Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3295: Catching Up With Xukong

”To think the remnants of the Taowu order still existed. That too a complete being,” Xukong muttered as he listened to Lin Mu recount the events.

Lin Mu looked at him with genuine curiosity. ”Have you seen the Ephemera Tree before, Senior? You have existed for a long time.”

”I have,” Xukong admitted. ”I might have helped in stopping its spread.”

”You did?” Lin Mu blinked.

The idea surprised him greatly. He knew Xukong rarely interfered with anything directly, regardless of whether it was righteous or not.

”Well, not directly,” Xukong clarified. ”I merely prevented it from reaching out into the void to plant its roots.”

”I see. Even that must have been impactful,” Lin Mu said with certainty.

”Perhaps,” Xukong replied. ”But it seems like the Celestial Court did not clean up properly. They allowed it to regrow again in the Immortal Realm.” A hint of displeasure appeared in his many golden eyes. Then, with a shift of tone, he added, ”Though what truly surprises me is the Xian Sword Spirit, and even more than that, the sheath you carry on your back.”

Lin Mu straightened. ”How so, Senior?”

”The Xian Sword Spirit I knew of. It was well known in ancient times and has existed for nearly two hundred million years,” Xukong said.

”That old?” Lin Mu raised his brows.

”Indeed. It was born through the craft of a Celestial Grandmaster Weaponsmith. It began as a physical sword and was much weaker back then. But over countless ages, it passed through many masters and continued to evolve. Eventually, it abandoned its physical form entirely because it no longer required one.” Xukong paused. ”And I know the story you heard is different. But the ancestor of the Xian Sword Sect probably had no knowledge of its true origin. That is understandable.”

Lin Mu nodded softly. ”I see. And what about the Sword Cradle Divine Sheath?”

”I have heard rumors of such a Dao Embryo existing,” Xukong said slowly. ”But now I have seen it with my own eyes. It is a very special Dao Embryo. In many ways it is similar to your own Space Dao Embryo.”

Lin Mu’s eyes widened. ”They are similar? How?”

”Both are Dao Embryos created by people rather than emerging naturally through the influence of the Grand Dao,” Xukong revealed.

”So it is a unique Dao Embryo?” Lin Mu said as he began to understand what that meant.

”Indeed. Such Dao Embryos are sole existences. Even when their owners die, they continue to exist. Most return to the embrace of the Grand Dao and wait for their next suitable owner. But there are a few that behave differently. Some are proactive and will actively seek out their next master.”

”How many more are there, Senior? And do these always stay with one owner?” Lin Mu asked, eyes filled with genuine curiosity.

”It is impossible to estimate how many exist,” Xukong said. ”Most disappear forever because they find no suitable owner. And many owners lived and died in remote worlds where the influence of any Immortal Court or great power never reached. Thus, information is lost. Records vanish.”

He paused before continuing.

”As for ownership, most remain with a single master. But there are a few that have been recognized by the Grand Dao and allowed to manifest multiple times. These tend to be general purpose Dao Embryos that many cultivators can comprehend.”

”What about the unique ones?” Lin Mu asked.

”The unique ones are far more powerful. Only those who match them completely can claim them. They cannot be forcefully taken nor cultivated artificially. They simply exist, waiting for the right person,” Xukong explained.

”I see...” Lin Mu thought deeply about this. A new idea flashed across his mind. ”Perhaps what Meng Bai is seeking is something like this. Either a unique Dao Embryo waiting for its true owner or the opportunity to form an entirely new one.”

”Very possible,” Xukong said. ”Still, the Sword Cradle Divine Sheath is an excellent sword Dao Embryo to possess. No wonder the Xian Sword Spirit chose it as its home. I am half certain it went to the Xian Sword Sect ancestor because it sensed the sheath.”

Lin Mu listened intently. The more he learned, the more vast the world felt.

Xukong continued conversing with Lin Mu, examining his memories with greater precision through their connection. He learned far more than Lin Mu had realized himself and occasionally paused to comment on certain details or interpretations.

After some time, Xukong turned his ten-eyed gaze toward Lin Mu and said, ”Since you are heading to the Eastern Immortal Court, we can begin the work I promised.”

Lin Mu’s eyes brightened. ”You mean the new weapon?!”

”Indeed,” Xukong said.

He raised one of his segmented legs and flicked it lightly.

SHUA

The space within the ring stirred. A thin crack appeared, shimmering like a ripple in glass. From this crack, a bone white husk emerged. It looked almost identical to Xukong’s spider form, except it lacked eyes and was hollow inside. Despite this, a strong presence of Spatial Dao radiated from it.

”This is your husk?” Lin Mu asked, examining it closely.

He could sense Spatial Dao Traces and even Spatial Dao Insights embedded within the shell.

”Yes,” Xukong replied. ”You will use this to forge weapons for yourself and Little Bai.”

”How do I do that?” Lin Mu asked.

He touched the husk carefully and was instantly surprised. It was incredibly dense and tough. Even with all his strength, he could not bend or break it.

”To refine and forge this husk, you will need assistance,” Xukong said.

”Assistance? From who?” Lin Mu asked.

”Dwarfs,” Xukong said.

”Dwarfs?” Lin Mu asked in surprise. ”The humanoid race?”

He had heard about them before. They were another race much like elves, humans, and beastkin. They were described as short, stocky, resilient, and incredibly strong. Their forging talent was said to be unmatched in the universe.

It was even believed that many modern forging techniques, metals, alloys, and even some formation methods originated from their ancient craftsmanship. Cultivators merely adapted what dwarfs had perfected long before.