Chapter 3675: Pursuing The Omnicore Ascendency Technique

Unlike what Lin Mu thought, the Elders’ laughter was not in mockery, but in genuine amusement.

"Compensate us?" the Fireforge Elder repeated.

"You misunderstand," another elder said, shaking his head.

"What you have brought us is beyond price," the Rune Dwarf Elder added.

The Mountain Dwarf Elder stepped forward, his voice firm.

"You are not asking for a favor," he said. "You are giving us an opportunity."

Lin Mu blinked slightly.

The elder continued.

"This material," he gestured toward the husk, "is something none of us have ever worked with before. The knowledge we gain from this will not belong to us alone."

He looked toward the Dao Forge.

"It will become part of our legacy," he said. "It will be recorded in our libraries. It will guide generations of Dwarves to come."

The Fireforge Elder grinned broadly.

"You are not paying us," he said. "You are letting us write history and a new Chapter in Dwarven Forging Techniques."

Lin Mu fell silent.

He had not expected that response.

The Rune Dwarf Elder nodded.

"We will provide everything you need," he said. "As much as you require."

Another elder added,

"If anything, we should be the ones thanking you."

Lin Mu took a slow breath.

He felt the weight of their words.

This was no longer just about forging a weapon.

It had become something larger.

A shared endeavor.

He straightened slightly and nodded.

"Then I will not waste this chance," he said.

The Fireforge Elder clapped his hands once, the sound echoing sharply.

"Good!" he said. "We begin immediately."

The elders moved at once.

Orders were issued.

Messages were sent.

Within a short time, the vast resources of Mantleheim began to mobilize.

Lin Mu watched as preparations were set in motion.

Deep within his mind, his thoughts were already aligned with his plan.

The Omnicore Ascendancy Technique.

His Water core had already shown him the path.

Now, he would complete the others.

Fire.

Metal.

Earth.

With those cores formed, his understanding of the corresponding Daos would rise dramatically.

And with that...

He would stand beside the elders as an equal in this process.

Lin Mu closed his eyes briefly, centering himself.

When he opened them again, there was no hesitation left.

Only resolve.

The decision having been made, the group did not linger within the Dao Forge realm any longer than necessary.

The elders understood that there was nothing more to be done until Lin Mu completed his preparations, and Lin Mu himself knew that staying there would serve no purpose. The husk floated silently within the forge’s domain, untouched and waiting, as if aware that the next stage would decide everything.

They exited through the spatial gate together, the transition from the dense Dao-filled realm to the structured environment of Mantleheim feeling almost abrupt. The oppressive presence of pure Dao Traces faded, replaced by the familiar heat of the dwarven settlement and the rhythmic echoes of forging that never truly ceased.

Before parting ways, the elders gathered around Lin Mu one last time.

"We will have everything ready within the day," the Rune Dwarf Transcendent said.

"Take what time you need," the Fireforge Elder added. "Do not rush this."

The Mountain Dwarf Elder simply gave a firm nod, his expression steady.

Lin Mu acknowledged them with equal seriousness.

"I will not waste this opportunity," he said.

With that, they dispersed.

Lin Mu turned and made his way back toward the section of Mantleheim where his companions were staying.

The familiar paths of stone and metal stretched before him, filled with dwarves going about their work. Sparks flew from open forges, molten metal flowed through carved channels like rivers, and the scent of heated ore filled the air.

It was a place of relentless activity, yet it felt grounded, almost reassuring after the intensity of the Dao Forge.

When Lin Mu arrived, his companions quickly gathered around him. They had already heard that something significant was underway, and the moment they saw his expression, they knew there was more to it.

He did not keep them waiting.

Lin Mu gave them a clear and concise explanation of what had happened within the Dao Forge, the limitations they had encountered, and the solution he intended to pursue. As he spoke, their reactions varied from surprise to excitement, though none of them doubted his decision.

"So you’re going to form two more Dao Embryos," Daoist Chu said, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"And improve your comprehension of the elements as well," Elyon added, his eyes narrowing slightly as he grasped the implications.

Lin Mu nodded.

"Yes," he said. "If I succeed, it will not only solve the current problem, it will also strengthen me significantly."

Meng Bai stepped forward, his expression filled with both admiration and a hint of guilt.

"Master..." he began, hesitating slightly before continuing. "Thank you."

Lin Mu looked at him, a faint smile forming.

"There is no need for that," he replied.

Meng Bai shook his head.

"There is," he insisted. "You are doing all this... and part of it is for me too."

His gaze drifted briefly, as if imagining the weapon that would eventually be forged from the husk.

"I won’t waste this," he said firmly. "I’ll train harder. I’ll study more. I won’t fall behind."

Lin Mu could see the determination in his eyes.

"That is enough," he said.

Meng Bai nodded, then added with a bit more enthusiasm,

"The dwarves have already given me access to their library. I’ve started studying body cultivation techniques and formation arrays. There’s a lot I can learn here."

Daoist Chu gave an approving nod.

"That is a rare opportunity," he said. "Make full use of it."

Before Meng Bai could respond further, Cattaleya stepped forward with a grin.

"And don’t worry," she said, cracking her knuckles lightly. "I’ll make sure your training is... thorough."

Meng Bai froze.

A visible shiver ran through him.

"I suddenly feel like I should spend more time in the library," he muttered.

Cattaleya laughed.

"That won’t save you."