Having learned of this, Lin Mu felt as if his understanding was expanded.

"That's why there were no markers for the beasts, now I get it." Lin Mu spoke.

"Mmmhmm, Humans are the most likely to create upheavals in the world and have higher comprehension of the heavenly Dao, that's why the world might have added them first," Xukong replied.

"Then what's next after this senior?" Lin Mu questioned.

"The world Nexus is like the central part of the world itself.. You can think of it as a separate dimension itself that exists within the world. But it can only be accessed by someone that is ordained by the world or permitted by it.

Seeing the Xiaofan world's current state, I reckon the growth of the Northern tribes might have contributed to its level increasing." Xukong answered.

"How ironic… the ones that want to cause disaster are the ones that are causing the world to grow…" Lin Mu said, finding it strange.

"Such is the cruel game of fate… it will favor you sometimes and hate you sometimes," Xukong replied.

"Hmm… but this is also a good point, isn't it?" Lin Mu asked.

"To be honest, it can go either way," Xukong replied.

"What do you mean, senior?" Lin Mu questioned.

"Seeing as how the world is upgrading, if you manage to succeed the overall power of the world will upgrade too. The spirit Qi level within the world will rise and all the beings of this world will be blessed.

Their talents would elevate and there will be far more cultivators, thus further developing the world. But on the other hand… the Xiaofan world is in a sensitive situation. If the Northern Tribes manage to use the invader or even call more invaders, they might just plunder the world.

The world is like an egg. Once it hatches, it will be able to protect itself, but before that, if someone attacks it, it will just be ripe for the taking. The stronger invaders won't have a problem tearing down the world and taking all that it contains, including the people." Xukong answered.

Hearing this, Lin Mu was surprised. While he had learned about some things from the Lost Immortal's memoirs, there was no mention of such people.

"But for someone to do something like this, they would have to be very strong, right senior? Then there numbers should be less too." Lin Mu spoke.

"Unfortunately, there are cultivators that have turned their entire profession into plundering worlds. And that doesn't really need much other than being at the Immortal realm of which there will be plenty of cultivators in the higher worlds." Xukong replied.

Hearing this Lin Mu's brows furrowed, and he realized the level of danger they were truly in.

"That invader that we have right now might actually be the thing stopping the world from being discovered by the others as well. After all, if a thief has found a good loot, he won't expose the location and allow other thieves to steal it.

This, in addition to the world's barrier, are the two things that are hiding the world from the perception of the others. Once either of those is gone, it may become difficult for the world to survive if someone attacks." Xukong explained.

"Hmm… but we have to get rid of the invader. That is the mission that the world gave us." Lin Mu spoke, finding it to be difficult.

"That is also where the situation resides. After the invader is gone, the world should manage to strengthen itself too. The only problem will be the brief period of time when it will be vulnerable. 

As long as it is safe during that time, nothing will happen and it will come out better." Xukong replied.

"I understand, senior… so for all this… I need to be strong." Lin Mu spoke.

"Indeed. To 99% of the problems in the world, strength and power are the solutions. As long as you have sufficient power, anything can be changed… even death… is not the exception." Xukong replied.

Hearing this, Lin Mu's eyes lit up and a new wave of excitement spread through him.

'So power is the absolute factor…' Lin Mu determined.

His gaze turned serious and a faint change occurred within his mind that was unnoticeable to Lin Mu and Xukong, as well. The Altar within the mysterious ring though, flickered as a few dark runes appeared above it for a few seconds before fading away again.

***

A couple of days passed and a certain  piece of news spread across the capital city.

The Former Adviser of the Hong Lin Kingdom, Adviser Chu had passed away. 

Lin Mu who received the message from the King, sighed to himself.

"So he finally passed away…" Lin Mu muttered to himself.

"He did manage to last longer than he would have otherwise. You helped him live longer, so don't be down." Xukong replied.

"Still… he was at the Peak of the Adult Soul Stage of the Nascent Soul realm. If only he was able to break through, he would have had another thousand years of lifespan." Lin Mu spoke.

"Sometimes things cannot proceed as we want them to," Xukong replied.

Lin Mu stayed silent for a while as he processed his thoughts. After about an hour of pondering, Lin Mu spoke again.

"Adviser Chu ultimately died because he lacked power… even if he did not have physical power or his cultivation, he could have used other ways to overcome it… he did not even attempt it and neither did he ask for help from others…" Lin Mu muttered.

"I told you before, his body had deteriorated to the point where nothing would have helped him." Xukong reminded.

"No senior," Lin Mu interrupted, surprising Xukong.

"You said that power could do anything… even defy death. Then tell me, was there absolutely no solution to the man's situation?" Lin Mu questioned.

"Well… there was a solution." Xukong replied.

"Just one?" Lin Mu asked again.

"Well… solutions." Xukong said.

"See… he lacked the drive to find them." Lin Mu replied, as his expression turned cold.

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