Lin Mu continued to watch the sprout which swayed as if responding.
He could sense it now—this was only the beginning.
Whatever this plant was, it was something unique. It demanded vitality not just as nourishment, but as a foundation. A womb for something grand.
He couldn't even begin to speculate what would emerge once it bloomed.
Was it a Dao plant? A legacy plant species from the heavens? Or something else entirely?
Lin Mu stood up slowly, his knees sore from the long meditation. His qi was low—dangerously low—but his spirit felt light.
And more importantly, his curiosity had been reignited.
The Sacred Grounds could wait a little longer.
Because now… another mystery had begun to grow.
With a long, final glance, Lin Mu dispersed his consciousness and returned to the waking world.
He sat once more in his room at the Jade Echo Retreat.
There was nothing more to do.
He took another sip of jadeleaf tea—still warm—and let out a quiet sigh.
"Now… I wait."
