Chapter 2218: Divine Spear Gifted to a Hero

He Lingchuan raised an eyebrow: "A founding treasure—does Xin Jun really mean to give it away?"

"No matter how many halos it bears, it's still just a spear. The meaning it carries likely outweighs the spear itself, wouldn't you say?"

Mou Di's words hinted at something, and He Lingchuan smiled freely.

"After the great victory at Yangquan Pass, you sent a large batch of specialty weapons that helped our army take Yadu. That was genuine help, and receiving the Ying Lei Spear is but a return." Mou Di spoke softly, "To gift a divine spear to a hero—perhaps one day it will shine again because of you."

Earlier, the Nine Abysses Great Emperor had sent word through the State Preceptor, wishing to examine the spear. Mou Di understood at once and simply spoke more openly.

Giving the Ying Lei Spear to the Nine Abysses Great Emperor neither buries it nor fails to show Mou's sincerity—

Even the founding divine weapons can be given away.

"Thank you." He Lingchuan stroked the spear shaft, "Xin Jun, do you know its origins?"

Commonly seen in Panlongcheng, yet meeting again in reality after over a hundred and sixty years!

Things remain, but people are gone.

He Lingchuan's feelings had no one to confide in.

"A divine weapon's fame lies not in its wielder, but in who holds it." Mou Di turned to gaze at the smooth river surface, "Just after entering the Medieval era, a powerful state rose suddenly—named Longquan. It acted upon the will of the Great Heavenly Demon, defeated eleven immortals, among them three demon immortals and eight human immortals, then cast their essences, demon cores, and weapons into the Heavenly Stem Furnace, forging two weapons over time, one of which is this Ying Lei Spear."

After the ancient war, humanity entered the Medieval era. From early to mid-Medieval, spiritual energy density declined at varying speeds, and during this period, tensions between immortals, demons, sects, and human states grew ever greater.

"And the other one?"

"The Dragon Seal Treasure Blade—after Longquan State fell, it vanished. Only the Ying Lei Spear survived, passing through several great generals' hands, becoming a famed spear." Mou Di said softly, "Longquan State bloomed like a night-blooming cereus, existing only nine years, coming and going like a meteor. But the Great Heavenly Demon it worshipped—you should have heard of it."

He should have heard of it? He Lingchuan's eyes narrowed slightly: "Mitian?"

"Exactly."

He Lingchuan understood—no wonder the Red General could obtain the Ying Lei Spear; it was once Mitian's old possession.

As a peerless murderous weapon, the Ying Lei Spear has rolled through countless hands in the red dust, evidence that in these three thousand years since the appearance of Tianluo Star, the shadows of demons and immortals have often lingered behind human states.

"Before Mou Gao Zu obtained it, it was still the Red General's personal magical implement." Mou Di smirked, "This point, I believe you already know."

He Lingchuan nodded: "Exactly."

Mou Di tilted his head to look at him: "Could it be, you are moved by objects to think of persons?"

When the Nine Abysses first received the spear, the mixed emotions in his eyes could not escape his notice. Thinking of He Huo rising from the edge of Panlong Desert's Blackwater City, and his constant remembrance of the Ying Lei Spear, this surely was not without reason?

"The person is gone, but the spear's soul endures. Reflecting on past and present, Zhong Gong for all ages!" He Lingchuan spoke solemnly, "I have inherited Panlongcheng's legacy; this spear means greatly to me! Thank you, Xin Jun, for the gift—may I not bury this divine artifact."

Mou Di could certainly tell—the first two lines referred specifically to the Red General, while the latter two spoke of Zhong Shengguang.

In the real world, He Lingchuan made his first admission.

Admitting his connection to the now-vanished Panlongcheng of history, admitting he had inherited Panlongcheng's mantle.

From when he first requested the Ying Lei Spear, from when he gripped it tightly, Mou Di knew the rift between the Nine Abysses Great Emperor and Ling Mountain was extremely deep, hard to bridge.

But what harm would it do him? Mou Di smiled, lightly clapping: "Let it shine alongside heroes like the Nine Abysses—better than gathering dust in the national treasury."

With the Ying Lei Spear warming the atmosphere, the mood between the two emperors grew much more harmonious.

He Lingchuan gestured toward the side table: "Please."

On the third floor of the teahouse, only the two of them were present, no attendants, but the spring water on the small stove had already boiled.

He Lingchuan sat down and casually brewed tea; Mou Di drew a small celadon jar from his bosom, just lifted the lid, and He Lingchuan caught a whiff of refreshing fragrance, unable to help praising:

"Fine tea!"

Mou Di placed his hand on the scorching kettle, and after just two or three breaths, the boiling water inside ceased its frenzy, no longer scalding.

Boiling water is a hundred degrees; his gesture alone brought the temperature down to around seventy degrees.

Using true force to boil water is no trouble for cultivators, but being able to reverse it? Now that's interesting.

Then he used a porcelain spoon to scoop a small amount of dark brown tea leaves into the pot:

"This is Forget-Worry Tea grown in Ling Mountain's immortal fields; drinking it dispels worry and sorrow—try it, Nine Abysses."

He Lingchuan brewed two cups, took one, and sipped it carefully.

The broth was warm red, sweet and mellow, delightful to the palate.

"Huh?" The tea's fragrance indeed refreshed the heart, but the returning aftertaste held a hint of floral and citrus sourness.

Drinking it was remarkably refreshing, one sip after another, making He Lingchuan recall the sour plum soup personally brewed by Lady Ying.

"I thought immortal tea would have a rich, pure aroma."

"Several elders still like to add butter or milk to this Forget-Worry Tea to enhance fragrance, then add coix seed agar to increase chewiness." Mou Di laughed, "What can make many people joyfully forget worry could never be a bland thing."

This made perfect sense. He Lingchuan substituted tea for wine, offering him a cup:

"Xin Jun sees clearly. What worldly beings cling to is nothing more than the senses—ear, nose, tongue, body, mind."

Mou Di raised his cup: "Speaking of worldly beings, I just recalled something."

"Please speak."

"Heaven and earth's spiritual energy is like tides, but each surge brings a period of 'Awakening of Insects.' This time is no exception." Mou Di said, "Especially this round of imperial elixir eruptions has already lasted over three years."

"Oh? What does 'Awakening of Insects' mean?"

"The spiritual environment of humanity has greatly improved; those deep in seclusion beyond the borders, whose magic power is profound—immortals and demons alike—will now emerge en masse, like spring thunder bringing the Awakening of Insects."

He Lingchuan suddenly understood: "Exactly. Over the past year, in Cangyan State, grotto-heavens have appeared from time to time, and the immortals and demons who emerged were quite… individualistic, making it hard for local officials to communicate with them. I had no choice but to establish the Special Bureau of Union."

Before these immortals and demons entered seclusion, the Shining Gold Plains were still in chaos. Now the Shining Gold Plains have welcomed a once-in-a-thousand-years great unification; upon emerging, they will clash with Cangyan's official regulations and surely find it hard to adapt.

Cangyan offers them only two choices:

Either submit, or depart.

The Special Bureau of Union was thus established, led by Liu Qingdao, with Zhu Xiuer as a guest member—a mixed team of immortals, cultivators, demons, and the army, specially tasked with 'connecting' to newly emerged great demons and great immortals.

Upon contact, the Special Bureau of Union would certainly begin politely, but if the other side grew arrogant and refused advice, insisting on toasting but not drinking, then demanding punishment drinks—well…

In any case, sugar cubes and the big stick—one must be chosen.