Chapter 330

Chapter 330: Unparalleled Genius? We Truly Have One

Obtaining Heavenly Techniques remained challenging for Mu Lin, though investigating their names and focus areas proved simpler.

Such cultivation methods usually carried renowned titles. Once mastered, their fame would spread throughout the nineteen states. Many powerful clans had records of these techniques, meaning Yan Yunyu, Si Ye, and others could request basic information from their families.

However, only names and general descriptions could be acquired. Detailed insights remained strictly guarded secrets. As for actual cultivation methods for Heavenly Techniques—this was precisely what those clans desperately sought to discover themselves.

…

Since acquiring cultivation methods related to Existence and Nothingness required time, Mu Lin turned his attention to refining the Great Luo Merging Heaven essence. Though cautious pacing slowed his absorption rate, the True Spirit Domain Chart’s power enabled astonishingly swift refinement.

Within half a day, most Great Luo Merging Heaven essence flowed into the True Spirit Domain Chart. Mu Lin gained three new abilities:

1) Presence Concealment: Made his City God Realm harder to detect. When deploying Yin soldiers, only those with special abilities or extraordinary spiritual awareness might sense their movement through faint chills. This stealth also disrupted divination and tracking attempts.

2) Spell Dissolution: Using Great Luo Merging Heaven’s properties, Mu Lin could phase spells into nothingness. Current limitations required conjuring vast black fog first—this obscured spell imagery, enabling their erasure.

3) Existence Manifestation: When someone visualized Mu Lin’s image while calling his name, the visualized version gained trace Power of Existence, emerging from nothingness. Limited understanding meant these manifestations held minimal substance, yet this foundation hinted at future Great Luo potential.

The Power of Existence also formed Marks carrying Mu Lin’s aura. Combined with Grandmaster-level Substitute Paper Figures enabling remote power transfer, Mu Lin could now overhear invocations of his name and choose to grant blessings or deliver punishments across distances.

“Calling a god’s name to receive blessings or punishments… this feels increasingly god-like.”

“But handling countless simultaneous prayers requires divine quality I lack. Best mute most appeals and let Substitute Paper Figures manage them.”

“Exceptions can be made—special channels for Yan Yunyu and Dongfang Ya to contact me directly when needing assistance.”

After testing these capabilities, Mu Lin resumed refining the remaining essence.

As he busied himself, the North-South conflict within Yuzhou City grew increasingly brutal.

As expected, the northern prodigies continued overwhelming their southern counterparts in combat.

The prolonged battles even caused many southern prodigies to avoid accepting challenges altogether.

Blessed with talent and living comfortably in the South, Yan Zhanpeng and Zui Xiaoyao faced few dangers. Their daily cultivation and sparring promised bright futures and longevity.

This idyllic existence left them lacking the desperation needed for life-or-death struggles.

Earlier northern mockery and bullying tactics had indeed provoked southern prodigies into action.

Many initially answered the challenges.

At first, these southern cultivators treated the matches as ordinary competitions where defeat meant embarrassment rather than death.

This mindset explained the numerous battles during initial days.

But reality struck hard – the northern prodigies fought with lethal intent, showing no regard for Martial Spirit.

While southern fighters treated matches as sport, northern combatants entered every arena seeking bloodshed.

Days of brutal clashes left many southern prodigies dead.

No concept of mercy existed in these battles.

More terrifyingly, most northern fighters wielded forbidden power within them.

Even non-fatal encounters proved devastating – southern cultivators contaminated by this dark energy suffered irreversible injuries.

Blood Cherry exemplified this tragedy. After three battles (one win, one draw, one loss), clan elders saved her from death during the defeat. Yet corrupting energy lingered in her body, sapping her strength like terminal cancer in ordinary humans.

Faced with mortality risks and cultivation-ending injuries, southern prodigies grew reluctant to fight.

"Alive, I keep my bright future. But wounded or dead? I lose everything – resources, fiancée, children… I must protect my family."

"This isn’t cowardice, just preventing conflict escalation…"

Excuses for avoiding combat multiplied.

Southern leaders grew increasingly embarrassed and anxious as northern arrogance swelled. The North-South conflict involved staggering tax revenues – billions in Spirit Stones and rare resources no Southeast Province clan could abandon lightly.

An emergency meeting convened in Yuzhou City’s grand hall.

Mu Lin’s name surfaced repeatedly during discussions.

"180 battles: 17 wins, 163 losses. Now they won’t even fight! Pathetic! Maybe the northerners are right – our southern ‘prodigies’ deserve no training!"

"Head of the Ge family, calm yourself. Different training methods…"

"Methods don’t matter! Those fearing battle will never become powerful beings!"

The harsh truth silenced the room.

Someone proposed: "Link combat participation to resource allocation. Refusers lose everything. We’ll scrap this generation if needed."

Prince Liang countered: "Threats alone won’t work. Create reward lists – victors gain extra resources from every clan."

Head of the Chu family added: "With clan elders supervising, these matches aren’t truly lethal. If they cower now, how will they face the calamity? Cut off cowards completely. Redirect their resources to brave fighters."

"Agreed."

"Also bar them from Demon Exorcism Division posts, city lord positions, and military roles."

Punishments decided, leaders remained troubled.

Southern prodigies hadn’t started as cowards – repeated defeats broke their spirit. While incentives might restore courage, it couldn’t bridge the power gap. Total defeat would bring political repercussions in the imperial court.

"Must curb northern dominance."

"But how? They’re formidable opponents."

"Enlist dragon clan and alien races? Northerners hate them, unlike our trade partners. Northern victory would harm them too."

"Possible, but unreliable."

Amst debates, an Earth Immortal sighed: "Can’t our vast South produce one unparalleled genius to reverse this?"

The rhetorical question sparked sudden interest. Eyes lit up as someone mused: "Actually… we do have such an unparalleled genius."