Chapter 46 – Yan Yunyu's Scheme

“Just one or two more cultivation sessions, and the Paper Figure Curse will advance…”

“Hiss…”

As Mu Lin muttered to himself, his cheek twitched incessantly—his body was covered in wounds inflicted by the curse from afar.

“Fortunately, I’m half a Body Cultivator, and I have Hibernation to recover from injuries. Otherwise, these wounds could cripple me.”

“Huff…”

While Mu Lin cultivated and hibernated, time passed swiftly, and soon, night fell.

With no intention of interacting with others, as soon as the bell signaling the end of classes rang, Mu Lin returned to his residence, shutting out the outside world to continue his arduous cultivation.

However, though Mu Lin wanted no trouble, the tree may desire stillness, but the wind refuses to cease.

The matter that dragged Mu Lin in was related to Yan Yunyu.

Regarding her cousin Chu Lingluo transferring to Anping Dao Palace, Yan Yunyu appeared pleasantly surprised in front of others, and her relationship with Chu Lingluo seemed deeply sisterly.

Yet, upon returning to her residence, this Eldest Young Mistress’s expression quickly shifted from delight to resentment.

“To come at this time…”

Yan Yunyu murmured to herself, her gaze deep and contemplative.

Before she could finish her thoughts, her maid Xiao Xue entered the room, bringing her an “unfavorable” piece of news.

“Eldest Young Mistress, someone has already invited Miss Lingluo to form a team with her. If nothing unexpected happens, Young Master Jing Yeming will ultimately secure the opportunity to team up with Miss Lingluo.”

Bang!

Upon hearing this, a precious Jade Pendant was immediately crushed in Yan Yunyu’s hand.

From this incident alone, one could sense the severity of Yan Yunyu’s mood.

Indeed, her mood was far from good.

Jing Yeming was no ordinary Dao Palace Disciple. Like Ji Xue, he possessed a First-Class Spirit Root Talent.

Among Mu Lin’s cohort of Disciples, three had First-Class Spirit Roots… now four.

These four consisted of two men and two women: the women were Ji Xue and Chu Lingluo; the men were Jing Yeming and Zhou Liang.

Among them, Ji Xue was aloof and solitary, walking her path alone.

Jing Yeming, relying on his First-Class Spirit Root Talent, had gathered a team.

However, lacking a deep background or abundant cultivation resources, despite his high talent, he remained stuck on the second floor of the Tower of Illusory Heavens.

As for Zhou Liang, captivated by Yan Yunyu’s beauty and the resources of the Yan Family, he had been brought under her wing through her schemes.

With him as her vanguard general, this was Yan Yunyu’s capital to contend with Ji Xue.

Originally, the top position in the Formal Class would have been contested between Yan Yunyu and Ji Xue.

But Chu Lingluo’s addition made the outcome unpredictable.

Especially if Jing Yeming and Chu Lingluo joined forces, their team would boast two Prodigies with First-Class Spirit Roots. More critically, Chu Lingluo’s family was immensely wealthy. Her inclusion would fill the last shortcoming in Jing Yeming’s team. At that point, the crown of class leader would most likely be claimed by Jing Yeming and Chu Lingluo—something Yan Yunyu absolutely could not allow.

“The first place is mine!”

With a cold glint in her eyes, Yan Yunyu pondered how to sabotage their team formation.

Yet, after some thought, she realized it would be difficult for her to disrupt it.

There weren’t many in the class qualified to be Chu Lingluo’s teammate, and by all accounts, Jing Yeming had the greatest chance.

But to simply give up first place like this, she absolutely refused to accept it and was unwilling to do so.

“I must obtain first place…”

After pondering hard for a while longer, the frustrated Yan Yunyu inadvertently caught sight of the paper-folding artworks in her room, which suddenly made her eyes light up.

“Wait, I remember Lingluo has loved beautiful things since childhood—whether it’s flowers, artworks, or pretty pastries, she would admire them with great patience…”

At this thought, a brilliant idea emerged in her mind, and a dangerous smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

“Lingluo, don’t blame me. I don’t want to harm you, but I must secure this first place!”

Once her resolve was set, Yan Yunyu immediately instructed her maid:

“Xiao Xue, bring out all the paper-folding artworks Mu Lin crafted for me, then invite Lingluo over… Tonight, I plan to show my cousin a good time by letting her appreciate my collection.”

“Yes, Miss.”

…

As night fell and lanterns lit up, under Yan Yunyu’s instructions, the flower boats, Grand View Garden, Underwater Crystal Palace, Guilin Scenery · Heaven on Earth… all crafted by Mu Lin through paper folding, were arranged in an elegant and orderly manner within a luxurious room.

Under the glow of the lanterns, these large-scale creations revealed their breathtaking beauty.

Mu Lin’s paper-folding creations were already exquisite, especially the Grand View Garden, Underwater Crystal Palace, and Guilin Scenery… For these scenes, Mu Lin used paper crafting to shape their forms, painting to imbue them with spirit, and between form and spirit, some poetic verses were masterfully interspersed as embellishments.

Such artistry was worthy of being purchased by wealthy families with precious Spirit Stones.

Yan Yunyu was highly ambitious, yet even so, she felt these purchases were well worth it.

Whenever she grew weary from cultivation, admiring these creations would slightly soothe her mood.

And Yan Yunyu, who actually had little interest in artworks, could still appreciate the beauty of the Grand View Garden and the Underwater Crystal Palace. So how would someone who truly loved art react upon seeing these scenes?

“So beautiful…”

Yan Yunyu’s plan succeeded. The invited Chu Lingluo, upon first seeing these exquisite creations, was captivated and immersed in them.

This scene brought a smile to Yan Yunyu’s face.

However, that faint, sinister smile was quickly concealed.

Her expression returned to its usual haughtiness, and then, pointing at these artworks, she boasted to Chu Lingluo: “These paper-folding creations I’ve collected aren’t bad, are they?”

“Not bad? They’re more than just ‘not bad’! The paper crafting gives them form, the colors imbue them with spirit—these are perfect creations. Especially this Grand View Garden, with its green trees and red pavilions, small bridges and flowing water, every step a new scene… it’s like a fairyland… Oh, and this—poetry.”

“So fitting, so elegant… the poetry is excellent, the calligraphy is superb… And the form of the rockery courtyard, the spirit of the painted colors, and the meaning conveyed by the calligraphy—they all blend together in perfect harmony, as if crafted by a single person…”

At this point, Chu Lingluo shook her adorable little head and sighed: “But how could that be possible? Paper crafting, painting, calligraphy—to master even one of these arts is no easy feat. To master all three simultaneously… that’s far too difficult…”

Seeing Chu Lingluo’s gaze fixed on the Grand View Garden as she spoke, observing every scene and pavilion within, admiring the lifelike figures inside.

Her reluctance to leave even for a moment told Yan Yunyu that her plan had already succeeded for the most part.

Anticipating the success of her scheme, her mood had largely recovered. At this moment, she said cheerfully:

“It seems younger sister truly likes this Grand View Garden. Do you want it?”

“Of course I do…”

Before she could finish, Chu Lingluo bowed apologetically to Yan Yunyu. Though her face still showed reluctance, she spoke with utmost politeness: “I’m sorry, I do indeed love the Grand View Garden, but a noble person does not take what others cherish. Since this is elder sister’s collection, I naturally won’t ask for it.”

“However, elder sister, could you promise me one thing? If you see that Master again, could you ask him when the Grand View Garden will be complete?”

“Complete?”

Chu Lingluo’s words left Yan Yunyu stunned. After glancing at the Grand View Garden a few times, she asked in confusion, “Is the Grand View Garden incomplete?”

“According to that Master’s approach, the scenery and creations in the Grand View Garden each have their own themes, and the maidservants inside are all unique in their own ways. At a glance, the Grand View Garden seems perfect, but upon deeper thought, there always seems to be something missing.”

This made Yan Yunyu frown, but in the end, she said nothing and instead smiled: “When it comes to appreciation, I am indeed no match for younger sister. However, why entrust me to ask? If you wish, you can ask him yourself.”

“Ask him myself?”

This made Chu Lingluo hesitate for a moment, but soon she nodded and said:

“That works too. When the holiday comes, I’ll accompany elder sister for a visit…”

Yan Yunyu: “No need to wait for the holiday. If younger sister wishes, I can take you to meet that Master tomorrow. By the way, the paper folding, painting, and calligraphy in the Grand View Garden were all done by one person.”

“Eh? … Is that true?!”

“Hehe, would elder sister lie to you? When you meet the True Person tomorrow, you can ask him for a piece of his work, or even observe him folding paper or painting nearby. Then, younger sister will know whether all of this is true.”

Yan Yunyu’s words made Chu Lingluo, who loved art, light up with excitement. In the end, she left filled with anticipation.

And Yan Yunyu’s smile was one of great delight.

From here, it was already clear what this Eldest Young Mistress was planning.

To prevent her cousin from joining forces with Jing Yeming, she deliberately targeted Chu Lingluo’s interests and drew Mu Lin into the game.

“Given Lingluo’s love for art, once she learns that the Master who created the Grand View Garden is her classmate, she will definitely feel favorably toward him.”

“In such a situation, with a little matchmaking from me, I can have Lingluo team up with Mu Lin.”

“And with a burden like that, even if Lingluo has strong talent, she won’t be able to reach the top.”

“The first place this year will definitely be mine!”

(End of Chapter)