Chapter 134 – Yan Yunyu: Brother Mu, Do You Look Down on Mediocrity?

Upon hearing Dongfang Ya mention the difficulties of advancing cultivation methods, Mu Lin finally understood why his own methods were able to frequently upgrade.

This was not only due to the Proficiency Panel; the various knowledge and creative ideas he had learned and encountered in his previous life had all transformed into inspiration and resources for him in this world.

Their existence was the reason why Mu Lin’s cultivation methods kept evolving—if he only had the Proficiency Panel, Mu Lin would quickly improve the realm of his cultivation methods, but they would not mutate or advance.

As for Dongfang Ya’s inquiry, Mu Lin really wanted to reply:

‘You should be asking which of my cultivation methods hasn’t advanced.’

Of course, such words were too arrogant, and Mu Lin would not say them.

In the end, Mu Lin did not answer. He simply offered an awkward yet polite smile.

But this response was enough. Seeing Mu Lin’s smile, Dongfang Ya fell silent for a moment before waving her hand and saying, “Forget it, I won’t meddle in your affairs anymore. Do whatever you want!”

…

Learning that Mu Lin had more than one cultivation method that had advanced, and that the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art was not even in his eyes, Yan Yunyu stopped trying to dissuade him and instead began asking for specific details.

“Brother Mu, tell me all about the upgraded cultivation methods. Only then can I assess the value of this True Intent Diagram.”

“Alright.”

Nodding, Mu Lin explained the specific changes in the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art after its advancement.

“After this cultivation method advanced, there are two main changes. The first is that I can transform into a Jiao Dragon without needing to molt, gaining the power of a Jiao Dragon in the early stages.”

“The second is that molting represents breaking through limits. Since I still retain nine molts, the Jiao Dragon I transform into has the opportunity to continue climbing. Ultimately, there’s a certain probability of leaping through the Dragon Gate and becoming a True Dragon.”

Mu Lin spoke casually, but the more Yan Yunyu listened, the stranger her expression became.

After hearing everything, even though she had just asked and received Mu Lin’s confirmation, Yan Yunyu couldn’t help but ask again.

“Brother Mu, are you sure you want to sell this True Intent Diagram? That’s a chance to advance to a True Dragon!”

“I know, but it’s only a certain probability, and besides, True Dragons aren’t invincible.”

“…As long as you’re happy.”

With a sigh, Yan Yunyu stopped trying to persuade him and began estimating the price for him.

“The Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art emphasizes resources over comprehension, so a simple Blackwater Profound Serpent True Intent Diagram won’t fetch a high price.”

“But Brother Mu, what you’ve drawn is a Jiao Dragon Diagram. There are two types of buyers for this diagram. One is Qi Refiners who have cultivated the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art to the peak of the third realm. They might want to purchase it to break through and transform from a serpent into a Jiao Dragon… However, compared to the True Intent Diagram, those people would rather buy Jiao Dragon Essence Blood. So, your diagram won’t fetch a high price from them either—at most, five hundred to eight hundred Spirit Stones.”

Mu Lin was not surprised by this price.

First, obtaining a True Intent Diagram did not guarantee comprehension or mastery.

Second, the spiritual essence of a True Intent Diagram was not permanent.

After resonating and comprehending it, the spiritual essence on the True Intent Diagram would become tainted. After multiple uses, the spiritual essence would completely collapse.

As a consumable item, selling it for five to eight hundred Spirit Stones was already quite a lot.

As Mu Lin pondered, Yan Yunyu continued with a complex expression:

“Another type of buyer would be the illegitimate sons of noble families… no, even legitimate heirs might purchase it.”

“The pure Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art is only Earth Grade Low Rank. Legitimate heirs of noble families and prestigious clans would never deign to learn it. But starting from the Jiao Dragon, this becomes an Earth Grade High Rank, or even Earth Grade Supreme cultivation method. To be honest, even I am somewhat tempted by such a technique.”

“Moreover, this cultivation method has a gimmick. If I use the Four Seas Pavilion’s channels to promote it, saying this technique has the potential to advance into a True Dragon, such a diagram would absolutely sell like wildfire—three thousand to five thousand Spirit Stones, that’s the price for this True Intent Diagram.”

“?!”

“Three… five thousand? That high?”

Mu Lin was astonished, while Yan Yunyu remained calm.

“It’s not really high. If it weren’t for the fact that viewing the diagram only offers a certain chance of learning it, this True Intent Diagram could even sell for over ten thousand Spirit Stones. Brother Mu, what you’re selling isn’t just a True Intent Diagram, but a new cultivation method with a certain probability of transforming into a True Dragon.”

Putting down the True Intent Diagram and seeing Mu Lin stunned by the large sum of Spirit Stones, Yan Yunyu took his arm and brought up another matter.

“Also, Brother Mu, you need to change your mindset.”

“What do you mean?”

Seeing Mu Lin’s confusion, Yan Yunyu said gently:

“Being able to paint True Intent Diagrams and write Master Grade Talismans, Brother Mu, you are now a quasi-Master Grade Talisman Master. Talisman Masters of this level are treated with respect even by us noble families and prestigious clans.”

“Your status has already changed… Take the Dao Palace as an example. Currently, most teachers in the Dao Palace don’t have a higher status than you, nor do they earn as many Spirit Stones as you.”

“…”

Mu Lin truly hadn’t expected such a situation. After hearing it, he felt somewhat complex. He hadn’t realized his status had risen so high.

But upon careful thought, it made sense.

In this world where martial prowess reigns supreme, Mu Lin, who can draw talismans, isn’t like a musician or painting master from his previous life, but rather akin to a scientist mastering core technology.

In his previous life, such individuals were respectfully called academicians and treated with courtesy by the state.

It was no surprise that Mu Lin, with his talisman-drawing skill, was valued by noble families and prestigious clans.

It was precisely because his status was so high and he could easily earn vast resources that Yan Yunyu genuinely believed that as long as she could tie Mu Lin down, she would definitely pass the first three trials.

“Hmph.”

While Mu Lin was lost in thought, Dongfang Ya beside him snorted coldly at Yan Yunyu’s last words. However, she didn’t completely refute it, nodding instead and saying, “That girl from the Yan Family is right. With such skill, in the city, your status is indeed higher than most teachers, and you can easily earn large sums of Spirit Stones. But I don’t recommend you publicize your identity.”

After a moment’s thought, Mu Lin understood Dongfang Ya’s reason for asking him to hide.

“There’s danger?”

“Great danger. Not to mention demons and monsters, Evil God believers, and other villains, even some noble families and prestigious clans, upon seeing your talent, might harbor ill intentions. And though your talent is great, talent is ultimately not strength. So, I suggest you hide for now. Only when you have the power to protect yourself should you reveal your abilities.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Teacher. I’ll be careful.”

Mu Lin truly had no intention of showing off, especially since the True Intent Diagram he had drawn could be handed over to Yan Yunyu for sale, which made it even less necessary for him to step into the spotlight.

…

After clarifying the details of the True Intent Diagram and the Mighty Jiao Dragon – Adamantine Force, and estimating their prices, the mentally exhausted Mu Lin had originally planned to rest for a while.

However, before he could bid farewell to Yan Yunyu and the others, Dongfang Ya stopped him.

“Wait a moment before resting. This is your reward.”

“???”

Holding the Jade Scroll and the pill in his hand, Mu Lin was somewhat stunned.

“Wasn’t the reward for the Tower Challenge already given?”

As far as Mu Lin could recall, the Jiao Dragon Essence Blood, the Celestial Fortress Array, and the North Star Purple Tenuity Array were the rewards given to him by the Dao Palace.

Now, receiving another reward left Mu Lin confused and unable to understand.

“Haven’t I done anything noteworthy recently?”

Seeing Mu Lin’s utterly bewildered expression and hearing him say he hadn’t done anything, Dongfang Ya felt deeply exasperated.

“Have some self-awareness! You caused such a huge commotion yesterday, and you still claim you haven’t done anything!”

“Yesterday… the Celestial Fortress Array, the descent of Sky Burial City—does that also count as deserving a reward?”

Seeing Mu Lin dismiss yesterday’s events as insignificant, and recalling how she herself had been stunned, even Dongfang Ya couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

Although she knew Mu Lin hadn’t done it intentionally, that very fact only made her more frustrated.

“Hmph, just tell me if you want it or not. If not, I’ll return it to the Headmaster.”

“Of course I want it.”

Though he didn’t understand why he was receiving another reward, since the Dao Palace was willing to give it, Mu Lin was bold enough to accept it.

After taking the Jade Scroll and glancing at the pill, Mu Lin asked Yan Yunyu a question.

“By the way, Teacher Dongfang, what did the Dao Palace send me?”

“Two things. One is a pill—the Spirit-Boosting Pill. It can safely elevate your cultivation by a small stage, such as from the mid-stage of Gushing Spring to the late stage, or from the late stage of Gushing Spring to the early stage of Spirit Pool. Although the best time to use this pill is the latter, it’s yours now, so you decide when to use it.”

“The other is an Array—the Twilight Illusion Life-Death Array, a Heaven Grade Array.”

Upon hearing about the Array, Mu Lin understood something and couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Teacher, my talent in Arrays isn’t as outstanding as you think. The reason I mastered the Celestial Fortress Array so quickly is because I had prior accumulation. As for the other Array, the North Star Purple Tenuity Array, I’ve calculated that it will take at least seven to fifteen days just to grasp the basics. This Array is even more powerful, so mastering the basics will undoubtedly take longer—likely over a month.”

“And that’s just for grasping the basics.”

“My talent in Arrays is quite mediocre.”

By now, he had guessed that the Dao Palace had rewarded him because they discovered he had reached the 3rd realm, Expert level, in the Celestial Fortress Array overnight, leading them to believe he possessed extraordinary talent in Arrays and thus investing in him.

But he knew his own situation—he wasn’t that strong.

Afraid that Dongfang Ya would have high expectations only to be disappointed later, Mu Lin explained his circumstances in advance.

To Mu Lin’s surprise, after hearing his words, Dongfang Ya didn’t show any disappointment. Instead, she gave him an extremely complicated look.

That look made Mu Lin uneasy, leaving him utterly perplexed.

“Teacher?”

Faced with Mu Lin’s probing inquiry, Dongfang Ya didn’t say anything. She merely pointed at Yan Yunyu, signaling for her to explain.

Yet Yan Yunyu’s expression was exceedingly peculiar, and her next words left Mu Lin stunned.

“Brother Mu, do you perhaps have some misunderstanding about the words ‘mediocre’ and ‘ordinary’?”

“What… do you mean?”

(End of Chapter)