Chapter 217
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Chapter 217: Heavenly Technique, Divine Lord’s Summoning of True Resolve
Watching Mu Lin’s rapid progress, Yan Yunyu trembled slightly, feeling a mix of envy and excitement.
She envied his swift growth while anticipating countless benefits she’d gain as his subordinate. Yet despite their closeness, hearing his muttered complaint of "too slow" nearly twisted her composed expression.
"This is slow? Mu brother, your current progress would take us half a year to match!"
"Haha…"
Mu Lin chuckled at her exasperated words before growing serious. "My current pace isn’t sluggish. But with countless talents, powerful clans, royal offspring, and forbidden realms above us, surpassing them requires greater effort."
He stated this ambition casually, yet it struck Yan Yunyu like thunder.
‘Surpass everyone… So you aimed for the world’s peak from the start?’ After brief contemplation, only one word came to mind – arrogance.
In modern terms, this resembled a top student declaring intent to rule Earth. Calling it mere arrogance showed her kindness – most would deem such ambition delusional.
Mu Lin naturally ignored others’ opinions. His focus shifted to accelerating energy accumulation, eventually landing on a solution.
"Cultivation methods! There must be techniques that boost energy consumption… No, mere speed isn’t enough. My stabilization window’s too brief for proper resource digestion."
"Forced stabilization risks foundation damage unless I find energy-storing methods."
Such techniques weren’t rare. Even Martial Arts had methods storing energy as body fat for explosive releases during combat. His own concept of energy-sealing through stabilization fell in this category.
"Self-created techniques require more experience. Better learn existing ones first."
Turning to Yan Yunyu, he asked: "The Southeast League Examination’s top reward – when’s distribution?"
She massaged her temples. "You forgot? To eliminate luck, there’s two examination rounds. Rewards come after both."
"I know. But since Yuhu Academy wants me, tell them I’ll consider joining if they advance the reward – just the Heavenly Technique for now."
"…Possible. I’ll negotiate."
Leaving diplomacy to her expertise, Mu Lin focused on Refining remaining enhancing foundations resources.
By tea-brewing time, Yan Yunyu concluded negotiations.
"Mu brother, Yuhu Academy’s vice president agreed. But due to Blood Cherry, you’re technically limited to Earth-level techniques."
"My bargaining opened Heavenly Techniques access. Conditions: First, failing next exam’s top rank forfeits all rewards except the technique. Second, you must enroll at Yuhu Academy while keeping Anping Taoist Palace status."
Mu Lin’s brows knitted sharply.
“Are their demands really that high?”
“Cough, cough…”
The question made Yan Yunyu cough awkwardly. She lowered her voice to explain, “Mu brother, their conditions aren’t unreasonable. It’s just that Heavenly Techniques are too precious… Even scions of powerful clans and most elite disciples at Yuhu Academy aren’t permitted to access them.”
“…”
Her words left Mu Lin silent. Only now did he realize Heavenly Techniques existed on an entirely different plane compared to ordinary cultivation methods.
“Tell them I accept both terms, but I need to select the technique immediately.”
“Agreed.”
After swift negotiations, Mu Lin was granted access that very day.
Though still weak, he went straight to Yuhu Academy’s Scripture Pavilion. The top floor contained shockingly few Heavenly Techniques—mere fragments with missing chapters, leaving only two or three viable options.
The choice took little time. Under the Vice Academy Head’s supervision, Mu Lin selected the "Divine Lord’s Summoning of True Resolve"—a secret technique allowing cultivation of an external avatar-like Divine Lord manifestation.
While unrelated to digestion at first glance, it held tenuous connections through energy storage aspects. More crucially, it was the only Heavenly Technique in the pavilion even remotely fitting his needs.
‘Miscalculation. Heavenly Techniques are too rare. Their power demands resources I lack.’
As Mu Lin pondered, the kindly Vice Academy Head offered counsel:
“Certainty eludes the Yuqing Divine Thunder General Principle? Remember—Heavenly Techniques demand more than talent. That Divine Lord technique’s true challenge lies not in summoning, but sustaining the manifestation. Without ancestral wealth spanning generations, how will you nourish such an entity? Fail that, and the technique becomes worthless.”
“The thunder method suits your lightning affinity better. Your odds of mastery—”
“—Would improve if the text were complete,” Mu Lin mentally finished. The Academy’s copy contained barely a third of the Yuqing Sect’s treasured method. Submitting to sect control wasn’t an option.
“My thanks, but I’ll keep this technique.”
“…Your choice stands.” The Vice Academy Head sighed.
…
Half an incense stick’s time later, Mu Lin returned to his courtyard with the technique memorized.
Meanwhile, Vice Academy Head Ji Guan entered the Mountain Elder’s training grounds. Before he could lift his teacup, a voice demanded:
“Which did he take?”
Upon hearing the question, Ji Guan answered promptly: "Divine Lord’s Summoning of True Resolve."
At this name, the Mountain Elder of Yuhu Academy frowned deeply.
"Eh???"
"Why that one? This secret technique requires at least a Celestial Master or True Lord ancestor in the practitioner’s lineage. Didn’t you warn him?"
Ji Guan bristled at the implication.
"Mountain Elder, you wrong me. Though he embarrassed me before, he’s now our academy’s student. His success reflects well on me – why would I sabotage him?"
His voice turned sharper as he continued:
"I explained all its flaws and even suggested Yuqing Divine Thunder General Principle. But the boy insists he’s talented enough. What could I do?"
The academy president sighed, recognizing the typical arrogance of prodigies.
"Let him choose. The technique won’t harm him – just waste his time."
"We can’t officially guide him yet anyway. When he fails after joining the Taoist Palace, we’ll step in."
……
Unaware of this discussion, Mu Lin studied the mental imprint of his chosen technique in his courtyard. Contrary to Ji Guan’s doubts, he felt confident.
"Divine Lord’s Summoning’s core lies in nurturing a Divine Lord entity," he mused. "Pour magical energy and cosmic rules into it, then summon for battle or merge for power."
Nurturing consumed 90% of the effort, summoning mere 10%. But creating a Divine Lord from nothing? Near impossible for mortals.
The technique offered shortcuts: borrowing a wisp of consciousness from an existing True Lord, or using tribal deities like Fox Demon Clan’s fox spirits. Neither option suited Mu Lin – he refused indebtedness, and his commoner lineage held no ancestral spirits.
"Ordinary people can’t practice this… which explains why the complete version remains in Yuhu’s Scripture Pavilion," he realized. Unlike fragmentary Heavenly Techniques elsewhere, this intact manual’s rarity proved its worth.
Mu Lin’s lips curved. "But I’m no ordinary man." His fingers traced glowing sigils. "Sublimated Sky-High Technique Spell provides blank divine quality. City God authority, Zi Wei Emperor Star’s power, Mount Tai’s Communicating-with-Spirits energy – all can become this Divine Lord’s core."
Some might question – wasn’t this redundant with his existing Sky-High Technique Spell: Zi Wei Emperor Star power?
"Different applications," he muttered. "Current spells drain all my energy per use, offering rank without substance. But the Divine Lord acts as external storage – pre-filled power ready for battle without exhaustion."
Excitement quickened his pulse. The Divine Lord could even power his other techniques during crises. Only one dilemma remained: choosing the core.
Starlight, underworld energy, or draconic might danced before his mind’s eye. Zi Wei Emperor Star promised celestial generals. Communicating-with-Spirits energy conjured Underworld Yin Spirits. Dragon power bred aquatic Dragon Kings.
So many choices paralyzed ordinary cultivators. Mu Lin’s grin turned wolfish. For the ambitious? Multiple cores might be possible…
