ng Bai made a face of disbelief. "A one year old who speaks fluently, whines like an elder with back pain, and eats nothing but spirit Qi. That sounds unnatural."
Lin Mu said nothing at first. His expression had sharpened. Sothing about the situation made the back of his neck tense.
He finally spoke. "Why would rumors like this appear in the rcenary union. They are unrelated to missions."
Elyon rubbed the side of his head. "rcenaries keep an eye on anything out of the ordinary. Strange happenings often lead to work. And in this case, from what I learned, the baby's clan has already invited practitioners from every major field. Daoists, talisman makers, ancient shamans, spiritualists, monks both Buddhist and of other religions, and even a few demon cultivators. They want answers."
Daoist Chu nodded slightly. "I suppose that is reasonable. A phenonon like this would cause panic"
"It gets worse," Elyon said quietly. "There are already people suggesting the baby be killed."
Shua
Lin Mu's aura rippled. Not violently, but enough that Daoist Chu and Cattaleya exchanged a glance.
Cattaleya muttered, "Typical fearful fools."
ng Bai clenched his fists. "How can they even consider harming a child. Even if sothing is strange about it."
Elyon sighed. "Apparently, the only reason they have not killed it is fear. They think the child might be suppressing sothing worse, and killing it might release a calamity"
Lin Mu's voice was low. "Fear often creates cruelty. I do not like this." Elyon nodded. "I thought you might feel that way. So I checked the transport schedule before returning here. There is a direct teleportation convoy to White Owl World in three days. I paid the reservation deposit already. If you want to go, we simply need to pay the remaining fee."
Lin Mu responded instantly. "We will go. I want to see this child with my own eyes. Whether it is a monster or simply being punished for existing, we will find out."
Elyon gave a small smile. "I figured you would say that. I will finalize the ticket in the morning."
He left the balcony to handle the paperwork while Lin Mu closed his eyes and began to breathe slowly. The conversation, though brief, had filled the room with tension. Lin Mu ditated, letting his mind clear like still water.
Then a familiar voice echoed inside him.
Xukong spoke, his tone calm yet grave. "Lin Mu. I believe I know what that baby might be."
Lin Mu did not open his eyes. "Tell Master"
"It is very possible that the baby is not just unusual," Xukong said. "It might truly be an adult."
Lin Mu's eyes opened slightly. "You an a soul possession? A Nascent Soul taking over a newborn's body?"
"That was my first thought," Xukong said. "But that does not fit. Even if a Nascent Soul took a newborn's body, the soul would be restricted by the physical limitations. It could not speak fluently. It could not behave like an adult. It would take years before control beca natural."
Lin Mu nodded slowly. "True. Body and soul need to match. A soul cannot simply override a brain that has not even developed yet."
"That is precisely why this is different," Xukong said. "A baby born with a soul like this can only be one thing."
Lin Mu frowned. "What?"
"A reincarnation," Xukong answered. "Soone with a soul powerful enough to carry mories, personality, and will into a new life. Not through force, but through natural birth."
The balcony fell silent. The others sensed Lin Mu's sudden stillness and turned toward him.
Lin Mu took a slow breath. "Reincarnation. You are certain?"
"Certain enough," Xukong replied. "There are very few souls in the universe capable of reincarnating with awareness. Most reincarnations erase all mories entirely. True reincarnators remain extrely rare."
ng Bai leaned forward. "Master. What is it?"
Lin Mu looked at him. "I believe... the baby might be a reincarnated cultivator"
Cattaleya blinked. "That... would explain a lot."
Daoist Chu rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "A reincarnated soul that awakened early. If that is true, then the clan imprisoning the child is acting out of
ignorance."
ng Bai shuddered. "Imagine being reborn, unable to move properly, unable to defend yourself, and being locked in a box because people think you are
cursed."
Lin Mu closed his eyes again. "That is why we need to see the truth ourselves."
Xukong continued speaking in Lin Mu's mind. "If the baby is a reincarnator, then it might be in danger. Not from itself, but from the people around it. Reincarnators can sotis awaken old powers or mories. We do not know if he has all his mories or not.
So people who reincarnate have partial knowledge about cultivation. This is often not suited to the bodies of infants. It can cause a major disaster if the skill
is particularly dangerous.
Others interfering in it can also be problematic. The ridians and Dantians of infants are not fully ford and can release devastating pulses of energy for both itself and others. If mishandled, it can beco disastrous. But if nurtured, it can beco one of the greatest talents in an era.
So far we at least know it can use spirit qi. But if it pushes too far, it can be very
risky."
Lin Mu whispered inwardly, "Perhaps this is fate trying to drag us into another storm."
Xukong chuckled faintly. "You are used to storms by now."
Lin Mu exhaled, rose to his feet, and gazed into the night sky. "Three days then," he said aloud. "White Owl World awaits." Cattaleya smirked. "Let us save a baby from superstition."
ng Bai pumped his fist. "And maybe teach so idiots a lesson." Daoist Chu smiled calmly. "Let us hope it will not co to that."
Little Shrubby lifted his head. "I hope the baby is not slly."
Lin Mu placed a hand on the beast's head. "We will find out."
The wind carried their voices into the night, and the moon above shone quietly,
as if listening.
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