Book 2: Chapter 31: Three Years

Vol 2 Chapter 31: Three Years The little green caterpillar scurried off, but Lin Jing paid it no mind—it was heading straight toward the Pine Leaf Mouse’s cave dwelling. “Let’s find him first,” Lin Jing thought to himself as his body floated into the air, flying toward a nearby mountain peak. Before long, he landed in front of a cave dwelling and called out loudly, “Brother Xu, are you home?” Boom. The stone door of the cave opened, and a young man in a scholar’s robe stepped out, smiling. “What a rare visitor! Brother Lin, it’s been three years since you’ve left your cave, hasn’t it?” “I haven’t missed a single lecture by Mr. Zhu, Mr. Ji, or Mr. Lü,” Lin Jing replied with a smile. After Mr. Cao’s lecture three years ago, these three instructors had also each held their own classes: “The Art of Feng Shui (City Planning Chapter)” taught the principles of designing the geographical layout of cities and sects to influence fortune and avoid disaster.“The Art of Astrology (Marriage Chapter)” involved calculating auspicious wedding dates based on celestial phenomena. A well-chosen date could even grant mortal couples a high probability of giving birth to children with exceptional cultivation potential.“The Art of Formations (Military Chapter)” emphasized the importance of low-level cultivators in city defenses. For instance, a city defense force of a hundred Qi Refinement Stage 9 cultivators, combined with a proper formation, could repel Monster Core-level demonic beasts. Sect-protecting formations followed a similar principle. Both Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse had diligently attended these classes. “Brother Lin, you didn’t come here just to catch up, did you?” Xu Zhizhi, who had already advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage, couldn’t help but shake his head. He noticed that Lin Jing was still in the Qi Refinement stage, and like others, he was puzzled. With a perfect tenth-stage foundation, why hadn’t Lin Jing broken through yet? Many speculated that Lin Jing was aiming to cultivate an exceptionally powerful acquired physique. Even with his solid foundation, success wasn’t guaranteed, which could explain his hesitation. “These past three years, I’ve been cultivating a new companion beast—a Dragon-Blooded Beast!” Lin Jing began. “It has already reached the ninth stage of Qi Refinement but hasn’t formed a contract yet. I’d like to have it spar with the academy’s geniuses. Brother Xu, I assume you have contact information for this year’s candidates, correct? Could you notify them and see who’s interested in a match?” “Huh?” Xu Zhizhi was stunned. He asked incredulously, “You’ve spent the past three years cultivating a new companion beast???” Lin Jing nodded. “So you’ve been raising a second companion beast… but using the Hidden Dragon Arts for this? That’s far too extravagant! I’ve only ever used my Hidden Dragon Fortune to push the boundaries of my spell techniques,” Xu Zhizhi remarked, still in disbelief. “Brother Xu, just help me pass the word. I’ll make it worth your while,” Lin Jing said with a smile. “And what would this reward be? I have no use for Spirit Bean Bombs anymore,” Xu Zhizhi said. Now that he had reached Foundation Establishment and had grown tired of experimenting with Mechanical Bamboo Rifles, his interest in such creations had waned. “You’ll find out when the time comes,” Lin Jing replied cryptically. He intended to prioritize selling his limited supply of Rising Dragon Pills to trusted acquaintances like Xu Zhizhi. Xu Zhizhi didn’t disappoint. While Lin Jing hadn’t mingled much with senior students over his eight years at the academy, Xu Zhizhi, possessing the Innate Administrative Physique, had personally evaluated and built connections with most of the current freshmen during their entrance assessments. For someone aspiring to govern, building a network of relationships within the academy was just as important as cultivating. Eight years ago, during the infamous case involving Gan Qian, these new students had already been exposed to the brilliance of Lin Jing. Nearly 40% of those Qi Refinement Stage 4 freshmen had now advanced to Foundation Establishment, but they hadn’t forgotten Lin Jing’s astounding achievements—such as crafting Mechanical Bamboo Rifles or leaving the Dragon-Phoenix Cavern Heaven with unmatched mastery of the tenth stage of Qi Refinement. And now, to learn that Lin Jing had spent three years in seclusion to cultivate a new companion beast stirred their curiosity. “Three years... He’s had the patience to spend three whole years raising a new beast?” “He used the potential of the Hidden Dragon Arts to cultivate a Dragon-Blooded Companion Beast? He’s really willing to invest!” The students were intrigued. They decided to attend, eager to witness the strength of this companion beast. After all, no student in their cohort had ever used their Hidden Dragon Fortune to raise a beast or mount before. Hidden Dragon Fortune was so rare that most people couldn’t get enough of it for themselves. They were curious—just how far could it push the potential of a companion beast? One month later, at the south gate of Hidden Dragon Academy, Lin Jing had already set up an arena, waiting for the students invited by Xu Zhizhi to arrive. On the stage, Lin Jing sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, resting quietly. In front of Lin Jing was a flopping red carp. “A Dragon Carp?” “His newly cultivated companion beast is actually a Dragon Carp?” The students who had gathered at the scene one after another froze in place when they saw the Qi Refinement Stage 9 Dragon Carp on the arena platform. A carp spirit... a Dragon Carp… It was a creature that many cultivators were very familiar with. After all, the tale of the Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate was a legendary story that most cultivators had grown up hearing. However, because they were so familiar with it, they also knew the truth: a carp spirit, before it transforms into a dragon, is far weaker in battle compared to most Dragon-Blooded Beasts. Sёarch* The Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. All the students present had been to the Dragon-Phoenix Cavern Heaven, where Qi Refinement Stage 9 Dragon-Blooded Beasts were anything but weak. There, you’d encounter Flood Dragons, massive serpents, or giant crocodiles. Other than those, the Dragon-Blooded beasts often included fierce lions and tigers, all of which were incredibly powerful. Yet there had been no Dragon Carps in the cavern heaven, which was telling. It indicated that even celestial beings in the immortal palace didn’t consider the Dragon Carp to be a combat-worthy Dragon-Blooded Beast. “Maybe after it successfully transforms into a dragon, its strength would improve more dramatically than other Dragon-Blooded Beasts. But for now, its combat abilities shouldn’t be too strong. Besides, this isn’t even a water-attribute environment.” “Wait, hold on. Something’s not right—why is this Dragon Carp fire-attribute?” someone suddenly exclaimed. Most of the cultivators present were already at the Foundation Establishment Stage and had developed their spiritual senses. Observing the Dragon Carp with spiritual senses, they discovered that its spiritual energy contained faint traces of firepower—it was actually a fire-attribute beast. The crowd was filled with confusion, curiosity, and astonishment. As more people arrived, Lin Jing stood on the platform, wearing a white alchemist’s robe. While a few, like Ziling’er, another alchemist, noticed this detail, most of the audience had their attention fixed on the Dragon Carp, paying little heed to Lin Jing’s outfit. “What is he planning?” Ziling’er, as an alchemist herself, couldn’t help but wonder why Lin Jing was dressed in alchemist attire at this moment. “Everyone,” Lin Jing began, scanning the crowd and spotting many familiar faces. “This is a companion beast I cultivated using the Hidden Dragon Arts, my exclusive pills, and my unique methods: the Flame Dragon Carp. It has not yet formed a contract with me. However, I’d like to test its capabilities first. Would any of the junior brothers present be willing to spar with it? Regardless of whether you’re at the Qi Refinement Stage or the Foundation Establishment Stage, you are welcome to step forward.” “Hm?” Suddenly, Lin Jing turned to look at a silver-clad figure walking toward the platform from the distance. “Is that Wang Xiao, possessor of the Heavenly God Physique?” Lin Jing asked with a smirk. “Over the past three years, you’ve challenged me multiple times, but I couldn’t respond as I was in seclusion. Brother Wang, how about trying your luck now?”