Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 3 Chapter 34: Fear in the Face of Death

Time passed, and the aura of the green-dressed girl was the first to stabilize, becoming indistinguishable from that of a Core Formation cultivator. Her special cultivation technique, which inherently contained the False Core method, had allowed her to temporarily break through under these dire circumstances.

As the technique completed its cycle, her expression grew more confident. However, when she carefully sensed the state of her opponents, she took a deep breath, a hint of regret flashing across her face.

"If I had known, I wouldn't have been so greedy for that supreme treasure…" She pressed her lips together.

The boatman youth, having activated his Sea Clan bloodline, had transformed into a green-skinned monster resembling a merman. His aura was terrifying, exuding a bloodline pressure akin to that of an unrivaled Demon King. His transformation was still ongoing, fueled by the unexpectedly rich quality of the water-attribute spiritual energy within this secret realm.

"Only the Water Moon Immortal Island and the ancient Dragon Palace could compare to the water spiritual energy in this place."

As expected of an Immortal’s secret realm.

Muttering to himself, he reveled in the moment, his monstrous nature laid bare. For an instant, the green-dressed girl found him even more difficult to deal with.

Meanwhile, Lei Zhen’s Thunder-Fire Sphere was even more terrifying—it had already reached a meter in diameter and was still growing as he held it high above his head. Its power continued to build, and upon seeing it, the green-dressed girl dared not take it lightly. She was deeply concerned that she might become its first target.

Sweeping her gaze across the battlefield, she noticed that Lin Jing, who was currently taking a Replenishing Pill, appeared to be the weakest. Not only was his cultivation lower, but he also lacked any particularly powerful attacks. He seemed far from his peak state, with his True Energy greatly depleted—otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a hurry to restore it.

As a result, the seemingly most harmless person became the first target of attack.

"Take care of the weakest first..."

"He’s an alchemist, which means he must have a large supply of pills in his storage bag. If I eliminate him and take his pills, I’ll be in a much better position to face the other two!"

"If I engage the alchemist, both of us will suffer losses and deplete our strength. The golden-haired youth, not wanting the Sea Clan youth to gain an advantage, will most likely refrain from joining our fight, leading to a three-way battle where the Sea Clan youth remains unscathed. In that case, the golden-haired youth will probably direct his spell at him instead…"

"This is the best path for me to survive until the end."

A sharp glint flashed in the green-dressed girl’s eyes. With a flick of her slender hand, countless resilient vines shot out, winding toward Lin Jing. Yet, even as she attacked, most of her attention remained on the Sea Clan youth and the golden-haired youth…

However, in that very instant of distraction—

Shua!

A streak of crimson sword light flashed by.

Boom!

A deafening roar echoed in her mind. The world seemed to spin wildly.

"W-What’s happening…" she murmured in disbelief.

She saw her own body.

She saw the vines still suspended in midair.

And she saw her own head—severed from her neck—falling to the ground.

Terror filled her eyes.

The scorch marks around her wound, the rapid loss of life—it was too much for her to accept.

"I was supposed to—"

She wanted to scream.

She had gained the power of a Core Formation cultivator!

But before she could even finish her thought, her consciousness completely faded.

She died with her eyes open.

This scene left the Sea Clan youth, Xia Yan, the female artifact refiner, and Lei Zhen utterly stunned. None of them had been able to react until the flaming sword returned to Lin Jing’s side.

The sword was composed of nothing but basic spiritual flames. And yet, this seemingly simple blade of spiritual energy had instantly decapitated a False Core cultivator.

Everyone found it utterly inconceivable.

After all, Lin Jing’s cultivation was only at mid Foundation Establishment. With such a vast difference in realms, how could he possibly have achieved this?

Even though the green-dressed girl’s protective True Energy was wood-attribute and naturally countered by fire, this was far too exaggerated.

"That guy... is dangerous!"

Lei Zhen quickly realized the situation and prepared to hurl the Thunder-Fire Sphere at Lin Jing instead of using it to intimidate others. He had seen through the alchemist’s complexity.

Though Lin Jing was only at mid Foundation Establishment, he had broken through from the eighteenth level of Qi Refinement, possessing an exceptionally deep foundation. His True Energy was extraordinarily dense—comparable to that of a Core Formation cultivator. Even if he relied on the power of his contracted beasts, his strength was still unimaginably fearsome.

The spiritual flames formed from his True Energy, combined with even basic fire-control techniques, allowed him to dominate opponents far stronger than himself.

Sensing the threat Lin Jing posed, Lei Zhen abandoned his previous target and considered him the primary enemy.

"Break—!"

Unfortunately, before he could finish his command, Lin Jing uttered a single word.

Lei Zhen’s mind nearly collapsed.

The flaming sword instantly scattered into sparks, condensing in Lin Jing’s raised palm. In the blink of an eye, an enormous flaming handprint materialized out of thin air.

The fire-formed palm was massive beyond belief. Even more terrifying was the fact that it was no longer composed of ordinary spiritual flames—it was transforming into an exotic fire Lei Zhen could not comprehend.

A pure white flame.

Its five fingers resembled five divine dragons, opening and closing like a blooming lotus of fire.

Then, with a single motion, it swatted the Thunder-Fire Sphere out of existence!

A deafening explosion resounded through the great hall.

Yet the flaming hand remained completely intact.

The white flames continued to surge, sweeping forth with violent spiritual energy undeterred.

Lei Zhen’s pupils constricted.

He hastily retrieved a mid-grade magical treasure-grade battle armor and roared as he ignited his full strength.

But no matter how loudly he shouted, his cries were swiftly drowned out by the merciless advance of the flaming palm.

As it descended, his entire body was engulfed in fire.

The commotion gradually faded…

This so-called genius of Martial Emperor City, known far and wide, died with eyes filled with boundless terror, unable to comprehend who—what—he had just faced.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

The Sea Clan youth was utterly petrified.

Whether it was the green-dressed girl’s technique or Lei Zhen’s Thunder-Fire Sphere, he had been wary but not terrified.

Yet Lin Jing’s effortless display of power completely shattered his courage.

As Lin Jing and Lei Zhen clashed, the Sea Clan youth’s instincts overpowered his thoughts.

Without waiting for his mind to catch up, his body moved—water enveloping his arm, forming a trident as he lunged at Lin Jing, hoping for a sneak attack.

However…

Lin Jing simply turned his back to him, not uttering a single word.

In an instant, the Sea Clan youth’s heartbeat accelerated, his blood vessels constricted.

His impure Sea Clan bloodline became his death sentence.

A wave of unbearable terror filled his eyes as his heart suddenly compressed—like an invisible hand had crushed it.

In that moment, as blood seeped from his seven orifices, he had a realization—

The alchemist standing before him… was like the natural ruler of sea beasts.

There was no resistance.

Regret flooded his fading consciousness.

"The Immortal Path is merciless… Don’t cultivate in your next life."

Having dealt with three so-called geniuses, Lin Jing casually waved his hand, drawing their storage items toward him.

His gaze slowly shifted beyond the great hall.

There, Xia Yan and the female artifact refiner—who had not participated in the battle for the divine treasure—were left watching in horror.

Their faces paled.

Their hearts trembled as though they had just died once themselves.

"M-Monster…"

At that moment, the female artifact refiner and Xia Yan shared a single thought.

Even Xia Yan, who had expected Lin Jing to be formidable, was left speechless by the overwhelming display of power.

For the first time, he was grateful for the choice he had made.