Beast Tamer Ascension

Chapter 31: Bodhi Heaven

A massive brown pillar of light descended upon the Mechanical Fish, engulfing Lin Jing in the process.

All the disciples on the Mechanical Fish were stunned. Almost simultaneously with the appearance of the light pillar, Elder Yu and Elder Li made their moves, but despite their Golden Core-level abilities, they were repelled by the light pillar and could not change its trajectory.

“Trouble!” Elder Yu’s heart sank as he immediately assumed the worst—it must be the Yin Corpse Sect coming to abduct people from the Beast Taming Sect.

But as realization dawned, his expression turned incredulous. “All disciples, listen up!” Elder Li raised his voice, issuing orders. “Quickly enter the light pillar! There are opportunities within. Anyone who enters will be exempt from the Inner Sect examination and promoted directly to the Inner Sect! However, entering carries risks, so decide swiftly. If you feel unprepared to compete for opportunities, prioritize assisting the Outer Sect disciple Lin Jing to secure them.”

Elder Li’s explanation clarified the situation. “This is a ‘Cavern Heaven.’

“In ancient times, our Tianyuan Continent was the lower realm of an immortal palace in the Celestial Realm. To nurture talents, the immortal palace created the ‘Ten Great Cavern Heavens’ and the ‘Thirty-Six Minor Cavern Heavens.’ These Cavern Heavens would appear randomly across the continent, absorbing a select number of prodigies with immense fortune—sometimes three to five, sometimes seven to eight. Each contained countless opportunities.

“Though the immortal palace has long since perished, the Cavern Heavens remain.

“In principle, only chosen prodigies may enter. However, it was later discovered that cultivators of the same realm as these prodigies, if present during a Cavern Heaven’s descent, could also accidentally enter and seek their fortune.”

The remaining twelve disciples, who hesitated until they heard more of the explanation, could only watch as the Cavern Heaven fully materialized, barring further entry. Left outside, they could not help but feel immense regret.

Elder Li turned to these disciples. “Don’t be disheartened. Given your capabilities, even if you had entered, it would be challenging to compete with the prodigies within. Missing this opportunity likely saved your lives.”

Among those who had entered, four were from the Demon-Hunting Hall, and the other three included He Yiming, Qin Caixin, and Ziran.

“Cavern Heaven…” Elder Li continued, while Elder Yu sighed beside him.

Elder Yu couldn’t decide if Lin Jing was incredibly lucky or deeply unlucky. To be swept into a Cavern Heaven—it was only the third occurrence since the founding of the Beast Taming Sect.

“This Lin Jing… he was actually chosen by a Cavern Heaven. Incredible,” Elder Li remarked.

“This isn’t the time to discuss this,” Elder Yu sighed heavily.

The next moment, several streaks of light descended, revealing Elder Mo, the Black Bear Monster, and several other Golden Core elders. They silently observed the light pillar.

“Dmn it,” Elder Mo muttered irritably. He had accounted for all sorts of dangers, including a potential raid by the Yin Corpse Sect, which the sect’s guardian divine beast could repel. Within the Beast Taming Sect’s vicinity, Lin Jing was supposed to be extremely safe.

What he hadn’t expected was for Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse to be swept into a Cavern Heaven—a phenomenon beyond anyone’s control.

Within a Cavern Heaven, no one could protect Lin Jing. Not even ascension-level cultivators could influence such a mechanism from the Celestial Realm.

“Master, look at it positively. Cavern Heaven opportunities are limited to competition within the same cultivation realm! Besides Lin Jing, the other geniuses swept in will also only be at the Qi Refining stage.”

“As long as the two of them remain cautious, their lives should be safe. Given their circumstances, it’s more likely the other disciples from the Outer Sect, or prodigies from other sects, will end up in trouble.”

“…Maybe,” Elder Mo replied, still unconvinced.

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Inside the mysterious space.

A massive stone stele towered over the landscape. Nearby, three ancient trees surrounded the stele in a triangular formation. Their leaves were gold, silver, and green respectively.

Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse were transported before the stone stele, still somewhat disoriented. As they looked around, several other figures appeared one after another.

“Ha ha!” A bald body cultivator draped in animal skins laughed heartily. “Bodhi Heaven! To think I’d stumble upon one of the Thirty-Six Minor Cavern Heavens!”

“A Cavern Heaven? You’re saying this is a Cavern Heaven?” A scholarly man in a scholar’s robe exclaimed, marveling at their surroundings. “I’ve only read about this in books. To think I’d one day enter one myself!”

“Ah, I see. With my talents, it makes sense to be chosen by a Cavern Heaven,” said a young woman in alchemist robes with a soft laugh.

“Junior Brother Lin…” Before long, Senior Brother Ziran and the others managed to exploit a loophole to enter as well. They observed their surroundings cautiously, eyeing the peculiar group of young cultivators who had also entered.

“What are you all doing here?” Lin Jing asked, surprised to see Senior Brother Ziran and Senior Sister Caixin.

From the discussion around him, Lin Jing began to piece together what had happened. He had read a little about Cavern Heavens before.

“Squeak!!” The Pine Leaf Mouse, however, had no clue what was going on. It only knew that something had gone awry with the Inner Sect examination. After all the preparation, was it about to lose the larger storage pouch it had been promised? The Pine Leaf Mouse was heartbroken.

“Everyone!” The body cultivator spoke again. “This is Bodhi Heaven, one of the Thirty-Six Minor Cavern Heavens. Within it are three Bodhi Trees.”

“Legends say that beneath a Bodhi Tree, a cultivator’s comprehension is greatly enhanced, making it the best place to understand techniques, spells, or even create new ones.”

“The founder of the Solar Temple reportedly achieved enlightenment here, establishing the temple and becoming a revered monk.”

“Even the True Dragon Secret Art of the Ancient Celestial Emperor was perfected in this very place.”@@novelbin@@

“However, there are only three Bodhi Trees, and we are many. Naturally, the chance to meditate beneath one should go to the strong. Any objections?”

“I, for one, claim the golden Bodhi Tree. The other two—figure it out among yourselves.”

No one paid him any attention. The crowd was fixated on the inscriptions on the massive stone stele.

Stele of Creation.

The stele ranked those who created techniques, spells, or abilities within Bodhi Heaven based on their potential. Those whose creations were recorded would receive blessings from Bodhi Heaven.

1. Gu Huang (Ancient Emperor): Created the True Dragon Secret Art during the Nascent Soul stage.

2. Feng Xian (Sealer of Immortals): Created the Sealing Immortal Art during the Golden Core stage.

...

9. Solar Buddha: Created the Sun Sutra during the Nascent Soul stage.

...

The stele displayed 100 names—each a legendary figure in cultivation history.

Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse exchanged glances.

The Pine Leaf Mouse wanted to ask if it could create an ability to store items in its body. Lin Jing shook his head. At the Qi Refining stage, with so little experience, creating techniques was far out of reach. They shouldn’t even dream about it.

It was better to focus on mastering its Red Flying Leaf attack.

“The real problem,” Lin Jing muttered, scanning the group, “is that there are too many people and too few trees.”

The strange body cultivator, the scholarly man, the conceited alchemist, and the silent swordsman—none of them seemed simple. They were clearly on a different level from the Beast Taming Sect disciples.