Chapter 167
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Chapter 167: Arrival of the Foreign Tribes – Fox Demons, Mermaids, and Winged People
Holding a sliver of hope, Mu Lin’s main body began cultivating.
Meanwhile, the paper figure in the Time House started practicing the doppelgänger cultivation technique under Mu Lin’s mental command.
"Hum…"
Time flew swiftly as Mu Lin trained, and soon the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had passed.
At this moment, Yuance and Lin Qi arrived with prepared Spirit Stones, hoping to meet Mu Lin.
Yan Yunyu stopped them at the entrance.
"Brother Mu Lin is still cultivating. Address any matters to me."
Her brusque tone made Yuance frown, but he held his tongue. During their journey, Lin Qi had informed Yuance that Mu Lin had fully entrusted Yan Yunyu with selling the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation. More importantly, she planned restrictive high-price sales with extremely limited availability.
Yuance wholeheartedly approved.
"Such cultivation methods shouldn’t be accessible to ordinary practitioners. Ideally, only I would learn them."
Once they secured a benefit, the heirs of powerful clans often tried to monopolize it – a valued tradition. Since Yuance hadn’t yet obtained this advantage, he tolerated the rudeness.
"Miss Yan, we wish to purchase the True Meaning Diagram…"
"Wait until Brother Mu Lin has time to draw it."
"Ah…"
Yuance hesitated but remained composed. He produced Spirit Stones. "This deposit secures two observation slots for Lin Qi and myself."
Such persistence left Yan Yunyu little room for refusal. After consideration, she warned: "You may only view the True Meaning Diagram under our supervision. No removing anything."
"Understood."
"Good. Await notification."
Instead of leaving, Yuance sat down nearby, determined to stay until accessing the diagram.
Yan Yunyu ignored him. Seeking to build rapport, Yuance shared intelligence: "Be cautious in the upcoming assessment. Mountain Elder revealed participants now include foreign tribes – Merfolk, Fox Demons, and Winged People from beyond Southeast Province’s Taoist Palaces."
"Post-assessment, some will remain for academic exchange."
This news made Yan Yunyu pause mid-step.
Her expression held a hint of naturalness and surprise.
“Merfolk, Fox Demons… these clans have always been friendly with humans. Their participation isn’t surprising—they’ve come to Southeast Province assessments many times before. But the proud Winged People dwell in the distant Broken Skies. We’ve always kept our distance from humans, like river water that never mixes. Why would they come?”
Yuance shrugged at the question.
“Don’t ask me. Mountain Elder only told us not to hold back against foreign tribes this time. The fiercer we fight, the better our deterrence.”
“Deterrence?”
Yan Yunyu’s pupils narrowed, though her face remained calm as she nodded.
“Thanks for telling me… When Mu brother completes the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation, you’ll get to study it first.”
“My thanks, Miss Yan.”
“Thank Mu brother instead.”
…
Neither Yuance nor Yan Yunyu knew why the foreign tribes had come. Most visiting tribal youths were equally clueless.
Though fewer in number than humans, the tribal societies had simpler hierarchies. This meant their brightest youths often possessed more Information.
Yet this knowledge bred confusion.
Bai Yingying of the Fushan Fox tribe couldn’t fathom why she’d been sent to the human assessment.
“Grandmother, didn’t our family prophecy say the Great Spirit Dynasty will fall? Why must we cozy up to doomed humans?”
The Fox tribe survived by attaching themselves to powerful beings. While binding through interests worked, it wasn’t foolproof.
Thus they annually sent their most alluring females to become consorts of mighty figures or demon kings. Their borrowed authority served them well.
Bai Yingying had been groomed for this—no different from other weaklings clinging to strength in this harsh world.
But why send her to a crumbling human race?
The elder fox woman chuckled.
“Child, the dynasty’s fall doesn’t mean humanity’s end. The Great Spirit Dynasty might not even fall to external forces.”
Her voice dropped on the last words, offering no explanation.
“Dying beasts are most dangerous. Precisely because the dynasty nears collapse, we mustn’t provoke them. What if they decide to wipe out potential threats first?”
“Even weakened humans could crush us.”
“Besides, the calamity destroying their dynasty will reach our tribe too. We must prepare.”
The Fox tribe’s solution was simple: send fox girls to bind potential heroes. When disaster struck, these connections might save them.
Mature powerful beings cared little for beauty or favors. Thus the tribe targeted rising talents—unproven, but easier to influence.
Most would fail. But one success story, deeply bonded to a fox girl, made the Fushan Fox tribe’s gamble worthwhile.
The Fushan Fox tribe thought this way, and the Merfolk shared similar ideas. Knowing their own weaknesses, both tribes didn’t just pin their hopes on humans – they also tried to win over the Demon Race and dragon clan.
Having used such schemes for centuries, they’d developed special training methods for their fox girls and Mermaids.
But the Winged People clan differed entirely.
Living in the highest reaches of the sky with minimal outside contact, the Winged People carried themselves with great pride. Even when foreseeing the calamity and deciding to cooperate with humans, they sought equal alliances rather than subservience.
This mindset shaped their approach to the trials.
"We must fully display our power to make humans respect us. Only through awe can we ensure proper treatment in cooperation."
"Don’t worry, my lord. With Tian Yun leading us, we won’t fail."
…
Mu Lin heard about the foreign tribes’ arrival. His past dealings with the Rescue Association gave him some ideas about their motives.
But matters concerning entire tribes’ futures felt too distant for someone as weak as him.
"When the sky falls, taller people will hold it up. I shouldn’t waste time worrying – getting stronger is what matters now!"
Absorbing the Substitute Paper Figures’ accumulated experiences, Mu Lin happily confirmed his method worked.
The combination of Substitute Paper Figures and Time Tower actually multiplied his already extraordinary training speed.
【Substitute Paper Figure Proficiency +191, +136, +172, +191…】
"Such gains! Keep going!"
After replenishing the paper figures’ vitality of the living and soul energy for more Time Tower training, Mu Lin summoned a high-grade talisman brush. He began drawing the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation on special paper.
*Swish…*
His complete understanding of cloning principles and Grandmaster-level painting skills made the work effortless.
Two hours later, a unique illustration emerged – simple yet profound. It showed a person facing a mirror, their reflection staring back. The interplay between original and copy, reality and illusion, life and death embodied the yin-yang relationship between Mu Lin and his Substitute Paper Figures.
After resting briefly, Mu Lin handed the diagram to Yan Yunyu.
"Contact Master Meng Rui. Order more Star Paper of the Year-End Noble at standard rates. Also gather vitality-boosting pills."
"Understood, Mu brother. I’ll handle it."
"Good. Feel free to study this diagram, both of you. Ask questions if needed."
Mu Lin lowered his voice:
"Remember – those who learn survive, those who copy perish. Focus on clone cultivation’s essence, not just the Paper Folding Secret Manual."
"Lingluo, your Qingdi Scripture’s Wooden Man Doppelgänger Technique could use wooden clones. Yunyu, with your resources… better get puppets from Master Meng Rui. Actually, I’ll help with that."
After closing his eyes and pondering for several breaths, Mu Lin spoke:
"Working with Master Meng Rui, we should create cultivation puppets. You can Refine them using your vital blood."
When his Substitute Paper Figure technique reached master level, Mu Lin gained enhanced abilities and a unique talent – Substitute Paper Figure: Others.
True to its name, this allowed him to create paper substitutes for others.
Though weaker than his own versions, these paper figures remained fully functional.
Combining this with Master Meng Rui’s art of puppetry, Mu Lin felt certain they could produce cultivation puppets.
Meanwhile, Yan Yunyu clenched her fist, heart racing wildly.
Her excitement came from finally accessing clone cultivation’s benefits.
She knew the Clone Cultivation Method’s value – why else would she fight to keep it within their circle?
Despite her eagerness to learn it, Yan Yunyu harbored doubts.
Her self-awareness told her ordinary Spiritual Roots and average comprehension made mastering this powerful technique difficult.
Even with guidance, she estimated needing eight to twenty years – acceptable for lifelong use, but painfully slow.
Now Mu Lin’s solution would let her enjoy clone cultivation within months.
This revelation made her understand her family’s investments in prodigies.
"Beyond status and power, prodigy guidance accelerates training speed," she mused, gazing at Mu Lin with shimmering eyes. "And Brother Mu Lin stands above all prodigies."
Her whispered words carried satisfaction: "My investment bears fruit sooner than expected."
Though she’d anticipated returns only after Mu Lin became a powerful being, his Taoist Palace victory already brought cultivation boosts and fortune.
Now his personal effort to create cultivation puppets left her marveling: "Having a reliable ally changes everything."
Yan Yunyu’s contentment stemmed not just from gains, but Mu Lin’s growing care.
Previous transactions had carried wariness, but now he voluntarily devoted time to her cultivation – clear proof of regard.
Mu Lin sighed inwardly. Since becoming teammates, Yan Yunyu’s tireless support freed him from mundane matters.
How could he remain indifferent to such loyal, competent companionship?
‘When girl pursues boy, mere gauze separates them,’ he thought, recalling the proverb.
Their moment broke as Yuance hurried over, drawn by the completed True Meaning Diagram.
Not from rudeness – the diagram’s allure overwhelmed his restraint.
