「At dusk.」

Lin Mu sat on a cliff overlooking Bai Miao Village, admiring the distinctive scenery.

DING, DING, DANG, DANG.

The crisp sounds came from behind. Without looking back, Lin Mu knew who it was.

Li Lai walked over gracefully and bowed. "Greetings, Miao King!"

Lin Mu nodded, glancing at her.

Li Lai had changed her clothes. She was still in the traditional attire of the Miao Tribe, but this outfit was far more luxurious and extraordinary than her last, complete with a pure silver crown on her head. It gave her a unique flair.

When Li Lai saw Lin Mu staring at her, her cheeks flushed slightly. This was an attire unique to the Miao Ethnic Saintess, and it was her first time wearing it. For the Miao Tribe, having a king was an immense honor for every member. And the Saintess was the Miao King's woman. The implication of her wearing this outfit was obvious.

"Let's go."

Lin Mu stood up and walked toward the center of the village. Li Lai hesitated for a moment before quickly following him.

That night, the entire Bai Miao Village held a grand bonfire party. Countless young people sang and danced around the bonfire, the silver ornaments on their clothing clinking together to produce a pleasant, ringing sound.

Surrounded like the moon by stars, Li Lai was the center of attention, her cheeks flushed red. But her gaze occasionally drifted to the young man in the seat of honor. He was leaning back with one hand on his forehead and the other holding a cup of wine, his eyes not looking her way. A pang of disappointment filled her.

Lin Mu sat in the Miao King's seat, silently watching it all unfold, but his heart was no longer there. He'd been away for a few days and had collected nearly all the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill. It was time to go back. There were still matters awaiting his attention in River City.

The festivities wound down, and the crowd dispersed.

Compared to his previous accommodations, Lin Mu was now housed in the most luxurious and prestigious room in Bai Miao Village. Of course, given the village's humble conditions, the room wasn't truly luxurious. Still, it had all the living essentials. Li Xuan had even arranged for someone to build a new wooden tub, which was already filled with hot water. What amused Lin Mu was the layer of flower petals floating on the water's surface.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

The sound of knocking came from the door.

"Miao King, are you asleep?" Li Lai's voice called from outside.

Lin Mu was slightly stunned. What was Li Lai doing here at this late hour? Puzzled, he opened the door.

The moment he saw her, Lin Mu immediately understood. Li Lai had changed her clothes again. She now wore a white nightgown and stood barefoot at his door, her face flushed, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Miao King, the Li Clan has a rule that the Saintess must serve the Miao King when he retires for the night." Li Lai's voice was as faint as a buzzing fly; if not for his keen hearing, Lin Mu would not have heard her at all.

Lin Mu was speechless.

"Go back. In my presence, there is no such rule," Lin Mu said flatly.

He wasn't sure if this was standard treatment for the Miao King, but in his eyes, Li Lai was just a child. Besides, his mind wasn't on such matters.

"But..."

Li Lai grew panicked, thinking the Miao King disliked her. Tears instantly welled in her eyes. "Miao King," she sobbed, "did I do something wrong?"

Lin Mu sighed and ruffled her hair. "Though I am the Miao King, I am an outsider. As the Saintess of the Miao Tribe, you should feel free to choose any of its warriors. They surely wouldn't refuse you."

Li Lai trembled, her eyes quivering as she looked at Lin Mu. "But the Miao Ethnic Saintess is meant to be the Miao King's woman. She is destined to marry no one else..."

Besides, who could possibly be more outstanding than the Miao King?

"I know what you're thinking," Lin Mu interrupted. "I even know that Li Xuan and the others likely put you up to this. But I'm telling you, it's impossible. If they insist on this, then I'd rather not be the Miao King at all."

"Miao King, please don't!" Li Lai cried, growing anxious.

Seeing Lin Mu's calm expression, Li Lai's own face fell. She lowered her head and said, "I understand." With that, she turned and left. A single, clear tear slid down her cheek.

Watching Li Lai's retreating figure, Lin Mu shook his head slightly.

He understood her feelings, of course. The Miao Tribe had always worshipped the strong. Since he was the first outsider she had ever met, it was only natural for her to be attracted to him. And the elders' intentions were even simpler. Though he was an outsider who had become their king, he couldn't possibly stay here forever. Having him leave a descendant behind was the most logical solution for them.

Many were destined for a sleepless night. Li Lai lay in bed, silently shedding tears. Li Tong and countless other young men of Bai Miao Village wore complex expressions, their eyes dull with disappointment and resentment. In her own room, Li Xuan could only let out a long, soft sigh.

...

「The next day at dawn.」

After getting ready, Lin Mu arrived at the council hall. People from both Bai Miao Village and Heimiao Village were present. Li Lai sat in a chair, her head bowed in silence.

His expression impassive, Lin Mu went directly to the head seat and sat down.

"Grandmaster, everyone has arrived," Li Xiaotian, sitting just below Lin Mu, said respectfully.

"Mm." Lin Mu nodded. His gaze suddenly shifted to Li Lai. "Li Lai, would you like to become my disciple?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted into an uproar. Everyone's eyes turned toward Li Lai, filled with envy. After all, they had witnessed the Miao King's abilities. To say he was a Heavenly God descended to earth was no exaggeration. And now, the Miao King was actually planning to take Li Lai as his disciple. How could they not be envious?

Only a few people present understood Lin Mu's intentions, especially Li Lai herself.

"Ahem," Li Xuan coughed quickly, seeing that Li Lai was still stunned.

Li Lai silently rose, walked before Lin Mu, and knelt. "I am willing!"

"Good!" Lin Mu said. "I have always been strict in choosing my disciples. Xiaotian is one of them. From today, you will be my Disciple in Name. When the time is right, you will formally become my Disciple."

"Thank you, Grandmaster!" Li Lai prostrated herself, her voice trembling slightly.

"Mm. Then I shall transmit to you the Exterminate God Gu Sutra, which can command a myriad of Gu Insects. I will also transmit the Lightness Secret Record; this is a movement art which contains several secret techniques. You must cultivate it diligently."

Lin Mu touched a finger to Li Lai's forehead, transferring a stream of Mana into her body.

"Although you are a Disciple in Name, I will treat you as my direct disciple. Lastly, I bestow upon you one Nine-Star Bloodshadow Worm."

With a turn of his palm, a golden worm appeared in its center. Unlike ordinary Gu Insects, this Nine-Star Bloodshadow Worm shimmered with a golden luster, emitting not a scent of blood but a faint, pleasant fragrance.

"A Nine-Star Bloodshadow Worm?"

At the sight of the insect, everyone in the hall was shocked. This was a type of Gu King even rarer than the Soul Devouring Gu. They hadn't expected the Miao King to have cultivated one.

With a flick of his finger, the Gu Insect instantly entered Li Lai's forehead.

Lin Mu hesitated for a moment before adding, "In my absence, you will have full authority over the Li Clan!" He smiled lightly. "Now sit down. I will perform an attunement for you."

He once again touched his finger to Li Lai's forehead. Instantly, a seed of spiritual energy was implanted there, containing all the memories and experience required to practice the two Cultivation Techniques. Not only that, but a more ethereal and clear aura began to emanate from her body.

"From now on, no one below the rank of Grandmaster will be able to harm you in the slightest. With the Nine-Star Bloodshadow Worm I've given you, you can even hold your own against a Grandmaster."

Lin Mu sat back down with a smile, while the others were left staggered by shock.

He looked at the crowd and said, "Of course, I will also leave behind a physical cultivation technique for you all, so that the children and able-bodied youth of the tribe can practice it. Furthermore, I own a pharmaceutical company. The medicinal materials it requires will be supplied by you."

Li Xuan was overjoyed. "Thank you, Miao King."

"Mm." Lin Mu looked at everyone and said calmly, "Rest assured. Since you have honored me as your king, I will not treat you poorly. On the contrary, I will ensure you all grow stronger and stronger."

"Thank you, Miao King!"

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