Chapter 254 – Master Meng Rui Arrives: Custom Puppets Come to Life

At the Ge Family Estate, a Clan Elder was gathered with several stewards from various branches of the clan, discussing the matter of the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram.

“How are the clan’s children progressing with that Clone Cultivation Method? Has anyone mastered it yet?”

Upon hearing this, the stewards exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, a middle-aged scholar dressed as a steward mustered the courage to speak: “Reporting to Fifth Clan Elder, the Clone Cultivation Method comprehended by Mu Lin is quite difficult. It will still take some time for the clan’s youths to learn it.”

“How much time exactly?”

“…Seven to nine years.”

“Hmm?”

Hearing this, the Fifth Clan Elder of the Ge Family showed clear astonishment and dissatisfaction on his face.

“Why does it need to be so long?”

“The technique of having a clone cultivate is extremely profound. Not to mention the clan’s youths, even we would need to spend a considerable amount of time to comprehend it…”

Before he could finish, seeing the expression on his clan elder’s face growing increasingly displeased, the middle-aged scholar quickly changed tack: “Ah, Clan Elder, our delay in learning it is also related to the Yan Family. They control the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram and rarely release it. Even if we offer many Spirit Stones, we hardly get to see it a few times.”

“If we can’t even see it, naturally the clan’s young men cannot learn it.”

Hearing that the Yan Family was obstructing matters, the Ge Family Clan Elder’s frown deepened further.

However, both families were of the same standing. If the Yan Family was unwilling to sell, he couldn’t force them. But:

“If the Yan Family won’t sell, can’t you go to Mu Lin, the original creator?”

“This…”

The responding middle-aged scholar wore a bitter smile:

“Mu Lin is solely focused on cultivation and unwilling to meet people. Most trivial matters are handled by Yan Yunyu. When we go to see him, we are also stopped by that little girl from the Yan Family.”

This made the Ge Family Clan Elder snort coldly: “Foolish.”

“If you go empty-handed, of course that youngster won’t see you. But someone who, at such a young age, has already taken the girls from the Yan and Chu Families into his household must also be a romantic.”

“Since ancient times, heroes find it hard to pass the test of beauty. The girls from the Yan and Chu Families are good, but are the daughters of our Ge Family any worse? Can’t you send them?”

This proposal stirred the hearts of some. They and their children were eagerly desiring the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram, hoping to accelerate their own cultivation speed through it.

Moreover, Mu Lin had not only comprehended the Clone Cultivation True Intent Diagram but was also exceptionally talented. Marrying their own legitimate daughters to him would not be a disgrace.

However, as a millennia-old aristocratic family, they had their own pride. The thought of having their legitimate daughters actively seek out Mu Lin felt somewhat humiliating. Therefore, some considered hosting a banquet or a poetry gathering, inviting Mu Lin, and then having their young ladies meet him at the event.

“Just like that…”

“Father, father, do you have any Spirit Stones? Lend me some Spirit Stones quickly…”

Just as the middle-aged scholar was planning how to arrange a meeting between Mu Lin and his daughter, a series of urgent shouts came from outside the courtyard gate.

Turning to look, the middle-aged scholar discovered that the one making a commotion in front of the clan elder was none other than his own son, Ge Shan. This caused his face to darken.

“What’s all the panic? As a scion of a noble family, you must be composed…”

He wanted to discipline his son and salvage some face.

However, before he could finish speaking, his son rushed into the courtyard and began pulling him, trying to drag him outside.

Naturally, this did not sway him, and at that moment, the middle-aged scholar’s face grew even darker.

However, before his anger could fully erupt, Ge Shan’s voice quickly rang out.

“Father, hurry to the Four Seas Pavilion! Master Meng Rui is here. If we’re any later, it’ll be too late!”

“Master Meng Rui?” These words left the middle-aged scholar utterly bewildered. “Are you talking about the puppet master who lives in Anping City? What’s the rush to see her? If we want puppets made, we can always—”

“Father, things are different now. Master Meng Rui is Mu Lin’s half-mentor, and they’ve jointly created a batch of Clone Cultivation puppets.”

“Hmm!”

  The moment the Clone Cultivation puppets were mentioned, the eyes of everyone in the room lit up.

Previously, the reason these people had been somewhat dismissive of Mu Lin was that they had discovered that while the Clone Cultivation Method was excellent, it was truly difficult to learn.

Considering it would take over a decade, or even several decades, to master this cultivation method, even though they knew the benefits were immense, they still felt somewhat reluctant.

But Ge Shan’s words made them think of a possibility.

“Could the cultivation puppets jointly created by Master Meng Rui and Mu Lin allow us to bypass the tedious cultivation process and directly enjoy the benefits of Clone Cultivation?”

This was an uncle’s inquiry. Hearing this, Ge Shan replied excitedly, “Not just direct use! The puppets created by Master Meng Rui and Mu Lin are divided into three tiers. The lowest tier is the Ordinary Puppet, which only offers thirty to fifty percent of the cultivation efficiency of a Clone.”

“The second tier is the Noble Puppet. Master Meng Rui crafts these from thousand-year fragrant wood and incorporates many rare resources. With just a bit of refinement, they can increase our cultivation efficiency by eighty to ninety percent.”

“The highest tier is the Custom Puppet. Master Meng Rui will source Natural Treasures to tailor-make them for us. According to her, cultivating with puppets of this tier can even increase our cultivation efficiency by three to five times!”

“And that’s just the baseline. If we enter the Tower of Time, the cultivation efficiency of the Clones will be even higher!”

At this point, not only was Ge Shan anxious, but his uncles also stood up urgently. After bidding a quick farewell to the Ge Family Clan Elder, they hurriedly rushed toward the Four Seas Pavilion.

“Fifth Grandfather, I have some matters at home, so I’ll head back first.”

“Me too.”

“My doors and windows at home aren’t closed either…”

They could remain patient when faced with the prospect of taking over a decade to learn Clone Cultivation.

But upon learning that simply purchasing a puppet could increase their cultivation efficiency severalfold, or even over tenfold, how could they possibly endure such a situation?

Thus, in almost the blink of an eye, the group at the Ge Family Estate vanished without a trace.

Although, as they rushed over, these people were well aware that the cultivation puppets—especially the highest-tier Custom Puppets—would undoubtedly be extremely precious.

But in this world, all cultivators value Cultivation Level above mere Spirit Stones and resources.

Using resources to exchange for progress in cultivation is something everyone is willing to do.

…

The Ge Family acted swiftly, but by the time they arrived at the Four Seas Pavilion, it was already too late.

At that moment, the Four Seas Pavilion was packed with people—so crowded, in fact, that some had been pushed outside the main entrance.

Meanwhile, Master Meng Rui, who had released the news, had already left early.

This scene left some people feeling disheartened.

But more people hardened their hearts, realizing they could no longer continue like this.

“Where is he?”

“Damn it, we’re late again.”

“We can’t delay any longer. We must get closer to Mu Lin.”

The last speaker was the middle-aged scholar from the Ge Family. However, upon hearing his words, the other stewards who had come with him were not optimistic about his plan.

“Sending our young women to approach Mu Lin is a good idea, but it may not succeed.”

“Indeed, that little girl from the Yan Family is not easy to deal with. More importantly, she has been in contact with Mu Lin for too long, and their feelings have already stabilized. Our young women may not be able to intervene.”

The middle-aged scholar replied, “I know.”

At this point, a faint glint flashed in his eyes:

“But if an ordinary person cannot intervene, what if Xue Ying takes action?”

(End of Chapter)