Vol 5 Chapter 20: Ice... Ice!!
"Who exactly is this beast tamer named Lin Jing? To think he could match the Heavenly Demon Sect's sacred son in presence."
"Longevity flesh..." Many demonic cultivators of the Cultivation Alliance still felt lingering palpitations from the scent of longevity flesh. However, seeing Lin Jing withdraw his celestial ox, they all felt a sudden chill.
"This guy is about to become the Young Alliance Master's favored subordinate." Shangguan Ming and Yan Yunshuang exchanged shocked glances. They too had sensed Lin Jing's monstrous potential. It was obvious why Li Tianyi had taken the risk to intervene!
Both Li Tianyi and Sheng Kun stood at the threshold of breaking through to higher realms. The only reason they remained was concern for their respective factions' foundations in the Origin Realm, fearing their bases might be destroyed after their departure.
For a long time, both sides had hoped to find successors who could replace them. Yet within the Heavenly Demon Realm and Cultivation Alliance, they were peerless talents—finding replacements wouldn't be easy. The Heavenly Demon Realm did have other sacred sons, but their cultivation had long surpassed the Nascent Soul Transformation Stage.
As for the Cultivation Alliance, its foundation was slightly weaker than the Heavenly Demon Realm's. Li Tianyi was the Alliance's strongest Nascent Soul Transformation Stage genius. Until now, no one had expected the first contender approaching their level to be a newcomer unaffiliated with either faction.
However, Li Tianyi believed Lin Jing's allegiance was certain—having come from Tianyuan Immortal Palace and seeking the Cultivation Alliance, joining was inevitable. As long as Lin Jing wasn't mistreated, he wouldn't be tempted by the Heavenly Demon Realm's offers.
With Lin Jing recruited, the external Cultivation Alliance would gain a steady supply of immortal energy.
"Monster." While others didn't understand Lin Jing's capabilities, Gu Youran stood nearby in complete shock. She never imagined Lin Jing possessed a celestial ox corpse as his trump card, nor that he'd so quickly become a promising talent in the Young Alliance Master's eyes before even entering the city.
She dared not imagine—if Lin Jing's avatar could similarly infiltrate the demonic sect and become Sheng Kun's confidant, how terrifying would that be?
"Many thanks for senior brother's assistance."
"But this void beast..." Lin Jing glanced at the void beast Li Tianyi had reduced to ashes.
"No matter." Li Tianyi said, "During my seclusion, I didn't expect that demon to dare invade our immortal city. Thanks to junior brother's bravery in battle, he failed to rescue this menace."
"Your valor hasn't gone unnoticed. The Cultivation Alliance will provide you with an Origin Source for cultivation."
"If I'm not mistaken, this junior sister also possesses an 'Immortal Physique'. Today, our Alliance gains two supreme talents—what fortune! Allow me to personally host you both and explain our Alliance's affairs, facilitating Tianyuan Realm's future membership!" Li Tianyi continued.
His words made many gasp as they looked at Gu Youran—another Immortal Physique!
"Just as I thought!" Shangguan Ming's heart raced. How could Tianyuan Realm, inferior to Tianming Realm mere millennia ago, produce such exceptional talents now? Were the other eight also...
Meanwhile, many enviously watched Tan Li. To be personally hosted by the Young Alliance Master and introduced to the Immortal Alliance! Tianyuan Realm would likely become nobility within the Alliance immediately upon joining.
"Many thanks." Lin Jing bowed again. An Origin Source...
He'd never contacted immortal energy before—how much would it accelerate his cultivation? Could it help narrow the gap between him and the two faction leaders?
Currently, he couldn't estimate how many years those two had accumulated at the Nascent Soul Transformation Stage. Even with life-burning techniques, matching them remained difficult.
Xianlin City, White Jade Tower
While Li Tianyi hosted Lin Jing and Gu Youran, Lin Jing's Heavenly Demon Avatar chose not to directly approach the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Directly seeking Sheng Kun would be too obvious. Seeking the three Seeking-the-Way demonic disciples—the Eight Demon Stars—would be beneath him.
Among the Eight Demon Stars, only one possessed true demonic bloodline. Thus, Lin Jing's avatar's bloodline ranked top three within the Origin Realm's Heavenly Demon Sect.
There was no need to directly submit to anyone. Establishing his reputation first and having others seek him out would be optimal.
Lin Jing planned to utilize the Sea Spirit Beast and Meteor Spirit Beast's subordinate creatures. Since he might later seek a contract with the Meteor Spirit Beast, the Sea Spirit Beast's minions became his primary target.
His true self had obtained the first Origin Source. Now his avatar needed one for cultivation too. In fact, being formed from immortal water lotus, his avatar might wield immortal energy more adeptly than his true self. Currently, his true self with the celestial ox corpse was stronger, but after contacting immortal energy, who could say?
"The decennially produced Origin Source won't appear for two more years—I can't wait that long."
According to intelligence, the Sea Spirit Beast's subordinate "Snow God" had once seized an Origin Source. Though mostly depleted, it would suffice temporarily.
"Next, I'll raid the Snow God's territory for its Origin Source. Even failing would serve my purpose—just drawing attention through battle would achieve my goal."
Lin Jing's Heavenly Demon Avatar headed north, soon entering a snowy domain. According to the mountain god, while the Snow God was slightly weaker, it remained formidable—an immortal ice manifestation wielding terrifying frost power.
Had the mountain god not possessed Earthcore Immortal Fire countering ice, their battle's outcome would've been uncertain.
Facing such a natural deity, victory wasn't guaranteed. Yet Lin Jing's avatar proceeded undaunted.
Victory mattered little—even the Origin Source was secondary. His true motivation was the greedy passenger within—the Ice Soul Gu couldn't imagine anything more delicious than carving something off the Snow God.
Ice Gu: () Immortal ice... immortal ice... ICE!!!