“Thank you so much Mr. Lin!” Qingzhu thanked profusely. Lin Jin smiled and waved in return. “Alright, go along now.”
Qingzhu bowed deeply before leaving with her friends. Once outside the yard, they inadvertently quickened their pace. None of them felt sleepy anymore. Even if it meant continuing their journey overnight, they had to leave this place as soon as possible.
The North Ridge Duo and the remaining two evils thanked Lin Jin gratefully too. Lin Jin didn’t have a very positive impression of them but they were still lives. After this experience, with their injuries and loss of pet beasts, these people might just come to a realization and change their ways.
Of course, if they didn’t learn their lesson and continued on the path of crimes, they would eventually wound up in a deadly situation anyway.
Now that Lin Jin had officially embarked on the path of cultivation, after condensing the Dharma body for Xiao Huo, his awareness level had also improved. While his supernatural powers hadn’t exactly increased, his mind had elevated.
Once everyone left, only Lin Jin and the female demon remain in the yard.
“Mr. Lin, after I have achieved success in my cultivation a hundred years ago, I’ve stopped killing. I’ve only planned to kill those evildoers shrouded in malicious auras this time and I would never lay a hand on the commoners. I hope you can understand this.”
The female demon’s sudden words sounded like she was trying to explain herself and leave a good impression on Lin Jin.
Lin Jin was obviously confused.
Logically speaking, with her profound cultivation and amazing caliber, she didn’t have to be this courteous, respectful even. Lin Jin assumed that she might have been reluctant to comply with his request earlier, that maybe she would suddenly launch an attack. Yet, she remained humble. Lin Jin wondered. They didn’t know each other and for her to behave this way, she must have a request.
Sure enough, the female demon continued, “Sir, you surely have amazing skills, being able to condense a Dharma body for your pet beast. I have reached a bottleneck in my cultivation and haven’t been able to achieve a breakthrough all these years. In the past, an expert once told me that only by condensing the Dharma body could I reach the next level. Only, my search thus far has been in vain. Being able to meet you today is my fortune. Please have sympathy on us monsters for our path to cultivation is difficult. I hope to receive your guidance.”
Having said that, she bowed.
So that was it.
Lin Jin now understood the reaction she displayed upon entering the yard. She took notice of Xiao Huo’s Dharma body. Putting himself in her shoes, if his cultivation had reached a bottleneck for so long and he came across a chance encounter that might help him, even Lin Jin would be this respectful.
At this, Lin Jin was able to relax.
Those who curried favors for no apparent reason were much more dangerous. Now that he knew the reason, he didn’t have to worry much as he learned what she wanted.
After his one-time experience, Lin Jin had some knowledge about condensing the Dharma body. But it was common knowledge since ancient times that methods and techniques weren’t easily passed onto others. What’s more, to a demon he just met.
Transfiguration was much more difficult for a demon than a monster. This demon’s cultivation period must have exceeded the old dragon’s and she must have received guidance before too. Otherwise, she couldn’t possibly achieve this much in her cultivation.
A certain level of precaution was required.
However, he couldn’t do it blatantly as he still couldn’t overpower this demon. Lin Jin could tell she was a tigress. A tigress who had become a demon to boot. Annoying her wouldn’t be a wise decision.
It was better to keep the current balance.
“Before I give any advice, might I read your pulse?” Lin Jin smiled, pointing to the two-ringed beast logo on his sleeve.
Indicating he was a beast appraiser.
When Hu Yuzhen realized it, she extended her arm to him without hesitation.
This tigress’ Transfiguration was something else. Even Lin Jin wouldn’t be able to tell anything without closer observation. Her arm was flawless and slender, fairer and softer than any other average girl.
Noticing her smiling face, Lin Jin knew she was doing this on purpose. He smiled back. Lin Jin was a beast appraiser who didn’t even care for a divine beauty like Shang’er. This tigress, Hu Yuzhen, who was inferior in comparison couldn’t possibly make him waver.
Placing his fingers on her wrist, Lin Jin immediately recorded her information into the Museum of Deadly Beasts.
‘Great Scott! She’s really a demon at the peak of Rank 5,’ Lin Jin mused.
It was the museum’s first time recording a demon so the place seemed to have expanded as a result.
At a closer glance, Lin Jin noticed a new hall named ‘Demon Slaying Hall’.
However, there was nothing inside. It was so empty that Lin Jin didn’t understand what was going on so he just left it as is.
He returned to the demon’s description.
“Tiger monster at the peak of Rank 5. Turned demon due to obsession. Four hundred and ninety-one years old.”
“Tiger of Cangliang. Consumed jade to develop spirit. Able to control dark winds and devour living spirits.”
“Has cultivated Blood Jade Demonic Formula, Wind Manipulation, and skilled in Ghost Servant.”
“Demonification through obsession has sealed off paths to evolution. Only by cultivating the Dharma body could it evolve again…”
“The methods to slay this demon include…”
There was much information on this demon. After carefully reading through and seeing the ‘demonification through obsession’ and ‘demon-slaying methods’, Lin Jin came to a realization.
It was no wonder the museum came up with a Demon Slaying Hall. So this was the purpose.
Certain intentions came to mind. The demon-slaying methods were somewhat troublesome but there seemed to be rewards available after slaying one so Lin Jin really wanted to try.
Initially, he hadn’t planned on teaching her the Dharma body, but now, Lin Jin changed his mind.
“Mr. Lin, did you manage to see something?” Hu Yuzhen couldn’t resist asking after seeing Lin Jin stay quiet for so long,
Frankly speaking, she had her guard up as well.
Being a mere Rank 2 beast appraiser, this guy could actually condense a Dharma body. Meaning to say, this might not be his actual rank. An average Rank 2 beast appraiser couldn’t possibly achieve this, nor would he have this many beasts and monsters as companions.
Hu Yuzhen could easily tell the white ape’s identity with a glance. To her, he was only an insignificant monster. Still, even little monsters like him were rare in today’s world, much less one that would follow a human around. Also, that creature in the coffin was quite the beast too. But the one that unsettled her the most was this fire wolf with the Dharma body.
That was her dream.
Staring at Xiao Huo, hints of darkness began to surface in Hu Yuzhen’s eyes. Behind fear, there was jealousy, and within jealousy, there was yearning.
Lin Jin clearly understood her gaze.
This was a demon!
Prior to this, Lin Jin had no idea what a demon was. Forget him, not many capable men of this world could even answer that question.
However, Lin Jin had the Museum of Deadly Beasts. He may not have known about demons before, but right now, he had a significant understanding of what they were. Simply put, demons were obsessions.
There were too many obsessions in this world. Whether they stemmed from a good cause or bad, these obsessions would eventually turn evil. Be it humans or monsters, obsession could turn them all into demons.
Hu Yuzhen was initially just a monster. After her success in cultivation and reaching a bottleneck, she began to yearn for a Dharma body but with no success. And that was how her obsession turned her into a demon.
That was the gist of it.
