Chapter 269 – The Demonic Sect Annihilated

“A rabble is ultimately just a rabble.”

For war, numbers are indeed crucial, but they are not the most important factor.

Throughout history, there has never been a shortage of examples where the few triumphed over the many, or the weak overcame the strong.

Such as the Qi Family Army’s campaigns against the Japanese pirates.

In the Battle of Hua Street in Taizhou, 308 heads were taken, two pirate leaders were captured alive, the numbers of those drowned or whose heads were not taken are unknown, while only three of their own men were lost.

In the Battle of Baishuiyang, 1,500 against over 2,000, more than 2,000 pirates were completely annihilated, 344 heads were taken, five pirate leaders were captured alive, and only three of their own men were lost.

Others include the Battle of Caipiling (routed over 7,000 pirates, killed more than 1,000, took over 160 heads, lost 31 of their own men), the Battle of Xianyou…

These battles all demonstrate that well-trained regular armies can slaughter undisciplined mobs of refugees.

As for the Demonic Cultivators before them, although they were stronger in individual power, due to their selfish nature, their discipline was even worse than that of the Japanese pirates.

When suddenly ambushed, their response was even more chaotic.

Mu Lin merely needed to guide them slightly, and in order to survive, they recklessly unleashed various spells, completely disregarding the lives of their allies.

Of course, the effectiveness of Mu Lin’s ambush was also greatly related to the extreme power of the 【Twilight Illusion Life-Death Array】.

Especially since the main force of the array—the Manjusaka—had undergone a transformation, becoming a Divine Flower, which increased the power of the Twilight Illusion Life-Death Array countless times over.

“Now, the darkness brought by the Twilight Illusion Life-Death Array is no longer merely the disappearance of light; it also involves the obscuring of the five senses and the casting of mental shadows. This means ordinary flames cannot dispel the darkness before them; only supernatural flames imbued with spiritual will can break through the mental shadows and barely illuminate the surroundings.”

After 【Twilight】, the characteristic of 【Illusion】 was even more terrifying.

The sounds, attacks, and monsters conjured by the Manjusaka need not be mentioned.

There were nearly a thousand Demonic Cultivators who entered the Netherworld Law Domain. With so many cultivators, it was inevitable that some would be strong or clever.

They knew that if their side continued to riot and kill each other, no matter how numerous they were, Mu Lin would eventually kill them all.

Therefore, upon realizing the danger, these individuals immediately began to shout.

“Stop, everyone stop! This is Lin Qiu’s scheme!”

“Calm down, what’s before us are all illusions…”

“We have the numbers, the advantage is great. As long as we stay calm, Lin Qiu can’t do anything to us. Stay calm, we must remain composed!”

These clever individuals tried hard to curb the chaotic state of the Demonic Sect members.

Their shouts held some logic.

However, while they were desperately shouting, trying to make the other Demonic Sect members calm down, after being distorted by the Manjusaka, what the others ultimately heard was: “Hehehe, kill, kill to your heart’s content! Once you’re all dead, no one will compete with me for the Grave Lord Inheritance!”

“Hehe, everyone, let’s dance together.”

“My Hundred Ghost Banner still lacks a main ingredient. I wonder if you, fellow cultivator, could part with your soul to help me achieve the Dao.”

“Old Ghost Lin, I’ve finally found my chance. How dare you kill my father, I want you dead…”

“Seek revenge? You’re not worthy. Die!”

The illusion infused with divine power rendered everything the Demonic Sect disciples saw, heard, and touched utterly false.

Unable to convey words accurately to others, the shouts of those still lucid not only failed to calm the chaos but instead intensified the brutal melee.

And soon, even those with clear minds had no time to concern themselves with others.

Under the influence of Mu Lin’s Manjusaka, many Demonic Sect disciples viewed the lucid ones as enemies and began hunting them down.

This was not a one-on-one pursuit but ten against one, or even thirty against one.

The relentless siege left the few demonic cultivators who barely retained their willpower in utter misery.

In an extremely short time, some of the lucid individuals were killed by Mu Lin.

The rest fled in disarray, with no chance to fight back.

…

Amidst the chaos, slaughter, and endless killing unfolding before Mu Lin, the number of demonic cultivators rapidly dwindled. The area before him became a blood-soaked, corpse-strewn scene of utter devastation.

However, most demonic cultivators were notorious for their evil deeds, and their deaths stirred not a shred of pity in Mu Lin’s heart.

Instead, it was the Demonic Sect members whose emotions ran high, their fear and impending deaths giving rise to countless regrets.

“I refuse to accept this!”

“How could I, an elder, die here? No, I don’t want to die! Please, Lord of the Demon Suppression Division, I surrender! I’ll obey your commands, just spare me!”

“Damn it, how is that bastard so powerful…”

“I was wrong, I shouldn’t have come here. Lord Lin Qiu, spare me! I’ll turn over a new leaf…”

Some begged for mercy, others expressed regret, and there were even those who offered to serve Mu Lin as dogs or vowed to reform.

Unfortunately, Mu Lin did not believe in the notion that dropping one’s blade could lead to instant enlightenment.

What he believed in was that good deeds brought good rewards, and evil deeds brought retribution.

“Regret? You shouldn’t be saying this to me. Say it to the innocent mortals you killed.”

“Now, let me send you to meet them.”

With a cold snort, Mu Lin showed no mercy and amplified the power of the Twilight Illusion Life-Death Array.

At the same time, the sight of the demonic cultivators’ utter helplessness made one thing clear to him:

“If the enemy is nothing but a disorganized mob, no matter how many there are, they can be deceived by illusions. This is the ultimate weapon against group battles.”

“However, such spells are only effective in group combat. Against individuals with strong willpower, the power of illusions diminishes significantly.”

As Mu Lin reflected, the chaos before him was nearing its end.

By the final moments, the few survivors had grown wiser. They no longer recklessly cast spells or attacked indiscriminately but instead tried to escape.

Seeing this, Mu Lin had no intention of letting them go. With a rumble, the Beiwei Army, which had been waiting on standby, sprang into action.

Their hooves thundered like drums, swift as the wind.

In no time, they effortlessly eradicated the remaining Demonic Sect remnants.

Thus, all the Demonic Sect members who had invaded the Netherworld Law Domain were annihilated by Mu Lin.

The entire process had taken less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Such ease was something even Mu Lin himself had not anticipated.

“Dimming, Illusion, Life and Death… I never expected that before even activating the final Life and Death characteristic, the enemy would already be unable to hold on.”

…

Within the Netherworld Law Domain, Mu Lin was sighing with emotion. Meanwhile, outside, Ji Hongyu could no longer restrain herself.

Seeing so many Demonic Sect members charge into Mu Lin’s nest filled her with anxiety for his safety.

“Swish!”

With a flicker of movement, she attempted to rush toward the ground.

However, as she moved, “Swish, swish…”—light and shadows flashed. Several Demonic Sect experts, already on guard, blocked her path.

This scene darkened Ji Hongyu’s expression.

“Old ghosts, you dare to stop me!”

“Hehehe, Miss Ji, the rule that the strong cannot interfere in the struggles of the younger generation was one you established yourself. This old man believes it would be best if you adhered to your own rules.”

“Giggle, Elder Yu is right. I support Elder Yu’s words.”

Star Moon Sect Elder: “Hmph! When we arrived, you specifically warned us that the strong must not interfere in the conflicts of the weak. Yet after we agreed, you are the first to break the rule you set. Ji Hongyu, what do you take us for?”

Their words left Ji Hongyu somewhat at a loss for arguments.

Of course, establishing a rule and then being the first to violate it wasn’t particularly significant in itself. What infuriated Ji Hongyu was that she lacked the ability to overpower everyone present.

Just as she was feeling troubled and pondering how to break the deadlock…

“Crack!” A sound came from below, and another change occurred.

The gate of the Netherworld Law Domain, which had just closed, now reopened.

This sight sent a chill through Ji Hongyu’s heart.

‘Is it too late? Has Mu Lin been killed?’

Upon deducing this outcome, the first emotions that surged within her were sorrow and grief. But soon, these feelings escalated into rage.

‘You fool! If you didn’t have the strength, why couldn’t you just stay put quietly? Not only did you provoke everyone’s anger beyond control, but you couldn’t even buy time. With such limited ability, where did you get the courage to act so recklessly?’

At this moment, Ji Hongyu felt nothing but headache and helplessness.

“Tap, tap…”

Just as she was grieving and the others were secretly smirking, someone emerged from the opened gate of the Netherworld Law Domain.

The person who emerged was not particularly tall and carried an aura of gloom and obscurity. Sensing this, whether it was members of the Yin-Yang Joyous Union Sect, the Nether Ghost Sect, or the Seven Killings Demonic Sect, their smiles grew even wider.

This gloomy, obscure aura was unmistakably that of a Demonic Sect disciple.

(End of Chapter)