Beast Tamer Ascension

Chapter 38: Elder, I Want to Learn Mechanisms

“They’re out!”

The disciples of the Beast Taming Sect returned safely, prompting Elder Black Bear, clad in a Daoist robe, to exclaim loudly.

“They’re all alive! No one died, no beasts were lost, and not a single limb is missing!” he continued with enthusiasm.

“I told you this Lin Jing kid could handle it!”

“It’s good they’re back safely,” Elder Yu and Elder Mo sighed in relief, soon breaking into smiles.

Regardless of whether the disciples gained anything, surviving the Cavern Heaven was already a valuable experience.

“But… why do none of you show any signs of battle?” Elder Li Hai scanned the group with a curious gaze. “Which Cavern Heaven did you enter?”

“Did you give up on fighting for opportunities?”

None of the disciples bore any evidence of struggle. Their robes were pristine—cleaner than they’d be after a meal in the sect’s dining hall. It seemed as if nothing significant had happened inside.

Elder Li couldn’t help but suspect the disciples had merely gone through the motions. He turned his attention to Lin Jing, the central figure in this Cavern Heaven event.

Faced with Elder Li’s question, Lin Jing took a deep breath, still somewhat dazed. His mind was preoccupied with the intricacies of his “Thousand Transformations” spell, deeply etched into his memory.

“Ahem,” Lin Jing cleared his throat. Without the Golden Bodhi Tree’s augmentation, he felt his mind working slower than usual, an adjustment he hadn’t yet gotten used to.

“Elder Li, we entered the Bodhi Cavern Heaven and did not abandon the pursuit of opportunities,” he replied.

“The Bodhi Cavern Heaven? The one with the three Bodhi Trees?” Elder Li asked, surprised. “Did you manage to claim them?”

“Yes, Elder. With the assistance of my senior brothers and the mechanism techniques taught by Elder Yu, we successfully fended off geniuses from other sects and claimed two Bodhi Trees,” Lin Jing answered, allocating credit modestly.

The Pine Leaf Mouse’s ears twitched, and it raised its eyebrows. Where was its contribution in this story?

“No, no, we don’t deserve the credit,” Senior Brother Ziran interjected from the back. “We barely helped. Junior Brother Lin Jing fought valiantly against all odds and used his mechanism techniques to intimidate the others. At most, we just added some finishing touches.”

“Exactly,” the other disciples chimed in, reluctant to claim any credit for themselves.

At this, the elders exchanged peculiar glances.

Mechanism techniques?

They turned to Elder Yu, who scratched his head sheepishly.

Was Lin Jing’s mastery of mechanisms advanced enough to suppress the prodigies of other sects?

“It seems you didn’t encounter the personal disciples or descendants of those old monsters. Otherwise, those mechanism techniques wouldn’t have been enough…” Elder Yu speculated, his face lighting up. “But this means that, relying on mechanism techniques, our Beast Taming Sect has successfully competed with the geniuses of other sects for significant opportunities in the Cavern Heaven!”

He clapped Elder Black Bear on the shoulder with pride.

“And your mechanism techniques have finally found the right practitioner,” Elder Black Bear remarked with a grin.

“My techniques were always excellent! You’re implying they weren’t?” Elder Yu retorted. “Go back to Elder Mo’s side if you’re going to spout nonsense.” ꞦαŊÓ𐌱Ёs̈

“I’m just showing concern for Lin Jing. I couldn’t care less about the others,” Elder Black Bear muttered dismissively.

Elder Li, observing their exchange, was intrigued. It seemed Lin Jing had exceptional talent, and Elder Yu’s personal guidance had paid off.

Even the four Demon-Hunting Hall disciples under Elder Li’s command now seemed utterly convinced of Lin Jing’s abilities.

“As I suggested earlier, you all are exempt from the Inner Sect examination. Effective immediately, you are promoted to Inner Sect disciples!” Elder Li declared.

“Thank you, Elder!” The others, both disciples and their beasts, responded with elation.

Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse, however, felt a slight pang of regret, lamenting the missed opportunity to trade examination points for resources.

In the Great Wasteland, it was a stroke of luck for a demon beast to escape with its life intact—a sign of great destiny.

“We’ll discuss the details later. For now, the major Inner Peaks elders are all present. As newly promoted Inner Sect disciples, you may choose a peak and follow the corresponding Peak Master back,” Elder Mo announced.

But the group hesitated.

“Hmm?” Elder Yu frowned at the disciples. “You know which elders oversee which peaks, don’t you? Go ahead and choose!”

Apart from Elder Yu, Elder Mo, and Elder Li, several Golden Core elders were present. They had been drawn by the Cavern Heaven’s opening and were among the sect’s key figures, each responsible for a Beast Peak and its unique teachings.

“You first,” Elder Yu suggested, looking at Senior Brother Ziran, his most familiar Outer Sect disciple, who often ran errands for him.

Senior Brother Ziran hesitated for a moment before responding tearfully, “Elder Yu, I don’t want to join the Inner Sect. I’d prefer to stay in the Outer Sect and continue serving you.”

“What?” Elder Yu was stunned.

He Yiming, another disciple, swallowed nervously and asked earnestly, “Elder Yu, do you have any plans to establish your own peak to teach mechanism techniques?”

“I want to learn.”

Even the four Demon-Hunting Hall disciples gazed at Elder Yu with burning intensity.

Everyone knew that Lin Jing had acquired his mechanism techniques during the Ascending Dragon Festival, and the source of those techniques was none other than Elder Yu!

After witnessing the power of mechanisms in the Cavern Heaven, how could they not be tempted?

“Mechanisms and beast taming don’t conflict at all. Mechanized constructs can be considered spirit tools, no different from equipping beasts with weapons or armor,” they reasoned.

The Pine Leaf Mouse, equipped with a mechanical rifle, had left a deep impression on them. If possible, they all wanted one too.

Elder Yu froze momentarily, bewildered by their sudden enthusiasm.

Elder Li, equally baffled, glanced at the four Demon-Hunting Hall disciples. What exactly had they experienced in the Cavern Heaven? Didn’t I recommend the Law Enforcement Hall on Yunmen Peak for you earlier?

“So… you all want to learn mechanism techniques?” Elder Yu finally understood why their gazes had been so peculiar.

But there was a problem. Lin Jing’s exceptional mechanized creations were not solely a result of mechanism techniques—they relied heavily on rare materials, derived from mystical beast abilities and other peculiar sources.

Other mechanism practitioners couldn’t easily replicate his constructs. Even if they managed to recreate them through other means, the firepower wouldn’t match. And if the firepower did match, the resource cost would skyrocket, making it inefficient.

“Since these disciples are eager to learn mechanisms, why not teach them, Elder Yu?” an elder suggested.

She was an elderly woman with white hair and a serene expression, unconcerned about the disciples’ choices. Her attention was focused entirely on Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse.

“I am the Peak Master of Danxia Peak. Child, your Pine Leaf Mouse is a wood-type beast adept at accelerating the growth of various herbs. Would you consider joining Danxia Peak to learn alchemy? It would make an excellent alchemy assistant.”

“Nonsense! The Pine Leaf Mouse belongs on Cuiwei Peak!” argued a burly man in a straw hat. “On Cuiwei Peak, you’ll be assigned a cave dwelling with premium spiritual fields, perfect for unleashing the Pine Leaf Mouse’s natural talents.”

“Pure spiritual vegetables and fruits are far more nutritious than pills,” he added.

Having emerged from the Cavern Heaven with valuable opportunities, Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse had instantly become hot commodities among the Inner Peaks elders.

Even the other peaks’ elders began racking their brains for persuasive arguments.

The Nine Dragons Peak elder struggled to come up with a valid reason. He couldn’t exactly claim that the Pine Leaf Mouse had potential to evolve into a Dragonblood Squirrel, could he? That would be absurd.

In the end, he figured the best way to entice Lin Jing would be to offer the finest Dragonblood Beast cubs from his peak.

However, Lin Jing already had a preference.

Before he could voice his decision, a voice rang out from beyond the sect.

“Cao Ziwei from Qianlong Academy seeks an audience.”

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