Elder Gu Jin’s gaze sharpened, turning toward Lin Mu. "And you—Bearer of the Silent Lotus. You encountered this and walked out alive, after slaying a being of baleful origin and uncovering one of their greatest secrets."
"It wasn’t without cost," Lin Mu replied evenly. "But we learned enough to ensure they won’t move unchallenged again."
ng Bai, still nursing his second cup of sword tea gingerly, added, "They’ve hidden well. Even if others had searched, without my Master, Lin Mu we’d have missed the signs."
The elders nodded slowly, the weight of the situation sinking in.
Elder Luo Shanyuan stood, pacing toward one of the murals lining the side of the hall. It depicted a great battle from ancient tis—sword-wielding immortals clashing with a monstrous serpent of smoke and shadows.
"From what I know... When the Taowu Imperial Order fell... the cost was imnse," Luo murmured. "It wasn’t just the Orthodox sects. Even the unorthodox banded together. It took hundreds of sects, dozens of peak immortals, and a rain of karmic backlash that nearly destroyed several realms and worlds. The blood they spilled left scars in the world itself."
He turned to face Lin Mu again. "If what you say is true, then this is not simply a matter of danger—it is a matter of cosmic order."
"We cannot allow such a foul existence to persist," Elder Gu Jin said firmly, rising to his feet as well. "Not again. The Xian Sword Sect will begin an internal investigation imdiately. If the Ephera Sect is truly gaining ground again, we will uncover every root and burn them out, blade by blade."
"We’ll also send word to our allies," Elder Luo added. "Even if their numbers are few, such heretics grow in secret. If left unchecked, they may beco another calamity."
Lin Mu bowed his head slightly. "I hoped as much. I didn’t bring this to keep it hidden. This is not a burden I can—or should—carry alone."
Elder Gu Jin nodded in agreent. "Wise. And brave. Most cultivators would have kept such a thing to themselves, either from fear or greed. But you’ve acted with clarity."
The elder’s sharp gaze narrowed slightly, as if evaluating sothing deeper in Lin Mu.
"Your Sword Intent is profound," he added. "And your temperant... balanced."
Luo Shanyuan rubbed his chin. "You may have no ties to our sect, but if ever you wished to step into our ranks—even as a guest elder or honorary mber—our gates would open without hesitation."
Lin Mu smiled faintly. "I appreciate the offer. But I walk a different path... at least for now. But I’d still like to learn here."
"Of course," Luo said warmly. "It is enough that you’ve warned us."
"Is there anything else?" Elder Gu Jin asked. "Any sign of what their next move might be?"
"Not yet," Lin Mu said. "An expert of the Silent Lotus Temple looked into the region, but even their vision was blocked." He said hiding the Saintess’ involvent.
Using the temple here was a convenient excuse.
’The Marshes of the Silent Skies are overflowing with baleful energy... even Transcendents may perish if they enter. So, while we know their base, approaching it will require care." Lin Mu added.
"Then we shall proceed thodically," Gu Jin said. "And quietly. We cannot afford to make the Darkhan Dynasty get wary of this. Until we have more information, we act in shadow. But when the ti cos..."
"Will the Darkhan Dynasty not assist us? They are technically an Orthodox power right?" Lin Mu asked.
"They should, but unlike us the Darkhan Dynasty is a secular power. They are embroiled in politics and have multiple factions within them. We will send an envoy to them and talk to them, but we cannot expect a quick response. It is likely they’ll be wary of anything happening within their borders." The elder answered.
"I see..." Lin Mu muttered.
"Would the Imperial Court not grant the request for us to check?" Daosit Chu inquired.
"It might take so ti but they’ll co around. After all, even they cannot sit around with a threat within their territory." The elder added. "Though the Marshes of the Silent Skies are troubleso. So of our mbers once tried to go there in the past, but only a few returned with grave injuries.
Still, we cannot let this stop us." Elder Gu Jin stated.
He reached to his side, and a longsword floated up beside him with a resonant hum, its edge gleaming like starlight.
"...we shall bring judgnt upon them. Upon those dregs of the Taowu Order!"
A heavy silence followed, one filled with firm resolve.
After a few monts, Elder Luo clapped his hands lightly, and an attendant entered the hall.
"Prepare guest accommodations for our visitors," he instructed. "They are to be treated with the highest courtesy. Provide a private cultivation suite for Bearer Lin Mu."
"Yes, Elder," the attendant bowed.
"We’ll have further discussions in the coming days," Elder Luo told them. "For now, rest. You’ve co far, and what you’ve delivered is a matter of great importance. You’ve done more than most sects would in your place."
The three guests bowed once more and were led out of the Elder Hall.
As they walked through the Inner Court once more, ng Bai gave a low whistle.
"Well," he said, "that went better than expected. I thought they might try and throw us out once they heard ’baleful tree fed on souls.’"
Daoist Chu chuckled. "They’re sword cultivators, ng Bai. Hearing ’kill all heretics’ is probably their idea of breakfast."
Lin Mu walked in silence for a bit before muttering under his breath.
"I just hope we have enough ti... before the Ephera Sect makes its next move."
For now though Lin Mu had a lot of things he wished to do and see in the sect. His goal in coming here wasn’t rely to inform the sect about the Ephera Sect. He had co here to temper his Sword Intent and to use their Sacred Grounds.
He hoped that with the insights he gained from that he would have an idea of what kind of Sword Dao Embryo he wished to make.
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