The three God-level powerhouses of the Dongfang Family had no intention of seizing the scepter.
First, they didnât dare. Second, it would be futile.
Lin Moyuâs identity alone was deterrent enoughâunless the plan was executed flawlessly. And even then, they knew Lin Moyu wouldnât truly perish. Even if slain, he could resurrect in the Hall of Heroes.
Only rare, isolated places like the Putrid Corpse Land, enveloped by seals and separated by vast distances, could render his death permanent.
This was the reason why Meng Anwen and the others were so on edge, ready to fight the Dongfang Family to the death.
Besides, stealing the Genesis Scepter served no purpose. Without the Life Core, the scepter was useless. Dongfang Yao had also stated that she couldnât touch it.
The Dongfang Family wasnât foolish enough to act without gain.
Dongfang Yi spoke in a solemn tone, âYao, rest for two days. Then you and I will go meet Godly General Lin.â
For over a month, the Shenxia Tower had stood tall at Xiajing Academy. Typically, it appeared for only a few days, never this long.
Each day, crowds gathered to marvel at its splendor. As one of the three divine towers of the Shenxia Empire, it was steeped in legend. A powerful energy barrier surrounded the tower, keeping onlookers at bay.
But today, the Shenxia Tower vanished abruptly, leaving many to came to take a look at it disappointed.
The White God Courtyard returned to its usual tranquility. Meng Anwen reclined in a chair, eyes half-closed. Bai Yiyuan and Yan Kuangsheng sat nearby, trading occasional quips.
Lin Moyu stood quietly, preparing tea for the three. He had just recounted his harrowing experiences in the Putrid Corpse Land, revealing secrets even the Dongfang Family couldnât fathom. After all, who could better understand the great warâs significance than the God of Life herself?
Lin Moyu had even presented the Genesis Scepter, but like Dongfang Yao, none of the three could touch it. The scepter recognized only Lin Moyu.
Bai Yiyuan remarked, "If we can locate the Life Core, Moyuâs chances of reaching the Transcendent God-level will increase significantly."
Meng Anwen paused thoughtfully before speaking in a low voice, "I donât think thatâs necessarily a good thing. External objects are tools, not crutches to depend on."
Lin Moyu nodded, understanding his point. If he could find the Life Core and fully repair the Genesis Scepter, it would indeed enhance his power. But relying on such an item wasnât ideal.
Yan Kuangsheng raised an eyebrow, "Old Meng is rightârelying on external aids isn't wise. Ultimately, you can only depend on yourself. That said, the Genesis Scepter looks like a promising piece of mythical rank equipment. Once itâs complete, we should check its attributes."
Mythical rank equipment far surpassed legendary rank items in terms of rarity and power. Across humanity, only two such pieces of equipment existed.
Lin Moyu spoke softly, "Donât worry, teachers. I wonât rely on external aids."
In truth, his class prevented him from doing so. Since his second class awakening as a Necrolord, heâd developed an innate rejection of most equipment. Even if he wanted to, he couldnât depend on them.
Lin Moyu was troubled, unsure of what equipment he could even use. At this point, he had no choice but to rely entirely on himself.
Lin Moyu asked, "Teachers, during the last battle, many of my skeletons diedâsome were destroyed outright. My talent failed to activate. Why is that?"
Bai Yiyuan responded, "Thatâs not surprising. Perhaps your opponentâs talent suppressed yours."
Yan Kuangsheng added, "Or their attack was so overwhelming it severed the connection to your talent. Summon a skeleton; letâs test something."
Lin Moyu complied, summoning one of his skeletons.
Yan Kuangsheng casually swung his hand in a blade-like motion. Tremendous sword qi erupted, infused with his murderous aura, sweeping toward the skeleton. ÊáŽÆĂłáĂĆ
The skeleton shattered instantly, obliterated in a single strike.
Lin Moyu was startled, thinking, "My skeleton died that easily?"
The Comprehensive Link talent hadnât activated at all.
"Teacher, how did you do that?" Lin Moyu asked.
Yan Kuangsheng replied, "Your talent is called Comprehensive Link, right? I simply severed the connection, rendering your talent useless. Ultimately, your skeleton is too weakâits level isnât high enough."
Lin Moyu nodded in understanding. Whether it was due to overwhelming power or a unique talent, an opponent could bypass his talent and destroy his skeletons outright. It was a harsh reminder of one thing: he was still too weak.
Meng Anwen spoke in a low voice, "From what Moyu described, the creatures in the Putrid Corpse Land arenât the scariest part. The real danger lies in the Putrid Corpse Poison. When our ancestors sealed that place, their primary concern was preventing the poison from spreading."
Lin Moyu asked, "Teachers, canât a God-level Healer cure the Putrid Corpse Poison?"
Meng Anwen shook his head, "Low-level Putrid Corpse Poison, yes. High-level poison? No."
In the Putrid Corpse Land, Dongfang Yao had mentioned that if Lin Moyu could neutralize the poison, she would ask him to save someone. It made sense nowâher family likely had someone afflicted with high-level Putrid Corpse Poison. If it were a lower-level poison, the Dongfang Familyâs vast resources should have allowed them to secure a God-level Healerâs assistance.
"Teacher, do you think itâs possible to revive someone after death?" Lin Moyu asked, recalling the God-level powerhouses who had saved him. Though they were dead, their will had remained unbroken.
Bai Yiyuan explained, "Revival is possible if a soul imprint remains intact, and the soul can return to it after death. But for God-level powerhouses⊠once they die, theyâre truly gone."
Lin Moyu frowned, confused. Why couldnât God-level powerhouses be revived?
Yan Kuangsheng stood up, patting him on the shoulder, "Youâll understand someday."
Bai Yiyuan followed suit, also patting his shoulder, "Consider yourself lucky this time. Be more cautious in the future."
He continued with a grin, "In a couple of days, Dongfang Yi will likely come to apologize. When he does, Iâll help you rip him off. The Dongfang Family is the royal family. After running the empire for so long, they must have amassed plenty of treasures."
"For the next few days." Bai Yiyuan instructed, "Take a break, or raid some dungeons. Just donât show your face, and donât come back here."
Having known Bai Yiyuan for years, Meng Anwen immediately understood his intentions, "Itâs better if youâre not around. That way, Old Bai can ânegotiateâ more smoothly."
Yan Kuangsheng, surprisingly, didnât argue, "Exactly. Heâs a seasoned expert at ripping people off."
They all agreed on one thing: Lin Moyu was too reserved to demand too much for himself. This was a golden opportunity, and it couldnât be wasted. With Bai Yiyuan leading the charge and Yan Kuangshengâs imposing murderous aura backing him up, they were confident they could make the Dongfang Family pay dearly.
Lin Moyu found himself effectively kicked out of the White God Courtyard, banned from returning for the next few days.
Before he left, Bai Yiyuan gave him one last instruction, "Head back to the Chuangshi Institute in half a month. The ancestral land is about to open."
Lin Moyu returned to Xiajing Academy. As he wandered through its familiar grounds, he couldnât shake a strange feeling of disconnection.
After spending over a month in the dark and oppressive Putrid Corpse Land, enduring relentless storms and lightning strikes, he felt as though heâd barely been living. At times, it was as if heâd been reduced to a walking corpse himself.
But somehow, he had made it out.
"Is it really... impossible to revive...?" Lin Moyu murmured to himself, lost in thought.
According to Bai Yiyuan, revival was impossible. But the God of Lifeâs words suggested otherwise.
For some reason, Lin Moyu found the God of Lifeâs claim more credible. In everything, one must hold onto hope.
As he pondered this, his ears twitched slightly, and a rare smile formed on his lips. A sweet scent wafted to his nose, followed by a warm embrace from behind.
"Youâre back!" Lin Moyu said softly, his voice unusually gentle, free of its usual cold undertone.
Having faced many battles and killed countless enemies, Lin Moyuâs words often carried a subtle chill, a reflection of his hardened soul. But not this time. Not even a trace of coldness lingered.
There were few people in the world who could draw out this side of him.
The person behind him was one of them.
"Mm." Came the soft response, tender and docile, like a kitten purring in contentment.
Ning Yiyi rested her head against Lin Moyuâs back, rubbing it gently.
Fortunately, he had just showered and changed into fresh clothes. When he had first returned from the Putrid Corpse Land, he had reeked of decay, a stench that was anything but pleasant.
Lin Moyu took Ning Yiyiâs soft, delicate hands into his own. Her warmth and presence soothed him.
"Youâve been at it for so long; you must be tired." He said with a gentle smile.
Ning Yiyi nodded, then shook her head, staying silent.
Lin Moyu turned to face her, wrapping her in a tender embrace, "Take a break. From now on, Iâll handle level grinding."
Ning Yiyi let out a soft âmmâ and smiledâa smile brighter than the sun itself.