Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 2 Chapter 26: Illness

Until the Cavern Heaven event concluded, neither Lin Jing nor the Pine Leaf Mouse managed to break through to the Eleventh Stage of Qi Refinement. Instead, the Ice Soul Gu reached that level ahead of them both.

This situation demonstrated that the Ice Soul Gu’s innate talent far exceeded that of Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse.

For someone with the Longevity Body, breaking through remained exceptionally difficult. If Lin Jing had a different physique, he might have already reached the Eleventh or even Twelfth Stage by now. However, opportunities still lay ahead.

Having emerged from the Cavern Heaven, Lin Jing speculated that since he had contracted the Ice Soul Gu and the Pine Leaf Mouse, their eventual breakthroughs to Foundation Establishment would provide him with significant spiritual energy feedback. That energy could potentially push him further in his cultivation.

After stepping out, Lin Jing didn’t bother hiding his cultivation level. He openly displayed his and the Pine Leaf Mouse’s realms, seeing this as an opportunity to draw attention to his training in the Hidden Dragon Arts.

“Even his pet beasts… have reached the Tenth Stage of Qi Refinement?” The surrounding cultivators were astonished, completely unprepared for such a development.

Xu Zhizhi and Gao Sheng stared at Lin Jing in shock. How? How did this guy get to the Tenth Stage?!

Meanwhile, Wang Xiao and Chen Lingxi found their once-dominant auras overshadowed by Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse.

Even Wang Xiao’s father and the Divine Talisman Sect elder, both Great Perfection Nascent Soul powerhouses, observed Lin Jing with serious expressions.

“Who is this boy?”

“Could it be…” Only Gao Sheng seemed to piece something together, gaining a faint understanding of the situation.

Facing the astonished and puzzled crowd, Lin Jing stepped forward and addressed Cao Ziwei, “Chief Examiner, I exhausted myself using secret arts within the mystic realm and am temporarily unable to oversee the remainder of the assessment. I need to return to my cave dwelling to recover.”

Cao Ziwei nodded, noticing Lin Jing’s weakened state. Judging by his and the Pine Leaf Mouse’s cultivation levels, it was clear that they must have used some extraordinary methods to hunt down the numerous Dragon-Phoenix projections.

“Go ahead.”

With Cao Ziwei’s approval, Lin Jing cupped his fists to the crowd, then took to the air and flew back to his cave dwelling. Having gained fame as a Beast Tamer who, along with his contracted beast, had both reached the Tenth Stage, there was no need to continue the assessment.

Upon returning to his cave dwelling, Lin Jing immediately leapt into the furnace, startling the drowsy Dragon Carp within.

Seeing Lin Jing return after several days, the Dragon Carp was both happy and confused.

What’s wrong with my Beast Tamer? Why is he diving into my tank? Doesn’t he know it’s hot?!

“This feels much better.” Immersed in the furnace, Lin Jing instantly felt his body warming up. The Ice Soul Gu’s breakthrough to the Eleventh Stage had fed back an overwhelming amount of ice-attribute spiritual energy. While this greatly enhanced Lin Jing’s cultivation, it also made his Ice Soul Physique even colder.

After days of frequently using icy powers, Lin Jing could no longer tolerate the cold. All he wanted now was to burrow into the warmth of the furnace and escape the freezing environment.

The Dragon Scales Fire, a top-tier beast flame, was truly remarkable. Even though the Dragon Carp’s cultivation level wasn’t high, its flames were already capable of alleviating the burden of Lin Jing’s Ice Soul Physique.

Lin Jing ended up staying in the Hundred Beast Cauldron for an entire week, falling into a deep sleep and slowly digesting his gains.

As for the Dragon Carp, it soon learned from the Pine Leaf Mouse that it had missed the Cavern Heaven event and that the second contract position had been taken by the Ice Soul Gu. The news hit it like a thunderbolt on a sunny day.

“!!!” The Dragon Carp was utterly devastated. I was supposed to be second!

“…Well,” Lin Jing attempted to console it. Actually, the Ice Soul Gu was technically second, and that’s the only reason I brought you back as the third contract in the first place…

Hearing this, the Dragon Carp’s body turned pale, and a ghostly fire surrounded it. Though it hadn’t yet become a Gu, it began harboring hostility toward the Ice Soul Gu. Taking Lin Jing’s suggestion, it started rigorously training its fire control abilities, determined to prove to the Ice Soul Gu that it was superior.

I am the real Number Two.

Watching the Dragon Carp dedicate itself to cultivation, Lin Jing nodded in satisfaction, feeling like he had accomplished something entirely pointless as a Beast Tamer. ŖÀΝɵΒÊṣ

A week later, Lin Jing woke up.

“You’re awake?” A cheerful voice greeted him as soon as he opened his eyes.

“Quite the harvest, huh, kid?”

“Senior Divine Pine?” Lin Jing immediately recognized the voice and asked, “Why have you come to the academy?”

“The Cavern Heaven appeared—how could I not pay attention?!” The Divine Pine replied irritably. “Tenth Stage of Qi Refinement, and you even contracted the Ice Soul Gu beforehand. Not bad at all, kid.”

Lin Jing smiled wryly. “It was a matter of necessity, Senior. Opportunities within the Cavern Heaven are rare; I couldn’t afford to let them slip by.”

“Well done!” The Divine Pine praised him. “The news of you and your contracted beasts breaking through to the Tenth Stage alongside Chen Lingxi and Wang Xiao is already spreading like wildfire, making you famous. If people knew you also contracted an Eleventh Stage Ice Soul Gu… haha, their reactions would be priceless!”

“But it’s better this way. No one knowing about your Ice Soul Gu is a good thing. Always keep a few cards up your sleeve. Don’t worry—unless an immoral Nascent Soul cultivator specializing in spiritual sense forcibly breaks through the seal on your body to probe your secrets, no one will find out about it.”

As the Divine Pine finished speaking, Lin Jing glanced at the back of his hand, where the Fortune Dragon’s color had turned to violet-gold. It had reached the pinnacle of its first stage, just shy of transforming into a golden dragon. His secret art was close to perfection.

“Although you didn’t complete the academy assessment or defeat the Heavenly God Physique in front of everyone, the fact that all three of you reached the Tenth Stage of Qi Refinement in the Cavern Heaven is far more significant than any academy test.”

“The Heavenly God Physique cultivator continued the assessment after emerging from the Cavern Heaven. With his Tenth Stage cultivation, he defeated the Foundation Establishment swordsman and gained widespread fame. But your reputation is no less. Not only did you defeat Chen Lingxi, who also reached the Tenth Stage, but both you and your beasts reached the Tenth Stage together—a feat most can’t even dream of.”

“Now, everyone is debating who is stronger— you or Wang Xiao, the Heavenly God Physique cultivator. Let the rumors spread a little longer. There’s no rush to fight him. Wait until his reputation grows even more; defeating him then will bring you even greater renown. For now, your fame is already enough to fuel your cultivation.”

"Thank you, Senior Divine Pine," Lin Jing said, bowing in gratitude. He could tell that Senior Divine Pine had been guarding him during his recovery.

Divine Pine waved him off. “Enough of that! It looks like someone’s here to see you. This time, I won’t interfere!” With that, the Divine Pine disappeared from the academy, leaving Lin Jing to handle the visitor outside his cave dwelling.

Standing there was a young man in black robes.

“Brother Lin!” Gao Sheng called from outside. “I brought some exquisite dishes made from advanced yang-attribute and fire-attribute spiritual beasts, specially prepared by Xianke Lai’s chefs. How are you feeling? May I come in?”

The door to the cave dwelling opened, and Gao Sheng entered, only to see Lin Jing climbing out of the furnace.

“Brother Lin!” Gao Sheng grinned knowingly. “Congratulations on reaching the Tenth Stage of Qi Refinement! You must’ve relied on that thing’s power in the Cavern Heaven, right?”

“Yes,” Lin Jing admitted, nodding. “Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to take down so many Dragon-Phoenix projections.”

“Lucky you,” Gao Sheng said with envy. “Even though I came ‘well-prepared,’ I was still a step away from the Tenth Stage. This garbage mortal physique of mine holds me back. I can’t wait to reach Foundation Establishment and develop an acquired cultivation physique.”

Lin Jing smiled faintly, and Gao Sheng continued. “Oh, by the way, my grand-uncle sent me a message. He asked me to tell you that the doors of the Demon-Slaying Bureau are always open to you. You don’t need to worry about the Ice Soul Gu. Currently, only my grand-uncle, Sister Feng, and I know about it.

“Even the City Lord of Snow Moon has had his memory of the Ice Soul Gu erased by my grand-uncle. The whole Snow Moon incident has been written off as the work of a rogue practitioner from the Gu God Cult.”

Gao Sheng pulled out a white token and handed it to Lin Jing. “This is a special token from the Demon-Slaying Bureau. With this, even if you use the Ice Soul Gu, you’ll be under official protection and won’t be treated as a demonic cultivator. If you ever face pursuit from righteous cultivators, just show this token.”

“Thank you…” Lin Jing accepted the token with genuine gratitude.

“What are you thanking me for?” Gao Sheng laughed. “Once you and your beasts reach Foundation Establishment, we’ll be teaming up to crack cases for the Demon-Slaying Bureau!” From his storage pouch, Gao Sheng pulled out a table full of dishes and wine.

“You’re just worried that if I use the Ice Soul Gu to solve a case, you’ll get dragged into trouble with me,” Lin Jing retorted dryly.

“…Maybe,” Gao Sheng admitted with a sheepish grin.

“Fine.” Lin Jing, looking at the spread of food and the special token, nodded and said, “Wait until you reach Foundation Establishment.”

Though Lin Jing agreed, he figured his own breakthrough to Foundation Establishment would take quite some time. With his lifespan extended yet again, he planned to spend at least ten years calmly studying at the academy before considering his next step.

“Eat and drink!” Lin Jing grabbed a chicken leg and stuffed it into his mouth—only to gag immediately. He spat the bite out, spraying it all over Gao Sheng’s face.

“What is this? It’s so disgusting!” Lin Jing exclaimed.

“Huh?” Gao Sheng wasn’t angry but rather stunned. “That’s impossible! I spent a fortune at Xianke Lai to have their top chef prepare this—it’s guaranteed to suppress the effects of the Ice Soul Gu!”

Gao Sheng picked up a chicken leg and took a bite. “It’s not that bad.”

Lin Jing, reluctantly taking another bite, gagged again and spat it out. It tasted unbearable, and he couldn’t swallow it.

“I must be sick,” Lin Jing said, feeling nauseous. “Cold and heat really don’t mix well…”

“Oh no!” Gao Sheng suddenly looked regretful. “I think I know what’s happening. You’ve been exposed to the taste of Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow too many times in the Cavern Heaven, and now your sense of taste has mutated! That flavor has completely warped your palate!”

Gao Sheng sighed. “I grew up eating delicacies, so I’m less affected. But you… well…”

Lin Jing’s vision darkened. The Cavern Heaven has side effects like this too?! Was the Pine Leaf Mouse suffering the same problem?

Although Lin Jing could sustain himself through breatharian techniques now, eating delicious food was one of life’s great pleasures, and he couldn’t imagine giving it up!

“Is Brother Lin here?”

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

“This is Wang Xiao of the Wang family.”

Lin Jing sighed. While he had planned to let Wang Xiao’s reputation grow before challenging him, it seemed Wang Xiao couldn’t let go of the pressure he had felt during their brief encounter. He had come here to issue a challenge.

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