Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 2 Chapter 82: Thunder Pine

Despite its impressive strength, the Ice Soul Gu was no match for the Flame Dragon Carp and the Pine Leaf Mouse at this stage.

The Flame Dragon Carp, while lacking the bloodline strength of the Ice Soul Gu, had always been part of the team as a counter to it. Thanks to its innate talent in alchemy, it had stockpiled a variety of pills specifically designed to suppress the Ice Soul Gu.

As for the Pine Leaf Mouse, its bloodline had evolved to rival that of the Ice Soul Gu. Its cultivation was far superior, making a direct confrontation a one-sided slaughter.

That said, the Ice Soul Gu wasn’t weak. As an artificial creation, it could only unleash its full potential when paired with a skilled Gu Master. Among Lin Jing’s three contracted beasts, only the Ice Soul Gu’s power could perfectly merge with Lin Jing’s True Qi, creating a synergy that exceeded the sum of its parts.

Additionally, at the Qi Refinement stage, a Gu’s abilities were far from fully developed. Once the Ice Soul Gu reached Foundation Establishment and its Gu King bloodline fully awakened, its power would skyrocket. However, the other two beasts were also on the verge of breakthroughs.

The Flame Dragon Carp had yet to reach Foundation Establishment. Once it transformed into a dragon upon breaking through, its growth wouldn’t lag far behind the Ice Soul Gu.

Meanwhile, the Pine Leaf Mouse had an arsenal of resources: the Everlasting Emperor’s Longevity Art, the Divine Tree Seal, and warehouses full of Divine Tree fragments. Not to mention its Blood Mosquito Army and the Demon King True Form Talent, both of which offered incredible growth potential.

The Ice Soul Gu wasn’t weak—it was simply surrounded by freakishly strong companions.

With these two monsters aiding Lin Jing in “early education” for the Ice Soul Gu, Lin Jing was confident it would quickly learn to understand its place.

Settling down in the icy cavern, Lin Jing began practicing the Art of Shedding. He also sent a telepathic message to the Pine Leaf Mouse:

“Don’t overdo it. Let the Ice Soul Gu return soon to focus on its main task—Foundation Establishment.”

Lin Jing was sure that after being bossed around by the Pine Leaf Mouse for a while, the Ice Soul Gu would obediently come back to absorb the extreme cold energy and prepare for its breakthrough. Its bloodline-born pride had likely been worn down to nearly nothing.

Meanwhile, the Divine Pine guarding the frozen pool above sensed the Ice Soul Gu’s awakening.

“Good thing I’ve been cultivating this Longevity Body well. If it were any other container, the Ice Soul Gu might have already taken over,” it mused.

“Now, all that’s left is to wait for that old monster from the Yin Corpse Sect. I wonder if he’ll manage to find this place… and if he dares to show up.”

The days passed. Lin Jing and his companions trained in the icy depths for more than half a month, while the Divine Pine stood vigil above.

Finally, the long-anticipated disturbance occurred. The Divine Pine, now appearing as a floating pinecone, snapped to attention as dark clouds gathered in the sky.

Under the blackened heavens, a coffin floated ominously. Standing atop its spectral image was a diminutive figure in a black robe, staring down at the frozen pool with a lifeless gaze.

“It seems the Longevity Body is here,” the figure muttered.

“Those fools failed to bring it back to headquarters. It always falls to me to clean up their mess.”

The black-robed figure’s gaze shifted, landing on the Divine Pine. “A sentient tree acting as a protector? No wonder the target dared to leave the academy.”

“Scram!” A wave of spiritual pressure emanated from the figure’s soul, attempting to force the Divine Pine to withdraw.

Despite having lost his physical body, this ancestor of the Yin Corpse Sect possessed Void Mystical Stage cultivation. Compared to the Divine Pine’s Nascent Soul Transformation Stage, he held an overwhelming advantage.

“I don’t want to waste my soul energy. Leave within three breaths, and I’ll spare your life,” the ancestor threatened.

The Divine Pine chuckled, its voice laden with mockery. “Yin Corpse brat, are you talking to me? Your cultivation may be higher, but I’m much older than you. Didn’t anyone teach you to respect your elders in the demonic path? If anyone should leave, it’s you! I haven’t even decided whether to consume this Longevity Body yet—you think you’re entitled to it?”

“You court death!” the ancestor snarled, stunned that a mere Nascent Soul cultivator would dare provoke him.

“Then I’ll refine you along with the Longevity Body!” With a flick of his arm, the coffin’s shadow released a surge of deadly energy.

However, just as the attack began, a loud crackling sound echoed. The ancestor’s eyes narrowed in shock.

From beside the pinecone, a massive pine tree had appeared. Though its cultivation was also at the Nascent Soul Transformation Stage, this tree radiated golden-green light interwoven with arcs of lightning. ꞦÅNỗꞖÈS

Golden lightning snaked across its trunk, spreading a massive vortex of clouds above. Thunder rolled ominously within.

“Void Mystical brat, you’ve experienced tribulations, haven’t you?” the Divine Pine asked, laughing sinisterly. “For us spirit trees, attracting tribulations is far too easy. My Thunder Pine avatar just triggered one. I hope you enjoy it!”

The ancestor’s expression turned grim. Lightning tribulations were deadly to Yin Corpses. In his current weakened state, getting caught in one would leave him gravely injured, if not outright destroyed.

“I’ll remember this!” he hissed, preparing to flee.

But before he could, countless Thunder Pines sprouted across the snowy mountain, forming a vast Wood-Sealing Formation that trapped him in place.

“You’ll have to sacrifice something to catch the wolf. Losing this avatar is a small price to pay for eliminating a Void Mystical Yin Spirit. Besides, learning from the tribulation’s impact on my avatar will benefit me,” the Divine Pine muttered.

The ancestor struggled, breaking through the formation in mere moments. But those moments were enough. The connection to the Thunder Pine avatar drew the tribulation’s wrath upon him.

Both the Thunder Pine and the Yin Corpse Sect ancestor were engulfed in a torrent of divine lightning.

As the Divine Pine’s avatar crumbled under the assault, it showed no sadness, only curiosity. “I wonder if that old corpse brought enough treasures with him…”

Boom!

While the ancestor endured the relentless tribulation, the Divine Pine concealed its true body and transmitted a message to the void.

“Hey, you in the shadows. You’re from the Demon-Slaying Bureau, right? Hands off—this one’s mine.”

“I’ve already sacrificed an avatar and risked attracting the tribulation myself. Don’t expect me to do your dirty work for free!”

From the void, a voice responded, tinged with amusement. “You’re a bold little tree. Do you even know who you’re talking to?”

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