Chapter 2505

The Earth Mother, however, said: "I can trace back the events that occurred within the Du Zhi Mountain Secret Realm. When you faced the past Shangguan Biao, you gave him two choices, rather than holding a blade to his throat and forcing him to harvest the Wind Dew Golden Lotus. Hmph, anyone else would surely have done that, but you still wanted to point out a way out for the past Shangguan Biao."

"Moreover, in Shangguan Biao's Void Realm, when the heavenly thunder struck, you even allowed the spirit behind you to hide beneath your own armor! So, you are at least far more reliable, far more trustworthy, and also... far more benevolent than Shangguan Biao."

Huh? The Blood Demon pointed at itself, "The spirit behind you" refers to it?

Having lived this many years, the Earth Mother at least knows one thing:

Judging a person's character must be based on facts, not merely on what they say, but on what they have done in the past.

Words can deceive, but facts cannot.

Actually, there is one more important point, which the Earth Mother did not say.

Shangguan Biao, who would not hesitate to join forces with the Great Heavenly Demon just to eliminate someone, must be a true powerhouse!

After Jia Lou Tian entered the Void Realm, he only glanced at the Earth Mother a few times before focusing all his attention on Jiu You, indicating that this person truly regards him as a formidable rival.

Rather than saying the Earth Mother trusts He Lingchuan's sincerity, it is more accurate to say it is more convinced by his strength.

The strong are always more likely to earn people's trust and reliance.

"All things contend for freedom; this is the Heavenly Dao. You were first controlled by Changfeng Valley, then detained by Shangguan Biao, deprived of freedom for thousands of years—this already violates heavenly principle, and I cannot bear nor wish to continue detaining you. Moreover, I once promised you: as long as you join me in eliminating Shangguan Biao, I will return your freedom."

The Earth Mother blinked, striving to digest his words.

During the previous battle against Shangguan Biao, Jiu You the Great Emperor had indeed made such a promise, but at that time the battle rhythm was tense, and he did not swear an oath then.

Now he can renege on it, and is fundamentally not bound by the oath's power.

So, can it truly regain its freedom?

He Lingchuan held the Stone Heart, swaying it a few times before her, and said clearly, "The Stone Heart can be returned to you. However, my Panlong Ancient City has been annexed by Yujing City, so you must first return it to me."

The Earth Mother waited a long time, but no further words came, and she stared blankly: "Just like that?"

This person is willing to return the Stone Heart to her, and without additional conditions?

That doesn't make sense.

The humans I know are not like this.

"Yes, just like that. You must also promise me that henceforth you will never invade the lands and subjects of Cangyan." He Lingchuan continued, "Furthermore, through the earlier Secret Realm battle, Panlong Ancient City and Yujing City have become deeply intertwined; separating them is not easy."

The Earth Mother replied without hesitation: "I will give you the entire Yujing City."

"Is Yujing City not built from your body? For the past several thousand years, Shangguan Biao has been doing exactly this, binding your torso deeply with Yujing City." Zhu Xiuer interjected, "If you try to detach it, you will inevitably suffer great harm to your vital energy. It's like a human cutting off both hands and feet—no one knows how long it would take to recover."

The Earth Mother gazed at this expanse of drifting red mist in the forest: "If I can exchange this body for freedom, any price is worth it."

It has been imprisoned for far too long, and can no longer resist the temptation of freedom.

The Blood Demon emerged, opening its mouth to strike at her weakness: "You can dismantle Yujing City and leave on your own, but your power will be severely weakened, and without three to five hundred years, you cannot fully recover. During this period, you will be very fragile—like, like a turtle that has lost its shell; even if it can live, it will move haltingly. Not to mention another Shangguan Biao appearing, even a few heavenly demons would be too much for you to withstand."

"They will pursue you to the ends of the earth for your jade, and then you will lose the hard-won freedom." Zhu Xiuer also warned, "Never underestimate the abilities of the heavenly demons."

Dong Rui listened quietly, thinking, "Near ink, one becomes black"—even the elder lady has learned bad habits: if the Earth Mother becomes weak and does not bind herself to Panlong Ancient City and the Great Great Great Fanghu, why would the heavenly demons still chase her relentlessly? Don't they have more important things to do?

But the Earth Mother apparently had not considered this. She fell silent for a long while, glanced at the Spider Queen, then at the Blood Demon, and her gaze returned to He Lingchuan:

"You just don't want to let me go, do you?"

The great demons and monsters taking turns on stage are merely accompanying Jiu You the Great Emperor in his performance.

This stone-headed fellow is not too dull after all. Since he understood the implied meaning, He Lingchuan also spoke openly: "I also give you two choices, alright?"

Why say "also"? Because the Earth Mother clearly knows what happened inside the Du Zhi Mountain Secret Realm.

Jiu You the Great Emperor showed considerable mercy toward Shangguan Biao during his menial period, so the Earth Mother also felt a spark of interest:

"Oh? Do tell."

"The first option: you leave Panlong Ancient City behind, we go our separate ways, from now on we forget each other in the rivers and lakes, and each follows their own destiny."

He Lingchuan raised a second finger:

"The second option: you also need not dismantle Panlong Ancient City or Yujing City, you can retain your strength to the greatest extent, and even in the future you may wander the world, going wherever you wish."

Ah? The second option can also be this free? Then who would still choose the first?

The Earth Mother stared blankly and asked: "You won't restrict my movements?"

"If I summon you, you must come." He Lingchuan said solemnly, "But you can rest assured, I will not summon you more than three times a year, only for major events will I call upon you. And any consumption incurred during your coming and going will be borne by the Cangyan Empire."

What lenient conditions. The Earth Mother could hardly believe it.

"Moreover, my Panlong Secret Realm is attached to the relic, that is, attached to you, so it will likely devour other secret realms and become the sole secret realm on your back."

The Earth Mother thought for a moment: "Oh, good."

No matter, she will just carry it.

"You also know, I am actually the guardian spirit of the Panlong New Secret Realm, but unlike Shangguan Biao, even if I am ten thousand li away, I can instantly return to the secret realm." He Lingchuan wanted to make these matters clear, "That is to say, I may appear at any time on your back, within Panlong Ancient City."

The Earth Mother wondered: "Why can't Shangguan Biao do that?"

If Shangguan Biao could depart from the Flowing Light Secret Realm, depart from Yujing City, how could he have died with hatred under He Lingchuan's blade?

"Because the foundations for constructing secret realms differ, and he did not receive the aid of the Great Great Great Fanghu."

The foundation of the Panlong New Secret Realm is the Great Evolution Heavenly Pearl, which does not require He Lingchuan, the guardian spirit, to constantly stay by his side.

Once the new secret realm is fully constructed, the new guardian spirit He Lingchuan can take a shortcut, returning to his new secret realm through the Void Realm.

Of course, this requires the Great Great Great Fanghu to build a bridge in between, enabling him to possess the ability to traverse ten thousand li in an instant. If Shangguan Biao knew he had such aid, he would surely be envious to the point of tears.

(End of Chapter)