Vol 3 Chapter 10: The Observation Team
Over the next few days, Lin Jing learned more details about the Demon Ancestor’s Ruins from Deacon Zheng.
"Among the three sects, a small number of disciples have already obtained a trace of the Zhuyan bloodline. However, the majority of our disciples aren’t here for that—not everyone wants beast blood in their veins."
"The disciples of the Myriad Beast Sect aim to grant their pet beasts even the slightest trace of Zhuyan’s lineage, allowing them to cultivate powerful demonic techniques, spells, and combat arts."
"As for Thousand Illusions Mountain, we seek to study the Demon Ancestor’s divine presence, hoping that one day, we can perfectly reconstruct the Zhuyan through illusions. As an ancient relic beast, its strength surpasses even the three Demon Ancestors imprinted in the deepest halls of the Divine Beast Palace."
"When the time comes, your only goal will be to observe and analyze the Zhuyan’s form, spells, and martial arts."
"Since you've already mastered simulating the White Abyss Monkey King, you might gain some unexpected insights in the ruins. It may not be the same species, but at the end of the day, they’re both primates…"
"And what about the Flower Sect?" Lin Jing asked.
"They’re just here to sabotage us," Deacon Zheng sneered. "A bunch of wenches. When you enter the Demon Ancestor’s Ruins, make sure to deal with them the same way you did today—mercilessly take them down!"
Lin Jing remained silent.
Truthfully, he wasn’t particularly eager to enter the Demon Ancestor’s Ruins, but refusing wasn’t really an option.
This seemed like the fastest path to becoming a Core Disciple, and if all the competitors were Foundation Establishment cultivators, his expertise in illusionary arts would still allow him to compete.
"I won’t disappoint you, Deacon Zheng," Lin Jing said, clasping his hands in salute.
A few days later, the name Huang Yu spread across Thousand Illusions Mountain. Many disciples heard that an illusionary arts genius had emerged in the Inner Sect, joining the Illusionary Assassination Hall and even capturing a Mid Foundation Establishment Flower Sect enchantress alive.
Killing a cultivator of the same rank? Many could do that.
Capturing one alive? That was far more difficult. Usually, only someone with a much higher cultivation level could pull that off.
But according to the Flower Sect disciple’s confession, this Huang Yu had perfectly simulated a great demon, suppressing her in an instant. This further cemented his reputation as a true prodigy.
Meanwhile, Lin Jing himself had entered seclusion once more.
Thousand Illusions Mountain gathered 100 elite Foundation Establishment disciples. Their cultivation levels ranged from Early Foundation Establishment to Perfected Foundation Establishment. Among them, 95 were Inner Sect disciples, while five were Core Disciples—all key figures for this expedition into the Demon Ancestor’s Ruins.
The ruins had been discovered by three sects ten years ago. The initial exploration yielded some gains, but none of the sects had obtained the grand opportunity that could reshape their power structure.
Thus, after much discussion, the three sects agreed to send 100 disciples every seven years to explore it again. This would be the eighth expedition…
From Thousand Illusions Mountain’s airship, a Half-Step Nascent Soul Sect Master led the team, accompanied by several Nascent Soul Elders.
Below, the 100 disciples were divided into seven squads, each led by a Perfected Foundation Establishment Core Disciple acting as captain.
Among them was a female Core Disciple known as Senior Sister Ning.
"Now, let me explain our squad’s mission," she announced.
"Senior Sister Ning, just say the word—we will follow your every command!" a Late Foundation Establishment youth eagerly proclaimed.
Senior Sister Ning nodded and continued, "Based on the last two expeditions, every group of entrants will begin in the same Heavenly Hall."
"In this grand hall, a drop of Zhuyan’s blood will materialize. Shortly after, it will take form as a Junior Zhuyan at Early Foundation Establishment cultivation."
"Only by defeating this Junior Zhuyan can we pass the first trial."
"Although its cultivation is only Early Foundation Establishment, its actual combat strength is overwhelming. It takes the combined efforts of over a hundred cultivators to bring it down."
"Once slain, the ruins will distribute traces of Zhuyan’s blood to all participants based on their contribution. When absorbed, this blood enhances the physical body. If one continues to accumulate and refine enough of it, they will develop a Zhuyan Bloodline."
"Those who inherit this bloodline will gain exceptional physical strength, becoming similar to those with rare physiques like the Heavenly Dragon Physique, Mad Bull Physique, and Beast King Physique. They will no longer be considered pure-blooded humans."
"This can be considered a fortuitous opportunity—but it’s not suitable for Thousand Illusions Mountain disciples."
"Our mission is not to obtain Zhuyan’s blood! There is no need to participate in the battle."
"Instead, we are here to observe the Junior Zhuyan in combat. Because it is merely a projection, Demon-Illusion Mirrors won’t work. We must rely entirely on our own perception and memory."
"During this process, some Flower Sect disciples may abandon the battle against the Junior Zhuyan to disrupt our observations. Pay them no mind—other squads will handle them. Our duty is to focus entirely on the battle."
"As long as we can recreate even one percent of the Junior Zhuyan’s divine essence, the sect will grant us immense rewards."
"If, however, another sect's disciple breaks through our defenses, only then should we stop observing and eliminate the intruder."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
"As for the second trial," Senior Sister Ning continued, "after passing the first, we will enter another Heavenly Hall. This time, another Junior Zhuyan will appear, but unlike the first, this one will wield a weapon and utilize martial arts."
"In the first trial, the Junior Zhuyan relies solely on brute force. But in the second trial, it will be far more difficult and cunning."
"However, upon defeating it, aside from the Zhuyan’s blood, the weapon it wields will be granted to whoever lands the finishing blow."
"That being said, these weapons are not particularly valuable—they are merely mid-tier magical artifacts."
"Thus, our duty remains the same: observation. We must commit its martial techniques and battle essence to memory through illusionary arts!"
"As for the third trial…"
Lin Jing listened intently, gradually gaining a clear understanding of his role in this expedition.
His mission was simple: observe the battles between the other disciples and the Junior Zhuyan, committing its combat patterns and divine presence to memory.
Only in the most critical moments would he be allowed to take action—either against rival sect disciples or against the Junior Zhuyan itself.