Chapter 340

Chapter 340: Peace Talks? Mu Lin Is Unworthy

“Don’t provoke him—he’s a sleeping giant dragon.”

“And his long absence from battle proves he favors us. We should win him over, not make him our enemy.”

In the hall of Northern Wasteland Geniuses, discussions about handling Mu Lin unfolded. Spirit Void Master spoke first.

Yes, the same Spirit Void Master who once worked with Crimson Child’s Lair in the Grave Lord’s tomb.

For unknown reasons, he now stood among the Northern Prodigies.

Though he’d faced the descendant of evil gods alongside others, they’d been crushed. Yet Mu Lin alone had slain that foe.

This stark contrast revealed Mu Lin’s terrifying power to Spirit Void Master, who insisted they befriend rather than fight him.

His logic might’ve worked when the northern aristocrats first arrived in the South. But after endless victories, their pride blinded them.

Predictably, they mocked his words.

“A sleeping giant dragon? Our northern heroes have slain dragons before!”

“Remember this, Spirit Void Master—we fear no enemies. Others fear becoming ours.”

“I’ll fight him myself! Let’s see if his ‘sleeping dragon’ beats my three-headed evil dragon!”

Victory had bred arrogance. None feared Mu Lin—they hungered for bloodshed.

Spirit Void Master frowned deeply. Worse yet, northern aristocrats now turned on him:

“Southern Prodigies are all cowards—surrendering before battle even starts.”

“No wonder he joined us when we arrived…”

*Crack…*

Spirit Void Master hadn’t truly surrendered—he’d come to forge ties under orders. But the northerners proved too strong to need allies, rendering his efforts worthless.

Though furious, he kept calm, eyeing the seven core leaders on the central platform. A calm youth among them spoke:

“Spirit Void Master is right—we can’t make enemies of everyone.”

A brash companion scowled. “Qing! Should we let him insult us?”

Qing chuckled. “Patience, Iron Tower. We seek friends, but must prove our strength.”

Another leader nodded. “Our glory matters most. Crushing Mu Lin will make the southern aristocrats yield more resources.”

Spirit Void Master’s heart sank. Whether fearing Mu Lin or his own plight, he snapped: “You’ll regret provoking him.”

Iron Tower growled, “He’s the one who’ll regret standing against us!”

Qing raised a placating hand. “We bear no grudge. But the North needs dominance. Mu Lin must fall—decisively.”

"Only then can we deny the southern aristocrats any excuse to claim they didn’t fail."

This statement held some truth. The aggressive northern aristocrats indeed needed a major victory to make the southerners face reality and squeeze more resources from them.

Yet Spirit Void Master saw deeper implications.

He clearly understood that as long as Mu Lin didn’t provoke them first, they could cover up this matter. Though it might cost some prestige, the loss wouldn’t be significant since Mu Lin hadn’t directly confronted them. They still possessed the ability to resolve things peacefully.

But ultimately, the northern aristocrats chose otherwise. While there were multiple reasons, the core remained simple – they despised the Southern Prodigies and Mu Lin, truly believing Mu Lin posed no real threat.

Without fear, they acted recklessly. Their current decision became understandable.

After realizing this, Spirit Void Master shook his head and stopped persuading. He coldly remarked: "Confidence is good, but overconfidence isn’t. I hope you won’t regret this choice."

His departure drew scornful sneers from the crowd.

"Regret? My only regret is not coming here sooner!"

"Hahaha… Well said Brother Shan! Abundant resources, rich spiritual energy, beautiful women – these should rightfully be ours…"

Amid the laughter, Tower turned to Qing with curiosity: "Strange you didn’t preach about ‘the greater good’ this time."

Qing replied: "Maintaining our northern aristocrats’ fighting spirit is the true greater good. As for Mu Lin? He’s just one man. A few victories mean nothing against our overwhelming force."

Spirit Void Master’s prediction proved accurate. Even moderate Qing didn’t consider Mu Lin worth comparing to northern morale. Others felt even more assured of their advantage.

"Win? He won’t win once! With our numbers, we’ll find his weakness. We’ll crush him completely!"

"Right! Let’s challenge him now, Tower!"

"Wait three days."

"Why? Letting him swagger longer?"

Tower explained: "Let the southerners gather their people first. Crushing him before a full audience makes better impact."

"Brilliant plan! Once he falls, what excuses will those southern cowards have?"

The northerners celebrated their impending victory. Amid the revelry, Qing felt sudden unease – but quickly dismissed it.

"Nothing to fear. Our numbers guarantee victory. Even temporary setbacks won’t stop us."

Seeing hundreds of talented youths in the hall, Qing’s doubts vanished completely.

"No man can defeat a hundred! Victory is ours!"

…

Mu Lin soon learned their plan. The three-day delay aimed to maximize humiliation when he fell before gathered crowds.

The northerners immediately began spreading news of their challenge. With southern aristocrats’ tacit approval, word spread rapidly.

Yan Yunyu naturally noticed the commotion and informed Mu Lin promptly.

"Direct confrontation… Their worst possible choice."

"Pity. I wished to avoid this."

Beside him, Blood Cherry shook her head: "No negotiation attempt. They utterly scorn you, Mu Lin."

Mu Lin’s face darkened. Yan Yunyu shot Blood Cherry a surprised look – she’d considered this truth too, but dared not voice it.

_This bluntness makes her no palace rival,_ Yan Yunyu thought while Blood Cherry continued:

"I lost to northerners before, suffering their insults. Let me fight first this time!"

Feeling her burning fighting spirit and knowing her Blade Intent could grow through combat, Mu Lin agreed.

"Granted."

He added: "But I demand perfection. Train relentlessly these three days. Achieve advancement in Refining the Evil."

Blood Cherry blinked in surprise. "I’ve already begun Refining the Evil since joining you. Completion in three days? Impossible."

"I’ll assist you."

"What? You can… help with that?!"