Vol 5 Chapter 106: Source Return
"Why is this..."
"That demonic beast's divine ability doesn't seem like Tianyuan technique!"
"She's Gu Qianqiu, the Longevity Body cultivator who caused chaos in the Heavenly Lion Clan over a century ago! She's still alive!"
"That black dragon corpse..."
"Impossible! After the Twin Physique separation, how can their strength remain so terrifying?"
"An Emperor-grade bloodline Pine Leaf Mouse... Are you joking? Even Lin Jing's Pine Leaf Mouse doesn't have Emperor-grade bloodline. How did she achieve this?"
"Heavenly Tribulation power and Quasi-Immortal Fire... Qin Lei is only at Nascent Soul Transformation stage, how did he master Quasi-Immortal Fire and even fuse Heavenly Tribulation power? This Thunderflame Dragon's bloodline has reached Ancestral Realm!"
"Wait... Is he using alchemy techniques to fight?!"
Under Lin Jing's supervision, the Beast Taming Competition proceeded in an orderly manner. However, as it progressed, the scene gradually descended into chaos.The facts proved that the eight individuals Lin Jing selected were indeed the strongest beast taming cultivators present. Each challenger who came after questioned their life choices after facing them.
It wasn't just the challengers who were questioning their existence.
Even the observing Dao Inquiry cultivators hiding in the shadows were dumbfounded.
Absurd! Utterly absurd!
Take Fang Baihua's Pine Leaf Mouse for example - it actually reached Emperor-grade bloodline!
What does this mean?
With sufficient resources and no premature death, it was almost guaranteed to become a Dao Inquiry Demon Emperor!
And such a creature casually appeared as a pet belonging to a new generation disciple of the Beast Master Sect!
Even the Second Ancient Emperor's own son probably wouldn't receive such treatment to contract an Emperor-blood demon beast.
Any Dao Inquiry faction obtaining an Emperor-blood demon beast cub would undoubtedly enshrine and nurture it like an ancestral guardian deity.
Lin Jing himself felt somewhat helpless. The Pine Leaf Mouse truly took good care of its gardener. He estimated that observant Dao Inquiry experts might have guessed his Pine Leaf Mouse had already become an immortal beast. Otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible to nurture such an Emperor-blood descendant.
Not long after, the Beast Taming Competition determining Source Realm slots finally concluded. The initial eight selected by Lin Jing remained unchanged, except for the Immortal Physique Wang Xiao. The other seven all faced challenges but easily defeated their opponents.
Even the Twin Physique pair who lacked any physique bonuses underwent complete transformations after receiving updated sub-gu from Ice Soul Gu. After all, the newest sub-gu contained multiple powers from Gu God, Ten Great Rare Gu, Death Gu, and Sword Dao - utterly heaven-defying and far surpassing the original Ice Soul sub-gu.
The only regret was that Ice Soul found ranking matches troublesome and canceled them. Otherwise, it wanted to see its Twin Physique disciples spar with the Pine Leaf Mouse and Dragon Carp's underlings to determine whose human pets were stronger, wasting all its nurturing efforts.
However, some felt relieved, like Wang Xiao. Seeing others' battles made him break out in cold sweat. There were more than just Gu Qianqiu as monsters here! Fortunately, the rules didn't require everyone to fight repeatedly, or he might have lost several matches and earned the Second Ancient Emperor's wrath.
"In the coming period, I'll teach you the Beast Taming Art for contracting spirits. Since you all practice versions of Beast Taming Art already, just different editions, switching won't be troublesome and won't cause cultivation regression."
After the competition, Lin Jing kept the group behind. Except for a few like Wang Xiao, most didn't need major revisions - the version Lin Jing previously left for Beast Master Sect already included plant spirit contracting.
Of course, with no outsiders present, Lin Jing shared more of his insights on the Control Dao to help them advance further.
Seeing so many practicing Beast Taming Art pleased Lin Jing! Although few had proper versions - corpse controlling, human controlling, fortune controlling... what nonsense was this?
"Why do you want to go to Source Realm too?"
Later, Lin Jing met privately with Yu Xun'er. Her calm eyes contained expectation as she said, "Senior Lin, after a century, I finally see you again."
"Yes, over a hundred years." Lin Jing sighed. So much time had passed since leaving Tianyuan until now returning to Source Realm.
"I feel staying in Tianyuan permanently... won't help me achieve my goals."
"Did the First Ancient Emperor approve?"
"Yes, and taught me a new secret technique to ensure safety in Source Realm." Yu Xun'er shared the "Fortune Reversion Art" with Lin Jing and asked, "Senior, do you need this technique? My ancestor said if required, I could pass it to you."
"Fortune Reversion Art..."
"After reaching Source Realm, first test whether it works there."
"If functional, then share it with me."
Lin Jing was surprised. The First Ancient Emperor was impressive! For outsiders to gain Source Realm's fortune favor was near impossible - Lin Jing barely managed through Heaven-Earth Sect.
If the First Ancient Emperor's technique could achieve this, he definitely needed to learn it.
Admittedly, he previously received Source Realm's favor, with its rules helping punish enemies.
But... that was before.
If he used Dark Origin Source to devour Source Realm's lifespan for supreme-grade immortal energy, even without heavenly punishment, he'd certainly lose fortune's favor.
If Fortune Reversion Art could mitigate this backlash, he must learn it. The First Ancient Emperor and Yu Xun'er were timely rain, delivering such a great gift.
The next few years were for Lin Jing's selected beast tamers to practice and adapt their techniques before the Source Realm journey.
Meanwhile, Lin Jing wondered about Demon Emperor Tianchou's invasion progress in Tianming Realm. Regardless, he must prepare thoroughly for the millennium agreement without any wishful thinking.
Time flew. As everyone prepared for Source Realm, though Beast Master Sect claimed most slots, other Dao Inquiry factions couldn't complain - their own failures to secure slots were nobody's fault.
Before departure, Lin Jing equipped everyone with Spatial Flying Leaves ensuring Pine Leaf Mouse could quickly retrieve them from danger - much better prepared than his first Source Realm entry.
Several days later.
Source Realm, Nether Earth.
Lin Jing immediately returned to headquarters upon arrival. After thirty years in Tianyuan Realm, he needed updates about major Source Realm changes during his absence - had Heavenly Demon Sect or Cultivation Alliance sent new powerful talents to compete for Origin Sources?
"Sect Master! You've finally returned!!!"
Lady Nethersoil noticed Lin Jing's return first, shouting excitedly: "Sect Master, something terrible happened!"
"How terrible?" Lin Jing frowned.
Trouble for real?
"Another group of spirits joined Heaven-Earth Sect wanting offspring! After you left, nobody here knew how! Where's Mouse Immortal Physician?!"