Chapter 3655: Meeting The Dwarven Council

Lin Mu raised his hand.

Immortal Qi gathered at his fingertips and he traced a symbol in the air. The lines formed with precision, glowing faintly as they took shape.

A sigil that was recognizable and clearly dwarven in origin. The moment it was completed, the dwarf’s expression changed and surprise flashed across his face.

"A Rune Dwarf sigil of trust?" he said, his voice lowering slightly.

Lin Mu nodded.

"Indeed," he replied.

He met the dwarf’s gaze steadily.

"Borin Flamebraid. Grundar Brightsteel. Dorgun Smokeless. Thalgar Ironfuse. Rikkan Emberetch," Lin Mu said, listing the names clearly.

"They were the ones who guided me here."

Silence followed.

The surrounding dwarves exchanged glances.

The tension shifted.

Curiosity deepened.

And the situation...

Changed.

An hour later, Lin Mu and his companions found themselves escorted deep into the heart of Mantleheim. The path they followed wound through wide stone streets and across bridges of metal that spanned glowing rivers of lava.

The further they went, the quieter the surroundings became. The constant clang of hammers and heated debates gradually faded, replaced by a more solemn atmosphere that hinted at authority and power.

They finally arrived at a grand structure that stood apart from the rest.

Even among the towering forges and fortified halls of the dwarves, this building commanded attention. It was vast, easily one of the largest constructions on the island, yet it carried an elegance that distinguished it from the purely functional nature of the other structures.

Its walls were carved from dark stone veined with metal, polished to a subtle sheen that reflected the ambient glow of the lava outside. Intricate dwarven patterns adorned its surfaces, not overly decorative, but deliberate and meaningful.

"This is their council hall," Jing Wei said quietly as they approached.

Lin Mu nodded, already sensing the powerful presences within.

They stepped inside.

The interior opened into a massive chamber that resembled a royal court. The ceiling rose high above them, supported by thick pillars etched with runes. The air felt heavy, dense with energy and authority. At the far end of the chamber, a raised platform held a semicircle of seats.

Twelve dwarves sat there.

Four from each of the three major dwarven races.

The Fireforge Dwarves, their bodies radiating a faint heat, their red beards carrying hints of ember-like glow.

The Mountain Dwarves, broader and sturdier, their presence grounded and immovable, as if they were extensions of the earth itself.

And the Rune Dwarves, their forms slightly leaner, their eyes sharper, faint metallic energy coursing subtly around them.

These dwarves were older.

That much was clear immediately.

Their hair carried streaks of white, their expressions seasoned with years of experience. Yet age had not weakened them. If anything, it had refined them.

Lin Mu’s senses brushed against their auras.

And he understood.

Each of them was powerful.

Three among them stood out even more.

One from each race.

From the Fireforge Dwarves, a blazing presence, intense and controlled, like a furnace held in perfect balance.

From the Mountain Dwarves, a deep and steady force, vast and unmoving, like a mountain that had stood for millennia.

From the Rune Dwarves, a sharp and refined energy, metallic and precise, layered with experience of tens of thousands of years of formation making.

These were all transcendents.

Lin Mu recognized it immediately.

Jing Wei stepped forward, his posture respectful.

He bowed slightly.

"Elders," he began, his tone formal. "I have brought guests."

The reaction was immediate.

Frowns formed across the faces of the twelve dwarves. Their eyes turned toward Lin Mu and the others. There was no warmth in their gaze. Only scrutiny and displeasure.

Jing Wei continued, explaining how Lin Mu had arrived, how the Rune Dwarves had guided him, and how he had come seeking the dwarves for forging assistance.

The moment he finished, the chamber erupted.

"Audacious!" one of the Fireforge elders roared, his voice echoing like thunder.

"To think a human would dare demand such a thing!" another added, his beard bristling with agitation.

"You think we are still bound to serve humans?" a Mountain Dwarf elder growled, his voice deep and heavy. "That we are their slaves?"

The air shook with their voices.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

Meng Bai flinched instinctively, taking a step back as the sheer force of their presence pressed against him. Cattaleya narrowed her eyes, her stance steady, though she did not intervene.

Daoist Chu remained calm, observing carefully. Elyon also kept a calm demeanor, though his senses were already covering the place and his Darkness affinity finding all means of escape.

Lin Mu, however, did not move.

He stood firm and unaffected. He listened to their words without interruption, his expression composed.

Then he cupped his fists and bowed.

The action was simple but respectful. Without hesitation or arrogance. At the same time, with a flick of his sleeve, several large barrels appeared before the elders.

They landed with a solid thud.

"As per your customs, please accept these as a greeting gift," Lin Mu said calmly.

His voice carried clearly through the chamber, steady and unshaken.

"I will leave if my presence displeases you," he added.

The dwarves paused.

Their anger did not vanish immediately. But something shifted. Their eyes moved toward the barrels. Even though the containers were sealed tightly, a faint aroma escaped.

It was sweet, fruity and rich. It carried a subtle complexity that lingered in the air.

The dwarves inhaled and their expressions changed. Curiosity replaced hostility and without a word, all twelve elders stood.

They approached the barrels.

There was one for each of them.

They did not hesitate.

Fists slammed down.

CRACK!

Each dwarf punched a hole through the top of their barrel with ease.

Then, as if by shared instinct, they lifted the barrels and tilted them.

They drank.

Deep.

Heavy gulps.

The liquid flowed freely.

GLUG GLUG GLUG

And the moment it touched their tongues...

Their eyes widened.

The Immortal Apple Wine revealed itself fully.

Its taste spread across their senses, light and refreshing, yet layered with richness. The fruity notes danced across their palates, accompanied by a subtle effervescence that elevated the experience further.

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