Ch 79: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

As the Heavenly Emperor spoke, a powerful and irresistible force pressed down directly on Jiang Lin. The strength of this force was overwhelming, like a towering mountain, aiming to crush the opponent on the spot.

In that instant, the Nine Spirit Technique within Jiang Lin’s body began to operate frantically. A pale cyan divine power surged from him, gentle yet incredibly resilient, blocking the Heavenly Emperor’s “lesson.”

“Hmm?” The Heavenly Emperor was somewhat surprised.

He was angry at Jiang Lin’s refusal, but not to the point of uncontrollable rage. It was more a feeling of dissatisfaction that a minor immortal like Jiang Lin would dare to defy the decree of the mighty Heavenly Emperor.

He intended to teach Jiang Lin a lesson, not to take his life, but to make him suffer enough to put away his inexplicable pride and obediently accept the Heavenly Emperor’s arrangements.

Thus, he hadn’t used his full strength, but even so, this should not have been something Jiang Lin could withstand.

But that wasn’t the most important point. What truly shocked the Heavenly Emperor was the faint cyan light emanating from Jiang Lin, carrying a familiar aura that he couldn’t possibly mistake:

“The Nine Spirit Technique? What is your connection to Tai Hao?”

Tai Hao, the Eastern Heavenly Emperor, also known as the Azure Emperor, was the one who governed all life.

The Nine Spirit Technique was Tai Hao’s cultivation method, something that no one outside his direct lineage could possibly know.

Upon hearing the Heavenly Emperor mention this, Jiang Lin was stunned as well.

He politely responded, “I don’t understand what Your Majesty means.”

But in his mind, he was frantically questioning the system about what was going on.

As expected, the system failed him at a critical moment, offering no response to Jiang Lin’s confusion.

The Heavenly Emperor, however, withdrew his hand and snorted, “The Nine Spirit Technique is Tai Hao’s cultivation method; it’s impossible for anyone to counterfeit it. You’re an Immortal Lord of the Central Heavenly Court—when did you become involved with him?”

He could easily take action against a minor Immortal Lord, but he wouldn’t dare touch a disciple of the Azure Emperor.

These Chaos Gods and Demons were all fiercely protective.

Since the Azure Emperor had passed on the Nine Spirit Technique, it was clear that he had taken a liking to this young man. The Heavenly Emperor quickly decided not to act rashly.

As he looked at Jiang Lin again, he was even more intrigued: “I’ve looked into your origins—you were born by the Milky Way and have spent most of your time within the Central Heavenly Court. How did you learn the Nine Spirit Technique, and why do you carry the aura of the Red Emperor?”

Jiang Lin: “…”

“I don’t know either,” he replied.

His transmigration was his greatest secret, so he couldn’t possibly reveal it.

Moreover, he was certain from the beginning that he wasn’t simply a soul that had taken over another’s body. If that were the case, someone as powerful as the Heavenly Emperor would have noticed immediately.

Seeing that Jiang Lin didn’t seem to be lying, the Heavenly Emperor didn’t press further.

He had just sent a divine message to the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Heavenly Court, so he would soon find out what was going on.

Recalling that it had been a long time since he had contacted his old friends, he also sent a message to the Red Emperor, considering that Jiang Lin carried the aura of the Red Emperor as well.

After doing all this, the Heavenly Emperor looked at Jiang Lin, growing increasingly satisfied with his judgment: “You have many secrets, and I will uncover them eventually. But for now, I still want to ask you—my daughter is beautiful and gentle, and you know her well. Since you like her, what are you dissatisfied with?”

From the overall context, it seemed that he had developed some “fatherly affection” for Zhinü.

After all, in the original story, he had thought that Zhinü was only worthy of marrying a lowly cowherd.

But now, he was at least aware enough to seek out a “promising young god” for his daughter.

—Even though neither of the parties involved was particularly willing.

Jiang Lin thought to himself that this unexpected exposure of the Nine Spirit Technique had actually improved the Heavenly Emperor’s attitude toward him, solely because the Heavenly Emperor believed he had ties to the Azure Emperor.

It wasn’t Jiang Lin himself that the Heavenly Emperor valued, but the potential connection to the Azure Emperor.

The Heavenly Emperor respected the Azure Emperor because he was a Chaos God and Demon on par with him.

This showed just how important power was.

In the previous worlds, due to the nature of his transmigrations, Jiang Lin had rarely encountered truly powerful opponents, and his desire to improve his strength had waned.

At this moment, a renewed sense of determination burned fiercely within Jiang Lin.

He calmly stated, “I’ve already given my reason for refusing. It’s because there’s no love between Zhinü and me—we’re just friends.”

However, the Heavenly Emperor was not one to accept such reasoning. “But you two are well-suited for each other. Besides, a marriage decreed by me is a great honor.”

Jiang Lin swore that if he were strong enough to defeat the Heavenly Emperor and withstand the full wrath and retribution of the Central Heavenly Court, he would definitely give this supremely arrogant deity a good beating and knock some sense into him.

Suppressing his anger, Jiang Lin replied, “This so-called honor…”

“This honor, you can keep it for yourself!” a voice interjected—Zong Yu had arrived in a rush.

He had been elsewhere when he sensed the Nine Spirit Technique’s power erupting, immediately realizing that Jiang Lin might be in trouble, so he hurried over. Upon arriving, he overheard the Heavenly Emperor talking about bestowing a marriage!

Knowing Jiang Lin’s character, Zong Yu was certain that no matter who the other party was, Jiang Lin would never agree to it.

“Zong Yu?” The Heavenly Emperor frowned, reprimanding him, “What are you doing here, meddling in this?”

Zong Yu was even more displeased. “What business do you have meddling in Jiang Lin’s life decisions?”

“I am the ruler of the Heavenly Court!” the Heavenly Emperor declared. “In the entire Central Heavenly Court, every immortal, human, and even the grass and trees are my subjects. Bestowing a marriage upon him is a mark of my favor!”

Zong Yu: “…” He could feel an itch in his fists.

At this moment, his thoughts were strangely aligned with Jiang Lin’s.

If he were at his peak, fully grown, he would have rushed up to give this man a thrashing and knock some sense into him.

In a cold voice, he said, “Give it up. Jiang Lin will never agree, and I won’t let you do something so ridiculous.”

What kind of personality did the Heavenly Emperor have?

As a Chaos God and Demon, he was inherently self-centered, and after ruling as the Heavenly Emperor for countless eons, he was used to having his way. What started as a mere whim to grant a marriage had now become a matter of defiance that amused him.

“Very well, very well. I am the Heavenly Emperor, acknowledged by the laws of heaven and earth. My words are law. I want you to see what happens when I decree this marriage—what can you do about it?”

The Heavenly Emperor coldly snorted, “I hereby decree that my daughter Zhinü and the Immortal Lord Jiang Lin…”

“Heavenly Emperor!” Zong Yu abruptly interrupted him.

He had inherited memories and knew exactly what would happen if the Heavenly Emperor’s decree, imbued with divine power, were to be issued.

If this marriage decree were indeed given, it would mean that the marriage was sanctioned by the laws of heaven and earth, effectively binding Jiang Lin and Zhinü together in this world.

Even though he knew Jiang Lin was not an ordinary person and that the Heavenly Emperor’s decree might not have the desired effect, Zong Yu could not and would not allow Jiang Lin to take that risk.

“You cannot issue this decree!” he said sternly.

The Heavenly Emperor, surprisingly, was in no hurry now. He asked, “Why not? You know I can.”

Zong Yu glanced at Jiang Lin, steeled himself, and said, “Because Jiang Lin and I have already entered into a Daoist partner contract!”

The Heavenly Emperor: ???

Jiang Lin: ???

Zhinü: ???

Three pairs of eyes simultaneously turned to Zong Yu in shock.

The Heavenly Emperor rebuked, “Nonsense!”

Jiang Lin’s expression was equally complicated. “Xiao Zong, I appreciate your intentions to protect me, but there’s no need to joke about something like this.”

Zong Yu’s gaze was even more complex as he responded, “You know I’ve been keeping a secret from you, right?”

A startling realization dawned on Jiang Lin. “Are you saying that the secret is…?”

Zong Yu, somewhat sheepishly, nodded. “Yes, it’s this.”

The Heavenly Emperor stared at them in astonishment, then focused on Zong Yu. “You’re not lying to me?”

Zong Yu remained silent, but suddenly, Jiang Lin felt a warmth between his brows.

Though he couldn’t see it himself, both the Heavenly Emperor and Zhinü noticed a small, blood-red pearl manifesting at Jiang Lin’s forehead.

Zong Yu coldly glanced at the Heavenly Emperor. “You can’t possibly mistake my soul pearl, can you?”

The Heavenly Emperor: “…”

He coughed. Of course, he was aware of the Daoist partner contract.

It was a special type of contract among the Chaos Gods and Demons, where both partners would share their lifespans, living and dying together. However, as Chaos receded, this type of contract gradually fell out of use.

Nowadays, even when gods married, they no longer used this contract. In fact, many Chaos Gods and Demons, including the Heavenly Emperor himself, did not establish such contracts with their spouses.

This contract required absolute loyalty and trust between the partners.

“You should have said so earlier…” The Heavenly Emperor refused to admit that he had almost caused a misunderstanding. “If you’d revealed your relationship earlier, why would I have bothered being the bad guy?”