Chapter 414

Chapter 414: Everything Ends, the Southern Aristocrats Who Wish to Retain Mu Lin

Through this method, Mu Lin unexpectedly created his first Earth Immortal subordinate.

Eager to expand, he then experimented with other demon corpses to forge powerful followers. He fused Ao Yi’s Body of a Dragon with the black river water, testing if the dead dragon’s remains could spawn new consciousness and fully control the dark waters.

—Though Mu Lin could manipulate the black river water using the Sky-High Technique Spell: River King, each use corroded him in return. While Substitute Paper Figures shielded his true body, every activation cost him one figure. Worse, his shaky control meant water-specialized Earth Masters or Celestial Masters could seize the black river water during combat, turning it against him. This drove his desperation to craft a subordinate mastering the waters perfectly.

His efforts failed. The golden crow’s talent stood unmatched—among dozens of demon corpses, only it developed new awareness. Mu Lin also discovered the golden crow’s body capped at Earth Immortal rank.

—Though the world’s collective resentment could theoretically create beings up to True Lord or Deity levels, advancement demanded both quantity and quality. The golden crow, as a Naturally Holy Being, possessed a rank surpassing its realm by one tier at death—aligning with Earth Immortal. Thus, while it absorbed flames of revenge to reach Earth Immortal, its future seemed fixed…

“Wrong. Its limit isn’t Earth Immortal… Though born from death, the vengeful spirit golden crow now lives. As a living being, it can grow anew.” Sensing its hatred, fear, and… peculiar attachment, Mu Lin vowed to cultivate it. “Its ceiling might be Deity—my future supreme general.”

…

In Moon Water City, Mu Lin inventoried his spoils, oblivious to the distant sky battle he’d provoked.

Young talents often had Protectors: Ao Yi had Ao Huan; Golden Crow Haoyang and Chongming Bird had their backers; Tu Su the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon was guarded by clan elders. When Mu Lin struck these prodigies, their Protectors couldn’t assault him directly—human race’s strength deterred open confrontation. Though rescuing their charges was permissible, none intervened. This wasn’t due to sudden mercy—human powerhouses had intercepted them.

Golden Crow Haoyang’s Protector now raged at a farmer-garbed elder in the atmospheric barrier.

"Zhang Hetian, are you certain about provoking war with our Southern Demon Race by letting Mu Lin kill Haoyang?"

This caused Old Master Zhang Hetian, who resembled a farmer, to start coughing.

"Cough… Wasn’t it your side seeking conflict? I never touched your youngsters, yet you elders bully the young."

The Protectors of Golden Crow Haoyang were clearly at fault here, but one soon snorted coldly:

"…I never intended to kill Mu Lin, only to rescue Haoyang…"

It tried to justify itself, but before finishing, the old master named Zhang Hetian let out a scornful laugh.

"Hmph."

"Who gave you the right to believe your prodigies can kill Mu Lin while ours must spare your offspring? Do you consider the human race so spineless and easy to push around?"

"Cough… cough…"

Zhang Hetian wheezed between words like a dying old man. Yet facing the Oppressive Aura from over a dozen Demon Race Protectors, he didn’t care at all.

"Remember this – those who meddle in this affair must accept Life and Death’s whims. The human race won’t coddle your kind!"

His words carried ironclad resolve.

This enraged the Protectors, most being kin or close allies of the talents they guarded. Their future gains from nurturing these prodigies had now vanished.

Though furious and despite Zhang Hetian’s frail appearance, none dared confront him directly. They left with curses instead:

"Zhang old ghost, this isn’t over!"

"Let’s see how many days you’ve got left!"

"After you die, Mu Lin and your entire lineage will pay!"

The sickly old master ignored their threats. But he couldn’t disregard the next speaker – a Dragon King with majestic presence.

"Brother Hetian, is offending multiple factions worth protecting some reckless youth? With your failing health, how long can you shield him?"

Zhang Hetian answered gravely:

"My poor health is precisely why I must act."

"I’ll die eventually. But before departing, I’ll ensure protection for those I cherish."

"Mu Lin’s my chosen successor. After I’m gone, he’ll shelter my disciples and villagers from storms."

His expression hardened like forged steel.

"The boy’s my only hope. Should any elder harm him, I’ll spend my final breath demanding justice – even if it kills me."

The words made the Dragon King frown.

"You think so highly of him?"

"Hahaha…" Zhang Hetian laughed wildly at the Dragon King’s words. "You believe Mu Lin can’t become a powerful being?"

"…"

The retort silenced the Dragon King.

Though disliking Mu Lin, it couldn’t lie and say he wouldn’t become a Celestial Master. This wasn’t mere underestimation – it would be turning a blind eye.

While the dragon remained quiet, Zhang Hetian kept smiling casually:

"Heh, this old body’s already halfway in the grave. Dragging someone of the same level down with me would be quite the bargain."

"…"

The Dragon Palace’s ruler grew even more cautious. No one wanted to provoke a death-seeking Old Master ready to take others with him.

…

Mu Lin knew nothing of these sky-bound discussions until receiving the East Sea King’s box containing Ji Yu’s wide-eyed severed head. News of the Dragon Palace water tribe canceling their bounty soon followed.

Both events spread rapidly among humans and other races. People marveled:

"A single man intimidating an entire nation – he actually did it!"

"Not just a nation! He made the Dragon Palace bow and crushed countless Demon Race prodigies… Can one person truly achieve this?"

"That’s no person – he’s a monster! A once-in-ten-thousand-years prodigy… Hey Tianwei, where you going?"

"To see if Mu Lin needs subordinates…"

While some gasped in awe and others schemed to curry favor, Mu Lin cared none. After exacting vengeance and forcing the world to acknowledge him, he retreated to Yuzhou City in Southeast Province.

Yet peace eluded him. The Yan and Chu families came apologizing, though they’d done little wrong – their crime was failing to fully support Mu Lin against the East Sea King when his terrifying potential became clear.

Northern aristocrats and Great Spirit Dynasty envoys arrived next, offering sky-high terms for his service. The dynasty’s messenger bluntly promised: "Choose any palace princess – they all adore heroes like you."

Southern aristocrats begged him to stay as disasters multiplied across the land. Neither northern elites, southern clans, nor the Great Spirit Dynasty doubted the impending calamity anymore – disasters that could topple dynasties and erase powerful clans.

All sought Mu Lin’s protection, believing his presence might help them hold on. But their desperate efforts came too late.