Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 2 Chapter 44: Before Foundation Establishment

“I deeply apologize for exposing your cultivation, Senior…”

Having learned why Shen Song wished to remain hidden, Lin Jing felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

“No matter,” Shen Song replied calmly. “I already considered the possibility of being exposed when I agreed to protect you for a hundred years.”

“If someone dares to try and use me as a material to craft a Nascent Soul Transformation avatar, let them see if they even have the ability to pull it off. I didn’t grow this tall by eating meat!”

Taking advantage of the moment, Lin Jing finally voiced a question that had been lingering in his mind. Shen Song had always referred to himself as a Wood Spirit Demonic Cultivator and possessed such an incredible cultivation level. What kind of connection did he have with the Second Sect Master of the Beast Taming Sect? Why had he remained by the sect’s side for so many years and even agreed to protect Lin Jing?

“Why are you so curious about everything?” Shen Song snorted. “Knowing too much isn’t good for you. Just focus on cultivating and raising your strength.”

“You’ve been in seclusion for three years with no improvement in cultivation. Honestly, I’m doubtful whether you’ll even reach the Golden Core Stage within the hundred-year time limit,” he added skeptically.

Lin Jing immediately shut his mouth, not daring to continue the conversation.

After some time, Shen Song spoke again. “Well, that was efficient. You can leave now. The Southern Mountain Demon Emperor’s true body has already been slain. However, it’s unclear what price the academy’s cultivators paid to bring it down.”

“After all, a demon emperor nearing the end of its lifespan may seem weak, but it’s precisely because it’s on its last legs that it fights like it has nothing to lose—dragging everyone down with it!”

“The Southern Mountain Demon Emperor is dead?” Lin Jing was stunned. He hadn’t expected the academy’s powerhouses to act so quickly.

“They likely had some external assistance,” Shen Song speculated. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t personally chase after it while protecting you. A demon emperor’s body is a treasure trove—especially one as rare as a dragon demon emperor.”

“Still, even its Half-Divine Avatar wasn’t bad. No wonder those two Demon-Slaying Bureau folks wanted to use you as bait—it’s truly satisfying!” Shen Song chuckled darkly.

Demonic cultivation stages:

• Demon King: Nascent Soul
• Demon Emperor: Nascent Soul Transformation
• Demon Ancestor: Void Profound
• Demon Sovereign: Dao-Seeking

The bloodline of a demon emperor was far superior to that of a demon king. And a dragon demon emperor like the Southern Mountain Demon Emperor, infamous for its savagery, was even more extraordinary.

Back in Hidden Dragon City, the large-scale mobilization of academy powerhouses and the activation of the city’s barrier formation had left many cultivators stunned. Such an event hadn’t occurred in a long time, leading to widespread speculation about what had happened.

Upon returning to the academy, Lin Jing was immediately summoned to a council chamber. At the head of the room sat an elderly man with a goatee. He appeared entirely ordinary, like a mortal without any distinct aura.

Seated on either side of the hall were the four Nascent Soul Transformation experts Lin Jing had seen earlier. As for the elderly man at the head of the table...

He was one of the three vice deans of Hidden Dragon Academy, and Lin Jing surmised that he was likely the one who had slain the Southern Mountain Demon Emperor.

“So, you are Lin Jing?” The goateed elder scrutinized Lin Jing and nodded slightly. “A Longevity Body, huh? It’s been a long time since one of your physique has appeared. No wonder the Southern Mountain Demon Emperor went mad trying to seize you.”

“You’ve done a decent job keeping your abilities hidden. However, the Yin Corpse Sect already possesses information on your Longevity Body. From the memories we extracted from the demon emperor, it was they who leaked the intelligence.”

“Even though the demon emperor is dead, your Longevity Body’s existence will likely be sold to others by the Yin Corpse Sect. Your life as a cultivator won’t be easy from here on out.”

Lin Jing forced a bitter smile.

“Still, you should thank the junior cultivators who helped slay the Southern Mountain Demon Emperor. As for what comes next, we’ll take things one step at a time.”

“You needn’t worry too much,” the vice dean said with a faint smile. “Your guardian is quite extraordinary. To break through as a Wood Spirit to the Nascent Soul Transformation Stage in such a hostile era is no small feat. With it protecting you, your safety shouldn’t be significantly compromised.”

“Additionally, this incident, where the Southern Mountain Demon Emperor exploited the academy’s lapse in security, was the academy’s fault. Going forward, we will strengthen Hidden Dragon City’s defenses. As long as you remain in the city, such incidents shouldn’t happen again.”

After comforting Lin Jing, the academy powerhouses dismissed him.

Once Lin Jing left, the atmosphere in the council chamber turned somber.

One of the female Nascent Soul Transformation experts looked at the vice dean and said, “Vice Dean, this is clearly an act of retaliation by the Yin Corpse Sect.”

“I know,” the goateed elder replied grimly. “The Yin Corpse Sect’s goal of refining a Celestial Corpse cannot be allowed to succeed.”

“If not for the recent demon-cleansing campaigns, we wouldn’t have discovered that they possess the corpse of a celestial beast. If they successfully refine it into a corpse puppet, the consequences will be catastrophic.”

“Currently, most of the kingdom’s powerhouses are focused on eradicating the Yin Corpse Sect. The fact that they resorted to luring a demon emperor to Hidden Dragon City shows that their situation is dire.”

“As for this Longevity Body… There’s no need for us to give it excessive attention,” the vice dean said with a shake of his head.

While a Longevity Body in the Qi Refinement Stage was relatively easy to protect, its allure was limited unless a demon emperor was nearing the end of its lifespan. But as the Longevity Body grew stronger, it would attract far more dangerous threats, including demon sovereigns.

Without a Dao-Seeking powerhouse as its guardian, Lin Jing’s cultivation journey would inevitably be fraught with peril.

Moreover, cultivating a Longevity Body was notoriously slow.

Aside from smaller sects like the Beast Taming Sect, which lacked broader experience, most top-tier experts were unwilling to invest resources into nurturing one. The risks of it being consumed were simply too high.

Even the vice dean had no intention of devoting himself to Lin Jing’s protection. It was too difficult and exhausting. Success would ultimately depend on Lin Jing’s own fortune.

Back in his cave residence, Lin Jing suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to ask Shen Song for a pine cone.

The earlier commotion had halted the Flame Dragon Carp’s pill refining and the Pine Leaf Mouse’s farming. Both of them had been anxiously watching from the hilltop. Upon seeing Lin Jing return safely, they sighed in relief and hugged each other.

“Come on, let’s go make pills!” Lin Jing declared cheerfully, concealing the troubles from earlier. He dragged the two of them along and called for Shen Song, eager to begin refining the Longevity Foundation Pill.

With Shen Song’s Nascent Soul Transformation cultivation, its pine cone would surely be extraordinary. Incorporating it into the pill would produce unimaginable results—especially for the Pine Leaf Mouse’s Foundation Establishment!

“So, you want a pine cone?” Shen Song appeared, manifesting as a pine cone, and sighed. “Fine, fine. It’s about time for you to break through to Foundation Establishment. I’ve been waiting long enough.”

“Senior, please grant us the pine cone and stand guard while we refine the pill,” Lin Jing requested.

“No rush.” Shen Song planted a small sapling near Lin Jing’s cave. The sapling emitted a faint red glow, exuding a strange aura. “This sapling contains my essence. It will grow a few Third-Grade Pine Cones. The higher-grade ones are beyond your ability to refine, but these will suffice.”

“It also functions like a Bloodsucking Vine. From now on, you’ll need to water it with your blood,” Shen Song added.

“Understood!” Lin Jing replied decisively, glancing at the Pine Leaf Mouse. If it could achieve a perfect Foundation Establishment, everything would be worth it.

“Senior, with this, will the Pine Leaf Mouse’s bloodline surpass King-tier and reach Emperor-tier?” Lin Jing asked hopefully.

“Impossible,” Shen Song replied bluntly. “It might surpass the Flame Dragon Carp’s bloodline and approach the current level of the Ice Soul Gu, but only the Ice Soul Gu has the potential to evolve to Emperor-tier during Foundation Establishment. The other two simply lack the innate talent.”

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