Chapter 374

Chapter 374: Birth of the Manifestation of Yama, Completion of the Transformation Advancement

Mu Lin’s second manifestation, or rather his primary one, naturally became the manifestation of Yama.

This figure wore profound black imperial robes and a twelve-crest crown. When Yama’s manifestation appeared, the traits of the Coiling Candle Dragon manifestation did not vanish completely – they instead became intricate patterns etched upon Yama’s royal garments.

The robe’s designs also featured crimson Other Shore Flowers, the Blood River, and the black river…

This attire gave the manifestation of Yama an undeniable imperial aura, as if it could control everything and dominate the world with its Oppressive Aura.

True to its nature, Yama governed the cycle of Life and Death as the Underworld’s ruler who judges all good and evil.

Its emergence cast a cold shiver through every resident of Yuzhou City, making cultivators and mortals alike feel their lives hung by a thread beyond their control.

Before anyone could dispel this sensation, many experienced mental disorientation. In the next instant, they found themselves transported from their homes to a gray-hued realm, standing upon a yellow dirt road.

This world lacked any warmth of color, radiating only perpetual gloom, biting cold, deathly silence, and solemn dread.

In this unsettling environment, their consciousness blurred, they instinctively kept silent and trudged forward along the dusty path.

As they progressed, increasingly terrifying sights surrounded them.

Endless graves first lined both sides of the yellow dirt road, then a lightless black river barred their advance.

Devoid of all life, the black river could only be crossed by boat. Upon reaching the opposite shore, they found the same yellow dirt road now bordered by multiplying horrors – first the endless graves, then strangely alluring flowers.

These unnaturally beautiful Other Shore Flowers emanated a bewitching pull, creating false feelings of kinship that drew wandering souls toward them.

The yellow dirt road’s mind-stabilizing properties alone prevented wayward deviations.

Further along awaited fields of carnage and endless Blood Rivers.

Within these crimson currents, crimson demonic creatures and Asuras engaged in endless Killing.

Though countless fell each moment, new combatants continuously emerged from the Blood River’s depths.

Progressing through this nightmare, the travelers felt trapped in hell itself, surrounded by unrelenting terror.

The yellow dirt road finally terminated before an awe-inspiring black gigantic city that loomed like a mountain range, its architecture resembling slumbering giant beasts.

The gate bore the name "Fengdu." Upon its walls patrolled countless Phantom Army soldiers wearing Yin soldier masks, their presence chillingly formidable.

Within the city’s bounds lingered what seemed like a hundred thousand spirits.

At this point, the wandering souls’ spiritual awareness began clearing, sensations of impending liberation arising. Without Mu Lin’s interference, they indeed broke free.

As their spiritual awareness ascended, their final glimpse revealed a majestic hall within the gigantic city. Through it, they perceived a solemn ruler holding the ledger of life and death, conducting judgment over all existence.

In that crucial instant, they instinctively knew this figure’s true name – Yama, sovereign of Life and Death cycles, arbiter of mortal virtue and sin.

Staring at the ledger, they suddenly understood – every detail of their lives lay recorded within those pages.

Faced with such a powerful entity who could decree life or death with mere words, the wandering souls instinctively felt fear and reverence.

"Whew…"

Having fully emerged from the Underworld, many residents of Yuzhou City jolted awake from sleep, their breaths ragged.

"Was that a nightmare? So terrifying…"

Ordinary people, lacking deeper understanding, dismissed their Underworld experience as mere bad dreams.

Yet even so, they retained newfound caution, avoiding wicked deeds thereafter.

True cultivators wore graver expressions.

They knew the visions were illusions, yet could’ve been real.

That meticulously constructed hellscape belonged to someone’s City God Realm.

Their stronger spiritual senses had gleaned more Information – including how the manifestation of Yama sought to establish a pact with mortals. Upon death, all their earthly deeds would face Yama’s judgment, but in exchange receive Reincarnation’s fresh start.

Many realized they could even seek official posts within the Underworld after death.

"To make contracts with all living beings, judging their virtues and sins… what audacious ambition…"

Regarding Mu Lin’s goals, cultivators found themselves speechless.

As for Mu Lin himself… he cared nothing for their opinions, nor considered anchoring his City God Realm within Yuzhou City.

…

Mu Lin’s manifestation of Yama differed completely from his Zhu Long form. The dragon embodied physical transcendence – when becoming Zhu Long, Mu Lin’s laws etched themselves onto the mythical beast’s superlative frame, enabling heaven-shifting might through raw power.

Yama instead emphasized spirituality, City God Realm manipulation, rule exploitation, and subordinate cultivation.

The title "King" defined this entity – a ruler commanding territory and subordinates, issuing celestial decrees. Conversely, Yama required lands and underlings to unleash full power.

"Fully expanded, Yama gathering collective strength would undoubtedly surpass Zhu Long. Yet my City God Realm remains incomplete."

Though Mu Lin now possessed a secret realm foundation, this base couldn’t fully express Yama’s might.

To achieve full potency, Mu Lin needed to establish his City God Realm within a metropolis, then appoint dozens of smaller cities’ County City Gods.

Thus could he forge a minor Underworld for souls.

This underworld required County City Gods, State City Gods, and one Governor City God. Each County God could maintain three thousand Yin soldiers through earth veins’ power and mortal belief – totaling a hundred thousand troops across dozens of counties.

Combined with State and Governor City Gods plus Yama himself, Mu Lin could command three to five hundred thousand Yin soldiers. Such forces in military formations could challenge Earth Immortals.

Crucially, as supreme ruler, Yama could channel all City Gods’ and Yin soldiers’ strength.

"Individually weak, three hundred thousand Yin soldiers and City Gods coordinating through earth vein control… a complete Yama could slay Earth Immortals, not just oppose them."

Within his City God Realm, Yama’s manifestation could indeed kill higher-ranked foes.

At the same time, the expanding manifestation of Yama not only enhanced Mu Lin’s combat power but also increased his training speed.

With the City God established to judge all beings, Mu Lin could also guide wandering souls into the secret realm of the underworld, strengthening its foundation.

While a single soul’s power seemed insignificant, hundreds of thousands or millions of souls would make a difference.

The accumulated emotions, memories, and soul power from these departed spirits would steadily elevate Mu Lin’s rank.

"If this continues, I’ll become the Yin Emperor and eventually the Emperor of Lidu."

"Since life and death are intertwined, understanding life’s essence through death could make me the Lord of Mount Tai, master of Life and Death."

The manifestation of Yama promised great potential for Mu Lin’s future.

However, this required fully establishing his City God Realm – an impossible task in the south.

The earth veins there had long been controlled by powerful clans. Establishing his realm would inevitably lead to conflict, as seen in Ping An Ancient Town.

Back then, he’d dealt with the down-and-out Yin Eight Sect cultivators – mere outcasts he could suppress using the Demon Exorcism Division’s authority.

But other regions were different. Those controlling the earth veins were local aristocrats and wealthy families deeply connected to the Southeast Province’s ruling clans.

Fighting them would leave Mu Lin isolated and vulnerable to collective attacks.

Moreover, southern cultivators living in peace would never surrender control of their fates to Mu Lin, despite ordinary civilians’ compliance.

"Stability benefits common folk but stifles ambition," Mu Lin mused.

"Even Cao Cao couldn’t raise armies during peacetime. Liu Bei had to sell sandals until chaos arose…"

Yet complete peace didn’t exist everywhere. While the Southeast Province restricted his City God Realm, the north offered better prospects.

Northern regions suffered constant calamities. Both cultivators and ordinary civilians lived in perpetual insecurity.

There, Mu Lin’s City God Realm would find eager supporters desperate for protection. Vast available lands promised room for expansion.

"…No wonder ambitious men crave turmoil. Chaos breaks chains and lets men rise rapidly."

Mu Lin resolved to develop in the north – after settling old scores.

The proud young man refused to flee like a defeated dog. "I endured when weak. If I still can’t act freely after gaining power, what was the point?"

Practicality also demanded revenge first. The north offered opportunities but fierce competition. Arriving as a refugee would earn contempt rather than respect.

"I must go as a savior, not a fugitive. Only then will my authority be recognized and rights protected."