Chapter 291

Chapter 291: The First Barrier of the Grave Lord’s Tomb, the Deep Black River

After deciding to accelerate, Mu Lin didn’t withdraw all his Substitute Paper Figures, keeping four or five outside.

He then blew out a paper-made Yin Spirit Cart.

"Neigh…"

"Giddyup!"

The cart carried a Yin Spirit Coffin where Mu Lin lay inside, letting the paper horse pull him forward. The remaining paper figures drove alongside the cart.

Beyond them marched about a hundred black-armored Beiwai soldiers, their heavy armor clanking as they formed protective ranks.

"Spirit of the Formation, no retreat even in death!"

This hundred-strong force represented the minimum requirement to summon the Cangshan Yumen Pass. Their presence caused a crumbling fortress projection to materialize around Mu Lin’s group, shielding them all.

These preparations formed Mu Lin’s defensive layers: the Beiwai Army would absorb the first assault. If they faltered, the Substitute Paper Figures would intercept the second wave. Should those fail, the Yin Spirit Cart and Coffin would take the blows. Only after all these defenses collapsed would Mu Lin himself face danger.

For someone wielding royal authority, more followers meant both greater momentum and actual power enhancement. Though aware this procession might draw more attention, Mu Lin kept advancing with his forces.

"Rumble…"

Hooves pounded like thunder as they charged ahead.

…

"Save me…"

"Mu Lin, I’m your…"

"Waaah…"

"Big brother, come play…"

As expected, the conspicuous convoy attracted endless assaults. The initial stretch saw only soul-snatching hands, hateful staring eyes, and grave-born whispers alternating between curses and temptations. These weak attacks couldn’t even breach the desolate Cangshan Yumen Pass reinforced by the royal authority crown.

The second stretch made Mu Lin narrow his eyes. Whether from decay or intensified evil god’s resentment, graves along this yellow dirt road had been torn open. Grotesque figures now wandered aimlessly between the unearthed tombs.

Many evil spirits lurked by the roadside, glaring at every traveler. What chilled people most was the yellow dirt road’s broken state here. The Central Earth Evil that formed the road now showed gaps and cracks. Even this Unchanging substance couldn’t withstand the evil god’s resentment that had corroded it for thousands of years. These dangers had claimed many lives and halted countless journeys.

None of this concerned Mu Lin. His Beiwai Army charged forward fearlessly, crushing through obstacles without hesitation.

"Spirit of the Formation! No retreat, only death!"

"Kill!"

*Crack!*

*Boom!*

*Rip…*

The unstoppable Beiwai Army plowed through monsters like tanks, either crushing them or shoving them aside to clear Mu Lin’s path. This display made East Sea King’s eyes shine with excitement.

"An iron legion indeed! To think Mu Lin commands armies as well as personal prowess! Excellent!"

Prince Liang swelled with conflicted pride. "Fourth Brother, that’s my future son-in-law."

East Sea King merely chuckled.

Their competition over Mu Lin frustrated East Sea King’s heir Ji Yu. Watching the unstoppable advance, the third prince frowned. "Why waste his trump card so early?"

Others shared this confusion. Clan elders muttered, "A hundred Beiwai troops must be his hidden weapon. Revealing it now makes others wary."

One observer countered, "This isn’t new. He once blocked a High Mastery of Transformation strike with three thousand Beiwai Army. His tricks are already known."

The man then shook his head. "Still unwise. Though this is the yellow dirt road, the Energy Cost here multiplies severalfold. Reckless expenditure."

"More than a hundred Beiwai soldiers created an impressive display, but such grandeur not only made them easier targets for attacks, but also drained Mu Lin’s energy rapidly. At this rate, he shouldn’t last much longer…"

"Wouldn’t he be able to hold on longer?"

The speaker’s voice trailed off uncertainly.

Others remained silent.

Having been proven wrong by Mu Lin multiple times, they’d learned not to judge his capabilities by ordinary standards.

Soon, these observers discovered the wisdom of withholding hasty judgments.

The charging Beiwai Army plowed forward for half an incense stick’s time, crushing through hordes of monsters and evil spirits without showing any signs of exhaustion.

They did suffer casualties during these battles.

Yet when any Beiwai soldier fell, their power didn’t dissipate. Instead, it flowed into Cangshan Yumen Pass, strengthening both the fortress and the remaining warriors.

【Trait: Unyielding in Battle, Growing Stronger with Each Fight】

More remarkably, whenever a soldier fell, the Substitute Paper Figure in the carriage would produce a paper replica and blow gently upon it.

With each breath, a new Beiwai soldier materialized from swirling paper scraps.

This process maintained their numbers perfectly.

Throughout this, Mu Lin and his Substitute Paper Figures showed no fluctuation in energy levels – neither decreasing nor increasing.

"How’s he sustaining such massive energy consumption?"

The clan elders gaped in confusion while Mu Lin marveled at his own technique. Grandmaster-level Substitute Paper Figures proved truly formidable.

"Without reaching Grandmaster-level mastery, this deep connection allowing effortless energy transfer would be impossible… One perfected art surpasses a thousand half-learned skills!"

In this moment, Mu Lin grasped the truth behind the saying: "Better master one craft than dabble in a hundred."

His unstoppable Beiwai Army smashed through monster hordes until finally reaching… the rear of the third group.

His earlier Refining the Evil practice had cost precious time.

Surprisingly, among the stragglers was County Princess Ji Ling Sha whom he’d met before.

"Did she overtake me during my cultivation?"

Now resource-secure, Mu Lin saw no need for interaction. A brief glance sufficed before he focused ahead – only to immediately frown.

Before him lay the first true challenge since entering Grave Lord’s tomb.

A vast black river oozing dark water stretched across the yellow dirt road like a putrid moat, splitting the path completely.

Thirty to fifty stranded Qi Practitioners clustered on the near bank, all puzzling over the crossing.

As Mu Lin pondered solutions, another question arose:

"Was this barrier created by corrupting forces… or left by the Grave Lord himself to contain them?"