Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 16: Assault (1)

 

 

The sword qi that Cheon Woo-jin unleashed was different from Song Jun-hak’s sword qi.

 

Song Jun-hak had created over ten sword qi simultaneously, but Cheon Woo-jin could only create exactly one sword qi.

However, that didn’t mean Cheon Woo-jin’s sword qi was something insignificant or shabby.

 

The sword qi that Cheon Woo-jin created was massive.

It was large enough to bisect the Ghost General with his enormous body in a single stroke.

And it possessed solidity that matched its size.

If the Ghost General had tried to parry Cheon Woo-jin’s sword qi with his great sword, the great sword would have been shattered immediately.

 

This was because the Heart Sword that Cheon Woo-jin had created from within himself was that large and solid.

Continuously creating Heart Swords in the endless Black Space had produced this result.

Even Cheon Woo-jin hadn’t expected that he would be able to create such large and solid sword qi.

 

‘Is this thanks to the Profound Dark True Body?’

 

This was a problem that was difficult for even Cheon Woo-jin’s knowledge to judge.

In the game, there were no specific descriptions when cultivating cultivation manuals or magic arts.

You would just click a few times after meeting the conditions and gain new power.

 

‘I’ll have to learn these aspects through trial and error myself.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin possessed game knowledge, but that alone couldn’t solve everything.

The parts omitted by the game system had to be explored and answered by Cheon Woo-jin himself.

 

Solving these minor tasks one by one would also be part of that process.

 

* * *

 

Even after defeating the Ghost General, Cheon Woo-jin continued to frequent Seo Seol-ryeong’s shop and perform various tasks.

Sometimes he performed assassination missions, but he didn’t obtain any cultivation manuals as useful as the Taeul Mysterious Sword Art.

 

However, even if he had obtained new cultivation manuals, it would have been difficult to study them.

He was focused on researching and cultivating the Taeul Mysterious Sword Art.

 

At first, he could only shoot sword qi in straight lines, but through continuous cultivation, he became able to control it freely like when using the Fish Sword Talisman.

 

He even became capable of extending sword qi from the shadows at his feet by combining it with the Black Shadow Technique.

The Black Shadow Technique was already perfect for catching opponents off guard, but when combined with the Taeul Mysterious Sword Art, its lethality was maximized.

 

With this improved combat power, there was no longer any need to use the Instant Death Heaven Eye when performing missions.

 

Not needing to use the Instant Death Heaven Eye meant he could eliminate targets even in places where others could see.

Thanks to this, performing missions became much easier.

 

“It seems I underestimated you.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong spoke calmly before Cheon Woo-jin, who had returned after completing a mission in just one day.

 

“I didn’t think you would be this capable.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

 

Saying that, Cheon Woo-jin looked at Seo Seol-ryeong’s lips.

The corners of her mouth were slightly raised more than usual.

 

In the game, she appeared as a woman whose expression was unreadable, but facing her in person like this, there were subtle changes in expression every time.

Thanks to this, even with her eyes covered, he could roughly understand what emotions she was feeling.

 

‘At this level, I can consider the intimacy level to have risen quite a bit.’

 

In the game, NPCs had intimacy levels.

Even shop owners would give discounts when intimacy increased.

 

Seo Seol-ryeong was the same – at first, she only gave insignificant missions.

But if you gradually built up achievements and increased intimacy, she would start throwing serious missions at you.

 

It would be the same here.

 

“We can move to the next stage now.”

“Next stage?”

“To be honest, everything I’ve introduced so far has been work of lesser importance.”

 

As Cheon Woo-jin expected, Seo Seol-ryeong began to bring up the topic.

 

“All of it was work that ‘anyone could do.'”

“Are you saying it will be different from now on?”

“From now on, I’ll introduce you to work that ‘others cannot do.'”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a calm voice.

 

“Do you know of a sect called the Solitary Sword Sect?”

“You mean the Dark Gate faction?”

 

If Orthodox Sect forces were authoritative and emphasized formalities, Dark Gate forces were factions that pursued the law of the jungle and encouraged insubordination.

Compared to traditional martial arts, Orthodox Sects corresponded to righteous factions, while Dark Gates corresponded to unorthodox factions.

The Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon, one of the Three Great Sects, was representative of these Dark Gate forces.

 

“I know it’s famous for sword cultivation.”

“Dan Mok-ryeong, the Trembling Bell Sword, a Foundation Establishment cultivator of that Solitary Sword Sect, has entered Ghost Head City with his subordinates.”

 

Dan Mok-ryeong.

He was the most well-known figure among the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Solitary Sword Sect.

He was also a skilled practitioner you could often encounter in the Eternal Path Immortal Chronicles game.

 

“About a week ago, Dan Mok-ryeong discovered a small secret realm on Ghost Head City 2nd Floor.”

“A small secret realm…”

“As you already know, Ghost Head City has spatial rifts everywhere. Secret realms created by the Yin Soul Ghost Bone Palace are spread out there.”

 

Secret realms serve the role of dungeons in cultivation novels.

You need to satisfy specific conditions to enter them, and they often contain cultivation resources that are difficult to obtain elsewhere.

That’s why conflicts over secret realms frequently break out in the Cultivation World.

 

“Dan Mok-ryeong declared that he would use that place as the Solitary Sword Sect’s cultivation ground from now on. According to custom, the first discoverer has priority rights, so making such a declaration isn’t a problem, but…”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Actually, the Solitary Sword Sect wasn’t the first to discover that place.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong explained in a cold voice.

 

“The only son of a trading company operating in Ghost Head City first discovered that place while looking around for land to open a new store.”

“Don’t tell me…”

“The Solitary Sword Sect murdered the trading company’s only son and seized that place.”

 

It was typical of the Dark Gate, which lacked even the slightest conscience.

 

“That trading company doesn’t have the power to oppose the Solitary Sword Sect. But they do have funds.”

“…”

“They’ll pay any amount of money, so please kill Dan Mok-ryeong and all his subordinates… That’s the trading company’s wish.”

 

After saying that, Seo Seol-ryeong carefully added.

 

“However, even the rogues of Ghost Head City don’t want to carelessly mess with the Solitary Sword Sect. They’re famous for being cruel even among the Dark Gate, so they can’t help but fear retaliation. Moreover, their opponent is Dan Mok-ryeong of the True Spirit Sword.”

“I understand what you’re saying.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin nodded.

 

“Since it’s a job everyone wants to avoid, the turn has come around to me.”

“That aspect does exist.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong affirmed with a calm attitude.

 

“Currently, eight skilled rogues including those at the Qi Refining Realm have been secured.”

“If I accept, nine of us would go to attack the Solitary Sword Sect.”

“From what I can see, if nine of us launch a surprise attack, our forces shouldn’t be insufficient.”

 

Saying that, Seo Seol-ryeong provided several additional pieces of information.

Cheon Woo-jin pondered each piece of information, examining whether this was truly something worth attempting.

 

It certainly wasn’t an easy task.

Compared to this job, everything he had done so far felt like tutorial level.

 

However, he couldn’t back out here.

Walking only easy and simple paths wouldn’t get Cheon Woo-jin what he wanted.

To continue surviving in this world, he needed to climb to higher places as quickly as possible.

If he saw a shortcut ahead, he had to climb it even if it was a cliff.

 

‘Besides, if it’s Dan Mok-ryeong… he should have the item I want.’

 

Having made up his mind, Cheon Woo-jin spoke again.

 

“When is the date?”

“Ten days from now.”

“Ten days.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin calculated in his head.

 

“That’s a bit tight.”

“Tight?”

“I have something to take care of.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong hesitated.

It was rare for Cheon Woo-jin to say something like this.

 

“If participation seems difficult, I’ll arrange to find someone else.”

“There’s no need to go that far.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin shook his head.

 

“I’ll try my best to make it work.”

“Then that’s fortunate, but…”

“Well then, I should get going.”

“Yes, if you have urgent business, please handle it quickly.”

“Then…”

 

When Cheon Woo-jin extended his hand, Seo Seol-ryeong tilted her head.

 

“What’s wrong?”

“I haven’t received today’s payment yet.”

“…”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong fell silent for a moment.

Then she took out spirit stones from her sleeve and said.

 

“I just forgot for a moment.”

 

Her pale face seemed to redden slightly.

 

* * *

 

Cheon Woo-jin ate rice made from spirit rice at the market and returned to his cave dwelling.

After placing talismans at the entrance to secure it more thoroughly, he reached into his storage bag.

 

“Now then…”

 

Clatter!

Small stones spread across the floor.

These were 10,000 spirit stones he had steadily accumulated from Seo Seol-ryeong’s mission rewards.

 

Cheon Woo-jin extended his spiritual power to move the Spirit Stones.

He scattered them across various spots on the cave dwelling floor, creating a formation.

 

It was a formation technique for entering the Qi Refining Realm Great Perfection.

 

“Shall I begin?”

 

Cheon Woo-jin sat cross-legged in position.

Then he focused his consciousness on his Upper Dantian.

 

Until now, Cheon Woo-jin had been absorbing spiritual energy from various places.

He had directly absorbed it from cultivators including Song Jun-hak, obtained elixirs from their storage bags to consume, and consistently ate Spirit Rice during meals.

Thanks to this, he already possessed the spiritual energy needed to challenge the Qi Refining Realm Great Perfection.

 

First, Cheon Woo-jin opened his Upper Dantian and gradually released his spiritual energy.

However, the spiritual energy didn’t scatter in all directions.

The Spirit Stones placed around him formed a barrier that contained the spiritual energy.

 

When he expelled all his spiritual energy, he felt a severe emptiness.

He also felt dizziness as if he might lose consciousness.

But Cheon Woo-jin gritted his teeth and endured it.

He knew he had to overcome this.

 

As he continued to endure while his mind grew distant, the spiritual meridians throughout his body gradually found stability.

He even felt a sense of liberation as if he were in an open space.

Having reached that state, Cheon Woo-jin regulated his breathing while expanding his consciousness in all directions.

Then he simultaneously recovered all the spiritual energy trapped within the Spirit Stone barrier.

 

“…!”

 

The spiritual energy flowed into his body in an instant.

Though it was a considerable amount, it didn’t burden him at all.

 

Cheon Woo-jin’s body was now like a large vessel.

It was a vast ocean that could devour and accept everything.

No matter how much spiritual energy there was, he could accept it all at once.

 

This act of accepting such massive amounts of energy at once promotes physical awakening.

This is because it’s tantamount to giving new enlightenment to each and every cell in the human body.

 

Cheon Woo-jin circulated the spiritual energy he had accepted all at once throughout his entire body.

With each One Circulation of spiritual energy, he could feel every single element composing his body entering a new realm.

 

‘From now on, I am….’

 

The twelve meridians of his limbs.

The eight extraordinary meridians including the Conception and Governing vessels.

The collateral meridians connecting between the main meridians.

All the meridians through which spiritual energy flows are sublimated to a higher dimensional level.

 

Then, not only the meridians but also the five viscera and six bowels, as well as skin, hair, muscles, flesh, tendons, and bones became filled with spiritual energy.

Now Cheon Woo-jin would become a being who could truly utilize spiritual energy with his entire body.

 

‘Qi Refining Realm Great Perfection.’

 

The pinnacle of all Qi Refining Realm cultivators.

A being qualified to challenge the Foundation Establishment Realm.

 

From Cheon Woo-jin’s entire body as he reached Qi Refining Realm Great Perfection, an energy wave burst forth like a black dragon soaring upward.

 

* * *

 

“Can we trust this guy who’s supposedly coming this time?”

 

Ghost Beast Fortress 2nd Floor Outskirts.

Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator Jang Ryang, who had been chewing on sweet Licorice Root, turned around upon hearing his junior’s voice.

 

“What are you talking about?”

“The newcomer that woman introduced.”

 

His junior Won Pil-so said while stroking his beard.

 

“He seems to have entered Ghost Head City not long ago, but since we don’t know what kind of person he is, I find him quite unreliable.”

“Hmm….”

 

Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so were rogue cultivators active in the Ghost Beast Fortress Lower Levels.

Until ten years ago, both of them had belonged to a respectable Orthodox Sect called the Blue Flower Sect.

However, when the Blue Flower Sect incurred the wrath of the Taeul Yeokri Gate and was destroyed, they became masterless rogue cultivators.

The two had settled in Ghost Head City to avoid pursuit by the Taeul Yeokri Gate, and were carrying out all sorts of rough and dirty work while dreaming of the day they could rebuild their sect.

 

Today, the two were supposed to take on the role of commanders.

They would lead the other rogue cultivators and spearhead the attack on the Solitary Sword Sect.

 

“Dan Mok-ryang of the Solitary Sword Sect is a dangerous opponent. His subordinates must be quite skilled too. Would such a greenhorn be of any help?”

“He’s the guy who supposedly caught a Qi Refining Realm Great Perfection cultivator.”

 

Jang Ryang said, recalling what he had heard from Seo Seol-ryeong.

 

“So he must be at Qi Refining Realm Great Perfection himself. He’ll definitely be a fighting force.”

“Did that woman say it with her own mouth? That he’s at Qi Refining Realm Great Perfection?”

“She didn’t say it that definitively, but….”

“Maybe he’s only at Qi Refining Realm Late Stage or Middle Stage.”

“Mm….”

 

Faced with his junior’s continued skeptical attitude, Jang Ryang scratched his head.

 

“Anyway, she must have judged him useful to recommend him. That woman definitely has a good eye for people.”

“She’s always wearing a blindfold, so what good eye for people….”

 

Won Pil-so grumbled.

 

“If there’s any trouble that holds us back, we won’t let it slide.”

“That goes without saying.”

 

This operation is a night raid.

They need to launch a surprise attack on the Temporary Quarters where Dan Mok-ryeong and his subordinates are staying in the middle of the night.

So there can’t be anyone making mistakes.

 

“But this bastard….”

 

Jang Ryang looked around.

The investigators who were scheduled to participate in this raid were waiting nearby.

But even combining Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so’s men, there were only eight people.

 

“Why isn’t he coming?”

 

The assault time was approaching, but the last person wasn’t showing up.

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