Museum of Deadly Beasts Chapter 784 - Winning Strategy

~5 minute read · 1,333 words
Previously on Museum of Deadly Beasts...
Lin Jin tested Yan Shenjun's saint body with his Clear Wind Sword, but it proved too strong. While Yan Shenjun fought Lin Jin's heaven weaving spider with his own giant spider, Tianzun's green fish transformed into a dragon to engage the spider. Lin Jin appraised Yan Shenjun, discovering he had merged with half of a saint's body and could only use a fraction of its power. Yan Shenjun then ambushed Lin Jin, but Xiao Huo intervened, sacrificing a flame clone to save him.

After being refined by the Heaven & Earth Furnace, the Rank 8 Xiao Huo had attained such might that its fire manipulation reached an astonishing degree. From the looks of the ongoing battle, it appeared Xiao Huo held the advantage.

However, Yan Shenjun possessed the saint’s body, which manifested as densely packed scales erupting from his skin. These impervious scales repelled both fire and water, rendering Xiao Huo’s flames utterly ineffective against him.

This unassailable physique posed a significant challenge, as no attack could seemingly harm Yan Shenjun. Furthermore, he grew increasingly ferocious, his monstrous claws capable of even ensnaring flames. While Xiao Huo currently had the upper hand, the longevity of this advantage remained uncertain.

“Appraiser Lin, the situation isn’t looking favorable,” Miao Yan Zhenren remarked, observing the unfolding predicament.

Lin Jin had also perceived the issue but maintained his composure.

“Appraiser Lin, why don’t we attempt to corner him? Perhaps we might uncover an opportunity to eliminate him definitively,” suggested Xuan Yue Zhenren.

She harbored an irreconcilable feud with Yan Shenjun. The inability to vanquish her foe, even with him within reach, evidently fueled Xuan Yue Zhenren’s impatience.

Lin Jin responded with a shake of his head. “Besieging him would prove futile. Yan Shenjun has successfully merged with the saint’s body, and that body is fundamentally indestructible. No conventional attack will succeed.”

It was clear he had gleaned crucial insight moments prior, likely through his needle.

Upon hearing this, the assembled immortals were dismayed. This revelation implied they had no conceivable path to victory, with failure being the only inevitable outcome.

Moreover, Lin Jin’s assertion wasn't baseless; the immortals were, to some extent, aware of the saint’s formidable capabilities. Ancient texts recounted that the saint achieved his exalted status through eons of existence, witnessing the world’s genesis and surviving innumerable calamities, thereby forging an indestructible body and achieving unparalleled cultivation. This was widely accepted lore.

Even if Yan Shenjun could only wield a fraction of the saint’s true power, victory still seemed unattainable for them.

Consequently, Miao Yan Zhenren and Xuan Yue Zhenren’s expressions darkened, acknowledging the grim truth in Lin Jin’s assessment.

A concerted siege against Yan Shenjun would indeed be ineffectual.

The Heaven Weaving Saint’s might far surpassed that of Tianzun. Even at the zenith of their respective powers, Tianzun and the immortal emperor combined could not contend with him.

“However, all hope is not lost,” Lin Jin added.

This pronouncement rendered the immortals utterly speechless.

It implied Lin Jin possessed a strategy to counter Yan Shenjun, a feat that had eluded even Xuan Yue Zhenren and Miao Yan Zhenren.

Tianzun furrowed his brow. “Yan Shenjun and the saint’s body are now one. Even if he commands but a sliver of the saint’s might, victory remains beyond our grasp.”

Tianzun, likewise, was devoid of ideas and harbored considerable skepticism regarding the efficacy of Lin Jin’s proposed solution.

“Our objective is Yan Shenjun himself, not the Heaven Weaving Saint. Therefore, our sole aim must be to separate their forms, nothing more,” Lin Jin stated directly.

“Separate them?” The immortals echoed in astonishment.

How was this even possible?

That grotesque half-human, half-snake entity was so potent that every fiber of its being was impervious. With even Sword Qi and potent flames failing to inflict harm, how could the act of separation differ from directly vanquishing Yan Shenjun?

Only Tianzun appeared to genuinely ponder Lin Jin’s words.

As might be expected of a sage possessing profound wisdom and extensive experience, Tianzun’s vast knowledge allowed him to grasp Lin Jin’s veiled meaning almost instantly upon receiving the hint.

“My esteemed friend, are you suggesting that Yan Shenjun and the saint’s body were fused due to a highly specific circumstance? Could a fragment of a Heaven’s Foundation Stone be implicated?”

Tianzun, having prior knowledge of these fragments, immediately recognized the potential connection. In his estimation, only a Heaven’s Foundation Stone fragment possessed the unique capability to forcibly unite entities that should never be conjoined.

Lin Jin offered a nod of affirmation.

Tianzun’s eyes brightened, but a fresh concern quickly surfaced.

“Yet, even if we ascertain the cause, how shall we proceed to extract the fragment?” Tianzun inquired.

He could readily decipher the underlying theory, but the practical execution presented an entirely different, formidable challenge.

A vast chasm existed between mere contemplation and tangible action.

Tianzun had initially assumed Lin Jin had merely identified the correct course of action. To his surprise, Lin Jin had also devised the means to accomplish it.

“Miao Yan Zhenren, Xuan Yue Zhenren, I will soon confront Yan Shenjun directly. While I possess a measure of confidence, this endeavor is fraught with peril, allowing absolutely no margin for error. Patriarch Xue Pao remains concealed nearby; I implore you to either eliminate him or subdue him, thereby ensuring he cannot interfere with my undertaking.”

Lin Jin had not been engaged in idle deliberation moments before. He had been meticulously assessing the probability of success for his proposed strategy.

Despite conceiving a method to overcome Yan Shenjun, the plan itself was exceedingly hazardous, potentially culminating in his demise should even the slightest misstep occur.

With the heaven weaving spider ensnared by Tianzun’s green fish, it was no longer an immediate concern. The primary target remained Patriarch Xue Pao, and Lin Jin harbored a deep apprehension due to the Patriarch's notorious cunning. He feared a surprise attack could shatter his meticulously laid plans, necessitating thorough preparation and the elimination of any potential threats. Thus, a comprehensive approach was vital, considering every scenario and neutralizing risks.

Miao Yan Zhenren and Xuan Yue Zhenren offered no objections. Witnessing Lin Jin's formidable pet beast, they readily acknowledged that his strength had already surpassed their own. Even Tianzun deferred to Lin Jin's judgment, making any opposition to his directives unthinkable.

The two profound immortals swiftly engaged Patriarch Xue Pao. Recognizing his inferiority against such formidable opponents, the diligent Patriarch immediately took flight out of sheer terror.

With the path now cleared of significant obstacles, Lin Jin took a moment to inhale deeply before soaring towards Yan Shenjun and Xiao Huo, who were situated on a cloud.

“Be cautious!” Tianzun called out, his words imbued with a sense of urgency. He had already divined Lin Jin’s intentions. It was true that the saint possessed an indestructible body, impervious to all but the Heaven’s Foundation Stone. No spell or magical treasure could breach his defenses.

Consequently, even if they knew the precise location of the fragment within Yan Shenjun's form, its retrieval would be impossible. However, a single exception existed: the moment the fragment's power was actively wielded by another, the saint’s unyielding body could be compromised.

Tianzun was aware that Lin Jin possessed a fragment of the Heaven’s Foundation Stone. This meant that only Lin Jin, through his direct intervention, could breach the saint’s formidable physique. This was the singular reason Lin Jin was approaching the enemy.

This endeavor was undeniably perilous, requiring Lin Jin to venture into close proximity with his adversary. Lin Jin's physical prowess paled drastically in comparison to Yan Shenjun's, by at least a thousandfold. A lapse in concentration or a stroke of misfortune could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Nevertheless, this high-risk maneuver represented the only viable path to defeating Yan Shenjun.

Upon careful consideration, Tianzun's expression grew increasingly grave.

His premonition was correct; this was precisely Lin Jin’s strategy. However, Lin Jin himself was unaware of the exact location of his own fragment. All he could perceive was the manifestation of the Museum of Deadly Beasts, birthed from that very fragment. Therefore, his plan hinged on opening the Visitation Hall’s gateway and channeling the museum's immense power to amplify his attack. This was the decisive strategy Lin Jin had devised.