Five hundred Primeval Stones—for an ordinary Rank 1 Gu Master, this was a fortune sufficient to establish oneself securely.
In the outer villages, this sum could even buy several acres of good farmland, set up a prosperous household, and live comfortably for the rest of one's life.
But in Lin Mu's hands, this money was like sand he couldn't hold, evaporating at a heart-stopping rate over the next half month.
In the small dwelling in the Quiet Stone District, medicinal fragrance lingered day and night, so concentrated it seemed to seep through the door cracks.
Lin Mu sat bare-chested, immersed in a barrel of deep brown medicinal liquid.
This was the "Hundred Herbs Bath" formula he'd purchased at great expense from the medicine hall. Each barrel cost a fortune, but the effects were equally astonishing.
The liquid churned, threads of warm medicinal power drilling into his body through his pores.
Those concealed injuries from the Blood Forest death battle, as well as the slightly fractured meridians caused by forcibly overdrawing the Dust Escape Gu, were gradually extracted and repaired under the medicine's nourishment.
"The body is the boat, the Gu are the sails. If the boat isn't stable, no matter how large the sails, it will capsize."
"To bear stronger power, this physical body cannot have the slightest flaw."
Lin Mu closed his eyes, feeling his bodily functions returning to peak condition, even becoming more resilient than before. His previously somewhat thin shoulders now had defined lines, containing explosive power.
Besides healing, most of the Primeval Stones were poured into the bottomless pit that was Gu cultivation.
To strengthen the Red Mud Gu that had rendered great merit, he no longer settled for ordinary pig's blood, but purchased high-quality "Red Iron Ore."
The little thing perched on the ore, "crunch crunch" gnawing away. As it fed, the mud it produced became harder and its color deeper.
As for the delicate Liquor Worm, he spared no expense purchasing aged fine wines.
Each feeding, watching that clear wine liquid being absorbed, Lin Mu's heart bled, but seeing the increasingly refined Primeval Essence in his aperture, he felt it was worth the price.
Even the most difficult to serve Dust Escape Gu—Lin Mu gritted his teeth and bought several bottles of expensive "Primal Stone Dew," feeding it until satiated.
There was also the Eagle Eye Gu. Though not as concealed as the Blood Scent Gu, when Blood Scent was blocked by poison gas or other means, it was the best backup visual reconnaissance.
Lin Mu spent three days and consumed massive mental energy to completely refine and master it, leaving no blind spots in his reconnaissance system.
After half a month, the originally bulging money pouch gradually deflated.
"The essence of cultivation is burning money. So-called aptitude and talent sometimes appear so pale before massive resources."
Lin Mu looked at the half-empty pouch and sighed.
But precisely because of this, his cultivation steadily increased. Though still some time from Rank 1 Upper Stage, this visibly rapid progress rate was enough to drop the jaws of all the clan elders.
Just when Lin Mu thought these monotonous yet fulfilling days would continue for a while longer.
One morning, without warning, a terrifying aura suddenly enveloped the entire Black Blood Stockade.
No earth-shattering roar, no celestial phenomena—only an oppressive pressure so heavy it made breathing difficult.
As if an ancient beast that had slept for a hundred years was slowly opening its eyes in the deepest part of the stronghold.
Rank 4, emerging from seclusion!
No grand celebration, only a low-key yet unquestionable secret order passed through layers of checkpoints to the Quiet Stone District.
Lin Feng was summoned as the person of first merit, and Lin Mu, as that battle's "trusted confidant" and "lucky general," was also on the attendant list.
Deep within the council hall.
This place was usually accessible only to clan elders, but now seemed particularly solemn, the air itself permeated with a rusty killing aura.
Lin Mu followed behind Lin Feng, keeping his head low and eyes meek as he entered, each step taken with extreme care.
In the center of the great hall, on a tiger-skin chair, sat a tall, resolute-featured middle-aged man.
He didn't deliberately release his aura, but sitting there, he was like a towering iron pagoda that one could only look up to.
His skin had a faint metallic luster like black iron—the mark of Iron Bone Gu's great achievement, meaning his physical defense had reached a terrifying level.
Black Blood Stockade's Patriarch, Rank 4 expert, Lin Cang.
"Greetings to the Patriarch!"
Everyone knelt in unison, voices loud yet carrying a trace of trembling.
Lin Mu knelt on the ground, forehead pressed tightly against the cold stone slabs, feeling as if a sharp sword hung above his head.
The Rank 4 expert's gaze swept over—that suppression of life level made him dare not even breathe heavily, fearing he'd leak the slightest trump card.
Lin Cang didn't immediately acknowledge these juniors.
He first exchanged intelligence with several powerful elders, hearing reports on the clan's losses during this period and White Bone Stockade's movements.
When he heard the clan was being "death by a thousand cuts" with heavy losses at outer resource points, his expression darkened like water, the surrounding air seemed to freeze;
When he heard Lin Feng's team had counter-killed White Bone's young master, his brow relaxed somewhat, and his gaze toward Lin Feng held more appreciation and relief.
Half a day passed, the overall situation settled.
Finally, it was the juniors' turn for audience.
Lin Cang first encouraged Lin Feng with warm words, full of regard, even granting on the spot a Rank 2 Gu refinement secret formula matching his future cultivation path, making Lin Feng overjoyed as he kowtowed repeatedly.
Next was Lin Wan'er, who also received substantial rewards and promises of elevated status, her face flushed with excitement.
Finally, Lin Cang's gaze passed over everyone, landing on Lin Mu kneeling at the very end, silent all along.
That gaze was substantial, as if it could penetrate flesh and directly view the depths of his soul.
This time Lin Mu had deliberately brought only Red Mud, Liquor Worm, and Iron Leaf Gu, leaving all other sensitive Gu sealed in red mud back in his dwelling.
But even so, he still had the illusion of being stripped bare and seen through, cold sweat instantly soaking his garments.
"A good seedling."
After watching a while, Lin Cang nodded slightly, his voice deep and powerful:
"Solid footwork, resolute eyes. Though from the collateral branch, this ruthless spirit truly resembles my Lin family's stock."
"I've heard all the details of that battle. Well done."
Just as Lin Mu was about to express thanks, thinking this hurdle had passed, Lin Cang suddenly changed tack, his voice like clashing metal, making eardrums ache:
"I hear your fortune was good—you obtained a Liquor Worm?"
Lin Mu's heart suddenly tightened, his heartbeat nearly skipping. He was about to kowtow in apology, explain the Gu's origins, frantically constructing excuses in his mind.
"No need for alarm."
But Lin Cang waved his hand, tone bland, revealing a superior's indifference:
"The clan has its rules. Personal fortune belongs to the individual. As long as it wasn't plundered from clansmen, the clan won't covet a Rank 1 Gu from you. Black Blood Stockade isn't so petty."
This was a Rank 4 expert's magnanimity—or rather, disdain.
"However..." Lin Cang looked at Lin Mu, saying flatly, "This Liquor Worm may be useful at Rank 1, but at Rank 2 without a suitable Gu formula, it becomes a burden that will drag down your cultivation."
"When you reach Rank 2, if you lack suitable combining Gu, the clan can buy it back for six hundred fifty Primeval Stones, or let you choose a Rank 2 Gu of equal value from the inner vault."
Lin Mu sharply raised his head, eyes full of "grateful tears," voice choked: "Thank you for the Patriarch's grace! This disciple will swear to repay the clan with his life!"
In his heart, however, was perfect clarity—even some chill.
This was a superior's method.
When you had no value, you were weeds trampled by all; when valuable and surnamed Lin, you became a junior worth investing in.
These words not only settled his heart but were spoken for Lin Feng to hear, for the whole clan to see: follow the clan, and the clan won't mistreat those with merit.
This was soft binding, a hundred times more brilliant than direct plunder.
"Alright, all of you withdraw."
After pacifying hearts, Lin Cang stood.
With his movement, the shadow behind him seemed to transform into a massive iron tower. A fierce killing aura instantly filled the entire hall, even the previously warm candlelight flickering as if about to extinguish.
He picked up Green Snake's token from the table—the ironclad evidence Lin Feng had presented, also the war's fuse.
"After enduring so long, it's time to make that White Bone old ghost repay his debt."
Lin Cang's voice was cold as a blade, each word seemingly squeezed through clenched teeth:
"Order the External Affairs Hall to immediately draft letters informing the Shang family, Jia family, and other major powers, detailing White Bone Stockade's crimes of colluding with the demonic path and disrupting Southern Border trade route rules!"
"I want him morally bankrupt, his external support severed! The righteous path values rules most—once this hat is placed, let's see who dares help him!"
"Furthermore..."
He stepped forward, gaze penetrating the walls, looking toward White Bone Mountain in the west, eyes burning with battle intent:
"Pass the order: marshal the troops, prepare for war. Three days hence, this Patriarch will personally 'pay respects' at White Bone Stockade!"
"I want to ask that White Bone old ghost face-to-face how he explains this matter of colluding with the demonic path to harm fellow cultivators!"
This wasn't to immediately annihilate them—that would be the foolish act of killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred oneself.
This was to wield Rank 4 might, occupy the moral high ground, and force White Bone Stockade to cut flesh in compensation, completely crushing the opponent psychologically and resource-wise!