Chapter 431

Chapter 431: Time Reigns Supreme, Space is King

Around Flower Fairy Lake, the corpses of locusts now blanketed the earth, lake, and sky like fallen snowflakes.

This grotesque spectacle chilled the soul yet stirred awe in equal measure.

The most unnerving part was recalling how these savage insects had swarmed alive mere moments ago—now all lay dead within three breaths.

The abruptness left Zhu Yan, Fang Niu, and their fellow Agricultural and Martial Corps members stumbling mid-battle.

"They… just died? Like this?"

"Impossible…"

"Who slaughtered them…"

As shock ebbed, murmurs rippled through the ranks. Cheers erupted first.

"Dead! Filthy vermin got what they deserved! Heaven’s justice prevails!"

"Brother… your spirit is avenged…"

"We survived! I’m alive!"

Amid the celebration, debates flared about the mysterious force that erased billions of locusts in seconds. Some credited Zhang Hemiao. Others insisted their commander Master Hetian had intervened despite his injuries.

No one blamed their assumptions—only a Master’s power seemed equal to this feat. Yet whispers carried doubt:

"Since when was our commander this strong?"

"Did Master Hetian truly recover overnight?"

Zhu Yan and Fang Niu exchanged knowing glances. They’d watched Mu Lin vanish into the spiritual veins after vowing to handle the swarm. Now, the evidence screamed his involvement. Still, Fang Niu’s fingers trembled as he gripped Zhu Yan’s sleeve.

"Mu Lin’s… this powerful? Tell me I didn’t insult him earlier!"

Zhu Yan rolled his eyes but understood the awe. Mu Lin had solved Tian Shi City’s parasite plague and forged the Watchers and Vengeful Servants. Yet this… this defied reason.

"First mission with him," Zhu Yan muttered. "Relax. He doesn’t punish loose tongues."

Their hushed talk ceased as Mu Lin emerged from the Yin Soil. His gaze swept residual locusts in the air. One hand lifted, summoning both men forward.

“Master, do you have any orders?”

Facing Mu Lin’s summons, Zhu Yan and Fang Niu sprinted forward at top speed to stand before him.

Their extreme respect left Mu Lin at a loss for words.

Shaking his head, he pointed to the remaining locusts. “Those surviving insects serve me. They’ll devour all the dead locust corpses soon. Did not stop them or attack.”

“Yes, Master.”

“We’ll guard your pets carefully.”

“Not pets – subordinates… Never mind. Get back to work. I’m needed elsewhere.”

With those words, Mu Lin vanished from Fang Niu and Zhu Yan’s sight.

This disappearing figure didn’t rush to other Agricultural and Martial Corps battlefronts – it was merely one clone. His other clones had already reached different outposts, some already clashing with locust swarms.

Victory came effortlessly.

His Transformation advancement’s core abilities – Yin Soil and Cycle of Life and Death – proved devastating. Lower-tier cultivators stood no chance.

When Cycle of Life and Death activated, soul reflections of locust queens, moth matriarchs, and spider mothers got dragged into the Yin Soil. Though these soul reflections could counterattack within that realm, how could bodiless spirits challenge Mu Lin, the true King of Hell here?

Soul manipulation was his specialty.

Infinite Chains binding them, flame of revenge scorching their essence – most soul reflections collapsed instantly.

“Time rules supreme, space commands all. That saying holds true.”

Mu Lin recalled an anime character who’d gained Phasing powers through special eyes, rising from weakling to master-level combatant. But that power required physical contact to trap enemies, whereas his Yin Soil directly summoned soul reflections by mere activation.

“Cheating… wait, this cheat skill’s mine. Perfect.”

Yin Soil transformed Mu Lin into an unstoppable force. Wherever he appeared, insect queens’ soul reflections got incinerated by vengeful flames, their shrieks filling the air.

Without their queens’ dominion, remaining insects became fragile as dry leaves. Mu Lin swept through them effortlessly.

Cheers erupted in his wake:

“Victory for all!”

“Master Mu Lin brings triumph!”

“The King of Hell protects us!”

Since Master Hetian’s injury, the Agricultural and Martial Corps had suffered constant retreats. Soldiers bore heavy despair until Mu Lin’s consecutive victories cut through their gloom like blazing sunlight.

Suddenly relaxed, they cheered joyfully and felt endless gratitude toward Mu Lin.

While the Agricultural and Martial Corps celebrated, the attacking insects suffered greatly.

In the end, those seemingly fearless insects actually retreated on their own.

The insect apostle was powerless. Though aware Mu Lin was slaughtering his offspring and had warned other insect queens, their precautions proved futile.

Mu Lin struck from the Yin Soil – existing in a different dimension entirely.

The unstoppable power of time and space overwhelmed all defenses.

Forced into retreat, the insect apostle found escaping harder than starting the war.

"Think you can attack and retreat freely? Treating us like public toilets? Chase them! Someone inform Deputy Commander Zhang Hemiao and Sheng Cang – we’ve repelled the enemy and need them for pursuit."

Though eager to expand the Agricultural and Martial Corps’ territory, cautious Mu Lin waited for reinforcements.

Zhang Hemiao and Sheng Cang remained in Tian Shi City as reserve forces. The insect apostle’s widespread attacks required them to stay ready for emergencies.

Waiting proved torturous.

Zhang Hemiao gazed at the distant sky, worrying about her disciples besieged by insect swarms. "Can Mu Lin hold those positions with reinforcements?"

Steadier Sheng Cang pondered. "Holding all fronts is impossible, but Mu Lin can secure key areas. No distress signals yet – that’s promising…"

"DING!!!"

An emergency bell shattered the silence in the training hall. Both leaders jumped up, faces pale.

Sheng Cang’s composure cracked. In his view: Mu Lin fighting endless swarms meant silence equaled safety. Any message now must mean disaster.

‘Two incense sticks of time? Not enough to wipe out swarms even if they stood still. This can’t be victory news.’ His face darkened.

Zhang Hemiao shared his dread. "If they’re begging help so soon… The assault must be brutal. May Mu Lin endure without heavy losses. We can’t afford more deaths."