Over the next couple hours, ng Bai continued asking questions. So were simple, others more complex. Lin Mu answered what he could, carefully
avoiding anything that might trigger Heavenly restrictions.
Gradually, the overwhelming shock began to settle.
In its place, a new understanding ford.
ng Bai realized that he had not rely joined a powerful cultivator.
He had stepped into a lineage that stood beyond conventional systems of power.
A lineage that was ancient, mysterious...
And terrifyingly profound.
And for the first ti since leaving the temple, ng Bai felt sothing else alongside the shock.
Excitent.
Lin Mu spent nearly two full hours speaking with ng Bai, patiently answering every question the young disciple had. What began as a storm of confusion slowly settled into clarity, then into understanding, and finally into sothing far deeper. By the end of it, ng Bai's expression had completely changed.
The shock was gone.
In its place was a quiet determination, a kind of resolve that had been forged through revelation.
When Lin Mu finally stopped speaking, the courtyard fell into a brief silence. ng Bai lowered his head, his thoughts settling, his breathing steady.
Then, without warning, he stood up.
THUD
And knelt.
Lin Mu's brows furrowed slightly at the sudden action.
ng Bai placed both hands on the ground and bowed deeply, his voice firm despite the emotion behind it.
"Master... I can only thank you."
His words were simple, but the weight behind them was imnse.
"You have changed my life."
He lifted his head slightly, though his gaze remained lowered in respect.
"To be able to join such a lineage... to even stand at its edge... is the greatest fortune I could ever have in this life."
His fists clenched slightly.
"I will dedicate everything. My life, my soul, my very being. Even if I cannot reach the sa heights... even if I am not a spatial cultivator... I will do everything I can to be worthy of standing by your side."
The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable.
Lin Mu looked at him quietly for a mont.
Then he stepped forward and reached out, grabbing ng Bai by the shoulder and pulling him up to his feet.
"That's enough," Lin Mu said with a faint smile.
ng Bai looked up, surprised.
"You are already doing well."
Lin Mu's tone was calm, but firm.
"You don't need to change anything. Just continue as you have been. Train,
learn, and grow. That is more than enough for !"
ng Bai's lips parted slightly, but no words ca out.
Instead, he simply nodded.
"...Yes, Master."
The mont passed quietly.
By now, the golden hues of evening had begun to spread across the sky, casting long shadows through the courtyard. The atmosphere had shifted from the
intensity of earlier events into sothing calr, more grounded.
Lin Mu glanced toward the sky before speaking again.
"Shrubby."
"w?"
The small beast perked up instantly.
"Prepare so food," Lin Mu said. "We've had enough for today."
"Perfect!"
Shrubby's eyes sparkled at the instruction, and without another word, he dashed off toward the kitchen area, clearly enthusiastic about the task.
Lin Mu exhaled lightly.
After everything that had happened, a simple al felt like the most appropriate way to unwind.
It wasn't long before Cattaleya returned.
She entered the courtyard casually, stretching her arms slightly as she walked
in, her massive fra sohow still moving with a relaxed ease.
"Slls good," she remarked, sniffing the air.
"Shrubby's cooking" Lin Mu replied.
"Ah, then we're eating well tonight."
Soon, the group gathered around as the food was laid out. The spread was
simple compared to royal banquets, but rich in flavor and spiritual nourishnt. For cultivators like them, als were not just about sustenance,
but also about grounding the mind.
As they began eating, Lin Mu spoke.
"I was given a mission."
Cattaleya looked up mid-bite.
"Oh?"
Lin Mu explained everything concisely. The Guardian Spirits, the bloodline degeneration of the foxkin clans, and their request for his assistance.
Cattaleya listened quietly, her expression thoughtful.
When he finished, she leaned back slightly.
"Hm. That's... interesting"
There was a faint smile on her face.
"A change of pace."
Lin Mu nodded.
"It is."
After everything they had been through recently, a task that wasn't directly tied
to conflict or survival felt... different.
Cattaleya tilted her head slightly.
"Will this delay us?"
Lin Mu shook his head.
"There's no strict tiline."
He picked up a piece of food, speaking casually.
"If it takes too long, we can always handle it after returning from the dwarves."
Cattaleya nodded.
"That works."
She took another bite before adding, "You should discuss it with the others
too."
Lin Mu glanced at her.
"Where are they?"
Cattaleya chuckled lightly.
"Daoist Chu? He went off to enjoy himself."
Lin Mu raised a brow.
"With nobles?"
"Yep," she said. "Apparently he t a few after leaving the Immortal Court
branch. They invited him, and well... he didn't refuse. Probably heading to so
Courtesan Pavillion or two."
Lin Mu shook his head slightly, amused.
"And Elyon?"
Cattaleya smirked.
"He's still out."
"Still gathering information?"
"Mm. With that general he t."
She leaned forward slightly, clearly entertained.
"You wouldn't believe it, but I saw them laughing together."
ng Bai nearly choked on his food.
"Laughing?" he repeated.
Lin Mu raised a brow as well.
"That is... unusual."
ng Bai nodded quickly.
"Senior Elyon doesn't seem like soone who would get along with others so
easily."
Lin Mu thought for a mont before replying.
"Perhaps it's because they're both beastkin."
Cattaleya shrugged.
"Maybe. Either way, they seem to have gotten along well."
She waved her hand casually.
"They'll probably be back tomorrow. You can talk to them then."
She paused briefly before adding, "Oh, and one more thing"
Lin Mu looked at her.
"The court is busy," she said.
"How so?"
"Servants everywhere. Workers too. I saw a lot of construction materials being
moved around."
Lin Mu's expression shifted slightly.
A sinking feeling ford in his chest.
"...I see."
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