Vol 5 Chapter 89: Teaming Up with the Demon Emperor
"Since it's already opened, should I go or not?" Lin Jing felt rather conflicted. Going meant risks, but not going meant missing out on treasures bestowed by the Immortal Palace Lord of the Immortal Realm, which felt like a terrible waste.
Lin Jing estimated the Ascension Secret Realm itself posed little danger, as it was created by the Immortal Palace of the Immortal Realm to test mortal world cultivators. Those who qualified to enter were undoubtedly the cream of the crop from the lower realms. In any case, these cultivators were all considered outstanding disciples of the Immortal Palace, which wasn't some demonic sect that would casually take their lives.
Thus, the greatest danger likely came from other participants entering from the opposite side. Regarding the situation in Tianming Realm, Lin Jing had several theories.
First possibility: Tianming Realm had already been destroyed. In that case, the only one who could discover and enter the secret realm would be Demon Emperor Tianchou. Since they had a thousand-year agreement, the demon emperor had no reason to ambush him here when she could visit Tianyuan Realm anytime. Under these circumstances, entering posed minimal risk.
Second possibility: Tianming Realm had invited powerful allies from the Cultivation Alliance to repel Demon Emperor Tianchou. Lin Jing considered this highly unlikely unless the Alliance Leader personally intervened. If true, those entering would be powerful figures from the Cultivation Alliance. While troublesome, this wasn't unsolvable - after all, as deputy leader of Xianlin City, he could reuse his old tactic of offering Origin Sources in exchange for safety.
Third possibility... For some reason, Demon Emperor Tianchou hadn't made her move yet, and all entrants were native Dao Inquiry cultivators from Tianming Realm. This would be ideal, as not just any Dao Inquiry cultivator could threaten Lin Jing.
With his Heavenly Demon Physique and Longevity Immortal Physique temporarily granting him peak Dao Inquiry spiritual power, plus his Mechanized Turtle's immortal energy reserves allowing full activation of multiple immortal artifacts, Lin Jing was already exceptionally rare even among Dao Inquiry experts. And that didn't include his other abilities.
Moreover, Lin Jing was a beast tamer - his true strength lay in his spirit beasts. While his Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse, Dragon Carp, and Ice Soul Gu might not be decisive in Dao Inquiry battles, the secret realm allowed up to five entrants. Lin Jing planned to bring the Demon Emperor along. Having recently achieved immortal-blooded status and mastered immortal artifact control while possessing combat-oriented Rare Beast Divine Abilities, her strength was undeniable.
If the "treasures bestowed by the Immortal Palace Lord" proved valuable enough, the Demon Emperor might even advance further. "Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor!"Beyond her, Lin Jing considered recruiting others but found no suitable candidates - even the Second Ancient Emperor likely couldn't match the Demon Emperor's current power and would be of little help.
"You're here. Returning your Origin Sources." Despite her significant power boost and immortal-blooded status, the Demon Emperor retained her childish tiger-girl appearance, leaving Lin Jing speechless - was this youthful achievement or stunted growth?
"Leave the Origin Sources for later, Your Majesty. Come with me - I've discovered a secret realm!" "Hmm?" The Demon Emperor's eyes flashed. "What kind?"
"The Ascension Secret Realm used by the Immortal Palace to select core disciples. With your current strength, I wonder if you meet their standards. Regardless, let's try. If successful, the Immortal Palace Lord's bestowed treasures will surely be extraordinary." Lin Jing had absolute confidence. If even training pocket realms for cultivating talents at various levels could produce treasures like the "Hourglass of Time" and "Demonic Bloodline," one could imagine how generous the Immortal Palace must be with its true core disciples.
"My claws are itching for action," the Demon Emperor licked her lips, revealing sharp canines in eager anticipation.
"However, we don't know who might have entered from Tianming Realm. Whatever happens - whether we encounter Demon Emperor Tianchou or Cultivation Alliance experts - you must follow my lead and avoid unnecessary conflict." Lin Jing repeatedly emphasized this, fearing the Demon Emperor might stir up trouble.
After all, he understood both Demon Emperor Tianchou and the Cultivation Alliance better than she did, making him better suited to handle any encounters. "This Emperor understands. I'll follow the Saint's lead," the Demon Emperor said carelessly. "From now on, consider me your hired muscle. I'll handle the fighting; you handle the thinking."
"Exactly..." Lin Jing exhaled in relief. Now they could safely explore the Ascension Secret Realm.
"Is this the Ascension Secret Realm?" "According to ancient records, Envoy, this realm is quite unique. Its trials come from different Immortal Palace experts and emphasize 'fate.' The specific tests are unpredictable."
In Tianming Realm, the palace master of Tianming Immortal Palace had been urged by the Cultivation Alliance envoy to lead him directly into the secret realm. "Excellent! Who knew my Tianming Realm visit would yield such fortune!" The alliance envoy was overjoyed. Though an alliance representative, he was merely a Postnatal Immortal Physique Dao Inquiry cultivator. Gaining treasures from the Immortal Palace Lord might help him advance further.
He didn't ask the Tianming palace master to summon other Dao Inquiry cultivators, entering with just the local expert as guide. Before the palace master could speak further in the trial hall, two more spatial fluctuations appeared.
"People from Tianyuan Realm?" The alliance envoy recognized this as a shared realm between both worlds. Tianyuan Realm wasn't unfamiliar to him - largely because Lin Jing's exploits in the Origin Realm had made him famous among Dao Inquiry cultivators.
"How can it be him?!" Moments later, when Lin Jing entered with the Demon Emperor, the Tianming palace master was stunned. How could Lin Jing, who should have been in the Origin Realm, appear here? And still at Dao Inquiry level! He perfectly matched the portraits Tianming's elites had provided.
Could this be Lin Jing's descendant?! As cultivators from both worlds gathered, the first trial's instructions appeared: four enormous barrels materialized before them.
[Since you seek immortality, know that the Dao cannot be lightly transmitted. Demonstrate your sincerity by filling these barrels. Greater sincerity brings greater advantages in subsequent trials. Ideally, offer rare treasures from beyond this realm that you obtained by chance - these show utmost sincerity.]
The four: ???
What kind of test was this? Who designed this? Didn't the Immortal Palace Lord review it? What terrible standards!