Museum of Deadly Beasts Chapter 792End - King of Immortal Mountain (Final)

Lin Jin ascended a large boulder, his gaze fixed on the distant inferno, a slight curve gracing his lips. Seven years prior, he had dispatched Xiao Huo to brave the perils of the immortal mountain alone. Amidst the formidable Rank 8 beasts inhabiting this domain, Xiao Huo was not inherently the most dominant. This perilous journey was Lin Jin’s self-devised strategy for Xiao Huo’s Rank 9 evolution. For seven years, Lin Jin had deliberately kept his distance, forbidding Xiao Huo's return. Nonetheless, their intrinsic blood pact allowed Lin Jin to perpetually monitor Xiao Huo’s well-being and whereabouts. Throughout these years, Xiao Huo had endured harrowing combat and confronted numerous formidable adversaries. Some, though individually inferior, attacked in overwhelming numbers, while others, fewer in number, possessed superior strength. Yet, without exception, all these challengers ultimately succumbed to Xiao Huo. A portion were vanquished and consumed, serving as fodder for Xiao Huo’s encroaching power. Others, accepting defeat, pledged their allegiance and became Xiao Huo’s loyal subordinates. Lin Jin refrained from any intervention, meticulously cultivating Xiao Huo’s primal instincts, aspiring for him to reign supreme over the immortal mountain. However, the sheer immensity of the immortal mountain, dwarfing any continent on the mainland, meant Xiao Huo was not the solitary contender for dominion. Furthermore, a sovereign already presided over this territory – the Rank 9 immortal devouring beast. Undeniably, this creature held undisputed authority, its sovereignty unchallenged, and it was precisely this monarch that Lin Jin tasked Xiao Huo with confronting. By maturing in the very shadow of this tyrannical ruler and ultimately supplanting it, Xiao Huo would undoubtedly achieve Rank 9. While Lin Jin navigated his own share of perilous encounters over the past seven years, narrowly escaping demise on multiple occasions, his trials paled in comparison to Xiao Huo’s ordeals. Mercifully, these seven years elapsed swiftly, and Xiao Huo was no longer the mere fire wolf he once was. Although their blood pact indicated Xiao Huo had not yet undergone his final evolution, he was now tantalizingly close to Rank 9, perhaps merely a single precipice away. Soon after, the distant flames began to wane, signaling the conclusion of the battle to Lin Jin. He dismounted from the boulder. Over the intervening years, Xiao Huo had systematically challenged every emerging contender for power. The fierce engagement witnessed moments ago represented one of the final such confrontations. With only his Clear Wind Sword, Four Ocean Gourd, and his trusty white horse as companions, Lin Jin had endured a degree of solitude. Xiao Huo’s circumstances, however, were vastly different. Several hundred beasts, all formidable creatures in their own right, had sworn fealty to Xiao Huo. It would not be long before the immortal devouring beast took notice of Xiao Huo’s escalating might. Or perhaps, it had already. A silent, monumental conflict might have already commenced, requiring no further impetus from Lin Jin, who could simply observe the unfolding events. Should Xiao Huo achieve victory over the immortal devouring beast, the Heaven’s Foundation Stone fragment it harbored would become theirs. As for Tianzun, his return was anticipated imminently, with seven years having elapsed. Sometimes, fate seemed to conspire in uncanny ways. Indeed, as if summoned by thought, Tianzun materialized half a day later. "Young friend, I have returned to fulfill my oath," Tianzun announced, approaching with haste. Lin Jin promptly rose to greet him. Both men bore the marks of seven years' absence, profoundly changed. Lin Jin's youthful countenance had vanished, replaced by an air of profound maturity and weathered experience. Tianzun's appearance remained largely unaltered, yet an undeniable weariness etched his features. It was evident that Tianzun had spared no effort during his seven-year quest for the Heaven’s Foundation Stone fragments, traversing every conceivable location. In contrast, Lin Jin's task had been comparatively more focused, confined primarily to the immortal mountain. "It has been a long time, yet you remain as robust as ever," Lin Jin remarked with a cheerful tone as he welcomed Tianzun. Tianzun, in turn, gazed at Lin Jin, his eyes widening in astonishment. Upon closer inspection, Tianzun perceived that Lin Jin had gained a considerable height. Where they were once nearly of equal stature, seven years had transformed Lin Jin into a figure standing two heads taller. Not only Tianzun, but Lin Jin himself was taken aback. "Tianzun, has your height diminished?" Lin Jin inquired. Tianzun responded with a wry chuckle. "Though I am advanced in age, I have not shrunk to such an extent. You have simply grown taller."

Having spent seven years devoid of human contact, Lin Jin remained unaware of his physical transformation until Tianzun’s response. He then noticed his own frame had surpassed Tianzun’s, both in height and girth. A man of average stature previously, Lin Jin now stood over two meters tall.

‘It must be the influence of the immortal mountain,’ Lin Jin mused, concluding that the mountain’s potent effects extended beyond beasts to humans as well.

Tianzun, after performing a divination on Lin Jin’s lifespan, expressed immense surprise at the results.

“It seems I should reside on this mountain for a few years myself.”

Lin Jin’s lifespan had actually doubled. This implied that dwelling on the immortal mountain offered not only longevity but also enhanced physical prowess, elevating a mortal body to a level comparable with immortals. This astonishing assessment, remarkably, came from Tianzun himself.

“Alas, I shall not have that opportunity,” Tianzun lamented.

Sensing a hidden meaning in Tianzun’s words, Lin Jin inquired further. Tianzun responded with a smile, presenting Lin Jin with a pouch.

Woven with golden thread, the pouch possessed a velvety softness yet felt remarkably durable, clearly a treasure in its own right. A distinct rattling sound emanated from within as it was shaken, suggesting the presence of small objects.

Lin Jin immediately understood its contents.

“There are this many?” Lin Jin exclaimed in astonishment. Tianzun nodded, explaining, “For seven years, without a single day’s rest, I traversed the entire world – the mainland, the extraterritorial lands, the netherworld, the Nine-Heaven Realm, and the four oceans. I have scoured every corner to gather these fragments. It is only thanks to my divination skills that this feat was possible.”

Lin Jin recognized the immense difficulty of this undertaking. He suspected that, aside from Tianzun, no one, including himself, could have accomplished such a task.

Lin Jin himself was weary and battered from his solitary search within the confines of the immortal mountain alone. Considering the world beyond was hundreds of times larger, Tianzun’s journey must have been arduous indeed.

“My calculations indicate the world’s end is approaching rapidly. I had previously estimated at least another year, but now it appears we have less than six months remaining,” Tianzun stated gravely.

Lin Jin finally grasped the reason behind Tianzun’s earlier remark about missing the chance to benefit from the immortal mountain’s enhancements – time had run out.

“How many pieces do you still require?” Tianzun inquired.

Lin Jin gazed upward at the Heaven’s Foundation Stone, murmuring, “If my estimation is correct, I am short by only two pieces.”

Tianzun instantly comprehended. The final two pieces were undoubtedly the largest one harbored within the immortal devouring beast and the other, the fragment residing within Lin Jin himself.

“What is your plan?” Tianzun knew the most formidable fragment lay within the immortal devouring beast, and retrieving it would necessitate its defeat.

“We should see results within three months,” Lin Jin declared with a resolute expression, his gaze fixed on the direction from which flames had previously surged skyward.

Approximately a hundred miles from Lin Jin and Tianzun’s location stood a hilltop summit. A magnificent fire wolf, its body engulfed in flames fierce enough to scorch a path from the heavens to the netherworld, stood proudly.

An undeniable dominance emanated from the fire wolf’s eyes, a regal authority, and above all, the untamed wildness of a true beast.

Numerous powerful beasts of varying forms and sizes were assembled nearby. Among them were massive lions, tigers, and bears, each radiating the powerful aura of a Rank 8 creature. Individually, they had once reigned as the kings of smaller hills surrounding the immortal mountain.

Yet, now, they submitted to this colossal fire wolf.

No creature dared to meet the fire wolf’s gaze directly. Those who exhibited defiance were swiftly reduced to ashes by its scorching flames. The fire wolf’s attention was now fixed upon a vast mountaintop shrouded in clouds.

This was the domain of the immortal devouring beast.

No creature ventured into the mountain’s vicinity, well aware that setting foot on its territory was tantamount to issuing a direct challenge to the immortal devouring beast.

Over the preceding years, the fire wolf had felt a recurring urge to breach the mountain’s confines but had consistently restrained himself.

He recalled his owner’s stern instruction: he was forbidden from provoking the immortal devouring beast unless absolute certainty of victory was achieved.

This formidable fire wolf was none other than Lin Jin’s companion, Xiao Huo. Sensing an imminent Rank 9 evolution, he had chosen to remain in his current location to cultivate for the next two months.

His fervent hope was to achieve the breakthrough to Rank 9 within this period.

While his progress was undeniable, he still felt a crucial element was missing, preventing him from completing the final step.

Xiao Huo could not quite pinpoint this elusive missing component.

Then, he perceived a potential key.

Flames erupted, engulfing his form as he rose. The colossal, mountain-sized fire wolf then raised its head, unleashing a howl that echoed across the entire immortal mountain and the boundless nine skies. Its vocal power matched that of the immortal devouring beast; before this moment, only the latter's roar had reverberated through the heavens. Now, Xiao Huo possessed the same capability. A disturbance arose from the highest mountain peak. The immortal devouring beast perceived Xiao Huo's howl as a direct challenge. The surrounding beasts, overwhelmed by Xiao Huo's oppressive aura, could only cower and remain still. Subsequently, the immortal devouring beast let out a roar, and a colossal shadow materialized within the clouds. Xiao Huo responded with a defiant howl of his own.

Rumble!

Xiao Huo continued to swell in size, the flames enveloping him now burning with the intensity of the sun, fiercer than even Tianzun’s Heaven & Earth Furnace. This represented the absolute zenith of fiery power. By this point, Xiao Huo's physical dimensions were on par with the immortal devouring beast. He understood that this confrontation was inevitable, a battle to the death. There was no retreat. Consequently, Xiao Huo launched himself towards the highest mountain summit, engaging the immortal devouring beast in a brutal clash.

“It has commenced!” From a distance, Tianzun observed with a mixture of excitement, anticipation, and profound worry. While Tianzun was riveted by the unfolding battle, Lin Jin appeared remarkably composed by comparison. He had fulfilled his obligations. Earlier, Lin Jin had channeled his power to Xiao Huo through their blood pact. Lin Jin had no certainty regarding the victor. The immortal devouring beast remained formidable, but after seven years of rigorous training and advancement, Xiao Huo was merely inches away from achieving Rank 9. In essence, he was already effectively Rank 9. However, perhaps natural law dictated that only one Rank 9 beast could exist, preventing Xiao Huo's final evolution. In other words, the immortal devouring beast stood as Xiao Huo's ultimate trial to ascend. If he triumphed over the immortal devouring beast, he would undoubtedly be the sole Rank 9 entity. A conflict of this magnitude was beyond even Tianzun's ability to intervene, even at the height of his power, let alone Lin Jin. Thus, the elder and the youth settled on the mountainside to bear witness and render judgment upon the fight. The outcome of this battle would determine the survival of the world and all its inhabitants. Everyone's destiny hung precariously in the balance.

“This is truly world-altering. Xiao Huo’s strikes can now effortlessly dispatch unfettered immortals. Astonishing! Simply magnificent!” Tianzun exclaimed with evident fervor. However, upon glancing at Lin Jin, he found the latter reclining on his side, seemingly dozing off. “How can you possibly sleep at a moment like this?” Tianzun inquired, his eyes wide with disbelief. Lin Jin mumbled a response, “We’ve hardly slept in seven years. Aren’t you exhausted, Tianzun?” Tianzun was taken aback. He was indeed weary. He then turned his gaze back to the fight, which caused the world to tremble with every exchange, and let out a chuckle. “I am. Naturally, I am tired. Very well, I shall lie down for a short while as well.” With that, he proceeded to recline. Within moments, both men succumbed to sleep, their snores resonating loudly as they journeyed into their dreams.

Lin Jin's slumber was a result of his recent severing of the blood pact, an act intended to maximize Xiao Huo's strength. The resulting backlash was so severe that he could barely withstand it, and anyone else would have perished. However, Lin Jin possessed a unique constitution, ensuring his life was not in jeopardy; he simply could not avoid falling unconscious. Lin Jin had staked everything on this final gamble, fighting until the very end. Whether his efforts bore fruit or not, he could now only entrust the outcome to fate. If their endeavors failed and the world met its demise, he could depart this life in peace. If they succeeded, there was no harm in resting beforehand. Thus, Lin Jin slept profoundly. In his dream, he seemed to revisit his past life, encountering familiar faces and scenes. It felt as though his dream was the true reality, and everything present was merely an illusion. In his former existence, Lin Jin lived an ordinary life, repeating the same monotonous routine daily, year after year. He no longer knew if he was dreaming or awake. After an immeasurable passage of time, as Lin Jin strolled along the bustling streets, he faintly heard a voice calling out to him. “Young friend, we have succeeded!”