Chapter 188
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Chapter 188: Mu Lin Fought Over by Officers
The Taoist Palace was founded by the royal family and powerful noble clans—both groups that never acted without benefit. Because of this, the students trained there weren’t free to walk away after graduation.
Upon leaving the Taoist Palace, Mu Lin and others had to join either the Demon Exorcism Division or the military to serve the Empire. Since the Empire itself was controlled by the royals and noble families, this meant serving those two factions.
This system essentially made Taoist Palace students reserves for the Demon Exorcism Division and military. Given the rarity and strength of Qi Practitioners, they held slightly higher status than ordinary warriors—strictly speaking, they were reserve officers.
Every organization naturally seeks to expand, and the Demon Exorcism Division and military were no exception. Talent has always been crucial, which was why Yuhu Academy’s elite trials drew so many high-ranking officers from both groups.
They aimed to scout promising talents early through these trials and recruit them—a necessity during wartime, as all legions and the Demon Exorcism Division faced constant pressure and never had enough combat power.
With everyone desperate for talent, geniuses became scarce commodities. In such fierce competition, hesitation meant losing prospects to rivals.
Mu Lin’s performance had thoroughly impressed the recruiters.
“His raw power and unstoppable momentum make him a perfect fit for our Canglong Legion!”
This declaration sparked immediate protests.
“Nonsense! His ability to summon winds and rain proves he’s built for naval warfare. The Kunpeng Legion needs him!”
“You’re both wrong,” countered a Demon Exorcism officer. “Creating hundreds of paper figures disguised as civilians? That’s perfect for flushing out hidden monsters and evil spirits. He clearly belongs with us.”
The officer added earnestly, “I couldn’t even tell those paper figures weren’t real people. This skill alone could prevent countless casualties. Let us have him to maximize his potential.”
His plea fell on deaf ears.
“Luring out monsters is useful, but those paper scouts would be invaluable for military reconnaissance too,” argued a military representative.
Whether leading charges, scouting terrain, or purging threats from the rear, Mu Lin’s versatility made him desirable to all factions. His exceptional skills ignited fierce competition among the recruiters.
None could afford to back down. With their comrades fighting monsters in treacherous borderlands, every recruited genius improved survival odds for entire units. Legion commanders would skin any officer who showed weakness in this rivalry.
The recruiters—mages and high-ranking officers—glared at each other, but their equal power made intimidation futile.
The Canglong officer switched tactics: “Brothers, our frontlines are crumbling! If they fall, your rear positions won’t last—”
“You think you’re suffering?” snapped the Kunpeng representative. “Land-dwellers fighting water spirits is madness! We finally get someone who can battle underwater, and you steal him? Should we just surrender our rivers?”
“The Demon Exorcism Division secures the homeland,” countered another. “Without stable rear areas, how can the frontlines hold?”
Seeing no one would yield, the recruiters ordered subordinates to dig up every detail about Mu Lin while debating recruitment offers.
News of the rivalry spread quickly—intentionally leaked by the Demon Exorcism Division to rally wealthy backers. Unlike border legions scraping by, they could pool resources with nobles to sweeten their offer.
Frontier troops had only grit and promises to attract talent.
The Demon Exorcism Division was different. Stationed across various regions, they worked closely with local powerholders. Their interests were deeply intertwined with those wealthy merchants.
The richer people were, the more they feared death. No wealthy person wanted to enjoy fine meals and music only to get ambushed by monsters and evil spirits. To avoid such fate, they naturally wanted strong protectors in their territories.
They willingly spent money and resources to retain powerful beings or talented individuals for protection.
"You’ve all witnessed Mu Lin’s abilities," someone declared. "He can summon hundreds of paper figures to guard entire districts. If he grows stronger, he might protect whole cities alone. More importantly, his lifelike paper figures can lure out hidden monsters, keeping your areas completely safe…"
Before the speaker finished, offers erupted: "General Zhang! I’ll donate a shop to keep Mu Lin in Youlong City!"
"He studies at Anping Taoist Palace – he should stay here! I pledge three thousand Spirit Stones!"
Wealthy merchants competed with resources and Spirit Stones to secure Mu Lin. Observers realized the young man now held real influence – backed by the Demon Exorcism Division and military, even powerful clans’ heirs wouldn’t dare cross him lightly.
"Such talent puts him equal to aristocratic heirs."
"Of course. Standing out among five Taoist Palaces makes him top-tier talent from humble origins. Any sensible clan would recruit him."
Merchants and clans alike sought Mu Lin’s allegiance. For merchants, his potential military or Demon Exorcism Division rank meant future power. For old families, maintaining status required planting agents in key institutions – failures like the fallen Jia family from "Dream of Red Chamber" served as cautionary tales.
"Mu Lin qualifies to marry my legitimate daughter," some nobles murmured.
Noblewomen shot odd looks at Chu Lingluo’s mother. "Pushing away such a son-in-law? Your Chu family truly amazes."
Chu Lingluo’s mother grew increasingly tense. Mu Lin’s rising status transformed his matter from personal choice to family strategy – her poor judgment would bring consequences.
Meanwhile, Mu Lin remained oblivious to these discussions. Happily hunting monsters, he suddenly froze – his paper figures were being destroyed rapidly. Worse, the attackers weren’t monsters… but humans.
"Yuhu Academy’s targeting me."
The realization brought no surprise, only grim acceptance.
