Chapter 326

Chapter 326: What I grant you is yours. What I don’t grant, you cannot seize.

“?!!”

“This can’t be!”

“What gives her the right?”

Yan Yunyu’s sudden burst of Refining the Evil Realm aura left the crowd dumbfounded.

Her former sisters who had mocked her stood gaping. Even the Yan family elders overseeing the conflict widened their eyes in shock.

Among them, Yan Zhanpeng and the others coveting the spiritual weapons and rare treasures suffered the greatest mental blow.

They couldn’t comprehend it—despite their relentless cultivation efforts, they remained at Spirit Pool or Spirit Sea stages.

Yan Yunyu, despite merely aligning herself with a genius, lacked both resources and talent compared to them. Always busy serving Mu Lin’s needs, she likely had little time for cultivation. Yet she’d reached the Refining the Evil Realm, surpassing them all.

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

Yan Zhanpeng kept shaking his head, refusing to accept reality. The jealous Yan girls who’d sneered at Yunyu now buzzed with envious whispers.

“She could never achieve this alone! Her cultivation talent was mediocre—I outperformed her back home! This must be Young Master Mu’s doing!”

“Curse the heavens for favoring her so!”

Shock and heated discussions swept through the crowd. All concluded Yunyu’s rapid advancement to Refining the Evil Realm required Mu Lin’s intervention.

Yan Yunyu heard these remarks but felt no anger. Unlike other powerful beings who’d insist on claiming self-made achievements, this delicate woman knew her place.

In their world, women obeyed fathers before marriage and husbands after. Securing status through a strong partner was life’s script most women accepted. Thus, accusations of borrowed power filled Yunyu not with shame, but pride.

“So what if it’s not my own? I’m still in the Refining the Evil Realm!”

“Don’t get cocky!” Yan Zhanpeng spat, desperate for the spiritual weapon despite his shock. “Forced cultivation can’t grant real combat power!”

His words kindled hope in some observers. “Right! She’s just forcing growth beyond her limits—”

“Freeze.”

A single murmured command from Yunyu silenced the crowd. Every young challenger facing her stiffened mid-movement, the Yan family geniuses’ brief confidence shattered like glass.

After the word "binding" was uttered, a mountain-like pressure crashed down on them, leaving them unable to move or speak. Even their magic and spiritual energy were suppressed, frozen in place.

A single word binding everything for a long time—this was the true might of the binding character.

Previously, Mu Lin could only immobilize others briefly because his enemies were often stronger, sometimes by multiple cultivation realms.

He had always fought opponents far above his level.

Now, Yan Yunyu’s higher cultivation allowed her to bully the weak, making the binding character especially fearsome.

Of course, this display shocked the crowd even more.

“Isn’t this Mu Lin’s spell? How can Yan Yunyu cast it?”

“Obviously, Mu Lin gave it to her.”

“But she didn’t use talismans or a sealed power source. How… Can Mu Lin share his abilities?”

“……”

The conversation plunged more listeners into silence.

Boosting cultivation and granting spells? If this continued, Yan Yunyu—once dismissed as a mere vase—might actually rise as a powerful being alongside Mu Lin.

Just by attaching herself to the right person, she’d gained strength and a shot at immortality. The Yan family elders couldn’t stay calm—their centuries of hard practice now felt like a bitter joke.

“Can one person’s success drag others into immortality?”

“I’d never believe it… except Mu Lin’s a monster. He might pull it off.”

“Yan Yunyu’s luck is absurd. She latched onto someone and got immortality handed to her…”

Yan Yunyu caught that last remark.

She quickly interjected, “Sixth Grandfather, Mu brother’s genius is unmatched. With his guidance, becoming an Earth Master is certain. A Heaven Master isn’t impossible.”

“Once I’m strong, I’ll protect and aid the family.”

“But initial goodwill won’t keep Mu brother’s favor. He’s surrounded by people—especially women clawing their way closer.”

“They never arrive empty-handed. They bring resources.”

“Prince Liang’s county princess plans to gift him a city. The East Sea King’s daughter might offer an entire army.”

“Compared to them, I’m weak. If today’s news spreads, more will flock to Mu brother…”

The Yan elders grasped her meaning: she wanted Spirit Stones and resources to secure her position beside Mu Lin.

In exchange, her rising power would shield the family.

The logic held, especially the final point. After this, hordes of girls would swarm Mu Lin—Yan family girls nearby already burned with envy.

They couldn’t help it.

In this world, personal power meant immortality—humanity’s greatest desire.

Yet immortality eluded even legendary heroes.

Given that, the Yan girls had abandoned hope… until Yan Yunyu proved shortcuts existed.

They didn’t need to work hard at cultivation, endure tough training, or fight life-and-death battles. As long as they followed the right person, they could achieve enlightenment too.

Such temptation – who could resist?

The young women of the Yan family certainly couldn’t.

“Sixth Grandfather, Yunyu-jie is right – we can’t afford to lose Mu Lin…”

“Young Master Mu lacks family connections – perfect for recruiting…”

“Grandfather, Mu Lin’s practically family already…”

Those cheering for Mu Lin and Yan Yunyu were unmistakably the Yan clan’s maidens.

They weren’t just convincing the Sixth Clan Elder – they also bowed humbly to Yan Yunyu herself.

Their goal was clear: cling to Yan Yunyu’s coattails, attach themselves to Mu Lin, and ride that connection to immortality and power.

“Traitors… you’re all traitors…”

Yan Linglong’s loyal followers spat curses, furious at their peers’ betrayal.

But soon their insults died. More maidens flocked to Yan Yunyu’s side until Linglong’s group became the minority.

The final shock came when Yan Linglong herself turned on them:

“Silence! Don’t speak ill of Yunyu. She’s our sister – our dearest kin.”

“Huh?!”

“But why…”

The retainer froze mid-protest. She saw the hunger in Linglong’s eyes as she stared at Yunyu.

Even betrothed, Linglong still hoped. She dared not offend Mu Lin… nor the woman who could get her closer to him.

‘Yunyu alone can’t secure Mu Lin. If the clan gives him that spiritual weapon, they’ll send more brides. As main family’s daughter, I’d be first choice.’

‘With enough contributions afterward… maybe I’ll earn the Earth Master title.’

…

The Sixth Clan Elder knew the girls’ ambitions but didn’t care. His piercing gaze locked on Yan Yunyu:

“Can you keep growing stronger? I mean – will your power rise as Mu Lin’s does?”

“Yes.”

Yunyu’s answer came sharp as a blade. She knew this was the tipping point.

“Following Mu brother, I’ll never surpass him. But if my husband permits, I’ll share his authority. Grow alongside him.”

“If I prove valuable enough… even Heaven Master status isn’t impossible. Full authority, equal to any true Heaven Master.”

This wasn’t empty boasting. Through serving Mu Lin, she truly glimpsed that possibility.

It all tied to the True Spirit Domain Chart.

As the culmination of Mu Lin’s cultivation methods, the Chart held boundless mysteries.

Experiments revealed Mu Lin could not only subjugate foreign gods’ powers, but inscribe loved ones’ names into the Chart – letting family and friends share his authority.

Of course, he used this sparingly.

The Chart only held 365 divine seats.

Enough, but not abundant. Filling them with weaklings would force Mu Lin to drag dead weight – an option he rejected.

The Chart worked best dominating mighty foreign powers. Let 365 god-seat holders propel Mu Lin’s Divine Kingdom skyward – not him pulling like a pack mule.

Yet total ruthlessness gained no allies. While refusing to haul trash, Mu Lin kept some favor.

Four seats were reserved: Yan Yunyu, Chu Lingluo, Dongfang Ya, and his grandfather.

Chu Lingluo became Lady of the Other Shore Flower Sea, commanding its power.

Yan Yunyu took a civil judge role – a simplified version of Cui Yu’s authority.

Grandfather got County City God status. Future promotions to State or Governor City God awaited.

Dongfang Ya was trickier. The proud teacher might refuse subordination, so Mu Lin kept quiet. But he saved her a seat regardless.

Remember – as True Spirit Domain Chart’s master, Mu Lin merely lent his power. Every shred remained his to give… or take back.

What’s given is yours. What’s not given? Don’t even think of claiming it.