Chapter 2080

The second matter was that the Black Armored Army's combat power was outstanding, and the local officials appointed by He Xiong were able to govern efficiently. These two points were demonstrated to the fullest when the various gold-rich warlords of the Pan-Continent invaded the Dragon God's territory in succession.

The soldiers and civilians within the Dragon God's territory fought one grueling battle after another to defend their homeland, displaying a tenacity and stubbornness that even surprised Qingyang.

Qingyang had painstakingly planned and meticulously deployed to provoke the gold-rich warlords, but the final results were far below expectations. The main reason was not He Xiong himself, but rather the local administrative system and the fighting spirit of the military and civilians.

In contrast, Beijia: the Heavenly Palace was arrogant and self-important, its officials redundant and engaged in internal strife, the Wang Ting inefficient and corrupt, with policies failing to leave the country and undergoing repeated distortions. Without mentioning anything else, He Xiong had just returned from the overturned sea to the Jin Plains, and Qingyang had already requested aid from Beijia—timely indeed.

The Demon Emperor also agreed, but within the Wang Ting, officials passed the buck and wrangled, so the force sent to aid Qingyang was only assembled with great difficulty and departed over a month late.

The war in Jin was in full swing; a month's delay meant even the yellow chrysanthemums had grown cold. Qingyang had originally intended to use this force to inflict widespread damage on the Dragon God's territory and the Black Armored Army, but later could only employ it for a surprise strike against He Xiong himself.

This was still relying on Qingyang's relationship with the Demon Emperor, and this was still a task personally overseen by the Demon Emperor—yet it remained this inefficient; other state affairs speak for themselves.

No wonder Beijia and Mouguo have fought for so many years without the war ending.

Therefore, Qingyang suggested to the Demon Emperor that Beijia could take reference from the Black Armored Army's establishment and create another independent corps to improve combat efficiency. If the experiment proved feasible, it could then be promoted on a larger scale.

As for Beijia's administration, it needs bold and sweeping reform. He Xiong, as a rising star, has a momentum that is just beginning to flourish and thrive; in this regard, he has advantages and no burdens.

Sometimes, "old" is the greatest original sin.

On such an important matter, Qingyang actually did not elaborate much in the letter. Beijia knows better than anyone how difficult reform would be—it's not something the Demon Emperor can change just by wanting to, as it also involves the Heavenly Gods and the Vassal Demon States.

Thus, touching on it briefly, she said no more.

She also specially reminded the Demon Emperor that since Miao Zhantian's fall, many laws between heaven and earth have subtly changed and been altered. Especially, the laws of elemental power seem to be quietly changing as well, not only greatly enhancing the army and commanders themselves, but also appearing to affect divine arts and divine power.

As the former National Preceptor who regulated qi and elemental power, Qingyang is quite sensitive to this force. But the world's exploration of elemental power has always been like groping in a foggy box—vague and indistinct, fundamentally unable to be quantified like true power or spiritual power, and no one can clarify its specific mechanism.

Moreover, the Jin Plains where she resides were originally a place of extremely weak elemental power, and Qingyang could hardly find any other models besides Yao Guo for study.

But He Xiong must have mastered deeper secrets of elemental power. When he caused a great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace five years ago, he clearly had no army by his side, yet he could still use elemental power—this does not conform to the known laws of elemental power in the world.

It is hard to imagine how vast the elemental power will be once He Xiong establishes his state. The reverence of the Jin civilians for the Dragon God may very well transform into the people's will, triggering powerful elemental power.

One hundred and fifty years ago, the united military and civilians of the Panlong Wasteland already caused Beijia great trouble, and the area and population of Jin are more than ten times that of Panlong City. If He Xiong uncovers more secrets of elemental power, he will inevitably become a stronger opponent.

Speaking of which, all past keepers of the Great Square Vase have been able to arouse vast elemental power.

The Demon Emperor, upon hearing this, nodded: "Elemental power has indeed undergone change."

Beijia's commanders had long reported the changes in elemental power. Nowadays, elemental power fluctuates more greatly than before, but once aroused, its efficacy is stronger than before.

Qingyang spoke correctly; regarding the newly emerged characteristics, Beijia's great army is also actively preparing for changes.

Among all the strong ones in Beijia, only Qingyang has ever faced He Xiong in direct confrontation. Now that He Xiong is about to ascend to the world's highest stage, the experience and lessons from Qingyang are extremely precious.

Nie Xiaolou, upon reading to this point, interrupted: "Your Majesty, the following is in cipher."

"Let me see it."

Qingyang knows the Demon Emperor too well; His form is too large, He dislikes reading small print on paper, usually having attendants or ministers read it aloud to Him.

She therefore specially used cipher writing, for there are secret matters that cannot be shown to a third pair of eyes.

Nie Xiaolou held up the letter high; the Demon Emperor slightly lowered his head, reading every word without omission.

This part speaks of the Heavenly Gods.

According to information gathered by Qingyang herself, the several experimental sites set up by the Heavenly Palace on the Jin Plains, including the "Red Pavilion" supervised by Cao Wendaо, all focus on the "anthropomorphization" of demon puppets and strange beasts—that is, making them increasingly resemble humans, both in appearance and inner nature.

The several experimental sites she dispatched personnel to take over include some built in the mountains, some by the lakeside, and one even more extreme—built directly at the bottom of the lake. It contains not only land demons but also lake and sea monsters, not only strange beasts but also the offspring of the Jin Du Gui Mu, clearly intending to study something from these special monsters.

The Heavenly Gods also pay great attention to the demon puppet master Dong Rui, believing he has mastered certain specific methods that can keep demon puppets awake and calm, enable them to fight autonomously, and simultaneously ensure the stability of their bodies, thereby prolonging their lifespan.

Cao Wendaо once inadvertently said to her:

Even if anthropomorphized demon puppets can be successfully developed, the restrictions are too many and the numbers too few; mass production cannot be achieved within thirty years. Therefore, the requirement of the Lingxu Shengzun for Cao Wendaо and others is to strengthen the individual strange beasts.

Cao Wendaо's "mass production" refers to producing several thousands or tens of thousands.

Furthermore, besides the Jin Plains, other places also have Heavenly Gods' strange beast experimental sites, all strictly confidential, and Cao Wendaо does not know the progress of those places.

After synthesizing various information, Qingyang believes that the Heavenly Gods' future plans may perhaps undergo some changes, and Beijia should prepare early.

Cannot mass-produce……

Strengthen individuals……

The Demon Emperor extended a claw to scratch his chin; these are two very important pieces of information.

Could it be……?

Hmm, if this is indeed the case, the Heavenly Gods' descent plan might be advanced!

The Demon Emperor's gaze finally fell upon the last two lines of elegant small script. The strokes were no longer the meticulous precision of the preceding text, but instead became graceful and flowing, lively and unrestrained:

"My lifespan is nearing its end; I can still do a little for Beijia, and I have no regrets. May Your Majesty enjoy blessings and longevity, and may Beijia's great cause forever flourish."

"Flowers bloom and fade, impermanent; lamps are lit and extinguished, with an end. Qingyang departs, Your Majesty, do not think of me."

Upon seeing this, the Demon Emperor let out a long, long breath of dragon breath, and soon the Huahua Hall was again filled with white mist—this time even sunlight could not penetrate it, and it faintly glowed with a greenish light.

Within it, a cluster of white mist took the shape of a person: white robe, hair bound, moth-like eyebrows and starry eyes, possessing seven parts beauty and three parts heroic spirit.

This was the twenty-year-old Lu Wushuang.