Chapter 18
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Chapter 18: The Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique on the Verge of Advancement
Determined to develop his skills in talismans and formations, Mu Lin practiced calligraphy and painting to build foundational skills.
He found his master-level paper folding skills gave him an advantage in understanding artistic principles.
As the saying goes: master one method, master them all.
With his paper folding expertise, his progress in writing and painting accelerated remarkably.
Painting proved especially efficient. Transferring his folded masterpieces to paper took little effort, yet each completed artwork boosted his painting experience points by ten at once—not gradual increments.
Combining cross-disciplinary skills with minor assistance from the proficiency panel, Mu Lin reached proficient painting skills by moonrise.
"Paper folding guides painting, while painting advances calligraphy. Within three to five days, both should reach master level."
He sighed ruefully: "Common skills are far simpler than proper techniques."
…
Exhausted, Mu Lin fell asleep.
Over the following days, he settled into strict routine:
At dawn, he performed twelve cycles of the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s transformation method, converting spiritual energy into black mist magical power.
Next came Spirit Rice meals.
He noted Spirit Rice’s mild healing properties slightly eased his meridians’ soreness.
In class, Mu Lin practiced calligraphy, painting, and paper folding until his meridians recovered enough for another cultivation session.
The simplistic nature of the transformation method allowed half his focus to maintain visualization of Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral simultaneously—effectively dual-training cultivation and meditation.
After two incense sticks’ time, noon found him mentally and physically drained. Spirit Rice and naps became his recovery tools.
Post-nap around 3 PM, fearing delayed nighttime practice of Great Yin Living Scripture, he avoided further transformation method training. Remaining hours involved calligraphy, painting, paper folding, and light visualization—stopping immediately at mental strain.
Evenings brought brief naps before six cycles of Great Yin Living Scripture. When meridians protested but mind remained active, he resumed artistic practice until midnight meditation under the highest moon. Collapsing into sleep concluded his relentless daily cycle.
This grind wasn’t unique. Classmates similarly pursued Hard Practice.
Three stable days later, tension resurged when both first-class talents Successfully Awakened, officially joining Taoist Palace within days.
At the same time, they had already completed their awakening and left, while he still hadn’t even managed to sense spiritual energy. After realizing this, how could anyone stay calm?
"This… we won’t fail our awakening and miss becoming Taoist Palace students, right?"
"Don’t jinx it! There’s still over a hundred days left!"
"I shouldn’t have picked that Earth-level cultivation method…"
The immense pressure made some students panic, while others doubled down on their efforts through gritted teeth.
Mu Lin belonged to the latter group.
Though he practiced tirelessly, the gap between people remained undeniable.
After those two first-class talents succeeded in their awakening, breakthroughs started happening like floodgates opening.
When Mu Lin entered the classroom the next morning, he was shocked to find two more students had awakened and become official Taoist Palace students.
On the third day, the noble young lady Yan Yunyu also completed her awakening.
The continuous departures created a suffocating atmosphere in the classroom.
Few could remain unaffected under such circumstances.
Mu Lin proved to be one of those exceptions.
Though exhausted daily, he maintained a cheerful demeanor.
Today, in his buoyant mood, he even devoured two full bowls of Spirit Rice.
This display earned admiration from his lunch companion Zong Xiu.
"Brother Mu, your mindset’s truly remarkable."
Mu Lin shrugged. "Since I never expected A-level status, others’ progress doesn’t bother me… But Brother Zong, why the long face? This shouldn’t concern you at all."
"How couldn’t it?"
The chubby youth pushed his food around gloomily. "I dreamed of standing equal with A-level geniuses too. Winning noble ladies’ favor, gaining wealthy families’ recognition… I’d even plotted out the story. Now that’s all dust."
Truly, this was a dreamer trapped in a realist’s body.
After casual conversation, Zong Xiu tilted his head curiously. "Speaking of which, I get your steady mindset – but you seem particularly cheerful today?"
"Cheerful? Maybe I sensed some spiritual energy."
The lie came easily. What truly elated Mu Lin was his impending breakthrough with the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique.
Unlike the profound Great Yin Living Scripture, this Earth-level lower grade technique relied on external aid – the vital blood of the Black Water Mystic Serpent – making it comparatively simpler.
The first level’s proficiency cap stood at a manageable 108 points.
After days of grinding, Mu Lin’s progress showed: 1st Level Entry (103/108).
One afternoon session would push it to the second level.
Anticipation quickened his pulse as morning blurred into afternoon.
Following his invariable nap routine, Mu Lin checked his Attribute Panel before practicing:
【Host: Mu Lin】
【Cultivation: Drawing in Energy】
【Spirit Soul: Spring Fountain Early Stage】
【Cultivation Methods:
【Great Yin Living Scripture (top-tier Earth-level), 1st Level Entry (27/360)】
【Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral (top-tier Earth-level), 3rd Level Mastery (13/13600), Features: Solidification, Soul Manifestation, Power of Heaven’s Funeral】
【Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique (Earth-level lower grade), 1st Level Entry (103/108)】
【Skills:
【Paper Folding, 4th Level Master (179/1080), Features: Masterpiece, Life-like】
【Calligraphy, 3rd Level Mastery (719/910)】
【Painting, 3rd Level Mastery (701/810)】
Mu Lin’s eyebrows rose. Despite being mundane skills, calligraphy and painting had higher proficiency ceilings than paper folding – with calligraphy’s cap oddly exceeding painting’s.
"Must be hidden depths here," he mused before dismissing the thought. Whatever secrets they held would reveal themselves through persistent practice.
His current focus remained the technique’s advancement.
"Please grant a useful feature…"
Silent prayer accompanied the start of his cultivation session.
