Museum of Deadly Beasts Chapter 790 - Mending Heaven

Lin Jin was experiencing the Heaven’s Foundation Stone for the first time A vision he had frequently conceived in his mind was vastly different from its actual appearance.

This colossal black stone pillar seemed to pierce both the heavens and the earth Though referred to as a stone, it bore a resemblance to an unidentifiable metal with a distinct texture.

From a scientific standpoint, such an immense pillar ought to collapse under its own weight with no visible support, yet this obsidian monolith stood defiantly, its length stretching for hundreds, thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands of miles.

It was nothing short of miraculous.

“This juncture is where the immortal emperor delivered his strike,” Tianzun declared, gesturing towards a specific point. At an elevation of approximately one thousand feet, the Heaven’s Foundation Stone bore a visible wound, as if a child had carelessly taken a bite from an exceptionally long loaf of bread.

Lin Jin instantly located it, noticing black electricity crackling around the fissure and the air in its vicinity appearing distorted. The affected region was indeed substantial.

Like a frozen lake fractured by a forceful impact, cracks radiated outwards from the damaged area.

With a grave expression, Tianzun commenced his divination. He closed his eyes, performing a series of intricate finger calculations before proclaiming, “This is it. The harbinger of the world’s demise originates from the same source as this damaged section of the Heaven’s Foundation Stone. This must be the root cause of the impending calamity.”

Lin Jin gave a solemn nod.

Tianzun had divined for the world itself this time, not only identifying the ailment but also its origin.

“Could mending this damaged section of the stone avert the catastrophe?” Lin Jin inquired, acknowledging Tianzun’s authority on the matter.

If Tianzun had answered in the negative, Lin Jin would have abandoned this pursuit, opting instead to return home and cherish his remaining moments with loved ones.

Tianzun offered a gentle smile. “Earlier, I hesitated to make such an assertion, but now, I can confidently state that it is highly probable.”

Highly probable!

That was sufficient.

Lin Jin let out a sigh. The burden of such a monumental task could not fall upon just anyone; only he and Tianzun possessed the requisite capabilities to see it through.

“I have a few fragments here, let us attempt a preliminary test.” Lin Jin produced four small, black fragments from his person, which then hovered above his palm.

Subsequently, he conjured a sphere of flames, shaping it into four firebirds. Each aerial creature seized a fragment and propelled itself towards the damaged point on the Heaven’s Foundation Stone.

Flames held no fear of electricity, and no living being could approach the Heaven’s Foundation Stone.

Lin Jin had already accounted for such eventualities.

The quartet of firebirds plunged in, depositing the fragments. Miraculously, the four fragments were instantly drawn into the damaged area by an unseen force.

“It’s working!”

Lin Jin observed as the distorted space surrounding the damaged portion seemed to subtly normalize.

This was encouraging, as it validated Tianzun’s hypothesis. If all fragments of the Heaven’s Foundation Stone could be recovered and reintegrated, the impending catastrophe could conceivably be averted.

However, this was far from a simple undertaking. The exact number of fragments created when the immortal emperor struck the stone remained unknown.

After all, no one had bothered to count.

The gap was substantial, and the four fragments had not even accounted for ten percent of the missing portion. It became evident that collecting the remaining pieces would be an arduous endeavor.

Tianzun suddenly remarked, “When the immortal emperor, in his drunken arrogance, struck the Heaven’s Foundation Stone, the entirety of the Nine-Heaven Realm trembled in response. The spell he employed unleashed a cataclysmic explosion, scattering fragments far and wide. Nobody paid heed to these shards, and two millennia have since elapsed, ensuring their retrieval would be incredibly challenging. However, from my perspective, the majority must have fallen within the Nine-Heaven Realm. This immortal mountain likely holds a considerable number.”

Lin Jin contemplated this for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Tianzun’s reasoning was sound.

Setting aside other potential locations, their immediate priority was to gather the fragments scattered across this immortal mountain. Furthermore, Lin Jin was certain that a fragment resided within the immortal devouring beast, possibly the most significant piece of all.

After a brief pause for thought, Lin Jin proposed, “Tianzun, let us divide our efforts. I shall focus on securing the fragments within the immortal mountain, while you undertake the task of collecting those dispersed elsewhere.”

Tianzun appeared taken aback.

Then, understanding dawned upon him. Although the task assigned to him of searching for fragments scattered across distant lands sounded arduous, the true gauntlet lay within the immortal mountain.

For he, too, was aware of the immortal devouring beast’s possession of a fragment.

And that particular fragment would be the most formidable to acquire, as the beast would hardly oblige one by opening its belly. The only viable method to obtain it would be to vanquish the immortal devouring beast.

And that presented the most daunting challenge. Lin Jin's offer to undertake the most arduous task brought comfort and joy to Tianzun.

“Very well, let us make haste. I shall depart now. Based on my prior foresight, we still have seven years of tranquility before the world's end. Thus, let us forge a seven-year pact. Seven years hence, I shall return with all the fragments I manage to procure. Lin Jin, the destiny of this world rests upon our shoulders. Please take good care!”

With those words, Tianzun offered a salute to Lin Jin.

Startled, Lin Jin swiftly returned the gesture.

The two men bowed to each other, their thoughts aligned. This undertaking bore immense significance, directly impacting the world's fate. Whether everyone would survive hinged on their success seven years from now. This mission was fraught with peril for both of them, a fact underscored by their mutual salute and admonishment to remain safe.

Tianzun departed.

While Lin Jin accepted the most perilous assignment, Tianzun's role was equally formidable.

The world is vast, after all, and Heaven's Foundation Stone fragments are numerous. Without any clues or direction, the task of gathering pieces scattered across the land would be incredibly challenging for Tianzun. Even Lin Jin would encounter significant difficulties if he were in Tianzun's stead. From a certain viewpoint, Tianzun's duty was, in fact, considerably more demanding than Lin Jin's.

The silver lining in their collaboration was that Lin Jin no longer needed to concern himself with fragments located beyond the mountain; he could now dedicate his efforts solely to this immediate vicinity.

What action should he take next?

Lin Jin contemplated his next move.

This endeavor was certainly not something that could be completed within a few days. If it were, Tianzun would not have proposed a seven-year deadline. As this would necessitate considerable time, he required a suitable place to establish his base.

Where could be safer than within the Unending Nature Landscape?

Lin Jin promptly retrieved a canvas and painted a Divine Cloud Passage, a technique that would facilitate his seamless travel to this location.

It was an inspired idea, but Lin Jin soon discovered that his mystical arts were not functioning optimally on this immortal mountain. Even his Cosmos Ink proved incapable of opening the painting realm.

Lin Jin had anticipated such a possibility and, finding his initial approach ineffective, resolved to employ an alternative strategy.

Utilizing the Clear Wind Sword, Lin Jin excavated a dwelling cave in proximity to the Heaven's Foundation Stone. He also formulated a plan for how he intended to collect the Heaven's Foundation Stone fragments.

“Xiao Huo!” Lin Jin called out.

An ember detached itself from his arm, coalescing into the form of a fire wolf.

Lin Jin gestured towards the expansive terrain of the immortal mountain.

“Xiao Huo, from this day forward, you shall reign as the king of this immortal mountain. Your objective is to hunt beasts and enhance your own strength. The key to achieving your Rank 9 evolution lies within this immortal mountain, so do not return. Focus solely on survival and methods to grow powerful.”

With that pronouncement, Lin Jin gently patted Xiao Huo's head. The fire wolf comprehended his master's intent. Casting a prolonged gaze at Lin Jin, it then let out a resonant howl, transformed into a massive wolf, and bounded away into the wilderness.