Chapter 193 – Fox Spirit Bai Zhi: 'I Won!'

With deep foundations impervious to all evils and numerous mystic treasures… Chu Hongxuan and the other two, going all out, demonstrated to Mu Lin what true power meant. They forcefully withstood the killing rules and various debuffs of the Eerie Stage, rampaging through its sinister theater domain.

The mourning opera singer, the general, bandits, and ruffians empowered by the eerie theater stage were no match for Yuan Ce and his companions.

Such a scene was rarely seen in mere horror resurgences.

Due to the presence of mana, spells, and cultivation methods, the frequent emergence of malevolent ghosts and anomalies in this world’s horror resurgence did not turn the mortal realm into a living hell.

Of course, the ease with which Yuan Ce and the others resisted was also related to the fact that the Eerie Stage here had not fully matured and was not its main body.

Anomalies cannot be killed and possess terrifying, rule-like abilities that seem unsolvable. Every anomaly that has fully developed and grown is at least calamity-level, capable of wreaking havoc on a city or even manifesting like a natural disaster, turning an entire region into a wasteland.

Such power is equivalent to that of a human Celestial Master or Earth Master, far beyond what Yuan Ce and the others could withstand.

Fortunately, anomalies are not easily perfected, and most anomalies appearing in the world are influenced by anomaly sources—these can be killed.

Just as now, the wildly spreading Pure Yang Flame completely ignited the Eerie Stage.

Flames consumed everything, tree-men destroyed all, and the disciples of Jade Lake Dao Academy, displaying their formidable strength, greatly satisfied the outside observers.

“This year’s disciples of Jade Lake Dao Academy are not weak either.”

“How could they be weak? Almost all the prodigies of the Southeast Region have gathered here. With so many elites, it would be strange if they were weak.”

“Mu Lin is in danger. Just Yuan Ce and the other two are difficult to deal with, and the disciples from other Dao Palaces are also top-notch. Being targeted by so many prodigies, he is in peril.”

Those outside also saw Mu Lin’s besieged situation, and naturally, they did not hold high hopes for him.

However, although they did not believe Mu Lin would win, their evaluation of him did not diminish because of this.

As on a viewing platform opposite the screen, several elders were sipping tea while watching the information projected on the screen.

As they watched, they conversed among themselves:

“Mu Lin is somewhat unlucky. It seems now that Zhan Peng, Chu Hongxuan, and the others are no longer holding back but are preparing to go all out. Once they get serious, that Mu Lin won’t be able to hide.”

This remark made an elder beside him smile and say:

“Losing is losing, but to have so many prodigies jointly act against him, he is already honored in defeat.”

“Now it depends on how long he can resist. If he holds out for a long time, his potential will rise even further. If he can survive until the end…”

Before these words could be finished, the first elder who spoke interrupted:

“How could he survive until the end? What is being shown now is not the full strength of Chu Hongxuan and the other two. As core disciples meticulously nurtured by aristocratic families, they must still have hidden cards. For example, if my Zhan Peng went all out, searching for someone would be a matter of minutes.”

Commoner disciples versus the core of aristocratic families, individuals versus groups—by common reasoning, Mu Lin was indeed at a significant disadvantage. Therefore, those outside did not believe Mu Lin would win.

Although their inner thoughts did not affect their actions.

——A large number of personnel were dispatched by these aristocratic families and influential clans to search for information on Mu Lin.

Due to their high regard for Mu Lin, even information about the female companions by his side was dug up by others.

The old man who had first spoken, believing that Mu Lin was certain to lose, also sent people to gather extensive information about him.

Clearly, even though he thought Mu Lin would inevitably fail, he still wanted to draw Mu Lin into his own camp.

Soon, his old servant returned with a wealth of information.

However, upon returning, the servant’s expression was somewhat peculiar.

“Fourth Clan Elder, we have finished collecting information on Mu Lin’s female companions. One of them is named Yan Yunyu.”

“Yun Yu, a nice name… Wait, Yan Yunyu? Yan? Is she a child of our Yan Family?”

At this moment, the Fourth Clan Elder felt as if a pie had fallen from the sky.

The old servant beside him also found it unbelievable.

“Fourth Clan Elder, you are correct. Miss Yunyu is indeed a child of the Yan Family, the third daughter of the thirteenth branch.”

“The thirteenth branch… What was her original rating within the family?”

“Mysterious Grade, middle rank.”

Hearing this, the Fourth Clan Elder of the Yan Family raised an eyebrow and said, “Why only Mysterious Grade?”

“Her cultivation talent isn’t particularly strong.”

“I see.”

Being a girl with mediocre talent and not a core disciple of the main family line, it was quite normal for Yan Yunyu to not receive the best cultivation resources from the Yan Family, given all these negative factors.

However, that was in the past. Now, after observing Mu Lin’s performance, the Fourth Clan Elder pondered for a moment before speaking, “Raise her rating. Promote her to Earth Grade.”

The old servant asked, “Middle rank or lower rank?”

“Let’s wait and see. If Mu Lin can hold out longer, make it middle rank. If he fails too quickly, make it lower rank.”

Although it was only Earth Grade, middle or lower rank, with such a rating, Yan Yunyu no longer had to worry about being abandoned by the family or sent off for a political marriage.

Once she completed her studies, even if she were assigned to a remote area, with her status as a Yan Family descendant and an Earth Grade rating, she would directly become the manager of a Four Seas Pavilion in that region.

And this was precisely the ultimate goal Yan Yunyu had been striving for in the past.

It could be said that she had already achieved her plan ahead of schedule, though now she harbored greater ambitions.

…

Although her goal was no longer the ultimate one, if Yan Yunyu learned of this, she would undoubtedly breathe a sigh of relief and be overjoyed.

An Earth Grade rating not only elevated her status but also increased the resources she could control.

While Yan Yunyu would be delighted, the Fourth Clan Elder of the Yan Family was also immensely proud and pleased.

Upon seeing Mu Lin’s performance and hearing that one of his female companions was from their Yan Family, the group who had been enthusiastically discussing with the Fourth Clan Elder moments earlier immediately fell silent.

Not only did they stop smiling, but their faces were also filled with envy and jealousy.

“Your Yan Family invested in him early on?”

“Hahaha, our Yan Family didn’t actively intervene. This was the doing of Yunyu, that little girl, herself. It just goes to show that our Yan Family descendants have good judgment, hahaha…”

“…”

The Fourth Clan Elder’s triumphant laughter made his old friends grit their teeth in frustration.

“Don’t get too cocky, you old man. It’s just a stroke of luck.”

“Exactly, and your girl’s position isn’t secure. Not only are Mu Lin and Yan Yunyu not married, but Chu Lingluo from the Chu Family is also by his side. Who will come out on top is still unknown.”

The sight of his old friend’s vexed expression did not anger the Yan Family Fourth Branch Clan Elder; on the contrary, their envious looks only made him even more delighted.

To be wealthy and not return home is like wearing fine clothes in the dark of night.

As an old man, the Yan Family Fourth Branch Clan Elder had grown indifferent to many things. The only things he still valued were the family’s legacy and the small rivalries with his old friends.

Mu Lin’s emergence not only promised to strengthen the Yan Family’s influence but also allowed him to gain significant face in front of his old friend. Under such circumstances, the more he looked at Mu Lin, the more pleased he became.

Of course, while his impression of Mu Lin was favorable, and due to Yan Yunyu, he already regarded Mu Lin as his future son-in-law—half a family member—a son-in-law could never truly compare to a son.

Thus, in his heart, Yan Zhanpeng’s status still surpassed Mu Lin’s, and he believed that Mu Lin, whether in strength or potential, fell short of Yan Zhanpeng.

“Zhanpeng and Mu Lin can join forces to tackle this assessment together. If Zhanpeng takes first place, and Mu Lin and Yunyu secure second, this assessment will be perfect for our Yan Family.”

“Hmm… the assessment has already begun, so there’s no way to relay messages now. But for the second round, the two can collaborate, with one taking the lead and the other supporting, to claim the top spot.”

He was lost in thoughts of the future, and as he envisioned it, he recalled his old friend’s words.

“Yunyu’s position is indeed unstable; we must lend her a hand…”

With this in mind, he immediately shot a meaningful glance at his old servant, who quickly understood the Yan Family Fourth Branch Clan Elder’s intention and went off to arrange matters.

…

The display of strength by Yuan Ce and the other two kept the spectators outside abuzz with discussion.

Inside the Tower of Illusory Heavens, there were also those utterly intimidated by Yuan Ce and his companions.

These were the members of the Foreign Races who had been closely monitoring the actions of the humans.

The domineering performances of Chu Hongxuan, Yuan Ce, and others completely shattered the courage of some smaller races to oppose the humans.

Consequently, they ceased their arguments and despondently declared, “As for uniting to resist the humans, you can go ahead on your own. Our Crimson-Eye Clan will not participate.”

“We… we won’t either…”

“Wait, don’t leave! If we unite, we can stand up to the Human Race.”

Seeing the alliance on the verge of collapse, someone immediately tried to salvage it, but to no avail.

If the Alien Alliance could be formed so easily, humans would not be the dominant power in the world.

It must be noted that among the Foreign Races, there exist natural enemy groups—such as insectoid races and certain avian races, where the latter prey on the former. In such circumstances, how could reconciliation and alliance between them be possible? It would be utterly futile.

The disintegrating Alien Alliance infuriated some of the stronger Foreign Races, who lamented, “These fools are not worth conspiring with.”

Yet, there were also those with more cunning minds.

Bai Zhi of the Fox Clan was one such individual.

“We must quickly seek refuge with the Human Race… With the Alien Alliance falling apart, there is no longer the means to contend with the humans. To avoid being made an example of, we must act swiftly and demonstrate our loyalty.”

As opportunists, the Demon Fox Clan’s ability to shift with the wind was second to none.

Upon realizing that the Alien Alliance could secure benefits for their clan, her first thought was to infiltrate it and contribute.

And when the Alien Alliance was on the brink of collapse, she withdrew just as promptly, without hesitation.

“Still, whom should we pledge allegiance to?”

Even as she prepared to depart, she was troubled by this dilemma.

After glancing at Yuan Ce, Chu Hongxuan, and Yan Zhanpeng, Bai Zhi quickly dismissed Yan Zhanpeng.

He was indeed wealthy and cunning, but precisely because of his deep scheming, he was not a suitable person to rely on.

After some hesitation, the Fox Spirit Bai Zhi ultimately chose Yuan Ce.

The reason was his Pure Yang Body.

This constitution was impervious to all evils and was a formidable weapon against Anomaly Evil. Through the vast amount of information she had gathered, the Fox Spirit Bai Zhi learned that the future calamities would primarily involve Anomaly Evil. Under such circumstances, Yuan Ce, with his Pure Yang Body, naturally held greater value for winning over.

“Yuan Ce may appear slightly weak now, but in the future, he will undoubtedly be the most useful. Aligning with him is not a loss.”

After making her decision, Bai Zhi also mocked Baili Xiuling.

“Foolish Merfolk, though I don’t know what you see in Mu Lin, this time, I win.”

“Whether in terms of family background or potential, Mu Lin is far inferior to Lord Yuan Ce.”

“When Lord Yuan Ce fully reveals his strength, he will undoubtedly become a powerful figure among humans. By then, you may have to kneel before me, hehe…”

(End of Chapter)