6: The Tao Family Patriarch's Test

When the Elders heard Tao Rong finish recounting the matter, they didn't blame this Family Junior.

After all, in that situation, anyone would prioritize saving their life.

An old man of advanced age slowly stood up, "To my knowledge, the Yunzhou Lin Family in Yanshan Kingdom has such a person."

"This matter is not for us to decide; we should ask the Old Ancestor to come out of seclusion before making a decision."

Tao Zhi said in a deep voice, "Elders, what are your thoughts?"

Tao Rong, standing in the center, was the first to speak:

"The Black-clothed Old Man who made a move to kill someone is very likely in the Spirit Roaming Realm. Only the Old Ancestor, who is also in the Spirit Roaming Realm, can discern the truth."

Tao Zhi stood up and said, "I will go to meet the Old Ancestor now. Tao Rong, come with me."

"Also, give orders. Before the Old Ancestor makes a decision, treat the two distinguished guests well."

In the guest room of the west wing, Lin Mu was leisurely sipping tea.

Lao Mo stood quietly beside him.

Suddenly, Lin Mu put down his teacup, took out the heavenly dao stone from his Pregnant, and handed it to Lao Mo.

"You try it. Can you integrate it into your Sea of Consciousness?"

"I tried it during the day, and it doesn't seem to resonate with me."

"It seems I'll have to wait until I get Spirit Stones, clear all my Spiritual Veins, and open my Sea of Consciousness," Lin Mu said, feeling a bit speechless.

"Master, do you think the Tao Family might...?"

"After all, according to Tao Rong, tens of thousands of Spirit Stones are not a small sum for their Tao Family."

Lin Mu stretched, got up, and walked to the window.

He looked up at the scenery outside: "This moonlight seems like good weather for killing."

On the other side, Tao Zhi led Tao Rong into a secret room.

After knocking a few times on a door, an old voice came from inside: "What is it?"

"Reporting to Old Ancestor, there is a major matter that requires the Old Ancestor to come out of seclusion and decide personally."

Then he said to Tao Rong, "You tell this matter to the Old Ancestor."

Tao Rong responded and recounted everything from meeting Lin Mu.

About a quarter of an hour after Tao Rong finished his narration.

The Tao Family Ancestor's words rang out again: "This matter indeed cannot be taken lightly. You two go to the deliberation hall first; I will arrive shortly."

After Tao Zhi and the other returned to the main hall.

About half an hour later, a red-haired, beardless old man walked in from outside.

Everyone quickly stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, Old Ancestor!"

The Tao Family Ancestor waved his hand and walked directly to the main seat, sitting down.

"I presume you all know, so I won't waste words."

"Whether that person belongs to the Yunzhou Lin Family, we'll only know after seeing him."

"Tao Zhi, go make arrangements. Tonight, we will host a banquet for the two guests."

Tao Zhi responded and rose to leave.

In the west wing guest room, Lin Mu held a Spirit Stone in his hand.

The Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Stone was visibly absorbed by Lin Mu.

Suddenly!

Tao Rong's voice came from outside the door: "Senior, Tao Rong requests an audience."

"Come in!"

Tao Rong pushed the door open with both hands: "The Family Old Ancestor has prepared a banquet in the main hall to entertain the two Seniors. Would Senior please move there?"

"A banquet? I'm afraid it's a banquet with ill intentions," Lao Mo whispered.

"We'll act according to the situation. If the Tao Family truly harbors ill intentions, tonight will inevitably be a night of slaughter."

Lin Mu, without hesitation, stood up and walked out the door.

Tao Rong bowed to Lin Mu, then walked half a step ahead of Lin Mu.

Lao Mo followed half a step behind Lin Mu.

Lin Mu admired the scenery in the courtyard along the way.

He couldn't help but sigh.

"This garden layout is indeed excellent; it's a good place to temporarily reside."

Tao Rong said eagerly, "Since Senior likes this courtyard, you can stay for a few more days, so this Junior can treat you well."

"To go or to stay depends on whether tonight's banquet suits my appetite."

Lin Mu said, with a hint of meaning.

Tao Rong was a smart person; he understood the true meaning of Lin Mu's words.

However, he did not say anything more.

From afar, the Tao Family Ancestor saw the young man walking behind Tao Rong.

Such an air of distinction could only belong to a disciple of a major clan.

Before Lin Mu even reached the main hall, the Tao Family Ancestor stood up to greet him.

"Presumably, this is Young Master Lin. Thank you, Young Master Lin, for your righteous action in saving my Family Junior."

"Righteous action"? It seems this old fellow intends to renege on his word.

Lin Mu replied calmly.

"You're welcome. I saved them for my own benefit."

Lin Mu's words were truly blunt. As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face.

The Tao Family Ancestor hadn't expected Lin Mu to speak so directly.

After a hearty laugh, he said, "Look at me, I'm getting muddle-headed. Please sit down, Young Master Lin. You've come a long way as a guest, please take the honored seat."

This was originally just a polite remark from the Tao Family Ancestor.

According to status and position, the Tao Family Ancestor was a Spirit Roaming Realm expert.

And he was the current Old Ancestor of the Tao Family, so he should definitely take the main seat.

But no one expected that Lin Mu would unceremoniously walk straight to the main seat and sit down.

This greatly angered the Tao Family members.

"This person is too impolite."

The Lin Family Ancestor was also somewhat displeased at this moment.

However, he didn't show it. His gaze lingered on Lao Mo for a moment, then he retracted his eyes.

The Tao Family Ancestor couldn't quite see through the Black-clothed Old Man who always followed behind Lin Mu.

At this moment, Lao Mo's Spiritual Qi fluctuations were faintly discernible.

Once everyone was seated.

The Tao Family Ancestor said in a gentle tone, "Young Master Lin, on behalf of the Tao Family, I'll toast you first."

Lin Mu raised his wine cup, clinked it in the Void Realm with the Tao Family Ancestor, and then tilted his head back, draining it.

The Tao Family Ancestor held his wine cup, gave an awkward laugh, and then also drained his.

"Young Master Lin is uninhibited and a truly genuine person."

"I, for one, have always preferred to be straightforward and can't learn others' roundabout ways."

Although the Tao Family Ancestor heard that Lin Mu was subtly criticizing him, he still intended to probe first before making a decision.

"When this old man was traveling and studying in his early years, he was fortunate enough to meet a friend surnamed Lin, named Lin Zhu. I wonder if this young friend has heard of him?"

The Tao Family Ancestor changed his address for Lin Mu to "young friend."

It seemed like an intentional attempt to be friendly, but in reality, it was to lull Lin Mu into a false sense of security and make him relax his guard.

The Lin Zhu that the Tao Family Ancestor spoke of, he actually wasn't familiar with at all.

Lin Zhu was a Spirit Roaming expert of the Lin Family. The Tao Family Ancestor had once chatted with him a few times in Yunzhou.

He only knew that he was a steward of the Yunzhou Lin Family.

He said this merely to test Lin Mu.

The Lin Family was one of the top super Families in Yunzhou, with experts as numerous as clouds within the clan.

There were dozens of Spirit Roaming experts.

This Lin Zhu managed the Lin Family's external procurement business, so his position within the clan was not low.

If Lin Mu was truly a member of the Lin Family, he naturally wouldn't fail to recognize Lin Zhu.

"Tao Family Head, what do you mean by this?"

"Young Master Lin, please don't misunderstand. My Tao Family is nestled in a corner and hasn't seen much of the world."

"When we accidentally meet an important figure like Young Master Lin, we naturally want to get close."

"It's this old man's fault for talking too much. I'll drink this cup as an apology."

The Tao Family Ancestor raised a cup of wine and drank it all.

Immediately, the Tao Family Ancestor said with a beaming smile.

"Speaking of which, this old man hasn't seen Lin Zhu in many years."

"I wonder if he is doing well now?"