Chapter 427 – The Truth Behind the Divine Catastrophe

Zhang Hemiao felt it was difficult to save everyone, and there were naturally reasons for this.

Putting aside other factors, just dividing Tianshi City’s military forces into thirteen parts was an extremely risky move.

They did not have thirteen Earth Immortals. If they split their forces and demonic monsters or evil spirits ambushed one of the outposts, the dispersed Agricultural Militia would be no match for them and could easily be wiped out entirely.

Yet, if they did not split their forces, the Agricultural Militia would not have enough manpower.

Thus, Zhang Hemiao and the others were frowning deeply and considering abandoning some settlements.

Fortunately, this problem did not exist for Mu Lin.

“Unable to split forces into thirteen parts at once? No, you can’t, but I can!”

As soon as he finished speaking, seventeen Mu Lins walked in from outside.

Including the one already in the meeting room, there were now eighteen Mu Lins—he not only intended to rescue the attacked settlements but also planned to go to the other unattacked settlements as a precaution.

Seeing eighteen Mu Lins standing before them, Zhang Hemiao and the others were stunned.

Especially when they realized they couldn’t distinguish which was the Clone and which was the Main Body, their eyes lit up with amazement.

At this point, they were beginning to believe that Mu Lin could rescue everyone simultaneously.

However, the matter was of great importance, so even though they believed him, Sheng Cang cautiously asked:

“Young Master Mu, are you sure you can maintain your combat strength after splitting into more than a dozen?”

“Yes, I can handle dividing my attention more than a dozen ways. However, I need access to the Spirit Veins in those settlements.”

“That is only reasonable.”

…

Because the attacks from demonic monsters, evil spirits, and the endless insect swarms were urgent, once the decision to rescue was made, they immediately mobilized.

Led by Mu Lin, the majority of Tianshi City’s military forces were divided into thirteen groups and rushed toward the wilderness outside the city.

The sight of the Agricultural Militia mobilizing filled the ordinary people inside and outside Tianshi City with countless worries.

They had witnessed such expeditions countless times before.

Yet, every time the Agricultural Militia set out, they rarely brought back good news.

Having seen this situation so often, whenever the Agricultural Militia marched out, ordinary people naturally felt anxious.

This was especially true for those with family members serving in the Agricultural Militia—their worries ran even deeper.

Fearing the death of their sons, husbands, or fathers, they instinctively prayed to the myriad Celestial Deities… mainly to King Yama.

“King Yama, please bless my family’s Shanzhu and let him return safely.”

“King Yama, my family only has my father left… sob… if he’s gone, we won’t be able to survive either…”

Concern for their loved ones filled Tianshi City with prayers from all directions.

This caused the flames of faith Mu Lin received to surge dramatically.

Moreover, the flames of faith he gathered this time were exceptionally pure, with very few impurities.

What left Mu Lin at a loss for words was that such prayers could be sustained for a long time… as long as their family members did not return, those left behind in Tianshi City would remain anxious.

Unable to help their distant loved ones and filled with worry, they could only turn to the myriad Celestial Deities in prayer—prayers of utmost sincerity.

Witnessing this scene, Mu Lin understood why many deities would actively inflict calamities upon their followers under the guise of trials.

Doing so truly made it easier to gather pure faith.

“A good method, but I’ll pass. I can grow strong without resorting to such crooked paths.”

Leading his troops into battle, Mu Lin hesitated almost not at all before abandoning this method of collecting faith.

Meanwhile, his clone was rushing toward the thirteen settlements of the Agricultural Militia with reinforcements.

Not far from the Agricultural Militia’s base, soldiers of the Black Fiend Legion and the Thunderclap Legion had also noticed the demonic fiends and the swarming insect tide gathering toward Tianshi City, launching a fierce assault.

Upon discovering this, they immediately reported it to their superiors.

Soon after, both the Black Fiend Legion and the Thunderclap Legion convened high-level meetings.

“What are your thoughts on the insect tide’s offensive? Should we provide aid?”

Almost without hesitation, both legions decided to offer assistance.

The high-ranking officers of these armies were not foolish; they clearly understood that they and the Agricultural Militia were in the same boat.

If the Agricultural Militia fell, they, located near Tianshi City, would not fare well either.

—After devouring the Agricultural Militia’s territory, those insects and demonic monsters would not spare them.

By then, without the Agricultural Militia to serve as a buffer, they would be surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Unwilling to face such a fate, even though they knew casualties were inevitable once they deployed troops, they steeled themselves and declared their intention to help.

However, while they agreed to provide aid, disagreements arose over how to do so.

Some believed the Agricultural Militia could withstand this offensive on their own, so there was no need to act immediately. They proposed waiting until the Agricultural Militia could no longer hold out before intervening. This way, they could preserve their own legion’s strength and ensure the Agricultural Militia would follow their commands afterward.

Others argued against this, pointing out that if the Agricultural Militia weakened, they would have to allocate significant forces to Tianshi City. Once they divided their troops, their own strongholds would become vulnerable.

Thus, they advocated taking preventive measures by deploying a portion of their forces now to help the Agricultural Militia defend.

This way, the Agricultural Militia would not decline to a critical state, and they would not need to divert large numbers of troops to constantly watch over them.

Beyond the timing of the rescue, the Thunderclap Legion and the Black Fiend Legion also debated the method of assistance.

Some favored a direct approach, sending troops to engage the enemy head-on.

Others proposed a strategy of “relieving the besieged by attacking the base.”

“I don’t agree with heading straight there. Ordinary demonic monsters and insects may lack intelligence, but their leader is cunning beyond measure.”

“If they are launching a large-scale assault on the Agricultural Militia, they have surely anticipated our rescue. Charging directly into the fray would play right into their trap.”

“In my opinion, we should not go to the Agricultural Militia’s base but instead strike here!”

The speaker was Mo Feng of the Black Fiend Legion, and the area he pointed to was none other than a high-grade Blessed Land once controlled by Tianshi City.

Of course, that was in the past. Now, this Blessed Land had long since fallen into the hands of the Insect Apostle, serving as one of its strongholds.

Clearly, Mo Feng’s plan was to attack a target the enemy was bound to defend.

Moreover, he harbored some personal motives as well.

“Attacking here will not only weaken the insectoids’ assault on the Agricultural Militia, forcing them to retreat for defense. If we truly capture and occupy this place, we can also gain an additional resource point.”

These words made many people’s eyes light up.

They were swayed.

And it wasn’t just the Black Fiend Legion preparing to attack the insectoids’ resource point.

The Thunderclap Legion had also predicted that charging straight ahead would inevitably lead to a trap.

Therefore, they planned to capture another insectoid stronghold.

…

The rescue efforts by the Black Fiend and Thunderclap Legions demonstrated one thing: in the face of crisis, humanity would still unite and cooperate.

This mutual aid was also why the various legions of the Northern Wastelands could hold out for so long under the onslaught of countless demonic monsters and myriad evil spirits.

However, their actions, each with their own calculations, further revealed their stance.

They did not believe the Agricultural Militia could continue to hold on.

“Celestial Master Hetian is already severely injured. Under such circumstances, they still used two years’ worth of resource quotas to recruit Mu Lin. Without those two years of resources, relying solely on themselves, how could they possibly hold out?”

Some sighed for the Agricultural Militia, considering their choice unwise.

But others felt the Agricultural Militia had no other option.

“There’s no choice. Old Master Hetian will eventually pass away, and without the protection of a Celestial Master, the Agricultural Militia will be unable to survive in the Northern Wastelands, let alone protect the civilians… Cultivating Mu Lin gives them a sliver of hope. Without cultivation, they can only slowly perish. Unwilling to see the Agricultural Militia completely destroyed, the old master had to gamble—betting that Mu Lin could grow strong before his death.”

“This is indeed a high-stakes gamble, but the demonic fiends won’t stand idly by. With them stirring trouble, I believe Celestial Master Hetian’s gamble will inevitably end in failure… There is absolutely no way Mu Lin can grow strong before Celestial Master Hetian passes away.”

Mo Feng’s unwavering words piqued his colleague’s curiosity.

“You’re that pessimistic about Mu Lin? He is the current era’s foremost Prodigy. Even the youths of our Northern Lands have all been defeated by him.”

This made Mo Feng shrug.

“It’s not that I doubt Mu Lin’s talent, but the time left for him is far too short!”

“Just like this time—without our rescue, the Agricultural Militia’s situation would undoubtedly be perilous.”

(End of Chapter)