Chapter 81
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Chapter 81: Advancement of the Substitute Paper Figure
Hearing about the others’ progress, Mu Lin didn’t react much—until he learned Ji Xue was nearing the late stages of Awakening. Even he couldn’t stop his face from twitching.
“The late stages of Awakening? That fast?”
“I thought Taoist Palace students took one to three years to reach that stage!”
Zong Xiu shrugged.
“That’s for those with Level 3 or Level 4 Spiritual Roots. You know Ji Xue’s talent. She’s among the strongest in the Level 1 Spiritual Roots category.”
“Plus, her family’s loaded. Reaching the late stages of Awakening in thirty to forty days? Easy… well, actually, it’s insane.”
They exchanged a look and sighed.
Mu Lin felt the weight of their talent gap—a genuine pressure. But despite that, he was dead set on claiming first place this time. And he believed he could do it.
He hadn’t been slacking off these days. Avoiding the Tower of Illusions wasn’t indifference. With Moonlight Dew in hand, steady training gave him the best returns.
Now, after seven days of Hard Practice, his moment had come.
Tonight, his Substitute Paper Figure would advance to Master Level.
This skill was his core. Its advancement could launch him to new heights.
Of course, he kept this to himself.
“Who says I’m not worried? But winning first in Anping Taoist Palace or making the top five in the Southeast Province isn’t about rushing. Besides, I’m good at hiding nerves.”
Spotting his courtyard, Mu Lin cut the conversation short. “I’m home, Zong Xiu. Time to train.”
He hurried inside, eager.
He missed the disappointment on Zong Xiu’s face.
Zong Xiu had hoped to see urgency—not out of malice. If Mu Lin had cracked, he’d have pushed to join his team.
What Mu Lin didn’t know: many classmates thought the same.
Back when Mu Lin joined the Formal Class, his Level 3 Spiritual Roots made him an outsider. Teacher Dongfang Ya’s harsh treatment made it worse.
Then, despite weaker talent and Cultivation, he caught Chu Lingluo’s eye—sparking envy. Overnight, he became every boy’s rival.
But that changed after he cleared the Tower of Illusions’ third level. Many realized their mistake: Mu Lin wasn’t trash.
A few kind words from him then could’ve mended fences. Instead, he mocked the class, choosing Dongfang Ya’s mission over their goodwill.
And after completing the task, he gained countless benefits—not to mention the subtle protections he received.
The reason Elder Qin lent him the premium magic item for study was entirely due to Teacher Dongfang Ya’s reputation.
Even this chance to evolve his Spiritual Roots came through Teacher Dongfang Ya’s connections.
Everything happening now proved Mu Lin’s choice had been correct. He thought he’d only lost meaningless friendships with classmates.
But truthfully, Mu Lin hadn’t lost even that.
While some Qi Practitioners entering the Taoist Palace were fools, not all lacked sense.
The earlier fierce rivalry hadn’t stemmed from mere lust or stupidity.
Gaining favor with any of the three—Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, or Ji Xue—could save decades of cultivation effort. That’s why the competition burned so hot.
Mu Lin clearly benefited: without Lingluo’s Moon-Devouring Toad, his progress would’ve stalled.
Others opposed him not out of mindless jealousy, but to seize resources. Mu Lin’s three-to-fivefold cultivation speed with Chu Lingluo’s support proved their logic.
Had Yan Yunyu not blocked Mu Lin from teaming with Chu Lingluo, Jing Yeming would’ve reaped those rewards instead.
Jing’s cultivation speed might’ve multiplied just as dramatically!
Given such stakes, wouldn’t anyone fight for advantage?
Targeting Mu Lin over Zhou Liang or Jing Yeming showed their calculation.
Back then, Mu Lin hadn’t revealed his true combat power or potential. Beating him seemed possible—the only target they could realistically challenge.
People always pick the softest targets.
But when Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo cleared both the third and fourth levels, temporarily topping the Taoist Palace rankings, everything shifted.
Any halfway sensible person knew defeating Mu Lin grew unlikely.
Some former rivals naturally switched tactics—from hostility to seeking alliance. They hoped to join his team.
As Captain of a team ranking first in the Taoist Palace and top five in the Southeast Province, Mu Lin would gain the richest rewards. But even teammates would receive Palace blessings.
Many sought to ride this rising tide. They assumed Mu Lin would recruit more members.
With competition intensifying, adding teammates could ease Mu Lin’s burden and boost their chances at victory—especially since his team still had open slots.
Several self-assured talents awaited his recruitment announcement.
To their frustration, Mu Lin never made one.
……
Absorbed in cultivation and thrilled by his growing power, Mu Lin remained oblivious to shifting social currents.
Returning to his room, he focused on stabilizing his energy for the Substitute Paper Figure’s advancement.
During preparations, he suddenly sensed one of his cultivation methods spontaneously evolving.
"Boom!"
Flames erupted in his Mind Image world, blazing with Boundless Light.
The gray expanse—stained by the power of Heaven’s Funeral—had once radiated deathly stillness.
Now scorching sunlight tore through the ashen silence, melting the frozen gloom.
