Elyon gave a short nod and vanished into the mist.
The next morning, the Patriarch of the Xian Sword Sect arrived with Grand Elder Huo. The two descended in solemn silence, their robes fluttering softly in the wind.
They bowed deeply to Lin Mu, their respect unhidden.
"Child, your actions have brought glory not only to our sect but to the entire realm," the Patriarch said. "But I fear the price you paid was too steep"
Lin Mu smiled faintly. "It was necessary, Patriarch."
The Saintess stepped forward then, addressing them calmly. "There is no need for concern. His body is only weakened temporarily. With ti, he will recover fully."
The Lotus Spirit nodded in agreent. "He is under my care. The life essence of the lotus will restore what was lost."
The Patriarch exhaled in relief. "Then this old man's heart can rest easy!"
He bowed once more, and with the Grand Elder, he departed.
Over the next few days, more people ca; cultivators, monks, disciples, friends. Each visitor brought words of gratitude, stories of the peace that had returned, and blessings for Lin Mu's recovery.
And though Lin Mu remained within the green lotus, his heart was full.
Each visit reminded him of the lives he had touched, the bonds he had forged, and the world he had fought to protect.
As the days passed, the lotus glowed brighter, its energy resonating with Lin Mu's heartbeat. He still could not move much, but his eyes were clear, his smile steady, and his will unbroken.
The world outside continued on, but within the heart of the Green Urim Peak, Lin Mu sat surrounded by life, by friends, and by the quiet certainty that peace had truly been earned.
The days passed quietly at the Green Urim Lotus Peak. The clouds around the sacred mountain drifted like silk ribbons, glowing faintly in the sunlight. Lin Mu's body still had not regained its full strength, but the peace that surrounded him allowed him to rest in tranquility.
Most days, he spent his ti reading, ditating or simply watching the shifting colors of dawn and dusk from within the lotus bloom. Now that he had nothing to do, he could finally catch up on the millions of docunts and
books he had accumulated in this ti.
The Saintess and the Lotus Spirit remained by his side, making sure his vitality grew, even if only little by little.
But today, Lin Mu decided to do sothing different.
Instead of simply sleeping as usual, he intended to enter the Sleepscape.
He had not visited that inner world for five long years, and his heart longed to see the two companions who had stayed behind there.
Little Shrubby and the little black bird, Ashy. The two had been within him for a long ti, and even though their connection remained, they must have worried when he suddenly vanished without word or reason.
Unlike his friends outside, they had no knowledge of what had happened. All they knew was that Lin Mu's presence had gone silent, though the bond between them remained intact. They would have sensed that he was alive, but nothing more.
He wanted to reassure them.
Lying back on the soft petal that served as his bed, Lin Mu took a deep breath. The fragrance of the lotus filled his lungs, calming him instantly. His mind grew still, and he slowly allowed his consciousness to drift.
Soon, his body relaxed entirely, and his vision went dark.
A mont later, light returned.
He found himself standing within the familiar expanse of the Sleepscape, an endless, serene plain covered in lush green grass that rippled gently under an unseen breeze. The sky above was painted in soft hues of blue and white, and the air felt alive with Qi.
Behind him, the majestic Immortal Apple Tree towered proudly, its trunk vast and wrinkled.
Dozens of bright red immortal apples hung from its branches, their fragrance sweet and potent. Next to them, a newer cluster of fruits had appeared,green immortal wood apples, glowing faintly with vitality.
Having not been plucked for a long ti, they had fully covered the tree now. The tree rustled, as if in greeting.
Lin Mu smiled, walking forward to place his palm upon its trunk.
The bark pulsed with warmth beneath his touch. "It's good to see you again too,
old friend," he said softly.
The tree swayed its branches once more, shimring faintly in delight.
But Lin Mu's arrival had not gone unnoticed.
A streak of red light tore through the distance, racing toward him at incredible speed. Before Lin Mu could even turn fully, a familiar shape crashed into him
with a gentle thud.
"Master!"
Little Shrubby's voice was full of emotion as he pressed his head against Lin Mu's chest. His fur bristled slightly, crackling with traces of fire and lightning
energy.
Lin Mu chuckled softly and patted his companion's head. "Easy now, Little Shrubby," he said warmly. "You'll knock over at this rate."
The beast only nuzzled him harder.
Lin Mu hesitated for a mont, half-expecting his weakened state to react badly, but then rembered, within the Sleepscape, this was rely his consciousness given form. His body here was not bound by the sa frailty as the one lying in the lotus.
He smiled and continued to stroke Little Shrubby's fur. "I'm sorry for making you wait so long. I should have co sooner!"
Little Shrubby shook his head, his flaming mane rippling faintly. "It's fine, Master. I knew you were alive. That was enough. I'm just glad you're back."
Lin Mu's eyes softened.
He could feel the relief in the beast's aura, the genuine happiness radiating from him. Little Shrubby did not ask what had happened, nor did he question where Lin Mu had gone. He was simply content to have his master here again.
After a while, Lin Mu finally said, "Co, let's take a walk. I want to see how everything has been."
The two began to stroll through the grassy fields.
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