Chapter 365 – The Anxious Southern Aristocracy

“Dead, dead?”

“Just like that, dead? What a joke!”

“How is this possible?”

A Gang Sha limit cultivator against a Quasi-Earth Immortal—a whole major realm apart—yet the result was the Quasi-Earth Immortal being sentenced to death with a single word. The scene before them left many unable to comprehend.

After all, that was a Quasi-Earth Immortal wielding a Spirit Tool, who had burned everything he had.

Even if an Earth Immortal were to deal with him, it would take some effort, and there was even a chance he might escape by relying on the power of the Spirit Tool.

The fact that Lu Hao had taken action earlier but failed to capture the Black-Robed Elder multiple times was clear proof of this.

Yet such a powerful cultivator was killed by Mu Lin—and with extreme ease at that. Such a sight, which challenged all common sense, left everyone’s minds in turmoil.

While others were shaken, Mu Lin found it perfectly natural.

A Quasi-Earth Immortal was indeed strong; in a direct confrontation, he was no match.

Unfortunately, the mastermind behind this shouldn’t have sent an elderly, decrepit cultivator to attack him.

Those with little lifespan left were inherently countered by his King Yama ability.

After all, aside from commanding the ghosts of Hell, the most important and core ability of his King Yama Dharma Image was to reduce lifespan and pass judgment on life and death.

Although, due to the disparity in cultivation levels, reducing the lifespan of a Quasi-Earth Immortal was extremely difficult for Mu Lin’s incomplete King Yama Dharma Image.

He had spent a long time talking with the Black-Robed Elder, only managing to shave off a tiny bit of his lifespan.

But that elder was already on the verge of death, and even that tiny bit of lifespan was like the final straw that broke the camel’s back, crushing the Black-Robed Elder to death.

“I can’t fight a Quasi-Earth Immortal head-on, but reducing lifespan—especially by less than half a day’s worth—is much easier for me… Appearing before me at that age, who else would die if not you?”

Mu Lin lamented that the mastermind shouldn’t have sent an old man, but he also understood that if not for being elderly and nearing death, no Mortal Shedding expert would risk their life to assassinate him.

—Upon reaching Mortal Shedding, one could become a formidable expert anywhere, at the very least a core member of any force.

Such individuals had already overcome the hardships of early cultivation and could enjoy a comfortable life.

Thus, few could afford the price or persuade a Mortal Shedding cultivator to risk their lives—who would willingly fight to the death when they could live well?

Therefore, the mastermind could only hire a Quasi-Earth Immortal on the brink of death.

Of course, what the mastermind thought was none of Mu Lin’s concern.

What angered him was that someone dared to break the rules and assassinate him.

“A Quasi-Earth Immortal, the Spirit Tool Ouroboros Sword, and the Ouroboros toxin… He truly intended to kill me.”

Looking at the dead elder and the vibrating flying sword trying to escape, Mu Lin smiled.

Only, his smile… was cold.

“Something big is about to happen.”

After some time to process, although everyone still couldn’t understand how Mu Lin had so easily killed a Quasi-Earth Immortal, the fact was right before their eyes, and they had accepted it.

Then, with their emotions slightly calmed, they saw Mu Lin’s icy smile.

Thinking of Mu Lin’s talent, his achievements, and his consistent way of doing things, they knew today’s events would not end with the death of an assassin.

This was only the beginning.

“Turbulence is about to arise.”

…

“Hum!”

Some sighed, while others were suppressing the Ouroboros Sword. Those who took action were Lu Hao from the Northern Wastelands and the Clan Elders of the Yan-Chu Families.

After the Black-Robed Elder died, the flying sword trembled, attempting to fly away.

The Ouroboros was an extremely high-level force, even involving space.

If someone were to drive it, it could leave this place through spatial teleportation.

However, the Black-Robed Elder died, and his death was extremely abrupt. Until his final moments, he never imagined he would be killed by Mu Lin.

Not anticipating this, he naturally did not activate the contingency plan for the Ouroboros Sword.

Although the Ouroboros Sword was powerful, it was ultimately a Spirit Tool and had not broken free from the constraints of such tools. Most Spirit Tools required someone to drive them.

With no one to command it, despite its strength, the Ouroboros Sword ultimately failed to escape.

“Hum!”

The three factions worked together to completely suppress this Spirit Tool.

To be honest, facing a Spirit Tool, both Lu Hao and the members of the Yan-Chu Families were somewhat tempted.

Even an Earth Immortal might not necessarily possess such an item.

Especially since the Ouroboros Sword was incredibly powerful; obtaining it would be of great use to them.

If they were dealing with an ordinary Prodigy, these people wouldn’t hesitate to take the Ouroboros Sword under the guise of “temporary custody.”

However, Mu Lin was no ordinary individual—he was a peerless prodigy.

His recent feat of killing a Quasi-Earth Immortal at the Gang Sha limit only added to his formidable reputation.

Thus, despite their temptation, unwilling to bring trouble to their families, they handed the subdued flying sword to Mu Lin.

In response, Mu Lin naturally expressed his gratitude.

He thanked them not only for subduing the flying sword but also for taking action.

Even though Mu Lin had overcome this crisis on his own, he deeply appreciated their intervention.

After expressing his thanks, Mu Lin excused himself from further visits, citing the need to recover from the shock.

However, while he withdrew from the scene, the ripple effects of the incident gradually spread.

As more Cultivators learned of the event, some marveled at Mu Lin’s prodigious talent.

“He can even kill a Quasi-Earth Immortal. Is there anything Mu Lin cannot do?”

“He can no longer be regarded as a young Prodigy. Mu Lin is now a true powerhouse.”

Others speculated about who might have attempted to assassinate him.

“I recall the Lu Family recently clashed with Mu Lin. Could it be them?”

“That’s unlikely. The Lu Family isn’t foolish enough to provoke such a peerless prodigy into a deadly feud. Moreover, the North-South conflict isn’t over yet. If Mu Lin were to die, what would happen if Luo Chen from the north attacked again? No one else could withstand him. If the south were to lose because of this, the other aristocratic families would seize the opportunity to unite against the Lu Family, causing them immense losses.”

“If not the Lu Family, then who else could it be?”

“There are many possibilities. Prince Liang might not want to see the aristocratic families gain more power. The Jade Purity Sect, the true overlord of the Southeast Region, might not want an uncontrollable peerless prodigy to emerge in their domain. There are also northern Cultivators, who, having just suffered a defeat, might seek revenge in secret.”

“Demonic Monsters and Alien Races, or even followers of the Evil God, could also be behind it. Those who are not of our kind harbor ill intentions. It’s only natural for them to try to eliminate a human Prodigy.”

A rough calculation revealed that there were surprisingly many people who wanted Mu Lin dead.

This was an entirely normal situation—the ancient saying “the tallest tree catches the wind” was not merely an empty phrase.

Enjoying the treatment of a peerless prodigy, Mu Lin naturally had to bear corresponding risks.

Beyond discussing the perpetrator, some also lamented that Mu Lin had not died.

The Lu Family Elder was one of them.

“Hmph, I’ve said it all along—that Mu Lin acts so ostentatiously, he’s bound to meet misfortune. This time, he was just lucky. Next time, it might not be so certain.”

These words made the steward beside him somewhat uncomfortable.

“Ahem, Elder, the situation is critical now. It’s not appropriate to say such things—it might provoke Mu Lin…”

“What does it matter? It’s not like we sent the assassin. How could he possibly blame me?”

Lu Yangyao believed that the assassination attempt on Mu Lin had nothing to do with him or the Lu Family.

Many among the Southern Aristocracy thought the same.

Thus, these aristocratic families stood quietly on the sidelines, waiting to see how the situation would unfold.

But by the next day, they were growing anxious.

Lu Yangyao, in particular, was being questioned by other prominent families.

“What exactly are you all doing? Why is Mu Lin spreading word that he intends to deepen cooperation with the North?”

“Lu Yangyao, I’ve already told you—if Mu Lin joins the Northern Wastelands and ruins the favorable situation we have now, the losses will be unbearable for you, and your Lu Family won’t be able to bear them either.”

Strength was the foundation of everything. If the Southern Aristocracy were defeated in this North-South conflict, they would lose vast amounts of resources, prestige, and power—losses that truly no single aristocratic family could withstand.

The Lu Family Elder, however, felt wronged.

“What does this have to do with us? I wanted to resolve Mu Lin’s resentment, but he said he was unwilling to receive guests due to the assassination attempt.”

“He only refused to see you, but he met with the Northern Aristocracy!”

“This…”

Lu Yangyao was not foolish enough to miss the point for long. Soon, he began to grasp the situation.

“Could it be that he thinks I was behind the assassination? How absurd—why would I do such a thing?”

With that, he took the initiative to seek out Mu Lin, hoping to explain the matter.

As expected, Mu Lin did not respond or meet with him.

Instead, he engaged in increasingly frequent contact with the Northern Aristocracy.

By this point, the rest of the Southern Aristocracy grew thoroughly alarmed. Unwilling to let their favorable situation collapse, they approached the Yan-Chu Families to inquire about the circumstances.

These two families were not entirely without information, but the message they conveyed left the gathered Southern Aristocracy speechless for a long while.

“I did indeed visit Mu Lin and told him that this assassination attempt might not have been carried out by the Lu Family… Unlike certain families, my Yan Family still values the greater situation.”

After mocking his rival, the Lu Family, the Yan Family Patriarch sighed and said, “But Mu Lin told me that whether the Lu Family sent the assassin or not was unimportant. What mattered was that someone attempted to assassinate him in the heart of the Southern Aristocracy’s territory, nearly succeeded, and yet you could not find the culprit, nor could you punish the enemy. This made him feel insecure and as though he was not valued by the Southern Aristocracy.”

“Given that, he might as well pledge allegiance to the North. They promised him that no matter who attempted to assassinate him, they would repay tooth for tooth, blood for blood, and retaliate with full force.”

“Uh…”

The words conveyed by the Yan Family Patriarch left many members of the Southern Aristocracy feeling somewhat awkward.

Regarding the assassination attempt on Mu Lin, they truly hadn’t paid it much attention.

After all, Mu Lin wasn’t one of their own descendants.

Moreover, the fact that an assassin at the Mortal Shedding Pinnacle had been dispatched indicated that the one behind the attempt must wield considerable influence—someone they were unwilling to offend.

Thus, after confirming that none of their own families were involved, they chose to stand by and watch, observing how Mu Lin would retaliate.

Some even eagerly anticipated a conflict between the two sides, not minding if things escalated.

But now, Mu Lin was telling them: You want to stand by and watch?

Fine. Then I’ll leave.

If this place won’t have me, there are plenty of others that will.

Since you don’t value me, I’ll go where I am valued.

And now, realizing that Mu Lin was truly prepared to leave, these people began to panic.

(End of Chapter)