Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 18
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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 18: Assault (3)
Cheon Woo-jin quickly scanned the status windows of the Poison Sword Sect Cultivators rushing toward them.
They were all small fry. After confirming this fact, Cheon Woo-jin generated Sword Qi.
Whooom!
This time the Sword Qi was massive.
It was a Great Sword large enough to sweep away all the Poison Sword Sect Cultivators rushing forward at once.
When Cheon Woo-jin swung that Sword Qi, they were all swept away as if covered by a huge wave.
Screams erupted from here and there.
However, it wasn’t enough to annihilate them all at once.
“Ugh…!”
Then Won Pil-so stepped forward belatedly.
As he formed Hand Seals and swung his arms, violent flames burst forth.
Since the Poison Sword Sect Cultivators had already been swept up by Cheon Woo-jin’s Sword Qi, they couldn’t properly respond to Won Pil-so’s Magic Arts.
The Poison Sword Sect Cultivators were annihilated by the flames manifested with the powerful Spiritual Power of the mid-Foundation Building stage.
“Hey!”
Then Won Pil-so glared at Cheon Woo-jin and shouted.
“You said you were a sword cultivator!”
“I never said such a thing.”
It was true that he had learned the Taeul Mysterious Sword Art, a Sword Cultivation Method.
But he didn’t carry a sword around, he just launched Sword Qi.
“I’ll just take the lead! You support from behind!”
Won Pil-so’s attitude changed due to Cheon Woo-jin’s skills that exceeded expectations.
Until now he had tried to use Cheon Woo-jin as a meat shield, but now he took the lead and assumed the vanguard position himself.
The Formation Diagram they had initially decided on was no longer meaningful.
Now that he knew Cheon Woo-jin’s abilities, a new formation was needed.
“We’ll finish off all these guys and go support senior brother!”
Jang Ryang, the strongest among their allies, was not present at this location.
He was moving alone to strike Dan Mok-ryang, the strongest on the opposing side.
‘But…’
Cheon Woo-jin felt an uneasy sensation again this time.
It seemed like the Manifest True Life Body was warning him of something once more.
* * *
“What is the situation?”
The Innermost Room.
There sat a man with handsome features.
He had refined facial features with elegance, and wore a splendid Precious Sword at his waist.
It was Dan Mok-ryeong, a Foundation Building stage cultivator of the Poison Sword Sect.
“Not only the Defensive Formation but even the Lightning Energy trap was seen through – could there have been an informant?”
“I, I don’t know.”
“Tsk…”
Dan Mok-ryeong clicked his tongue.
Honestly, he didn’t particularly care if the low-level disciples of the Poison Sword Sect were annihilated.
After all, low-level disciples were nothing more than expendable supplies in any Sect.
Only one thing was important.
Protecting the small Secret Realm they had secured this time.
In the Cultivation World, securing cultivation resources is extremely important.
There are countless cultivators who can no longer grow because they cannot obtain the necessary cultivation resources.
For example, Foundation Building Pills are essential when advancing to the Foundation Building stage, but most Qi Condensation cultivators never even see a Foundation Building Pill in their lifetime.
To make Foundation Building Pills, special Spirit Materials must be used as ingredients, and obtaining those Spirit Materials is not easy.
The Poison Sword Sect currently has about a hundred late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, but most of them will meet their end without obtaining Foundation Building Pills.
However, in this newly discovered Secret Realm, it seemed possible to harvest one of the ingredients needed to make Foundation Building Pills.
If they regularly harvested it for direct use by the Poison Sword Sect or exchanged it for other materials, they could secure Foundation Building Pills stably.
‘For the development of the Poison Sword Sect, this Secret Realm is a place that must be secured. It cannot be taken away by anyone!’
Actually, the Poison Sword Sect wasn’t the first to discover this Secret Realm.
The Only Son of a certain Trading Company discovered this Secret Realm while scouting locations to open a new store.
At the time, Dan Mok-ryeong was supposed to invest in the new store and was accompanying the Only Son, but ended up killing him and stealing the rights to the Secret Realm discovery.
This was a Secret Realm secured through such deeds.
He had to protect it at all costs.
“Dan Mok-ryeong, the situation doesn’t look good.”
Just then.
A voice was heard from the Upper Seat.
“Is everything alright?”
“Don’t worry.”
Dan Mok-ryeong clasped his hands together and answered.
“It seems some rootless bandits attacked under orders from some faction. A few of our junior disciples were harmed outside, so I’ll go clean up the situation and return.”
“Then hurry up and clean it up.”
A cold voice came from the upper seat.
“If you can’t easily resolve such matters, I can’t acknowledge your exclusive rights to this Secret Realm.”
“….”
Dan Mok-ryeong left that voice behind and came out into the corridor.
He tried to move toward where the commotion was happening, but soon felt his legs growing heavy.
‘This is….’
When he turned his head, some man was holding a talisman and glaring at him.
His aura was extraordinary. He was definitely a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“Dan Mok-ryeong…!”
“So you’re the leader. Did you come to capture me?”
Dan Mok-ryeong smiled and drew the sword at his waist.
Of course, it wasn’t an ordinary sword.
“Thank you. For saving me the trouble of searching for you.”
Lightning sparked from the Five Thunder Heaven-Shaking Sword, a Dharma Artifact bestowed by the Solitary Sword Sect.
* * *
“As expected, Dan Mok-ryeong seems to be the only Foundation Establishment cultivator. Everyone here is just Qi Refining stage.”
Won Pil-so muttered as he burned a Qi Refining cultivator to death.
“Hey, how’s it going on your side?”
“It seems to be the same here.”
Cheon Woo-jin answered in a cold voice.
Until just moments ago, he had been dueling with a Poison Sword Sect swordsman, but had just taken his life by stabbing him from behind with a blade that emerged from the shadows.
“You’re quite skilled.”
“Why do you suddenly say that?”
“It’s certain you’re at least a major stage Qi Refining cultivator.”
Won Pil-so stared intently at Cheon Woo-jin and asked.
“Have you experienced a lot of real combat?”
“Real combat?”
“You’re good at instantly adjusting distance to secure advantageous positions.”
“….”
Cheon Woo-jin hesitated for a moment.
That part was certainly something Cheon Woo-jin always paid the most attention to.
It was one of the most basic tactics when fighting in Spirit Path Cultivation War.
Moving to a position where you could easily dodge the opponent’s attacks.
Moving to a position where you could properly unleash attacks on the opponent.
It was the basics of gameplay.
But he hadn’t expected to be directly praised for that aspect by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“Even if their spiritual power is high, there are many cultivators who are utterly disappointing in real combat. They’re guys whose aptitude is better suited for making elixirs or Dharma Artifacts rather than real fighting.”
“….”
“You’re different from those guys.”
He had shown an aggressive attitude as soon as they met.
But not even an hour had passed, and Won Pil-so’s attitude had completely changed.
“How about working with us after this matter is over?”
“Together?”
“I think someone of your level can be trusted.”
He even began suggesting that Cheon Woo-jin become one of their companions.
“I’m not talking about eating from the same pot forever. We’re planning to leave Ghost Head City someday anyway.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, we have a goal of rebuilding a sect that was destroyed by Taeul Yeokri Gate in the past.”
“….”
He had been curious about how people who seemed to be from Orthodox Sects ended up drifting to Ghost Head Mountain, but there were such circumstances.
“How about it? If you travel with us, it’ll be helpful when you challenge Foundation Establishment later.”
“Sorry, but I prefer being alone right now.”
Cheon Woo-jin answered in a calm voice.
“And traveling with you would ultimately mean entering under your command… I don’t particularly like hierarchical relationships.”
Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so were clearly Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Cheon Woo-jin, a Qi Refining cultivator, would inevitably become their subordinate.
“I enjoy insubordination, so it wouldn’t be good for you either.”
“Are you joking? What kind of excuse is that….”
“And.”
Cheon Woo-jin looked around and said.
“Shouldn’t we go help them soon?”
“Ah, right.”
It seemed like they had almost finished off all the low-ranking disciples of the Solitary Sword Sect.
There might be some hiding in corners, but tracking down such remnants could be left to the other investigators.
“Good. Then let’s go with just the two of us for now.”
After leaving the aftermath to the other investigators, Won Pil-so took Cheon Woo-jin and advanced forward.
“Senior Brother is… Ah, there he is!”
Boom!
A thunderous sound came from beyond the collapsed wall.
Rushing urgently in that direction, they could see a battle taking place outside the building.
A handsome-looking sword cultivator was pressing Jang Ryang hard.
[Dan Mok-ryeong]
* Race: Human Race
* Age: 151 years
* Realm: Foundation Establishment Late Stage
* Constitution: Wood Spirit Root
* Faction: Dark Gate
* Affiliation: Solitary Sword Sect
* Destiny: Arrogance
Dan Mok-ryeong, a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator of the Solitary Sword Sect.
He was wildly swinging a large precious sword, unleashing blue Sword Qi.
Jang Ryang was blocking Dan Mok-ryeong’s Sword Qi with Defensive Magic, but he was completely on the defensive.
‘Even though they’re both Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Jang Ryang is inferior in combat power.’
As Won Pil-so had mentioned earlier, investigators each have their own aptitudes.
Also, which cultivation methods or Magic Arts one focuses on greatly affects combat power.
In Cheon Woo-jin’s view, Jang Ryang seemed to be an investigator with strengths more in supportive areas.
He was no match for Dan Mok-ryeong, who had only cultivated Sword Cultivation Methods in the Solitary Sword Sect.
“Senior Brother!”
Won Pil-so joined the fight.
He stretched out both hands and deployed Fire Magic.
The intense flames that had turned the low-ranking disciples of the Solitary Sword Sect into charcoal earlier burst forth.
However, Dan Mok-ryeong was not to be taken lightly.
The moment Dan Mok-ryeong swiftly raised his left hand, a sudden gust of wind scattered the flames.
‘Wind Attribute Magic Arts!’
In this world, there exist Five Elements spiritual energies of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, and Magic Arts also have Five Elements attributes.
However, besides the five attributes corresponding to the Five Elements, derivative attributes also exist.
For example, Ice Attribute Magic Arts are derivatives of Water Attribute Magic Arts, mainly deployed using water spiritual energy.
This is because in Five Elements Theory, winter and Cold Energy correspond to the Water Element.
Meanwhile, Wind Attribute is a derivative of Wood Attribute, which is related to wind being assigned to the Wood Element in Five Elements Theory.
Since Wood Attribute Magic Arts have strong supportive tendencies, cultivators like Dan Mok-ryeong who prioritize combat tend to prefer Wind Attribute over Wood Attribute.
The blue Sword Qi that Dan Mok-ryeong was unleashing was also Wind Attribute Sword Qi utilizing Wood Spirit Energy.
It had the characteristic of being faster in attack speed while having superior cutting power compared to other Sword Qi.
“Whose orders did you come under?”
Swish swish swish!
Each time Dan Mok-ryeong swung his sword, dozens of Sword Qi were generated.
Both Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so were sweating profusely trying to respond to the wind blades flying in complex trajectories.
“Orthodox Sect? Dark Gate? Or Demonic Path?”
“Ugh…!”
“Either way, it doesn’t matter. This Secret Realm is ours.”
Dan Mok-ryeong thought they had been sent by other forces targeting the Secret Realm.
The idea that a trading company master whose son was murdered had thrown a fortune for revenge to hire investigators never crossed Dan Mok-ryeong’s mind.
“Senior Brother! Let’s attack from front and back… Ugh!”
“Against this guy, even infiltrating from behind isn’t easy!”
Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so were struggling.
Dan Mok-ryeong was stronger than they had expected.
However, in Cheon Woo-jin’s view, this wasn’t solely due to Dan Mok-ryeong’s individual skill.
No matter how excellent Dan Mok-ryeong’s abilities were, he shouldn’t be this relaxed against two Foundation Establishment investigators attacking together.
‘Then it must be because of that Dharma Artifact he’s holding.’
Five Thunder Heaven-Shaking Sword.
It was a Dharma Artifact he had seen in the game.
Among sword-type equipment that Foundation Establishment cultivators could equip, it had top-tier performance.
When playing the game, some cultivator from the Solitary Sword Sect would appear with it… here, Dan Mok-ryeong had appeared with it.
‘That’s the Dharma Artifact I wanted.’
When he had given the Mysterious Snake Spirit Sword to Seo Seol-ryeong, Cheon Woo-jin had thought he would need to obtain a Dharma Artifact superior to the Mysterious Snake Spirit Sword someday.
Now was exactly that time.
Cheon Woo-jin drew up his Spiritual Power and launched Sword Qi.
“Hmm…!”
Dan Mok-ryeong, who had been pressing Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so, hurriedly dodged.
This was because black Sword Qi had suddenly flown from a blind spot.
His body wasn’t injured, but part of his clothing was torn.
“This Sword Qi is… Taeul Mysterious Sword Art?”
Dan Mok-ryeong’s eyes widened as he recognized at a glance that it was the Sword Cultivation Method of Taeul Yeokri Gate.
He must have been on guard, wondering if Taeul Yeokri Gate was behind this incident.
As Dan Mok-ryeong focused his attention on Cheon Woo-jin, the relentless barrage of wind blades subsided.
Taking advantage of this gap, Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so regrouped their stance.
The battle wasn’t over yet. Hope flickered in both men’s eyes.
The gazes of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators focused on Cheon Woo-jin.
Even under such scrutiny, Cheon Woo-jin maintained his composure and concentrated his mind.
‘I need a sword.’
He forged a Heart Sword from within his inner Spiritual Domain.
It was a well-compressed Heart Sword, just like when he had shattered the entrance and overturned the Lightning Energy trap earlier.
But he didn’t stop at creating just one.
In that state, he forged a new Heart Sword within his Spiritual Domain.
When the second was completed, he made a third, and when the third was done, he created a fourth.
He projected the Heart Swords he had created to the outside, manifesting black blades made of spiritual energy.
The total number of manifested Sword Qi was twelve.
The Sword Qi that he could only create one at a time during the late Qi Condensation stage could now be produced simultaneously in dozens like this.
“As expected, those Orthodox Sect bastards are hypocritical! Breaking the agreement and interfering in Ghost Head City’s affairs!”
Dan Mok-ryeong, who had mistaken him for a cultivator from Taeul Yeokri Gate, shouted angrily.
But Cheon Woo-jin paid no attention and circulated his Spiritual Power.
There was no reason to harbor fear just because his opponent was a Foundation Establishment expert.
After all, even Foundation Establishment cultivators would die if they suffered fatal wounds, wouldn’t they?
The moment he reached that conclusion, he unleashed all the Spiritual Power he had refined within his body at once.
Twelve deadly black blades generated Ghost Wail as they raced through the darkness.
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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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