Chapter 102

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Chapter 102: Advancement of the Great Yin Living Scripture

Using origami to tell stories had shown Mu Lin’s "talent".

Later, Chu Lingluo realized Mu Lin wasn’t just good at storytelling—his calligraphy and painting had reached master level. Then in the Tower of Illusions, he demonstrated outstanding combat power.

These displays made Mu Lin appear as the perfect prince charming in the eyes of the simple-minded girl—brilliant, powerful, and multi-talented. Chu Lingluo knew all about prince charming stories anyway.

To be fair, Chu Lingluo’s romantic feelings partly came from the stories Mu Lin told—Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and other love tales.

Without much thought, Mu Lin had copied these stories and told them all to Chu Lingluo.

The beautiful love stories stirred Chu Lingluo’s young heart, making her develop feelings for Mu Lin.

Seeing Mu Lin as flawless, she automatically positioned herself beneath him in their relationship.

With this mindset, whenever Mu Lin messed up, she’d desperately find excuses for him rather than leave.

Now Ji Xue’s strong performance made everything click in Chu Lingluo’s mind.

"So I was the wrong one all along! My selfishness ruined Brother Mu’s future…"

Tears welled up as she immediately apologized:

"I’m sorry, Brother Mu! It’s all my fault for being jealous. If not for me, Ji Xue wouldn’t be our enemy and we wouldn’t have lost first place."

"I’ll… I’ll make it right…"

Honestly, this apology short-circuited Mu Lin’s brain.

He didn’t share Chu Lingluo’s logic—he’d thought he was clearly bullying her to make her give up on him.

Getting an apology instead? This was beyond his expectations.

‘Am I some PUA expert?’

That’s what first crossed Mu Lin’s mind after hearing her apology.

He quickly recovered and figured out her reasoning, but still didn’t know how to respond.

Accepting her apology would be easy, but he couldn’t answer to her mother.

Though arrogant about his future potential, Mu Lin knew the present mattered most. Currently weak, he couldn’t afford big troubles.

While accepting the apology seemed simple, her mother might secretly kill him out of anger.

‘At least 30% chance. She won’t act openly to avoid upsetting Chu Lingluo, but during Taoist Palace holidays? "Bandit attacks" or "evil spirit invasions" could easily erase me.’

Mu Lin valued his life. Confident he’d solve everything after growing stronger, he just wanted peaceful cultivation now. This was why he’d originally agreed to Chu Lingluo’s mother’s deal—even without Spirit Stones.

‘I, Mu Lin, just want to cultivate quietly.’

Following this logic, he should reject her apology and cut ties completely.

But he couldn’t.

Although he didn’t know the reason—unconsciously, Mu Lin hadn’t realized how much the cultural knowledge from his past life could devastate a little girl fascinated by such matters.

But he sensed Chu Lingluo’s intense attachment to him. Sheltered from life’s hardships, her emotions were fragile, and her mother’s overprotectiveness amplified this.

If he rejected her too harshly, Mu Lin feared she might spiral into despair, provoking her mother’s wrath.

Frowning, he hesitated on how to respond.

As Chu Lingluo’s face twisted in despair, convinced Mu Lin would never forgive her, Yan Yunyu intervened.

Having pieced together the situation, she understood Mu Lin’s predicament.

With an odd smile, she tugged Chu Lingluo aside.

Brushing tears from the girl’s cheeks, Yan Yunyu murmured gently,

“Little Lingluo, acknowledging your mistake is enough. Don’t rush or grieve too much. Brother Mu’s current refusal doesn’t mean forever. Stay with our team, and opportunities will come…”

Mu Lin’s eyelid twitched as he stared daggers at Yan Yunyu.

—While Chu Lingluo remained oblivious, you orchestrated this whole mess!

How can you spout such lies without blinking?

‘A pretty face hides a cunning mind.’

Though exasperated, Mu Lin grudgingly admitted Yan Yunyu’s stalling tactic saved him from an immediate decision.

Yet he wondered why she’d help him.

Yan Yunyu’s whispered answer came later:

“You’re our team’s pillar in battle, Brother Mu. Leave mundane affairs to me. Though weak in combat, I excel at handling logistics.”

“I’ll manage everything so you can cultivate undisturbed.”

Her earnest words briefly stirred Mu Lin’s heart.

Marrying such a capable woman would undoubtedly aid his ambitions.

But the thought vanished as quickly as it came.

This scheming woman would likely stab him in the back someday. Guarding against a spouse? Not his idea of marriage. He’d rather wed simple-minded Chu Lingluo for peace of mind.

‘Delusions! Chu Lingluo’s family scorns me. Yan Yunyu pities me at best. She only helps because we’re teammates…’

Slapping his cheeks to refocus, Mu Lin hurried home, anticipation quickening his steps.

News of Ji Xue’s advancement and her conquest of the Tower of Illusions’ Fifth Floor hadn’t dampened his mood.

This wasn’t some masochistic thrill at gaining a rival.

His joy stemmed from his own breakthrough—after relentless training aided by six clones, his Great Yin Living Scripture teetered on the edge of Level 3 perfection.

Reaching this new tier would shatter the bottleneck between Spring Fountain and Spirit Pool. Better yet, it might accelerate his cultivation speed further.

Feeling lighter than air, Mu Lin practically floated toward his courtyard.

In high spirits, Mu Lin returned to his courtyard and went straight to his hut.

His six Substitute Paper Figures were still practicing diligently.

The thousand-year Sui Mu paper contained so much special power that Mu Lin didn’t need to replace it often.

Even with the substitutes practicing nonstop, a single sheet lasted several days, cutting his costs.

"If I stick to Sui Mu paper and use the Vajra Strength talismans, I might break even," he mused.

This was progress, but he soon remembered that his quick magical cultivation wasn’t just due to the Sui Mu paper and paper figures – the Moonlight Essence played a huge role too.

The Moonlight Essence remained beyond his means.

His physical training kept up because Chu Lingluo fed him spiritual meals daily.

So Mu Lin was still eating a soft meal.

"True independence still escapes me," he sighed, withdrawing the six figures – taking back their magic and temporary consciousness. The paper shrank instantly and returned to his pouch.

*Buzz…*

Power identical to his own flooded Mu Lin’s body as the figures returned.

Countless cultivation insights flooded his mind.

This surge boosted his magic reserves dramatically.

The insights sent his Vitality of the Living proficiency skyrocketing.

+42, +41, +43, +39…

Six figures training half a day gave massive experience points.

The overflowing proficiency pushed his nearly-mastered Vitality of the Living to advance.

*Buzz…*

The instant it advanced, Mu Lin entered enlightenment. His mind raced as insights flashed endlessly.

In this state, he grasped the next cultivation stage’s requirements:

"Yin-based Vitality of the Living isn’t the Paper Figure Technique’s peak. The Paper Folding Lineage ultimately seeks life-creating energy."

"I can’t just cultivate pure yin – balance yin and yang."

"After reaching Level 3, gather dawn’s purple air along with moonlight power."

"Combining purple air with Vitality of the Living turns yin to yang. Using this energy to animate figures makes them sturdier, stronger, and less vulnerable to sun, thunder, and fire."

"The fusion also transforms my magic from mist to liquid."

"Liquid magic means reaching the Spring Fountain stage. Fully liquefied magic brings mid-stage Spring Fountain…"