Lin Mu held the communication jade slip and realized that the message was from none other than Alchemist Ruoxian.
The man sent a message that he was back at the Grand Sky Pavilion now.
"Right on time." Lin Mu immediately went to see the man.
A few minutes later he was brought to the private room by the clerk.
"Welcome, Daoist Mu Lin." Alchemist Ruoxian greeted right away. "I'm sorry you couldn't contact me. I was stuck in a difficult situation." He explained.
"Oh? What kind?" Lin Mu was curious.
'Is it linked to the Demon and the Tribulation too?' Lin Mu couldn't help but wonder.
~Sigh~
Alchemist Ruoxian shook his head.
"The higher ups of the Grand Sky Pavilion are really upset about the disappearance of the Violet Mystic Life Tree and have set a massive bounty on the Demon. Not just that, but since the investigations are not really working out either, they are on the edge.
The pressure from the Holy Topaz Dynasty's royal court has also increased, with the emperor having mobilized its own troops to man the Desolate Blood Battlefield." Alchemist Ruoxian explained.
'Sure enough... it was that.' Lin Mu's guess was accurate but he didn't show it on his face.
"Yeah, I saw the increased security when I left the Desolate Blood Battlefield." Lin Mu replied.
"That is just the start, Daoist Mu Lin. They are going to increase it even more... it'll be worse." Alchemist Ruoxian added.
"How so?" Lin Mu furrowed his brows. 'I need to know how they are going to act... just in case I get embroiled into this again.' He thought.
"This information is still confidential but will soon become public." Alchemist Ruoxian said in a low voice. "I just came from their official meeting. The Holy Topaz Dynasty has decided to collaborate with all the big powers within its empire, including the Grand Sky Pavilion, the Blue Mountain Place, and several more to search for any traces of the Violet Mystic Life Tree." He explained.
"Hmm... I heard something else though." Lin Mu spoke after a bit. "Apparently the Demon who stole the Violet Mystic Life Tree has used it as a sacrifice to offset an Immortal Tribulation... A Transcendent Immortal Tribulation." He revealed.
"What!?" Alchemist Ruoxian was absolutely stunned.
Seeing the shock on the man's face, Lin Mu knew that the Grand Sky Pavilion wasn't giving them the whole set of information. Though it also made Lin Mu wonder, if the information told by General Niu Juo was even known by the others or not.
"Yes... The Demon was apparently at the peak of the Immortal realm and had obtained the tree so that it could become a Transcendent Immortal." Lin Mu confirmed, deciding to perpetuate the misunderstanding. "So the search for the Violet Mystic Life Tree is useless... it has already been erased."
"This... why would they ask us to continue the search for the tree then?" Alchemist Ruoxian couldn't help but question.
But then a few seconds later, he had a realization.
"It can't be... they want us to..." Alchemist Ruoxian finally understood.
"Seems like they intended to keep you all in the blind. That way the immortals will be less vary about the Demon. After all, a Transcendent Demon is something that even the top experts of the Rust Sky World will have a hard time dealing with.
Even an average peak immortal would be wiped away with ease." Lin Mu replied, making Alchemist Ruoxian's expression fell.
"Isn't this the same as sending us to our deaths? Who would dare investigate a Transcendent Immortal?" Alchemist Ruoxian muttered to himself.
"Of course. That's what they know too." Lin Mu nodded his head.
"I... can't let this happen. They wish death upon us this way." Alchemist Ruoxian said with indignation.
"But can you even tell others this?" Lin Mu asked. "Won't they simply imprison you otherwise?"
Hearing that, Alchemist Ruoxian calmed down. He knew getting agitated over this was not good and he could make a big mistake.
"You're right... I cannot reveal this openly." Alchemist Ruoxian said after taking a breath.
"Then there is the Tournament of the Four Guardian beasts too. I think they wish to keep the information contained so as to not cause any disturbance to the tournament." Lin Mu had already heard of how important it was and how much trouble it would bring to the empires of the tournament was affected.
After all, all the powers knew that the Temple of the Guardian beasts would do nothing even if the Demons returned.
They were originally the inhabitants of this world too and the temple would not interfere in local conflicts. Only if the Demons wished for the absolute annihilation of all humans would the temple intervene.
Otherwise their stance was similar to the pope of a religion.
They would not interfere in the conflict of countries even if both had the same faith.
"I'll have to wait for a bit before finding the right opportunity to reveal this. If not, there is a chance it might come out on its own too." Alchemist Ruoxian said after thinking for it.
"That's right." Lin Mu agreed.
~SIGH~
Alchemist Ruoxian let out a loud sigh, feeling more exhausted than before.
"I'm guessing you also want to know about the Hundred Vicissitudes Immortal Pill?" Alchemist Ruoxian asked.
"Indeed." Lin Mu nodded his head. "How's the progress?"
"I've certainly had some gains and have improved. I think I might be able to finish this in ten more months." Alchemist Ruoxian said with confidence.
"I see... I guess I'll have to return to get it then." Lin Mu replied.
"Return? You're going somewhere?" Alchemist Ruoxian questioned.
"The tournament of course." Lin Mu answered.
"Ah, makes sense. Someone like you should not miss an opportunity like that." Alchemist Ruoxian agreed. "How about this, I'll come give the pills to you myself if you are still in the Dao Wind Empire?" he offered.
Lin Mu was not one to reject such an offer and agreed right away.
"Sure, that'll save me time." Lin Mu replied.
