Chapter 419

Chapter 419: The Eliminated Parasites, Zhang Hemiao’s Lingering Fear

When Zhang Hemiao first heard about the abnormal situation in Tian Shi City, her face showed urgent worry.

But after rushing to the scene and witnessing the affected people’s condition, her anxiety shifted to stunned disbelief.

Sheng Cang and Ji Mao wore identical expressions of shock.

Beyond their astonishment, relief also spread across their faces.

This emotional shift stemmed from one clear fact:

"The parasites… The parasites spread by the Mother of the Nest Worms have been eliminated!"

As an evil god, the Mother of the Nest Worms produced many types of worms. Some possessed power matching celestial masters, while other mutant insects rivaled Earth Immortals in strength.

Yet among these swarming horrors, the most hated weren’t the mighty insect apostles or special mutants – those could at least be fought directly.

Cultivators could accept dying in combat against visible foes, blaming only their own weakness.

Parasites operated differently. They invaded through drinking water, food, even the air itself. A moment’s carelessness allowed these pests to burrow into human bodies.

Their sneaky attacks made people despise them deeply.

The parasites’ methods proved particularly vile.

Some used human bodies as breeding nests to rapidly multiply their offspring.

Others released pheromones to control humans, forcing them to kill each other or wreak havoc.

These parasites had plunged the entire Agricultural and Martial Corps into constant fear, while destroying food supplies and poisoning water sources.

Worst of all, the parasites hid inside bodies undetected. Even when discovered, their deep infestation made removal nearly impossible.

Most infected people faced agonizing deaths after unbearable suffering.

Zhang Hemiao, Sheng Cang, and Ji Mao had all watched friends or relatives succumb to these parasites, powerless to prevent their painful ends.

They’d grown weary and numb from witnessing such scenes repeatedly, lacking means to detect or eliminate the threats in time.

Just as they resigned themselves to endless cycles of loss, something unprecedented happened.

Before their eyes, parasites stopped destroying their hosts and instead crawled obediently from human bodies.

The moment these worms fully emerged, they dropped dead.

Many humans perished too – their hollowed-out bodies couldn’t survive the parasites’ departure.

Despite these losses, eliminating the parasites counted as a major victory.

What thrilled Zhang Hemiao’s group most was seeing this phenomenon occur citywide. Every parasite in Tian Shi City was dying under some unknown influence.

"Finally free of these parasites! Now we can focus on fighting those bastards properly!"

While some celebrated, others questioned the sudden mutation.

"Why would the parasites expose themselves and die like this? Did someone kill their controlling apostle?"

"Impossible. Apostle-level worms rarely die, and even if they did, those vile creatures would make their subordinates rampage destructively before dying. This peaceful surrender isn’t their style."

"Then what caused this? Could it be another insect plot?"

At the mention of possible schemes, tension returned to Zhang Hemiao’s group.

Previously, the insects had used tricks before, causing significant damage. Now they might be scheming again.

As everyone frowned in deep thought, Ji Mao suddenly spoke up hesitantly.

"Wait… Could this not be the insects’ plot, but… Young Master Mu Lin’s doing?"

"Mu Lin?" Zhang Hemiao blinked, then shook her head. "That’s absurd. He just arrived less than an hour ago, while parasites have plagued us for years. Even a genius couldn’t…"

Sheng Cang and others initially refused to believe Mu Lin solved the crisis. But their voices gradually trailed off into silence.

They knew dead parasite controllers wouldn’t make worms crawl obediently from human bodies. Even insect apostles wouldn’t execute such clumsy schemes.

Tian Shi City’s only new variable was Mu Lin. When all impossible options are eliminated, the remaining truth must hold – no matter how improbable.

Yet after reaching this conclusion, the group sat in heavy silence.

After long moments, someone muttered hoarsely:

"Really him? Solving our years-long problem instantly… Makes us look completely useless."

*Ahem*

The awkward cough amplified the room’s tension.

Zhang Hemiao finally sighed: "Useless then. We always knew we couldn’t shoulder Tian Shi City’s burden or lead the Agricultural and Martial Corps. At least I followed Grandfather’s advice to keep Mu Lin here. Imagine if we’d driven him away…"

Sheng Cang and Ji Mao nodded grimly.

"To resolve such disaster immediately… Truly the world’s unparalleled genius. If he maintains this, maybe we’ll survive two more years."

Ji Mao added: "Lord Hetian didn’t abandon us. His costly invitation proves Mu Lin’s worth."

Though parasites weren’t fully eradicated, the mass purge brought relief. More importantly, Mu Lin’s shocking success pierced Tian Shi City’s despair like sunlight, kindling fragile hope.

But facing monstrous evil gods and their minions, their highest aspiration remained mere survival – counterattacking seemed unthinkable.

Zhang Hemiao suddenly ordered: "Spread word of the parasite purge. Every Agricultural and Martial Corps member must know Mu Lin solved this."

"Yes, Lady Hemiao!"

With shrinking territories and countless deaths, the Corps’ morale had plummeted. Morale mattered deeply here – it boosted combat effectiveness by 120% and fortified minds against evil god corruption.

Sheng Cang cautiously interjected: "Shouldn’t we confirm with Mu Lin first? If this wasn’t his work but some trap…"

Before he finished, an icy voice resonated in their minds:

"I did this. Spread the news, but tell civilians the King of Hell punished villains, not me. Come discuss properly."

Their consciousness suddenly plunged as Mu Lin pulled them into Yin Soil.

Tian Shi City’s dense formations and spatial lockdowns had hidden Yin Soil previously. Controlling the formation core allowed Mu Lin’s covert operations.

*Buzz*

Like surfacing from water, their awareness sank until…

Grey mists swirled beneath a blackened crimson sun radiating frustration and Breath of Death. Even Earth Immortals Zhang Hemiao and Sheng Cang froze under its gaze. The metamorphosis-stage Ji Mao nearly collapsed from sheer killing intent.

Then Mu Lin glanced upward. The vengeful spirit golden crow shuddered, hostility vanishing instantly.

"Apologies. My new subordinate lacks manners."

But nobody listened. The trio gaped at Yin Soil’s twisted mirror of the living world – and the multiple death-auras threatening even Earth Immortals here.