The myth begins with the Lotus Lantern

Chapter 286 Complicity
The aura vanished in a flash.

Somewhat unfamiliar, not one of his colleagues, yet somewhat familiar, as if he had met him somewhere before.

Wang Yu's gaze was somewhat puzzled, but then, at a certain moment, he suddenly remembered.

This aura is...

Shock was evident in his eyes.

The next moment, Wang Yu's figure flashed, and he transformed into a streak of light, flying towards the Peach Garden.

In the Peach Garden.

Ding Lin sensed the rapidly approaching presence, raised an eyebrow, and disappeared from the building to meet it.

When he was weak and powerless, he could only show weakness and retreat in the face of Wang Yu's questioning. This was called being pragmatic, but it was actually just a helpless situation with no other choice.

Now that he has achieved the Golden Immortal realm, there is no need for such actions anymore. Openly revealing his realm will not only make Wang Yu wary, but also avoid countless minor troubles later on.

Beside the Milky Way, in the first layer of heaven, Ding Lin met Wang Yu.

The two streaks of light stopped simultaneously.

Wang Yu's gaze was gloomy, and he didn't say much. He locked his aura onto Ding Lin and suddenly raised his hand.

A wisp of fiery cloud rose from his palm, swirling around him. Wang Yu wore no armor, only a fiery red robe that appeared even more intense against the backdrop of the flames. Wang Yu unleashed his own law: the burning intensity of flames at their peak, the most flamboyant and easily observed and comprehended aspect of fire.

Eight or nine out of ten Golden Immortals who belong to the Fire element comprehend this law. However, its ease and universality do not mean weakness. On the contrary, the burning of flames is precisely when their destructive power is at its strongest.

Ding Lin had just achieved the Golden Immortal realm, but he deliberately did not delve deeply into the laws, so his understanding was not yet proficient. It wasn't until Wang Yu unleashed his fire magic that his water magic was activated. In the inner realm cave, the chain trembled with a "clatter," and a sky-blue water curtain rose up in front of Ding Lin.

If Wang Yu's fire magic was extremely explosive and wanton, then Ding Lin's water magic was extremely gentle and airtight. The two laws each drew upon the corresponding spiritual energy in the world, confronting each other, with half the sky ablaze and the other half shrouded in clouds, intertwined with each other.

Wang Yu is a Golden Immortal who has been practicing for many years, and his mastery of the laws is already superb. Ding Lin is not as good as him, but this place is close to the Milky Way, which gives it a geographical advantage.

For a moment, the situation was so evenly matched that it was difficult to determine who was superior.

law!

It turns out to be a Golden Immortal!
There is no doubt about it.

Although he was still somewhat unfamiliar with the control of the laws as a newcomer, he was indeed at the Golden Immortal level.

Wang Yu's gaze was deep; despite seeing it with his own eyes, he still found it hard to believe.

But there's no need to test the waters anymore.

Wang Yu clenched his fist. The next moment, the scorching heat subsided, the red glow of the sky dissipated, and he withdrew his magical power back into his body.

Ding Lin slowed down a bit and withdrew his magic power, dispersing the water curtain in front of him.

"General Jin has such high talent and has cultivated so quickly. In just a few years, he has become a Golden Immortal. It is truly unexpected. I had already sensed it when I was in the camp, but it was so hard to believe that I couldn't help but test it."

Wang Yu said, the amazement in his eyes was genuine and not feigned. Without a sound, the title had been changed from deputy general to general.

"Still not as experienced as General Wang."

Ding Lin said that although it seemed like a draw before, he had already lost because he had taken full advantage of the water veins.

"It has been many years since there have been any new fellow practitioners in the Heavenly Court. Now that General Jin has achieved the status of a Golden Immortal, the sordid past should naturally be forgotten. I have a Fire Pearl here, which I will present to General Jin as a congratulatory gift and as an apology."

Wang Yudao, his expression calm, a flash of light appeared in his palm, and he produced a hazy pearl that shone with fiery red light, as if he wanted to make peace.

Ding Lin did not answer.

The fire pearl was magnificent, its surface shimmering with a spiritual light that even the sunlight could not completely obscure, casting a hazy, dreamlike glow on Wang Yu's face.

Ding Lin remained silent for a while.

"General Wang, are you aware that one of your nephews has been killed by me, Jin?" Ding Lin suddenly spoke up. "Such a feud, I wonder if it can ever be resolved?"

This time, it was Wang Yu's turn to remain silent.

"If I say yes, what does General Kim think?"

Wang Yu said, the red light from the scattered fire pearls flickering in the air, but his expression remained unchanged, as if he were talking about a stranger, not his own nephew.

"Immortals only live for a single lifetime, how can they compare to our longevity? Even our closest relatives, if they cannot become Golden Immortals, would not dare to pour their emotions and efforts into them, let alone a nephew. When I was young, my elder brother treated me like a father, but after I achieved enlightenment, he also guided him to heaven. The karmic ties between us have long been severed. These words may sound cruel to General Jin now, but after tens of thousands of years, you will understand. In our eyes, only each other is our kind."

Wang Yu's tone was sincere, as if he were addressing a fellow traveler rather than an enemy.

For a moment, Ding Lin couldn't tell whether he genuinely wanted reconciliation or if this was just a tactic to lull him into a false sense of security.

After Wang Yu finished speaking, he pushed his palm forward, and the fire bead floated towards Ding Lin. This bead was indeed extraordinary. It seemed that a spiritual fire was being nurtured inside. It was an innate object that could allow a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator to entrust their soul.

"In that case, thank you very much, General Wang. I will accept it." Ding Lin said, regardless of whether he was telling the truth or not. He figured he might as well take the gift and deal with it later.

“General Jin may find it hard to believe what I’m saying now, but there’s plenty of time. He will understand in the future that what I’m saying is true,” Wang Yu said, seemingly sensing the insincerity in Ding Lin’s words.

Just then, another streak of light swept across the sky, descended, and the clouds dissipated, revealing a short, seemingly mad, and demon-like golden immortal.

"Wang Yu, we've been looking for you for a long time. Why did you leave the camp without permission and stand up against someone here? We just had our meeting, and all the generals were there, but you were nowhere to be seen. The marshal specifically ordered me to come and summon you," said the Golden Immortal.

Wang Yu glanced at the document and understood that the promotion was just an excuse; in reality, Tianpeng was questioning him. He wasn't too worried. Although this place was very close to the Heavenly Court, it wasn't within the Thirty-Three Heavens. Even if he made a move, as long as no consequences were caused, given his rank and status, he would at most receive a minor punishment. Moreover, he had only tested Ding Lin by entangled with his qi and hadn't actually made a move.

“Kill the child, I’ll go right now,” Wang Yu said.

The Golden Immortal who arrived was none other than Tianpeng's subordinate, the Nine Heavens Child-Slaying General!
"This fellow Daoist must be Deputy General Jinlin. He exudes an air of immortality and grace, truly worthy of being a member of our Dao!" Jiutian Shatong looked at Ding Lin again, a smile playing on his lips, a smile that seemed more sinister than malevolent, but there was no doubt that he was extending goodwill.

"The Marshal already knows that you have achieved the Golden Immortal realm. When I came, he specifically asked me to convey my congratulations. After tens of thousands of years, our Heavenly River Navy has finally gained another great general. I have already made an appointment with several colleagues. After General Jin finishes his current duties and has some free time, we will all celebrate for you together. We are all under the Marshal's command, and we should get to know each other better in the future," said the Nine Heavens Killing Child.

“I am but a junior, unworthy of such praise. In the future, it should be I who pay a visit to you,” Ding Lin said.

“Very well, I’ll have prepared a warm welcome. Today I’ve become acquainted with Brother Jin. I am Marshal’s Guardian Star Lord, stationed on the eighth star of the Big Dipper. Brother Jin, just come and find me whenever you have time,” Jiutian Shatong laughed heartily. “Let’s leave it at that for today. The Marshal is still waiting for us in the long tent, so I won’t say any more. Brother Jin, until we meet again!”

"General, please proceed!" Ding Lin said.

"Old Wang, let's go!" Nine Heavens Killing Child called out. Wang Yu glanced at Ding Lin one last time, and the two streaks of light rose one after the other, heading towards the Milky Way.

Ding Lin looked up and stared until the light completely disappeared into the sea of ​​stars before turning his gaze away.

"marshal……"

Ding Lin let out a breath, seemingly somewhat melancholy. He stood on the Milky Way for a while before riding his escape light back to the Peach Garden.

……

In the Peach Garden.

With Yin Huan and the three human immortals dead, the remaining seven ghost immortals were easily suppressed by Xin Jia, even without Ding Lin. As for the army of a thousand heavenly soldiers, just as Ding Lin had seen in the clouds, they were only slightly biased towards Yin Huan, and mostly obeyed orders under the guidance of the heavenly generals. Upon learning of Yin Huan's death, and given that Ding Lin had not concealed his aura, they were very obedient and easily accepted the change of allegiance. Xin Jia placed one hundred of his original trusted men into the army to replace the original heavenly generals, and this army was thus brought under control.

Even the previously panicked morale of the troops was calmed down.

Originally, being assigned to the Peach Garden was a miserable job that could lead to being demoted to the mortal realm after a few months. However, as Ding Lin became a Golden Immortal, this possibility disappeared. Even if he was still to be demoted, according to custom, he would only be relegated to the Heavenly Palace.

This is certainly not good news, but sometimes we can't just look at the result; we also have to look at the comparison. Compared to before, it's like heaven and earth.

In this way, the morale of the army was stabilized.

Ding Lin's former subordinates were all promoted and given higher ranks. In fact, since there were no more immortals, ten positions of generals were left vacant, leaving room for advancement, so they were naturally happy.

The only ones left who were still feeling uneasy and anxious were the seven ghost immortals and the original hundred squad leaders.

They didn't know what would happen to them.

Xin Jia waited quietly. He could let go of the hundred squad leaders, but the seven ghost immortals were not people he could deal with on his own. After seeing Ding Lin's disappearing light, he asked to see him again.

Inside the small building, seven ghostly immortals knelt with their heads bowed, awaiting judgment.

Ding Lin glanced around, and after a long silence, he spoke up and sent the seven ghost immortals and the hundred squad leaders out of the garden. Now that the matter was settled and they were not the ringleaders, there was no need to kill them with private punishment. Exiling them out of the garden and listing them as accomplices in the memorial to the throne later, and banishing them to the mortal realm, would be enough.

The seven ghost immortals breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, they could guess what would happen to them, but compared to the deaths of Silver Ring and the three human immortals, they were fortunate enough to have survived by choosing the wrong side.

This brought everyone to a happy ending.

“Xin Jia,” Ding Lin called again, “You have the cultivation of a Human Immortal, and your virtue is worthy of your position. Now that the army is short of a commander, you will temporarily fill the position. There are also guards in the army who can also serve as Heavenly Generals. I will submit a report to the Marshal on your behalf. Once the official document is issued, you will be the commander of these thousand men.”

"Give more generals a chance to grow!"

Xin Jia paid homage with great ceremony. Although this reward was something he had already expected, he was still overjoyed when it was actually implemented. His long-cherished wish had been fulfilled in one day.

According to military custom, since these thousand men were assigned to serve under Ding Lin, it was assumed that they would be part of his future unit. Regardless of their future prospects, Ding Lin's current rank as deputy general was enough to take over other units of several thousand men. The affiliation of these thousand men would not be easily changed. Ding Lin was the commander-in-chief, and since he had asked for a promotion, it was already considered a done deal.

"Get up. You have done a great job this time, and this is what you deserve," Ding Lin said.

"This humble general is ashamed. It was all thanks to General's strategic planning. This humble general only did some hard work, and..." Xin Jia felt ashamed as he recalled the anxiety he felt when he was kept in the dark and unaware of the truth.

"The matter was accomplished in secret, and your contribution is significant. This fire pearl is bestowed upon you. From now on, I will need your assistance."

Ding Lin said, a flash of light appeared in his palm, and he took out the fire bead. Since Xin Jia had proven his loyalty, he deserved a reward.

This fire pearl was obtained from an enemy, and who knows what kind of hidden tricks it might have? It's absolutely impossible for me to use it myself, but it's quite appropriate to use it as a reward for my subordinates.

"Thank you, General." Xin Jia said. Ding Lin gently pushed the fireball into Xin Jia's palm. The latter looked at Ding Lin with increasingly fervent eyes.

But Ding Lin knew that loyalty to these immortals who still had a future could only be temporary. After a brief period of gratitude, they would still return to their own selves. Don't ask him how he knew; he himself had done the same when he was still in the immortal realm, using his own power to control others. Of course, he thought this way.

Moreover, Xin Jia's previous loyalty was largely due to his lack of options and lack of other solutions.

Therefore, an additional layer of insurance is needed.

"Besides this fire pearl, I have something else to give you."

Ding Lin said, looking at Xin Jia, his palm lit up with spiritual light, and three peaches appeared. He had once stolen more than 700 small fruits of purple-veined peaches from the garden. During his cultivation to become a Golden Immortal, he had consumed more than 500 of them. Now, the remaining more than 100 peaches were still lying quietly in his storage space.

"You are already tens of thousands of years old. Although you are still some years away from your death date, it is always good to have a longer lifespan. Here are three purple-veined peaches. If you eat them all at once, they will extend your lifespan by ten thousand years."

The main hall suddenly fell silent.

The words, meant as a reward, brought no warmth whatsoever; they were chilling to the bone.

Ding Lin looked down at Xin Jia, holding the peach in his palm. As time passed, his gaze grew sharper and sharper.

Since being transferred to the Tianhe Navy, Xin Jia has been by Ding Lin's side. It can be said that, apart from Tian Peng, he is the person Ding Lin has had the most contact with after ascending to immortality. He can't say that he knows everything about Ding Lin's background, but he knows a lot, at least much more than others.

The comprehension of the laws can be described as a flash of inspiration, but the accumulation of magical power always takes time. How can it be achieved overnight? It was impossible before, but it was achieved immediately after being transferred to the Peach Garden.

How could this not make people's imaginations run wild?

If this association were wrong, that would be one thing, but it is the truth.

(End of this chapter)