Chapter 86 Ceasefire

"What?"

The faces of the crowd instantly shifted color, their pupils dilating with traces of horror. They had assumed Eldrin had barely managed to escape with his life—never imagining he had actually turned the tables and slain Chen Baixi.

Mu Xuanming gazed at Eldrin before him. Clad in snow-white robes, his features could be described as jade-like divinity—an exceptionally handsome countenance bordering on peerlessness. Silver crown bound his flowing hair, while within his pupils lingered a trace of unfathomable tranquility.

"This young man possesses far too great a penchant for killing, and far too ruthless a methodology." Mu Xuanming's gaze shifted repeatedly, a chill running down his spine as the thought flashed through his mind: "Under no circumstances should he be provoked."

Suppressing his thoughts quickly, he steeled himself and continued, "Since lives have been lost, this grudge cannot be resolved peacefully."

"However, with the beast tide looming, I would suggest our 2 families temporarily cease hostilities. Why not settle this after the chaos has passed?"

"Agreed." Chen Changxuan nodded, affirming with certainty. "However, since the Lin family was defeated, they must pay our Chen family compensation."

"As long as you make them agree to hand over the Lin Family's cultivation method—Earth-Soil Sutra, the divine ability Earth-Soil Divine Thunder, and the refining method of the Kunwu Earth-Soil Bell—we shall cease our actions at once."

"This—"

Mu Xuanming quickly shook his head, his face clouded with worry. "Fellow Daoist, you mustn’t jest. These are the very foundations of the Lin family’s heritage. You’ve already taken Spiritual Apricot Mountain (Location). If you insist on demanding the lion’s share, I fear the Lin family will have no choice but to fight like a cornered beast."

"Brother Changxuan, heed my counsel." Meng Xinghe stepped forward, unable to hold back his advice. "The beast tide approaches at this very moment. Should your 2 clans persist in this deadly feud now, regardless of who emerges victorious, it would surely unleash a calamity of unimaginable proportions."

"Why not wait until after the beast tide? Then we can settle scores—grievances repaid, debts cleared—and bring this to an end."

Eldrin exchanged a glance with the old chieftain before nodding solemnly. "This matter, I can agree to."

"At least until the next Beast Rampage is completely over, as long as the Lin Clan doesn't strike first, our Chen Clan will not make a move against them either."

"But if the Lin Family refuses..."

He said, his gaze shifting to Mu Xuanming.

The Patriarch of the Mu Family nodded and said, "Rest assured, I will handle matters regarding the Lin Family."

Having stabilized the Chen family's situation, Mu Xuanming breathed a sigh of relief before turning to soar toward Verdant Ink Mountain (Location). Yet no sooner had he ascended its slopes than he was nearly struck down by an unseen force, startling him into crying out urgently.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, stay your hand. It is I."

Lin Mocheng, seeing that the visitor was Patriarch Mu, finally opened a gap in the mountain protection array and allowed him to enter.

Mu Xuanming entered Verdant Ink Mountain (Location) and immediately sought out Lin Mocheng. Without preamble, he stated bluntly:

"Master of the Lin Family, to be perfectly candid, this old man has come to serve as a peacemaker."

"Peacemaker?"

Lin Mocheng’s expression turned icy as he spoke through gritted teeth, “That Eldrin from the Chen family has killed several of our Lin clan’s Foundation Establishment cultivators. This enmity cannot coexist under the same sky.”

"I will not rest until that man is dead."

Mu Xuanming quickly shook his head, still attempting to persuade, "Fellow Daoist Lin, the situation now favors the strong. The Chen Family has risen like the midday sun—I fear you can no longer contend with them."

"Besides, it was you who struck first. You’re the ones at fault here."

"Enough." Lin Mocheng cut him off, his expression icy. "No matter what, there is absolutely no possibility of us letting this matter rest."

"I know this can no longer be resolved peacefully."

Mu Xuanming also nodded and said frankly, "But with the beast tide looming, I only ask that you set aside your grievances for now. Once the chaos has passed, we can focus on protecting our clan—there will be time enough for this later."

"Just think, if something were to happen to your Lin family’s Foundation Establishment cultivators, what would become of your clan’s several 100 1000 members?"

"The Zuo Family of Feng County serves as a stark warning—a lesson from just a few years ago."

Hearing this, Lin Mocheng's expression shifted repeatedly before he finally suppressed his overwhelming fury.

He lifted his head, looking at Mu Xuanming as he said, "A temporary ceasefire is acceptable, but the Chen family slaughtered 4 Foundation Establishment experts from our Lin family. Compensation must be given, and that Spiritual Apricot Mountain (Location) must be returned to us."

"Fellow Daoist Lin, heed my counsel—this matter is absolutely impossible."

Mu Xuanming was caught between laughter and tears, and could only continue, "That Chen Changxuan even had the audacity to declare that since you were defeated, you must compensate them with the Kunwu Earth Scripture and the Earth-Shattering Divine Thunder."

"How dare he?" Lin Mocheng clenched his fists, barely suppressing the fury raging within.

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need for anger. We have already persuaded the Chen Family to stand down," Murong Xuanming quickly reassured him, speaking with earnest persuasion. "Until the beast tide chaos is completely over, as long as you refrain from attacking them, they will not make a move against you."

"Rest assured, all parties will swear a Heart Demon Oath, with the 4 other great clans of Yu County serving as guarantors. Should any clan dare strike first within these 20 years, the remaining families shall unite in joint retaliation."

"Once 20 years have passed and you've survived the beast tide, it won't be too late to seek revenge."

Lin Mocheng closed his eyes and finally nodded. "I agree to this matter."

After repeated and earnest persuasion by Mu Xuanming and several other prominent families, the 2 great clans ultimately agreed to temporarily set aside their enmity.

Eldrin and the others signed a ceasefire pact with the Lin Family cultivators, swearing a Heart Demon Oath. Only then did the great turmoil that had swept through Yu County gradually subside.

3 days later, Eldrin returned to Pingyang City together with the old clan leader.

In the grand hall of Pingyang City, 3 individuals gathered together. Lior (Person Name), his face beaming with joy, spoke.

"Though we failed to eradicate the Lin Family this time, achieving such an overwhelming victory has allowed us to thoroughly vent our pent-up resentment."

"Although we have signed the contract and sworn the Heart Demon Oath, since we have now formed a death feud with the Lin Family, we must remain vigilant."

The old clan leader spoke, his gaze shifting to Eldrin. "Especially you. This time, you’ve slain 4 Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Lin family in a row. Lin Mocheng will undoubtedly regard you as a mortal enemy. He may well resort to desperate measures, so you must remain cautious from now on."

"Rest assured." Eldrin nodded calmly. "With the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss in hand, even Lin Mocheng would find it difficult to keep me here—so long as I don't prolong the battle."

Chen Changxuan also revealed a faint smile upon hearing this. Such was the advantage of a superior Lifebound Immortal Sword.

The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss darted forth with lightning speed. In Eldrin’s grasp, it rivaled even a top-grade second-tier flying sword in swiftness, yet its energy consumption was merely 30 percent of what other artifacts of the same tier demanded. With Eldrin maneuvering this blade in flight, it was likely that even an ordinary Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator would struggle to keep pace with him.

Lin Mocheng’s life-bound treasure, the Kunwu Earth-Soil Bell (Magic Treasure), possessed formidable defensive capabilities, yet it was no flying sword artifact, ill-suited for swift travel through the skies.

Even Lin Mocheng did not possess a second-tier, high-grade flying sword. Though the 3 second-tier, high-grade magical treasures in his possession were formidable in power, none allowed him to ride a sword and soar through the skies. It was likely he would truly struggle to catch up to Eldrin (Person Name).

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Monarch The sky tore open with a thunderous roar, crimson lightning dancing across the heavens like ancient serpents. Amidst the raging storm, a figure stood atop the highest peak of the Celestial Mountain, his white robes tattered yet his posture unwavering. "Feng Mo, you've pursued me for 3 1000 years across 90-8 realms." The man wiped the blood from his lips, his gaze sharp as a newly forged sword. "Today, either my soul shatters, or your dao foundation crumbles!" Across from him, a man shrouded in black mist laughed coldly. "Lin Xuan, your cultivation has reached the Great Perfection Stage of the Mahayana realm. A single step would make you an immortal sovereign. What a pity... this step shall remain forever beyond your reach!" Before the words faded, Feng Mo (Person Name) drew the Abyssal Scythe (Magic Treasure). The weapon's edge swirled with dark energy, distorting the surrounding space itself. Lin Xuan (Person Name) remained calm, fingers tracing an arc through the air. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) materialized, its blade humming with spiritual energy accumulated over 10 1000 years. "Since you seek death, I shall grant your wish!" The 2 figures collided. Not a sound was heard, yet the very fabric of reality trembled. Mountains crumbled, rivers reversed their flow, and the stars themselves seemed to dim. In that final moment, Lin Xuan recalled his master's words from a 100 years ago: "The path of cultivation is paved with countless trials. Only by maintaining an unyielding heart can 1 hope to grasp the ultimate truth." Regret? Perhaps just a little. He had traversed the immortal path for over 3 1000 years, witnessed the rise and fall of countless sects, guided numerous disciples, and obtained treasures beyond measure. Yet now, at the threshold of immortality, he would fall. "Since rebirth is impossible, let my soul scatter to protect this land I cherish!" Golden light erupted from his body as Lin Xuan ignited his primordial spirit. The resulting shockwave shattered Feng Mo's protective barriers, the Abyssal Scythe fracturing into countless fragments. "Madman! You'd rather face eternal oblivion than surrender?" Feng Mo screamed in terror. Lin Xuan smiled peacefully as his consciousness faded into darkness. When he opened his eyes again, sunlight streamed through a familiar window. The scent of medicinal herbs filled the air, and a gentle voice spoke: "Xuan'er, you're finally awake! You've been unconscious for 3 days after that fall in the back mountains." Lin Xuan stared at the woman before him, her face etched with both worry and relief. Memories flooded his mind – this was his mother from a 100 years ago, back when he was still a 15-year-old youth in the Lin Family of Qingyun City. He had returned. Returned to the beginning of his cultivation journey, a 100 years before he would become the legendary Immortal Monarch Lin. A mysterious smile touched his lips. This time, things would be different. "Mother," he said, his voice steady despite his youth, "don't worry. I'm fine now." His gaze drifted to the worn copy of "Basic Cultivation Techniques" on the bedside table. In his previous life, it had taken him 3 months to comprehend its contents. Now, with the knowledge of an immortal monarch... He reached for the manual, his eyes gleaming with determination. The path to immortality stretched before him once more, but this time, he would walk it perfectly.