Chapter 567: Wang Lin, Attack Me With All Your Strength!

"Boom!" A loud noise came from Hong Prison in the distance once again. Amidst the rising dust and smoke, the Emperor Sword let out a triumphant sword cry, transforming into a silver light and flying away until it vanished on the horizon.

Wang Lin looked up in the direction where the Emperor Sword disappeared and chuckled, "Why is this sword acting like a child? It seems it can't find me, so it's fighting Hong Prison instead. How many times has this happened now? Ten times, perhaps."

Mo Lihai sat across from Wang Lin, wearing a wry smile, but his heart was filled with admiration. He carefully scrutinized Wang Lin; if he hadn't seen the other party sitting right there, he would have been completely unable to detect Wang Lin's presence using Demonic Power perception alone.

This was clearly true, considering that the Emperor Sword had flown back and forth above the sky several times during this period, yet failed to notice Wang Lin on every occasion.

Thinking back to the scene a few days ago when Wang Lin emerged from his secluded cultivation spot in the Underground Cave without him noticing at all, Mo Lihai's evaluation of Wang Lin had risen to an extremely high level.

Furthermore, in Mo Lihai's eyes, Wang Lin seemed like a completely different person after emerging from Hong Prison. In particular, the Rune that occasionally flashed on his brow gave him a sense of shock.

He did not ask for details, but he could guess that for this person to provoke the anger of the Emperor Sword inside Hong Prison, it was clearly either a success in his Cultivation Technique or some other fortuitous encounter.

"What strength have you reached now? How does it compare to when you were in Ancient Demon City?" After a long silence, Mo Lihai finally asked. He wanted to know what rank he could achieve in the Demon General Grand Competition!

The Demon General Competition allows for two opportunities. If the Demon General himself loses, the helper he recommended can fight on his behalf! However, there is a requirement for this substitute: they cannot be a local person; they must be an outsider!

This was one of the reasons why the Demon General chose Wang Lin.

"Even without using that palm strike, I can still defeat you!" Wang Lin said slowly, his voice calm.

Mo Lihai stared at Wang Lin, then burst into laughter after a long pause, saying, "Good! With your words, my efforts haven't been in vain! Brother Wang, the Demon Spirit Night half a month from now is the day of the Demon General Grand Competition. At that time, His Majesty the Demon Emperor will personally observe. If you perform outstandingly, I will nominate you, and you will surely obtain the position of Demon General!"

Wang Lin smiled but did not speak.

"Brother Wang, you must return early tonight. I will take you to visit an important figure!" Mo Lihai pondered briefly, then said in a deep voice.

Wang Lin nodded, stood up, and smiled, "Brother Mo, don't worry!"

The two exchanged glances and laughed heartily. Mo Lihai felt quite pleased and chuckled, "Then I won't interrupt your time for listening to the zither music."

Wang Lin's habit of listening to the zither music from the Pleasure Boat by the river was no secret; Mo Lihai naturally knew about it.

Wang Lin stepped forward and walked out.

By the river, Wang Lin sat quietly. He held a jar of Light Wine, occasionally taking a sip. His expression was calm, without any ripple of emotion, and his heart was peaceful.

During this period, Wang Lin would sit here every day, waiting for the zither music that drifted over as the Pleasure Boat passed. Although the style of this music had changed dramatically from before, it used a rich, cheerful tune to conceal deep sorrow.

However, Wang Lin did not try to forcibly change it. He was like a transient observer, watching the joys and sorrows of all living beings with the mindset of a passerby.

Even now, he did not know the appearance of the woman playing the zither. None of this mattered to him; what mattered was that he was listening, listening intently.

Listening to the music, touching the Seal in his heart, he comprehended a sense of tranquility he hadn't felt in a long time. Under this feeling, Wang Lin's heart was utterly calm.

Before the Pleasure Boat arrived, the music came first. A sense of helplessness and sorrow permeated the seemingly cheerful tune. Following the music, the Pleasure Boat slowly glided down from the upstream river channel.

At the bow of the Pleasure Boat, the woman playing the zither was still facing away from Wang Lin. Her jade hands lightly lifted and danced, and waves of faint zither music scattered. Today, only one person sat in front of her!

This was a young man who looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He wore Green Robes. Although his appearance was ordinary, he gave people a very clean impression. There were no Demonic Power fluctuations emanating from him. He sat there, holding a wine cup, savoring fine wine, and listening to the zither music.

"Could you… not play like this? I want to hear your true zither music!" The young man put down his wine cup, looked at the woman in front of him, and said softly.

The woman's music paused. After a long silence, she gently nodded. Her jade hands plucked the strings, and waves of sorrowful zither music gradually echoed, seeming to merge into the ripples created by the Pleasure Boat on the river surface, scattering along the sides of the channel with them.

The ripples dissipated near the riverbank not far from Wang Lin, but the music did not stop, entering Wang Lin's ears.

The young man on the Pleasure Boat slowly closed his eyes, carefully savoring the sorrow and grief within the music.

Wang Lin also closed his eyes, immersed in the zither music, as if it had merged with his mind, lingering for a long time.

Two people, one on the boat and one on the shore, comprehending different things, yet at this moment, there seemed to be a subtle, inexplicable connection.

Wang Lin opened his eyes. For the first time, he actively looked toward the Pleasure Boat. His gaze landed on the woman's back, then shifted to the young man.

This person also opened his eyes at that moment and looked toward Wang Lin.

After they gazed at each other briefly, Wang Lin picked up his wine jar, gave a slight gesture, and took a big gulp. The young man on the Pleasure Boat revealed a slight smile, raised his wine cup, and drained it in one go.

The Pleasure Boat gradually moved away, disappearing from Wang Lin's sight. Only the faint zither music could still be vaguely heard.

On the Pleasure Boat, the woman playing the zither turned her head at this moment to look at the distant river channel. In her eyes, there was always blackness.

"There was a person there!" the young man on the Pleasure Boat said softly, putting down his wine cup.

Ming Xuan did not speak. She turned back and continued playing the sorrowful music.

"A very interesting little fellow…" The young man smiled slightly.

At nightfall, Wang Lin returned to Mo Manor. A moment later, Mo Lihai walked out with him. The two passed through Hong City and entered Xuan City, located at the west gate.

Although Xuan City was the same size as Hong City, everything inside was completely different. Under the night sky, it was brilliant and dazzling, and the pedestrians were mostly groups of Soldiers wearing Armor.

Outside a certain mansion in Xuan City, Mo Lihai stopped. He took out a Calling Card from his sleeve and handed it to the Guard outside the gate. The Guard immediately retreated and entered the mansion.

Wang Lin surveyed the mansion, his gaze resting on the plaque above the entrance.

"Vice Commander Xuan's Manor"

"The eight Demon Commanders of Tianyao Prefecture, just like the eight cities outside Tianyao City, are named after the characters Heaven, Earth, Black, Yellow, Universe, Flood, and Wilderness. Their manors do not include the word 'Vice'! Only the Vice Commanders of the respective cities are named this way. This place is the manor of the Vice Commander of Xuan City." Mo Lihai said softly. He hesitated, then added, "This Vice Commander of Xuan City has a very good personal relationship with His Majesty the Demon Emperor…"

Wang Lin nodded. Mo Lihai had already informed him in detail on the way about the selection of two Vice Commanders after this Demon General Grand Competition and the importance of the Vice Commander position.

A moment later, the Guard from Vice Commander Xuan's Manor returned and respectfully said, "General Mo, the Vice Commander requests your presence!"

Mo Lihai's expression sobered. He stepped forward, and Wang Lin followed unhurriedly. Led by the Guard, Mo Lihai and Wang Lin entered the courtyard inside the manor.

"The Vice Commander is meeting General Mo there!" The Guard stopped, pointed to an Archway ahead, and then respectfully retreated.

Mo Lihai looked composed as he and Wang Lin arrived at the Archway and walked through. Inside was a Flower Garden where many Exotic Flowers were blooming competitively, and a wave of fragrance assaulted their senses.

A man wearing Purple Robes stood with his back to them, looking up at the sky. He stood there as if merged with his surroundings. Wang Lin only glanced at him before withdrawing his gaze. This person's cultivation was equivalent to a Cultivator in the Early Stage of Soul Transformation, and he was at the Peak of the Early Stage, capable of a Breakthrough at any moment!

However, before achieving a Breakthrough, this person was still too far away from the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation.

Mo Lihai took a deep breath and respectfully said, "Mo Lihai pays his respects to the Vice Commander!"

The man did not speak, nor did he move; he just stood there, looking up at the sky.

Silence reigned around them.

This silence unknowingly transformed into a Pressure that enveloped the surroundings. Demon General Mo Lihai maintained a steady demeanor, remaining unmoved, and stood quietly.

As for Wang Lin, how could a Cultivator of the Dao, who fights against heaven's will, collapse under this Pressure? Wang Lin's expression was composed. Even when he met Tian Yunzi, he remained neither humble nor arrogant, let alone when facing this person whose cultivation was merely equivalent to the Early Stage of Soul Transformation. He was far inferior compared to the Vermilion Bird Son or Situ Nan.

Wang Lin's composure and Mo Lihai's steadiness silently dispersed the Pressure.

The man in Purple Robes turned around. His gaze was like lightning as he looked at the two of them. With a superior tone, as if a Senior addressing a Junior, he said, "To remain calm under my Pressure, not bad!"

"Mo Lihai, what percentage chance do you have of becoming a Vice Commander?" The man in Purple Robes spoke very directly, immediately getting to the main point.

Mo Lihai was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Forty percent!"

"Oh?" The man in Purple Robes narrowed his eyes and slowly said, "You are the Demon General who has visited me in the past few months with the lowest chance of success!"

"Adding this person, I have a ninety percent chance!" Mo Lihai pointed at Wang Lin and said.

The gaze of the man in Purple Robes fell upon Wang Lin. His eyes were indifferent, without the slightest ripple of emotion, as if Wang Lin were nothing more than an Ant in his eyes.

He had the qualification to look down upon Wang Lin. As a Vice Commander, who also had an excellent personal relationship with the Demon Emperor, and possessed nearly a million Jia of Demonic Power—equivalent to the Early Stage of Soul Transformation among Cultivators, with a Breakthrough imminent—he far surpassed all Demon Generals. He only needed to wait for the right time to leap into becoming a true Demon Commander. In his eyes, Wang Lin was merely Mo Lihai's Attendant.

He didn't even regard Mo Lihai highly, let alone this Attendant!

If he hadn't known that His Majesty the Demon Emperor valued Mo Lihai highly, he wouldn't even have met this person today, because in his view, Mo Lihai was unqualified. He'd rather spend this time admiring flowers. In Tianyao City, almost everyone knew that Vice Commander Xuan's favorite things in life were all kinds of Exotic Flowers. Not only did he love them, but he treasured them immensely. If a Servant accidentally touched a flower, they would usually be immediately expelled from the Commander's Manor. Furthermore, anyone who dared to destroy a flower would incur his wrath!

The man in Purple Robes felt a slight impatience inwardly, but he didn't show it on his face.

"Display your most powerful Divine Ability, and let me see why Mo Lihai believes you can increase his chances by fifty percent!" The man in Purple Robes' tone remained indifferent. In his view, this person was merely at the Perfection of the Late Stage of Nascent Soul Transformation. He had never paid attention to figures like that.

It wasn't disdain; it was a calm disregard.

"Use your full strength. If you can make This Commander react, then you have the qualification!" The man in Purple Robes raised his head, looking at the sky, not sparing Wang Lin a glance.

Wang Lin looked coldly at the man, his expression unchanged. He raised his right hand, gathering slaughter qi upon it, and pressed forward directly!

With this press, countless streams of slaughter qi instantly materialized from his hand. A storm-like, violent slaughter qi enveloped the heaven and earth in that instant.

Two thousand strands of slaughter qi burst out from Wang Lin's right hand, resembling raging Dragons. They roared as they charged straight toward the man in Purple Robes!

The man in Purple Robes initially maintained his previous expression of ignoring Wang Lin's existence, but in an instant, it changed drastically. The two thousand strands of slaughter qi arrived immediately, rushing directly toward him.

The man in Purple Robes immediately retreated without hesitation. His entire body's Demonic Power instantly erupted, and Demonic Qi formed a Fierce Tiger around him. However, the moment the Fierce Tiger materialized, it was immediately penetrated by the strands of slaughter qi, which then landed directly in front of the chest of the man in Purple Robes.

The man in Purple Robes' expression changed drastically. His body swayed, and he retreated once more, not even caring about trampling the flowers beneath his feet, retreating directly into the Flower Mud. At this moment, he couldn't think about the flowers at all. The hair on his entire body stood up, and all his attention was focused on how to resist this Divine Ability.

With his cultivation, if he had been prepared beforehand, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state now. But he had been too dismissive earlier. Suddenly facing this Divine Ability—which would make him change color even if prepared, and which he had no confidence in stopping—he didn't even have time for regret in his heart.

Seven inches in front of him, a turbulent Demonic Armor Barrier instantly materialized. However, the moment this barrier appeared, it was bombarded by the two thousand strands of slaughter qi and rapidly retracted.

Seeing that the Demonic Armor was about to shrink to three inches, the man in Purple Robes let out a low roar. Veins popped out on his face, and he retreated again, trampling countless flowers that he normally cherished immensely.

But under the two thousand strands of slaughter qi, the Demonic Armor simply could not withstand the attack, and it suddenly collapsed!

The two thousand strands of slaughter qi instantly rushed into his body. After circulating once, they flew out one by one from all the pores on his body at a summons from Wang Lin's right hand, disappearing back into Wang Lin's grasp.

The man in Purple Robes' face was pale. Wang Lin instantly became completely different in his eyes.

For Wang Lin, fighting an Early Stage Soul Transformation Cultivator using the Perfection of Nascent Soul Transformation cultivation paired with two thousand strands of slaughter qi was not difficult!

"Very good. You have the qualification! You may leave!" The man in Purple Robes took a deep breath, forced a composed expression, and squeezed out a smile, the kind a Senior gives a Junior.

Mo Lihai's expression was strange. Suppressing the shock in his heart, he quickly pulled Wang Lin away.

Watching the two walk far away, the man in Purple Robes could no longer endure it and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Servants immediately rushed in from outside, looking at the man in Purple Robes in panic.

"Do not allow anyone to see me for three months. I must enter secluded cultivation!" The man in Purple Robes left this instruction, and his figure vanished from the spot.