Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2883: Clues About The Strange Group

The disciples broke into applause, some stunned, others deeply inspired. Many had tears in their eyes—not from fear or awe, but from the clarity that Lin Muʼs presence had brought to their own confused paths.

After the lecture, a dozen core disciples requested guidance. Lin Mu gave a few pointers, helping correct their stances or explaining subtle flaws in their intent. Though he did not remain long, the seeds he planted were already beginning to grow in the minds of those who had witnessed his art.

As the sun began to descend toward the horizon, Lin Mu walked back with Meng Bai, who was unusually quiet.

”That… was incredible,” Meng Bai finally said. ”Iʼve never felt sword intent like that.”

”You will one day,” Lin Mu replied calmly. ”Your Spear path is your own, but Iʼll help you where I can.”

”I want to understand those truths too,” the boy said with renewed determination.

”Then keep walking forward,” Lin Mu said, gazing at the horizon. ”No sword is born sharp. It is the journey that forges it.”

And with that, the two continued through the sect, the echoes of Lin Muʼs lesson still resonating behind them.

The atmosphere in the Hawk Eye Sword Sect remained charged even hours after Lin Muʼs lecture. Whispers filled the courtyards as disciples replayed the scene in their minds, analyzing each motion and insight he had shared. For many, it was the most profound experience of their cultivation so far.

Lin Mu and Meng Bai remained in the guest courtyard, enjoying a simple mixed meat meal that had been arranged for them. Little Shrubby lay curled up in a sunlit corner, tail swaying slowly as he dozed.

Before long, the door to their courtyard slid open.

”Daoist Lin, may we enter?” came the respectful voice of a young woman.

Lin Mu turned and nodded. ”You may.”

Three inner sect disciples entered—two men and a woman. Each looked to be in their early to mid-twenties and carried themselves with the refined posture of diligent cultivators.

”We hope we are not intruding,” the woman began, cupping her fists. ”I am Ji Renshui. These are my fellow disciples, Xian Wu and Huo Le.”

”We just wanted to thank you for the lecture,” Xian Wu added. ”It really changed how I think about sword intent.”

”You made me realize how much I was relying on brute force,” Huo Le chuckled sheepishly. ”Iʼm already thinking about changing my approach to training.”

Lin Mu gave a faint smile. ”Iʼm glad it helped. Sometimes, it only takes a small shift in perspective to unlock a great leap.”

Meng Bai leaned forward, intrigued. ”Do you all train together regularly?”

”We do,” Ji Renshui replied. ”Weʼre part of the same cohort. Elder Dugu guides us from time to time, though he mostly focuses on his research and cultivation now.”

”That elder sure doesnʼt seem like a boring old man,” Meng Bai grinned. ”I like him.”

”Elder Dugu is... unique,” Xian Wu laughed. ”He disappears for weeks on end sometimes, then returns with strange artifacts and stories from the other regions.”

ʼSo thatʼs why he was in the city. He was probably returning from his travels.ʼ Lin Muʼs interest piqued slightly at that. ”Artifacts?” he asked.

Ji Renshui nodded. ”Some come from ruins. Others are things he acquires through trades. Heʼs particularly interested in unusual sect tokens or sealing marks.”

That caught Lin Muʼs full attention.

”Sealing marks?” he asked casually. ”What sort?”

”Well...” Huo Le rubbed his chin. ”A while ago, he mentioned something about a strange power that used thorns in its insignia. Said it was connected to a rogue group thatʼs been active on the border of our province. But he didnʼt elaborate.”

Lin Mu and Meng Bai exchanged a glance.

”Do you know where he keeps these items?” Lin Mu asked.

”Most of them are stored in the artifact hall. Itʼs in the central sector of the sect,” Ji Renshui said. ”Though a few rarer ones are likely in his private archive.”

”I see,” Lin Mu said thoughtfully.

Seeing the look on his face, Meng Bai grinned. ”Should we pay the elder another visit?”

”We will,” Lin Mu confirmed. Then he turned back to the trio. ”Thank you. Youʼve been very helpful.”

The disciples bowed. ”It was an honor to speak with you. If you ever need anything, please donʼt hesitate to ask,” Ji Renshui said before they departed.

After they were gone, Lin Mu stood and stretched lightly.

”Letʼs find Elder Dugu,” he said. ”Itʼs time we followed the trail.”

They left the courtyard and made their way toward the core region of the sect. Along the way, many disciples respectfully bowed or greeted Lin Mu. Some still wore stunned expressions, evidently still processing his earlier demonstration.

The artifact hall was situated at the center of the sectʼs inner ring—a wide structure built from pale stone with sword-shaped reliefs carved into the columns. A pair of senior disciples stood guard at the entrance, but upon seeing Lin Mu, they allowed him entry without hesitation.

Inside, rows of glass cases and floating platforms displayed various weapons, tokens, fragments of ancient tools, and unusual artifacts. The room was bathed in a soft amber glow from floating light crystals.

Elder Dugu was already there, hunched over a floating slab of jade and scribbling notes with a brush.

”Daoist Lin,” he said without looking up. ”I suspected youʼd come soon.”

”You knew?” Lin Mu asked.

”I saw that look in your eyes when you heard about the mark,” the elder said with a chuckle. ”Come. Iʼve pulled out a few things since we last spoke.”

He gestured to a side table where several fragments and talismans lay.

Lin Mu approached, and his eyes landed on one in particular—a small bronze token shaped like an eye wreathed in thorns.

The moment he laid eyes on it, a faint shiver passed through the air.

”This is the one,” Lin Mu said. ”I saw this symbol on the cultivators who tried to trap us.”