Chapter 202 – Calligraphy Nearing Grandmaster Level

“Don’t do it!”

“Facing this Doomsday Calamity, we humans should cooperate peacefully and help each other, not kill each other anymore.”

If Mu Lin swept everyone aside, Jade Lake Dao Academy would indeed be in a difficult position. However, correspondingly, Yan Zhanpeng, Chu Hongxuan, and the others would also be overshadowed, unable to showcase their abilities.

This was absolutely not what the relatives and friends of Chu Hongxuan and the others wanted to see.

Whether they were subordinates or elders, they all hoped that Chu Hongxuan and the others would perform outstandingly, gain the attention of their families, and secure more resources.

While feeling anxious, they also pondered how to persuade Mu Lin to spare their descendants.

No one considered threats. After witnessing Mu Lin’s talent, anyone with a shred of intelligence knew that Mu Lin was destined to rise.

They also understood that in this time of impending calamity, many families and factions would be willing to invest in Mu Lin and protect his growth.

Mu Lin was no longer a minor figure who could be easily threatened or manipulated.

It must be said that the aristocratic families indeed had capable individuals. In their anxiety, they quickly figured out how to help their own descendants, coming up with two or three strategies at once.

“Let’s go find the Headmaster. Since he organized this assessment, he must have a way to contact those inside. He can warn Mu Lin and talk to him about the greater good of the human race… Right now, humans are not our enemies; the foreign races are. We must not do things that hurt our own and please our enemies.”

“Ahem, it was our children who attacked first in this confrontation. Making demands outright would be inappropriate. We could offer some resources instead.”

“That’s a good idea. I agree.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll go find the Yan Family and the Chu Family. Chu Lingluo and Yan Yunyu are also on good terms with Mu Lin. If the two girls persuade him from the side, it’ll be easier to change his mind.”

“Right, the power of pillow talk is still strong.”

And so, the relatives and friends of Chu Hongxuan and the others quickly sprang into action. Some went to find the Headmaster of Jade Lake Dao Academy, others prepared resources, and some approached Fourth Elder Yan and Chu Lingluo’s mother, pleading with them to help mediate.

The earnest pleas for help from old friends gave Fourth Elder Yan a sense of satisfaction. This boost to his prestige also made him even more pleased with Mu Lin.

“I understand your situation, and I’ll tell Yunyu about it. But I’m only responsible for mediating; what they decide to do afterward is not my concern.”

“Of course, as long as you’re willing to help, brother.”

…

In terms of strength, Yan Yunyu was far from matching Mu Lin. But when it came to handling matters, she was no less capable, and her loyalty to Mu Lin was unwavering. Therefore, when making certain decisions, Mu Lin would ask for her opinion.

Now, upon hearing Mu Lin’s inquiry, Yan Yunyu didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she smiled and transmitted her voice to him, saying, “Brother Mu, I don’t recommend you continue targeting Chu Hongxuan and the others.”

“The situation is different now. Back then, the crisis facing humanity wasn’t severe, so our internal conflicts didn’t matter much.”

“But now, with the calamity upon us and all of us in dire straits, continuing to fight would seem immature. Helping them and showing your magnanimity and goodwill would actually earn you more favor with the Demon Suppression Division and high-ranking officials like the prefect.”

“Of course, Hua Meng doesn’t count.”

At this point, Yan Yunyu said with a dark expression, “How dare she attack Brother Mu! We absolutely cannot let that bitch get away with this!”

Clearly, the sudden scene of Mu Lin being pierced through the heart had been too much of a shock for Yan Yunyu.

Mu Lin replied, “You don’t need to tell me. Chu Hongxuan and the others didn’t pose any threat to me—they didn’t even see my face. Letting them go is one thing, but Hua Meng… heh, I’m no saint.”

Seeing Mu Lin’s decisive and resolute attitude toward killing, Yan Yunyu felt even more satisfied with him. Then, remembering something, she quickly added:

“Oh, right, Brother Mu, no matter what decision you plan to make, don’t act for now. Wait a moment—there might be a pleasant surprise.”

This made Mu Lin raise an eyebrow.

He didn’t know where this “pleasant surprise” could come from, but out of trust in Yan Yunyu, he still chose to agree, nodding and saying:

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

…

Since Chu Lingluo had asked him to wait, Mu Lin didn’t take immediate action.

However, he didn’t just sit idle either.

While actively igniting the flames of the Vow-Power Heart Lamp to resist the blood mist’s corruption of his Divine Soul, Mu Lin used lightning to scorch his own body, burning away all the excess tentacles and organs.

—Although he was no longer actively absorbing the blood mist, under the Blood Moon, the mutation of Mu Lin’s body continued incessantly.

This was the Blood Moon’s blessing upon all things, as well as its pollution.

Only upon reaching his limit would this pollution cease. Naturally, by then, Mu Lin might be powerful, but his body would no longer be under his control.

Fortunately, with Mu Lin’s deliberate suppression, this evolution was progressing very slowly.

“If I keep using Thunder to strike myself, I can last at least a week. And if I go all out, I can last a month.”

For the latter, Mu Lin relied on—the Substitute Paper Figure.

Knowing the dangers of the Blood Moon, Mu Lin still dared to let the blood mist erode his body and cause aberrations, instead of covering himself with a paper figure like Yan Yunyu and the others. This wasn’t because he was foolish.

He believed the Master Grade Substitute Paper Figure was exceptionally powerful, which was why he dared to do this.

“The Substitute Paper Figure is a core ability derived from my fundamental Cultivation Method—the Taiyin Life-Nurturing Scripture. It is inherently powerful, and after being elevated to Master Grade, it can transfer all abnormalities in my body to the Substitute Paper Figure. With this ability, whether my body is polluted or the paper figure is polluted makes no difference.”

“After all, when the pollution I endure reaches its limit, I can simply transfer the abnormality to the Substitute Paper Figure and then burn it to ashes.”

With this backup plan, and one that could be used repeatedly, Mu Lin had the confidence to let the blood mist invade his body.

…

Suppressing the aberration of his body and preventing it from worsening further was what Mu Lin was doing.

In addition, while waiting, Mu Lin also took out paper and a brush under the Blood Moon and began writing.

Such refined elegance left Yan Yunyu utterly stunned. She opened her mouth, unsure of what to say.

However, she was concerned about Mu Lin’s feelings and didn’t dare say much, but the people outside wouldn’t hold back.

Especially the Jade Lake Dao Academy disciples who had lost to Mu Lin and were eliminated. Seeing Mu Ling leisurely practicing Calligraphy in this blood-colored hell, surrounded by countless demons, they all felt he was being overly pretentious.

“Hmph, putting on airs.”

“Too showy.”

“But still so handsome.”

“Hmm??”

The last to speak were some young girls. Girls in their youth naturally harbor romantic feelings, and this world worships the strong.

Now, within Cloud City, other Prodigy Disciples were fleeing in panic and disarray under the pursuit and encirclement of the Crimson Demon.

In contrast, Mu Lin could leisurely write and paint, a stark contrast that made him appear exceptionally refined and powerful.

Such a Prodigy naturally attracted the attention of some little girls.

After all, showing off truly could win the hearts of some sheltered young maidens.

As for those girls with deeper schemes, they also gazed at Mu Lin with shining eyes.

At home, follow the father; after marriage, follow the husband.

They understood well that their future status was closely tied to their husband’s abilities, and Mu Lin’s value, having been demonstrated just now, was beyond doubt.

Under such circumstances, they naturally felt drawn to him and did not mind giving him some face, cheering for him.

Even if they, too, felt that Mu Lin’s current behavior was somewhat pretentious.

But was Mu Lin truly picking up the brush to write just for the sake of showing off?

The answer was naturally no—he had neither the mood nor the leisure for such frivolity.

At this moment, lifting the brush to write and paint was to enhance his strength.

“Painting and Calligraphy are closely related, almost as one. My Painting ability has already reached the Grandmaster level, and my Calligraphy is not far behind. Now that I have time, it’s perfect to elevate it and advance it further.”

…

(End of Chapter)