Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3286: Making A Fresh Batch Of Immortal Apple Wine

The beast puffed out his chest proudly. "Yes, Master! I thought you might want to make more wine when you returned. The apples were ripe every few months, so I gathered them and stored them here."

Lin Mu smiled, warmth flickering in his heart. "You’ve done well. These are perfect."

There were nearly ten barrels in total, more than enough to make several large batches of Immortal Apple Wine. The thought brought back old memories: the nights he had spent refining his brewing methods, the joy of sharing the first batch with his companions and the Saintess, the laughter that always followed.

He walked to the Immortal Apple Tree, resting his palm against its trunk. "Looks like we’ll be working together again," he said softly.

The tree rustled its branches in response, as if pleased.

Lin Mu picked the rest of the apples which were ready, growing his current stores further.

Then with a deep breath, Lin Mu began preparing the tools. He still could not channel his Qi properly, even in this form, so he had to rely on manual effort. Fortunately, Little Shrubby was more than eager to assist.

The two worked side by side under the tree’s vast shadow. Lin Mu cut the apples into neat slices while Little Shrubby used his immense strength to crush and press them. The rich, golden-red juice flowed into clay pots, shimmering with traces of spiritual energy.

It was hard work, but it was honest and familiar. Lin Mu found comfort in the rhythm of it, the gentle crunch of apples, the steady flow of juice, the scent of sweetness filling the air.

Within a few hours, they had finished pressing enough apples to fill twenty large pots with juice. Each pot emitted a faint glow, the Immortal Qi within the fruit already beginning to react.

Lin Mu wiped his brow and smiled in satisfaction. "This will be a fine batch. Once it ferments, it’ll be even stronger than before."

He and Little Shrubby carried the pots to a bamboo building. Lin Mu had built this structure long ago to serve as a place for the wine to age and ferment properly. The building still stood firm, though a new shoots had grown from its sides during his long absence.

"Huh... The Bamboo building is actually sprouting? Is it due to the rich qi, or due to the fact that these were made from Evergreen Pillar Bamboos." he wondered as he entered the building.

Inside, rows of old pots and barrels lined the walls, their lids sealed tight. The faint scent of aged wine filled the air, sweet and slightly tangy.

Lin Mu gently set the new pots in an empty section and smiled. "You’ve aged well." he said, patting one of the older barrels affectionately. "It’s time to share some of your flavor again."

He selected a few of the most mature pots and lifted them carefully. Though his strength here was far greater than in the real world, the weight of the pots still reminded him how long it had been since he was this weak.

Once he finished storing the new batch, his gaze drifted through the open doorway toward a distant area. Two small gravestones stood there, side by side, half surrounded by soft grass.

A quiet heaviness filled his heart.

He walked slowly toward them, each step filled with quiet reverence.

When he reached the graves, he knelt down and placed his hand on the smooth stone surface. The names etched there were familiar, Lin Dong and Lin Xuan, his parents. He had moved their graves here decades ago so that they could rest within the peaceful world he had created.

For a long moment, Lin Mu said nothing. He simply sat there, the wind brushing past him gently. Then, his voice broke the silence.

"Mother, Father... it’s been a while."

He spoke quietly, almost as if afraid to disturb the serenity around him. "The world is safe now. The battle is over. I... survived."

He told them everything.

He spoke of the Ephemera Tree, of the Saintess, of the Xian Sword Spirit and the blinding light that had ended it all. He talked about his long sleep, the people who had waited for him, the peace that had followed.

Hours passed as he spoke, his voice sometimes breaking, sometimes calm. The act of sharing, of speaking to them as if they were still there beside him, lifted a weight he had carried silently for years.

When he finally stopped, the air felt lighter. He bowed deeply before the graves, his forehead touching the grass.

"Thank you... for everything," he whispered. "I’ll keep walking forward. I promise."

He stood slowly, his gaze lingering on the graves one last time before turning back toward the apple grove. Little Shrubby waited nearby, his tail swaying lazily.

"Master," he said softly, "are you going back?"

Lin Mu nodded. "Yes. I’ve been gone long enough this time. Will you come with me?"

Little Shrubby shook his head. "Not yet. Ashy’s still cultivating, and if she wakes up alone, she’ll be anxious. I’ll stay here with her for now."

Lin Mu smiled. "Alright then. Keep her company. I’ll visit again soon."

He reached out to scratch Little Shrubby’s ear affectionately, then closed his eyes. The world of the Sleepscape shimmered around him, and in an instant, it faded away.

When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the Green Urim Peak, lying upon the soft lotus petal that served as his bed.

The first thing he saw was the faint golden light of the afternoon sun filtering through the clouds. At a nearby table made entirely of clouds sat the Saintess and the Lotus Spirit.

They were enjoying a quiet moment together, seated in elegant chairs shaped from mist. The table between them held two porcelain cups steaming with tea brewed from lotus petals, a favorite of the Lotus Spirit’s.

Lin Mu’s stirring caught their attention immediately. Both turned to look at him, their gazes soft and expectant.