Chapter 85

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Chapter 85: The Surging Training Speed

Besides cultivation, the Substitute Paper Figures with meridians now possessed another feature—storage.

Since they could cultivate, these paper figures naturally stored magical power. However, like their training efficiency, each Substitute Paper Figure could only hold half the magical power of Mu Lin himself.

"But this is sufficient. Six paper figures triple my magical reserves. Combined with my own, that’s fourfold. Even with my low cultivation level, this lets me summon Funeral Yasha above my rank."

"I won’t vomit blood when summoning Black Water Mystic Serpent anymore."

The Substitute Paper Figures truly lived up to being the core technique of the Great Yin Living Scripture. Their advancement boosted both Mu Lin’s training speed and combat power.

Beyond these improvements, the breakthrough granted Mu Lin two new abilities.

The first was soul transference. Mu Lin could now shift his soul and consciousness into the Substitute Paper Figures, allowing remote control from afar. This enhanced his self-preservation and made the paper figures indistinguishable from living humans.

Additionally, even if his physical body perished, Mu Lin wouldn’t die. He could possess a paper figure to survive and continue cultivating.

Of course, unless he lost his mind, Mu Lin would never choose this path. Among celestial beings, ghost cultivators ranked lowest. He wouldn’t abandon being a Qi Practitioner for such a wretched existence.

Though unwilling to use it actively, this ability gave him an emergency escape route.

The second ability let Mu Lin create Substitute Paper Figures for others. By obtaining a person’s birth date, vital blood, true name, and aura, he could craft paper substitutes to bear injuries or death for them.

This could earn him Spirit Stones.

However, these substitutes for others could only redirect half the damage at most, even with complete information. Another problem arose—the protective paper figures could easily become Cursed Paper Figures. Combined with the Yin Eight Sect’s sinister reputation, finding clients became challenging.

"Never mind. I’m not short on funds now… Wait, actually I am."

Though Mu Lin had Moonlight Essence for cultivation and Chu Lingluo’s spiritual meals for physical training, he faced new expenses. Converting four paper figures for specialized training required materials to boost spiritual energy compatibility—undoubtedly costly. He couldn’t keep depending on Chu Lingluo.

While "soft meals" tasted sweet, relying on them forever wasn’t proper.

"Do I really need clients?… Wait! My painting skills will improve soon. I can sell True Meaning Diagrams for income."

This solution eased Mu Lin’s mind. Prolonged reliance on others had embarrassed him.

After reviewing his new abilities, Mu Lin’s advancement concluded. Finally, he checked his proficiency panel:

Host: Mu Lin

Physical Body: Early Stage Awakening

Magical Cultivation: Peak Drawing in Energy

Spirit: Full Spirit Pool

Cultivation Methods:

Great Yin Living Scripture, Level 2 Proficiency

Traits: Awakening, Spiritual Roots, Substitute Paper Figure

City of Heaven’s Funeral, Level 3 Mastery, Features: Solidification, Soul Manifestation, Power of Heaven’s Funeral

Black Water Mystic Serpent’s Transformation Technique, Level 3 Mastery, Features: Scales of Black Water, Hibernation, Snake Swallowing Elephant, Water Control, Rain Seeking, Swallowing Clouds and Puffing Fog, Riding Clouds and Mist

Heart Lamp of Will, Level 3 Mastery, Features: Domination, Transcendence

Techniques:

Substitute Paper Figure, Level 4 Master, Features: Clone Illusion, Injury Transfer, Spirit Possession, Substitute Others

Paper Figure Curse, Level 3 Mastery, Features: Demand Reduction, Deepened Connection

Paper Figure Soul Sealing, Level 1, Feature: Soul Sealing

Skills:

Origami, Level 5 Grandmaster, Features: Grandmaster’s Work, Lifelike, Soul Resonance

Calligraphy, Level 4 Master, Features: Master’s Work, Intent Through Paper

Painting, Level 4 Master, Features: Master’s Work, Lifelike

Mu Lin checked his Substitute Paper Figure’s status. He let out a relieved sigh but felt conflicted. Even though his Substitute Paper Figure had reached Level 4 Master, its proficiency remained lower than his Heart Lamp of Will’s. This showed how difficult true invincibility was to achieve, and made Mu Lin realize both the challenge and might of Heavenly Techniques.

"Usually, harder cultivation methods mean greater power. The Heart Lamp’s high proficiency matches its strength."

Domination and transcendence—these features matched the traits of a Heavenly Technique. Mu Lin recalled the Heart Lamp’s proficiency surge only happened after reaching Level 3 Mastery. Strictly speaking, its first heavenly trait hadn’t fully formed yet.

"I have a Heavenly Technique, and Lingluo does too. She shouldn’t be this weak… Is she hiding her power?"

Whether Lingluo concealed her strength remained unknown, but Mu Lin now understood Chu Lingluo, Ji Xue, and Yan Yunyu weren’t ordinary. Soon after, he’d unwillingly learn secrets about Heavenly Techniques.

Shaking off distractions, Mu Lin resumed cultivation. "Enough thinking. Growing stronger solves everything."

He began his first cultivation session after improving his Substitute Paper Figures. Their power quickly became apparent.

Under moonlight, Mu Lin and six paper clones practiced together. Their synchronized breathing drew bright moonbeams—stronger absorption made their area glow more than others’.

"Normally, four times speed with my clones." This alone thrilled him. Then came greater joy.

Thanks to Chu Lingluo’s support, Mu Lin could use Moonlight Dew for boosted cultivation. He discovered his paper clones could also consume the dew. With it, his cultivation speed jumped from fourfold to twelvefold.

"Twelve times…" The astonishing rate made Mu Lin gasp. Such speed fueled his ambitions.

"Maybe my invincible path doesn’t need distant futures. Perhaps I can walk it now."