Chapter 74 – Yan Yunyu Schemes Again

Mu Lin also had ideas on how to improve his frontal combat capabilities.

“For me, the best way to enhance frontal combat power is undoubtedly to raise the upper limit of the Paper Figure’s strength.”

“If it becomes more powerful, my own abilities will naturally improve as well.”

How other Paper Artisans enhanced the power of their Paper Figures was not something Mu Lin concerned himself with. His own planned method relied on Talismans and Arrays.

“Teacher, do you know who excels in Talismans and Arrays within the Dao Palace? I intend to learn from them.”

According to the Dao Palace’s rules, Mu Lin, who wished to study Talismans and Arrays, could directly seek out a teacher for guidance.

But even without thinking, it was clear which approach would lead to more earnest instruction: having an introduction versus having none.

What surprised Mu Lin was that Dongfang Ya gave him yet another pleasant surprise.

“Talismans and Arrays—you plan to inscribe them onto the Paper Figure to enhance its power?”

“Teacher, your insight is correct.”

After receiving Mu Lin’s affirmative response, Dongfang Ya fell into thought.

“Within the Dao Palace, the best teacher for Talismans is Elder Qing, and for Arrays, it’s Elder Xuan. However, their Talismans and Arrays are mostly standalone techniques. Your Paper Figure is a unique type of Puppet, and the most renowned expert in Puppets… I recall that woman is also in the city.”

As she thought of something, a clear look of headache appeared on Dongfang Ya’s face. Yet, in the end, she did not abandon that troublesome option. Instead, she instructed Mu Lin, “If you intend to inscribe Talismans and Arrays onto the Paper Figure, you have a better choice. However, I need to speak with that person first. Come find me again in three days.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Teacher.”

“It’s nothing. Since I’ve become your guiding teacher, I naturally take responsibility for you.”

…

After leaving Dongfang Ya and returning to the Training Ground, Mu Lin trained even harder upon learning about the upcoming assessment.

Meanwhile, the impact of Mu Lin securing first place continued to spread.

This time, it affected Yan Yunyu’s team.

Ever since Mu Lin took first place, the atmosphere within Yan Yunyu’s team had been heavy and oppressive.

Zhou Liang, who had previously mocked Mu Lin, was especially awkward and anxious.

The awkwardness was easy to understand, while the anxiety stemmed from his coveting of Yan Yunyu’s beauty and the resources she held.

At the same time, he was well aware that the reason he could remain in Yan Yunyu’s team was because this Eldest Young Mistress had an inexplicable obsession with securing first place.

His talent and abilities could help Yan Yunyu achieve that top position.

Moreover, he had been Yan Yunyu’s only viable choice until now.

Ji Xue’s status and position were no lower than Yan Yunyu’s—if anything, they were higher—so Yan Yunyu had no possibility of winning her over. Due to their competition for first place, the two could only be enemies.

As for Jing Yeming, although his background was humble, his high talent made him desire independence, and Yan Yunyu could not subdue him either.

Thus, Zhou Liang had become the most important card in Yan Yunyu’s hand.

This also led Zhou Liang to entertain some delusions of gaining both the person and the wealth.

But now, Mu Lin’s sudden rise had changed the situation.

Having proven himself, Mu Lin was more likely to gain Yan Yunyu’s favor.

Fearing abandonment, Zhou Liang couldn’t help but speak up despite the oppressive atmosphere in the team.

“Miss Yan, there’s no need for us to worry. Although we don’t know what trick Mu Lin used to get first place, his victory is surely only temporary.”

“Cultivation Level is our foundation.”

“Our talent is better than his, and our strength improves faster. Once we raise our cultivation level, we will definitely surpass him!”

That cultivation level is the foundation of a Qi Refiner—several people had said this before.

And the fact that so many had said it, in a way, indicated that this was widely accepted as truth.

These words did indeed improve Yan Yunyu’s mood somewhat.

“Brother Zhou, you’re right. What we’re competing for isn’t a moment, but a lifetime.”

“Moreover, no matter what, we’ve all passed the fourth trial, placing us on the same level as Ji Xue and Mu Lin.”

“Everyone performed quite well this time, so let me treat everyone to a celebration meal.”

Having regained her sociable and charming demeanor, Yan Yunyu spoke with a bright smile.

However, though she seemed indifferent to the matter in front of others, upon returning to her residence, her expression visibly darkened.

“Bang!”

In her anger, she smashed a precious vase to pieces.

Still unsatisfied, she shattered several more items before finally calming down.

Once her mood had settled, her first words were a cold, self-mocking admission of her mistake.

“Hah, I never thought I’d have a day where I’d buy the box and return the pearl.”

“Young Miss, it’s not your fault. No one could have expected Mu Lin to be so outstanding. Besides, it’s not like we have no chance to turn things around. As Young Master Zhou Liang said, Mu Lin’s lead might only be temporary…”

Before she could finish, the maid Xiao Xue was cut off by Yan Yunyu’s wave.

“It’s true that Mu Lin might fall behind, but isn’t it also possible that he’ll continue to lead?”

Xiao Xue had no rebuttal for this.

Since entering the Dao Palace, Mu Lin had already created too many miracles.

With a Third-Class Spirit Root, he had matched the cultivation progress of those with Second-Class Spirit Roots—this alone was astonishing enough.

Then, as a B-Grade Elite, he had surpassed all the A-Grade Prodigies in Anping Dao Palace.

Both of these feats were beyond ordinary people, yet Mu Lin had succeeded in both.

Facing someone like him, and having already suffered one setback, how could Yan Yunyu afford to be careless?

However, upon realizing Mu Lin’s talent, Yan Yunyu, coming from a merchant background, didn’t immediately think of eliminating Mu Lin physically. Instead, she considered whether she could win him back.

“Xiao Xue, haven’t you been monitoring Mu Lin and the others all this time? (A precaution Yan Yunyu took, fearing Chu Lingluo might lose her virtue.) Tell me, if I try to win him over with Spirit Stones, what are the chances Mu Lin would change his mind and become my teammate?”

Hearing this, Xiao Xue shook her head almost without thinking. “Almost zero… Mu Lin does lack resources and loves Spirit Stones, and he doesn’t mind working for others. If there were no one else, our chances of inviting him with Spirit Stones would be at least eighty percent.”

“But that was before. Now, Miss Lingluo is by his side. She doesn’t lack resources and values Mu Lin immensely. Just earlier, I saw Miss Lingluo hand over the Top-Grade Artifact, the Moon-Swallowing Jade Toad, for Mu Lin to use.”

“…”

This left Yan Yunyu silent. Top-Grade Artifacts, especially Resource Artifacts—she herself owned very few of such treasures.

Upon learning that Chu Lingluo had given such an artifact to Mu Lin, Yan Yunyu immediately understood that winning Mu Lin back was essentially impossible.

This situation left her feeling somewhat vexed.

And when she thought about Mu Lin, that genius whom she had personally pushed into Chu Lingluo’s hands, Yan Yunyu’s frustration grew even deeper.

She even felt an impulse to go back in time and slap herself.

Fortunately, she knew very well that since things had already happened, complaining was the most useless thing to do. Therefore, she began to think of a solution.

And soon, her eyes lit up as she thought of something.

“Are you sure Lingluo gave the Moon-Swallowing Jade Toad to Mu Lin to use?”

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Excellent, help me contact Lingluo’s mother. I have important matters to report!”

“???”

(End of Chapter)