Chapter 95
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Chapter 95: The Polar Violet Formation
"……"
Mu Lin’s immediate nod made Flower feel like she’d punched cotton—frustrating and futile. Worse still, his dismissive attitude struck her as outright disrespect toward the art of puppetry.
As she glared at him in irritation, a voice suddenly called from the doorway:
"Mu Lin. The Goddess of Life summons you. Come."
He rose at once.
"Understood."
Following Butterfly of the Twin Sisters, Mu Lin soon stood before Puppet Master Meng Rui. The languid noblewoman showed no anger at his refusal to study puppetry, though curiosity flickered in her eyes.
"Why abandon your studies? Securing aid from Dongfang Ya and the Chu family must’ve cost considerable effort. All that wasted now."
"Your concern honors me, Master. I don’t abandon learning—merely choose my own path. Puppetry won’t claim all my attention."
With a breath, Mu Lin exhaled onto a paper figure clutched in his palm.
*Hwoosh.*
"Defend!"
Infused with vitality of the living, the figure ballooned in size. It gave a thunderous roar before taking up a combative stance before its master.
Meng Rui’s eyebrow arched. "Paper Folding Lineage constructs. Weak to sunlight, flame, lightning. Their composition limits them to 30-50% of a Yellow Turban Might’s strength."
Mu Lin offered no rebuttal. "All true, Master. But they’re cheap."
*Clap. Clap.*
Meng Rui’s gloves whispered together. "Cheapness outweighs flaws indeed. With this legacy, you’ve no need for Energy Core crafting or Thought Crystal forging. You’ll focus on talismans and formations to bolster your paper army."
"Your wisdom illuminates."
"Flowers and Butterflies shall instruct you in external enhancement techniques." The Puppet Master paused. "Yet Dongfang Ya and her… associate called in favors for your education. Teaching mere basics would stain my honor. Ask—what do you require?"
Mu Lin’s eyes brightened. Unexpected benefits from befriending Dongfang Ya!
"Master, two needs press me." He exhaled another stream of vitality. "First—what paper composition best channels this energy? Second—what formation would let seven kindred souls cultivate this vitality jointly?"
Every Puppet Master knew materials and talisman formations.
As a puppet master specializing in his craft, Mu Lin found it most appropriate to consult Master Meng Rui about his doubts.
His questions didn’t faze Master Meng Rui. However, her gaze lifted when he spoke his final words – clearly, she’d deduced something from his inquiry.
She said nothing, simply summoning the vitality of the living into her palm for examination. After several breaths, she remarked with disgust, "Yin attributes, death energy, and traces of forbidden omens. Cultivating this will bring you misfortune… Wait, this is Great Yin energy? No wonder your Yin Eight Sect remains standing despite dabbling in taboos."
She suddenly smiled maliciously at Mu Lin. "I know the perfect material for this energy. Care to guess?"
"This disciple is too dull to guess."
"How boring." She revealed the answer, making Mu Lin’s heart lurch.
"Human skin."
"Teacher, you mean…?"
Meng Rui’s smile widened. "The most compatible paper for vitality of the living comes from human skin parchment."
Mu Lin fell silent before immediately asking for alternatives. This reaction unexpectedly pleased Meng Rui.
She then described the second option – Sui Mu paper. Being somewhat impressed, she even explained its production: "Sui Mu paper requires burial relics and special force. Older tombs with stronger time aura yield better paper. That’s why it’s graded by burial years."
"With your funds, buy century-old Sui Mu paper at Four Seas Pavilion. Millennial-grade would bankrupt you."
Mu Lin bowed gratefully yet conflicted. "My thanks, Teacher."
"Your face says there’s more."
"Before studying here," Mu Lin admitted, "I only considered moon-related yin materials like Moonlight Stones. Never imagined human skin or tomb paper. My vision was too narrow."
"Recognizing this shows promise." Meng Rui moved to his second query. "For seven aligned cultivators, use the Seven Star Formation’s variant – Polar Violet Formation. Though not part of Big Dipper, the Emperor Star’s Violet Qi can elevate your rank and hasten spiritual energy refinement."
Her smile turned sharp. "The method’s yours, but mastering Polar Violet Formation costs more than you have. Consider Dongfang Ya and Chu family favors mostly repaid. Take this Vajra Strength manual, and we’re square."
"You may still learn basics here, but my secret techniques – Sky-High Technique, Divine Lightning Control – require Spirit Stones like any non-registered disciple."
Mu Lin understood. Without true apprenticeship, this was already generous. "Thank you regardless, Master."
After leaving, Mu Lin considered his gains. "Sui Mu paper’s obtainable en route to Taoist Palace. Polar Violet Formation needs planning. Now, to examine Vajra Strength…"
Pe551
Thanks for the chapter 👁️