Chapter 229 – Yin Soldiers Pass Through: The Army Marches

The benefits of clone cultivation had been explained to the crowd multiple times, and they had learned that the Clone Cultivation Technique could synergize with the Tower of Time, producing wondrous effects.

However, doubts still lingered among them regarding the true efficacy of this cultivation method.

After all, hearing is not as reliable as seeing, and the world is never short of deceivers. Having been tricked often enough, people naturally become more cautious.

“The Clone Cultivation Technique sounds too good to be true, and precisely because it is so remarkable, it feels somewhat unreal…”

“Could a humble disciple of sixteen or seventeen truly comprehend such a profound secret technique?”

From a rational standpoint, their skepticism was understandable.

Yet, Mu Lin’s sudden surge in strength shattered all their doubts.

Through extensive investigation and firsthand observation, most were aware that just days ago, Mu Lin’s mana cultivation had only been at the Gushing Spring Late Stage.

After a few days of absence, his cultivation level had skyrocketed to the Spirit Pool Late Stage.

Moreover, his foundation was now solid, with no trace of instability.

Such a meteoric rise eradicated any remaining doubts about Mu Lin’s Clone Cultivation Technique.

In fact, his progress exceeded even their wildest expectations.

“To comprehend such a powerful cultivation method, Mu Lin’s talent must be extraordinary. Even if my son learns it, he likely won’t surpass Mu Lin.”

“But that doesn’t matter. I don’t seek to surpass him—if my son can merely catch up, or even achieve one-third or one-tenth of Mu Lin’s efficiency, I’ll consider it a tremendous gain, an absolute windfall!”

…

Mu Lin felt the crowd’s fervent gazes and frowned slightly.

Fortunately, the Headmaster of Jade Lake Dao Academy soon stepped forward to announce the start of the assessment.

Upon hearing this, the disciples entered the Tower of Illusory Heavens one by one, awaiting teleportation.

During the wait, Tian Yun, the Holy Maiden of the Feather Clan, who was inexplicably angered, glared fiercely at Mu Lin. Just before entering, she issued a threat: “Hmph, once the trial begins, I will definitely teach you a lesson.”

Naturally, Mu Lin did not back down.

“I’ll be waiting.”

As soon as the threats were exchanged, the teleportation began.

Just as Mu Lin relaxed his mind and body, allowing the Tower of Illusory Heavens to teleport him away, an unexpected event occurred.

“Buzz…”

A flash of crimson light suddenly emerged from the mirror of the Tower of Illusory Heavens.

The crimson light exuded an eerie aura, imbuing the tower’s teleportation with an ominous undertone.

“Not good!”

Realizing this, Mu Lin was instantly alarmed and instinctively tried to resist.

Unfortunately, it was too late. Unprepared for an attack, Mu Lin had no defenses in place.

Coupled with the Tower of Illusory Heavens’ overwhelming power, he was caught off guard and teleported away.

To his mixed feelings of relief and frustration, his final glimpse revealed that this incident was not targeted at him alone.

The other disciples accompanying him were also teleported away, their faces filled with shock and horror.

Moreover, in that last moment, Mu Lin saw several figures rising from the spectator stands, their expressions a mix of shock and fury as they stared in the direction of the Tower of Illusory Heavens.

“Not good…”

“How dare they!”

“Hurry, stop it…”

“Buzz…”

What happened next, Mu Lin did not know. His vision darkened, then brightened again, and he found himself in a desolate, gray wasteland.

What made his heart sink was the realization that he had been teleported here in his main body.

What made his expression even more grim was that he had appeared alone—Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, Ji Xue, and the others who had been with him had all vanished without a trace.

“Damn it!”

Not daring to delay, the moment he appeared, Mu Lin immediately summoned the Nether Spirit Coffin.

“Whoosh!”

After his main body lay inside the coffin, it promptly sank into the ground, disappearing without a trace.

However, although Mu Lin had departed, two Substitute Paper Figures remained in his place.

Exchanging a glance, one of the substitutes took out a large number of paper figures and began blowing air to activate them.

The other released a multitude of Paper Cranes and Paper Horses.

Soon, the once-silent area where Mu Lin had appeared became lively.

Numerous Paper Cranes emerged and scattered in all directions.

As for the paper figures and Paper Horses—or rather, the Netherworld Soldiers—they remained motionless.

Under Mu Lin’s control, the Yin Soldiers drew their bows and unsheathed their swords, while the Ghost Messengers sharpened their weapons, both sides preparing for battle.

Moreover, black mist began to spread outward from the Netherworld Soldiers—after releasing the Paper Cranes into the sky, one of Mu Lin’s substitutes transformed into an ink dragon form and unleashed Swallowing Clouds Spitting Mist, concealing the figures of the numerous Ghost Messengers and Yin Soldiers.

  Here, Mu Lin had made his preparations for battle.

In the sky above, the white Paper Cranes flapped their wings and flew swiftly.

A few breaths later, Mu Lin’s forces began to move.

This wasn’t because the Paper Cranes had found traces of Yan Yunyu or Chu Lingluo, but because Mu Lin’s methods of searching were never limited to just one.

Underground, inside the Nether Spirit Coffin, Mu Lin took out two paper figures inscribed with the names of Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo and carefully performed Sensing.

This was an alternative use of the Cursed Paper Figure—through the subtle connection between the paper figure and its main body, Mu Lin could sense the approximate distance and physical condition of others relative to himself. Injuries on the paper figure could be transferred to the enemy, and likewise, injuries on others could be transmitted to the paper figure.

Using this method, Mu Lin determined the approximate locations of the two women, and thus, the army began to advance.

“Thump, thump, thump…”

The hooves of the horses shook the earth, black mist rolled forward, and in the sky above, birds and cranes flew swiftly.

To find the two women as quickly as possible, Mu Lin no longer cared about concealing himself.

However, despite his urgency, Mu Lin hadn’t lost his wits.

Thus, only his substitutes and the Netherworld Soldiers were in action—Mu Lin’s main body never emerged.

At the same time, through his connection with the Paper Cranes, Mu Lin continuously observed the situation in this desolate land.

Then, as the Paper Cranes flew swiftly and the search area expanded, Mu Lin gradually discovered that this place was vast and extremely dangerous.

In this barren land untouched by sunlight, there were ruins and dangerous Anomalies everywhere.

Human-headed lanterns, eerie shadows, strange stone statues… all sorts of bizarre Anomalies made Mu Lin feel as if he had arrived in Hell.

However, after some observation, something caught Mu Lin’s attention.

In this perilous land filled with Anomalies, there were actually humans present.

Not Yan Zhanpeng, Chu Hongxuan, or the others who had been teleported in, nor Disciples from Jade Lake Dao Academy, Crane Mountain, or Dragon Roaming—but rather… ordinary people.

“Why are there ordinary people here?”

“Forget it, never mind. Whether he or she is an ordinary person or not, we’ll know once we capture and question them.”

Thinking this, the black mist veered slightly and enveloped a group of panicked humans.

The next moment, accompanied by the clanking of chains, some humans were apprehended by the Ghost Messengers and brought before him for questioning.

Mu Lin’s actions seemed somewhat reckless, as if he didn’t care whether the humans before him were part of a trap.

And indeed, Mu Lin didn’t care.

Not only was the gathered power here formidable—ordinary ghosts and monsters were merely easy prey in front of him—but even if the strength of the ghosts and evil spirits exceeded all limits, what did it matter? Mu Lin’s main body wasn’t here. Even if all the Netherworld Soldiers perished, it would have little impact on him.

A Paper Artisan with so many life-preserving skills could afford to be this brazen.

…

Meanwhile, as Mu Lin was taking action, outside, the moment the Tower of Illusory Heavens showed signs of abnormality, the Headmaster of Jade Lake Dao Academy rushed over in a mix of shock and fury. He quickly attempted to communicate with the Tower of Illusory Heavens, hoping to rescue Mu Lin and the others.

Similarly, personnel from the Demon Suppression Division and the military also sprang into action. Clan Elders from various aristocratic families anxiously gathered before the Tower of Illusory Heavens.

Their urgency was understandable. Firstly, Yan Zhanpeng, Chu Hongxuan, and the others were direct descendants of major aristocratic families. Their relatives and friends were naturally extremely worried.

As for the Headmaster and the people from the Demon Suppression Division, their urgency stemmed from the potential loss of face.

If something happened to disciples like Mu Lin right under their noses, their reputations would be severely tarnished.

Moreover, not only would they be ridiculed by their peers, but they would also face punishment from their superiors for failing in their duties. Thus, they were equally anxious.

“What exactly is going on?”

“How could the Tower of Illusory Heavens be corrupted? It’s a national Dao Artifact!”

“This is a sub-tower. Its defenses aren’t flawless. If a powerful anomaly were to strike, there’s a possibility it could be corrupted.”

“It could also be an inside job…”

“I don’t care whether it was an inside job or an anomaly’s doing. I just want my Tian Yun back!”

“Don’t panic, everyone, stay calm. I’m currently communicating with the Tower of Illusory Heavens… I will definitely rescue Mu Lin, Xue Ying, Chu Hongxuan, and the others.”

It must be said that the Tower of Illusory Heavens was indeed powerful, or perhaps the insider responsible hadn’t covered their tracks completely.

In any case, after some effort, the Headmaster of Jade Lake Dao Academy, using his authority, activated most of the Tower of Illusory Heavens’ functions.

Then, through the clone of this powerful Dao Artifact, Jade Lake Dao Academy managed to establish contact with Mu Lin and the others… albeit one-sidedly.

That water mirror projection appeared in the sky once more, capturing the figures of Mu Lin and the others and projecting them within.

Upon seeing the situation of the group, some breathed a sigh of relief, while others felt their hearts clench and their vision darken.

Some had died.

“No…”

(End of Chapter)