Chapter 46

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Chapter 46: Yan Yunyu’s Scheme

"One or two more training sessions, and the Paper Figure Curse will achieve advancement…"

"Hiss…"

Mu Lin’s cheeks twitched painfully as he muttered to himself, his body covered with wounds inflicted remotely by the curse.

"Thankfully I’m half a body cultivator with hibernation healing. These injuries would’ve crippled me otherwise."

"Haa…"

Time flew as Mu Lin trained and hibernated, darkness falling swiftly. When the dismissal bell rang, he immediately retreated to his quarters, shutting out the world to continue his Hard Practice.

Yet while Mu Lin sought peace, turmoil followed. The disturbance came through Yan Yunyu.

Yan Yunyu had publicly shown delight when her cousin Chu Lingluo transferred to Anping Taoist Palace, displaying perfect sisterly affection. But once home, her cheerful mask shattered into furious hatred.

"She dares come now…"

The brooding noblewoman’s dark thoughts were interrupted as her maid Xiaoxue entered with ill tidings: "Young Mistress, invitations already pour in for Lingluo. Unless prevented, Jing Yeming will secure her as partner."

*Crack!*

A jade pendant shattered in Yan Yunyu’s grip, revealing her stormy mood.

Jing Yeming wasn’t ordinary – like Ji Xue, he bore Level 1 Spiritual Roots. Mu Lin’s cohort originally had three first-tier talents, now four: girls Ji Xue and Chu Lingluo; boys Jing Yeming and Zhou Liang.

Ji Xue walked alone, her pride isolating her. Jing Yeming had formed his own team, yet despite his talent, poor resources kept him trapped on the Tower of Illusions’ second level. Zhou Liang served Yan Yunyu, lured by her beauty and Yan family’s wealth – her weapon against Ji Xue.

The Formal Class leadership had been Yan Yunyu’s versus Ji Xue’s contest. But Chu Lingluo’s arrival changed everything. Should Jing Yeming ally with Chu Lingluo, their combined Level 1 talents and her family’s riches would erase his team’s weaknesses. The top position would inevitably fall to them – an outcome Yan Yunyu vowed to prevent.

"The first place is mine!"

Yan Yunyu’s eyes glinted coldly as she plotted to disrupt the duo’s partnership.

After much consideration, she realized sabotaging them wouldn’t be easy.

Few in their class qualified to be Chu Lingluo’s teammate, and Jing Yeming remained the strongest candidate.

Yet surrendering the top rank was unacceptable.

"I must claim first place…"

Frustrated, Yan Yunyu’s gaze fell upon her origami artworks. Her eyes suddenly brightened.

"Wait! Lingluo’s always adored beautiful things – flowers, art pieces, delicate desserts. She’ll linger for hours admiring them…"

A cunning idea bloomed in her mind, curling her lips into a dangerous smile.

"Don’t hate me, cousin. I mean no harm, but I must win!"

She summoned her maid immediately:

"Xiaoxue, display all Mu Lin’s origami pieces. Invite Lingluo tonight. My dear cousin deserves to see my treasures."

"Yes, Miss."

…

By nightfall, Mu Lin’s creations transformed the lavish chamber – flower boats, the Grand View Garden, crystalline underwater palaces, and Guilin’s misty peaks arranged like frozen dreams.

Golden lamplight revealed their splendor. Each piece combined meticulous paper folding with painted details, poetic verses woven between form and spirit. Such masterworks warranted the Spirit Stones nobles paid.

Though pragmatic, Yan Yunyu found these purchases worthwhile. Weary from cultivation, she’d often unwind by studying their beauty. If even she appreciated them, true art lovers would be spellbound.

"How exquisite…"

Chu Lingluo’s breath caught upon entering. The girl stood transfixed, drinking in every detail.

Yan Yunyu smirked, swiftly masking her triumph behind practiced arrogance. "My collection impresses you?"

"Impressive? This is perfection!" Chu Lingluo hovered near the Grand View Garden. "Living trees from folded paper! Vermilion towers! Each step reveals new wonders – it’s an immortal realm! And these poems…"

Her finger traced gilded characters. "The verses mirror the scenery! Calligraphy blends with painted hues and paper landscapes as though one hand crafted all three…" She shook her head. "But mastering papercraft, painting, and poetry? Impossible."

Observing her cousin’s rapture, Yan Yunyu knew her scheme prospered. "You want this garden?"

"More than anything!" Chu Lingluo flushed, bowing. "But I’ll not steal another’s treasure. Still… if you meet the artist, ask when he’ll complete it?"

"Complete?" Yan Yunyu frowned at the seemingly flawless garden.

"Every element has purpose, yet something’s missing." The art lover sighed. "Like unfinished music."

"Your eyes surpass mine." Yan Yunyu’s smile turned conspiratorial. "Why wait? Meet him tomorrow. One artist created everything here."

"Truly?!"

"Would I lie? Watch him work tomorrow – request your own piece. See the truth yourself."

Chu Lingluo departed with shining eyes, anticipation lighting her steps. Yan Yunyu’s satisfied grin returned.

Her plan crystallized – by exploiting Chu Lingluo’s artistic passion, she’d replace Jing Yeming with Mu Lin as teammate. The mediocre boy would drag her cousin down, securing Yan Yunyu’s victory.

"Once Lingluo learns her idol’s our classmate, she’ll favor him. A little push pairs them together."

"With deadweight Mu Lin, even her talent can’t reach first place."

"This year’s crown belongs to me!"