Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 3 Chapter 49: The Sky Lion Clan

One of the Sixteen Daos of Qingzhou—Beast God Dao.

The Beast God Dao was a unique region within Qingzhou.

Although it was home to many human cultivators, most of them weren’t pureblood humans!

Many carried traces of demonic beast bloodlines, and their special cultivation physiques were often related to beasts—such as Dragon Blood Physique, Barbaric Bull Physique, and Beast King Physique.

Because of this, the cultivation sects and families in the Beast God Dao often walked the fine line between humanity and the beast races.

The Sky Lion Clan.

Centennial Ancestral Tribute Ceremony.

As the grand ceremony approached, not only did numerous beast clans gather to pay homage, but many cultivators also arrived to present tributes.

"We’re finally almost there."

The journey had been long. After three months of travel, the Pine Leaf Mouse and Lin Jing’s clone finally arrived at the Beast God Dao.

Using a plant-based clone formed from vast life force and even consuming a portion of lifespan had its advantages. Despite crossing numerous territories, the connection between the Pine Leaf Mouse and the plant clone remained strong—far more practical than ordinary cloning techniques.

Besides this connection, Lin Jing’s clones also carried self-aware illusionary souls, allowing them to act independently even when separated by great distances. Unlike mindless puppets that only executed pre-set commands, these clones could still follow Lin Jing’s directives.

Other than slightly weaker endurance, they weren’t that different from his true body.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

As Lin Jing’s illusionary body and the Pine Leaf Mouse walked along a forest path, the sound of hooves suddenly echoed behind them.

A horse-drawn carriage swiftly passed by, but Lin Jing paid it no mind.

With the Sky Lion Clan’s grand ceremony approaching, many cultivators were traveling to present tributes. He had seen quite a few along the way.

However, as this particular carriage continued, it gradually slowed to a stop—making Lin Jing smile.

"A fellow Daoist also heading to the Sky Lion Clan?"

Before long, a chubby Taoist lifted the carriage curtain and called out to Lin Jing.

"Mm." Lin Jing responded briefly.

The chubby Taoist laughed heartily. "I sense that you’re a pureblood human. That must mean, like me, you’re heading there to seek blood, right?"

"Since fate has brought us together, why not hop on? We can travel together!"

Lin Jing’s illusionary body remained calm, gazing at the man.

A Foundation Establishment Perfection-level chubby Taoist, a Qi Refinement-stage horse, and an old coachman hiding his mid-Core Formation cultivation under the guise of a Qi Refinement cultivator.

"Much appreciated." Lin Jing nodded and stepped onto the carriage.

Inside, the chubby Taoist sighed. "Ah, the competition in the Beast God Dao is too intense. Pureblood humans can’t survive here. I’ve given up on being human."

"I hail from Tianyun Temple of Cangyun Mountain. May I ask where fellow Daoist is from?"

"A wandering cultivator," Lin Jing replied.

"A wandering cultivator???" The chubby Taoist was stunned. "Then you must be quite fortunate! What treasure have you obtained to present to the Sky Lion Clan?"

"So that you can decide whether or not to rob me?" Lin Jing chuckled. "This Soul Confusion Incense you’ve filled your carriage with is too weak for me. I’ve been eating poisonous mushrooms for years. Back when I was in Qi Refinement, I treated Soul Confusion Pills like candy."

What the hell?

The chubby Taoist’s expression changed dramatically. Suddenly, he revealed a sinister grin and struck at Lin Jing with his palm.

Boom!

The Pine Leaf Mouse also struck back with a single palm.

As fists and palms collided, the carriage exploded into countless fragments!

The chubby Taoist was sent flying, vomiting blood midair. His body nearly collapsed.

"Diamond Palm…?"

The chubby Taoist muttered those words before losing consciousness.

"And you, old man? Not going to make a move?" Lin Jing turned to the coachman.

"When did you figure it out?" The old man, Ma Tian, stared at Lin Jing.

"Your illusion technique is garbage."

Lin Jing spoke casually. "It’s well known that during every grand ceremony of the Sky Lion Clan, many cultivators from the Beast God Dao bring rare tributes, hoping to receive a drop of Sky Lion blood and transform their bodies into Sky Lion Physiques, becoming outer members of the clan."

"But the Sky Lion Clan has extremely high standards for tributes, so those who qualify must carry valuable treasures."

"Naturally, this gives rise to a lot of bandit cultivators—but unfortunately for you, you just happened to target me."

"Today, I’ll send you both to meet the Buddha."

"A mere Foundation Establishment ant—"

Before the Core Formation old man could finish, Lin Jing’s illusionary body obliterated him.

Instant death.

Lin Jing picked up the storage bags and checked them before sighing.

"Qingzhou really is better than the Ancient Celestial Kingdom. In just three months, I’ve already encountered eight robbery attempts. The harvest has been plentiful!"

"Unfortunately, this clone will probably die soon in the Sky Lion Clan. I’ll organize the loot later and see if I get a chance to retrieve it someday."

Along the journey, whenever he encountered those with ill intentions, Lin Jing’s choices were simple:

—If he could win, he’d counter-rob them.

—If he couldn’t win, he’d enhance his illusions, hide himself, and escape using spatial techniques.

He didn’t maintain complete stealth at all times—it would consume too much energy. After all, he was just a clone, without the true body’s stamina.

However… now that his two clones had finally arrived at the Sky Lion Clan’s territory, he no longer held back.

Lin Jing ignored the official tribute process and instead strengthened his illusions, boldly blending in among the tribute-bearers entering the Sky Lion Clan’s secret realm.

No one noticed a thing.

Now that he had reached his target destination, consuming more energy didn’t matter.

"I wonder if I’ll get to see the ‘Sky Lion Holy Maiden’ at this ceremony."

"You probably will, but forget about receiving the Sky Lion Holy Maiden’s blessing. Unless you're an imperial-level strong clan pledging allegiance, it’s impossible to receive Longevity Blood…"

Lin Jing listened in on a group of beast-blood cultivators as they entered the Sky Lion Secret Realm, discussing the Sky Lion Holy Maiden.

His expression remained calm.

The Sky Lion Holy Maiden—this title referred to nothing more than a captive Longevity Body of the Sky Lion Clan.

It was no secret to the outside world that the Longevity Body was merely a blood sacrifice raised by the Sky Lion Clan.

But the clan had given it a noble title, calling it a divine blessing from the heavens—hence, Holy Maiden.

By leveraging this so-called blessing, the Sky Lion Clan had been able to harvest large amounts of Longevity Blood each year, trading it with powerful clans for benefits.

"According to Senior Sister, the Sky Lion Clan’s captive Longevity Body is already a thousand years old."

"Yet despite a millennium, her cultivation is still only at the early Core Formation Stage."

"This level of control is remarkable. The blood and flesh of a Core Formation Longevity Body aren’t valuable to Demon Emperors, but if she were any weaker, others would fight over her."

"That’s why, even after a thousand years of captivity, nothing unexpected has happened."

Even though I don’t have the power to rescue this unlucky soul who shares my physique…

Since I’m here, I might as well see if I can at least meet her.

Lin Jing gradually distanced himself from the beast-blood cultivators, wandering through the Sky Lion Clan’s secret realm under his illusionary disguise.