Chapter 2360: The Earth Mother's Inference

Wuyao Shen still saw several strong wolf demons tucking their tails and hiding in the shadows of the buildings.

Inside the city, no demon dared to face the wrath of the Earth Mother directly.

The little stone figure sat down, sank into the city wall, and disappeared.

The two heavenly demons found it unremarkable; this little stone figure was merely an avatar of the Earth Mother, able to appear freely anywhere inside or outside Yujing City.

About half a cup of tea later, the two heavenly demons suddenly heard a commotion in the northern corner of the city; they did not know what was making the wailing cries. Looking over, they saw a large group of demon beasts gathered, noisy and clamorous, with hyena-like demons emitting sharp, piercing laughter.

Clearly, some demon had been "punished," and the others gathered around to watch the spectacle, taking pleasure in others' misfortune.

Soon, the demon beast herd dispersed; Xiyu Shen seemed to see five or six of them dragging bloody limbs in their mouths, while other demons rushed to seize the food, leaving only a few bloodstains on the ground.

It seems that in this Yujing City, nothing is wasted at all.

Then, five one-horned giants escorted two people over.

Having witnessed that scene, these two people were so frightened their eyes bulged out; surrounded by many demons, one of them even wet his pants.

Xiyu Shen wondered: "We brought three people, didn't we? Where is the other one?"

The little stone figure emerged again from the stone wall beside them, speaking stiffly: "Gone."

These two heavenly demons brought three mortals into Yujing City, handing them over to the demons for supervision, but this bunch of calves couldn't resist, secretly stealing and eating one while on duty!

The Earth Mother does not mind them eating people, but she cannot tolerate them acting behind her back!

Therefore, she severely punished those few demons who stole and ate, then brought the remaining two out.

"You, how did you enter the Panlong Ruins?"

These two people knew that not answering meant death: "More than ten years ago, we were stationed at the border garrison of Heishuicheng. When Lord Shen was still the Governor of He Commandery, he and his son, along with two distinguished guests from the Fan Kingdom, entered the Panlong Ruins for adventure. At that time..."

They then recounted the events of that year from beginning to end.

The Earth Mother summarized: "So the He father and son, and the one surnamed Sun, actually entered a Secret Realm through the pool in the ruins?"

"Yes, yes." One of them replied, "Several years later, Governor He was promoted to General He, holding great power. He again brought his eldest son back to Heishuicheng and went once more to the Panlong Ruins. I, too, followed him into that Secret Realm! At that time, there were other troops inside the Secret Realm."

Without the Earth Mother pressing further, he laid everything out fully.

Finally, he said: "Later, He Shaoyou died in battle, the Secret Realm pushed us out, and He Grand General led his troops back to Heishuicheng."

Xiyu Shen added beside them: "This He Lingchuan did not die in battle; he is the later Jiugou Dadi who founded the Cangyan State!"

The Earth Mother's eyes flashed with a faint red light: "So, the He father and son actually entered and exited that Secret Realm safely both times?"

"Correct. Moreover, according to our knowledge, He Lingchuan had the closest relationship with the Great Square Vessel. Although he was far away on the Jin Gold Plains, he might have maintained some kind of close connection across distance with the Great Square Vessel. The He father and son's second return to this Panlong Secret Realm was very likely a trap set by He Lingchuan."

"Among ancient ruins, some also produce such Secret Realms and Illusions. They differ from reality, often being a small fragment of bygone time within a temporal rift, controlled by a guardian spirit." The Earth Mother said slowly, "If what you say is true, then the Great Square Vessel, such a powerful artifact, being tightly bound to this ruined ruin, would mean this Secret Realm is very likely a buffer between the two."

To forcibly bind two things together like this would require a rope or an elastic band. "Corporeal and incorporeal objects being interrelated needs some padding or buffering."

The two heavenly demons both felt this angle was somewhat novel: "You mean?"

Indeed, everything heard in the Panlong Secret Realm sounds like the scene of Panlong City just recently fallen.

Could it not be just a fragment in a temporal rift?

"Think of the original force that controlled the Panlong Wasteland." The Earth Mother analyzed, "This so-called 'Secret Realm' should be the space they opened for themselves to escape the cruelty of reality. And their very existence is also the link connecting the ruins and the Great Square Vessel."

Wuyao Shen sensed the implication; the Earth Mother paid special attention to this "Secret Realm," as if treating it as a breakthrough point:

"You mean, if we destroy this Secret Realm, we can break the connection between the Panlong Ruins and the Great Square Vessel?"

"There is such a possibility." The Earth Mother bared her teeth in a smile, each tooth inlaid with diamonds, gleaming, sharp and transparent, "Why not give it a try?"

"How to do it?"

"Leave the ruins to me; you don't need to worry." The Earth Mother assigned the task, "Once other forces intervene, it will be your turn to deal with them."

The two heavenly demons nodded: "Good!"

"Besides, will Lingxu Shengzun just send the two of you down for nothing?" Not that the Earth Mother looks down on these two little heavenly demons, but if the Lingxu gods do not dispatch stronger forces, then this trip might as well be abandoned.

Wuyao Shen was not angry either: "Rest assured. The power of the Lingxu gods is beyond mortal imagination."

The little stone figure grinned, though his face remained expressionless, yet he gave off an unusually cruel feeling:

"These days, cultivators on the wasteland are increasing, always coming to scout!" He had just killed its flock of blood-sucking sparrows! "Their campsite is usually chosen not far from Heishuicheng. Let's go there first and give them a surprise."

Looking over the entire wasteland, Heishuicheng has the most complete facilities, the most attentive service, and the most people, far surpassing other relay stations and towns. Cultivators would not willingly suffer hardship; Heishuicheng is their first choice. Therefore, these past few days, the immortal density in Heishuicheng has noticeably increased.

Xiyu Shen, however, shook his head: "I was about to tell you, the Panlong Wasteland lies in Shen State, which has sincerely revered the Sharili Heaven for many years. You may occupy the wasteland, but for now, do not disturb Heishuicheng and the southern regions."

The two brothers, one in Sharili Heaven, the other in Lingxu Gods. Naraka Heaven has already informed Xiyu to stop the Earth Mother from launching a great slaughter in Shen State. Otherwise, these evil demons eating people would be counted by the city.

The Earth Mother narrowed her eyes: "Are you teaching me how to act?"

"We will first concentrate our forces to take the Panlong Ruins; other minor matters can wait." Is this Earth Mother just wanting to eat people? Still looking for an excuse. Wuyao Shen felt contempt in his heart but did not show it, "Please, Earth Mother, restrain your subordinates; they running around eating people and causing trouble will easily bring us unnecessary trouble."

"I do not seek trouble, so trouble will not come to me?" The Earth Mother said coldly, "The immortals and cultivators gathered in Heishuicheng are increasing; they staying there are not merely cultivating mind and nature, are they? They are right in the city plotting against me—do I have to sit and wait for death?"