Chapter 281 – Substitute Paper Figure Advances to Grandmaster

The prince stationed in Jade Province is Prince Liang. Jade Province is a land of outstanding people and abundant spiritual energy, with not only numerous aristocratic families residing there but also the renowned Jade Purity Sect, making it a Fortunate Land.

However, because of this, the imperial family’s power in this region is far from strong.

—Aristocratic families and the imperial family are like two ends of a seesaw: when one side is strong, the other becomes weak.

Moreover, the Great Spirit Emperor would not appreciate his uncles becoming overly powerful. Thus, the prince of Jade Province is often little more than a figurehead.

Although he does not wield much authority, he still holds the title of prince, granting him a high status.

Upon arriving in Ping’an Ancient County, he occupied the largest territory and, leveraging his status and position, quickly gathered a wealth of information.

At the same time, this generation’s Prince Liang harbors a deep sense of crisis. After arriving in Ping’an Ancient County, he frequently held banquets, inviting prodigies from various Daoist sects and scions of aristocratic families who had come to the area.

He even sought to avoid offending prodigies from the Demonic Sect, generously gifting many valuable items and earning some reputation in the process.

However, the sight of vast amounts of Spirit Stones being given away displeased Princess Consort Liang, who was accustomed to a life of luxury and had a somewhat greedy nature.

“Your Highness, why go to such lengths? We are of noble status. Wouldn’t it suffice to simply observe from the sidelines? Why give away so many things? After all, no matter how chaotic the world becomes, it won’t affect us…”

“Fool! Long hair but short-sighted. Do you know how the previous dynasty and the ones before it fell?”

His wife’s words truly angered Prince Liang.

However, looking at his wife’s graceful and voluptuous figure and remembering that she was the princess consort he had chosen, Prince Liang suppressed his anger and explained the situation to her.

“Our current situation is perilous.”

“Whenever the world descends into chaos, ambitious individuals emerge everywhere. Aristocratic families, renowned sects, and the Demonic Sect… these are not obedient subjects but wolves and tigers constantly eyeing our Ji family’s throne.”

“And whenever these people rise in rebellion, they will inevitably target our Prince’s Residence first as a sacrifice.”

“After all, we are the nails the imperial family has embedded in various provinces, and we have accumulated vast treasures. Killing us would bring them immense benefits.”

“In these turbulent times, if we do not wish to be annihilated, we must prepare early and foster goodwill with others.”

Prince Liang spoke gravely, and Princess Consort Liang grew worried.

“Ah, is it really that serious?”

“It is indeed that serious. It is said that even my imperial brother has sent his own sons to the Daoist Sect, the Demonic Sect, and even Buddhism…”

Halfway through his words, seeing his wife’s terrified expression, Prince Liang felt a pang of pity and stopped frightening her, instead offering reassurance: “Don’t worry. Although the situation is serious, I have made preparations early. Our family will be safe.”

As he spoke, a man dressed as a steward entered from outside. He was the steward of the Prince’s Residence, who had served three generations of Prince Liang and was also the person Prince Liang trusted the most.

Seeing him approach, Prince Liang warmly said, “Uncle Fu, you’re here. Have you observed the prodigies? Is there anyone we need to pay special attention to?”

Upon hearing Prince Liang’s inquiry, the steward respectfully bowed before speaking:

“There are many people worth noting. Amidst the turmoil, there are also dangers. During this period, whether from the Demonic Sect, the Daoist Sect, or even the aristocratic families, many prodigies have emerged.”

“Among the Demonic Sect, Blood River, Ghost Shadow, and the Six Desires Demoness are no weaklings. Following them, Little Overlord, Mingling Zi, and Crimson Shadow are also demonic path prodigies with the potential to become True Persons.”

The so-called True Person is also a title for a cultivation realm.

In the path of cultivation, the first three realms are that of the Daoist Novice, marking the beginning of cultivation.

The next three realms are the Feathered Scholar, which is purely about accumulating Mana.

After that comes the Spell Master (Sha Refinement, Gang Condensation). This is a stage where a cultivator’s Mana undergoes a qualitative transformation, using heaven and earth to complete oneself. It is also a prelude to solidifying the foundation and fully unleashing one’s potential.

Then comes Mortal Shedding, a realm where cultivators completely transform from human to non-human.

At this stage, cultivators are not yet immortals, but they are no longer human either. Cultivators in this state are nearly without weaknesses, extremely difficult to kill, and possess many divine wonders, even supernatural powers.

Moreover, their appearances may also change—such as having three heads and six arms, a hundred-zhang tall single eye, a thousand-headed ghost king, a white-boned skeleton… In short, cultivators in the Mortal Shedding Realm bear little resemblance to humans.

In ancient, barbaric times, such cultivators would be regarded as Deities merely by appearing.

Nowadays, Mortal Shedding is also referred to as Adept. They are already the middle and upper echelons of the cultivation world and the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty, treated with courtesy wherever they go.

Above the Mortal Shedding Art lies the Dharma Image True Person.

Cultivators at this realm are not only powerful themselves but must also comprehend and refine a strand of the laws of heaven and earth.

With this law, when they exert their full strength, they can even completely alter the environment of a certain area. Hence, cultivators of this realm are also called Earth Masters, Earth Immortals, or Terrestrial Immortals.

Above the True Person is the Celestial Master Realm.

This goes a step further than the Earth Master, capable of altering celestial phenomena through one’s own power.

Such existences are treated with courtesy even by the emperor of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty. Some emperors even directly take Celestial Masters as their teachers.

At the same time, as a prince, Prince Liang also knew that the Celestial Master Realm had a wide range of power levels.

Ordinary Celestial Masters could only enter the Celestial Master Manor and be revered as offerings… well, that status is still quite high.

True Persons of the Celestial Master Manor could cultivate using the nation’s fortune and Dragon Veins in the capital. When sent to a region, they would immediately become its governor.

However, although such Celestial Masters held high status, they were still bound by constraints.

Slightly more powerful Celestial Masters could establish their own lineage and become sect-leading great beings.

The strongest Celestial Masters could be appointed by the emperor as State Masters. Such individuals alone could stabilize a small nation, hence they were also revered as Nation-Stabilizing Level Powerhouses.

While pondering, Prince Liang shook his head and said, “An Earth Immortal… if such a powerhouse fully protects us, they could indeed safeguard our lives, but only our lives. All our property would be lost. Moreover, those Demonic Sect scoundrels have despicable characters and are utterly untrustworthy.”

“It’s fine to befriend them slightly, but betting everything on them? Let’s forget it.”

“Your Highness is wise.”

After praising him, the Prince’s Residence steward continued, “Apart from the Demonic Sect, the Aristocratic Families and the Daoist Sect also have outstanding talents. From the Jade Purity Sect, Lingxu Zi, Drunken Wanderer, and Jade Daoist are all prodigies with the potential to become Earth Immortals, or even Celestial Masters.”

“Among the Aristocratic Families, Qin Ming of the Qin family and Gu Tuo of the Gu family can also be considered talents.”

These were all good, but Prince Liang… was not very satisfied with any of them.

It wasn’t that he looked down on them, but Prince Liang clearly understood that whether they were scions of noble families or disciples of sects, they always prioritized their own factions first. If the interests of their noble families or sects conflicted with those of Prince Liang’s Manor, those prodigies would not hesitate for a moment.

In fact, when the previous dynasty fell, there were no shortage of noble scions who directly slaughtered the princesses or princesses they had married into their families to demonstrate their loyalty.

Thus, Prince Liang did not trust them either.

“Is there no prodigy from a humble background? One without any family backing?”

Such words left Uncle Fu silent.

After a long while, he finally spoke: “There are, but very few. Lin Ku counts as one, but his limit is only at the Mortal Shedding Adept level. Cheng Yi also counts, but he has already attached himself to the Yan Family.”

“And then there’s Mu Lin.”

At this point, Uncle Fu sighed before continuing: “Mu Lin’s talent is indeed formidable. With just a few months of cultivation, he can contend with Mortal Shedding Adepts. Even if he relied on external forces, his lower limit would at least be that of an Earth Master. With slightly better luck, he might even become a Celestial Master.”

“A Celestial Master, are you certain?”

A powerhouse of this level is an honored guest of the emperor, and princes and marquises must treat them with the courtesy due to a teacher.

If a Celestial Master offered protection, their Prince Liang’s Manor would be free from worries.

Therefore, upon hearing of Mu Lin’s potential, Prince Liang was quite excited.

However, contrary to Prince Liang’s delight, Uncle Fu thought of Mu Lin’s situation and shook his head:

“Mu Lin indeed has the makings of a Celestial Master. However, the Yan Family and Chu Family have already placed their bets first. It will be very difficult for us to win him over.”

As he spoke, Uncle Fu placed the jade scroll containing Mu Lin’s information into Prince Liang’s hand.

Casually taking it and browsing through it, Prince Liang’s eyes initially dimmed somewhat.

But soon, they gradually brightened again.

“Hmm, the daughter the Chu Family placed by Mu Lin’s side is from a collateral branch, and the Yan Family’s is not a direct descendant either. My Lingsha has a chance!”

“Those two women have too low a status; neither can become the main wife. If Lingsha marries him, she can become the principal wife and mistress.”

Prince Liang was pleased, but before the smile on his face could fully bloom, a slightly petulant shout rang out beside him:

“I won’t marry anyone!”

The sudden voice startled Prince Liang. Turning to look, he found his beloved daughter glaring at him angrily.

This scene made Prince Liang smile wryly, and he tried to persuade her: “Lingsha, don’t be willful. I’m doing this for your own good. The world is chaotic; I need to ensure your safety…”

“Hmph, Father, I can guarantee my own safety. That Mu Lin might not even be able to defeat me.”

As she said this, Ji Lingsha grew somewhat agitated. Along with her changing mood, her beautiful hair instantly turned from black to white with a hint of red.

Simultaneously with the change in her hair color, her aura surged. Soon, her cultivation level skyrocketed to the Gang Condensation Realm.

Moreover, in this state, she was only a step away from Gang Sha Unity.

Such power made Ji Lingsha even more confident: “See, Father? I can protect myself.”

This level of strength did bring Prince Liang some comfort, but he soon shook his head and said, “Lingsha, blades and spears have no eyes, and the battlefield is merciless. As a young woman, it’s better not to go to the battlefield.”

This time, Princess Consort Liang also agreed wholeheartedly.

“Exactly, Lingsha, you’re my only daughter. If anything were to happen to you, how could I go on living… Just meet with that Mu Lin first. Even if it doesn’t work out, building a closer relationship would still be good.”

The continuous persuasion from both parents left Ji Lingsha feeling increasingly irritable, even gritting her teeth in frustration.

At this age, young men and women are often rebellious. Although she hadn’t met Mu Lin yet, her parents’ urging had already instilled a severe sense of defiance toward him.

“Mu Lin, is it? Just don’t let me run into you…”

…

Deep in cultivation, Mu Lin remained unaware that Prince Liang’s maneuvers had unexpectedly earned him an ‘enemy.’

But even if he knew, he wouldn’t have cared.

At this moment, he had more important matters to attend to.

…

Beside the Tower of Time at Jade Lake Dao Academy, Mu Lin, who had been cultivating with all his might, suddenly opened his eyes in delight at a certain moment.

At the same time, an irrepressible smile spread across his lips!

“I’ve succeeded!”

Amid his joy, as he reflected on his recent insights and the changes in his Substitute Paper Figure, a trace of doubt also arose in his heart.

“Speaking of which, I know Grandmaster-level Spells are powerful, but this time, my Substitute Paper Figure seems excessively strong.”

“With this Spell, who could possibly kill me?”

(End of Chapter)