Chapter 44

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Chapter 44: Paper Figure Curse

"I’ve gained clone cultivation!"

After confirming this breakthrough, Mu Lin clenched his fists tightly.

Were he not in the training hall, he might’ve shouted aloud in exhilaration. The advantages of clone cultivation were too tremendous to contain his joy.

"Hah…"

Mu Lin steadied his breathing through several deliberate exhales, quelling his excitement. Focusing again on his Substitute Paper Figure, he realized this cultivation advancement had granted more than just clone practice.

All abilities had grown substantially.

The core function of Injury Transfer now shifted 50% of damage to the paper figure at Level 3 Mastery, up from 30% at Level 2 Proficiency. When amplified by the altar’s power, this could reach 80%.

"A fatal wound becomes minor… but I only have one Substitute Paper Figure to bear such injuries. Wait—"

Mu Lin paused mid-thought. Through quiet observation, he discovered his dantian now housed two Substitute Paper Figures instead of one.

This meant even heart-piercing wounds could be transferred twice. More crucially, two clones could now aid his cultivation simultaneously.

[Substitute Paper Figure (Inherent Spell), Level 3 Mastery (1/8100), Traits: Clone Illusion (two clones), Injury Transfer (50%)]

Clone cultivation stemmed from Clone Illusion’s capabilities.

"Confusing enemies, coordinated attacks, clone training… These rival Injury Transfer’s value. No wonder both are core traits."

Retrieving an eerily lifelike paper figure, Mu Lin breathed his Vitality of the Living into it.

*Hsss…*

The paper figure stirred to life. His master-level paper folding and painting skills rendered it indistinguishable from his true form—down to fluid facial expressions mimicking living flesh.

Previously, cultivators could detect its paper composition through spiritual senses, lacking true vitality and the Three Treasures of Essence, Qi, and Spirit. But now, as Mu Lin channeled his dantian’s Substitute Paper Figure essence into the creation, even extraordinary observers struggled to distinguish clone from creator.

And this was the role of confusing enemies.

It was easy to understand how they could join forces against enemies. The Substitute Paper Figure, formed from abundant Vitality of the Living and imbued with part of Mu Lin’s spiritual essence, possessed energy and formidable combat power to aid him in battle.

Both functions proved useful, yet Mu Lin now focused more on the third purpose of the Substitute Paper Figure—cultivation.

"…What a shame."

After testing, Mu Lin grimly discovered his substitute’s limitations. The paper figure couldn’t practice everything—fundamental cultivation methods remained impossible due to its lack of complete meridians.

"Simulating meridians requires at least a 4th Level Master."

Since the paper figure’s spiritual essence came from Mu Lin without true roots, meditation also proved impossible. "This demands a 5th Level Grandmaster… No. I’ll never let it develop independent consciousness."

Clones gaining sentience and seeking true existence happened frequently. Mu Lin refused to court such trouble—especially in this world teeming with evil spirits, where divided souls easily corrupted.

"A pure energy substitute controlled by my body, lacking consciousness, capable of blocking injuries or even acting as substitution—this I accept."

"But a clone developing its own spirit? Unthinkable."

Shaking his head, Mu Lin realized his meditation practices required personal cultivation since he denied spiritual independence to the clone. The absence of meridians also barred the clone from fundamental cultivation methods.

"So the clone can only practice techniques now?"

Even this had limits. Casting techniques consumed energy—when depleted, the substitute ceased moving.

"This isn’t just the substitute’s flaw. My own body can’t cast techniques without energy either."

The spellcasting function still saved time. Previously, cultivating fundamental methods left Mu Lin no opportunity for continuous technique practice. Now he could cultivate while the substitute trained.

"But my energy drains rapidly this way… Truly, clones—especially multiple ones—suit those with vast energy reserves."

Though regretful, Mu Lin found the substitute’s ideal purpose—paper folding, painting, calligraphy. These skills required neither energy nor meridians. Summoned clones could practice endlessly.

Acting immediately, he split his spirit fragment into one clone for paper folding. Another he assigned to practice techniques—not the Substitute Paper Figure method requiring physical coordination, but the Paper Figure Curse.

This curse resembled the legendary practice of crafting voodoo dolls. By shaping a paper figure marked with a target’s true name and birthdate in their blood, Mu Lin forged a mystical link. Harming the effigy with swords or needles then harmed the actual target.

"Blade wounds are crude. With deeper connections, I could channel malicious spells through the figure—Blood Soul Curse, Curse of Decline, Nightmare Technique…"

"The ritual’s complexity can be reduced. With advanced spell mastery, true names and birthdates become unnecessary. At perfection, merely grasping an enemy’s breath allows distant cursing!"