Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 108

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 108: Core Formation (1)

“Ugh, I’m going to die.”

Na Chwi-ryang groaned on the bed.

He was completely naked, with severe burns covering his entire body.

“Hey, when do you think this will heal?”

The frog demon applying ointment responded to Na Chwi-ryang’s question.

“It will take at least a month or two.”

“What, what did you say?”

Na Chwi-ryang’s eyes widened as he tried to sit up.

But feeling pain throughout his body, he lay back down.

“If these were ordinary burns, they’d heal in a day or two, but these are burns from True Fire. This kind takes a long time.”

“Damn it…!”

Watching Na Chwi-ryang curse, the frog demon tilted his head.

“Actually, I find it amazing that you survived being engulfed in True Fire with only surface burns. How exactly did you manage that?”

“Hmm…”

At the frog demon’s question, Na Chwi-ryang closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, avoiding the topic.

He was able to save his life despite being engulfed in True Fire because he deployed Miasma Energy using the Six Extremes Heaven Steel Divine Art.

Without the Miasma Energy, his internal organs would have burned completely, and his Golden Core would likely have been damaged, leading to death.

“Well, at least you survived.”

Yao Yin-hui, who had been watching from the side, crossed her arms and muttered.

“I never dreamed that the Flame Emperor Sect’s spirit beast was flying above our Shadow Scale Sunken Sect. If it had spewed True Fire over my head, I wouldn’t have been safe either.”

Yao Yin-hui turned her head.

“Cheon Woo-jin, is it true that you killed that bird?”

“It’s true.”

Cheon Woo-jin, sitting in a corner chair, nodded and answered.

“I definitely took care of it.”

“To defeat a Core Formation Realm spirit bird that uses True Fire is truly amazing. I wish I could have seen that scene directly.”

Since they fought after luring it to the Blood Marsh Secret Realm, no one witnessed how Cheon Woo-jin defeated it.

“We did suffer damage, but the Flame Emperor Gate also lost an important asset. Still, with only Na Chwi-ryang injured, we got off cheap.”

“Hey, Sect Master! Isn’t that too much?”

Na Chwi-ryang, who had been pretending to sleep, opened his eyes wide and protested.

“Damn, with this body, it’ll be difficult to fight the Flame Emperor Gate.”

“Don’t think foolishly. If you move around in that condition, something terrible will happen.”

“Ugh…”

The frustrated Na Chwi-ryang turned his gaze toward Cheon Woo-jin.

“Cheon Woo-jin, there’s no choice.”

“What?”

“You’ll have to keep the Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak for a while.”

Na Chwi-ryang spoke with a voice full of dissatisfaction.

“As we discussed before, it seems I have no choice but to entrust the Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak to you. If they come after me to retrieve it, I have no way to resist.”

“Then we’ll need to spread rumors that the Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak is now with me.”

“Right, take it out of the storage bag yourself.”

Cheon Woo-jin took the Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak from Na Chwi-ryang’s storage bag beside the bed.

Then he carefully stored it in his own storage bag.

“Cheon Woo-jin, doesn’t this mean you’ll be fighting the Flame Emperor Gate alone?”

“Besides Na Chwi-ryang, there are two others who will fight alongside me.”

Thinking of Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so as he said this, Yao Yin-hui shook her head.

“I’ve already heard about those two. But aren’t they a bit insufficient to oppose the Flame Emperor Gate? They’d be less capable than Na Chwi-ryang alone.”

“…”

It was difficult to deny those words.

“How about our Shadow Scale Sunken Sect moves directly to fight alongside you?”

“Sect Master, that’s a good idea.”

The frog demon clasped his hands together, expressing agreement.

But Cheon Woo-jin shook his head.

“If we do that, it would become a war between the Flame Emperor Gate and the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect. That’s not desirable.”

“I think it’s already tantamount to war from the moment their spirit beast flew over our airspace spewing True Fire…”

“However, I would like to ask for some cooperation from the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect.”

“Cooperation?”

Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a serious voice.

“From now on, I plan to stay in the Blood Marsh Secret Realm.”

“What…?”

“I’m not sure yet how long I’ll need to stay inside. It might take a month.”

Realizing what Cheon Woo-jin was trying to do, Yo Eun-hui and Na Chwi-ryang’s eyes widened.

“I don’t care what method you use. I just need you to keep Jin Si-hyeok occupied until I come out of the Secret Realm.”

* * *

After leaving the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect, Cheon Woo-jin headed alone to Central Mirror Town.

And he entered Seo Seol-ryeong’s shop.

Seo Seol-ryeong happened to be boiling tea water at the moment.

“I’ll have a cup, please.”

“Of course.”

Cheon Woo-jin sat down and waited.

“Do any wandering customers come by?”

“One came last time.”

Seo Seol-ryeong answered while bringing out the tea.

“He looked around the shop and then left saying he’d come back next time.”

“Hmm…”

Though she had hung up a signboard calling it a tea house, it was much smaller than typical tea houses in this world.

In the world where Cheon Woo-jin originally lived, small cafes where only a few people could sit existed, but to people in this world, it would seem like a strange shop.

“It doesn’t matter if customers don’t come. It’s just a cover anyway.”

“I quite like this atmosphere though.”

It wasn’t bad since it felt like a cozy attic.

Come to think of it, the single room cave dwelling on the 1st Layer from before was also very comfortable.

Perhaps Cheon Woo-jin had a personality that preferred being in small indoor spaces.

“We’re of the same mind on that part.”

“…”

Cheon Woo-jin and Seo Seol-ryeong silently sipped their tea for a while.

Then Cheon Woo-jin suddenly brought up a topic.

“I plan to attempt the Core Formation Realm soon. So please understand if you don’t see me for a while.”

When he attempted the Qi Accumulation Stage, Seo Seol-ryeong thought Cheon Woo-jin had died because he kept not showing up.

It was necessary to tell her in advance to prevent such a thing.

“Is that so.”

Seo Seol-ryeong answered in a calm voice.

“People will be quite surprised.”

“You don’t seem very surprised.”

“Because I expected it. That you’d do something beyond expectations.”

Seo Seol-ryeong said while sipping her tea.

“It’s been about 2 years since you entered Ghost Head City.”

“Has it already been that long?”

“When you first came to find me, you were at the Qi Refining stage.”

Cheon Woo-jin had visited Seo Seol-ryeong in the spring two years ago.

After cultivating all winter in Ghost Shadow’s Stone Cave, when spring came he went outside and came to Ghost Head City.

At that point, Cheon Woo-jin was at the late Qi Refining stage.

“Attempting the Core Formation Realm in less than 2 years, it’s absurd.”

“…”

“It’s a realm that ordinary people can only aspire to after cultivating for a hundred years.”

Even while saying that.

Seo Seol-ryeong had a smile on her lips.

“You exceed expectations, Fellow Daoist Cheon.”

“…”

“I’m curious what kind of appearance you’ll show when you reach the Core Formation Realm.”

Perhaps Seo Seol-ryeong had been waiting for Cheon Woo-jin to reach the Core Formation Realm.

In the game too, when the protagonist reached the Core Formation Realm, he moved his base to the 6th Floor.

“But is it alright? Attempting the Core Formation Realm now when the Flame Emperor Gate is coming up.”

“I plan to attempt Core Formation in the Blood Marsh Secret Realm. The Shadow Scale Sunken Sect has agreed to hold off the Flame Emperor Gate in the meantime.”

“The Shadow Scale Sunken Sect will fight the Flame Emperor Gate?”

“No, they’ll just hold them off. I told them they don’t need to actually fight.”

If Yo Eun-hui stepped forward, it would be a good match even against Jin Si-hyeok.

But that wasn’t the scenario Cheon Woo-jin wanted.

“When I ascend to the Core Formation Realm and defeat Jin Si-hyeok, that will end the fight with the Flame Emperor Gate.”

Defeat Jin Si-hyeok with a body that had ascended to the Core Formation Realm.

That was Cheon Woo-jin’s plan.

* * *

Jakryang Mountain on the 5th Layer of Ghost Head City.

This was the volcano where the decisive battle between the Golden Wing Sect and Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect had taken place a few months ago.

Since that day when they lost their sect leader Gi Sin-ryeo and were defeated, the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect had been greatly weakened.

They had been spending their days being despised not only by the Golden Wing Sect but also by small and medium sects.

To break through such a situation, the remnants of the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect had gathered here at Jakryang Mountain.

It was a plan to create the legendary poison Fire Dragon Pulse-Breaking Poison and revitalize the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate.

“Elder, is it really alright to use the Single Poison Treasure Orb? Shouldn’t we get permission from the Elder Ancestor first…?”

“The Elder Ancestor hasn’t shown himself at all even though we’ve reached this state. Perhaps he’s lost interest in us. So we must find our own way to survive.”

This time, the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate brought out the Single Poison Treasure Orb, the sect’s divine artifact.

In the past, they had spread false information about taking out the Single Poison Treasure Orb to lure the Golden Poetry Sect, but this time they truly brought the actual Single Poison Treasure Orb.

Since they couldn’t expect help from the former sect master Sima Moon, the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate had no choice but to pin their hopes on this Single Poison Treasure Orb.

“We must complete the Fire Dragon Pulse-Breaking Poison with the power of the Single Poison Treasure Orb and take revenge.”

Leading his disciples up Jakryang Mountain, the Elder spoke with a resolute voice.

“We will take revenge on that man who brought down our Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate… Cheon Woo-jin.”

Within the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate, hatred toward Cheon Woo-jin ran deep.

If not for Cheon Woo-jin, the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate could have subdued and absorbed the Golden Poetry Sect, becoming a massive force dominating the Ghost Beast City Middle Section.

But everything went wrong because of Cheon Woo-jin’s interference.

Even their sect master Gi Sin-ryeo died at Cheon Woo-jin’s hands.

Therefore, once they completed the Fire Dragon Pulse-Breaking Poison, they would strike at Cheon Woo-jin before the Golden Poetry Sect.

“How truly interesting.”

Suddenly, a cold voice was heard.

A man with mysterious red hair was waiting for the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate at the summit of Jakryang Mountain.

“This fellow called Cheon Woo-jin seems to have earned resentment from many places. That’s quite a talent.”

“Wh-who are you?”

Looking down at the wary Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate members, the red-haired man smiled.

“After listening to people’s stories while climbing Ghost Head City, it seems I need to completely annihilate you lot.”

“What…?”

“Black Gate forces that use evil poisons should just have their lineage cut off. Don’t you think?”

At that arrogant statement, the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate members belatedly realized his identity.

“Th-the Flame Emperor Gate’s Jin Si-hyeok…?”

“Why are you before us…?”

Before the panicking Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate members, Jin Si-hyeok raised his hand.

Then tremendous heat erupted from the volcano’s crater.

“S-Sect Master Jin! Why are you doing this!”

“Stop! There should be no grudge between us, so why…!”

Despite the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate’s pleas, Jin Si-hyeok unleashed massive Fire Attribute Magic.

Jakryang Mountain was instantly engulfed in flames. The ground cracked and lava erupted.

The Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate members, who weren’t prepared for battle, were instantly annihilated.

“How can you commit such barbaric acts! Can you still call yourself a prestigious Orthodox Sect! Heaven will not forgive… Gah!”

“Don’t mention heaven when you’re nothing but filthy Black Gate Evil Cultivators.”

Even the Elder who tried to protect his disciples lost his life after being struck by a fireball Jin Si-hyeok launched.

The Single Poison Treasure Orb they had brought with such effort also fell into the lava and melted away.

“Well done, Sect Master.”

After the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate was completely wiped out, a subordinate who had been hiding nearby revealed himself.

“Now rumors will spread that you single-handedly destroyed the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate.”

“Yes, I hope it spreads as widely as possible.”

While hinting to spread it as widely as possible, Jin Si-hyeok turned his gaze to the burning Jakryang Mountain.

“Even though Cheon Woo-jin killed the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate’s Gi Sin-ryeo, he merely finished off Gi Sin-ryeo who was exhausted from fighting the Golden Poetry Sect. But I’m different.”

“You speak truly.”

He needed to leave behind a more impressive heroic tale than Cheon Woo-jin.

Jin Si-hyeok was climbing Ghost Head City with such thoughts.

Today’s deliberate attack on the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate was also for that reason.

And this heroic tale would be completed by directly defeating Cheon Woo-jin.

“By now, Po-yeong should have finished analyzing Cheon Woo-jin.”

Thinking of Spirit Ancestor Po-yeong who had gone up to the 6th Floor first, Jin Si-hyeok left Jakryang Mountain behind.

“Once I reach the 6th Floor, I’ll immediately join with Po-yeong and capture Cheon Woo-jin.”

* * *

Cheon Woo-jin, who had entered the Blood Marsh Secret Realm, headed toward the summit of the rocky mountain.

There existed a shrine built by the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect.

When he took out the Entry Token he received from Yo Eun-hee, the barrier protecting the shrine was released.

As he entered inside with careful steps, he felt heavy yin energy.

From a palm-sized black scale placed on the altar, yin energy continuously flowed out.

‘That’s the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect’s divine artifact… a fragment of the Black Tortoise’s scale.’

A fragment of the Black Tortoise’s scale that fell from the Upper Realm.

That divine artifact possessing extreme yin energy was precisely the extreme yin Core Formation Spirit Material that Cheon Woo-jin needed to challenge the Core Formation Realm.

Cheon Woo-jin took out Spirit Ancestor Po-yeong’s Golden Core from his chest.

Comparing them like this, he could clearly feel they possessed completely opposite energies.

When he placed that Golden Core on the altar, it immediately began to vibrate subtly.

The fragment of the Black Tortoise’s scale that had been still was also vibrating in the same way.

The Core Formation spirit materials of extreme yin and extreme yang had begun to resonate with each other.

But this alone wasn’t enough.

To reach the Core Formation Realm, one must go through complex procedures.

If he made even the slightest mistake here, he wouldn’t be able to reach the Core Formation Realm.

It was an absurd story, but even if he proceeded perfectly without mistakes, he would fail if he lacked luck.

‘Luck, huh.’

Suddenly, Cheon Woo-jin recalled what he had heard from Gong Woo at Wolhongru.

While Gong Woo acknowledged that luck strongly influenced a cultivator’s achievements, he argued that humans could change that luck through their will.

Gong Woo’s view was that one needed the will to walk their own path and persist in being true to themselves in order to reach higher realms.

‘If the path I’ve walked so far was right, fate will become my ally. If it wasn’t, fate will abandon me.’

Whether the path he had walked in the Cultivation World so far was right or wrong.

Soon he would be able to confirm that answer.

Cheon Woo-jin took out eight Cloud Spirit Stones from his chest.

This amount was worth nearly a million ordinary Spirit Stones.

As he deployed them in eight directions, Cheon Woo-jin brought his hands together.

“I now begin the Core Formation ritual.”

The ceremony to ascend to the Core Formation Realm had begun.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————