Lin Mu paused in his tracks after hearing the words of that disciple. This was the type of information that was very important to his mission and there was no way he could miss it. Thus he went closer which was pretty much right below the small group of disciples.
"Where did you hear this? And why would they do this?" One of the disciples questioned.
"That's the wrong question brother, you should ask how would they do this? Can't you see we only have three peaks?" Another smarter disciple added.
"You gotta believe me, guys. My brother's neighbor's cousin is a servant at one of the elder's residence. He heard the elders discussing about this in a meeting. They said that if Alchemist Bilao managed to successful breakthrough, they will make an entirely new peak for him." The first disciple answered.
"Another peak? How in the world would they do that? Making something out of nothing, even Nascent Soul realm cultivators can't do that much. I'm not that smart but even I know this much." The second disciple spoke.
Even Lin Mu wondered about how they would make an entire mountain where there wasn't any to add. If one looked around the area where the Tri Cauldron Peony sect was located, they would only find a forest.
There were no other mountains than the three peaks of the sect in an area of about three hundred kilometers.
"Senior, can they make a mountain just like that?" Lin Mu questioned.
"Hmm… it is possible. One doesn't even need to be a cultivator to make a mountain. Even simple mortals can do so with enough time. Rather, the importance of mountains and peaks in the cultivation sects is usually due to the presence of the Spirit stone mines and spirit Qi springs.
These mountains all have intricate formation arrays that evenly distribute the spirit Qi around the sect. Even the spirit stone mines and spirit Qi springs are located beneath these mountains, or inside them.
So if they are willing to make another mountain, it means that either a spirit Qi spring is about to mature into a spirit stone mine, or a couple more spirit Qi springs will be combined to supply for a mountain." Xukong explained.
"This… is rather surprising. Will Gu Yao do something about this? I mean won't all this require a lot of resources." Lin Mu questioned.
"It is quite likely. Or… since this alchemist Bilao will be a new Nascent Soul realm cultivator there is even a chance Gu Yao would want him under his servitude. Even if he isn't able to control him with the Human controlling Blood curse, I think he should still be able to passively give him ordered through the sect." Xukong answered.
"That's right! As long as Alchemist Bilao successfully becomes a Nascent Soul realm cultivator Gu Yao will get another talented Alchemist at his disposal that can make pills for him. This will just be more beneficial for him." Lin Mu said.
"Then perhaps… you should prevent this from happening…" Xukong suggested.
"I may be able to do that, but will that be right? Besides, interrupting a heavenly tribulation is deadly isn't it?" Lin Mu asked.
"Not if the tribulation never comes," Xukong replied.
"You mean to say…" Lin Mu muttered.
"End him before he can become a problem," Xukong stated.
Lin Mu went silent and didn't know how to reply to this. He knew senior Xukong was right on this matter, but he did not want to kill a man for simply being there at the wrong place. If he killed him, what difference would be there between him and the type of people he hated.
"I don't think I can do this, senior. I simply cannot kill an innocent man for something that is not his fault." Lin Mu said with determination.
"That's alright. These decisions are yours to make and the consequences yours to live with as well. I can at most advise you, but you are the one who is supposed to act." Xukong said in a sagely voice.
Lin Mu nodded his head and continued to head forward. He was now near the area where all the outer court disciples of the sect lived. They all had their individual courtyards, but they were smaller than he had expected. In fact, they were smaller than the houses of some villagers too.
"Don't just go on their size, these houses should all have a spirit Qi amplifying formations in them. Each of these houses should cost a few hundred spirit stones as well." Xukong spoke.
"I understand senior." Lin Mu said as he continued looking around.
Another thing Lin Mu noticed was a lot of security barriers that were in the form of barrier formations. These formations restricted one from entering areas they did not have the authority to enter.
Every house had these formations placed on its four walls, while some of the other areas here were entirely restricted. Lin Mu looked at them and realized that they were training areas where the disciples were taught and trained.
Even when Lin Mu proceeded on the upward path that went to the three peaks, he was forced to temporarily halt. A barrier had stopped him even while he was underground and the badge that he had on his waist was humming.
"Use the badge. This should be the demarcation area between the outer court and the inner court. It will block you from entering unless you go in from the gate." Xukong spoke.
Lin Mu took a look around and saw that there were still some people in the area. He waited for them to pass and the path to become empty before he returned to the ground. He held out the identity badge and let the gate's formation check it.
The badge glowed in a green light and let him pass. But just as he was about to take a step across the gate, he heard a loud shout coming from the back.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
