Vol 5 Chapter 36: Hybrid Spirit Creature Technology
"You'll find out soon enough."
Lin Jing maintained an air of mystery, deliberately withholding information as this was his new discovery.
"Enough talk for now. You prepare for the Sect Assembly while I meet a friend."
Watching Lin Jing's departing figure, the Mountain God twisted his lips: "If you won't tell me, I don't care to know. Besides, this Mountain God has no interest in that Nethersoil woman anyway. 'Mountain and Earth Mountain King' sounds so vulgar compared to 'Mountain and Sea' - though the Sea Spirit Beast is terrifying..."
Deep in the Nethersoil.
At the Saintess's residence.
A female cultivator sat meditating with a sword planted beside her.
Sensing spatial fluctuations, she quickly opened her eyes, revealing a surprised expression.
Lin Jing approached Cold Moon Sword Immortal Feng Ning and said, "Long time no see. How's your cultivation going here?"
"Thanks to you, I don't have to maintain the grand formation like the other Nether Maidens and can focus on cultivation." Feng Ning replied.
She had been summoned alone by Lady Nethersoil and appointed as the Nethersoil Saintess, an experience that puzzled her greatly.
Only after persistent questioning did she learn that her duty as Saintess was to serve as messenger between Lady Nethersoil and Lin Jing.
It was Lin Jing's arrival and discussions with Lady Nethersoil that granted her relative freedom.
This realization shocked Feng Ning. Though she initially knew little about the Origin Realm, the other Nether Maidens were quite knowledgeable.
From them, she learned Lady Nethersoil ranked among the top-tier powerhouses beneath the Four Heavenly Kings in the Origin Realm.
Among countless spirit creatures of the Origin Realm, her strength ranked within the top ten, capable of easily suppressing ordinary immortal physiques.
Even representatives of immortal and demon factions treated Lady Nethersoil with utmost respect, given her vast supernatural abilities - including resurrecting the dead.
In such circumstances, Feng Ning saw no way to escape the fate of a Nether Maiden.
Yet at that moment, Lady Nethersoil declared: "You are now the Nethersoil Saintess, free to cultivate here and move about at will."
"What kind of deal did you strike with Lady Nethersoil?" Feng Ning asked.
Isolated in the Nethersoil, Feng Ning knew nothing of outside events or the relationship between Lady Nethersoil and Lin Jing.
She had long wondered - whether Lin Jing offered treasures or fought his way to make Lady Nethersoil concede, neither possibility seemed likely.
"You'll know soon enough." Lin Jing chuckled. "I see you've reached the peak of Nascent Soul Transformation. The cultivation environment here must be excellent. Time to leave, isn't it?"
"Yes. Using the techniques Lady Nethersoil taught and the Nether Altar's energy, my Nether Physique has reached perfection, even showing mutation tendencies." Feng Ning glanced at the distant Nether Altar.
"But dozens of Nether Maidens have all achieved perfect Nether Physiques like me. With such formidable combat potential, why does Lady Nethersoil only use them to maintain the grand formation? Just how powerful is she really..."
"She's lived tens of thousands of years as a spirit creature. Given that much time, even a dog could become divine." The Sect Master shook his head.
"Come, let's visit Lady Nethersoil."
"They should be arriving soon."
"They?" Feng Ning looked puzzled.
For ceremonial purposes, Lin Jing had Lady Nethersoil provide land and the Mountain God construct a grand hall.
Accompanied by Feng Ning, they arrived at the hall where Lady Nethersoil's avatar waited. She glared at Lin Jing irritably: "You certainly know how to create trouble. If your so-called 'surprise' disappoints me, sect master or not, I won't let you off easily."
Sect Master? What did that mean? Feng Ning felt startled.
"He loves keeping secrets." The Mountain God Deputy Sect Master arrived, saying: "The time approaches. They should arrive soon - my avatars have already met them."
This... Feng Ning observed the Mountain God of Lewd Sacrifices, sensing his unfathomable power.
"Thank you for your efforts."
Lin Jing expressed gratitude just as over a dozen brilliant lights emerged beyond the Nethersoil, growing increasingly radiant while carrying tremendous power. These lights converged on the hall at astonishing speed.
A lightning bolt arrived first - a dragon-like creature composed of magnetite crackling with electricity, its eyes blazing with domineering light.
Next landed an elegant flower spirit formed entirely of petals and leaves, her leafy skirt swaying as she smiled at those present.
A phoenix-like flame shadow, an elderly treant, and even the Cloud Sea itself manifested in true form, transforming the area into a fairyland.
A full dozen terrifying Nascent Soul-level spirit creatures descended, shocking Feng Ning. She could tell any single one surpassed even the Ancient Imperial Prince with his immortal physique in strength. What could bring so many formidable beings together here...
"Greetings, Sect Master, Deputy Sect Masters."
What stunned Feng Ning even more was seeing these peak Nascent Soul spirit creatures - some rivaling Void Mystical Stage cultivators - actually bowing to Lin Jing on the dais...
Still calling him Sect Master...
Stranger still, they addressed both the Mountain God of Lewd Sacrifices and Lady Nethersoil as Deputy Sect Masters!
Feng Ning whirled to stare at Lin Jing, utterly baffled by his schemes.
"Good to see you all again." Lin Jing smiled faintly.
"Sect Master, we heard your spirit beast was slain by a Heavenly Demon Sect cultivator during the Origin Source competition! Is this true?!" The magnetite dragon demanded, eyes scrutinizing.
Lin Jing had expected some dissatisfaction among them.
"A mere demonic cultivator poses no threat. It was merely a golden cicada shedding its shell strategy. Our Heaven-Earth Sect doesn't fight meaningless battles."
"The Sect Master possesses my Nirvana Flame - not so easily killed." The Nirvana Bird interjected.
"Then why summon us? To take revenge on the Heavenly Demon Sect?" A turtle-shaped mountain spirit asked.
Lin Jing's gaze swept across them: "No."
"I gathered you today... to strengthen the Heaven-Earth Sect."
"Our numbers remain too few. Whether compared to the Cultivation Alliance, Heavenly Demon Sect, or those two Spirit Beasts' factions, our combat power falls far short."
"These past years, I've developed a technique called Hybrid Spirit Creature Technology... which should rapidly enhance our sect's overall strength."
"I now wish to demonstrate this technique to you all - consider it your first sect benefit since joining the Heaven-Earth Sect."