1912 The Shuijing Clan
Information about a sentient tree like the Snow Glass Pear Tree was rather valuable for Lin Mu.
After all, those were the only plants that could actually grow in the Sleepscape. As such, Lin Mu wanted more of them, as he thought that they were the key to enriching the Sleepscape and unlocking its capabilities.
He went along with Shuijing Mingzhu and Shuijing Ju, as they brought him to their clan.
The Shuijing Clan was something Lin Mu had already passed by before and knew that it was composed of about four mountains. The four mountains were set in two pairs and looked almost identical in size, if not for the different buildings present on them.
There was the main peak where the clan's grand residence was located along with the minor residences where the extended members of the clan lived. The second peak was where the Formation facilities of the clan were located.
This is where most of the members practiced their formations and researched further on them.
The third peak was used for miscellaneous things along with serving as a place of residence of the servants. Then there was the fourth peak, which was used as both a storage area for all the materials the Shuijing Clan would need as well as a farm for herbs and fruits.
Some of these herbs and fruits could be used in the making of formations, while the rest were used as cultivation resources.
After all, while the Serene Glass Valley had specialized peaks for farming and more, those were still a collective resource. As such, it was better to have some immediate resources kept only for the clan, which was why this peak existed.
Plus it allowed the clan to generate their own income for their personal treasury instead of relying fully on the main treasury of the entire Serene Glass Valley.
Upon reaching the main peak of the Shuijing Clan, Lin Mu first saw their crest. The crest was that of a basin of water that was rippling.
Shuijing Mingzhu saw that Lin Mu was staring at the crest and spoke up.
"The Crest of our clan signifies the ever-changing and fluid nature of runes while staying in the confines of the formations. The rippling water is the runes, while the basin is the formations." Shuijing Mingzhu explained.
"I see… that is intriguing and well thought." Lin Mu admitted.
"Come, there is much more to see in our clan." Shuijing Ju said, taking Lin Mu through the gates.
There were a lot of people in the clan, as expected of it being one of the three major clans. Lin Mu also used his immortal sense to get an idea of the place.
He not only sensed the cultivation bases of the members but also checked the formations. And as expected of a clan that specialized in formations and arrays, the mountain was chock full of them.
Defensive, offensive, isolating, illusory, restricting, and even self-destructing formation arrays, there were all kinds of arrays placed in the mountains. They were also made in an intricate pattern, making it hard to fully figure out their workings.
They were woven with such intricacy that even interfering with one of the layers would lead to an automatic retaliatory response. Not just that, but the arrays could automatically correct themselves too if there was minor damage or error.
'Something like this definitely took thousands of years to make.' Lin Mu thought to himself.
He continued to walk alongside Shuijing Mingzhu and Shuijing Ju, while they introduced the internal areas of the mountain. Lin Mu saw gardens, statues, rockeries, ponds, and even an artificial river that flowed on the mountain.
Lin Mu also noticed several Qi accumulating, Qi channeling and Qi amplifying formations placed on the mountain. They were buried under a lot of other arrays and wouldn't be spotted easily, but Lin Mu had seen them several times before and as such, had a good guess.
'Since there are these arrays placed here too, there is no doubt there is an Immortal Qi mine here too.' Lin Mu thought to himself.
Of course, he couldn't estimate what level the mine was in since the arrays didn't let any stray immortal Qi fluctuations to be felt. But if one was here, it was bound to be used by the members of the clan. Either as a mode of currency or just as a direct cultivation resource.
'But if the Shuijing clan has one, the others definitely too… not every clan might have it, but the entire Serene Glass Valley definitely has multiple Immortal Stone mines.' Lin Mu reckoned.
Every immortal stone mine had a great value, which Lin Mu knew very well about.
'And considering they are a major power and an ally with the Imperial Court, they might even be all High grade immortal stone mines.' He thought.
Overall, Lin Mu could tell the conditions in the Shuijing clan were very pleasant and the members could be considered blessed. After all, the majority of the cultivators were told to never go practice in an environment like this. Most would be fighting to get an opportunity like this.
And yet, the Shuijing clan could use it as they pleased.
"Senior Ju, you're back." While walking, the trio was interrupted by one of the members.
It was a young man who looked to be barely in his twenties and had a beardless face. Sensing his cultivation and seeing his robes, Lin Mu could tell that the member was rather low ranked being only at the First Tribulation Stage of the Immortal realm.
'Hmm… he still has unstable, immortal Qi fluctuations. Did he break through recently?" Lin Mu guessed.
"Junior Zi, have you finished the stabilization of your cultivation base?" Shuijing Ju replied.
It was clear that both of them knew each other and also of their cultivation bases.
"Ah yes! I had a successful breakthrough and I'm assigned here until I fully stabilize my cultivation base.' Shuijing Zi answered.
"That is good. Soon you'll be a senior member in the clan too." Shuijing Ju stated while Shuijing Mingzhu simply nodded in agreement. "But who's this?" he finally noticed Lin Mu.
"This is Daoist Mu Lin. He is the guest of honor of not just the Serene Glass Valley but also our clan," Shuijing Ju revealed.
"Daoist Mu Lin!?" It was obvious that the younger man knew a lot about Lin Mu. "It really is you?" Shuijing Zi asked, feeling stunned.
"Yes, that's me." Lin Mu confirmed.
"WOO! I thought it was just a rumor that you were bringing in outsiders. But to see the winner in the flesh… man, I feel excited." Shuijing Zi said out loud.
"Haha, I hope that I can manage to keep your expectations high." Lin Mu replied.
"We're heading to meet the Clan head first. You can talk to Daoist Mu Lin later, Shuijing Zi." Shuijing Ju stated, not wanting Lin Mu to waste any more of his time here.
"Of course, please go ahead Seniors." Shuijing Zi bid them farewell, but he was still staring at Lin Mu's back with a hint of longing.
The three passed by several more clansmen and clanswomen who all wanted to speak with Lin Mu, or were excited to see him. Lin Mu's looks also added an extra flair to it all, with the female members stumbling while walking just upon seeing him.
It couldn't be helped. He was the ideal candidate, after all.
"Haha," Shuijing Ju, who saw the reactions of his kin, couldn't help but chuckle.
Shuijing Mingzhu, though, gave them all a cold stare, making them go their own way and preventing them from getting hounded again.
After about fifty minutes, Lin Mu and the two members finally reached the main hall of the clan. It was already evening by now, and the sun had set outside. As such, beautiful lights were lit up all over tree mountain, adding a mesmerizing look to it all.
"This is the main hall?" Lin Mu looked at the interior, finding it rather simple.
"Yes, it is empty at this time." Shuijing Ju replied.
The hall was a hundred meters by a hundred meters and only had a handful of chairs placed inside it.
Unlike the hall at the Twin Crowns Peak, this one seemed rather disappointing.
"You've brought him." It was at this time that the voice of an old man was heard.
Shuijing Mingzhu and Shuijing Ju both got alert after hearing the voice and knew exactly who it was.
"Head elder!" Shuijing Ju called out.
"Great Grandfather!" Shuijing Mingzhu said instead.
It was clear that she was a favorite for the Head Elder, being his own blood.
'Oh? No wonder she could just invite me. She's literally his great-granddaughter.' Lin Mu thought to himself.
"I welcome you to the Humble Shuijing Clan of the Serene Glass Valley, Daoist Mu Lin. My granddaughter has talked quite a bit about you in the past." Head Elder replied, looking at him.
"Thank you for having me over, Head Elder."
