Chapter 40

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Chapter 40: The Extraordinary Substitute Paper Figure

The more Mu Lin cultivated, the clearer he realized Qi Practitioners never had enough time.

He used to wonder why legendary cultivators who lived hundreds or thousands of years still constantly secluded themselves for hard practice. Now he understood—while Qi Practitioners possessed long lifespans, the things they needed to learn were even more endless.

Take Mu Lin himself. He had three fundamental cultivation methods: Black Water Mystic Serpent’s transformation method, Great Yin Living Scripture, and Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral. This didn’t include the heart lamp that progressed alongside Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral. Without that overlap, he’d have four methods to handle.

These three methods governed his Three Treasures of Essence, Qi, and Spirit—too vital to ignore. Yet they consumed over half his day.

But survival required more than core methods. Spells were essential too. Beyond Substitute Paper Figure, he needed Paper Figure Curse and Paper Figure Soul Sealing. For advancement spells, Paper Figure Coffin Lifting and Summoning Five Ghosts interested him. Talismans and formations could boost paper figures’ power. He also wanted to explore paper folding, calligraphy, and painting’s potential when mastered.

So many paths to strengthen himself, yet only finite time. Lectures about talismans and formations went unattended. Paper figure spells remained unlearned. Even paper folding, painting, and calligraphy got postponed.

Reluctant to abandon anything but unable to juggle everything, Mu Lin faced tough choices—until past life memories sparked an idea.

"What if I master Substitute Paper Figure to create clone-like abilities? Not thousands—just three or five temporary clones to share my training load."

After consideration, this seemed possible. "The Substitute Paper Figure contains my Three Treasures. If it can transfer injuries through our bond, maybe it can share cultivation experiences and energy too!"

This revelation shifted Mu Lin’s focus entirely to Substitute Paper Figure.

…

*Slash!*

Mu Lin’s blade cut into his flesh. The spell’s standard method involved meditating to build Deepened Connection with the paper figure in his dantian—slow but safe. Chopping himself and using Injury Transfer worked faster.

Pain came with each strike. Worse, he needed dozens—sometimes hundreds—of daily cuts to boost proficiency rapidly. Few could endure such torment.

Yet after every few cuts, his proficiency panel flickered "+1". This visible growth let him bear the blade’s bite.

*Slash! Slash! Slash!* The paper cutter kept piercing and slicing his body, over and over.

Before long, he had cut himself all over.

Inside his dantian, the Substitute Paper Figure on the altar appeared tattered and worn, like a doll mauled by a mischievous child, looking utterly pitiful.

Seeing the Substitute Paper Figure nearing its limit, Mu Lin stopped stabbing himself. He casually pulled out a vivid paper figure from his robe.

"Huu…"

As Mu Lin blew out a breath, the injuries on his Substitute shifted to the paper figure in his hand.

In moments, the paper figure became shredded and ruined.

"Crackle…"

Flames flashed, reducing the paper figure to ashes. This transferred most of Mu Lin’s injuries.

However, transferring wounds didn’t leave the Substitute unharmed.

Anyone peering inside would see Mu Lin’s Substitute had turned faint and full of gaps.

Luckily, as a magical construct, the Substitute gradually mended itself when nourished by the Vitality of the Living.

After the time it takes to brew tea, the Substitute in Mu Lin’s dantian fully recovered.

Then Mu Lin stabbed himself again, shifting fresh injuries onto the Substitute…

"Slash," "slash," "slash"…

Through self-harm, his body soon became a mess of wounds. But his gains outweighed the pain.

By the time an incense stick burned down, his Substitute Paper Figure’s proficiency had shot up by over 180 points.

"At this rate, my Substitute Paper Figure will rank up soon… Shame my Vitality of the Living ran out. Without it to repair the Substitute, I can’t keep training this way."

Sighing, Mu Lin switched to practicing the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Method. When his meridians grew strained, he channeled the power of Heaven’s Funeral to clash against his heart lamp, tempering his willpower.

During this training, Mu Lin checked his Mind Image world. The power of Heaven’s Funeral he’d been channeling and Refining now completely coated his visualized long sword.

The blade appeared thoroughly stained with blotchy bloodstains. Even from afar, his soul sensed its sinister aura.

This made Mu Lin curious about the sword’s potential.

"I wonder how strong this sword really is… You might be my key weapon during next week’s trial."

"Wait, you too!"

His gaze shifted to a house in his Mind Image world. Within its shadows stood a blue-skinned, fanged figure clutching a Steel Fork – a Yasha.

Ten days prior, the Mighty One’s Demon-Subduing Map he’d obtained contained two visualization options: the Yellow Turban Might warriors and their enemy, this Yasha.

Naturally, Mu Lin had visualized both. He’d discovered the Yasha, being inherently "evil," blended perfectly with the power of Heaven’s Funeral.

The merged entity became even more fearsome. Dark cyan patterns now covered its body, making it appear both brutal and mysteriously potent.

"Without the heart lamp’s control, I’d never have merged you with Heaven’s Funeral."