Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2715  Rescuing The Hostages

The technique was called the Surging Pestilence Water Art. And while it was strong, it was also deeply flawed—a desperate attempt to cling to life beyond its natural course. In the end, all those stolen years, all that accumulated longevity, had amounted to nothing but an agonizing death.

Lin Mu exhaled deeply, processing the weight of what he had just learned. He now knew more about the High Elder than the man had ever intended to share, but it still left a question lingering in his mind.

What other secrets did the River Bending Axe Sect hold?

Despite his curiosity, he had already obtained the primary answer he had sought—the location of the hostages.

"Just on the outskirts of Ram Orchard City," Lin Mu confirmed to himself.

With the information in hand, he wasted no time in taking action.

"Ashy, Xiao Yin, Xiao Yang, dispose of these bodies and collect their belongings. Meng Bai, check if they still have rings or any other tools on them. Little Shrubby, with me!" Lin Mu commanded before leaping onto the beast's back and taking off.

In his urgency, he failed to notice the expression on Meng Bai's face—one of turmoil and uncertainty. The boy was lost, struggling to process what he had just witnessed. The sheer horror of it was beyond his comprehension.

All he could do now was follow Lin Mu's orders, hoping that this feeling of unease would pass.

Riding atop Little Shrubby, Lin Mu tore across the Ram Orchard Forest, covering hundreds of kilometers in less than an hour before arriving at the city. Upon reaching its outskirts, he dismissed Little Shrubby into the Sleepscape and pulled a long hood over his head, ensuring the fabric concealed the sides and top of his face.

While this was not as effective as a mask, it was better than nothing.

'I can't risk their people seeing me and executing the hostages,' Lin Mu thought grimly.

Moving swiftly and cautiously, he navigated through the city's outermost district, making his way to the southwestern edge. Here, hidden among several buildings, was a lone-standing house. Unlike the clustered structures in other parts of the city, which were built closely together to conserve space, many buildings in this district occupied individual lots with small yards attached.

This particular area was home to several courtyards belonging to middle- and lower-class merchants—individuals wealthy enough to own property but not affluent enough to secure prime locations in the city's more prestigious districts.

The target building was one such courtyard, though noticeably smaller than the others. It stood isolated, its lack of guards or visible occupants making it appear utterly unremarkable.

To an outsider, it would seem like any other modest home, blending seamlessly into its surroundings.

But Lin Mu knew better.

This was one of the River Bending Axe Sect's secret outposts.

And they were not the only ones with such safe houses scattered across the city. Many immortal sects maintained hidden strongholds here, despite having relinquished their direct rule. Though they no longer openly controlled the city, they had never truly let go of their foothold.

SHUA

Lin Mu activated his Immortal Sense, sweeping it over the structure and quickly identifying a protective array.

'Not too difficult,' he noted.

Positioning himself a few hundred meters from the house, he carefully probed the array, pinpointing its vulnerabilities. With precise control, he created an opening just large enough for himself to slip through unnoticed.

Once inside, he scanned the building's interior, searching for the occupants.

"This will be easier than I thought," he murmured, finding only two Inner Court disciples stationed within, assigned to guard the hostages.

More importantly, the hostages themselves appeared to be in relatively stable condition. Though they bore visible bruises and minor wounds, they were alive.

The River Bending Axe Sect had no reason to kill them outright—not yet. Their plan had been to use the captives as bait to lure Lin Mu out, not to eliminate them outright. Killing them prematurely would only provoke the noble clans and the city council, something the sect sought to avoid.

If their plan had succeeded and Lin Mu had been captured, they would have simply released the hostages, albeit with the added threat that any attempt at retaliation would be met with worse consequences.

Lin Mu exhaled. This worked to his advantage.

SHUA

Sinking into the ground, he phased into the house, positioning himself directly beneath the two Inner Court disciples.

One of them was watching over the hostages, while the other sat facing the entrance, his posture relaxed and unworried.

They were oblivious to what had transpired outside, unaware of the fate that had befallen the High Elder and their fellow sect members.

"Yawn~ How long do you think we'll have to wait?" one of the disciples asked, stretching lazily.

"This is the High Elder we're talking about, so probably not long," the second disciple replied confidently. "Plus, he just broke through to the Seventh Tribulation Stage of the Immortal Realm. Capturing a Fifth or even Sixth Tribulation Stage Immortal shouldn't be a problem."

"Ah yeah, and the target is just at the Fourth Tribulation Stage anyway," the first disciple chuckled, shaking his head. "This is almost too easy."

The hostages sat on the ground, bound by heavy chains. They remained silent, listening to their captors speak but refusing to acknowledge them.

They knew any response would be meaningless. Worse, it might provoke the disciples into further tormenting them.

Dou Qi sat with her head down, tear stains marking her cheeks. Her red-rimmed eyes stared vacantly at the ground, her mind struggling to grasp the cruel turn their lives had taken.

Everything had been fine just days ago.

And now, they were prisoners.

She had never imagined that something like this could happen in peaceful Ram Orchard City.

Her thoughts mirrored those of the others. Each of them silently pondered the same question.

'Perhaps we should leave this place once we get out… if we get out,' Doumen thought grimly.