Chapter 68: As Seasons Change

Chapter 68: As Seasons Change Over the next two days, Lin Jing and his companions repeatedly challenged the wooden figure, only to fail every time. The Foundation Establishment wooden man seemed to enjoy kicking their butts—literally—often sending them splashing into the lake.   By now, Lin Jing felt his backside had bloomed into a lotus flower. In the future, he mused, perhaps he wouldn’t even need one to sit on to attain enlightenment.   The wooden man also demonstrated exceptional combat experience. When they attempted to fly on leaves, it hurled stones at them with pinpoint accuracy. When Lin Jing summoned the dragon carp and used the Fire Control Technique to exploit its fire weakness, the wooden man countered by shaking water from the lake to douse the flames.   Even the Pine Leaf Mouse’s Everlasting Emperor's Longevity Art—effective against plants—only briefly immobilized it before the wooden man broke free. Ghostfire and illusions were even less effective, as the wooden figure had no soul to burn or mind to deceive.   Had the wooden man been a true enemy, Lin Jing and his team would have perished countless times.   Despite their losses, Lin Jing still saw hope. Based on its reactions during battle, the wooden man indeed feared fire. Otherwise, it would have withstood fire attacks as easily as it did their flying leaves and water arrows.   Lin Jing analyzed their situation:   - Increase the dragon carp’s cultivation level.   - Sharpen his control over the Fire Control Technique.   - Help the Pine Leaf Mouse advance in the Everlasting Emperor's Longevity Art. While its magic already had some restraining effect, its limited power could only immobilize the wooden man for less than a second. Reaching Minor Accomplishment might allow it to hold the figure for longer.   “Let’s train,” Lin Jing declared.   With an ample supply of Spirit Stones and food, they threw themselves into grueling cultivation, testing their progress against the wooden man daily. Time blurred as they focused solely on growing stronger. Lin Jing did feel some regret that his Glazed Immortal Eyes weren’t advanced enough to fully analyze the mutated Bloodsucking Vine, leaving its potential untapped.   ...   Spring passed into autumn, and three months flew by.   The battles with the wooden man had grown increasingly fierce, though Lin Jing’s group still couldn’t achieve victory.   By the lake, the wooden man stood immobilized. Over the past months, the Pine Leaf Mouse had reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining, and its magic had achieved Minor Accomplishment. However, its ability to absorb the Bloodsucking Vine’s essence had diminished significantly, rendering the vine nearly useless.   At this point, the Pine Leaf Mouse no longer favored the Mechanical Bamboo Rifle as a weapon, opting instead for a simple tree branch.   Wearing a flowing robe, it channeled its enhanced magic to temporarily immobilize the wooden man. Then, using its Everlasting Emperor's Longevity Art, it caused the branch to grow rapidly into a thick trunk, binding the wooden man tightly.   Plant Manipulation!   As the wooden man struggled against the bindings, Lin Jing stepped forward with the dragon carp staff, performing a hand seal. Flames erupted from the carp’s mouth, now far more intense thanks to their training.   In the three months, Lin Jing had advanced to the seventh layer of Qi Refining, while the dragon carp had reached the eighth. With their improved cultivation, the carp’s flames had become hotter and more refined. Lin Jing compressed the fire into marble-sized fireballs, directing them to strike the wooden man through the gaps in its bindings.   Boom! Boom! Boom!   The fireballs exploded on impact, leaving visible scorch marks and causing some damage to the wooden man.   However, to Lin Jing’s dismay, the scorched figure broke free of the bindings and launched a counterattack. Despite being charred and having half its head blown off, it remained combat-ready, a relentless opponent unaffected by pain or fatigue.   Exhausted and low on spiritual energy, Lin Jing, the Pine Leaf Mouse, and the dragon carp were forced to retreat yet again.   “I’m done!” Lin Jing groaned. After months of fighting, they had shifted their mindset—less reliant on stockpiled resources and more focused on testing their raw abilities. The real reason, though, was the Pine Leaf Mouse’s reluctance to waste supplies on training.   “Elder Divine Pine, I swear the wooden man’s getting stronger. Are you secretly adjusting its stats?” Lin Jing accused, lying on the ground, panting heavily.   The Pine Leaf Mouse and dragon carp, equally battered, nodded in agreement.   “So, you noticed,” Elder Divine Pine said. “It’s only natural for your opponent to grow stronger with time, just like you. If it didn’t, how would you improve? Besides, its growth is slow compared to yours.”   “Cultivating as a demonic cultivator isn’t just about surpassing your opponents briefly—you must grow faster than they do. Otherwise, the righteous path will crush you,” Elder Divine Pine added unapologetically.   Lin Jing rolled his eyes, realizing something had felt off all along.   “Let me teach you another lesson: as a demonic cultivator, never trust anyone’s words. You’re too young to believe me so easily.”   “Got it,” Lin Jing muttered, too tired to argue about not being a demonic cultivator.   “Give us a few more days. We’re close to beating it,” Lin Jing said.   “Even if we master the Sacred Wood Seal, its preparation time is too long. During a fight, the wooden man wouldn’t give us a chance to use it,” Elder Divine Pine pointed out.   The Sacred Wood Seal, originally meant to seal the Ice Soul Gu, relied on spiritual imprints that imbued wooden constructs with divine properties. Though Lin Jing had strong mental strength and precise control, he lacked the ability to manipulate plants, requiring the Pine Leaf Mouse’s cooperation. Even then, casting the technique in battle was nearly impossible.   “What if we prepare dozens of pre-imbued wooden constructs before the fight?” Lin Jing proposed.   Elder Divine Pine scoffed. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t rely on stockpiled resources?”   seaʀᴄh thё Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. “Senior, as a demonic cultivator, I’ve learned never to trust anyone’s words—including my own. I changed my mind.”   “Well, I’ve changed my mind too,” Elder Divine Pine retorted. “I’m giving you a new challenge. Never argue with the one setting the rules—only your fists matter in the end.”   Lin Jing: ???   “Fine, fine. The old are always craftier,” Lin Jing grumbled.   Elder Divine Pine continued, “I’ve sensed the emergence of a spatial-attributed spiritual plant in the Great Wasteland. It could benefit the Pine Leaf Mouse greatly. Go claim it.”   “Squeak?” The previously despondent Pine Leaf Mouse perked up, energy surging as it scrambled upright with renewed vigor.   “A spatial plant?” Lin Jing’s interest was piqued.   “Yes, but several Nascent Soul beasts and Golden Core cultivators are also eyeing it. I won’t intervene—you’re on your own. Complete this task, and you can head to the academy.”   “Senior, on second thought, maybe we should just fight the wooden man,” Lin Jing suggested.