Chapter 395

Chapter 395: The Third Encirclement Failed, Offense and Defense Shifted

"At this moment, you must be joking."

Reconciliation… naturally, that was out of the question.

Mu Lin’s true aim in coming here was to make the East Sea King suffer, ensuring everyone understood that provoking him carelessly would exact a heavy toll.

A toll so devastating it would sear their minds and bodies, deterring any future attempts to challenge him.

He needed to strike first to prevent endless retaliation.

Harboring such resolve, Mu Lin refused to relent until his goal was achieved.

Thus, as expected, Ji Zheng perished.

The vengeful evil spirit composed of a million tormented souls burned him alive.

In his final moments, Ji Zheng hurled curses at Mu Lin, prompting a rueful observation:

"After all, an Earth Immortal forged through borrowed power lacks true mental fortitude."

After this contemplation, Mu Lin turned his attention to the weakened vengeful evil spirit.

The brutal battle had diminished it greatly, with Ji Zheng obliterating many soul fragments. Yet Mu Lin regained control over what remained.

"This land teems with unjust deaths—a living hell drowning in frustration. I can harvest this resentment to craft more vengeful evil spirits."

"But gathering them as one is perilous. The collective frustration would overwhelm me."

"Better to divide them among a hundred Substitute Paper Figures for safer containment."

…

As Mu Lin strategized to bolster his forces, the deaths of two Earth Immortals began rippling through the world.

Such beings, harmonized with heaven and earth, do not fall silently.

When Ji Zheng and the other Earth Immortal died, the very world mourned—a mournful howl echoed across existence, followed by an eerie pulse radiating outward.

Jin Haoran, stationed not far from This Place, sensed this disturbance. His muscles tensed as dread gripped him.

"This presence… an Earth Immortal’s demise?"

"Ji Zheng and the Ji family elder… but how?!"

"Mu Lin shouldn’t possess such power!"

Having clashed directly with Mu Lin, Jin Haoran knew the young man’s tricks were formidable but insufficient against true Earth Immortals. The dual deaths defied logic.

"Even weakened outside our spiritual grounds, Earth Immortals shouldn’t fall to him!"

His accusing gaze snapped toward the elderly man opposing him.

"Your Prince Liang’s residence intervened! You’ve betrayed the East Sea King?"

The accusation startled Fu Bo from his shock—the East Sea King’s manor losing two Earth Immortals was unforeseen. While he’d nurtured ties between Ji Ling Sha and Mu Lin, betting on the youth’s future potential, he never expected such present-day carnage.

Thus, Mu Lin’s slaying of Earth Immortals left even himself bewildered.

Unlike Jin Haoran, Fu Bo clearly perceived no external forces aiding Mu Lin—the youth had killed two Earth Immortals through his own power alone.

This realization proved even more shocking.

"A Transformation-stage cultivator achieving this… truly astonishing. Thankfully, Young Master Mu Lin maintains close ties with Prince Liang’s residence. Our household shall benefit from his future rise."

Though inwardly marveling, Fu Bo kept his expression neutral. He ignored Jin Haoran’s questioning, responding lightly: "Who can say? The Yan and Chu families favor him, as do the northern aristocrats and Great Spirit Dynasty. Any might have intervened."

"Or perhaps Mu Lin himself slew both Earth Immortals. Too many possibilities exist—this old man cannot discern the truth."

Turning to Jin Haoran, Fu Bo added with dry amusement: "Regardless, you’ve no leisure for speculation. The battle concludes—will you not rush to Ronghuo City? Strike now, and you might catch Mu Lin weakened."

These words found no purchase. However Mu Lin accomplished it, Ji Zheng’s death remained undeniable fact. One who could kill Ji Zheng and another Earth Immortal from East Sea King’s manor could surely end Jin Haoran.

The cultivator held no illusions about surpassing Ji Zheng. If that Earth Immortal fell, so too might he.

"This old fox baits me into ambush… I’ll not take the hook."

"Moreover, this ground grows unsafe. Should Mu Lin arrive with Liang forces, escape becomes doubtful."

Trepidation gripping him, Jin Haoran retreated toward another Earth Immortal’s location rather than advancing on Ronghuo City. Fu Bo watched him depart without hindrance.

Soon Jin Haoran joined the wood-element free cultivator summoned by East Sea King.

"Report," the newcomer demanded. "I sensed an Earth Immortal’s fall. Who perished?"

"Ji Zheng. And another clan elder from East Sea King’s manor."

Long silence followed. When the free cultivator spoke again, disbelief roughened his voice:

"Slain by whom? Don’t claim it was Mu Lin."

A Transformation-stage killing Earth Immortals—let alone two—defied reason. Yet Jin Haoran faced irrefutable truth.

"I too struggle to credit it, but Ji Zheng lies dead. Whether Mu Lin acted alone or with hidden allies matters not. When I moved to aid Ji Zheng, Prince Liang’s residence blocked my path—many desire East Sea King’s downfall."

"Our choice stands: advance against Mu Lin’s faction, or withdraw to inform East Sea King."

"Withdraw." The free cultivator—Yu Ling—answered instantly. "Mu Lin exceeds our capacity to confront."

Natural response. Yu Ling bore no personal enmity—he participated merely repaying favors. But no debt outweighed survival. Why die for another’s feud?

Thus Yu Ling chose self-preservation. More—having witnessed Mu Lin’s lethal capabilities despite their lack of direct conflict, he resolved to abandon the hunt entirely.

"Mu Lin nurses grievances. My prior pursuit demands more than verbal withdrawal… I’ll seek mediation through Yan and Chu families."

"A costly misadventure."

Fear staying their steps, neither Jin Haoran nor Yu Ling approached Ronghuo City to investigate. They retreated to Tianhai City, bearing news to East Sea King.

Their return marked third failed encirclement against Mu Lin—likely the final collapse of offensive efforts, signaling irreversible shift in the conflict’s balance.