Lin Mu rembered Elyon talking about the tournants. Back then it seed like irrelevant local gossip. Now it was affecting them directly.
Daoist Chu rubbed his forehead. "I suppose that explains the increased crowd around town."
The clerk nodded. "As the expected traffic is extrely high, all mid and major routes are prioritized. Only worlds with consistent traffic remain connected at this ti. Minor worlds, especially those far from the main flow, have their arrays deactivated to conserve resources and maintain stability during the influx."
Lin Mu asked calmly, "How many people typically travel to Khwanzim World each month?"
The clerk checked the records. "In the last twelve months, only eleven parties traveled there. Less than one per month. It is among the least used routes connected to this outpost."
Daoist Chu let out a slow exhale. "So the route was chosen for suspension."
The clerk nodded. "Yes. It has been closed for several months already, and is expected to remain closed until the tournant period ends. Possibly another six to seven months or even a year depending on how long the tournants take."
Lin Mu and Daoist Chu exchanged glances. That was a far longer pause than they expected.
Lin Mu asked, "Is there an alternative path that connects to Khwanzim World?"
The clerk brightened. "There are two alternatives. Shall I bring up the routes?" "Please do."
A wave of the clerk's hand brought up two glowing pathways. At first glance they looked long. Upon looking closer, they were even worse.
Daoist Chu sucked in a breath. "These... These are ridiculous. They go in circles."
One route zigzagged through seven worlds, so of which were not even in the sa sector. Total estimated travel ti: three years.
The second route was slightly shorter but still required going through five worlds and then flying directly through a difficult star field. Estimated travel ti: two and a half years.
Lin Mu studied the diagrams calmly. "These paths appear... inefficient."
The clerk sighed. "That is the reality for small worlds like Khwanzim. Very few arrays connect to them. When the main line is down, travelers must take the long route unless they have private teleportation arrays."
Daoist Chu frowned. "If we request an exception using authority tokens, would they consider reactivating the route?"
The clerk shook her head quickly. "It is not a matter of authority. To reactivate a deactivated route, the array masters must realign channels that were already diverted to support the major lines.
Doing so requires trendous energy and resources, and would destabilize travel for thousands of others. The Eastern Immortal Court will not approve such a request, even from a high elder unless it is a matter of urgent war related activity!"
Lin Mu let out a quiet sigh. "Then we have no choice but to wait."
Daoist Chu nodded reluctantly. "Waiting may be better than wasting years traversing worlds."
Lin Mu asked, "How long before normal traffic resus?"
"Seven months at the earliest. The tournant season will draw tens of millions of cultivators from both this solar system and neighboring regions. After the Grand Tournant ends and the crowds disperse, traffic will return to normal." Lin Mu gave a grateful nod. "Thank you for your information."
The clerk bowed. "Please enjoy your stay in the Martial Fist King World. Should you need assistance with local travel, city routes, or prioritized teleportation to the tournant locations, feel free to return."
Lin Mu and Daoist Chu left the teleportation office in silence, walking through the plaza filled with travelers, martial registration booths, and vendors selling tournant morabilia.
Daoist Chu sighed deeply. "I did not think tournants would cause such a delay in our plans."
Lin Mu adjusted his cloak. "We will simply use this ti. ng Bai can train more. I can refine more Spatial Qi. And we can gather information about the region. Seven months is not so long"
"That's if its seven months." Daoist Chu smiled faintly. "Though, you truly have
patience."
"Patience is a cultivator's greatest asset," Lin Mu replied. "Especially in the Immortal Realm."
They walked back toward the Coiling Horn Inn, their footsteps calm and
asured.
Plans had shifted.
But Lin Mu felt no frustration.
A few more months were simply another chapter in their long journey through
the Immortal Realm.
And who knew what they might encounter in this world where martial fists reigned supre.
Lin Mu returned to the Coiling Horn Inn with Daoist Chu at his side, both of them walking in contemplative silence. When they stepped into their private suite, they found the others relaxing.
ng Bai had finally recovered enough to sit up without wobbling, Cattaleya was lazing on a sofa with her boots hanging off one armrest, and Elyon was reading a booklet he had apparently bought from a hawker outside.
Lin Mu explained the travel situation plainly.
"The teleportation route to Khwanzim World is suspended. It will not reopen for several months. They are prioritizing heavy traffic routes due to the once in a century Grand Martial Fist King Tournant. All minor routes are shut down."
For a mont the room was quiet.
Then Cattaleya's eyes widened. Her entire posture shifted from lazy to electric excitent.
"A world dedicated to martial fist arts. And they are hosting the Grand Tournant. This is perfect."
Lin Mu chuckled lightly. "I figured you would say sothing like that."
Cattaleya leapt to her feet and pointed a finger at herself proudly. "A place where punching people is culturally approved and celebrated. It is paradise. I am going to find out everything about these tournants."
Before anyone could speak, she marched straight toward the balcony, hopped onto the railing, and dove off the building.
ng Bai and Elyon both rushed to the railing.
Elyon groaned. "I was literally about to say I already know so things about
the tournants."
Daoist Chu laughed and gave him a consoling pat on the shoulder. "You could have told her and she would still have gone. There is no stopping that woman." ng Bai nodded. "That is true. Senior Catt is frightening."
Lin Mu shook his head with amusent. Then he looked around. "Where are
you going Elyon?"
Elyon heard his na and coughed lightly, closing his booklet. "Well... I will go gather information. There are bound to be so interesting things happening
around the outpost."
Without waiting for comnt, he slipped away like fog dispersing through
cracks.
Lin Mu sighed softly. "Everyone is scattering today."
User Comments
0 comments from readers