Chapter 133
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Chapter 133: Mu Lin: Is the Advancement of Cultivation Methods Difficult?
“Mu Lin, did you really draw this talisman formation?”
“Of course, I have some talent in art.”
Dongfang Ya fell silent. After a long pause, she murmured, “Creating such a talisman formation after only three months of cultivation… this isn’t just ‘some talent.’”
Mu Lin smiled shyly but did not reply. Right now, he cared less about praise and more about testing the talisman formation’s effects.
He pulled out a paper figure and slapped the Vajra Strength talisman formation onto it.
*Whoosh!* At his mental command, the Vajra Strength talisman formation flowed like liquid from the talisman paper onto the paper figure. Soon, the Substitute Paper Figure’s surface was covered in Vajra Strength talismans.
Infused with the essence of Domination and enhanced by The Finishing Touch, the paper figure now seemed to have a dragon coiled around it, scales glinting.
*Hum…*
Instead of activating the paper figure, Mu Lin shifted his soul into it. The moment the transfer completed, his eyes widened.
“Dragon’s power! No—not just strength. Dragon scales for defense, dragon might, even some spells…”
For someone like Mu Lin—part human, part snake, part dragon—the dragon’s power and scales weren’t shocking. Besides, the paper figure’s dragon traits were weaker than his own. But there was one key difference: previously, only his true body held that power. Now, any paper figure bearing the Vajra Strength talisman formation could wield it.
This meant his paper figures’ combat power would skyrocket tenfold. Imagining a hundred dragon-empowered paper figures, Mu Lin nearly boasted, *I’m unbeatable in my tier… Wait, can I even make that many Vajra Strength talisman formations?*
Powerful as it was, crafting each Vajra Strength talisman formation drained him. To perfect each one, he’d used his vital blood for The Finishing Touch. At most, he could make one per day—but even that would leave no energy for other cultivation methods or techniques. *Once every three to five days… that’s sustainable.*
The grueling cost was the only downside. Everything else? Pure advantage.
Closing his eyes inside the paper figure, Mu Lin focused on the Vajra Strength talisman formation. Seconds later, a resonant *roar* echoed as an inky dragon’s phantom erupted from the paper figure.
Another function of the mutated talisman formation: summoning a dragon’s phantom to battle.
…
“The Vajra Strength talisman formation combines the Vajra Symbol’s defense and the Divine Power Symbol’s strength. At master-level, it stacks nine layers. Now add dragon power, scales, might, and spells… One talisman, and my paper figure can challenge realms above its own.”
On this side, Mu Lin felt joyful, while beside him, after listening to the effects of his talisman formation, Yan Yunyu also relaxed.
"A True Meaning Artist, a master-level talisman formation expert, possessing such capabilities at this age. I’m secure now."
"Even if I rank last in the Southeast League Examination, simply presenting Mu Lin would ensure I survive all three rounds of the family assessment!"
Watching Mu Lin’s displayed abilities filled Yan Yunyu with reassurance.
Yet beneath this security lay lingering concerns.
‘Mu Lin’s talents warrant the Yan family’s attention, but our bond remains fragile. Currently, we’re just transactional partners. If other family members offer better resources, he might abandon our alliance…’
She couldn’t even complain properly, having offended Mu Lin repeatedly during their initial encounters.
‘I must find a way to resolve his lingering frustrations…’
As Yan Yunyu plotted deeper connections, Mu Lin – having regained some energy – produced his newly drawn True Meaning Diagram of the Coiling Dragon’s Might.
Holding the parchment, he asked, "Miss Yan, could you appraise this diagram’s value in Spirit Stones?"
"Certainly."
Eager to please, Yan Yunyu accepted the diagram and launched into detailed explanation.
"A True Meaning Diagram’s worth depends not just on quality, but also its linked cultivation method."
"Methods with more practitioners, higher tiers, or greater difficulty command higher prices."
"Brother Mu, this depicts the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique. Since this method requires abundant resources but minimal comprehension, your diagram might fetch disappointing returns."
Mu Lin nodded at her logic. From personal experience, he knew this technique emphasized resource consumption – especially vital blood.
Sufficient vital blood refinement brought bloodline inheritances, ancestral memories, and phantom visions – experiences rivaling True Meaning Diagram visualization.
"Profit lies in illustrating popular yet challenging methods… Sword techniques would work well."
"Most Qi Practitioners learn swordplay. Stylish techniques attract countless learners – their diagrams would sell instantly…"
Mu Lin pondered practicing swordsmanship…
"Wait! I needn’t practice at all. The Finishing Touch requires identifying an item’s spiritual core through acute perception. The proficiency panel’s opening line mentions my ‘eye for beauty’…"
"With this vision and Soul Resonance, I could observe sword masters’ demonstrations, resonate with their essence, then directly illustrate techniques without practicing…"
Master painters depicted majestic mountains without becoming peaks themselves. As a painting virtuoso, Mu Lin could capture essence through observation and analysis alone.
While Mu Lin schemed monetization, Yan Yunyu employed Yan family appraisal techniques on the diagram. Completing her assessment, she froze momentarily.
After prolonged silence, she hesitantly asked, "Brother Mu, are you certain this illustrates the original Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique?"
"Naturally. My cultivation method underwent Advancement – does that cause issues?"
"…"
Yan Yunyu gaped soundlessly before collecting herself. "This isn’t about usability. Cultivation Method Advancement is monumentally rare, massively boosting strength. This should be your trump card! We mustn’t sell it!"
While logical – trump cards thrive on secrecy – Mu Lin dismissed her concern. The upgraded serpent technique merely patched his physical weaknesses.
True foundations lay elsewhere:
The invincibility-bearing Heart Lamp of Will
The spirit-summoning Great Yin Living Scripture
The Will of Humanity-recognized Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral with its City God body
The serpent technique paled in comparison. Shrugging, Mu Lin countered, "Valid points, but this isn’t my trump. It’s sellable."
"Are you certain?"
Dongfang Ya interjected, examining the diagram. "Stronger methods aren’t necessarily better. Advancement proves perfect compatibility – a once-in-a-century occurrence. You’d expose this?"
Mu Lin blinked. "Is Advancement truly that difficult?"
"Thorough method mastery requires expert-level comprehension. New insights demand experimentation. Advancement combines both…"
Dongfang Ya’s lecturing trailed off as realization struck. "Wait… You haven’t advanced multiple methods, have you?"
