Chapter 396 – Fortune Treasure: Mountains-Rivers Cauldron

The one who felt the balance of offense and defense had shifted was Uncle Fu. His speculation was not baseless but grounded in his own reasoning.

In his view, with the True Lords and Celestial Masters maintaining the Heavenly Dao and unable to manifest in the world, Earth Immortals were already the strongest cultivators within this realm.

Power equates to authority. Possessing immense strength, Earth Immortals were thus the most revered and powerful individuals in this world.

Such cultivators were already players beyond the chessboard, not mere pawns to be ordered to their deaths like foot soldiers.

As long as they were unwilling, even the East Sea King could do nothing against them.

From Ji Zheng’s attitude toward the East Sea King, it was clear that so-called princes could not command Earth Immortals, much less demand their unwavering loyalty—the latter even harbored rebellious intentions.

Previously, the Earth Immortals were willing to fight, partly due to favors and interests, but more so because whether it was Ji Zheng, Jin Haoran, or Yu Ling, they all believed Mu Lin posed no threat to them.

Since their own lives were not at stake, they naturally had no issue lending a hand to uphold their reputation for integrity.

Unfortunately, the previous battle shattered their psychological defenses.

When the possibility of their own death was placed on one end of the scale, so-called favors and interests became insignificant—survival was everything.

Thus, Uncle Fu was certain that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the East Sea King would no longer be able to command the other Earth Immortals to deal with Mu Lin.

Now, Mu Lin could effortlessly crush those at the Mortal Shedding stage. Without the Earth Immortals intervening, this meant the entire East Sea Kingdom would be at Mu Lin’s mercy. In such a situation, Mu Lin could sever all the East Sea King’s influence, confining his power solely to Skysea City.

“So now it’s the East Sea King’s turn to worry. What he must consider is no longer how to kill Mu Lin, but how to appease Mu Lin’s wrath. Otherwise, with a single misstep, the East Sea King’s Manor could end up in a worse state than our Prince Liang’s Manor.”

“Hah…”

Thinking this far, Uncle Fu chuckled with schadenfreude.

When the East Sea King had pressured Prince Liang’s Manor, he had been right there to witness it, which had left him harboring resentment toward the East Sea King ever since. Now, seeing the East Sea King in distress naturally brought him joy.

At the same time, he felt deeply relieved for having facilitated the connection between Mu Lin and Ji Lingsha.

“Having Lingsha seek out Mu Lin back then was the right move. That was the last window of opportunity while Mu Lin was still weak. Once that stage passed, anyone else trying to get close to Mu Lin would have to pay a thousandfold price.”

This was no exaggeration. In fact, even a thousandfold price might not guarantee access to Mu Lin’s side now.

After all, before this, Mu Lin was merely a Prodigy, promising for the future.

When investing in a Prodigy, the Aristocratic Families had to consider the risk of the Prodigy dying or becoming crippled, rendering all resources wasted.

But after this battle, Mu Lin had become renowned across the land, a formidable figure few dared to provoke.

—Whoever considered opposing Mu Lin would recall the East Sea King’s plight and how such a vast East Sea Kingdom had been torn apart by Mu Lin’s actions. At that moment, they would surely reflect and question whether they could withstand Mu Lin’s retaliation.

It could be said that Mu Lin had already forged his own reputation and established his own value as a force to be reckoned with.

Moreover, as a powerful individual, his influence extends beyond himself, radiating to other factions as well.

Take Prince Liang’s Manor, for instance. In the past, it gave off an impression of decline and instability.

But now, with the news of Mu Lin’s marriage to Ji Lingsha spreading, anyone considering action against Prince Liang’s Manor must take Mu Lin’s stance into account and show him due respect.

This has significantly improved the Manor’s survival environment, allowing it to secure many benefits.

The same applies to the Yan-Chu Families. Other cultivators who have pledged allegiance to Mu Lin also benefit in various ways due to his formidable reputation.

After slaying two Earth Immortals, Mu Lin’s prestige has soared to such heights.

However, Mu Lin is neither foolish nor overly benevolent. He would never lend his reputation to unrelated individuals.

At the same time, with his elevated status and power, Mu Lin no longer values ordinary offerings. This has made it hundreds, if not thousands, of times more difficult for others to seek his patronage.

“Whew, it’s fortunate we caught the last opportunity…”

Just as Uncle Fu was expressing his relief, Mu Lin’s figure appeared nearby.

“Caught what?”

“Nothing… How are things on your end? Are you injured?”

“I’m fine. The two of them couldn’t harm me.”

After saying this, Mu Lin bowed deeply to Uncle Fu and sincerely expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for your assistance. I will forever remember the kindness of Prince Liang’s Manor.”

Mu Lin’s bow was indeed filled with immense gratitude toward Prince Liang’s Manor.

Without Uncle Fu intercepting Jin Haoran, Mu Lin’s actions would not have proceeded so smoothly.

After all, Jin Haoran had not yet reached his Lifespan Limit, making it nearly impossible for Mu Lin to judge him using King Yama’s authority.

Moreover, Jin Haoran was extremely close to Ji Zheng. Had he rushed over quickly, he could have rescued Ji Zheng, leaving Mu Lin to face two Earth Immortals alone—a battle he would have struggled to win.

Without slaying the Earth Immortals, Mu Lin could not have delivered a profound shock to the East Sea King, nor could he have instilled enough fear to reverse the power dynamic.

It could be said that Uncle Fu’s assistance was the pivotal move in this battle.

Uncle Fu, however, did not accept Mu Lin’s thanks. Instead, he smiled kindly and said, “There’s no need for such formality with me. I watched Lingsha grow up. Since you’ve married her, we are family now. If you want to thank me, just treat Lingsha well.”

“…I will.”

As he spoke these words, Mu Lin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly once more.

This wasn’t because he had any grievances against Ji Lingsha. Her willingness to help him during his most perilous moment was a kindness he would always remember, and he had no issue offering her a good position and future.

What made Mu Lin sigh was that, though he was reluctant to admit it, he truly understood the benefits of a “well-matched marriage” and realized why aristocratic families always arranged marriages between their legitimate daughters and heirs. Only in this way could they fully mobilize the family’s resources.

—When Mu Lin learned that the East Sea King had sent Earth Immortals to besiege him, he not only contacted Prince Liang’s Manor but, in his pursuit of stability, also instructed Si Ye, Chu Lingluo, and Yan Yunyu to reach out to the Yan-Chu Families, hoping they would dispatch Earth Immortals to intercept Jin Haoran and Yu Ling.

What made Mu Lin sigh was that, in the end, only Prince Liang’s Manor took action.

This disparity was not due to Prince Liang’s decisiveness but rather because Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo held relatively low status within their respective families.

They were not the cherished daughters of Earth Immortals, nor were they the legitimate daughters of their families. Neither the Yan nor Chu families were willing to take such great risks for them and Mu Lin—the encirclement by several Earth Immortals made them rather pessimistic about Mu Lin’s future.

In contrast, Ji Lingsha was different. As the only daughter of Prince Liang and the granddaughter Uncle Fu had watched grow up since childhood, even though both Prince Liang and Uncle Fu felt Mu Lin’s actions were too impulsive and reckless at the time, they still came because of Ji Lingsha’s tearful pleas and desperate begging.

This was the difference between the legitimate daughters and the lesser daughters of aristocratic families. Only the former could mobilize substantial resources within their families.

At the same time, Mu Lin understood why some people, after achieving success, would abandon their original wives to pursue marriages with noblewomen from prestigious families. The latter could indeed provide them with significant support.

Fortunately, Mu Lin had now grown strong. From now on, he would not need to cater to the whims of too many people.

Moreover, Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo had helped him greatly when he was weak. This kindness was something Mu Lin kept firmly in mind. He would not abandon the two women, nor would he lower their status, and he would certainly not allow them to become concubines.

However, inevitably, after this incident, Ji Lingsha’s position in Mu Lin’s heart rose significantly.

…

Mu Lin’s conversation with Uncle Fu did not last long.

After agreeing on a method of contact, Uncle Fu flew toward Skysea City to investigate the movements of the East Sea King and report them to Mu Lin regularly.

As for Mu Lin, he did not immediately stir up trouble. Instead, he returned to the Netherworld of Melting Fire City to examine his gains.

During the battle with the Earth Immortals, Ji Zheng, who had fought desperately, had consumed or destroyed most of his magical artifacts and elixirs.

As for the later Ji Family Elder, although he died quickly, because he was already nearing the end of his lifespan and had been temporarily released from sealing, his various mystic treasures and resources had already been distributed before he was sealed.

Thus, after the great battle, Mu Lin did not acquire much leftover wealth.

However, while ordinary wealth was scarce, the large cauldron given to the Ji Family Elder by the East Sea King was intercepted by Mu Lin.

It was a top-grade artifact. After carefully examining it, Mu Lin was overjoyed to discover:

“Just this item alone has made this great battle worthwhile.”

“If I fully refine this Rivers and Mountains Cauldron, in the future, even without relying on endless resentment or the Fire Crystal Spirit Vein, I will have the ability to confront Earth Immortals head-on.”

It was no wonder Mu Lin said this, as this item was simply too compatible with him.

As is well known, the path Mu Lin followed was that of the Underworld Nether Bureaucracy, the way of King Yama and the City God.

In the early stages, King Yama and the City God were inevitably deeply intertwined with the fortune of the mortal realm.

Similarly, as the ruling family of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty, the entire Ji family—whether the imperial family or the princes—had their power deeply connected to dragon veins and Human Dao fortune.

This meant that, in many ways, the path of the Great Spirit Imperial Family shared some common ground with Mu Lin’s path. In many worlds, the City Gods of the mortal realm were jointly appointed by the Netherworld and the imperial dynasty, which was a manifestation of the overlap between their paths.

The Rivers and Mountains Cauldron intercepted by Mu Lin was precisely a heavy treasure forged by the Great Spirit Imperial Family and the princes for themselves.

It possessed the ability to gather and stabilize Human Dao fortune, making it a Fortune Treasure.

This Spirit Treasure could play a significant role in the hands of the Great Spirit Imperial Family and the many princes.

In Mu Lin’s hands, it was the same.

“First is the suppression ability. With this Mystic Treasure placed at the core of the True Spirit Karma Diagram, my True Spirit Karma Diagram will become incredibly sturdy. At that point, I might even be able to draw Earth Immortals into the diagram.”

For Earth Immortals, the influence of their environment is significant.

Within their own Blessed Lands or Fortunate Lands, they can exert twelve parts, or even three to five times their usual power. If they fully drain the potential of their Blessed Lands or Fortunate Lands, they can even temporarily increase their power tenfold.

Of course, doing so inevitably damages the Blessed Land and also harms their own foundation.

Few Earth Immortals are willing to do this, but even if unwilling, they cannot ignore that this is one of their trump cards.

This is also why, despite Earth Immortals having the weakness of needing to remain in a specific location, few dare to attack an Earth Immortal occupying a Blessed Land—within their controlled territory, the power they can unleash is too immense.

…

Within a Blessed Land, an Earth Immortal is an unstoppable Terrestrial Immortal.

But once they leave their Blessed Land, their power drops to only seventy or eighty percent.

And if they enter the Netherworld or the Cycle of Despair, their power is further reduced to just fifty percent.

Fifty percent is not a lot, but it is not insignificant either. After all, the connection between the Netherworld and the Yang World cannot be severed, so Earth Immortals can still continuously receive the blessings of heaven and earth.

However, while they can exert fifty percent of their power in the Yin Earth, if Mu Lin draws them into his True Spirit Karma Diagram, they would be utterly helpless.

At that point, with the Tiangang Reversal in effect, the power of heaven and earth would continuously suppress the Earth Immortal, restricting them at every turn. Moreover, the Spiritual Energy within the True Spirit Karma Diagram would be entirely under Mu Lin’s control, leaving the Earth Immortal unable to absorb even a trace.

In such a situation, an Earth Immortal would be fortunate to exert even thirty percent of their strength. Furthermore, they would only be able to consume the Mana within their own bodies, greatly reducing their endurance.

“Unfortunately, this is not my exclusive ability. Other Earth Immortals who control Secret Realms can also unleash such power. This is precisely why Earth Immortals possessing Grotto-Heaven Secret Realms rank at the top among Earth Immortals.”

Drawing others into one’s own world and then suppressing them with the power of heaven and earth offers numerous advantages.

However, Grotto-Heaven Secret Realms have limited capacity for bearing force. If two Earth Immortals engage in a fierce battle within one, it is easy to damage the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm.

In that case, even if the Cultivator controlling the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm wins, it would be a pyrrhic victory.

But the appearance of the Rivers and Mountains Cauldron perfectly compensates for this. With it providing stabilization, Mu Lin’s True Spirit Karma Diagram will be able to withstand the destructive force of an Earth Immortal.

“Besides this function, I can also project the True Spirit Karma Diagram onto the Rivers and Mountains Cauldron and then use the cauldron, which carries an entire Secret Realm world, to crush my enemies.”

Using a Secret Realm world to smash opponents is an attack method Mu Lin could have used before. However, this True Spirit Karma Diagram is like the Dragon Pearl of a True Dragon or the Demon Core of the Demon Race.

It is Mu Lin’s greatest strength, but also his greatest weakness—if the True Spirit Karma Diagram is destroyed, Mu Lin’s foundation would inevitably suffer damage.

Because of this, Mu Lin previously never dared to attempt such a thing.

But the Rivers and Mountains Cauldron bears all the burden.

Using it as the vessel means all enemy attacks will land solely on the Rivers and Mountains Cauldron. This allows Mu Lin to attack with confidence.

Beyond serving as a vessel for the Dao, the Rivers and Mountains Cauldron’s ability to gather fortune and suppress enemies is also exceptionally powerful.

“As a vessel of fortune, the great cauldron can bear all things, particularly Mana, the power of fortune, the strength of Earth Veins, and Divine Power.”

“With this cauldron, I can continuously accumulate Mana. As a Top-Grade Artifact, the energy it can hold is over a hundred times greater than my current capacity. Once the cauldron is fully charged with energy, it will be as if I carry a Holy Grail, allowing me to unleash Mystical Arts endlessly, bombarding enemies with relentless force.”

“Moreover, if enough Human Dao Fortune is accumulated within this great cauldron, its presence will become immensely heavy. Using it to strike others will not only double its power but also seal their Mana and Divine Soul…”

The more Mu Lin observed, the more he realized how perfectly this great cauldron suited him.

Then, a wave of trepidation washed over him.

“Whew, it’s fortunate that the Clan Elder of the Ji family was inherently countered by me. If not for the fact that I claimed his Mortal Lifespan upon our first meeting, he might have turned the tables on me by harnessing the might of this Rivers and Mountains Cauldron.”

At this moment, Mu Lin could only feel relief.

(End of Chapter)