Chapter 2961

He single-handedly founded the vast Mu Kingdom, accomplishing a feat no immortal had ever achieved before—this was due not only to his personal efforts but also to his experiences and insights gained during his travels in Panlongcheng.

Xiao Hanzi listened with a hint of curiosity: "Tell me, what guidance did you receive back then?"

"Is there a secret to forging iron cavalry and mighty armies? Though the Great Wind Army of old and the current Cangyan Army are indeed rare iron-blooded forces. These two before us are renowned generals who have traversed battlefields—they must have their own unique methods of training troops."

"The Red General said: 'Sacrifice life and forget death—every battle must begin thus!'"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hanzi nodded and sighed:

"Indeed."

"There is no quick way to govern an army—the principle is simple, everyone understands it, yet no one can truly put it into practice."

Xin Wuhuan continued with emotion: "But seeing old friends again today feels somehow different from before."

In the past, the Red General's sharpness was exposed like a drawn sword—just one more glance could easily cut you;

Now Sun Fuling's aura is inwardly restrained, like the deep abyss of a hidden dragon—though not ostentatious, it makes one feel unfathomable.

Undoubtedly, the Red General has grown stronger.

This transformation comes from within and without.

Sun Fuling said lightly: "Those who have died once usually gain greater clarity."

She has had two hundred years to slowly settle and reflect—naturally, she is vastly different from the Red General of old, who was solely focused on combat.

Xin Wuhuan then said to He Lingchuan: "Recently, major events have followed one after another. On my way back to Ling Mountain, I already felt the upheaval of heaven and earth, then heard of the great battle at Kunlong Ravine; in a few days, your Copper Water invitation will arrive, asking me to meet the Bei Jia Jiao Emperor. I discussed it with Brother Xiao Dao, and we agreed I should meet you in advance—so I came rushing over."

They are all true immortals, possessing spiritual sensitivity to heaven and humanity. The heavenly and earthly changes caused by the Great Vase entering the world could not escape their perception. Though these great immortals may not know the exact variables, they can sense that many principles in the dark have shifted—worthy of investigation. Thus, Ling Mountain deemed it necessary to meet the source of all this: the Nine Abysses Great Emperor and the Red General, to have a proper conversation.

After all, worldly affairs flow like water, and all beings are fish within it—any slight change in water temperature or current affects their survival. Those with the ability to oversee from a high position naturally wish to guard against unforeseen dangers.

Before their arrival, they had already greeted He Lingchuan, so he pointed toward the north: "This place is too open and empty—let us enter the city to talk in detail."

What lies to the north? Naturally, it is Panlongcheng.

The terrain of Bai Sha Bay is long and narrow, surrounded by water on three sides—of course, there is no space for the Earth Mother to land.

So the Earth Mother simply let the plain float upon the sea surface, masquerading as an archipelago, facing Bai Sha Bay's northern cape across the water, separated by no more than a hundred zhang. Sun Fuling walked to the cape, stamped her foot toward the reef, and the seawater before her instantly surged upward, parting to both sides.

Gray-white granite rose from the seabed, swiftly forming a bridge.

The bridge surface was covered with gray-white shells and barnacles, even a few crabs scurried across in haste, leaping into the water before anyone could walk upon it. "Please."

Thus, amidst the gurgling sound of water, the two true immortals strolled along the long bridge and finally stepped onto the legendary Earth Mother Plain.

Here, the mountains, rivers, and land are indistinguishable—May's grass grows and gulls fly, draping the plain in a verdant veil; in the distance, farmers busy themselves sowing seeds in the fields, while joyful wildflowers bloom across the meadow, stretching from the waterfall all the way beneath our feet.

A scene of vibrant life.

Who would have thought that half a month ago, this very place was the main battlefield where immortals and demons clashed with the Nine Abysses Great Emperor?

Who would have thought that half a month ago, divine powers and ultimate techniques flew wildly here, shattering mountains and cities into fragments?

The power of the Earth Mother nearly erased all war scars left upon the plain, yet people still encounter some large pits—though overgrown with flowers and grass, they remain the Earth Mother's deliberate war medals left for herself.

In the distance lies a stretch of low hills, where a massive green stone tombstone stands, inscribed: "Heroes of Kunlong Ravine," surrounded by encircling pines, with a clear spring flowing before the hill.

It is rare to see such a neatly arranged burial mound, especially one located on the Earth Mother's back. He Lingchuan saw Xiao Hanzi gazing and pointed: "The heroic garrison soldiers who died in the Plain War are all buried here. The adjacent forest of steles lists their names—two thousand two hundred thirty-one in total, belonging to Cangyan and Shen State." In the Kunlong Ravine War, the Cangyan garrison and the Shen State army led by He Yue suffered over two thousand casualties, with He Yue himself dying heroically. After the war, Shen State retrieved He Yue's remains and most of the soldiers' bones, but some were too damaged to identify, so they were buried alongside the Cangyan martyrs on the Earth Mother Plain.

However, the names on the stele were inscribed only after obtaining the Shen King's consent, recording the martyrs of both states together.

The graves and steles were both built by the people of Panlongcheng.

Often, someone comes spontaneously to offer flowers and fruits.

Few understand the meaning of sacrifice better than the citizens of Panlongcheng.

Xiao Hanzi and Xin Wuhuan gazed from afar at the great mound and high stele, sighing softly.

The peace of this world can only be guarded by sacrifice and blood.

As it was before, so it shall be in the future.

On the plain, many villages and towns are still under construction—travelers come and go, carriages and horses traverse, transporting supplies and building materials, a scene of bustling vigor. This is because the Earth Mother Plain has seen an influx of too many new residents, necessitating new villages and houses, and the reclamation of wasteland.

The dead have long rested, while the living continue to strive.

Naturally, the most eye-catching sight remains Panlongcheng.

Its magnificent southern gate cannot be ignored by anyone.

Even with Xin Wuhuan's disposition, he could not help but let out a long breath:

"I never expected to return here, nor to see these people again."

Standing beneath the southern gate, gazing up at the city walls, even he could not help but feel a surge of emotion.

Back then, he visited Panlongcheng under the name Xin Yi—the southern gate stood just as it does now upon the high plateau, facing the setting sun; beneath the gate, countless civilians and merchants came and went, just as the city guards stood firm, their backs straight.

The unique water system on the southern square still flows with gentle trickles.

Two hundred years of intertwined time—seemingly everything has changed, yet seemingly nothing has changed.

After entering the city gate, He Lingchuan and Sun Fuling put on head coverings to avoid recognition—their two faces are simply too well known in Panlongcheng.

Then they led the two true immortals into the bustling market district, where Xiao Hanzi asked:

"Do these city dwellers come from the same origins as the Red General?"

Panlongcheng had long become a ruin in the depths of the wasteland, utterly deserted; yet the Panlongcheng they now entered is a bustling human world—what a stark contrast. These citizens and soldiers could not have appeared out of thin air.

Xin Wuhuan then asked: "Are their consciousness and behavior just like ordinary people's?"

His gaze was like a torch—of course he could see they are living beings, with flesh and blood.

The only explanation is that they, like the Red General, were originally hidden in another plane—or perhaps this world's other side.