Chapter 2092: Ling Mountain's Demand

Probably only this household worries about cultivation growing too fast in the world.

"We also need to arrange it as soon as possible." Zhong Shengguang looked at He Lingchuan, "At that time, you will come to skirmish!"

He Lingchuan's heart skipped a beat, he straightened his back: "Yes!"

By this point, Zhong Shengguang had already finished his instructions, was about to open the doors and windows, He Lingchuan asked: "I heard Bai Sha Bay is preparing to suspend trade with Panlongcheng. Ling Mountain Lion has opened its mouth wide, what do you plan to do?"

"You just came back, yet your news is well-informed." Zhong Shengguang paused his steps, "Do you know why Ling Mountain gave me this price?"

He Lingchuan shook his head: "I only heard that it wants to take seventy percent of Panlongcheng's foreign trade profits."

Needless to say, they are asking for an exorbitant price, eighty percent likely waiting for Panlongcheng to repay on the spot.

"Actually, Ling Mountain initially came to discuss another matter with me." Zhong Shengguang frowned slightly, "This matter,

fewer than three people in Panlongcheng know about it."

Now we need one more.

"Ling Mountain wants to set up a Gathering Spirit Grand Formation within Panlong territory."

He Lingchuan affirmed: "But the Black Flood Dragon Totem will block the absorption of spirit and demonic qi, whether it's the Gathering Spirit Grand Formation or the Heavenly Net Stars, it won't work."

"Do you know that even within the effective range of the Black Flood Dragon Totem, the Punishing Dragon Pillar can still absorb qi?" Zhong Shengguang explained, "Put simply, the Black Flood Dragon Totem itself is an intangible barrier, its internal laws have been altered, making it different from the outside. But, every law has loopholes."

"Three months ago, someone secretly installed a small Gathering Spirit Formation near the North City Gate inside the city, it operated successfully for a dozen breaths, then failed, simultaneously alarming the city guardian beast. This person was also captured by the patrol guards,

confessed to being a sect disciple who had only come to Panlongcheng a few months ago."

Upon hearing this, He Lingchuan immediately understood: "Sent by Ling Mountain."

"Ling Mountain certainly didn't just do this one test, and they have also discussed it internally." Zhong Shengguang's face sank like water, "Xin Yiming clearly told me, after Ling Mountain's research, they believe that as long as I personally set up the formation eyes of the Gathering Spirit Grand Formation in Panlongcheng, the entire grand formation can function normally!"

"The appearance of the Black Flood Dragon Totem likely represents the Heavenly Dao's approval." He Lingchuan pondered, "Have you tried it?"

What is different between Zhong Shengguang and others? Why can the Gathering Spirit Grand Formation he sets up operate within the Black Flood Dragon Totem's range?

There may be many reasons, but after thinking it over, He Lingchuan felt the most likely one is this:

He is the owner of this period's Great Square Vessel!

Zhong Shengguang nodded: "Others cannot, I can. Even my trial setup of the Gathering Spirit Formation at the Nancheng Gate, its efficiency in absorbing spirit qi is stronger than before!"

He Lingchuan suddenly recalled the Giant Gathering Spirit Grand Formation set up by Qianhuan True Person on White Bear Mountain!

That terrifying formation effect, like a straw, continuously sucked the spirit qi source of the Jinjin Plains, overturning the sea,

nourishing the entire Phantom Sect, especially Qianhuan and all the immortals.

"Ling Mountain is still formidable, deducing even such a possibility." Ling Mountain has great powers, this statement is not just empty talk, "Did you refuse Ling Mountain?"

"I told them directly, I tried but couldn't do it, their guess is wrong." Zhong Shengguang shrugged, feeling no psychological burden for telling such a lie, "Spirit qi recovery is Panlongcheng's opportunity, the people's blessing, how can Ling Mountain be allowed to plunder at will?"

He used the words "plunder" rather than "take" or "draw out", showing that Zhong Shengguang's understanding of Ling Mountain's nature is becoming increasingly profound, unlike the beginning of the alliance when he was full of reverent anticipation.

"Ling Mountain probably won't believe it, but besides me, no one can do it, so they can't force it." He closed his eyes, "The spirit qi of Panlong territory, they cannot take it away." The division of foreign trade profits is just the compromise proposed by Xin Yiming.

Ling Mountain cannot complete a test on its own, cannot falsify Zhong Shengguang's words. Yet, the less it can verify, the less it believes.

"To take seventy percent profit, still called 'compromise'?" He Lingchuan understood, Ling Mountain's obedience test on Panlongcheng failed, he was very angry.

"So this matter ended in a breakdown." Zhong Shengguang lightly inhaled, "Ling Mountain is angry, today they have already recalled some cultivators, all are strong warriors in the army."

"I know." He Lingchuan truthfully reported, "I just sent away a batch outside the Nancheng Gate."

"What do you think?"

"It's not that we can't give, the price needs negotiation." He Lingchuan re-analyzed the pros and cons, just as he had previously said to Sun Fuling.

Zhong Shengguang listened, but gave no clear agreement or disagreement.

He understood the reasoning, but Ling Mountain's greed still made it hard for him to accept.

He Lingchuan walked to the window, gazing at the fireworks filling the sky, gazing at the square below, sighed: "Five years ago, who would dare imagine Panlongcheng could prosper to this extent, restaurants and sweet shops opening one after another, delicious flavors from south and north available for people to choose."

Formerly, Panlongcheng's supplies were so scarce that during the war, the entire city's rations had to be allocated to the army.

Zhong Shengguang also looked out at the people on the square with their happy smiles, his eyes full of relief.

Yes, it was not easy.

The happy people on the square fundamentally do not know, Panlongcheng currently faces this entanglement and trouble.

Of course, they also have no need to know.

They only need to strive to live, work diligently, the army only needs to obey orders and fight, naturally someone in the dark bears the heavy burden for them.

He Lingchuan only needed to look at Zhong Shengguang's eyes to know he would do his utmost, guarding Panlongcheng's hard-won prosperity and flourishing.

Zhong Shengguang must be responsible for Panlongcheng, just as He Lingchuan must be responsible for Cangyan.

How could they bear to let their homeland return to utter poverty, let the people tighten their belts again?

After understanding Zhong Shengguang's intentions, regarding the stalemate between Panlongcheng and Ling Mountain, He Lingchuan became more confident in persuading him.

Early the next morning, Xin Yiming's courtyard gate was knocked on.

He came out to open the door and saw: "Eh? General He, how come you're here?"

"Long time no see, Mr. Xin, I just returned from the south." He Lingchuan raised the oil paper package in his hand, waved it at him, "Have you eaten?"

"Before you came, I hadn't woken up yet." Xin Yiming yawned, turned back to walk inside, "When it gets cool, I sleep well."

The two of them have already become familiar, getting along no longer like the initial polite but distant manner.

Housing is tight in Panlongcheng, but the guest rooms provided for Ling Mountain envoys are still spacious and tranquil. The courtyard's paulownia trees, their leaves have long fallen, under the tree is a bare stone table, the two sat down at the table.

He Lingchuan opened the oil paper package, a burst of hot steam mixed with oil fragrance rushed out, making Xin Yiming's nose twitch twice.

This is the aroma of fried food.

All three items on the table are golden and clear, Xin Yiming hurriedly washed his hands with water from the vat, while asking: "Bought from Xue Si Niang's shop?"

"Of course."

Xin Yiming also didn't pick up chopsticks, directly used his hands.