Lin Mu's ti in the Green Lotus Temple passed with a rare and calming tranquility.
He perford chores, occasionally cooked for the monks whenever he was permitted, and continued his cultivation. He trained and guided ng Bai, and joined the Elders and Abbots for discussions once a week.
Sotis, the Saintess would invite him to share tea—high up in the clouds, from where one could overlook the entirety of the Green Lotus Temple's vast territory.
It was, in many ways, a well-earned reprieve from the chaos that had colored much of his recent past.
And just like that, six months passed in the blink of an eye.
That morning, Lin Mu awoke early as usual and proceeded to his daily ditation before breakfast.
To his mild surprise, everyone was present in the courtyard, and even Daoist Chu had decided to partake in the morning al.
This was a rare occurrence, as the man typically preferred to dine privately down in the Lotus Prefecture.
CREAK
The door of the main hall opened slowly as Lin Mu entered, fresh from his ditation. The food had already been served, and the monks were seated in quiet anticipation.
"You're just on ti," Daoist Chu remarked.
"I heard the monks arrive," Lin Mu replied as he took his seat.
"I don't know how you've been eating this food for six months straight," Daoist Chu said, his tone halfway between curiosity and genuine disbelief.
"It's quite nice once you get used to it," Lin Mu answered as he began eating.
"Only you would say that." Daoist Chu chuckled. "At this rate, you might actually beco a real monk."
"Maybe," Lin Mu replied, chewing a mouthful of rice without breaking pace.
The rest of the al passed in relative silence, peaceful and uneventful.
But just as they were finishing, a junior monk arrived, looking slightly out of breath.
"Honored guests, you have a visitor," the monk announced respectfully.
"A visitor?" Lin Mu and Daoist Chu exchanged glances as Monk Hushu's expression darkened.
"You an soone not from the temple?" Monk Hushu asked, his tone reflecting both skepticism and caution.
It was exceedingly rare for outsiders to co to the Green Lotus Temple, especially without prior arrangents. Fewer still would be aware that Lin Mu and his companions were residing there. The number of people who knew of their location could be counted on one hand.
"Who is it?" Daoist Chu asked calmly.
"They claim to be from the Immortal Court's regional embassy," the junior monk reported.
Daoist Chu blinked. "What?"
"Let's go take a look," Lin Mu said, his tone shifting into sothing more serious.
"Yeah," Daoist Chu nodded, setting down his chopsticks and rising to his feet.
"I'll co with you," Monk Hushu said, rising as well.
"Should I co too?" ng Bai asked, uncertain.
"You can stay and train," Lin Mu replied. "This likely won't concern you."
"Alright," ng Bai nodded in understanding.
With that, the three n departed swiftly and were guided to the visitor's pavilion at the base of the mountain.
The building, spanning roughly two hundred ters in width, was where monks typically t with outsiders—under strict protocols and with limited access. The temple did not welco visitors lightly.
Lin Mu and his companions entered the structure and made their way to the central reception hall.
CREAK
As the doors opened, a pair of sharp, focused eyes turned to et theirs.
"Immortal Court Elite Trainees Chu and Monk Hushu, I have an urgent ssage for you," the man said without preamble.
"You have a ssage for us?" Daoist Chu narrowed his gaze.
"From the Immortal Court?" Monk Hushu asked, clearly intrigued and slightly wary.
The man nodded. "Indeed. I am Elder Jin from the regional embassy of the Immortal Court. I have been ordered to deliver this ssage to you personally."
"What's so serious that it couldn't be sent through a jade slip?" Lin Mu asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
In truth, if sothing required urgent attention, a communication jade slip would have been far faster. A personal visit suggested layers of complexity—and risk.
"It is far too sensitive and delicate a matter to trust to any indirect thod," Elder Jin stated firmly. "Please, be seated."
The three sat across from him as Elder Jin retrieved several talismans from his sleeve.
SHUA SHUA SHUA
He activated the talismans in rapid succession, weaving a protective veil around them. Lin Mu recognized the effects imdiately.
'Sound-Isolating Talisman. Qi-Obscuring Talisman. And… an Anti-Scrying Talisman?'
Lin Mu's brows twitched. The last one caught his attention—it was expensive, rare, and difficult to produce. It was the kind of talisman used only when extre secrecy was paramount, capable of blocking even clairvoyance and high-grade divination techniques.
Only Grandmaster Immortal Formation Masters were capable of crafting such a thing.
Daoist Chu and Monk Hushu, both seasoned in Immortal Court protocol, understood what this ant.
"Is this… rank six information?" Daoist Chu asked, voice low and steady.
"No," Elder Jin shook his head. "It's rank seven."
Even Monk Hushu, who seldom showed emotion, visibly stiffened.
"Rank seven…" Lin Mu murmured. He had only heard of information tiers in passing, but he knew what that level implied.
The Immortal Court classified intelligence across seven ranks.
Ranks one through three were general in nature, often already known to various sects or factions. Rank four covered internal administrative matters. Rank five information was restricted to specific departnts and divisions within the Court.
Rank six was considered sensitive enough that only senior elders and critical personnel were permitted access.
Rank seven, however, was sothing else entirely.
It involved classified, high-risk information—so severe that its leakage could compromise national or sect-level security. Even among elders, only a select few were permitted access to it. And if soone from the regional embassy had co in person to deliver it, it could only an one thing:
A threat was imminent.
Lin Mu's mind sharpened like a blade. Every ounce of peace and serenity he had accumulated over the past six months now felt fragile, as if it might shatter with the next words spoken.
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