Chapter 51: The Demonic Technique!

Chapter 51: The Demonic Technique! At the summit of Tiandu Peak, the Pine Leaf Mouse trembled under the shade of the majestic golden-green Divine Pine. There was nothing more terrifying than realizing your food had developed intelligence—and far more power than you. Even when faced with Lin Jing’s illusions of eagles and snakes, the mouse hadn’t felt this shaken. The Pine Leaf Mouse’s paws twitched as it straightened its robe, pressed its palms together, and knelt in a bow. The Beast Tamer was right—cultivation must proceed one step at a time. Rushing ahead only leads to unpredictable disasters... “Squeak... Pine Leaf Mouse of the Beast Taming Sect pays its respects to the sect’s ancestral deity!” “I’m coming to help!” Lin Jing yelled as he scrambled up Tiandu Peak. Having received the Pine Leaf Mouse’s plea for help, he ignored the peak’s status as a restricted area for ordinary disciples. Since the mouse had reached the summit through legitimate means, Lin Jing figured there was no harm in following. Thankfully, the mountain’s suppressive aura didn’t seem to target humans. Reaching the summit quickly, Lin Jing was stunned silent by the sight of the Divine Pine. If his memory served correctly, before the Celestial Alliance Era, plants could indeed develop intelligence. However, during the fall of the Immortal Palace, the rules of the Celestial Continent were rewritten to eliminate rebellion. This change made it nearly impossible for vegetation to gain sentience. While there were many beasts capable of cultivation, intelligent plant spirits were now rarer than one in ten thousand. And yet, the guardian deity of Tiandu Peak was a pine tree that had achieved sentience! “Lin Jing, future Holy Son of the Beast Taming Sect, greets the honored ancestor,” Lin Jing said, bowing alongside the Pine Leaf Mouse. (As for who had named him Holy Son, one could ask the Black Bear Monster.) “Be at ease,” a neutral voice echoed across the mountain. “I was once bound by a contract with your sect’s second sect master. I will not harm you.” The Pine Leaf Mouse exhaled in relief, grateful that its food wouldn’t eat it in return. “Honored ancestor, we came after hearing the tale of the Squirrel’s Leap of Tiandu,” Lin Jing explained, justifying their intrusion. “A Pine Leaf Mouse…” The Divine Pine’s unseen gaze settled on the trembling mouse, making it shift uncomfortably. “After all these years, a Pine Leaf Mouse with the potential of a Beast King has finally appeared. Your ancestor’s efforts have not been in vain.” The Divine Pine seemed reflective. “I will honor my promise to pass down teachings.” “Hm?” The Divine Pine paused. “You possess a Longevity Body?” seaʀᴄh thё Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The revelation startled Lin Jing. Despite wearing the pendant Elder Mo had given him to hide his physique, the Divine Pine had seen through it instantly. “No wonder this Pine Leaf Mouse is so exceptional—it has signed a blood contract with a Longevity Body, altering its fate.” The Divine Pine turned to the Pine Leaf Mouse. “What technique do you desire?” The Pine Leaf Mouse froze. Was it really about to be taught? Lost in thought, it glanced back at Lin Jing before turning back to the Divine Pine with resolve. It wanted... Longevity Arts! As the Divine Pine had said, Lin Jing possessed a Longevity Body, but the Pine Leaf Mouse was not a long-lived species. Over time, it had grown used to cultivating alongside Lin Jing. To remain by his side, it begged the Divine Pine for a technique to extend its life. But was such a technique possible? “That is not difficult. I have a demonic technique that, if modified, can be granted to you,” the Divine Pine said. The words sent shockwaves through Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse. Demonic technique?! “Honored ancestor... our sect is a righteous one,” Lin Jing ventured cautiously. “The demonic nature applies to me,” the Divine Pine explained calmly. “The technique in question harvests the essence of vegetation to extend life. As a sentient plant, using it against my kind makes it a demonic technique. For humans or beasts, however, it’s just another method.” Understanding dawned on Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse. At the same time, they gained a deeper understanding of Tiandu Peak’s guardian deity: a plant spirit, and from the perspective of its kind... a demonic cultivator. No wonder the Divine Pine remained calm in the presence of a Pine Leaf Mouse that had eaten countless pine nuts—it had done far worse. With a flash of green light, a technique name appeared in the Pine Leaf Mouse’s mind: The Green Emperor’s Longevity Art! Absorbed in the wonder of the technique, the Pine Leaf Mouse closed its eyes. The Green Emperor’s Longevity Art allowed the user to absorb spiritual energy and convert it into Green Emperor Qi, which could be used to control plants or drain their life essence to extend lifespan. However, the art had a cap on the lifespan it could provide at each level. As one advanced, ordinary plants would no longer suffice—only high-grade spiritual plants or even celestial flora would do. “The technique has been passed on. Do you have any other requests? If not, you should leave,” the Divine Pine said. Lin Jing quickly bowed. “Honored ancestor, do you know of the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda and the Buddhist light within it?” “We trained there and gained strength from the light, but it left us with an uneasy feeling.” The Divine Pine fell silent briefly. “I am familiar with it and its creator.” “You need not worry; the Buddhist light is harmless.” “It is a manifestation of his Buddha Core Technique, designed to unlock potential in low-level cultivators. Its primary effect is granting recipients a minor affinity for Buddhist arts.” “Back then, those monks entered the Ancient Celestial Kingdom intending to spread their teachings. When forbidden from doing so openly, they adopted this indirect method—offering ‘fortuitous opportunities’ to foster ties with Buddhism.” “After exposure to the Buddhist light, practicing Buddhist techniques or spells will become significantly easier for you. That’s all. The monks hoped some cultivators would eventually switch to their faith.” Lin Jing nodded in understanding. “So it’s a subtle recruitment tactic.” “If you dislike Buddhism, I can remove the Buddhist affinity from you,” the Divine Pine offered. Lin Jing clasped his hands. “Thank you, honored ancestor. Knowing it’s harmless is enough. Personally, I view Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, or even demonic arts as tools. I hold no special biases.” As a modern individual, Lin Jing’s philosophy was simple: whether praying to Buddha or the Dao, as long as it didn’t cost money, he was open to all beliefs. Daoist techniques, Buddhist techniques, or even demonic techniques—if they got the job done, that was all that mattered. “You’re not concerned about being subtly converted to Buddhism?” the Divine Pine asked. “Honored ancestor, with my Longevity Body, I could outlast their attempts and ascend as a Buddha myself.” The Divine Pine was silent. “You may leave,” it finally said, deciding that this Longevity Body’s irreverence was too aggravating. In its time, it had created demonic techniques to cling to life, while this human could effortlessly transcend as a Buddha or Daoist. Truly infuriating. Descending from Tiandu Peak, Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse were overjoyed with their gains. However, before they had gone far, they heard a mournful cry from the summit—a magpie’s dirge. Many figures rushed toward the Mission Hall. Lin Jing stopped a fellow Inner Sect disciple to ask, “Senior Brother, what’s going on?” “The magpie’s cry signals tragedy. An inner disciple encountered danger during a mission outside the sect. It’s said to be Senior Brother Ouyang Hao, the task fanatic. He’s been brought back, but his life is hanging by a thread!” Hearing this, Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse’s faces fell. Senior Brother Ouyang?! Hello, readers! A fresh chapter is waiting for you! Love what we do? Cheer us on with a 5-star rating for BOTI Translator Team on NovelUpdates. Your support fuels us! ????????