Chapter 34
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 34: Heart Lamp of Will, Master of All
“Since she wants responsibility and expects classwide effort, I’ll give her a push!”
“I’ll climb the tower relentlessly to light fire under everyone else.”
“Though this might paint a target on my back, that’s fine—no, better. If classmates target me while I’m acting on her behalf, she’ll feel guilty and compensate me…”
With this plan clear, Mu Lin knew his next steps.
…
Escorted by the extraordinary teacher, Mu Lin’s exchange proceeded smoothly.
Soon, he clutched the jade slip containing the top-tier Earth-level cultivation method—Heart Lamp of Will.
“Hmm…”
As the jade slip touched his forehead, Mu Lin’s mind blanked.
A torrent of Information crashed through his consciousness, leaving him disoriented.
Only after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea did clarity return.
Now he grasped the Heart Lamp’s essence—a flame kindled by burning one’s spirit and convictions as fuel.
The method lived up to its Earth-level ranking. Different fuels produced different effects:
• Pink light from burning desires, stirring lust.
• Violent red flame from Rage, provoking anger.
“…More than that! Rage-fueled flame can burn my magic, flesh, and soul to boost strength tenfold—briefly.”
Some grow furious when enraged. But those igniting the Rage Lamp could incinerate their entire being for monstrous power.
Of course, tenfold amplification meant burning out completely—a death sentence.
“Tenfold’s suicide, but three-to-fivefold just weakens me temporarily. Useful.”
Desire. Rage. Jealousy. Each emotion held unique power.
As Mu Lin studied these effects, Teacher Dongfang Ya advised:
“Now that you understand, use courage or protective conviction as fuel. Best against evil spirits.”
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Though wise, Mu Lin ignored her counsel.
He wasn’t noble—no saint, no hero. The Great Spirit Dynasty meant little to him; patriotic fervor didn’t burn in his chest.
Courage he had, but not in abundance.
Back at the Formal Class dojo, Mu Lin closed his eyes and searched his soul.
The answer emerged sharp and clear—his strongest conviction wasn’t protection or courage.
It was Pride.
"So it was this…"
Mu Lin, who had pieced everything together, wore a bitter smile but wasn’t surprised.
"Being reborn into this world and obtaining the proficiency panel—though others might see no overt arrogance in my actions—"
"Deep down, I’ve always believed I’d become the strongest. My goal has never wavered from that path."
Aiming for the top and striving relentlessly might seem admirable, even ambitious. Yet:
"A nobody with Level 3 Spiritual Roots daring to chase the pinnacle? To the world, that’s the height of arrogance!"
"Add to that my lack of reverence for powerful clans or the royal court, shaped by my past life’s values—undeniable ‘arrogance’ in their eyes."
Confidence or arrogance? Whatever the label, this belief burned fiercest in Mu Lin’s heart.
The heart lamp’s flame drew power not just from spirit, but from conviction. The sturdier the fuel of belief, the brighter the lamp blazed.
With little hesitation, Mu Lin chose "arrogance" as his fuel.
First, he needed a vessel—a lamp visualized through meditation.
The lamp itself came easily. His prior training in Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral had already imprinted countless tools in his mind, lamps included.
The ignition proved trickier.
"Like focusing sunlight through a burning glass," he mused, "except here I’m concentrating belief. When it peaks…"
Since arrogance fueled his flame, Mu Lin dwelled on rebellious notions:
"Why shouldn’t emperors rotate? My turn’s coming!"
"Since when do bloodlines decide worth?"
"Even gods didn’t start atop the heavens!"
"Let skies shatter before blinding me! Let earth crack before burying my will!"
"My fate’s mine to command!"
As these defiant thoughts swelled, arrogance overflowed his heart—until *whoosh*. A spark leapt from the lamp.
The flame devoured his convictions like kindling, blazing brighter with each absorbed thought. Soon, a radiant heart lamp floated in his sea of consciousness.
Surprisingly, his Spring Fountain Realm spirit and ironclad will propelled the flame past Level 1 straight to Level 2 Proficiency.
Mu Lin found this predictable. Master one discipline, others follow easier. Strong foundations bred swift progress—his spiritual strength made any spirit-related cultivation methods bend like reeds.
At Level 2, the heart lamp revealed its nature: Domination.
"Control all, command everything—yes," he nodded. "That’s arrogance distilled."
