Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 2 Chapter 47: Venturing Deeper Down the Path of Demon Cultivation

The Autumn Hunt.

One of the few events held at Hidden Dragon Academy beyond regular classes. Scheduled three to four years after the entry of new students, the event was fast approaching for the current cohort.

Talents eager to participate in the Autumn Hunt had begun procuring pills, artifacts, and various aids. The event had no rules or restrictions—participants could wield any power they could control. Pills, treasures, puppets, mechanisms, and spirit beasts were all permissible.

However, as the hunt was primarily a stage for fame and lacked rankings or extravagant rewards, no one relied on external forces such as Nascent Soul-level Demon Kings to gain an advantage. Such a display would be ridiculed, as it was obvious to both the instructors and the world that the power didn’t belong to the participant.

Nevertheless, using one’s personal spirit beasts or mounts was not only accepted but encouraged, as beast taming was a respected cultivation path.

This year, the Dragon Palace faction decided to participate with their spirit beasts in tow.

“Is Lin Jing still in seclusion? Is he preparing for Foundation Establishment?” Xu Zhizhi, the temporary leader of the Dragon Palace, stood outside Lin Jing’s mountain residence, gazing at the still-active protective formation.

Although Lin Jing’s participation wasn’t essential for the Autumn Hunt, his presence carried symbolic weight. The Dragon Palace’s first group venture without their leader would lack its intended impact.

As Xu Zhizhi turned to leave, the mountain’s formation suddenly dissipated with a low hum. The overwhelming divine sense that emanated from within froze her in place. A chilling aura gripped her heart, leaving her drenched in cold sweat before it vanished just as quickly.

Moments later, Lin Jing emerged from the mountain, followed by the Pine Leaf Mouse perched on his shoulder.

"Brother Lin… was that your spirit beast?" Xu Zhizhi exhaled deeply. Despite the mouse’s unchanged appearance, she was certain that the terrifying aura had emanated from it.

The Pine Leaf Mouse had advanced.

Even before its breakthrough, its aura had been oppressive enough to make Xu Zhizhi, an experienced cultivator, feel like prey caught in a hunter's gaze. Now, its bloodline had grown even stronger.

“It’s been a long time, but yes, I’ll participate,” Lin Jing confirmed with a smile. He glanced at the Pine Leaf Mouse on his shoulder, its newfound strength reassuring him. With its current capabilities, only those in the top ten of the Genius Rankings could pose a significant threat.

“Excellent!” Xu Zhizhi beamed. “Your participation will bolster the Dragon Palace’s collective strength, allowing us to secure more resources during the hunt.”

After Xu Zhizhi left, Lin Jing turned to the Pine Leaf Mouse. “You don’t look as excited as I expected. What’s wrong?”

The Pine Leaf Mouse scratched its head, clearly conflicted. While it was thrilled by its newfound power, it couldn’t shake the strange feeling of kinship it now felt toward Senior Pine, almost as if it were looking at a parent.

“The Longevity Foundation Pill contained Senior Pine’s bloodline power. It’s natural for you to feel this way,” Lin Jing explained. “Senior Pine has been like a parental figure to us. When its time comes, you should care for it in its old age.”

The Pine Leaf Mouse clenched its tiny fists and nodded solemnly. “Squeak!” Even though Senior Pine had refused to let it absorb the sapling, the mouse resolved to repay the elder’s kindness, especially for the pinecones.

“Bah! Who’s taking care of who is yet to be decided!” Senior Pine’s voice rang out from the mountain. “I hope you lot are still alive when we meet again in a hundred years.”

Afterward, Lin Jing returned to his mountain to test the Pine Leaf Mouse’s improved abilities.

Before its breakthrough, the mouse could only synthesize first-tier spiritual and malignant plants. Now, as a Foundation Establishment beast, it should be capable of creating second-tier plants.

Lin Jing pulled out a batch of Bloodsucking Vines from his Suspended Gourd. These had been cultivated by the Pine Leaf Mouse over the past few years.

The mouse leaped down from Lin Jing’s shoulder, its confidence evident. Its Glazed Immortal Eyes activated, the clover-like symbol spinning wildly as golden-green light bathed the vines.

The Bloodsucking Vines withered under the light, condensing into a small bundle of blood-red tendrils.

“Success!” Lin Jing exclaimed.

Through its Glazed Immortal Eyes, the Pine Leaf Mouse communicated the properties of the new plant to Lin Jing:

[A blood-infused vine that can absorb the blood of beasts with a rank no higher than its own, condensing the blood into a corresponding Blood Beast.]

The Pine Leaf Mouse: !?

Lin Jing: ?!

They both stared at the tendrils in stunned silence.

“This… this is basically demonic cultivation,” Lin Jing muttered, bewildered.

The Pine Leaf Mouse tilted its head, as if to say, "You wanted second-tier plants, didn’t you?"

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