Chapter 37
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Chapter 37: I Have Connections
“No, this can’t happen!”
“I’d rather lose to anyone but Mu Lin!”
“I refuse to be shamed before him…”
With these thoughts, Qi Xiu and his companions snorted coldly before storming off.
After they left, Zong Xiu approached with admiration.
“Brother Mu, you’ve got guts! Aren’t you scared of getting punched for talking like that?”
Mu Lin grinned and pointed upward. “Don’t worry, I’ve got someone watching my—ow!”
Mid-sentence, a sharp flick struck his head. A crisp, irritated voice rang in his ear:
“Stop blabbering nonsense. Get to the second-floor VIP room—now.”
Clasping his hands respectfully, Mu Lin replied, “Right away.”
After apologizing to Zong Xiu, he rushed upstairs.
As expected, he found Dongfang Ya waiting with flushed cheeks.
The petite teacher sneered, “Heard you’ve got powerful backers? Bring them here. Let’s see who’s emboldening this arrogance.”
Mu Lin scratched his head sheepishly.
His obedient act softened Dongfang Ya’s glare, though she still chided, “I wanted you to stir the pot, not become insufferably cocky…”
Mu Lin cut in: “But it worked, didn’t it?”
“…”
Dongfang Ya fell silent.
Though his behavior was outrageous, Mu Lin had exceeded expectations. As the Level 3 Spiritual Root outlier praised by Teacher Dongfang Ya, he’d become the Formal Class’s lightning rod.
Students despised him, mocked him—yet this contempt bred determination. Losing to anyone was tolerable except Mu Lin. As he’d taunted, they saw him as weak trash. If such “trash” surpassed Level 2 Spiritual Root cultivators, what did that make them?
Things had simmered beneath the surface until Mu Lin’s bold provocation. Now everyone wondered—would he mock them next, like he’d mocked Qi Xiu? The terrifying answer? Yes.
Whether fearing humiliation, dreading his jeers, or refusing to bow their heads before him, the pressure mounted.
In short, after leaving the dining hall, everyone doubled their cultivation efforts.
This was precisely what the responsible Teacher Dongfang Ya had hoped for.
While her expectations were fulfilled and Mu Lin’s classmates gained rewards, Mu Lin himself obtained nothing. Worse still, his arrogance spread through the entire Formal Class, making him a complete outsider. His difficulty in finding allies made Teacher Dongfang Ya frown deeply.
She treated Mu Lin equally as her disciple and didn’t want him disadvantaged.
Without voicing her concerns directly, she merely furrowed her brows and said: "Your plan works, but have you considered how much resentment you’ll attract? You’ll become an easy target."
"And if you fail to clear the first level of Tower of Illusions in seven days – the more arrogant you acted today, the harsher the mockery you’ll receive!"
Mu Lin had already considered this outcome but remained indifferent.
"I’m fairly confident about clearing the first level. If misfortune strikes… so be it. My mindset stays steady – petty taunts won’t affect me."
"As for becoming a target…"
Clasping his hands together, Mu Lin addressed Teacher Dongfang Ya with utmost respect: "That’s why you’re here, Teacher. I trust you’d never let your student get beaten."
The shameless declaration nearly made Teacher Dongfang Ya facepalm, yet she didn’t refuse.
"I can shield you temporarily, not permanently. Stop acting so arrogantly… Still, since you’re assisting me currently, report anyone who troubles you."
Hearing this, Mu Lin clenched his fists.
His scheme had succeeded.
His previous claim of having powerful backing had been a bluff, but now he genuinely gained protection.
Mu Lin understood the limitations – this safeguard lasted only during his service period, and any provocation he initiated would backfire. But so long as he avoided starting conflicts, Teacher Dongfang Ya would intervene.
More crucially, Mu Lin remembered: A nuclear bomb deters best when undetonated.
Revealing Teacher Dongfang Ya’s protection would drastically reduce his troubles. Others wouldn’t know their agreement had time limits. Strategic ambiguity could make his protection appear permanent.
"Even aristocratic children wouldn’t risk provoking me then. Combined with Teacher’s status, they’d hesitate to act against me outside Taoist Palace too."
Mu Lin had effectively acquired a powerful patron.
He knew this ambiguous approach might anger powerful beings and offered only temporary safety – exactly what he needed.
"As long as I don’t stir trouble, this protection lasts long enough for me to grow stronger."
"As for angering Teacher Dongfang… Others I’d fear, but her?"
Her advocacy during his awakening, concern for students, and fair compensation proved her honorable nature.
Honorable people could be outmaneuvered through principle.
‘Given her character, she likely won’t expose me even if discovering my scheme… Still, I’m exploiting her authority. I must repay her when possible.’
After further discussion, Mu Lin left the VIP chamber and returned to the dining hall.
Finding Zong Xiu still present, he approached immediately. The socially connected youth would perfectly spread news of his newfound protection.
