Vol 6 Chapter 46: Seeking the Way
"Damn rich bastard, absolute damn rich bastard."
Beside them, Mo Pine finally understood why this turtle hadn't shown him its harvest from the pocket realm.
It was truly enough to make one unable to resist seizing it.
He shook his head, deciding what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over, and simply walked away.
"You've worked hard."
Lin Jing summoned the Mechanized Turtle over and patted its shell.
Not keeping the Mechanized Turtle by his side and sending it to search for various treasures had been Lin Jing's instruction.
Allowing the Mechanized Turtle to autonomously upgrade and transform itself had also been permission granted by Lin Jing.
The Mechanized Turtle self-studying mechanical arts, advancing to the Seeking the Way Stage, and bringing back numerous treasures were within Lin Jing's expectations.However, the path the Mechanized Turtle had chosen made Lin Jing sigh with emotion.
Seeking the Way, Seeking the Way—every life had its own meaning in cultivation. Lin Jing hadn't interfered with the Mechanized Turtle's path-seeking, having long given it the power of autonomous choice.
The Mechanized Turtle could choose its future cultivation goals based on its own preferences; whatever they were, he would offer support.
These were the exact words Lin Jing had said to the Mechanized Turtle before leaving: searching for treasures for him, its beast tamer, wasn't the entire meaning of its life. The Mechanized Turtle already possessed spiritual intelligence and could choose some goals it liked to pursue. Treasure hunting could merely be an embellishment in its turtle life and cultivation process, not the entirety.
But Lin Jing hadn't expected that the Mechanized Turtle would still make searching for treasures for him its ultimate goal, integrating it into its very soul, Seeking the Way through the Path of Wandering.
Not needing the beast tamer's companionship, a single turtle wandering abroad could still provide tremendous help to its beast tamer—this was the cultivation path the Mechanized Turtle had chosen.
As the first pet beast in the team to Seek the Way, its path wasn't for itself but to fully assist Lin Jing as his beast tamer, which left Lin Jing somewhat helpless.
Who knew what paths the other pet beasts would choose... Regardless, Lin Jing didn't want to interfere either. A path interfered with by others couldn't be walked for long.
"For the next period of time, you don't need to wander anymore."
The Mechanized Turtle was greatly shocked.
"Master, how can this be? I cultivate the Path of Wandering! Only by leaving my master to wander can I exert my strongest power!
Together we're a pile of shit, apart we're stars filling the sky. Only by leaving can I display my abilities."
Lin Jing threw the turtle to the ground, saying, "Where did you learn all this nonsense after not seeing you for centuries?"
"Don't forget—you're not just a treasure-hunting turtle, but also a magical treasure bane, an artifact ghost."
"You're the only known existence before immortal power and immortal artifact control techniques became widespread who could control lower-grade immortal artifacts with just Void Mystical Stage cultivation."
"In terms of talent for controlling magical treasures, you're absolutely first-rate in the lower realm."
"Then, my Beast Taming Path mastery combined with your treasure control mastery—when we merge together, we're not nearly as simple as shit. You think we're useless together because previously we only had lower-grade immortal artifacts; even separated, we could control them individually."
"But......"
The next moment, Lin Jing took out a high-grade immortal sword that should be nearly impossible to exist in the lower realm—Flowing Light Starfall.
In that instant, the Mechanized Turtle's eyes turned completely green, utterly unable to believe that such a thing could exist in the lower realm.
High-grade... immortal sword!
Even at the Immortal Palace's peak in the immortal realm, high-grade immortal artifacts would absolutely be considered heavy treasures, only worthy of being possessed by top-tier Immortal Lords.
"Interested in researching with me how to smoothly swing this thing for one strike without exhausting ourselves to death?"
The Mechanized Turtle nodded frantically.
"Jiejie!" Nearby, Gu Grandma was also quite expectant. Hurry up, hurry up—she was looking forward to it too.
Since they were going to use a sword... Before Lin Jing swung the sword, he would definitely merge with her.
After all, to conserve energy, Lin Jing had thrown Demon Emperor Tianchou's legacy to her for comprehension.
When the time came, Lin Jing would burn lifespan to boost his Beast Taming Path mastery, she would provide sword cultivation mastery, and the Mechanized Turtle would be responsible for controlling the immortal sword. Under their trinity coordination, they might truly be able to unleash this invincible strike in the lower realm.
The consumption from executing this strike would definitely be greater than the Fishing Elder's consumption when using his high-grade immortal fishing rod—after all, one was an offensive-type immortal artifact while the other was a tool-type. But since the Fishing Elder could become one of the lower realm's strongest with just a fishing rod, then once they could execute this strike, wouldn't things like Demon Emperor Tianchou or Blood Prison Demon God be like fighting baby gu insects!
...........
Having seen the Mechanized Turtle's path, the other pet beasts also fell into contemplation.
When the time came, Lin Jing would burn lifespan to boost his Beast Taming Path mastery, she would provide sword cultivation mastery, and the Mechanized Turtle would be responsible for controlling the immortal sword. Under their trinity, they might truly be able to unleash this invincible strike in the lower realm.
This matter couldn't be treated carelessly. If they chose wrong, they might end up like the Thunder Dragon Ancestor back then, affecting their cultivation ceiling.
Even with their heaven-defying talent and pre-laid immortal foundation that might not affect their breakthrough to the Seeking the Way Stage—allowing them to reach the lower realm's peak even with an unreliable path—looking further into the distant future, they would ultimately still be affected.
Currently, only the Heavenly Emperor Post-Frog didn't need to worry about these troubles. Its cultivation was the lowest, still far from Dao Merging. Having come to Tianyuan, after the novelty wore off, it began using the Blood Clan progenitor's Blood Crystal to strengthen its bloodline.
Activating that... true bloodline power belonging to the Heavenly Emperor's descendants.
As for Lin Jing, although he planned to use this time to cultivate, before that, he continuously dripped blood to incubate the Immortal Lord-level Pet Beast Egg he brought back from the secret realm.
This matter couldn't be treated carelessly. If they chose wrong, they might end up like the Thunder Dragon Ancestor back then, affecting their cultivation ceiling.
Even with their heaven-defying talent and pre-laid immortal foundation that might not affect their breakthrough to the Seeking the Way Stage—allowing them to reach the lower realm's peak even with an unreliable path—looking further into the distant future, they would ultimately still be affected.
He felt deceived by that mechanical spirit.
The Immortal Lord-level Pet Beast Egg required immortal blood drips to incubate.
He had already obtained the Immortal Physique, theoretically counting as an immortal already, so under normal circumstances, it should be possible to incubate and form a master bond.
But Lin Jing hadn't expected the egg to require such a massive amount of blood.
"'Drip immortal blood to incubate' was stated, but I never said how much blood was needed!" Before Lin Jing's eyes, he could almost see the mechanical spirit's pale, weak explanation.
"The blood is indeed being absorbed by the egg, yet there's still no incubation signs. Could it be that although I possess the Immortal Physique, my realm is ultimately still too low? The immortal power contained in my blood isn't sufficient to support the egg's incubation..."
Lin Jing himself fell into contemplation, ultimately feeling this egg was nothing but a scam.
He directly stopped bleeding... His blood energy was extremely difficult to replenish; every drop was precious and couldn't be wasted like this. Otherwise, he'd soon suffer from depleted blood energy leading to severe damage to his vitality and cultivation regression.
He had already obtained the Immortal Physique, theoretically counting as an immortal already, so under normal circumstances, it should be possible to incubate and form a master-bond.
"What is my path, then."
This question was something Lin Jing had pondered before the Thunder Dragon Ancestor and Ghost Bride back when he was only at the golden core stage. Now, a millennium later, he still hadn't found an answer that satisfied himself. Although his strength had long surpassed most Seeking the Way Stage experts, his exploration of his personal path consistently lagged behind.
"Considering my experiences, preserving my life in chaotic times, being able to protect myself under various threats seems to have been my strongest cultivation drive until now. But this..." Lin Jing was certain these experiences were just forced by circumstances, not the true path he wanted to cultivate.
Lin Jing himself fell into contemplation, ultimately feeling this egg was nothing but a scam.
He closed his eyes, and while advancing his realm, began questioning his heart about what he should cultivate for next.
Unconsciously, Lin Jing's cultivation quickly advanced to the mid Void Mystical Stage.
The descending heavenly tribulation was casually dispersed by Lin Jing with a wave.
This question was something Lin Jing had pondered before the Thunder Dragon Ancestor and Ghost Bride back when he was only at the golden core stage. Now, a millennium later, he still hadn't found an answer that satisfied himself. Although his strength had long surpassed most Seeking the Way Stage experts, his exploration of his personal path always lagged behind.
Compared to Lin Jing, each pet beast had simpler minds, with far fewer complicated thoughts.
Following the Mechanized Turtle's example, the pet beasts successively underwent Dao Merging.
The foundation accumulated in the Origin Realm could finally erupt.
The Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse reviewed its cultivation path and chose the Hoarding Path, the path of a hoarding mouse—though not simply hoarding alone. Like the Mechanized Turtle, its path was cultivated for others.
Whether useful or useless, it would save and economize, stockpiling vast resources for unexpected needs, providing help to its beast tamer at critical moments. With massive quantities and myriad effects of resources, it could reverse unfavorable situations, safeguarding and escorting Lin Jing's cultivation path.
As Lin Jing's original pet beast, it only hoped that Lin Jing would always be well.
The Dragon Carp was most simple and honest, also very clear about its heart's desire. Although constantly working like oxen and horses within the team—both alchemy refining and artifact cultivation—the Dragon Carp had always actually possessed a heart striving for the strongest. Due to dragon pride, it wanted to become Lin Jing's strongest trump card, not famous as an alchemist or repairman.
After some thought, it still decided to pursue the "Path of the Strongest," making this its goal to continue cultivation. Although it disliked alchemy and artifact refining, if these methods could lead it to the Path of the Strongest, it was willing to endure the training they brought.
Only, until one day, it wanted the entire cultivation world, even the entire immortal realm, to know that it, the Dragon Carp, was Lin Jing's strongest trump card, not famous as his imperial alchemist. This was its greatest motivation to cultivate onward, also the initial excitement and thrill it felt when Lin Jing helped it leap the dragon gate and initially transform into a dragon—that original thought of wanting to be the strongest one.
The Ice Soul Gu thought the least. As an artificially refined gu insect, it was born for "symbiosis" with cultivators. When it first met Lin Jing, the feeling was simply that he smelled delicious, wanting to take a sip of Lin Jing daily to survive. But after a long contract period together, the Ice Soul Gu discovered that although it hadn't absorbed much of Lin Jing's flesh and blood, Lin Jing truly fed it good stuff to nurture it—Nine Great Marvelous Gu, Gu God... top expert legacies, completely unstinting toward this gu insect that coveted his flesh and blood. Gradually, the Ice Soul Gu grew accustomed to coexisting with Lin Jing.
It had only one wish: to cultivate onward, not separating from Lin Jing, living on together.
This was the Path of Symbiosis.
Compared to the first four pets' decisiveness, the Star Longevity Crane hadn't chosen to follow Lin Jing during his weak period. Although their time together wasn't short, over this nearly thousand years, Lin Jing aside from cultivation actually didn't have many experiences together, unlike the more numerous experiences with the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse and the others.
Thus, the Star Longevity Crane was relatively the most confused one.
The Dragon Carp was most simple-hearted, also very clear about its heart's desire. Although constantly working like oxen and horses within the team—both alchemy refining and artifact cultivation—the Dragon Carp had always actually possessed a heart striving for the strongest. Due to dragon pride, it wanted to become Lin Jing's strongest trump card, not famous as an alchemist or repairman.
As a princess, she should inherit her parents' legacy, leading her entire clan to overthrow the enemy's rule. But what came after that?
Only, until one day, it wanted the entire cultivation world, even the entire immortal realm, to know that it, the Dragon Carp, was Lin Jing's strongest trump card, not famous as his imperial alchemist. This was its greatest motivation to cultivate onward, also the initial excitement and thrill it felt when Lin Jing helped it leap the dragon gate and initially transform into a dragon—that original thought of wanting to be the strongest one.
When first contracted, the Star Longevity Crane had been only over twenty years old, no different from a child. Unconsciously, upon reflection, she realized she had already come to regard Lin Jing who practiced spells with her and gave her new life, the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse who often used its Glazed Immortal Eye to build her foundation, the Dragon Carp who regularly delivered cultivation pills to help her grow stronger, and Gu Grandma who liked to occasionally take a sip of her while promising to handle revenge when the time came, as her new family.
The Ice Soul Gu thought the least. As an artificially refined gu insect, it was born for "symbiosis" with cultivators. When it first met Lin Jing, the feeling was simply that he smelled delicious, wanting to take a sniff of Lin Jing daily to survive. But after a long contract period together, the Ice Soul Gu discovered that although it hadn't absorbed much of Lin Jing's flesh and blood, Lin Jing truly fed it good stuff to nurture it—Nine Great Marvelous Gu, Gu God... top expert legacies, completely unstinting toward this gu insect that coveted his flesh and blood. Gradually, the Ice Soul Gu grew accustomed to coexisting with Lin Jing.
The Path of Protection—a path many cultivators chose.
The Star Longevity Crane would protect these contracts Lin Jing had formed, not wanting her new home to repeat past tragedies.
One after another, the pet beasts rapidly advanced their realms, completing Dao Merging. Their cultivation hearts, Lin Jing as their beast tamer, naturally perceived everything within his own heart.
Compared to the first four pets' decisiveness, the Star Longevity Crane hadn't chosen to follow Lin Jing during his weak period. Although their time together wasn't short, over this nearly thousand years, Lin Jing aside from cultivation actually didn't have many experiences together, unlike the more numerous experiences with the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse and the others.
Lin Jing gazed at the starry sky. He wasn't a traditional cultivator—not seeking immortality, not pursuing wealth, not chasing the powerful strength to control others' lives and deaths. He only wanted to preserve his life in chaotic times, surviving under various threats.
Now, he had survived.
Not only survived, but become an extremely powerful cultivator.
But this wasn't entirely his own accomplishment.
When first contracted, the Star Longevity Crane had been only over twenty years old, no different from a child. Unconsciously, upon reflection, she realized she had already come to regard Lin Jing who practiced spells with her and gave her new life, the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse who often used its Glazed Immortal Eye to build her foundation, the Dragon Carp who regularly delivered cultivation pills to help her grow stronger, and Gu Grandma who liked to occasionally take a sniff of her while promising to handle revenge when the time came, as her new family.
He had also chosen a group of pet beasts, helping them grow stronger. These pet beasts had also provided feedback to Lin Jing equal help, enabling Lin Jing to overcome countless difficulties from being someone's Longevity Body to becoming today's great cultivator.
And next, it seemed this group of beasts still wanted to continue safeguarding and escorting him...
Lin Jing began pondering what the Beast Taming Path truly was.
"I have little interest in becoming some Immortal Lord or Immortal Emperor, nor any interest in ascension."
One after another, the pet beasts rapidly advanced their realms, completing Dao Merging. Their cultivation hearts, Lin Jing as their beast tamer, naturally perceived everything within his own heart.
"As a beast tamer, I should help these pet beasts accomplish their dreams. Yet helplessly, their dreams are all related to me."
"They now pour everything into me, so what I can do is not disappoint them, not let their wishes come to nothing."
"My path..."
Lin Jing thought about it, and "Path of Contracts" seemed most suitable for him. In the name of beast taming contracts, he would promise the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse to live well, promise the Dragon Carp to make its name resound through all realms, promise the Ice Soul Gu to always be together, promise the Star Longevity Crane to protect everyone well...
This contract would be Lin Jing's motivation to grow stronger next.
This wasn't just his personal path, but the combination of numerous pet beasts' paths—extremely powerful.
He had also chosen a group of pet beasts, helping them grow stronger. These pet beasts had also fed back to Lin Jing equal help, enabling Lin Jing to overcome countless difficulties from being someone's Longevity Body to becoming today's great cultivator.
And next, it seemed this group of beasts still wanted to continue safeguarding and escorting him...
Outside, not much time had passed.
Then, soaring fluctuations shocked the entire continent.
Heaven's Mandate accelerated cultivation speed. No longer dragged down by the Longevity Body, and with the pet beasts' breakthrough feedback, Lin Jing finally propped himself up. Ahead of the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse, Dragon Carp, Ice Soul Gu, and the others... he broke through to the Seeking the Way Stage.
A new Seeking the Way was born. Countless experts' gazes turned toward Qingzhou.
"Another spirit creature?... Or? Wait, this power fluctuation... how can it be so terrifying."
One expert after another looked in shock toward the new breakthrough's direction... seemingly not even heavenly movement had coalesced.
"Damn, this kid finally reached Seeking the Way, indeed fast enough... Not sure about Demon Emperor Tianchou, but the Spirit King will definitely get beaten badly." Only the nearest Mo Pine clearly saw that the Seeking the Way heavenly tribulation had just begun forming when it was dispersed by a beam of light from within the massive array. Having lived this long, it was his first time seeing such an awesome Seeking the Way practitioner—the Seeking the Way tribulation didn't even have the thought of testing whether the opponent's path was firm and powerful!