Chapter 376

Chapter 376: Entering the East Sea Kingdom, the Revenge Begins

After the spy’s report, the East Sea King’s chamber remained deathly quiet for long moments.

These quick-minded advisors racked their brains yet couldn’t comprehend.

"How dare Mu Lin challenge an entire nation alone?"

Advisor Xun voiced the room’s confusion: "Does that country boy not know we command a million armored warriors? That we possess countless High Mastery of Transformation experts and dozens of Earth Immortals?"

"Exactly!" another advisor scoffed. "A mere combining Essence and Evil realm mage – we could crush him like a bug beneath our heel."

The spy suddenly recalled additional information. "My lord, reports from Yuzhou mention Mu Lin achieved Transformation advancement. Witnesses described massive celestial phenomena during his breakthrough…"

Advisor Xun cut him off with a dismissive wave. "What’s a flashy light show worth? Does reaching Transformation suddenly make him transcend mortality?"

"Whether combining Essence and Evil realm or Transformation stage – both remain ants before our kingdom. Just different sized insects."

None in the room grasped the looming threat. To them, Mu Lin remained insignificant – even with Transformation advancement, he couldn’t alter his fundamental weakness.

Their dismissal stemmed not from arrogance, but cold logic. No single cultivator could oppose the East Sea Kingdom’s might. This consensus extended beyond the palace walls – powerful clans across the realms and even the Dragon King himself shared this view.

Baffled by Mu Lin’s apparent suicide mission, the advisors finally chalked it up to youthful recklessness.

"Everyone knows young talents act rashly," an elderly strategist chuckled, "but this takes hotheadedness to new extremes."

"More like madness," another countered. "I’ll admit – when he defeated those descendants of evil gods, I feared he might flee north or join the Great Spirit Dynasty. Given time, he could’ve become troublesome. Seems I worried over nothing."

Laughter rippled through the chamber as tensions dissolved. Though convinced of Mu Lin’s impending demise, they still advised keeping Prince Ji Yu confined.

The East Sea King rejected this caution. "Let the fool who started this clean his own mess. We’ll use my son as bait."

He turned to his commanders. "Muster tracking specialists with soul-chasing artifacts. Assume he’ll send paper figure clones. When he appears – annihilate him completely."

As preparations commenced, Prince Ji Yu learned of his role as bait. Instead of fear, perverse delight lit his features.

"That mud-stained peasant dares come here? What fool gave him courage?"

Hearing the question, Advisor Xun shrugged. "Third Young Master, this old man wouldn’t dare lie to you… As for why Mu Lin dares to come, truth be told, I’ve pondered all day without understanding."

"Ha! If you can’t figure it out, stop thinking. His arrival is all that matters."

"Excellent! Splendid! Mu Lin, you’ve played right into our hands!"

Ji Yu felt pure joy at Mu Lin’s approach. Clearly, he didn’t believe Mu Lin could assassinate him within East Sea Kingdom’s borders. This confidence had emboldened him to attack Mu Lin in Yuzhou City before. Though he’d failed then, he now believed victory was assured.

"I’ll be the bait. What must I do?"

Feeling secure, Ji Yu eagerly accepted the mission.

Advisor Xun, mastermind of the scheme, replied calmly: "Simply act natural. Go about your usual routines, maybe grumble about Mu Lin occasionally…"

After receiving detailed instructions, Ji Yu knew exactly how to proceed.

Three days passed. Each evening, Ji Yu pretended to drown his sorrows at Tianxiang Lounge, playing the role of discarded noble heir. Meanwhile, Mu Lin’s Substitute Paper Figure infiltrated East Sea Kingdom’s capital, Tianhai City.

Mu Lin located Ji Yu’s whereabouts within half an hour. The ease of discovery made him narrow his eyes. "They’re expecting me. No doubt it’s a trap."

Yet he smiled fearlessly and began moving through Tianhai City.

By nightfall (around eight o’clock), Tianxiang Lounge buzzed with activity. As usual, Ji Yu staged a drunken spectacle while cursing Mu Lin.

"Damn bastard! If not for that wretch, Father wouldn’t have reprimanded me!"

"And Ji Ling Sha! That shameful slut bedding some peasant! She’s disgraced the Great Spirit Dynasty…"

Though fallen from favor, Ji Yu still attracted sycophants as the East Sea King’s heir. Voices chorused around him:

"Your Highness, calm yourself. Those mongrels aren’t worth your anger…"

"Ji Ling Sha will regret wedding a peasant. She’ll crawl back begging your mercy!"

"Bah! I’d never take used goods! As for Mu Lin, I’ll slaughter him and his entire…"

"What about my family?"

A cold voice sliced through the clamor. Startled drinkers spun around.

"Who spoke?!"

Everyone was startled, and even Ji Yu, who had been venting his frustration under the guise of disguise, sharply narrowed his eyes.

“Since when?”

He knew Mu Lin had entered the East Sea Kingdom and even infiltrated Tianhai City.

Part of his earlier outburst had been genuine, while another part was deliberate provocation to lure Mu Lin out.

Armed with prior knowledge, Ji Yu had remained alert while scanning his surroundings, hoping to detect any trace of Mu Lin.

Yet despite his vigilance, Mu Lin had approached undetected until the moment he spoke—a realization that chilled Ji Yu to the core.

Mu Lin, however, remained unperturbed.

With the power of Great Luo Merging Heaven, his ability to erase his presence, and the Illusion Ability from Other Shore Flower sea, slipping close to someone was child’s play.

“What exactly do you intend to do to my family and friends?”

His voice remained icy and detached, the suddenness of his appearance amplifying its coldness.

Ji Yu knew he stood no chance against Mu Lin alone. Worse, Mu Lin’s stealth allowed him to strike unseen.

Yet instead of fear, Ji Yu’s face twisted into a cruel grin.

“Heh. I want them all dead—you included!”

“Showing yourself was arrogant, Mu Lin. Today, that arrogance will kill you. No—death’s too kind. I’ll trap your soul and make you beg for oblivion!”

His threats weren’t empty. A low hum filled the air as purple light engulfed Tianxiang Lounge—a massive formation sealing the building.

Nine cultivators at the limit of Transformation rose from the crowd, their auras swelling. A glowing jade shield enveloped Ji Yu, its protection evident even to Mu Lin’s eyes.

Mu Lin had expected obstacles. Discovering Ji Yu’s plans too easily had warned him this wouldn’t be straightforward.

“Trigger-activated shield,” he noted silently. “A direct strike wouldn’t have worked.”

One cultivator stared at Mu Lin with mingled disbelief. “We knew you might come… but to actually appear?”

Surrounded, Mu Lin shrugged. “How else would I collect debts from my would-be killer?”

“You’ll pay, not me!” Ji Yu spat. “Your soul will burn for eternity!”

When Mu Lin’s calm remained unbroken, Ji Yu snarled, revealing his trump card: “Fool! Think a clone keeps you safe? The East Sea King’s Soul-Binding Formation traps even shattered souls. We’ll drag your true body here—through your soul or across a thousand miles!”

Mu Lin sighed. “The East Sea King himself intervened? Pity. I’d hoped to end this with your death alone. He chose poorly.”

Ji Yu’s laughter cracked like whip. “No, Mu Lin. The fool here is you.”