Chapter 435

Chapter 435: Calligraphy Advancement Transcends Mortality, Trait of Gazing at the Heavens

"One glance wiped out billions in an insect swarm. On top of that, it detects hidden anomalies among the human race, cleanses land pollution, seals forbidden power in cultivators, and even boosts their strength… Such all-around power—are you certain you got this right?"

Mo Feng’s report left the other Black Sha Legion generals first shocked, then skeptical. Their doubt wasn’t unfounded—the claims about Mu Lin’s abilities sounded too outrageous.

Hearing their disbelief, Mo Feng sighed. "I get why you’d question this, but I saw it myself. Every word’s true."

Worried they still doubted, he added, "Other soldiers witnessed it too. Call them in if you don’t believe me."

Deputy Commander Hei Lan, seated on the high platform, shook his head. "No need. I trust your word."

His expression turned grave. "Can we recruit Mu Lin? I’d share my deputy commander position with him if he agrees."

"Impossible. He revived the Agricultural and Martial Corps. They worship him like a deity now. Geniuses like him won’t bow to others…" Mo Feng trailed off, but Hei Lan grasped his meaning.

*Too proud to obey even the Legion Commander? Arrogant, indeed.*

The group abandoned recruitment plans but still wanted Mu Lin’s help detecting anomalies or purifying land—urgent needs for them.

However, the cautious and resource-strapped Hei Lan refused to entrust everything to Mu Lin. He picked a critical site for testing.

"You know Chi Yan Valley’s state. Let’s have Mu Lin prove himself there first."

"Yes, Deputy Commander. We’ll extend the invitation immediately."

…

The Black Sha Legion and Thunder Legion stirred over Mu Lin’s affairs. So did the insect apostle.

Feeling threatened, it exploited its clan’s Adaptability to breed specialized insects against him. "Mu Lin’s strong in soul power. Soul-Devourers might counter him."

Beyond breeding pests, it sought alliances with nearby alien clans to eliminate Mu Lin. "If he grows stronger, he’ll purge the chaos and reclaim human lands. This threat isn’t mine alone—others must contribute."

Yet most responses mocked: "Scram!"

"Your problem, not ours."

"Let *you* handle the threat first."

"Where was this humility earlier?"

"Submit to our Great Sovereign for protection…"

While alien clans warred with Mu Lin, they also feuded among themselves. None backed the insect apostle—all preferred watching its downfall.

Of course, their decision stemmed not just from internal strife, but also their failure to grasp the true danger Mu Lin posed.

Even among humans, those who hadn’t witnessed it firsthand met rumors of Mu Lin’s deeds with skepticism.

The otherworldly monsters and evil spirits likewise refused to believe a mere human could be so formidable.

Many suspected the insect apostle was exaggerating Mu Lin’s power to trick them into weakening both the enemy and themselves—leaving the insect apostle free to claim victory.

This distrust was justified, as these creatures had betrayed their own teammates countless times before.

With such suspicions prevailing, the insect apostle’s mission ended in failure.

The outcome drove it into a seething rage.

"Bastards!"

"Shortsighted vermin! You can’t comprehend the threat Mu Lin represents. Let him mature, and he’ll destroy us all!"

Yet even in its fury, the insect apostle’s first impulse wasn’t to attack Mu Lin.

Instead, it contemplated retreating—allowing Mu Lin’s power to grow until rival factions regretted their complacency.

And so it resolved to do exactly that.

This wasn’t blind rage, but cold calculation sparked by a chilling realization:

"Would someone of Mu Lin’s talent truly have only a dying Old Master as protection?"

Drawing from its own tactics, the insect apostle concluded Mu Lin must have hidden Protectors.

Even a full assault or ambush might fail, leaving it vulnerable to counterattack.

Unwilling to risk annihilation, the insect apostle chose flight over fight.

"Fools! Let others deal with Mu Lin’s rise. If you won’t act, neither will I!"

With that, it vanished.

Its departure brought uneasy quiet to the Agricultural and Martial Corps’ territory.

Meanwhile, Mu Lin remained oblivious to these developments.

He stood before a mysterious secret realm, his expression bemused.

While purging corruption, he’d stumbled upon this crumbling yet functional pocket dimension.

What intrigued him most was the ancient, potent aura radiating from within.

"An extraordinary treasure… for me?"

Mu Lin blinked in disbelief. Beside him, Sheng Cang wore equal shock.

But where Mu Lin saw opportunity, Sheng Cang sensed peril.

"Don’t rush in," Sheng Cang warned. "This reeks of a trap."

"True." Mu Lin shrugged. "But traps mean nothing to me."

With a wave of his hand, a dozen identical clones materialized.

They queued up and marched into the secret realm without hesitation.

With his clones, Mu Lin didn’t fear any traps.

“So what if you kill me? I’ve got plenty more clones. Take your time.”

Using his clone army to scout ahead, Mu Lin effortlessly navigated the lingering dangers of the secret realm and mapped it completely. Upon finishing his investigation, he was shocked to realize this wasn’t a trap—it was real fortune.

The hidden treasure belonged to an ancient sect. At its heart stood a massive stone tablet carved with over a dozen archaic characters. One of Mu Lin’s clones brought Sheng Cang to the tablet. When Mu Lin saw it fully, his pupils constricted sharply.

There, he spotted a Root Word—Binding. What startled him was how ordinary the binding character looked among the others.

“Hiss… Are these all Root Words?”

Skeptical at first, Mu Lin soon realized his guess was right. Every character radiated a profound and mysterious force. Staring at them strained his soul and made him dizzy, yet they also unlocked new insights in his mind.

Documents Sheng Cang found in the secret realm confirmed Mu Lin’s theory: “This was a secret realm of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, destroyed nine millennia ago. They believed talismanic script formed reality itself. Their experts spent lifetimes studying these Root Words and carved them here for disciples to learn. This tablet was their greatest treasure.”

Sheng Cang clasped his hands. “Young Master’s luck defies heaven itself! Even purging corruption leads you to such wonders.”

But Mu Lin disagreed. His prior dealings with the paths of Heaven and Humanity taught him these forces rewarded those who served them. “Is this my payment for cleansing corruption?” He felt satisfied—though unaware this was merely the first installment.

Beyond the world, a colossal corpse the size of mountains and stars hurtled toward them, radiating death.

…

Ignorant of outer realm events, Mu Lin remained cheerful. He hauled the tablet to his Underworld, studying it day and night. Previously, he’d struggled alone to grasp Root Words. Now, having guidance changed everything—like cracking an unsolved equation versus copying the answer key.

With his clones, innate talent, and Attribute Panel, Mu Lin mastered the tablet’s secrets in three days. His calligraphy expertise maxed out… and so did his painting skills. When both skills reached peak mastery, they fused. A new trait bloomed in his sea of consciousness:

Gazing at the Heavens.