After the fairy disappeared

Chapter 2595 Duanmu Heng's Strategy
Duanmu Heng was right. Afterwards, many powerful figures in the Lingxu Clan lamented the situation. But what was done was done, and the matter had come to this. Taking advantage of the battle in Yujing City, Jiuyou not only killed Shangguan Biao but also subdued the Earth Mother, allowing her to carry away the Panlong Ruins.

From then on, the Panlong Ruins were no longer trapped by the Panlong Desert, and no one could even find it! Even though it was once the weakness of the Nine Nether Emperor, it has now been smoothed over.

The Heavenly Palace already knows that the Earth Mother can use her innate barrier to shield the inside from the outside, and people and things inside the barrier cannot send out even the slightest message.

Therefore, although there are many creatures on the Earth Mother Plain, they are isolated from the world and cannot reveal the location of the Earth Mother to the outside world.

“It is known that the Panlong Ruins are particularly special to the Nine Nether Emperor. As long as something happens to it, the Nine Nether Emperor will definitely rush there,” Duanmu Heng concluded. “In other words, as long as we find the Earth Mother, attack it, and control it, we can just sit back and wait for the Nine Nether Emperor to walk into our trap.”

"Do you have any idea?"

After the Battle of Jade Capital, countless people in the Heavenly Palace studied the Earth Mother's path, but the final conclusion was—

There is no fixed path.

Aside from attacking Lingyun Palace and returning to Cangyan, the Earth Mother's whereabouts are truly capricious, mainly characterized by aimless wandering.

It was brought back to the Immortal Sect to guard the gate when it was young, and was later imprisoned by Shangguan Biao for several thousand years. Despite having such great strength, it was never able to travel far.

The Nine Nether Emperor granted it sufficient permission to go out; the world is so big, it can go and see it all.

Mother Earth wanders so carelessly, she doesn't even know where she's going tomorrow, so the Heavenly Palace has no way of predicting her route.

Moreover, Mother Earth spends most of her time underground, only occasionally surfacing.

Tracking this behemoth is practically an impossible task.

Has Tiangong never tried it?

In a corner unnoticed by anyone, Tiangong had failed many times.

"Yes!" Duanmu Heng swallowed hard, a little nervous, as he got to the important point. "Although Mother Earth travels aimlessly, there are always places she must go."

Only then did the Holy Venerable Lingxu become interested: "Is it absolutely necessary to go?"

"When Jade Capital City fell, many of Shangguan Biao's old subordinates escaped, some of whom had followed him for hundreds of years, and eventually they also joined us," Duanmu Heng said loudly. "I questioned no fewer than a hundred demons from Jade Capital City and extracted a clue from their answers: During the thousands of years that Shangguan Biao controlled the Earth Mother, except for the period when the spiritual energy of heaven and earth declined and the entire city was forced to slumber, every few years Shangguan Biao would manipulate the Earth Mother to go to a different place—"

"Liaotian Plain!"

Lu Yongyan asked on his behalf, "What are you going there for?"

"Shangguan Biao never said it outright, but the monsters knew that the Earth Mother would rise to the surface there and stay quietly for half a month without moving. When they were about to leave, the walls and rocks of Yujing City would turn a bright red."

"This red color will gradually fade over the next ten years or so. By then, Yujing City will once again return to Liaotian Plain."

Does Mother Earth need to absorb anything from Liaotian Plain?

Duanmu Heng paused for a moment, then continued:

"Over the past few months, I have consulted a large number of ancient books, and finally one of them mentioned that the powerful predecessors of Changfeng Valley tamed the Earth Mother there and brought her back to their sect. In other words, Liaotian Plain is the Earth Mother's hometown, and it is very likely her birthplace!"

Lu Yongyan nodded, knowing that he spoke of it casually, but the workload of grading and examining the papers must be astonishing.

The Heavenly Palace contains a vast collection of ancient books, and Duanmu Heng was able to find the information he needed, thanks to both his diligence and exceptional luck.

So what if someone is a genius? The Heavenly Palace has never lacked hardworking and diligent geniuses; they are already among the best of the best. But less than one in a thousand of them are fortunate enough to achieve something and be noticed by the gods.

“That doesn’t make sense, does it?” Seeing that the Holy Venerable Lingxu remained silent, Lu Yongyan immediately asked on His behalf, “When the Earth Mother was serving as the mountain guardian beast in Changfeng Valley, why didn’t she need to return to Liaotian Plain periodically?”

“I’m guessing that because the Earth Mother only guarded the gate and did nothing else when she was in Changfeng Valley, she didn’t need to return to Liaotian Plain regularly. At that time, her burden was very small,” Duanmu Heng replied. “Later, Shangguan Biao took advantage of her characteristics and made her carry a heavy shell, creating Yujing City, which is much larger than an ordinary city. So she had to return to her birthplace to draw nourishment.”

"Liaotian Plain is not a naturally formed landform in the vast world, but a giant meteorite crater created on earth countless years ago when a star fell into the ground," Duanmu Heng continued. "I heard that it is so big that it doesn't even look like a crater. Perhaps the Earth Mother needs the nutrients to maintain the huge city, which is not available anywhere else, forcing her to return to Liaotian Plain to replenish it every once in a while."

Meteorites from outer space occasionally bring substances that do not exist on Earth.

His deduction was quite reasonable, and the Holy Venerable Lingxu finally spoke:

When was the last time Mother Earth ignited the heavens and earth?

“It was exactly eleven years ago.” Duanmu Heng had done his homework in advance to answer the Holy Venerable’s question.

"How much longer will it take for it to return to Liaotian Plain?"

“We can infer from the color of the city walls,” Duanmu Heng replied immediately. “The monsters of Yujing City say that the walls of Yujing City are very light in color, which means that the expiration date is probably approaching.”

He continued, "Two months ago, the Earth Mother appeared in Julu Port of Cangyan Kingdom, causing a sensation and attracting countless onlookers. According to the recollections of more than a dozen eyewitnesses, its city walls were already a dull gray, only showing a few streaks of red in the sunlight, barely noticeable unless you looked closely. Because the soil of Julu Port is brownish-black, it contrasts sharply with the city of the Earth Mother, which is why people noticed it. Based on the confessions of the monsters in Yujing City, it can be deduced that the Earth Mother will have to return to Liaotian Plain in two to five years."

"Very well. Let's begin the preparations then."

After saying this, the Holy Venerable Lingxu fell silent.

Duanmu Heng, sensing the situation, withdrew.

The long corridor and the cool breeze could not extinguish the burning passion in his heart.

He finally met the Supreme Being!

The palace doors slowly closed behind him. Duanmu Heng let out a long sigh and waited quietly once again.

Two quarters of an hour later, Du Yun, the mastermind, finally came out.

As soon as he stepped across the threshold, Duanmu Heng bowed deeply: "My Lordship!"

"You did well today. I can tell that the Holy One appreciates your insights." Lu Yongyan sighed softly. "In this Heavenly Palace, there are too many people who hold positions without doing their jobs, and too few truly capable people."

"Thank you for your help, Master."

The fact that Du Yun arranged for Duanmu Heng to meet the Holy Venerable means that as long as Duanmu Heng gains the Holy Venerable's favor, he will rise to the top in one step!
Many talented people wait their whole lives for this opportunity.

Lu Yongyan smiled slightly, and without any formalities, asked him directly:
"If you were to set up the sniping plan for Liaotian Plains, what do you think would be the most important step?"

Duanmu Heng was overjoyed. It was said that the chief envoy had stayed in the hall for more than two quarters of an hour, which must have been the Holy Emperor giving instructions to make further arrangements based on Duanmu Heng's suggestion today.

This is more than just praise!
Duanmu Heng said seriously, "The most important thing is to do a good job of creating a smokescreen. We must not let the Nine Nether Emperor discover that this plan is set up specifically for him!"

"He thought he was going on a surprise attack or to provide a rescue, but in reality, he was jumping into the trap we had set without hesitation!"

“I have carefully studied the past cases of the Nine Nether Emperor. He is extremely adept at making covert infiltrations and turning the tide in one fell swoop. If we want to curb his sharpness, the most important step is to remove the word ‘covert’ from his actions, making his entire operation fully exposed to our eyes. In this way, his lethality and scheming ability will definitely be greatly reduced!”

“Very good.” Lu Yongyan nodded. “I will persuade Lingxu City to send troops to the vicinity of Liaohuo Plain soon. The local area has been pleading for the garrison of Bega, so you can go with the army and serve as their advisor.”

"Yes!" Duanmu Heng replied with his head held high.

He started from humble beginnings and went through countless hardships to climb to this position. He desperately needs a chance to prove himself!

“This kind of opportunity only comes once every ten years or so.” Lu Yongyan patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t let it go to waste.”

If Duanmu Heng succeeds in one fell swoop, not only will he rise to prominence, but Lu Yongyan will also achieve great success!

"Rest assured, Master." Duanmu Heng's heart was pounding with excitement, and his face flushed red. "Everyone knows that the Nine Nether Emperor is a genius of unparalleled talent. It is my honor to be able to spar with such an unparalleled strategist!"

"Excellent." Lu Yongyan patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction. Being able to face the strength of an opponent and acknowledge their excellence is something these proud young people find hardest to do.

"Go back and prepare. You must depart within seven days."

"Yes."

Duanmu Heng walked out of the Star-Picking Tower, stepped down the white jade steps, and couldn't help but look back one last time.

The temple was hidden deep in the clouds.

That is the very center of power in the world, and he is very close to it.
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The third chapter of "The Age of Great Contention" has come to an end today~ Starting from the next chapter, we will enter a brand new rhythm!
Wind and Clouds / Jiu Fangye

2025.12.30