Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3520: An Interesting Argument

Before Meng Bai could speak again, a low voice cut in.

Cattaleya.

"I can’t fully understand them," she said slowly, her eyes narrowed as she listened. "Their dialect is different from what I know. But I can catch pieces."

Lin Mu turned to her, surprised. "You understand beastkin languages?"

She shrugged. "Enough. Comes with how many places i’ve been to."

She tilted her head slightly, listening again. "They’re arguing about territory."

"Territory?" Meng Bai echoed.

"Yes," Cattaleya said. "Something about markings."

She paused, then frowned. "Wait... no. That phrasing is... strange."

Her lips twitched.

"...They are arguing about who marked whose territory yesterday."

She hesitated again.

"...Or who pissed where."

The words hung in the air.

Lin Mu stared.

Meng Bai’s mouth slowly opened, then closed.

Daoist Chu looked as if he had just swallowed something unpleasant.

Elyon rubbed his face with one hand, muttering, "I apologize on behalf of my kin."

Little Shrubby sniffed the air, then whispered, "That explains the smell."

Before the situation could spiral further into absurdity, the apekin escort stepped forward and slammed both fists against his chest.

DANGGGG

The sound echoed like thunder.

The arguing stopped abruptly.

All eyes finally turned toward the newcomers.

The chamber fell into a tense silence, broken only by the faint drip of water somewhere above and the distant sounds of the rainforest beyond the walls.

Lin Mu took the opportunity to properly observe the room.

There were nineteen beastkin seated in the circle, each clearly representing a different tribe.

Their auras varied, but all were powerful, steady, and deeply rooted. Most were at the Immortal Realm, ranging from the Fourth to Sixth Tribulation stages. These were not ordinary elders. They were the pillars of this sect.

And then there was the twentieth presence.

At the far end of the chamber, elevated slightly above the others, was a massive throne.

Or rather, a bed that had been roughly shaped into a throne.

Upon it lay a figure so large that the stone beneath him looked small by comparison.

The Bear King.

He was enormous. At least four meters tall even while reclining, his broad shoulders spreading across the throne like a fallen cliff. Thick brown fur covered his body, dense and matted in places, yet still radiating vitality. His chest rose and fell slowly, deeply, each breath heavy and steady.

Unlike most of the other beastkin, his face was surprisingly human in shape. The snout was shorter, the brow less pronounced. Only the slightly protruding mouth, sharp fangs, and the claws extending from his hands marked him unmistakably as a bear beastkin.

He was asleep.

Completely and utterly asleep.

One massive arm was draped lazily over the edge of the throne, claws scraping lightly against the stone floor every time he took a breath. A faint trail of golden liquid stained the corner of his mouth and his claws, and a soft, almost pleasant sweetness lingered in the air around him.

Little Shrubby sniffed again, eyes widening. "Honey."

Lin Mu nodded faintly. "It seems so."

The elders glanced toward their king, then back to Lin Mu’s group.

The boar beastkin elder, tusks chipped and eyes sharp, grunted. "You are the outsiders."

The leopard beastkin leaned back in his seat, tail curling. "And that beast," he added, pointing at Little Shrubby, "defeated Orgal."

Lin Mu was a bit surprised. It was clear that despite them ignoring them at first, they were certainly aware of the events that had happened..

The apekin escort stepped aside, gesturing toward Lin Mu. "They seek passage through our lands."

Several eyes flicked toward Lin Mu.

The serpent beastkin hissed softly. "They bring strength."

"And trouble," muttered a Leopardkin.

Cattaleya crossed her arms, her presence pressing outward unconsciously. Several elders noticed and shifted slightly in their seats.

Through it all, the Bear King continued to sleep.

Unbothered.

Unaware.

Or perhaps simply unconcerned.

Lin Mu stood calmly, hands clasped behind his back, waiting.

Whatever judgment awaited them would come soon.

And it would not be decided quietly.

The chamber remained heavy with silence after the elders’ words.

Lin Mu stood calmly, but even he could feel the faint tension coiling in the air like an unseen beast waiting to pounce. His companions remained still behind him, eyes moving subtly as they took in every detail of the elders and the massive, sleeping figure at the far end of the hall.

"We only seek passage," Lin Mu said again, his voice steady and respectful. "We have no enmity with the Dark Bear King Sect, nor do we wish to disturb your land."

Several elders exchanged glances.

The leopardkin elder clicked his tongue. "That may be so. But customs are customs."

The boarkin elder snorted. "One of our elders was defeated. That alone demands acknowledgment."

The apekin elder nodded. "You stand before the Elder Council now. But matters like this must be heard by the King."

Lin Mu followed their gazes toward the throne.

The Bear King still lay sprawled there, one massive arm dangling, chest rising and falling in a deep, unhurried rhythm. The faint scent of honey lingered in the air around him, oddly comforting despite the sheer pressure his presence radiated even while asleep.

Lin Mu sighed inwardly.

He had expected complications, but not... this.

"Very well," Lin Mu said after a brief pause. "We will speak."

That, apparently, was the signal.

Two of the elders rose from their seats and approached the throne. The leopardkin reached out first, nudging the Bear King’s shoulder with a clawed hand.

Nothing happened.

The Bear King continued sleeping, a low rumble escaping his throat.

The wolfkin elder frowned and stepped closer. "King."

He raised his voice. "Wake up."

Still nothing.

The boarkin elder snorted loudly and stomped a foot. The impact cracked the stone floor slightly.

DAM

No response.

Meng Bai leaned toward Elyon and whispered, "Is... is this normal?"

Elyon shrugged lightly. "For them? Possibly."

Cattaleya folded her arms, amused. "I’ve seen worse kings."

One of the apekin elders scratched his head, then looked toward the others. "We escalate."

Without further discussion, the elders began trying progressively more aggressive methods.