Chapter 294

Chapter 294: Crossing the Black River, Mutation of the Grave Lord’s Tomb

Such talent that could control even the black river water capable of dissolving all things left people utterly speechless.

While others stood gaping, Mu Lin remained composed.

“Yu Fa, will you come with me?”

“…I will!”

After hesitating briefly, Yu Fa clenched his teeth and chose to follow. He then clasped his hands toward Mu Lin and said,

“My thanks, Brother Mu.”

“You’ve aided me enough. Keep close now.”

Mu Lin concentrated, and at his command, the battle-hardened Beiwai Army charged into the black river.

Though armored head to toe, the soldiers didn’t sink. Instead, they galloped across the churning surface—the Ink Dragon, the River Lord, compelled the black river water to bear their weight, along with Mu Lin’s carriage and Yu Fa.

“Faster!” Mu Lin urged, vigilance sharp despite the river’s unnatural support.

The moment they entered, the black river erupted. Whirlpools spiraled around them as the water itself twisted into shrieking evil spirits and ghosts that clawed at the group.

“Perish!”

“Stay!”

“Wail—”

“Save us!”

The cacophony of voices and swarming specters made onlookers freeze. Several Qi Practitioners who’d meant to follow now recoiled—only to regret it moments later.

For while the black river’s fury was fearsome, Mu Lin’s Ink Dragon, the River Lord answered in kind.

“By the River Lord’s authority,” Mu Lin thundered, “be gone!”

A shockwave boomed across the waters.

As the divine decree resounded, a terrifying ripple spread outward with the River Lord’s voice.

Under that command, the black river’s whirlpools stilled, and the swarms of evil spirits disintegrated, instantly dispelling the danger around Mu Lin and his companions.

Yet this safety was fleeting.

As they advanced, larger whirlpools and greater hordes of evil spirits lunged toward them.

Upon reaching the black river’s center, Mu Lin faintly sensed abyssal horrors in the depths—taboo creatures drawn by his presence, rapidly ascending toward the surface.

This realization sharpened his gaze and tightened his chest.

“Such monsters won’t be easily handled…”

Though murmuring this, Mu Lin felt no fear. He still held his trump card.

With a thought, the Ink Dragon, the River Lord—which had been hovering protectively beside him—coiled and surged toward Mu Lin’s body.

“Hummm…”

A peculiar glow enveloped them as Mu Lin fused with the Ink Dragon.

Or rather, he clad himself in the paper figure of the Ink Dragon, the River Lord like living armor.

This technique was a hallmark of paper folders: merging with paper figures to channel otherworldly forces.

United, Mu Lin could wield the Ink Dragon’s power.

Compared to Substitute Paper Figures, Mu Lin’s own energy reserves were vastly deeper.

Moreover, he now activated the royal authority crown, channeling the combined strength of countless Substitute Paper Figures and the Beiwai Army into himself.

He also triggered his ‘Transcendence’ trait, elevating his soul.

These powers merged into one—Mu Lin now commanded the Ink Dragon, the River Lord with overwhelming magical force and a soul tempered by combining Essence and Evil.

This union triggered a qualitative leap in the Ink Dragon’s might.

“ROAR!”

A thunderous draconic cry shook the waters as the black river itself twisted into serpentine forms under Mu Lin’s will.

【Black River Water · Manifestation · Dragon】

The hundred-meter black dragon radiated an intimidating aura.

Its mere presence shattered nearby evil spirits into watery mist.

Potential whirlpools crumbled within the dragon’s dominion.

“Hah…”

After suppressing the river’s fury, Mu Lin unleashed the Ink Dragon’s innate ability to summon winds and rain.

Currents surged at the dragon’s command, thrusting Mu Lin’s group forward with explosive force.

“WHOOSH!”

Propelled by the torrents, their speed increased tenfold as they tore across the river’s expanse.

The distant shore approached rapidly. Only after they’d landed and retreated from the bank did the forbidden abominations breach the black river’s surface.

It did not fully emerge; only a single eye spanning a hundred meters stared fixedly at Mu Lin for an extended moment.

Then, the horde of evil spirits accompanying the rising ominous creature exerted their strength together, forcefully dragging the monster back beneath the water.

“Such horror! This black river cannot be explored without the power of High Mastery of Transformation or even Earth Immortal experts…”

…

Despite the ordeal, Mu Lin ultimately succeeded in crossing the black river.

Not only did he traverse it, but he also acquired the Ink Dragon, the River Lord – gaining another hidden advantage.

Having crossed the river, Mu Lin officially entered the second-tier group, now close behind the earlier arrivals like Wandering Bug.

While Mu Lin pressed forward eagerly,

an unexpected mutation suddenly occurred ahead.

…

Dangers multiplied as they progressed deeper into the Grave Lord’s tomb.

The black river had served as a critical barrier.

Previously, travelers could follow the Grave Lord’s yellow dirt road – though occasionally broken and haunted by evil spirits lurking alongside, this path still offered some protection for Qi Practitioners.

After crossing the black river, however, the yellow dirt road… vanished.

Now Mu Lin and other cultivators faced direct exposure to monsters and evil spirits, strange phenomena, and the lingering resentment of evil gods.

The sole comfort came from the Grave Lord’s numerous tombs still standing like seals, containing most dangers within.

As the acknowledged leader of the Yin Eight Sect, the Grave Lord’s burial site also housed paper figures, spirit money, coffins, and execution blades – tools of the Yin Eight Sect that worked with the tombs to seal away the eternal resentment of evil gods and other anomalies.

Though Mu Lin could collect these items, doing so risked unleashing the sealed dangers.

Meanwhile, cultivation methods from the Yin Eight Sect and other sects remained carved on tombstones for all to study.

Crossing the black river meant barely passing the Grave Lord’s trial, granting access to these rewards.

While ordinary free cultivators prized such gains, the first wave of elite talents showed no interest.

These geniuses already possessed Heavenly Techniques, believing specialization surpassed broad knowledge.

They ignored roadside artifacts and methods, driving straight toward the Grave Lord’s core legacy.

Though Daoists and demon sect members traveled together, they maintained wary cooperation rather than conflict.

United by shared humanity, they followed the creed:

“Different races harbor different intentions.”

Their vigilance focused on non-human threats and descendants of evil gods.

Yet despite all precautions, the evil gods’ offspring eventually struck.

“Boom… roar!”

While still trailing the frontrunners, Mu Lin suddenly heard earth-shaking explosions,

followed by rhythmic pounding like war drums.

“Bang!”

“Bang!”

“Bang!”