Chapter 226 – True Intent of Clone Cultivation: Turmoil Rises

Aristocratic families are never benevolent, and they are insatiably greedy.

After Mu Lin’s strength was revealed, many aristocratic families began gathering information about him with all their might.

This information gathering partly aimed to cater to his preferences and win him over, but more so, they wanted to uncover Mu Lin’s secrets.

They wanted to know how Mu Lin, a commoner, managed to elevate his strength so rapidly in such a short time.

“Fortuitous encounter? A Dao Artifact, or a True Lord Inheritance? Or perhaps truly astonishing comprehension?”

The last possibility was straightforward—pure comprehension would only prompt everyone to try their best to win him over.

But if it were a fortuitous encounter, a Dao Artifact, or a True Lord Inheritance, that would be a different story… Of course, if Mu Lin’s rapid progress were due to a supreme treasure, he wouldn’t have been so high-profile in the first place.

Even now, he had made some preparations.

…

The investigations by the aristocratic families were thorough. However, even though they were reluctant to believe it, as the information they gathered increased, they had to acknowledge one thing.

Mu Lin’s rapid rise in strength was likely indeed due to his comprehension.

Well… during their investigations, everyone also discovered that Mu Lin had relied on some external assistance. However, this assistance came from Dongfang Ya, Yan Yunyu, and Chu Lingluo.

Having enjoyed the support of three influential women, Mu Lin did not face severe resource scarcity.

Under such circumstances, it was plausible that his extraordinary comprehension and talent allowed his strength to advance swiftly.

…

Upon learning this information, and given that Mu Lin was under the protection of Dongfang Ya and the Demon Suppression Division, many aristocratic families were already prepared to give up.

However, just as they were about to abandon their efforts, special intelligence emerged.

Unsurprisingly, the first to obtain this news were those most concerned about Mu Lin—members of the Yan Family and the Chu Family.

On this day, Fourth Elder Yan and the Yan Family Prodigy, Yan Zhanpeng, were discussing matters in a room.

Their discussion still revolved around Mu Lin. They hoped to form an alliance with him through Yan Yunyu to jointly confront Xue Ying and Hua Meng of the Jade Lake Dao Academy.

However, they were unsure how to make Mu Lin relinquish leadership of the team.

“Directly pressuring him with authority is absolutely not feasible. Mu Lin is not obligated to marry Yunyu, and forceful coercion would only push him toward others.”

Yan Zhanpeng said, “What about using resources? After all, he is a commoner, and his need for resources is high.”

This made Fourth Elder Yan ponder.

“It’s possible. At the Anping Dao Palace, Mu Lin was willing to take Yunyu along precisely for resources. If we offer enough, he might forgo fame and benefits and wholeheartedly assist us. But Yunyu might not agree—she also needs to gather momentum for her cultivation.”

Hearing this, Yan Zhanpeng did not show any deference and merely said calmly, “Cousin Yunyu will eventually marry someone.”

This convinced Fourth Elder Yan. Just as he was about to nod in agreement—

Bang! The door to their room was urgently pushed open, and a Yan Family disciple rushed in, panting heavily.

This scene displeased Fourth Elder Yan.

“Such panic and disorder—what kind of behavior is this…”

He was reprimanding, but before he could finish, the young man who had entered interrupted anxiously.

“Elder, something major has happened! We’ve discovered the secret behind Mu Lin’s rapid rise in strength.”

“What!”

Upon hearing this, both the Yan Family Fourth Branch Clan Elder and Yan Zhanpeng were visibly startled.

“Because of a Spirit Tool, a powerful legacy, or perhaps a ten-thousand-year Spirit Medicine?”

Yan Zhanpeng was the first to ask. The Yan Family Fourth Branch Clan Elder was already advanced in years; even if he discovered some secret, his strength would be difficult to improve.

Yan Zhanpeng was different. Young and self-proclaimed as a Prodigy, he had the opportunity to gain benefits from Mu Lin.

When questioned, the young man shook his head and said, “None of those. What Mu Lin relies on is a Mystical Art—the Substitute Paper Figure Art!”

Hearing this, both the Yan Family Fourth Branch Clan Elder and Yan Zhanpeng frowned deeply.

“Substitute Paper Figure? I know of this art and have even witnessed it. It certainly has its merits, but this technique is mainly used for self-preservation. What does it have to do with cultivation? Are you sure you haven’t made a mistake?”

“Absolutely not. We discovered that Mu Lin’s initial cultivation was unremarkable. From Sensing, to Qi Drawing, to Spirit Awakening, it took him a full thirty days—a mediocre standard. I cultivated faster than him.”

“His true takeoff began when he mastered the Substitute Paper Figure Art. It is said that, with his unconventional thinking, he comprehended a Clone Cultivation Technique.”

At this point, the young man’s tone was filled with envy and jealousy:

“His Clones are not only useful in combat but can also cultivate… several people cultivating together!”

Bang!

Hearing this, Yan Zhanpeng could no longer contain his excitement. The teacup on the table was crushed in his grip.

A cultivation speed several times faster—even he, who considered himself a Prodigy, could not ignore it.

Just as he thought this was Mu Lin’s limit, the young man’s next words sent a shiver through his body, making him tremble.

“A cultivation speed several times faster is not even Mu Lin’s limit. Currently, his cultivation speed is about twenty to thirty times that of an ordinary person, and that’s not even accounting for resource acceleration.”

“This is impossible!”

The overly shocking truth caused Yan Zhanpeng, who was usually deep and scheming, to raise his voice to the point of cracking.

As for the Yan Family Fourth Branch Clan Elder beside him, he wore an expression as if the young man had gone mad.

In response, the young man shrugged and said, “I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s all true. You know of Jade Lake Dao Academy’s Tower of Time, right? The Time Flow Rate inside that tower is three to five times faster than outside.”

“Of course, because the tower consumes a significant amount of lifespan, it’s not cost-effective for us humans to cultivate there. But Clones have no such limitation. Several Paper Figures, combined with a cultivation rate three to five times faster…”

At this point, before the young man could continue, Yan Zhanpeng had already pieced everything together.

“It all makes sense. No wonder Mu Lin, a commoner, cultivates so quickly. And after entering Jade Lake Dao Academy, his cultivation speed not only didn’t slow down but actually accelerated further. It all fits!”

The perfectly matching circumstances left Yan Zhanpeng with no more doubts.

At the same time, his eyes gleamed with envy and greed. The Clone Cultivation Technique was simply too powerful; he couldn’t suppress his covetous desires.

However, he also knew that seizing Mu Lin’s opportunity was beyond his own capabilities. Thus, he turned his gaze to the elder beside him.

“Fourth Branch Clan Elder, this Cultivation Method can serve as a foundation and should rightfully belong to our Yan Family.”

Yan Zhanpeng wanted it, and the Yan Family Fourth Branch Clan Elder wanted it too:

“I know, but this cultivation method isn’t so easy to obtain. The Eastern Family, the Chu Family, the Demon Suppression Division, the Jade Lake Dao Academy, the Azure Dragon Legion, and the Ge Family… they’re definitely eyeing this method just like we are.”

“Acting recklessly won’t just fail to secure the method for us—it could push it into the hands of rival families and even provoke a powerful enemy. The cultivation method is indeed important, but Mu Lin, who managed to comprehend the mysteries of clone cultivation, is someone we’d be better off not offending.”

After some thought, Yan Zhanpeng had to admit that the intricate entanglements among the major aristocratic families meant Mu Lin wasn’t someone they could easily manipulate.

Just as they were frowning and pondering how to obtain the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram without damaging relations, the young man beside them quickly spoke up: “Clan Head, Brother Zhanpeng, there’s no need for this. This cultivation method is actually quite easy to obtain… Mu Lin hasn’t hidden it. Instead, he’s spread word that he’s willing to exchange the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram for resources.”

“???”

“He’s gone mad!”

Upon first hearing this, both Yan Zhanpeng and Fourth Elder Yan were somewhat incredulous.

If they had obtained such a powerful cultivation method, they would have kept it tightly concealed, never allowing others to cultivate it—not even their own clansmen. Only their own sons might have had a sliver of a chance to discuss it.

Thus, they couldn’t quite understand Mu Lin’s reasoning for doing this.

However, Fourth Elder Yan soon thought of something and nodded in understanding. “…A clever move. He can’t hide this method, nor can he protect it. Clinging to it would only bring disaster upon himself.”

“Instead, by releasing it, he can exchange it for vast resources.”

At this point, Fourth Elder Yan even sighed with admiration. “To be able to part with such a treasure without hesitation—with such temperament, Mu Lin is bound to achieve great things in the future.”

With that, Fourth Elder Yan immediately stood up and headed outside, intending to discuss the sale of the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram with Mu Lin.

On the way, when he heard that the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram had been entrusted to Yan Yunyu for sale, boundless joy spread across Fourth Elder Yan’s face.

“Excellent, excellent, excellent! Yunyu truly lives up to being a member of our Yan Family. She deserves a reward—a grand reward!”

Accompanied by Yan Zhanpeng, the two quickly made their way to the Four Seas Pavilion—where Yan Yunyu spent most of her time gathering resources for Mu Lin.

Unsurprisingly, the place was packed to the brim. All the aristocratic families, wealthy magnates, and influential figures who had learned of the clone cultivation method had rushed over.

Before even entering the Four Seas Pavilion, a fierce shout caused Fourth Elder Yan’s expression to darken.

“Yan Yunyu, remember your place—you are a member of the Yan Family!”

The voice prompted Fourth Elder Yan to push through the crowd and reach the innermost area.

There, he found several Yan Family descendants surrounding Yan Yunyu in the center, accusing and pressuring her.

Faced with such oppression, Yan Yunyu… appeared relaxed, as if she felt not the slightest pressure, yet her eyes were icy cold.

“This young lady is naturally a member of the Yan Family. Of course, I am also Brother Mu’s wife and concubine.”

“Since you admit you’re a Yan Family member, hand over the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram to me. It belongs to our Yan Family.”

“Hah…”

Yan Yunyu let out a cold laugh in response.

Naturally, she didn’t give it. Not only did she refuse, but her tone turned icy as she said, “Why should I give it to you? I am a member of the Yan Family, but you might not be anymore.”

“Nonsense! I belong to the Fifth Branch, and my status is higher than yours. And don’t change the subject or force me to take action. Hand over the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram…”

The Yan Family member before her was about to say more, but before he could finish, he noticed Yan Yunyu’s gaze shift to something behind him. She spoke directly, “Fourth Clan Elder, you’ve arrived just in time. Someone here is impersonating a member of the Yan Family. Please punish him accordingly.”

“Huh?”

These words startled Yan Yongwang. Instinctively, he glanced back.

Then, he saw the Fourth Clan Elder and Yan Zhanpeng standing right behind him.

The sight made his heart sink.

He knew that once Yan Zhanpeng arrived, there was no way he could obtain the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram. This was precisely why he had been so desperate and aggressive earlier.

‘That bitch deserves to die!’

Failing to obtain the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram filled Yan Yongwang with deep hatred toward Yan Yunyu—he still hadn’t realized the severity of the situation, nor did he grasp the true meaning behind her words.

(End of Chapter)