Chapter 322 – Tempering Gang Into the Soul

As Mu Lin made up his mind, Si Ye was still explaining the source of the Northern Wastelands prodigies’ strength to him.

“Starting cultivation early and absorbing forbidden power into the body—this causes many to die or go mad, but some survive and coexist with that forbidden power.”

“This is no easy feat. That terrifying forbidden power constantly erodes the cultivator’s body and soul, never to be shaken off.”

“Every day they survive is like living in purgatory, enduring the torment of a thousand cuts, and with the slightest misstep, they perish completely, devoured by the forbidden power.”

“Yet, such coexistence also allows them to wield the forbidden power. Every one of these individuals is extremely dangerous.”

…

Starting cultivation early and coexisting with forbidden power—such prodigies of the Northern Wastelands are as if born with a Mortal Shedding organ.

Thus, their strength is only natural… those slightly weaker are all devoured by the forbidden power.

And Mu Lin also understood the reason for their early cultivation. The Northern Wastelands are dangerous and chaotic, with evil aberrations everywhere. In such circumstances, starting cultivation early only carries the possibility of death, but not starting cultivation early means certain death.

If Mu Lin were in such an environment, he too would begin cultivation early.

“What do you plan to do about this Northern Wastelands invasion?”

Just as Mu Lin shook his head and sighed at the dangers of the Northern Wastelands, Si Ye asked for his thoughts.

She even proactively reminded him: “Mu Lin, you can’t avoid this. Among the prodigies of the Southeast Region, you are considered one of the strongest. In a few days, Jade Province will launch a counterattack. If the war goes poorly, Prince Liang and the aristocratic families of Jade Province will definitely ask you to intervene.”

This made Mu Lin frown. According to his true feelings, he was unwilling to intervene.

He also believed the Northern Wastelands’ demand for compensation was justified—having shed so much blood, they should not suffer deprivation of resources.

However, most of those close to him were in the Southeast Region, and he had also received some benefits from the aristocratic families.

If they came to ask, outright refusal by Mu Lin would seem inappropriate, unless he switched sides and went directly to the Northern Wastelands.

“Wait, I actually could go.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be his main body going—that place was too dangerous. Even with substitutes for death and rebirth from a blood drop, his main body could very likely be crushed by higher-level powers.

But while his main body couldn’t go, his clones, especially the City God clone, could.

“When these Northern Lands prodigies leave, I can send a few paper figure clones over to see the specific situation in the Northern Border.”

While pondering this, Mu Lin also reached a decision regarding this clash between the northern and southern prodigies.

Not proactive, not refusing.

He would not proactively challenge the Northern Wastelands prodigies, but if any Northern Wastelands prodigy challenged him, he would not refuse.

“I hope they don’t provoke me.”

As soon as Mu Lin made his ‘not proactive’ decision, Si Ye understood that he leaned toward the Northern Wastelands.

This was actually not a wise choice. If considering only interests, Mu Lin, who operated in the Southeast Region, would do best to stand together with the aristocratic families of the Southeast Region.

This was the so-called ‘blending with the light and dust.’

If Mu Lin were just an ordinary prodigy, after making such an ‘irrational’ decision, Si Ye would definitely try to persuade, or even reprimand him, to change his mind.

But he was no ordinary prodigy—he was a peerless monster. As a ‘future Celestial Master,’ he had the right to be willful.

Chu Lingluo’s mother, Si Ye, also acknowledged that Mu Lin had the right to be willful.

Therefore, she did not try to persuade him but followed his words, saying, “If you don’t want to clash with the talents of the Northern Wastelands, Mu Lin, your best course of action is to announce that you are in seclusion for a breakthrough… With a legitimate reason on the surface, others won’t be able to criticize you.”

“Also, whether you want to duel with the prodigies of the Northern Wastelands or not, you must not slow down your own strength improvement.”

Mu Lin: “I know. I’ve already prepared to refine the Aurora Gang Qi given by Prince Liang. I’ll start refining it now.”

  Mu Lin had always been clear-headed and understood that this world was actually quite dark—the phrase “cannibalistic feudal society” was the most accurate description of this era.

The reason he had progressed smoothly so far was not due to luck but because of his outstanding talent, promising future, and the protection of Dongfang Ya, which made others treat him kindly.

However, the kindness of others always came with a precondition: his strength improvement must not slow down.

Once it slowed, although he wouldn’t immediately face life-threatening dangers, the situation where everyone treated him like a good person would no longer apply to Mu Lin.

Scheming, disdain, ambushes, exploitation… these petty and sordid things would come one after another.

Unwilling to fall into such a state, Mu Lin could only enhance his own strength.

Si Ye also very much wanted to see Mu Lin improve his strength.

Thus, after Mu Lin said he would immediately refine the Aurora Gang Qi, she promptly left the room and went outside the courtyard where Mu Lin lived.

However, standing outside, she did not leave entirely. Instead, like a “longing-for-husband stone,” she kept gazing at Mu Lin’s courtyard from the doorway.

At the same time, while watching, her face showed some tension, some unease, and… a great deal of anticipation.

This peculiar expression caught the attention of Dongfang Ya and Master Meng Rui.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you going in?”

Si Ye: “I can’t go in now. I mustn’t disturb Mu Lin… He’s currently tempering Gang Qi into his soul spirit.”

“Tempering Gang Qi, what’s so interesting about that…” At first, when she heard about tempering Gang Qi into the soul, Dongfang Ya was indifferent. She had also gone through the step of tempering Gang Qi into her Divine Soul and had stayed in the Gang Condensation Realm for nine months.

During those days, she tempered Gang Qi into her body every day, so she didn’t think there was anything particularly noteworthy about it.

However, before she could finish speaking, she remembered that it was Mu Lin who was tempering Gang Qi now, and Mu Lin had once refined Baleful Qi into his body within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn…

“You think Mu Lin can temper Gang Qi into his soul spirit in a short time, so you’re waiting for him.”

Upon hearing this, before Si Ye could respond, Master Meng Rui beside her smiled and retorted:

“You think he can’t do it?”

“Well… Although I want to say that tempering Gang Qi involves the soul spirit, which is more difficult and dangerous than refining Sha, and his Substitute Paper Figure might only be able to transfer physical injuries, unable to continuously transfer Divine Soul wounds… Even though there are many reasons, and from a general rational perspective, these reasons are valid.”

“But, while my reasoning follows common sense, Mu Lin simply doesn’t play by the rules. He’s a freak who completely defies common sense. So, I think he can temper Gang Qi into his soul spirit within a day and a night.”

Master Meng Rui: “I bet he’ll do it in an afternoon.”

These words made Dongfang Ya raise an eyebrow: “So confident? Gang Qi is much harder than Baleful Qi.”

Master Meng Rui: “I know, that’s why I’m betting an afternoon, not an hour… What about you, Si Ye? How long do you think it will take Mu Lin to succeed in Gang Condensation?”

“I guess one—”

“Creak!”

Before Si Ye could finish her words, a “creak” sounded from in front of them—the sound of a door being pushed open.

Then, the three women who were betting and speculating discovered that Mu Lin… had walked out.

And at this moment, the time since Mu Lin had gone into seclusion was only:

“Si Ye, how long have you been standing outside?”

Hearing the voice transmission in her ear, Si Ye, Chu Lingluo’s mother, remained silent for a long time.

Only after a long pause, when Dongfang Ya and Master Meng Rui turned to look back at her, did Si Ye speak up, somewhat dazed: “Right now, it’s exactly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea!”

(End of Chapter)