Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3616: Possible Mutation

Lin Mu nodded faintly.

The Foxkin were not beasts that could simply abandon their identity and evolve into something entirely new. Their existence was rooted in balance. Any drastic change would disrupt that equilibrium and potentially lead to collapse rather than advancement.

"Then that path is not viable," Lin Mu said.

"No," Xukong agreed. "They cannot walk the path of beasts."

Lin Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly as another thought formed.

"Then perhaps... they need to walk the path of humans instead."

The moment the words left his mouth, a brief silence followed.

Then Xukong gave a low hum of approval.

"That is the correct direction," he said. "While their bloodline has reached its limit, their cultivation has not. They are still capable of progressing through cultivation alone."

Lin Mu’s gaze sharpened.

"If they can reach the Celestial Realm..." he said.

"The shackle may no longer matter," Xukong finished.

The implication was clear.

At the level of Celestials, the constraints of bloodline diminished significantly. The body and soul underwent transformations that transcended ordinary limitations. If a Foxkin could reach that stage, the Bloodline Shackle would likely become irrelevant.

But even as the thought formed, Lin Mu’s expression grew more serious.

"That is not a solution for the race as a whole," he said.

"No," Xukong replied. "Only a fraction of a fraction would be able to achieve that. Perhaps a couple across hundreds of generations."

Lin Mu exhaled slowly.

"By then, their population would have already declined beyond recovery."

The Saintess spoke then, her voice calm yet thoughtful.

"There is another method," she said.

Lin Mu turned his attention toward her.

"Humans do not rely on bloodlines in most cases," she continued. "Their progression is primarily through cultivation. However, those who do possess bloodlines... in rare cases, they can evolve them."

Lin Mu listened closely.

"And how does that occur?" he asked.

"Mutation," the Saintess replied.

The word settled in the air.

Lin Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Mutation is not controlled," he said.

"Correct," she acknowledged. "It is often random. There are certain treasures, herbs, and environmental factors that can induce it, but the results are unpredictable."

She paused briefly before continuing.

"Even then, such resources are rare. They cannot be used on a large scale."

Lin Mu understood immediately. This was not a scalable solution. It might save a few individuals, but it would not save an entire race.

He fell into thought once more, his gaze drifting toward the black crystals.

"If mutation is the key," he said slowly, "then what we need is not a powerful mutation."

The Saintess tilted her head slightly.

"Explain what you’re thinking."

Lin Mu’s eyes sharpened.

"They do not need to become stronger," he said. "They do not need to surpass their current limits in terms of combat ability or bloodline purity."

He paused briefly.

"They only need to resolve the fertility issue."

The realization settled clearly.

This was not a problem of strength.

It was a problem of continuation.

If the Bloodline Shackle could be altered, even slightly, in a way that restored balance to their reproductive capability, then the crisis could be mitigated.

"A controlled mutation," Lin Mu said. "One that does not disrupt their identity, but adjusts the imbalance."

Xukong gave a thoughtful hum.

"To achieve that," he said, "you would require energy that is both potent and adaptable."

Lin Mu nodded.

"And it cannot be violent," Xukong added. "Aggressive energies would destabilize the bloodline further. What you need is something gentle. Something that can nurture change rather than force it."

Lin Mu’s mind immediately began searching for such an energy. One that would be gentle, and in abundance, yet being adaptable. His thoughts moved quickly through the various energies he had encountered.

Then, a realization struck him.

His eyes flickered slightly.

"There is something," Lin Mu said.

Both Xukong and the Saintess turned their attention toward him.

"The energy of this forest," Lin Mu continued. "The same energy that permeates the Heart of the Mother Forest. The energy that I can utilize through the Healing Heart Sutra."

He paused briefly.

"Nature energy."

The chamber grew quiet.

Xukong considered it.

"It is indeed gentle," he said. "And abundant. It supports life, encourages growth, and promotes balance."

The Saintess remained silent, her attention focused.

"It aligns well with their environment," Lin Mu added. "They have lived here for generations. Their bodies are already adapted to it."

Xukong did not immediately agree.

"That may also be the problem," he said after a moment.

Lin Mu frowned slightly.

"What do you mean, Senior?"

Xukong’s voice carried a thoughtful tone.

"If they have lived in this environment for so long, then it is possible that this very energy contributed to the formation of the Bloodline Shackle."

Lin Mu stilled.

"The same energy that nurtured their growth... may have also reinforced their limits."

The implication was unsettling.

Nature energy had strengthened them.

Refined them over time and even stabilized their bloodlines.

And in doing so...

It may have prevented the variation needed to avoid the accumulation of the shackle.

Lin Mu fell silent.

The idea made sense.

Too much stability and too much refinement which left no room for change.

For the first time since he began to discuss, uncertainty crept into his thoughts.

"If that is the case," he said slowly, "then relying solely on nature energy may not be enough."

"Or worse," Xukong added, "it could reinforce the problem."

Silence followed.

Then, the Saintess spoke again.

"There may be another option."

Lin Mu turned to her.

"The Beast Qi you possess," she said.

Lin Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Beast Qi?"

"You have used it before," she continued. "To nurture your companions. To accelerate their growth."

Her gaze seemed to deepen slightly.

"You allowed the Yin Yang Twin Serpents to hatch far earlier than they were meant to."

Lin Mu’s thoughts immediately shifted to Xiao Yin and Xiao Yang.

"They were not supposed to exist yet," the Saintess said. "Their emergence required the prior birth of multiple ancestral serpents. And yet... you bypassed that requirement."

Lin Mu understood what she was implying.

"I altered their development," he said.

"Yes," the Saintess replied. "Through Beast Qi."