"Things as usual, what does it matter? If the Heavenly Girl cannot overcome her own barriers, then no matter what the Thunder Flame Monarch turns into, there won’t be any change."

Beside Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl Fu Wanling, a long illusion appeared, flickering and converging into the form of a beautiful and alluring woman maintaining her charm.

This woman was indeed Elder Feng Zhilan, who had previously blocked Zhou Yan’s attempts to rescue Fu Wanling multiple times.

At this moment, she looked at the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl, showing a somewhat indescribable expression, seemingly with a tint of frustration in her eyes.

This feeling, in fact, the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl could sense, but she seemed unwilling to face this scene directly.

"Many things cannot be done as one wishes, wrong is wrong, right is right. Even though the past has become past, it still exists. The Thunder Flame Monarch can ignore it, but how can I?"

"I know that this time, he is actually hoping for the survival of the Eternal Word Spirit Race, but Great Elder, do you really think it’s better for the Word Spirit Race to survive rather than to face destruction?"

Fu Wanling suddenly posed this question.

Such inquiry seemed to leave Feng Zhilan somewhat shocked.

To the point where she was silent for a long time, unsure of how to answer Fu Wanling.

"Living or destruction, which outcome is truly better?"

Feng Zhilan pondered Fu Wanling’s question seriously, because if earlier she felt Fu Wanling was too naïve, now she no longer thought so.

Fu Wanling was somewhat headstrong, but now it was more evident in her grasp of the bigger picture, which made her the undisputed Clan Leader of the Word Spirit Race.

No life could replace her status.

If Fu Wanling acted emotionally, Feng Zhilan might worry, but Fu Wanling’s words forced Feng Zhilan to deeply consider this issue.

And this is a difficult problem to face head-on.

"Some things ultimately exceed imagination. If you ask me, I truly don’t know; however, I believe living will always have some hope, whereas destruction might be a true catastrophe."

"And if I were the Clan Leader, I think I would certainly strive for every member of the clan to fight for their future."

Feng Zhilan thought earnestly and spoke.

"In fact, I did do exactly that before, and the outcome was really disastrous, because I already saw a bleak future."

"The Word Spirit is different from many Eternal Spirits, incomparable in capability. Therefore, on this point, I have absolute authority. Thus, I provided the Moral King’s information to Zhou Yan, hoping Zhou Yan could gain something, and ultimately choose to find the answer from me."

Actually, Zhou Yan certainly knows, even if I don’t resurrect, Jia Yongheng can deduce answers with the Gift of Word Spirit sensing, with minimal loss, since the initial loss has already been paid. With one trial, future deduction will have little expense."

"He understands, yet mentions not a word; indeed, I no longer hold any resentment toward him. However, Jia Yongheng clearly doesn’t know that Zhou Yan knows these things, thus he thinks I harmed Zhou Yan."

Fu Wanling sighed and continued, "The reason I intentionally attracted the evil Soul Poison was truly to hope for the entire Word Spirit clan to be annihilated, because only through destruction can there be rebirth."

"Eternal Spirits are not genuine Eternal but merely a kind of eternal suppression. This point, I believe Great Elder, you also understand. True eternal life, what kind of transcendence is it? That aligns with the rules."

"The Thunder Flame Monarch knew this point too, thus made some choices. On the surface, Zhou Yan seems more sorrowful than anyone now, but looking at his path from the second life in Soul Burying Starfield, it is indeed the most correct path."

"This conclusion is evident just by observing the Soul Power strength."

"Exceeding billions-fold soul strength, this is beyond what a king can possess, thus even if Zhou Yan’s situation worsens, no life can annihilate his soul."

"He is unaware of this point, and actually, this fact is affected by the remaining Life Soul of the Thunder Flame Monarch, making many lives not know."

"But Gu Xi, who guards that Original Spirit, certainly knows it; to ensure the Original Spirit’s safety, Gu Xi left, heading to unknown regions."

"That will connect with the initial Chaos Saint Spirit."

"Whether there is Azure Dragon Saint Spirit in Chaos Saint Spirit is also uncertain, but the Xuanwu Dragon Turtle is likely to be there."

"Actually, besides that, the Master of Life opposing the Evil Spirit Master should also be present."

"And many ancient Holy Spirits are mostly in that place."

"No movement has occurred there; it’s unnecessary for us to do anything. What concerns me is whether showing hope will make us controlled, becoming Zhou Yan’s new enemy."

Fu Wanling voiced her concerns.

At this moment, Feng Zhilan felt somewhat unsettled, anxiety arising.

"So that’s it... but now the Heavenly Girl, since you have resurrected, what should be done?"

"What should we do?"

Fu Wanling fell silent, a hint of confusion appearing in her beautiful eyes.

"The Soul Poison of the Word Spirit Race is easy to attract, but extremely difficult to eradicate. The only way is to temporarily bring the life of the Word Spirit Race into the Elf Domain. I believe Zhou Yan will not refuse this.

However, due to environmental changes, the combat power of the Word Spirits would be somewhat diminished."

"Another concern is whether there are special dormant ones within our Word Spirits that haven’t been cleared out."

"As for myself, after arranging everything, I might venture to the Chaos Saint Spirit Land for a look. Of course, that place could be extremely dangerous for me, but I must go."

"There are some answers I need to find myself. I cannot repeatedly be used as a pawn by other kings without resisting at all."

"As for Lee Ran... well, his issues are for him to deal with. Ultimately, he lives only for Zhou Yan and himself; other lives mean nothing to him."

"Moreover, he is a complex being, best left undisturbed."

Fu Wanling laid out her plan, actually intending to hand over the position of Clan Leader to Feng Zhilan.

Under such circumstances, Feng Zhilan realized that she had been somewhat presumptuous in many aspects. The Heavenly Girl wasn’t without capabilities; it was she, Feng Zhilan, who lacked the ability to handle the problems faced by the Heavenly Girl, unable to reach the level of understanding the Heavenly Girl possessed, which was why she couldn’t comprehend them.

Feeling guilty under such circumstances, embarrassment showed on Feng Zhilan’s face.

Yet, she did not apologize, as Fu Wanling had already gently taken her hand, softly saying, "Sister Zhi Lan, you have always been a kind and affectionate older sister to me, one of my dearest family members. Over the years, you’ve done so much for the Word Spirit Clan.

Even back when you journeyed to the Soul Burying Starfield, you protected my avatar as a guardian, and now, it has caused your beautiful face to age somewhat.

These things, Fu Wanling has kept in heart, and noted in mind.

Moreover, everything you have done was for the Word Spirit Clan as well as for Wanling, so please do not harbor any guilt, because that would make me feel distressed and even guiltier towards you."

"We are our own people, and we are family. Every contribution is sincere and genuine, so don’t feel guilty, don’t have regrets. Living, even if in suffering and torment, is happiness, because we are always by each other’s side."

Fu Wanling spoke softly.

She was not so cold, nor did she keep others at a distance; those undeserved aloof dispositions were absent.

Rather, she embodied the grace and sincerity fitting of an elegant woman, gentle and virtuous.

In such circumstances, Fu Wanling truly was breathtakingly beautiful, boundlessly enchanting.

Even women would be captivated by such elegant charm.

Touched to tears, Feng Zhilan gazed at Fu Wanling.

"Sister Zhi Lan, I entrust the Word Spirit Clan to you. The tasks ahead might temporarily not pose much difficulty; the main issues are the matter of the dormant ones and the safety of heading to the Elf Domain. I will keep an eye on the latter and guard your path. But as for the former, I am rather powerless because the current Gift of Word Spirit has changed, making it impossible to form a complete surveilling intent for the Word Spirit Clan."

Fu Wanling explained.

Feng Zhilan immediately accepted this significant responsibility.

"Rest assured, Heavenly Girl, I will handle this matter properly. Although we Elders have some misunderstandings about you, many more respect your ability and character. Later, I will subtly clarify things, and they will understand your intentions."

"In due course, everything will progress favorably!"

Feng Zhilan spoke with determination.

Her eyes sparkled, and her heart of loyalty burned more passionately.

The Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl nodded and then looked once more towards the direction where Zhou Yan and others left, becoming silent again.

...

After entering the golden warship’s internal Void Land, Zhou Yan and Jia Yongheng passed through endless singularities, arriving at a very peculiar and ancient Chaotic Land.

This space felt quite familiar to Zhou Yan, but the familiar aura leaned towards the barbaric and ancient, so he couldn’t initially detect where this place was.

Conversely, after sensing, Jia Yongheng’s eyes gleamed with surprise.

"The Ancient Land of Hangu? I couldn’t have imagined this place truly exists, this..."

Jia Yongheng’s murmuring was clearly heard by Zhou Yan.

Upon hearing him, Zhou Yan was startled and responded, "The Ancient Land of Hangu? Hangu Pass? The Hangu Pass where the Moral King journeyed west from?"