Chapter 391

Chapter 391: Battle Against the Earth Immortal Again, The Second Fight!

The cultivators of Tianhai City held absolute confidence in the East Sea King’s victory, and the East Sea King himself believed he would triumph.

Yet shortly after departing, his expression darkened.

A special report from the border revealed cultivators from Southeast Province had arrived—not just individuals, but envoys from the Yuqing Sect, Prince Liang’s residence, the Great Spirit Dynasty, the Yan and Chu families, and northern aristocrats.

Such numbers matched the East Sea King’s own forces in scale.

There remained a crucial difference: the East Sea King’s gathered allies were committed warriors, while Mu Lin’s reinforcements merely offered superficial support. Even the Yan and Chu families refused to risk full engagement.

Still, the East Sea King couldn’t ignore them. He needed high-ranking watchers to monitor these factions.

Though these foreign Earth Immortals wouldn’t join deadly combat, they might sabotage—damaging family legacies, Tianhai City’s formations, or plundering the royal treasury. Grudge-bearing Earth Immortals could attempt such acts.

Treasury theft particularly tempted Earth Immortals. If undetected, the East Sea King would have to swallow the loss, for even he dared not provoke the combined might of southern/northern aristocrats and royalty.

"They can’t roam freely in Tianhai City…"

Summoning his remaining allies, the East Sea King declared:

"Mu Lin’s reinforcements approach. I must address this. Handle Mu Lin yourselves—can four of you manage him?"

This provoked immediate ire. Their anger stemmed not from his departure, but from the implied doubt in their capabilities.

"A mere Transformation cultivator, not even Earth Immortal! With our numbers, how could he escape?"

The first protest came from the East Sea King’s uncle, who’d lead the group after the king’s withdrawal. He radiated absolute confidence.

Nor was he alone—the Jinyin Gate’s leader, an awakened elder from Prince Liang’s residence, a free cultivator, and even the East Sea King himself believed any single Earth Immortal could crush Mu Lin.

Those reaching Earth Immortal status carried inherent pride. Their numbers primarily served to intimidate, demonstrating the price of opposing the king.

Observing their resolve, the East Sea King nodded:

"Good. I await your victory in Tianhai City."

He withdrew as the group, led by his uncle Ji Zheng, continued pursuing Mu Lin.

Jin Haoran employed the Five Directions Inquiry Technique throughout the chase. As predicted, Mu Lin proved no match.

Near Tianhai City, multiple Mu Lin decoys hid. Jin Haoran’s technique exposed these Substitute Paper Figures, which the four Earth Immortals obliterated with overwhelming force.

Witnessing the Earth Immortals’ mighty techniques through his paper figures’ final visions, Mu Lin’s true form narrowed his eyes.

"Even outside spiritual grounds, Earth Immortals wield formidable power… Logical. If I can project energy across distances, so can they."

"At close range, Earth Immortals surpass Transformation capabilities."

"However, compared to being inside the spiritual ground, they were still weaker… having about seventy to eighty percent of its power."

Thinking this, Mu Lin felt no fear. Following his original plan, he commanded the Substitute Paper Figures to scatter and flee in all directions.

His actions quickly made Jin Haoran and Ji Zheng frown.

The East Sea Kingdom was enormous, and Mu Lin’s clones were numerous, spreading across every corner. Hunting them one by one would take ages.

What troubled them more was the Five Directions Inquiry Technique revealing distant clones splitting from one into two before fleeing separately.

Clearly, Mu Lin’s clones weren’t limited to those before them – he could keep creating more.

Forming teams to chase him would be pointless. Destroying one clone would only prompt him to make another, creating an endless cycle.

Seeing this, Jin Haoran, master of Jinyin Gate, sighed. "We must separate."

Ji Zheng shrugged. "Fine by me. Mu Lin’s merely at Transformation stage. Strange tricks won’t save him against Earth Immortals."

"Stay cautious," Jin Haoran warned. "He’s no fool. Coming here means he’s prepared. We must ensure his death."

Having suffered losses from Mu Lin, Jin Haoran now took him seriously.

Ji Zheng chose to humor this concern. "Understood, but don’t fret. Constant communication will suffice. Even if his dirty tricks wound us, he can’t kill Earth Immortals quickly."

"Hold out briefly, and reinforcements arrive."

This logic reassured Jin Haoran. "True. With instant support, he can’t touch us."

Remembering something urgent, Jin Haoran added, "We’ve destroyed several clones. How’s his aura collection going?"

Everyone knew their "hunt" was just pretense. Their real goal was gathering Mu Lin’s aura.

All sensed this East Sea Kingdom Mu Lin wasn’t his true body. Destroying these clones meant nothing.

They needed either to form an expedition against his real form, or collect enough aura for remote extraordinary strikes – both requiring his exact location.

At this question, Ji Zheng’s face darkened. "Bad. His paper figures blend forbidden power from City of Heaven’s Funeral and Black Abyss… Their corruption muddles tracking."

"Patience," coughed the East Sea King’s awakened elder. "Many clones remain. Enough captures will filter out the contamination."

Ji Zheng nodded. "Uncle Jing’s right. We’ll catch him."

Confident after discussion, they split to pursue Mu Lin from multiple directions.

Mu Lin sensed their movements.

His plan’s smooth progress surprised even him.

Soon he understood. "Pride blinds geniuses. Earth Immortals were all prodigies – their arrogance multiplied."

"They think themselves my equals, unafraid to face me alone… especially with backup coming."

……

Meanwhile, the Earth Immortals spread out and swiftly closed in on Mu Lin’s clones.

In Tianhai City, the East Sea King blocked the path of the North and South Aristocrats with his men.

Knowing their ill intentions, the East Sea King showed no courtesy.

"Why are you here?"

Though the king’s displeasure was obvious, none paid heed.

A representative from the Great Spirit Dynasty spoke cheerfully: "Your Highness, we come to mediate. With the calamity nearing, our human race faces disaster. This is when unity matters most. Cease your Chase against Mu Lin for the greater good."

"Preserve humanity’s strength," another added.

"Backing off brings peace, Your Highness. Show restraint."

Once the East Sea King had demanded others prioritize unity. Now those words boomeranged onto him.

It stung bitterly.

The king’s face flushed crimson with rage. "Understand this—Mu Lin disrupts my kingdom! He’s the criminal! Support me in killing him if you truly care about humanity!"

"No, Your Highness," countered a voice. "Your East Sea King’s manor broke rules first. Mu Lin merely repays in kind."

"Better to dissolve feuds than feed them. Accept mediation—it serves your interests. Mu Lin isn’t easily slain…"

The North and South Aristocrats openly pressured the king to yield. But humiliated and seething, the East Sea King burned with fury.

Certain of total victory over Mu Lin, he rejected their proposals outright.

Boiling over, he roared: "I’ll never make peace with Mu Lin! One of us dies!"

"East Sea King, this stubbornness will cost you."

"Regret? That whelp isn’t worth it!"

As deadlock gripped the king and aristocrats, Mu Lin’s location in Ronghuo City was discovered.

Ji Zheng of the royal house led the pursuit.

The instant he entered Ronghuo City’s borders, a soul reflection materialized in Yin Soil’s replica city.

Mu Lin struck immediately. Yet Earth Immortals proved formidable—having merged with heaven and earth, Ji Zheng sensed the anomaly at once. Forewarned by Jin Haoran (Jinyin Gate’s master), he shifted consciousness to his Yin Soil reflection the moment it formed.

*Thud!*

A flick of his wrist summoned a shield, deflecting Mu Lin’s Infinite Chains.

Instead of counterattacking, Ji Zheng studied his foe: "Creating this dark mirror-world from the living realm… To grasp such power during Transformation! Your talent impresses me, boy. Kneel. Sign a soul-binding pact, and I’ll spare you."

"Hah!" Mu Lin barked mirthless laughter.

Before he could retort, Ji Zheng continued—with words that stunned him:

"Misunderstand not. This pact isn’t to humble you, but for assurance… Submit, and I’ll wed my daughter to you. Make you family."

"…What?"