plumnovel 50. Invitation
50. Invitation
Lin Mo slowly opened his eyes, the bloodshot veins still visible, but his gaze remained as sharp as ever. A night of research, though failing to find an immediate way to break the seal, had at least clarified the direction and made him more acutely aware that working in isolation was not the way to go. He needed a broader perspective, more abundant resources, and… clues that might be hidden within those ancient traditions.
He carefully wrapped the dark gold pagoda in a specially made soft cloth and kept it close to his body before getting up and pushing open the heavy stone door.
"Master." Han Li, who had been waiting outside, immediately stepped forward, his expression respectful but with a hint of barely perceptible worry. He had followed Lin Mo for many years and knew that this young master was resilient, but his distraught appearance when he returned last night, as well as his seclusion throughout the night, all indicated that something extraordinary had happened.
"Are the brothers all settled?" Lin Mo's voice was hoarse with fatigue, but his steps were steady as he walked towards the main hall of the manor.
"Everything has been properly settled. The compensation for the wounded and injured brothers has been distributed at the highest level, and the seized supplies have been inventoried and stored." Han Li followed closely behind, reporting quickly. "However... the four great families reacted very quickly. At dawn, our spies scattered throughout the area reported back that they have jointly issued a 'Blood Letter Soul-Chasing Order,' offering a reward of ten thousand gold coins for the capture of... those who robbed the goods." He paused, carefully observing Lin Mo's expression. The Blood Letter Soul-Chasing Order is the highest-level wanted order issued by the four great families, a death warrant, meaning they are already enraged and will stop at nothing to find the lost "goods," or rather, the dark gold tower.
Lin Mo didn't stop walking, his face showing no surprise. He simply said, "As expected. Strengthen the security at the manor, keeping the exterior relaxed but the interior tight. Tell the brothers to reduce their outings in the near future."
"Yes," Han Li replied, then hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Master, what's in that cargo box...?"
Lin Mo waved his hand, interrupting his question: "I know what I'm doing in this matter. It's no ordinary affair, and the fewer people who know about it, the better." He then changed the subject, "During my seclusion, was there any unusual news outside?"
Han Li immediately composed himself and reported, "Indeed, there is such a thing. The renowned martial arts sect, the Seven Absolutes Sect, sent out invitations three days ago, saying that its gates would be opening soon and that it was recruiting talented people from all over the world as guest elders, regardless of their background, only their abilities mattered. This has caused quite a stir in the martial arts world, and many who are confident in their talents or want to curry favor with the Seven Absolutes Sect have already set off for it."
"Seven Absolutes Sect... Guest Elder..." Lin Mo's eyes flashed, and he stopped at the entrance of the main hall. The Seven Absolutes Sect has a long history and profound foundation. Although it is not as arrogant as the Four Great Families, it holds a pivotal position in the orthodox martial arts world. Its library is renowned, said to contain countless martial arts classics, strange tales, and ancient secrets. If one could become its guest elder, one could not only utilize its resources and connections but also easily access those books that are difficult for ordinary people to obtain. Perhaps... one could find clues about that peculiar seal, or even spiritual objects like the "Soul-Stabilizing Jade" and the "Soothing Wood."
It's like finding a pillow when you're sleepy.
"Where's the invitation?" Lin Mo asked.
Han Li quickly took out a beautifully crafted gold-embossed invitation from his pocket and presented it with both hands: "The Seven Absolutes Sect is quite thoughtful. Almost every force with a reputation, regardless of size, has received one. Although our Hidden Ink Manor keeps a low profile, we are also among them."
Lin Mo accepted the invitation. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, made of a special material. The cover was inscribed with the two characters "Seven Absolutes" in ancient seal script, the strokes powerful and vigorous, subtly conveying a Daoist spirit. Turning to the inner pages, the content was concise, explaining the intention to recruit guest elders, the time and place, and the rights that guest elders would enjoy—including limited use of the Seven Absolutes Sect's resources, access to non-core books, and a certain degree of protection and support from the Seven Absolutes Sect.
"No background restrictions, only talent matters..." Lin Mo repeated the words from the invitation in a low voice, a faint smile playing on his lips. The conditions seemed generous, but were actually harsh. The word "talent" offered countless opportunities for manipulation. But regardless, this was an excellent opportunity, a springboard to infiltrate the core of the orthodox martial arts world and find a way to rescue Qinglan.
In his past life, he was a loner. Although he reached the summit, he was ultimately alone, with limited access to information, and many secrets remained unknown to him. In this life, he will walk a different path.
"Does the master intend to go?" Han Li saw through Lin Mo's thoughts.
"Hmm." Lin Mo closed the invitation, his tone firm. "The Seven Absolutes Sect's library might have what I need. Moreover, while we are not afraid of the 'Blood Letter Soul-Chasing Order' issued by the four great families, it is still troublesome. If we can become a guest elder of the Seven Absolutes Sect, we can use their name to avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble."
More importantly, he needs a powerful enough platform to accumulate strength more quickly and deal with potential enemies even more terrifying than Yama. The force that can support Yama and provide such bizarre sealing techniques is certainly not simple.
"I'll go and prepare right away!" Han Li immediately accepted the order.
"No need for a big fuss," Lin Mo instructed. "I can go alone. You will remain in charge of all affairs at the manor. Tell everyone I'm in seclusion for cultivation."
"Is the Master alone? Isn't that too risky? The people from the four great families are probably..." Han Li's face showed worry. Under the Blood-Letter Soul-Chasing Order, Lin Mo's portrait had probably already spread throughout the martial arts world.
Lin Mo chuckled, his eyes brimming with confidence: "Don't worry, I have my own methods. Besides, they wouldn't dare to act so brazenly in front of the Seven Absolutes Mountain Gate." Having lived two lives, he had mastered many techniques for disguise and concealing his aura. Unless someone was extremely familiar with him or whose cultivation far surpassed his, it would be difficult for them to see through his disguise.
Three days later, everything was ready.
Lin Mo had changed his appearance, becoming a scholar in a blue robe with a slightly sallow complexion and ordinary demeanor. He carried a simple book box on his back, containing a few miscellaneous books and some luggage, while the dark gold pagoda was carefully hidden in the lining. He left Hidden Ink Manor quietly without any attendants, like an ordinary traveling scholar.
According to the invitation, the Seven Absolutes Sect is located on the main peak of the Tianjue Mountains, three hundred miles away. Lin Mo traveled at a leisurely pace, traveling during the day and finding secluded places to meditate and regulate his breathing at night. At the same time, he constantly deduced the flow of the runes on the first layer of the sealing tower in his mind, as well as thinking about the possible information on the "trigger" for breaking the seal.
Along the way, he indeed sensed the increased tension in the martial arts world. Checkpoints were much tighter, and in taverns and teahouses, rumors of the robbery of the four great families' caravans and the Blood-Letter Soul-Chasing Order were rampant, with various speculations emerging. He also encountered several suspicious-looking individuals with sharp eyes, seemingly searching for something. However, Lin Mo's aura was restrained, and his appearance was ordinary, so he didn't attract any attention.
The closer they got to the Tianjue Mountains, the more martial arts figures they encountered—a diverse array of people: monks, laypeople, Taoists, and scholars, all wielding knives and swords, clearly all vying for the position of guest elder of the Seven Absolutes Sect. Some rode swiftly on horseback, some traveled in groups, and others, like Lin Mo, walked alone, most of them exchanging glances and wary glances.
At noon that day, Lin Mo stopped to rest at a roadside teahouse. The teahouse was simple, but it was now full of all sorts of wandering swordsmen, and the noise was deafening.
"...I heard that the Seven Absolutes Sect is being very generous this time, offering excellent treatment to their guest elders, including the opportunity to read their treasured collection of books!"
"Hmph, good benefits come with high requirements! The Seven Absolutes Sect is not so easy to enter. It is said that the assessment is extremely strict, and in previous years, less than one in ten people could pass."
"What's there to be afraid of? Fortune favors the bold! If I could become a guest elder of the Seven Absolutes Sect, who wouldn't give me face when I roam the martial world?"
"Heh heh, face? I think substance is more important! The martial arts resources of the Seven Absolutes Sect are what people really covet..."
The crowd was abuzz with discussion, all revolving around the recruitment of guest elders for the Seven Absolutes Sect.
Lin Mo sat alone in the corner, quietly drinking coarse tea, but his ears took in all the discussions around him. From these scattered pieces of information, he roughly understood that the Seven Absolutes Sect's guest elder assessment was not a fixed martial arts competition, but a comprehensive assessment of character, comprehension, wisdom and other aspects, and its form was unpredictable, which was in line with the saying that "only talent matters".
At that moment, the conversation of a few men in tight-fitting clothes at the next table caught his attention.
"Brother, if we all go together this time, we can look out for each other. Maybe we can even become guest retainers!" a burly man with a fierce face shouted.
The burly man at the head of the group sneered, "Third brother, you're dreaming. Being a guest elder of the Seven Absolutes Sect isn't so easy. I've heard that injuries and even deaths are common during the assessment process." He lowered his voice, "Moreover, I've heard rumors that this recruitment might not be so simple... It seems the four great families have also sent people, and they seem to have ulterior motives."
"The four great families? They already have enormous power; why would they bother vying for this guest minister position?"
"Who knows? Maybe they want to plant someone, or maybe they want to cause trouble... In any case, this time, the Seven Absolutes Mountain Gate is probably a den of dragons and tigers, and it won't be peaceful."
Lin Mo's heart stirred slightly. The four great families had also intervened? This was unexpected, yet upon reflection, it made sense. A force like the Seven Absolutes Sect couldn't possibly be ignored by the four great families. He just wondered if they were after the guest elder position itself, or… if it was related to the goods he had stolen? Unable to find the Blood-Letter Soul-Chasing Order, it was only natural that they would turn their attention to this grand event that had gathered forces from all sides.
This made him more vigilant, but also strengthened his resolve to go. The muddier the waters, the easier it is to fish. Moreover, if the four great families truly had ulterior motives, they might be able to find some clues about the sealing technique.
After resting, Lin Mo put down the money for tea, slung his book bag over his shoulder, and continued on his way. His figure in the blue robe appeared ordinary yet resolute on the dusty official road.
Target: Seven Absolutes Sect.