Chapter 365

Chapter 365: The Anxious Southern Aristocrats

"Dead? He’s really dead?"

"Died just like that? This must be a joke!"

"How’s this possible?"

A cultivator wielding high-level resources had fought against a quasi-Earth Immortal—a gap spanning an entire major realm. Yet the quasi-Earth Immortal had been sentenced to death with a single command. Many couldn’t comprehend what they’d witnessed.

This was no ordinary foe. The black-robed old man had wielded a spiritual weapon and burned every ounce of his vitality. Even a true Earth Immortal would need significant effort to kill him, let alone prevent his escape via the spiritual weapon’s power. Lu Hao’s earlier failed attempts to subdue him proved this.

Yet Mu Lin had slaughtered this mighty cultivator effortlessly. Such a reality-defying scene shattered the onlookers’ minds.

While others reeled, Mu Lin remained unfazed. The quasi-Earth Immortal had indeed been formidable—in direct combat, Mu Lin stood no chance.

But the mastermind had made a fatal error: sending an ancient, decrepit cultivator. Those nearing death’s door were perfect prey for Mu Lin’s powers.

The core ability of his manifestation of Yama wasn’t just dominion over hell’s spirits—it was the power to sever lifespans and decree Life and Death. Though difficult due to rank disparity, whittling down the quasi-Earth Immortal’s remaining days had been possible.

Mu Lin’s prolonged chatter with the old man had masked his true aim—shaving off mere hours from a lifespan already measured in grains of sand. That final reduction became the last straw, collapsing the old man’s existence.

"I can’t fight quasi-Earth Immortals head-on… but stealing hours from the dying? That’s easy. Show your wrinkled face before me, and death follows."

Mu Lin knew why the mastermind chose elders—only those facing imminent death would risk assassinating him. Cultivators who reached the Transformation realm became pillars of society, having escaped poverty’s grind. Why gamble comfortable lives?

Hence the mastermind resorted to recruiting quasi-Earth Immortals already at death’s threshold.

The mastermind’s motives mattered little. What burned Mu Lin was the blatant rule-breaking—assassination attempts using forbidden means.

"A quasi-Earth Immortal. The Ouroboros Sword spiritual weapon. Devouring Serpent poisons… They truly wanted me dead."

Observing the corpse and the trembling flying sword attempting escape, Mu Lin smiled. A cold, razor-edged smile.

"Storm’s coming."

The crowd gradually accepted the incomprehensible—Mu Lin had casually killed a quasi-Earth Immortal. As their shock faded, they noticed his frosty expression.

Considering Mu Lin’s talent, his track record, and his infamous temperament, all understood: an assassin’s death wouldn’t end this.

This was only the beginning.

“Trouble is brewing.”

……

“Hum!”

Some sighed while others suppressed the Ouroboros Sword. Those acting were Lu Hao from North Wilderness and clan elders of both Yan and Chu families.

After the black-robed old man perished, the flying sword vibrated fiercely, attempting to flee.

The Devouring Serpent represented an immensely advanced power involving spatial manipulation.

If controlled, it could teleport away from This Place.

Yet the black-robed old man had died abruptly, never anticipating Mu Lin would kill him.

Unprepared, he’d failed to activate the Ouroboros Sword’s contingency measures.

Though formidable, the Ouroboros Sword remained bound by its nature as a spiritual weapon. Such artifacts required human control.

Without guidance, the sword ultimately couldn’t escape despite its power.

“Hum!”

The three forces joined hands to completely suppress the spiritual weapon.

Truthfully, both Lu Hao and members of Yan and Chu families coveted it.

Not even Earth Immortals always possessed such weapons.

The Ouroboros Sword’s exceptional strength made it invaluable. Against ordinary talents, they’d have “safeguarded” it indefinitely.

But Mu Lin was no ordinary talent—he was a peerless prodigy.

His recent feat of slaying a quasi-Earth Immortal using high-level resources only magnified his fearsome reputation.

Reluctantly, they handed the subdued flying sword to Mu Lin to avoid family repercussions.

Mu Lin thanked them sincerely—both for restraining the sword and their intervention.

Though he’d resolved the crisis alone, their assistance still merited gratitude.

Claiming shock, Mu Lin then withdrew from visitors.

While he retreated from sight, the incident’s repercussions spread.

Cultivators learning of this marveled at Mu Lin’s prowess.

“He killed a quasi-Earth Immortal! What can’t he accomplish?”

“He’s no mere youth anymore—Mu Lin’s become a true powerful being.”

Others speculated about the assassination attempt.

“The Luo family recently clashed with Mu Lin. Was it them?”

“Unlikely. Making enemies with a peerless prodigy would be foolish. Remember the ongoing North-South conflict—if Mu Lin died, who’d stop Northern Luo Chen? Southern defeat would turn other aristocrats against the Luo family, inflicting heavy losses.”

“Who else could it be but the Luo family?”

“There are many possibilities. Prince Liang might oppose strengthening the powerful clans. The Yuqing Sect, true ruler of the Southeast Province, wouldn’t want an uncontrollable peerless prodigy in their territory. Even the recently defeated northern cultivators might retaliate secretly.”

“Demons, monsters, or minions of evil gods could act too. Those not of our race always scheme differently – crushing human talents is normal for them.”

Counting roughly, the crowd realized Mu Lin had countless enemies.

This stood to reason. The old saying “Tall trees catch fierce winds” existed for a purpose.

While enjoying privileges as a peerless prodigy, Mu Lin inevitably faced matching dangers.

Amidst speculation about the attacker, some openly lamented Mu Lin’s survival.

A Luo family elder voiced such sentiments:

“Hmph! Didn’t I say Mu Lin’s flashy behavior would bring disaster? He escaped by luck this time. Next time won’t be the same.”

His steward coughed uncomfortably.

“Elder, given the crisis, such remarks might provoke Mu Lin…”

“What’s it matter? We didn’t send the assassin. Can he blame me?”

Lu Yangyao insisted neither he nor the Luo family bore responsibility.

Many southern aristocrats agreed, choosing to spectate as events unfolded.

They regretted this stance by next morning.

Lu Yangyao faced urgent questioning from other clans:

“What’s your incompetence? Mu Lin’s signaling deeper northern ties!”

“Lu Yangyao! If Mu Lin joins the North Wilderness and destroys our advantage, neither you nor the Luo family can withstand the consequences!”

Power dictated everything. Southern defeat in the North-South conflict meant catastrophic losses of resources, influence, and prestige – collapses no single clan could survive.

The Luo elder felt unjustly accused:

“How’s this our fault? I tried addressing his frustration, but he refuses meetings after the attack!”

“He meets northern aristocrats while avoiding you!”

“This…”

Lu Yangyao wasn’t completely dense. Connecting clues, he exclaimed:

“Does he think I ordered this? Absurd! Why would I?”

He rushed to explain personally.

Mu Lin ignored him, intensifying northern negotiations instead.

Panicking southern aristocrats approached the Yan and Chu families for updates.

Their report left the assembly stunned:

“I told Mu Lin the assassin might not be from Luo family… Unlike some, we Yans prioritize unity.”

After mocking rivals, the Yan family head sighed:

“But Mu Lin said what matters isn’t who sent the killer. Being attacked in southern heartlands without your protection or retaliation makes him feel unwanted.”

“Thus he’ll join northerners who vowed blood-for-blood revenge against his attackers.”

“Uh…”

The southern aristocrats shifted awkwardly. They’d indeed ignored the assassination attempt.

Mu Lin wasn’t their offspring. Sending Transformation-level assassins indicated powerful enemies they preferred not to provoke.

After confirming their clans’ innocence, they’d happily watched Mu Lin’s predicament, even hoping for conflict.

Now Mu Lin declared: Watch if you want – I’ll leave.

No welcome here? Another will serve.

Seeing him actually depart, the spectators panicked.