So ti passed after the ominous revelations in the Crimson Vine Province, and while Lin Mu was unaware of it and maintained a calm exterior, the undercurrent of tension had never left him.
His instincts had been right—sothing was brewing in the dark corners of the world, and the silence from the Ephera Sect only further confird that they were simply waiting. But now, a new developnt finally shook the silence of the Xian Sword Sect.
It was just after dawn when a summon arrived at Jade Echo Retreat. Daoist Chu was already sipping tea when a disciple hurried up the stone steps, bowed deeply, and delivered the jade transmission slip.
"The Grand Elder requests your presence at the Council Hall, imdiately," the disciple said.
Lin Mu stepped out from his ditation chamber, already sensing the urgency in the ssage. Daoist Chu raised a brow, but said nothing—he too could feel that sothing had shifted.
Minutes later, Lin Mu and Daoist Chu stood at the entrance of the Sect’s central Council Hall. The large doors opened to reveal a congregation of the Xian Sword Sect’s leading elders, including the always-serene Grand Elder Huo. The Patriarch was not present, but the air was heavy nonetheless.
"Co in," Grand Elder Huo said. "We have news."
Lin Mu stepped forward, his expression neutral but his heart quickening. "Is it about the missing elders?"
"Yes," Huo confird. "After years of silence, we’ve finally found sothing."
He activated a mory crystal, and a faint image of a mountain range shimred into the air, hazy but distinct. It pulsed with faint traces of sword intent and spiritual residue.
"Our scouts picked up two distinct traces of High Elders Luo and Gu Jin, in the northern stretches of the Fractured Mist Highlands. However..."
He waved his hand, and a second image appeared—this one less defined, but still undeniable.
"...another source—an intelligence contact we’ve maintained in the southern reaches—reported a trace similar to Elder Gu Jin’s spiritual signature, appearing in the Verdant Ash Basin. It’s unstable and fragnted, but unusual enough to warrant attention."
Several elders muttered amongst themselves. The southern trace was unexpected, and more difficult to confirm. The Fractured Mist Highlands were closer and better mapped; the Verdant Ash Basin was treacherous, half-swallowed by Earth Energy turbulence and ho to several rogue cultivator groups.
"We intend to divide our search," Grand Elder Huo continued. "A formal investigation squad, composed of multiple inner sect elders and selected disciples, will pursue the northern traces."
Daoist Chu stepped forward. "And the southern one?"
The Grand Elder looked directly at Lin Mu. "That’s where we need discretion... and intuition. We cannot afford another loss. Lin Mu, I’d prefer you to lead that effort."
"I was already going to volunteer," Lin Mu replied without hesitation. "My instincts tell the south is where we’ll find the truth. If this is a trap, I’m best suited to survive it."
So of the elders shifted at that, but none disagreed.
One of the younger council mbers raised a concern, "If Lin Mu is going alone, we must at least ensure that contact is maintained. If this is a move by the Ephera Sect, we can’t afford more disappearances."
"I’ll maintain constant communication," Lin Mu assured. "And I’ll leave relay talismans behind in intervals. If contact is severed, the signals will alert the sect."
Grand Elder Huo nodded in agreent. "Good. And with the Patriarch out of seclusion now, we are not as vulnerable as we once were. If sothing happens, he can act."
"But we must be cautious," Lin Mu interjected. "We can’t move the Patriarch lightly. His presence alone can ripple across the world’s layers. If the Ephera Sect has even half the divination power I suspect, they will feel it. They’ll know we’ve found sothing."
From behind the gathered elders, a voice spoke—calm but resolute.
"Agreed."
The elders turned as the Patriarch entered the chamber, walking with the quiet strength of a mountain hidden in mist. Dressed in simple white and gray robes, his presence subdued the atmosphere in an instant.
"Lin Mu is right," the Patriarch said. "My ergence from seclusion was already a calculated risk. I can act when the ti cos, but for now... our movents must remain like shadow beneath snow."
He stepped beside Lin Mu, eyes glancing at the faint outline of the Sword Cradle Divine Sheath upon his back.
"If the mont cos... I will arrive. No matter the distance."
Lin Mu bowed lightly. "Thank you, Patriarch."
The council spent the next hour coordinating supplies, intelligence relay chanisms, and finalizing the personnel assignnts for the northern team. Daoist Chu and ng Bai would go with Lin Mu as expected.
A few elders were concerned about Lin Mu bringing ng Bai along as he was not an immortal yet, but the Grand Elder said nothing would happen with Lin Mu there. He was a lot stronger than before after all.
Grand Elder Huo would remain in the sect, acting as a backup should Lin Mu’s connection falter, and he would also oversee the overall coordination from the Council Hall.
With the eting concluded, Lin Mu returned to Jade Echo Retreat to make his own preparations.
He checked his storage rings, refreshed his talismans, and looked over mission scrolls that detailed the geography as well as the information about local powers. The Sword Cradle Divine Sheath pulsed faintly on his back, almost as if it too was eager for the journey ahead. Afternoon Pine and Ocean Raker humd within it, resonating with readiness.
By the ti the sun had reached its apex, Lin Mu was ready.
As he stood at the edge of the retreat, looking out across the sweeping expanse of the sect, he took a deep breath.
No longer was he the sa young cultivator who had ran into the forest seeking a path. Now, he was the path—forged by trials, sharpened by will.
And sowhere out there, the truth awaited him.
Without another word, he rose into the air along with Daoist Chu and ng Bai, soaring out of the sect’s bounds, heading south—toward the Verdant Ash Basin, toward the unknown.
And perhaps, toward the very heart of the storm that had yet to reveal itself.
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