Chapter 494 – Returning to the Old Place: Anping City!

The overly powerful Golden Divine Fruit left many people in disbelief, as it could alter one’s foundation. In the eyes of many, foundation nearly represented a person’s future and was difficult to change.

“Inheriting a Divine Position, becoming a deity, and creating Golden Fruits that are naturally endowed with Divine Bodies—how could such a thing happen? And all within just half a year!”

Due to their disbelief, many aristocratic families in the Southeast Region sent people to the Yan Family, the Chu Family, and Prince Liang’s Manor to investigate the news.

Then, they discovered that the news was true. Mu Lin had indeed created Silver Fruits and Golden Fruits, and ordinary members of the Yan and Chu Families had consumed Silver Fruits, gaining Spirit Roots.

“…”

Upon learning this news, many aristocratic families in the Southeast Region fell into silence.

After the silence, boundless envy and jealousy arose in their hearts.

These people dared not envy Mu Lin. Instead, they envied the Yan Family, the Chu Family, and Prince Liang’s Manor.

“Damn it, how did you have such luck? Just by offering a daughter, you’ve formed ties with a True God—and a True God capable of creating Golden Fruits!”

“Bastards, my family’s daughters aren’t lacking either…”

Some were so envious that their hearts ached, while others quickly ordered their subordinates to take action.

“Someone, summon all the legitimate daughters of the clan!”

“Clan Head, are you planning to have the clan’s legitimate daughters serve His Majesty Mu Lin?”

This question made the Clan Head sigh and cover his face. “What chance do they have for such fortune… Even the emperor’s consorts must undergo rigorous selection to enter the palace. Mu Lin is a True God—a True God who can bestow longevity, talent, and strength. Even a princess of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty would have to compete to serve him. As for our family’s daughters, ha…”

In Dream of the Red Chamber, the Xue Family, one of the four great families Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue, had to spend money and seek connections to get Baochai into the palace.

Entering Mu Lin’s Divine Kingdom was far more difficult than entering the imperial palace.

Shaking his head bitterly, the Clan Head said, “I’m calling our daughters to serve Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, and Ji Lingsha. His Majesty Mu Lin’s relationships are straightforward. By building good relations with these three Divine Queens, we can also benefit immensely.”

“…”

Though they were also daughters of aristocratic families, now their daughters could only serve Yan Yunyu and the others. This made the family head and Clan Elders feel somewhat uncomfortable.

However, they soon thought of the Silver Fruits and Golden Fruits, and of themselves and their sons.

Considering that most of these Divine Fruits were in the hands of the three women, their reluctance immediately vanished.

“Clan Head, you’re right. We should indeed curry favor with Yan Yunyu and the others. This is also for the good of the clan’s daughters… By staying close to the three women, they might also have a chance to serve His Majesty Mu Lin.”

After saying this, the Clan Elder thought of something and cautiously asked, “By the way, Clan Head, among the three Divine Queens from the Yan Family, the Chu Family, and Prince Liang’s Manor, which one do you think we should align with?”

“…”

This question stumped the Clan Head, leaving him unsure how to respond.

“First, investigate and see which of the three women is most favored by Mu Lin.”

…

Far more than just one family wanted to curry favor with Yan Yunyu and the others.

As for Mu Lin, they could no longer reach him now. To obtain the Divine Fruit, they could only start with the three women.

Due to varying degrees of closeness and differing perspectives, the aristocratic families of the Southeast Region chose different targets.

Some chose Chu Lingluo, believing her simple-minded nature might make her more favored by Mu Lin.

Others chose Ji Lingsha, considering her family background the greatest and that she currently possessed the most Golden Fruits.

There were also those who chose Yan Yunyu, as she had long assisted Mu Lin in handling trivial matters. Everyone believed Mu Lin found her the most convenient to use.

Although their choices differed, all approached with great respect. Moreover, the major families essentially sent their own legitimate daughters to serve as maids beside Yan Yunyu and the others.

Clearly, these people had not yet given up on the idea of directly connecting with Mu Lin.

And while sending their legitimate daughters, they also brought many resources… this was to exchange for the Divine Fruit.

Mu Lin remained completely unaware of all this at the moment. Lost in thought, he had already arrived at the Anping Dao Palace.

He had come to find Dongfang Ya. Having attained the position of True God, Mu Lin most wanted to repay this teacher who had helped him greatly and provided much protection when he was weak… Well, he hadn’t forgotten his own grandfather either. The City God position was what Mu Lin had prepared for him.

And this was only for now.

In the future, when Mu Lin became the Emperor of the Underworld and the Emperor of Fengdu, he would govern all affairs of the Netherworld, but he would not handle specific matters himself.

Therefore, Mu Lin would then divide the Yama positions into ten parts, and the position of King Yama would be entrusted to his grandfather.

…

While pondering future matters, Mu Lin surveyed the Anping Dao Palace, only to find his teacher absent.

Fortunately, although Teacher Dongfang was not there, Master Meng Rui was present.

In a flash, he appeared before Master Meng Rui’s door.

Upon arrival, Mu Lin was surprised to find not only Master Meng Rui but also some familiar faces… the Puppet Master Qin Yuan, whom he had once competed against, and Zuo Li, who claimed to know the future, sought to save the world, and boasted of being a member of the Savior Organization, were also there.

His surprise was mirrored by the others’ astonishment at his arrival.

Among them, both Zuo Li and Qin Yuan wore complex expressions.

The former claimed to be part of the Savior Organization and had done many things. However, despite their efforts and long busyness, their contributions paled in comparison to Mu Lin’s alone.

When he single-handedly reversed the situation in the Northern Wastelands, doomsday talk within the world instantly dissipated by eighty percent.

Moreover, Mu Lin’s solo suppression of the Northern Wastelands affected far more than just that region… the Evil God Scions and various cultists in the Southern Province, upon realizing Mu Lin’s terror, instantly reduced the intensity of their activities by ninety percent.

They feared attracting Mu Lin’s attention.

And those aristocratic families and local magnates who had considered pledging allegiance to the Evil Gods immediately changed their attitudes.

“Pledge allegiance? What allegiance? You can’t even defeat Mu Lin. I’d be an idiot to side with you worthless lot!”

Thus, single-handedly, Mu Lin deterred the entire world.

He even caused internal divisions within the Savior Organization.

There were many idealists here, but they felt that relying on the Savior Organization was far less effective for saving the world than following Mu Lin.

And indeed, some people headed north to serve Mu Lin.

Thinking of their crumbling organization and seeing Mu Lin, the “prime culprit,” their feelings were naturally complicated.

As for Mu Lin, he paid no attention to these matters. After glancing at the group, he casually asked, “What are you discussing?”

“The crisis in Anping City… Zuo Li mentioned there is a Secret Realm of Anomalies here, hiding a great demon. Once this crisis erupts, it will plunge the entire city into a desperate situation. They came to me to find a way to resolve this Secret Realm.”

At this point, Master Meng Rui remembered something and smiled as she said:

“Oh, right, back then, they fought over Flower and Butterfly to prepare for conquering this Secret Realm.”

“A Secret Realm?”

Hearing these words, Mu Lin narrowed his eyes slightly.

With a slight Sensing, he discovered something.

Then, without doing anything special, Mu Lin simply extended his hand in an ordinary manner.

“Hum!”

With his movement, a Black Bubble appeared in his hand.

Looking inside the bubble, one could see a Black Mountain emitting an ominous aura, covered in blood and surrounded by broken swords and blades.

Inside the Black Mountain, there was a great demon with a fairly strong aura, coexisting with the mountain.

“Hiss…”

“That’s it…”

Seeing the Black Bubble and the Black Mountain demon, Qin Yuan and Zuo Li both assumed defensive postures.

Inside the Black Bubble, the great demon seemed to Sense something and roared toward the sky.

“Who is it!”

It wanted to say more, but Mu Lin was busy searching for someone and had no interest in conversing with it.

Slightly raising his hand, Mu Lin uttered “Ah-woo” and swallowed the Black Bubble along with the Black Mountain demon inside.

Of course, this was only the external appearance. As he swallowed it, Mu Lin connected with his Main Body, Mahakala, and sent the thing directly into Mahakala’s interior.

That was a terrifying entity constantly devouring the Forbidden Power of Sky Burial City and the Black River Water. Once inside, the Black Mountain demon would never escape.

Thus, the crisis in Anping City was resolved by Mu Lin.

“…”

“…”

“…”

This scene left Qin Yuan and Zuo Li utterly dumbfounded.

(End of Chapter)