Chapter 20
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 20: The Mighty Hibernation
"Hibernation. If used properly, this ability could practically double my cultivation time!"
…
Snake Scales served as armor. Water Control and the Black Mist Technique proved invaluable spells. Most importantly, Hibernation greatly aided Mu Lin’s cultivation. He felt entirely satisfied with his recent breakthrough in the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique.
One more thing deserved mention – reaching Level 2 in the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique meant Mu Lin now qualified as an Awakened Realm cultivator. However, his magical cultivation lagged behind due to the technique’s sudden proficiency leap.
Only when his black mist magical power completely filled the tail-biting serpent-shaped meridians and he achieved Successful Awakening would his magical cultivation match his current realm.
"They always say magical power’s easy to cultivate but realms are hard to advance. Never thought I’d experience the opposite."
With a bitter smile, Mu Lin resumed training. This time, he executed eighteen consecutive cycles of the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique.
Reaching Level 2 had activated his bloodline power. Though his magical cultivation remained insufficient, his physique strengthened noticeably. The increased cycle count from twelve to eighteen clearly demonstrated this physical improvement.
"Time to hibernate!"
Meridian discomfort drove Mu Lin to slump over his desk, triggering Hibernation. Within moments, he fell into profound slumber. Unconsciously, his body coiled like a resting serpent, his breathing slowing to an extraordinary rhythm.
Unknown to Mu Lin, Teacher Ma had observed everything since the breakthrough moment. When Mu Lin advanced earlier, surging spiritual energy had flooded his body, enhancing flesh and meridians. This energy influx naturally drew Teacher Ma’s attention.
As a master of Condensing Essence and Refining the Evil, Teacher Ma instantly recognized Mu Lin’s predicament – Awakened Realm attainment with magical cultivation still at energy-drawing stage due to resource shortages.
Mu Lin’s complaint about reversed cultivation difficulties held truth. Teacher Ma possessed countless methods to bridge this gap overnight: Black Water Mystic Serpent vital blood, Earth Element Nourishing Marrow Pills, Yuan Spirit Fruits, Jade Liquid Pool immersion…
Contemplating assistance, Teacher Ma reasoned: "Left alone, he’d awaken naturally in thirty to fifty days. But earlier awakening improves Taoist Palace treatment. My help could ease his path…"
Two factors tempted intervention: fellow commoner solidarity, and Mu Lin’s impressive comprehension skills evidenced by rapid technique advancement. Plans solidified to send resources that very night.
Then came the complication.
While preparing aid, Teacher Ma discovered Mu Lin’s inheritance – the secret technique of paper magic from the despised Yin Eight Sect. Instantly revolted, all goodwill vanished.
"Corpse-defilers and soul-twisters! Cursed lot brings nothing but misfortune. No help from me – I won’t court disaster."
Shaking his head, Teacher Ma slumped back into his dejected state.
Mu Lin had been right to initially avoid the Yin Eight Sect. Those too deeply entangled with death, corpses, and spirits were seen as ill-omened. Regardless of their true nature, no one wanted anything to do with them.
This also meant Mu Lin missed out on the typical scenario where respected elders bestow treasures upon promising juniors.
Elders only gifted treasures to talented, loyal disciples who might handle their affairs after death. Recruiting from the Yin Eight Sect was like tossing meat to a dog—it never comes back. Most Yin Eight Sect disciples walked crooked paths. Entrusting them with funeral matters risked having your corpse dug up and turned into a puppet, or your soul twisted into evil ghosts…
What elder would support such risks?
Only the current chaos of rampaging spirits and humanity’s perilous state made their combat power necessary. Otherwise, the Yin Eight Sect would’ve been reviled like demon sects long ago.
…
Unaware of Teacher Ma’s withdrawn investment, Mu Lin remained unaffected. Even if he’d known, he wouldn’t have cared.
"I’ll never use the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique for awakening."
As for the sect’s ill reputation, Mu Lin—now committed to his path—felt no regrets. "This notoriety has advantages. While others shun Yin Eight Sect cultivators, few dare provoke us either."
After all, offending one might get your ancestors’ graves desecrated. Of the sect’s eight inheritances, only executioners avoid dark arts—the other seven specialize in curses like Five Ghosts Soul-Devouring, Soul-Shattering Spikes, Paper Figure Curses, and Bloodline Annihilation… all workable without facing enemies directly.
You can’t guard against thieves forever. Being targeted by curse-wielding ill-omened practitioners terrified most. Even aristocratic children left Mu Lin alone, letting him cultivate undisturbed.
…
Hibernation’s healing worked wonders. After deep slumber, Mu Lin’s meridian pain vanished completely—meaning he could resume cultivation.
But soon, growling stomach demands overwhelmed such thoughts.
"Grrrooowl…"
Energy conservation ruled this world too. While the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s innate hibernation healed injuries rapidly, it devoured his body’s stored vitality. Ravenous hunger turned his eyes wolfish-green.
He bolted to the cafeteria and shoveled down three bowls of Spirit Rice.
"Haah… alive again."
The spiritual grain replenished him fully. Yet Mu Lin sensed only spirit energy-rich foods like Spirit Rice or herbs could sustain him now—common fare would barely dent his hunger.
“……”
This feeling left Mu Lin speechless.
“Seems like Spirit Rice will be my main food from now on. But after hibernation kicks in, a single bowl isn’t enough. I need at least three meals daily. If I hibernate more often, it might go up to five or even eight meals.”
“That’s fifteen to twenty-four bowls.”
Before, one bowl of Spirit Rice only cost a Spirit Crystal, which seemed manageable.
But twenty-four bowls meant two and a half low-grade Spirit Stones—way beyond his means.
“Who’d have thought a Qi Practitioner like me would struggle just to stay full…”
Gloomy and sighing, Mu Lin hauled nine bowls of Spirit Rice back to his quarters for his midnight meal.
After recovering at home, he meditated until moonrise. Under the pale glow, he practiced the Great Yin Living Scripture.
“Hmm…”
Threads of moonlight seeped into his body, flooding him with the icy power of moonlight.
Guided by his will, the energy flowed through specific meridians.
Each completed cycle infused traces of moonlight with his essence, transforming it into magical power: the vitality of the living.
Unlike black mist magical power, this vitality stayed moon-pale but turned sickly-white, like a consumptive beauty’s skin—unnervingly delicate.
“…Looks downright eerie. Hope it normalizes a bit after shifting from yin to yang.”
This time, he managed nine full cycles before his meridians began to ache slightly.
Without delay, he gulped down a bowl of Spirit Rice and collapsed onto his bed.
“Hss… huff…”
Coiled like a snake or a fetus, hibernation plunged him into deep, restorative sleep.
His meridians healed swiftly as he dreamed.
By the time an incense stick’s worth of time passed, his body had fully recovered.
“Grrr…”
As usual, hunger hit him first upon waking.
Luckily, he’d eaten White Rice before hibernating, so he wasn’t starving to the point of desperation.
After leisurely polishing off two bowls, Mu Lin resumed cultivating the Great Yin Living Scripture.
His night cycled between training, hibernating, eating—repeat.
By dawn, three full rounds of practice had boosted the Great Yin Living Scripture’s proficiency by 27 points.
“Entry-level proficiency cap is 360. Twenty-seven per night… Thirteen days. Just thirteen days to advancement!”
“And once my cultivation methods advance, that’s when I’ll find my awakening opportunity!”
Mu Lin’s eyes gleamed.
The B-level talent benchmark was thirty-three days. Breaking through to Level 2 Proficiency in thirteen? It’s practically guaranteed!
