Chapter 274

Chapter 274: The Fate Curse

After the death notice appeared, the demon cultivators buzzed with excitement.

Some even approached Ping An Ancient County, hoping to witness Mu Lin’s panicked distress.

Yet many of these observers fell under Manjusaka’s influence and willingly entered the county town.

This sight revived the bone-deep fear Mu Lin instilled in the demonic community.

"Lin Qiu might die, but crushing us would still be as easy as flipping his hand."

This realization made numerous demon cultivators hastily retreat.

…

While common demon cultivators shivered in fear, Jiang Yingying left the city and joined other talented members of demon sects.

Ghost Shadow from the Ghost Sect did not attend this gathering.

Present were Blood River (Seven Killing Sect), Six Desires Demoness Man Rong, Heavenly Buddha Sect’s Fa Yan, and Star-Moon Sect’s Sacrificial Star.

Man Rong immediately questioned Jiang Yingying: "How strong is Lin Qiu? Can he survive Ghost Shadow’s curse technique?"

Jiang Yingying shook her head. "Impossible."

"He’s merely lucky, good at illusions that counter ordinary demon cultivators. His actual cultivation barely reaches Condensing Essence stage – he hasn’t even fully refined his energy. Such trash can’t oppose Ghost Shadow."

The Six Desires Demoness and Sacrificial Star both furrowed their brows.

"A lucky impostor?" Man Rong’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Then why not eliminate him yourself?"

Jiang Yingying lowered her eyes demurely. "This humble one dislikes conflict. Though Lin Qiu behaved rudely, such trivial matters don’t warrant killing."

Sacrificial Star snorted. "More like you avoid confronting Ghost Shadow."

Jiang Yingying smiled without denial. "Young Master Sacrificial Star sees clearly. Since our interests don’t clash, why stir conflict?"

Her stance became obvious – she’d let others fight Ghost Shadow. She knew someone would act to hinder the curse master’s plans.

"Then I’ll handle this Demon Exorcism Division pest," Sacrificial Star declared. "Letting some nobody block us shames all demon sects. Delaying his death three days makes us look weak."

The ritual specialist shared Ghost Shadow’s pursuit of curse techniques and the spiritual weapon altar within Grave Lord inheritance. Rivals by trade, they naturally contested every advantage.

True to his decisive nature, Sacrificial Star immediately marched toward Ping An Ancient County after speaking.

…

On the other side, Mu Lin remained unaware of the discussions among the talented members of the demon sect.

After receiving the death notice, his heightened perception and understanding of curses allowed him to sense an invisible force gathering in the void.

This force wasn’t solely from Ghost Shadow himself—it contained traces of special force mixed within.

After three days of accumulation, Ghost Shadow’s impending strike would undoubtedly carry devastating power.

Moreover, this attack would be accompanied by causal-level targeting, making it unavoidable except through direct confrontation.

Heaven’s killing intent shifts stars and alters constellations; Earth-level killing intent awakens dragon-serpent forms; Human-level killing intent overturns heaven and earth…

Mu Lin felt torn between relief and disappointment—the death curse binding him stemmed merely from human-level power convergence.

"What a pity. It’s not Heaven’s killing intent—that would’ve been a true inescapable fate ordained by the heavens. But then again, heavenly fate curses aren’t something just anyone can wield."

Even the legendary Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book might not involve heavenly-ordained destiny.

As this thought crossed his mind, Mu Lin suddenly had an epiphany:

"The Nail-Head Seven Arrows Technique doesn’t qualify as Heaven’s killing intent—unlike the God Sealing List. That’s true predetermined fate… When Heaven decrees destiny, even saints can’t defy it. They can only send disciples to endure tributions until the God Sealing List fills. Only then does Heaven’s killing intent cease."

This was Heaven’s killing intent—shifting stars and altering constellations.

Destiny set by Heaven couldn’t be resisted unless one existed beyond the three realms and five elements.

In Mu Lin’s understanding, this represented the ultimate form of curse technique—using cosmic fate and causality to determine the destiny of individuals, sects, tribes, or entire eras.

‘In Greek myths, the falls of Uranus, Cronus, and Zeus all stemmed from curses… Perhaps those were manifestations of Heaven’s killing intent.’

The fact that even a God King couldn’t resist such curses filled Mu Lin with yearning.

But heavenly fate curses remained beyond his reach. Shifting focus, he turned to Earth-level and Human-level killing intents.

"Ghost Shadow’s curse is peculiar, but still falls under Human-level killing intent—similar to my Nail the Seven Spirits technique."

In his epiphany, Mu Lin suddenly understood why his curse techniques—despite rapid improvement—remained Earth-level top-tier spells rather than Heavenly-level.

"Human-level killing intent has limits. Even mastering Destruction of Three Souls after Nail the Seven Spirits would still be Human-level. Following conventional methods, my Paper Figure Curse might reach mastery but never evolve."

Mu Lin was experiencing true enlightenment now.

This seemed unusual without cultivation method breakthroughs, but actually fit normal patterns—true enlightenment came randomly, unlike his previous proficiency panel-forced epiphanies.

…

During this enlightenment, Mu Lin gradually uncovered the key to evolving his Paper Figure Curse.

"To elevate from Earth-level to Heavenly-level, I must transcend Human-level killing intent and harness cosmic forces… Heaven remains inaccessible, so I’ll connect it to Earth-level killing intent."

In mystical contexts, ‘Earth’ held multiple meanings.

It could signify physical terrain—where Earth-level killing intent meant earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

Alternatively, it represented earth veins (dragon veins) symbolizing dynasties, or farmlands representing peasant uprisings.

"Should I use dragon veins to empower curses?"

Mu Lin immediately dismissed this idea. Dragon veins lay under imperial control—inaccessible and dangerous to meddle with.

His thoughts turned to the Underworld.

"Earth needn’t be literal. The Yin Court and Underworld qualify as ‘Earth’ too."

This led him to the ledger of life and death—and his curse’s advancement path.

"Sticking to Human-level confines my Paper Figure Curse to petty individual curses—a minor path."

"But linking it to the ledger of life and death changes everything."

"Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book marks Human-level’s limit."

"The ledger of life and death defines Earth-level’s peak."

"Heaven’s killing intent manifests as the God Sealing List…"

Inspiration flooded Mu Lin as he mapped his curse’s evolution—until interrupted by an unwelcome visitor.

A demon cultivator approached him.

"Lin Qiu, curse your weakness. I’d ignore a pawn like you, but your misfortune…"

Mu Lin—still deep in enlightenment—cut him off with a single icy word:

"Scram."