Chapter 426

Chapter 426: Mu Lin: "No problem. I’ll handle it."

The first change in Peng Yang after merging with the Fire Crow bloodline was a dramatic boost in physical strength.

The sun’s flames were supremely potent, far beyond what ordinary flesh could endure. Yet these same flames possessed body-forging properties, making the golden crow lineage’s physical bodies unmatched in the world. Even the true dragon fell slightly short in raw physicality.

As derivative creatures of the golden crow, Fire Crows inherited formidable physiques. Mu Lin now bestowed this robust constitution upon Peng Yang.

The second transformation granted flight through newly acquired wings.

Air superiority remains crucial in all warfare. Flying troops hold greater strategic value than land or naval forces – even retreats became swifter for Peng Yang.

The third change came from the vengeful god’s core ability: the flame of revenge.

This hatred-fueled fire carried terrifying destructive power and near-inextinguishable properties. Lin Shan, a Refining the Evil stage cultivator, avoided contact with these flames at all costs.

These three transformations elevated Peng Yang from an ordinary soldier driven by vengeance to an elite warrior of the Agricultural and Martial Corps, now qualified for Captain rank. With the corps constantly battling monsters and evil spirits during wartime, survival odds depended on combat strength. Peng Yang’s power hadn’t just increased – it had multiplied exponentially after receiving the vengeful god’s gifts.

Facing such dramatic improvement, surviving soldiers clamored to learn Peng Yang’s secret of becoming a vengeful evil spirit. The widowed soldier shared his flame of revenge knowledge freely – stronger allies meant better revenge prospects.

Over following days, the entire corps camp transformed. Soldiers rubbed reddened eyes while dwelling on bitter memories and hated enemies, seeking the vengeful god’s favor. Mu Lin generously distributed Flames of Revenge – strengthening the corps meant strengthening his future forces, as Zhang Hetian’s impending death would soon transfer command to him.

Moreover, Mu Lin needed the corps to temper Wu Chen’s nature and help refine worldly frustration. While the Power of Belief’s emotional residues acted as toxic impurities to Mu Lin, they paradoxically stabilized Wu Chen – born from frustration and death energy, the entity’s mindless destructive impulses had previously required control through will of dominance. Now incense residues offered unexpected moderation.

Although this "normal" state was the imagined vengeful god of the Agricultural and Martial Corps, it wasn’t Wu Chen’s true nature.

But Wu Chen’s essence was madness itself, utterly irrational. The corruption by Power of Belief unexpectedly became beneficial for him.

"Stay vigilant," Mu Lin warned. "The candidates I seek must carry burning hatred yet unleash fury only upon enemies, never slaughtering innocents. Random killings would deepen Wu Chen’s madness further."

Such people proved easy enough to find.

Whenever transferring power, Mu Lin embedded a stark warning:

"My granted flame of revenge may only strike humanity’s foes. Abuse it, and you’ll plummet into Hell of No Escape – where vengeful fires scorch flesh and temper souls daily."

Such threats worked well.

Even those harboring dark intentions, sensing the venomous flame of revenge inside their bodies, dared not act rashly.

…

Mu Lin sought to reshape Wu Chen’s nature through human belief, forging new divinity tempered by reason.

This formed one purpose behind spreading the flame of revenge.

The second aim involved refining the world’s endless frustrations and malignant energies.

Previously, Mu Lin could only channel these through Wu Chen’s body. Now, thousands of scattered sparks meant thousands of helpers.

Though living bearers wielded the flames temporarily, all humans eventually died. Whether fallen in battle or claimed by age, the flames ultimately returned to Wu Chen.

Naturally, Mu Lin wanted as many flame-bearers as possible.

…

Using the golden crow’s deathly evil spirits, Mu Lin gained more subordinates and forged another elite force for Tian Shi City’s Agricultural and Martial Corps.

Under Mu Lin’s influence, Tian Shi City flourished. Ji Ling Sha’s ample supplies banished starvation. Chu Lingluo’s dream-soothing eased hearts and stabilized minds. The special forces developed by Mu Lin and Yan Yunyu bolstered the corps’ combat power.

Blood Cherry contributed too.

Mu Lin united her with Chu Lingluo to create the Blood Abyss illusion. Within this Other Shore Flower sea construct, soldiers faced endless killing – battling demonic creatures and clashing with fellow humans.

Though these phantom battles didn’t increase cultivation, sword techniques, blade skills, and combat instincts sharpened rapidly through simulated slaughter.

This further strengthened the combat power of the Agricultural and Martial Corps, brought Blood Cherry, the Lord of the Blood Abyss, to prominence, and boosted the reputation of Dream Master Chu Lingluo.

…

The strength of the Agricultural and Martial Corps and the women under Mu Lin kept growing.

Meanwhile, Mu Lin’s own power advanced even faster.

Since his foundation included the True Spirit Domain Chart of the underworld pantheon, the growth of Yan Yunyu and the others directly enhanced Mu Lin’s strength.

More crucially, millions within and around Tian Shi City showed unwavering devotion to Mu Lin amid their life-and-death crisis.

This allowed the King of Hell absorbing the Power of Belief to grow stronger daily.

His claim of reaching Earth Immortal within three months wasn’t empty boasting.

Given those three months, he truly could achieve this advancement.

With such imminent power, Mu Lin preferred quiet cultivation over stirring conflicts.

Yet the tree may crave calm, but the wind won’t cease.

While Mu Lin sought peaceful cultivation, the monsters and evil spirits wouldn’t tolerate the Agricultural and Martial Corps’ expansion.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Alarm bells suddenly thundered through Tian Shi City during Mu Lin’s meditation.

Soon after, he was summoned to the meeting room.

He found Zhang Hemiao, Sheng Cang, and Ji Mao already present, their brows deeply furrowed.

"What’s happened?"

"The apostles of the Mother of the Nest Worms are driving hordes of insects against us. Thirteen of our eighteen outlying settlements have sent distress signals."

Mu Lin’s eyes narrowed.

"Did they panic after I slaughtered their parasites?"

Zhang Hemiao nodded then shook her head. "Partly, but mainly they want to force my grandfather into battle."

"Force Master Hetian? Why…"

Mu Lin trailed off as realization struck.

Zhang Hetian had sustained unhealable wounds from battling evil gods – the very reason he’d urgently sought Mu Lin as his successor in the Southeast Province.

Though the North Wilderness and Great Spirit Dynasty provided precious medicines to preserve their master’s life, the corruption resisted all treatment. The medicines only maintained his existence and preserved his final combat-ready burst of power.

A master’s desperate last stand could threaten even peer opponents. This lingering threat kept enemies at bay while they schemed to exhaust his remaining strength through constant harassment.

Hence Tian Shi City’s territory kept shrinking.

Like Zhang Hemiao, Mu Lin understood keeping the master alive maintained their deterrent. His death would doom them all.

"So you’re debating rescue priorities?"

Zhang Hemiao nodded bleakly. "We can’t save everyone. We must choose who to evacuate."

The unspoken truth hung heavy – most defenders would be devoured before reaching safety.

As anguish paralyzed the room, Mu Lin broke the silence.

"I don’t abandon subordinates. We save them all."

Zhang Hemiao blinked. "But our forces are insufficient-"

Mu Lin’s laugh cut her off, brimming with fierce confidence.

"No matter. I’ll handle it."