Jiang Fan pondered for a moment, then said:
"Fallen flowers are not heartless, they turn into spring mud to nurture more flowers."
"Does it refer to the ’spring mud’ in this poem?"
Xingyuan Venerable turned back, smiling at everyone, and looked around.
His gaze seemed to transcend Hunyuan State, seeing the beings of the other eight states.
"Why has Central Earth not perished for ten thousand years, continuously flourishing?"
"It’s because one generation after another sacrifices themselves, transforming into spring mud, nourishing future generations."
"Today, it’s my turn."
Jiang Fan’s eyes reddened slightly, asking, "Isn’t there another way?"
Xingyuan Venerable said calmly, "Perhaps there is."
"But, this is the best opportunity."
"All the Giant Kings of the Heavenly Realm, and the vast majority of Nascent Soul giants, are in Hunyuan State."
"When they die, the giants will never become a threat again."
At this point,
he paused, then said, "By the way, don’t feel guilty for interfering in the Great Wine Sacrifice, which caused the Nine-Day Giant Emperor to target it in advance."
"To lure all the giants to descend upon Hunyuan State, the Great Wine Sacrifice had already decided to expose itself early."
"Without saving you, it would have exposed itself because of something else."
Jiang Fan was dumbfounded.
Only then did he understand that Hunyuan State’s defeat was part of the Spring Mud Plan.
Only by making Hunyuan State the giants’ main battlefield, attracting the main force of the ancient giants, would the Primordial Land Sinking be meaningful.
Rumble—
The tide of ancient giants drew closer.
Led by over a hundred Giant Kings, they charged aggressively towards Wenhai Academy.
Looking out, the towering giants stretched endlessly like mountains.
This was the main force of the Heavenly Giants.
They, unstoppable, would rush to all the states of Central Earth, destroying all living beings.
Xingyuan Venerable went alone outside the array, turning his back to everyone, and said:
"Farewell, friends of Central Earth."
"This school of Wenhai Academy’s restriction was set by an elder I entrusted. After the Primordial Land Sinking, it will protect you by randomly teleporting you to other states."
"I hope, in the future when I’m not here, the mountains and rivers remain unharmed, and time is peaceful."
"I’m going now!"
He leaped up.
The wish fruits buried beneath Wenhai Academy rose into the air, surrounding him as he leaped upwards.
The Vast Energy within him surged out like a tsunami.
Jiang Fan looked up at Xingyuan Venerable, feeling a sting in his nose.
Suddenly, his shoulder felt a slight weight.
It was the forehead of the True Word Venerable leaning on his shoulder.
Soon, a dampness soaked his shoulder.
Jiang Fan said, "Aren’t you going to say a few words to him?"
The True Word Venerable shook her head, speaking with a sob, "He went for the ideals of Confucian Practitioners. I can’t be his worry."
She had already regretted it.
If she had known Xingyuan Venerable would die, perhaps she would have changed her mind and recognized him as her father.
But everything came too suddenly and was too late.
Jiang Fan held her in his arms, saying, "Then take another look at him."
The True Word Venerable hesitated for a moment before slowly raising her head.
Her tearful eyes gazed up at Xingyuan Venerable, murmuring, "Father..."
Many Venerables and those in the Divinity Transformation Realm looked up.
The powerful figures from the Otherworld also gazed upwards, their eyes filled with respect.
Young Master Xiang held a jade goblet, raised it from afar:
"Qingshan buries loyal bones, Central Earth inters heroic souls."