Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2690  Middle Ring Lake

Meng Bai had heard of this place before. It was said to be one of the more beautiful locations in the Ram Orchard Forest, a place where the water was so clear that one could see the fish swimming even at night. The reflection of the twin moons only added to its mystique, giving it an almost ethereal glow. It was a location of both beauty and tranquility, a rare oasis of peace within the vast wilderness.

”Weʼll set up here for now,” Lin Mu said as he jumped off Little Shrubbyʼs back.

Meng Bai slowly followed, still feeling his legs wobble from the rapid flight. His feet felt unsteady, his balance slightly off, as if his body had yet to register that they had stopped moving. He took a moment to compose himself, steadying his breath before taking in the surroundings with a more focused gaze.

”Weʼll rest for a bit before making any further plans,” Lin Mu added.

Meng Bai nodded, though he was still somewhat in awe of everything that had just happened. The sheer speed at which they had traveled, the vast distance they had covered, and now this breathtaking landscape—it was all overwhelming. His mind struggled to catch up with the reality before him.

For now, he took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, fresh air of the lake. The scent of the water, mixed with the faint aroma of the forest, was refreshing. The cool night breeze brushed against his skin, and for the first time since their escape, he felt truly at ease. As his heart finally settled, he realized that this was just the beginning of their journey.

”This is definitely better than our previous place,” Meng Bai said, his tone carrying a hint of admiration.

”Yeah,” Lin Mu nodded in agreement, glancing around at their new surroundings.

”I caught so many fish here,” Little Shrubby suddenly spoke, his tail flicking in excitement at the memory.

Lin Mu chuckled. ”Looks like weʼll have fish tomorrow then.” He turned his attention back to their immediate needs. ”But for now, letʼs set up the courtyard.”

Meng Bai watched as Lin Mu assessed the area. The empty space on the ridge was about four hundred square meters, which was perfect for their temporary residence. However, Lin Mu knew he couldnʼt just set it down as it was. He first needed to clear the right amount of space for it.

SHING!

In response, Lin Mu drew out Afternoon Pine and slashed four times in quick succession.

SHUA! SHUA! SHUA! SHUA!

Four precise cuts were made on the ground, carving out a neat rectangular section. Without hesitation, Lin Mu placed his hand on the ground and stored the entire slab of earth into his spatial ring.

SHUA!

Next, he retrieved the courtyard from his ring and laid it down in the prepared space. It didnʼt fit perfectly, though, as the section he had cut wasnʼt an exact rectangle. However, nothing that couldnʼt be fixed with a little bit of brute force.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Meng Bai watched in disbelief as Lin Mu stomped on the ground, causing the entire ridge to tremble as if an earthquake had struck. The impact was so strong that the beasts in the vicinity stirred awake, startled from their slumber. The fish in the lake below leaped out of the water in panic, creating a cascade of ripples across the lakeʼs surface.

Meng Baiʼs jaw hung open as he observed the entire courtyard sink into place seamlessly.

ʼHow strong is he?ʼ he thought, still unable to comprehend Lin Muʼs full strength.

”There we go,” Lin Mu said, feeling satisfied with his handiwork.

The lake gradually calmed down, and the fish, sensing no further disturbance, returned to their natural rhythm. The night once again settled into a peaceful silence.

”You can absorb the energy peacefully now,” Lin Mu instructed, seeing that Meng Bai was still in a daze.

”Y-yeah,” Meng Bai replied, quickly closing his mouth and swallowing before sitting down to continue his cultivation.

”Iʼll set up the arrays for now,” Lin Mu said before getting to work.

It took him a few hours to fully activate the defensive formations. He also upgraded them using some pre-made formation flags he had on hand, ensuring that the defensive barrier could withstand attacks from Fifth Tribulation Stage Immortals. It could even endure a single attack from a Sixth Tribulation Stage Immortal before breaking.

This was more than sufficient for now. The vantage point provided them with an excellent view of the entire lake and the surrounding forest. Lin Mu could clearly see the direction where Ram Orchard City lay. If any enemies approached, they would spot them long before they arrived.

”Continue your task. Iʼll go down to take care of a few more things,” Lin Mu said.

”Down? Why?” Meng Bai asked, pausing his cultivation momentarily.

”Iʼll set up some warning formations a few kilometers ahead as an additional precaution,” Lin Mu replied.

”Alright,” Meng Bai nodded, recognizing the value of the precautionary measures.

Two more hours passed before Lin Mu returned. By now, the forest was beginning to stir awake as the orange glow of dawn crept over the horizon. Meng Bai had finished absorbing the energy earlier than expected.

ʼLooks like my speed of absorption increased,ʼ Meng Bai thought to himself. He had gone through the process multiple times now, and with each attempt, he felt himself becoming more attuned to his newly purified meridians and dantian.

He walked to the edge of the ridge and peered down.

”Whew… thatʼs a long way down,” he muttered. ”At least four hundred meters. If I fell from here, I definitely wouldnʼt survive.”

Cautious, he took a few steps back, unaware that Lin Mu had already accounted for such a scenario. If he did fall, a protective barrier would activate and stop him just a meter from the edge.

Just as he was admiring the view, he spotted something approaching from the distance. At first, it was just a dot, but it quickly grew larger.