Chapter 327

Chapter 327: Ninety-Nine Portions of Essence

When granted authority and shared glory, Chu Lingluo simply felt happy and wanted to help Mu Lin tend the Other Shore Flower sea.

Yan Yunyu, however, had more complicated thoughts.

She immediately noticed her position wasn’t at the top tier, not even the second. This ambitious girl desired more favors from Mu Lin.

"The highest seat belongs to husband. I can’t seize it, nor could I keep it. But I can strive for the Queen’s position."

Though determined, Yan Yunyu didn’t beg or act coy, considering such methods beneath her. She aimed to earn merits worthy of Mu Lin’s rewards.

"That spiritual weapon from our family could boost Mu brother’s True Spirit Domain Chart. Given his generous nature, after merging it into the Chart, he’ll probably let me become the weapon’s master – granting me metamorphosis stage power."

At first glance, Yan Yunyu’s plan seemed redundant: first giving the weapon to Mu Lin only to receive it back as master. Using it directly would’ve been simpler.

But spiritual weapons equal to metamorphosis stage or Earth Master rank couldn’t be casually wielded. Only chosen ones could harness their power at lower stages – explaining Blood Cherry’s importance in the Ge family.

With mediocre talent, Yan Yunyu might barely activate 0.01% of the weapon’s power. But through Mu Lin’s True Spirit Domain Chart with its supreme rank, he could command most of its abilities.

Merging the weapon into the Chart worked both ways – while amplifying the Chart’s power, the Chart’s divine ranks also boosted the weapon’s potential.

The Crimson Holy Grail originally created crimson demonic creatures. After merging with the Chart, it gained Blood Abyss powers. As Mu Lin grows stronger, this Blood Abyss might evolve into a true blood ocean world. Then the weapon’s master could directly become Blood Abyss ruler.

Though beneficial, Yan Yunyu doubted her family would surrender their inheritance-grade treasure. True enough, the Yan clan elders held half-day secret meetings and performed divinations before deciding:

"Yunyu, the family will lend you this spiritual weapon. But you must achieve Transformation advancement within five years to keep it permanently."

"Agreed."

Yan Yunyu’s immediate answer made the Sixth Clan Elder blink. "So confident?"

The girl shook her head… then nodded.

“Although my daughter lacks confidence, Yunyu believes in my husband. If he’s willing, he can elevate me to Transformation.”

“……”

Yan Yunyu spoke of reaching Transformation as if it were effortless, yet the clan elders of the Yan family didn’t argue.

After slaying the gods, Mu Lin’s extraordinary talent had earned universal recognition.

After a pause, the clan elder changed the subject.

“Why did you return to the family? Surely not for a spiritual weapon?”

“No. I came to gather essence for Mu brother.”

“Essence? Didn’t Prince Liang’s residence already… Not enough?”

“Mu brother’s genius demands more. He requires thirty-three portions of essence.”

Though the number was vast, Yan Yunyu declared it with pure pride.

Absorbing thirty-three portions meant Mu Lin’s foundation surpassed others thirty-threefold. Paired with his extraordinary cultivation methods, he could overwhelm a hundred peers or challenge higher realms.

Attaching herself to such a prodigy filled her with joy.

The clan elder mostly marveled, but soon narrowed his eyes. “You’re certain it’s thirty-three?”

“Mu brother said so himself. He wouldn’t lie.”

“I meant… Prince Liang’s residence likely gave multiple portions of spiritual energy. If Mu Lin calculated based on that, he might need ninety-nine portions, not thirty-three…”

He trailed off, shaking his head. “Ninety-nine? Impossible…”

As the elder chuckled, Yan Yunyu froze. Her stunned expression choked his laughter.

“No… Surely not ninety-nine?”

Yan Yunyu finally blinked, her face twisting between amusement and despair. “Possibly… even more.”

“……”

This time, the clan elder fell utterly silent.

……

Unaware of the Yan family’s discussions, Mu Lin busied himself absorbing Extreme Thunder Energy.

Like the earlier Aurora Essence, the True Spirit Domain Chart effortlessly dominated it.

The Thunder Energy’s integration brought new changes:

First, soul refinement. The Yin soldiers, ghost officials, city gods, and underworld kings within the Chart underwent transformations akin to surviving a Thunder Tribulation. Their spirits now resisted lightning, flames, and light-based attacks while shrugging off corruption from evil entities and Strange Powers.

Second, prisons expanded. Alongside the Black Water Soul-Dissolving Prison, Crimson Blood Abyss, and Manjusaka Illusion Prison, a new Thunder Prison manifested.

The thunder struck the soul, making the evil ghosts captured by Mu Lin suffer tremendous agony. Finally, the City God and King of Hell under Mu Lin’s command could unleash thunderous roars to intimidate foes. His metamorphosis stage also granted him another divine position – Thunderous Dragon.

…

While gaining power felt satisfying, Mu Lin found himself idle after absorbing the Extreme Thunder Energy with no further resources arriving. Since Yuzhou City served as the Southeast Province’s core hub where most resources concentrated, he eventually returned there with Si Ye and others.

Upon entering Yuzhou City, Mu Lin immediately noticed changes. Compared to the Southeast League Examination period, the city now buzzed with more activity, more talented youths, and an increasingly tense atmosphere. During the short walk from city gates to Yuzhou Academy, he witnessed seven fights.

"Such disorder… but understandable," Mu Lin murmured. "The Southeast League Examination was merely a talent contest for rookie cultivators. Their annual battles drew limited attention and involved weaker participants."

Though tens of thousands had watched those matches, Mu Lin considered it insignificant compared to current events. Back then, spectators mainly included wealthy individuals and some clan elders from powerful clans, with many absent.

Now, the entire Southeast Province focused on the southward advance of Northern Wasteland Geniuses with their aggressive tactics, along with Northern Wasteland army’s schemes. Tax-related conflicts had everyone’s attention – from clan geniuses and elders to Sect leaders like Prince Liang, Yuqing Sect, Fa Yan Temple, and demon sects.

Rumors said royal princes and princesses were approaching. The ambitious East Sea King had dispatched several offspring. Millions now watched Yuzhou’s battles – potentially billions if commoners had better information access. Compared to this scale, the Southeast League Examination paled into insignificance.

More importantly, these weren’t risk-free trials or childish spats. Northern Wasteland Geniuses and Southeast clan youths fought real battles with live swords. Though elders supervised each fight, frequent deaths occurred through merciless combat and hot tempers.

The age limit expanded too – cultivators under fifty now qualified as "geniuses". Main combatants became thirty-to-forty-year-old youths at High Mastery of Transformation stage. Some unparalleled geniuses even wielded Earth Master-level techniques.

This prompted Dongfang Ya and Si Ye to strictly forbid Mu Lin’s participation: "This storm’s beyond your current capacity."

Rather than protesting, Mu Lin felt relieved. Maintaining good relations with Southeast clans while supporting Northern Wasteland troops created a dilemma – staying neutral proved wiser.

But soon after returning, Yan Yunyu’s message shocked him – his Refine capacity wasn’t 33 essence portions, but likely 99 or more.

"Ninety-nine? Impossible…"

Initial disbelief soon gave way to realization as he recalled his True Spirit Domain Chart’s numerous divine positions…