Chapter 312

Chapter 312: Aftermath of Victory

As an existence capable of activating flesh, the divine blood had endless wonders. By now, Mu Lin finally understood why Wandering Bug and Spirit Void Master had risked the revival of evil gods to cooperate with their descendants.

Even he felt tempted.

Obtaining it essentially guaranteed Mu Lin’s risk-free entry into Transformation.

"No, not just risk-free. Since divine blood could devour other vital blood, this would raise my potential ceiling during Transformation and help forge a perfect foundation."

Of course, this was merely the entry pass. The Crimson Child’s ability to transform into that thirteen-headed monstrosity didn’t just come from divine blood – it required prior collection of special monster blood.

If Mu Lin wanted similar achievements, he’d need to gather vital blood from monsters and divine beasts.

"But this challenge pales compared to entering Transformation itself."

The Crimson Ruler’s divinity also held boundless utility.

However, this divine essence bonded tightly with spiritual consciousness.

Even Mu Lin couldn’t instantly purge the lingering awareness within.

He could only rely on the Cycle of Life and Death formation and the Other Shore Flower sea’s power to gradually extract and erase it.

…

While Mu Lin refined the Deity’s consciousness to fuel his advancement, spectators outside froze in shock. Both Prince Liang and clan elders from powerful clans stood dumbstruck as Zhong Kui devoured the Crimson Ruler and began continuous refinement.

After prolonged silence, their tense shoulders finally relaxed with collective exhales.

"Victory… Did we win?"

"Probably… yes?"

Initial uncertainty lingered until an incense stick’s worth of time passed without incident. Only then did their anxiety fully dissipate.

With confirmed safety, relieved discussions erupted:

"He actually did it! Mu Lin slew a Deity!"

"Don’t exaggerate. The divine consciousness never fully revived – just primal instincts. Otherwise…"

"Instincts alone made it formidable! Could any of you have succeeded?"

…

The blunt question silenced the crowd. The Deity’s visible power made their imagined failure obvious.

Soon, more crucial discussions emerged:

"The victory matters less. Though strong, the Great Spirit Dynasty has comparable experts. The real shock is his age – barely teenaged, only half a year of cultivation! Imagine his future potential."

Youth meant boundless possibilities. Even Mu Lin’s detractors begrudgingly agreed – shrouded in black fog as he was, safe growth would inevitably make him a Celestial Master.

Witnessing his rapid progress, many believed this wouldn’t take long:

"Perhaps we’ll see a super strong being become Celestial Master within a century."

"…A century? That’s absurdly brief!"

While ordinary people considered a century lengthy, residents of Ping An Ancient County weren’t ordinary – a hundred years was but a fraction of their lifespans.

Because of this, when someone claimed Mu Lin could become a Celestial Master within a century, objections arose immediately.

Yet despite the dissenters, supporters outnumbered them.

"A hundred years to reach Celestial Master sounds extreme, but Mu Lin mastered Refining the Evil in mere incense-burning time. At his pace, it’s possible."

"I’m backing him."

"Same. He won’t die young—untested talents often fall prey to mishaps, but not him. The man’s unkillable!"

Recalling how Mu Lin survived nearly a hundred fatal strikes yet still thrived, the crowd agreed he wasn’t easily eliminated.

Soon, bitterness toward the Yan and Chu families bubbled up.

"The Yan and Chu clans scored a steal—just some awakening and high-level resources for a future Celestial Master’s alliance…"

"…"

This sparked widespread frustration.

Celestial Masters do form alliances, but typically demand staggering prices: regional-level resources and leadership roles.

Take Prince Liang—his lack of regional authority barred him from even attempting to recruit one.

The East Sea King, however, offered titles like "National Master of the East Sea Kingdom," paired with real power: access to Dragon veins, resource control, and rights to build major factions.

Such deals cost billions in Spirit Stones, with no guarantee of acceptance.

Yet the Yan and Chu families secured a future Celestial Master’s favor for under 100,000 Spirit Stones—a ludicrous bargain.

When rumors spread that Mu Lin had reciprocated with the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation, envy deepened.

Green-eyed schemers hatched plans:

‘Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo aren’t legitimate daughters. Maybe we can poach him…’

Eyes gleaming, clan elders barked orders: "Inform the family—Mu Lin’s potential Celestial Mastery in a century. Request celestial-level high-level resources and send legitimate daughters. We’ll bind him to us while he’s still rising."

"Our clan’s been Celestial Master-less for a millennium! This is our revival chance—don’t let it slip!"

Not all powerful clans boasted Celestial Masters. Some once-great houses, now fading after losing theirs, saw Mu Lin as their lifeline.

"Even mere friendship with him would shield us from bullies."

While declining clans plotted revival, Prince Liang sought Mu Lin’s help to survive an impending calamity.

Relieved, he messaged his steward: "Fu Bo—when do the celestial-level high-level resources arrive? What else tempts Mu Lin? Should we grant Dragon vein access?"

He shot a tense glance at the East Sea King, whose rivalry worried him.

Earlier, after Mu Lin solo-slaughtered the dormant Crimson Ruler, Prince Liang knew his Fourth Brother would up the ante. To keep his chosen son-in-law, he had to bid higher.

He was right.

The East Sea King was already hastening envoys: "Offer Mu Lin the Demon Suppression Army’s deputy command. Promote him to legion commander if he reaches High Mastery of Transformation or Earth Master. If he prefers the Demon Suppression Army, back him for commander—no half measures!"