Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 22
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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 22: Secret Realm (3)
Rumble!
With a magnificent sound, a torrent of pitch-black lightning was unleashed.
It was a more intense and concentrated power than any technique Cheon Woo-jin had displayed so far.
Originally in the Five Elements, Water symbolizes death.
It corresponds to the final winter among spring, summer, autumn, and winter, representing the gloomy death that stops all life activities and sinks into cold darkness.
Cheon Woo-jin manifested that principle of frigid death through his Water Spirit Root Manifestation True Body.
And by unifying it with the Thunder Method of the Five Thunder Heaven Piercing Sword, he generated black Lightning Energy that drove everything toward death.
“Shaaaaah!”
Overwhelming yin energy was gushing forth from the White Spirit Great Snake’s massive body.
An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator would cough up blood and collapse just from contact with that energy.
The Black Lightning penetrated through that yin energy and burrowed into the White Spirit Great Snake’s body.
It pierced through the gleaming white scales and infiltrated into its interior.
However, the White Spirit Great Snake didn’t writhe as if electrocuted.
Though muscles should convulse when current flows through the body, the black Lightning Energy turned the White Spirit Great Snake’s body tissue into black powder before such a reaction could occur.
At first glance it looked like ash left after burning, but in reality it was debris from the power of annihilation possessed by the Black Lightning.
“Shaaaaah…!”
The White Spirit Great Snake, its body tissue collapsed as if necrotic, shrieked and released Spiritual Power.
A massive lump of Spiritual Power aimed at Cheon Woo-jin’s body like a projectile.
But Cheon Woo-jin didn’t even bat an eyelash as he extended his palm forward.
Silver Spirit Steel Guardian Shield. The defensive Dharma Artifact that Guyang Gyeol had been saving for battles against formidable enemies.
A protective barrier deployed along with a silver shield, deflecting all of the White Spirit Great Snake’s Spiritual Power projectiles.
‘With my current power, it’s difficult to completely annihilate the White Spirit Great Snake’s entire body.’
Cheon Woo-jin analyzed coldly.
Though he had inflicted serious injury on the White Spirit Great Snake, it was far from sufficient to call it a fatal wound.
If Cheon Woo-jin had been at the Core Formation stage, he could have unleashed Lightning Energy that would devour the White Spirit Great Snake’s entire massive body, but with his current power it was difficult.
Then what should he do?
‘Crush the head.’
A new realization emerged.
Based on that insight, he gathered the Lightning Energy that had been writhing like a snake into one place.
Originally Yang is a scattering force while Yin is a gathering force.
And in the Five Elements, Water is the ultimate yin within yin, the most powerful yin among all yin.
Therefore, when gathered and condensed in one place, it displays even more powerful force.
A new ultimate technique was born in Cheon Woo-jin’s mind.
[Black Thunder Spirit Sealing]
A black sphere.
Cheon Woo-jin dropped the mass of Lightning Energy condensed to its limit onto the White Spirit Great Snake’s head as if dropping a ball.
The White Spirit Great Snake tried to defend by releasing Spiritual Energy, but it was useless.
The black sphere devoured everything as it fell onto the White Spirit Great Snake’s head.
Crackle!
With an intense sound, the black sphere ground away the White Spirit Great Snake’s head.
Black debris like ash scattered, and the White Spirit Great Snake, its head reduced to half, blankly flicked its tongue.
Then it collapsed powerlessly to the side and plummeted down the mountain.
“…”
Watching the White Spirit Great Snake fall below, Cheon Woo-jin felt slight dizziness.
He had consumed too much Spiritual Power using such a powerful technique.
Fearing he might lose consciousness and fall, he immediately descended to the ground.
Cheon Woo-jin caught his breath while taking out an elixir.
When he put it in his mouth and chewed, a thick bitter taste spread.
As he forced himself to swallow, he felt a heavy energy in his stomach, and his Spiritual Power was immediately restored.
Being a high-grade elixir from Guyang Gyeol’s storage bag, the effect was excellent.
“After using major techniques, I need to immediately take elixirs…”
After muttering that, Cheon Woo-jin suddenly felt something strange.
The technique he had just used didn’t exist in the Immortal Path game.
It wasn’t that there were no similar techniques at all, but Black Thunder Spirit Sealing itself was a technique that Cheon Woo-jin had conceived and constructed on the spot.
Not just stopping at utilizing and applying what he knew, but reaching a level where he could pioneer unknown territories himself.
Cheon Woo-jin had already entered such a realm.
“Interesting.”
He muttered unconsciously.
To think he was conquering the game world by creating techniques that didn’t exist before.
As someone with a gamer background, his heart couldn’t help but race with excitement.
“Then…”
Cheon Woo-jin looked around.
This place was full of naturally growing Spirit Herbs.
However, there were many plants with similar appearances, making it difficult to distinguish what was what.
In the game, you could just click and it would immediately display “Such-and-such Spirit Herb has been gathered,” but no such convenience system existed here.
Recalling the in-game graphics, he had to crouch down and examine each one individually to finally pick out usable spirit herbs.
But….
“Hmm….”
Cheon Woo-jin fell into thought for a moment.
It seemed like he didn’t necessarily have to do it that way.
Earlier, as soon as Guyang Gyeol entered the secret realm, he spread cold energy in all directions, using that cold energy like radar waves to explore the surroundings.
If that was the case, then Cheon Woo-jin should be able to do something similar.
Cheon Woo-jin carefully drew up his spiritual energy.
After gathering a small amount of spiritual energy in his palm, he formed it into thin threads and extended them in all directions.
It felt like a spider spinning its web.
He spread the threads of spiritual energy in all directions like that and concentrated his mind.
Like a spider feeling the vibrations of its web, he tried to sense the sensations transmitted through the threads of spiritual energy.
At first he felt nothing, but as he continued concentrating, he began to feel the energy emanating from each spirit herb.
And… among the countless spirit herbs, he was able to find one that gave off a particularly intense reaction.
Cheon Woo-jin walked toward where that reaction came from.
When he bent down to examine the grass, he discovered a plant with mysterious white leaves.
‘This is White Leaf Autumn Spirit Grass.’
Cheon Woo-jin unconsciously clenched his fist tight.
White is the color corresponding to metal in the five elements.
White Leaf Autumn Spirit Grass was a spirit herb that sprouted naturally in land where metal spiritual energy had accumulated over a long period of time.
Because metal spiritual energy is stored in an altered state, eating this wouldn’t allow one to acquire large amounts of metal spiritual energy.
However, it had the effect of influencing the spiritual meridians within the body to open new pathways for utilizing metal spiritual energy.
Taking White Leaf Autumn Spirit Grass alone would disrupt the balance of spiritual meridians and cause death, but if one simultaneously took medicines of other attributes to maintain balance, it was possible to evolve a cultivator’s body to a new realm.
Therefore… White Leaf Autumn Spirit Grass could become one of the ‘Foundation Spirit Materials’ for making Foundation Building Pills.
‘To make a Foundation Building Pill, I need six Foundation Spirit Materials.’
Five five-element materials corresponding to wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
One base material that doesn’t lean toward any particular attribute.
Only after securing these six and performing alchemy in a pill furnace of a certain level or higher could one create a Foundation Building Pill.
Cheon Woo-jin had already obtained one of them.
‘Then… shall I gather the rest as well.’
He spread threads of spiritual energy meticulously around the area.
Then he felt reactions from here and there.
Cheon Woo-jin found all the spirit herbs that seemed useful among them and gathered them up.
Even if they wouldn’t help in making Foundation Building Pills, he could use them elsewhere.
Just selling them would earn him a considerable amount of spirit stones.
‘This should be enough.’
It was unknown which faction this secret realm would belong to in the future.
Since Dan Mok-ryeong of the Poison Sword Sect had died, there was a high possibility that various factions would fight over this secret realm for some time.
But even if they spilled much blood to claim this secret realm, there wouldn’t be much left to gain.
Because this was a small-scale secret realm, cultivation resources weren’t abundant.
It would take decades for new White Leaf Autumn Spirit Grass to sprout, and since he had swept away all the other useful spirit herbs, it would become a rather worthless secret realm for some time.
‘They’ll have no choice but to use it as a training ground.’
Cheon Woo-jin exited the secret realm with his now-bulging storage bag hidden in his robes.
He would never have occasion to visit this place again.
* * *
After exiting the secret realm, Cheon Woo-jin headed to the 2nd Layer Market.
When he entered the tent located in a corner, Seo Seol-ryeong was startled.
“You….”
“Why are you so surprised?”
Though her eyes were covered with cloth, he could sense her surprised expression.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Saying that, he sat down in a chair.
“Someone I thought was dead has returned alive, so I can’t help but make such an expression….”
Seo Seol-ryeong had already grasped the situation.
“How did you survive being pursued by a Foundation Establishment expert?”
“I ran away to an underground space like a rat.”
Cheon Woo-jin answered in a cold voice.
“Perhaps he didn’t want to enter such a filthy place, so he gave up the pursuit and disappeared somewhere.”
“Is that really true?”
Seo Seol-ryeong didn’t believe Cheon Woo-jin’s words.
“That Foundation Establishment cultivator was affiliated with the Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon.”
“The Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon?”
“He must have come to discuss whether or not to recognize the exclusive rights to the secret realm.”
The principle is that the Three Great Sects do not interfere in the internal affairs of Ghost Head City.
That’s why when entering Ghost Head City, one must act secretly without others knowing.
“If he caused a commotion just to catch one measly Spirit Condensation cultivator, the aftermath would be difficult to handle.”
“….”
“It became troublesome so he just left. He’s probably escaped Ghost Head City by now.”
After finishing his explanation.
Cheon Woo-jin turned around and spoke again.
“Do you understand now?”
“…!”
Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so, who had entered the tent, were making dumbfounded expressions.
“W-we thought you were dead.”
Jang Ryang said with a trembling voice.
“The fact that we two are alive means that bastard went after you….”
When Guyang Gyeol appeared, the three people fled in different directions.
They thought that way, two out of the three could survive.
So Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so thought Cheon Woo-jin must have died.
Since they survived, they thought Cheon Woo-jin alone was caught by Guyang Gyeol and killed.
“Ah, geez, really! You should have said something if you were alive! I thought…!”
Won Pil-so kept sniffling as if his nose bridge was stinging.
Despite living as a problem solver in the merciless Cultivation World, he seemed to have a surprisingly warm and loyal personality.
“Sorry to interrupt this touching reunion.”
Then Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a cold voice.
“Of the nine people who participated in this mission, only the three here survived. I’ve already confirmed that the remaining six died in the Poison Sword Sect’s Temporary Prison.”
“…!”
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
When Dan Mok-ryeong unleashed powerful Lightning Energy with the Five Thunder Heaven Piercing Sword, even the Temporary Prison was completely devastated.
Those remaining in the Temporary Prison were Spirit Condensation cultivators with poor skills, so they all must have died.
But it couldn’t be helped.
This is the world of cultivation.
“This job was a contract where the client presented a total compensation amount to our side. If successful, all participants would share the reward. So the three survivors will take the shares of the other six as well.”
“….”
After coldly explaining the contract terms, Seo Seol-ryeong moved her hand three times over the table.
Each time she moved, a pile of Spirit Stones appeared on the table.
“Please collect them.”
“The smallest amount is my share?”
“That’s correct.”
Cheon Woo-jin was a Spirit Condensation cultivator without much experience.
Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so were Energy Accumulation cultivators who had been active in Ghost Head City for a long time.
The compensation couldn’t be the same.
“I’ll take it.”
The compensation given to Cheon Woo-jin was 12,000 Spirit Stones.
Initially they talked about receiving 4,000, but it had tripled.
“We almost died to a Core Formation cultivator.”
Won Pil-so, who was collecting Spirit Stones, made a dissatisfied expression.
“Shouldn’t there be additional compensation?”
“Then from next time, do business with places that give additional compensation.”
“Tsk, I was just saying.”
Won Pil-so clicked his tongue and turned his head.
“However.”
“…?”
“I will acknowledge the abilities of the three who returned alive after encountering a Core Formation cultivator from the Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon.”
Seo Seol-ryeong said in a calm voice with both hands folded on the table.
“From now on, I’ll make sure to introduce work that matches your abilities.”
“….”
Hearing Seo Seol-ryeong’s words, Jang Ryang frowned.
“You’re saying you’ll assign us more dangerous work.”
“It would be work with correspondingly greater rewards.”
“Hmph….”
Jang Ryang snorted, and Won Pil-so also grimaced.
But Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so had the goal of rebuilding the Blue Flower Sect.
Even if it was dangerous work, they would participate as long as the compensation was sufficient.
“We’ve received what we came for, so we’ll be going now.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”
After exchanging greetings with Seo Seol-ryeong, Jang Ryang spoke to Cheon Woo-jin.
“Say, since this is also fate, how about we have a drink together? I’ll buy.”
“….”
A kind of after-party, perhaps.
But for Cheon Woo-jin, this was something he’d rather decline if possible.
Once drinks started flowing, they’d have to share various personal stories, and Cheon Woo-jin didn’t have much he could tell these people.
Which region he was from, what he did before entering the Cultivation World… if such topics came up, he’d have no choice but to answer with lies.
“I’m sorry, but.”
Just as Cheon Woo-jin was pondering how to refuse, Seo Seol-ryeong’s voice suddenly rang out.
“This person has something to discuss with me. Please save the drinking for next time.”
“…?”
Jang Ryang made a puzzled expression at Seo Seol-ryeong’s unusual behavior.
“What kind of relationship do you two have…?”
“Senior Brother, why are you asking such things? Let’s go.”
Won Pil-so grabbed Jang Ryang’s arm and pulled him along.
Then he stopped before leaving the tent and looked back at Cheon Woo-jin.
“Wait, what should I call you?”
“Cheon Woo-jin.”
When Cheon Woo-jin briefly answered with just his name, Won Pil-so nodded.
“From now on, let’s speak casually. Let’s be close friends, Cheon Daoist.”
Daoist.
Won Pil-so smiled as he used that form of address.
Following suit, Jang Ryang also smiled and spoke to Cheon Woo-jin.
“Hurry up and advance to the Foundation Establishment realm. Cheon Daoist is someone who has that qualification.”
This was the first time he’d experienced such a warm atmosphere in the Cultivation World.
After seeing the two off, Cheon Woo-jin turned his gaze back to Seo Seol-ryeong.
“What’s this thing you wanted to discuss?”
“Nothing in particular.”
Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a cold voice.
“You seemed to find the prospect of drinking with those people burdensome, so I simply helped you out.”
“….”
It was unexpected.
Who would have thought Seo Seol-ryeong would show such consideration?
It was a side of her he couldn’t see in the game, so it felt somewhat refreshing.
“Thanks.”
“There’s no need to thank me. I was simply being kind for the sake of our future relationship.”
I’ll take good care of you from now on, so let’s work well together.
That’s what Seo Seol-ryeong was saying.
“I must have made a good impression on you.”
“Surviving pursuit by a Foundation Establishment cultivator is quite remarkable.”
“I was just lucky.”
“Yes, let’s go with that.”
“….”
Unlike Jang Ryang or Won Pil-so, Seo Seol-ryeong didn’t believe Cheon Woo-jin’s explanation.
She was thinking he must have used some special technique to survive Guyang Gyeol.
Of course, she couldn’t even imagine that Cheon Woo-jin had directly killed Guyang Gyeol.
“Well then, you should go now. You’ve worked hard.”
Seo Seol-ryeong tried to send Cheon Woo-jin away, but he didn’t get up from his seat.
“Actually, I did have something to discuss with you.”
“With me?”
“I’d like you to show me a bit more kindness for the sake of our future relationship.”
“….”
Seo Seol-ryeong stared at Cheon Woo-jin with her mouth closed for a moment.
Of course, since her eyes were covered with an eye covering, she wasn’t actually directing her gaze at him.
“What do you want?”
“Foundation Spirit Beast.”
Faced with Cheon Woo-jin’s straightforward words, Seo Seol-ryeong opened her mouth.
“Are you thinking of attempting Foundation Establishment?”
“Of course I should.”
Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a cold voice.
“Jang Daoist told me to do so earlier.”
“But….”
“I know that Foundation Spirit Beasts are difficult to obtain.”
Originally, securing six Foundation Spirit Beasts through one’s own efforts was nearly impossible.
That’s why most investigators work their bones off belonging to the Capital Sect.
If they receive recognition for their achievements and are granted Foundation Building Pills, they can challenge the Foundation Building stage without having to secure Foundation Spirit Beasts on their own.
Even that’s no easy task, but securing six Foundation Spirit Beasts through one’s own power is far more difficult.
However.
Cheon Woo-jin must do it.
As a wandering cultivator not affiliated with any sect, he must secure six Foundation Spirit Beasts and create a Foundation Building Pill through his own power.
No matter how difficult that task may be.
“It’s precisely because I know it’s a difficult task that I’m asking you, Seo Seol-ryeong.”
“…!”
He hoped she could connect him with places where he might be able to obtain Foundation Spirit Beasts.
At Cheon Woo-jin’s request, Seo Seol-ryeong’s small lips trembled faintly.
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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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