Chapter 64: Cultivation Halfway, Sect Disperses

Tiandu Peak. At Senior Brother Ouyang’s urging, Lin Jing once again came here to visit. Gazing at the towering Divine Pine before him, he took a deep breath and said, “Senior Divine Pine—this Junior—has come to disturb you again.”

“You’ve come about the Sect’s closure?” The Divine Pine shimmered with light, everything under its control.

“Senior already knows!”

“Yes, I eavesdropped when they were having a meeting.”

“?” Lin Jing fell silent. As the Sect’s most ancient guardian, how did it end up acting like an undercover agent?

The Divine Pine then transmitted, “My agreement with your second-generation Sect Master was to protect the Beast Taming Sect from annihilation within my capabilities.”

“But this matter has exceeded my capabilities.”

“Only by the human Cultivators of your Beast Taming Sect finding their own way out can this situation be resolved.”

Lin Jing also understood. He cupped his fists and said, “If the Sect is sealed, will Senior also leave the Sect? This Disciple has already prepared to go to Hidden Dragon Academy to study and wishes to request Senior to continue guarding my Dao.”

“There are so many Demon King Old Ancestors in the Beast Taming Sect; I believe someone will be willing to guard your Dao,” the Divine Pine said. “Don’t look for me.”

“This Disciple still has an unfulfilled Contract with Senior Divine Pine. My body still holds your property.”

“Is it not inappropriate to let other Old Ancestors protect it?”

“If other Old Ancestors fail to protect it properly and this Disciple dies, then it’s all over!”

“Even the highly reputable Tianyuan Money House has failed to protect, or even embezzled, the Spirit Stones stored by Cultivators, hasn’t it?”

“One’s own property—one must guard it oneself!” Lin Jing analyzed seriously, hoping the Divine Pine would change its mind.

The Divine Pine was speechless. This Longevity Physique—how did it become so clingy?

“Senior!” Lin Jing pleaded, “Even if not for me, then for your Personal Disciple, the Pine Leaf Squirrel. It is a Rare Beast and easily targeted!”

“When did I say I took it as a Disciple? You, Longevity Physique, stop talking nonsense.” The Divine Pine’s bark furrowed.

“Not master and Disciple, but better than master and Disciple—” Lin Jing said, “Every day it sleeps, it dreams of speaking, and once its cultivation is successful, it will surely repay Senior Divine Pine for the grace of imparting Dao and methods.”

“No matter how eloquently you speak, I will not be the guardian of the Longevity Physique.”

“One hundred years, just one hundred years!” Lin Jing requested, “Senior only needs to protect me when I encounter a crisis; other trivial matters, this Disciple will certainly not trouble Senior.”

Lin Jing was completely unfamiliar with the other Demon King Old Ancestors. If he had to choose a Dao guardian, he trusted the Divine Pine guardian more.

Even if he had to be shameless, he had to persuade this one to come out!

The Divine Pine was silent for a long time, finally sighing, “Fine, one hundred years then. After one hundred years, regardless of whether your Beast Taming Sect exists, I will consider my agreement with your second-generation Sect Master fulfilled, and I will depart then.”

Lin Jing was relieved, wondering what Realm his cultivation would reach after a hundred years.

“Junior, Beast Taming Sect Sect Master, Xu Xiaoyao, requests an audience with Senior Divine Pine.”

Just then, a voice came from outside Tiandu Peak.

The Divine Pine responded, “Sect Master Xu, come up.”

A moment later, Sect Master Xu ascended Tiandu Peak. Dressed in white, his face weathered, he forced a smile upon seeing Lin Jing and nodded in greeting.

“Greetings, Senior Divine Pine.”

“This must be Lin Jing, the Longevity Physique Disciple favored by Senior Divine Pine, right?”

“Greetings, Sect Master.” Lin Jing saluted.

The Divine Pine said, “Fifth Generation, what is your business?”

“I heard that Senior Divine Pine has emerged and even helped a Disciple, which greatly surprised me, so I specifically came to visit and express my gratitude. Also, Senior Divine Pine, have you already received the notice from the Zong Guan Mansion?”

“Naturally, I know,” the Divine Pine said. “I cannot help much with this matter. For the next hundred years, I will serve as this Disciple’s Dao guardian, protecting his growth. Consider it my last effort for your Beast Taming Sect.”

Upon hearing the Divine Pine’s words, Sect Master Xu immediately expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Senior Divine Pine. With your words, this Junior can rest assured. Although Lin Jing has not been in our Beast Taming Sect for long, he is deeply loved by several Elders—he is a good child. I entrust him to you.”

“When you go to Hidden Dragon Academy, study diligently and ideally become an Immortal Official.” He looked at Lin Jing; this was also the Sect’s hope!

Not only does he possess the Longevity Physique and a Rare Beast, but he is also favored by the protector who has been in seclusion for a long time and chosen by a Grotto-heaven. He is not a True Disciple, but his potential surpasses that of a True Disciple. This was one of the few good pieces of news he had heard since returning to the Sect.

And for a Disciple to become an Immortal Official is the fastest way to increase the Sect’s Human Dao Luck!

“I will heed the Sect Master’s advice.” Lin Jing said, “This Disciple will certainly study diligently at Hidden Dragon Academy and devote all my efforts to revitalizing the Beast Taming Sect.”

“I believe you.” Sect Master Xu smiled. He trusted Lin Jing greatly!

It’s just a pity—the Longevity Physique—its cultivation speed is destined not to be fast. It will probably be difficult to achieve Core Formation in a hundred years.

“Before you depart, remember to memorize the Three Great True Disciple Secret Techniques of the Sect, to study after Foundation Establishment.”

“Besides that, do you have any other needs?” Sect Master Xu asked.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jing immediately seized the opportunity: “This Disciple—also wishes to apply for a second Pet Beast Space Magic Treasure.”

“Hmm?” Sect Master Xu was silent for a moment, not asking why, leaving Lin Jing’s seven or eight prepared reasons unspoken.

“Good!” The Sect Master agreed very readily.

In the end, Lin Jing only made this one request, took the Zen Staff, and knew when to quit while he was ahead.

In the future, it wouldn’t be impossible for multiple Pet Beasts to share one Pet Beast Space, but considering the Pine Leaf Squirrel’s extensive family and its daily spellcasting disturbing the peace, he still wanted a separate cultivation space for his second Pet Beast.

However, although he only applied for one space Magic Treasure, to Lin Jing’s surprise, when he returned to his Immortal Cave, Sect Master Xu still sent a crane with 100,000 Spirit Stones.

“Beast Taming Sect—” Lin Jing sighed again immediately.

At this moment, the Pine Leaf Squirrel had also emerged, standing quietly on his shoulder, having also learned about the Beast Taming Sect’s impending closure.

“Although we haven’t been in the Beast Taming Sect for long, we are, without a doubt, and will be, Disciples of the Beast Taming Sect, now and in the future.”

“How the Sect treats us is how we will love the Sect.”

He held the Pine Leaf Squirrel in his arms, looking at the rosy glow on Danxia Peak.

“We’ll stay a few more days, then use the token to have the Cultivators from the academy come pick us up,” Lin Jing said.

“Squeak!” The Pine Leaf Squirrel looked up, asking if one day, they could still come home?

Lin Jing nodded and said, “You will.”

After their moment of melancholy, a Pine Cone floated over, and a voice emerged: “With your current strength, even if you go to Hidden Dragon Academy, you’ll just get beaten up. The Hidden Dragon Competition is a competition of Luck. Without strength, what will you compete with?”

“Chang Sheng brat, don’t be reserved anymore. Now, use your Longevity Blood to Cultivate your Pet Beast. You’ve already raised Gu insects, what else are you worried about?”

“I’ll take you to the Great Wilderness for a year of seclusion first. There’s a Fierce Plant there called the Blood-Sucking Vine, which can absorb various beast blood to reproduce, grow, and transform. First, you feed the vine with your blood, then let that Squirrel absorb its plant life essence through the ‘Azure Emperor Longevity Art.’ This way, its Azure Emperor Longevity Art can quickly reach Minor Achievement!”

“I’ll listen to Senior completely.” Faced with the Demon Pine’s suggestion, Lin Jing accepted it readily. As long as it wasn’t asking the Pine Leaf Squirrel to directly eat his flesh and blood, he could still accept it.

The Blood-Sucking Vine harms him! The Pine Leaf Squirrel slays the Blood-Sucking Vine! How is this not a manifestation of a Pet Beast protecting its Beast Master?

By no means does it seem like a Demonic Path act; it’s entirely the light of the Righteous Path.

He had originally wanted to research blood refinement methods using Alchemy, but his current Alchemy attainment was far from enough.

And now that the Pine Leaf Squirrel had the Azure Emperor Longevity Art, first using the method Senior Demon Pine mentioned to utilize his Physique—

Also seemed pretty good.

“Senior, you say, if I let ordinary mosquitoes suck my blood, perfectly digest it, and then feed these mosquitoes to the Dragon Carp in my Immortal Cave, it shouldn’t make the Dragon Carp develop a ‘blood-sucking’ habit, right?” Lin Jing asked, drawing inferences.

Mainly, he didn’t want the Pet Beast to directly treat him as a resource. A transfer provided psychological comfort.

“A good idea, you have my old style.” The Demon Pine approved.