92: The invasion of the giants and the Shura tribe

Inside Tao Qian's study.

At this moment, Tao Qian was pacing anxiously in the room.

He was already aware of everything that had happened outside the city recently.

As the head of his family and an elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect, Tao Qian had to consider the safety of his family and sect.

However, he thought of many countermeasures, but then dismissed them one by one.

Just then, a transmission talisman arrived.

Tao Qian was startled as he looked at the transmission talisman.

Only a few limited individuals within the clan possessed such a talisman.

It was generally used only for important news.

Tao Qian opened the transmission talisman, and a familiar voice came through.

"Patriarch, please come to the backyard; Young Master Lin wishes to see you."

Tao Qian was stunned in place upon hearing this.

"Young Master Lin."

Immediately, an expression of ecstasy appeared on his face.

At this moment, as a martial artist at the peak of the Flying Heaven Realm, he no longer cared about the dignity of a patriarch.

His figure flickered, and he appeared in the backyard in a rush.

When Tao Qian clearly saw the few people in the courtyard, the expression on his face changed continuously.

He quickly walked up to Lin Mu and knelt without hesitation.

"This junior, Tao Qian, greets Young Master Lin."

Lin Mu also greatly admired Tao Qian.

Tao Qian not only had outstanding talent but also exceptional perseverance.

Most importantly, he always maintained a sense of reverence for Lin Mu.

Lin Mu extended a hand to offer a slight lift and said, "No need for such formality, please rise."

After a hundred years of cultivation, Tao Qian had long since broken through to the Flying Heaven Realm.

His appearance had already entered middle age.

A few strands of white hair could be faintly seen at his temples.

However, Lin Mu's appearance always remained youthful.

At this time, some members of the Tao Family who had arrived upon hearing the commotion watched their patriarch kneeling before a young man and referring to himself as a junior.

They all looked at Lin Mu in surprise.

Some of the bolder ones had already started discussing.

"What is the identity of this young man, to make the patriarch kneel before him?"

"He shouldn't be from Yanshan Kingdom; the patriarch, as an elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect, no one in Yanshan Kingdom could make him kneel."

Everyone was speculating about Lin Mu's identity with confusion.

Just then, a distinguished family genius suddenly said, "This person's appearance, why does it look somewhat familiar?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze focused on Lin Mu's face.

They also felt as if they had indeed seen him somewhere before.

Suddenly, a timid voice rang out in the crowd.

"I remember now! His appearance is very similar to the portrait enshrined in the ancestral hall."

All those who were discussing immediately fell silent.

This was because the portrait enshrined in the ancestral hall represented the backing of their Tao Family.

The Tao Family's ancestral instruction stated that any Tao Family member who saw the person in the portrait must treat him as a Tao Family ancestor.

Thinking of this, without waiting for Tao Qian's command, all the Tao Family members who had arrived immediately knelt down.

"Descendants of the Tao Family greet Young Master Lin."

Their kneeling attitude was extremely devout, without a trace of pretense.

Lin Mu nodded in satisfaction and then said, "You are all very good; cultivate diligently and bring glory to the family."

Upon hearing Lin Mu's encouragement, everyone's spirits were uplifted.

This was a legendary figure.

Most of them had grown up listening to Lin Mu's legends.

According to legend, Lin Mu alone annihilated the rival family of their Tao Family.

According to legend, Lin Mu established the Heavenly Dao Sect with his own power.

According to legend, Lin Mu ventured deep into the Demon Race territory alone, intimidating all the demons... There were too many legends about Lin Mu.

In their hearts, Lin Mu had long been like a god.

Tao Qian also stood up at this time.

He knew that Lin Mu had just returned and would certainly have matters to entrust to him.

So he spoke up and dismissed the Tao Family members.

After everyone had left, Lin Mu's gaze once again fell upon Tao Qian.

He looked at the person before him, who had long shed his youthful innocence and now exuded an air of competence and composure.

He suddenly spoke, "I have been away for a hundred years, and I have already learned some things from the Three-Headed Dog."

"However, there are still some things I need to ask you."

Tao Qian cupped his hands and said, "Please instruct, Young Master Lin."

Lin Mu said, "As I traveled, I saw the border of Yanshan Kingdom in ruins, with scorched earth everywhere."

"Do you know who was responsible for this?"

As Lin Mu spoke, his voice became somewhat chilling.

Tao Qian shivered slightly from the cold and then frowned, saying, "Reporting to Young Master Lin, this matter is precisely what troubles me."

"Just a few months ago, the Giant Race and the Asura Clan actually joined forces to invade human territory."

Lin Mu asked in surprise, "Giant Race, Asura Clan?"

Tao Qian said, "Precisely. These two races are located to the northwest and northeast of human territory, respectively."

"Originally, the human race and various other races had signed non-aggression treaties."

"But unexpectedly, these two races actually joined forces to invade human territory."

Lin Mu said, "If that's the case, why wasn't Hancheng City attacked by them?"

Tao Qian frowned and said, "That's also what puzzles me. They approached Hancheng City aggressively, but unexpectedly changed direction midway."

Lin Mu asked, "Where did they go?"

Tao Qian said in a deep voice, "According to reports from Heavenly Dao Sect scouts, they bypassed Yanshan Kingdom and went directly to Yan Country."

Lin Mu asked, "Do you know why they came here?"

Tao Qian said, "The Giant Race and the Asura Clan live in barren lands. They have invaded human territory before, usually for resources."

"However, this time is a bit different."

Lin Mu asked, "How is it different?"

Tao Qian said, "After they entered Yan Country, they didn't plunder extensively but went straight for the imperial capital."

"It seems they were targeting the Yan Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Lin Mu silently murmured, "Yan Emperor."

The human race currently has four known Great Emperors: the Dean of Heaven Sect Academy, the Sect Master of Taixu Sect, the Ice Emperor, and the Yan Emperor.

Lin Mu had met two of them.

He had also heard of this Yan Emperor.

The Yan Emperor had also entered the Heaven Sect Academy.

This made Lin Mu suspicious.

Since his trip to the Dragon Palace, Lin Mu had many conjectures.

These conjectures all needed to be verified one by one.

But before that, he needed to make a trip to Yan Country.

Firstly, to meet this Yan Emperor.

Secondly, to teach the Giant Race and the Asura Clan a lesson.

It wasn't that Lin Mu had any sense of mission to protect humanity.

It was just that those two races had destroyed the last sanctuary in his heart.

This was Lin Mu's reverse scale; no one could touch it.

The arrival of these two races was a bit peculiar, and although Lin Mu was not afraid,

He had to consider the people around him.

Thinking of this, he suddenly stretched out his hand and pointed a finger at Tao Qian's forehead.

Immediately, a golden spiritual energy was injected into Tao Qian's sea of consciousness.

Tao Qian's original peak Flying Heaven Realm strength was directly broken through to the Venerable Realm by Lin Mu's single touch.

The realm that countless people dreamed of achieving, had it really been broken through just like that?

Tao Qian was shocked as he felt the strength of the Venerable Realm, his face showing unconcealed joy.

Although he was confident that he would eventually break through to the Venerable Realm,

That would still be decades or even a hundred years later.

Tao Qian had always been chasing Lin Mu's footsteps.

He originally thought that if he could cultivate to the Venerable Realm, it would be enough to make Lin Mu look at him with new respect.

Unexpectedly, the higher his realm, the more he realized how much further he was from Lin Mu.

Thinking of this, he bowed deeply to Lin Mu.

Lin Mu did not stop Tao Qian this time but calmly accepted his bow.

After Tao Qian stood upright again, he said, "There may be great changes in the future; only by increasing your strength can you protect yourself. I have high hopes for you."

With that, Lin Mu flicked his sleeve, carrying Yun Feiyang, Long Yuan, and the Three-Headed Dog, and disappeared from the spot.

As Tao Qian cupped his hands, about to bid farewell, Lin Mu's voice came again.

"When I truly leave, I hope you will be worthy of standing by my side."

Upon hearing this, Tao Qian clenched his fists.

A soaring aura rose with the wind.

He looked with resolute eyes in the direction where Lin Mu had disappeared.

He murmured to himself, "Don't worry, Young Master, I will."