Chapter 48 – Mu Lin: Am I a Good Person?

“Young Master Mu, I wonder if this sincerity is sufficient?”

Looking at the Spirit Stones before him, Mu Lin fell silent, gaining a new understanding of Yan Yunyu’s extravagance.

‘Just to speed things up by a few days, she gave me a hundred Spirit Stones (one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone equals a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones). She truly doesn’t treat money as money.’

Though inwardly marveling, Mu Lin did not accept the Spirit Stones.

“The assessment in a few days is not just a bet between me and Qi Xiu and the others; it is also the answer I will give to Teacher Dongfang Ya. Even though I have a Third-Class Spirit Root and perform poorly, she wouldn’t say anything.”

“But as a responsible teacher, she undoubtedly prefers students with good results. If I perform well, my relationship with her will grow closer.”

“If I perform exceptionally well, I might even earn her genuine appreciation. Then, her support as my backer would no longer be merely nominal.”

Thinking this, Mu Lin shook his head, preparing to decline Yan Yunyu’s request.

“I’m sorry, I really have matters to attend to these days…”

“Slap!”

Without listening to Mu Lin’s explanation, upon sensing his intention to refuse, Yan Yunyu placed two more Mid-Grade Spirit Stones in front of him.

“Is this enough?”

This time, Mu Lin’s words changed immediately.

“Enough. I will do my utmost to help your sister with the creation.”

Don’t blame Mu Lin for caving so quickly; the wonders of Spirit Stones are simply too numerous.

Setting aside other uses, just consider cultivation efficiency.

Under normal cultivation, Mu Lin could only accumulate a small amount of Mana after a day of diligent practice.

But with resources like Blackwater Profound Serpent Essence Blood, refining a single drop could equate to ten days, or even half a month, of Mu Lin’s cultivation progress.

And this was only because Mu Lin possessed a powerful Divine Soul and high cultivation realm. Otherwise, a single drop of Blackwater Profound Serpent Essence Blood would equal a month of his cultivation time.

Given the immense utility of Spirit Stones, as long as Yan Yunyu provided enough, it wouldn’t hinder Mu Lin’s cultivation.

After accepting the payment, the service-oriented Mu Lin immediately turned his attention to Chu Lingluo.

“What would you like me to create? A palace, a landscape scene, or a Paper Tower Ship?”

“…”

Mu Lin’s change in attitude was so abrupt that Chu Lingluo was momentarily taken aback. After a long pause, she softly replied, “I’d like a large tree, with small animals both in and around it…”

“A tree, animals… a fairy-tale atmosphere, I understand.”

Once he grasped the theme, the diligent and responsible Mu Lin promptly took out paper and began crafting.

“Rustle…”

With nimble hands and Master Grade skill, Mu Lin effortlessly folded the paper into charming and adorable animals.

This sight made Chu Lingluo’s eyes sparkle with delight.

However, while Mu Lin was crafting, Chu Lingluo, though reluctant, was pulled aside by Yan Yunyu for a few words of instruction.

Mu Lin had no idea what the two of them discussed.

But after Yan Yunyu left and Chu Lingluo returned to Mu Lin’s side, the look she gave him seemed tinged with… pity?

This gaze left the focused Mu Lin utterly bewildered.

“??? What the hell? Why pity?”

Mu Lin couldn’t understand that look.

And soon, he learned what Yan Yunyu had said to Chu Lingluo.

…

After that arrogant Eldest Young Mistress departed, someone immediately approached Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo, extending an invitation to Chu Lingluo.

While extending the invitations, some even tried to persuade Chu Lingluo, urging her not to associate with Mu Lin, whom they labeled as a “cunning and malicious villain.”

Given the widespread prejudice against the Yin Eight Gates, Mu Lin’s Third-Class Spirit Root making him an outsider in the Formal Class, and the verbal attacks he faced from others vying for romantic interests, such slanderous remarks did not surprise him.

Focused on crafting his fairy-tale garden, he didn’t even bother to pay them any mind.

Mu Lin simply wanted to complete the World Tree Garden, finish his work, purchase resources, and continue his cultivation.

However, something unexpected happened. While Mu Lin remained indifferent to the slander, Chu Lingluo, standing beside him, rose to his defense.

“Stop it! Don’t you dare insult Master Mu! He is nothing like what you say. Master is a good person and a genius!”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Her words left everyone present stunned and utterly bewildered.

Even Mu Lin was taken aback.

‘A good person? Since when did I become a good person?’

The stunned silence didn’t last long. Those disciples who harbored designs on Chu Lingluo assumed Mu Lin must have deceived her with sweet words. Thus, someone immediately spoke up, “Miss Lingluo, don’t be fooled by Mu Lin. He’s a cultivator from the Yin Eight Gates…”

“I know.”

“…Cultivators from the Yin Eight Gates deal with corpses daily. They are the most cunning and malicious…”

“Young Master Mu is not like that at all! Someone capable of creating such beautiful works as the Grand View Garden and the Underwater World cannot possibly be a bad person.”

Qi Xiu: “That guy is a master of deception. It’s all a trick! Besides, Mu Lin only has a Third-Class Spirit Root. Being with him is beneath you…”

“Hmph!”

This provoked a cold snort from Chu Lingluo. For the first time, her expression lost its usual gentleness, turning serious.

“I am not your servant. Who I associate with is my own freedom. I don’t need your opinions.”

After all, she was a noble lady from an Aristocratic Family. The serious look on Chu Lingluo’s face exerted some pressure on Qi Xiu and the others, silencing their reckless remarks.

But Chu Lingluo, having spoken her mind, wasn’t finished.

“Moreover, I know you’re jealous of Young Master Mu’s talent. But as long as I’m here, I won’t allow you to slander him any further!”

“Jealous? Me, jealous of him?!”

Chu Lingluo’s words caused many to lose their composure.

“I have a Second-Class Spirit Root. Why would I be jealous of this waste with a Third-Class…”

They vehemently disagreed, but before they could finish, Chu Lingluo, now fully serious, cut them off again.

“Spirit Root isn’t everything. You have Second-Class Spirit Roots, while Young Master Mu has a Third-Class. Yet, he has managed to keep pace with you. If that’s not talent, what is?”

“You slander Young Master Mu precisely because you fear he will surpass you.”

“As fellow disciples, instead of encouraging and progressing together, you resort to underhanded methods to undermine your competitors. People like you are what I despise the most.”

“Leave. I will not be friends with any of you.”

“…”

This speech left everyone speechless.

Before they could muster a rebuttal, Yan Yunyu returned.

Her presence alone carried significant deterrent power. Her arrival instantly silenced the crowd, who reluctantly dispersed with lingering resentment.

Just like that, as Mu Lin came back to his senses, he was astonished to discover that Chu Lingluo had fiercely scolded nearly half the class on his behalf.

The pure and innocent Chu Lingluo actually had such a side to her—this was something Mu Lin had never expected.

However, at this moment, Mu Lin was even more curious about where Chu Lingluo had heard that he was kind-hearted and envied by others?

Turning his gaze toward Chu Lingluo, Mu Lin then noticed that the Eldest Young Mistress had already dropped her serious demeanor. When she realized Mu Lin was looking at her, her face flushed even deeper with shyness.

Yet, despite her embarrassment, she clenched her small, fair hands and assured him:

“Young Master Mu, please rest assured, I will protect you!”

“I… never mind, as long as you’re happy.”

(End of Chapter)