Liu Xiaolin asked blankly, "Godfather, why have the lotuses bloomed?"

Lin Mu gave an unrelated answer. "When the time is right, I'll take you to the Crane Immortal Sect."

"But I just want to practice martial arts with you, Godfather."

Lin Mu laughed. "We're just going to return something. There's no need to join the Crane Immortal Sect."

"That's good." Liu Xiaolin smiled happily again.

Liu Mubai had vanished completely, leaving behind a pond brimming with lotuses. Liu Xiaolin's bow was not only a tribute to Liu Mubai but also an acceptance of his promise: he had to deliver the item Liu Mubai left behind to the Crane Immortal Sect.

Liu Xiaolin asked, "So when are we going?"

Lin Mu replied, "Very soon."

Less than two months remained in the year-long commitment, and Lin Mu still needed to make a trip to Jiangling before it was up. Time was growing tight. He needed to handle these affairs before he could face Zhang Daoyun in battle with a clear mind.

At this moment, Liu Zijian walked over.

"Have you thought it through?" Lin Mu asked, knowing that his brother had made his decision.

"Yes." Liu Zijian watched the elderly people practicing their forms in the park. "If it weren't for you, Elder Brother Mu, my life would have been less than ordinary. I don't want Xiao Lin to be like me, living a life of mediocrity, achieving nothing."

Patting Liu Xiaolin's head, Liu Zijian smiled. "As his father, there's very little I can do for him. I can only wish for his peace and happiness. But Xiao Lin ultimately has his own path to follow, one where I am powerless to help. The most I can do is try my best to give him a complete home."

Lin Mu laughed, "Yang Jie?"

Liu Zijian's face turned slightly red.

Lin Mu smiled. "Yang Jie is a nice girl. Take good care of her."

Liu Zijian, rubbing his head and looking slightly embarrassed, said, "Yang Jie and I are planning to get married."

Lin Mu was a bit surprised, then immediately smiled. "Good. Remember to let me know."

"Definitely!" Liu Zijian laughed. "You're my best brother!"

「Two days later.」

Liu Su appeared before Lin Mu, accompanied by a group of Crane Immortal Sect disciples.

"Master Lin, the sect has decided to approve Liu Xiaolin's appointment as our Honorary Guest Officer!" Liu Su gave Lin Mu a deep bow. "However, they need to see the boy in person."

"Alright." Lin Mu nodded. "Then let's set off."

Liu Su was taken aback. "Set off?"

Lin Mu smiled faintly. "To the Crane Immortal Sect, of course."

Liu Su trembled, momentarily speechless.

Lin Mu said, "Rest assured, as long as the Crane Immortal Sect harbors no ulterior motives, I will merely observe and will absolutely not interfere in your sect's affairs."

"Thank you, Master Lin!"

「Heming Mountain!」

Located in Eastern Jiangbei and Western Chuanshu, Heming Mountain is part of the Min Mountain range with an elevation of over 1,000 meters. It lies north of Qingcheng Mountain, south of Emei Mountain, and west of Wuzhong Mountain, with its foothills reaching the Western Sichuan Plain. Named for its crane-like shape, the hidden stone cranes, and the celestial cranes that dwelt there, it is one of the four renowned mountains of ancient Jiannan.

Although Heming Mountain is in Sichuan-Shu, the Crane Immortal Sect's influence has always been based in Jiangbei. For this reason, the sect has always been known as the number one ancient martial sect of Jiangbei.

It was said that before the establishment of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Heming Mountain had always been a place of cultivation for extraordinary people. It was even rumored that Guang Chengzi of the pre-Qin era and Zhou Yishan of the Western Han dynasty ascended on the backs of cranes from this very place. Therefore, Heming Mountain is also regarded as the birthplace of Taoism, known as the "Daoist Celestial Capital" and the "Ancestral Home of Taoism."

Sichuan-Shu was home to many sects, such as the Emei Sect and the Qingcheng Sect. Since ancient times, Sichuan-Shu has been incredibly mysterious, collectively called the Southern Tri-Province along with Qianzhou and Yun Province.

Of course, none of this had much to do with the Crane Immortal Sect. Although the sect was situated on Heming Mountain, it had begun to decline over generations of change, its strength a shadow of its former self. Nevertheless, the Crane Immortal Sect was still the only ancient martial arts sect in Jiangbei and was regarded as its most powerful entity.

On the way, Lin Mu learned much more about the various sects from Liu Su. He also learned that the Crane Immortal Sect was not, in fact, at peace. Although Sect Leader Liu Qingshan was a Martial Arts Grandmaster ranked thirty-third on the Heavenly List, he had been famous for many years, and his prestige in the Martial Arts World was not particularly high. Furthermore, Liu Qingshan was always low-key and unversed in worldly affairs. Many of the sect's matters were managed by the elders, while he spent most of his time in seclusion. This time, if it had not been for Liu Su and Liu Zhengtang's insistence that they had encountered a once-in-a-millennium Sword Talent, Liu Qingshan might not have agreed to meet Liu Xiaolin at all.

Half a day later, the group finally arrived at the foot of Heming Mountain. However, Liu Su did not lead them directly up the mountain but took a side path.

"I hope Master Lin won't mind. Although the Crane Immortal Sect has always considered Heming Mountain our territory, the internal affairs are complex, so I won't go into detail," Liu Su said with an apologetic but troubled expression.

This being another sect's internal affairs, Lin Mu naturally did not bother to inquire further.

After several more hours, they finally reached the mountainside. This area had been designated as a forbidden zone. Aside from a few areas opened to tourists to generate income, everything beyond this point was where the disciples of the Crane Immortal Sect lived and cultivated.

The Crane Immortal Sect was not large; at a glance, one could only see a few buildings nestled deep in the mountains. However, the architecture was ancient and majestic, exuding an austere and solemn atmosphere.

"Master Lin, this way, please." After dismissing the other disciples, Liu Su led Lin Mu and Liu Xiaolin toward the council hall.

Even before they entered, Lin Mu could hear the sounds of an argument from within.

"A child of four or five becoming an Honorary Guest Officer of the Crane Immortal Sect? I disagree!"

"Elder Cen, it's no use disagreeing! That child has profound ties to Lin Wudi!" someone urged.

"No matter what. He can join our Crane Immortal Sect, and I'd have no objection even if he were a direct disciple. But an Honorary Guest Officer? Don't even think about it!"

Hearing the argument from the hall, Liu Su looked embarrassed and quickly explained, "The one objecting is Elder Cen from our sect's Hall of Punishment. He's always been in charge of discipline and is very particular about these rules."

Lin Mu smiled faintly. "Don't worry. He'll agree."

Not knowing where Lin Mu's confidence came from, Liu Su gave him a curious glance before leading the two of them into the hall.

The arguing crowd inside fell silent the moment the three entered. A variety of expressions crossed their faces as they stared at Liu Xiaolin, who stood beside Lin Mu. Being stared at by so many people, Liu Xiaolin grew nervous and timidly hid behind Lin Mu.

"Such pure sword intent! Truly a once-in-a-millennium Sword Talent!" a portly elder exclaimed in admiration.

"Hmph! We'll only know if he's a Sword Talent after a proper examination," another elder grumbled. He was none other than Elder Cen, the one who opposed making Liu Xiaolin an Honorary Guest Officer.

Elder Cen adopted a stern, official tone. "Furthermore, to become an Honorary Guest Officer of the Crane Immortal Sect, being a Sword Talent is not enough. One must also possess commensurate strength!"

"That's simple." Lin Mu gestured to Liu Xiaolin. "You two have a match. We'll listen to whoever wins."

"How about it?"

The hall fell silent for an instant before erupting into an uproar.

Elder Cen was furious. "You want me to bully a child? I could never do such a thing!"

"Why don't you fight me instead!" Elder Cen stared at Lin Mu, his fighting spirit flaring.

Lin Mu shook his head with a smile. "But I don't want to bully you either."

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