The monks collapsed even lower, practically flattening themselves against the earth.
"Forgive us, honored one," the oldest monk said in a trembling voice. "We failed to recognize the sacred authority standing before us. If we had known, we would have prepared a grand welco ceremony. We humbly beg for your forgiveness."
Whispers erupted in the crowd.
"A Jade Ruyi..."
"That is sothing even temple abbots do not always possess."
"Is he a transcendent monk in mortal clothing."
"Did a myth co to life or sothing?"
The people who had laughed at Lin Mu earlier felt the blood drain from their bodies despite the calm aura that Lin Mu released. Their knees gave out. Several fainted straight away. The rest trembled violently, too afraid to even breathe loudly.
A monk turned toward the surrounding people with a sharp glare. "Stand respectfully. You are before a figure whose status rivals temple abbots. If any of you behave improperly, you bring sha upon all Buddhist disciples of this world."
Those words struck the people like thunder.
An abbot level figure. In mortal appearance. Walking calmly into a mortal town. They stared at Lin Mu with a mixture of fear, reverence, and disbelief. It felt like witnessing a legend stroll by in human form.
The monks rose to guide Lin Mu with utmost humility.
They gestured toward the clan gates with sweeping bows and instructed the Binggan clansn loudly, "Prepare your elders and patriarch at once. Prepare all offerings of hospitality. A mistake in this sacred mont may invite karmic consequences upon your clan."
The clansn scrambled like panicked chickens. Several dropped their money baskets. So ran straight into nearby walls in their hurry. One of them tripped and slid across the ground before scrambling back up with pure terror in his eyes.
Lin Mu continued calmly.
Cattaleya, sensing the perfect opportunity to emphasize Lin Mu's identity, allowed a small portion of her aura to spill out.
It was not murderous. It was not violent. It was simply overwhelming. The shockwave of raw physical power rolled over the people like a wave. Nearly fifty weak-willed cultivators fainted where they stood. The rest staggered back as if struck by a physical blow.
Lin Mu glanced at her.
Cattaleya winked, clearly pleased with herself.
The monks did not dare to comnt on her intimidation. They were more
focused on clearing the path and shouting commands at the clansn.
"Move aside at once."
"Prepare the spiritual incense."
"Call the elders. This is not soone you can keep waiting"
The Binggan clan gates opened rapidly. Servants bowed so low that their foreheads struck the stone. Elders stumbled forward with shaking hands, too afraid to even speak properly.
Lin Mu stepped through the entrance to face the clan that held the rumored baby.
Everything was suddenly silent behind him.
The world felt like it was holding its breath.
And sowhere deep inside the clan estate, the baby that was feared by all began to stir.
Lin Mu stepped through the gates of the Binggan Clan with the monks guiding him until the clan's own elders finally took over. The atmosphere around him felt almost suffocating, not because of hostility, but because of the sheer reverence and fear radiating from every mber of the clan.
From the mont Lin Mu crossed the clan threshold, he could feel the scrambling activity in the courtyard and deeper within the manor. Servants sprinted to set incense burners. Elders barked hushed orders. The patriarch himself rushed back and forth adjusting robes and making sure nothing was out of place.
Lin Mu slowed his pace intentionally.
His companions noticed, but they said nothing. They knew he was giving the clan enough ti to prepare themselves. After all, if he simply walked straight in with the speed a fifth tribulation stage cultivator possessed, half of the clan might have fainted just from the pressure of seeing soone so powerful move too quickly.
Inside the manor grounds, the atmosphere had shifted entirely from the chaos outside.
The Binggan Clan had clearly received many prestigious visitors before. They must have welcod shamans, spirit diums, diviners, monks, and cultivators with impressive reputations.
The outer courtyard already had banners hanging, offerings prepared, and ceremonial dishes arranged at one side. But now, seeing Lin Mu enter personally, servants ran to change everything to match far higher standards.
Rare incense sticks, usually only lit during the clan's once a century ancestral worship, were brought out. The fragrance was dense and ancient, carrying notes of sandalwood and lotus that only activated when lit by spirit Qi. Trays of precious fruit were arranged, including one that Cattaleya eyed with interest. But she behaved and did not take any since they were offerings.
The most striking preparation was the tea. Several elders had gathered around tiny cups that looked like imperial porcelain. They carefully poured steaming liquid from a kettle lined with golden runes.
The tea was a shimring jade green that practically glowed with spiritual purity. It was Imperial Grade Jade Leaf Tea, the kind that was only served to royalty and was only found outside if it was smuggled out of royal courts. Essentially it was rarely brewed outside of noble palaces.
Now it was placed into the hands of trembling servants to offer to Lin Mu the mont he sat.
The patriarch himself stood at the head of the great hall, fidgeting anxiously. His robe was immaculate, but the sweat on his brow betrayed how overwheld he was.
A fourth tribulation stage immortal he may be, but standing before soone who wielded a True Buddhist Aura and held the White Jade Ruyi turned him into nothing more than a frightened mortal awaiting judgent.
When Lin Mu entered the grand hall, every single person present bowed so low that their foreheads nearly touched the polished stone floor.
"Greetings, honored senior. Thank you for gracing our humble abode," they shouted in unison. Their voices shook uncontrollably.
Most of them were afraid that if they did not shout loudly enough, the heavens themselves might punish them.
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