Chapter 2197

"If the immortals of Ling Mountain could be as deeply principled as Brother Xin, exhausting themselves for the world, why would Ling Mountain have gradually declined, allowing the heavenly demons barred from the lower realms to gain the upper hand?"

He Lingchuan's sigh made Xin Yi's eyes narrow slightly.

Exhausting himself for the world? Where did this kid see that from?

But He Lingchuan immediately raised his cup to him, as if he had just blurted out the remark casually.

Yet Xin Yi knew He Lingchuan was not wrong in the slightest.

Over the past many years, he had long seen through the true nature of Ling Mountain and the Xian Sect, and thus felt deep disappointment and helplessness.

Relying on Ling Mountain to save itself, then saving the world, was no longer possible.

……

Three days later, Xin Yi left the city.

Zhong Shengguang and He Lingchuan, among others, saw him off, escorting him all the way to the Ten-Li Pavilion outside the city.

Xin Yi waved his final farewell, smiling broadly as he departed.

His parting words to Zhong Shengguang were: "May Panlongcheng flourish eternally, and may Panlongcheng and Ling Mountain watch over and aid each other!"

Zhong Shengguang returned the salute.

As for what he said to He Lingchuan, it was much more casual:

"I hope you and Master Sun soon achieve fruition."

Both parties knew that his departure would mean crossing high mountains and long roads, making future meetings unlikely.

Xu Shichu, headmaster of the Shu Min Academy, sighed upon seeing his distant figure: "Master Xin is a remarkable man, alas, no feast under heaven lasts forever."

He and Xin Yi got along exceptionally well.

"Life's encounters are but duckweed gathering and scattering," Zhong Shengguang patted his shoulder, then turned to look at He Lingchuan, only to see his face as still as water.

In real history, what Xin Yi did upon returning to the Shahe River basin, He Lingchuan knew. That is, Ling Mountain's plan had already been set in motion.

To divert Bei Jia's attention, would the Qianhuan True Person now in charge of Ling Mountain choose to betray Panlongcheng?

If so, He Lingchuan's utmost efforts would merely delay the historical tragedy by a span of time, but it would inevitably occur.

Zhong Shengguang then asked: "What's wrong?"

"Recalling Master Xin's warning before his departure, I am worried Ling Mountain may go back on its word."

He Lingchuan had already reported Xin Yi's warning to Zhong Shengguang, so the latter could well understand his concern.

"When the enemy comes, we meet them; when the flood comes, we divert it—we need only prepare." He comforted He Lingchuan with this, then added, "Let's return to the city first; I and Old Xu have matters to discuss with you."

The group returned to Panlongcheng, and Zhong Shengguang summoned He and Xu to the drill ground behind the official office, first clearing the area, then setting up a barrier.

He rarely spoke ambiguously to his subordinates, and now he asked He Lingchuan directly:

"Recently using elemental force, what do you feel?"

Only three people were present.

"Something strange." He Lingchuan reported truthfully, "On one hand, elemental force is unprecedentedly solid, as if it had substance; but on the other hand, it is far more lively than before."

A red glow rose on his body, crimson with a hint of faint purple.

This is what is called, red enough to purple.

Before, elemental force was merely a layer of red light covering the body's surface, without thickness; but now He Lingchuan's elemental force is so dense it seems substantial. He Lingchuan extended his arm, and the two others examined closely, still able to see the red glow on his arm flowing along the body's surface, though extremely slow, yet indeed like the cold air of an icehouse in the depths of winter.

Though reaching out to touch it still yielded no sensation, but observing with the naked eye—

"It's somewhat like spiritual energy." Zhong Shengguang and Xu Shichu exchanged glances, both showing surprise.

Spiritual energy exists in heaven and earth in many forms: Xuanjing is solid, Emperor's Flowing Cinnabar is liquid, and He Lingchuan once saw gaseous spiritual energy at dawn during the Overturned Sea—pale green vapor, threadlike, clinging to the ground and plants, also slowly flowing and evaporating, vanishing when the sun appears.

Indeed, it bears some resemblance to his elemental force at this moment.

Xu Shichu immediately said: "The Tiger Wing General's elemental force, condensed to this degree, is no inferior to the Red General's. Zhong Commander distributed the same elemental force to Panlongcheng's various generals, but indeed yours is the most intense."

The Red General had gone into seclusion a few days prior, so he is not counted.

Xu Shichu's remark assumes that those present know the elemental force laws have recently changed, elemental force fluctuations have increased, and each commander of troops in Panlongcheng now has some variation in their elemental force.

But He Lingchuan's elemental force level has left other commanders far behind, truly a case of leaving them in the dust.

Such a situation would be strange elsewhere, but in Panlongcheng it seems natural, after all, with the Red General's pearls and jade preceding him, everyone will only be glad to gain another valiant general.

Xu Shichu praised: "The recognition and respect from the populace and the army for the Tiger Wing General is no ordinary matter. Panlongcheng having a general is truly a great fortune."

This remark, if heard by other leaders, might make them wary of He Lingchuan. But Xu Shichu knows Zhong Shengguang will not.

Zhong Shengguang indeed showed no hesitation: "Excellent, better than I imagined."

His brows relaxed, clearly in high spirits.

He Lingchuan knew the main topic was coming: "I listen respectfully."

"Elemental force has appeared in this world for over two thousand years, countless people have explored its methods of use." The unique efficacy of elemental force has entranced rulers and cultivators alike, "They wish to draw elemental force into their bodies, like storing and refining spiritual energy, for their own use, but without exception all have failed."

He Lingchuan nodded: "Elemental force always clings to the surface, cannot be drawn into the body."

Elemental force has long been a subject of diligent research in Panlongcheng; when Zhong Shengguang brings it up, He Lingchuan is very interested.

The elemental force laws have subtly changed; whoever grasps the pattern first may gain an edge in the upcoming preparations. This is no joke.

Although He Lingchuan is closely related to the Great Great Great Fanghu, the research strength of the Jinjin Plain is relatively weak, elemental force is profoundly mysterious, and only those in high positions may touch its secrets, so in reality he has hardly found anyone to consult.

At this moment, the role of Panlongcheng becomes prominent again.

As a collaborator of the Great Great Great Fanghu in this era, Zhong Shengguang himself deeply understands elemental force, his subordinates include the Red General, Tiger Wing General, and other senior commanders, Xu Shichu and other research talents, so outcomes will likely come faster than if He Lingchuan worked alone.

"Strictly speaking, elemental force cannot be drawn into living beings." Xu Shichu continued, "Thus others have tried to circumvent this, storing elemental force in magical implements."

"Isn't that already successful?" He Lingchuan laughed, "National masters of all states blend elemental force this way."

Not to mention the distant past, Hong Benglüe once lent a counterfeit Green Intent Bottle to Nian Zanli, letting him draw water from the Dahe River to crush Zhao Pan's great camp. That was a treasure only immortals and national masters could operate, and in the then spirit-energy-depleted state of heaven and earth, Nian Zanli surely could not have done it, only able to forcibly activate it by overdrawing the army's elemental force.