Chapter 230
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Chapter 230: Lord of Desolation
The deaths of several students left their parents weeping bitterly, while others felt their pain.
But soon, they couldn’t dwell on grief any longer… Through the water mirror, everyone discovered the perils of the strange location and realized their own children faced the same dangers.
Under such circumstances, they had no room in their hearts to care about others.
Among the anxious were Chu Lingluo’s mother Si Ye and the four clan elders of the Yan family.
Yet their worries vanished within moments.
Though Lingluo and Yan Yunyu lacked strength, making their survival unlikely in this deadly place,
Mu Lin’s power compensated for this weakness.
A brief glance revealed Mu Lin already mobilizing his Forces, storming toward Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu’s position.
"Thank the heavens for Mu Lin."
Si Ye breathed a sigh of relief and genuinely felt his daughter’s betrothal to Mu Lin had been a divine blessing.
Meanwhile, others approached Si Ye and the Yan family elders, pleading for them to contact Mu Lin about rescuing their own children.
…
Mu Lin remained oblivious to these external events as he raced toward Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo while interrogating captured ordinary folk.
Zhao Shi trembled in fear.
This middle-aged merchant from Lingyang City’s outskirts
knew nothing about how he’d been dragged into this nightmare.
His last memory involved taking a hurried shortcut home,
only to find himself stranded in this lethal wilderness.
"You swear you know nothing?"
Faced with stern ghost officials and the deathly silent Phantom Army, Zhao Shi’s resolve crumbled completely.
"Honorable sir, I’ve only just arrived here myself! Though…" He suddenly recalled, "Lingyang’s been buzzing with rumors about disappearances these past days."
"But the noble families and magistrates keep dismissing them as lies…"
Within the Yin Spirit Coffin, Mu Lin’s eyes narrowed.
"This crisis bridges the wilderness and reality. Feels like deeper trouble brewing."
Lacking crucial Information, his thoughts circled uselessly.
Shaking his head, Mu Lin abandoned speculation.
"Schemes can wait. Find Yunyu and Lingluo first."
The Phantom Army surged forward as the Ink Dragon substitute whipped cyclonic winds,
carrying them like vengeful stormclouds toward Chu Lingluo’s location.
After the time it takes to drink tea, Mu Lin’s Yin soldiers reached a shadowy grove ahead.
The woods weren’t vast, but radiated unnatural gloom.
Through his soldiers’ vision, Mu Lin observed the trees bore sparse foliage yet somehow choked the air with darkness.
Withered corpses dangled from every branch like macabre fruit.
"Lingluo’s spiritual energy is here."
Though thinking this, Mu Lin didn’t advance immediately. His attention shifted sideways.
Several students huddled nearby, eyeing both the deadwood and Mu Lin’s Phantom Army with equal wariness. Among them stood familiar faces – Lin Qi, Flower Xingyu, and Fox Demon Bai Zhi.
They resembled frightened rabbits ready to bolt.
Only when a Yin soldier approached and addressed them did their tension ease.
"I’m Mu Lin. Why are you here? Have you seen Lingluo?"
"Ah, it really is you!"
Recognition sparked relieved sighs. Fox Demon Bai Zhi explained their plight:
"Lord Mu, we were teleported into this deadwood forest. We barely escaped, but others got lost inside. We’re… discussing options."
"???"
Mu Lin blurted without thinking: "What’s to discuss? Go save them!"
The moment he spoke, he noticed Fox Demon Bai Zhi, Flower Xingyu and Lin Qi exchanging awkward glances.
This confused him initially. During their first trial, these same companions had fought courageously against hopeless odds…
Then understanding dawned.
"Right. This isn’t practice anymore."
"In trials, death means nothing. Here, it’s permanent."
Facing mortal terror sounded simple in tales, yet true courage proved rare – why "hero" remained sacred.
Moreover, while classmates were friends, risking one’s life for them…
Even Mu Lin couldn’t claim such valor. Thankfully, as a paper folder, he could fight remotely.
"My apologies."
Abandoning persuasion, Mu Lin turned his Yin soldiers and ghost officials toward the deadwood forest.
Just as he wrote off his companions, something unexpected happened.
Watching the Phantom Army advance, Lin Qi and Fox Demon Bai Zhi suddenly stepped forward.
Fox Demon Bai Zhi: "I’ll go with you."
Lin Qi: "Count me in."
The two who stepped forward made Mu Lin raise an eyebrow.
"You needn’t do this."
"No, we must go. Our companions are there."
Humans had their share of cowards, but there were also brave ones.
Of course, it was Mu Lin’s proven strength that gave them courage to follow.
…
"Since you insist, come to the heart of the Yin soldiers and ghost officials."
Mu Lin had the Yin soldiers and ghost officials part to let Fox Demon Bai Zhi and Lin Qi through.
"Boom… roar" echoed as thundering hooves charged toward the deadwood forest.
Walking beside him, Bai Zhi warned with lingering fear: "Young Master Mu, you must be careful. This place is strange and dangerous."
"First, these trees create ghost-wall illusions to trap wanderers. Last time we barely escaped."
"Second, attacking the trees brings unknown curses."
"Even doing nothing risks getting snatched onto branches. Those trees drain both magic and vitality…"
The fox demon desperately listed perils, though Mu Lin already sensed them.
The small forest should’ve been crossed quickly by his Phantom Army. Yet three minutes later, they still wandered in circles. Several Yin soldiers and ghost officials had vanished, replaced by withered paper figures clinging to giant trees.
No wonder Lin Qi and Flower Xingyu had hesitated.
Unseen by Mu Lin, twisted faces emerged on tree bark after their passing – sentient, whispering:
"Assistant, these aren’t our prepared sacrifices. Intruders!"
"Look at their clothes – likely children of the powerful. Releasing them avoids trouble…"
Some spectral voices urged caution. Others disagreed:
"Who cares about noble brats? Our god protects us!"
"Ordinary sacrifices bring small rewards. But offering these to the Great Lord of Stillness? Our path to glory!"
The argument continued:
"But this one commands Yin soldiers. He’s dangerous…"
"Greater risks mean greater rewards! His strength makes him perfect for the Lord’s blessing!"
The Assistant’s cold laughter rasped: "Elsewhere he might threaten us. But here? This deadwood forest bears our Lord’s sacred power – breeding ground for Servants of the gods. Jijiji! However talented, I rule here. He’s seeking his own doom!"
