2798 Leaving
Monk Hushu and ng Bai were ditating as well, trying to be in their best condition. ng Bai, however, looked noticeably more anxious. This would be his first experience in a large-scale conflict.
After all, he was the weakest individual present. Even if he chose to break through to the Nascent Soul realm here and now, it would still an very little in the grand sche of things. Recognizing this, Lin Mu and Daoist Chu had given him several bundles of defensive talismans that would shield him during the operation. Lin Mu had even taken out multiple immortal tools from his storage.
These tools could be used for both offense and defense, and ng Bai wouldn't even need to control them directly. Once charged with Immortal Qi, they would operate autonomously. At the very least, this ensured ng Bai would be relatively safe when the conflict began.
Calling this situation a "conflict," however, was almost misleading.
What they were about to ignite was chaos—potentially the kind that could escalate into a full-blown inter-world war.
And Lin Mu was more than ready to light the match.
It was still uncertain how it would all unfold. While Lin Mu had experienced worse—outnumbered and isolated—this ti he was in a foreign world with unfamiliar cultivation principles.
At least in the Rust Sky World, he had known what to expect from its people, and even from the beasts. But here? Here, he hadn't encountered a single beast he could study or analyze to understand this world's Qi systems.
According to Daoist Chu, though, the beasts here were largely the sa as others in Qi-based worlds. The reason they weren't seen within the city was cultural: the people considered beasts unclean and had banned them from coming within a hundred-kiloter radius of the urban center.
Judging by how effectively the Order had enforced that rule, it was evident they were more than capable of handling not only the beasts but any cultivators who might challenge them.
Thankfully, the Order did not seem prepared to conduct their 'ceremony' just yet.
From what Ashy reported, the mbers of the Order were actually quite hesitant to go through with it. Holding the ceremony ant stepping into the open, and none of them were eager to expose themselves. Their confidence in their own invincibility had plumted after their inability to confront the mysterious ghost—Lin Mu.
Everything was proceeding just as Lin Mu had intended, and he was determined to make full use of it.
The people in the city were too frightened to leave their hos. They only ventured out when absolutely necessary. Routine activities had ground to a halt. Only guards and clergy could be seen outside.
And even then, their numbers were scattered. That made them easier for Lin Mu to deal with individually if needed.
As the mont to initiate their plan approached, Lin Mu stood up.
HUUU
Taking a long, steadying breath, he reviewed the steps in his mind one last ti. Then, with a firm tone, he gave the command.
"Daoist Chu… it is ti," Lin Mu stated.
"On it," Daoist Chu said, nodding, as he sent out the signal through a spiritual transmission.
"Get ready," Lin Mu told ng Bai, who had also risen to his feet.
"Amitabha. Ti to teach the Order a lesson," Monk Hushu said solemnly, a rare glint of anger flashing in his eyes.
He had endured countless indignities and humiliation—things he could bear without protest. But the injustices committed by the Order, especially against innocents, were things he could not ignore.
The Path of Buddhism did not condone apathy in the face of cruelty.
Even patience had its limits, and sotis, even the Buddha's staff had to strike down those who brought suffering.
Lin Mu's Immortal Sense surged outward, this ti extending beyond the building. As expected, this triggered the detection arrays, but Lin Mu had long since gained control over them. With a flick of his will, he silenced them instantly.
"NOW!" Lin Mu commanded.
Daoist Chu imdiately tapped a formation disc in his hand.
HUMM
A subtle hum of energy pulsed outward—almost imperceptible—before vanishing entirely.
"Now what?" ng Bai asked, glancing at the others.
"Now we leave," Lin Mu said, moving to open the door.
CREAK
The old door creaked loudly on its hinges as Lin Mu stepped out into the corridor.
The others followed in silence—Daoist Chu, ng Bai, Monk Hushu, and the rest of the travelers who had been staying in the lodge. One by one, doors opened, revealing cultivators who had waited patiently for this mont.
They stepped into the hall, their gazes turning toward Lin Mu.
"Damn… he's our leader?"
"He's stronger than I thought."
Even those who had briefly encountered Lin Mu before now saw him in a new light. Most of them had t him only in passing, and never truly sensed the depth of his power. But now, in the presence of his aura, it was undeniable—he was strong enough to lead them.
Step. Step. Step.
The quiet sound of synchronized footsteps echoed through the hall as the group moved together.
At the front desk, the Deacon stirred, lifting his head from a scroll of holy scriptures. He had been so absorbed in his reading that he hadn't noticed the doors opening or the corridor filling with people.
"Huh?" he muttered in confusion, then looked up fully.
Shock washed over his face as he saw everyone outside their rooms.
His expression twisted into fury.
"What are you all doing?!" he bellowed. "Didn't I tell you heretics not to leave your rooms until it was your scheduled ti for departure?!"
There had been no departures from the lodge for several weeks, not since the Order had halted all movent. But the travelers hadn't been inford.
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