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!"
"I specifically chose you for this expedition because you seem to have a talent for handling Flower Sect enchantresses."
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.
Three Months Later.
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…
"Depart!"
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.