Chapter 2097: Contention Over Systems

Repeatedly evaluating these two words, they truly strike at the essence of the immortals' decline. He had pondered for so long before, yet seemed unable to find a more precise term.

"It was like this in the past, and it will be like this in the future. Ling Mountain has proven over three thousand years that the old path no longer works. With the revival of spiritual energy, if we do not adopt new methods now, we would be wasting the great opportunity bestowed by heaven and earth." He Lingchuan took a deep breath. "The struggle between immortals and demons will always have an end. I fear that when that time comes, no one will be able to bear the consequences."

Xin Yi thought deeply for a long time, even forgetting about going out to run errands.

He Lingchuan's remarks on "system" and "development dividends" truly touched his heartstrings, causing his thoughts to race wildly.

"Pa-ta," a branch fell from above. Though the sound of it landing was light, it brought Xin Yi back to his senses.

"Your mouth really can, even make the dead speak as if alive." He pressed the corner of his eyes, "Ling Mountain only invested in Panlongcheng—can that really turn the tide against the heavenly demons? Your claim is simply too boastful and absurd."

He Lingchuan, from a mere small Panlongcheng, could cite so much.

But looking at Panlongcheng's output, how little it is, and within the Ling Mountain faction it is not even a pillar force—how could it shake Ling Mountain's system, how could it reverse the interest-based relationship between Ling Mountain and the mortal realm?

No wonder it's Xin Yi—he is not so easily led astray by him. He Lingchuan remained calm and unhurried: "Compared to Ling Mountain's scale, Panlongcheng is indeed small. But isn't a small place exactly suited to serve as a test field?"

He paused: "The system I speak of may not be limited to cooperation and dividends in the future. The changes in heaven and earth occur subtly; we and Ling Mountain should also change with the times and circumstances. Still, that old saying: the struggle between immortals and demons depends on who can best adapt to and utilize the new laws!"

"If this set of methods is truly feasible, both sides can enjoy the dividends of development and cooperate long-term. Then Ling Mountain can spread the successful experience downward and outward." He Lingchuan spoke solemnly, "A single Panlongcheng may not play a decisive role, but how many forces does Ling Mountain command? If they can all achieve mutual benefit, then little by little, grain by grain, the immortals' past disadvantage cannot possibly fail to be fundamentally reversed? And as the hub of all this, Ling Mountain's influence over the common people will inevitably grow, and its prestige in the mortal realm can surely be rebuilt!"

He saw clearly: the declining Ling Mountain desires not only wealth and xuan crystals, but even more, influence, and even more, authority over the secular world, sects, and the state.

The more one lacks something, the more one wants it. To gain and then lose it again is the most painful.

He Lingchuan said earnestly: "Such a trial must be conducted as soon as possible—time waits for no one."

He also took a jujube to eat: "By the way, we will add one condition: from now on, whenever Ling Mountain actively helps Panlongcheng secure a new cooperation partner, Panlongcheng's future trade with that partner will allow Ling Mountain to take an additional thirty percent of the profits. Ling Mountain commands forces as numerous as the stars—doing such matchmaking and earning such dividends is not exactly easy as turning one's hand?"

Xin Yi stared at him for a long while, then laughed: "You little rascal."

But Xin Yi did not find He Lingchuan's proposal bad at all.

Wealth moves hearts, and Ling Mountain is no exception. Profitable money—it has no reason not to earn it.

He Lingchuan laughed: "Ling Mountain only needs to act as a matchmaker and invest capital; each year it can receive golden eggs from the golden goose here, even without sending people to manage the industry, without exerting effort—just sit back and collect money. Such good fortune is rare under heaven."

Panlongcheng's external exchanges and road expansion face numerous obstacles. If entrusted to Ling Mountain, it would be different.

To speak bluntly, the methods Panlongcheng cannot employ, Ling Mountain bears no psychological burden in using.

He Lingchuan's these proposals aim to deeply bind Ling Mountain and Panlongcheng in funds and cooperation. Otherwise, Ling Mountain has remained aloof from the mortal realm for so many years—saying it engages with the world yet not fully entering—it is actually just watching mortal powers rise and fall, able to withdraw at any moment.

He Lingchuan wants to use Panlongcheng to draw it in, but not just for mutual glory—he also wants shared loss. As long as Ling Mountain joins this once, he still has other methods afterward.

He poured himself a cup of sea buckthorn juice and drank it all in one go: "I've said until my mouth is dry and tongue parched—Xin Mr., are you satisfied?"

Xin Yi said helplessly: "Alright, I'll count you as having convinced me."

Speaking frankly, Ling Mountain originally did not intend to extract much sustenance from Panlongcheng. Panlongcheng's development is indeed good, but from Ling Mountain's perspective of overseeing the world, its territory is ultimately limited, which determines its level of prosperity is limited.

Its geographical location, the quality of its military and civilians, and the command abilities of Zhong Shengguang and the Red General—these are what Ling Mountain values most.

Ling Mountain seeks this tribute, but most importantly, it needs to confirm the relationship and status between both sides.

Thus, He Lingchuan's proposal, upon first hearing, sounds like an Arabian Nights tale, but upon reflection, it may not be without operational possibility.

"Panlongcheng and Ling Mountain—cooperation brings mutual benefit, separation brings mutual harm. If we part ways, only our enemies will rejoice." He Lingchuan put away his smile and spoke solemnly, "The revival of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy is a rare opportunity occurring once in a thousand ages. If we can sincerely assist each other and rise with the wind, then Beiji and the heavenly demons will no longer be insurmountable great mountains."

He holds this mindset in reality as well, so his words come out with doubled sincerity.

Xin Yi also restrained his smile.

But he stared fixedly at He Lingchuan, at the light in this martial general's eyes, yet could not help but sigh.

If Ling Mountain could also be as united as Panlongcheng, would he still need to exert so much effort and thought?

"That's somewhat interesting—I am also a person who sees money and gets greedy." Xin Yi stood up and stretched, "I will write a letter to those old stubborn ones, giving them a good talking-to. But to speak frankly, this matter is also very difficult for me—true immortals' clinging to ancient ways, you have never seen such. In the end, whether it can succeed or not, I cannot guarantee it."

The immortal elders of Ling Mountain are not as approachable as he is; they will only regard Panlongcheng as inferior and will not see this bilateral relationship as "cooperation." Superiors treating inferiors naturally amounts to command and enslavement.

This is one of the problems Xin Yi needs to resolve.

However, the several points He Lingchuan spoke of today are very enlightening to him. He needs to organize them well, then go communicate with Ling Mountain's elders.

He Lingchuan rejoiced greatly: "Xin Mr., with your broad-minded and enlightened attitude, handling affairs naturally encounters no obstruction."

Xin Yi chuckled: "What you discussed with me today does not sound like conditions that Zhong the Commander could devise.

Are you"

"Yes!" Now that it has come to this, He Lingchuan no longer hides it from him, "After settling things with you, I still need to go persuade him. Alas, Zhong the Commander is far less open-minded and adaptable than Xin Mr.! I act on my own initiative, and most likely will earn a stern scolding."