Vol 5 Chapter 96: Dark Manipulation
Three years passed quickly. With external assistance, Lin Jing barely managed to learn the Great Summoning Art. The cost was his incarnation being left half-dead, possibly requiring several years of slumber to recover.
Yet the gains were substantial. Setting aside the Great Summoning Art's future potential, just contracting the Star Longevity Crane had opened numerous possibilities for Lin Jing. The Longevity Star Technique—if reversed to accelerate lifespan consumption in exchange for faster cultivation—would allow Lin Jing to master various divine abilities within this millennium. This would increase his chances against Demon Emperor Tianchou.
After all, Lin Jing currently faced no lifespan limitations. The real challenge lay in converting longevity into combat power efficiently.
As the three-year period ended, the pavilion vanished, returning the four participants to the main hall. Exchanging glances with the Demon Emperor, Lin Jing deduced from her condition that she too had successfully comprehended a divine ability. At least the Nine Celestial Dances hadn't been surrendered in vain.
[Congratulations to all four for passing the comprehension trial. The third and final test will assess your potential.]
Potential assessment...
The Alliance Envoy, Heavenly Song Palace Master, Demon Emperor, and Lin Jing fell into contemplation. Apart from the initial sincerity test, the trials seemed to be normalizing. But what exactly would this potential evaluation examine? Physique? Bloodline?
[For cultivators of equal realm, younger age indicates greater potential. Only those approaching ascension before one thousand years qualify as core disciples of Immortal Palace. Regrettably, three of you are eliminated. Only you have passed.] The mechanical voice declared dismissively.
"What kind of joke is this? Since when were trials so arbitrary?"
"Dark manipulation!!!" The Alliance Envoy cursed openly, denouncing the secret realm's sham fairness.
Ignoring their protests, the mechanical voice employed the secret realm's power to forcibly eject the three, leaving only Lin Jing standing silently in the hall.
Even Lin Jing—the sole beneficiary—could clearly see through this farce. The so-called assessment depended entirely on the secret realm spirit's whims.
"Do you want something from me?" Lin Jing asked calmly. "Let me guess—you desire more mechanical materials?"
Silence filled the hall until the mechanical voice finally responded: "Realm rules prevent direct transactions. Expediting your exclusive qualification demonstrates my sincerity."
"The Immortal Realm long lost contact with this Ascension Secret Realm. Even after passing, you cannot ascend to become a core disciple. However, three treasures bestowed by the Immortal Palace Lord remain here."
"As the qualifier, you may claim one treasure."
Lin Jing reasoned: "To obtain the other two, I'd need to provide more mechanical materials."
The voice confirmed: "The remaining treasures require your future deliveries. You may send proxies to collect them subsequently. Upon verifying materials, I'll arrange suitable trials for your delegates—a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"Aren't you concerned about repercussions when the Immortal Palace reestablishes contact?" Lin Jing questioned.
"After all this time, I'm thoroughly weary of this desolate place!" The secret realm spirit exclaimed. "Were it not for restrictions, I'd have departed long ago! I'll take your materials and grant your conveniences without concerning myself with distant consequences."
"Agreed." Since the spirit showed no reservations, neither did Lin Jing. Apparently, not only had Origin Realm creatures developed self-awareness beyond celestial governance, but even secret realm spirits were growing rebellious.
Perhaps this was for the best. Additional trials might have exposed Lin Jing's fake Questioning Dao realm against genuine practitioners.
"What treasures remain?" Lin Jing inquired. The mechanical voice presented three options:
Even mortals consuming this could ascend without tribulation. However, they'd remain ordinary humans in the Immortal Realm rather than becoming true immortals.
Withstands one Immortal King-level attack. Against weaker assaults, it expends only one-third energy per strike, vanishing after three defenses.
Contains an Immortal Lord-level Celestial Beast embryo requiring immortal blood for hatching and binding.
"These are the remaining options. Make your selection."
Lin Jing took a deep breath—all were exceptional items.
The Ascension Elixir held extraordinary significance despite its limitations. How many cultivators lacked cherished mortals in their lives? While ascension remained unattainable for most, this pill could bypass such restrictions.
Although recipients wouldn't gain cultivation upon reaching the Immortal Realm, the fundamental difference in energy would provide superior foundations. With immortal energy permeating the environment, achieving True Immortal realm would prove far easier than in the lower world, while also extending lifespans significantly.
Yet with ascension channels closed, the elixir held limited immediate value for Lin Jing himself.
"An Immortal Beast egg?!" This was even more astonishing. Immortal Lord bloodline surpassed ordinary Celestial Beasts, making this egg's value exceed even Rare Beast divine abilities.
If successfully hatched, its grown form could dominate the lower realm once reaching peak Questioning Dao realm with matching techniques—potentially rivaling alliance leaders.
Unfortunately, hatching required immortal blood—only obtainable after ascension when celestial energies transform one's essence. While alternative sources existed in the lower realm, those would bind the beast to other masters, introducing uncontrollable variables.
"Only one viable choice remains then."