Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3296: The Dwarven Race

Xukong seemed amused by Lin Mu’s amazement.

”The dwarfs are master craftsmen. Some say the best the universe has ever known,” Xukong continued. ”Their knowledge of forging is deeper than many celestial smiths. If you want to forge weapons from my husk, they are your best choice.”

Lin Mu took a moment to absorb this.

”Do we know where to find them?” he asked.

Xukong replied, ”You will have to look for them. But I know a few of their clans exist at the edge of the Eastern Immortal Court. And I have a feeling that your path will cross theirs soon enough.”

The words sent a faint thrill through Lin Mu’s heart.

The future was opening again.

New paths.

New mysteries.

New challenges.

New people to meet.

New battles to fight.

He could feel it.

His new journey had only just begun.

And with Xukong awake, the road ahead seemed even more vast and wondrous than before.

Lin Mu remained within the quiet interior of the ring for a while longer, speaking with Xukong as the ancient spider floated near him. Now that he knew there were clans of dwarfs in the Eastern Immortal Court’s territories, he wanted to learn everything he could about them.

”Senior, what can you tell me about the dwarfs?” Lin Mu asked, sitting cross-legged on the nonexistent ground of the ring space. ”I know of them, but I know nothing concrete.”

Xukong’s eight eyes shimmered faintly. ”Dwarfs are an ancient race. Very ancient. Almost as old as elves. And just like elves, they have countless sub races.”

Lin Mu listened with full attention.

Xukong continued, ”Most people assume that dwarfs are all skilled smiths. And while it is true that the dwarven race is generally gifted in craftsmanship, not all of them are equal. There are Mountain Dwarfs, Hill Dwarfs, Deep Dwarfs, Snow Dwarfs, Fireforge Dwarfs, Rune Dwarfs, Storm Dwarfs, and more. Each clan is different in culture, ability, temperament, and specialty.”

Lin Mu nodded. He had heard a little about the diversity among elves, but dwarfs having such variety was interesting.

”Among the dwarven clans,” Xukong said, ”two stand above all others in terms of forging mastery. The Mountain Dwarfs and the Fireforge Dwarfs.”

Lin Mu raised his brows. ”Which one is better?”

”That is a matter of endless debate among the dwarven races,” Xukong replied with a faintly amused tone. ”The Mountain Dwarfs are unmatched in mining and refining metals. They prefer metals in their purest natural state and use their skills to push the metal to its full potential. For them, perfection lies hidden within the raw ore. Their forging philosophy is about unveiling brilliance through painstaking refinement.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

”The Fireforge Dwarfs on the other hand specialize in creation and invention. They love mixing materials, metals, minerals, essences and forging brand new results. They do not seek perfection hidden within the metal. They seek to create something perfection can emerge from. Their forges can birth entirely unique alloys that have never existed before.”

”I see,” Lin Mu murmured. ”Two different philosophies. One reveals, the other invents.”

”Precisely,” Xukong said. ”Both clans have created legendary weapons and artifacts. Both are unparalleled. Comparing them is pointless. It would be like comparing sword Dao and spear Dao. It depends on the person’s skills.”

Lin Mu understood instantly.

But there was still a problem.

”Senior... how do I find them?”

Xukong’s eyes dimmed a little. ”That is the difficult part. From what I know, relations between dwarfs and humans have not been the best in recent eras. And the dwarven population is small compared to humans. They are difficult to find. They often do not like being disturbed either.”

Lin Mu frowned slightly.

Xukong continued, ”Many dwarven clans have relocated multiple times over the ages. Some moved away because of human expansion. Some left because the minerals in an area were exhausted. Some simply vanished from records. I have not seen them in several million years. They have most likely moved again.”

Lin Mu absorbed this information in silence.

”While there are confirmed locations for some dwarven clans,” Xukong added, ”the ones you need are elusive. Hill Dwarfs can be found in a few worlds focused on agriculture. Snow Dwarfs dwell in icy realms. And Rune Dwarfs still work with the Immortal Court from time to time.”

He paused before adding the inevitable truth.

”But finding Mountain Dwarfs or Fireforge Dwarfs will not be simple.”

Lin Mu crossed his arms, deep in thought.

”Still,” Xukong said, ”you may begin by meeting other dwarfs. Information flows through the dwarven race even when the clans do not live together. Speak with them and you may discover where the ones you need have last been seen.”

Lin Mu nodded. ’At least I have a starting point.’

Armed with this new knowledge, Lin Mu eventually left the ring and returned to the courtyard of his mobile courtyard within the teleportation channel. His companions were outside, continuing their usual routines.

Daoist Chu was studying formations, Elyon was sorting through mission records, and Cattaleya was doing push-ups with a single finger with no feet on the ground.

Lin Mu approached them.

”I need to ask you all something,” Lin Mu said.

Daoist Chu paused and looked up. ”What is it?”

Lin Mu explained what he had learned about the dwarven clans and the need to locate Mountain or Fireforge Dwarfs.

”Do any of you know anything about where they might be?” Lin Mu asked hopefully.

Daoist Chu took a moment to think. ”The Immortal Court has not had active contact with Mountain Dwarfs or Fireforge Dwarfs for a long time. Certainly not in the last ten thousand years. They keep to themselves.”

Cattaleya stretched and stood up. ”I have met a few dwarfs before,” she said casually. ”But they were mercenaries like me. They did not tell me where they lived. Dwarfs tend to keep their homes secret. You won’t pry it out of them even if you torture them. They’d rather die than break their vows.”

Lin Mu nodded. He expected as much.