Chapter 274 – The Curse of Destiny

After the death prediction letter appeared, the demonic cultivators were quite excited for a while.

Some even came near Ping’an Ancient County, wanting to see Mu Lin’s anxious and flustered state.

Then, many of the demonic cultivators watching Ping’an Ancient County were affected by the Manjusaka and voluntarily stepped into the county town.

This scene reminded many demonic cultivators of the fear of being dominated by Mu Lin.

“Lin Qiu might die, but if he wants to kill us, it’s still effortless.”

Realizing this, many demonic cultivators immediately retreated again.

…

While ordinary demonic cultivators trembled in fear, on the other side, Jiang Yingying, who had left the city, quickly gathered with other prodigies from the demonic sects.

This time, Ghost Shadow from the Nether Ghost Sect did not come.

Those who arrived were Blood River from the Seven Killings Demonic Sect, the demoness Man Rong from the Six Desires Demonic Sect, the Buddha Son Fa Yan from the Celestial Buddha Sect, and Ji Xing from the Star Moon Sect.

Seeing Jiang Yingying come out, someone immediately asked, “What is Lin Qiu’s quality like? Can he withstand Ghost Shadow’s curse killing?”

Hearing this, Jiang Yingying shook her head and said, “Absolutely impossible.”

“He’s just lucky, skilled in illusion arts, which counter ordinary demonic cultivators. His own strength is only at the Gang Condensation level, and he hasn’t even truly refined gang into his body yet. With such abilities, he is absolutely no match for Ghost Shadow.”

Upon hearing this, the Six Desires Demoness Man Rong and Ji Xing from the Star Moon Sect immediately frowned.

“A lucky freeloader… Then why didn’t you just kill him directly?”

The one speaking was the Six Desires Demoness Man Rong, and her gaze at Jiang Yingying held clear suspicion—as a demonic cultivator, she instinctively doubted everything.

In response, Jiang Yingying smiled shyly and said, “This humble one dislikes conflict and even more dislikes killing. Although Lin Qiu’s attitude was somewhat disrespectful, I am unwilling to kill someone over such a trivial matter.”

Ji Xing: “Heh, unwilling to kill? I think you just don’t want to clash with Ghost Shadow.”

To this, Jiang Yingying did not directly refute but smiled and said, “Young Master Ji, you are right. This humble one indeed does not wish to clash with Young Master Ghost Shadow, and we have no conflicts of interest.”

She was determined to sit back and watch Ghost Shadow fight with the others.

And she believed that, if only to hinder Ghost Shadow, someone would take action against Mu Lin.

Indeed, that was exactly what happened.

“Since you won’t act, I’ll kill Lin Qiu of the Demon Suppression Division.”

“Being blocked outside by such an unknown nobody is truly a disgrace for our demonic sects. Waiting three days to kill him is even more humiliating. People might think our demonic sects have no capable individuals.”

The speaker was Ji Xing. Like Ghost Shadow, he was also skilled in ritual curse arts.

As the saying goes, those in the same trade are rivals. Walking the same path meant the two had many conflicts of interest.

For example, now, both of them had come for the Grave Lord Inheritance, specifically for an altar—a spirit tool-level altar.

With the same goal, they were bound to engage in a fierce struggle. Under such circumstances, Ji Xing naturally would not sit idly by and watch Ghost Shadow increase his own strength.

Thus, when Jiang Yingying showed her intention to sit back and watch, and no one else stepped forward, he was the first to stand up.

He was also a decisive person. After making his decision, he immediately headed toward Ping’an Ancient County.

…

On the other side, Mu Lin was still unaware of the conversation among the demonic sect prodigies.

After receiving the death notice, Mu Lin’s extraordinary perception and understanding of curses allowed him to easily sense that an invisible force was gathering in the unseen realms.

This force was not solely from Ghost Shadow himself; it was mixed with some peculiar energies.

With such accumulation, Ghost Shadow’s strike three days later would undoubtedly be earth-shattering.

Moreover, this strike carried a causality-level lock, making it unavoidable—it could only be blocked.

When Heaven unleashes its killing intent, stars shift and constellations change; when Earth unleashes its killing intent, dragons and serpents rise from the land; when humans unleash their killing intent, heaven and earth turn upside down…

What left Mu Lin uncertain whether to feel relieved or sigh was that the inescapable causality locked onto him was merely the convergence of human power.

“A pity it’s not Heaven unleashing its killing intent—that would be the true inescapable causality, the fate decreed by Heaven… But then again, the ability to invoke Heavenly fate for a curse is not something just anyone can use.”

Even the legendary Nailing Seven Po technique might not necessarily involve fate decreed by Heaven.

At this thought, Mu Lin suddenly had an epiphany:

“The Nailing Seven Po technique doesn’t count as Heaven unleashing its killing intent, but the Register of Deities does. That is the true predetermined fate… When the Heavenly Dao decrees destiny, even sages cannot defy it. They can only send their disciples to undergo tribulations and ascend to the register. Only when the Register of Deities is full does Heaven’s killing intent come to an end.”

This is what it means when Heaven unleashes its killing intent—stars shift and constellations change.

  Destiny decreed by the Heavenly Dao cannot be defied or resisted unless one transcends the Three Realms and exists beyond the Five Elements.

This, in Mu Lin’s understanding, is also the ultimate form of Curse Art—using the power of the cosmos, fate, and causality to determine the destiny of an individual, a great sect, or even an entire race or era.

‘Speaking of which, in Western Greek mythology, the reigns of Uranus, Cronus, and Zeus all seemed to end due to curses… That could also be considered a manifestation of Heaven unleashing its killing intent.’

Even divine kings could not defy it. Such Curse Art left Mu Lin somewhat yearning.

However, Heavenly fate curses were far beyond Mu Lin’s reach. Soon, he moved past this thought and began pondering Earth’s killing intent and human killing intent.

“Although the curse used by Ghost Shadow is peculiar, it still falls within the scope of human killing intent. My Nailing Seven Po is similar to this.”

At this moment, in his state of enlightenment, Mu Lin suddenly realized something—why his Curse Art, despite improving rapidly and being powerful, had always remained an Earth Grade Supreme Spell rather than ascending to Heaven Grade.

“Human killing intent has its limits. Even if I comprehend Extinguishing Three Ethereal Souls after Nailing Seven Po, it would still belong to the realm of human killing intent. Therefore, by progressing step by step, my Paper Figure Curse Technique could be cultivated to the Grandmaster level but would never undergo transformation.”

In his state of enlightenment, Mu Lin gradually grasped some inspiration.

Yes, Mu Lin was currently in a state of enlightenment.

As for why he entered enlightenment without a breakthrough in his Cultivation Method, it might seem strange, but in fact, this was the normal situation.

—Enlightenment never required a breakthrough in Cultivation Method; it was attained by chance. Most of Mu Lin’s previous enlightenment experiences had been forcibly pushed by the Proficiency Panel, which was the anomaly.

…

In his state of enlightenment, Mu Lin pondered many things and gradually found the key to transforming the Paper Figure Curse.

“If I want the Paper Figure Curse to evolve from Earth Grade to Heaven Grade, I cannot focus solely on the human method of killing intent; I must harness the power of heaven and earth… Hmm, the Heavenly Dao is lofty and vast, beyond my reach for now. Better to link the Curse Art with the ‘earth’ method of killing intent.”

In fantasy settings, ‘earth’ is often a metaphor.

It could refer to actual mountains, the land—in which case, the earth method of killing intent would involve mountain collapses, volcanic eruptions, or Earth Dragon upheavals (earthquakes).

But ‘earth’ could also mean Earth Veins, with Dragon Veins being the most significant among them. Hence, ‘earth’ can also symbolize dynasties.

‘Or perhaps, earth refers to farmland and the farmers who work it.’

In this context, the earth method of killing intent would manifest as warlords rising to vie for supremacy.

“So, should I ally with Dragon Veins and use their power to curse others?”

This idea was quickly dismissed by Mu Lin.

Dragon Veins are indeed a formidable force, but they are largely controlled by the imperial family, beyond Mu Lin’s reach.

Even if he could access them, it would have to be done covertly, which was not an option for him.

Soon, as his thoughts shifted, Mu Lin connected ‘earth’ with the Netherworld.

“‘Earth’ is never literal. Mountains and land can be earth; Dragon Veins and farmland can be earth; the Underworld Nether Bureaucracy can naturally also be ‘earth.'”

Thinking of the Netherworld reminded Mu Lin of the Book of Life and Death, and quickly, he envisioned the path for his Paper Figure Curse to advance.

“If I cling to the human method of killing intent, my Paper Figure Curse will remain limited in scope, merely ‘cursing others.’ This is undoubtedly a minor, unorthodox path.”

“But linking it to the Book of Life and Death changes everything.”

“The ultimate curse of the human method of killing intent is the Seven-Arrow Book of Nails.”

“The ultimate curse of the earth method of killing intent is the Book of Life and Death.”

“And the ultimate curse of the heaven method of killing intent is the Investiture of the Gods…”

In this moment of enlightenment, Mu Lin’s inspiration grew.

Just as he finalized the evolution path for his Paper Figure Curse and pondered how to refine it, something unpleasant occurred.

A Demonic Cultivator approached him.

“Lin Qiu, resent your own weakness. You and I have no enmity, and I had no intention of bothering with a minor pawn like you. But your luck is poor; you shouldn’t have…”

The approaching Demonic Cultivator tried to speak, but Mu Lin, deep in enlightenment, had no patience for him.

Thus, before the Demonic Cultivator could finish, a cold word erupted from Mu Lin’s mouth:

“Scram!”

(End of Chapter)