Chapter 270
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Chapter 270: Young Master Bai Qi, you wouldn’t want to get ambushed by bandits while enjoying hotpot and singing, would you?
The gloomy aura made the powerful beings from the Demon Sect mistake the first Qi Practitioner emerging from below as one of their own.
When Ji Hongyu saw the person’s face, her expression shifted dramatically—from grief, rage, and resignation to utter shock and disbelief.
"How…?"
She stood perplexed.
Meanwhile, the Yin-Yang Harmony Sect and Ghost Sect members remained unaware of the impending disaster. Seeing Ji Hongyu’s reaction, they assumed the demon cultivator who slaughtered the Demon Exorcism Division’s elite was someone she knew.
To taunt her, someone snickered, "Miss Ji, why that look? Recognize the man below? Is he a traitor from your Demon Exorcism Division?"
This only deepened the strangeness of Ji Hongyu’s expression.
"I do know him. He’s part of the Demon Exorcism Division… but not as a traitor. He’s on active duty."
"You know him? Wait—active duty? What does that mean?"
The Ghost Sect’s Elder Yu initially felt both shock and glee upon hearing the man belonged to the Demon Exorcism Division. His casual remark had accidentally struck true. But Ji Hongyu’s follow-up about "active duty" left him baffled—though a dreadful suspicion began forming in his mind.
Unwilling to voice his fear, he stayed silent. Ji Hongyu, however, "helpfully" clarified:
"Active duty means he’s working. For your information, Mu… Lin Qiu’s assignment is to guard Ping An Ancient Town by eliminating all monsters and evil spirits. So, Elder Yu—how would you rate his performance?"
"…"
Elder Yu gave no answer, his shadowed gaze fixed on "Lin Qiu." The same intense scrutiny came from the Yin-Yang Harmony Sect, Star-Moon Sect, and Seven Killing Sect. Upon realizing the survivor wasn’t one of their thousand demon cultivators but their target Lin Qiu, the Demon Sect’s leaders grew wary.
Whispered conversations erupted:
"A thousand against one, and they lost? Pathetic!"
"Worse than trash! Even rounding up a thousand pigs would take longer. Those idiots didn’t last an hour of meditation!"
The Ghost Sect interjected: "Those free demon cultivators were useless, but we must focus on eliminating Lin Qiu. He threatens our Sects’ heirs and might seize the Grave Lord inheritance. Unless we want to return empty-handed, he dies!"
Though crucial, the Demon Sect leaders could only glare at Mu Lin with helpless killing intent. While their numbers ensured they could overpower Ji Hongyu to kill him, retaliation would follow—if they targeted her protege, she’d hunt their own heirs without mercy.
Using the Transformation Realm to fight those in the Condensing Essence and Refining the Evil Realm, Mu Lin and the other demon sect’s divine children could barely resist such a suppression, despite their talents.
True, they now had powerful beings from the Demon Sect guarding against Ji Hongyu’s ambushes. This was possible, but Elder Yu and the others couldn’t stay with their disciples all the time. Once angered, Ji Hongyu wouldn’t just target protected disciples. She’d hunt down other promising talents from the Ghost Sect and Yin-Yang Harmony Sect.
As the saying goes, "Thieves strike when least expected." Facing a master in the Transformation Realm consumed by rage, their sect’s talents would need to either stay cloistered forever or travel with three to five Protectors. Otherwise, Ji Hongyu could crush each one who ventured out. Their younger generation would be wiped out. Yet staying sheltered would only breed incompetence.
When both sides possess powerful beings, indiscriminate slaughter by the strong easily destroys the weaker side’s future, severing their legacy. No faction could bear such losses. Thus, major powers followed unspoken rules—unless provoked, the strong wouldn’t slaughter the opposing side’s talents.
For now, as long as Mu Lin didn’t provoke Elder Yu and the others, they could only watch him wreak havoc. These hidden rules, however, only restrained the strong from bullying the weak. Rivalry among talents remained unchecked—even group ambushes were permitted.
Elder Yu now proposed an alliance of demon sect talents to kill "Lin Qiu."
"Let’s unite," he urged.
The others readily agreed.
"Agreed."
"Same here."
…
"Hmph!"
Though Ji Hongyu didn’t catch the demon sects’ whispered messages, she sensed the thickening tension and knew their nature. The conspicuous Mu Lin would inevitably be targeted. This drew a cold snort from her. Yet since talent alliances fell within the rules, she couldn’t intervene despite her displeasure.
Finally, she materialized beside Mu Lin to warn him.
"Ah! Commander Ji!"
Her sudden appearance startled Mu Lin. Recovering, he bowed hastily. "My apologies, Commander. I borrowed your authority without permission earlier…"
Before Mu Lin could finish apologizing, Ji Hongyu waved her hand to cut him off.
"This is nothing. First suppressing those old fools on Ping An Ancient Street, then cleaning up the demon cultivators in town – you’ve done better than I imagined. Forget borrowing my name, after all this, I’d even help you personally."
Her approving expression suddenly turned stern. "But you acted recklessly. Do you realize how dangerous your situation is now?"
Instead of looking confused, Mu Lin nodded. "I expected this. A tree that stands tall gets battered by the wind. Those monsters and evil spirits in Ping An Ancient Town must see me as a thorn in their side. They’ll try assassinations, curses, poison – maybe even gang up against me."
"???"
"You knew and still provoked them?"
Mu Lin’s calm reply baffled Ji Hongyu. She’d assumed youthful arrogance drove his actions, but now realized he fully understood the consequences. This made his boldness even more puzzling.
"Being targeted like this, not only will you struggle to claim the Grave Lord inheritance, but your life’s in danger. I came to warn you – if unsure, leave Ping An Ancient Town now. Keep the mountain green, and you’ll never lack firewood."
Though reasonable advice, Mu Lin immediately rejected it. "Thank you, Commander. But even united, those demon cultivators can’t kill me."
His arrogant tone made Ji Hongyu frown. "Slaughtering a thousand free demon cultivators made you cocky? Remember – those were minor practitioners. The demon sect’s divine children could crush them like insects. Any single holy child threatens you, and together they could challenge even me!"
"They can’t."
Before she could react, Mu Lin added: "How can they kill what’s not here? I never came to Ping An Ancient Town."
"Not here? You mean… this body’s a clone?!" Ji Hongyu gasped, truly shocked. The man causing such upheaval was just a copy.
"Your wisdom shines, Commander."
"Save the flattery. I never noticed until you said it… So this explains your boldness – no real body, no real risk. But wait!" She caught herself. "Without being present, how can you claim the Grave Lord inheritance? Don’t you want it?"
Her voice trailed off, confused. As a paper folder of Yin Eight Sect, why would Mu Lin resist their greatest treasure? The Grave Lord inheritance represented their ultimate secret.
While inquiring, countless thoughts surged through Ji Hongyu’s mind. Though she had grown accustomed to Mu Lin’s surprises since knowing his clone had arrived, his next words still stunned her.
"I don’t actually care much about obtaining the Grave Lord inheritance. I came here thinking ‘if I get it, good; if not, that’s fate.’"
Ji Hongyu remarked, "That’s quite a mindset you have."
"It’s not about mindset. The ancients’ achievements don’t mean modern people can’t surpass them. The Grave Lord inheritance isn’t my only path… Whether I get it or not won’t stop me from becoming a powerful being – might just take slightly longer."
Determined to forge his own path rather than follow predecessors, Mu Lin naturally felt no obsession over the inheritance.
When roads don’t exist, carve new ones.
This grand ambition left Ji Hongyu speechless. She finally patted his shoulder, saying "Since there’s no danger, go do what you must."
As Mu Lin bowed and turned to leave, Ji Hongyu suddenly called out: "And don’t fret over demon sects. The Demon Exorcism Division has never been powerless."
Her figure vanished instantly, but her actions didn’t slow. The moment she left, she contacted her superior via jade pendant:
"Commander, send reinforcements. We can still contend for the Grave Lord inheritance. Also… that Mu Lin boy might be equally important as the inheritance itself."
……
Unaware of Ji Hongyu’s maneuvers, Mu Lin focused on hunting remaining demon cultivators with his Yin soldiers. Part of his Forces also marched to Ping An Ancient Street – retribution for their ambush attempt.
Cautious of their hidden defenses, Mu Lin avoided direct confrontation. With spiritual veins, Time Tower’s cycles, and Manjusaka’s power, his strength grew exponentially. His enemies had lost 70% control of spiritual veins.
Time favored him. Yet he still demanded exorbitant compensation upon arrival. Though he’d looted Ping An Ancient Street’s spiritual vein treasures, their vaults still held wealth – perfect for funding his fledgling City God Realm.
The locals initially protested: "Commander Lin, this injustice! The attackers left long ago – see their departure contracts…"
Young Master Bai Qi had indeed prepared exit documents beforehand, enough to fool most. But Mu Lin’s flexible morals ignored their defenses.
"Ah, my mistake," he dismissed. "Let’s discuss bandit suppression instead. As local gentry, you’ll naturally contribute, Young Master Bai Qi."
"Bandits…?"
"Exactly! Bold enough to storm my home. Were I less fortunate, you’d be mourning me. Such lawlessness demands eradication. Besides…" Mu Lin leaned closer. "If they’d attack me, you’re next. You wouldn’t want bandits interrupting your hotpot feasts and song parties, would you?"
