Grandma Hua Geng's face, creased with wrinkles, broke into a smile. "With you two here, I have nothing left to regret even if I were to die! The descendants of the Tai Geng Ancestor will finally have a chance to rise again!"
"What somber words, Grandma," Qing Ling said with a smile, looking up. "You have a lifespan of ten thousand years, and the Great Luo realm is within your reach."
Hua Geng's expression eased slightly. "I know myself. If I hadn't been injured and lost vital energy back then, and if this old body were twenty to thirty Yuan Hui younger, perhaps I would have had a sliver of a chance at Great Luo. But now that the clan has you, I can finally set aside all my worries and try."
Hearing this, Qing Ling felt a slight stir in his heart, but he still smiled and said, "Grandma never does anything without certainty. I believe you will surely attain Great Luo!"
Ke also nodded. "I believe Grandma will surely attain Tai Yi!"
"Alright, I've called you here today for the future of the clan. Our clan has formed an alliance with the Mountain River Giant Ape clan and the Tian Jun Salamander clan to resist the Black Lizard superior clan. Currently, the Black Lizard superior clan has been frequently gaining the upper hand in their conflict with the Giant Crocodile superior clan. The Giant Crocodile superior clan has already begun to decline."
Ke raised an eyebrow, asking in confusion, "The Giant Crocodile superior clan is an ancient superior clan; how could they be so weak?"
Hua Geng sighed. "You don't know. The Giant Crocodile superior clan originally had two Great Luo Supremes, and one of them was exceptionally gifted. As his cultivation progressed, he sought to break through to the eleventh heaven and enter the realm of Heaven and Earth Great Power without entering the Dragon Palace or seeking methods from the Dragon clan. But alas, he failed. What's worse, this failure led to the Dragon Palace's suspicion, and the Giant Crocodile superior clan was inexplicably suppressed over the ensuing years. That Great Luo also lost his vital energy, and the 'heavenly five decays' from his failed breakthrough left him with less than one-tenth of his strength. He can only remain in the clan year-round, recuperating his Dao body with various rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures. The remaining one only recently entered the Great Luo realm, how could he possibly contend with the three Great Luo of the Black Lizard superior clan? Furthermore, the Black Lizard superior clan has a vast population, the widest territory, and the most abundant spiritual veins and resources. It has indeed been difficult for the Giant Crocodile superior clan to resist for so long!"
Qing Ling nodded, his mind sinking into thought. This matter seemed unrelated to them, but it was closely tied to all the races in the Eastern Wilderness. Originally, the Mountain River Giant Apes, the Black Lizard superior clan, and the Giant Crocodile superior clan kept each other in check, maintaining a balance. But now, with the decline of the Giant Crocodile superior clan, the rise of the Tian Jun Salamander clan, the unification of the Spiritual Toad clan, and the growing influence of Xi Shan, the Black Lizard superior clan's ambition was growing. When superior clans, or rather, groups of races, are of roughly equal strength, their wars proceed through attrition, gradually encroaching on each other's territories. Territory size is crucial for the propagation, growth, and acquisition of resources for a clan. Smaller territories mean fewer clan members, leading to decline. Currently, the Black Lizard superior clan has invaded thirty million li of territory from the Giant Crocodile superior clan. Even though the Giant Crocodile superior clan's territory is not small, they are already deeply wounded, and the next stage will be critical. If the Giant Crocodile superior clan is crippled, they will be next.
Ke's expression turned cold. "The Black Lizard superior clan's ambition knows no bounds."
Hua Geng sighed helplessly. "Their clan has three Great Luo; even the fourth superior clan, the Bloodworm clan, is not much inferior."
Qing Ling's expression turned serious. "If that Black Stripe Supreme were to step into the realm of Heaven and Earth Great Power, they would likely ascend to become the eleventh largest clan!"
Hua Geng nodded. "Therefore, our clans must join forces to curb the Black Lizard superior clan. The upcoming war of conquest will be to annihilate the Spiritual Toad clan!"
Ke couldn't help but ask, "Isn't the Spiritual Toad clan already engaged in conflict with the Black Lizard superior clan? With them bearing the brunt of the attack..."
Hua Geng shook her head. "You likely don't know. The Spiritual Toad King has long since pledged allegiance to the Black Lizard superior clan. Their conflict is merely a show, a deception to lull us. Once the war with the Giant Crocodile superior clan concludes, their army might be able to march directly through the Spiritual Toad clan's territory and attack our borders!"
Qing Ling couldn't help but feel a slight shock. "Indeed, that is frightening. The Spiritual Toad clan truly cannot be spared. Since a battle with the Black Lizard superior clan is inevitable, let us seize the Toad clan's territory. This will increase our territorial depth, allowing us to advance or retreat as needed."
Grandma Hua Geng nodded with satisfaction. "Precisely. How about you lead the campaign against the Toad clan?"
Qing Ling pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Grandma knows I am not particularly skilled in battlefield combat. If anything, Ke is more suitable."
Ke's expression remained neutral. "If you are being lazy, just say so."
Qing Ling smiled. "How could I be lazy? I need to be busy cultivating the Dao seed."
Grandma Hua Geng was surprised. "Cultivating what Dao? Didn't you cultivate it when you were at the Heavenly rank?"
Ke also looked at him with confusion.
Qing Ling said, "What I need to cultivate now is naturally the Great Luo Dao, and what I need to sow is naturally the Great Luo Dao!"
"How do you plan to sow it?" Ke asked.
"Naturally, by sowing it slowly," Qing Ling said. He looked at Hua Geng. "Grandma, I recall before the Spiritual Toad clan unified, there was a spiritual land to the southwest, within the territory of the Longevity Toad clan, named Du Guang. It is said that there, no grass withers and no flower fails to bloom. Does this place truly exist?"
Hua Geng was taken aback. "It does exist. But why do you ask?"
Qing Ling's expression turned solemn. "I will go to this place to establish my Great Luo land, sow my Great Luo Dao, and nurture my Great Luo body. I will not return to Xi Shan until I become a Great Luo. I will not emerge from Du Guang until I prove the Great Luo."
Ke's face showed shock. "But that is near the chaotic lands bordering the Spiritual Toad clan, a place of great complexity. Even if our clan annihilates the Spiritual Toad clan, we cannot occupy that area!"
Qing Ling smiled. "Then let my Great Luo seed be the guide. Where I stand, that is the border of Xi Shan! Wherever I am, that is where Xi Shan's border lies!"
Hua Geng was slightly stunned. After a moment of silence, she said, "Have you made up your mind?"
Qing Ling nodded. "Since I have spoken, I am resolute." This was the path he had chosen. The Great Luo Dao had countless paths, and he had to forge his own. Other people's paths might be smooth, but when the predecessors stopped, the path ended. Without a path, there could be no greater heights. His own path would be incredibly difficult to carve, but as long as he persisted, continued walking, and progressed, the path would never end, and the Dao would be boundless.
Hua Geng nodded. Though her eyes held reluctance and worry, there was more relief. "Good! Since you have made your decision, go forth with courage!"
Qing Ling bowed, his casual demeanor gone, replaced by solemnity. "Thank you, Clan Leader! Also, I have now attained Tai Yi. The position of Holy Son can only be held by those below Tai Yi, so it is time to select the next Holy Son!"
Ke also nodded. "Indeed. However, this time, the selection of the Holy Son cannot be from the Heavenly rank."
Grandma also smiled. "That is natural. Now that Xi Shan is growing stronger, with many Golden Immortal Venerables, the position of Holy Son should indeed be held by a Golden Immortal!"