Chapter 133 – Mu Lin: Is Upgrading Techniques Really That Hard?

“Mu Lin, did you really draw this talisman array?”

“Naturally, I have some talent for art.”

These words left Dongfang Ya silent. After a long while, she murmured somewhat distractedly, “Being able to draw such a talisman array, and doing so after only three months of cultivation—this isn’t something just ‘some talent’ can achieve.”

In response to this, Mu Lin gave a modest smile but did not continue the conversation.

Compared to praise, what he was more eager for at that moment was to see what functions the talisman array he had drawn possessed.

Casually taking out a paper figure, he pressed the talisman array onto it.

With a “swish,” the Talisman Array – Adamantine Force, as if alive, flowed from the talisman paper onto the paper figure at Mu Lin’s thought.

Soon, the surface of the Substitute Paper Figure was covered with Adamantine Force runes.

Because this talisman array had been imbued by Mu Lin with the essence of a Jiao Dragon and enhanced with the Dragon-Finishing Touch, the paper figure, now covered in runes, seemed to have a Jiao Dragon coiled and moving upon it.

“Hum…”

Once everything was ready, Mu Lin did not activate the paper figure to test it. Instead, he chose to transfer his Divine Soul from his Main Body into the paper figure.

The moment after the transfer, Mu Lin’s eyes lit up.

“The power of a dragon!”

“No, not just power—there’s also the defense of Jiao Dragon scales, dragon might, and even some spells…”

For Mu Lin, who was half-human, half-snake, and half-Jiao Dragon, Jiao Dragon power and Jiao Dragon scales might not seem particularly remarkable.

Moreover, the Jiao Dragon power and Jiao Dragon Body on the paper figure were somewhat diminished.

But one thing must not be forgotten: previously, it was Mu Lin’s Main Body that possessed Jiao Dragon power, while his paper figures were merely paper figures.

Now, however, as long as he drew the Adamantine Force Talisman Array on the surface of a paper figure, Mu Lin’s paper figures would also possess Jiao Dragon power.

This could instantly increase the combat power of Mu Lin’s paper figures by more than tenfold.

Thinking that he could summon over a hundred paper figures at once, all possessing the power of a Jiao Dragon, Mu Lin truly felt he could say, ‘I am invincible among my peers… Wait, do I have time to draw so many Adamantine Force Talisman Arrays?’

The Adamantine Force Talisman Array was excellent and powerful, but its strength came at the cost of immense effort to draw.

In fact, to achieve the best effect, Mu Lin used his own vital essence blood each time he performed the Dragon-Finishing Touch.

Such great expenditure meant Mu Lin could draw at most one Adamantine Force Talisman Array per day.

“No, drawing one per day is too costly. If I did that, I wouldn’t be able to cultivate my other Cultivation Methods and Mystical Arts. Drawing one every three to five days is what I can manage.”

The excessive consumption during drawing was the only flaw of the mutated Adamantine Force Talisman Array.

But aside from this flaw, the Adamantine Force Talisman Array brought Mu Lin nothing but benefits, and even some pleasant surprises.

Closing his eyes, Mu Lin, with his Divine Soul residing in the paper figure, silently communicated with the Adamantine Force Talisman Array on his body.

After a few breaths, accompanied by a resounding dragon roar, an ink-black Jiao Dragon soared from the paper figure.

Summoning a Jiao Dragon phantom to fight—this was another application of the mutated Adamantine Force Talisman Array.

…

“The Talisman Array – Adamantine Force inherently combines the effects of the Adamantine Talisman and the Divine Power Talisman. At Master Grade, it has nine layers of superposition. Now, with the addition of Jiao Dragon power, Jiao Dragon scales, dragon might, and some spells… I can’t help but feel that with just one talisman array, my paper figures could fight beyond their tier.”

Here, Mu Lin was delighted, while beside him, after listening to the effects of Mu Lin’s talisman array, Yan Yunyu also felt a wave of relief in her heart.

“A True Intent painter, a Master-grade talisman array master, and possessing such abilities at such a young age—I’m already secure.”

“Even if I end up last in this Southern Eastern Region Joint Examination, as long as I bring Mu Lin forward, I won’t be eliminated in the first, second, or even third rounds of the family assessment!”

Looking at the various abilities Mu Lin had displayed, Yan Yunyu felt a sense of reassurance.

However, aside from reassurance, Yan Yunyu also harbored worries.

‘Mu Lin’s abilities are worthy of the Yan Family’s efforts to win him over, but our relationship isn’t close. Currently, we’re merely in a mutually beneficial transactional relationship. Such an alliance is unstable. If others in the family offer more resources, Mu Lin might abandon me and ally with someone else…’

Thinking of this, Yan Yunyu couldn’t even complain. In the early days, because she didn’t care, she had offended Mu Lin many times.

‘No, I must find a way to dispel the resentment Mu Lin holds from before…’

While Yan Yunyu was thinking about how to firmly secure Mu Lin, Mu Lin, having regained some energy, remembered something and took out the Jiao Dragon Overturning Seas True Intent Diagram he had just drawn.

Holding the True Intent Diagram, Mu Lin spoke to Yan Yunyu, “Miss Yan, could you help me estimate how many Spirit Stones this painting is worth?”

“Of course.”

  In order to win Mu Lin’s favor as much as possible, Yan Yunyu, after taking the diagram, explained it to him in great detail.

“The valuation of a True Intent Diagram isn’t solely based on its quality; it’s also related to the Cultivation Method.”

“The more people practice the method, the higher its grade, and the more difficult it is to cultivate, the higher the valuation of the True Intent Diagram.”

“Brother Mu, the diagram you drew is for the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art, right? This method requires considerable resources but isn’t very demanding in terms of comprehension. Therefore, the valuation of this diagram might not be as high as hoped.”

Because Yan Yunyu explained in such detail, Mu Lin found her words credible.

Moreover, based on his own cultivation experience, Mu Lin also believed that practicing the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art indeed placed greater emphasis on resources, especially essence blood resources.

If there was enough essence blood, when refining it, bloodline inheritances, memories, and phantom images would imprint themselves in one’s mind. These were no less effective than contemplating a True Intent Diagram.

“If I want to make money, I should focus on observing and painting things that are popular but difficult to master… Sword techniques would be quite suitable.”

“Most Qi Refiners know a few sword techniques. Sword techniques that are stylish and visually appealing are practiced by many. Painting their True Intent Diagrams would guarantee sales…”

Here, Mu Lin was contemplating whether to practice some sword techniques…

“No, I don’t need to practice them at all. The Dragon-Finishing Touch characteristic—the finishing touch is indeed important, but the prerequisite is to find the spiritual veins and core of an item. Only by locating the spiritual core can I perform the finishing touch.”

“And to find the core, I need sharp eyes. The opening line of the Proficiency Panel also says I have an eye for beauty…”

“With such insight and spiritual resonance, I can simply find some sword technique masters, watch them demonstrate their techniques, and resonate with them wholeheartedly. That way, I can directly paint the sword techniques without having to practice them myself…”

Some painting masters depict mountains as majestic, magnificent, and overwhelmingly powerful, but those masters are human, not mountains.

Therefore, as a painting grandmaster, Mu Lin does not need to practice everything he wishes to paint. Through observation, analysis, and imagination alone, he can capture the essence of things and depict them.

Here, Mu Lin was contemplating how to use True Intent Diagrams to earn money, while Yan Yunyu, on the one hand, explained things to Mu Lin, and on the other, used the Yan Family’s unique methods to analyze and appraise the value of Mu Lin’s True Intent Diagram.

After completing her analysis, her expression froze in rare astonishment.

After a long while, she finally spoke to Mu Lin with disbelief.

“Brother Mu, are you sure you painted the True Intent Diagram for the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art?”

“Of course. Is there a problem… Hmm, my cultivation method has been upgraded, so is it unusable?”

“…”

Mu Lin’s response left Yan Yunyu speechless, feeling too mentally exhausted to know what to say.

After a long pause, she finally calmed her emotions and spoke seriously to Mu Lin:

“Brother Mu, it’s not a question of whether it can be used. Upgrading a cultivation method is an extremely rare occurrence. Once it happens, it greatly enhances your strength. Now, this cultivation method can serve as your trump card. Therefore, we absolutely must not sell this True Intent Diagram!”

Yan Yunyu made a valid point. The fewer people who know about one’s trump card, the better.

However, although the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art is decent, and after its upgrade, it has compensated for Mu Lin’s physical weakness, it still falls short of being a true trump card.

The Vow-Power Heart Lamp, imbued with an invincible will.

The Taiyin Life-Nurturing Scripture, capable of summoning heroic spirits.

The Mindscape – Sky Burial City, acknowledged by the Human Dao’s will and condensed into a City God Dharma Body—these three cultivation methods are Mu Lin’s true foundation.

Even after its upgrade, Mu Lin does not hold the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art in high regard. Thus, in response to Yan Yunyu’s suggestion, Mu Lin shrugged and said:

“You make a good point, but it’s not my trump card. It can be sold.”

“Are you sure?”

This time, it was Dongfang Ya who spoke. After learning that Mu Lin’s cultivation method had been upgraded and glancing at the True Intent Diagram in Yan Yunyu’s hand, she spoke seriously: “A cultivation method isn’t necessarily better just because it’s stronger. The most suitable one is the best. Being able to upgrade a cultivation method indicates that it is exceptionally suited to you. Such an event is rare even in a century. Are you sure you want to reveal your trump card?”

This left Mu Lin stunned.

“Is upgrading a cultivation method really that difficult?”

“What do you think? To upgrade a cultivation method, first, you need an extremely thorough understanding of it, which requires you to cultivate it to the level of Expert, or even Master or Grandmaster. Second, you need new insights and inspirations.”

“Having inspiration alone isn’t enough; you also need to conduct experiments to successfully upgrade the cultivation method…”

Mu Lin’s question initially made Dongfang Ya roll her eyes as she proceeded to lecture him.

However, halfway through her explanation, she seemed to realize something and looked at Mu Lin with shock.

“Wait, don’t tell me you’ve upgraded more than one cultivation method?”

(End of Chapter)