The schedule of the Grand Competition advanced ruthlessly through round after round of flesh-and-blood meat grinders.
When the outside world was boiling over the upcoming "Top 4 Battles," and countless clansmen were squeezing heads to grab a good viewing spot, Lin Mu uncharacteristically did not go to the martial arts square to watch the matches.
Inside the Steward cubicle on the second floor of the External Affairs Hall, sunlight spilled through the window lattice onto a thick ledger.
Lin Mu leaned back in the grand armchair, a fine brush in hand. With a calm expression, he drew a heavy "X" over a certain line in the ledger.
That line recorded a heavy bet he had placed in the early stages of the Grand Competition, betting on Punishment Hall's Lin Yan to "enter the Top 3."
"In a competition format with such strong random draw elements, luck is sometimes more fatal than strength."
Looking at that red cross on the ledger, Lin Mu's heart did not stir a single ripple.
A fierce general like Lin Yan, whose hard strength could absolutely rank in the top three, was unfortunately and stiflingly stopped at the Top 8 because he consecutively crashed into the two hardest bones—Lin Ze and Lin Feng—failing to even display his peak state.
In contrast, the other inner sect disciples who squeezed into the Top 8... if they truly fought a desperate battle with real swords and spears, they probably couldn't even take three moves from Lin Yan in his prime.
But relying on good draw luck, they dodged the seed candidates all the way and mixed their way up.
This was the reality and cruelty of the Gu Dao world.
Regarding the loss of this heavy bet, Lin Mu, as a rational "dealer," behaved exceptionally "normal and calm."
He didn't beat his chest, stomp his feet, or cry out in pain like those gamblers, nor did he condescendingly mock Lin Yan for being trash. Because in Lin Mu's logic, this money didn't just buy odds; it bought his probing of the bottom-line strength of the several major seed candidates.
"I'll just treat it as the sunk cost of early intelligence gathering."
Lin Mu closed the ledger and stuffed it back into the secret compartment. With his currently accumulated abundant net worth, this loss was completely within an acceptable range; it didn't even scratch his fur.
The reason he didn't go observe the Top 4 battles was that in his heart, the candidates for the finals had long been devoid of suspense.
Lin Feng and Lin Xue—these two high mountains with deep foundations could absolutely not be shaken by those inner sect disciples who mixed their way up on luck.
Therefore, Lin Mu transferred all his energy in advance to the final assessment of the Grand Competition—the "Field Survival Trial."
He pulled out a detailed rulebook regarding the trial from the corner of his desk and began to dismantle it using an extremely pragmatic underlying logic.
[Trial Location]: A designated, cordoned-off "Trial Zone" near Black Blood Stockade.
[Time Limit]: Three days and three nights.
[Objective]: Using the squads formed around the Top 8 captains as units, bring back the highest-value resources. The captain of the squad with the highest points will be the champion of this Grand Competition. Resource acquisition methods include: hunting demon beasts, gathering spirit herbs, and... robbing others.
"Robbing others."
Lin Mu's finger tapped heavily twice on this phrase, a cold sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.
Although the last line of the rules was written in eye-catching red characters: "Sparing among clansmen, causing death is prohibited," in Lin Mu's eyes, this was just a fig leaf.
This kind of field trial that allowed robbing and lacked real-time referee monitoring had always been a disaster zone for bloodshed among major clans.
The so-called hidden rule of "causing death is prohibited," in the eyes of Demonic Path walkers, was actually plain talk for:
"As long as you aren't discovered, or if you do the deed cleanly enough to leave no ironclad proof for others to grasp, the clan higher-ups will turn a blind eye to maintain the victor's prestige."
Having clarified the rules of the game, Lin Mu's tactical demands also became extremely clear.
He didn't care if Lin Feng could take first place. He cared about those high-level resources dropped into the Trial Zone.
Especially the "Rank 2 Demon Beasts" mentioned in the rules.
"The wild Gu worms parasitic on Rank 2 demon beasts, along with their Rank 2 materials, are exactly the core resources I currently need most urgently to break through my combat power bottleneck and fuse Rank 2 Gu worms."
A trace of greed flashed in Lin Mu's eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by rationality.
"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. Since I'm going into the mountain to hunt, I must first figure out the background of the hunting ground."
Mind made up, Lin Mu changed into casual clothes and quietly left the External Affairs Hall.
To ensure nothing went wrong, he decided to personally go to the periphery of the Trial Zone to scout the location, wanting to see the terrain trends or find loopholes in the defense line to fish in troubled waters.
However, when he arrived at the mountain forest on the periphery of the Trial Zone, he helplessly found that he had overthought it.
The clan's emphasis on this Grand Competition far exceeded his imagination.
Not only was a long thorn cordon set up on the periphery, but the open and hidden sentries were layered upon layers. As Lin Mu approached slightly, he felt a massive number of Rank 1 Gu worms used for reconnaissance lurking among the surrounding trees.
Furthermore, on the cliffs higher up, he even faintly sensed the Primeval Essence fluctuations belonging to Rank 2 experts.
The defense line was like an iron bucket.
"No good. Can't get in."
Lin Mu stopped a hundred paces away from the cordon, pragmatically choosing to give up.
He didn't forcefully act tough and try to barge in. He clearly recognized that with his current concealment methods, attempting to sneak in without alerting the clan higher-ups was too difficult.
Once exposed, not only would his skin as an "External Affairs Hall Steward" not be preserved, but it would also invite endless trouble. The risk and reward were completely disproportionate.
"Since forcing my way in won't work, I can only find another way to extract internal intelligence."
Lin Mu shook his head, preparing to turn and retreat.
Just then, a slight commotion came from the cordon ahead.
A figure wearing rough servant clothes, carrying an empty wooden bucket, was walking leisurely out from the internal passage of the Trial Zone. While walking, this person impatiently complained about something to the guards.
Lin Mu looked closely, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
An acquaintance.
The former academy bully, now a front desk clerk at the External Affairs Hall—Lin Qiang.
Looking at this setup, he was clearly temporarily drafted here as a servant to do pre-match preparations or drop bait inside the Trial Zone.
Lin Mu's eyes rolled. He didn't choose to play god and devil to intimidate the other party. Instead, he walked out openly from behind his hiding tree.
"Clerk Lin Qiang, working hard."
Lin Mu clasped his hands behind his back, assuming the natural posture of an "External Affairs Hall colleague," smiling as he went up to greet him.
Lin Qiang, full of complaints, was startled by this sudden voice. He looked up sharply.
When he saw the arrival was Lin Mu, his originally impatient expression instantly changed like a Sichuan opera face-changing act, piling up with fawning and flattery.
"Aiyo! Brother Mu! Steward Mu! How did you stroll over to this barren wilderness?"
Lin Qiang rushed forward in three steps blending into two, nodding and bowing. He even imperceptibly hid the blood-stained wooden bucket in his hand behind his back.
After all, Lin Mu was now a Steward of the External Affairs Hall, and even more so a favorite beside Young Master Lin Feng. Even if you gave Lin Qiang ten guts, he wouldn't dare act rashly like before.
"Nothing to do, just taking a walk."
Lin Mu's expression was normal. He pointed toward the Trial Zone, probing with a casual tone, "What, preparations inside are almost done? I heard this trial is a big deal. I was just wondering if I could use my Steward's waist token to go in and broaden my horizons in advance."
Hearing this, Lin Qiang's face instantly turned somewhat bitter, waving his hands repeatedly:
"Aiyo, my Brother Mu, you absolutely cannot do that!"
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to explain: "You are currently officially reported on Young Master Lin Feng's list of 'Participating Squad Members'! The Imperial Guards have given a death order: to avoid suspicion, before the trial officially begins, all participating personnel—even if the Heavenly King Laozi came—are absolutely not allowed to step half a pace inside!"
"I see. Then I was abrupt."
Lin Mu shook his head with feigned regret, seemingly feeling it was a great pity he couldn't go in.
Seeing Lin Mu wasn't angry, Lin Qiang's eyes spun around. He suddenly felt this was an excellent opportunity to "curry favor."
He looked left and right. Confirming the surrounding guards couldn't hear, he leaned a bit closer to Lin Mu. His voice lowered to the extreme, mysteriously dropping a bombshell:
"Brother Mu, it's fine if you can't go in. I'll give you the bottom line. For this trial, the clan really invested heavy capital!"
"Oh?" Lin Mu raised his eyebrows. "How so?"
"Just now, when I was dropping blood food bait inside, I saw it with my own eyes!"
Lin Qiang swallowed a mouthful of saliva, a trace of fear still lingering in his eyes.
"Besides those ordinary Rank 1 demon beasts, they actually dropped a true Rank 2 Beast King inside! And I heard those Internal Affairs Hall stewards responsible for the setup say privately... the Gu worm parasitic on that Beast King is a top-tier good item personally placed by Lord Patriarch Lin Cang! It seems to be a rare Rank 2 Gu!"
Crucial intelligence!
Hearing these words, Lin Mu's pupils contracted violently. His heart instantly realized the truth.
"So that's how it is! This is the true test of the trial!"
Lin Mu calculated rapidly in his mind.
"The clan has presented a massive dilemma to the eight squads. Play it safe and steady, relying on hunting ordinary Rank 1 demon beasts to earn secure basic points? Or risk the entire squad being wiped out by the Rank 2 Beast King to gamble on that top-tier Gu worm personally placed by the Patriarch and the heaven-shaking returns?"
This extremely tested the captain's decision-making ability, greed level, and control over the situation.
Lin Mu's heart settled greatly. With this intelligence, he could conceive targeted tactics in advance, and even seize the initiative during the squad's decision-making.
"This news is indeed valuable."
Lin Mu glanced at Lin Qiang, whose face was full of anticipation, waiting for praise. He didn't freeload the intelligence.
Instead, he very astutely fished out two fragmented Primeval Stones from his chest and imperceptibly stuffed them into Lin Qiang's hand.
"Brother Lin Qiang, you've worked hard. On such a hot day, take this to drink some tea and moisten your throat." Lin Mu patted his shoulder, his tone gentle.
Feeling the two cold Primeval Stones in his palm, Lin Qiang was so excited he nearly jumped up. This wasn't just money; it was recognition from this "Favorite Steward"!
"Aiyo! Many thanks for Brother Mu's reward! Take care, Brother Mu! If you have any errands in the future, it's just a word from you!"
Lin Qiang nodded and bowed, seeing Lin Mu off, falling just short of kneeling down.
Lin Mu waved his hand and turned to leave, playing worldly wisdom and system methods to sheer perfection.
...
When he returned to the Silent Stone District, the sky was approaching dusk.
Just as he pushed open the courtyard door, he heard the latest battle reports from a few colleagues chatting next door.
Unsurprising match results.
"Did you hear? The Top 4 battles are over! Young Master Lin Feng and Senior Sister Lin Xue simply chopped melons and cut vegetables, both beating their opponents into submission!"
"Too strong! I really want to see who is superior if these two face off!"
Listening to his colleagues' excited discussions, Lin Mu's hand pushing the door paused slightly.
He looked up toward the direction of the martial arts square. The setting sun was like blood, dyeing half the sky crimson.
The highly anticipated "Clash of the Two Kings" was about to begin.