Chapter 64: The Sect Disbands Before the Journey to Immortality Is Halfway Complete
At Tiandu Peak, under Senior Brother Ouyang's urging, Lin Jing visited again. Standing before the towering Divine Pine, he took a deep breath and said, "Senior Divine Pine... I apologize for disturbing you again."
"You're here about the sect sealing?" The Divine Pine's glow flickered as if it had seen through everything.
"You already know, Senior?"
"Yes, I overheard their eting."
"?" Lin Jing fell silent. For the oldest guardian of the sect, eavesdropping seed oddly unbecoming.
The Divine Pine continued, its voice transmitted directly to his mind: "Back when I made a pact with your Second Sect Master, it was to protect the Beast Taming Sect from annihilation within the limits of my power."
"But this matter exceeds my abilities."
"The only way forward is for the human cultivators of the Beast Taming Sect to find a solution themselves."
Lin Jing understood and clasped his hands in salute. "If the sect is sealed, will you also leave, Senior? I've already prepared to study at the Hidden Dragon Academy and hoped you might continue to guide and protect on my path."
"The Beast Taming Sect has many Demon King ancestors. I believe one of them will agree to protect you," the Divine Pine replied. "Don’t ask ."
"But I still have an unfulfilled contract with you, Senior," Lin Jing argued. "My body carries so of your treasures."
"Wouldn’t it be a bit improper to entrust to soone else’s protection?"
"If they fail to safeguard , and I perish, it’ll be over for your belongings too!"
"Even the Tianyuan Bank, with its excellent reputation, has occasionally lost cultivators' deposits of Spirit Stones due to mishaps or embezzlent, hasn't it?"
"Shouldn’t one always look after their own property?" Lin Jing reasoned earnestly, hoping to sway the Divine Pine.
The Divine Pine remained silent. This Longevity Body... why was it so clingy?
"Senior!" Lin Jing pleaded. "If not for , then at least for your disciple, the Pine Leaf Mouse. It's a rare beast and will easily attract covetous eyes!"
"When did I ever accept it as my disciple? Don't go spouting nonsense with that Longevity Body of yours," the Divine Pine grumbled, its bark rippling in protest.
"Not a master and disciple, but closer than master and disciple," Lin Jing insisted. "Every night when it sleeps, it dreams of your teachings. It swears to repay your kindness once it attains power."
"Say what you want; I won’t beco the protector of a Longevity Body."
"Just a hundred years!" Lin Jing pleaded. "Senior, you only need to protect when I'm in danger. I won’t bother you with trivial matters otherwise."
Lin Jing had little rapport with the other Demon King ancestors. If he had to choose a protector, he trusted the Divine Pine far more. He would beg and plead if that’s what it took to convince this guardian to act.
The Divine Pine fell silent for a long ti before sighing. "Fine, one hundred years. After a century, regardless of the Beast Taming Sect’s fate, I will consider my agreent with your Second Sect Master fulfilled. After that, I will leave."
Lin Jing froze. He wasn’t sure what level his cultivation would reach in a century.
"Senior Divine Pine, this is Sect Master Xu Xiaoyao requesting an audience," a voice called from outside Tiandu Peak.
"Co up," the Divine Pine replied.
Shortly after, Sect Master Xu arrived at the peak. Dressed in white, his expression was weathered. Upon seeing Lin Jing, he forced a smile and nodded in greeting.
"Greetings, Senior Divine Pine."
"This must be the Longevity Body disciple you favor, Lin Jing?"
"Greetings, Sect Master," Lin Jing said, bowing.
The Divine Pine addressed Xu Xiaoyao, "Fifth-generation Sect Master, what brings you here?"
"I heard you had erged, Senior, and even saved a disciple. I ca to express my gratitude. Additionally, have you heard the Sect Regulatory Office’s announcent?"
"Of course," the Divine Pine said. "I can’t do much about it. For the next century, I will act as this disciple’s protector, shielding him as he grows. Consider it my final contribution to the Beast Taming Sect."
Hearing this, Sect Master Xu Xiaoyao imdiately expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Senior Divine Pine. With your assurance, I am relieved. Lin Jing may not have been with the sect for long, but he has won the favor of several elders. He’s a good child. I entrust him to you."
"At Hidden Dragon Academy, study diligently," he advised Lin Jing. "Your goal should be to beco an Immortal Official."
Lin Jing bowed. "I will follow the Sect Master’s advice. I will dedicate myself to studying at the academy and work to restore the Beast Taming Sect."
"I trust you," Xu Xiaoyao said with a smile. He had faith in Lin Jing.
It was a pity, though. As a Longevity Body, Lin Jing's cultivation speed was bound to be slow. Reaching Foundation Establishnt within a century might even prove difficult.
"Before you leave, make sure to morize the sect’s three core secret techniques. Begin learning them after reaching Foundation Establishnt."
"Is there anything else you need?" Xu Xiaoyao asked.
Lin Jing seized the opportunity. "I’d like to request a second Beast Taming Space artifact."
"Hm?" Xu Xiaoyao hesitated briefly but didn’t question the reason. Lin Jing’s prepared excuses went unspoken.
"Granted!" the Sect Master agreed without delay.
...
In the end, Lin Jing made only that one request, receiving a ditation Staff in return. Knowing when to stop, he refrained from asking for more.
Back at his cave dwelling, however, Sect Master Xu still sent a Heavenfeather Crane to deliver 100,000 Spirit Stones.
"Beast Taming Sect..." Lin Jing sighed again.
The Pine Leaf Mouse erged, quietly standing on his shoulder. It had already learned of the sect's impending sealing.
"Though I haven’t been with the Beast Taming Sect for long, it’s undeniable that now and in the future, we will remain its disciples."
"As the sect treated us, so shall we cherish it."
Holding the Pine Leaf Mouse in his hands, Lin Jing gazed at the glow atop Danxia Peak.
"We’ll stay for a few more days, then use our token to summon academy cultivators to retrieve us," Lin Jing said.
"Squeak!" The Pine Leaf Mouse looked up, asking if they might one day return ho.
Lin Jing nodded. "We will."
Their lancholy was interrupted as a pinecone flew over, carrying a voice. "With your current strength, even at Hidden Dragon Academy, you’ll only get beaten up. The Hidden Dragon struggle is about fortune. Without strength, how will you compete?"
"Longevity boy, stop holding back. Use your Longevity Blood to nourish your beasts already. If you’ve raised Gu worms, why hesitate?"
"I’ll take you to the Great Wasteland to seclude yourselves for a year. There’s a Malignant Plant there called Bloodsucking Vine. It absorbs beast blood to grow and evolve. Feed it your blood, then let the Pine Leaf Mouse use the 'Everlasting Emperor's Longevity Art' to absorb its essence. That’ll help it master the technique more quickly!"
"Understood, Senior." Lin Jing readily accepted the suggestion. As long as the Pine Leaf Mouse didn’t directly consu his blood and flesh, he could manage.
The vine would harm him, and the Pine Leaf Mouse would slay it. Wasn’t this an example of a pet protecting its Beast Tar? It wasn’t demonic—it was the light of righteousness.
He had considered using alchemy to refine blood-based pills but lacked the skill for such an endeavor. Using the Divine Pine’s thod to leverage his physique seed like a practical solution.
"Senior, if I let regular mosquitoes drink my blood, and after they digest it, feed them to the dragon carp in my cave, that shouldn’t make the dragon carp develop bloodthirsty habits, right?" Lin Jing proposed, attempting to refine the process further.
"An excellent idea! It reminds of my younger days," the Divine Pine approved.
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