Chapter 2205: Dark Currents Surge

We now know that the Frostleaf State Preceptor of Qiugong Palace also has a celestial deity behind them, so the power of Tiangong Palace will further strengthen on the Bekka court, and the will of the celestial deity will be more firmly implemented in the future.

He Lingchuan concluded: "You ask whether Bekka and Mu State will directly go to all-out war; I think not, after all, they are both enormous in scale and thus wary of each other; but Bekka and Mu State have a significant possibility of intensified conflict in more dimensions, and the fundamental need of the celestial deity is nightmare qi—so long as the Demon Emperor satisfies this, all is well."

"Is this advantageous for us?"

"For a time, yes."

Jingzi pondered, then could not help but ask: "Who exactly sank Bekka's fleet?"

No matter how one thinks about it, it must be Mu State, since it is not Cangyan Qian.

Who else in the present age would dare to sabotage Bekka's fleet and have the capability to do so?

"It doesn't matter; it's no longer important."

……

Several days later, He Lingchuan received another secret report from Nilotian:

"I received news that Jiaolou Heaven recently subdued a true immortal, called the Hidden God Lord."

Ah? The soul-capturing mirror in his bosom let out a sharp scream.

Upon hearing the words "true immortal," He Lingchuan's scalp went numb, yet upon hearing this true immortal's title, he was again bewildered: "Hidden God Lord? Who is this?"

Never heard of it. He searched his memory of the true immortals of Ling Mountain—none.

Among the true immortals, is there really such a figure?

"I don't know either." On Nilotian's blurred misty face, a smile seemed to split open, for he had long grown tired of He Lingchuan's air of having everything under control.

"Are you certain this is a true immortal?"

"You doubt my source of information?" Nilotian's smile faded: "The human realm is vast; your not having heard of it does not mean it does not exist."

"You have lived longer than I, and even participated in the Ancient War, yet you haven't heard of it either?" He Lingchuan frowned: "Could it be that this Hidden God Lord never showed his face in the Ancient War?"

"If you want to know, you must investigate it yourself; I only tell you this precious piece of information." How many true immortals and immortals have died in the human realm—why would Nilotian care? "This Hidden God Lord is not easy to deal with; it is said that Jiaolou Heaven lost many subordinates, seven of them from the gods themselves, and Jiaolou Heaven's own physical form also suffered damage."

This indeed sounds like a rare and powerful being; He Lingchuan pondered. Miao Zhantian had invaded the Sea-Inverting Heaven to plot against the Thousand Illusions True Person, also bringing over a dozen from the gods into it, the Phantom Sect had over a dozen immortals, plus the Thousand Illusions True Person himself taking action, and with He Lingchuan fanning the flames and stirring up trouble, only then were the invading heavenly demons all left behind. How great is the ability of this Hidden God Lord, how much power does his following have, to have slain seven of Jiaolou Heaven's subordinates?

The fall of this Hidden God Lord was indeed as silent as his name suggests, unlike the fall of the Thousand Illusions True Person and Miao Zhantian, which shook both realms, whether immortals, demons, or cultivators, all discussed it widely.

Even if the Hidden God Lord truly exists, his fame does not surpass that of the above two.

How did Jiaolou Heaven select him?

But no matter what, the heavenly demons are very likely to gain another useful vessel, which is not good news for the human realm.

"Wait—do you at least know the location of the capture?"

"It seems to be in the distant sea south of Mu State."

"South of Mu State?" He Lingchuan frowned: "This position…… not long ago, Bekka seemed to have a fleet encounter an attack in the waters south of Mu State, and the entire army was wiped out. Bekka blamed Mu State, but Mu State denied it."

What exactly happened in the distant sea south of Mu State?

The ocean is too vast; for these land-dwelling beings to understand what occurs beneath the sea surface is as difficult as climbing to heaven.

"I have also heard of it." Nilotian gave a hehe laugh: "That is why I gave you this additional information."

Then, the human face formed of smoke and mist simply vanished.

He Lingchuan sank into thought for a long while, opened the window, and a cool wind blew upon his face, bleak yet carrying a killing intent.

Another autumn equinox has arrived.

￥￥￥￥￥

Panlong Wasteland, the sky high and air crisp.

South-flying geese flock after flock, passing over the vast plain.

He Lingchuan returned north to Stone Spring City; the official road was flat and straight, and the horses trod upon the pebble path, emitting crisp, cheerful kicks.

Around were mountains filled with golden maples and red trees, to left and right came and went merchants and travelers.

Three years ago, Zhong Shengguang designated this medium-sized city as the auxiliary city of Panlongcheng and vigorously developed its construction.

After several rounds of expansion and merger, the current territory of Panlong already exceeds that of Xiluo State, while the location of Panlongcheng lies at the pass of Chi Pa Plateau; when Panlongcheng formerly defended this place with all its might, the location was ideal; but now, it lies in the northern part of the entire territory, somewhat remote.

The position of Stone Spring City lies in the southern part of Panlong Wasteland, eastward connecting to the Mao River Plain, southward linking to the Second Sea Route, a solid hub—from here, departure to anywhere is near. Therefore, Zhong Shengguang, despite the opposition of the senior ministers, set this place as the second administrative center.

Should the focus be war or development? This must be decided according to the times.

The administrative corps of Panlongcheng relocated largely here, and the economy of Stone Spring City surged like fire under oil, booming suddenly.

This new city, half-leaning on the plain, unlike Panlongcheng which is limited in area, can be freely planned and expanded, and also enjoys the geographical advantage of the north-south thoroughfare; thus, within just three years, it has shown a trend of surpassing the former.

After entering the city, He Lingchuan walked upon the newly built Red Cloud Avenue, which could accommodate ten carriages side by side, its ground laid with blue stone slabs, clean and magnificent; the former scene of dust flying across the wasteland is now rarely seen.

Along the way, countless people greeted him, and the Tiger Wing General smiled in response.

At the center of Stone Spring City lies a great lake, beautiful in scenery, with a causeway in the lake's center, and drooping willows on both sides.

Ten years ago, on Panlong Wasteland only drought willows grew, and one could count them on a single hand; now this scene of rippling green waters, red flowers, and green trees—something former people dared not even dream of.

He Lingchuan rode his horse across the causeway and heard several people walking and discussing:

"Really unexpected."

"Yes, yes, if placed ten years ago, who could have imagined that our Panlongcheng would still exist, while Xiluo State had already perished!"

He Lingchuan felt his heart jolt upon hearing this: Xiluo State perished?

He had just returned to the city today—how could he hear such explosive news?

Another person said: "Ah, you say—will we or will we not send troops to Xiluo?"

The earlier speaker, excited, declared: "Certainly we must go! That is our long-held homeland of Xiluo, not some other place!"

"Alas, is it not to wage war again? We have only just enjoyed a few years of peace."

They walked away.

Along the way, He Lingchuan heard similar discussions two more times.

It seems this matter is a hot topic in the city.

Even Shiquan City is like this—how could Panlongcheng dare to imagine?

He had just stepped into the government office when the door panel came forward: "Chief, you're back? Just in time for the War Council meeting."

Due to years of campaigning and accumulated military merit, the door panel had also been promoted to general, though his rank still fell short of the Tiger Wing General, and he remained deeply respectful, still using the old form of address.

The military conference hall here is also called the War Council.

"Hmm." He Lingchuan had only left the Panlong Wasteland twenty-plus days ago, and it seemed something major had happened in between: "What happened? I heard travelers on the road talking—has Xiluo State fallen?"

"Yeah, we'll discuss that shortly in the meeting."