In the stone house, Lin Xun was looking at the jade box in his hand, his eyes gleaming strangely.
Laying in the jade box was a fragrant, fist-sized, divine fruit flowing with illusory starlight.
Upon closer inspection, one could see mystical, worm-like runes roaming on the translucent skin of the fruit.
The fruit looked like it was breathing as its luster flickered ethereally.
This was Star Catcher Fruit â a truly divine herb!
Lin Xunâs mind couldnât help but go back to the scene when this fruit was ripening a few days ago.
On the denuded Star Catcher Divine Tree, a few petals shone brightly and sang a divine melody that echoed like tidal waves.
And then, the entire tree started burning and turned into ashes, leaving only a fist-sized Star Catcher Fruit that floated in the air and collected the sea of fire.
The fruit had keenly sensed danger and wanted to flee, but Lin Xun, who had long been waiting, immediately captured and sealed it up.
Before this, Lin Xun had never thought that a divine herb could be so sentient, as if it was a living creature.
He inhaled a deep breath and put the jade box away.
No King experts would be so wasteful to use divine herbs to cultivate, including Lin Xun.
The only time when they could be used to their fullest effect was when a cultivator underwent the Immortality Tribulation.
âSomethingâs wrong?â
Lin Xun opened the door open to see Li Shangshui, who had been waiting for quite a long time.
Li Shangshui hesitated slightly before using voice transmission. âThe forces on Star Catcher Mountain that have submitted to us are getting restless. Theyâve been gathering frequently in private, so itâs most likely they are planning something.â
Lin Xun smiled. âI know.â
Nowadays, aside from the Thousand Beast Spirit Mountain and the Yin Fire Sect, there were five major forces stationed on Star Catcher Mountain.
The reason why they had submitted to Lin Xun was simply because they viewed him as a backer rather than a true master who they could devote their energy to.
If right now, Lin Xun asked them to risk their lives to deal with other forces, they would not follow his order.
And it wouldnât be a big deal if that was all it was, everyone using each other.
But Lin Xun would not tolerate it if someone harbored ill intent and wanted to plot against him.
âBrother Lin⦠What do you plan to do?â Li Shangshui couldnât help but ask.
Lin Xun pondered for a moment before he suddenly asked, âIf you were my enemy, then would you come to kill me after learning that Iâm on Star Catcher Mountain?â
Li Shangshui was stunned. He said hesitantly, âI wouldâ¦probably?â
Lin Xun shook his head. âNot probably, but definitely. My enemies canât have their peace of mind unless Iâm dead. Similarly, I would be equally unsettled unless they were dead.â
Li Shangshui was confused, unsure why Lin Xun suddenly brought up this issue.
Lin Xun continued, âIn order to take revenge, one should never wait passively. It will only allow the enemy to seize the initiative and gain the upper hand.â
These words cause Li Shangshui to be deep in thought.
Being proactive, one might win with the element of surprise.
Being passive, one was doomed to be beaten!
âIâve been here in this Mythic Fire Realm for over a month now, and I believe that during this time, my enemies should have figured out my whereabouts.â Lin Xunâs eyes grew icy as he muttered, âWhat do you think? Should I wait for them to come to my door or should I take the initiative and visit their territory?â
Li Shangshui fell silent.
He had already heard about Lin Xunâs plan to leave Star Catcher Mountain to settle the score with his enemies.
He took a deep breath and asked, âDo you need help?â
A hint of a smile flashed across Lin Xunâs expression. I didnât misjudge Li Shangshui. It takes quite the courage for him to still choose to stand by my side at a time like this.
âNo need, the karma of this feud is too great, itâs already enough that I bear it alone,â said Lin Xun casually.
In his mind, the names of more than a dozen ancient dao lineages quietly surfaced, each of them a colossal existence presided by Saint experts in the outside world. If he involved others in this, then he would surely be indebted.
âTonight, take your Yin Fire Sect and those Thousand Beast Spirit Mountain disciples to leave this Star Catcher Mountain so you donât get caught up in the storm here after I leave,â said Lin Xun nonchalantly.
Li Shangshuiâs heart trembled, then he nodded.
As Star Catcher Mountain had Lin Xun at its helm, the forces stationed on it could only endure and bow their heads even if they were secretly dissatisfied with him.
Once he left, these forces would definitely fight over the control of Star Catcher Mountain!
At that time, the first they would see as a thorn in their side would inevitably be the disciples of the Yin Fire Sect and Thousand Beast Spirit Mountain.
âThank you for taking care of me these past days, Brother Lin!â said Li Shangshui as he cupped his fist with a solemn expression.
âItâs no big deal.â Lin Xun laughed it off.
He could help other people for a while, but it was impossible to help them for a lifetime. At the end of the day, one had to rely on their own strength in order to gain a foothold and rise in the Upper Nine Realms!
â¦â¦
Evening.
Halfway up Star Catcher Mountain was where the five major forces who had submitted to Lin Xun were stationed.
âBrother Ying, our clans have to pay ten pounds of ruyi divine gold and a king-grade herb each to Demon God Lin every single day, yet he only needs to sit back and enjoy the spoils, itâs just unseemly.â
âBrother Ying, if our five forces join hands, we can totally overturn him and take control of Star Catcher Mountain!â
âBrother Ying, canât you see that Demon God Lin only regards the Yin Fire Sect and Thousand Beast Spirit Mountain as his own and weâre just fat sheep to be exploited?!â
âBrother Ying, you only need to nod, and we swear we will join you in killing Demon God Lin and taking over Star Catcher Mountain.â
A group of people had gathered, their auras were all extremely strong being permeated with majestic King dao might.
At this moment, their gazes were directed towards a black-robed youth.
The black-robed youth had a fair complexion, distinct eyebrows, red lips, and white teeth. He was sitting at the center of the group like a refined scholar.
But he was Ying Tianxing, an ancient freak of the Yinglong Clan. Behind his gentle appearance was the most chilling and brutal temperament.
âDemon God Lin only needs to sit here to deter enemies from all directions. He is a pillar, a shelter to shield us from the storm. Why should we cut it down?â said Ying Tianxing leisurely. Like the others, he was using voice transmission.
This was Star Catcher Mountain. They werenât so bold as to openly plot to kill Lin Xun.
âBrother Ying, why donât we think like this? Demon God Lin is strong, so if we can kill him, it will likewise become a deterrent to other forces. After all, who would dare to be our enemy after we kill their strongest threat?â the others tried to convince him.
Ying Tianxing could immediately tell that these guys had formed a tacit agreement long ago and were just waiting for his agreement.
He knew full well that if he refused involvement or opposed their plan, he would definitely be met with their suspicion and hostility!
Ying Tianxing murmured, âIf we want to get rid of Demon God Lin, we must first get rid of Li Shangshui. He is Demon God Linâs solid supporter.â
This undoubtedly showed his stance.
The others immediately revealed joyous expressions. With Ying Tianxing on their side, they would have a total of five Supreme Kings and would no longer have to fear Demon God Lin!
âThis will be simple. When Li Shangshui goes out again, weâll pick an opportunity to catch him off guard and kill him,â said someone coldly.
âGood, letâs do it.â After some silence, a flash of determination flashed in Ying Tianxingâs eyes, and he nodded in agreement.
But that very night, news came out that Li Shangshui had led the disciples of the Yin Fire Sect and the Thousand Beast Spirit Mountain to leave Star Catcher Mountain.
With no intention to return at that!
Ying Tianxingâs group was dumbfounded, somewhat caught off guard.
Donât tell me that fellow sensed that something was wrong and fled, leaving Demon God Lin to fend for himself?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
But it wasnât long before another piece of news came outâ
Demon God Lin had also left! Not after stating that he had no intention to return either!
The heaven-sent news even made Ying Tianxing a little confused.
Really? We havenât even done anything, but a big problem was solved just like that?
This isâ¦surreal!
âOhh, my heart actually feels a bit hollow now that Demon God Lin has left. After all, he helped us fend off quite a lot of dangers while he was here,â someone sighed playfully.
Someone sneered, âHmph, heâs lucky that he left on his own volition. Otherwise, only death awaits him!â
Together, they went to the top of the mountain and entered the stone house that Lin Xun had previously inhabited. After careful observation, they finally confirmed that he really wouldnât be coming back!
This was because the stone house was completely empty apart from the Ancestral Origin Rtone that couldnât be moved.
Moreover, the spirit herbs and resources in the garden near the peak had also been collected!
âDemon God Lin is cruel though; he didnât even forget to make a killing on his way out. I remember that the garden was nurturing seven or eight king-grade herbs, but now theyâre all gone.â Some people ached at the loss, their expressions gloomy.
âNo need to pay attention to this. Star Catcher Mountain will be ours from now on. This is a happy event, and we should celebrate it properly!â Someoneâs brows danced with joy.
âThatâs right! We should celebrate!â
That night, the disciples of the five major powers gathered, drinking wine and laughing happily.
However, their relationship also became fragile on that very night.
Demon God Lin had indeed left, but which power should take control of Star Catcher Mountain?
Especially the stone house where the Ancestral Origin Stone was located, who should inhabit it?
Until these issues were resolved, none of them could rest easyâ¦
But before they could deal with this, three days later, a panicked voice rang out on Star Catcher Mountain.
âThis is bad! Itâs bad! We...weâre surrounded!â
The cracked voice cut through the tranquil atmosphere of the early morning.
âSome fearless idiots came to our Star Catcher Mountain to look for trouble?â
âLetâs go, Iâd like to see which force was blind enough to come seeking death!â
All the five major forces were alerted at once. Ying Tianxing and the other Supreme Kings appeared one after another.
However, the scene outside the mountain made them gawk in shock. Areâ¦arenât there too many of them?