Immortal through Beast Taming

The news of Lin Jing's arrival in the Western Desert began spreading from the Golden Ray Temple.

Before long, the entire Western Desert knew of the Demon Court Saint Child's presence.

Naturally, very few among the Buddhist Cultivators harbored any desire for Lin Jing's immortal flesh, and the ghost creatures in the Western Desert were generally uninterested in the Longevity Body.

Because they are essentially "dead," existing in the form of spirits.

This form is considered defying the heavens, competing against the rules of the Heavenly Dao for time.

This leads to the phenomenon where weak ghost creatures have very short lifespans and could dissipate at any moment.

Meanwhile, powerful ghost creatures can continue their existence almost indefinitely if they find the right method, symbolizing two extremes.

On the other hand, being free from lifespan limitations also brings numerous weaknesses for ghost creatures, making cultivation difficult.

Besides Buddhist Cultivators and ghost creatures, news of Lin Jing also reached the demon beasts and demonic sects in the Western Desert.

An eerie scene unfolded where the strong demon beast tribes in the Western Desert rarely sought to capture and eat Lin Jing; most wanted to leverage Lin Jing to establish connections with the Demon Court, hoping to become part of the demon race, diligently searching for Lin Jing's whereabouts.

As for the Nether Hall...

The Netherworld Saintess, with her black hair concealing her face, dressed in white, knelt before the throne.

Seated above was a figure in a black robe, lacking flesh, resembling a skeletal humanoid, with a heart formed from the Netherworld Ghost Fire.

A ghost cultivator in the Enlightenment stage... the Netherworld Hall Master.

"According to reports, the Demon Court Saint Child is likely here for the Golden Light Gu of the Golden Ray Temple and has no connection to our plans."

"However, it is said the Demon Court Saint Child once showcased the ghostfire technique of the Nether Hall in Heaven-Reaching City, perfecting it with the help of the Demon Emperor... for unknown purposes."

The Hall Master remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"Since the Demon Court is not here for the Nether Hall, let them be."

"That unlucky junior of mine is not weak, yet even he was forced into dissolving his body. It's wise not to provoke the Lord of the Demon Court."

"Our target is the artifact ghost."

"Once we successfully master it, we will have no fear of either the Demon Court or the Ancient Country."

The ghostfire flickered in the empty eyes of the Hall Master.

Artifact ghost, Ghost Mother.

What even the Buddhist Sect doesn't know is,

the artifact ghost is not a conventional ghost creature. According to ancient records of the Nether Hall, it was created by the Ancient Immortal Palace as a 'war weapon,' an ultimate artifact spirit.

Equivalent to a universal key, able to activate any magical treasure, even those at the Immortal Artifact level...

The Hall Master tapped his bony fingers gently on the chair.

Immortal Artifacts...

Weapons supposedly only True Immortals can wield.

Currently, on the Celestial Essence Continent, a few remaining Immortal Artifacts are held by major factions.

Yet, even the Ancient Emperor of the Ancient Country cannot activate them.

The sole entity capable of activating an Immortal Artifact is the City Lord of Martial Emperor City.

Although the method is unknown, this allows him to stand between the Ancient Country and the Western Desert unrestrained.

Correctly speaking... the entire Martial Emperor City is that Immortal Artifact.

A city as an artifact!

Coincidentally, the Nether Hall has also inherited an ancient Immortal Artifact internally.

Unfortunately, they have long lacked the means to activate it.

An inactive Immortal Artifact is no different from scrap iron.

The ultimate artifact spirit, Ghost Mother, crafted by the Ancient Immortal Palace, is one of the possibilities the Nether Hall seeks to activate the Immortal Artifact.

Several years ago, Nether Hall Cultivators found the seal of the artifact ghost in the Western Desert. Yet before Nether Hall could unseal the relic and obtain the sealed war spirit, the Golden Era descended, and the artifact ghost broke the seal itself.

The freed artifact ghost was uncontrollable, its movements mysterious, and even if Nether Hall destroyed, sealed, or limited the magical treasures it occupied, its true form was elusive.

Now, nearly all members of the Nether Hall wander the Western Desert with various magical treasures, hoping to locate the artifact ghost.

...

"Why hasn't it shown up yet..."

"It's been half a year..."

Half a year later, over the skies of the Western Desert.

The Thunder Dragon Ancestor was steering the Nine Dragon Boat, aimlessly flying in the Western Desert.

Per Lin Jing's request, it carried a cartload of magical treasures to search for the artifact ghost, but after half a year, Ghost Mother stubbornly refused to invade them.

Occasionally, the Thunder Dragon Ancestor did hear of Ghost Mother causing trouble elsewhere, but by the time they hurried over, it would vanish without a trace.

"Ancestor, could it be that you are too strong, causing Ghost Mother to avoid us?"

A young prodigy of the Thunder Dragon Race tasked with pulling the cart flattered.

"It's not because of that!" The Thunder Dragon Ancestor shook its head. "Recently, that artifact ghost dared to seize the Buddha's relics from a temple overseen by the Void Profound Buddhist Cultivator; it hardly seems timid."

"Could it be that the magical treasures we're using to bait the ghost don't suit its taste?" Another Thunder Dragon prodigy speculated.

"One or two magical treasures maybe, but we have a whole cart's worth, including the finest. Surely Ghost Mother wouldn't be so picky." The Thunder Dragon Ancestor remained bewildered.

Moreover, in pursuit of luring Ghost Mother, it had temporarily sealed its own power of thunder and yang energy of the Dragon Race.

Ten Thunder Dragons sighed consecutively, encountering unprecedented difficulty in catching a ghost.

"We must hurry; only half a year remains until the inheritance test at the Golden Ray Temple ends." The Thunder Dragon Ancestor calculated the timeline.

At the same time, looking into the flying boat, thankfully His Highness the Saint Son had not yet emerged from seclusion.

They arrived in the Western Desert relatively late. The Golden Light Gu inheritance test, limited by the Immortal Monk's lifespan, lasts only three years. When Lin Jing and his group arrived, only one year remained until its end.

At this time, other Buddhist contestants have likely sealed their ghosts in preparation for the final competition.

"If nothing works..." As the Thunder Dragon Ancestor contemplated if he should use the Thunder Dragon Race's supreme treasure to help the Saint Son fish, suddenly, his expression changed, looking in a distant direction.

"It's here!"

As the skies darkened, the Thunder Dragon Ancestor's eyes gleamed with golden light sensing a Void Profound level ghost god's power. The surrounding nine Thunder Dragons promptly retreated with the Saint Son into the Thunder Dragon Ancestor's internal space for safety from collateral damage during the battle.

However.

Just as the Thunder Dragon Ancestor prepared to engage in an anticipated intense battle with the artifact ghost, facing the manifestation of the Void Profound ghost creature, the entire dragon fell deep in thought.

Gazing at the "Red-dressed Ghost Bride," the Thunder Dragon Ancestor couldn't help tugging his beard.

Wait, why is it the Ghost Bride and not the artifact ghost???

"Ghost Bride or not, if the artifact ghost remains uncaptured, at least there's something to report." The Thunder Dragon Ancestor abandoned further thoughts in the next instant.

With might, it swept toward the Ghost Bride.

Sizzle!!!

The Thunder Dragon Ancestor resumed its original form, massive thunder encircling its body, a lightning sphere formed dragon pearl-like in its mouth.

"On your body..."

Although the Ghost Bride instinctively felt fear facing the Thunder Dragon Ancestor's might, something within the Thunder Dragon Ancestor was enough for her to face him head-on.

"On your body is a marriage contract, which belongs to me."

"I do not wish to be your enemy, only came for that marriage contract."

"Huh???" The Thunder Dragon Ancestor was taken aback by the Ghost Bride's words.

Marriage contract?

The Thunder Dragon Ancestor was well aware of what he possessed.

The nine youngsters he brought along were certainly not connected to this Ghost Bride.

So what marriage contract was she referring to?

"Ancestor, let me out; the marriage contract she mentions is in my possession." Meanwhile, a voice echoed from within the Thunder Dragon Ancestor, plunging him into deeper thought.