Chapter 412

Chapter 412: The Willing Heart Fire’s Advancement, Beyond Grandmaster

“???”

As a race proficient in soul illusions, Tu Su the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon instantly sensed something when the soul reflections emerged. She swiftly transferred her consciousness into the Yin Soil.

Then she discovered she’d fallen into the Hell of No Escape.

Pitch-black night enveloped everything, leaving her blind and disoriented.

To her horror, the darkness suppressed her magic and spiritual energy, rapidly assimilating them into itself.

“I’m vanishing… this night is devouring me…”

Realizing this, Tu Su thrashed wildly. She conjured a great sun through illusions, hoping to pierce the darkness.

But even Golden Crow Haoyang—the true sun incarnate—had failed against this power. Her feeble illusions stood no chance.

The moment her illusionary power left her body, the night infused with Chaos Origin Essence assimilated it.

Trapped and desperate, the fox demon faced annihilation.

Yet Mu Lin hadn’t considered one thing—the Qingqiu Fox Tribe survived through cunning and adaptability. Their soft bones hid sharper minds.

Instantly, Tu Su grasped the truth. Only Mu Lin would dare kidnap the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom’s crown princess. Worse—if he could capture her after Golden Crow Haoyang’s assault, the sun deity must already be defeated.

Without hesitation, she raised her hands in surrender: “Spare me! The Qingqiu Fox Tribe will pay any ransom!”

Mu Lin arched an eyebrow at her swift capitulation. After a pause, he declared: “I’ll spare you. But I want neither treasures nor gold—I want you.”

“…”

For once, Tu Su felt not anger but bashfulness. Mu Lin’s fearsome achievements made him worthy in her eyes.

‘Of course,’ she thought, suppressing a smirk. ‘Even the mightiest warrior kneels before beauty.’ Aloud, she simpered: “This humble one shall serve you, my king.”

“Not me.” Mu Lin cut her off. “You’ll serve Lingluo.”

The True Spirit Domain Chart’s hierarchy placed Mu Lin’s true form supreme above all. Below him waited key positions reserved for his Substitute Paper Figure, Lingluo, Yunyu, and Dongfang Ya.

Lower ranks would assist these core rulers. Chu Lingluo governed both the Other Shore Flower Sea and the illusion prison, commanding humanity’s seven emotions and six desires. Such vast domains required aid—hence Mu Lin claimed Tu Su, whose illusionary talents matched Lingluo’s needs.

However, Mu Lin’s plan was sound, but Tu Su showed reluctance.

She recognized Mu Lin’s power and would submit to him, but serving Chu Lingluo was another matter.

“My lord, I’d rather stay by your side…”

Using a honeyed tone, she tried to sway Mu Lin for better standing.

Before she finished speaking, bone-chilling cold seized her body, making her tremble.

She realized Mu Lin’s growing impatience with her delays.

Terrified, Tu Su abandoned negotiations and blurted, “My lord, this servant obeys! I’ll serve Lady Lingluo!”

“Good. Lower your mental defenses.”

A willing heart fire floated to Tu Su’s forehead.

With no resistance, the flame etched into her True Spirit – Mu Lin had gained another subordinate.

Without pause, Mu Lin’s attention shifted to the living world. Like the Underworld’s judge calling names, he dragged demon cultivators into the shadow realm for execution.

“Bi Fang!”

“Kunwu…”

“He’s back? Golden Crow Haoyang fell?”

“Flee!”

“Spare me!”

“I’m innocent!”

The second assessment from the Underworld’s judge sent everyone into panic.

“Boom!”

Like scattered sparrows, the besieging cultivators broke formation.

This time, none stopped to observe after retreating.

Learning Golden Crow Haoyang’s fate and seeing Mu Lin’s unstoppable power, the Transformation-stage experts fled beyond Moon Water City’s outskirts – and kept running.

The mass retreat marked the Dragon Palace’s failed bounty scheme.

Consequences came swiftly.

Upon hearing Moon Water City’s outcome, East Sea King sat wordless for an incense stick’s time.

“Alas…”

Rising, he went to third son Ji Yu’s chambers.

Ji Yu wore a bitter smile before his father spoke.

“You’ve come to kill me.”

Though phrased as question, his tone held certainty.

East Sea King nodded wearily. “Blame me not. Mu Lin surpasses reason. I cannot shield you.”

“Sschick!”

The prince’s head rolled before more words came.

Boxing the severed head, East Sea King handed it to his clan elder.

“Deliver this to Mu Lin…”

No further action was needed. Mu Lin’s might made East Sea King’s manor abandon hostility.

His reputation now cemented.

The Dragon Palace reacted equally fast.

Watching fleeing Transformation cultivators, the Dragon King sighed: “Mu Lin’s grown beyond our reach. Recall the bounty. For our tribe’s future, we must mend relations.”

Murmurs of agreement filled the hall.

“A human powerhouse hating us bodes ill.”

Another added bitterly: “Truth hurts – we’ve lost much while harming him little. His hatred hasn’t reached irreparable levels. Reconciliation remains possible.”

…

With East Sea King yielding and the Dragon Palace withdrawing its bounty, all gave Mu Lin due respect.

Their reactions matched Mu Lin’s expectations – institutions couldn’t gamble like a lone warrior.

But unexpected developments followed his victory over the younger generation’s elites, cementing his peerless reputation.

His willing heart fire erupted violently.

Already at Grandmaster Level, this explosive advancement marked his first technique surpassing Grandmaster realms.