Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 182
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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 182: Upper Levels (3)
“In exchange for handing over Thunder Spirit True Person’s Won Yeong-gyeong cultivation method, I’d like you to do me one favor.”
Yowon Gyeon’s voice was serious.
Cheon Woo-jin remained silent for a moment, then carefully confirmed.
“You mean becoming Shadow Scale Sunken Sect’s son-in-law?”
“What?”
Yowon Gyeon’s eyes widened for a moment.
Then he opened his mouth and laughed.
“No, I wouldn’t make that a condition. Teaching you a cultivation method in exchange for becoming my son-in-law – that’s a bit much, don’t you think? Haha!”
“Is that so?”
For Cheon Woo-jin, these were reassuring words.
Then what was it that Yowon Gyeon wanted?
“If it’s something I can do, I’ll try my best. What is it you want? Is it difficult?”
“Hmm, depending on perspective, it could be difficult or it might not be.”
Yowon Gyeon paused deliberately.
“But if you pursue it seriously with determination, it should be quite possible.”
“If it’s something within my capabilities, I’ll give it a try. Please tell me.”
As Cheon Woo-jin waited for an answer, Yowon Gyeon slowly began his story.
“Cheon Woo-jin, you must have met our Shadow Scale Sunken Sect’s founder on the 6th Floor.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“He walked a truly unfortunate path.”
The founder of Shadow Scale Sunken Sect.
This referred to Yu Gwi-gyo, who had been wandering above the 6th Layer Snowy Mountain Region.
Originally a snake demon living in marshlands, he became an imugi after contact with fragments of Xuanwu that had fallen from the Upper Realm.
However, during cultivation he became possessed by madness, losing his reason and wandering above the snowy mountains.
It was Cheon Woo-jin who had guided that Yu Gwi-gyo to eternal rest.
“The reason our founder went mad was due to incorrect cultivation methods. He cultivated by relying on his own inspiration without receiving proper teaching. He was able to reach the Won Yeong-gyeong realm that way, but… ultimately failed.”
“…”
“Actually, this is something we demonic cultivators commonly experience. More precisely, it’s a characteristic of the Earth Tribe.”
Demon tribes like the Demon Tribe and Insect Tribe belong to the Earth Tribe in the Heaven-Earth-Human classification.
Sa Gil-jong, whom they had fought earlier, was also an insect demon belonging to the Earth Tribe.
“The Earth Tribe is easily dominated by their instincts or intuition. Even when they make long-term plans, if something strikes them in the moment, they prioritize that instead.”
“…”
“During cultivation, flashes of inspiration are often important. But the problem is that Earth Tribe members are too swayed by them. Eventually, they end up experiencing irreversible failure like our founder.”
After speaking self-deprecatingly, Yowon Gyeon added.
“This is also why I tried to introduce Human Race blood into Shadow Scale Sunken Sect.”
“Ah…”
Yo Eun-hui, Yowon Gyeon’s daughter, was a half-blood with the Human Race.
He had thought it was simply not discriminating between races, but there was such a deep meaning behind it.
“Elder Ancestor, then your attempt to bring me in as a son-in-law is also…”
“Related, yes. But that’s not what I want to discuss right now.”
Yowon Gyeon slowly continued his story.
“In any case, I’m worried about Shadow Scale Sunken Sect’s future. Even though we’ve introduced Human Race blood, someday we might walk the wrong path like our founder and face destruction.”
Yu Gwi-gyo simply became a wandering existence, so he didn’t harm Shadow Scale Sunken Sect.
But next time, someone consumed by madness might appear and drive Shadow Scale Sunken Sect to ruin.
Yowon Gyeon was worried about this possibility.
“Is it strange for an Elder Ancestor who has already retired from the front lines to worry about the sect’s future like this?”
“To be honest, I do feel something is off.”
He had a similar conversation with Mujung Soma earlier.
It was strange for Yowon Gyeon to step forward when bringing in a son-in-law should be Yo Eun-hui’s decision.
“Cheon Woo-jin, what do you think is a living being’s instinct?”
Yowon Gyeon suddenly brought up a different topic.
“I think there are two things. Survival and reproduction.”
“Survival and reproduction…”
“But looking at the living beings in this world, more individuals place greater emphasis on reproduction. I heard that some insects, when they become adults, have their mouths degenerate so they can’t eat anything and only mate until they die.”
“…”
“But cultivators like us place more emphasis on survival. Reproduction is a secondary matter. What do you think is the reason?”
To that question, Cheon Woo-jin answered in a calm voice.
“Living beings reproduce because survival is difficult. Since it’s hard for them to continue surviving themselves, they try to continue that life by creating offspring.”
“…”
“On the other hand, cultivators like us are beings who try to continue surviving by transcending the limits of living beings. So the importance of reproduction inevitably decreases.”
Yowon Gyeon nodded at Cheon Woo-jin’s answer.
“If you already know that, then you should be able to guess why I’m worried about Shadow Scale Sunken Sect’s future, shouldn’t you?”
“…!”
Cheon Woo-jin could finally understand Yowon Gyeon.
Yowon Gyeon didn’t have many days left to live.
Just like the ancestor Yu Gwi-gyo, it was because he made mistakes during the cultivation process.
Not only could he not ascend to the Avatar Mirror realm, but there was a high possibility he would lose his life before completing his thousand-year lifespan.
However, Yowon Gyeon had already accepted this fact.
Without being impatient or lamenting, he was trying to use his remaining time meaningfully.
That’s why Yowon Gyeon came to think about the future of his sect.
Not just his daughter Yo Eun-hui, but the future of the entire Shadow Scale Sunken Sect.
‘For Yowon Gyeon, leaving behind his bloodline isn’t reproduction.’
Cheon Woo-jin looked at Yowon Gyeon with new eyes.
Though Yowon Gyeon was just an insignificant NPC in the game, he too was a person living in the Cultivation World with his own beliefs.
‘Ensuring the survival of his sect was the most valuable act of reproduction for the Daoist named Yowon Gyeon.’
What should be left to future generations wasn’t his bloodline, but his teachings.
He had gained the realization that this was truly the act of overcoming the finite nature of life.
“Cheon Woo-jin, there’s one thing I want from you.”
Yowon Gyeon met Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes.
Despite being a cold-blooded creature, a clear fervor could be felt in those pupils.
“In the Ghost Beast City Upper Section, there will be clues for demon folk like us to break free from the chains of instinct. I want you to promise that you’ll find it with your power and deliver it to the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect.”
The belief that Cheon Woo-jin was someone who would climb to the top of Ghost Head City.
Based on such conviction, Yowon Gyeon revealed his condition to Cheon Woo-jin.
* * *
“If Yowon Gyeon is in such a situation, we can resolve things easily.”
Tan Lan Gu Ma said with gleeful laughter.
“We should form an alliance with Yowon Gyeon. If we cooperate with each other, capturing Cheon Woo-jin and Seo Seol-ryeong alive will become easier.”
“Form an alliance with Yowon Gyeon? Don’t tell me you’re planning to hand over Cheon Woo-jin to Yowon Gyeon?”
North Palace Annihilation tilted her head to the side.
Though Tan Lan Gu Ma didn’t need a body for possession, he had still been trying to claim Cheon Woo-jin for himself.
“I remember you saying you’d use Cheon Woo-jin as dog food.”
“Of course, I have absolutely no intention of handing Cheon Woo-jin over to Yowon Gyeon.”
Tan Lan Gu Ma said with a smile.
“But in front of Yowon Gyeon, I’ll have to say I’ll hand over Cheon Woo-jin. I’ll also promise to help with the possession.”
“Ah, so that’s what it was.”
Make Yowon Gyeon betray Cheon Woo-jin, then betray that Yowon Gyeon himself.
Understanding Tan Lan Gu Ma’s scheme, North Palace Annihilation also smiled.
“If we can gain Yowon Gyeon’s cooperation that way, defeating Baekwha-pa won’t be difficult either.”
“Right, since Yowon Gyeon is also in a desperate situation, if we entice him well, we can manipulate him to our will.”
Neither North Palace Annihilation.
Nor Tan Lan Gu Ma.
Could even imagine that Yowon Gyeon had no intention of betraying Cheon Woo-jin.
From their perspective, someone like Yowon Gyeon helping Cheon Woo-jin must surely have some evil ulterior motive.
They had seen countless Won Yeong-gyeong Daoists clinging to possession as their last hope.
So they thought Yowon Gyeon would be the same.
They could only judge that he was hovering around with evil intentions to steal Cheon Woo-jin’s body.
Having lived their entire lives only for their own benefit, the very idea that there could be a Won Yeong-gyeong Daoist who moved for something else was impossible for them.
* * *
Even after leaving the desert region swept by sandstorms, the surrounding environment didn’t improve much.
A wasteland region of parched earth began instead of sand.
“The Ghost Beast City Upper Section is truly a harsh place, Elder.”
“Yes, but I can feel correspondingly dense spiritual energy. If we cultivate here, there would definitely be results.”
Listening to the Baekwha-pa members’ conversation, Cheon Woo-jin directed his gaze to the fortress wall blocking their path ahead.
A Great Wall built in the middle of the wasteland region was blocking the group’s path forward.
“North Palace Annihilation’s main base is beyond that Great Wall.”
Yowon Gyeon said with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Won Yeong-gyeong Daoists who are members of Ghost Valley Alliance have established themselves around that area. So they’ll try to stop us from crossing the Great Wall to reach North Palace Annihilation.”
It’s not particularly that they’re offering loyalty to North Palace Annihilation.
But they would voluntarily stop attackers who assault North Palace Annihilation.
While expecting to receive compensation from North Palace Annihilation.
“So far, we’ve encountered Won Yeong-gyeong level demons while passing through the desert region. But you can consider them to be beyond that level.”
Everyone showed tense expressions at Yowon Gyeon’s warning.
But Yowon Gyeon immediately smiled and spoke again.
“Still, well, there’s no need to worry.”
Saying that, Yowon Gyeon turned around.
“Isn’t that right, Cheon Woo-jin?”
“….”
At the rear of the group, there was a single carriage.
It was an autonomous flying magical treasure that Yowon Gyeon had taken out from his spatial storage.
From within it, Cheon Woo-jin slowly walked out.
“Was five days enough time?”
“It was sufficient, Elder Ancestor.”
It had taken five days for Cheon Woo-jin’s group to break through the desert region.
However, during that time, Cheon Woo-jin had not directly participated in combat.
This was because he needed to master the contents of the secret manual that Yowon Gyeon had given him.
“Good. Then let us all break through the Great Wall together.”
“No. I will take the vanguard.”
Cheon Woo-jin took out a small wood piece from his chest.
It was the Ghost Wood Vessel, miniaturized to the size of a palm.
“You’ll become a target, will that be alright?”
Though Mujung Soma made this comment, Cheon Woo-jin nodded as if telling him not to worry and restored the Ghost Wood Vessel to its original size.
When the flying magical treasure suddenly appeared, the people around were amazed.
“Ho, you were hiding something like this too.”
“I’ll go ahead first.”
Before the admiring Yowon Gyeon, Cheon Woo-jin boarded the Ghost Wood Vessel.
And he spoke briefly.
“Let me show you what achievement I’ve gained.”
Swoooosh!
The Ghost Wood Vessel that rose into the air began to fly.
As it crossed over the desolate land and instantly approached the Great Wall, the Ghost Bone League’s Won Yeong-gyeong cultivators who had been waiting on the wall showed surprised expressions.
“What a fearless bastard…!”
“Shoot him down!”
Concentrated fire erupted from the ground.
However, Cheon Woo-jin paid no attention and drew up spiritual power from his Golden Core.
Manifesting the principle of yin-yang intersection within his body to construct the form of a massive spell formation, then deploying it to transform the world.
As if responding to that intent, a tremendous sound began to resonate from the pitch-black sky.
Raising his hand as if to grasp that sound and clenching it into a fist, Cheon Woo-jin imposed his will.
[Extreme Thunder Thunderous Descent]
The Won Yeong-gyeong technique left behind by Thunder Spirit True Person, the legendary genius thunder arts master, the Extreme Thunder True Realm Formula.
Its first magic art was unleashed.
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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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