Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 171

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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 171: Nascent Soul (2)

 

“We are beings born in the Material World.”

 

With her fingertips touching the back of Cheon Woo-jin’s hand.

 

Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a calm voice.

 

“The qi flowing through our bodies is not strictly matter, but it is still subject to the laws of the Material World. No matter how well we utilize spiritual energy, we cannot escape the limitations of the Material World. That’s why many have strived to overcome these limitations.”

 

This doesn’t only apply to cultivators who practice cultivation techniques.

 

Martial artists who train in martial arts also strive to transcend the limitations of the Material World.

 

However, even reaching the Manifestation realm and becoming the continent’s greatest master doesn’t allow one to transcend the Material World’s limitations.

 

To transcend limitations as a martial artist, one must reach a realm higher than Manifestation… but no one on this continent has achieved that yet.

 

“The Nascent Soul realm can be said to be our first step toward overcoming the Material World’s limitations.”

 

“…”

 

“When you create a Nascent Soul, we become dual beings. Entities possessing two axes: the physical body and the Nascent Soul.”

 

The physical body subject to the Material World’s laws.

 

The Nascent Soul that transcends the Material World’s laws.

 

The Nascent Soul realm is when these two aspects achieve balance.

 

Elevating this dual structure to a higher stage becomes the Avatar Mirror realm… and grants qualification to ascend to the Upper Realm.

 

“Then where should the Nascent Soul be created?”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong moved her other hand to place it on her lower abdomen.

 

“Right here in the Golden Core.”

 

“…”

 

“The Golden Core is an object that actually exists in our lower abdomen. No matter what anyone says, it’s a material concept. But its interior is very different from the Material World outside the Golden Core.”

 

The Golden Core contains various elements.

 

It’s a place where not only various spiritual energies are stored, but also the cultivator’s soul.

 

However, even if you cut open and dissect a Golden Core, you cannot discover what is stored where.

 

It’s clearly an object existing in the Material World, yet its interior is a space difficult to explain with Material World common sense.

 

“The Golden Core’s interior is an unknown space. Therefore, it’s also the only space where the possibility exists to transcend this Material World’s laws.”

 

In Cheon Woo-jin’s view, this was a kind of quantum mechanical concept.

 

The Golden Core’s interior is a space where it’s impossible to observe whether the Material World’s laws are properly applied.

 

Because it’s an unknown space where observation cannot be conducted, perhaps the possibility exists to transcend the Material World’s laws.

 

“We must make this possibility, which is merely hypothetical, into reality. What is created by doing so is… the Nascent Soul.”

 

This was clearly different from the processes he had gone through while growing until now.

 

He had never grown in such a thoroughly conceptual manner before.

 

“Naturally, just because you make possibility into reality doesn’t mean you can unconditionally reach the Nascent Soul realm. There are many cases of failure due to inability to properly control the Nascent Soul.”

 

“…”

 

“To prevent such situations from occurring… I’m transmitting the Bright Moon Clear Truth Technique to you like this.”

 

Saying that, Seo Seol-ryeong removed her hand from the back of Cheon Woo-jin’s hand.

 

The cool energy that Seo Seol-ryeong had infused traveled through Cheon Woo-jin’s meridians, circulated through his body once… and settled in the Upper Dantian at the top of his head.

 

And… vast knowledge began pouring forth in Cheon Woo-jin’s mind.

 

“Urgh…!”

 

Usually when acquiring knowledge, it felt like copying text onto paper one character at a time.

 

But now it was like the sensation of printing an entire page’s worth with a printing plate all at once.

 

The overwhelming amount of information entering all at once made his head feel like it would burst.

 

“How is it, Fellow Daoist Cheon?”

 

“I feel like I’m going crazy…”

 

“Seeing that you have the energy to joke around, you seem fine.”

 

Saying that, Seo Seol-ryeong wiped under Cheon Woo-jin’s nose with her sleeve.

 

The sleeve that had been white turned dark red.

 

It was the nosebleed that Cheon Woo-jin had shed.

 

“You didn’t need to do that.”

 

“I’ll take care of it later, so don’t worry about it.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin was bothered that Seo Seol-ryeong’s sleeve had gotten dirty with his nosebleed, but Seo Seol-ryeong remained indifferent as always.

 

“So, do you understand the Bright Moon Clear Truth Technique?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Although his temples were throbbing, he could still feel the knowledge organizing itself in his mind.

 

“So this is why the Jinren Clan’s cultivation techniques aren’t known to the world.”

 

“When transmitting to others, it must always be transmitted in this manner.”

 

In the game, the Jinren Clan’s cultivation techniques couldn’t be learned by players.

 

They were exclusively NPC techniques.

 

He had always been curious why that was, but now his question was finally answered.

 

It was because they were techniques transmitted by directly injecting knowledge like this.

 

‘In the game, there was a system of learning techniques by using cultivation manual items. If techniques are transmitted like this, cultivation manuals couldn’t exist.’

 

A technique that Jinren Clan members directly transmit one-on-one to other Jinren Clan members.

 

Such a special technique was now input into Cheon Woo-jin’s mind.

 

“Then let’s start taking the elixirs.”

 

“Let’s do that.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin first took out the Five Dragon Great Refinement Elixir.

 

A powerful elixir made from five black dragons, eating just this one could provide sufficient spiritual energy to reach the Nascent Soul realm.

 

After putting the pitch-black elixir in his mouth and swallowing it, he immediately took out a new medicine.

 

It was the Carefree White Feather Elixir with white wing patterns on a blue background.

 

It would help various energies achieve harmony without tangling when condensing the Nascent Soul.

 

“…”

 

After swallowing the Carefree White Feather Elixir as well, Cheon Woo-jin felt the energies of both elixirs being gradually absorbed in his stomach.

 

However, Cheon Woo-jin didn’t directly control those energies himself.

 

Because Seo Seol-ryeong extended her hand and placed it on Cheon Woo-jin’s solar plexus.

 

“Just stay still like that.”

 

Tap, tap tap.

 

Seo Seol-ryeong pressed several acupoints on his chest and abdomen with her fingertips while injecting spiritual power.

 

Then the energies of the Five Dragon Great Refinement Elixir and Carefree White Feather Elixir began flowing through his spiritual meridians.

 

First, the Carefree White Feather Elixir’s energy headed toward the Five Transport Points in his limbs.

 

The Five Transport Points are five major acupoints that exist in each of the twelve meridians, playing a role in governing the meridians’ energy.

 

“We’ll have the Carefree White Feather Elixir’s energy remain here at the Five Transport Points and use it in earnest after condensing the Nascent Soul later. And…”

 

Swoosh.

 

Seo Seol-ryeong’s finger moved along the Conception Vessel at the center of the human body.

 

Then he felt heavy energy descending to his lower abdomen.

 

“We’re going to slam the Five Dragon Great Refinement Elixir’s energy directly into the Golden Core right here.”

 

“…!”

 

Crash.

 

He felt like he heard such a sound.

 

There was a reason she used such a rough expression as ‘slam.’

 

The massive energy collided with the Golden Core, generating tremendous impact.

 

He almost let out a gasp unconsciously, but barely managed to hold it back.

 

“It’s fine to groan or scream, Fellow Daoist Cheon.”

 

“…”

 

“You’re maintaining your pride. Do you think that makes you look cool?”

 

Cheon Woo-jin glared at Seo Seol-ryeong while breaking out in cold sweat on his forehead.

 

But Seo Seol-ryeong maintained a calm expression.

 

“Good. If you have the energy to be angry at me, then you can handle Nascent Soul condensation with ease too.”

 

“…”

 

Could it be that Seo Seol-ryeong was trying to encourage him in her own way?

 

Such a thought suddenly occurred to him, but it wasn’t a situation where he could ask about it.

 

A reaction was already occurring in Cheon Woo-jin’s golden core.

 

“It would take a fortnight to condense the primordial infant alone, but since I’m here beside you, that won’t be necessary.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong touched various acupoints on Cheon Woo-jin’s body with her fingertips.

 

Each time she did so, the state of the spiritual meridians within Cheon Woo-jin’s body changed moment by moment.

 

“I’ll handle all the minor adjustments. Fellow Daoist Cheon only needs to focus on creating the primordial infant in your golden core.”

 

Then Seo Seol-ryeong took a blade in her hand.

 

It was the Eight Desolation Falling Chain Blade that Cheon Woo-jin had obtained in the imperial capital.

 

“I’ll also control the primordial infant spirit creature.”

 

The Eight Desolation Falling Chain Blade was a dharma treasure that could be used as a primordial infant spirit creature when challenging the Core Formation Realm.

 

As Seo Seol-ryeong infused spiritual energy into the Eight Desolation Falling Chain Blade, the entire blade glowed with blue light and flew up above Cheon Woo-jin’s head.

 

“Now close your eyes and focus all your consciousness on the golden core. Think of the rest of your body as completely nonexistent. From now on, Fellow Daoist Cheon will become a being that exists only as a golden core.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin did as Seo Seol-ryeong instructed.

 

He closed his eyes and tried to shut off his other senses one by one.

 

Then he heard Seo Seol-ryeong’s voice.

 

“Fellow Daoist Cheon, you have already become my only hope.”

 

“…?”

 

“So please reach the Core Formation Realm. Then I too….”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong’s voice became inaudible from the middle.

 

This was because his hearing had been completely shut off.

 

He could restore his hearing to listen to the end of her words, but Cheon Woo-jin didn’t bother to do so.

 

Seo Seol-ryeong had probably spoken those words not so much for Cheon Woo-jin to hear, but to solidify her own resolve.

 

So now Cheon Woo-jin must no longer concern himself with Seo Seol-ryeong.

 

As Seo Seol-ryeong requested, he had to shut off all his senses and focus his consciousness solely on the golden core.

 

“….”

 

The golden core was already in a state of violent reaction.

 

Stimulated by the energy of the Five Dragon Great Elixir, it was becoming activated as if it might explode at any moment.

 

Its interior was a mysterious space whose full nature no one could know.

 

He had to utilize that uncertainty to awaken new possibilities.

 

‘Create a mental image, Cheon Woo-jin.’

 

Where does the possibility of transcending the laws of the material world originate?

 

It’s not from a thoroughly trained body like martial artists have.

 

It’s not from the vast amounts of spiritual energy that cultivators accumulate over long years.

 

Only the human mind can draw forth that possibility.

 

‘Matter is finite. But the mind is infinite.’

 

The material world is a finite world filled with all kinds of laws.

 

In contrast, the mental world can be called an infinite world that transcends such laws.

 

Using that infinity, he had to make one possibility from the unknown world into reality.

 

‘The first step to escape all limits of this world… visualize the birth of the primordial infant as a mental image.’

 

This was an extension of what Cheon Woo-jin had repeatedly done countless times before.

 

Just as he had created all kinds of mental images in the spiritual domain of the Manifest True Life Body, he could create and manifest the mental image of the primordial infant.

 

‘Be born, primordial infant.’

 

He felt the nine pill patterns in his golden core glowing and pulsating.

 

Then cracks appeared throughout the entire golden core. It felt as if the golden core might collapse at any moment.

 

But it didn’t matter.

 

As long as Cheon Woo-jin’s mental image was clear, there would be no problem even if the golden core shattered into powder.

 

‘You who are newly born… I will make you into a single sword to pierce through this world.’

 

Wooooooong!

 

As if responding to Cheon Woo-jin’s resolve, a great echo resonated from the golden core.

 

To leap beyond all limits.

 

Cheon Woo-jin’s primordial infant began to condense.

 

* * *

 

Thud, thud, thud, thud….

 

Heavy footsteps echoed between the mountain peaks.

 

A giant snow creature was entering the mountain region.

 

Despite leaving the snow mountain region, the snow giant didn’t melt at all.

 

It was the same as how the ice on the left side of Snow Flower True Lord’s face didn’t melt.

 

“Snow Flower True Lord.”

 

“….”

 

The advance of the snow giants stopped.

 

Snow Flower True Lord, who had been in the center, also stopped in mid-air.

 

“It’s been a long time. Do you remember me?”

 

“Is it Yowon Gyeon?”

 

Discovering the snake demon wearing a gray hood, Snow Flower True Lord nodded.

 

“It’s the first time since we met on the 7th Layer 17 years and 5 months ago.”

 

“You remember quite precisely.”

 

Yowon Gyeon laughed while flicking his tongue.

 

“So, have you achieved anything in those 17 years and 5 months?”

 

“….”

 

“I suppose not. That’s why you came down to the 6th Floor trying to steal some junior’s body.”

 

After provoking him like that, Yowon Gyeon observed Snow Flower True Lord’s expression.

 

“You don’t even twitch an eyebrow. Have even your eyebrows frozen solid?”

 

“One eyebrow is frozen.”

 

Of course, the right eyebrow not covered in ice was intact.

 

Still, Snow Flower True Lord’s right eyebrow remained in the same position as before.

 

No matter how Yowon Gyeon provoked him, Snow Flower True Lord maintained his expressionless face.

 

“Yowon Gyeon, I have no business with you. Stand aside.”

 

“I cannot do that.”

 

“Are you trying to protect Cheon Woo-jin or Seo Seol-ryeong?”

 

“I received a gift of something hard to obtain in Ghost Head City. I must repay that debt.”

 

“Was it a very precious item?”

 

At Snow Flower True Lord’s question, Yowon Gyeon chuckled.

 

“Actually, not really. It wasn’t a treasure valuable enough to risk my life fighting to protect those fellows.”

 

“Then why….”

 

“Listen here, Snow Flower True Lord.”

 

Yowon Gyeon pointed at Snow Flower True Lord’s face as he spoke.

 

“Do you think this Snake King Yowon Gyeon would be prepared to risk his life facing the likes of you? You don’t know your place.”

 

“….”

 

“I too am one who gained power by being influenced by something that fell from the Upper Realm. But I didn’t go mad like you did. From my perspective, you’re nothing more than an unqualified mediocrity.”

 

The Shadow Scale Sunken Sect originated from scale fragments of the transcendent being from the Upper Realm, the Arctic True Martial Dark Heaven Emperor.

 

To Yowon Gyeon’s provocation mentioning this, Snow Flower True Lord replied in a cold voice.

 

“The Arctic True Martial Dark Heaven Emperor is also a guardian deity of earth tribes like yourselves. Is accepting that power without side effects really something to boast about?”

 

“You’ve become talkative, Snow Flower True Lord. Originally….”

 

“If you want to emphasize your superiority so much, I’ll personally face you.”

 

“….”

 

Yo Eun-hui and Na Chwi-ryang, who were behind Yowon Gyeon, clicked their tongues.

 

They had planned to buy as much time as possible by continuing the war of words with Snow Flower True Lord, but it seemed he was already trying to start fighting.

 

Ho Yeon-rin of Heavenly Dragon Tower, Gwak Gyeong-in of the Golden Hour Sect, and others all had tense expressions.

 

The role of everyone here was to buy time until Cheon Woo-jin reached the Core Formation Realm.

 

But Snow Flower True Lord was at the late stage of Core Formation Realm, and the snow giants possessed power surpassing Core Formation masters.

 

Just how much time could they actually buy?

 

“I’ll handle Snow Flower True Lord, so you deal with the snow people.”

 

At that moment, Yowon Gyeon spoke with a spirited voice.

 

“I was just regretting that I couldn’t settle things with Elder Ancestor Baek Gang-ryeon of Ten Thousand Night Ice Palace. I’ll resolve that regret by facing his elder brother, Snow Flower True Lord.”

 

“You speak nonsense.”

 

The red flower bud in Snow Flower True Lord’s left eye socket trembled slightly.

 

“If that’s how you feel, then let me show you, Yowon Gyeon.”

 

“Show me what?”

 

“How terrifying the thing that has possessed me is.”

 

Swish.

 

The bud began to slowly open.

 

“Using this shortens my physical body’s lifespan, so I usually try to avoid using it as much as possible… but since I’ll be able to secure Cheon Woo-jin soon anyway, I suppose it doesn’t matter.”

 

“What the…”

 

The moment the red flower bloomed fully.

 

Darkness that suddenly surged forward swallowed Yowon Gyeon.

 

It was the deployment of Snow Flower True Lord’s Domain, mastered after being bathed in the waves of the Upper Realm from within the cracks of space-time.

—————
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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