Chapter 2088: Reluctant Farewell

Because he knew someone had lit a lamp for him, someone was waiting for his return.

"Being needed" made all his hard work meaningful.

Sun Fuling was moved, gripping his hand tightly: "You..."

He Lingchuan waited for her to continue.

But she hesitated, then finally stood on tiptoe and quickly pecked his lips.

This was a back alley, not a bustling main street, yet to see Sun Fuling lose composure openly like this was a first.

Seeing her eyes suspiciously red, He Lingchuan countered: "Now it's my turn to ask. In your heart, what am I to you?"

"What am I?" Sun Fuling tilted her head, concentrating. For a moment, the spore lamp by the road reflected her eyes into clear amber.

She was about to speak when someone passed by the alley entrance, having just walked past, then suddenly turned back.

"General He?"

He Lingchuan turned his head and saw someone waving at him.

In recent years, Panlongcheng has seen many rising talents emerge, one of whom is General Bai Shan. He is his subordinate, named Liu Guangyu.

He was among the first cultivators sent by Lingshan to Panlongcheng, highly skilled in divine abilities, exceptionally brave in battle, having trained six months in He Lingchuan's Ximo Legion before later being transferred to Bai Shan's command, so he is also quite familiar with He Lingchuan.

"I'm leaving first!" As he spoke, Sun Fuling swiftly pulled her hand away.

Knowing He Lingchuan had military duties, she turned first, not forgetting to wave back at him along the way, her smile like a blooming begonia in autumn.

They parted at the street junction, each going their own way.

Her silhouette was soon blocked by a wall of flowers.

Liu Guangyu also watched her leave, sighing: "The Tiger Wing General and Sun Fuling's affection is truly enviable to us idle folk."

He Lingchuan laughed: "Don't you also have a boss lady?"

Liu Guangyu also has a beloved in Panlongcheng, the female shopkeeper of a clothing store.

Upon hearing He Lingchuan say that, Liu Guangyu's face fell, he shook his head: "My master sent word, ordering us to return to the sect. I must... go to the South Gate to assemble."

"Leaving today?" He Lingchuan knew he was a disciple of the Huan Sect and a granddisciple of Sect Master Xiao Wenchen.

Huan Sect disciples are extremely loyal to their sect. When the sect ordered retreat, Liu Guangyu dared not disobey.

"The master's command cannot be defied; we must leave now, the army has already given us a farewell banquet." Liu Guangyu said solemnly, "General He, fighting alongside you has been my honor. After returning to the mountain gate, I will also never forget!"

"These years have truly been hard on you." He Lingchuan walked beside him, "I'll see you to the Nancheng Gate."

"You're still busy..."

"No matter." He Lingchuan interrupted, "You're leaving now, what about the boss lady?"

"I invited her to return to the Huan Sect with me, but she refuses no matter what." Liu Guangyu sighed, "She says she is a person of Panlongcheng."

He Lingchuan patted his shoulder to comfort him.

This place is very close to the South Gate, just over a hundred steps away.

The towering city gate stood before them, Liu Guangyu sighed: "After returning to the mountain, I may never see such a magnificent gate again."

"Isn't your Huan Sect's mountain gate also luxurious and splendid?" He Lingchuan said clearly, for in reality he resides in the Chixiao Golden Hall!

"Ah, not the same."

Wasteland, wind and sand, the iron-blooded heroic city. This feeling, Liu Guangyu has only experienced in Panlongcheng.

This is also Panlongcheng's unique charm.

The Huan Sect's mountain gate is certainly exquisite and solemn, but too clean, it won't make one instantly feel transported to a battlefield of golden spears and iron horses.

As they spoke, a dragon shadow flashed across the city wall, a huge black dragon hovering precisely above the city gate, as if its piercing gaze watched those passing below.

Liu Guangyu pointed casually: "We don't have such marvels in our mountains either."

He Lingchuan laughed: "The Huan Sect has vast divine powers—can't they conjure a city guardian beast?"

Isn't the Huan Sect's ability just myriad transformations?

Liu Guangyu's head swayed like a rattle-drum: "No no, this one is truly one of a kind. I heard it is formed from the Yinglong Pearl, named by the Dragon God as 'Great Evolution Heavenly Pearl'."

"Not bad, Mitian guided us to place it on the city's black flood dragon, so it can exert divine protection for Panlongcheng, and also let it absorb the dust and turmoil of the world, experience endless vitality, only then can one comprehend the Great Evolution Numbers. Only—" He Lingchuan sighed slightly, "Mitian estimates the Great Evolution Heavenly Pearl must remain on this wall for at least forty or fifty years before it has a chance to succeed."

"Forty or fifty years." Liu Guangyu scratched his head, "That's truly a long time."

Hope Panlongcheng can last until then. Both understood, neither wanted to say it aloud.

After passing the Nancheng Gate, outside gathered thirty or forty people, He Lingchuan recognized most, some already officers in the army. Seeing the Tiger Wing General arrive, they all bade him farewell, words full of deep emotion and regret.

These are all disciples previously sent by Lingshan, now, by Lingshan's order, must return.

And this is only the first batch of returnees.

If Lingshan and Panlongcheng fail to reach cooperation afterward, they will recall even more.

He Lingchuan bowed to the crowd and spoke loudly: "Over the past years, you have struggled and fought here, bled and sacrificed—this affection Panlongcheng keeps in heart! If you ever face difficulties, I will surely lend my full aid."

He took a deep breath: "Mountains high, waters long, we shall surely meet again."

These cultivators had no prior dealings with Panlongcheng, only because this place raised the banner of resistance against the Heavenly Demons did they accept Lingshan's assignment, coming here to join the fight against the Heavenly Demons.

These years of fierce battle have seen many wounded, many slain, truly meritorious service.

The crowd bowed in return, all saying: "General He, take care, Panlongcheng, take care, until we meet again!"

He Lingchuan watched their backs disappear on the official road before turning back.

Liu Guangyu and others returning to the Huan Sect will surely bring news of this place back. He Lingchuan specifically mentioned the Great Evolution Heavenly Pearl, hoping Qianhuan could receive this news, understand that seizing the pearl is also meaningless.

Even if it seized it now, it couldn't use it; better to let it remain on Panlongcheng's South Gate, absorbing the vitality of the mortal world.

This way, would Qianhuan have one less greed for the pearl? Would Panlongcheng gain one more safety?

The black dragon on the Nancheng Gate wandered over again, probing its huge head out from the wall.

He Lingchuan reached out to stroke its hard cheek, sighed. Coincidentally, a mother and son passed by, the boy curious asking: "Brother, can I touch the big dragon?"

They were passing merchants, unaware who He Lingchuan was.

The woman jumped in fright, grabbing her son's arm: "Don't talk nonsense! The fireworks are about to start—hurry and get into the city!"

He Lingchuan, however, smiled and said: "Of course you can."

As he spoke, he lifted the boy with one hand, raised the child's hand, and gently pressed it against the black dragon's scales.

"Wow, it's cold—like stone!"