Chapter 375

Chapter 375: One Against a Nation! How Dare Mu Lin?

After his advancement, Mu Lin’s strength surged dramatically. Now possessing dual manifestations, his cultivation level leaped from high-level resources directly to the late Transformation stage—such was the advantage of his rock-solid foundation.

All the potential he’d accumulated over time burst forth during this breakthrough.

This advancement didn’t just elevate his cultivation. Mu Lin also unified his cultivation methods and grasped numerous new techniques during the process.

This explosive growth fueled his confidence to confront the East Sea Kingdom.

It also stoked his burning desire for retribution.

The assassination attempts had violated his survival instincts and crossed his bottom line. Mu Lin saw no choice but to retaliate.

He refused to become like that Persian kingdom—first losing their legion commander and scientists, then their president, until they couldn’t even protect foreign dignitaries. Their humiliation had turned them into global laughingstocks.

Without decisive action, Mu Lin knew he’d suffer the same mockery as that Persian realm.

Moreover, failing to strike back would embolden the East Sea King. Soon not just Mu Lin, but everyone close to him—Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, Si Ye, even his grandfather—would face deadly threats.

Whether for self-preservation or future ambitions, revenge became unavoidable.

Yet while Mu Lin embraced the "strike-first" mentality, others calculated differently.

After witnessing his advancement, factions reevaluated Mu Lin’s worth.

They concluded that mildly provoking the East Sea King might be worthwhile.

Mildly—not full-scale war.

Thus the North and South Aristocrats approached Mu Lin, offering to pressure the East Sea King into confining Ji Yu and stopping his schemes.

The dragon clan also intervened.

They proposed mediating with the East Sea King to punish Ji Yu—provided Mu Lin joined their Dragon Palace.

"This is our limit," they argued. "We can’t make a king kill his heir. House arrest will sting enough. Keep growing stronger—take revenge later when you’re unstoppable."

Their logic held surface appeal, but the persuaders overlooked one crucial fact.

Mu Lin already possessed means to counter the East Sea King’s retaliation—no waiting required.

He saw no need for "patient vengeance." Immediate action suited him better.

He also scoffed at the confinement promises.

"House arrest? More like home pampering. You’d let Ji Yu feast and cultivate in comfort!"

Letting enemies prosper wasn’t Mu Lin’s style.

He ignored all advice.

Even as they spoke, paper figures disguised as wandering merchants, wandering heroes, Taoist priests, and sword cultivators streamed toward the East Sea Kingdom.

Others became birds winging across skies, beasts loping overland, and aquatic creatures swimming through rivers—all converging on the coastal realm.

For this vengeance, Mu Lin mobilized fully. Hundreds of paper figures in countless guises descended upon the East Sea Kingdom.

With so many forms and movements, no matter how the East Sea Kingdom tried to destroy them, they couldn’t eliminate all the paper figures. This was the horror of the Yin Eight Sect’s paper folders.

—Other paper folders besides Mu Lin might not be powerful, but their self-preservation skills were truly exceptional.

While the paper clones acted, Mu Lin had moved his true body along with Yan Yunyu and the others into the Grave Lord’s tomb.

"Ji Yu and East Sea King, I’m fully prepared. Are you ready to receive my grand gift?"

……

Meanwhile, Mu Lin made all preparations for war.

In the East Sea Kingdom, the ambitious East Sea King learned about his third son’s clash with Mu Lin.

His initial rage led to harsh punishment for Ji Yu, including reduced privileges.

Yet as Mu Lin predicted, Ji Yu remained the king’s son – this was the limit of consequences.

Most of the punishment stemmed not from attacking Mu Lin, but from:

"Fool! Can’t succeed but excellent at sabotaging! Targeting Mu Lin for Ji Ling Sha and Prince Liang’s residence wasn’t wrong – but why didn’t you summon an Earth Immortal when you struck?!"

"Don’t you know even lions use full force against rabbits?!"

Ji Yu protested weakly:

"I understand going all-out, Father! But High Mastery of Transformation should’ve sufficed against someone a whole major realm weaker…"

"I don’t care what you thought – only my judgment matters!"

After berating Ji Yu, the king consulted his advisors.

These capable men understood southeastern aristocrats well, immediately predicting their possible reactions.

"Failed assassinations break rules and damage our reputation. Thankfully, those soft southeastern aristocrats won’t fight over Mu Lin – just issue warnings. Our real concern is Mu Lin himself. His talent means we must crush him completely."

"Agreed, but not now. Though weak, the southeasterners need Mu Lin desperately during this North-South conflict peak. With Yuzhou City not our territory, direct action would likely fail."

"Brother Xun speaks truth. We should wait until after the conflict when Mu Lin loses support. Other powerful clans won’t interfere then."

As the king nodded approval, another advisor added:

"Mu Lin will rage against the attack. He might force the southeasterners to demand we punish Ji Yu. Let’s play along – temporarily confine the prince to lower Mu Lin’s guard."

"Good, but don’t yield quickly. Dragging it out will make Mu Lin pressure the aristocrats repeatedly. Their pride will breed resentment. Then we’ll compromise – showing we appease them, not Mu Lin. After the conflict, they’ll aid rather than hinder us."

"Excellent plan, Brother Xun…"

These advisors indeed proved skilled, turning obstacles into potential allies through mere conversation.

Had Mu Lin been weaker and obeyed the southeasterners, events might have unfolded as predicted.

But confidence in his strength drove Mu Lin to choose an unexpected path.

……

After the meeting, the East Sea King awaited southeastern demands.

None came.

This surprised them – even cowards should voice protests.

Advisor Xun eventually chuckled:

"I miscalculated… Young talents act rashly. Mu Lin must’ve deemed protests useless, refusing when the southeasterners suggested it."

Had southeasterners protested and the king confined Ji Yu, the matter would’ve ended. Any later revenge would be seen as murder without moral support.

Xun concluded: "Foolish! Demanding justice would’ve forced concessions. Suffering silently only hurts himself."

Others agreed:

"Extreme folly, but youths are reckless calves fearing no tigers."

"Hah! Could he be stupid enough to attack us directly?"

The room fell silent until Xun laughed:

"Nonsense! However foolish, none would dare! Mu Lin’s alone against a kingdom spanning millions of miles with million-strong armies and dozens of Earth Immortals. A mere combining Essence and Evil realm mage challenging us? Preposterous!"

Laughter filled the room. The earlier speaker awkwardly added:

"Just a joke! Not seriously suggesting…"

"Too absurd even for jokes!"

"Wouldn’t dream such nonsense!"

……

With no southeastern demands, the advisors relaxed.

Until urgent knocking interrupted.

A messenger burst in:

"Report! Yuzhou spies confirm Mu Lin rejects all dissuasion! He’s coming to assassinate Prince Ji Yu! Beware, Your Majesty!"

"Hmm?"

"Hmm?!!!"