Chapter 2621

"I always feel like some key condition hasn't been found, or perhaps this is the will of heaven?" Wan Qi Feng muttered, "But even if the heavenly demons wear human skins, they cannot use elemental power—this truly lets one breathe a sigh of relief."

This is also confirmed good news. After the descent of the heavenly demon gods, even if the skins themselves possess elemental power, once they possess a body, the elemental power will instantly vanish.

"Elemental power originates from the Black Dragon God Sovereign. He resisted the heavenly demons most steadfastly—how could he allow elemental power to be directly stolen by them?" He Lingchuan said slowly, "Now all nations are researching it, but elemental power is not so easily comprehended."

At this moment he recalled the Red General.

The Red General could freely use elemental power during Zhong Wuhuan's time, in the Great Wind Army; but once Mietian descended upon her, her elemental power would instantly fail—even though she had a deep connection with the Great Square Vessel, the vessel showed her no leniency.

Although the Black Dragon God Sovereign had told Zhong Shengguang that to master the secret of elemental power, one key was to align with the heavenly heart!

What does this mean?

He Lingchuan pondered carefully, having practiced for many years, and actually already had some insights.

Wan Qi Feng glanced at him secretly, always feeling that the Emperor had already grasped the essence of it, yet had never spoken of it to anyone.

He is the one person in the entire Cangyan Empire with the deepest elemental power.

Just then, the door of the Imperial Study was knocked upon.

Sun Hongye arrived, his body full of frost chill.

Seeing his hurried arrival, Wan Qi Feng immediately took his leave.

"Your Majesty!" Sun Hongye bowed first, then immediately said, "Baling and Shen State have gone to war."

He Lingchuan's pen paused in his hand:

"Who struck first?"

"This, hard to say." Sun Hongye nodded, "For years the two nations' borders have had friction. According to reports, Li Fangnian, the governor of Baling's border city, had his son wounded by arrows during a patrol, who died untreated; the governor, enraged, sent troops to attack two border towns of Shen State. This incident quickly became the spark for war between the two nations, and it has only been about one and a half months."

"Who now has the upper hand?"

"From the information I've received, both sides are still fighting fiercely, each with gains and losses."

"Over these years, the King of Shen has governed diligently, Shen State's troops are strong and horses sturdy, and it has allied with several small states. Baling, however, remains deeply wary, and border conflicts between the two sides never cease." He Lingchuan mused, "Behind Shen State is the Sharili Heaven, especially He Chunhua, who has received strong support from Naraka Heaven—money and manpower both available. Baling, on the other hand, feels somewhat listless, relying only on itself, wanting to match Shen State in strength, but it is not easy."

He Chunhua governed well; Shen State, since its founding, seized the opportunity and greatly expanded its territory, its land area now several times larger, making it one of the major powers today.

And as the spiritual qi of heaven and earth revives, small states find it increasingly hard to sustain themselves, forced to cling to great powers for survival. Some small states and tribes directly joined Shen State, while others sought protection through treaties, such as Shen State now being the leader of the Seven Nations Alliance, becoming an undeniable strong force northwest of Bekka.

It also received support from Sharili Heaven, and abroad is already called "Little Bekka."

The person who gave it this title may not have good intentions, after all Shen State lies right on Bekka's border, but Shen State's rapid rise is plain for all to see.

And in He Lingchuan's view, Baling was founded over two hundred years ago; as an old nation, its outdated burdens are not few, and adapting to new environments is difficult. Although the Baling King strives to reform, the results of his governance are far less precise and effective than He Chunhua's.

Of course, neighboring states may not have the vision of the Nine Abyssal Great Emperor, only seeing that Baling's territory remains large, its domestic generals numerous, and its people's lives still better than those of small-state citizens, thus feeling Baling's foundation remains strong.

Only after truly fighting a few battles can one see who is superior.

The outcome of war will not be falsified.

"The Emperor is wise. According to frontline reports, Baling's special weapons are also abundant, and the way its commanders lead troops in battle also follows the Bekka tradition, showing at least long training in Bekka." Sun Hongye's intelligence work is still solid, "Baling also has several immortals; if the war intensity further increases, it is not excluded that immortals will also join the fight."

"Rather than saying Baling is dissatisfied with Shen State, it is better to say Bekka intends to stir trouble." He Lingchuan understood clearly in his heart, "Baling has used a hundred-year-old basic national policy; now the Baling King wants to abandon it? His resolve is insufficient."

The Xianyou State perished long ago, destroyed in the third year after the fall of Panlong Ancient City, while its contemporary Baling has survived to this day—an important reason being that the rulers practiced flexible external governance, emphasizing adaptability, handling all sides smoothly, and worldly wisdom.

It neither stiffened its neck like Xianyou to shout at Panlongcheng, nor completely relied on Bekka's support and protection; it could be used by Bekka as a blade, yet did not lose its autonomous traits—Bekka always found it slippery, wanting to give it a harsh lesson, but sometimes it is truly useful.

Before Bekka such a great power, the grasp of bearing, measure, and timing is crucial.

The former Baling was precisely striving to maintain this balance, thus surviving safely to the present.

"As worldly affairs grow ever more complex, the Baling King likely also has the will but lacks the strength." Sun Hongye also spoke objectively, "Now the three powers stand in balance, immortals and demons run rampant, and the survival of small and medium states is ever more difficult. Due to Shen State's strong rise, Baling's space is further squeezed, forcing it to lean more toward Bekka."

Baling wants more support from Bekka, wants to borrow more strength from Bekka, and itself can only give more.

Autonomy must be reduced.

Thus the Nine Abyssal Great Emperor said, the Baling King's resolve is insufficient.

To firmly walk one's own path—how difficult a thing this is, whether for a person or a state.

"This time the two nations' war indeed resembles Bekka's handiwork in stirring trouble." He Lingchuan mused, "Bekka has had no time these past years to deal with Shen State, but does not wish to see it grow strong; behind it, the Lingxu Crowd has turned against Sharili Heaven and become enemies. Hah, even heaven is at war—how could earth escape?"

After the incident at the Lingyun Palace, the world again welcomed the periodic eruptions of Emperor's Flowing Elixir, lasting over a year, again ruining the beauty of the human world.

This shows how turbulent the heavenly realm is.

"You see, which nation can win?"

He Lingchuan knows He Chunhua's ability all too well:

"Just looking at the two states' own strength, Shen State is certain to win. It is a rising star—whether in the king's governance, military and national conditions, or economic vitality, it far surpasses the old-established Baling."

Old age has its drawbacks; old things inevitably decay, chronic ailments hard to heal.

"But with Bekka's involvement, the outcome is hard to predict. After all, Bekka lies right beside Shen State." The greatest misfortune of the ancient Panlongcheng was its proximity to Bekka, while Shen State, having inherited Panlong's territory, shares the same vulnerability. Only in the past ten or so years has its fortune been far better than Panlongcheng's.