Chapter 146 – Art Sublimation: Sky-Scraping Spell and Dharma Authority

“Thank you for your regard, Master Meng Rui, but I have no intention of changing my Cultivation Path for now.”

“Of course, while I won’t alter my path, to climb higher in the future, I will diligently study other Cultivation Methods, hoping to elevate my limits through cross-disciplinary insights. Therefore, I will learn any Cultivation Methods and Mystical Arts I find useful.”

“If I gain any insights during my studies, I am willing to share them with you, Master Meng Rui.”

Having declined to switch paths, Mu Lin also gave Master Meng Rui a glimmer of hope.

Naturally, he wouldn’t hand over all his insights. Core techniques, such as the Taiyin Life-Nurturing Scripture refined once, the Mindscape – Sky Burial – City God Diagram, or the Vow-Power Heart Lamp—these were Mu Lin’s trump cards, and he would never part with them under any circumstances.

Only auxiliary techniques like the Mighty Jiao Dragon – Adamantine Force were ones he was willing to share.

‘Keeping core technologies exclusive while trading peripheral techniques for resources—that is the best way to cultivate.’

Upon hearing Mu Lin’s words, Master Meng Rui did not respond directly.

She merely said calmly, “I saw the moment you summoned the Sky Burial Domain earlier. That Dharma Domain is excellent, but it also affects you. I have a method that can allow you to transfer your Main Body away…”

As she spoke, Master Meng Rui elaborated on the wonders of the Substitute Puppet, explicitly telling Mu Lin that puppet substitutes could not only be used during the summoning of the Sky Burial Domain but would also be immensely useful to him in ordinary times.

“With a puppet substitute, your safety will never be a concern.”

—She was attempting to lure Mu Lin into learning by showcasing the advantages of the Puppetry Art.

To this, Mu Lin nodded and said:

“You’re right, Substitute Puppets indeed have many benefits, but my Paper Substitute can achieve the same.”

With that, Mu Lin released his Substitute Paper Figure.

Looking at the indistinguishable Mu Lin and the paper figure, and sensing the dense Mana within the paper figure, Master Meng Rui fell silent once more. She had to admit that Mu Lin’s abilities were more numerous and comprehensive than she had imagined.

While she remained silent, Mu Lin did not take his leave. Seizing the opportunity with Master Meng Rui by his side, he observed and began copying other Talismans.

His aim was to elevate both the Giant Spirit and the Sky-Scraping Spell to Master Grade in one go.

There was little to say about copying the Giant Spirit. Relying on analysis and observation, Mu Lin effortlessly depicted the Giant Spirit and elevated it to Master Grade.

The conceptual essence required for the Giant Spirit was “vastness”—the larger and more awe-inspiring, the better.

However, although Mu Lin had witnessed some grand entities, such as towering mountains and vast oceans,

and he also knew that the planet and the sun he once lived on were colossal celestial bodies,

unfortunately, the Giant Spirit required not only “vastness” but also “spirit”—meaning “living being” or “soul.”

Therefore, for Mu Lin to depict the conceptual essence that could elevate the Talisman – Giant Spirit, mere mountains and oceans would not suffice.

He needed to witness living giants, feel their awe-inspiring scale, to achieve his goal.

‘Hmm, if mountains could stand up and walk, or waves could transform into giants, there might be a slight possibility…’

‘Otherwise, I would need to see giants, colossal deities, or serpents like Jörmungandr, or Dharma Images that pierce the heavens and earth—only then would I have a chance to elevate the Giant Spirit… It’s somewhat challenging.’

After the Giant Spirit came the Sky-Scraping Spell, and to Mu Lin’s surprise, this spell had undergone a peculiar transformation.

Among the three talisman-based mystical arts—Divine Speed, Giant Spirit, and Sky-Scraping Spell—the Sky-Scraping Spell had the most extraordinary effect and was also the most difficult to master.

Master Meng Rui, who held high expectations for Mu Lin, gave him a full five days, requiring only that he grasp the basics.

Due to Master Meng Rui’s explanation, before attempting to draw it, Mu Lin felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension toward this spell.

However, when he took the Sky-Scraping Spell talisman drawn by Master Meng Rui and observed it while attuning his spirit, Mu Lin was startled to realize something:

“Wait, this feeling seems somewhat familiar?”

“But I’ve never used the Sky-Scraping Spell before?”

Puzzled, Mu Lin closed his eyes and pondered carefully. Gradually, he recalled the source of his familiarity.

Isn’t this just the Transcendence Trait and the City God Status?

Indeed, through spiritual attunement, Mu Lin discovered that the effect of the Sky-Scraping Spell was remarkably similar to the Transcendence Trait and the City God Status.

Merely sensing it allowed Mu Lin to gain a superior perspective.

At first, this struck Mu Lin as strange, but he soon came to see it as normal.

According to some theories from my previous life, the world is divided from soul to matter into the Divine Realm, Creation Realm, Formation Realm, and Material Realm.

Such theories may not necessarily hold true in this world, but one thing is certain: if the world truly has a heaven, the Heavenly Dao must reside at the highest position, governing all.

Beneath the Heavenly Dao are the gods, saints, and immortals who oversee the world’s laws.

Mortals, on the other hand, occupy the lowest status.

The so-called path of cultivation and enlightenment involves not only strengthening one’s body but also elevating one’s status in the world. As a City God, my status has already been elevated.

The Sky-Scraping Spell, with its function of drawing one closer to the heavens, represents nothing less than ascending to godhood.

Thinking this, Mu Lin felt he had grasped something.

But soon, he shook his head.

No, the Sky-Scraping Spell differs somewhat from the City God Status and Transcendence.

Apart from status, the City God also possesses authority and responsibilities bestowed by the world or the Human Dao—capturing Malevolent Ghosts, rewarding good and punishing evil, and protecting the peace of a region are all part of this authority and duty.

The Sky-Scraping Spell, like Transcendence, merely elevates one’s status.

Having understood the principle of the Sky-Scraping Spell and personally experienced it, Mu Lin naturally found drawing it to be smooth and effortless.

As a result, this most difficult spell talisman was quickly elevated by Mu Lin to the Master level.

However, unlike Divine Speed and Giant Spirit, due to his personal insights and some creative ideas, Mu Lin suddenly had a thought.

“What if I infuse the insights and essence of the City God into the Sky-Scraping Spell while drawing it?”

Normally, this would only cause Mu Lin’s attempt to fail, with nothing else happening.

Elevating or altering a cultivation method is no easy task.

Nor does having an idea guarantee success.

However, because Mu Lin possessed the Proficiency Panel, he gained insights whenever he drew talismans and advanced—this was also why he could quickly elevate all three talismans to the Master level.

Godspeed and Giant Spirit were not personally experienced by Mu Lin, so he had less inspiration, and his insights only elevated the Mystical Art to the level of a Master.

But the Sky-Scraping Spell was different. With ideas, inspiration, and a mind that had been enhanced a hundredfold in this state of insight, Mu Lin truly grasped something under these special circumstances.

“Simply gaining insights and infusing them with mystical essence likely won’t have much effect. But if I have the City God in my Mindscape write along as I write in reality, perhaps there will be a different discovery…”

Holding this thought, Mu Lin began writing the Sky-Scraping Spell in reality, while the City God in his Mindscape also began writing.

This synchronization of mind and body caused a special change to appear on the talisman paper Mu Lin was writing on.

“Hum!”

His Sky-Scraping Spell had transformed.

Golden patterns and light bloomed on the Sky-Scraping Spell, and a trace of sacred aura even appeared on the talisman paper beneath Mu Lin’s brush.

After completing the writing and carefully sensing it, Mu Lin discovered that the Sky-Scraping Spell he had written not only pressed toward the heavens and elevated its status but also possessed some of the authority and power of the City God.

Mu Lin did not immediately test or investigate the specific manifestations of this power.

Mainly because, upon discovering that Mu Lin had truly elevated the talisman—and in such a short time—Master Meng Rui’s gaze toward him had grown somewhat frenzied.

Seeing this, Mu Lin dared not stay any longer.

Immediately, he cupped his hands in a salute and said, “Ahem, Master Meng Rui, Teacher Dongfang is waiting for me. I’ll head back now.”

Hearing this, though her eyes held a crazed hunger, Master Meng Rui did not stop him.

Suppressing the urge to detain Mu Lin, she spoke to him in a slightly hoarse voice, “Take care. After you return, be sure to pay attention to your safety. If anything happens, you can always come to me for help.”

Having said this, still somewhat uneasy, she turned her gaze to Twin Flowers and Butterflies, her expression frenzied as she said, “Remember, no matter what, Mu Lin must not be harmed. Even if you die or break, not a single hair on his head should be touched!”

“As a reward, I will prepare some materials to upgrade you once.”

“Yes, Master Meng Rui.”

…

(End of Chapter)