Chapter 447 – Nightmare Heaven: A Storm Approaches

Mu Lin’s meddling left the three powerful clans—the Night Demons, Nightmares, and the Mother of Nest Worms—feeling utterly exhausted.

Of course, his success wasn’t entirely his own doing. The demonic monsters and alien races had never been on good terms or trusted each other to begin with. It was this deeply hostile relationship that gave Mu Lin the opportunity to stir up trouble.

In Mu Lin’s eyes, the demonic fiends were not like the “friendly” rivalries of the Seven Warring States or the chaotic warlords of the Republican era. Their relationship was more akin to that between the Sith and the Jews, or between scalp-hunting Western settlers and Native Americans.

Under such circumstances, expecting both sides to set aside their past grievances and unite seamlessly—if they could truly join forces without issue, that would be nothing short of miraculous.

Thus, what Mu Lin did wasn’t actually that difficult. In fact, when he disguised himself as an envoy and visited some of the alien races, even if they sensed something off about him, they didn’t expose him or attack him. Instead, they assured him that they would withdraw.

…

“Choosing not to confront humans directly but to retreat instead… There are still plenty of clever ones,” Mu Lin mused.

Meanwhile, the three powerful clans were deeply troubled. Unlike the ordinary alien races, their strength and large populations meant they needed to occupy more territory to survive and continue developing. After all, shallow waters cannot nurture a Jiao Dragon, let alone sustain one.

Thus, while smaller clans could withdraw or flee, these three found it nearly impossible to do so. They were destined to clash with humanity.

However, they were reluctant to use their own strength to confront humans head-on. So, despite their exhaustion, Ye Huang forced himself to rally and convened a meeting, calmly stating, “Ignore the rumors outside. There are no spies on Black Mountain—only allies.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone raised their hand. The gesture drew a fierce glare from Ye Huang.

“Do you have an objection?”

“Not an objection, but I’d like to remind you, Holy Son… I am the spy.”

As the alien spoke, its colors rapidly faded, and it swiftly transformed into a paper figure. Soon, Mu Lin’s presence completely vanished from the alien’s body.

Though he was gone, the meeting hall fell into dead silence. The demonic monsters and alien races eyed each other warily, suspicion etched on their faces. At this point, even if someone claimed there were no traitors among them, none of the aliens would believe it.

Even the three powerful clans found it hard to trust one another. They dared not entrust their backs to other clans during wartime, fearing betrayal from within.

As for the reason, Mu Lin had already provided one for them: “Any clan that turns against the Night Demons or Nightmares and deals them a fatal blow will inherit their territory and resources after the war. This is your best chance to grow and thrive…”

Regardless of whether Mu Lin could fulfill this promise, it was undeniably tempting and alluring.

Because of Mu Lin’s enticing conditions, the Night Demons and Nightmares dared not take the risk. As for pushing other demonic monsters and alien races to the front lines—those clans weren’t foolish enough to willingly serve as expendable pawns or vanguard soldiers.

Thus, under Mu Lin’s constant stirring of trouble, the Ten Thousand Demons Assembly ultimately had to conclude hastily.

However, while Mu Lin could sow discord among the mutually distrustful Foreign Races, it was far more difficult for him to drive a wedge between the Night Demon Clan and the Nightmare Clan, who had long been in cooperation, along with their subordinate tribes.

Even attempting to infiltrate their secretly held small meetings proved challenging for Mu Lin.

Nevertheless, despite these limitations, the fact that the grand Ten Thousand Demons Assembly was completely disrupted by Mu Lin still left the other legions in shock and bought Mu Lin and his allies considerable time.

  As Mu Lin and his forces cleared out numerous minor tribes from the Alien Realm, the military might of the Three Great Legions finally turned directly toward the Night Demon and Nightmare Clans.

With enemy troops at their gates, both the Night Demon and Nightmare Clans grew anxious.

Nightmare Heaven, a lightless realm utterly shrouded in darkness.

At this moment, the high-ranking members of the Night Demon and Nightmare Clans had gathered in Night Demon Heaven to discuss how to deal with the humans.

“The humans are advancing fiercely. Let’s hear everyone’s thoughts on how we should respond.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Holy Son, or rather, the Night Demon Clan’s eldest prince, Ye Huang, spoke up directly: “Retreat is absolutely out of the question. We have expended vast resources to establish the Night of No Light. This place holds the majority of our assets. If we abandon it, our Night Demon and Nightmare Clans may never recover. Therefore, no matter what, we cannot retreat—nor are we able to.”

“What about relying on this place for defense? Within the lightless Nightmare Heaven, we can unleash three hundred percent of our strength, while our enemies, unable to see their own hands, would struggle to exert even a tenth of theirs.”

The thoroughly transformed environment made this realm exceptionally suitable for the Night Demon Clan’s survival, while others who entered Nightmare Heaven found themselves severely restricted.

In the past, with Nightmare Heaven as their stronghold, the Three Great Legions—the Agricultural Militia, the Thunderclap Legion, and the Black Fiend Legion—had been reluctant to take military action against the Night Demon Clan.

However, the proposal from the Night Demon Clan’s Third Elder was immediately rejected by the Nightmare Clan’s Holy Maiden, Kang Yan.

“Defense is absolutely not viable. I have entered the dreams of Foreign Races and some humans. Through our investigations, I discovered that humanity’s top Prodigy, Mu Lin, possesses a secret technique that can construct a Netherworld opposing the Yang World.”

“Once this Netherworld emerges, our souls will be reflected within it. Moreover, if the humans slay those Soul Reflections, the souls of our Main Bodies will also be killed.”

“Thus, if we simply wait for the humans to attack, they will not be fighting us in Nightmare Heaven but within the Netherworld.”

“At that point, our geographical advantage will be completely lost, while the enemy will gain significant enhancements instead.”

Mu Lin’s great supernatural ability gave many Night Demons a headache.

At the same time, everyone realized that the Three Great Legions’ decision to launch this major campaign, as well as the earlier failure of the Ten Thousand Demons Assembly, were all Mu Lin’s doing.

This filled them with deep hatred toward Mu Lin.

Therefore, after the Nightmare Clan’s Holy Maiden Kang Yan finished speaking, Ye Huang resentfully said: “It’s Mu Lin again. If not for that bastard, how could we have fallen into such a predicament!”

“Is there any way to kill him? I believe that as long as we eliminate him, our crisis will be alleviated.”

“It’s very difficult…”

“It’s difficult, but it must be done. Killing him is the best way to win this war.”

“Besides killing Mu Lin, we must also take the initiative to attack…”

“Everyone, don’t be too disheartened. Humans are indeed not weak, but we are no weaker. In this battle, victory will ultimately be ours.”

Ye Huang: “During the confrontation, Mu Lin must be killed first.”

In the Night Demon Heaven, the Nightmare Clan and the Night Demon Clan made the decision to take the initiative and attack.

The approach of the humans, along with the Nightmare and Night Demon Clans’ preparations for an active assault, gave this land a sense of impending storm. The surrounding Spiritual Energy was affected, becoming overwhelmingly oppressive.

This sense of crisis, as if a decisive battle were imminent, also caused some clans to retreat even faster.

At the same time, this upcoming battle was crucial.

Whoever emerged victorious would end this grand campaign as the ultimate winner.

Moreover, the victor would be able to influence other legions and other regions as a result.

It could be said that this was a key battle capable of altering the situation in the Northern Wastelands.

Because this battle was so important, the attention of the other legions in the Northern Wastelands was entirely focused here.

Even some wandering knights and rogue cultivators, their passion still unspent, actively came here, preparing to join the Three Great Legions in the fierce battle against the Night Demon and Nightmare Clans.

Among them was Mu Lin’s former rival, the original top Prodigy of the Northern Wastelands—Luo Chen.

And his joining also caused Mu Lin’s strength to surge once again.

(End of Chapter)