Chapter 427

Chapter 427: The Truth Behind the Calamity

Zhang Hemiao saw no way to save everyone, and for good reason.

Simply splitting Tian Shi City’s forces into thirteen groups was dangerously reckless.

Without thirteen Earth Immortals, dividing their troops risked disaster—if monsters and evil spirits ambushed any outpost, the scattered Agricultural and Martial Corps would be completely wiped out.

Yet keeping their forces undivided left them stretched too thin.

This impossible choice made Zhang Hemiao and her allies consider abandoning settlements.

But Mu Lin faced no such dilemma.

“Can’t split forces thirteen ways? You can’t—I can!”

As he spoke, seventeen more Mu Lins strode into the room.

With the original still seated, eighteen identical figures now stood ready—not just to defend attacked settlements, but to protect untouched ones preemptively.

Eighteen Mu Lins standing before them left Zhang Hemiao and the others stunned.

When they couldn’t tell clones from the real Mu Lin, their eyes widened in awe.

For the first time, they dared believe rescue was possible everywhere at once.

Still, Sheng Cang pressed cautiously, “Young Master Mu, can you keep your combat power after splitting so many times?”

“Easily. I can handle splitting my focus a dozen ways. But I’ll need control of the settlements’ spiritual veins.”

“Fair enough.”

…

With monsters, evil spirits, and endless insect swarms attacking, they mobilized immediately.

Mu Lin led over half Tian Shi City’s forces, divided into thirteen groups racing toward the wilderness.

The Agricultural and Martial Corps’ departure filled ordinary civilians inside and outside the city with dread.

They’d seen this before—countless expeditions, countless bad outcomes.

Each deployment deepened the people’s fear.

Those with family in the corps suffered most.

Terrified for sons, husbands, and fathers, they begged heavenly deities—especially the King of Hell.

“King of Hell, protect my Shanzhu! Bring him home safe!”

“My lord, Father’s all we have left! If he dies…”

Prayers flooded Tian Shi City, feeding Mu Lin’s flames of belief—brighter and purer than ever.

What unsettled him most? These prayers wouldn’t fade. Every moment loved ones stayed away, the people’s desperate faith burned stronger.

Unable to help their distant families and overwhelmed by anxiety, the powerless people could only pray desperately to the heavenly deities.

Witnessing this, Mu Lin realized why many deities intentionally brought calamities upon followers under the guise of trials. Such methods indeed harvested purer faith more efficiently.

"Effective, but not for me. I’ll grow strong without resorting to such crooked ways."

Leading his forces, Mu Lin decisively rejected this faith-gathering approach. His clones raced toward the thirteen settlements of the Agricultural and Martial Corps with reinforcements.

Nearby, soldiers from the Black Sha Legion and Thunder Legion noticed monsters, evil spirits, and insect swarms converging on Tian Shi City. They swiftly reported the assault.

Both legions immediately held emergency meetings. "Should we aid against the insect swarm?" The answer came swiftly – they’d assist.

Their leaders weren’t fools. They shared the same fate as the Agricultural and Martial Corps. If Tian Shi City fell, their nearby territories would be next. Without the Corps as frontline defenders, they’d face enemies on all fronts.

Though knowing casualties were inevitable, they resolved to help. Disputes arose about methods.

Some argued: "Let the Corps endure this wave alone. We’ll preserve our strength and command them later." Others countered: "If the Corps weakens, we’ll need to split our forces permanently. Better reinforce them now to prevent collapse."

Debates continued about tactics. Some advocated direct troop deployment. Others proposed indirect strategies like "encircling Wei to save Zhao."

Mo Feng of Black Sha Legion objected: "Charging straight in plays into their trap. The insect leaders are cunning. Attack here instead!" He pointed to a lost spiritual ground now held by insect apostles.

"Striking this resource point weakens their assault and forces retreat. If captured, it becomes ours." The idea excited many.

Thunder Legion similarly avoided direct confrontation, targeting different insect positions.

This coordination showed humanity’s unity in crisis – the key reason North Wilderness legions endured endless monster attacks. Yet their separate plans revealed doubts about the Corps’ survival.

"Old Master Hetian’s gravely wounded. How can they last after spending two years’ resource shares on Mu Lin?" Some criticized the Corps’ decision.

Others defended: "Without a master’s protection after Hetian’s death, the Corps can’t survive. Training Mu Lin offers slim hope. The old master gambled everything on the boy developing before his passing."

Mo Feng declared bluntly: "Talent isn’t the issue. Time’s the enemy. Without our help now, the Corps won’t survive this onslaught."

When challenged about dismissing the "first among humans," he shrugged: "Even heaven’s favorite needs time to grow. The clock’s ticking too fast."