Chapter 2217: Illuminating the Heart, Confirming the Intent

"The lesson I received back then was even more profound: the weak have no foothold in this world." He Lingchuan gave a low chuckle. "If there's nowhere to flee, then there's no need to flee; if there's nothing to avoid, then there's no need to avoid."

Mou Di remained silent.

So far, what Jiuyou has said has still been my own passivity.

But true strength does not passively accept fate's arrangements.

"Later, I wandered through Shanjin, entered the turbid world of mortals, observed local customs and people's livelihoods, and formed the grand aspiration to secure the nation." He Lingchuan turned, gazing at Xihe. "Interestingly, from the moment I set forth the grand aspiration to rescue Shanjin and expel the heavenly demons, from the moment I stopped caring about my own daily fortunes and misfortunes, the fear that had shadowed me for years vanished completely."

Why call it a "grand aspiration" rather than a "great aspiration"? Because back then, my wish was too vague and too lofty, like a lone wild goose—neither practical nor understood.

Mou Di was slightly moved.

Jiuyou constantly speaks of fear, yet between the lines lies fearlessness.

"I was born of humble origins, with no immortal to guide me, no family to worry about my future or pave my way, no great being to safeguard my path ahead." He Lingchuan was the son of the former border prefect of Pengcheng, but to Mou Di now, this background makes no difference from being grassroots. He Chunhua would not pave the way for him either, since he was never meant to live this long. "My path is one I have stepped out step by step myself!"

"Precisely because of this, I understand that the world originally has no path; it takes someone to clear the thorns and blaze the trail before a path can gradually emerge. And when enough people walk it, that path may become a broad, smooth road."

"A pioneer?" Mou Di pondered these two words repeatedly, then asked him, "What if one fails?"

"Then one simply fails."

Mou Di's jaw tightened slightly.

"This endeavor carries heaven-shaking, earth-moving difficulty—who dares to be certain they will achieve unparalleled merit?" He Lingchuan gave a faint smile. "That's no matter; I may not be the one to conclude all this, but I can be the inheritor, using my efforts to let those who come after walk this path farther and more firmly."

What if one does not succeed?

If the Abyssal King does not succeed, then Zhong Shengguang will take over;

if Zhong Shengguang does not succeed, then He Lingchuan will take over;

if He Lingchuan himself does not succeed, then those who come after will take over;

this is the passing of the torch.

Building upon the foundations of predecessors, advancing step by step, pressing forward daily—someday, perhaps this path will be fully opened.

Mou Di examined him.

Jiuyou showed no fervent passion; his gaze and tone remained as calm as ever.

Calm because of firm resolve.

Rather than saying he revealed his intentions, it is more accurate to say he stated the facts.

"The Grand Vessel selects people with such precision still." Mou Di gave a helpless smile.

He was smiling at himself.

For many years, he too has been selecting people, yet Hui never compares to the Grand Vessel.

Strange—though the two clearly meet for the first time, Mou Di finds his words familiar and unforced, as if they were old friends of many years.

And Jiuyou clearly understands what he is asking; every sentence resonates with him here.

Before, when reading letters, it was like this; now, when meeting people, it is still like this.

Could this not be a case of instant affinity?

"Since I took charge of Shanjin, I have realized that aspirations are karmic bonds, fetters are karmic bonds, and responsibility too is karmic bond—thus cultivators seek to sever worldly ties to avoid karmic stain. But like Xinjun, even if karma entangles and karmic obstacles burden me, I accept it gladly." He Lingchuan clasped his hands behind his back and looked up to the heavens. "We are born into an indifferent world, but we do not cultivate the indifferent path! Only through ceaseless self-strengthening can one stand firm between heaven and earth, fearless of all."

He said, he is steadfast because he is fearless.

"Success achieved—" Mou Di drew a deep breath, "need it be mine?"

He felt these words deeply.

"Indeed, success must have me!" He Lingchuan declared solemnly, "Xinjun toiled diligently—was it not the same?"

He clearly knows what Mou Di has done and for what purpose; though their paths differ, they share the same goal, striving tirelessly for it.

Thus, Mou Di is deeply moved by his words.

The two exchanged a glance and both burst into loud laughter.

He Lingchuan laughed freely, while Xin Di laughed with some complexity.

Indeed, those who resist the heavenly demons most fiercely and steadfastly have never been the people of Ling Mountain, alas!

Hearing the laughter of the two sovereigns, the ministers below all paused their affairs and pricked up their ears.

What exactly did these two overlords say when they met? They desperately wanted to know!

But in this world, many things are destined to remain mysteries—for example, the content of meetings between national leaders.

Du Shan and You Huan were also talking; at this moment they remained unmoved, waiting for this bout of laughter to pass before resuming their discussion.

"Good, good, good!" Mou Di lightly clapped twice, stepped back a few paces, and with his left hand beckoned—suddenly he snatched a long spear from the void, its tip flashing with icy cold light.

This spear, He Lingchuan knows all too well:

The Ying Lei Spear!

Seeing the cold light flash above, the guards below were startled and hurriedly ran up in quick steps.

The two sovereigns waved their hands: "All retreat."

Mou Di gripped the spear with both hands and thrust it forward: "Have you longed to see it?"

"Xinjun is magnanimous." He Lingchuan likewise took it with both hands, stepped back a few paces, steadied the spear, and casually flourished two spear flowers.

This appearance, this weight, and most importantly, this feel!

Exactly, it is the Ying Lei Spear.

The moment he grasped the shaft, it felt like meeting an old friend long lost. That icy yet intimate sensation—no imitation could replicate it.

Mou Di also stared intently at his expression without blinking, and upon seeing it, said:

"You are very familiar with this spear?"

He Lingchuan's posture and handling of the spear are utterly natural.

Know that the Ying Lei Spear is five cun longer than a standard spear, so its center of gravity shifts; a first-time user will surely find it awkward, requiring at least a period of adjustment before wielding it like an extension of the arm.

Moreover, when He Lingchuan casually swings it, he can summon the sound of wind and thunder—this demands not only skill, but also long familiarity with the weapon to achieve.

It is precisely because Mu Di is too familiar with it that he noticed the peculiarity of He Lingchuan and the Ying Lei Spear.

"First meeting, yet as if old friends." He Lingchuan's gaze never left the Ying Lei Spear for even a second.

The last time he personally held the Ying Lei Spear was in the Panlong Illusion. At that time, he fought fiercely against the Naluo Tian clone attached to the Three Waters True Person, and the Red General lent him this weapon.

He then fully felt the miraculousness and power of the Ying Lei Spear.

This is a mighty treasure that does not fall short even when facing the divine powers and magical artifacts of great immortals.

After many years, he first grasped the genuine article in reality; to say it is a "first meeting" is indeed not false.

He did not overly conceal his feelings, so Mu Di easily saw the deep emotion in his eyes.

He deliberately asked: "Do you have feelings for this spear, or for its former owner?"

He Lingchuan stroked the spear shaft: "Its former owner was not the founding Gao Zu of Mu State?"

Mu Di laughed: "As long as you tell the truth, I will give you this spear."

Thanks to the generosity of the book bag.

Thanks to Juanjuan's helpful assistant and Gu Sa's reward.