Walker Of The Worlds - Chapter 2733

2733  A Comforting Embrace

Lin Mu’s presence in the forest caused a far greater reaction than he would have ever thought.

The beasts of the forest—wolves, deer, and even the great predators—paused, sensing something beyond their comprehension. Instinct warned them, urging them away from the glowing figure at the heart of the woods. Even the smallest insects abandoned the area, driven by an unseen force.

Birds that had nested in the dense canopy above took flight, their wings stirring the air with frantic beats. The nocturnal creatures that roamed the underbrush halted mid-step, their luminous eyes reflecting fear before they scurried away into deeper shadows.

The glow around Lin Mu only intensified, expanding outward in waves. It pulsed rhythmically, much like the heartbeat of the forest itself. The beasts withdrew, retreating beyond one kilometer, then two. The pulse of energy grew stronger, its reach stretching further, rippling through the trees and shaking the very essence of the land.

By the time another day had passed, no creature dared to step within ten kilometers of him.

Lin Mu sat there, unaware of time, unaware of anything but the voices of the forest, now one with his own.

He was in the core of the forest where the strongest beasts resided, and yet even they did not dare to approach. Their migration toward further areas caused the weaker beasts from those regions to be displaced as well.

Like ripples in a vast, tranquil lake, the effect continued to grow until all the beasts in the forest had moved tens of kilometers from their usual habitats.

The initial effect might have seemed small, but its overarching consequences were profound. The migration of beasts was common and often occurred randomly or due to seasonal shifts. But such a large-scale migration, where even apex predators moved without conflict, was an anomaly. The very balance of the forest was shifting.

The phenomenon did not go unnoticed. Even the people living in Ram Orchard City had begun to perceive the change.

Hunters found it easier to track prey, as all the weaker beasts had moved closer to human settlements. However, this also meant that the stronger beasts lurked nearer than before. Strangely, instead of exhibiting their usual territorial aggression, they remained eerily passive, as if bowing to an unseen force. They retreated rather than engaging in battle.

The hunters were confused by this peculiar occurrence and reported it to their superiors. Teams of scouts and scholars were dispatched to investigate, but none could ascertain the cause of such an unprecedented shift in the forest’s ecology.

Some feared it was a harbinger of a great beast tide—a devastating surge of creatures migrating toward human settlements—but the city’s officials reassured the populace that they were prepared for such events. Still, as a precaution, security measures were heightened, and patrols were doubled to cull any potential threats.

Despite all this, the beasts maintained their unnatural behavior, further perplexing those trying to unravel the mystery.

Yet, while most creatures fled from Lin Mu, there were some that were not repelled by his presence. In fact, they were drawn to it. These were the oldest denizens of the forest—those who had stood as its silent sentinels for centuries.

The Deep Wood Rams.

Unlike the other beasts that cowered and ran, these creatures felt an innate pull toward the presence of Lin Mu. Despite dwelling far from his location, they were instinctively compelled to seek him out. It was as if they sensed something familiar—a resonance that called to them from the very heart of the woods.

One particularly curious ram peeked out from the dense tree line, its emerald eyes gleaming as they reflected the countless wisps floating through the air.

More of them emerged, their massive forms blending seamlessly with the forest. Thick, dark green fur draped over their bodies like woven moss, vines curling around their muscular legs, coiling through their wool as if the very forest had claimed them as its own. Their great horns spiraled upward, not like mere bone, but like living wood, intricate and gnarled, crowned with tiny blossoms and sprouting leaves.

They observed Lin Mu in silence. Not with fear. Not with hostility. But with a deep, knowing wisdom.

And then, as suddenly as they had arrived, they turned away, vanishing into the depths of the woods, leaving nothing but the faintest whisper of rustling leaves in their wake.

Meanwhile, Lin Mu, deep in his trance, finally gained a spark of enlightenment as he moved onto the next step.

HUALA!

He found himself standing in an empty space.

"This… I’m in my soul form?" Lin Mu was now familiar with this ethereal realm.

Darkness stretched infinitely in all directions, a void untouched by light or shadow.

HUALA!

Moments later, three green rings manifested around his soul, orbiting him like steadfast sentinels.

"The protection of the Litany of Verdant Forests," Lin Mu recognized instantly.

He had gained them back in the Evergreen Pillars Forest, a sacred gift that had shielded him against Yao Changying’s devastating attacks. Their reappearance now could only mean one thing.

He was ready.

SHUA! SHUA! SHUA!

22:31

In an instant, tens of thousands of green wisps surrounded him, their luminescent bodies swirling like fireflies on a midsummer night.

SHUA! SHUA! SHUA!

In an instant, tens of thousands of green wisps surrounded him, their luminescent bodies swirling like fireflies on a midsummer night.

"So, it’s finally time," Lin Mu whispered, extending his hands as if embracing them. "Come."

WHOOSH!

As if waiting for his command, the wisps surged forward, merging into his soul. The green rings expanded, growing more vibrant with each wisp that joined them. The energy coursing through him was like the very essence of the forest, wrapping around him in a warm, protective cocoon.

The sensation was indescribable—like being cradled in the arms of the earth itself. Peaceful. Powerful. Eternal.

Lin Mu closed his eyes, surrendering to the embrace until finally, the storm of energy subsided.

"Is it over?" he murmured, a tinge of sadness in his voice.

Then he looked at the rings.

"They’ve grown so much!?" Lin Mu’s eyes widened in astonishment as he gazed at the glowing rings.