Chapter 170 – The Jiao Dragon Churns the Waters

Among the noblewomen in the private room, some were on good terms with Chu Lingluo’s mother and regarded the innocent, pure, and lovely Lingluo as their own niece. Consequently, their advice was:

“Si Ye, you should pay more attention to Lingluo. That man actually spends Lingluo’s Spirit Stones… it seems somewhat unreliable.”

Others, however, did not get along well with Chu Lingluo’s mother and did not hesitate to offer praise.

“Hehe, who would have thought our niece Lingluo would be so bold? This kind of free pursuit of love is truly enviable.”

“Indeed. Moreover, the person your Lingluo likes can even attract the attention of other women, which shows she has excellent taste…”

“Congratulations, Madam Chu. Perhaps before long, you’ll be able to hold your grandson…”

“Don’t forget to invite me to the wedding banquet when the time comes…”

In the room, there were few who directly spoke with sarcastic, mocking remarks.

But there were quite a few who were prepared to watch Madam Chu become a laughingstock.

At the same time, they were also ready to spread the news as soon as they left—that Chu Lingluo had taken a commoner as her lover.

Such a matter could completely ruin Chu Lingluo’s reputation, making it impossible for her to find a suitable marriage match from a family of equal status.

These women held positions similar to Madam Chu’s, which meant she could not stop them and could only watch helplessly.

This further darkened Madam Chu’s expression, and she harbored deep resentment toward Mu Lin, who had caused all of this.

Mu Lin had some inkling of what was happening in the private room, but he did not care.

Through his own diligent efforts, he now possessed the ability to say “no” to things he did not want.

…

Arriving at his seat, Mu Lin followed his original plan and indulged in eating and drinking.

After the feast, his Qi and Blood boiled once more, his entire body grew feverish, and the energy within him rapidly swelled.

The surging power was now sufficient to support Mu Lin’s third Molting.

However, in the end, he still did not proceed.

“Since I can achieve transcendence, I should pursue transcendent Molting. This will increase my potential and foundation… It’s just a pity that doing so means I won’t be able to complete three Moltings before the first trial and obtain the Lightning Breath ability.”

“Ah well, nothing in this world is perfect. I shouldn’t force it.”

After this reflection, Mu Lin, now satiated, continued his cultivation outside the Time Tower.

Then, as he looked at the Time Tower, an idea suddenly occurred to him.

“Wait… I might be able to digest inside the Time Tower.”

Of course, he knew that once inside, in the triple-time zone, his bodily time and lifespan would flow at five times the normal rate, which was quite disadvantageous.

“But I won’t be using it frequently—just for two or three days. Trading three extra days for Molting evolution before the first competition isn’t too great a loss.”

Thinking this, Mu Lin immediately instructed Yan Yunyu to handle the matter for him.

This involved not only entering the Time Tower but also having the quasi-Master Grade spirit chef prepare another feast for him.

And Yan Yunyu indeed handled the matter splendidly.

Entering the Time Tower for cultivation was straightforward, and she arranged it for Mu Lin on the spot.

The spirit chef, however, proved slightly more troublesome.

As more and more people gathered in Jade Province, the spiritual chef became increasingly busy. Ordinary people, and even those with some status, were not qualified enough for him to personally attend to.

Yan Yunyu herself was absolutely not qualified, and even when she invoked the names of Master Meng Rui and her teacher Dongfang Ya, the quasi-master still did not relent.

“Sorry, Master Bao truly has no time. The banquets for the next few days have already been reserved.”

“Moreover, spiritual meals cannot be prepared on a whim. They require advance preparation of ingredients, and during cooking, one must carefully monitor the heat and the fusion of spiritual energy, which is extremely taxing. Even Master Bao can only prepare a few servings a day.”

“If you wish to make a reservation, we can schedule you for ten days from now…”

As a businessman, Master Bao’s subordinate did not coldly refuse but instead presented facts, explained the reasoning, and repeatedly apologized.

This made it difficult for Yan Yunyu to get angry.

At the same time, she failed to notice that not all the noblewomen she had met in the private room earlier had left. A few were still inside, discussing something and laughing continuously.

“Hehe, did you see the look on that woman Si Ye’s face? She was so angry she turned green.”

“Hahaha, if I had a daughter like that, I’d be furious too. To actually choose a commoner—how utterly foolish…”

“Exactly. Marrying into a common family, even if their status doesn’t decline in this generation, it will surely fall in the next. By then, their children will only be fit to serve ours as servants.”

“Come to think of it, this is good for us, isn’t it? Si Ye has been quite active for her daughter’s sake, and Lingluo’s purity also won her many admirers. But now, as a tainted woman ruined by a commoner, she no longer has the qualifications to compete with our daughters…”

“It’s not yet stable… Since that little girl is pursuing love, let’s give her a hand and spread her reputation…”

“Hey, look—isn’t that Lingluo and the woman from earlier today…”

The sudden voice drew everyone’s attention, and they saw Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo requesting the spiritual chef of the establishment to prepare a meal for Mu Lin.

Upon hearing this, the women in the room shook their heads.

They did not believe the two girls would succeed. Even they had made reservations well in advance to dine here, and they themselves were uncertain about securing a spot now.

After all, the others who had made reservations were not easy to deal with, and Master Bao would not dare to casually cancel their bookings.

Since they themselves could not achieve it, these women naturally did not think Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu could either.

Initially, things indeed unfolded as they had anticipated—no matter what Yan Yunyu said, the other side would not budge.

Seeing this, Chu Lingluo stepped forward as instructed by Yan Yunyu and said, “If you cannot decide on the reservation, surely with the combined influence of my Chu Family, the Yan Family, and Master Meng Rui, we can at least meet with Master Bao?”

“…Of course.”

Their meeting was brief, lasting only three minutes, and no one knew what was discussed.

But the outcome that followed was quite surprising.

Master Bao, who had been so busy he was scarcely seen, personally escorted Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo to the entrance after their conversation, his tone carrying a hint of deference.

“Please rest assured, both young ladies and that gentleman, his meals will not be delayed. Tonight, I will have my daughter… son personally deliver them.”

“Hmm?!”

This scene left many people stunned.

And those noblewomen who harbored hostility, even disgust, toward Chu Lingluo’s mother elevated their estimation of her abilities yet again.

“Hah, to even influence Master Bao… that woman is more capable than we imagined…”

Because of their disgust, the stronger Si Ye’s abilities appeared, the more they despised Chu Lingluo’s mother and wished her no good.

Thus, several noblewomen sneering in unison decided to spread the news of Chu Lingluo and Mu Lin everywhere, ensuring her reputation would be thoroughly tarnished among noble families.

Thinking this, they firmly believed one thing—Master Bao’s change of heart was exchanged by Chu Lingluo using the Chu Family’s interests.

“Perfect, another confirmed rumor. A noble family’s legitimate daughter using her family’s resources to nurture her lover—this is something those common fools will surely find fascinating…”

As for why they thought this way, naturally, they didn’t believe a pretty boy living off a woman had the qualifications to make Master Bao change his mind.

  ”Believing that pretty boy convinced Master Bao through his own abilities is less credible than believing Chu Lingluo could become an imperial consort. At least the latter has a sliver of possibility.”

…

Mu Lin naturally had no idea what these noblewomen were thinking, and neither did Master Bao.

Watching Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu depart, his eyes were filled with endless astonishment.

“The Clone Cultivation Method… such a miraculous ability actually exists in this world, and it was comprehended by a mere youth. A Prodigy… no, such a person should be called a monster!”

“In the coming days, I must absolutely secure Mu Lin’s favor. By winning over his stomach and becoming his personal chef, not only can I cultivate this Clone Cultivation Method, but my sons and grandsons can also learn it…”

Thinking this, he immediately instructed the restaurant manager: “List Mu Lin as a top-tier VIP. Whenever he requests food, inform me, and I will personally prepare it. Also, charge him only the cost price for his meals!”

“Yes.”

For the sake of himself and his descendants learning the Clone Cultivation Method, Master Bao decided to befriend Mu Lin.

As for why a chef could command the manager—this was what Yan Yunyu had previously explained: when certain professions reach the level of Master, the supply-demand relationship becomes imbalanced.

At this point, it is no longer the Master who needs the establishment, but the establishment that begs for the Master.

This was also why she immediately changed her attitude upon seeing Mu Lin’s potential to become a Master.

…

Mu Lin paid no mind to Master Bao’s attempts to curry favor, nor did he fear poison in his meals—damage transfer, you know.

What made Mu Lin’s gaze turn cold was that, as expected, that very night, Chu Lingluo’s mother sent someone to summon him, ordering him to come over. The maid delivering the message was extremely rude, clearly indicating that Chu Lingluo’s mother, feeling she had lost great face during the day, intended to hold him accountable.

And, as a matter of course, he had no intention of going.

“Go over? No time.”

“By the way, please convey to that Madam that I have not laid a hand on Chu Lingluo. Everything that has happened is entirely Chu Lingluo’s own choice. If she does not wish to see this, she should come herself and take Chu Lingluo away.”

“And also, tell her that the Chu Family’s internal affairs should be handled by themselves. I have no intention of interfering, nor do I have the time to concern myself with them. From now on, do not bother me with such matters again!”

Direct and extremely firm, Mu Lin’s attitude had shifted along with his strength—no, it should be said that Mu Lin’s attitude had always been this way.

Previously, he had not acted this way only because his strength was insufficient and his backing was weak, forcing him to compromise helplessly.

But now, he had the confidence to say ‘no’ to things he did not want.

Mu Lin’s attitude left the maid who had come to deliver the message stunned.

“You… you… how dare you show such disrespect to the Madam…”

Stimulated by Mu Lin’s firm stance, the girl’s words became somewhat faltering. Clearly, she had not expected such a response from Mu Lin. In her embarrassment and anger, she even had thoughts of taking action.

Then, she was restrained by Yan Yunyu.

After giving the latter a look, signaling her to handle the matter, Mu Lin paid no further attention. Instead, he followed his original plan: entering the Time Tower, consuming the Spiritual Meal, and then… undergoing the Thunder Pool baptism for his third transformation!

…

Although there was the Time Tower, by the time Mu Lin had fully digested the Spiritual Meal, it was already night. As a result, when he went to challenge the Thunder Pool, few noticed.

Mu Lin did not mind this. He had come here to improve his strength, not to show off. The absence of others only made him feel more at ease.

“Rumble…”

As before, the moment Mu Lin entered the Thunder Pool, his body was washed over by electric currents.

However, having undergone two consecutive transformations, both within the Thunder Pool, Mu Lin’s body had developed a strong resistance to thunder and lightning.

Thus, this time, he felt no pain until he reached 24 meters, experiencing only a tingling, numbing sensation of comfort.

It was only at 36 meters that a stinging pain began to emerge.

Without lingering too long in the earlier stages, Mu Lin unleashed two major techniques: Spirit Channeling – Ancestral Soul and Sky-reaching Spell·Purple Star Power.

With both techniques activated simultaneously, Mu Lin surged forward like a killer whale speeding through a storm.

Soon, he reached his previous limit of 72 meters.

However, that was his past limit, not his current one. Through feasting on Spiritual Meals brimming with yang energy, Mu Lin’s vitality was abundant and vigorous, supporting him as he advanced another nine meters.

In the end, Mu Lin stopped at 81 meters in the Majestic Thunder Pool, just 18 meters away from the farthest point of 99 meters.

Upon realizing this, Mu Lin felt not joy but rather… disappointment.

“Only 18 meters left… What a pity. The idea of transforming into a True Dragon within the Thunder Pool is now shattered. These last 18 meters will definitely not be enough to support me through the remaining six transformations.”

“Even reaching the sixth transformation will be difficult.”

This realization made Mu Lin sigh, but upon careful reflection, it seemed perfectly normal.

Becoming a True Dragon was no easy feat.

With long lifespans, formidable strength, and exceptionally outstanding talents… as the most perfect beings, fully matured True Dragons in most worlds could stand alongside immortals and gods.

Such power naturally made their attainment extremely difficult.

The essence of the refined bloodline that Mu Lin had cultivated originated from an Evil Jiao, slain by a powerful human. The reason it had led ten thousand demons in a flood, submerging vast stretches of fertile land, was precisely to accumulate momentum, hoping to leap through the Dragon Gate and seize a sliver of opportunity to transform into a dragon.

‘If transforming into a dragon were truly so easy, the Jiao Dragon wouldn’t be foolish enough to avoid cooperating with humans, resorting instead to such crude methods.’

‘Come to think of it, if I want to transform into a dragon, wouldn’t I also have to cause a flood?’

As these thoughts crossed his mind, a bitter expression appeared on Mu Lin’s face.

Only great rivers and vast waters could give birth to Dragon Veins, allowing the Jiao Dragon to gather sufficient power through flooding to charge at the elusive Dragon Gate.

Yet, fertile lands inevitably surrounded great rivers, and the convenience of water flow made them beloved by humans.

Thus, humans were bound to inhabit areas near rivers and waterways. In fact, these regions were the lifeblood of human civilization.

When the Jiao Dragon caused a flood to charge at the Dragon Gate, it inevitably had to gather immense power—a force it could not fully control. If it could truly master such power, the Jiao Dragon would already be a True Dragon, and there would be no need for flooding in the first place.

This uncontrollable power, influenced by the Jiao Dragon’s nature, would bring torrential rains and overwhelming floods.

These waters would serve as an aid when the Jiao Dragon charged at the Dragon Gate.

But before that, the floodwaters accompanying the Jiao Dragon’s advance would inevitably drown countless acres of fertile land and affect millions of humans…

“Damn it, the Jiao Dragon’s flooding requires gathering power, and humans won’t stand idly by while millions suffer. The path of flooding is fundamentally impossible to complete.”

This was a significant obstacle, and at the very least, Mu Lin could find no good solution.

Fortunately, this was a matter for the future. For now, Mu Lin’s more pressing task was to complete his third transformation.

As this transformation would grant him unique traits, Mu Lin was quite eager.

“I wonder just how powerful the Lightning Breath ability truly is.”

“Rumble…”

(End of Chapter)