Chapter 380

Chapter 380: A Hundred Transformations? The Decision of Jinyin Gate!

In a world of extraordinary beings where cultivators existed, the powerful clans maintained psychological preparation against assassinations by rogue extraordinary individuals. Their long history meant they’d seen and endured many such incidents.

Yet past experiences showed that while extraordinary assassins existed, they usually caused only minor damage before being captured or killed by the clans.

Though assassins possessed various methods, the powerful clans weren’t idle. Through divination, tracking auras, and other means, they made it difficult for assassins to hide.

Moreover, managers and Legitimate Sons of these clans carried protective artifacts, guards, or Protectors.

Such measures ensured most assassins couldn’t deal crippling blows to the clans.

A few casualties meant little to these vast, populous families.

But today broke all expectations.

Shortly after his Transformation advancement, Mu Lin had annihilated both the core forces and young geniuses of a powerful clan in mere moments.

This scene shocked the powerful clans of the East Sea Kingdom, particularly Jinyin Gate, Shuiyue Sect, and the Wei family—those poised to confront Mu Lin.

Desperate to avoid Xun family’s fate, they urgently dispatched investigators to uncover Mu Lin’s killing methods.

Confusion permeated their ranks:

"What happened to the Xun family? Mu Lin barely reached Transformation days ago, and likely came here through avatars. How did they get slaughtered so thoroughly? Did peace make them weak?"

Jinyin Gate and Shuiyue Sect proved competent. While their elders speculated wildly, scouts returned with critical information.

The reports left both sects’ elders speechless for minutes.

The findings were staggering.

Foremost among them: though scouts failed to detect all of Mu Lin’s avatars, they confirmed over a hundred paper figures.

The number itself meant little—powerful Transformation cultivators like Luo Chen could command tens of thousands of calamity crows.

What horrified them was every detected paper figure radiating Transformation-level power.

"A hundred Transformation-level Substitute Paper Figures? He just advanced! How?"

"This defied reason!"

"Could Southeast Province’s aristocrats be aiding him under his name?"

Faced with this impossibility, even Jinyin Gate’s elder proposed outside intervention. None dared dismiss the theory.

Mu Lin’s hundred Transformation paper figures had shaken them utterly. Summoning so many peers upon reaching Transformation? Such absurdity exceeded all their experience.

However, while they found his abilities absurd, Mu Lin considered it completely reasonable.

After all, he hadn’t refined just one portion of murderous energy, but three hundred sixty-five portions. This granted him an extraordinarily solid foundation and immense magical power, allowing him to summon so many Substitute Paper Figures.

Moreover, after his Transformation advancement, Mu Lin didn’t stop at the early stage like others—he reached the later stage, giving him greater confidence in achieving this feat.

The third and most crucial reason was that Mu Lin never relied solely on his own strength.

As the City God, he could channel the power of the earth veins to craft paper figures and fuel them with energy.

Though he currently controlled only one City God Realm in the mortal world, he dominated a vast territory within the Grave Lord’s tomb. Drawing from this, his magical reserves became as boundless as the sea.

It should be noted that while Mu Lin could create numerous powerful paper figure clones, he only dispatched thirteen Substitute Paper Figures with Transformation-level strength this time.

One reason was his recent Transformation advancement—he hadn’t had time to craft stronger figures. Another was his need to retain some figures as safeguards against emergencies.

The reason these thirteen Substitute Paper Figures unleashed the might of a hundred Transformations lay in their Grandmaster-level trait: energy transfer.

Through his connection to the figures (Quantum Theory?), Mu Lin could transmit his power to them across distances with nearly zero loss.

With this ability, the strategy became straightforward. By attacking in waves, each Substitute Paper Figure could temporarily wield Transformation-level power through shared energy.

…

A hundred Transformation-level threats were terrifying enough. But what truly horrified Jinyin Gate and Shuiyue Sect elders was how those "Mu Lins" combined overwhelming strength with cruel, unpredictable tactics.

“Their invisibility makes them undetectable unless sensed directly. Even when Xun family cultivators felt danger through instinct, it was already too late to react.”

“His Illusion Ability is deadlier—using paper figures as disguises, he impersonates others. With the Other Shore Flower, he warps memories to turn allies into enemies. Many Xun family members died betrayed by their own guards.”

“Wrong! His forbidden power is worst—the Black Water that melts all, the crimson demonic creatures that induce madness. He even summons decayed forbidden power from burial grounds to erase entire Xun fortresses…”

Invisibility. Illusions. Forbidden power. Each ability grew more horrifying than the last.

When combined with over a hundred Transformation-level threats, these powers created catastrophic synergy.

After analysis, both sects realized with dread: resisting a full assault from Mu Lin would be nearly impossible.

Though their Earth Immortals could prevent total annihilation, the younger generation and core members would suffer devastating losses—a price neither sect could bear.

“Ahem. Perhaps we should… reassess our approach toward Mu Lin.”

The Shuiyue Sect elder who spoke had always opposed involvement. Learning the risks now, his reluctance hardened.

Yet another voice countered immediately:

“I share your hesitation. But refusing East Sea King’s demand would bring dire consequences…”

This was the crux: Shuiyue Sect operated within East Sea Kingdom. Defying its ruler invited future peril. Yet confronting Mu Lin courted immediate disaster.

The dilemma split Shuiyue Sect into factions, sparking heated arguments.

Jinyin Gate faced similar turmoil—until their authoritarian leader intervened.

Wielding his influence, the sect master swiftly crushed dissent and restored order.

Meanwhile, the Earth Immortal-level master of Jinyin Gate finally decided to act against Mu Lin.

"Mu Lin stands alone, while the East Sea King maintains lasting power in the eastern sea region. Aligning with the East Sea King benefits Jinyin Gate more, both now and in the future."

"Regarding Mu Lin’s attacks… don’t worry. His mischief won’t last. Once we activate the Five Directions Inquiry Technique, we’ll uncover all his paper figures in Tianhai City."

"After capturing his energy signature, the East Sea King can use special methods to destroy his true form."

"First recall our core disciples and managers to the mountain stronghold before acting."

"The master shows wisdom."

Having decided, Jinyin Gate swiftly summoned their outer disciples back.

The sect’s protective formation stood ready for activation. Elders prepared for combat, weapons in hand.

Following these orders, disciples streamed back to the mountain stronghold. When all key members returned, the protective formation hummed to life. In the main hall, the imposing Earth Immortal master personally activated the Five Directions Inquiry Technique.

A resonant buzz filled the air as he chanted: "Spirits of five directions, reveal Mu Lin’s location!"

Jinyin Gate’s secret technique allowed communication with five ethereal spirits for gathering intelligence – enemy positions, treasure locations, even breakthrough opportunities. However, this powerful method demanded rare resources and subsequent sacrifices to the spirits, limiting its use. Only substantial compensation from East Sea King’s manor justified its employment now.

The master’s brow furrowed as resource consumption surpassed expectations. "Such expenditure… Mu Lin’s strong indeed, but challenging the East Sea King’s deep-rooted power? Foolish." He poured more resources into the technique.

The ritual succeeded, projecting Mu Lin’s information. The shimmering image revealed critical details – while numerous paper figures occupied Tianhai City, only about a dozen possessed Transformation-level power. Most remained at mage level.

A relieved smile spread across the master’s face. "As I thought! Newly ascended to Transformation, Mu Lin couldn’t possibly control over a hundred Transformation-level paper figures. His strength’s exaggerated."

Elders murmured agreement:

"Thank the heavens…"

"Clever tricks, but limited wisdom…"

"The master’s foresight proves correct! Trickery shows Mu Lin’s inferiority to East Sea King!"

Their celebration died abruptly. While Tianhai City lacked overwhelming forces, thirteen paper figures materialized INSIDE Jinyin Gate’s activated protective formation – all positioned near elite disciples’ quarters.

"Disaster strikes!"