Chapter 167 – The Foreign Races Arrive: Demon Fox, Merfolk, and Winged People

Holding onto a sliver of anticipation, Mu Lin’s main body began his cultivation.

At the same time, the paper figure located in the Time Chamber also commenced the cultivation of the clone under Mu Lin’s will.

“Hum…”

Thus, time swiftly passed as Mu Lin cultivated, and soon, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had elapsed.

By then, Yuan Ce and Lin Qi, who had prepared the Spirit Stones, also arrived, intending to meet with Mu Lin.

However, they were stopped outside by Yan Yunyu.

“Brother Mu Lin is still cultivating. If you have any matters, you can speak with me.”

Her extremely impolite words and attitude made Yuan Ce frown, but he dared not make a fuss.

On the way over, Lin Qi had already told Yuan Ce most of what he knew.

As a result, the latter learned that the sale of the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram had been fully entrusted to Yan Yunyu by Mu Lin.

He also learned that Yan Yunyu did not plan to sell it widely; instead, she intended to implement high prices and limited purchases, planning to sell only a very limited quantity.

Regarding this, Yuan Ce—fully agreed.

“Such a cultivation method should not be learned by ordinary cultivators. It would be best if only I cultivated it.”

Boarding the carriage and then welding the door shut—this is a fine trait of the scions of Aristocratic Families.

However, Yuan Ce had not yet boarded the carriage.

Therefore, even though her attitude was poor, he endured it.

“Miss Yan, we are here to purchase the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram…”

“Wait. When Brother Mu Lin has time, he will draw it.”

“Uh…”

Hearing this, Yuan Ce paused for a moment, but he still did not get angry. Instead, he took out a batch of Spirit Stones and handed them to Yan Yunyu.

“This is the deposit from Lin Qi and me. Can we reserve two spots?”

His repeatedly accommodating attitude made it difficult for Yan Yunyu to refuse. After thinking for a while, she nodded and said, “Alright, but you know the conditions for observing the True Intent Diagram, right? You cannot take it away; you can only view it in our presence.”

“Understood.”

“Good. You can go back and wait for news.”

After hearing this, Yuan Ce did not leave. Instead, he sat down nearby.

Clearly, he had made up his mind not to leave until he had observed the True Intent Diagram.

Yan Yunyu did not mind this.

As for Yuan Ce, perhaps feeling it was inappropriate to just sit idly, or perhaps intending to strengthen his connection with Mu Lin—in any case, since he did not leave, he shared some information he knew with Yan Yunyu.

“Be careful during this assessment. The Headmaster just told us that this assessment will not only involve disciples from Dao Academies in the Southeast Region but also some Foreign Races, such as the Merfolk Clan, the Demon Fox Clan, and the Winged People… will also participate in the assessment.”

“Moreover, after the assessment, some members of these races will stay for exchange and study.”

Hearing this, Yan Yunyu indeed stopped in her tracks.

Her expression showed a hint of inevitability but also a trace of surprise.

“Merfolk, Demon Foxes… these are all races friendly with humans. It’s not surprising for them to participate in the assessment. In the past, during assessments in the Southeast Region, they have come several times. But the Winged People are proud and reside in the distant, shattered sky realm. Their relationship with us humans is like well water not mixing with river water, right? Why are they coming?”

Upon hearing this question, Yuan Ce shrugged, indicating he did not know.

“Don’t ask me, I don’t know either. However, the Headmaster did tell us that when dealing with the Foreign Races this time, there’s no need to hold back. In fact, the stronger we are, the better—the greater the deterrent, the better.”

“Deterrence?”

Yuan Ce’s words made Yan Yunyu’s pupils contract, but she didn’t show her emotions, merely nodding as she said:

“Thank you for telling me… Once Brother Mu finishes drawing the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram, he’ll let you observe it first.”

“Then thank you, Miss Yan.”

“You should thank Brother Mu…”

…

Neither Yuan Ce nor Yan Yunyu understood the reason for the arrival of the Foreign Races, and most of the Foreign Race youths who came were also unclear.

However, compared to humans, the number of Foreign Races was somewhat smaller.

And having fewer numbers also had its advantages. Their tribal-style social structure meant fewer social classes, which allowed some exceptionally talented Foreign Race youths to know more information.

But precisely because they knew, some youths were even more confused.

Bai Yingying of the Fushan White Fox Clan didn’t understand why she had to participate in the Human Race’s assessment.

“Grandmother, didn’t the clan prophesy that the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty is about to collapse? If so, why are we still being sent to engage with humans and curry favor with them?”

As a small clan, the Fox Clan also had its survival strategies, and attaching themselves to the powerful was one of them.

While attachment and binding interests were effective, they weren’t entirely secure.

For this reason, the Fox Clan sent many outstanding women every year to become concubines of influential figures or powerful Demon Kings.

With the Fox Clan’s allure and charm, they thrived by relying on the power of others.

Currently, Bai Yingying was one of the young women sent to the Human Race.

She had no psychological barriers about this—attaching oneself to the powerful was something many weak individuals in this world would do.

What she didn’t understand was why her clan would send her to a Human Race that was about to collapse.

To this, the elderly fox woman smiled and said, “Yingying, you’re still too young. The collapse of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty doesn’t mean the Human Race will perish. In fact, the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty might not even be destroyed from the outside.”

She spoke the last sentence very softly and showed no intention of elaborating further.

Soon, she moved on to other reasons.

“A dying beast is the most dangerous. Precisely because the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty is about to fall, we must avoid provoking them. Otherwise, before their demise, if they decide to clear away potential threats to humanity, we, who show disrespect, could easily be wiped out.”

“After all, even if humans weaken, it doesn’t mean we are strong.”

“Moreover, even if humans don’t take action, our situation is still perilous—the cause of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty’s collapse is a Doomsday Calamity. This calamity won’t only appear in the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty but also in our tribes. To avoid destruction, we must save ourselves.”

The Fox Clan’s method of self-preservation was to send out many fox women to attach themselves to the powerful and potential Prodigies. Then, when the clan faced danger, these fox women could influence those powerful figures to save them.

Since most grown powerful individuals were resolute in mind and lacked neither beauties nor resources, the Fox Clan preferred to invest in those who showed potential but had not yet fully grown into Prodigies.

Such prodigies may not necessarily grow to their full potential, but as long as one succeeds and forms a deep bond with a fox maiden during their growth, the Fushan Fox Clan would not consider it a loss.

This is how the Fushan Fox Clan thinks, and the Vast Sea Merfolk share the same sentiment. At the same time, aware of their own weaknesses, these two great clans do not place their hopes solely on humans—they also seek to win over the Demon Race and the Dragon Clan.

Moreover, having employed such strategies for thousands of years, they have developed a systematic approach to nurturing their merfolk maidens and fox maidens.

But the Winged People are different.

Residing in the lofty, distant skies and rarely interacting with others, the Winged People possess a proud and aloof temperament.

Even after foreseeing the arrival of the Doomsday Calamity and preparing to cooperate with humans, they intend to do so through alliances rather than subservience.

Holding such beliefs, their attitude toward this assessment is also distinct.

“Exert your full strength to showcase our power, letting humans know our might. Only in this way can we earn their respect and ensure they treat us with dignity in our cooperation.”

“Rest assured, my lord. With Tian Yun here, we will not lose.”

…

Mu Lin also heard about the arrival of the foreign races. Due to his previous contact with the Salvation Society, he had some speculations about their motives.

However, such matters concerning the future of entire races were still far beyond his reach, so Mu Lin did not dwell on them excessively.

“If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. I am still weak now, and rashly pondering these matters would only be unnecessary worry. Strengthening myself is what I should focus on!”

With this mindset, Mu Lin absorbed the experiences transmitted back by the Substitute Paper Figures and was pleasantly surprised to discover that his strategy was indeed viable.

—The combination of Substitute Paper Figures and the Time Tower truly allowed his already extraordinary cultivation speed to increase severalfold.

[Substitute Paper Figure Proficiency +191, +136, +172, +191…]

“So much! Continue cultivating!”

After replenishing the lifeforce and Divine Soul energy of the Substitute Paper Figures and sending them back to cultivate in the Time Tower, Mu Lin’s main body projected an Advanced Talisman Brush, took out some paper, and began drawing the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram.

“Swish…”

Since Mu Lin had a thorough understanding of the principles of clone cultivation and possessed Grandmaster-level painting skills, drawing this True Intent Diagram was relatively effortless.

After one hour, a unique diagram was completed by Mu Lin.

This diagram was quite simple, featuring only one person, one mirror, and one reflection.

The figure outside the mirror gazed directly into it, while the figure inside the mirror gazed back outward.

Person and shadow, reality and illusion, life and death—this interplay of yin and yang represented the relationship between Mu Lin’s main body and the Substitute Paper Figures.

After finishing the diagram, Mu Lin rested briefly before handing it over to Yan Yunyu.

While delivering the diagram, he also stated his requirements.

“Contact Master Meng Rui and ask her to produce another batch of Star-Twilight Marquis Paper for me. Make sure the price is fair. Also, help me gather some Qi and Blood replenishing pills.”

“Understood, Brother Mu. I will handle everything properly.”

“Good, I’ll leave it to you… You may also study this diagram freely. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me. The same goes for you, Lingluo.”

At this point, Mu Lin added in a low voice:

“Remember one thing: those who learn from me will thrive, those who merely imitate me will perish. What you need to learn is the knowledge and true essence of clone cultivation, not the Paper Crafting Scripture.”

“Therefore, don’t limit your thinking to paper substitutes. Lingluo, your Azure Emperor Scripture should have a wooden clone technique, right? You can use wooden clones as your vessels.”

“As for Yun Yu, your advantage is abundant resources… You can contact Master Meng Rui to purchase some puppets and use them as vessels… Actually, never mind, I’ll help you.”

After closing his eyes and pondering for a few moments, Mu Lin spoke up:

“If Master Meng Rui and I work together, we should be able to create a batch of puppets for cultivation. You can then refine those puppets with your essence blood.”

When his Substitute Paper Figure technique reached the Master level, aside from enhancing all his abilities, Mu Lin also gained a special talent—Substitute Paper Figure: For Others.

As the name implied, this trait allowed Mu Lin to create substitute paper figures for others.

Of course, since they were made for others, the effectiveness of these substitutes was inferior to Mu Lin’s own.

But even if they weren’t as effective, they were still usable and possessed all the necessary capabilities.

With this ability as a foundation, combined with Master Meng Rui’s Puppetry Art, Mu Lin was one hundred percent confident that the two of them could create a batch of puppet cultivators.

While Mu Lin was contemplating solutions, Yan Yunyu clenched her fists tightly, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

Her excitement and exhilaration stemmed, first and foremost, from the fact that she too could enjoy the wonders of clone cultivation.

She was well aware of the value of Mu Lin’s Clone Cultivation Method; otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to keep this cultivation method within the small home she shared with Mu Lin.

While fully understanding its value, she had also felt excitement and even considered cultivating it herself.

However, alongside her excitement, Yan Yunyu also felt a sense of gloom.

She was very self-aware and clearly understood that neither her Spirit Root nor her comprehension abilities were particularly outstanding.

And while the Clone Cultivation Method was powerful, it was inevitably extremely difficult to learn.

Even with guidance, someone with average comprehension like her would need seven or eight years, or even ten to twenty years, to master it.

Although the Clone Cultivation Method could be used for a lifetime, spending over a decade to learn it wouldn’t be a loss. But for her, that time frame was simply too long.

Now, however, this obstacle was gone. Mu Lin’s intervention would allow her to enjoy the benefits of clone cultivation within just one or two months.

Under such circumstances, how could she not be excited?

At the same time, she also understood why her family didn’t mind spending vast resources to build good relationships with other prodigies.

The benefits of following a prodigy were truly immense.

“Setting aside power and status, the guidance prodigies provide in cultivation can significantly accelerate our training speed.”

“And among all the prodigies, Brother Mu Lin is undoubtedly the most outstanding.”

Looking at Mu Lin, Yan Yunyu’s eyes now shimmered with moisture, filled with satisfaction, admiration, and deep emotion.

“I never expected my investment to yield returns so quickly.”

Since it was an investment, Yan Yunyu naturally anticipated returns.

But according to her original expectations, Mu Lin’s returns to her would come after he became a powerhouse. Before that, she would be the one contributing more.

Yet Mu Lin’s exceptional nature had shattered this notion.

Winning first place at the Dao Academy allowed her to accumulate a wave of fortune, rapidly advancing her Cultivation Level. That return alone made Yan Yunyu feel she hadn’t suffered a loss.

Now, with Mu Lin actively crafting a cultivation Puppet for her, Yan Yunyu had only one thought—it truly was wonderful to have latched onto a powerful ally.

……

Thanks to having latched onto a powerful ally, Yan Yunyu was filled with satisfaction.

Beyond that, what excited and invigorated her was that Mu Lin finally cared about her.

Before, although Mu Lin had benefited her, it was mostly transactional. When it came to her as a person, Yan Yunyu could sense that Mu Lin was mostly guarded.

Now, while caution remained, Mu Lin was willing to spend some of his own time working for her cultivation and future.

And this was precisely a sign of caring.

In this regard, Mu Lin was also helpless—he wasn’t truly heartless.

Since becoming teammates, Yan Yunyu had genuinely served him wholeheartedly, busying herself with matters both foreseen and unforeseen.

Her presence allowed Mu Lin to avoid trivial tasks and focus entirely on cultivation.

How could he possibly ignore such a loyal, gentle, capable, and beautiful young woman?

‘When a woman pursues a man, only a thin veil lies between them—the ancients truly did not deceive me.’

Mu Lin’s reflection and Yan Yunyu’s tender feelings did not last long. Upon discovering that the True Intent Diagram was completed, Yuan Ce had already rushed over impatiently.

It wasn’t that he lacked tact—it was just that the allure of the True Intent Diagram was too great, making him disregard everything else.

(End of Chapter)