Chapter 3

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 3: Yin Eight Sect, Secret Technique of Paper Magic

After hearing this, Mu Lin understood the problem with choosing cultivation methods.

If they selected Earth-level cultivation methods, they likely wouldn’t achieve Successfully Awakened within the hundred days of awakening, facing expulsion from the Taoist Palace.

But picking low-level methods wasn’t good either – without promising prospects, the Taoist Palace wouldn’t prioritize their training.

"The entrance itself is a test, and a brutal one at that…"

Mid-thought, Mu Lin suddenly realized the test’s harshness made sense.

This wasn’t an era of peace. The Taoist Palace wasn’t training them for leisurely cultivation.

They needed to battle strange evil spirits and malevolent entities through killing.

Such evil spirits proved troublesome with bizarre abilities. Without good judgment, you’d easily get yourself killed.

"Worse than our deaths…Qi Practitioners hold high status. If we make wrong calls, the soldiers and ordinary civilians under us would die in droves."

"So they test us early to weed out those who can’t assess themselves properly…"

As Mu Lin pondered the test’s deeper meaning, the classroom buzzed with discussions.

Teacher Ma didn’t stop them, saying lightly: "You’ve three days to choose cultivation methods. Remember – these days count toward your hundred days of awakening."

With that, Teacher Ma stood first, heading toward the Taoist Palace’s Scripture Pavilion.

Mu Lin immediately followed without hesitation.

Most followed Teacher Ma too, with only handfuls hesitating.

Ignoring the stragglers, Mu Lin’s group followed Teacher Ma quietly.

After half a cup of tea’s time, they reached the seven-story tower. They could only access the first level.

"Enter. Browse freely…but remember – your hundred days start now."

The crowd poured into the Scripture Pavilion.

Inside, Mu Lin noticed something striking – the energetic aristocratic children went straight for specific cultivation methods.

While ordinary people still fumbled with the layout, those clan youths already registered their chosen methods with an elder.

This confused many commoners.

Though not bewildered, Mu Lin grasped the truth:

"The race is on!"

Awakening speed determined status and resources in the Taoist Palace. Those aristocratic children raced against time.

As Mu Lin finished this thought, some clan youths already studied jade slips.

His acquaintance Zong Xiu returned with cultivation methods. Seeing Mu Lin, he approached hesitantly:

"Don’t copy our choices, Mu Lin. Best methods aren’t necessarily right for you. Our parents prepared resources and advisors long before we entered. We can start cultivating immediately."

"But you…if you pick our methods without resources…"

Zong Xiu trailed off, but Mu Lin understood perfectly.

Powerful cultivation methods usually required rare resources. Those who blindly chose powerful methods without considering reality stood no chance of awakening within a hundred days.

As for aristocratic children having extra resources and enjoying advantages over commoners – was that unfair? In the feudal era, fairness didn’t exist.

Moreover, the Great Spirit Dynasty was technically at war. The higher-ups only cared about the strength of Taoist Palace students, not how they gained their abilities. Strength alone mattered.

While pondering these thoughts, Mu Lin clasped hands apologetically. "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Zong, but my family already selected a cultivation method for me."

"What?!"

Zong Xiu froze.

"Family? Method selection… Are there Qi Practitioners in your household?"

"My grandfather was an A-level cultivator."

Zong Xiu’s face flushed with embarrassment. "Brother Mu, you’re being dishonest! Acting so clueless yesterday – were you mocking me?"

Not wanting to lose this friendship, Mu Lin explained, "It’s true. Remember the Night Fire Lantern incident in Anping City days ago?"

"Of course. They say the culprit Night Fire Lantern was sealed by Wuzhou’s county princess…"

Zong Xiu suddenly paused. "Wait – were you the one who had memories burned by that lantern?"

"Yes. Losing most memories left me ignorant about cultivation. I truly appreciated your explanations yesterday."

"…No need for formalities. Since your family chose for you, go ahead."

Understanding Mu Lin’s circumstances weren’t meant to mock him, Zong Xiu stopped being angry.

But as it was his cultivation time, he quickly left to practice.

Mu Lin entered the Scripture Pavilion.

Instead of immediately picking his grandfather’s chosen method, he first browsed the pavilion.

He had his reasons.

Grandpa Mu Lin became a Qi Practitioner later in life through unique circumstances. He’d discovered a Yin Eight Sect elder’s burial cave, inheriting their legacy.

The Yin Eight Sect included paper folders, coffin carriers, corpse handlers, morticians, and others dealing with death. Grandpa Mu Lin obtained the secret technique of paper magic.

Associated with funerals, paper magic appeared sinister and carried bad reputation. Mu Lin wanted alternatives despite his grandfather’s claims it originated from orthodox Taoist paper crane techniques.

The method’s core required cultivating life-creating energy. Legend said immortals breathed this energy into folded paper soldiers to animate them.

Yet 99% of paper folders turned to dark paths with terrible reputations. Mu Lin suspected ancestral legends were mere face-saving fabrications.

Unwilling to become socially reviled, Mu Lin sought better options.

Taking deep breaths to calm himself, he entered the pavilion.

"With average Spiritual Roots Talent and no gifts, I can’t compete for A-level or B-level treatment. Rushing to choose methods isn’t necessary."

"Choosing wrong would impact me greatly."

Prepared to spend a whole day selecting, Mu Lin knew exactly what to avoid:

"Any method requiring resources – strong or weak – won’t suit me."