Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 4 Chapter 2: The Demon Emperor’s Mission

Upon reaching the Core Formation stage, Lin Jing naturally birthed his own Core Formation divine ability.

His divine ability was called Divine Dominion Technique (《神御之术》)—

a fusion of Beast Taming Dao and Longevity Physique.

Although he still hadn’t mastered the Heavenly Demon Physique, this Divine Dominion Technique filled in some of those gaps.

The two shared many similarities.

The core of Divine Dominion Technique was that Lin Jing could expend his lifespan and Core Formation power to command and manipulate things beyond his level.

Right now, using it once would consume about ten years of lifespan at most.

If Lin Jing was willing to pay that price, even High-Grade Magical Artifacts that were normally beyond his control could be temporarily wielded.

In fact, even if his opponent were human, he could try to use Divine Dominion to seize control.

In Lin Jing’s eyes, this was basically a variant form of the Heavenly Demon Physique.

The strength of the Heavenly Demon Physique lay in its explosive power—

Whether he burned ten years, a hundred, or even ten thousand years of lifespan,

once activated, the boost was immediate and overwhelming.

But the Divine Dominion Technique, with his current proficiency, could only burn a thousand years of life at most.

The power increase wasn’t as dramatic as the Heavenly Demon Physique.

However, in terms of finesse, Divine Dominion was far superior.

The Heavenly Demon Physique simply amped up cultivation level without improving spellcasting technique—

essentially brute strength with no control.

But Divine Dominion enhanced Lin Jing’s Beast Taming Level, granting him control over all things.

It was a major upgrade to his already formidable Beast Taming arsenal.

As for Lin Jing’s third major breakthrough…

After ten years, he had finally helped the Spell Spirit Origin: Illusory Mushroom (术法元灵·幻菇) awaken full spiritual intelligence—

His Illusion Dao mastery had reached perfection.

“Master,”

The floating Illusory Mushroom hovered at Lin Jing’s side. As Lin Jing stood up, it asked,

“Shall I stop generating your cultivation illusions?”

“Mhm, disperse them,” Lin Jing replied.

With that, the illusionary forest, ice-and-lightning ruins, and alchemy room within the Hourglass of Time all dissolved instantly.

The rest of his pet beasts inside the hourglass lifted their heads.

“It’s time to leave.”

“Now it’s your turn to take on a new task.”

Looking at the mushroom, Lin Jing suddenly recalled what the Demon Emperor had told him—

Only with the resolve to die can the Heavenly Demon Physique be mastered.

But with his current identity, how could he ever face that kind of desperation?

Under the Demon Emperor’s protection, it was too difficult to encounter a truly life-threatening crisis.

However—

Now that the Illusory Mushroom had gained full awareness, Lin Jing finally saw a glimmer of hope for mastering the Heavenly Demon Physique.

“From now on,” he instructed,

“you’re allowed to create illusionary crises at any moment—so long as it doesn’t endanger my life—

especially when my mental guard is lowest.

Design scenarios where I must feel like death is certain—

and right at the moment I successfully cultivate the Heavenly Demon Physique, but before it activates, wake me up.”

“No limit on the number of attempts.”

Using illusions to cultivate the Heavenly Demon Physique—

it was the only viable method Lin Jing could come up with.

After giving the order, he even sealed his memory of this command, so he wouldn’t be on guard against the Illusory Mushroom.

“...”

The mushroom scratched its head, falling deep into thought.

This was… insane.

How was this not a completely unreasonable request?

It was literally a fragment of Lin Jing’s spell essence—a part of his own psyche.

Basically, Lin Jing had just asked it to hypnotize himself.

Wasn’t that just a recipe for going mad?

Would he really be able to distinguish illusion from reality?

Five years into the Golden Era.

Lin Jing finally emerged from seclusion.

His own cultivation: Early Core Formation Stage

Pine Leaf Mouse: Mid Core Formation Stage

Dragonblood Carp: Perfected Core Formation Stage

Ice Soul Gu: Mid Core Formation Stage

Upon emerging, Lin Jing immediately reported to the Demon Emperor.

At the same time, the Demon Emperor’s voice came through his Tiger Fang:

“Congratulations.”

“That carp’s cultivation is just one step from becoming a demon king? Impressive.”

“Yes. We’ll begin refining a Transformation Pill capable of working on Demon Emperors and even Ancestral Beasts as soon as possible. Please rest assured, Your Majesty.” Lin Jing pledged.

Before his seclusion, they had already improved the Transformation Pill, refining one capable of letting demon kings take human form.

He had handed it over to his senior sister to await the Sect Master and Senior Brother Ouyang’s return.

As for whether they’d choose to break their contracts and transform—that was their choice.

Regardless, the pill was already enough for the Beast Taming Sect.

But for the Demon Court, they needed something that could work on Demon Emperors and Ancestral Beasts—that was the real strategic value.

“No rush,” said the Demon Emperor.

“Since the carp is already at its peak, why not wait until it forms a Nascent Soul before refining again?

At its current level, it might be able to help produce a pill for Demon Emperors—

but a pill for an Ancestral Beast? That’s still a stretch.”

“Understood.”

Lin Jing was about to suggest letting the carp prepare for its breakthrough, but the Demon Emperor had already made arrangements.

“There’s a volcano in the Western Desert, known as Buried Immortal Volcano.

It was formed during the Celestial Palace War, when the Celestial Alliance activated a massive formation and pulled pure solar core flames down to incinerate the fallen immortals of the lower realm.”

“With that carp’s current level, ordinary fire no longer enhances its flame power.

Next, I’ll escort it to the Buried Immortal Volcano,

to absorb and refine the flame essence there.

If successful, and combined with its Rare Beast Divine Ability,

it can fuse all flames into one and master a flame on the level of Immortal Fire.”

“At that point, whether it’s for refining Transformation Pills or helping you contend for Golden Era fortune,

it will become your most powerful battle companion.”

Lin Jing blinked in surprise.

So this… was what it felt like to be a top-tier immortal scion?

“As for you,” the Demon Emperor continued,

“you’ll accompany your pet to the Western Desert—

and while it cultivates, I have a task for you.”

“The Demon Court’s Western Desert branch has sent word...”

“The High Monk of Golden Light Temple—

after failing to break through to the Dao-Seeking Stage during the Golden Era—

is now nearing the end of his lifespan.”

“Sealed within his body is one of the Ten Rare Gu—the Golden Light Gu.

Soon, it will become a masterless treasure.”

“To prevent it from falling into the wrong hands after his death,

the monk used his final spiritual power to purify it back to its original form—

the Thunder Tribulation Gu—

and laid down several trials of inheritance.”

“Any prodigy with decent Buddhist affinity may attempt the trial and earn the right to inherit the Golden Light Gu.”

“You should meet the requirements.”

“So while the carp works on breaking through, you’re to go win the trial and retrieve the Golden Light Gu.”

“I am of the Divine Tiger Clan, aligned with Metal Element.

If you acquire the Golden Light Gu and gain access to its dominant metal power,

I’ll pass on a special Imperial Weapon of my clan to serve as your protection.

Only those with the strongest metal-element force can activate it—

and right now, this is your most efficient path forward.”

Lin Jing gripped the Tiger Fang tightly.

So that monk who sealed the Golden Light Gu…

was dying?

And now the Golden Light Gu was about to change hands?

First the Ice Soul Gu got upgraded by devouring the Thunder Tribulation Gu…

and now this?!

What kind of busted luck was this?