Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3939: The Crest Of The Wild Peak In The Depths

The chief gave a small nod. "I’ve heard many stories. Several prisoners captured during previous wars were brought by those from the Wild Peak. The prisoners spoke often of it and said that they were..." A faint smile appeared. "...very loud people."

Lin Mu could easily imagine that as the Wild Peak certainly possessed a rather unique reputation.

The chief chuckled softly before adding. "I heard they caused plenty of trouble."

Lin Mu smiled faintly as that certainly sounded like members of the Wild Peak.

The chief looked thoughtfully at Lin Mu again.

"I admit... I do wonder how someone from the Wild Peak ended up imprisoned here." He immediately raised one hand. "You needn’t answer. Everyone has their own past."

Lin Mu appreciated the consideration.

The chief remained silent once more. But then, his expression suddenly changed and his eyes slowly widened.

A memory long buried resurfaced.

"...Wait." He looked again at the crest upon Lin Mu’s robes. "I’ve seen that symbol before."

Lin Mu’s attention immediately sharpened. "The Wild Peak crest?"

The chief nodded. "Yes."

"Where?" Lin Mu asked immediately.

The chief rubbed his forehead while trying to recall. "It was many centuries ago. I only visited that place once." He pointed vaguely toward the eastern portion of the forest beyond the village. "Farther into the forest, there is a hidden location. I stumbled upon it during a hunting expedition and only caught sight of it from a distance."

His expression grew serious. "I never managed to approach."

Lin Mu leaned forward slightly. "Why?"

The chief looked toward the shrine entrance as though seeing the distant forest beyond it.

"The beasts." His voice carried unmistakable caution. "That area is home to creatures far stronger than anything near our village. We barely escaped with our lives and I only saw it for a few moments."

He closed his eyes while recalling the memory.

"But..." He slowly opened them again. "I distinctly remember seeing the crest of the Wild Peak carved upon ancient stone. I’ve never forgotten it."

Lin Mu felt his heartbeat quicken.

Whether it related directly to the Virtuous Calamity Daoist or not, it was unquestionably another clue waiting to be uncovered.

Lin Mu remained standing inside the chief’s house for a few moments after hearing about the hidden location. The mention of the Wild Peak crest had immediately pushed the dangers of the third level to the back of his mind.

The Abrasive Insanity Baleful Energy certainly deserved investigation one day.

If the Virtuous Calamity Daoist’s belongings were truly hidden within the Mad Demon Depths, the deepest level remained a likely candidate. Unfortunately, that was also the most uncertain path.

He possessed confidence in his physique and his soul defenses, yet deliberately exposing himself to an ancient baleful energy that had driven generations of cultivators insane without first understanding its nature would be foolish.

There was another lead before him: A tangible one.

Someone from the Wild Peak had once reached a place deep within this subterranean forest and someone had deliberately carved the Wild Peak crest into stone.

Lin Mu wanted to know why.

The Wild Peak did not casually leave its symbol scattered throughout hidden locations. Someone had gone there with purpose.

Whether that person had been a prisoner, a rescuer... Or perhaps someone connected to the Virtuous Calamity Daoist himself... Lin Mu intended to find out.

He looked toward the chief. "I’ll investigate this place first."

The burly chief frowned slightly. "You truly intend to go?"

Lin Mu nodded. "If there is a clue connected to the Wild Peak, I cannot ignore it."

The chief slowly crossed his arms. "The beasts living there are far more dangerous than anything near this village. They don’t simply attack, they hunt with cooperation and some of them have lived there for centuries. The hunting parties that ventured too close rarely returned with everyone alive."

"I’ve already warned you once." His tone carried genuine concern. "I’ll warn you again. Be careful."

Lin Mu simply smiled faintly. "I can handle myself."

The chief stared at him for a few seconds, then his mind unconsciously replayed the scene from earlier.

’A single casual punch.’

That was all it took for an entire section of ancient forest to be flattened as though struck by an invisible mountain.

The man standing before him had never once displayed panic.

Neither the beasts, nor the prisoners or any of the dangers of the Mad Demon Depths had ever shaken his composure. Then there was the strange ability to walk through the sky. Even now, the chief still failed to understand how someone whose cultivation remained sealed could perform such a feat.

He had lived over twelve centuries and had witnessed countless cultivators that had been thrown down here. He had met immortals from every corner of the Eastern immortal court before his imprisonment.

But never had he encountered someone like Lin Mu.

And the more he observed him, the more mysterious the young man became.

The chief finally gave a slow nod.

"I believe you." He let out a quiet sigh. "I still hope you return safely."

"You brought us something priceless today." He glanced toward the shrine. "Our benefactor finally has a name and I would hate to lose the man who gave it to us."

Lin Mu inclined his head respectfully. "I’ll be careful."

The chief smiled. "I suppose that is all an old prisoner can ask."

The two men climbed back up the ladder. The hidden hatch was carefully closed once more before the heavy wooden chair returned to its original position, completely concealing the shrine beneath it.

Outside, nearly the entire village had gathered. Everyone immediately looked toward the chief as questions filled their eyes. Curiosity had only grown stronger during the lengthy discussion below.

Several elders stepped forward.

"What did he tell you?"

"Who was the benefactor?"

"Did he recognize the mural?"

Children gathered behind the adults, eagerly trying to overhear the conversation.

The chief simply raised one hand and the crowd immediately quieted.

"I’ll explain everything." He spoke calmly. "But later."