Arc 278The Emperor Child’s Gambit
Lin Bai traveled through the Devil Realm, uncovered growing opposition to the Four Gloom Demon Palace, and maneuvered to secure Ma Leiyu’s claim to the Pure Yang Sect’s Holy Son position. The Ma Family agreed to cooperate as Lin Bai’s party headed to White Horse City, where the Seven Nights Divine Sect’s survivors had gathered.
- Lin Bai visited the Overturning Heavens Sect, where Meng Qinxian fought him publicly to conceal their friendship while the Sect Master explained the sect had disavowed him under pressure.
- Lin Bai told Meng Qinxian that the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace had forced him to accept the Imperial Son position, then chose to remain there and seek a chance to rescue the captured Holy Son.
- Lin Bai and Old Wen discussed how the Palace’s grand plan had stirred desire and conflict across the Devil Realm, while Lin Bai blamed it for holding the Eastern Region’s martial artists hostage.
- Lin Bai killed bandits attacking a family, then destroyed Black Tiger Stronghold and learned that a Pure Yang Sect elder belonged to the Great Thieves Alliance and that its allies opposed the Four Gloom Demon Palace.
- Ma Leiyu invited Lin Bai to Qilin City, where Lin Bai offered the Ma family Palace support for Ma Leiyu’s bid to become Pure Yang Sect Holy Son, and Ma Leiyu agreed to seek his family’s backing.
- Ma Leiyu and his father discussed the offer, while the Ma family’s elders planned to win his trust and make their lineage appear loyal to the Four Gloom Demon Palace.
- Old Wen sent a secret Palace order supporting Ma Leiyu’s rise, and the Emperor praised Lin Bai’s prediction as the Ma family agreed to contend for the position.
- Lin Bai, Old Wen, and Dao Child Yu You traveled to White Horse City, where Chu Tinghan, Chu Tingxue, Princess Chenxian, and survivors of the Seven Nights Divine Sect had gathered.