feels perhaps there truly is a sliver of hope?

No matter how difficult the task, someone must undertake it, otherwise even a one-in-a-million chance of success would vanish.

If Fang Canran himself had never hoped for success, on what basis could he have lain hidden behind enemy lines for over ten years?

He Lingchuan laughed: "You flatter me. When we achieve success, you may praise me then—it will not be too late."

Both burst into laughter.

Finally, Fang Canran temporarily set aside all his thoughts and said to He Lingchuan:

"Has the Haoyuan Golden Mirror ever recorded Miao Zhantian's final moments?"

"It has." He Lingchuan flicked his finger, and the Haoyuan Golden Mirror continued to play the Battle of the Overturned Sea.

No mistake, no omission, no addition, no excess, no absence—everything is exactly as it was.

Of course, secrets that should not be leaked—such as Miao Zhantian and Qian Huan being unable to leave Panlong Lone City, thus fighting to the death, etc. —had been edited out beforehand by him.

He had promised the Phantom Sect to leave a beautiful name for Qian Huan True Person and all the fallen warriors of the Phantom Sect.

Such a good reputation is both honor and fetter, able to keep the Phantom Sect by He Lingchuan's side, preventing Elder Liu from revealing the truth of Qian Huan's death.

Thus, He Lingchuan's relationship with Lingshan remains harmonious—

He has already prepared to draw his sword against the heavens; now is not the time to make another powerful enemy.

Fang Canran silently watched until the end.

"Sect Master Xiao entrusted me before his death to oversee the Phantom Sect. Therefore, after this battle, the Phantom Sect's four hundred or more members, from immortals to cultivators, will follow me away from the Overturned Sea and return to the world." He Lingchuan spoke truthfully, "Elder Liu is living proof, though the outside world's spiritual energy is thin, he is now in seclusion—seeing him requires an appointment."

"No need, I know how to restore Lingshan. Speaking of which, Miao Zhantian together with his over ten heavenly demons and several thousand troops, Qian Huan True Person together with his dozen or so immortals, none were able to leave the Overturned Sea." Fang Canran lamented, "He Brother, you have always possessed great fortune—always!"

He Lingchuan smiled: "Who says otherwise?"

He likewise heard the subtext in Fang Canran's words. Great luck also requires great means to hold fast.

Who can always enjoy good fortune?

Those with true ability.

"With such fortune upon you, perhaps you can fulfill the aspirations unmet by your predecessors!" Fang Canran offered soup in place of wine, "Come, I toast you!"

Both raised their cups and drained the fish soup in one gulp.

He Lingchuan's past accomplishments, one after another, all left people astonished.

So, adding one more matter—taking control of the Flash Gold Plains—and then another—resisting the extraterritorial celestial demons—how could it not succeed?

Fang Canran also felt a glimmer of hope rise in his heart. He restrained his smile and suddenly asked He Lingchuan:

"I have a question I'd like to ask Brother He."

"Please speak."

"The Flash Gold Plains have been fractured for over eight hundred years, and people's hearts have long been divided. Many heroes have tried to unify it, only to end in dismay. Brother He must have some assurance, and will not follow in their footsteps?"