Ten years had passed.
It also meant that Língzūn's life was nearing its end.
Even if Yun Jin used all her strength.
But.
Lifespan had reached its limit.
Heavenly decree was hard to defy.
Returning to reincarnation, that was Língzūn's wish.
That morning, Língzūn, as usual, went to the fields with Yun Jin.
Ten years together had naturally created a quiet understanding between them. They didn't use any spiritual power, working in the fields just like ordinary people, sweat dripping under the sun.
After finishing the farm work, Língzūn smiled at Yun Jin and said, "Ten years. Your three little beasts are about to break into the Ninth Level."
Yun Jin nodded.
In the water mirror, the three little ones were already very close to the path leading to the Ninth Level Heaven.
Guarding the final passage was a terrifying giant beast.
Língzūn smiled, poured tea, and invited Yun Jin to sit.
"Over these ten years, a few spirit beasts have broken through to the Ninth Level. But… none of them could resonate with my energy, so they couldn't inherit my legacy," he said softly.
"However, now that the Bloodline Evolution Codex exists, whether this energy gets inherited or not isn't so important."
Over the past ten years, with the Bloodline Evolution Codex spreading, every spirit beast could train using it, far exceeding the effect of the spiritual spring. Ten years ago, the spring had been dwindling, but few beasts cared.
Once he passed away, the spring would probably disappear completely.
But.
It didn't matter.
With the Bloodline Evolution Codex, every spirit beast already had its own path of evolution.
The spring… was no longer important.
That was also why he could now wait for death in peace.
"When they break into the Ninth Level Heaven, I'll give them a gift," Língzūn said with a smile.
Yun Jin's heart trembled slightly. She instinctively shook her head. "Língzūn, it's not necessary. They…"
"I know. They have their own adventures. With you, their futures are limitless. But I have my own intention, you don't refuse it," Língzūn said gently. "This is for the kids, not for you."
Yun Jin sighed, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes.
Língzūn's face was serene. "You don't need to feel sad for me. Returning to reincarnation is returning to the Heavenly Dao. Maybe death isn't really death, but a starting point for meeting her."
There wasn't a hint of reluctance in his expression, only anticipation. Life had been a long road for him. He was tired beyond measure. He couldn't wait to see her, to ask her if he had done well these years, if he had disappointed her.
In the water mirror, the three little ones had started battling the final giant beast.
All three were at the peak of the Tribulation Stage. They couldn't undergo tribulation inside the secret realm, so all that power had accumulated inside them. Once they left, the thunder tribulation would strike immediately.
Yun Jin watched them fight with Língzūn.
After decades of devilish training, their combat experience had grown tremendously.
They cooperated perfectly.
Gun Gun acted as the tank.
Huan Huan controlled the battlefield while using her terrifying speed to distract the giant beast.
Dan Dan fought with wild ferocity, focusing on output.
After a day and a night, the three finally defeated the giant beast!
It collapsed with a thunderous crash.
"The passage is open!"
Dan Dan shouted excitedly.
"Quick, through here is the final Ninth Level!"
"Once we break through, we can see Master!"
"Charge, charge, charge!"
The three little ones shouted, full of energy, like the rising sun.
Língzūn watched quietly, a trace of warmth in his eyes. He would fall soon. But in this world… spirit beasts were being reborn.
Life and death were always like this. So… he'd lend them a final helping hand.
Língzūn smiled softly. He reached out and lightly touched the water screen. Then, a massive energy radiated from him.
In the water screen, the three little ones paused as they'd just reached the Ninth Level.
They thought a new adventure awaited them.
But…
It was empty. Nothing at all.
Before they could react, a terrifying force pinned them in place.
They struggled instinctively.
But the next moment, their eyes widened.
This energy…
It was the same kind of power they had gained from defeating beasts before.
Only now, it was incomparably more vast and magnificent.
Língzūn smiled at Yun Jin. "You've probably realized the truth of this trial realm, haven't you?"
Yun Jin nodded slowly. "Yes."
The foundation of this trial realm was Língzūn's spiritual power. He had cultivated for countless years.
According to the records, any super divine beast could ascend and become a ruler in a higher realm.
But Bai Ze…
He had already evolved into a super divine beast yet chose to stay in this small world.
Years ago, his power had already become too vast for this world to contain. To avoid ascending, he used a secret technique to create a strange space in the void, channeling his spiritual power into it.
For countless ages, he continued doing this. The spiritual power in this space accumulated more and more.
Somehow, Língzūn had transformed the space, manifesting his spiritual power into various beast forms. Spirit beasts defeating these forms could absorb his energy.
Língzūn…
Knowing his lifespan was short, chose to give all the spiritual power he had accumulated over countless ages to the spirit beasts.
The rapid growth of Gun Gun, Huan Huan, and Dan Dan was all thanks to Língzūn's gift.
"Língzūn, you don't have to give them your final energy…" Yun Jin's voice trembled, breaking her calm.
Now, Língzūn was giving all his spiritual power to the three little ones.
Gun Gun.
Huan Huan.
Dan Dan.
They couldn't absorb so much power at once.
So Língzūn carefully condensed it into crystals, storing it within them.
Seeing Yun Jin like this, Língzūn smiled. "I'm about to fall. Once I die, this energy will dissipate, which would be too wasteful. These three spirit beasts have great potential. Giving it to them is the only way it truly matters."
Yun Jin's lips trembled.
Waste or not…
She couldn't care about that right now. She had spent ten years with this old man. She had long been captivated by his wisdom and generosity. Now that he was about to fall…
Who even thinks about waste or usefulness?
"This is my wish," Língzūn said gently to Yun Jin. "Our friendship has lasted this long. Consider the crystallized energy I leave behind as me still accompanying you."