As they conversed, Lin Jin came to learn that this immortal’s name was ‘Du Li’. He was once a genuine immortal but ever since the extinction of the path to immortality, his physical body perished. He was only able to leave this soul fragment here because of his Unending Nature Landscape. Otherwise, every bit of himself would have disappeared.
That monster, General Lion, was once a lion beast who mistakenly entered his drawing realm. After Du Li chanted some teachings to him, the lion finally gained some cultivation experience.
As for the people in the plaza, they were actually the result of Du Li’s bias.
“I’m the only one left from my legacy of immortals so I was hoping someone could come here and comprehend the introductory cultivation methods of my sect. But it’s a pity that no one had succeeded all these years.” There were hints of disappointment in Du Li’s voice.
Lin Jin stayed quiet.
He thought, ‘It’s not that no one succeeded. I did. But apparently, Du Li doesn’t feel this way because he thinks I’m on the same level as he is.’
Did immortals of the same level even need to comprehend introductory cultivation methods?
They would just understand it at first glance.
Du Li was sighing while Lin Jin panicked internally. This was like sitting on a cushion made of needles.
He was completely relying on his acting game now.
However, at the mention of this introductory cultivation, meaning the Beastmaster Fourth Scroll, Lin Jin took the opportunity to inquire further. He learned that Du Li’s sect was focused on the art of beast cultivation.
It was just right for today’s situation.
However, calling that incredible Beastmaster Fourth Scroll introductory cultivation was devastating. Fortunately, Lin Jin wasn’t dumb enough to compare the current age with the era of immortals. After all, so much had changed and the path to immortality has extinct.
Lin Jin told Du Li about the situation outside and the latter kept quiet.
“As I expected, times have changed and a new era had begun. Never mind, forget it. Being able to learn this much is good enough for me.” Having said that, he saluted Lin Jin again. “Brother Lin, I’ve actually shown myself this time because I have a request.”
Lin Jin replied, “Senior Du, please speak your mind. If it’s something I can accomplish, I will put in my best effort.”
Du Li explained, “Time is running out for this remnant soul of mine and I will soon disappear. When that time comes, please take care of my Unending Nature Landscape. This painting is an heirloom of my sect. My sect master handed it to me personally and I can’t let it be without an owner. So please keep it for me, Brother Lin. The cultivation manuals of my sect are contained in this painting and you’re free to read them too. I only hope that one day, you’ll find someone decent and trustworthy to inherit this treasured artifact of my sect. Don’t let it end in my hands.”
It seemed that Du Li was truly out of options that he requested this of Lin Jin.
Everyone else was either not trustworthy or they weren’t capable enough.
Perhaps Du Li was feeling reluctant as well, and Lin Jin could tell.
But it was as Du Li had said. The last fragment of his soul was about to disappear so he could only cling onto any savior he could find.
In the face of such a substantial request, Lin Jin could only nod and promise Du Li that he would find a suitable successor for this immortal cultivation, ensuring that it gets passed down.
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands.” Du Li was happy to hear his answer. The man got up and bowed deeply at Lin Jin, startling Lin Jin into quickly returning the favor.
Just then, Lin Jin sensed a vague commotion in the Museum of Deadly Beasts. He let his psyche wander and found the noise to have come from the Demon Slaying Hall.
A black stream of light appeared in the hall which gradually condensed into a tiny black jade golem, suspending in the air. Simultaneously, the shadow of a blade appeared.
The blade’s shadow was faintly visible and carried a piercing aura.
Lin Jin was puzzled by this sight. Putting focus in his mind, he now entered the Demon Slaying Hall to examine the sword shadow, immediately learning the blade’s name.
Demon Slayer.
‘Born from the encounter with demons. Slays demons at sight. Slain demons turn into jade. Jades suspend in the hall.’
Lin Jin felt a connection with the blade when he first laid eyes on it and he knew that the museum had now provided him with another amazing power.
Then, Lin Jin turned to look at the black jade golem. Immediately, the revelation shocked him.
The jade golem looked exactly like Du Li.
As if a craftsman had carved it out according to Du Li’s appearance.
This was odd.
Shifting his mind again, Lin Jin focused back on the outside only to find Du Li’s remnant soul slowly disintegrating.
At that instant, Lin Jin understood.
The destruction of the path to immortality happened more than a thousand years ago, perhaps several thousand even. Logically speaking, Du Li’s remnant soul couldn’t have survived this long. Most immortals have already disintegrated and no matter how strong Du Li was, he couldn’t have survived the test of time. While this Unending Nature Landscape from his sect should be the main reason, Lin Jin came to understand another reason for his survival.
Intense obsession had turned Du Li’s remnant soul into a demon.
In Du Li’s scenario, he never realized himself depraving into a demon.
Because he now met Lin Jin and found someone to entrust his wishes, Du Li had been freed from his duty. To the Demon Slaying Hall, this counted as a successful demon-slaying attempt. Hence, a black jade golem appeared. By accumulating black golems, the Demon Slayer would gradually materialize.
This was the value of the Demon Slaying Hall.
To nurture the blade with black golems.
With enough black golems only would the blade be born.
Lin Jin became excited. Everything from the museum had been unique thus far so Lin Jin had a feeling that his strength would soar once he successfully materializes the blade.
It wasn’t written down clearly but Lin Jin knew by instinct.
Du Li’s remnant soul disintegrated. It genuinely disappeared. Lin Jin knew full well that Du Li was already near his end, so now that his obsession had been resolved, dissolving into nothingness was only natural.
Also, this wasn’t a spell or a concealment technique. From the black golem in the Demon Slaying Hall, Lin Jin could sense that Du Li was truly gone.
But the problem was, Lin Jin still had many questions.
On the topic of looking after Du Li’s Unending Nature Landscape, Lin Jin had agreed to it and planned to do just that. But how was he going to put this thing away?
Lin Jin didn’t have the slightest clue.
Though, instead of forgetting to tell him, there was a possibility that Du Li deliberately didn’t tell him. Because to Du Li, Lin Jin’s cultivation was on par with his so the man must know how to put magical artifacts away.
However, Lin Jin genuinely didn’t possess such a skill.
Also, he never mentioned what other treasures Lin Jin could find in the Unending Nature Landscape or how to uncover them.
Feeling helpless, Lin Jin could only sigh. He could only go about this slowly. For now, it was best to focus on what he could see at the moment.
For example, learning the Carrier Cloud. Everything else could be put aside for now.
The entire time, Hu Yuzhen had been bowing as she stood a little further away, afraid of even breathing too loudly. After seeing the scary immortal disappear, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. She watched as Lin Jin came over but she didn’t know what to say. Instead, Lin Jin was just as courteous as ever.
“Please wait for me for a bit longer.”
“Uh, sure, sure!” Hu Yuzhen became even more respectful.
Lin Jin noticed it too but he didn’t comment on it as his brain was filled with the Carrier Cloud.