A few monts passed in comfortable silence before Elder Dong Bo suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh heavens. Sir, forgive . I just rembered sothing important. When you arrived at the outpost, did you show your authority token?"
Lin Mu blinked. "Authority token? What authority token?"
Daoist Chu chuckled. "Lin Mu never officially beca part of the Immortal Court. He never received a token."
The elder stared blankly. "Never joined? But Elder Liu Bei treats him as Senior. How could he not give sothing to signify his status?"
Lin Mu shrugged. "We never talked about such things."
Elder Dong Bo muttered under his breath. "No wonder things went terribly from the start. If you had shown a token upon arrival, the guards would have escorted you straight to my office. None of the events today would have occurred."
Daoist Chu nodded. "That does seem likely."
Elder Dong Bo shook his head in disbelief, but then he reached into his spatial ring. He pulled out a blank jade token shaped like a tiger's fang, smooth, pale, and marked with the crest of the White Tiger.
He pressed his thumb into it. A golden light spread from his fingertip into the jade. Runes carved themselves across the surface, detailing Lin Mu's identity, status, and a unique authority signature tied to Elder Dong Bo's own position. When he handed it to Lin Mu, his tone carried both formality and respect. "This will serve you well. It is not as powerful as sothing that Elder Liu Bei might give you, but it is still an official authority token of the Western Immortal Court. If you are ever questioned, you may show this and gain imdiate cooperation."
Lin Mu accepted it and tucked it away. "Thank you. This will be useful." The elder smiled with relief.
Then, without warning, ng Bai spoke while casually chewing on at. "Would the Kang Clan's authority token have worked too?"
Elder Dong Bo froze.
Daoist Chu chuckled. "ng Bai is referring to Lady Kang. She is a friend of ours. Lin Mu has her token as well."
The elder looked as if soone punched his soul out of his body. "Lady Kang? From the Eastern Immortal Court's Kang Clan?"
"Yes,"
The elder pressed a hand to his forehead. "Her token would have worked even better than the one I gave you. The Kang Clan's influence outranks nearly every authority in the outpost. The supplies and tributes her clan provides are essential for us at this point."
Lin Mu hurriedly reassured him. "Your token is still important. It is an official court token. That alone has great value and convenience. I will definitely use it."
Elder Dong Bo brightened again. "Good. I am glad."
And just like that, the awkward mont lted away.
Daoist Chu raised his cup. "Then let us celebrate our upcoming departure."
Lin Mu raised his cup to join him.
Elder Dong Bo mirrored them.
Cattaleya clinked her cup with ng Bai.
Little Shrubby raised his paw and tapped Lin Mu's cup with a ow.
The night continued with warmth and laughter, the outpost lights flickering below like a sea of stars.
The next morning arrived with pale blue light filtering over Outpost Thirteen. The streets were just waking up, the early vendors rolling out their carts and cultivators beginning their daily rounds as well as travelers who had early morning departures.
A soft wind brushed the tiled roofs, carrying the scent of herbs and fresh buns. At the central plaza, the Teleportation Hall stood like an ivory citadel. Its massive stone pillars depicted stylized scenes of the White Tiger, carved with such precision that the guardian beast seed ready to leap from the walls.
Even with the dawn light still dim, the hall was bustling.
But today was different.
When Elder Dong Bo appeared in full authority robes, personally escorting Lin Mu and his group, the entire crowd reacted instantly. Conversations halted. Movent slowed. Heads turned. Eyes widened.
A few bold individuals whispered, and those whispers spread in ripples across
the hall.
"That is Elder Dong Bo."
"He is escorting soone personally. Who is that young man?"
"Look closely. That is the person who was arrested a week ago, is it not?"
"No. That cannot be right. Why would the Elder himself escort a prisoner?"
"I heard he was freed yesterday by the Immortal Guards. Sothing big happened."
"Is he a noble? A court official? A secret inspector?"
"Who knows. But if Elder Dong Bo treats him like this, he must be soone terrifying."
Lin Mu and the others ignored the growing buzz. The Elder maintained a dignified expression and gestured for them to accompany him through the golden doors.
Inside, the Teleportation Hall glowed with layered formations. Array circles rotated like giant clockwork gears, each one humming with a soft resonance. The cultivated stone beneath their feet thrumd faintly with power.
The Elder stopped before a major teleportation platform, its surface glowing with an intricate blue pattern.
"This is your slot," he said with a formal tone. "I have personally cleared the schedule. You may leave without delay."
Lin Mu cupped his fists. "Thank you once again, Elder Dong Bo. Your assistance
has been invaluable."
The Elder waved his hand. "I simply fulfilled my duty. Take care on your journey. The space between the courts can be treacherous. But I believe you
will face whatever cos."
Daoist Chu bowed respectfully. "We will keep your words in mind."
Cattaleya simply grinned. Little Shrubby wed and rubbed against Lin Mu's
leg. ng Bai, clutching his pack, nodded vigorously.
Elder Dong Bo stepped back. "Safe travels. And when you see Elder Liu Bei, give him my greetings."
Lin Mu smiled faintly. "If fate allows us to et, I will."
The group stepped onto the teleportation array. Light rose beneath their feet
like mist. The hum intensified. Runes activated in quick succession, lighting up
the hall like a series of falling stars.
"Farewell," Elder Dong Bo called.
SHUA
And in the next mont, the entire group vanished in a cascade of white light.
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