Chapter 2663

Perhaps after fighting a few more battles, internal integration within the army would be faster, but this army's elemental power is inferior to that of the Tiger Wing Army, which is nearly as solid as iron.

He Lingchuan thought for a moment, then added further: "I think there's more to it than that."

"Oh?" As soon as elemental power was mentioned, the Red General became very interested: "What other insights do you have?"

"This so-called 'supporting the lower from above' probably requires going deep into the populace and the military, understanding what the people urgently need and alleviating their livelihood concerns, solving problems practically and efficiently, rather than staying in the high halls and talking emptily about loving the people as one's own children without putting it into practice.

Simply put, we need to be pragmatic, not sentimental. People don't want empty pity from those in power; they just want solutions to problems.

"That is truly what 'unity of upper and lower' means." Only then is there positive feedback: "Panlong achieved it, but Bekka falls far short. Therefore, even though Bekka has greater area, national strength, troop numbers, and magical artifacts than us, its elemental power still cannot catch up to Panlong's."

Many factors determine elemental power, and the fact that Panlong's elemental power surpasses Bekka's shows that the leaders of Panlong, headed by Zhong Shengguang, have indeed poured their hearts and blood for the people of the wilderness.

After listening, the Red General remained silent for a long time before sighing:

"The Black Dragon God Sovereign went to great trouble, ultimately opening another path for us and for all beings."

It is neither the immortal way nor the demonic path, but rather governance by man.

Yet this path is too elusive and too difficult to walk. He Lingchuan shuttles between two worlds, penetrates ancient and modern, yet still feels the road ahead is rugged and sees no light.

"The Dragon God is merely the founder; it fulfilled its own grand vow. This path, going forward, still requires you and me to continue pioneering." He Lingchuan also sighed deeply: "Knowing is easy, acting is hard. Even if others have grasped this secret of elemental power, they still find it difficult to improve their own elemental power level."

Even if one grasps the rules, not everyone can apply them, as there is a saying: 'strength falls short.'

This 'mutual interaction between upper and lower' that elemental power relies on is about both intention and conduct; if it does not arise from the heart and manifest in outward form, then no matter how many feints one makes, it does little to help improve elemental power itself.

"If our elemental power could be enhanced just a little more, that would be wonderful." He Lingchuan stood up, stretched lazily, "I fear we have not yet exhausted the secrets of elemental power, and we do not know how many more factors still influence its strength or weakness."

"Elemental power is still developing and changing." The Red General said seriously, "Hopefully, within limited time, it will evolve to become increasingly advantageous for us."

He Lingchuan also understands, which explains why the Red General places such importance on Bai Yishan's treason and defection: Panlong's war foundation is inferior to Bekka's, and if elemental power declines further, the later battles will be impossible to fight.

Bai Yishan's betrayal is a serious warning, like suddenly finding a cockroach in the house—rest assured, in the unseen corners of the house, there is already a nest of cockroaches.

The existence and actions of such people will not only unsettle military morale but also affect the manifestation of elemental power.

The Red General reminded He Lingchuan: "Bekka has been attacking Dragon Throat Pass for months without success; it will surely launch a full-scale effort to open a second offensive focus, namely the southern wilderness. You there lack the natural barrier of Dragon Throat Pass to defend, making it much harder. Moreover—"

Even someone like her, the Panlong Army Spirit, couldn't help but let out a breath: "Such an offensive probably has no end, unless we apply sufficient pressure on Bekka."

"Even if you drive back from Dragon Throat Pass to the Mao River Plain, then retake the Mao River trade route, the Lingxu Holy Sovereign will not relent." He Lingchuan was clear-headed: "His target is the Great Vessel, and he is utterly determined. Without obtaining the vessel, Bekka will not cease its attacks."

"If someone else said this, I would think them desperate." But the Red General knows him well: "What do you think?"

"I think, in fact, there is someone who can stop the Lingxu Holy Sovereign, who can interrupt or even end this war." He Lingchuan corrected himself: "Well, actually, it shouldn't be called a person."

The Red General thought for a long time before asking him:

"Who?"

"The Bekka Demon Emperor." He Lingchuan said word by word: "The Lingxu Holy Sovereign's attack on Panlong still must go through Bekka to be realized."

The Red General seemed not too surprised, only asking further: "Why would he defy the Lingxu Holy Sovereign?"

"Since Bekka established its state, successive Demon Emperors have wanted to escape the control of the Lingxu crowd, and this one is no exception. Moreover, the longstanding grudge between Bekka's Wang Ting and the Heavenly Palace has existed for ages." He Lingchuan analyzed: "For over a year, Panlong has actively sent envoys to negotiate with Bekka's Wang Ting, precisely to further sever their connection—only we have yet to find the right breakthrough. I heard from Mr. Wen that the Demon Emperor seems intent on directing his subjects' hostility toward the Heavenly Palace and the Heavenly Demon, accumulating resentment."

"Whether or not the Demon Emperor harbors dissatisfaction in his heart, but he is constrained by the Twelve Vassal Demon Kings and dares not lightly defy the Lingxu Holy Sovereign."

"That's right." He Lingchuan's eyes flashed, his tone shifting abruptly: "I'm just thinking, if this war continues, perhaps Bekka's internal problems will surface first."

"……" After a while, the Red General asked him: "You really only thought of this?"

This brat must be hatching some crooked scheme.

He Lingchuan rubbed his nose: "Really. Sometimes, if you can endure, a turning point will come. Besides, Ling Mountain isn't dead either; it can always divert some of Bekka's firepower for us."

"Ling Mountain? Hmph."

After saying that, the Red General fell silent.

She seems to have inherited Mi Tian's disdain for Ling Mountain.

The Red Falcon rolled its eyes, flapped its wings.

The call ended.

Although the Red General clearly sensed there was more behind He Lingchuan's words, since he refused to speak plainly, she also did not press.

She seems aloof, but in fact she understands deeply. Some things, some matters, cannot be spoken, only acted upon.

He Lingchuan took out jerky, tore it into strips, and fed it to the Red Falcon.

Although the great battle is imminent, his mood is excellent.

Another major secret of elemental power, the Red General finally figured it out, and told him without reservation!

From now on, he will know how to better utilize elemental power in combat.

As for how to stir up Bekka's internal turmoil, he already has a plan in mind.

……

Ying Bird Plain.

The plain got its name because four or five species of Ying birds inhabit it, with a total number reaching hundreds of thousands; once they take flight in a flock, the sight is overwhelming and magnificent.

Moreover, the Ying birds are highly alert, easily startled, and at the slightest fright, hundreds or thousands take off with a rustling sound.

They are natural sentinels, so Hu Min said that the Ying Bird Plain is a natural barrier difficult for Bekka people to pass through quietly.

Its area exceeds ten thousand hectares, with a north-south width of eighty li; for the Panlong Wilderness to the south, it is a rare open expanse.

He Lingchuan had calculated before: if using Dong Rui's snail toads to transport soldiers, each can carry at most ten or so people, and crossing the Ying Bird Plain one way would take at least half an hour, so moving an entire army would require……