Chapter 48
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Chapter 48: Mu Lin: Am I a Good Person?
“Young Master Mu, is this sincerity sufficient?”
Facing the Spirit Stones before him, Mu Lin fell silent, gaining fresh insight into Yan Yunyu’s extravagance.
‘Just to save a few days, she’s giving me a hundred Spirit Stones (one mid-grade Spirit Stone equals a hundred low-grade ones). She truly treats money like dirt.’
Despite his thoughts, Mu Lin did not accept the Spirit Stones.
“The upcoming exam isn’t just my bet with Qi Xiu—it’s also my answer to Teacher Dongfang Ya. Though I have Level 3 Spiritual Roots and might fail, she wouldn’t criticize me.”
“But any responsible teacher prefers diligent students. Doing well would strengthen my bond with her.”
“If I excel, I might earn her genuine approval. Then her support would become real, not just an act.”
With this reasoning, Mu Lin shook his head, ready to refuse Yan Yunyu’s offer.
“Apologies, I’m truly busy these days…”
*Thud!*
Ignoring his protest, Yan Yunyu slammed two more mid-grade Spirit Stones onto the table upon sensing his hesitation.
“Enough now?”
Mu Lin instantly switched his stance.
“Enough. I’ll spare no effort to assist your sister.”
None could blame Mu Lin’s swift surrender—Spirit Stones held immense value.
Consider cultivation efficiency alone:
Normally, a full day’s effort yielded meager mana gains.
But refining a single drop of Black Water Mystic Serpent’s vital blood equaled ten days or even half a month’s progress—thanks to Mu Lin’s strong spirit and high cultivation. For others, it might replace a full month’s work.
Since sufficient Spirit Stones compensated for lost training time, Mu Lin turned to Chu Lingluo with professional courtesy.
“What shall I craft? A palace? Scenery? Or a paper ship?”
“…”
Chu Lingluo blinked, startled by his abrupt shift. After a pause, she murmured, “A giant tree… with small animals around and upon it…”
“Tree and creatures… a whimsical theme. Understood.”
Once clear, Mu Lin promptly drew paper and began working.
*Rustle…*
His nimble fingers and master-level skill conjured charming paper animals with casual folds.
Chu Lingluo watched with shining eyes.
Yet despite her fascination, Yan Yunyu soon tugged her aside for whispered words.
Mu Lin never learned what they discussed.
But when Yan Yunyu left and Chu Lingluo returned to Mu Lin’s side, her gaze toward him carried a trace of pity.
This puzzled Mu Lin, who’d been fully focused on his crafting.
"??? What’s this? Why pity?"
He couldn’t understand her look.
Soon he’d discover what Yan Yunyu had told Chu Lingluo.
After the arrogant young mistress departed, people immediately approached Chu Lingluo with invitations.
Some even urged her not to associate with Mu Lin, calling him "that scheming villain".
Mu Lin wasn’t surprised by the slander – the prejudice against Yin Eight Sect members, his Level 3 Spiritual Roots making him stand out in the Formal Class, and competitors trying to undermine him during courtship struggles.
Too absorbed in crafting his fairy-tale garden, he paid them no mind.
He simply wanted to finish the World Tree garden, sell it for resources, and resume cultivation.
What happened next shocked him. While Mu Lin ignored the insults, Chu Lingluo fiercely defended him.
"Stop! Don’t insult Master Mu! He’s kind and talented, nothing like you say!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Her declaration stunned the crowd into silence.
Even Mu Lin blinked in surprise.
‘Kind? Since when?’
The daze didn’t last. Suitors suspecting Mu Lin had deceived Chu Lingluo protested: "Miss Lingluo, don’t be fooled! He’s from Yin Eight Sect…"
"I know."
"…They consort with corpses daily! Most treacherous…"
"Master Mu creates beautiful things like Grand View Garden! No villain could do that!"
Qi Xiu cut in: "He’s tricking you! With Level 3 Spiritual Roots, he’ll drag you down…"
"Hmph!"
Chu Lingluo’s gentle demeanor hardened.
"I’m no servant. My choices are mine."
Her noble bearing from powerful clans silenced Qi Xiu’s group. But she wasn’t done.
"I know you envy Master Mu’s talent! While I’m here, I’ll permit no slander!"
"Envy? Us? Him?!"
The crowd erupted.
"We Level 2 Spiritual Root holders envy this Level 3 trash…?"
Chu Lingluo cut them off, eyes blazing.
"Roots aren’t everything! He matches you despite weaker roots – that’s true talent!"
"You fear being surpassed! Instead of self-improvement, you attack rivals – I despise such behavior!"
"Leave. I’ll never befriend you."
"…"
Before they could retort, Yan Yunyu reappeared. Her mere presence scattered the crowd.
Regaining his senses, Mu Lin realized Chu Lingluo had verbally trounced half the class.
This pure girl had hidden fierceness – unexpected.
Now curious, Mu Lin wondered where she got the "kind and envied" notion. Turning to her, he found the noble lady blushing crimson yet clenching her small fist determinedly.
"Master Mu, don’t worry! I’ll protect you!"
"I… Never mind. As you wish."
