Chapter 200 – Demons Are Terrifying? Sorry, So Am I

As the legitimate sons of aristocratic families and prodigies meticulously nurtured by the Jade Lake Dao Academy, Chu Hongxuan, Yuan Ce, and Yan Zhanpeng were formidable.

They were on an entirely different level compared to ordinary disciples.

However, despite their strength, the chaotic battle just now had been even more terrifying. Mu Lin, who had lured numerous demonic monsters and anomalies, truly had the opportunity to kill them if he had wanted—at the very least, he could have covertly eliminated one.

Yet, in the end, after the chaotic battle, their subordinates had perished in countless numbers, while they themselves remained largely unscathed.

This was because, in the later stages, Mu Lin had not specifically targeted them.

Of course, this was not due to Mu Lin repaying malice with kindness or intending to spare them.

His plan at the time had been to use their hands to thoroughly eliminate some of the more troublesome demonic monsters in the city.

Once their usefulness was exhausted and they themselves were worn down to their limits by the monsters, Mu Lin would then make his move.

Unfortunately, the Blood Moon calamity had shattered his schemes.

Now, with the rise of the Blood Moon, the conflict between Mu Lin and Chu Hongxuan and the others instantly ceased to be the primary concern.

Everyone’s foremost priority now was how to survive under the Blood Moon.

It was no wonder Mu Lin thought this way, for the Blood Moon was far too dangerous and terrifying.

The monsters in Cloud City were already stronger than ordinary disciples, with many demons and monsters at the Spirit Pool Realm or even the Spirit Sea Realm.

With the arrival of the Blood Moon and the onset of aberrations, the strength of these demons and monsters surged dramatically.

Now, Spirit Sea Realm demonic monsters were everywhere in Cloud City, and even higher realms like Sha Refinement were commonplace.

“Roar…”

“Wail…”

The incessant roars and shrieks echoing throughout the city imbued the vast Cloud City with an aura of ferocity and rage, transforming it into a veritable blood prison.

Beyond the monsters’ increased strength, the erosion of the Blood Moon and the blood mist, along with the endless whispers, made every step difficult for Mu Lin and the others.

“Troublesome.”

The sudden turn of events left Mu Lin frustrated by the disruption of his plans.

Beside him, Chu Lingluo, Yan Yunyu, and Ji Xue stared in shock at the city teeming with monsters and endless roars.

Chu Lingluo exclaimed, “Is the Southeast Region assessment really this difficult? With this level of challenge, apart from Brother Mu, we wouldn’t last even the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”

Yan Yunyu smiled at this, though her smile was cold.

“This is indeed the difficulty level expected for the Southeast Region assessment, but it’s meant for the final night. Generally speaking, on the final night, we would need to hide and flee within this boundless blood prison.”

“Survival is the only requirement for passing; failure to survive means failing the task.”

“But it seems the Headmaster of Jade Lake Dao Academy couldn’t wait any longer and moved the final night forward.”

Yan Yunyu, who had long been involved in practical matters, understood many societal norms and darker truths. The moment the Blood Moon descended, she grasped the reason behind the Jade Lake Dao Academy’s actions, which was why her expression turned cold.

As she spoke, an aberrant monster seemed to catch a scent and turned its gaze toward Mu Lin and the others’ location.

Noticing this, Chu Lingluo paled and spoke apologetically, “Brother Mu, I’m sorry… my Heaven-Human Synchronization failed…”

“…It’s fine.”

As Mu Lin finished speaking, an aberrant paper figure appeared not far from them and hurled stones toward the monsters.

—Mu Lin’s Paper Figures had indeed undergone aberration and were at risk of losing control. However, since they had not directly gazed upon the Blood Moon, their loss of control was a gradual process rather than instantaneous. As a result, Mu Lin could still exert some control over them for now.

“Roar!”

“Kill you…”

The sacrifice of the Paper Figures drew the monsters away from Mu Lin’s side.

Yet, witnessing this scene, neither Chu Lingluo, Yan Yunyu, nor Ji Xue showed the slightest hint of relief.

The city was teeming with too many terrifying monsters. As time passed, it was inevitable that some would discover them.

What was even more frightening was that the monsters’ aberrations were continuously progressing.

Even the building they stood on was being corroded by the blood mist, sprouting eyes that stared fixedly at them.

It was foreseeable that once the building fully transformed into a monster, it would mark the beginning of their pursuit.

Since such changes were occurring everywhere in Cloud City, it meant that despite its vastness, there was no longer a safe place for them to stand.

Even underground was not an option. When Mu Lin had emerged from below, he had noticed insects absorbing the blood mist, transforming into earthworms dozens or even hundreds of meters long, armed with thousands of sharp teeth.

“The difficulty of this final night is truly intense.”

While Mu Lin was reflecting on this, Yan Yunyu, realizing the direness of their situation, spoke to him without hesitation: “Brother Mu, if danger arises later, don’t hesitate—abandon us immediately. This is just an assessment. Your survival until the end is what matters most.”

Chu Lingluo added, “Me too, Brother Mu. Protecting yourself is the most important thing.”

Ji Xue said, “Don’t worry about me either. Dying here would only prove I wasn’t capable enough.”

Mu Lin smiled faintly at their words. “No need to be so pessimistic. We’re not at a dead end yet.”

He had no intention of abandoning Yan Yunyu and the others—at least not for now.

He was well aware that everything happening in Cloud City was merely part of an assessment, not a true life-or-death situation.

Under such circumstances, his life was not in real danger. Therefore, Mu Lin’s immediate focus was on how to showcase himself to attract the attention of higher-ups and powerful figures.

This display was not limited to sheer strength, as no one would want to invest in nurturing an ungrateful person.

Thus, aside from demonstrating his abilities, Mu Lin also needed to show his friendly and helpful side.

Of course, being friendly did not mean being a pushover or allowing himself to be bullied. So, when attacked, Mu Lin retaliated immediately without hesitation. This eye-for-an-eye, tooth-for-a-tooth attitude would help him avoid many unnecessary troubles in the future.

While pondering these thoughts, Mu Lin began to take action.

He did not unleash any powerful Mystical Arts to clear the surrounding monsters.

That would be futile. In fact, making too much noise might attract the attention of even more terrifying monsters, putting him in greater danger.

Instead, Mu Lin focused on concealment.

“Swish…”

He pulled out several sheets of white paper and quickly folded them. In no time, he had deftly crafted a series of Paper Figures.

However, unlike before, the Paper Figures he created this time were not ordinary humans but monsters with pig heads on human bodies or sheep heads on human forms.

Once the Paper Figures were folded, Mu Lin wasted no time. He immediately took out a brush and ink and began Painting on the monsters.

The paint for the painting was blood—the blood of Yan Yunyu, Ji Xue, Chu Lingluo, and Mu Lin.

While painting, Mu Lin also infused the essence of gazing directly at the Blood Moon into it, one by one.

“Swish…”

After a series of actions, several special Paper Figures soon appeared in Mu Lin’s hands, which he then handed over to Chu Lingluo and the others.

“Use them. They will protect you.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Yunyu and the other girls did not hesitate in the slightest, immediately activating the Paper Figures.

And soon, they noticed the difference in these Paper Figures.

In the past, Mu Lin’s Paper Figures were summoned directly as Puppets to fight on their own.

Now, however, these special Paper Figures enveloped Yan Yunyu and the others like a full-body suit or armor.

Wrapped in the Paper Figures, they transformed into terrifying monsters.

At the same time, the surrounding blood mist and the blood moon radiance no longer corroded their Main Bodies but were instead absorbed by the Paper Monster armor covering them entirely.

“Ugh… so ugly.”

Chu Lingluo, who had a childlike personality and loved beauty, frowned unhappily upon discovering her “appearance” had turned into a terrifying demonic monster with a goat’s head and a human body.

But while she was displeased, Yan Yunyu looked at Mu Lin with deep admiration.

There was an element of deliberate flattery in her gaze, but more than that, she genuinely admired Mu Lin and felt a sense of security by his side.

“Devoting myself wholeheartedly to Brother Mu Lin was the most correct decision I ever made.”

It was no wonder she thought this way, as she understood all too well what Mu Lin’s Paper Armor meant. Not only did it prevent them from being corroded by the blood mist, keeping their bodies from undergoing aberration and their minds from descending into madness, but more importantly, after absorbing the blood mist, the Paper Monster armor transformed them into blood monsters indistinguishable from those around them.

With this layer of disguise, they would no longer fear attacks from Blood Moon Demons and could move freely and boldly through the city.

Moreover, Yan Yunyu understood that the Tower of Illusory Heavens was no different from reality.

This also meant that what Mu Lin could accomplish here, he could also achieve in the outside world.

“If a terrifying Calamity capable of wiping out an entire city occurred in a real-world town, others could only wait for death. Even the teachers at the Dao Academy, despite their formidable strength, would have little chance of survival… Their out-of-place aura would draw constant attacks from demons and monsters. No matter how strong they were, unless they exceeded all limits, they would eventually exhaust their Mana and die in battle.”

“But I am different. With Brother Mu here, relying on his lifelike, essence-infused Paper Figures, we can perfectly disguise ourselves as monsters and easily escape the calamity-stricken area.”

This sense of security was what Yan Yunyu desired most.

And from the information gathered from various regions, Yan Yunyu also understood that the world in the future would inevitably face continuous disasters and frequent chaos.

In such circumstances, Mu Lin’s ability to disguise would become even more crucial.

(End of Chapter)