Chapter 223
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Chapter 223: The Devoured Chu Lingluo
The City God Realm not only concerned Mu Lin’s strength but also tied to the Will of Humanity’s favor. This drove Mu Lin’s urgent desire to manifest it.
Yet joining the military meant strict oversight and countless powerful beings, leaving him constrained and unable to move freely.
The Demon Exorcism Division offered better prospects. While major cities still imposed restrictions, remote towns operated far from prying eyes – perfect for Mu Lin to maneuver as he pleased.
With sufficient power, he could declare "I’ll protect this town" on Monday and "I’ll protect my town" by Wednesday.
Having reached this conclusion, Mu Lin made his choice.
"I’ll join the Demon Exorcism Division. No need to wait until graduation either. Given their high regard, I can secure a trial position beforehand."
He turned to address Yan Yunyu standing nearby.
"I favor the Demon Exorcism Division…"
Yan Yunyu brightened at this – she preferred him staying safe within the Division where she could visit regularly. But her smile froze at his next words.
"However, I want an additional condition: during Taoist Palace holidays, I’ll take trials in field assignments."
"Will you stay in the capital? I can arrange connections immediately…"
Her lingering hope shattered as Mu Lin cut in:
"No. Provincial towns. The more dangerous, the better."
Yan Yunyu finally broke.
"Mu brother! It’s too perilous! Even wanting to help people, you should wait until…"
Noticing her distress, Mu Lin patted her head reassuringly. "Relax. I’m not courting death. Remember my Substitute Paper Figure technique?"
Recalling his miraculous paper replicas, Yan Yunyu’s tension eased.
Mu Lin valued self-preservation above all. During assignments, only paper figures would face danger while his true body stayed hidden. Losing a paper dummy meant little consequence.
After settling his Demon Exorcism Division plans, Mu Lin detained Yan Yunyu for further discussion.
"Spread word about the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation. I’ll produce more copies soon – resources are urgently needed."
Dongfang Ya’s influence showed. Mu Lin refused further debts to powerful clans.
Previously, his confidence stemmed from two sources: rising personal power that deterred enemies, and the True Meaning Diagram’s value as endless revenue stream. Now he’d cash this golden goose.
Yan Yunyu frowned. She’d considered the Diagram family property. However vast their debts, selling foundational assets pained her.
Unfortunately, Mu Lin’s decision wasn’t something she could argue against.
But she had her methods.
"Mu brother, I’ve considered this—the True Meaning Diagram of doppelgänger cultivation is too valuable. Simply trading it for Spirit Stones would be a loss. I want to exchange it for rare resources we couldn’t get before, like Life Fruit, Six Yin Nourishing Water, Heavenly Cleansing Energy…"
"Agreed. You decide."
Once settled, Yan Yunyu left to handle matters while Mu Lin waited outside the Time Tower.
He didn’t wait long. After an hour of meditation, manifestation Zhong Kui strode out from the Time Tower.
Zhong Kui still radiated authority, his aura and power now faintly surpassing Mu Lin’s.
This didn’t surprise Mu Lin.
While only two days had passed outside, Zhong Kui had trained ten full days inside the Time Tower.
The huge time gap—combined with Zhong Kui’s ability to directly absorb spiritual energy from the wine gourd without refining it—had pushed him to mid-stage Spirit Sea cultivation.
Even this achievement came despite Mu Lin holding him back. Each stabilization required Mu Lin to drain energy stored inside Zhong Kui’s body, disrupting his growth.
"I’ll slow the stabilizations. The second assessment starts soon—I need strong combat power."
Mu Lin resolved to let Zhong Kui absorb spiritual energy unrestrained, aiming to reach Spirit Sea’s peak and even begin Refining the Evil.
He feared no rebellion. This world contained no Zhong Kui—the manifestation was Mu Lin himself.
"Hmm…"
Closing his eyes, Mu Lin’s consciousness merged with Zhong Kui. The manifestation immediately produced the wine gourd, swallowing all resources Yan Yunyu had delivered.
With everything secured, Zhong Kui returned to the Time Tower to cultivate.
Mu Lin headed home with treasures to evolve his Spiritual Roots, wanting to refine them before complications arose.
Yet reaching his small courtyard, he noticed unusual activity.
Timid Chu Lingluo stood there blushing, fidgeting nervously.
Her vulnerable demeanor stirred Mu Lin’s pity.
"Lingluo? What’s wrong?"
"Ah!"
She jumped like a startled fawn at his voice.
Seeing Mu Lin deepened her blush until she couldn’t meet his eyes.
Her strange behavior baffled him.
Anger? A mood? But her emotions didn’t match either…
As Mu Lin wondered, Chu Lingluo mumbled something barely audible.
Nervousness made her words soft and disjointed—but Mu Lin’s sharp ears caught every syllable.
With the information he heard and some guesses, Mu Lin understood her meaning.
"You mean you contracted the Other Shore Flower and want to dual cultivate with…"
He stopped mid-sentence as Chu Lingluo’s head sank completely towards her chest, leaving Mu Lin unable to continue.
In the end, Mu Lin did not make any coy refusal.
He wasn’t some timid vegetarian.
"Have you truly considered this? It’s a lifelong decision."
"Mhm."
Though still barely audible, Chu Lingluo’s response carried firm resolve this time.
Receiving her confirmation, Mu Lin stopped holding back. Grasping her hand, he pulled her straight into his bedroom.
…
Two hours later, Mu Lin gazed with mild astonishment at Chu Lingluo sleeping infant-like beside him.
He hadn’t expected this delicate, sweet-voiced girl to last through such prolonged…activity.
"Wood element vitality and recovery truly are remarkable."
After this muttered observation, the clear-minded Mu Lin didn’t sleep. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Chu Lingluo’s slender frame and guided her into true Dual Cultivation – the complete merging of body and spirit.
"Vmm…"
A bodily tremor later, Mu Lin’s awareness instantly elevated into his sea of consciousness.
This mental realm had transformed dramatically again. In terms of scale, after reaching the Refining the Evil stage, his soul power’s domain now surpassed any small courtyard or residential block.
An ancient city dominated his consciousness sea’s center. Though its walls showed damage – stained with blood and scarred by swords – these battle marks didn’t convey ruin. Instead, they gave Mu Lin’s city an unyielding aura of having endured endless battles yet remaining unbroken.
Lidu City – this was the manifestation of Mu Lin’s soul.
Though currently, the name didn’t quite fit. While patrolled by Yin soldiers and ghost officials, with occasional night demons appearing, its strongest entity remained merely a City God. Thus "Mind Image – City God Realm" suited it better than Lidu City.
"Someday this will fully become Lidu," Mu Lin murmured, turning his gaze beyond the walls where a tiny Western-style castle stood.
This remnant from the little girl who sells matches could be erased with his boosted soul power. Yet Mu Lin refrained – for this place connected to the City of Heaven’s Funeral. Destroying it would sever ties to that dangerous yet opportunity-filled land of Heaven’s Funeral, especially since Zhong Kui’s appearance.
After some attempts, Mu Lin found that Zhong Kui, who held the rank of Underworld Yin Spirit, could indeed gain heavenly rewards by destroying evil ghosts.
These rewards didn’t just strengthen Zhong Kui’s power – they actually raised his fundamental rank.
This meant the manifestation Zhong Kui’s potential would keep growing as long as they continued.
However, heaven’s reward system worked strictly – killing evil ghosts captured by others gave little merit.
Only by slaying freely roaming ghosts that caused widespread harm could Zhong Kui receive substantial rewards.
This forced Mu Lin to either hunt in evil ghost hotspots or wander like a nomad.
Then he discovered another way.
As his spirit manifestation, Zhong Kui could enter Mu Lin’s sea of consciousness.
Since the City of Heaven’s Funeral overflowed with evil ghosts and Strange Powers, Mu Lin realized he could channel the forbidden power from this land.
He let Zhong Kui destroy these forces, then used the Cycle of Life and Death from his wine gourd to finish them.
It worked. The bloodstains and battle damage in his mental town showed traces of real combat –
a war between the land of Heaven’s Funeral’s Strange Powers and Mu Lin’s soul energy.
The scars remained as proof.
After checking the stable Western-style castle, Mu Lin looked sideways.
A green halo now floated in the previously empty gray mist –
Chu Lingluo’s Mind Image.
Normally their Mind Image worlds couldn’t touch due to mental barriers.
But their current Dual Cultivation state created deep connection.
Thus Chu Lingluo’s Mind Image linked with his.
Unlike Mu Lin’s battle-worn town, Chu Lingluo’s Mind Image world resembled fairy-tale Emerald Dream.
Small animals played among vibrant plants, while she slept princess-like on a giant pink flower.
Everything felt natural, innocent, and joyful.
Yet Mu Lin spotted glaring discord in this paradise –
a blood-red seed radiating deathly Ominous Energy lay beside Chu Lingluo.
Manjusaka.
Not just an image, but the real Other Shore Flower that lures mortals to death, shifting between real and unreal.
But Chu Lingluo’s pure nature and shallow understanding of death left it weak – barely alive, unable to grow.
This would soon change.
"Hum…"
Ripples spread as Mu Lin entered her Emerald Dream.
Nothing else happened.
Chu Lingluo didn’t wake, having completely opened her heart to him.
Seeing her exhausted state, Mu Lin gently placed his hand on the Manjusaka instead of disturbing her.
