Chapter 150 – Imperial Edict: The Possibility of Enshrining the City God in the Mortal Realm

Upon learning the news, Mu Lin wanted to rush over quickly.

However, at the door, he was stopped by Ji Xue.

As the top-ranked Spirit Root holder, this was the first time she had come to his door since joining his team.

“Is something the matter?”

“Yes. With the Southeast Region assessment approaching, shouldn’t we practice teamwork drills to familiarize ourselves with each other’s abilities?”

“Teamwork drills? No need. Just follow my orders when the time comes.”

With that, Mu Lin quickly left.

Watching him depart, Ji Xue clenched her fists slightly.

“How arrogant… He didn’t even ask about my abilities, nor does he have any intention of coordinating. Is he planning to tackle this assessment alone?”

At this thought, Ji Xue felt somewhat unwilling to accept it.

While she was feeling discontent, Yan Yunyu behind her was filled with vigilance.

She could naturally see that Ji Xue held little fondness for Mu Lin at the moment, mostly just a sense of rivalry.

But emotions between men and women can change quickly. If Ji Xue failed repeatedly, her unwillingness and rivalry could transform into admiration and reverence.

What troubled Yan Yunyu even more was that because Mu Lin was so outstanding, and knowing Ji Xue was a potential rival, she could not—and dared not—prevent Ji Xue from getting close.

…

Unaware of Yan Yunyu’s inner conflict and Ji Xue’s reluctance, Mu Lin had already arrived at Master Meng Rui’s courtyard and obtained the long-desired Starry Twilight Paper.

To his delight, he also received an unexpected bonus.

Because she had a request for Mu Lin, Master Meng Rui had worked day and night over the past three days, not only creating the Stellar Attribute Year-End Paper for him but also using exceptionally high-quality materials.

First, for the Stellar Attribute, to align with the Seven Stars, Master Meng Rui specifically purchased some Earth Grade Treasure—Stardust—and blended it into the paper.

This material not only connected with the stars in the sky but was also an ore with excellent adaptability to Spiritual Energy. Its inclusion enhanced the paper’s carrying capacity.

Originally, Mu Lin could only inscribe one or two talismanic seals on a Paper Figure, but now he could inscribe seven.

Moreover, Mystic Treasures containing Stardust could receive the blessing of starlight at night, doubling their power.

“Perfect. With this Starry Twilight Paper, I don’t need to search for other papers.”

“It’s just a pity that while the paper’s effects are excellent, it’s also extremely valuable. Using this paper to make Paper Figures, I can only barely produce a batch of elites.”

Stardust was the first surprise Master Meng Rui gave Mu Lin. The second was related to royal fortune.

Somehow, through unknown channels, the material used to create the Stellar·Year-End Paper was not ordinary royal relics but… an imperial edict.

Yes, the very paper used by an emperor to issue commands or make proclamations.

Since it was used by an emperor, the dynasty’s fortune contained within this paper was a hundred times greater than that of ordinary royal paper.

“The gap between an ordinary noble and an emperor can be so vast… But it makes sense. There is only one emperor, while there are dozens or even hundreds of nobles. The emperor represents the entire realm, whereas nobles, unless they hold high positions of power, may not even leave their names in history. It’s only natural that the fortune they command differs by thousands of times.”

After confirming this, Mu Lin made a delightful discovery.

“If I collect enough imperial relics, I might truly be able to gather sufficient dynasty fortune to appoint a City God in the present world!”

Thinking of this, Mu Lin’s heart began to pound wildly.

It was no wonder he was so excited and restless—the bestowal of the City God title in the real world offered him immense benefits.

The increase in strength went without saying.

By becoming the City God of a region, Mu Lin could control the Earth Veins and Spiritual Energy within the city.

With such protection, the abilities of the City God Status could be fully unleashed, and a hundred Netherworld Soldiers could manifest in the world at all times.

Moreover, Mu Lin could even use Human Dao Fortune and the power of the Earth Veins to establish a City God Domain.

“Although I am currently only a County City God, the Manifest Blessing Earl, if the City God Domain could be expanded in reality, I could contend even with Spell Masters who have achieved Gang Condensation and Sha Refinement.”

Beyond strength, the bestowal of the City God title in the real world would also allow Mu Lin to gather human faith, accumulating Incense Offerings, wishes, and Divine Power.

“While Incense Offerings are said to be toxic, some also claim they are a versatile force, incredibly useful. There are even rumors that Incense Offerings are an exceptionally convenient resource that can aid in cultivation.”

Which of these descriptions applied to the Incense Offerings in this world, Mu Lin did not yet know, but he was eager to find out.

Lastly, while protecting homes and ensuring human safety from ghostly invasions, Mu Lin could once again attract the attention of the Human Dao will, allowing him to become a chosen son of destiny.

With so many benefits, it was only natural that Mu Lin eagerly anticipated establishing the City God Domain in reality.

As his heart raced with excitement, Master Meng Rui, standing beside him, observed his unusual state.

When she realized Mu Lin’s agitation stemmed from the dynasty’s fortune, she was initially puzzled, but her expression soon shifted to shock.

‘Dynastic fortune is a form of Human Dao Fortune, and a major mainstream one at that, while the Yin Eight Gates is also a form of Human Dao Fortune, albeit a minor tributary. For Mu Lin to be excited about dynastic fortune… could it be that his method involves dynastic fortune and Human Dao Fortune?’

At this thought, Meng Rui’s first reaction was disbelief.

Both Human Dao Fortune and dynastic fortune were extremely high-level forces, far beyond the reach of ordinary individuals.

One only needed to consider how the Celestial Masters of renowned sects like Longhu Mountain, Yuqing, Shangqing, and the Great Bright Temple sought imperial appointments to become national preceptors, borrowing dynastic fortune for cultivation, to understand just how elevated these forces were.

‘Cultivation Methods involving dynastic fortune and Human Dao Fortune are mostly Heaven Grade. Even I am not qualified to access them, so Mu Lin shouldn’t be able to either…’

Before she could finish this thought, she recalled Mu Lin’s previous astonishing performances and his ability to elevate the Sky-Scraping Spell.

This realization made her swallow hard.

“Hah…”

After taking several deep breaths to calm her emotions, she continued, “Do you want dynastic fortune?”

Her question made Mu Lin freeze for a moment, but he quickly nodded. “Indeed, I need it.”

“I will help you gather it.”

“As for the price… I am willing to cultivate an additional secret art.”

Secret arts were things many could only dream of but never attain.

Now, Mu Lin was asking Meng Rui for a secret art and even treating it as the price for her assistance.

Such a situation was highly unusual.

Yet neither Mu Lin nor Meng Rui found it strange.

Both understood clearly that any secret art Meng Rui passed on to him would inevitably involve some of the difficulties that troubled her.

What Mu Lin needed to do was not only cultivate but also elevate this cultivation method or unravel its difficulties before teaching it back to Meng Rui.

For this reason, this secret technique might not align with Mu Lin’s cultivation system, nor would it necessarily enhance his strength. Instead, it would consume an immense amount of time, which was why he regarded it as a cost.

Master Meng Rui understood this as well—in fact, it was precisely what she hoped for.

Thus, her heart stirred with a faint excitement.

However, recalling something, she did not immediately hand over the difficulties troubling her to Mu Lin. Instead, she said, “You’re currently preparing for the Southern Eastern Region Joint Examination, right? There’s no rush with the cultivation method. You can focus on it after the exam, when you have free time.”

“Of course, I’ll help you gather the dynasty’s fortune first.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Lin immediately clasped his hands and bowed, saying, “Thank you for your understanding, Master.”

After reaching an agreement and chatting for a while longer, the anxious Mu Lin took the Starry Twilight Paper and left.

Meng Rui, meanwhile, stared blankly at Mu Lin’s departing figure.

Her daze did not last long, however. Soon, a strange and somewhat worried voice sounded beside her.

“To regard the secret technique troubling you as a cost—that little brat Mu Lin is getting too arrogant. Does he think he can learn anything?”

“And you, when did you lose your mind too? You’re a Spell Master. If even you can’t solve the problem, how could that little brat Mu Lin possibly do it? Or do you think you’re inferior to him?”

The speaker’s tone was quite blunt. If Mu Lin were still there, he would have recognized the speaker as his teacher, Dongfang Ya.

To Dongfang Ya’s surprise, Meng Rui did not refute her provoking words. Instead, she nodded and said, “I am indeed inferior to him.”

“Huh?!”

Seeing Dongfang Ya stunned, Meng Rui smiled and said, “Put away your useless worries. I won’t harm Mu Lin, nor will I give him overly difficult or useless secret techniques that waste his cultivation time.”

“My regard and concern for him are no less than yours.”

“…”

Through her understanding of her close friend, Dongfang Ya realized that everything Meng Rui said was true, which made her eyes widen in disbelief.

She couldn’t fathom when her shrewd ‘friend’ had become so kind.

Before she could voice her confusion, Dongfang Ya heard Meng Rui say, “I suggest you undo your seal…”

At this, Dongfang Ya immediately shook her head in refusal.

“It’s better not to. If the seal is undone, that person will also emerge, and many people will die…”

“Then let them die. Otherwise, you’ll be the one to die. If you die, he/she will still emerge, and those who are meant to die will die anyway. Of course, compared to before, there will be one more fool—you.”

Ignoring Meng Rui’s taunt of calling her a fool, Dongfang Ya asked seriously, “Have you sensed something? That day when you made a bet with Mu Lin, having him insult me, were you also trying to provoke me into undoing the seal?”

“You’re not entirely foolish. Also, the times ahead will be more chaotic than you think. If you don’t undo the seal, you really will die…”

…

In the secret chamber, Meng Rui and Dongfang Ya continued their conversation.

Meanwhile, Mu Lin, who was heading toward the Dao Palace, was intercepted by a group of people.

Looking at the fox-like man before him, Mu Lin, whose memory was not poor, quickly recalled something.

“I remember you’re Qin Yuan’s friend. Is there something you need from me?”

“There is indeed. Could we talk over there?”

Noticing that the place Zuo Li pointed to was not some shady corner but a tavern, Mu Lin nodded.

“Sure.”

(End of Chapter)