Chapter 138 – I'll Take On Ten!

While Qiao Huihui was still puzzled, she soon discovered that Mu Lin’s Paper Figure not only possessed unparalleled strength but also had extremely formidable defense.

The wind blade slashes from the winged flying serpent landed on the Paper Figure, yet they failed to even scratch its defense, let alone cut through it. This left Qiao Huihui’s mentality somewhat shattered.

“A single sheet of paper, just one sheet of paper… How can it be this tough?!”

Qiao Huihui couldn’t understand, but Mu Lin found it perfectly normal.

What made the Paper Figure as solid as a rock and endowed it with divine strength was not the paper itself, but the Mana Mu Lin had infused into it.

‘Mana is omnipotent, capable of achieving all sorts of incredible feats. The Mana I cultivate, having been elevated by my Cultivation Method, is considered of relatively high quality. Infused with such Mana and further enhanced by the Mighty Jiao Dragon – Adamantine Force Talisman Array, it would be strange if the Paper Figure’s strength were weak.’

…

“Boom!”

“Thud!”

While Qiao Huihui remained baffled, the battle on the field grew increasingly fierce.

Wind blades sliced through the air, the earth trembled, and intense sounds echoed in waves.

In the fierce clash, Mu Lin’s Paper Figure held its ground against two opponents without falling behind; in fact, it grew more valiant the longer it fought.

However, this extreme confrontation also revealed the source of the Paper Figure’s immense power.

Opposite Mu Lin, Qiao Huihui was astonished to discover that on the unreasonable Paper Figure, an Evil Jiao gradually came to life, animated by the flow of living energy.

Vivid and lifelike, the Evil Jiao coiled around the Paper Figure, imbuing it with the strength and defense of a Jiao Dragon.

As time passed, the Evil Jiao gradually merged with the Paper Figure. Black scales emerged on the Paper Figure’s body, and a single horn appeared atop its head.

The fusion of the two made the Paper Figure’s power increasingly formidable and terrifying. Under its relentless assault, Qiao Huihui’s Mountain King was gradually struggling to hold its ground.

“This won’t do… if this continues, I’ll lose…”

Unwilling to accept such an outcome and even more reluctant to let Mu Lin win with just a single Paper Figure, Qiao Huihui decided to take a risky gamble. At her command, the winged flying serpent shot toward the Paper Figure beside Mu Lin like a bolt from a crossbow.

She hoped that only the Paper Figure in battle was powerful, while the other one was weak.

This way, even if she ultimately lost, defeating one of Mu Lin’s Paper Figures would at least prevent a humiliating defeat.

Unfortunately, things did not unfold as she had wished.

The Paper Figure beside Mu Lin was indeed different from the one in battle, but it wasn’t weaker—it was stronger.

The foundation of the Paper Figure in battle was a Spirit Awakening Realm Yellow Turban Warrior, transformed into a Yin Soldier and enhanced by a Master Grade Mighty Jiao Dragon – Adamantine Force Talisman Array, granting it the power of the Gushing Spring Realm.

In contrast, the Paper Figure beside Mu Lin was based on a Gushing Spring Realm Burial Yaksha.

Its strength wasn’t limited to its foundation alone. As a Yin Division Martial Judge officially appointed by the City God and recognized by the Human Dao, it received a power enhancement ten times greater than that of a Yin Soldier transformed from a Yellow Turban Warrior.

Moreover, its solid foundation allowed it to bear three sets of Mighty Jiao Dragon – Adamantine Force Talisman Arrays.

Although, due to time constraints, Mu Lin had only inscribed two sets on it, this still resulted in a leap in the Burial Yaksha’s strength.

Just as now, with a “swish!” and a flash of bluish-black light, the attacking winged flying serpent was struck down by the Yaksha.

Those with slightly weaker strength couldn’t even see the Yaksha’s movements clearly.

After striking down the flying serpent, the Yaksha did not stop. Its eyes turned toward Qiao Huihui’s other puppet, the “Mountain King.”

“Whoosh!”

A dark green flash of light flickered once more, and it vanished from beside Mu Lin, reappearing above the Mountain King.

Upon arrival, it raised its spear high, gathering strength. With a resonant “roar,” the phantom forms of two Jiao Dragons materialized around it.

The illusory dragons coiled briefly before merging back into the Yaksha’s body. As they fused, the Yaksha’s aura surged dramatically.

“Boom!”

Like a cannonball striking the ground, it descended with a powerful attack, smashing the Mountain King deep into the earth.

The materials used to forge the Mountain King’s body were extraordinary, so this blow did not shatter or dismantle it.

However, the intense shockwave caused the steel spider—Mountain King—to shut down.

At the same time, as a Yaksha corrupted by the Sky Burial Power, its attacks were not merely physical. Its spear bore faint, mottled bloodstains.

Now, these bloodstains seeped through the cracks into the Mountain King’s body, gradually stiffening its movements.

Even the puppet’s surface began to rust under the bloodstains’ corrosive influence.

Seeing this, Mu Lin knew he had already won.

And indeed, that was the case.

“Stop!”

Realizing her puppet was gradually dying, Qiao Huihui immediately cried out in alarm.

Although this puppet had not yet undergone Spirit Awakening, Qiao Huihui had invested significant resources and effort into it. If the puppet were destroyed, even she would grieve its loss for a long time.

Her cry also signaled her surrender.

…

As the opening match, Mu Lin’s battle drew considerable attention.

Especially since Mu Lin had previously believed he would win, while others thought he was arrogant and looked down on the Puppetry Art. This drew an unusually large crowd—they wanted to see Mu Lin defeated and repentant.

However, they never expected that Mu Lin would not lose but instead emerge victorious.

Not only did he win, but he did so effortlessly, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.

It took a long while before murmurs of discussion began to surface.

“How is this possible? Why are his Paper Figures so strong?”

“That thin sheet of paper is actually tougher than our meticulously crafted puppets…”

“My puppet cost me immense effort and resources… It’s hard to accept…”

The discussions weren’t limited to the ordinary disciples gathered around Mu Lin’s arena. Qin Yuan, too, frowned as he watched Mu Lin’s direction.

Instinctively, he turned to the fox-like man beside him.

“Zuo Li, are you certain I’ll win this assessment?”

“Of course. Although our leader doesn’t predict everything, what he does foresee is never wrong. No matter what, you’re destined to win this time.”

At this, Zuo Li smiled and added, “Or perhaps, Brother Qin, you lack confidence in defeating that guy’s Paper Figures?”

“If it’s just that, I’m confident of victory. I have a puppet named…”

“The Six-Lamp Glazed Buddha.”

The final words were not spoken by Qin Yuan but by Zuo Li.

Hearing his trump card revealed, Qin Yuan was taken aback.

“How do you know? I only finished crafting it recently… Is this a prophecy?”

Zuo Li: “It seems you’ve already realized. Yes, I learned about your Six-Armed Glazed Buddha from the prophecy—from the leader’s prophecy. I also know that you crafted the Six-Armed Glazed Buddha primarily to deal with the Night Demon, who can envelop everything in darkness.”

“Whether this puppet can defeat the Night Demon, the leader didn’t say, and I don’t know either. But the Six-Armed Glazed Buddha, with its six flames as its means of attack, suppresses all dark and evil energies, especially Paper Figures.”

At this point, Zuo Li chuckled and said, “That Mu Lin is really unlucky. If it were any other ability, it’s hard to say which of you would come out on top. But Paper Figures are completely countered by your flames.”

“Speaking of which, Master Meng Rui must have known about your puppet abilities, which is why she made that bet with Mu Lin.”

…

Zuo Li believed his leader’s prophecy couldn’t be wrong, while Qin Yuan had full confidence in his Six-Armed Glazed Buddha.

Master Meng Rui also knew about the existence of the Six-Armed Glazed Buddha, which was why she remained calm.

Qin Yuan and Master Meng Rui: “Your strength is impressive, but victory belongs to me (this humble one).”

…

Mu Lin didn’t possess mind-reading abilities, so he had no way of knowing others’ thoughts.

However, Meng Rui’s relaxed demeanor didn’t escape his notice.

And this made Mu Lin narrow his eyes.

‘Not worried at all, huh? That’s not what I want. Those who insult Teacher Dongfang Ya will face punishment.’

With this thought in mind, Mu Lin decided to go all out and make a grand display.

After this idea surfaced in his heart, he looked down at the arena at the disciples below, who were filled with righteous indignation but too afraid to step forward. He silently apologized in his heart.

‘Don’t blame me. Blame your teacher for having a loose tongue.’

After apologizing inwardly, Mu Lin spoke loudly.

“Too scared to come up?”

“To be honest, you’ve disappointed me. Before coming here, I was full of anticipation, hoping to witness the intricacies of the Puppetry Art. But you’re all so weak. It seems my expectations were misplaced.”

“You bastard!”

Such taunts made many below grit their teeth, their gazes toward Mu Lin filled with hostility.

Though furious and clenching their fists, they could only seethe helplessly, with no intention of stepping onto the arena.

Mu Lin’s overwhelmingly powerful strength made them fearful and robbed them of any confidence to win.

Just as they remained silent, Qin Yuan sighed, already preparing to step forward—just as Mu Lin regarded Dongfang Ya as his backer and benefactor, Qin Yuan felt gratitude toward Meng Rui, who had saved his life.

Mu Lin’s mockery and attacks could potentially affect Master Meng Rui’s upcoming recruitment plans, so Qin Yuan had no choice but to intervene.

However, before he could step forward, Mu Lin spoke again, looking at the group of furious puppet apprentices below.

“Angry? Furious? Resentful?”

“You really want to beat me up right now, don’t you?”

Without waiting for their response, Mu Lin continued:

“Even though you’re all useless and let me down with my misplaced expectations, I’m willing to give you a chance—a chance to prove yourselves…”

At this point, Mu Lin’s tone suddenly turned cold: “Come at me together. I’m willing to take on all of you!”

“?!”

“???”

The words “I’ll take on all of you” instantly plunged the scene into silence.

Everyone was stunned by Mu Lin’s words and his madness.

It took a good while before someone finally reacted, and then, a clamor of furious voices erupted beneath the Arena.

“Arrogant!”

“Madman.”

“How dare you!”

“Bastard, challenging all of us—who do you think you are!”

(End of Chapter)