Chapter 313 – Mu Lin Treated with the Courtesy of a National Hero

Having defeated the Evil God, even if it was one with little consciousness, Mu Lin was bestowed the title of ‘Future Celestial Master’ by the Clan Elders of the aristocratic families outside.

Many, seeing promise in Mu Lin’s future, sought ways to build good relations and strengthen friendships with him.

Among them, the East Sea King invested the most effort and made the greatest investments.

—Compared to Prince Liang, the East Sea King was more ambitious.

And ambitious individuals often possess greater boldness, not minding making early investments.

For instance, when Mu Lin first displayed his talent (refining Baleful Qi in the time it takes an incense stick to burn), Prince Liang was still hesitating over having Mu Lin marry Ji Hongyu before being willing to grant him Heavenly Gang Qi. In contrast, the East Sea King directly dispatched his subordinates to deliver the Heavenly Gang Qi to Mu Lin.

Although, due to Mu Lin’s rapid progress, the Heavenly Gang Qi never reached him, the East Sea King’s attitude and initiative were fully demonstrated.

The same applied now. While Prince Liang was still debating whether to open the Dragon Vein for Mu Lin’s cultivation, the East Sea King had already made a promise: as long as Mu Lin was willing to become his subordinate, he would open the Dragon Vein for Mu Lin to cultivate freely.

Additionally, he was willing to support Mu Lin in becoming the commander of an army or help him become the commander of the Demon-Suppressing Army.

Of course, he stood to gain from this as well.

Mu Lin would be the army commander, but he was the king. Mu Lin establishing an army would increase the East Sea King’s power.

As for supporting Mu Lin as the commander of the Demon-Suppressing Army, it still benefited the East Sea King.

He aimed to hold a central position, and in such a situation, the more allies he had, the greater his chances of success.

Supporting Mu Lin to become the commander of the Demon-Suppressing Army would undoubtedly make his rise to power easier.

…

With the order given, the East Sea King’s subordinate continued toward Heartcage City.

Although his progress was not particularly fast, because Mu Lin was refining the consciousness within the Scarlet Overlord’s Divinity and could not move, the man still arrived outside Heartcage City three hours later.

By then, the city was already empty.

The battle between Mu Lin and the Scarlet Overlord was extremely perilous. During the fight, Mu Lin’s full attention was focused on the Scarlet Overlord, leaving no room for anything else.

At the same time, the suppression power of Heartcage City’s arrays was entirely directed by Mu Lin toward the Scarlet Overlord.

Under these circumstances, his suppression of others inevitably weakened.

As a result, during their fierce battle, people continuously fled Heartcage City.

When the battle ended and he began refining the Scarlet Overlord’s Divinity, he paid even less attention to others, allowing the injured Qi Refiners to leave as well.

Of course, while some left, others died here.

Mingling Zi, Little Overlord, and Ghost Shadow truly fell in battle.

…

With no living souls left in the city and utter silence prevailing, the arrival of the East Sea King’s envoy was naturally detected by Mu Lin immediately.

At first, Mu Lin thought he had come treasure hunting, so he intended to drive him away—though not fully refined yet, Mu Lin already regarded Heartcage City as his territory.

“Clatter…”

Amidst the clanking of armor, the two guarding Beiwei Army soldiers crossed their weapons, blocking the envoy outside.

“Leave this place.”

“This city already has an owner and welcomes no one.”

As he spoke, Mu Lin prepared for the possibility of the man before him objecting.

However, something unexpected happened to Mu Lin.

Upon hearing the Beiwei Army’s words of dismissal, the man did not become angry. Instead, he raised both hands and spoke with utmost kindness:

“Don’t misunderstand, I’m not here to cause trouble. I am an envoy of the East Sea King, here to find the master of this place, Mu Lin.”

“…”

Hearing his own name, Mu Lin focused his attention a bit more. Realizing that the other party truly wasn’t here to stir trouble, Mu Lin willed a Substitute Paper Figure to transform into his own appearance and walk toward the entrance of Heartcage City.

Soon, Mu Lin saw the East Sea King’s envoy at the gate.

“Do you have business with me?”

After Mu Lin arrived, the envoy’s expression grew even more amiable. This was not merely professional courtesy but also respect for a powerful individual.

Before entering, he had already learned of Mu Lin’s astonishing feat of refining Baleful Qi within the time it takes for a single incense stick to burn.

Along the way, the East Sea King had also sent a message, recounting the earth-shattering event of Mu Lin slaying the recently awakened Evil God. Faced with such a formidable figure, the envoy naturally displayed an appropriately respectful demeanor.

“His Highness the East Sea King has sent me to congratulate you, sir, for slaying the Evil God and saving the countless people of the world. This Heavenly Gang Qi is a congratulatory gift prepared by His Highness for you, Young Master Mu.”

As he spoke, he handed over a jade vial.

The vial was small, but Mu Lin sensed spatial fluctuations emanating from it.

“This is Celestial Thunder Qi, a type of Profound Clear Qi. It can combine with Earth Yellow Baleful Qi to form Profound Yellow Qi. Additionally, Celestial Thunder Qi possesses the ability to temper the soul, allowing your Divine Soul, Young Master Mu, to transform from Yin to Yang and nurture a trace of divine thunderous majesty. From then on, whether you use thunder spells or fuse with the laws of thunder, it will become exceptionally effortless…”

The Heavenly Gang Qi sent by the East Sea King was indeed excellent and exceptionally suited to him. Yet precisely because it was too valuable, Mu Lin dared not accept it. He was no longer young and did not dare to easily believe in gifts falling from the sky.

“His Highness the East Sea King is too kind. I eliminated the Evil God Scion only for my own sake, without any ambition to save the world. I cannot accept rewards without merit; this item, I cannot take.”

Mu Lin’s refusal… did not come as a surprise to the envoy before him. With a light laugh, he said, “Young Master Mu need not refuse. The East Sea King values talent and indeed has a request for you, wishing to invite you to join the East Sea Kingdom. However, that comes with separate conditions. This Celestial Thunder Qi is merely a meeting gift.”

“Moreover, our East Sea Kingdom is prosperous, with vast lands and abundant resources. This Celestial Thunder Qi is nothing significant to the East Sea King’s Manor.”

As he spoke, he unceremoniously pressed the Celestial Thunder Qi into Mu Lin’s hand.

Given his attitude, further refusal would have been impolite. Thus, after a moment of hesitation, Mu Lin accepted it.

Of course, he only accepted it and did not intend to use it.

This way, if relations were to break down, he could return the Celestial Thunder Qi at any time.

Seeing Mu Lin accept the Celestial Thunder Qi, a faint smile appeared on the envoy’s face, and he immediately extended the invitation:

“Young Master Mu, the Prince values talent and wishes to invite you to join the East Sea Kingdom.”

Without waiting for Mu Lin’s reply, he continued, “If you join, the Prince will grant you access to the Dragon Vein of the East Sea Kingdom to aid your cultivation and arrange for a Princess to marry you. Additionally, the Prince promises you the opportunity to gain experience in the military. If your performance is outstanding, you may even raise your own army and become a Legion Commander.”

“If you don’t care for military life, a position in the Demon Suppression Division will also be reserved for you by His Highness. With your abilities, you could rise to become the commander of the East Sea Kingdom’s Demon Suppression Division. If your strength proves truly exceptional, His Highness is even willing to support you in becoming the Grand Commander of the entire Demon Suppression Division.”

“If neither the military nor the Demon Suppression Division appeals to you, His Highness the East Sea King is also willing to assist you in establishing your own sect…”

Resources, beauties, status, power… One could only say that the East Sea King’s boldness was truly remarkable. With this single move, even Mu Lin found his heart stirred immensely.

He was truly being treated as a national treasure.

Yet, this stirring lasted only a moment. Soon, Mu Lin sensed the risks hidden within.

In his past life, Crown Prince Dan of Yan had also treated Jing Ke as a national treasure, bestowing heavy rewards and even sharing meals and lodging with him.

But with such treatment, what did he expect Jing Ke to repay him with? His life!

That Crown Prince Dan of Yan wanted Jing Ke to sacrifice his life, hence the extraordinary courtesy.

And the East Sea King, who offered him so much, naturally desired even more in return.

Mu Lin would never believe that such kindness came without reason.

Under these circumstances, Mu Lin naturally dared not accept the many benefits offered by the East Sea King.

“His Highness the East Sea King is too gracious. I am deeply honored by his invitation, but I fear my abilities are insufficient…”

Sensing the refusal in Mu Lin’s tone, the envoy smiled and said, “Young Master Mu is too modest. Refining Baleful Qi within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and slaying the Scarlet Overlord after just half a year of cultivation—if you are considered insufficient, then all other young talents would be nothing but trash.”

After cutting off Mu Lin’s attempt to decline, the envoy did not press further. Instead, he continued with a smile, “Of course, accepting His Highness’s invitation is a significant matter. Young Master Mu may take your time to consider it carefully. Additionally, His Highness wishes to meet you in person for a discussion.”

“…I thank His Highness for the invitation. After leaving the secret realm, I will pay my respects to His Highness.”

“Hahaha, then on behalf of His Highness, I shall look forward to Young Master Mu’s arrival.”

…

After their conversation, the East Sea King’s envoy left behind a vial of Celestial Thunder Qi before departing.

As for Mu Lin, he immediately contacted Yan Yunyu to inquire about the East Sea King.

As for how Mu Lin, currently within the Grave Lord’s Realm, managed to contact Yan Yunyu, who was far away at the Jade Lake Dao Academy—this was naturally accomplished through his Substitute Paper Figure.

Ever since his Substitute Paper Figure advanced to the Grandmaster realm, Mu Lin no longer faced a shortage of paper figures. Consequently, he had placed numerous paper figures in various locations.

Currently, there were Substitute Paper Figures of Mu Lin in Jade Province, in the Netherworld Law Domain, in Ping’an Ancient County, in Anping City, and even in some remote villages.

The dispersal of these paper figures also served as a contingency plan for Mu Lin.

Although the present Mu Lin could not yet freely swap his main body with his Paper Figure Clones, if his main body were to perish in battle, his consciousness could transfer to a Substitute Paper Figure.

Moreover, with his consciousness attached to a paper figure, Mu Lin could continue his cultivation.

Of course, Mu Lin was unwilling to resort to this unless absolutely necessary.

Losing his original body, even if Mu Lin could survive, would force him to transition into a ghost cultivator.

And as everyone knew, among the five immortals—Heavenly, Earthly, Human, Divine, and Ghost—ghosts were considered the lowest.

Ghost cultivators who had lost their physical bodies not only possessed numerous weaknesses but were also incomplete in their Three Flowers, leaving them with almost no possibility of achieving the Dao. Their highest attainable achievement would only be that of a loose immortal.

Such a path with such a low ceiling was one Mu Lin absolutely did not wish to choose.

However, while switching to ghost cultivation was not feasible, using a Substitute Paper Figure to send messages was effortless for Mu Lin.

Upon hearing about the East Sea King, Yan Yunyu immediately judged that Mu Lin should decline the invitation.

“Brother Mu, it’s best we don’t accept the East Sea King’s invitation. His ambitions are too great.”

“The East Sea Kingdom is located on the coast of the East Sea, bordering the Dragon Palace Aquatic Tribe. Due to trade with foreign races—specifically the wealthy Dragon Palace Aquatic Tribe—they reap immense profits every year, making it the wealthiest region within the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty.”

“Originally, that area was under the direct jurisdiction of the imperial family, with no prince stationed there. But four hundred years ago, during a period of turmoil within the Great Spirit Imperial Family, the East Sea King took advantage of the central authority’s weakness to establish his Prince’s Residence on the coast of the East Sea, where he has been operating ever since.”

“However, because of this move, the East Sea Kingdom has always been a thorn in the side of the Great Spirit Imperial Family.”

“For four hundred years, they have clashed repeatedly, resulting in countless casualties.”

“If you join the East Sea Kingdom’s faction, Brother Mu, you will inevitably become a target.”

(End of Chapter)