Chapter 135
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Chapter 135: The Shift of Yin and Yang, The Opposition of Life and Death
"What… do you mean?"
Seeing Mu Lin’s genuine confusion, Yan Yunyu spoke with suppressed frustration, "For untalented people like us, learning formations isn’t measured in days – it takes years." She emphasized the word "untalented" pointedly, clearly offended by Mu Lin’s earlier self-deprecation despite her attempts to please him.
"Uh…"
Before Mu Lin could fully process this, Chu Lingluo chimed in bluntly: "You’re wrong, Sister Yan. The Polar Violet Formation connects to the cosmic starry sky – it’s an Earth-level premium formation. The Cycle of Life and Death deals with yin and yang, Life and Death itself – a Heavenly Level Formation. Even if us mediocre folks practiced our whole lives, we might never grasp the basics."
Turning to Mu Lin, she added, "Brother Mu, saying you’ll learn it in fifteen days to a month? Just having the confidence to try already surpasses 99% of formation masters."
This finally cleared Mu Lin’s confusion. He’d forgotten most cultivators lacked his proficiency panel – his secret tool that guaranteed progress through effort alone. While others wasted years struggling with basic concepts, every hour Mu Lin spent studying brought tangible results.
No wonder Dongfang Ya and Yan Yunyu looked so conflicted when he called himself average.
*Ahem.*
Mu Lin coughed awkwardly, realizing his accidental boasting. Yan Yunyu mercifully changed the subject by introducing Ji Xue, dissolving the tension.
After brief pleasantries, the group noticed Mu Lin’s exhaustion and departed. Though tired, Mu Lin’s curiosity won out – he pressed the jade slip to his forehead to study the new cultivation method.
The formation centered on yin-yang duality. Like most formations, it drew from fundamental cosmic patterns – Two Aspects, Three Powers, Five Elements up to Nine Palaces. The Polar Violet Formation used Seven Stars arrangements, while the Sky Wall Palace Formation derived from Nine Palaces principles.
The Cycle of Life and Death required only two participants, but complexity outweighed numbers. As Yan Yunyu said, it intertwined yin-yang transformations, Existence and Nothingness, Life and Death – notoriously difficult concepts.
Yet Mu Lin found no obstacles. His Substitute Paper Figure already embodied life-death opposition, bearing 80% of his wounds through profound connection. This existing foundation might let him master this formation faster than the Polar Violet one.
*Could this be… stumbling upon new paths when old roads close?*
Filled with curiosity about forming a formation, Mu Lin didn’t rest immediately but summoned a Substitute Paper Figure. Using himself as yang and the paper figure as yin, he began arranging the formation. His first attempt… naturally failed.
The Cycle of Life and Death’s first level involved light-dark transitions. A successful setup would allow Mu Lin to alter local weather patterns, switching day and night. Night represented yin while day meant yang – a fundamental Yin and Yang Transformation. This ability proved crucial since his Yin soldiers and ghost officials remained sunlight-sensitive despite their undead nature, while nighttime’s Yin energy boosted their power.
"Directly controlling weather creates better battle conditions than black fog concealment, though more complex…" As Mu Lin mused, the formation appeared in his proficiency panel. Though unsuccessful, this valid training attempt registered the Cycle of Life and Death into the system. His advanced trial of Life and Death opposition (Level 3 Mastery) awarded 11 proficiency points.
"Rapid gains, but Heavenly Level Formations demand excessive totals."
【Cycle of Life and Death, Level 1 Entry (11/3300)】
The 3300-point entry requirement made Mu Lin dread imagining higher levels. "Just hope it’s powerful enough." Exhausted, he finally slept.
After hours of rest, Mu Lin drew Vajra Strength talismans to create combat-ready paper figures for Master Meng Rui’s assessment. "Actually," he considered, "my status nearly matches Master Meng Rui now, and I earn enough Spirit Stones. Maybe I don’t need this test."
Upon reflection, purchasing instead of testing became feasible. Yet he chose participation – frugality won. "Too many resources needed. Every saving counts."
His next day filled with talisman-drawing and cultivation practice. When assessment day arrived, Mu Lin arrived early at the bustling courtyard. Besides students, middle-aged individuals – parents and wealthy patrons – crowded the area. Mu Lin immediately recognized this as a showcase event.
"Master Meng Rui’s competitions serve dual purposes – motivating students and demonstrating puppet art value to attract noble offspring. Probably plans puppet exhibitions for future sales too." Watching aristocratic youths, Mu Lin’s thoughts scattered when hostile gazes struck him.
His classmates glared resentfully. Before Mu Lin could wonder why, Qiao Huihui approached coldly. "So you’re the one disrespecting our art of puppetry."
"I never-"
"Don’t deny it," she cut in. "Master said you bragged about easily winning first place."
Mu Lin fell silent, remembering his initial plan to claim victory for free Starry Paper Figures. His confidence had indeed made others feel slighted – an absentee student claiming superiority naturally provoked resentment.
Qiao Huihui sneered. "We’ll show you puppet art’s true worth-"
"True enough," Mu Lin interrupted, "I don’t scorn the art itself. Just you people."
