Chapter 151 – The Abilities of Flower and Butterfly

Naturally, after entering the tavern, Mu Lin first went to the restroom.

Since the negotiations hadn’t broken down yet, Zuo Li had no reason to suspect or stop Mu Lin’s actions.

However, his Divine Sense was constantly monitoring the tavern’s entrances and exits. If Mu Lin tried to leave, he would be discovered immediately.

To Zuo Li’s relief, Mu Lin didn’t pull any tricks.

Soon, he emerged from the restroom as if he had genuinely just relieved himself.

…

Under Zuo Li’s guidance, Mu Lin entered a private room, only to find it was not empty. Qin Yuan and several others were already waiting inside.

Upon seeing Mu Lin, Qin Yuan appeared somewhat embarrassed, while the others looked at him with a certain… condescension.

‘I’m not mistaken—this is indeed condescension. But it doesn’t seem like the arrogance born of noble status. Rather, it’s more like the gaze of moviegoers watching NPCs in a film…’

Just as Mu Lin was puzzled by their attitude, a young woman seated beside Qin Yuan spoke up.

“You’re Mu Lin, right? We’re here to discuss the Puppet Twins Flower and Butterfly. They originally belonged to Brother Qin Yuan, and you…”

Her accusatory tone made Mu Lin frown, prompting him to cut her off without hesitation.

“The Puppet Twins originally belonged to Master Meng Rui and now belong to me. At no point in this process did Brother Qin ever gain ownership of Flower and Butterfly.”

“But in the previous life…”

“Xing Yao!”

The young woman tried to say more, but Zuo Li interrupted her.

“Hmph!”

Scolded, the young woman turned her head away, refusing to look at Mu Lin. Zuo Li then smoothly took over the conversation.

“My apologies, Brother Mu. Xing Yao got a bit carried away.”

“It’s fine. I’m not one to hold a grudge against a little girl.”

After saying this, Mu Lin calmly asked, “So, you invited me here to discuss Flower and Butterfly?”

“Indeed. To be frank, Brother Mu, Brother Qin is one of our own, and Flower and Butterfly are very important to him. Therefore, we want him to gain ownership of them. Of course, since Flower and Butterfly originally belonged to you, we won’t take them without compensation. 3,300 Spirit Stones—this is our sincerity.”

Compared to Xing Yao, Zuo Li’s sincerity was indeed much better. Unfortunately, Mu Lin still didn’t agree.

“Flower and Butterfly are also useful for my Cultivation Path. I’m sorry, but I won’t sell them.”

This wasn’t merely an excuse.

The Puppet Twins Flower and Butterfly were genuinely quite useful.

A few days earlier, after bringing Flower and Butterfly home, Mu Lin had questioned and examined them, learning about their abilities.

Their abilities fell into two categories. The first consisted of miscellaneous skills and those acquired through learning, such as cleaning, drawing Talismans, and crafting Puppets.

Yes, Flower and Butterfly were also capable of crafting Puppets.

However, since they weren’t robots from the Tianwang system, the Puppets they created lacked souls, couldn’t replicate infinitely, and couldn’t even be controlled in large numbers. As a result, Flower and Butterfly were incapable of triggering a machine uprising.

In contrast to their acquired abilities were their innate ones, which were rather peculiar.

Among these, Flower’s ability was creating Illusion Realms, while Butterfly’s was manipulating wind currents and flight.

Of course, if that were all, Mu Lin wouldn’t have been so reluctant to part with them. What truly surprised him was that Flower and Butterfly could change forms.

It is unclear how Master Meng Rui managed it, but in any case, Flower could transform into a floral wreath to be worn on the head, while Butterfly could change into butterfly wings.

After transformation, Flower and Butterfly could essentially be considered magical artifacts. Not only did their original abilities remain intact, but Flower could also enhance Mu Lin’s divine soul and restore his mental energy, while Butterfly could carry Mu Lin through the void and increase his speed. Additionally, the broad butterfly wings were inscribed with many formation runes for gathering spiritual energy, which could accelerate Mu Lin’s mana recovery.

One enhanced mental energy, the other boosted his mana recovery rate—such puppets that improved foundational abilities were naturally something Mu Lin would not give up.

…

His words of refusal caused Zuo Li to furrow his brow.

Before he could say anything, a young woman across from him spoke directly:

“Is it that you’re unsatisfied with the spirit stones? I can add more…”

“This isn’t about spirit stones. Flower and Butterfly are not for sale.”

After saying this, Mu Lin prepared to stand up and leave.

However, before he could rise, the young woman who had just raised the price spoke straightforwardly: “Young Master Mu, I am Yan Linglong of the Yan Family from the Four Seas Pavilion. Might I ask if you could do me a favor?”

This identity made Mu Lin raise an eyebrow: ‘Why is your Yan Family everywhere?’

Thinking this, he replied indifferently:

“We are not acquainted.”

His direct refusal made his stance clear. Seeing this, someone snorted coldly, their gaze turning hostile.

Yet, in the end, they did not take action. Instead, Zuo Li spoke up: “Brother Mu, wait a moment. There is one more thing I must tell you.”

“Then be quick. I need to return to cultivate.”

“It won’t take much of your time.”

After hesitating for a moment, Zuo Li still informed Mu Lin that their leader possessed the ability of foresight and told him about the impending collapse of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty, the widespread emergence of anomaly evil, and the arrival of the apocalypse.

What made Mu Lin clench his fists was that the other party even revealed the specific starting time of the great chaos.

“Although the erosion of evil aberrations has long shown signs—the Dao Palace was established precisely because of this—”

“before this, under the suppression of the Celestial Masters, True Lords, and numerous Qi Refiners, the erosion of evil aberrations remained within a controllable stage.”

“But three months from now, the situation will undergo a drastic change. Several months later, a black sun will appear. After the black sun, the number of evil aberrations will surge, and humanity’s situation will take a sharp turn for the worse. Countless humans will perish tragically then.”

“And our Savior Organization was established precisely to save humanity.”

“I implore you, for the greater good of the world, to hand over Flower and Butterfly to Young Master Qin…”

Before he could finish, Mu Lin said calmly, “He ended up saving the world and became the savior.”

“Uh… no, but Brother Qin is a hero of humanity, standing at the forefront of resisting evil aberrations, never retreating.”

These words made Mu Lin regard Qin Yuan more highly.

But soon, he added, “I will also resist the evil aberrations.”

This was not an evasion. Setting aside the fact that no egg remains unbroken when the nest is overturned, one point alone compelled Mu Lin to step forward:

—He still aspired to rise from the position of City God all the way to the Celestial Deity, the Lord of Mount Tai.

While diligent cultivation was crucial for advancing in the position of City God, protecting humanity and gaining the favor and support of the Human Dao’s will were equally important.

Thus, wherever evil aberrations existed, Mu Lin would fight them.

After learning of the future, Mu Lin expressed his thoughts. Unfortunately, the others were not satisfied and did not believe that Mu Lin, an insignificant mortal, was worthy of the attention of these so-called “heroes.”

As a result, someone snorted coldly and said:

“Hmph, who do you think you are, to compare yourself with Young Master Qin? He is destined to become a Puppet Master in the future, while you… ugh…”

The one who had been speaking arrogantly was in the middle of his disrespectful remarks when he suddenly let out a cry of pain and covered his mouth.

At that moment, Mu Lin spoke up: “Regardless of what the future holds, right now, I am stronger than all of you. You should show some respect to those who are stronger.”

These contemptuous words immediately angered the young men who, after learning of the future, had begun to think rather highly of themselves.

As a result, someone else stood up.

But before they could speak, a series of attacks rained down on those who had risen in anger.

“You… ugh…”

“When did this happen?!”

“No…”

“Damn it, what did you do?”

“My leg…”

Ignoring their furious and bewildered gazes, and without bothering to explain, Mu Lin simply used Cursed Paper Figures to punish those who had intended to act.

Within a minute, most of them were lying helplessly on the ground.

Now, the way they looked at Mu Lin was no longer filled with contempt—only fear remained.

Those who had not acted were also filled with apprehension.

Zuo Li was among those who had not taken action. Looking at the people sprawled on the ground and then at Mu Lin, who appeared completely unfazed, he began to doubt his leader’s prophecy for the first time.

“So powerful… How could someone like Mu Lin not appear in the future? What a joke!”

(End of Chapter)