Chapter 107 – Advancement Successful: Preparing to Challenge the Tower

“Did he not succeed in breaking through after all? Indeed, there aren’t that many miracles in the world. Mu Lin’s limit is likely Master Grade… In that case, I need to find a way to drive Chu Lingluo away…”

“A Master Grade Mu Lin, I can control…”

Just as Chu Lingluo raised her hand, about to give her maid Xiao Xue an order, Mu Lin, who was being comforted by Chu Lingluo, spoke up with a somewhat bitter smile.

“Alright, stop crying. I’m not sad, nor am I disappointed. Besides, I never said this breakthrough was a failure.”

“Huh?!”

These words left the anxious Chu Lingluo stunned. After a long pause, she tilted her adorable little head, somewhat confused, and said, “S-succeeded… Brother Mu Lin, if you succeeded, why do you look so upset?”

Hearing this, the bitterness on Mu Lin’s face deepened.

“Breaking through in strength is indeed a good thing, but I originally thought that after my strength increased, my demand for resources would decrease. I never expected that the higher the level and the stronger the Cultivation Method, the greater my need for resources would become.”

At this point, Mu Lin let out a sigh.

Before going into seclusion, Mu Lin had already noticed that he was consuming quite a lot of resources. Year-End Paper, Moonlight Dew, and Dao-Containing Stone—these three resources were not something ordinary Qi Refiners could use.

Previously, Mu Lin had been cultivating entirely by spending Spirit Stones.

Of course, he could also choose not to use these resources.

Then, with his Third-Class Spirit Root, he would be like other commoner Cultivators, needing one to three years to cultivate his Mana from Spirit Awakening to perfection.

Don’t think this is long. Just the Hundred-Day Spirit Awakening alone normally takes 60 to 90 days for a Third-Class Spirit Root.

The Spiritual Energy required from the early stage of Spirit Awakening to Spirit Awakening Perfection is dozens of times greater than before. Achieving perfection in one to three years is already considered fast.

Mu Lin had indeed consumed quite a lot of resources before, but as a reward, he had raised his Cultivation Level to the Gushing Spring Realm in just one or two months.

Having experienced the pleasure of rapid strength improvement, Mu Lin naturally didn’t want to cultivate at a slow pace.

However, after advancing to Gushing Spring, Mu Lin bitterly realized that while his strength had indeed become greater, if he wanted to maintain his cultivation speed at the Gushing Spring stage, the Spirit Stones he would need would multiply drastically.

Take the most basic Moonlight Dew, for example. With his greatly increased strength and stronger meridians, Mu Lin could refine more Moonlight Dew in a shorter time.

At first glance, this seemed like a good thing.

And indeed, it was.

But after cultivating for a while, Mu Lin discovered that he didn’t have enough Moonlight Dew.

The Moonlight Dew condensed overnight by the Top-Grade Artifact Moon-Swallowing Toad wasn’t even enough for Mu Lin and his Paper Figure to cultivate for half a day.

Upon realizing this, Mu Lin either had to give up Moonlight Dew and let his cultivation speed return to normal, or spend Spirit Stones to purchase more.

He was unwilling to choose the former, but he didn’t have enough Spirit Stones for the latter.

As Mu Lin sighed here, the moment he voiced his troubles, a light laugh sounded beside him.

“Hehe, I thought it was something serious. So it’s just a lack of resources. Young Master Mu, please rest assured. Even if it means bankrupting myself, I will gather enough resources for you.”

The one speaking this time was naturally Yan Yunyu. After performing a curtsy to Mu Lin, she said firmly, “As long as I am here, Young Master Mu, your cultivation will not be delayed!”

To this, Mu Lin… did not respond.

Although Mu Lin was willing to accept investment, he always had a scale in his heart. He would estimate the value of bringing Yan Yunyu to first place, and what he demanded would not fall below this psychological threshold, nor would it exceed it.

In Mu Lin’s view, Yan Yunyu had already paid a sufficient price by continuously providing Year-End Paper and purchasing large quantities of Dao-Containing Stones. Therefore, before bringing Yan Yunyu to the top of the Dao Palace, he would not ask her for more.

Greedy demands could easily lead to trouble.

Debts of gratitude were also difficult to repay.

Well, the above referred to Yan Yunyu, whose thoughts he couldn’t quite grasp. As for Chu Lingluo, he was prepared to repay her tenfold, even a hundredfold, in the future.

Mu Lin’s refusal to accept the money she offered made Yan Yunyu’s hand holding the fan tighten slightly, and her expression stiffened.

But soon, her expression returned to calm, carrying both kindness and a hint of resentment as she said, “Young Master Mu, do you not trust me?”

As she spoke, she wrapped her arms around one of Mu Lin’s hands, pressing the softness of her chest against his arm.

This scene made Chu Lingluo widen her eyes and blush slightly.

“Shameless…”

Mu Lin, however, remained completely calm.

“No, it’s just that you’ve already given enough. Taking more would be greed on my part.”

This was not what Yan Yunyu wanted to hear—she wanted Mu Lin to be greedy.

The more he demanded, the more he would owe her in gratitude, and the closer their relationship would become.

Because of this, she hugged Mu Lin’s arm even tighter and said with a hint of grievance, “Young Master Mu, I know I was wrong before, and you are wary of me. At the same time, I also know that you are chivalrous and fair, unwilling to take more of a young woman’s Spirit Stones before completing the task. But now is not the time to discuss this. For the sake of becoming Dao Palace First, I have already spent many Spirit Stones and do not mind spending a little more. Therefore, our top priority now is to achieve Dao Palace First. As long as we secure first place, I am willing to pay a little more…”

She wanted to pressure Mu Lin with righteousness, making him accept her favor. However, before she could finish speaking, Mu Lin nodded and said, “You’re right. Dao Palace First is indeed what we need most. So, let’s go. First, to the Training Ground. After I finish some preparations, we’ll take on the Tower Challenge.”

“Huh? Challenge the tower now?”

“Yes, my strength has already improved, and now is the best time to challenge the tower.”

After saying this, Mu Lin led the way toward the Training Ground.

Seeing him walk ahead, Chu Lingluo immediately followed. Seeing this, Yan Yunyu had no choice but to follow as well.

  The three of them walked all the way and soon arrived at the cultivation Training Ground.

Upon arrival, Mu Lin frowned as he noticed that the atmosphere in the Training Ground was somewhat oppressive and gloomy.

At the same time, some unfamiliar youths were chatting and laughing nearby.

Their relaxed demeanor formed a stark contrast with the suppressed mood of the Anping Dao Palace disciples.

This scene made Mu Lin even more curious.

“What’s going on? Who are those people?”

Hearing Mu Lin’s question, Chu Lingluo immediately replied, “They are disciples from Qianyang Dao Palace. They are on good terms with our Dao Palace and plan to cooperate with us in the Southern Eastern Region Joint Examination.”

As her heart was set on Mu Lin, Chu Lingluo didn’t know much about the situation in their class. In the end, it was Yan Yunyu who explained everything clearly to Mu Lin.

“The Southern Eastern Region Joint Examination, Jade Lake Dao Academy is always first. While we don’t aim for the top spot, we cannot fall to last place either. Otherwise, the Headmaster and teachers of our Dao Palace will face penalties and reduced treatment.”

“Among the five major Dao Palaces in the Southeast Region, Longyou and Heshan were founded by the same person. During each assessment, they collaborate in joint operations. Pressured by them, our Anping Dao Palace and Qianyang Dao Palace have no choice but to cooperate as well.”

“Those disciples are the core team of Qianyang Dao Palace. Their purpose in coming here is for exchange and cooperation… Of course, that’s the official explanation. The real goal is to compete for dominance in the Southern Eastern Region Joint Examination.”

Hearing this and seeing the gloomy expressions on the faces of the disciples in the class, Mu Lin instantly understood something.

“Everyone else in the class was defeated… Does Qianyang Dao Palace have someone stronger than Ji Xue?”

As he said this, Mu Lin glanced at the five figures in the distance, a hint of wariness in his eyes.

Having personally cleared the fifth floor of the Tower of Illusory Heavens, Mu Lin still acknowledged Ji Xue’s strength.

Defeating her meant these five were no weaklings.

But soon, he realized he had overthought it.

Yan Yunyu: “In terms of individual strength, no one surpasses Ji Xue. But there are five of them, while Ji Xue… is alone.”

“So they won by sheer numbers, no wonder the disciples in the class are not only angry but also unconvinced.”

While Mu Lin listened to Yan Yunyu’s explanation, his arrival also caught the attention of the five from Qianyang Dao Palace.

It couldn’t be helped—knowing Mu Lin had advanced and wanting to cling tightly to him, Yan Yunyu was the first to wrap her arms around one of his.

This scene provoked Chu Lingluo. Though shy, she didn’t want to fall behind, so she also embraced one of Mu Lin’s arms.

The initiative of the two girls meant Mu Lin returned with one on each arm.

Such a scene was attention-grabbing in itself, let alone the fact that everyone in the Dao Palace knew Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu held high status and came from wealthy families.

For two such noble young ladies to attach themselves to Mu Lin alone, it would be strange if it didn’t draw attention.

One of the Qianyang Dao Palace disciples watched with intense jealousy.

After their victory, the young man, feeling superior, had approached Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu, hoping to win their favor and affection. Instead, he was scolded away like a dog.

The cold, dismissive expressions they wore when rejecting him then, compared to their intimate demeanor now, left the young man named Cai Tian feeling deeply resentful.

“Who is that? How does he get to have one on each arm?”

While some were unaware of the reason for this jealousy, there was one young woman who had a good relationship with Anping Dao Palace. As a result, she had taken the time to learn about Mu Lin’s situation.

“That young man is named Mu Lin. He has a Third-Class Spirit Root.”

“Third-Class!”

This shocked Cai Tian.

“Are Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu blind? How could they attach themselves to a Third-Class Spirit Root waste, and both of them together!”

“Giggle, he’s no waste. He once claimed the title of Dao Palace First and was the first to enter the Hidden Dragon Rankings. Of course, due to his Spirit Root and Cultivation Level holding him back, he has since declined.”

“Then why don’t Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu leave him…”

“Shut up.”

The young man named Cai Tian, fueled by jealousy and the memory of being scolded like a dog by Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo, felt extremely unbalanced and wanted to say more.

However, before he could finish, he was sharply reprimanded.

The one who silenced him was also a young man, the captain of Qianyang Dao Palace. Although he admired Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo, he had no intention of provoking them.

The reason for this was that by his side stood a somewhat haughty young woman. Judging by their intimate stance, they were clearly a couple.

After the reprimand, Captain Wan Yangyu issued a warning to Cai Tian.

“If we want to achieve a better ranking, we need the cooperation of Anping Dao Palace. So, don’t cause any trouble!”

These words were practically an order, yet faced with such authority from Wan Yangyu, Cai Tian dared not argue.

This showed that the captain of Qianyang Dao Palace held considerable prestige within his team.

However, although Wan Yangyu wished to avoid trouble, sometimes, even if the tree desires stillness, the wind will not cease. A scene that delighted and excited Cai Tian soon unfolded.

…

(End of Chapter)