Lin Mu recognized what Gu Yao was doing. He had seen something like it before and linked that to it. And seeing how he had been infected by the invader as well, there was only one answer.
"He's using the invader's ability!" Lin Mu exclaimed internally.
Lin Mu had already seen a few examples where the invader had been controlling others. The invader had hidden within the ashen cloak mercenary's dead body when he was killed by the great slumber bear who was also infected by the Invader.
From what he could tell that the Great Slumber bear was perhaps the very first being that was infected by the invader or could have even been the one to spread it. But then when he considered that there were other beasts like the Blight Dust Beast, he thought otherwise.
Lin Mu had learned from Duan Ke that the Blight Dust beast never left its territory, and neither did the Great Slumber bear go there. Which meant that there was a different way that it had spread.
'Maybe the great slumber bear was not even supposed to be infected. If this merchant had brought both of them here, then maybe it happened during their fight. If he was going to capture a Strong beast like the great slumber bear, it wouldn't make sense to weaken it with the invader…' Lin Mu thought.
While Lin Mu was thinking this, not even five seconds has passed. Gu Yao had sped up his process and was not targeting Wu Teng. The man was already injured and thus could not put up a fight physically. Thought his willpower was another thing.
"I'll die but won't let you do this!" Wu Teng yelled, breaking through the restrictions.
"Oh my, what a strong will nephew. You've certainly inherited this from the bloodline of the Gu clan. If we didn't have a strong will we wouldn't have survived all this time." Gu Yao said before making a seal with his hand and throwing it to Wu Teng.
~Clack~
The seal tightened around Wu Teng's body tightly and the sound of a bones cracking was heard.
"Aargh!" Wu Teng shouted in pain but couldn't move anymore.
Lin Mu's focus was on him when it happened and saw the reason behind it. In order to gain control over the people, Gu Yao had to loosen the previous restrictions he had put on them. He had to balance this with the controlling process and lower the restrictions accordingly.
It was this very moment where Wu Teng had used to break through the restriction.
"This is good, if our current plan doesn't work, we can use that as well. But if that really does happen, the ward will be activated as well." Xukong said.
"I understand, Senior." Lin Mu replied.
Lin Mu did not want to let the ward activate here and wanted to see if he could escape this ordeal himself. He knew that defeating or killing Gu Yao was going to be impossible, plus with the people in his control Lin Mu knew that he was going to be outnumbered too.
'But how is he able to control someone at the Adult stage of the Nascent Soul realm when even he is technically at the same stage?' Lin Mu wondered.
"It is the blood pool. It has refined blood essence in it which he is using to control their bodies and mind. If he did this on his own, it would have been quite difficult, but with the supplementary power of the blood pool he can perhaps control even an actual Dao Shell realm cultivator!" Xukong answered.
Lin Mu gritted his teeth upon hearing this revelation sped up what he was doing. Knowing that it may not be enough and just to be on the safe side, he decided to try to delay Gu Yao even more. Perhaps he may even be able to stop him before the others were controlled.
"You should stop this while you can, or my master will not be pleased!" Lin Mu shouted at Gu Yao.
Gu Yao looked towards Lin Mu as a smirk appeared on his face. The others looked at Lin Mu too, some wondering how he was still talking despite having a low cultivation base.
Gu Yao created another seal and more blood flowed out of the blood pool and crawled up the body of Wu Teng. He then turned around to walk towards Lin Mu.
"Oh, and why would I care about that? You don't even know what your master's cultivation base is, and I know he is not anyone strong. There is no one named Xukong in any of the top sects and if it is someone from other lower sects then they are not worth to me, anyway." Gu Yao spoke in an insulting tone.
"Tell me you can detect lies using your skill right?" Lin Mu questioned, not bothered by his words.
"I do, but why does that matter that to you?" Gu Yao replied, getting annoyed.
"Ask me again what my master's cultivation base is," Lin Mu asked with a smile.
"Don't waste my time, when I already know that." Gu Yao said, raising his hand, ready to act.
"Try again, if I'm lying you can kill me, anyway. Or is it that you are scared?" Lin Mu taunted.
~Tch~
"Pesky brat! I'll sever your limbs and refine your body into a pill if you dare to lie!" Gu Yao threatened.
Lin Mu kept on watching him while maintaining the control of his spirit sense. But just as he was about to speak again, he heard another voice.
"Your servant greets master," Wu Teng said.
Gu Yao had succeeded in controlling Wu Teng as well.
"Good, good, now on to the next one." Gu Yao looked at the remaining people, before settling on peak master Yi Deng.
He flicked his hand and more blood streams covered Yi Deng.
"Now where were we? Ah yes, your upcoming punishment." Gu Yao said while looking at Lin Mu with an evil glint in his eyes.
