Chapter 19 – Advancement Successful: The Opportunity for Spirit Awakening

“Hum…”

Under Mu Lin’s guidance, a vast amount of spiritual energy was drawn into his body.

Once inside, this spiritual energy obediently submitted to his will. Then, this immense energy swiftly circulated within Mu Lin’s body along the path of the Ouroboros serpent.

“Hum…”

Soon, the spiritual energy completed one full cycle within him.

Then came the second cycle, the third, the fourth…

With each cycle, a portion of the spiritual energy became infused with Mu Lin’s aura. Under the influence of the Blackwater Profound Serpent’s genes, some transformed into energy, tempering and merging into his body, while others turned into Black Mist Magical Power.

And for every bit of spiritual energy consumed, more from the surroundings would be drawn in by Mu Lin, allowing his Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art to operate at full speed.

“However, this wonderful cultivation can only last for now.”

“Wealth, companionship, methods, and land—a place rich in spiritual energy is also a resource. With my current weak strength, this isn’t an issue yet. But once I grow stronger, a single cultivation session might drain all the surrounding spiritual energy. To avoid wasting time waiting idly, I’ll need to find a Blessed Land. Only such places abundant in spiritual energy can sustain my cultivation… I must absolutely secure the evaluation of ‘Second-Class Talent.’ Once I cultivate to the Gushing Spring Realm, an ordinary dwelling will definitely not meet my cultivation needs. Only areas near a Spiritual Spring can satisfy my requirements.”

“And the Dao Palace only provides free dwellings near Spiritual Springs to disciples rated ‘Second-Class Talent’ or above!”

Operating the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art did not consume much mental effort. Coupled with Mu Lin’s ability to multitask, he could ponder other matters while cultivating.

However, soon, Mu Lin’s focus converged once more.

The Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art had reached its fifth cycle.

“Hum…”

As this cultivation session concluded, a sense of completion welled up within Mu Lin’s heart.

Simultaneously, a thoughtful insight appeared out of nowhere in his mind. Instinctively, he began another cycle of the cultivation method.

Unlike before, during this cycle, Mu Lin’s heart suddenly began beating rapidly.

The intense pounding accelerated his blood flow, sending a rush of heat to his brain and causing slight dizziness.

In that hazy state between consciousness and unconsciousness, Mu Lin felt as if he had visualized a ferocious, terrifying, profound, and immensely colossal serpent.

“This is… the inherited memory from the demon beast’s bloodline—that is the Blackwater Profound Serpent!”

As Mu Lin visualized the giant serpent, the serpent, in turn, fixed its cold, vertical pupils on him.

As their eyes met, Mu Lin suddenly realized that in the serpent’s gaze, there was no reflection of a human. Instead, a slightly smaller black python was seen raising its head, staring intently ahead.

“Why is there no human… The serpent is me, and I am the serpent!”

Only then did Mu Lin realize that in his Sea of Consciousness, his half-dreaming, half-awake soul had unknowingly transformed into that of a serpent.

Some innate instincts and knowledge were also passed down to Mu Lin through this bloodline memory.

From these inherited memories, Mu Lin learned how serpents hunt, how to cast spells, how to control water and disperse mist, how to sense the outside world…

Unfortunately, before he could absorb more knowledge, this moment of enlightenment ended. Mu Lin fully awakened from his half-dreaming state.

However, though he was now awake, the lingering effects remained.

At this moment, Mu Lin’s Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art was still continuously circulating.

And this time, it wasn’t just Spiritual Energy flowing; the Black Mist Magical Power within Mu Lin’s body was also mixed in, rapidly coursing through his meridians.

The swiftly circulating Spiritual Energy and magical power gave rise to a sudden realization in Mu Lin’s heart.

“When this meridian, resembling an ouroboros, is entirely covered with Black Mist Magical Power, and this power can connect end to end to form the ∞ symbol, I will be able to achieve Spirit Awakening.”

Mu Lin had found the key to Spirit Awakening; he had even discovered a shortcut to achieve it quickly.

“If I consume Blackwater Profound Serpent Essence Blood, just five drops would allow the Black Mist Magical Power to spread throughout my meridians, enabling me to achieve Spirit Awakening rapidly.”

Thinking this, Mu Lin shook his head and gave up the idea.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to become a top-tier Prodigy, but he simply couldn’t afford it. Five drops of Blackwater Profound Serpent Essence Blood were an unbearable expense for him.

Moreover, Spirit Awakening also represented one’s foundation. Although the Paper Crafting Scripture was eerie, terrifying, and fraught with Anomalies, it was powerful. For this reason, Mu Lin preferred to use the Taiyin Life-Nurturing Scripture for his Spirit Awakening.

Having found the key to Spirit Awakening, learned the method, and even discovered a shortcut, yet being unable to pursue it due to various reasons, left Mu Lin somewhat sighing in regret.

Fortunately, the various abilities unlocked after the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art reached the second realm soothed the disappointment in Mu Lin’s heart.

[Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art (Earth Grade, Lower Tier), 2nd Realm Proficiency (1/900), Traits: Serpent Scales, Hibernation, Water Control, Black Mist Art]

Although the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art was a body-refining Cultivation Method, it was unlike martial arts. Instead, it resembled the legendary sorcerers, both involving the fusion of demonic monster blood to awaken innate Spells and supernatural abilities.

Now, having advanced the Cultivation Method to the second realm, Mu Lin had awakened four innate traits.

Among these, Serpent Scales was easy to understand: when Black Mist Magical Power surged, hard scales would emerge on Mu Lin’s body surface, capable of resisting enemy attacks.

Water Control and the Black Mist Art stemmed from the fact that the Blackwater Profound Serpent was no ordinary snake but a demonic monster infused with dragon blood. By fusing with its Essence Blood, Mu Lin gained an innate ability to control water and exhale mist.

“Now I understand why, among so many body-refining Cultivation Methods, Grandpa had me choose the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art.”

“The Black Mist Art and the Paper Crafting Scripture are a perfect match.”

The Paper Crafting Scripture belonged to the Heterodox Path. At lower levels, it inevitably had some flaws.

One of these hidden dangers was the risk of soul contamination from channeling the power of Sky Burial City.

Another flaw, common to all Cultivators of the Yin Eight Gates, was unavoidable.

As practitioners of the Heterodox Path, at lower levels, the Spells they released were of a Yin nature, making them easily countered by the righteous energy of sunlight.

In severe cases, they might even possess no combat ability during the day.

But now, this problem no longer existed for Mu Lin.

Exhaling mist, especially the unique Black Mist of the Blackwater Profound Serpent, ensured that sunlight could hardly reach his Paper Figures.

The Black Mist Art had already delighted Mu Lin, but the final innate ability—Hibernation—made the smile on his face almost impossible to conceal.

As is well known, snakes have the habit of hibernation, which allows them to reduce their own consumption and survive the long, harsh winter.

As a demonic serpent with dragon blood, the Blackwater Profound Serpent naturally didn’t need to worry about the cold of winter. Yet, this ability remained necessary and extremely important for it.

The Blackwater Profound Serpent can rely on hibernation to recover from its injuries.

For Mu Lin, the greatest benefit of this ability is:

“Meridian swelling and pain—isn’t that one of the manifestations of bodily damage? With this talent, I no longer need to wait slowly for my body to recover. I can simply initiate hibernation and let my meridians repair rapidly while I sleep!”

(End of Chapter)