Book 2: Chapter 40: Dual Cultivation of Buddhism and Demonic Arts

Vol 2 Chapter 40: Dual Cultivation of Buddhism and Demonic Arts Outside the chamber: Zhang Hu and Gao Sheng observed Lin Jing, who had been meditating for just a few minutes. To their astonishment, a faint golden glow began to radiate from Lin Jing’s body, making him appear sacred, as if shrouded in Buddhist light. “Buddhist essence!” Zhang Hu exclaimed in shock. “It hasn’t even been the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, and he’s already condensed a Buddha Pearl? This kind of Buddhist cultivation talent is outrageous. I wonder which Buddhist expert performed the blessing for Lin Jing.” “Already cultivated it?” Gao Sheng was stunned. After some thought, he said, “I might know who it was—Master Konglin. Thousands of years ago, he joined the Demon-Slaying Bureau for a time. He once sealed an immortal beast in the Great Wasteland but left the Ancient Kingdom long ago to return to the Western Deserts. There hasn’t been news of him for ages. Who knows if he’s still alive?” “If he is alive, his cultivation level must have reached an incredible stage,” Gao Sheng speculated. Nascent Soul cultivators have a lifespan of a thousand years, Soul Transformation cultivators two thousand, the Void Refinement stage five thousand, and the Dao Inquiry stage ten thousand. Gao Sheng calculated that if Master Konglin’s final cultivation was at the Soul Transformation stage, he would likely already be dead. If he had advanced to the Void Refinement stage, he might still be alive. Thinking of this, Gao Sheng couldn’t help but envy Lin Jing. This guy had a Longevity Body; his lifespan as a Nascent Soul cultivator would rival the strongest beings on the continent. It was truly something to be jealous of. As the two conversed via voice transmission, Lin Jing opened his eyes. Golden light flickered in his pupils. Searᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. “The Buddha Pearl is condensed,” he said calmly. “Congratulations, congratulations!” Gao Sheng quickly smiled, though he scratched his head while looking at Lin Jing, who was still glowing. “But isn’t your Buddhist talent a bit too absurd? It feels like you didn’t do anything, yet your Buddhist essence is still increasing.” Lin Jing remained silent, sensing the situation in his body. The power leaking from the sealed within him, which had always required his Ice Soul Physique to neutralize, was now automatically being absorbed and sealed by the Buddha Pearl. The Ice Soul Gu was created through countless venomous insects refined with Gu techniques, often involving cruel and sinister methods. It was natural for the Buddha Pearl to classify its energy as demonic power. This meant that the Buddha Pearl was sealing the Ice Soul Gu’s energy within him, passively generating immense Buddhist essence and merit. Lin Jing realized that he didn’t have to do anything, yet his aura exuded divine righteousness. “It’s your imagination,” Lin Jing said flatly. Gao Sheng liked deducing things, so let him piece it together. Gao Sheng already knew about the Ice Soul Gu sealed within Lin Jing, so it shouldn’t be hard for him to figure out that Lin Jing was essentially suppressing a demon within himself. The Buddha-Demon Pearl truly was a perfect fit for Lin Jing. “Really?” Gao Sheng rubbed his chin thoughtfully. At that moment, Zhang Hu interrupted, “Since you’ve already succeeded in cultivating it, would you like to test the Buddha Pearl’s abilities by executing a death row prisoner?” “Please arrange it, Senior Zhang,” Lin Jing replied with a bow. He was eager to execute a hundred prisoners right now so he could claim the pine cones from Senior Pine. Execution was still killing, and Senior Pine couldn’t deny that, could he? Deeper into the prison: Zhang Hu led Lin Jing deeper into the execution chamber. Guards stationed along the way maintained their stoic expressions, though they stood at attention in deference to Zhang Hu. With Zhang Hu’s status, their path was unimpeded. “The prisoner in Execution Room Fourteen is scheduled for today,” Zhang Hu said. “From which sect? Yin Corpse Sect? Gu God Sect? Or the Netherworld Hall?” Gao Sheng asked curiously. Lin Jing shook his head. “It’s rare to capture a demonic cultivator from one of the Eight Great Demonic Sects. Most are from smaller ones.” “This particular prisoner was once an elder at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage in the . Due to his potential to form a Golden Core, he sought out the ‘Blood Pill Technique’ from the remnants of the Blood God Sect. This technique required the blood essence of a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, a thousand Qi Refinement cultivators, and ten thousand mortals to refine pills.” “He targeted rogue cultivators, wandering between cities and secretly murdering them. By the time he was captured, his hands were stained with countless lives. His crimes are unforgivable.” “He deserves to die,” Lin Jing said coldly, furrowing his brows. “Senior Zhang, should I just go in directly?” He glanced at the stone prison gate, which bore the pattern of a divine tiger. “That demonic cultivator has been drained of spiritual power and is restrained on the execution platform. You may use any method to kill him,” Zhang Hu replied. “Afterward, throw his corpse into the incinerator behind the chamber.” Lin Jing nodded and pushed open the heavy prison gate. Inside the dimly lit execution chamber, a red-haired elder was chained to the execution platform. As Lin Jing entered, the elder slowly opened his eyes, lifeless yet filled with malice. A surge of killing intent exploded towards Lin Jing. Despite containing no spiritual energy, it overwhelmed him with visions of blood and slaughter. “To think they sent a mere Qi Refinement brat to execute me…” the elder muttered weakly. Before he could finish his sentence, his head was severed, two white strands of energy wrapping around the stump of his neck. The severed head fell to the ground, its lifeless eyes wide open. Lin Jing looked back at the head. This was his first time killing someone, yet he felt no discomfort. The next moment, he sensed a faint wisp of resentment clinging to him. This invisible, intangible force wouldn’t harm a cultivator in small amounts, but if it accumulated, it could eventually create inner demons and disrupt one’s mental state during critical moments. “I’m just doing my job as an executioner. Why blame me?” Lin Jing muttered. He sealed the resentment into the Buddha Pearl, then used a strand of true energy to toss the elder’s corpse into the incinerator behind the execution chamber. After neatly finishing the task, Lin Jing didn’t linger and left the chamber. “How do you feel?” Zhang Hu asked as Lin Jing emerged. “Pretty good, no discomfort,” Lin Jing replied with a smile. For some reason, killing this person left him feeling unexpectedly satisfied. “That’s good,” Zhang Hu said. “If that’s the case, how about I arrange one death row prisoner for you every seven days?” “Once every seven days? Senior Zhang, can we make it seven prisoners a day?” Lin Jing asked, frowning. At this rate, it would take him two years to meet Senior Pine’s requirements! “Seven a day? What do you think this is, a pig slaughterhouse?” Zhang Hu snapped. Lin Jing sighed. He was already 27 years old. Although this was still very young for someone with a Longevity Body, the Genius Rankings for the Human List only accepted cultivators under 30. This meant he had just three years to help the Pine Leaf Mouse reach Foundation Establishment, evolve its bloodline, and attempt to challenge the Genius Rankings. If he missed this chance, he would lose out on the massive recognition the Genius Rankings brought across the continent. This would severely limit the progress of his Hidden Dragon Arts, and his Flame Dragon Carp wouldn’t be able to achieve a perfect transformation. After negotiating, they settled on one execution per day. This way, Lin Jing could complete Senior Pine’s task in about three months. Outside the prison: As Lin Jing exited the immortal prison, Senior Pine, who had been secretly observing, snorted. “This sly brat… Fine, let it slide. Burning? He learned that. Killing? He’s tried it. But as a demonic cultivator, he still hasn’t learned how to rob. Next time he wants my help, I’ll make him go loot something! Always handing out pills to others during duels without gaining anything. No wonder he’s poor. Wasting the spatial gift of that squirrel!”