Chapter 101
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Chapter 101: Ji Xue’s Advancement
Yan Yunyu’s argument made some sense, but Mu Lin only had two words in response.
"Hehe."
He didn’t trust her one bit.
Once bitten by a snake, he feared coiled ropes for a decade—Mu Lin knew how to learn from past lessons.
Besides, he intended to seize over half the resources under Yan Yunyu’s control.
Given this, he doubted the scheming Yan Yunyu would ever willingly support him.
Yet caution didn’t preclude cooperation.
In his previous life, China and that Lighthouse Nation had loathed each other yet still traded. Similarly, Mu Lin would collaborate with Yan Yunyu while maintaining razor-sharp vigilance.
"What do you want?"
Faced with Mu Lin’s open distrust, Yan Yunyu sighed but remained composed. "This humble one wishes to propose another partnership. Your talisman formations hold commercial value. I’ll sell them through my establishment."
"The Four Seas Pavilion?"
"No. A new shop—your Vajra Strength talismans shall be Yulin Shop’s flagship treasure."
The shop’s name made Mu Lin’s eyebrow twitch. He asked tonelessly, "Profit split?"
"Seventy-thirty. Your share’s seventy."
"Done."
Thus their new agreement was forged.
The profit potential of Vajra Strength talismans fueled Mu Lin’s production frenzy.
Though supported by Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu, his current Spirit Stone reserves didn’t placate his pride. He refused lifelong dependency.
He’d repay Chu Lingluo tenfold. He’d escape this humiliating resource scarcity.
*Thought my big break would come when painting skills advance in half a moon. Never expected Vajra Strength talismans to be the golden goose.*
……
The following days saw Mu Lin maintaining cultivation routines while Yan Yunyu launched her shop. After opening, Mu Lin investigated through simple means—folding a paper figure, breathing life into it. The artificial ordinary person entered the store seamlessly.
Scouting revealed no traps. Yan Yunyu truly delivered seventy percent of Vajra Strength talisman profits—untaxed, undiminished by rent.
*Why such fairness…? Fear that exposed schemes would anger me into revoking her challenge privileges?*
Bitter experience colored Mu Lin’s interpretations—he always assumed the worst of Yan Yunyu’s motives.
Due to his heightened vigilance, Yan Yunyu’s actions did not improve Mu Lin’s impression of her but instead deepened his wariness.
"Patience like a venomous serpent demands caution…"
……
Despite his guardedness, collaboration with Yan Yunyu unexpectedly brought smooth progress to Mu Lin’s cultivation and daily life.
The spiritual energy cultivation was supported by the thousand-year Sui Mu paper she supplied, combined with Chu Lingluo’s Moonlight Dew, keeping his qi refinement efficiency at twentyfold acceleration.
All his origami materials were upgraded to thousand-year Sui Mu paper, significantly enhancing his combat capabilities and stamina.
Yan Yunyu also contributed to his physical training regimen.
While Chu Lingluo continued preparing nourishing meals daily, Yan Yunyu began supplementing his diet with purchased spiritual foods.
Though store-bought, these provisions genuinely boosted Mu Lin’s vitality and spiritual energy reserves.
His physical strength and blood vitality grew steadily through this dual nutritional support.
The Yulin shop became their financial backbone.
Triple-layered Vajra Strength talismans sold briskly at thirty-six Spirit Stones each, maintaining constant demand.
This sustainable income stream freed Mu Lin from financial worries as Yan Yunyu handled all business matters.
"A competent teammate, but one who won’t stay subordinate. Our cooperation lasts only until the Southeast League Examination concludes."
……
With mundane affairs managed by Yan Yunyu, Mu Lin dedicated himself to cultivation.
His efforts bore fruit through steady progress.
However, troubling news soon emerged.
Ji Xue achieved her breakthrough.
Backed by the Ji family’s resources and innate talent, she reached the Spring Fountain Realm within months.
"The Awakening to Spring Fountain barrier couldn’t contain her."
While unsurprising, this development made Mu Lin apprehensive.
The minor realm transition couldn’t hinder true geniuses.
This confirmed his suspicions – Spring Fountain Realm opponents would dominate the Southeast League Examination, with possible Spirit Pool Realm participants.
Ji Xue’s second accomplishment proved more startling.
Soloing the Tower of Illusions’ Fifth Floor earned her a median rating.
This meant the Spring Fountain Realm cultivator had defeated Spirit Pool Realm monsters and evil spirits.
Notably, such supernatural entities typically overpower human practitioners of equivalent levels.
Now, Ji Xue was able to fight beyond her level, proving her exceptional Spiritual Roots Talent and formidable combat power.
Her actions solidified her reputation as the undisputed top student in their class.
Both teachers and students now regarded her first-place position as unshakable.
This placed immense pressure on Mu Lin’s team, who had been determined to claim the top spot.
"Don’t take it too hard. Ji Xue… she’s an exception. Even at Yuhu Academy, she’s considered a once-in-a-generation talent. Losing to her means nothing…"
Ji Xue’s overwhelming strength led even Dongfang Ya to believe Mu Lin stood no chance. She offered him consolation, which Mu Lin acknowledged without accepting pity.
"Teacher Dongfang, thank you. I’m not so fragile that I’ll collapse from a setback. Besides, this isn’t over yet."
"…"
Dongfang Ya fell silent before finally remarking, "Your confidence is reassuring, but remember – too much becomes arrogance."
After her departure, an unexpected reaction emerged within Mu Lin’s team. Contrary to his expectations, Yan Yunyu’s expression remained composed rather than ice-cold.
Though Yan Yunyu had briefly shown anger upon hearing Ji Xue’s advancement to Spring Fountain and her conquest of the Tower of Illusions’ Fifth Floor, she quickly regained her calm. This surprised Mu Lin, who knew her obsession with claiming first place.
"Breaking through to Spring Fountain while defeating Spirit Pool opponents? Ji Xue’s monstrous. With her around, our chance at first place is vanishing. Why aren’t you panicking?"
Yan Yunyu performed a graceful bow, her tone honeyed. "I trust your judgment, Captain. If you remain unworried, why should I fret?"
She added, "Simply do your best, Sir Mu. Should we fail against such overwhelming strength, none could blame you. I only ask that you remember my loyalty if you ever rise to greater heights."
With this safety net established, Yan Yunyu focused on currying favor rather than fixating on victory. Her calm observation revealed something unexpected – Mu Lin’s expression showed neither frustration nor despair, but steady composure.
Had this been another team, Yan Yunyu would’ve dismissed his calm as pretense. But through their time together, she’d learned Mu Lin’s relentless drive for the Taoist Palace’s top prize – the chance to evolve his Spiritual Roots – matched her own ambition. The pragmatic youth rarely hid his true feelings.
His current calmness suggested genuine confidence.
"But how?" Yan Yunyu wondered, doubt creeping in despite her reasoning. "Ji Xue’s unstoppable. What strategy could possibly work?"
Mu Lin had no time to dwell on Yan Yunyu’s thoughts.
After Ji Xue broke through to the Spring Fountain Realm, the strongest reaction in Mu Lin’s team wasn’t from Mu Lin himself or Yan Yunyu—it came from Chu Lingluo.
Mu Lin had been favoring Yan Yunyu recently, constantly exchanging secret glances and playful banter (which actually hid negotiations and power struggles). This left Chu Lingluo simmering with frustration.
"I know I was wrong to stop you from seeing other girls, but I came first! Why make me the secondary choice? And you haven’t even tried to comfort me!"
"If you’d just asked properly, I would’ve forgiven you already…"
Chu Lingluo kept giving Mu Lin chances during their time together.
While multiple wives… no, more accurately one main wife with several concubines was common here, Mu Lin’s wish to pursue multiple girls had already been forgiven. What truly angered Chu Lingluo was being relegated to a lesser position.
Though upset, she kept leaving openings for reconciliation. Mu Lin noticed but avoided mending ties to prevent deeper involvement with the Chu family, leaving their relationship strained.
Everything changed today.
Previously, Chu Lingluo believed Mu Lin bore greater blame despite her own mistake of restricting his relationships. She insisted he apologize first. But Ji Xue’s advancement shocked her awake.
She suddenly remembered Mu Lin’s stated reason for distancing her—blocking Ji Xue from joining their team. Though this was merely his excuse (the truth being different), Chu Lingluo didn’t know that.
From her perspective, Mu Lin wanted Ji Xue not for romance but to secure Taoist Palace’s top ranking through collaboration, aiming for rewards to evolve his Spiritual Roots.
Since Cultivation ruled this world and Spiritual Roots determined one’s future, even Chu Lingluo acknowledged his motive as practical rather than lustful. He’d nearly succeeded too—Teacher Dongfang Ya mediated negotiations, and Ji Xue showed interest.
First place in Taoist Palace and Southeast Province’s top five ranking were almost theirs… until her jealousy ruined everything.
‘So it’s all my fault. My jealousy cost Brother Mu Lin first place and his chance to evolve his Spiritual Roots—the key to his future… No wonder he’s so angry…’
Chu Lingluo’s gentle nature led her to shoulder all blame for Mu Lin’s mistakes. This stemmed partly from her deep affection for him.
Mu Lin remained oblivious. Early in their relationship, to please Chu Lingluo and validate her financial support, he’d poured out centuries’ worth of timeless fairy tales and stories from his past life.
To him, this meant nothing special. But these tales—cherished classics surviving hundreds of years—made Chu Lingluo see Mu Lin as overflowing with unparalleled talent.
How could such an innocent girl resist someone appearing so brilliantly gifted?
