Chapter 106
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Chapter 106: Closed-Door Training
“Leave everything to me. I’ll deliver the Essence Stones as quickly as possible.”
Yan Yunyu paused, then added, “Lingluo has been blaming herself these days. Young Master Mu, could you let her assist in gathering the Essence Stones? Consider it a chance for her to make amends.”
Mu Lin shook his head.
“…She owes me nothing. No apology is needed.”
As he spoke, he caught sight of Chu Lingluo eavesdropping nearby, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Seeing no way to untangle the misunderstanding, Mu Lin relented with a sigh. “Fine. Handle it as you wish.”
Done with the messy conversation, Mu Lin turned to his own plans. Nearing his advancement and still working with Yan Yunyu, he resolved to begin closed-door training once the Essence Stones arrived. He wouldn’t emerge until his magic power transformed completely into Spring Fountain.
Meanwhile, hearing that her “Brother Mu Lin” still wanted her help, Chu Lingluo’s gloom vanished in an instant.
“Brother Mu, I’ll get you the finest Essence Stones!”
She rushed off immediately, determined to spend her Spirit Stones on acquiring them.
Yan Yunyu also set to work, but her maid spoke up the moment they left Mu Lin’s small courtyard.
“Miss, why help Lingluo? She’s your rival!”
Though Chu Lingluo’s offer lightened Mu Lin’s burden, the maid framed it as Yan Yunyu aiding her competitor—a baffling twist. Stranger still, Yan Yunyu, shrewd as she was, agreed. Such was the weight of a master-level talisman formation expert’s potential. Even Mu Lin’s unproven talent seemed worth the gamble to her.
Gazing toward Mu Lin’s quarters, Yan Yunyu sighed. “Madam Chu and I both misjudged him. He’s no doomed free cultivator, but a future master. Once he reveals his skills at graduation, powerful factions will shield him from true danger. His rise is inevitable.”
She clenched her fist. “This is his dormant phase. If I act now, I could push Lingluo aside and claim him for myself.”
Her words held truth. Their conflicts with Mu Lin weren’t rooted in deep blood feuds—just misunderstandings. Now, while he still needed resources, Yan Yunyu believed wholehearted support could mend relations.
She also counted on her beauty and status to sway him. Though she’d once scorned him, she saw advantage in this: men often relished humbling a proud noble lady. By playing the haughty figure to others while bowing to Mu Lin alone, she’d stoke his pride and desire to conquer.
This, she was certain, would erase past tensions.
The more Yan Yunyu thought, the more convinced she became that her scheme had a high chance of success. However:
"Chu Lingluo holds a special position in Mu Lin’s heart. This might be his first love. He’s clever too – this matter can’t be hidden forever."
"Sooner or later, he’ll discover I deceived him and forced Chu Lingluo away."
Her maid Xiaoxue agreed with this judgment, yet still didn’t understand her mistress’s actions.
"If it can’t stay hidden, then let it be. Once Miss Lingluo is driven away, with your wisdom, you’ll surely build a strong bond with Young Master Mu. Even if he later gets angry, what could he do? Your relationship would already be settled."
Growing up in a merchant family, Xiaoxue understood worldly affairs. She knew marriage involved two families, not just two people.
She also trusted her mistress’s methods completely.
Therefore, she believed that once her mistress took the first step, no future misunderstandings could easily break their connection.
"You’re right. If Mu Lin’s future only reaches Master level, the Yan family’s influence could keep him tied down. Any frustration he feels could be eased by finding him more concubines – this wouldn’t affect me."
"But his future isn’t limited to being a Master."
As Yan Yunyu spoke, she recalled how Mu Lin had shockingly advanced his talisman formation to mastery in a single day.
She also remembered Mu Lin recently mentioning his cultivation methods had broken through to Level 3.
‘The Yin Eight Sect’s cultivation methods are dangerous yet difficult. To reach Level 3 in just one or two months – Mu Lin’s comprehension surpasses even Ji Xue!’
Yes, Yan Yunyu believed Mu Lin’s talent exceeded Ji Xue’s, despite Ji Xue advancing first.
This conclusion came firstly from Mu Lin’s divided focus – while managing origami, money-making, and puppet talisman formations, his cultivation progress nearly matched hers (not in magical cultivation, but cultivation method levels), showing extraordinary ability.
Secondly, and most crucially… Mu Lin lacked resources.
As a wealthy heiress, Yan Yunyu knew her advantages well.
She drank calming tea, burned spirit-enhancing incense, and wore comprehension-boosting bracelets, jade pendants, and chime bells during cultivation.
She received personal guidance from clan elders and used the inherited spirit map for visualization.
Despite these resources, her cultivation methods hadn’t reached Level 3.
Yet resource-less Mu Lin had broken through first. This realization had shocked her.
With such talent, Yan Yunyu reclassified Mu Lin from Master to potential Grandmaster or supreme expert.
Unlike love-blinded Chu Lingluo, Yan Yunyu maintained cold rationality.
This clarity let her foresee consequences.
A Master-level Mu Lin could be controlled through family influence.
But a Grandmaster Mu Lin would gain power to demand perfection.
Then, countless others would flock to please him.
In that scenario, having deceived him into losing his first love would make her vulnerable to abandonment.
Understanding this, Yan Yunyu chose to delay rather than force Chu Lingluo out immediately.
As for why delay instead of supporting their relationship:
"Mu Lin, your potential seems impressive, but many are golden shells hiding rot. Without real combat testing, I can’t confirm your true worth."
"The Southeast League Examination serves as your trial. If you display transcendent talent, letting you keep both women matters little – naive Chu Lingluo poses no threat anyway."
"But if your strength is ordinary, you’d better listen to me…"
…
Mu Lin knew nothing of Yan Yunyu’s thoughts. After acquiring the Essence Stones, he made full preparations and immediately began closed-door training.
This time, Mu Lin abandoned all distractions during his retreat, devoting himself entirely to improving his Cultivation—specifically the Vitality of the Living.
"Magical power truly forms the foundation of everything. Since that’s the case, I’ll prioritize increasing my magical power first!"
With this resolve, Mu Lin cultivated the Great Yin Living Scripture daily, Refining Moonlight Dew to strengthen his Vitality of the Living.
Through such Hard Practice, he trained for half a day at a stretch, only pausing when his meridians grew strained. During those breaks, he practiced other techniques.
As time flew by during this relentless training, seven days passed… then ten, fifteen, twenty…
Mu Lin’s prolonged absence drew attention, sparking discussions among his classmates.
Most concluded his retreat stemmed from pressure exerted by Ji Xue.
"Seclusion? Is he refusing to accept defeat and challenging Lady Ji Xue for the top spot?"
"Admirable courage to persist against such a formidable opponent, but utterly foolish."
"Courage? More like arrogance…"
"No, it’s desperation. Becoming the Taoist Palace’s top disciple and ranking fifth in Southeast Province would let him evolve his Spiritual Roots with their support—a chance to defy fate. I’d fight just as hard…"
"Pity. Mu Lin’s strong, but our class has Ji Xue—a true prodigy…"
"Not a pity at all. He’s simply returning to his rightful place. Even without Lady Ji Xue, Zhou Liang and Jing Yeming’s efforts would eventually outpace him. Level 3 Spiritual Roots can’t rival Level 1."
…
The consensus held that Ji Xue’s dominance had driven Mu Lin into isolation.
None believed Mu Lin could triumph in this rivalry except Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo, who knew the truth.
Mu Lin remained oblivious to these rumors.
Shut away from the world, he focused solely on cultivation.
As for the informed pair: Chu Lingluo trusted Mu Lin completely. The wealthy young disciple alone insisted on his inevitable victory within the Taoist Palace.
Yan Yunyu observed quietly, her mindset unshaken.
Ten more days passed amid the chatter.
Another event occurred at the Taoist Palace—a visiting delegation arrived—but this concerned Mu Lin not at all. After nearly a month, the small courtyard’s door finally opened, revealing the long-absent Mu Lin.
What troubled Chu Lingluo most was Mu Lin’s expression: not triumph, but bitterness dominated his features.
‘Did his breakthrough fail?’
Anxious, she rushed to console him.
"Mu brother, don’t lose heart. Even the best horses stumble. One setback means nothing—we’ll keep cultivating together…"
While the distressed Chu Lingluo offered comfort, Yan Yunyu sighed.
Yet even she couldn’t determine whether that sigh held relief… or disappointment.
