Chapter 377

Chapter 377: First Confrontation, The Bomber

Mu Lin stood in Tianxiang Lounge without any trace of fear, casually conversing with Ji Yu as if nothing mattered. This blatant disregard for their arrangements not only angered Ji Yu but also provoked the surrounding Transformation cultivators.

They began shouting:

"Mu Lin, you’re too arrogant and clueless about your predicament!"

"Hmph! Trapped and still running your mouth? You’ve got a death wish!"

"Enough chatter! Subdue him first – let’s see if he stays cocky after we break him!"

A resonant hum filled the air as nine Transformation cultivators combined their power with formations and soul-sealing spiritual weapons, completely immobilizing Mu Lin’s spirit.

Fear finally surfaced on Mu Lin’s face, his mouth gaping soundlessly under the dual suppression of the soul-restraining Formation and spiritual weapons. The Transformation cultivators exchanged smirks at his helpless state.

Protected by his jade pendant, Ji Yu swaggered forward and sneered, "Where’s your bravado now, bastard? Keep acting tough!" He delivered a magic-infused slap that cracked Mu Lin’s cheek, spraying bloodied teeth across the floor.

Leering at his victim, Ji Yu hissed, "Remember this, gutter trash. Cross this heir, and everyone connected to you dies – family, friends, all of them." His grin turned predatory. "Those two wives of yours? They’ll warm my bed after I finish you. Don’t worry… I’ll treat them real good."

While Ji Yu reveled in his cruelty, the surrounding cultivators grew uneasy.

"Hold, Young Master Ji Yu! Something’s wrong – this isn’t Mu Lin!"

"Impossible! I’d recognize that wretch’s face even in ashes…"

Ji Yu’s triumphant tirade cut off abruptly. The slapped "Mu Lin" now showed cracks oozing blood… and beneath the torn flesh lay paper fibers.

This revelation shouldn’t have surprised them – everyone knew Mu Lin would send a Substitute Paper Figure for assassination attempts. But as the paper shell crumbled, the exposed face beneath froze Ji Yu mid-sneer.

"Hu… Hu Feng? How?!" Ji Yu stammered, staring at the battered features of someone he knew all too well.

He was Ji Yu’s best friend and cousin… The Hu family was Ji Yu’s maternal clan, with Hu Feng being one of their most outstanding talents of this generation.

When Mu Lin’s paper figure shattered to reveal Hu Feng’s body, Ji Yu froze in shock.

The other Transformation cultivators, less familiar with Hu Feng, recovered quicker and grasped the situation.

“We’ve been tricked!”

“Young Master Ji Yu – move!”

“Grrr!”

Before their eyes, Hu Feng’s body bloated and twisted, rapidly morphing into a savage crimson demonic creature.

During the final moments of transformation, Hu Feng’s slapped face twitched as his mouth opened in silent pleas:

“Third Brother… save me…”

Neither Ji Yu nor the cultivators anticipated Mu Lin would send a substitute instead of coming himself. None imagined Mu Lin could transform people into crimson demons.

They watched helplessly as Hu Feng’s body warped into a mindless crimson beast that charged them roaring.

“ROAR!”

Hu Feng’s burned-out power made him fearsome, his frenzied state ignoring Life and Death.

The East Sea King’s Transformation cultivators hesitated under Ji Yu’s orders:

“Restrain him alive!”

Though hindered by this command, their numbers and formations soon overpowered Hu Feng.

Before relief could show on their faces, violent energy fluctuations erupted from Hu Feng’s body like an ignited powder keg.

Dread gripped every cultivator’s heart.

“Look out–”

BOOM!

Hu Feng self-destructed before they could react.

The explosion’s shockwave carried corrosive Black Water that sprayed in all directions.

HISS!

“AAARGH!”

Three Transformation cultivators screamed as the Black Water ate into their flesh.

Ji Yu remained unharmed – the East Sea King’s protective charm neutralizing the corrosion.

“BASTARDS!”

Ji Yu looked at the chaotic scene in Tianxiang Lounge and Hu Feng’s corpse from the self-destruct, his mood plummeting from heaven to hell.

This drastic reversal drove him into furious rage.

He couldn’t accept his failure.

"What the hell happened?"

He barked at his subordinates. Advisor Xun stepped forward – having observed the battle from the rear without participating, he’d avoided injuries and pieced together the truth.

"Your Highness, Mu Lin clearly detected our trap. He never came here. Instead, he manipulated Young Master Hu Feng through some method, using paper figures as decoys and control techniques…"

Every word struck true.

Mu Lin wasn’t stupid enough to walk into an obvious trap. After arriving in Tianhai City and locating Ji Yu’s position, he’d secretly investigated Ji Yu’s social connections instead of acting rashly.

This proved easy with the Other Shore Flower’s memory-reading ability. Mu Lin quickly identified Ji Yu’s close associates and maternal family members.

The rest became simple.

Using Great Luo Merging Heaven’s presence concealment, Mu Lin approached Hu Feng undetected. A single exchanged glance activated the Life and Death Illusion ability, instantly subjugating the weaker cultivator.

Mu Lin had reached the high stage of Transformation, while Hu Feng remained at the high-level resources cultivation level. With superior realm and overwhelming foundation, domination came easily.

"My first time crushing a lower-realm opponent," Mu Lin mused. Previously he’d always fought stronger enemies in desperate struggles. This effortless suppression felt… refreshing.

After controlling Hu Feng, Mu Lin crafted his puppet. Instead of direct possession (which would’ve been no different from sending paper figures), he implanted illusions through Life and Death Illusion – making Hu Feng believe he was Mu Lin.

He then planted crimson demon blood near Hu Feng’s heart and sealed black river water within him. Thus, a living bomb was born.

……

Though Advisor Xun deduced most of this, it offered no solutions. Mu Lin’s true body never appeared, leaving them no clues. They could only report the humiliating failure to Ji Yu – tricked, empty-handed, with a dead friend.

Ji Yu’s hatred burned hotter. "That bastard! I’ll make him die! This humiliation won’t end here!"

"You’re right," a cold voice interrupted. "This isn’t the end – just the beginning."

Ji Yu’s pupils constricted as his uncle walked in – no paper disguise this time. The man stared at him with pure hatred, another relative fallen under Mu Lin’s control.

"BASTARD!" Ji Yu’s eyes bloodshot, voice trembling with incoherent rage.

The hypnotized uncle remained impassive. "Why rage? You started this war. I’m merely retaliating."

"Didn’t you vow to target my family and friends? I’m simply fulfilling your own threats. Or…" The puppet’s voice turned mocking, "Did you think war only kills enemies? That your loved ones would be safe?"

A cruel laugh echoed. "Prepare to watch everyone die – friends, uncles, your whole family. This is just the start!"

"Boom!"