Chapter 490

Chapter 490: Mu Brother, He Has Ascended to Divinity!

While Ji Ling Sha basked in flattery at Prince Liang’s residence, Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, and Si Ye returned to their respective clan territories.

Their arrival stirred excitement within the two powerful clans, with many rushing to curry favor with Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo.

Prince Liang’s residence had regained prominence through North Wilderness resources, leaving southern wealthy families green with envy.

They longed to claim a slice of this vast fortune.

Yet most southern clans held no connection to Mu Lin, leaving them empty-handed despite their greed.

The Yan and Chu families, however, felt entitled to a share.

A Yan family elder now whined to Yan Yunyu: "Yunyu, don’t abandon your roots! Don’t let that Ji family girl outshine you – you stood by Mu Lin first…"

His coaxing words drew only scorn.

"Ha! Why does Ji Ling Sha win favor though we came first? Has our family ever pondered this?"

Silence fell.

The answer was obvious.

Mu Lin favored Ji Ling Sha because she’d supported him during his darkest hour.

When he first arrived in the North, she and Prince Liang’s residence supplied vital resources during his struggling early days.

Mu Lin naturally repaid this loyalty.

Though the Yan and Chu families had previously aided Mu Lin, they remained passive during his conflict with the East Sea King – conduct that earned no goodwill.

True, Mu Lin had repaid their earlier help by sharing the True Meaning Diagram’s clone cultivation method. He owed them nothing.

To their credit, both clans refrained from betrayal during the East Sea King dispute.

When Mu Lin gained advantage, they belatedly sent forces to pressure the East Sea King – a gesture Mu Lin acknowledged.

Thus after attaining divinity, Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo brought limited benefits to their families, far less than Ji Ling Sha’s gains.

Yan Yunyu’s immediate scolding of elders served dual purposes: asserting authority and forcing her clan to confront their past mistakes.

Her ambitions now turned toward controlling the Yan family – a goal she felt certain of achieving.

…

Public humiliation by his junior left the Second Clan Elder seething.

Yet despite his fury, he neither struck nor stormed out.

Mu Lin’s reshaping of northern power dynamics ensured his lingering influence. As Mu Lin’s woman, Yan Yunyu’s status now matched his shadow.

The elder’s lingering presence stemmed chiefly from greed for resources.

The clan elders also had families, friends, and offspring. These people needed work and resources. Shedding some pride to gain substantial resources was something the Elder of the Second Clan willingly did.

Though scolded by Yan Yunyu, he quickly regained composure and said apologetically: "Yunyu, your reprimand is justified. We old relics truly lacked your foresight. We let Mu Lin – this qilin among men, this chosen one – slip through our grasp. Truthfully, we’ve been regretting this so bitterly that sleep escapes us nightly…"

If you held frustrations against the family, believing they’d wronged you – fine. Since you felt owed, they’d display remorse for you to see.

None rose to Four Seas Pavilion’s higher ranks by being fools.

Their earlier refusal to aid Mu Lin… had been the prudent choice.

They couldn’t know Mu Lin possessed cheat-like… ahem, such monstrous talent.

Thus they saw Mu Lin’s clash with East Sea King as mantis blocking chariot. Watching silently became wisest course – should Mu Lin fail and East Sea King dominate Southeast Province, aiding him would bring calamity.

Yet their conventional reasoning failed to account for Mu Lin’s utter defiance of logic.

Shaking East Sea Kingdom alone. Overturning North Wilderness’ situation single-handedly. Amassing vast resources through feats beyond wildest dreams. As Mu Lin’s power and resources grew, their regret deepened.

Much of Elder’s remorse now came from genuine heart.

After letting Yan Yunyu vent frustrations, Elder continued: "Yunyu, we erred yet stayed loyal. We’re family – please speak kindly of us to Mu Lin."

"Aiding him would raise your standing in his eyes, ensuring better life."

In these times, married daughters required family backing to thrive. Like Ji Ling Sha’s elevated status through Prince Liang’s residence’s full support.

The Yan family elder’s approach wasn’t flawed. He believed clever Yan Yunyu would recognize this, set aside grievances, and cooperate – only thus could she rival Ji Ling Sha.

At worst, she’d claim slightly more resource shares and leadership. Having misjudged before, Yan family would concede this much.

But then came the surprise.

Facing this win-win proposal, Yan Yunyu sighed wearily: "Good plan… but too late. Brother Mu Lin needs no help now."

"How? Yunyu, you underestimate our Family Resources. Though Mu Lin’s gifted, he’s no celestial master yet! Our family’s reserves could save him centuries of effort – we truly offer real help…"

The smiling Yan elder boasted of family’s might – their pride and foundation.

Yan Yunyu’s retort froze his smile: "I know little of family’s depth… but you comprehend nothing of Brother Mu Lin’s power."

Sweeping a contemptuous gaze, she declared with blazing pride: "Mu brother has ascended. Become True God. Heavenly God!"

“？？？”