Chapter 56 The Mysterious Existence

"Lord, when you established your village in the Resplendent Dragon Valley, did any special circumstances occur? For instance, were you threatened or warned through a telepathic message by some powerful entity?" Gao Jin hesitated for a moment before finally voicing his question.

"Special circumstances? Telepathic threats? Warnings? I've established my village in the Resplendent Dragon Valley for months now, and I haven't encountered any special circumstances, nor have I received any telepathic messages! Does the elder know something?" Lin Mu grew increasingly puzzled. That Resplendent Dragon Valley had always been peaceful and serene!

No, wait—suddenly, a realization struck Lin Mu. Given the vast territory of the Resplendent Dragon Valley, aside from True Dragon Village, there were truly no other large-scale forces, not even a tiny village. Previously, Lin Mu had assumed it was simply a remote and desolate place where the absence of human habitation was normal. But thinking about it now, that was precisely what was abnormal! Since the Breeze Stronghold had existed for many years and was located not far from the Resplendent Dragon Valley, how could they have never gone there to establish a village and settle down? This made no sense at all!

At this thought, Lin Mu was deeply shaken.

"Elder, did your ancestors attempt to go to the Resplendent Dragon Valley to establish a village, only to be warned away by some powerful entity?" With a flurry of thoughts, Lin Mu immediately asked.

"Indeed. When our ancestral family suffered a catastrophe, they began fleeing overseas to preserve the family line. Initially, they wanted to sail out and find an island where they could live in peace, but they encountered a fierce storm, and their ships suffered heavy losses. Drifting across the sea, they finally arrived at the Resplendent Dragon Valley. Our ancestors thought they had found an earthly paradise and wanted to build a village there. However, before they could even begin, a powerful entity warned them that if they established a settlement there, it would be destroyed, and they would bring upon themselves a terrible curse. It also told us that we lacked the qualifications, the destiny, and the fortune to establish a domain in that place!"

"Afterward, that mysterious entity directed us to settle in a valley within the Qilian Mountains. Our ancestors passed through the valley and arrived at the location the mysterious entity had told them about, leaving behind a prophecy: one day, extraordinary outlanders would descend, the fires of a chaotic era would ignite once more, and our eternal glory and prosperity would depend upon our choice. Our ancestors built the stronghold right here and lived in peace and contentment. Although this place has its dangers, compared to the chaos of the outside world, it can be considered a sanctuary where we can recuperate and build our strength!"

"After so many years, we have remained isolated from the world. Although danger is everywhere, we have lived very happily and peacefully. As the saying goes: adversity breeds prosperity, while ease brings ruin. Our stronghold never trained a formal military force. In recent years, for reasons unknown, a large stronghold called the Azure Dragon Stronghold appeared. At first, we thought they were also refugees and survivors living in seclusion, so we lowered our guard, befriended them, and even sought their help during crises. But gradually, we discovered that they were actually the commandery garrison of the current Han Empire, and they even possessed a teleportation array leading to the outside world."

"Through them, we also learned of the current situation: the imperial court is weak, eunuchs are in power, external relatives are arrogant, and the emperor is foolish. It seems the fires of a chaotic era are about to ignite. Moreover, the outlanders mentioned in our ancestors' prophecies have finally appeared. Only then did we realize that evasion is not the right path; stepping out into the world is the only way to make our family prosper. To be honest, when Gao Hai met the Lord in Gao Hai Town, although his etiquette was impeccable, there was still a lingering sense of incomprehension in his heart, which is why he simply assigned a minor task to the Lord. I hope the Lord will not take offense. Now, the Lord has descended like a divine soldier, rescuing us from fire and water and settling us in our time of need. Many thanks, Lord! For this immense grace and virtue, we willingly submit to the Lord!" Gao Jin recounted the whole story in detail, and Lin Mu listened spellbound. Who would have imagined such twists and turns?

Furthermore, the reason he had been able to subdue the Breeze Stronghold with such ease was largely thanks to the legacy left by the Gao family's ancestors!

"Previously, Gao Hai didn't pay much attention to the information regarding outlanders passed down by our ancestors, but the one who saved us from peril this time was indeed an outlander. This is heaven's arrangement and the destiny of our family! Therefore, I later instructed him that if Lord Lin were to return, there might be an unexpected pleasant surprise. I never expected the surprise to be so profound! In fact, when our villagers transported supplies to the Azure Dragon Stronghold multiple times, we gradually came to realize that this Azure Dragon Stronghold was far from ordinary commandery troops. Although the Great Han Dynasty outside is currently in decline, large-scale warfare has not yet broken out. The common people should still have something to rely on and land to farm. Despite the heavy exploitation, the Han Empire as a whole is still quite peaceful. Yet these commandery troops drill day and night, constantly venturing into the deep mountains and forests to hunt beasts and train their soldiers. Such people undoubtedly harbor grand ambitions, which made us extremely wary of them. We feared that one day, when the grand scheme they plotted was finally exposed, ordinary production workers like us would become mere ghosts beneath their swords!"

"This old man once again thanks Lord Lin Mu for saving our more than one hundred thousand villagers!" Gao Jin expressed his gratitude once more.

"There is no need for thanks. Any righteous person with a hot blooded soul would have stepped in to help. When one sees injustice on the road, one draws a sword to assist. Moreover, in this wild and desolate place, our two villages joining hands to move forward will surely become a celebrated tale," Lin Mu smiled.

However, Lin Mu's tone shifted: "Elder, did your ancestors leave behind any other information? For instance, what was that legendary entity? Could it attack the already established True Dragon Village?" Regarding the issue of the Azure Dragon Stronghold, Lin Mu, with his prophetic foreknowledge, was already crystal clear about it. What worried him most was that legendary, powerful entity. The mere knowledge that countless powerful entities coveted his territory felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat, making him extremely uncomfortable!

"Our ancestors didn't leave a single word regarding that entity. Since the Lord received no warning when establishing the domain, and succeeded in building it, remaining safe and sound for months, you must truly be a person of profound fortune, qualified to establish a domain in the Resplendent Dragon Valley!" Gao Jin said.

"I wonder if that entity has already faded into oblivion. If not, it will be deeply unsettling if it suddenly decides to pop up one day!" Lin Mu said with a depressed expression!

"Roar~~~~~ Little fellow, you needn't worry. Since you've learned of my existence from these mere ants, there's no need for me to hide it any longer. Once you've settled your domain's affairs, come up and find me when you have time!" Suddenly, a mysterious voice resonated directly within Lin Mu's soul, sounding just like a system notification.

Hearing this, Lin Mu's hair stood on end, goosebumps erupted all over his skin, and he was struck by extreme shock as his heart pounded frantically and uncontrollably.

Could that just now have been the voice of the mysterious entity? It actually already knew of his existence and was even telling him to pay a visit. Where on earth was he supposed to find it when the entity hadn't even mentioned where it lived? After the initial shock subsided, Lin Mu thought it over: since the entity hadn't issued any threats or warnings against him, it probably harbored no malice. Even if it did harbor malice, there was no telling whether a weak player like him could resist it anyway. Left with no choice, Lin Mu forcefully calmed his mind to think clearly.

As if sensing Lin Mu's thoughts, that voice echoed in his soul once more: "What, you stole my belongings, and yet you don't even know where I live! Haha, you little thief!"

Lin Mu was sent into another fit of terror. It turned out that the owner had known all along that he was a thief, only for reasons unknown, the owner simply hadn't bothered to deal with him yet.

The Resplendent Dragon, the Resplendent Dragon dwelling atop the Resplendent Dragon Peak! Lin Mu finally understood the identity of this mysterious entity.

"Senior, I have committed a grave offense. Taking your divine village-building token was my fault. I wonder how Senior intends to deal with this humble one? Surely you won't destroy my domain just to take back the [Yellow Dragon Token]?" Lin Mu thought dejectedly in his heart.

"Haha, the fact that you managed to steal the treasure I guarded, and actually succeeded, is your fortune. You are already the contemporary master of the [Yellow Dragon Token], and you even established your village upon the Nine-Dragon Ancestral Vein of the Divine Land. Your destiny is profound, and I neither can nor am qualified to deal with you! However, since you wish to make amends to me, I am quite willing to accept. We can talk after you reach the peak, hahahaha..." The Resplendent Dragon's soul surged violently, almost stunning Lin Mu. Within the depths of his mind, Lin Mu seemed to catch a glimpse of a dragon soaring across the nine heavens, vast and majestic.

=============

Please vote for recommendations, please add to your bookmarks!!