Chapter 2631: Again, the Work of the Great Shaman

Xu Shichu sighed, "But the other side had already made preparations, and Ling Mountain did not succeed."

He Lingchuan heard this and wore a look of disdain: "Ling Mountain is too gentle, having its foundation overturned by others, and merely supporting opposing forces to take revenge?"

But he understood in his heart that Ling Mountain's consistent principle has always been to avoid entanglement in worldly warfare and refuse to personally engage.

"Moreover, Bekka has launched several fierce attacks on the Shahe River basin; although the Xin family held their ground, the losses were significant. It can be seen that Bekka's next strategic focus will be on the Shahe River basin, aiming to eliminate another important foothold of Ling Mountain in this world."

"Additionally, over these years Ling Mountain has dispatched immortals to assassinate several high-ranking officials of the Heavenly Palace, and Bekka has similarly lost several generals at their hands. As retaliation—" Xu Shichu continued slowly, "the Heavenly Palace has excavated many immortal abodes, obtaining numerous corpses for the gods. I do not know how they obtained the list, but likely there is a traitor within Ling Mountain."

He paused: "Over the past five years, conflicts between Ling Mountain and the Heavenly Palace have been continuous, both major and minor, but the main points are as above."

"In other words, over these past few years, Ling Mountain and Bekka have involuntarily come into direct confrontation?" He Lingchuan mused, "For Ling Mountain, this is absolutely not a good choice; perhaps they wish to retreat."

Ling Mountain and Bekka have already engaged in direct confrontation many times, with the outcomes laid bare, so later they focused on cultivating forces like Panlongcheng to cause trouble for the Heavenly Palace and Bekka, while retreating into the background. This method is far superior—avoiding bloody frontline slaughter while maintaining their lofty status.

This is Ling Mountain's most comfortable range; when it finds that direct confrontation with Bekka yields no advantage, it may wish to retreat.

He Lingchuan clearly understands the historical trajectory in reality, and also knows one thing:

Ling Mountain, represented by Qianhuan, likely sold Panlong as a strategic ploy to divert the attention of the gods and Bekka, buying more time for the rise of the Xin clan in the Shahe River basin. After all, for Ling Mountain, Panlong is an ungrateful white-eyed wolf; where would there be the comfort of a kingdom established by immortals themselves?

The founding emperor of Mu State, Xin Yi, was himself an immortal of Ling Mountain.

Zhong Shengguang asked He Lingchuan: "What do you think?"

It has been a long time since I asked this boy this question.

"Ling Mountain betrayed us, wishing to retreat into the background—then we cannot let it have its way." He Lingchuan spoke not in anger, but merely stated the facts: "Panlong must stubbornly hold it down, press it into the water, not allowing it to easily come ashore!"

He clearly understood that Bekka cannot pour all its strength into Panlong, for this place cannot bear it.

Zhong Shengguang rejoiced: "Good, you are still you."

The Tiger Wing General slept for five years, waking without changing his core.

After only a few words of conversation, Zhong Shengguang could confirm.

After discussing the situation, He Lingchuan turned to Xu Shichu, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Xu Shichu knew what he wanted to ask, revealing an enlightened smile:

"Four days ago, Sun Fuzi went to Bohou to handle some matters. Calculating the time, she will return in a few days. Cough, during your coma, Sun Fuzi has been attentively caring for you. When she returns, you must thank her properly."

"I will!" He Lingchuan nodded repeatedly.

Unable to see the person he most wishes to see, he feels a little disappointed, for he must soon depart again. War has no fixed numbers, unknown when he will return to the city. But the Panlong world has reopened for him; he can only console himself, not rushing, for reunion will come sooner or later.

State affairs come first, personal feelings later.

The future is long.

He opened the door, and Zhong Shengguang and Xu Shichu departed first.

During wartime, they are occupied with duties, having little leisure time.

He Lingchuan then turned to Zhao Mantu:

"I never expected, again it is the great shaman who summoned me awake."

Zhao Mantu wondered: "Where does this 'again' come from?"

He Lingchuan smiled without speaking.

He had just crossed over into this real world; his original self was pounced upon by a leopard demon and fell from a cliff, unconscious for a long time. According to He Chuanhua, he was rescued by the great shaman of Zhao Mantu.

This time he fell unconscious in the Panlong world for five years, and finally was also "awakened" by the great shaman.

Different times, different eras, the same person.

Is this coincidence, or fate?

At his critical moments, why is it always this great shaman who initiates the awakening?

Zhao Mantu did not dwell on this, saying leisurely:

"Before summoning the general to awaken today, a mirage appeared in the eastern part of the city. The king asked me, and I said it was an excellent omen. Indeed, the awakening process went very smoothly; today is truly a good day."

"A mirage?" He Lingchuan startled, "Now?"

"Not bad." Zhao Mantu turned and walked outward, "Climb high and you can see."

Hu Min and others waited outside, still having tasks; He Lingchuan let them go first, himself donning a cloak and following Zhao Mantu out of the godman's hut.

Gazing at Zhao Mantu's white-clad, fluttering back, He Lingchuan suddenly felt an impulse, wanting to punch him in the back to see his reaction.

This fellow is too mysterious.

The great shaman suddenly spoke: "General, upon waking, do you feel dizzy or uncomfortable anywhere?"

"Not bad." He Lingchuan turned his wrist, "Where should I feel uncomfortable?"

He suppressed the impulse to punch.

"You lay for five years; if you were an ordinary person, your muscles and fascia would atrophy, walking weak and powerless, as if nearing death." The great shaman laughed, "But the general has abundant qi and blood, not ordinary at all."

He Lingchuan let out a faint snort: "By the way, how was the divine status of Huanle Shen handled?"

"With me." Zhao Mantu did not conceal it, "As payment for awakening you, the king bestowed that divine status upon me."

He Lingchuan noticed his wording was "bestowed" rather than "granted."

This indicates that Zhong Shengguang handed over the divine status to Zhao Mantu with a good attitude; perhaps it also shows that Zhao Mantu subconsciously believes Zhong Shengguang lacks the qualification to "grant" him?

"With that divine status, can one freely wander through others' dreams?"

"Not only that." Zhao Mantu said, "It also has many wonderful uses. Dreams lie between the virtual and the real, infinitely mysterious."

Zhao Mantu exited his godman's shop, walked a few dozen steps, then turned into the tailor's shop on the same street.

Due to terrain limitations, the shop fronts on the old street are not large, but can expand upward. This tailor's shop originally had only two stories; after securing the Maohe Plain in Panlongcheng, business became increasingly prosperous, not only taking over the neighboring shop but also adding an attic.

Zhao Mantu greeted the shop owner, then brought He Lingchuan up to the roof, as familiar as entering his own kitchen.

The three-story building in Panlongcheng is not tall, but this angle happens to be unobstructed to the east, allowing distant viewing.

Today is half cloudy, half sunny; sunlight only fell on half the city, the other half under overcast clouds.

Zhao Mantu pointed east: "Look."

Above the eastern sky, deep within the clouds and mist, there was indeed a large city clearly visible!

(End of Chapter)