Vol 5 Chapter 109: Tracing the Source
Several days later.
All alliance cultivators who had visited the Origin Realm and seen Lin Jing, the Sea Spirit Beast, or the Meteor Spirit Beast up close were summoned by Zhou Banxian.
These people didn't know why Zhou Banxian had gathered them, but none dared disobey the deputy leader's arrangements.
Of course, a few privileged alliance prodigies like Li Tianyi and the Limitless Immortal simply ignored Zhou Banxian's summons, unconcerned about any repercussions.
"Strange occurrences have been frequent in the Origin Realm recently. As leader, I suspect demonic interference. Thus, I've invited you all to assist me in activating the Star Deduction Grand Formation to investigate. Your cooperation is appreciated."
"As compensation, each participant will receive a strand of immortal energy after completion."
With this explanation and promised reward, the assembled cultivators' moods immediately improved, and they enthusiastically responded to Zhou Banxian.
"Leader Zhou is too kind. Serving Senior Zhou is our honor—we wouldn't dare ask for compensation."
"Indeed! Senior Zhou has worked tirelessly on Origin Realm affairs. We should share his burdens."Zhou Banxian nodded, pleased with their responses. He then joined several other deputy leaders to set up the formation. The Star Deduction Grand Formation was an immortal-grade array that could reveal five thousand years of cause and effect once activated.
A pillar of light shot toward the starry sky. Within the formation sat row upon row of alliance cultivators who had returned from the Origin Realm. Around the formation's perimeter, Zhou Banxian and several other Great Dao Comprehension experts maintained the array's stability.
"Stars illuminate truth, divination traces origins, fate manifests completely, mysteries unfold infinitely!"
"Formation, rise!"
Zhou Banxian waved his horsetail whisk, summoning a wind that drew out the cultivators' memories, forming a sea of recollections floating above the formation. Starlight illuminated this memory sea, and within moments, light and shadow intertwined to form a swirling vortex.
"Proceed."
Zhou Banxian tossed various plants, rocks, and other items from the Origin Realm into the vortex.
"Let this old man see what truly ails the Origin Realm."
His eyes gleamed as he stared at the starlit vortex. Gradually, the image of a small spiritual beast appeared, causing Zhou Banxian to startle in recognition.
This was...
A squirrel!
The Star Deduction Grand Formation's conclusion was clear: the changes in the Origin Realm were connected to this small creature.
"Trace further!"
Zhou Banxian vaguely remembered this squirrel. Continuing his investigation, he suddenly laughed in anger. Originally, his primary suspects for the Origin Realm's changes had been: first, the Heavenly Demon Sect; second, native Origin Realm spirits; and only third, Lin Jing.
Yet Zhou Banxian never imagined the true culprit behind the Origin Realm's transformation would indeed be that Longevity Body wielder who had previously shown him no respect.
This squirrel was his contracted beast!
"Damn ant." Zhou Banxian reached this conclusion because he couldn't believe Lin Jing possessed the capability to affect the Origin Realm. That level of power should require at least Heavenly Demon Sect backing from the upper realm. Yet the evidence was undeniable...
Even the other deputy leaders were astonished by this result from the Star Deduction Grand Formation.
"Continue tracing!"
"That boy must possess some treasure."
Zhou Banxian pressed forward with his investigation while simultaneously probing the origins of both the Pine Leaf Mouse and Lin Jing. But in the next instant, his three formation assistants urgently shouted: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, stop immediately!"
Alas, it was too late.
Before anyone could see anything, a subtle yet overwhelming force rebounded against the formation, shattering it completely. The four Great Dao Comprehension experts were sent flying, each vomiting blood. The cultivators within the formation suffered even worse—their consciousnesses assaulted, they screamed in unison before collapsing unconscious.
"Boom!" Dizzy from the backlash, Zhou Banxian regained his senses and stared solemnly at the ruined formation, murmuring: "I understand now."
"Zhou Banxian, have you gone mad?" A disheveled old man appeared, cursing: "We told you to stop! Couldn't you sense the immortal's mark behind that boy? You reckless fool!"
"Enough." Zhou Banxian shot him a glance. "So what if there's an immortal's mark? That doesn't mean he has immortal protection."
"Our own Cultivation Alliance has several immortal reincarnations—even Immortal Lord rebirths—whose current strength doesn't surpass ours."
"Fellow Daoist Zhou must have obtained his desired results then," the Void God materialized, his form indistinct. "Remember to deliver the promised compensation to my residence."
"Naturally." Zhou Banxian sneered. "Not only did I get what I wanted, but I discovered something even more interesting."
"What an elaborate charade! Nine Revolutions Star Monarch, you knew all along, didn't you? That so-called 'demonic prodigy Mo Yu' pretending to be Demon Emperor Tianchou's successor was actually Lin Jing's incarnation in disguise. Your disciple the Limitless Immortal's escape from Sheng Kun must also be connected to this 'Mo Yu' character."
The Nine Revolutions Star Monarch chuckled. "I did know earlier. However, this old man has no relationship with Lin Jing. My disciple paid a considerable price to regain her freedom—all karma between them has been settled."
"Good." Zhou Banxian said coldly. "My thanks to all fellow daoists for your assistance."
Now Zhou Banxian had pieced everything together.
The true culprit preventing the Origin Realm from producing Origin Sources was undoubtedly Lin Jing.
But the key lay with that contracted squirrel beast of his.
If his judgment was correct, this squirrel was a Rare Beast—one that had inherited at least an Immortal King-level divine ability.
This Rare Beast must have used its formidable ability to affect the Origin Realm.
No other explanation existed.
Currently, the separation between upper and lower realms was absolute. To Zhou Banxian's knowledge, the Immortal Realm had only made two moves regarding the lower realms:
First, some True Immortals and Immortal Lords had abandoned their memories to reincarnate below.
Second, the Immortal Realm's demon faction had sent down certain divine abilities.
Since Lin Jing's group bore karmic connections to immortals, it must be one of these scenarios. Judging from the divination results, that squirrel had likely been fortunate enough to inherit an upper realm Immortal King great demon's legacy.
"Excellent."
Zhou Banxian was extremely satisfied with these findings. Just what kind of divine ability could influence the Origin Realm to this degree?
Now he'd temporarily lost interest in harvesting Origin Sources—even though immortal energy remained his best resource for power advancement.
His new obsession was that Rare Beast in Lin Jing's possession.
If he could seize this Rare Beast from the Longevity Body wielder and make it his own contracted creature, he might advance further—perhaps even rivaling those three legendary figures.
"I recall the Heavenly Demon Sect has long wanted to eliminate that 'Mo Yu' character."
"Very well. I'll leak this information first and create some trouble for Lin Jing."
"I wonder if this youngster can withstand becoming the enemy of ten thousand realms..."