Vol 5 Chapter 108: Hunting the Culprit
The fact that the Origin Realm failed to produce Origin Sources was truly bizarre.
Not only did Heaven-Earth Sect notice this anomaly, but factions across Star Dust Realm, the depths of Canghai Sea, Heavenly Demon Sect, and Xianlin City... all detected something amiss and began searching for reasons.
"Something's wrong, let's observe further."
Meanwhile, Lin Jing, feeling somewhat guilty, decided to remain silent and observe the situation.
"I wonder what's happening. Let's wait and see. By the way, the Tianyuan cultivators I brought should have all reached Nascent Soul Transformation perfection by now."
Ten years had passed. Given the Origin Realm's environment and the resources he provided, Lin Jing believed these talented individuals should have smoothly achieved Nascent Soul Transformation perfection.
"Indeed, all have reached Nascent Soul Transformation perfection, except Gu Qianqiu and Yu Xun'er."
"Hmm, those two are special cases, they don't count." Lin Jing shook his head, having nearly forgotten about these two Longevity Body possessors.
"Have they all contracted spirit beasts then?"Lady Nethersoil nodded. "Most have contracted one spirit beast, though all are from the new generation."
"What does 'new generation' mean?" Lin Jing asked, then immediately understood before receiving an answer.
Ah, most likely they contracted hybrid offspring produced by the first-generation spirit beasts with assistance from the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse!
"The gathering was proceeding smoothly initially," Lady Nethersoil continued, "but some spirit beasts raised concerns - what if leaving the Origin Realm through Beast Taming Art fails? Would they perish falling through void turbulence? Might heavenly tribulation intercept them mid-journey? After all, this operation has never been attempted before."
"Moreover, the prodigies you brought back seem reluctant too. They wish to release their contracted spirit beasts upon reaching Tianyuan, hoping to contract companion beasts that can stay with them permanently."
"These guys..." Lin Jing fell silent. They were all enthusiastic initially, yet now at the threshold, they're backing out, unwilling to take even the slightest risk.
Though this was only human nature.
"Then what?"
"After discussions, it was decided they could contract newborn spirit beast cubs that have formed life but haven't yet developed spiritual intelligence. If they can successfully transport these cubs outside, they wouldn't mind waiting another cycle."
"Having waited this long, a little more time makes no difference."
Lin Jing was both exasperated and impressed by these spirit beasts. So while fearing risks themselves, they don't mind risking these cubs? Not their own offspring, I suppose?
"Fine, handle it yourselves and inform me of the final decision." Busy preparing for the Millennium War, Lin Jing had long delegated this spirit beast relocation project to Senior Brother Ouyang and Gu Qianqiu.
"Understood." Lady Nethersoil nodded.
Lin Jing returned to cultivation. Two more years passed. Fang Baihua, the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse's gardener, became the first tester, contracting an Origin Realm spirit beast. Using Void Mystical Stage breakthrough pills refined by the Dragon Carp, she successfully left the Origin Realm.
That same year, a Nascent Soul Transformation Stage beast taming cultivator from Tianyuan Realm transmitted news back to the Origin Realm, informing Lin Jing's group that the plan had largely succeeded - Fang Baihua had completely transported the Origin Realm spirit beast back to Tianyuan.
Upon receiving this news, Heaven-Earth Sect erupted with excitement. Countless Nascent Soul spirit beasts with power comparable to Void Mystical Stage cultivators grew even more eager to leave the Origin Realm.
However, Tianyuan's quota for entering the Origin Realm was limited. For such desirable "realm-escape" opportunities, one had to queue properly.
Moreover, even if they could send everyone out at once, Lin Jing wouldn't allow it. If everyone "escaped" to advance in Tianyuan Realm, who would remain to work for him in the Origin Realm?
Over the next few years, Zhang Mingren, Jiang Lin, Jiang Qi, Qin Lei and others successively returned to Tianyuan with their contracted spirit beasts.
Meanwhile, Tianyuan Realm would send new batches of cultivators every few years. Lin Jing's plan was operating smoothly.
However, while Heaven-Earth Sect and Tianyuan Realm progressed well, ten years after the supposed emergence date of the treasured Origin Sources, cultivators in the Origin Realm discovered... the regular Origin Sources that should have appeared this year still hadn't materialized.
"The Origin Realm is..."
"What exactly is happening?"
"If the Origin Realm can't even produce Origin Sources anymore, it's completely worthless."
"While the Origin Realm has the densest natural energy among upper realms, external realms might replicate similar environments through formations and artificial means. Breaking through to Void Mystical Stage early has its advantages too. Besides, entering the Origin Realm requires paying a certain price."
Xianlin City.
The new city lord Wen Changge, elegant in white robes, couldn't hide his irritation after two failed Origin Source emergences. Twenty years were extremely precious for prodigies like him. If he could stably obtain Origin Sources during this period, it would be acceptable. But without Origin Sources, the Origin Realm wasn't worth staying in.
"Send another message to Senior Zhou. Inform him the Origin Realm has changed - not only is the century Origin Source gone, but regular Origin Sources probably won't emerge either. As for the millennium Origin Source..."
"Do you think... someone might be sabotaging this secretly?"
"Could it be that Lin Jing? Since I arrived in the Origin Realm, he's been unusually low-key, never appearing."
"Never mind, probably not. How could he possess such capability?"
"Go now."
The messenger beside Wen Changge acknowledged and departed, finding a way to leave the Origin Realm.
.............
Pangu Continent, Cultivation Alliance!
"Humph!" With an angry shout, a palace nearly turned to ruins. Upon learning about the Origin Realm's situation, Zhou Banxian's face darkened. He thought the Origin Realm affairs would return to normal after gaining the Wen Family's support, but...
"Whoever is responsible better hope I don't find out."
After consideration, he still suspected sabotage. The Origin Realm had operated smoothly for so long without issues - why would problems suddenly emerge now?
"Origin Realm spirit beasts? Heavenly Demon Sect? Or someone else? That Longevity Body possessor?"
Zhou Banxian pondered, finding all possibilities plausible yet unable to confirm the true culprit.
"Then let's test them all!"
"Nine Revolutions Star Monarch, Sky Fight Elder, Void God... fellow daoists, could you assist me in operating the formation to deduce the Origin Realm anomaly?"
"I plan to deploy a Star Deduction Grand Formation with my century's worth of immortal energy, tracing effects back to causes."
"Without roots or sources, how can deduction proceed? Fellow Zhou needn't waste energy. Perhaps the Origin Realm has simply reached its natural end." A voice echoed from the void.
"Fellow daoists needn't worry. This old man merely seeks truth. If it's natural causes, so be it. But if someone sabotaged my foundation... hehe..."
After speaking, Zhou Banxian issued orders recalling all cultivators who had visited the Origin Realm, especially those who interacted with Lin Jing or witnessed Canghai Sea and the Meteor Spirit Beast.
Without personal items like Lin Jing's or the Origin Realm spirit beasts' hair, he would use others' memories of these individuals as mediums for deduction. The traces of their existence would serve as connections to their true selves!