Chapter 2221: Cards on the Table

The demon realm is currently in utter chaos, and the order painstakingly created by the Lingxu Holy Sovereign faces collapse. This is a rare opportunity for humanity that comes once in a thousand years; as long as we quell disputes and maintain stability in the surrounding areas without triggering large-scale war, the spiritual energy of the human realm will only grow more abundant.

Although immortals are indeed powerful, relying solely on them still does not yield high odds of victory. Therefore, the practice of mobilizing the nation's resources to support immortals is no longer advisable.

In terms of cost-effectiveness and results, this is no longer a good choice.

He Lingchuan continued: "I heard that when Mu State was first established, some regions with harmonious governance also bore the Black Flood insignia and received the attention and protection of the Dragon God. This shows that Mu State's early ideals were affirmed by the Dragon God. As for why they later disappeared, I suspect it has something to do with Ling Mountain."

The Mu Emperor took a sip of tea.

The appearance of the Black Flood totem in early Mu State indeed stirred his imagination, for it proved his path was correct and that Mu State's founding had earned the approval of the Dragon God's spirit in heaven. Yet after Mu State did much for Ling Mountain—especially after setting up Spirit-Gathering Grand Formations in certain places—the Black Flood insignia vanished.

This matter also caused the Mu Emperor to reflect deeply for a long time.

Before the Ancient War, the Dragon God pitied mankind and had long disagreed with the immortals. The disappearance of the Black Flood insignia might be his disappointment in the Mu Emperor, believing he had once again taken the old path of Ling Mountain.

But he has his helplessness; Mu State, since its founding, has been deeply bound to Ling Mountain, making it impossible to sever ties for the sake of the Black Flood insignia.

He knows much of what Jiuyou says is correct, because he too has deeply felt it.

However, Mu State's stance and actions cannot be immediately changed merely because of his one or two moments of realization.

He Lingchuan also knows he will not answer this question, so he shifted instead: "In any case, I will diligently seek the secrets of primordial force; there is still time."

"The power of immortals has long been proven by time; the primordial force you hope for remains illusory to this day." The Mu Emperor glanced at him: "Are you really that confident?"

He Lingchuan knows his background, knows he cannot easily escape his position, and knows people tend to believe what they wish to believe; thus he smiled and said:

"Then let us conduct an experiment, make a wager. Xinjun may continue the old system, taking Ling Mountain as the ultimate power; I, on the other hand, will devote myself to gathering and cultivating the strength of all beings, to see if it can become one of our final bulwarks against the heavenly demons."

The Mu Emperor nodded slightly: "Good."

Different paths may yet lead to the same destination.

"Xinjun has always been far-sighted and visionary—I greatly admire him—but stance often determines attitude and vision. You actively engage the world, unwilling to discard your original heavenly cultivation, unwilling to stain yourself with the rolling dust of mortality—surely this is because you do not wish your original stance to cloud your judgment?"

When He Lingchuan spoke these words, he stroked the corner of his brow.

He pressed his index and middle fingers together, stroking from the brow's center to its tip, then pressing the temples.

Upon seeing this, the Mu Emperor's gaze froze.

Why did Jiuyou suddenly make this gesture? Is it his own habit, or……

Hmm, or perhaps Jiuyou heard of it from the Mu State court?

This is the Mu Emperor's signature gesture; it should not be hard to inquire about.

But the Mu Emperor clearly knows in his heart it is not that simple. Especially since Jiuyou once wrote to him mentioning he would regularly bestow Ming Deng grass in the future.

By bringing this up specifically, he shows he understands the importance of Ming Deng grass.

Now he again speaks of stance, of engaging the world, of his original heavenly cultivation.

Hmm……has he seen through it?

The Mu Emperor smirked. No wonder Jiuyou today wishes to discuss laws, heavenly demons, primordial force, and Ling Mountain with him—he has seen through his true identity.

He chuckled lightly: "It sounds as if you understand me better than I understand myself."

"Xinjun has forsaken his immortal body, not hesitating to fall into the mortal realm to seek the Dao through himself. The karmic burdens other immortals avoid, you also accept as sweet. Such magnanimity and breadth—Qianhuan True Person would not be worthy to even hold your boots." He Lingchuan rose, clasped his hands in salute: "He Lingchuan feels deep admiration!"

He laid it all bare.

This match by the Zhaoxi Bank is none other than the founding emperor pitted against the founding emperor, heroes of a thousand ages against an unparalleled mighty one.

Their breadth, insight, and will—only they can truly understand each other; the rest cannot grasp even a fraction.

"Not at all." The Mu Emperor remained seated, unmoving, his eyes holding only curiosity: "How did you come to know?"

This matter can be called Mu State's greatest secret; fewer than three know of it.

Now, Jiuyou the Great Emperor must be counted as well.

Such a shocking secret, heard of by few, was casually revealed in the conversation between the two emperors.

"The aberrant Ming Deng grass within the Carefree Sect, after being irrigated with black dragon blood, can be crafted into special Ming Deng lamps." He Lingchuan smiled faintly: "They can pierce the fog of fetal memory and help retain one's recollections during possession."

Whether it is fetal attachment or possession, in the end one uses another's memories to overwrite the original self, and one must still pass through the fetal memory fog. Some practitioners lose themselves directly, becoming like scattered soul and spirit; the victim suffers nothing, only occasionally dreaming or having strange fragments or images flash in the mind—seemingly familiar but never actually experienced.

That is the practitioner's residual memory.

Some practitioners succeed, but the transplanted memories inevitably develop blurs or gaps. Zhu Erniang, having shed her shell several times—equivalent to possession—has failed to recover many memories.

The Mu Emperor let out a low "Heh."

Relying on just this clue? Impossible.

Thinking of Jiuyou the Great Emperor's close ties with the Great Square Vase, perhaps he obtained the clue from there?

But since He Lingchuan does not speak, he will not press further.

He Lingchuan casually asked: "Over the past hundred or more years, has no one discovered this secret?"

"Yes. It simply has not been spread abroad."

The Mu Emperor said this lightly, and He Lingchuan did not ask about the fate of those people.

There is no need to ask.

The Mu Emperor's demeanor is calm, neither startled nor alarmed; He Lingchuan likewise does not worry he will suddenly act out.

The higher the position, the fewer the worries.

He is already Jiuyou the Great Emperor; setting aside whether the Mu Emperor could succeed in a covert strike, once he acts, he will shatter the hard-won friendly relations between the two great powers.

He Lingchuan deliberately exposed this matter, not to show off, but because he too has a question:

"Regarding the Ming Deng lamp, I still have one thing to ask."

The person opposite is the actual user of the Ming Deng lamp, and has used it more than once—his practical experience is the richest.

The Mu Emperor nodded slowly, meaning: go ahead and ask.

"Besides piercing the fetal mystery, what other uses does this Ming Deng lamp have?"

The Red General needs the Ming Deng lamp, and his purpose surely differs from the Mu Emperor's, so its use naturally differs as well.

"Whether one says it can pierce the fetal mystery or says it has other uses, the essential function of this Ming Deng lamp is singular: to awaken the preserved memories and prevent their loss!" The Mu Emperor lightly tapped his own temple with his index finger: "You are you precisely because your experiences differ from others', and these experiences ultimately settle in your memory."

Thank you to 3TNT for the enthusiastic reward~~~