Chapter 91 – Yan Yunyu Joins the Battle

“Madam…”

“Forget it, the risk is too high. This one cares deeply for Chu Lingluo, but not for me. Plotting against Chu Lingluo might have a chance of success, but the likelihood of death is even higher. In that case, it’s better to focus on cultivation. As long as my strength grows, I’ll have everything in the future.”

Holding this thought, Mu Lin decided not to stir up trouble and instead prepared to follow the plan laid out by the Madam before him.

However, he did ask the Madam for a timeframe. Mu Lin could not, nor did he have the mind or energy, to keep up this act forever.

In response to this inquiry, Chu Lingluo’s mother did not give Mu Lin a specific time, but she offered him something else.

“I heard you’ve been studying Puppetry Art lately?”

“…Yes.”

By now, Mu Lin already had a premonition.

And what followed from Chu Lingluo’s mother’s words confirmed it.

“That Puppet Master will return in a few days. Dongfang Ya can only let you audit the lessons, but I can make you a nominal disciple. If you perform well, it’s not impossible for you to become an inner disciple. Moreover, all expenses during your training will be covered by my Chu Family.”

“What you need to do is play the role of a playboy during this time.”

“Oh, right, the other target for your ‘attracting bees and butterflies’ is Yan Yunyu. During this period, meet with her more often and make your relationship appear close.”

These words made Yan Yunyu uneasy.

The temporary stalemate between Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo meant her plans had not achieved the expected results.

Now, Chu Lingluo’s mother was even asking her to interact with Mu Lin, even if it was fake. This would damage her reputation.

She was unwilling to do something that would only bring losses without gains.

“Auntie, I think it’s better to cut the knot quickly with Lingluo and Mu Lin. If the two of them are together, it’s easy for trouble to arise.”

These words did not sway Chu Lingluo’s mother in the slightest: “No, the person you chose is quite sensible. He won’t recklessly do anything inappropriate.”

After saying this, the Palace-Attired Lady looked at Yan Yunyu, a smile playing on her lips: “But little Yu, why are you so anxious? Don’t you want to help Lingluo? After all, you were so ‘concerned’ about her when she first arrived at the academy.”

When she said the word “concerned,” Chu Lingluo’s mother’s eyes turned chillingly cold.

Seeing her like this, Yan Yunyu understood all too well. Chu Lingluo’s mother wanted her involved precisely to tarnish her reputation—this was retaliation.

Retaliation for her scheming against Chu Lingluo, causing her such great trouble.

After realizing all this, Yan Yunyu ultimately swallowed her words of refusal. Due to their relationship and status, Chu Lingluo’s mother was temporarily limiting her revenge to damaging Yan Yunyu’s reputation.

But if she were to act unreasonably, no one could say what the consequences might be.

…

And so, worried that Chu Lingluo couldn’t handle more intense stimulation, Mu Lin’s situation with her reached a complete stalemate.

Every day, they still cultivated together, and Chu Lingluo still prepared meals for him.

But her attitude toward him remained cold and resentful.

To this, Mu Lin could say nothing. After all, when he arrived at the Training Ground the next day, he came with Yan Yunyu.

And in the days that followed, he often met with Yan Yunyu as well.

Rumors about the two of them spread everywhere throughout the class.

These rumors further worsened Mu Lin’s already poor reputation.

The only thing that brought him some comfort was that Yan Yunyu hadn’t been doing well during this period either.

Aside from the damage to her reputation from the rampant rumors, because she had gotten too close to Mu Lin and couldn’t explain it away, Zhou Liang and others in her team could no longer accept it.

These people had joined Yan Yunyu’s team with the intention of gaining both wealth and beauty. As a result, they had put in their utmost effort, only for their target, Yan Yunyu, to run off and flirt with Mu Lin. How could they not be furious?

That very day, Zhou Liang left the team with a dark expression.

For resources and beauty, he could accept Yan Yunyu’s orders and was even willing to engage in rivalry to avoid decades of struggle.

But being made a cuckold—that he was unwilling to accept.

As a first-class prodigy, he had his pride to consider!

Zhou Liang’s departure was a signal, and the others in Yan Yunyu’s team began to hesitate as well.

Thus, Yan Yunyu, who had once been infinitely glorious, now risked becoming isolated and alone.

This scene brought Mu Lin great pleasure.

As for why Mu Lin would take pleasure in Yan Yunyu’s misfortune, it was naturally because he wasn’t foolish. With Chu Lingluo’s mother making no effort to conceal it, he quickly learned that it was Yan Yunyu who had stirred up all this trouble.

Although without her, Mu Lin and Chu Lingluo would still have been discovered and stopped by her mother, at least the timing could have been delayed somewhat.

Seeing such a petty person meet with misfortune, how could Mu Lin not be delighted?

However, what the pleased and joyful Mu Lin didn’t know was that Yan Yunyu was also discussing matters related to him at this very moment.

…

“Miss, Wei Le and the others have set a condition: they say you must keep some distance from the notorious Mu Lin. Otherwise, they will leave too…”

“Then let them get lost!”

“Huh?”

This left the maid Xiao Xue somewhat stunned. After hesitating for a moment, she still reminded her: “Miss, without them, your first place…”

“Hmph, what difference does it make if they stay? With that bunch of trash, could I even secure first place?”

Even with Zhou Liang present, they had already fallen behind Ji Xue and Mu Lin. With Zhou Liang gone, they stood even less chance of taking first place.

Under these circumstances, those cultivators with Second-Class Spirit Roots were useless to Yan Yunyu, and she naturally had no inclination to try and retain them.

At the same time, there was another point that left Yan Yunyu unable to voice her bitterness: the presence of Chu Lingluo’s mother made it impossible for her to clear up her connection with Mu Lin. Since she couldn’t do that, she naturally couldn’t persuade them to stay.

It could be said that Yan Yunyu was no longer merely at risk of “becoming isolated and alone”—she had truly become isolated and alone.

And this made her resent Chu Lingluo’s mother, Chu Lingluo, and Mu Lin.

In her view, her current predicament was entirely caused by these three.

After her resentment, however, her next words caused the maid Xiao Xue’s eyes to widen in shock.

“Xiao Xue, tell me, should I join Mu Lin’s team?”

“Huh?!”

This left Xiao Xue unable to regain her composure for a long while. After a good while, she anxiously said: “Miss, don’t give up on yourself! You’re currently trapped by rumors. If you join his team now, wouldn’t that confirm you’ve become part of Mu Lin’s harem?”

“If that really happens, your reputation will be completely ruined!”

This is indeed a risk, but Yan Yunyu’s gaze suddenly sharpened fiercely.

“Even if my reputation is ruined, it’s still better than failing to master the Cultivation Method!”

Yes, the Cultivation Method. Yan Yunyu schemed desperately and aimed to become the first, not because she arrogantly wanted to stand above everyone, but because the Cultivation Method forced her to do so.

The issue of the Cultivation Method left her maid Xiao Xue silent as well. However, there was another problem here.

“Miss, Mu Lin seems to lack staying power. Can he really help you secure first place?”

“…He will. We will definitely take first place!”

As she said this, Yan Yunyu clenched her delicate hands tightly, her eyes filled with determination.

…

Yan Yunyu was a woman of action. The next day, when Mu Lin arrived at the Training Ground as agreed and sat down in a secluded spot, Yan Yunyu… followed and sat beside him.

“???”

“What’s going on?”

The situation before him left Mu Lin momentarily stunned.

Beside him, the cold-faced Chu Lingluo was more than just stunned.

Like a kitten whose territory had been invaded, she bristled instantly, her gaze filled with hostility as she stared straight at Yan Yunyu.

“Why are you here?”

“To join the team.”

“You’re not welcome here.”

“Hehe, whether I’m welcome or not isn’t up to you. The leader here is Young Master Mu, right? I was personally invited by Young Master Mu.”

As she said this, Yan Yunyu covered her face with a fan and smiled slightly. “Or perhaps, you’re dissatisfied with Young Master Mu and plan to take his position to become the leader yourself?”

“I have no such intention!”

PS: I’ve read your comments, and it seems none of you like romance scenes. I’ll skip them quickly…

(End of Chapter)