Vol 5 Chapter 62: Alliance

"I've already given instructions to Little Stone."

"He's an honest and simple fellow—don't bully him."

After saying this, the Fuzzy Immortal fell silent.

These words seemed to have drained her last remaining strength.

Lin Jing remained silent.

Star Longevity Cranes?

In some ancient ascension murals of the Tianyuan Realm, celestial cranes did appear when cultivators ascended to the Immortal Realm.

However, unlike what the Fuzzy Immortal described, Tianyuan's records stated these cranes were auspicious celestial beasts raised by immortal palaces.

So it seemed now that this crane species was called "Star Longevity Cranes."

Living as long as the stars... the Longevity Body among demonic beasts. These terms genuinely piqued Lin Jing's interest.

After all, the mysterious Fuzzy Immortal was a celestial being. In that case, he might as well heed her advice.

It wasn't like he was in any urgent need to contract new spirit beasts anyway.

"Of course, if I could directly contract the Meteor Spirit Beast, I wouldn't complain—I'm not picky," Lin Jing muttered to himself.

Although the Fuzzy Immortal had been disparaging the Meteor Spirit Beast earlier, Lin Jing thought the stone creature seemed quite decent.

If it could fight evenly with a Chaotic Immortal Physique at the Nascent Soul Transformation Stage, then once it reached the Seeking the Way realm, it would at least possess combat power comparable to the Cultivation Alliance's leader.

Moreover, the stone creature wasn't as violent as rumors suggested.

"If the Meteor Spirit Beast has been collecting Origin Sources all these years primarily to offer them to its 'master,' aiming to prolong her life rather than out of personal ambition, then it truly qualifies as an honest and simple fellow," Lin Jing shook his head.

The outside world portrayed the Meteor Spirit Beast as utterly ambitious.

No wonder it remained unmoved by the temptation of leaving the Origin Realm.

If it departed, no one would gather Origin Sources for the Fuzzy Immortal anymore. Without the immortal energy sustaining her life, the Fuzzy Immortal wouldn't last long.

"I'll make another trip to the Star Dust Realm," Lin Jing gazed at the starry void.

"Unbind me first!!" Mo Yu shouted.

When Lin Jing returned to the Star Dust Realm, the Meteor Spirit Beast had already resumed its seat upon the Starry Throne, its master's words still echoing in its mind:

"Set aside your grievances for now. This person can completely resolve my current predicament. I've established a contract with him—henceforth, the two of you may form an alliance to jointly dominate the Origin Realm and strive for my revival."

"Brother Stone, shall we... have a more heartfelt discussion now?" Lin Jing smiled. "I never imagined Brother Stone had such a formidable master. My earlier offense was uncalled for."

"Speak your mind," the Meteor Spirit Beast snorted. Since its master had spoken, it would let bygones be bygones.

"As your esteemed master mentioned, I can resolve her current predicament. However, everything depends on having sufficient Origin Sources and adequate strength," Lin Jing said.

"With our combined forces, dominating the Origin Realm would be effortless. But Brother Stone, your stronghold is established here, free from external threats—unlike my situation."

"My homeland lies beyond. If we monopolize the Origin Realm's resources to save your master, I'll inevitably antagonize both the Cultivation Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Sect."

"Therefore, I have one request."

"Let us first use the Origin Sources we obtain to strengthen my home cultivation world, ensuring my homeland has sufficient foundation to stand firm across the realms. Only afterward would we store Origin Sources... for reviving your master."

The Meteor Spirit Beast frowned, about to speak, but Lin Jing quickly added:

"Of course, I won't let Brother Stone suffer losses during this phase," Lin Jing said. "I won't endlessly invest in my home cultivation world—just nurturing one powerhouse comparable to the Cultivation Alliance's leader would suffice."

"The remaining core forces could be filled by Brother Stone's spirit creatures. If we cooperate, your subordinates would become expendable anyway—surely some among them desire to leave the Origin Realm?"

"Once they leave, returning would be difficult. They'd need a new homeland."

"The Tianyuan Realm would suit them perfectly. With their aptitudes, reaching the Void Mystical Stage would come easily, with hopes of Seeking the Way too. We could use remaining resources to nurture these spirit creatures leaving the Origin Realm, integrating them into Tianyuan to strengthen its power. They'd still remain under Brother Stone's command—this arrangement shouldn't disadvantage you, right?"

"Later, I could formally introduce the Star Dust Realm to collectively join my sect—either the Beast Master Sect or the Demon Court."

"This is already my greatest concession."

Initially reluctant, the Meteor Spirit Beast found Lin Jing's words addressing its concerns perfectly. Indeed, its subordinates knew nothing about its mysterious master.

When recruiting them, besides promising protection, it had vowed to eventually free them from the Origin Realm's constraints.

Now Lin Jing's proposal fulfilled that promise, giving its spirit creatures a proper resolution.

Venturing outside recklessly, these rootless spirit creatures would be devoured by the Cultivation Alliance or Heavenly Demon Sect. But joining an established cultivation world would be completely different.

"Very well... we'll proceed as you suggest," the Meteor Spirit Beast agreed, knowing its master could wait centuries or millennia.

"Then let me welcome Brother Stone and the Star Dust Realm into my Heaven-Earth Sect," Lin Jing applauded cheerfully. "This lightens my burdens considerably—at least I won't face Brother Stone in the coming Millennium War. Once we deal with the Sea Spirit Beast, I can bring the millennium's Origin Sources back to Tianyuan to nurture its powerhouses."

"Don't underestimate the Sea Spirit Beast," the Meteor Spirit Beast warned. "Master said originally over ninety-nine percent of the Origin Realm was ocean—its current geography was artificially reshaped. In terms of primordial roots, it's undoubtedly the most profound among Origin Realm's spirit creatures."

"Is that so?" Lin Jing remarked. "Then Brother Stone is quite remarkable too—managing to contend with it while offering Origin Sources to your master."

The Meteor Spirit Beast shook its head: "Our cultivation here is capped at the Nascent Soul Transformation Stage—there's an upper limit to how much we can benefit from Origin Sources. A fixed amount can thoroughly enhance us until reaching diminishing returns. Only by breaking through to Void Mystical or Seeking the Way could we utilize more."

"Even if I hoarded Origin Sources without offering them to Master, my personal usage would still be limited—the excess would just go to subordinates."

"The Sea Spirit Beast faces the same constraints."

"Besides self-enhancement, it uses most plundered Origin Sources to expand the oceans—attempting to restore marine dominance over the entire Origin Realm. When we first emerged, seas covered about thirty percent of this realm. After millennia of effort, it's reclaimed fifty percent. You'd better hope this batch of Origin Sources doesn't emerge above the ocean."