Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 129

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

Chapter 129: Blood Spirit (1)

 

“You’ve practically saved us all!”

 

“You could be called the greatest contributor!”

 

Cheon Woo-jin received high praise from the people of Taeul Yeokri Gate.

 

It was practically as if he had single-handedly thwarted the Dongri Family’s conspiracy.

 

At Pyeonghwang Pavilion, he had annihilated the advance team of Blood Soul Pavilion, and at Gongling Island, he had exposed the Demonic Cultivators who had infiltrated the prince’s residence.

 

He had even bought time by confronting Gukro Jin-in in place of the fallen Song Yu-hui until the man self-destructed.

 

Though Taeul Yeokri Gate had many outstanding cultivators, no one had achieved greater merit than Cheon Woo-jin recently.

 

“Left Envoy Gwak, you really brought someone excellent. If you hadn’t brought him, we would have been in serious trouble.”

 

“Young Sect Master’s discernment was accurate.”

 

Gwak Yu, who had brought Cheon Woo-jin, was also feeling proud.

 

“When this matter is properly concluded, I’ll give you a great reward. I’m truly grateful.”

 

“Thank you, Sect Master.”

 

Even while receiving high praise from Song Mu-yeol and many others, Cheon Woo-jin remained calm.

 

Currently, these people were sending genuine praise.

 

They weren’t particularly flattering him with false words, but were truly grateful.

 

However, Cheon Woo-jin knew their true nature well.

 

These were the type who could be grateful like this now, but later could easily discard Cheon Woo-jin like an old shoe “for the greater good.”

 

They would stab him in the back for their own benefit, while rationalizing it as if it were a righteous act.

 

That was the characteristic of those called the Orthodox Sect.

 

Therefore, just because he was being recognized like this didn’t mean he would open his heart.

 

He wouldn’t let his guard down for even a moment, and planned to obtain what he wanted until the very end.

 

“Sect Master, there’s something I’d like to request.”

 

“A request?”

 

Cheon Woo-jin clasped his hands together before Song Mu-yeol and spoke.

 

“My body is somewhat damaged from the consecutive battles. Especially after getting caught up in Gukro Jin-in’s pseudo-domain at the end…”

 

Trailing off like that, Cheon Woo-jin showed a slightly pained expression.

 

“I’d like to do Qi Circulation Cultivation for a few days. Might there be a good location?”

 

“Hmm, if that’s what you need…”

 

Song Mu-yeol turned his gaze to his younger brother Song Mu-jin.

 

“If you look at the mountain at the northern end, there’s a small cave. That’s the most suitable place for Qi Circulation Cultivation on Gongling Island. I’ll arrange for you to use that place.”

 

Saying that, Song Mu-jin handed over elixirs and talismans.

 

“These are medicines that will help with recovery… and talismans that will prevent external interference. Please use them.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin received them with a respectful attitude.

 

Seeing this, Song Mu-yeol smiled.

 

“My daughter will be disappointed when she regains consciousness. She seemed to quite like you.”

 

“…”

 

Song Yu-hui was still in a sleeping state.

 

She needed a bit more rest to recover her Nascent Soul.

 

“Please give her my regards when she awakens.”

 

“Mm, I understand. Take care.”

 

Thus, Cheon Woo-jin parted from the Taeul Yeokri Gate people and headed toward the northern mountain.

 

While feeling the gaze that was intently watching his retreating figure.

 

* * *

 

As Song Mu-jin had said, there was a decent cave in the northern mountain.

 

Entering that place, Cheon Woo-jin felt comfortable for the first time in a while.

 

‘Finally, I’ve secured time for cultivation.’

 

Since crossing the Jinhuang Sea and entering the Hwangryeol Archipelago, everything had moved too busily.

 

Though it was partly because Cheon Woo-jin had moved as quickly as possible, he could finally catch his breath now.

 

First, he prepared a place for Qi Circulation Cultivation in the cave.

 

He arranged Spirit Stones on the floor, and finally attached the talisman Song Mu-jin had given him near the entrance.

 

‘Looks convincing.’

 

After finishing the preparations.

 

Cheon Woo-jin took out a key.

 

It was the Dharma Artifact he had obtained from Sima Moon long ago, for freely entering and exiting the Great Void Cave Heaven Realm.

 

‘Using this key makes it possible to enter the Great Void Cave Heaven Realm from anywhere.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin had planned from the beginning to enter the Eastern Section of the Great Void Cave Heaven Realm.

 

Looking for a good place for Qi Circulation Cultivation in front of the Taeul Yeokri Gate people was an act to deceive them.

 

‘Those guys will try to spy on my Qi Circulation Cultivation anyway.’

 

The talisman Song Mu-jin had given him earlier was also a talisman for secretly spying on what Cheon Woo-jin was doing.

 

While it was true that it created a barrier to prevent others from interfering, it was designed so that what was happening inside could be detected from the outside.

 

So Cheon Woo-jin deliberately placed spirit stones to deceive their eyes.

 

Even when looking into the cave from outside, it would feel as if Cheon Woo-jin was drawing up yang energy and performing qi circulation cultivation.

 

Even if someone came to peek around, they wouldn’t be able to obtain any special information.

 

“Open Gate.”

 

As he muttered in a low voice, the gate of the Great Void Cave Heaven Realm immediately opened.

 

He entered the vast space and headed toward the cave dwelling.

 

‘The crops are growing well.’

 

Recently, Cheon Woo-jin had been attempting automation in the spirit fields.

 

He had set it up so that water would be automatically supplied from the spring without having to water them individually.

 

However, harvesting still had to be done by hand.

 

First, he harvested crops like spirit rice, then began picking spirit fruits from the back mountain.

 

‘The peaches and plums have ripened well.’

 

When he took a bite of a peach, sweet juice and cool spiritual energy flowed into his body.

 

After taking a brief rest while eating fruit, Cheon Woo-jin entered the hermitage and took out elixirs.

 

‘Let me start by taking the first-grade Sacred Spirit Pills I received from Song Yu-hui.’

 

When he took the first-grade Sacred Spirit Pill, harmonious energy flowed into him.

 

The Sacred Spirit Pill was an elixir that didn’t lean toward either yin-yang or the five elements, allowing one to gain great power without being constrained by spiritual roots.

 

‘If I were still at the Qi Accumulation Stage, I wouldn’t have been able to accept all this energy, but now that I’m at the Core Formation Realm, I can accept all of it.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin currently had many elixirs.

 

Some he had received from Song Mu-jin, and others he had taken from enemies including the National Elder.

 

He planned to accumulate power while making maximum use of them.

 

‘I’m laying the foundation to challenge the middle stage of Core Formation Realm.’

 

Of course, the foundation was the Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art.

 

The principle of the Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art, which creates lightning energy through the intersection of yin and yang, was also effective in elevating the taiji of the golden core to a higher level.

 

Cheon Woo-jin took out large cloud spirit stones from his storage bag and scattered them in eight directions.

 

He formed an array imitating the Luoshu to implement the principle of all things generating, perishing, and circulating.

 

Within it, Cheon Woo-jin began to dissolve the energy of the elixirs.

 

‘And after finishing qi circulation cultivation…’

 

Cheon Woo-jin gazed at the orb he had taken out earlier.

 

It was a Blood Life Orb that stored the National Elder’s blood.

 

‘I should touch that and research how to utilize it.’

 

It was the nutritive blood of someone at the middle stage of Won Yeong-gyeong.

 

Though he couldn’t create blood spirits yet, even in its current state it would surely be able to exert powerful force.

 

With that conviction, Cheon Woo-jin closed his eyes.

 

* * *

 

“There was nothing special.”

 

Song Mu-jin, who had finished his reconnaissance, reported to Song Mu-yeol in the secret chamber.

 

“I observed from outside for quite a while, and it seemed like he was performing qi circulation cultivation in a not-so-impressive manner. It looked like he was wasting a lot of spirit stones.”

 

“Did you figure out what cultivation method it was?”

 

“I’m not sure. In any case, it didn’t seem to be a well-known cultivation method.”

 

“You’re saying he reached that level by cultivating an ordinary method? Remarkable…”

 

“At least there was no evil feeling at all. I think we can rule out the possibility that he’s connected to demonic path forces.”

 

“I’m somewhat relieved to hear that.”

 

Song Mu-yeol nodded and spoke.

 

“He’s a capable person, but not knowing his background bothers me. Originally, there are many among the scattered cultivators who want to hide their past, but…”

 

“How about properly interrogating him to find out?”

 

“Oh my, how could we do that to someone who has helped us greatly? That’s nonsense.”

 

Of course, depending on the situation, they would use torture or whatever means necessary to make him confess his identity.

 

But for now, it was more beneficial to maintain good relations and borrow his strength.

 

“Sect Master, Elder.”

 

Then Gwak Yu entered and reported in a low voice.

 

“The First Prince has sent a messenger saying he wants to visit the Prince’s residence here.”

 

“What?”

 

“He said he wants to entrust future matters to the Second Prince… that was the gist of it.”

 

“…!”

 

Song Mu-yeol and Song Mu-jin looked at each other’s faces.

 

“Is this… him coming to surrender?”

 

“With the National Elder dead and the Dongri Family collapsed, the First Prince has no future left. He might be trying to secure his own safety by supporting the Second Prince early on…”

 

First Prince Gong Ui-hwi had yielded the imperial throne to Second Prince Gong Ui-un.

 

If they could announce it that way, it would look very proper.

 

For the Taeul Yeokri Sect, which valued justification, this would be much better than secretly eliminating Gong Ui-hwi.

 

“It seems like favorable winds are blowing our way. We should discuss this with the Second Prince in advance, so guide us there, Left Advisor Gwak.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Song Mu-yeol left the room with a bright expression.

 

It seemed the day when the Taeul Yeokri Sect would achieve final victory was not far off.

 

* * *

 

The preparations for the meeting proceeded swiftly.

 

They invited prestigious family members and high-ranking officials from Gongryeong Island to the prince’s residence.

 

The plan was to use this opportunity to solidify the atmosphere supporting Second Prince Gong Ui-un as the next emperor.

 

Of course, Song Mu-yeol and the other Taeul Yeokri Gate members stayed in the background.

 

The fact that the Cultivation World was interfering in the imperial succession struggle must not be openly revealed.

 

They left security to the Won Family Clan’s warriors and waited at a distance from the meeting hall.

 

“Elder brother! Please come in!”

 

When Gong Ui-hwi arrived, Gong Ui-un came out to greet him personally.

 

Seeing him warmly grasp his hands and welcome him, smiles appeared on the faces of those watching.

 

“Your complexion looks very good today, elder brother.”

 

“Yes, I think I can even have a drink with my younger brother today.”

 

“Haha, that’s wonderful news to hear.”

 

The two shared drinks and pleasant conversation at the prepared seats.

 

“Elder brother, is it really alright for you to drink so much?”

 

“Didn’t I say my body feels fine today?”

 

When the alcohol had taken effect, Gong Ui-hwi began speaking earnestly to Gong Ui-un.

 

He said he had no idea what the Dongri Family was doing, and if he had known, he would have tried to stop them.

 

“I see. I believed in you, elder brother.”

 

Gong Ui-un agreed with everything Gong Ui-hwi said.

 

Though he didn’t completely believe all of Gong Ui-hwi’s excuses, he planned to forgive everything if he quietly yielded the throne.

 

“But you know.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Can the Taeul Yeokri Gate be trusted?”

 

Gong Ui-hwi asked, lowering his voice.

 

“I suspect they might be using you to plot some scheme.”

 

“Elder brother… They must have their own motives too. I understand that much.”

 

Gong Ui-un also spoke in a cautious voice.

 

“But they have no interest in worldly power. They only want to achieve their goals in the Cultivation World. As long as we respect that, they won’t interfere with governing the country. Wouldn’t that be fine?”

 

“You trust them too much.”

 

A sigh escaped from Gong Ui-hwi’s lips.

 

“They’re more cruel than you think. Just look at how they brutally killed Master Gukro…”

 

“What? I heard Master Gukro died from his power going out of control…”

 

“Who told you that story? The sect leader of Taeul Yeokri Gate?”

 

“No, well…”

 

Gong Ui-un was troubled.

 

But right now, he had to humor Gong Ui-hwi as much as possible.

 

If Gong Ui-hwi got upset and stormed off, things would get complicated.

 

He had no choice but to answer all his questions.

 

“Recently, Taeul Yeokri Gate invited a wandering Daoist. He said he witnessed Master Gukro dying from his power going out of control.”

 

“A wandering Daoist? You mean a mercenary?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

“Did you happen to hear his name?”

 

“I think it was Shin Hyeok.”

 

“Shin Hyeok, Shin Hyeok… What kind of power does this cultivator use?”

 

“According to the Taeul Yeokri Gate people, he has mastered some kind of True Fire…”

 

“…”

 

Gong Ui-hwi’s expression became serious.

 

“Where is that mercenary now? Is he inside with the Taeul Yeokri Gate people?”

 

“No. I heard he went to the northern mountain for Qi Circulation Cultivation…”

 

Why was he asking about such details so persistently?

 

Gong Ui-un couldn’t understand it well.

 

“Elder brother, is such talk important right now?”

 

“It is important.”

 

Gong Ui-hwi smiled sinisterly.

 

It was an expression Gong Ui-un had never seen before.

 

“Still, it seems I’ve heard everything I needed to hear.”

 

* * *

 

Whoosh!

 

Ban Si-gyeong, the vice-leader of Blood Soul Pavilion, cut through the wind heading toward the northern mountain.

 

The conversation between Gong Ui-hwi and Gong Ui-un at the prince’s residence was being transmitted to Ban Si-gyeong in real time.

 

Having heard information he couldn’t ignore in that conversation, he was rushing to the northern mountain.

 

‘A Core Formation mercenary named Shin Hyeok who uses True Fire…’

 

Ban Si-gyeong smiled sinisterly.

 

‘No doubt about it. This is the guy that Blood Puppet Ancestor Gu Do-ryun has been searching for. To think I’d encounter him here.’

 

Gu Do-ryun, one of the Thirteen Venerables of the Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon, had been searching for someone for several months.

 

He said he was thoroughly beaten by a Core Formation cultivator named ‘Hyeok’ who used True Fire.

 

The Taeul Yeokri Gate, which usually keeps its distance from the Black Gate faction, probably didn’t know about this.

 

However, since the Blood World Demon Sect closely monitors the Black Gate’s movements, they were aware of this information.

 

I don’t know why he’s working together with the Taeul Yeokri Gate… but Master Gukro probably fell for that bastard’s schemes.

 

They say even Gu Do-ryun was deceived by that bastard’s cunning tricks.

 

‘So I need to capture him and offer him up.’

 

Blood Soul Horn Master, Soul-Crushing Blood Demon.

 

He would be very pleased if I presented this to him.

 

Such a special bastard can be utilized in various ways.

 

It’s possible to conduct all sorts of experiments using his body.

 

Or it’s also possible to make deals with Gu Do-ryun,

 

‘It seems I’ll be able to get my hands on an unexpected spoil of war.’

 

So I need to hurry over there.

 

If I launch a surprise attack while that bastard is doing Qi Circulation Cultivation, I should be able to subdue him easily.

 

Of course, even if that bastard has already finished his Qi Circulation Cultivation, there’s no need to be afraid.

 

‘With my Blood Spirit Arts, having mastered the Blood Soul Curse Spirit Method, I should be able to subdue that bastard without falling victim to True Fire.’

 

Taking out a red Blood Life Bead, Ban Si-gyeong smiled sinisterly.

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