Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3093: The Grateful High Elders

Lin Mu’s attacks had splashed magma high up for it to reach all the way to the surface, leaving these traces. The Black Bone Sea lapped against the shore as if trying to wash away the traces of the battle, though nothing could erase the memory of what had been done there.

"You..." Elder Luo began, struggling to put his thoughts into words. "We heard rumors, whispers of your strength, Lin Mu. But to see it... and to know this was all your doing..." His voice faltered, then firmed as he finished, "It seems the sect, and perhaps the world, underestimated you."

Daoist Chu smiled faintly, looking at Lin Mu. "What you saw here is but a fraction of his true might. I witnessed him once, long ago, standing alone against millions of chimeric beasts. Compared to that, today was nothing more than a small matter."

The elders fell silent, their eyes widening slightly. They had known Lin Mu had become extraordinary, but hearing Daoist Chu’s words made them realize they still did not fully grasp the extent.

And then there was Cattaleya, who leaned against a rock, her arms crossed as her crimson eyes gleamed. She chuckled softly at the elders’ disbelief, her tone sharp but amused. "You should know, your enemies dug their own graves the moment they brought him into their sights. This destruction was inevitable the instant they provoked him."

Even though she had known Lin Mu for a short time, her long life experience allowed her to understand just what kind of a man he was now.

Meng Bai stood nearby, quietly watching his master. His fists were clenched, not out of fear, but out of awe and inspiration. He had followed Lin Mu for a while now, seen his power, but never before had he witnessed him cut loose like this. Even he, Lin Mu’s disciple, felt a shiver of reverence crawl up his spine.

Elder Gu Jin let out a deep sigh, one that seemed to release the last vestiges of despair lingering within him. He and Luo both bowed their heads low, something they rarely did. "Lin Mu, Daoist Chu, and all of you here... you have our deepest thanks. Not only for saving us, but for delivering justice to the cult that imprisoned us."

Lin Mu shook his head, his gaze firm. "Do not thank me yet. This was only one step. There is still much to uncover, much to learn. Their leader may be gone, but the Ephemera Sect’s shadow still lingers. Until we tear out their roots, we cannot claim victory."

The sea wind rose then, carrying away the stench of blood and ash, leaving behind only the solemn weight of their words. The elders understood. Their nightmare was over, but the war behind it was not.

And for the first time since their capture, they felt a spark of hope again. For with Lin Mu at the lead, perhaps even the darkness behind the Ephemera Sect could be burned away.

.

.

.

The villa owned by the Smoldering Rock Merchant Union was one of the finest residences in Ash Crown City.

Built into the slope of a hill overlooking the bustling market and the shimmering ash clouds that constantly drifted in the skies, it was a place designed for prestige and safety.

Thick walls of blackstone, reinforced with formations, surrounded the compound, while inside the gardens were layered with fragrant herbs that doubled as natural purifiers against the smog.

It was here that Lin Mu’s group chose to regroup.

The journey back from the Crooked Abyss had been swift due to Little Shrubby’s speed, but not without tension. Everyone was worn down to some degree, though the most critical cases were naturally Elder Luo and Elder Gu Jin.

Once they arrived, the Smoldering Rock Merchant Union immediately arranged the finest rooms for the two elders, bringing in their contracted healers. These healers were not just mortals, but High ranked Immortal alchemists and physicians who specialized in countering poison damage and restoring broken meridians.

Luo and Gu Jin, after months of torment, finally received the kind of care they desperately needed. Golden threads of immortal qi wove into their bodies, detoxifying the deep-rooted venom and stabilizing their internal injuries.

Their hair, once dulled and withered, began to recover some luster, and their complexions no longer looked like dried parchment. They were still a long way from full recovery, but it was progress. For the first time in months, they were able to rest without fear of waking up to torture.

Lin Mu personally oversaw their placement and care.

Though he trusted the Merchant Union’s reputation, he would not take chances with people who had suffered this much. Once everything was settled, he sent out a message back to the Xian Sword Sect with his communication jade slip.

His words were brief but sufficient: Reporting that the mission was successful, the two high elders had been rescued, and additional intelligence had been secured.

The response came faster than he expected. The jade slip lit up in his palm, Grand Elder Huo’s voice echoing out with restrained urgency.

"Do not return to the sect for now. We will come to Ash Crown City ourselves. Remain where you are, and ensure the elders’ safety until we arrive."

It was a firm command, yet beneath it lay clear emotion. The Grand Elder was anxious, perhaps even shaken, which only went to show how dire the loss of Luo and Gu Jin had been to the sect.

Lin Mu accepted this arrangement without hesitation.

He too, thought it wiser not to travel back through open territory with so many uncertain factors. The Drowned Crescent Cult might have lost their main base, but remnants were still lurking, not to mention the Ephemera Sect still had spies around from what Lame Yu had told him.

Even Lame Yu had been a spy and had seen Lin Mu before, which he had openly told him. This showed Lin Mu just how far the reach of the Ephemera Sect and its allies spread.