Chapter 110
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Chapter 110: The Matter Settles, Challenging the Tower of Illusions
The seemingly positive evaluation only made Wan Yangyu feel more stifled.
The praise didn’t come from an elder, but from a boy his own age.
What felt most absurd was that this boy possessed Level 3 Spiritual Roots while he himself had Level 1 Spiritual Roots – by all logic, he should’ve been vastly superior to Mu Lin.
Yet reality showed Mu Lin, the one with inferior roots, judging his capabilities.
But the true bitterness came from being unable to refute this assessment.
During their spiritual confrontation, he’d been completely overwhelmed.
‘A Level 3 Spiritual Root cultivator reaching Spring Fountain Realm like me? With such formidable spirit cultivation? How does this monster even exist…’
Wan Yangyu stood speechless before Mu Lin.
Fortunately, further conversation became unnecessary.
As they faced off, angry shouts and combat noises erupted nearby.
When Mu Lin struck, the Qianyang Taoist Palace teacher Qi Qiu immediately intervened. Naturally, Dongfang Ya moved to protect her student.
Outmatched by Dongfang Ya, Qi Qiu could only watch Cai Tian’s tongue get ripped out, sending him into Rage.
"Dongfang Ya! Are you declaring war on Qianyang Taoist Palace?!"
"You started this by attacking my student! Where’s your respect for our institution?!"
"…I was preventing violence! Your student attacked first!"
Mu Lin shrugged at this accusation. "Teacher, I object. Your disciple initiated the provocation."
Qi Qiu argued, "He merely spoke…"
Mu Lin cut him off, stating lightly, "So teacher believes insulting you as worthless trash and mocking your family should go unpunished?"
"…"
The silence spoke volumes.
Mu Lin continued calmly, "Your silence confirms my actions were justified. Consider this a lesson for Cai Tian – some words have consequences."
His frosty gaze fell on the whimpering Cai Tian:
"My mercy only brought pain. Crueler men would’ve taken your life."
"Enough."
Dongfang Ya halted Mu Lin’s remarks before addressing Qi Qiu:
"Tend to your student."
"None of your concern!"
As Qi Qiu retreated with Cai Tian, the conflict concluded.
Though resolved, the incident left the entire academy shaken – particularly Mu Lin’s classmates.
Originally, they thought Mu Lin, with his Level 3 Spiritual Roots, had fallen behind and wasn’t worth fearing.
But today’s events proved them utterly wrong.
Far from lagging, Mu Lin had grown more fearsome.
With a single word, he stopped Cai Tian and tore out his tongue—a sight that scared everyone.
Though Cai Tian seemed weak against Mu Lin, he was still a full Qi Practitioner, a level many classmates hadn’t reached.
Even Zhou Liang and Jing Yeming couldn’t claim certain victory against Cai Tian.
Yet Mu Lin had ripped out his tongue with mere words. How could this not terrify others?
Those who’d mocked Mu Lin before now trembled.
“H-how… How’s Mu Lin this strong?!”
“But he’s got Level 3 Spiritual Roots…”
“Shut up! Want to die?”
“So Teacher Dongfang Ya was right… Spiritual Roots aren’t everything…”
“Don’t look at me!”
Mu Lin ignored the whispers. Smiling at Dongfang Ya, he said, “Teacher, I did well, right?”
“Hmph!”
Yan Yunyu glared, hands on hips. “Attacking another Taoist Palace’s student was reckless! What if their teachers seek revenge?”
Unfazed, Mu Lin grinned. “You’ll protect me, Teacher. Besides, the Taoist Palace shields its talents.”
“…”
Dongfang Ya stayed silent. Anping Taoist Palace would indeed guard Mu Lin.
His boldness had earned the Palace prestige and real benefits—better treatment for teachers when students excelled.
Neither staff nor leaders would let harm come to such an asset. Mu Lin’s “impulse” was calculated.
…
After a pause, Dongfang Ya said gravely, “Even so, restrain yourself. I can shield you here and in Anping City, but not in the wilds.”
Mu Lin chuckled.
“If I feared consequences, I’d never act. Challenging the tower now will stir worse hatred than Tongue Extraction ever could.”
Dongfang Ya had no rebuttal.
Tongue Extraction caused little lasting strife. Cai Tian was just Qi Qiu’s student, not kin—no real loss to the teacher.
Most teachers weren’t as devoted as Dongfang Ya. Qi Qiu had acted from wounded pride, not true care. Once anger faded, so would the conflict.
Crossing regions to Chase Mu Lin? Too risky. Killing a prodigy would draw imperial scrutiny. Even if caught, Qi Qiu faced decades in prison at worst—hardly worth the effort.
If such a thing really happened, his once-bright future would be ruined, making him unlikely to act just to save face.
But if Mu Lin succeeded in challenging the tower, he’d seize Leadership over the united Taoist Palaces and secure better rankings. This would truly anger Qianyang Taoist Palace’s teachers by costing them real benefits – actual losses they’d feel.
Could Mu Lin avoid this challenge?
Impossible.
Without challenging, where would he get resources? Who’d supply materials to evolve his Spiritual Roots?
Yan Yunyu only supported him because he performed well enough to help her climb. Had he shown no talent, she’d have ignored him completely.
So the tower must be challenged.
Teacher Dongfang Ya understood this. Seeing Mu Lin’s determination wasn’t mere recklessness, and knowing offense couldn’t be avoided, she sighed: "Challenge then. I’ll handle your safety. While you’re my student, inside or outside this Taoist Palace, I’ll keep you unharmed."
‘Good move earlier,’ Mu Lin thought. ‘Standing up for Teacher Dongfang boosted her favor. She’d never openly promised protection beyond the Palace before.’
Now Mu Lin could confidently claim powerful backing.
He kept these thoughts to himself, bowing respectfully: "My thanks, Teacher."
Remembering something, he added: "Teacher Dongfang, since this trouble comes from serving our Taoist Palace, you shouldn’t shoulder it alone. Why not ask Mountain Elder to make an official statement?"
Teacher Dongfang chuckled: "Sly boy. This isn’t about helping me – you want Mountain Elder as your protector too."
"Heh…"
As Mu Lin grinned awkwardly, she warned: "Getting Mountain Elder’s support requires real results. Are you certain of performing well in the Southeast League Examination?"
"Against people, I might struggle. Against ghosts? I’ll claim a top five spot."
With ghost officials, Yin soldiers, and civil and military judges at his command, failing against mere spirits would shame his entire existence.
"With such confidence, I’ll speak to Mountain Elder."
"Grateful."
After brief farewells, Mu Lin led Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo toward the Tower of Illusions, crowd trailing behind.
All wondered how far he’d climb.
This time, discussions held no mockery – only anticipation.
Two reasons: First, Mu Lin’s earlier display silenced critics. None wanted Tongue Extraction punishment for "slanderous smooth talk."
Second, shared rivalry united them. However they’d argued before, Mu Lin represented Anping Taoist Palace – their classmate. After bitter defeats, they craved his victory.
…
While Anping students buzzed with hope, Qianyang Taoist Palace members wore stormy expressions. Mu Lin’s success would mean their humiliation – unacceptable to teachers and students alike.
Though itching to interfere, even leader Qi Qiu couldn’t openly block the challenge. Rivals they might be, but officially they remained collaborators.
Soon Qi Qiu found a solution: "We’ll challenge too. I’ll arrange simultaneous attempts. Don’t aim higher – just disrupt Mu Lin enough to deny him victory. That’s our win."
