Chapter 422

Chapter 422: Born with Charm, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox in Action

The three women acted decisively. After making their decision, they immediately went to the world of the living to construct Yin City God Temples and gather faith for Mu Lin.

Meanwhile, Sheng Cang and Zhang Hemiao didn’t return to the living world immediately. Instead, they lingered in the Yin Soil.

This wasn’t mere wandering—they visited the Yin Soil’s mirrored version of the Agricultural and Martial Corps camp. Through soul reflections, they observed the conditions of Tian Shi City residents and soldiers.

But what they saw troubled them both.

The Agricultural and Martial Corps were in poor shape.

Though not starving, the soldiers couldn’t advance their training due to scarce resources.

Anxiety about the future weighed heavily on them.

The constant eerie attacks from evil spirits kept their nerves perpetually stretched tight.

Yet human endurance has limits—like a bowstring kept drawn too long, minds can break.

Beyond these struggles lay another grave problem affecting both the soldiers and all North Wilderness inhabitants:

Forbidden power corruption.

Through sky rifts, strange energies from the outer realm seeped into northern lands.

Whether through accident or exposure, countless people became contaminated yearly.

Those who couldn’t withstand the initial corruption died instantly.

Even survivors faced grim prospects.

This high-dimensional forbidden power resisted purification, growing stronger with its host.

Surviving one outbreak led to second, third, fourth assessments—each more violent than before.

What troubled Sheng Cang and Zhang Hemiao most was how each outbreak not only killed hosts but also tainted entire areas, sometimes driving victims to murderous madness.

Every contaminated person became walking pollution—a potential monster waiting to erupt.

Ordinary civilians naturally feared and shunned these infected individuals.

This rejection worsened matters, making the contaminated lose hope and succumb faster.

"We must find relief…"

As Zhang Hemiao pondered, her worries proved unnecessary.

Chu Lingluo arrived and clapped her hands together. A fairy tale world materialized, calming the tormented cultivators’ spirits.

"Thank you."

Seeing the violent crimson and dark killing intent in their souls soften to white light, both observers exhaled in relief.

Chu Lingluo shook her head.

"Don’t thank me. This comes from Mu brother’s Other Shore Flower sea. Without it, I couldn’t help."

"The fairy tale worlds aren’t mine either—I just recreated stories Mu brother told me."

After brief conversation, Chu Lingluo returned to her work.

After she left, Zhang Hemiao and the others prepared to depart, but before they could move, Lingluo’s maid intercepted them. The servant immediately revealed nine swaying tails behind her back.

"I am Tu Su, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox of Qingqiu Fox Kingdom. You must know me."

Sheng Cang, Zhang Hemiao, and Ji Mao exchanged uneasy glances. They certainly recognized her. Since Mu Lin was destined to become the military leader, Zhang Hemiao had investigated his background beforehand. Through this, she’d learned Mu Lin hadn’t just slaughtered countless monsters and evil spirits in Moon Water City – he’d also captured several supernatural beings as subordinates, including this very nine-tailed fox.

Their discomfort stemmed from anticipating troublesome demands. Worse than ordinary requests was Tu Su’s unnatural allure – even Sheng Cang, an Earth Immortal, felt his resolve waver under her enchanting gaze. They worried Mu Lin, though heroic, might eventually succumb to her charms through prolonged exposure. Offending her now could bring dire consequences later.

As predicted, Tu Su made her move during their hesitation. "Since you know me, this will be simpler. I ask you Earth Immortals to contact Qingqiu Fox Kingdom."

While Ji Mao and Sheng Cang softened at her pleading tone, Zhang Hemiao cut through the charm. "Impossible. We won’t risk angering Mu Lin for you."

Tu Su’s laughter tinkled like wind chimes. "Who said anything about harming Lord Mu Lin? This benefits him."

When Zhang Hemiao remained skeptical, the fox continued, "You fear I’ll arrange a rescue? Quite the opposite." Her gaze swept across the grim grandeur of Fengdu City and the teeming Yin Soil below, lingering on figures like Yan Yunyu, Blood Cherry, and Chu Lingluo with naked yearning.

"I refuse to leave, even if Qingqiu sends emissaries. You recognize Lord Mu Lin’s glorious destiny – so do I. My only wish is to join his retinue."

She recalled her initial fury when Mu Lin subdued her and assigned maid duties to Chu Lingluo. Back then, she’d desperately awaited rescue. But witnessing the underworld’s hidden truths and the deities’ burgeoning power had transformed resentment into fervent devotion.

Chu Lingluo, whom Tu Su accompanied, stung her even more deeply.

In Tu Su’s eyes, Chu Lingluo fell short in every aspect—her talent was weaker, her family less prestigious, her beauty inferior. Even her naive, kind-hearted nature and abilities paled compared to Tu Su’s.

Yet this girl had become her master.

What grated most was Chu Lingluo’s strength surpassing her own.

“She gained everything just by clinging to Mu Lin…”

The idea that choice mattered more than effort gnawed at Tu Su’s mindset.

Then came Chu Lingluo’s misuse of the Other Shore Flower sea, twisting the knife further.

“What nonsense is this? Using calamity-born flowers to weave happy dreams?”

To Tu Su, the Other Shore Flower sea sprouted from disaster. Its true purpose wasn’t dream-weaving but nightmare-spinning, harvesting fear from countless souls. Only through terror could these blossoms feast on calamity’s essence and thrive.

Chu Lingluo’s approach was pure folly. Tu Su burned with certainty she’d wield this power better.

The vision took root—vivid and irresistible.

“Nourished by Yin Soil, this flower sea will blossom into death-luring blooms. If I claim it, becoming ruler of the illusion prison, my rise is assured.”

“Most importantly, Mu Lin shields me from all dangers. No risks, no battles—just steady growth.”

With such a path gleaming before her, why would she flee?

Soon she uncovered another advantage.

“These Life and Death Illusion flowers… they resonate perfectly with my Fox Demon Clan’s illusion arts. I’m their true destined master.”

The craving grew. Yet reality bit hard—Mu Lin doted on Chu Lingluo, while she remained merely a prisoner. Normal channels offered no path to control.

So she approached Sheng Cang’s group, plotting to contact the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom. Resources from her kin might buy influence.

“If Ji Ling Sha bought her place through investments, so can I.”

…

Zhang Hemiao stared blankly when Tu Su revealed her plan.

“You’re jumping into this investment way too quickly.”

Though exasperated, none doubted her sincerity. Mu Lin’s extraordinary talent justified the gamble, and the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom’s reputation for opportunistic alliances was legendary.

Yet their hesitation deepened. Getting tangled in harem politics? Every choice risked angering someone.

Tu Su struck before they could retreat.

“Your North Wilderness struggles, doesn’t it? If I secure resources from my kingdom, Mu Lin will likely channel them to your lands.”