Chapter 489

Chapter 489: Returning Home in Splendor

“I never thought a single act of kindness years ago would bear such fruit.”

Master Hetian didn’t desire death either—he’d simply accepted his fate after failing to find a cure. His resolve came from wanting to secure an heir before his end.

Yet against all odds, the chosen heir he’d prepared to inherit his legacy ended up saving him at death’s doorstep.

Using the powers of life, Mu Lin replenished the Old Master’s depleted essence—the core obstacle to healing him. The True Spirit had been tainted by an alien deity’s influence, but this wasn’t an unstoppable curse. True Lord Tianwu and others could’ve suppressed or destroyed the foreign energy.

The real issue lay in the Old Master’s frail essence. The invasive deity’s power had merged with his True Spirit, making purification impossible without destroying Hetian himself. This left even True Lord Tianwu powerless.

But Mu Lin’s creative authority bypassed this entirely. He effortlessly restored the Old Master’s essence. With this foundation renewed, removing the corruption became straightforward. Mu Lin purged the tainted sections using cleansing rituals and Predetermined Death.

Though this process “killed” many of the Old Master’s abilities, his fortified essence ensured mere weakness instead of death. Thanks to Mu Lin’s intervention, even this frailty would soon fade.

…

Free from his afflictions, the Old Master marveled at his recovery. His peers watched with undisguised envy.

“To forge such karma with His Excellency Mu Lin and cheat certain death—Zhang, you’ve been blessed beyond measure.”

The old man chuckled. “Good fortune favors those who nurture the young. You should mentor more juniors yourselves.”

This living proof of “good deeds bring rewards” did inspire some masters to consider taking disciples. Yet others recognized the exception rather than the rule.

“Your case is once-in-a-millennium! Not every disciple becomes another His Excellency Mu Lin.”

Zhang Hetian nodded. “True. But even ordinary talents can prove useful. Cultivating promising youths costs us little, yet sows seeds for future gains.”

…

His words—and more importantly, his miraculous recovery—swayed several masters. Who wouldn’t covet more time to pursue higher realms, especially when gained through another’s intervention?

Of course, they’d only recruit true prodigies. This mirrored standard practice in the realm of cultivation—powerful clans and beings always invested in rising talents.

…

While Zhang Hetian’s revival made peers green with envy, his granddaughter Zhang Hemiao and Sheng Cang overflowed with joy.

They also avoided political complications. With temples spanning the North Wilderness, Mu Lin now ruled alongside True Lord Tianwu as Northern Realm sovereigns—far above commanding the Agricultural and Martial Corps. The “both Saints” concern became irrelevant overnight.

The belief in Mu Lin had gradually spread toward the Southern realms.

Hmm… the faith spreading southward wasn’t the King of Hell.

Without facing mortal peril or receiving life-saving favors, many people—especially the wealthy and powerful—found the idea of being judged by the King of Hell after death utterly unacceptable.

For Mu Lin to spread such beliefs to the South, he’d inevitably face countless obstacles, even risking a civil war.

Instead, the faith Mu Lin propagated in the South was that of the Lord of Mount Tai.

This endeavor also involved Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, and Ji Ling Sha.

Though residing in the Northern Realm, Mu Lin maintained his ties to the South.

Using the black river water and the Sky Ferry, his clones often journeyed between the two regions.

Now, under Mu Lin’s guidance, a ship laden with resources carried the women back south.

Why use black river water for communication if the Sky Ferry and Mu Lin’s clones were still needed? Because the passage wasn’t safe.

Teleportation via black river water depended on depth.

Short distances were manageable—Mu Lin could stay in shallow layers, shielding himself with magic.

But traveling thousands of miles required diving into the black river’s deepest reaches.

At this moment, they traversed the black river’s abyss: a lightless, gaping void whose mere sight stirred dread.

Beyond the oppressive darkness, faint shadowy figures loomed—the strange evil spirits imprisoned by the black river water.

Though the river’s waters dissolved all things, they couldn’t destroy these spirits’ eerie essence, only trap them below.

Even this suppression wasn’t foolproof.

Passing travelers risked disturbing the evil spirits, provoking attacks.

The devouring depths and lurking horrors made ordinary teleportation through the river nearly impossible.

Thankfully, the Sky Ferry—built during Prince Liang’s golden age—proved reliable. Its layered formations and shields defied threats as it crossed between North and South.

Mu Lin’s presence further guarded against mishaps.

“Hum!”

The Purifying Light flared, weakening both the swarming strange evil spirits and the black river water’s corrosive touch.

Seizing the moment, Mu Lin linked with the Substitute Paper Figure above the river.

“Go!”

At his command, the Sky Ferry surged upward, breaking free from the black river.

Mu Lin and the others had returned to the Southern realms.

After arriving, the group exchanged glances and parted ways.

He went to Anping City—the place where Mu Lin’s journey began, home to his revered teacher Dongfang Ya and the ever-supportive Master Meng Rui.

Mu Lin wasn’t selfish. Now holding divine authority, he could aid Dongfang Ya and Master Meng Rui, and he wouldn’t hesitate to do so.

As for Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, and Ji Ling Sha? They returned to their respective families.

Their return wasn’t just for family reunions—it involved many behind-the-scenes maneuvers.

Ji Ling Sha’s arrival at Prince Liang’s residence caused an immediate uproar.

“The young miss has returned! The County Princess is back!”

“Your Highness…”

“Miss…”

The moment she entered, a chorus of excited shouts erupted. Countless Ji family branch members flocked to Prince Liang’s residence, eager to curry favor with her.

Though Prince Liang had only one legitimate daughter, his residence’s branch families had grown exponentially over centuries, easily exceeding a hundred thousand members.

Now, all these people bowed and scraped before Ji Ling Sha with exaggerated respect.

Instead of pleased, she snorted coldly.

“Hmph. You weren’t this welcoming before.”

Her sharp remark drew a chuckle from the newly arrived Fu Bo.

“County Princess, not every clansman shares your foresight.”

Ji Ling Sha’s bitterness had roots. As a woman, even the legitimate heir, many branch families had opposed her succession, pushing Prince Liang to adopt a male heir instead.

Her claim to the throne had once made her an outsider in her own clan, save for Prince Liang’s immediate household. Matters worsened after she followed Mu Lin north.

In Tian Shi City’s early struggles, Ji Ling Sha repeatedly demanded resources and personnel from Prince Liang’s residence to aid the northern campaign. These massive requisitions angered the branch families—especially since southern powerful clans already squeezed Prince Liang’s resources dry. Distributing more to the north sparked fierce resistance.

Interest conflicts breed the ugliest battles.

Yet now, the same branch members groveled before her, proof her troubles had vanished long before Mu Lin’s apotheosis.

When Mu Lin first entered the North Wilderness, his position seemed precarious. But soon he launched—and won—a decisive war.

That battle slaughtered countless evil spirits, expelled hordes of monsters and evil beings from human lands, and reclaimed spiritual grounds and mines. Being no saint, Mu Lin kept most resources rather than gifting everything to northern people.

With few relatives and no interest in management, he delegated resource extraction rights to his wives—Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, and Ji Ling Sha. These assets would eventually pass to their children, making the trio natural custodians.

Controlling resources meant wielding power, wealth, and cultivation advantages. Overnight, Ji Ling Sha transformed from a burden draining her family’s coffers to Prince Liang’s residence’s golden goose.

Riding Mu Lin’s momentum, Prince Liang’s faction flourished. Formerly oppressed clansmen gained employment, purpose, and resource access. A problem-solver who expanded the pie earned universal approval.

Needy relatives naturally fawned over their benefactor, explaining Ji Ling Sha’s triumphant reception. Yet she hadn’t forgotten past slights.

Still, she basked in their submission. Old enemies bowing brought visceral satisfaction.

“Choosing Mu brother was right. Even as Prince Liang’s heir, I’d face endless challenges without him…”

As she savored her victory lap, Fu Bo interjected.

“County Princess, how may we serve you this visit?”

“There are tasks, but I’ve brought greater prizes.”

“Prizes? Has Young Master Mu seized more Resource Points?”

Ji Ling Sha’s laughter tinkled.

“Too small, Fu Bo! What I carry dwarfs mere resources!”