My skills have mutated again!

Chapter 313 The Second Round, Dominating the World! He truly deserves to die!
The vast and primordial world.

The State of Lu.

The 35th year of the Heian calendar, the third year since the beginning of this Ash District, and the second year that Master Xia Lin spread the teachings of the Black Iron Mystic Art throughout the world.

The capital of the State of Lu was called Shengjing.

A celestial being guards the town, and the population exceeds one hundred million.

From this vantage point, one can see the prosperity and vast scale of Shengjing City, a sight that even leaves some less experienced travelers from the Ashes region in awe.

Few people know that this place is also the location of the Black Martial Alliance headquarters.

In the capital city of Shengjing, there is a hidden underground space within the Tianxia Restaurant.

Lin Xiantian lay motionless on the cold jade bed, completely unconscious.

Since Lin Xiantian came to this place with Hei Xing more than a year ago, he has been punished, his immortal soul has fallen into silence and is now in eternal slumber.

Various magical artifacts around him shimmered with different colors, seemingly fine-tuning Lin Xiantian's physical body and immortal soul to make them a more suitable vessel for Black Star.

Just then, a flash of light appeared at the entrance, and Xu Haonan and Bao Bowen appeared there.

Today is the day of our weekly check-up.

He took a few steps forward and came to the cold jade bed.

After briefly observing the effects of various magical artifacts, Xu Haonan nodded slightly: "In a few more years, this body will be ready for use."

Bao Bowen listened without showing any expression.

He just sighed softly, as if something was on his mind.

This made Xu Haonan turn to look at Bao Bowen, and soon he grinned, his face showing understanding.

"For things outside?"

Bao Bowen was silent for a moment, then nodded: "The primordial world is becoming increasingly strange..."

Thinking about the strange changes that had taken place in the Great Wilderness over the past year, Bao Bowen was not only astonished, but also felt a chill run down his spine.

It was this sense of unease that made Bao Bowen take a deep breath and speak again.

"First came the rust disease, then Xia Lin's Black Iron Mystic Art, and then the appearance of Tai Sui."

"I know these are all Xia Lin's methods... but I didn't expect that Xia Lin's small group of people could pull off such a ruthless operation."

After saying that, Bao Bowen smiled bitterly and looked at Xu Haonan: "After we came out of the Primal Secret Realm, didn't Black Star have his eye on Xia Lin's bounty? I tried to persuade Black Star for almost a month, but I couldn't change his mind."

"I had no choice but to approach Xia Lin. I promised him two resurrection items... Xia Lin still hasn't replied to my message."

Xu Haonan nodded knowingly after hearing this: "It's been a year, and she still hasn't replied to your messages. Xia Lin's intentions are quite clear."

Having transformed into a fun-loving person, and after spending more than a year together, Xu Haonan and Bao Bowen seem to have become close friends who can talk about anything...

Bao Bowen is currently complaining about the difficulties he is facing, and Xu Haonan is not only a willing listener, but also offering him advice.

"Actually, Xia Lin's reaction was quite strange back in the Primal Secret Realm."

"Although he has Qu Yiyi's level eleven combat power, he is still far inferior to Black Star... But after Black Star expressed his malice, Xia Lin acted as if he didn't care at all."

"Either he's an idiot."

"Or perhaps he still has a trump card up his sleeve."

As he spoke, Xu Haonan replenished the magical artifacts around him with immortal power.

After finishing his work, Xu Haonan looked at Bao Bowen again.

"After a year of development, I don't need to say more whether Xia Lin is a fool or has a trump card."

"Judging from the current situation, he seems to really want to have a fight with Black Star."

Bao Bowen gave a wry smile: "Then the problem comes back to us."

"If those two really start fighting, whose side should we take?"

Upon hearing Bao Bowen's words, Xu Haonan suddenly let out a strange, chuckling laugh.

He shrugged at Bao Bowen: "That's easy... Of course, we'll stand on the side that's destined to win."

Bao Bowen sighed, as if talking to himself, "This is the problem that's giving me a headache: who has a better chance of winning?"

If it were a year ago, when they had just left the Primal Secret Realm, Bao Bowen would have been confident that Xia Lin would never have been a match for Black Star.

This is also the logic behind his "compensation" offer—Black Star has its eye on you, you're doomed, and being able to exchange this certain death for two resurrection items is not just compensation, but also a manifestation of goodwill from our Superstar side.

However, now that a year has passed, the events of the past year have made Bao Bowen hesitant to make such a judgment.

……

After leaving the secret room, they appeared in the cellar of the Tianxia Restaurant.

The cellar was full of food and miscellaneous items, and several members of the Black Martial Alliance were either hiding in the corners or pretending to be waiters, busy at work.

Bao Bowen's gaze swept across the entire room.

Besides him and Xu Haonan, there are seven people in total here.

Six of them had normal appearances, except that their skin and eyes occasionally flashed with an iron-colored light.

—This is a manifestation of having practiced the Black Iron Mystic Art.

On the contrary, the last person did not cultivate the Black Iron Mystic Art... but whether he can be called a human is questionable.

"come here."

Bao Bowen spoke, addressing the moving lump of iron.

Then a clanging sound rang out.

A bizarre creature, pieced together from countless rusty screws and scrap metal, slowly moved in front of Bao Bowen.

Among countless scrap metal pieces, Bao Bowen saw a murky eye...

This person, all that remains of being can be called human is this little bit.

The distorted appearance sent a chill down Bao Bowen's spine.

He'd seen his share of storms and waves, but he admitted that this thing was a little abnormal.

At the same time, he felt a stinging sensation on his skin... Rust disease is contagious.

However, this contamination from infected patients was not enough to break through the defense system of human race sequence fourteen.

Furthermore, because the Ash Walkers are not citizens of this world, Bao Bowen and other Ash Walkers are not affected by the distortion of the rules of this world's end.

Rust disease is a bit troublesome for these Ashlands Walkers, but its impact is ultimately limited.

"Why not cultivate the Black Iron Mystic Art?"

As Bao Bowen asked the question, he heard a metallic scraping sound coming from the mouth of the "person" in front of him.

"We martial artists should be single-minded and pursue the highest level of martial arts! We should not rely on external things."

"And that Black Iron Mystic Technique is a celestial cultivation method, so it is naturally also a kind of external object!"

These words left Bao Bowen speechless.

Good guy...

You're pure enough.

Laughter erupted from the other six people nearby.

"He's almost dead, and you're still talking about this? His rust disease is in its late stage!"

"Wearing a metal head and spouting this nonsense, I think Wang Dalu's brain is almost metallized too."

"Shh! Keep your voices down... As the saying goes, 'One should not mock the persistence of others; time will prove right and wrong.' Just as we should not laugh at those who do not cultivate the Black Iron Mystic Technique. All people are compatriots; even if they turn into rust, they will still live in our hearts."

Bao Bowen's lips twitched.

Quotes from teachers...

This book records Xia Lin's daily words and deeds, and is widely circulated in the prehistoric world.

Its status is similar to that of the Analects...

But let's be clear, we won't go into the fact that you six, as members of the Black Martial Alliance, practice the Black Iron Profound Technique—that's just how it is. But what's the point of you constantly quoting your teacher's sayings?

Bao Bowen could guess what it meant, but he didn't want to say more.

He looked at the iron lump in front of him named Wang Dalu and said solemnly.

"Once a person dies, there's no point in persisting."

This statement seems to have shattered Wang Dalu's long-held beliefs.

The light in his eyes, already dim like a candle flame in the wind, was completely extinguished.

……

Bao Bowen is gone.

Wang Dalu dragged his weary body and continued with his work.

His cultivation level is not low.

He was once a prodigy of the Black Martial Alliance, extremely talented in martial arts, and already a level nine martial artist.

Even after being diagnosed with rust disease, Wang Dalu still refused to rely on the Black Iron Mystic Art. Instead, he felt that since the immortal path could cure rust disease, there was no reason why the martial path couldn't!
Scarlett: Martial arts are fine, but the martial arts in this Ashes Zone are really no good...

In short, Darren Wang is indeed persistent, but unfortunately, persistence cannot change the established facts.

After holding on until today, Wang Dalu finally gave up after Bao Bowen's words, "If a person dies, there's no point in persisting."

Evening falls.

Wang Dalu left the Tianxia Restaurant through the back door.

The clanging and banging sounds echoed through the street; these were the noises made by Wang Dalu as he walked.

It also attracted the attention of pedestrians taking an evening stroll.

"How come there are still people here who haven't cultivated the Black Iron Mystic Art? And his rust disease must be in its late stage by now?"

"If you don't know, don't look too closely, and don't discriminate. After all, as the saying goes..."

"I was just curious, I didn't mean any discrimination..."

"Hey bro or sis, do you need help?"

Wang Dalu slowly raised his head, looking at the bustling streets and the throngs of pedestrians.

Everyone possessed cultivation, and their eyes and skin gleamed with an iron light...

Everyone is friendly and smiling, and there is no discrimination against people with rust syndrome.

But it doesn't take much thought to realize that Wang Dalu, a normal person suffering from an illness, has become an anomaly in this world.

"Hehe...hehe..."

Although they were originally members of the Black Martial Alliance, they were an anomaly in the primordial world.

But these past few months of illness have revealed to Darren Wang what a true outcast is.

He shook off passersby and, dragging his heavy steps, arrived at the street-side bookstall.

Using his rusty, iron-like arm to take out a silver coin, Wang Dalu said hoarsely, "I want the Black Iron Mystic Technique."

The stall owner took the silver coin with one hand and picked up a book of Black Iron Mystic Techniques with the other.

"Go home and focus on your cultivation, eat more of the flesh of the Tai Sui, and you can still save your life."

Wang Dalu remained silent, turned and left, but the stall owner's voice came from behind him again: "Don't forget to thank the Holy Master. He saved us and he saved the world."

……

When Wang Dalu returned home, he not only carried the Black Iron Mystic Art manual, but also had a piece of meat hanging from the iron protrusion at his waist.

The meat was tied with hemp rope. Unlike ordinary livestock meat, this meat was pure white, seemingly all fat, yet not greasy. A tempting aroma emanated from the uncooked meat, whetting one's appetite.

He went to the table and placed the meat and the Black Iron Mystic Art on it.

After briefly glancing at the book, Wang Dalu let out a soft sigh.

As a level nine martial artist, Wang Dalu naturally understood the Black Iron Profound Technique.

During this year, after three revisions, the Black Iron Mystic Art became more universal and accessible to the general public. Anyone who can read can learn to master it on their own, even without a guide, and thus embark on the path of immortality.

After briefly reviewing the Black Iron Mystic Art, Wang Dalu turned his attention to the pieces of meat on the table.

"Tai Sui..."

He murmured softly, revealing the true nature of this flesh.

It is the flesh of a Tai Sui that has only appeared in the last year!
……

According to Master Xia Lin, the appearance of Tai Sui is closely related to rust disease.

Rust syndrome can turn a person into a metal monster.

On the other hand, it can also transform metallic substances into flesh and blood.

Under the influence of unknown reasons, the metallic substances in the primordial world began to mutate several months ago, transforming into flesh and blood.

However, these metals, when transformed into flesh and blood, are generally deformed and devoid of intelligence and consciousness.

The massive metal veins were affected and transformed into mountains of flesh deep underground. This not only changed the geographical environment and ecology of the primordial world, but also made it impossible for cultivators to refine treasures with immortal metals, causing widespread lamentation.

But the Holy Master intervened.

On one hand, the Holy Master developed an array that could make metallic substances immune to contamination and transform them into flesh and blood, thus allowing this world to retain a portion of metallic materials.

On the other hand, the Holy Master discovered the correct use of the flesh and blood substances transformed from metal.

—When consumed by practitioners of the Black Iron Mystic Art, it can greatly enhance their cultivation level!

Disaster has turned into revelry! A sizzling sound suddenly came from the rusty body.

This is Wang Dalu, currently activating the Black Iron Mystic Technique!

The metallic contamination in his body was transformed into an energy called Black Iron Immortal Power under the power of the Black Iron Mystic Art. As soon as he started practicing, Wang Dalu had already entered the first stage of the art.

Once you master the Black Iron Mystic Art, the changes will take effect immediately!

The scrap metal parts on his body gradually melted, some seeping into his body and turning into nutrients for the Black Iron Mystic Art, while others flowed around Wang Dalu's feet like a foul-smelling slime.

After circulating his internal energy for one full cycle, Wang Dalu finally came to his senses. Looking at himself, whose abnormality had been greatly reduced, he was momentarily at a loss.

So simple?
It's that simple!
The simpler something is, the more universal it is, and the better it suits Xia Lin's needs.

As if he had thought of something, Wang Dalu turned to look at the meat of the Tai Sui on the table.

Without cooking, put the Tai Sui meat directly into your mouth.

The meat melts in your mouth.

It turned into a sweet liquid and flowed into Wang Dalu's stomach.

The Black Iron Mystic Art activated spontaneously, and the metal parts within his body emitted a final cracking sound.

After an unknown amount of time, Wang Dalu finally opened his eyes slowly after savoring the wonderful taste.

He saw himself in the mirror.

Although there are still mutations, he has already taken on a human form.

The delicious taste of the Tai Sui meat left Wang Dalu with lingering memories.

Soon, his eyes welled up with tears.

"Thank you, Holy Master... Thank you, Holy Master!!"

I'm so moved, tears are welling up in my eyes!
Only those who have experienced all of this can know what kind of salvation the Holy Master Xia Lin brought to them!
Wang Dalu himself was unaware of this...

He changed too quickly.

I was resisting just now, but now I really like it.

The reverence for the holy teacher was strangely deeply rooted in their hearts.

In a daze, Wang Dalu suddenly thought of something.

"I need to buy a book of teachers' sayings."

Only in this way can we get closer to the Holy Teacher.

……

Just as Wang Dalu stepped into the gate of the Black Iron Profound Technique, Xia Lin, far away, heard the system notification sound from the Ash Zone once again.

[Backstab effect activated!]

[You have betrayed your own faction: the Primordial Great World!]

The effectiveness of the backstab was assessed as: minimal!

You have gained 1 point to all attributes...

Yes, there's only a little left.

Xia Lin was not surprised.

After all, he had anticipated when the plan was launched that the effect of backstabbing would become weaker and weaker.

The underlying logic is self-evident.

—The one who was betrayed has become one of their own.

They are completely one of our own, and they prioritize Xia Lin's interests above all else!

Just like the Bomb Boys.

If Xia Lin sent the Bomb Boys to their deaths... would that increase their Backstab stat?

Obviously not.

Since the target of the backstabbing was Xia Lin herself, this is irrelevant in the determination of backstabbing.

From this, we can also see the current state of Wang Dalu... and even everyone in this world.

Xia Lin called them: Iron Slaves.

The slaves of Heiyuan are also my slaves, Xia Lin!

"Using the power of the end of this world to distort the rules of the world and spread the Rust Syndrome."

"The Black Iron Mystic Art is presented as a righteous method of salvation... but in reality, the Black Iron Mystic Art compiled by Scarlett uses some of the logic of the Black Source Overlord and the Black Source Infected... there is a hidden hierarchical relationship between them."

"Furthermore, due to the amplification from crossing the sea, the effect of Black Source: The End of This World has been enhanced once again... This makes it impossible for both the eleventh-level Immortal King Bai Wudao and Zheng Li to discern any clues from the Black Iron Profound Technique."

"Finally, the flesh of the Tai Sui will be used to deepen the control effect, thus completing the control over the vast majority of living beings in the entire prehistoric world."

The second phase of the plan is to dominate the world.

It was officially completed a year later!
With the success of the second round of the plan, the effect of the first round of backstabbing and reaping became weaker.

After all, Xia Lin couldn't betray himself.

This is what is meant by "you have to give up something to gain something".

In my ears, the notification sound indicating that the backstab had taken effect changed from once every three seconds to once every ten minutes.

Xia Lin was not disappointed.

No matter how small the mosquito legs are, they are still meat.

Moreover, such a harvest might be more profitable than watching the entire world turn into ruins by the Black Source.

It's hard to say whether the backstabbing attribute gained from destroying the primordial world is greater, or the backstabbing attribute gained from turning the creatures of this world into your own slaves.

Open the properties panel and look at your own properties.

[Race value: 43]

The base stats did not increase... Xia Lin did not use the East Wind Domination to increase the base stats.

He has no reason to cause any damage under the current circumstances—that would only harm his own interests.

I also didn't use any other limit-breaking techniques to boost my base stats, such as "I am a tree".

After all, Xia Lin needed to perform other operations during this process, and simply didn't have the time to activate this kind of skill.

Looking down, Xia Lin finally revealed a satisfied smile when he saw all his attributes.

[Total Attributes: 2.1 million!]

In just one year, it grew from 700 million to 2.1 million!
It's just a tiny bit away from triggering the Third Law.

"Speaking of which, once the Third Law is triggered, I'll have completed the Level 9 advancement mission and become a Level 9 Ash Walker, right?"

Is such that.

Xia Lin wasn't in a hurry about this.

After reviewing his own attributes and calculating the difference, he felt that he would most likely be able to improve further in the remaining time in this Ash Zone and reach the standard to trigger the third law for the first time.

Backstabbing doesn't have much effect anymore, but that's okay.

The world of immortals is never short of rare and precious treasures! Among them, treasures that can enhance attributes and even racial stats are not uncommon.

Shake your head to dispel distracting thoughts.

Thinking back to the decision I made with Scarlett a year ago.

The attributes have been pushed to near their limit.

This also indicates that Xia Lin can take even bigger steps.

Thinking of this, Xia Lin couldn't help but sigh.

Because the target is not just the lackeys of the two Black Stars, Xingjie and Zhengli.

And then there are those righteous level eleven cultivators who are unaffected by the end of this world.

……

The next day, morning.

As the first rays of dawn shone into Shengjing, Wang Dalu had already pushed open the door.

Facing the sunlight, Wang Dalu squinted, feeling a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.

Suddenly, a voice like that of a nightingale rang in my ears.

"Huh? Mainland? You're cured?"

The sound made Wang Dalu turn his head and look at the neighbor's house.

The girl next door was simply dressed, but her face was beautiful.

She stared wide-eyed at Wang Dalu, then quickly patted her bulging chest.

“I told you long ago, you should have cultivated the Black Iron Mystic Art. You had to make yourself sickly before you were willing to take this step.”

Muttering to herself, the girl next door bent down and scattered chicken feed.

Amidst the chicks scurrying about, Wang Dalu suddenly smiled.

“You’re right, I should have done that a long time ago.”

Once, as a martial artist, I had my own principles.

But this is wrong.

Persistence doesn't always guarantee a good outcome; the truth is, a tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives.

After admiring the alluring figure of the girl next door, Wang Dalu strode towards the Tianxia Restaurant.

Along the way, there were no more strange looks... Wang Dalu already had a foundation in cultivation, and after a night of cultivation, he had already resolved the issue of his physical form.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, he greeted his colleagues warmly and received almost perfect positive feedback.

"Look at this handsome young man, how energetic he is! I'll introduce you to a beautiful girl sometime!"

"Oh, Dalu, so this is what you look like... At least you're not that inhuman ghost anymore. We have to have a couple of drinks tonight, it's your treat!"

"I'll treat!"

Wang Dalu responded with a smile, a warm feeling welling up inside him.

Since falling ill, Wang Dalu has faced discrimination and disgust that are not overtly expressed. But now, having embarked on the path of the Black Iron Mystic Art, Wang Dalu has realized how wonderful the world truly is.

After a happy and busy morning, in the afternoon, a letter suddenly arrived from the superiors, summoning the Black Martial Alliance's strongest members to assemble.

In the mezzanine space behind the Tianxia Restaurant, Wang Dalu met Xing Jie, the leader of the alliance who had not appeared for a long time.

As the leader of the Black Martial Alliance, he received protection and guidance from Black Star.

Even though the calamity itself did not reach the eleventh level, it is unknown what means were used to exempt it from the effects of the end of this world.

In the spacious, magnificent, yet pitch-black dimensional space, Xing Jie surveyed the area below and let out a cold snort.

"They've all cultivated the Black Iron Mystic Art!?"

Below, hundreds of Black Martial Alliance experts all bowed their heads and remained silent.

Xing Jie grumbled, but there was nothing he could do.

Firstly, he didn't know the true effects of the Black Iron Profound Technique—something even the Immortal King Bai Wudao couldn't discern.

Secondly, his immunity to rust disease is a gift from Black Star, and a level twelve gift is destined not to be widely available. If he doesn't allow his subordinates to cultivate the Black Iron Mystic Art, the entire Black Martial Alliance will have no one left to use.

Briefly glossing over the matter, Xing Jie slowly began to speak.

The sound echoed in the enclosed space, layered and magnificent.

"Two things."

"First, the deployment of the Devouring Realm Nodes needs to be accelerated again! Lord Black Star is already impatient."

A unified voice rang out from below: "Black Star Supreme!"

This made Xing Jie nod in satisfaction.

He continued, "Secondly, Lord Black Star intends to take Xia Lin's life! Coincidentally, Xia Lin has recently left the Xuan Tian Sect, preparing to spread his teachings throughout the world and open an altar to preach!"

At this point, Xing Jie chuckled and clenched his fist.

"Then his death is imminent!"

Just as Xia Lin was about to make his move, Xing Jie, or rather, Black Star, seemed to have taken a liking to Xia Lin as well.

Xia Lin's departure from Xuan Tian Sect and his escape from Xuan Ye's protection presents a rare opportunity!

However, Xing Jie failed to notice that his hundreds of subordinates below remained silent, and the atmosphere gradually became eerie...

The meeting ended in an orderly fashion after Xing Jie announced its adjournment.

Suddenly, a deep voice reached Wang Dalu's ears.

That was Guan Chang, the vice leader of the Black Martial Alliance.

"He dares to call the Holy Master by his name and wants to take his life; he truly deserves to die!"

Gritting teeth.

Wang Dalu instinctively nodded in agreement.

A murderous intent towards Xing Jie, and even towards Black Star, had already arisen in his heart.

"You're right, he really deserves to die!"

(End of this chapter)