Chapter 2735 A Gift And Departure
Chapter 2735 A Gift And Departure
"A gift?" Lin Mu raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
In response, the Guardian gestured toward the stump beneath Lin Mu with a slight tilt of its great head.
Lin Mu followed its gaze and saw something unexpected.
A small shoot had emerged from the side of the stump.
The very stump he had assumed to be lifeless now pulsed with vitality, a fragile yet determined sprout pushing its way into the world.
"This child wishes to go with you," the Guardian stated.
SHUA SHUA SHUA
Lin Mu watched as the tiny shoot trembled, its vibrant green cotyledons swaying as if greeting him. A new bond had been formed.
Observing the tiny shoot's actions, Lin Mu came to a realization.
"It's sentient already?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Indeed… Plants take a long time to develop sentience to this level, and yet this child has already formed it," the Guardian confirmed. "Will you take it with you?"
"I will," Lin Mu answered without hesitation.
He had been looking for plants for his Sleepscape anyway, and now he had found just the right one.
"Good… Then I shall grant you this child," the Guardian said as a few vines rose from the garland around its neck.
SHUA
The vines extended toward the small shoot and touched it, causing it to rapidly grow. Within seconds, it transformed from a tiny shoot into the size of a sapling. Its green stem thickened, and seven verdant leaves sprouted from its two slender branches.
The sapling then floated up from the soil, its roots curling into a small ball.
Lin Mu could feel a strong aura emanating from the sapling, as if it had grown several times stronger in mere moments.
"I have blessed this child, and it will be greater than it ever was before," the Guardian spoke solemnly.
"I'll accept this gift," Lin Mu said, reaching out to touch the sapling before storing it in his ring, intending to plant it when he returned to the Sleepscape.
"This child is special, and even I do not know what its future will hold," the Guardian stated. "I hope you will take good care of it."
"I shall do my best," Lin Mu promised with a nod.
"Farewell… Child touched by the will of the forest," the Guardian intoned before turning away.
WHOOSH
In the next instant, it disappeared in a flurry of leaves, leaving only its lingering fragrance behind, a final farewell carried on the wind.
Lin Mu stared at the now-empty space, feeling a strange sense of reverence. Then, shaking off his thoughts, he rose to his feet.
"That was… something," Lin Mu murmured, reflecting on the experience.
Looking around, he noticed the surrounding plants seemingly leaning toward him, as if acknowledging his presence.
'So it's the same as the Evergreen Pillars Forest. Though they didn't grow the same,' Lin Mu mused. Then, another thought struck him. 'How long have I been here?'
Retrieving his communication jade slip, he checked the date.
"Two months? It's been quite a while," Lin Mu muttered, surprised. 'Though this was a lot faster than when I was in the Evergreen Pillars Forest.'
He scrolled through the messages he had received in his absence.
They were from both Daoist Chu and Monk Hushu, inquiring about his well-being. They also mentioned the strange behavior of the beasts and advised him to be cautious.
The most recent message from Daoist Chu, sent just three days ago, confirmed their preparations to move to another city.
HUUU
Taking a deep breath, Lin Mu savored the forest's fresh, fragrant air one last time before taking off.
He called for Little Shrubby, who arrived within a minute.
WHOOSH
The great feline appeared beside him, allowing Lin Mu to mount his back.
"You seem different, Master," Little Shrubby noted.
"I do? How so?" Lin Mu asked.
"I'm not sure… You feel more… natural?" Little Shrubby said, struggling to find the right words.
"Huh…" Lin Mu pondered, suspecting it was an aftereffect of the skill he had practiced.
"Though, it's nice," Little Shrubby added.
"I suppose so," Lin Mu said with a small chuckle. "Let's hurry back. We'll be leaving soon."
"Alright," Little Shrubby responded, picking up speed.
A short while later, they reached Lin Mu's makeshift camp, where Daoist Chu and Meng Bai awaited them.
"Master, you're back!" Meng Bai greeted him enthusiastically.
"You look good," Lin Mu said, observing the young boy.
Meng Bai's frame had filled out, his muscles more defined, and he no longer appeared as scrawny as before.
"You sure took your time. I thought I'd have to come find you myself," Daoist Chu remarked.
"I lost track of time," Lin Mu admitted, rubbing the back of his head.
"It's fine. It does look like you had some gains too," Daoist Chu observed. "Also, what's that scent? Did you get a new perfume?"
"Oh yeah! Master smells like a flower grove!" Meng Bai exclaimed, taking a deep breath.
"I do?" Lin Mu blinked, then realized it must be the lingering fragrance of the Deep Wood Ram.
"Did you sleep on a flower bed?" Daoist Chu teased with a chuckle.
"Something like that," Lin Mu laughed.
"Well then, if you're ready, we should head out. Monk Hushu is waiting for us at the city gates," Daoist Chu said.
"Sure, let me pack up first," Lin Mu replied before calling back the twins and Ashy.
They were not nearby, so he assumed they had wandered off to play.
SHUA
Lin Mu stored away the courtyard in his ring and waited for the twins and Ashy to return. They arrived a few minutes later, looking as though they had already been on their way back.
With everything settled, they mounted Little Shrubby and set off.
WHOOSH
Turning into a red blur, they first made their way to the city, where they picked up Monk Hushu before heading toward their next destination.
"Where are we going now?" Meng Bai asked, curious.
"To the capital of the Shanxi Empire, of course," Daoist Chu replied with a grin.