Chapter 20 – The Power of Hibernation

“Hibernation. If used well, this ability could effectively double my cultivation time!”

…

Serpent Scales provided defense, Water Control and the Black Mist Art were exceptionally useful spells, and Hibernation was of great benefit to Mu Lin’s cultivation. He was one hundred percent satisfied with this advancement of his cultivation method.

Oh, right, there was one more thing to mention: after the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art advanced to the second realm, Mu Lin’s realm now belonged to the Spirit Awakening Realm.

Of course, because his proficiency in the cultivation method had increased too rapidly, Mu Lin’s current situation was that his realm had reached it, but his mana cultivation had not yet caught up.

Only when his Black Mist Magical Power filled the meridians resembling an ouroboros and he successfully achieved Spirit Awakening would his mana cultivation finally match his realm.

“People always say mana is easy to cultivate, but realms are hard to advance. Who would have thought that in my case, it would be the opposite?”

With a bitter smile, Mu Lin continued his cultivation.

Then, Mu Lin circulated the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art a full eighteen times in one go.

—Advancing to the second realm and activating his bloodline power, even though Mu Lin’s mana cultivation hadn’t reached that level yet, his physical body still received a wave of strengthening.

Increasing the circulation cycles from twelve to eighteen times was a side effect of his improved physique.

“Time to hibernate!”

His aching, swollen meridians prompted Mu Lin to lie down on the table and activate Hibernation, and he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Mu Lin slept soundly and deeply, and unconsciously, his body curled up, resembling a coiled serpent.

His breathing also became long and steady due to this special sleep.

What Mu Lin didn’t know was that his actions were all observed by Ma Daoren.

Actually, it should be said that Ma Daoren had noticed Mu Lin the moment his Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art advanced in realm—one incense stick’s time ago.

He couldn’t help but notice. When Mu Lin advanced, not only did his consciousness change, but the spiritual energy from the outside world also surged into his body, strengthening his flesh and meridians. This was also why, after his bloodline power was activated and awakened, he could immediately increase the circulation cycles of the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art from twelve per session to the current eighteen.

The disturbance in spiritual energy caught Ma Daoren’s attention. As a Spell Master (a respectful title) who had refined Sha and condensed Gang, he naturally saw at a glance that Mu Lin’s realm had reached Spirit Awakening, but due to insufficient resources, his mana cultivation remained at the Qi Drawing stage.

Mu Lin had once lamented that mana was easy to cultivate, but realms were hard to advance.

This statement was actually correct. As a Spell Master who had condensed Gang and refined Sha, Ma Daoren had a hundred ways to help Mu Lin quickly improve his cultivation, allowing his mana to match his realm.

Blackwater Profound Serpent Essence Blood, Earth Origin Marrow-Nourishing Pills, Primordial Spirit Fruits, Jade Liquid Pools… In short, if he wanted, Mu Lin could successfully achieve Spirit Awakening that very night.

Thus, he began to ponder whether to help Mu Lin.

“If I leave him be, he’ll still succeed in Spirit Awakening in thirty to fifty days. However, the timing of Spirit Awakening affects the treatment granted by the Dao Palace. If I help, I could give him a smoother start… Should I help?”

After some thought, Ma Daoren originally intended to help. For one, he also came from a humble background and wanted to assist Mu Lin, who was similarly from a poor family.

Another reason was that he felt although Mu Lin’s Spirit Root talent was poor, his comprehension was outstanding (quickly advancing the Cultivation Method to the second realm). Helping him would benefit himself in the future.

With such thoughts in mind, if nothing unexpected happened, Mu Lin would receive some items that evening.

However, in the end, an unexpected situation arose.

Ma Daoren, who had intended to lend a helping hand, retrieved Mu Lin’s resources and examined them carefully. Then, he discovered that Mu Lin also possessed a heritage, and that heritage belonged to the Paper Crafting Secret Art of the Yin Eight Gates.

This instantly filled him with disgust, and he completely abandoned the idea of assisting Mu Lin.

“Those who toy with souls and corpses are a sinister, terrifying, and cursed group of ill-omened individuals. Associating with them, whether for good or ill, often invites misfortune… It’s better to forget about helping him. I don’t want to invite trouble.”

Shaking his head, Ma Daoren returned to his listless state.

It must be said that Mu Lin’s initial aversion to the Yin Eight Gates was justified. Those deeply entangled with death, corpses, and souls were regarded as ill-omened, and no one, regardless of their intentions, wished to associate with them.

This also meant that Mu Lin was essentially excluded from scenarios where elders would take notice and bestow treasures.

After all, elders bestowed treasures with the hope that their disciples or descendants would handle their affairs after their passing. Therefore, those elders sought individuals who were not only exceptionally talented but also loyal and righteous.

Seeking disciples from the Yin Eight Gates was like throwing meat buns to a dog—they would never return. Most disciples of the Yin Eight Gates were accustomed to following unorthodox paths. Entrusting them with posthumous matters often led to their corpses being exhumed and refined into corpse-bearers, or their souls being used to create Malevolent Ghosts…

With such concerns, which elder would be willing to assist them?

It was only because Anomalies were causing chaos, demonic monsters were emerging everywhere, and humanity was in peril, desperately in need of all kinds of combat strength.

Otherwise, the Yin Eight Gates would have long been denounced by all, much like the Demonic Sect.

…

Unaware that others had considered investing in him, Ma Daoren’s subsequent withdrawal naturally did not stir any waves in Mu Lin’s heart.

Even if he had known, he wouldn’t have cared.

“I will never use the Blackwater Profound Serpent Mortal Shedding Art for Spirit Awakening.”

As for the Yin Eight Gates being regarded as ill-omened, Mu Lin, who had already decided on his path, no longer felt regret.

“This isn’t without its benefits. Being seen as ill-omened means that while others are unwilling to associate with Cultivators of the Yin Eight Gates, they are also reluctant to provoke us.”

After all, provoking a Cultivator from the Yin Eight Gates could easily lead to one’s ancestral graves being dug up.

Moreover, among the various heritages of the Yin Eight Gates, aside from the executioners, the other seven gates all possessed various dark and curse-based methods.

Such as the Five Ghosts Soul Devouring, Soul-Loss Nails, Paper Figure Curse, Bloodline Curse Killing… These could curse or harm others without direct contact.

There is a saying: one can be a thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against thieves for a thousand days—being targeted by an ill-omened individual who employs underhanded methods and various curses is truly terrifying.

All these factors meant that even young masters from prominent families would not lightly provoke Mu Lin, allowing him to cultivate in peace.

…

The healing effects of Hibernation were excellent. After a deep and satisfying sleep, Mu Lin found that the swelling pain in his meridians had completely disappeared.

This also meant he could cultivate again.

However, soon, Mu Lin no longer had the mood to ponder such matters.

“Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle…”

His stomach growled.

The law of conservation of energy held true in this world as well.

Although the Blackwater Profound Serpent’s innate ability, Hibernation, could heal injuries, it was not without cost. As his wounds rapidly recovered, the vitality energy stored in Mu Lin’s body was also being swiftly depleted.

The intense energy consumption filled Mu Lin’s body and mind with a gnawing hunger, his eyes even turning green with it.

Not daring to delay, he rushed into the cafeteria and immediately devoured three bowls of Spirit Rice Meal.

“Hah… I’m finally alive again.”

The nutrient-rich Spirit Rice Meal replenished all of Mu Lin’s expended energy.

But Mu Lin had a feeling that only rice or Spirit Medicine infused with Spiritual Energy could truly replenish his losses; ordinary food would have minimal effect on him.

“…”

This realization left Mu Lin silent.

“It seems my staple food from now on will be Spirit Rice Meal. However, after activating Hibernation, a single bowl of Spirit Rice Meal won’t be enough to fill me up. I need at least three meals a day, and if I use Hibernation frequently, it could be five, even eight meals.”

“That’s fifteen to twenty-four bowls.”

Originally, a single bowl of Spirit Rice Meal only cost one Spirit Crystal, which Mu Lin hadn’t considered a problem.

But now, twenty-four bowls meant two and a half Low-Grade Spirit Stones—a burden he could no longer bear.

“Sigh… I never thought that even after becoming a Qi Refiner, I’d still worry about having enough to eat.”

Feeling dejected, Mu Lin sighed, picked up nine bowls of Spirit Rice Meal, and returned to his residence.

This was his midnight snack.

Once home and fully recovered, Mu Lin first meditated for a while. When the Moon rose, its cool radiance shining down, he faced it and began cultivating the Taiyin Life-Nurturing Scripture.

“Hum…”

Strands of moonlight were drawn toward Mu Lin, and soon, his body was filled with the cool power of Moonlight.

Then, guided by his will, this moonlight began circulating within him along specific meridian pathways.

With each successful cycle, a portion of the moonlight would be imprinted with Mu Lin’s aura and transformed into Mana: Life-Nurturing Qi.

Unlike the black, mist-like Black Mist Magical Power, Life-Nurturing Qi remained a pale moonlight color. However, compared to the cold brilliance of moonlight, it appeared paler and more delicate, like the skin of a sickly beauty, giving off an unsettling feeling.

“… This thing looks ominous. I hope it becomes a bit more normal after transitioning from Yin to Yang.”

With a sigh, Mu Lin continued his cultivation.

Soon, he discovered that this time, he managed to complete nine cycles before his meridians began to ache faintly.

Without hesitation, after quickly finishing a bowl of Spirit Rice Meal, Mu Lin lay down on his bed and immediately fell asleep.

“Inhale… Exhale…”

Coiled like a snake or curled up like an infant, once Hibernation activated, Mu Lin’s sleep quality was exceptionally deep.

The swelling and discomfort in his meridians were also rapidly repaired during his slumber.

Soon, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed, and Mu Lin’s body was fully restored.

“Gurgle…”

Just like before, the first thing Mu Lin felt upon waking was hunger.

Fortunately, he had eaten a bowl of Spirit Rice Meal before entering Hibernation, so this time, his eyes didn’t turn green with hunger.

After leisurely eating two more bowls, Mu Lin once again began cultivating the Taiyin Life-Nurturing Scripture.

Thus, Mu Lin’s night cycled endlessly between cultivation, hibernation, eating, cultivation, hibernation, and eating.

Throughout the night, Mu Lin cultivated for a full three cycles, advancing the proficiency of the Taiyin Life-Nurturing Scripture by a full 27 points.

“The Taiyin Life-Nurturing Scripture at the 1st Realm Entry level has a proficiency cap of 360 points. Twenty-seven points per night… thirteen days. In just thirteen days, my cultivation method will advance!”

“And when the cultivation method advances, that will also be the moment I can seek the opportunity for Spirit Awakening!”

At this thought, Mu Lin’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

The evaluation for a Grade B talent was thirty-three days. To break through the entry bottleneck and reach the 2nd Realm Proficiency level in thirteen days—this was already a sure thing!

(End of Chapter)