Chapter 496

Chapter 496: Resurrection Ceremony

With the powers of life enabling him to create living beings and analyze genetic codes, Mu Lin developed Golden Fruit and Silver Fruit to enhance the human race’s vitality. He naturally hadn’t forgotten his roots—the True Spirit Domain Chart containing numerous divine positions.

Previously incapable, Mu Lin now wielded his powers to craft his divine body. This divine form promised extended lifespan, unparalleled divine energy, and supreme talent. Its blueprint came from his complete Giant of Light template—untampered and fully preserved.

Having ascended as a True God, Mu Lin cared little about subordinates potentially surpassing him. Or rather, he trusted his own growth pace would outstrip all others. "Even when weak, I outpaced everyone. Now with powers, past-life knowledge, and my Attribute Panel? If I feared being overtaken, I’d rather smash my skull against tofu!"

Though the Giant of Light template held immense potential, Mu Lin envisioned grander horizons. "My powers of life allow better templates. The Giant’s just one option—soon I’ll decode Divine Dragons, Phoenixes, Thunder Titans, Life Ents… all becoming divine body Templates."

He conceived his first divine artifact: a catalog containing genetic blueprints of every lifeform in existence. Completing it would let him spawn countless species… and revoke their existence. Understanding life’s workings deepened his grasp of death’s mechanisms—two sides of yin and yang. "My Predetermined Death will soon reach authority-level potency," he mused while awaiting Master Meng Rui’s recovery.

When she regained control, Mu Lin asked about Teacher Dongfang Ya’s whereabouts. "She returned to her clan’s territory."

"Clan territory? Is she from some prominent family?"

"A legacy clan," Master Meng Rui clarified—explaining how such families sealed their gates, often forced by circumstance rather than choice. The Dongfang clan had clashed with forbidden lands and other clans, suffering curses that stripped their assets and compelled isolation.

"Visiting family at such times? How…" Mu Lin’s complaint died as sudden intuition prickled his awareness. For a Deity anchored in this world, such premonitions never lied—something abnormal had indeed occurred.

"I was just thinking about Teacher Dongfang when I had a sudden premonition… Could something be wrong with Teacher Dongfang? Is the forbidden zone attacking?"

Noticing something amiss, Mu Lin stood up abruptly, catching Master Meng Rui’s attention.

"That look on your face—what’s happened?"

"It’s not me. Teacher Dongfang Ya is in trouble… Do you know where her clan’s territory is?"

"Yes… They live in seclusion near Wanlong Mountain in the southern borders…"

With his teacher’s safety at stake, Mu Lin turned into a beam of light and sped toward Wanlong Mountain.

Before leaving, he left several Golden Fruits with Master Meng Rui, instructing her to deliver them to Anping Taoist Palace for his friends and mentors who’d aided him—a gesture of gratitude.

He wasn’t overly worried.

As a Deity, Mu Lin believed even the forbidden zone and powerful clans would show him respect.

He assumed this trip would be mere routine, allowing him to retrieve his teacher effortlessly.

…

_Swish!_

Moving at light-speed, Mu Lin traversed thousands of miles in moments, arriving near Wanlong Mountain—a sprawling dragon-like mountain range teeming with spiritual energy. Humans and Demon Race factions thrived here despite constant clashes. Ordinary people rarely survived here long.

None of this concerned Mu Lin. Focusing his spiritual awareness, he pinpointed his teacher’s presence and reached the Dongfang clan’s gates.

To his confusion, the area seemed peaceful. Instead of conflict, the clan buzzed with festivity.

"???"

"Did I misread the signs? Or will their enemies strike during the celebration’s peak?"

The lively atmosphere initially puzzled him, but his face soon darkened. His enhanced senses pierced the clan’s interior, revealing the true crisis: while the clan faced no danger, his teacher did.

She sat at the heart of the celebration—its central sacrificial figure.

_Swish!_

Mu Lin surged toward the clan grounds. Inside, the entire Dongfang clan—elders, leader, and members—gathered around an altar.

There sat Dongfang Ya, petite and doll-like beneath ornate robes. Behind her loomed a stone statue resembling her. The clan knelt before both, chanting:

"Ancestors, descend!"

"Ancestors…"

Mu Lin instantly recognized the resurrection ceremony—they aimed to force their ancestor’s spirit into Dongfang Ya’s body.