Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2954: Meeting The Grand Elder

The next morning, as golden rays painted the peak with hues of dawn, a familiar presence approached their courtyard.

It was the same Inner Court disciple who had guided them upon their arrival—a tall, good-natured youth named Lu Feng, tasked with attending to Lin Mu and his companions during their stay.

He wore a bright smile as he entered the open courtyard where Lin Mu was meditating beside the lake, Meng Bai was recording notes onto a jade slip, and Daoist Chu was lazily sipping a morning brew.

”You three have been summoned,” Lu Feng said, clasping his fists politely.

Lin Mu raised an eyebrow. ”Summoned?”

Lu Feng grinned. ”By the Elders. A personal invitation.”

Daoist Chu raised his cup, swirling the brew without looking up. ”Ah. So it begins.”

Meng Bai’s lips twitched, his gaze flicking to Lin Mu. He tried to hold it in but ended up giggling, ”You’re in trouble now.”

”I’m what?” Lin Mu blinked.

Lu Feng chuckled. ”You’ll see.”

They soon departed, following Lu Feng up a winding path that curved around Mount Sky Sever.

”Damn, this is so hard.” Meng Bai said, finding it very hard to endure the rich Sword Intent in the air. ”Is there no other path?” he couldn’t help but ask.

”Let me help.” Lin Mu said as sword intent rose from his body, before gently coiling around Meng Bai.

”Phew! Much better.” Meng Bai said, feeling relaxed.

Lu Feng who saw Lin Mu’s exquisite control of Sword Intent, couldn’t help but freeze for a moment. But then he regained his composure and continued to lead.

Eventually, the stone trail ended at a massive circular platform suspended high in the air—the Floating Immortal Platform.

The platform hovered thousands of meters above the sect grounds, tethered by radiant beams of immortal qi that shimmered like threads of light in the sky.

”Whoa...” Meng Bai stared in awe. ”It’s floating! Is this some kind of Immortal artifact?”

Daoist Chu smirked. ”No artifact. It’s a high-grade Immortal Array. One I’d need at least a year to replicate.”

Lin Mu gazed at the glowing symbols lining the edges of the platform. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the array midair, tracing the circuit of qi through the interlocking symbols. Even for him, it was intricate—likely designed with layered stability and spatial anchors to keep it locked in position.

”Brilliant design,” he muttered.

Meng Bai leaned in. ”What’s it doing exactly?”

”Balancing itself between fixed points of spiritual pressure,” Lin Mu said thoughtfully. ”Those lines there stabilize its gravity while keeping the structure phased slightly out of sync with the mountain’s natural qi flow. No wonder it floats.”

”Too much for my brain,” Meng Bai grumbled.

Soon, they were guided into one of the many elegant halls atop the Floating Immortal Platform—this one with a tiled floor of crystalized jade and windows that offered a view of sect below.

Inside, three elders were seated upon simple yet dignified chairs. Elder Yan Dao, with his thunderous laugh and hawkish eyes. Elder Yi Feiyan, graceful and sharp as a drawn blade. And finally—an old man who said nothing at first, but whose very presence felt like the breath of a sealed volcano.

The Grand Elder.

His long, snow-white beard contrasted the powerful physique barely hidden beneath his loose robes. His lone eye glowed like a burning star, and though he said not a word, his aura alone was enough to make Meng Bai freeze in his tracks.

Daoist Chu, too, hesitated at the threshold—just a step, a beat too long—before composing himself and walking in.

Only Lin Mu strode in calmly, unaffected. In fact, the overwhelming pressure seemed to wash over him like water over stone. His gaze met the Grand Elder’s directly.

”Have a seat,” Yan Dao said, gesturing.

Lin Mu complied, bowing politely. Meng Bai and Daoist Chu followed.

Yi Feiyan spoke first. ”Let’s not waste time. Congratulations, Lin Mu.”

Lin Mu tilted his head. ”For... what?”

The three elders exchanged amused glances.

”You’ve broken every record in the private Puppet Hall,” Yan Dao said. ”In all sword styles. Sixth stage. Fastest times. You now hold the first rank across the board.”

Lin Mu blinked. ”...Oh.”

Meng Bai facepalmed.

Even Daoist Chu chuckled. ”He didn’t know.”

Yi Feiyan smiled. ”Well, now you do.”

Lin Mu rubbed the back of his neck and let out a short, awkward laugh. ”I was just... testing myself. I didn’t expect anything from it.”

The Grand Elder finally spoke. His voice was deep and smooth, like grinding stone wrapped in velvet.

”You may not have expected it. But the sword does not lie. It answers only to the worthy.”

Lin Mu gave a respectful nod. ”Thank you, Grand Elder.”

Yi Feiyan leaned forward slightly. ”Your request to participate in the sect’s assessment tournament—it’s been approved.”

Lin Mu’s eyes lit up. ”Really?”

Yan Dao nodded. ”We’ve decided unanimously. It would be a waste not to see what you can do in a public arena.”

”But,” Yi Feiyan said, his voice taking on a crisp edge, ”there is more.”

Yan Dao smiled. ”If you perform well in the tournament—exceptionally well—you’ll be granted the right to walk the Path of Sealed Swords.”

Lin Mu paused. ”The Path of Sealed Swords?”

The Grand Elder answered this time. ”It is the final test of sword will. Located within Mount Sky Sever itself, it is a place of ancient trials, each sealed blade a guardian of an era, a style, or a philosophy. Only those who prove their sword heart may pass.”

Yan Dao added, ”It is one of the few trials within the sect whose completion can earn you the qualification to enter the Sacred Grounds.”

Lin Mu sat straighter. ”So... it’s connected.”

Yi Feiyan nodded. ”Entry to the Sacred Grounds is not something even the Patriarch can grant at will. It is controlled by the Formation Spirit of the Grounds themselves. Entry is granted based on accumulated merit and great contributions to the sect.”

Yan Dao grinned. ”Completing the Path of Sealed Swords counts.”