Chapter 281

Chapter 281: Advancement of Substitute Paper Figure to Grandmaster-level

The prince governing Yuzhou was Prince Liang. This spiritual ground flourished with spiritual energy, hosting many powerful clans and the renowned Yuqing Sect – truly a blessed land.

Yet this very prosperity weakened the royal family’s influence here.

Powerful clans and royalty balanced like a seesaw – when one rose, the other dipped.

Moreover, the Great Spirit Emperor disliked his uncles gaining excessive power, rendering Yuzhou’s prince largely ceremonial.

Though wielding limited authority, his noble title still commanded respect.

Upon arriving at Ping An Ancient County, he claimed the largest territory and used his status to swiftly gather intelligence.

This generation’s Prince Liang harbored deep crisis awareness. He hosted frequent banquets for visiting Daoist prodigies and scions of powerful clans.

Even gifted members of demon sects received lavish gifts, earning him goodwill while depleting resources.

The constant outflow of Spirit Stones displeased his luxury-loving, wealth-hoarding princess.

"Your Highness, why grovel? Our noble status requires mere observation. Why squander treasures? Chaos won’t touch us…"

"Fool! Long hair masks short sight! Know how past dynasties fell?"

Her words provoked bitter laughter. Yet observing his plump, graceful wife – his own chosen partner – Prince Liang restrained his anger.

"Our danger grows acute."

"Great chaos breeds ambition. Those clans, sects, and demon cults aren’t docile sheep – they’re wolves eyeing the Ji family’s throne."

"Rebellions always strike royal outposts first. We’re imperial nails storing precious materials – destroying us brings rebels wealth."

"To survive turmoil, we must prepare early and cultivate allies."

His grave tone sparked the princess’ anxiety.

"Truly so dire?"

"Worse. My imperial brother sent princes to Daoist, demon, even Buddhist sects…"

Seeing her terror, he softened. "Fear not. Preparations are made. We’ll endure."

A steward entered – Fu Bo, having served three Liang princes, the current ruler’s most trusted aide.

"Fu Bo! Have you assessed the prodigies? Who demands special attention?"

The steward bowed. "Many require watchfulness. Turbulent times breed dangers. Recent months saw demon sects, Daoist orders, and clans all produce exceptional talents."

"From demon factions: Blood River, Ghost Shadow, Six Desires Demoness pose threats. New arrivals like Wandering Bug, minor tyrants, and Red Shadow show dark path potential."

"Real Person" denoted cultivation ranks.

Initial practitioners were called Taoist Children.

Next came A-level cultivators amassing spiritual energy.

Then Refining the Evil and Condensing Essence stages – where practitioners transformed their power using heaven-earth energy, enhancing foundations before erupting with true potential.

Then came the Transformation Realm, where cultivators shed their humanity to become something beyond. At this stage, though not yet immortals, they ceased being human. These beings possessed nearly no weaknesses, became nearly impossible to kill, and gained extraordinary powers approaching divine abilities. Their appearances transformed into monstrous forms – Three-headed, six-armed figures, hundred-foot cyclopean giants, thousand-skulled ghost kings, or bleached bone skeletons… truly inhuman.

In ancient wild times, such cultivators were worshipped as gods upon mere sight. Now called High Mastery cultivators, they formed the middle-upper ranks of both cultivation society and the Great Spirit Dynasty, receiving respectful treatment everywhere.

Above the Transformation Technique lay the Manifestation realm. Cultivators here not only grew stronger personally, but had to comprehend and refine a strand of natural law. Through this law, they could completely alter regional environments when exerting full power, earning titles like Earth Master, Earth Immortal, or Land Deity.

Beyond this stood the Heavenly Master realm. These beings surpassed Earth Masters by manipulating weather patterns single-handedly. Even the Emperor of the Great Spirit Dynasty treated them with respect – some emperors formally apprenticed themselves to Heavenly Masters.

As royalty, Prince Liang understood Heavenly Masters varied greatly in capability. Common ones joined the Heavenly Master Mansion as honored offerings – still prestigious. The mansion’s true masters cultivated using Dragon veins and national fortune, becoming regional protectors wherever they went. Though respected, they remained bound by obligations.

More powerful Heavenly Masters founded independent sects as paramount leaders. The strongest earned Imperial appointments as National Teachers – beings capable of safeguarding entire small kingdoms alone, thus titled national-level protectors.

Prince Liang shook his head mid-contemplation. "An Earth Immortal’s full protection could preserve our lives, but not our possessions. And those demon sect rats have vile natures – utterly untrustworthy. Mild cooperation suffices. Full commitment? Never."

"Your wisdom illuminates," praised the steward before continuing: "Beyond demon sects, the powerful clans and Daoist sects have talents too. Yuqing Sect’s Spirit Void Master, Zui Xiaoyao, and Jade Daoist all show Earth Immortal or Heavenly Master potential. Among clans, Qin family’s Qin Ming and Gu family’s Gu Tuo show promise."

These suggestions left Prince Liang unsatisfied – not from disdain, but clear understanding. Whether clan scions or sect disciples, their first loyalty always lay with their own factions. Should interests conflict with Prince Liang’s residence, they’d abandon him without hesitation. When the last dynasty fell, many clan youths had slaughtered their own princess or county princess wives to prove loyalty.

"Any talents from humble backgrounds? No family connections?"

Fu Bo remained silent before answering: "Few exist. Lin Ku’s ceiling is High Mastery of Transformation. Cheng Yi pledged to the Yan family. Then there’s Mu Lin." He sighed. "Mu Lin’s talent is exceptional – rivaling High Mastery cultivators after mere months. Even using external aids, his floor is Earth Master. With luck, Heavenly Master status awaits."

"A Heavenly Master? You’re certain?"

At this level, powerful beings were honored guests of the Emperor, with princes and nobles treating them as respected teachers. If protected by a Heavenly Master, Prince Liang’s residence would face no troubles.

Learning of Mu Lin’s potential excited Prince Liang greatly. However, Fu Bo shook his head in contrast to the prince’s enthusiasm. "Though Mu Lin shows Heavenly Master potential," the old steward cautioned, "the Yan and Chu families already support him. Winning his favor now would be difficult."

Fu Bo placed the jade slip containing Mu Lin’s records into Prince Liang’s palm. After scanning the information, the prince’s eyes first dimmed, then suddenly sparkled. "Ah! The Chu girl near Mu Lin is from a branch family, and the Yan girl isn’t a legitimate daughter either. Our Ling Sha still has a chance!"

"Those low-status women can’t become primary wives. If Ling Sha marries him, she’ll be the official spouse."

Before Prince Liang’s smile fully formed, a defiant voice interrupted: "I refuse to marry anyone!" The prince turned to find his daughter Ji Ling Sha glaring fiercely.

"Don’t be stubborn," Prince Liang urged. "This ensures your safety in these troubled times…"

"Safety?" Ji Ling Sha retorted, her hair shifting from black to pale pink in an instant. Her Cultivation surged violently to the Condensing Essence stage, mere steps from combining Essence and Evil. "I can protect myself, Father. That Mu Lin might not even defeat me!"

Though impressed, Prince Liang shook his head. "Blades show no mercy on battlefields. A girl shouldn’t fight."

His wife nodded urgently. "You’re our only child, Ling Sha! Meet Mu Lin at least – building connections helps regardless."

Their persistent nagging made the teen grit her teeth. Never having met Mu Lin, she already resented him fiercely. "Mu Lin, was it? Better not cross my path…"

……

Deep in cultivation at Yuhu Academy’s Time Tower, Mu Lin remained oblivious to gaining this unintended enemy through Prince Liang’s scheming. Not that he’d care – greater matters demanded attention.

His eyes suddenly snapped open during Hard Practice, lips curving in triumph. "Success!"

Yet as he reviewed his breakthrough with the Substitute Paper Figure, doubts surfaced. "Grandmaster-level spells are strong, but this… exceeds expectations. With this technique, can anyone truly kill me now?"