Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 837 Mutual Selection
Because it doesn't understand.

Why would someone behind the scenes say such things? I just can't understand it. Why?
His stone-like pupils contracted slightly: "You paid the price of your demise just to target Dongting? At that time, the Emperor had not yet shown any signs of bringing Yunmeng back."

The doubts burst forth like water from a burst dam, and the overwhelming confusion completely shattered its resolve.

Gui Da sighed inwardly, thinking, "Two words were enough to make this stubborn rock speak. The Hall Master is indeed the Hall Master; his demonic nature is truly unfathomable." At the same time, it knew...

This stone is finished.

Xu Xuan did not continue to explain his original purpose, but instead changed the subject and began to recount the entire process of his planning for Dongting Lake in great detail.

The main villain needs to talk a lot to fit the character.

From the initial open and covert struggles when unifying the Taihu Lake demons, to the meticulous calculations of gradually eliminating the wings of Dongting Lake; from sending Turtle Giant disguised as a down-on-his-luck aquatic creature to infiltrate Dongting Lake, to deliberately throwing out four Dragon Palace brocade boxes to cause turmoil in the waters.

Each step was explained in a clear and logical manner, and even those who are not good at strategy could feel the terrifying interconnectedness of the parts.

"Of course, the process wasn't always smooth sailing," Xu Xuan said casually, mentioning the unexpected twists and turns.

For example, that azure dragon, and the madness of the Lord of the Clouds.

But every crisis was resolved by this man who always had a smile on his face, and he even incorporated unexpected factors into his plans.

The Stone King was terrified.

It then realized that the destruction of Dongting Lake was not accidental, but an irreversible inevitability, like the rotation of the sun and moon.

The sheer depth of this person's schemes, the ingenuity of his methods, and the ruthlessness of his heart sent chills down the spine of this ancient, stubborn rock.

Splash splash splash splash~~~~
The Yangtze River surges and churns, the sound of waves crashing against the shore carrying a hint of joy, much like a fascinated spectator.

What could be more captivating than the mastermind revealing the secrets himself?
In particular, Xu Xuan was also a master of storytelling, making each conspiracy and intrigue dramatic and vivid, even depicting the psychological activities in a lively and colorful way.

If they were to switch to writing storybooks, I'm afraid all the storytellers would starve to death on the streets.

The Dragon King felt he had to give Xu Bailian something good to get rid of her, so he quickly sent her on her way to continue her reckless wandering in this world.

Turtle Big's shell trembled as he listened, and only now did he realize what was going on, having been a key executor of several operations.

It turns out that those seemingly ordinary instructions were actually the result of so many layers of calculation.

One moment they marveled at the master's profound wisdom, the next they felt ashamed of their own shallow understanding.

The Stone Golem, as the defeated party, had many feelings. Listening to the battles it had personally experienced from a different perspective, it tasted completely different meanings.

Unbeknownst to it, its hardened defenses had already crumbled, and it even began to feel that it was indeed not unjust for its sovereign to be defeated by such an opponent.

Of course, only Xu Xuan himself knows how much exaggeration was involved in his "creation".

Three parts true story, seven parts brilliant writing.

Those chaotic accidents, coincidences that relied entirely on luck, and moments of utter confusion are all beautified at this moment as a sense of composure that "everything is under control."

However, Xu Xuan still didn't reveal the most crucial mystery in the end—why he was targeting Dongting.

He even coughed lightly, turned to face the surging river, and put his hands behind his back. His arrogant attitude really angered everyone.

The stone man was so anxious he wanted to smash the big boss in front of him. What kind of hero are you, using such a short-sighted method? If you're so capable, then say it!

Gui Da was also anxious. "Master, is there some motive you haven't explained yet?"
The Yangtze River was also in a hurry, churning and surging, wishing it could drag Xu Bailian into the water to drown her and then search her soul.

In the end, water splashed on his face, and only then did he stop his little trick of manipulating people's hearts.

He gazed into the distance and said softly, "The reason is simple—"

"This world makes me uncomfortable."

These words were spoken very softly, yet they instantly calmed the surface of the river.

This seemingly unanswerable statement actually addresses the question while also going far beyond its boundaries.

It turns out that Dongting Lake is not special at all; it's just that we encountered Xu Bailian first.

The first one to be trampled was not some god or monster, but Zhang San, who bullied the old and the young.

As the saying goes, when heaven and earth are out of order, immortals and gods have vanished, reincarnation has collapsed, demons and monsters wreak havoc, and people's hearts have sunk into a ghost realm.

Someone could also say that they came from beyond the realm by divine mandate, solely to set things right and establish the beauty of their primordial homeland on earth.

Upon closer examination, perhaps it wasn't the "True Scripture of the White Lotus Descent" that chose Xu Xuan, but rather Xu Xuan who chose this cultivation method.

This unwitty response plunged the three audience members into a long silence.

This time, the turtle was truly trembling, its short, thick claws unconsciously gripping the edge of its shell.

It suddenly couldn't tell whether the hall master's words were a psychological tactic or heartfelt words.

What terrifying truth lies hidden behind that nonchalant tone?

The Yangtze River fell into an eerie silence, and the waves seemed to freeze in mid-air.

It recalled three hundred years ago, when the woman in white stood in a different spot, uttering almost the same words. History always repeats itself in astonishing ways, and the gears of reincarnation never cease turning. Most unexpectedly, it was the Stone King.

This stubborn stone suddenly discovered that the barrier in its heart had been cracked open.

It turns out that Dongting Lake—a place that has spanned millions of years—is just an ordinary corner in the vast world.

The monarch to whom it had sworn to serve was neither aloof nor particularly brilliant.

The real monster is right in front of us.

The rough stone surface revealed a sense of relief unseen for a thousand years. Within that crack, a new spiritual light faintly flowed.

It looked up at Xu Xuan and, for the first time, asked in an equal tone:
"So what are you going to do with this stubborn rock of mine next?"

A crack was blasted through the blockage, and the rest was no longer a problem.

Xu Xuan then ended his little skit, his gaze sharp, and directly posed several key questions:

Have you ever hurt anyone?

The Stone King shook his head, his stone face showing a hint of arrogance: "I am a spiritual stone of heaven and earth in human form, and I disdain to bully the weak."

"Did you know beforehand that Lord Yunzhong planned to lead Yunmeng to swallow Dongting Lake?"

"I don't know." The Stone King's voice was low, filled with the pain of betrayal. "If I had known this earlier, I would have been the first to stop it."

Xu Xuan nodded in satisfaction. Very good, this stubborn rock can still be carved.

Let Turtle lead the Stone Man back to Dongting Lake and see how they rebuild a new Dongting Lake where humans and nature live in harmony.

Witnessing change firsthand is often more persuasive than a thousand words, and then winning it over will be a natural process.

After all, it is a stubborn rock, and according to the characteristics of the race, it will take a long time to completely change it.

Xu Xuangan handled this kind of thing with such ease, arranging everything perfectly.

But the Stone King was unwilling to go back.

"I spent thousands upon thousands of years there before I gained spiritual insight, and then cultivated myself for hundreds and thousands of years before I attained this great fortune. I have done enough for Dongting Lake. What does its rise and fall have to do with me now?"

Ok?
Isn't it said that stones are all stubborn and unyielding? How come this one is such an exception?

Could it be that the pebble has come to life?

Upon hearing this, Turtle became even more enraged, its short claws already reaching for the spiked club inside its shell—this ungrateful stone, does it really think it's still free?

But who knew that the stone man would suddenly express his desire to follow Xu Xuan?

They had no intention of being loyal; they just wanted to satisfy their curiosity.

In response, he made an outrageous request, completely forgetting that he was still a criminal under investigation.

"I want to see what's wrong with this world." For the first time in millions of years, curiosity ignited in the eyes of this stubborn rock. "Whether it's a page who serves tea and water or a guard who leads the horse and holds the whip, I'll do whatever you ask."

If that doesn't work, it plans to return to Dongting Lake, disperse its spiritual intelligence, and return to the world, so that this body with nine orifices can regenerate a soul.

It truly possesses both the stubbornness of stone and the vicissitudes of human nature.

A stone that has come to life is truly extraordinary; it was a waste of its potential to serve under Lord Yunzhong.

Turtle's eyes widened instantly, alarm bells ringing in his mind.

Holy crap, you big-eyed bastard, you pulled this on me?!
Do you know that this niche is already occupied? Do you understand the principle of first come, first served? I kindly brought you here not so you could betray me.

"Master, be careful, this fellow is feigning surrender."

His heart was filled with murderous intent, and he was just waiting for Master Xu's order to turn against him. This boy must not be allowed to live.

Xu Xuan was also somewhat surprised; this stone spirit was quite something.

He experienced a sudden enlightenment and is well-suited to be a protector of Buddhism.

After weighing the options further, he finally agreed amidst the despair in Turtle's eyes.

"Alright, then stay with me."

When I went north, I was looking for a stubborn, unyielding, inorganic mineral aggregate like an ox or horse.

You can't do everything yourself; it's beneath you.

As for safety, the Great Demon King is quite confident.

And so, after Xu Xuan imbued the stone spirit with a restriction, a tall, taciturn servant appeared beside him.

The two boarded a merchant ship bound for Shouchun together.

　Please help me come up with a name for the stone spirit. Thank you!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)