Chapter 7
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Chapter 7: Feature: Solidification
"It looks like my proficiency panel won’t increase just through casual practice. It needs actual effort to make progress… but that makes sense."
On his third paper-folding attempt, Mu Lin abandoned simple paper cranes and started crafting paper figures instead.
This proved trickier.
To his astonishment, the Paper Folding Secret Manual contained exactly one hundred distinct methods for folding paper figures.
These varied techniques finally revealed the manual’s true essence to Mu Lin.
"Another thing – the proficiency cap jumped again. Reaching Level 3 in cultivation methods is called mastery now."
[Paper Folding: Level 3 Mastery (1/360)]
The requirement surged from 108 to 360 – a big jump, but Mu Lin could handle it.
Paper figures demanded greater complexity. Despite the manual’s numerous techniques, each creation still consumed considerable time.
When sunset painted the sky and the Taoist Palace’s dismissal bell chimed, Mu Lin had only completed thirty-three figures.
"Too slow."
With a resigned sigh, he gathered his White Paper to continue folding at home.
Midway through packing, he froze.
"Wait… I only meant to fold these during study breaks! How did I get so hooked?"
The realization struck – his primary focus should be cultivating the Great Yin Living Scripture, Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral, and Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique to achieve body awakening.
Paper figures weren’t even proper techniques – just trivial distractions.
"…"
Palm meeting face, Mu Lin cringed at his own immaturity.
Yet this obsession revealed the proficiency system’s dangerous allure.
Without its constant progress updates, he’d never have sunk this deep into papercraft.
If folding paper could do this, future cultivation might prove equally consuming…
After some hesitation, Mu Lin still took partial paper stacks. He doubted his endurance for all-night cultivation, and backup materials never hurt.
Reality soon humbled him.
Returning home, he spent half the night breathing toward the moon without even grasping the basics of Great Yin Living Scripture.
Sensing, drawing in energy, awakening – he remained trapped at the first hurdle.
The surrounding spiritual energy eluded his perception, blocking all progress.
This exposed the proficiency panel’s critical flaw.
"This thing boosts existing skills fast, but initial breakthroughs? Those are all on me… Can’t even start cultivating without first sensing energy!"
Failed attempts drew a heavy sigh.
"Can’t cut corners anymore. Tomorrow I’m getting fish oil paste and sandalwood – whatever aids I need."
Due to the need to spend Spirit Stones, he eventually drifted into sleep weighed down by frustration.
He’d only mentioned the Great Yin Living Scripture and not the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique because the initial stages of sensing and drawing in energy for the latter required solitary cultivation.
This wasn’t a restriction of the method itself—Mu Lin’s poverty was to blame. With limited funds, he could only afford a single drop of vital blood, reserved for the critical moment of awakening.
For the early stages of sensing and drawing in energy, he had no choice but to rely on sheer effort.
This approach was undeniably slower than using the Black Water Mystic Serpent’s vital blood, but poverty left him no options—a common plight for practitioners without wealth.
The thought deepened Mu Lin’s gloom.
The next day, however, a small discovery lifted his spirits.
“Did you sense any spiritual energy?”
“Not a hint. You?”
“If I had, would I be asking…?”
On his way to the cafeteria, Mu Lin realized many fellow Taoist Palace students shared his struggle.
Most hadn’t sensed spiritual energy on their first day, a revelation that eased his worries. Even second-class talent students remained unsuccessful, further lightening his mindset.
His relieved smile, however, irked Zong Xiu.
“Brother Mu, I’m pouring out my woes. Why are you grinning?”
“Ah… just remembered something amusing.”
Noticing Zong Xiu’s darkening expression, Mu Lin swiftly changed topics. “We’re stuck with Hard Practice, but don’t nobles like you have shortcuts?”
“Who’s a noble? Barely a well-off merchant. There *are* aids—Yulong fish oil paste, Blue Illusion Sandalwood, Dreammist Tea… They create a hazy state to sense energy. Still takes time, though.”
Zong Xiu sighed heavily.
“We’re struggling just to sense energy, yet Ji Xue succeeded in sensing, drawing it in, *and* awakening—all in one day! How’s the gap so vast?”
Mu Lin fell silent. Before cultivating, he’d never grasped how monstrous true talent could be.
They entered the classroom to find it thick with sighs. Most students remained energy-blind.
Exceptions existed, of course—four had succeeded yesterday. The two first-class talents were expected, but a boy and girl with second-class talent also managed it.
Mu Lin’s brows twitched at the crowd around the second-class girl.
*Family background?*
While Spiritual Roots Talent opened doors, wealth greased the hinges. A rich second-class talent attracting followers made sense.
He dismissed them with a glance. His priority remained cultivation.
Under the sun’s glare, unable to sense energy, Mu Lin turned to Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral.
Having reached Level 1 Entry (98/108) yesterday, he maxed its proficiency swiftly. A brief meditation brought fresh insights, pushing the technique to Level 2 Proficiency (1/800).
Unlike papercraft, this advancement granted clarity—his visualized sword now sprang to mind instantly, no meditation needed. The proficiency panel reflected this change:
[Mind Image · City of Heaven’s Funeral, Level 2 Proficiency (1/800), Feature: Solidification]
Pe551
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