Chapter 144 – Giant Spirit: Sky-Scraping Spell

Staring directly at the Mighty Jiao Dragon – Adamantine Force diagram drawn by Mu Lin, Meng Rui realized that this was exactly the pattern engraved on the Paper Figure earlier.

In fact, while observing the battle earlier, Meng Rui had already sensed that the Talisman Array on the Paper Figure was somewhat related to Adamantine Force.

However, the Mighty Jiao Dragon was too powerful and overbearing, and Mu Lin had learned the Adamantine Force Talisman Array far too recently, which made Master Meng Rui completely unwilling to entertain such a possibility.

It was akin to a high school graduate in a previous life, not yet started university, when the country suddenly announced an academician.

Even if you knew that the academician shared the same name as one of your students, unless you were insane, you would never consider that possibility, dismissing it as mere coincidence.

But now, this insane scenario had truly unfolded before her eyes, leaving Master Meng Rui with a sense of her worldview collapsing, and a feeling that all these years of her life had been wasted.

—Puppets and Talisman Arrays were closely connected, and she herself was a Talisman Array Master. Precisely because she was one, she understood all too well the difficulty of becoming a Talisman Master.

“How long did it take me from learning Talismans to drawing my first Master Grade Talisman? Seven years, or nine?”

“I remember feeling quite proud of myself back then, thinking I was a genius. After all, others took ten or twenty years to draw their first Master Grade Talisman.”

Thinking this, even though Master Meng Rui knew Mu Lin wouldn’t lie, she couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure you’ve never studied the Adamantine Force Talisman Array before?”

“Um…”

At this moment, Mu Lin also realized that his achievement was indeed somewhat exaggerated. To make things seem more reasonable, he explained:

“I have some insights into Painting, and Painting is closely related to Talisman Arrays. That’s why I’ve achieved a little success.”

“Drawing a Master Grade Talisman in a month is hardly something ‘little’ can describe…”

After saying this, Master Meng Rui calmed down slightly, but soon, she thought of something, which made her ask anxiously, “Does your Painting talent’s enhancement apply only to the Adamantine Force Talisman Array, or can it empower all Talisman Arrays?”

This question made Mu Lin hesitate for a moment.

It wasn’t a question of whether it was possible.

As long as Mu Lin treated Talismans as Paintings to draw, the three characteristics—Vivid and Lifelike, Spiritual Resonance, and Dragon-Finishing Touch—would take effect on all Talismans.

What made Mu Lin hesitate was whether to reveal this to Master Meng Rui.

In the end, he decided—to tell her.

Doing so would carry some risks for Mu Lin, but they weren’t significant.

He was no longer a lone individual without backing.

Not to mention that Teacher Dongfang Ya valued him greatly.

The Headmaster and the other teachers of the Dao Palace were also counting on him to win honor for Anping Dao Palace and secure more resource allocation. Therefore, until graduation, his safety was protected by the Headmaster and the many teachers.

As for after graduation… once the three-year period passed, even if Mu Lin couldn’t return as a king like the Smirking Dragon King, with the Substitute Paper Figure, he could still protect himself without worry.

Having confirmed this, Mu Lin was no longer overly concerned about exposing his identity to a limited few.

Especially since there were benefits to revealing it.

Of course, there was another reason for Mu Lin’s decision: his talent wasn’t a physical one like a Supreme Bone that could be seized, but an elusive, intangible comprehension that couldn’t be taken away.

Having estimated that the danger to himself was minimal, Mu Lin spoke directly:

“Master, I’m not clear about your inquiry either… I only have the Adamantine Force Talisman Array and haven’t yet come into contact with other formations.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Rui didn’t hesitate in the slightest, immediately placing three jade scrolls before Mu Lin.

“These are Talisman Array Swiftness, Giant Spirit, and Sky-Scraping Method. Take a look and see if you can draw them.”

“Thank you, Master.”

The three jade scrolls made Mu Lin’s eyes light up. After expressing his gratitude, he promptly took the three scrolls in hand and carefully examined them.

Then, he discovered that among these three talisman arrays, Swiftness was a basic array, Giant Spirit was intermediate, and Sky-Scraping Method was an advanced array.

As the name suggests, Swiftness increased speed.

Giant Spirit was a special application; once inscribed, it could make a puppet’s body grow enormous.

As the body enlarged, the puppet’s strength would correspondingly surge.

Of course, as an intermediate talisman array, it had its own flaws.

First, it could only increase an object’s size and strength, but not its defense or speed. In fact, after enlargement, defense and speed would even decrease accordingly.

Second, after the transformation into a giant, the energy consumption of the Giant Spirit puppet would also skyrocket.

“After all, it’s only a mid-level talisman, not the ultimate divine ability Dharma Image of Heaven and Earth.”

Sighing inwardly, Mu Lin turned his attention to the final advanced array, Sky-Scraping Method, or rather, the Sky-Scraping Spell.

It was also a special talisman array.

Although Qi Refiners on the path of cultivation have countless roads to follow, all paths lead to Rome, and there is also the saying that all great ways share the same origin, with myriad methods returning to one.

And this so-called “one” is Heaven.

Whenever Qi Refiners reach high realms, they do not merely pursue the growth of mana and physical body but also seek to comprehend the laws of Heaven and Earth or leverage the grand momentum of the world to enhance the power of their spells.

Momentum and Dharma Domain are the phased achievements of Qi Refiners after reaching a certain level of comprehension of Heaven and Earth’s laws.

And the Sky-Scraping Spell is related to Heaven.

The so-called “sky-scraping” means approaching the lofty heavens, drawing near to the high sky.

By now, the ability of this spell is quite clear: it allows the cultivator or puppet releasing the talisman to become more intimate with the Azure Heaven.

Because of this closeness to Heaven, after casting the spell, Mu Lin or the puppet could naturally more easily leverage the grand momentum of the world, thereby attracting more spiritual energy and strengthening their mana.

Beyond combat, this spell also had wonderful applications for cultivation.

“Sky-Scraping Spell, I remember Master Meng Rui mentioned this spell before. Even she regarded it as a trump card, yet she’s handing it over to me just like that. Indeed, not hiding my identity was the right choice!”

“Also, Master Meng Rui seems to have quite a lot of good things in her possession.”

While Mu Lin was marveling and having some thoughts, Master Meng Rui anxiously spoke up.

“Do you have any feeling for these spells? Can you draw them… You don’t need to draw them now. Three days, no, five days—as long as you can draw the Sky-Scraping Spell within five days, I will impart all my abilities and heritage to you without reservation.”

She wanted to say more but was directly interrupted by Mu Lin.

“No need for as long as five days. Do you have a table?”

These words made Master Meng Rui’s beautiful pupils contract, but soon, she smiled and said:

“Naturally. Flower, Butterfly, bring the table over.”

“Yes.”

Soon, a table was brought over, with Flower and Butterfly serving from a distance.

As for Mu Lin’s side—Master Meng Rui was personally grinding ink for him.

Clearly, she wanted to witness his talent firsthand.

Ignoring her and not immediately starting to paint, Mu Lin first asked Master Meng Rui for several pre-drawn talisman papers. Then, using his eyes that could perceive beauty, he carefully examined the Master Grade talisman formations, observing their construction, structure, layering, and other exquisite details.

While observing with his eyes, he also resonated with his heart, sensing the spirit and rhythm, the intent and momentum of the Master Grade talisman formations.

This observation lasted a full cup of tea’s time.

Master Meng Rui showed no impatience; her heart was filled with anticipation.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Mu Lin finally began.

“Swish…”

The first talisman he drew was Swiftness. This time, his brushstrokes were no longer vigorous and forceful but as ethereal as flowing clouds. Each stroke carried a captivating agility and charm.

Watching Mu Lin inscribe the Swiftness Talisman, both Flower and Butterfly, as well as Master Meng Rui, felt as though they were no longer in the secret chamber but soaring high in the sky.

There was also a sense of lightness and joy, as if riding the wind, traveling from the North Sea in the morning to the Cangwu Mountains by dusk.

This was heart resonance, conveying meaning through the mind.

Sensing such wind-like agility, even before Mu Lin finished inscribing, Master Meng Rui knew he had succeeded.

And indeed, that was the case.

Having experience in drawing talismans and, more importantly, possessing Master Grade Calligraphy and Grandmaster-level Painting, Mu Lin succeeded perfectly in his first attempt at drawing Swiftness.

This talisman even contained a hint of wind-like intent.

Seeing the completed talisman and sensing its intent, Master Meng Rui’s face initially broke into a smile, and she was about to say something.

However, before the words could leave her lips, she noticed that Mu Lin, having drawn such a talisman, showed no joy or satisfaction.

Instead, he frowned at the talisman, appearing as if he had realized something.

This expression made Master Meng Rui instinctively hold back the words she was about to utter.

At the same time, her fists clenched tightly.

“Not satisfied even with a single success? In that case, let me see how far you can go!”

(End of Chapter)