Lin Mu and Jing Luo traveled rapidly over the land with the help of Little Shrubby. They could witness the speed of Little Shrubby that had increased once more. Jing Luo was relieved that he had made a better harness for Little Shrubby, or he feared that he might have been sent flying from the force.
"It's good that you are not slowed down by my weight, either." Lin Mu said, seeing that Little Shrubby could maintain his speed either way.
"This much is okay." Little Shrubby replied while running.
They continued for a few hours and went past several towns, villages and even cities before they reached their intended destination, The Capital of the Shuang Qian kingdom.
~thud~
Little Shrubby slowed down a few kilometers away from the city so that Lin Mu and Jing Luo could get off.
~step~ step~
Getting down from Little Shrubby's back, Lin Mu gazed at the city in the distance. Now the city looked small to him after seeing the many other kingdoms and sects.
"Let's see how the situation in the city is now…" Lin Mu muttered as he extended his spirit sense.
They were barely seven kilometers away from the city and would not be noticed easily this far if there was anyone strong in the city. Besides, Lin Mu's spirit sense had enough range to cover the entire city and go many more kilometers ahead.
~shua~
His spirit sense quickly spread as he started to scan the city. Multiple tendrils of spirit sense probed the many people that were in the city unknown to them. Even those that were at the Nascent soul realm were unaware that there was someone watching them right now.
Lin Mu finally got the full understanding of the city and what its power was at this moment. Though he also came across several areas that blocked spirit sense.
"Hmm… three mansions, the royal palace, and two unknown underground areas…" Lin Mu noted the places that had formation arrays that blocked the spirit sense.
Having noted the places of interest, Lin Mu got to seeing if there were any people being controlled by Gu Yao in the city, which there obviously were and it was known to Lin Mu. What was not known was the exact number and who they were.
Additionally, he wanted to know if there were any hidden secrets as well. Though he reckoned those might be found in the place that could restrain his spirit sense.
"Several Nascent soul realm cultivators in the city… almost all are being controlled. Then there are also two Dao Shell realm cultivators here." Lin Mu informed Jing Luo.
"The Dao Shell realm cultivators are out of the palace?" Jing Luo asked.
"Yes, it is strange… they should be in the palace, right? Unless they had something important for which they needed to leave." Lin Mu replied.
"Possibly, but there are far too many things changing. It will be hard to tell unless we can get it out of them." Jing Luo spoke.
"Hmm… that's understandable." Lin Mu nodded his head.
"Though, did you find Wu Hei?" Jing Luo asked.
"I haven't sensed him, but he should be in the mansion that he has. It is also one of the mansions that restricts the spirit sense." Lin Mu replied.
"The other two might also have something important. Not to mention the underground places." Jing Luo spoke.
"Mm-hmm, we'll meet up with Wu Hei first and see what he knows. Then we can go ahead and check the other places. Perhaps he has some insights that will save us some time." Lin Mu stated.
"Alright. Let's head in then." Jing Luo said.
Lin Mu looked towards Little Shrubby and spoke, "become small again. This time you can see the city."
"Okay~" Little Shrubby said, a hint of excitement present in his voice.
Back when Lin Mu had come here earlier, Little Shrubby had to wait outside the city. Not just here, but he had to do that many times before, too. Only when Lin Mu made the alliance was Little Shrubby able to see the many cities.
Of course, spotting him was often hard if he was running. Right now only those in the alliance knew of his existence, while most commoners were unaware of him other than the ones in the Hong Lin Kingdom.
Thankfully for the Hong Lin Kingdom, there was little to no chance of this information leaking with the security measures they had set up.
~shua~
Little Shrubby quickly shrunk down and jumped into Lin Mu's arms. Now he simply looked like a spirit beast pet that Lin Mu might be rearing and not a Tamed Dao Shell realm beast that could very well flatten the capital.
Jing Luo watched the two and couldn't help but chuckle.
"You know, if I didn't know, I would just think that you were some snob from a sect going out for a walk with your pet." Jing Luo joked.
"Huh… do I really look like them?" Lin Mu asked, a golden sheen sneaking out from the side of his neck.
"Now that I think of it, nope… They can't come close to your bearing." Jing Luo replied.
"Of course! Master is the best!" Little Shrubby said with a roar.
Though the roar only sounded like a louder mew.
Lin Mu rubbed Little Shrubby's head with a smile and the three of them finally headed towards the city.
Both of them restrained their spirit Qi fluctuations to Core condensation realm and easily managed to enter the city. This was an important skill that Lin Mu and Jing Luo had come to use.
Those that could not use it would be very easily caught. After all, the capital wouldn't just let in unknown cultivators at the Dao Shell realm who could easily threaten its safety from the inside.
Lin Mu could control his spirit Qi fluctuation on his own, while Jing Luo used a restraining spirit tool.
Though upon entering, both of them pulled some attention. Both of their appearances weren't something that were often seen after all.
