Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 28
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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 28: Demonic Path (1)
“As Cheon Daoist said, Demonic Path forces are attempting to advance into Ghost Head City.”
Hearing Seo Seol-ryeong’s answer, Cheon Woo-jin nodded.
“Then that means the Blood World Demon Sect is making their move.”
Blood World Demon Sect.
A massive Demonic Sect representing the Demonic Path faction.
In the Orthodox Sect faction, Taeul Yeokri Gate serves as the leader of various sects.
In the Dark Gate faction, the Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon dominates small and medium organizations with powerful force.
However, the Demonic Path faction doesn’t have this structure.
This is because the massive Demonic Sect, Blood World Demon Sect, is the main body of the Demonic Path faction.
There are minor forces like the Pleasure Union Sect, but basically when referring to Demonic Path forces, it means the Blood World Demon Sect.
“The Blood World Demon Sect can’t directly advance into Ghost Head City.”
“Yes, they can’t violate the old agreement.”
Taeul Yeokri Gate, Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon, and Blood World Demon Sect made a ceasefire agreement to leave Ghost Head City as neutral territory.
Therefore, directly advancing into Ghost Head City is impossible.
“This time, one Core Formation cultivator from the Blood World Demon Sect took his subordinates and became independent to create a new Demonic Sect.”
“Becoming independent to create a new sect… From the Blood World Demon Sect’s perspective, that would be an act of betrayal.”
“But the Blood World Demon Sect isn’t taking any particular measures. It means they deliberately made them independent.”
It meant the Blood World Demon Sect had newly created a branch to advance into Ghost Head City.
It was an all too obvious scheme, but taking this form wouldn’t violate the old ceasefire agreement anyway.
“What’s the name of that sect?”
“It’s called Mad World Yin Spirit Sect.”
Mad World Yin Spirit Sect.
It was a name he had never seen in the game.
Perhaps it was a force that operated in places where players couldn’t get involved.
“I heard that someone called Jeok Ya-wol, who’s from the Mad Spirit Pavilion of Blood World Demon Sect, serves as the sect leader.”
“Jeok Ya-wol…”
This was a name he had heard before.
However, in the game, he appeared as a Nascent Soul cultivator of the Blood World Demon Sect quite some time later.
It seemed he had settled the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect and returned to the Blood World Demon Sect.
‘He’s at Core Formation now, but he’s a skilled individual who later reaches Nascent Soul. He must be dangerous.’
Cheon Woo-jin slowly opened his mouth while recalling his game memories.
“The fact that you’re telling me information about that Mad World Yin Spirit Sect for free… means it’s related to the job you want to request from me this time.”
“You’re quite perceptive.”
Seo Seol-ryeong nodded.
“You know there’s a fairly large-scale Secret Realm on the 3rd Layer of Ghost Head City, right?”
“I know about it.”
Cheon Woo-jin recalled the story he had recently heard at the market.
“It must be the place jointly managed by three sects. I heard the gate will open soon.”
“That’s correct.”
The Solitary Sword Sect tried to monopolize the newly discovered Secret Realm alone, but that was because it was a small Secret Realm.
General Secret Realms are often jointly managed by multiple sects and used as common training grounds.
The Secret Realm on the 3rd Layer is jointly managed by three sects inside and outside Ghost Head City.
Yuk Family Manor, a cultivation family whose main house is outside Ghost Head City.
Dragon Domination Society, a Dark Gate force based in Ghost Head City.
Demon Slaying Gate, likewise a Dark Gate force of Ghost Head City.
These three sects hold the rights to that Secret Realm.
“But one of them, Demon Slaying Gate, suddenly announced they had submitted to Mad World Yin Spirit Sect and transferred their rights to Mad World Yin Spirit Sect.”
“That’s…”
“They say they voluntarily submitted, but in reality, they were probably devoured by Mad World Yin Spirit Sect.”
It was common for Demonic Path forces to seize control of regular sects and make them into puppets.
“The Secret Realm on the 3rd Layer has restrictions, so the gate opens once every 20 years, and only fifteen Qi Condensation cultivators can enter. Until now, Yuk Family Manor sent five people, Dragon Domination Society sent five people, and Demon Slaying Gate sent five people, but…”
“Now instead of Demon Slaying Gate, five demonic cultivators from Mad World Yin Spirit Sect will enter.”
Entering the Secret Realm together with villains who learned demonic cultivation methods from the Blood World Demon Sect?
It would be difficult to return alive.
Mad World Yin Spirit Sect would definitely massacre all the disciples from Yuk Family Manor and Dragon Domination Society, sweep up all the cultivation resources, and come out.
“So Yuk Family Manor is looking for people. They’re asking if there are any skilled individuals among the Qi Condensation freelancers who could stand against Mad World Yin Spirit Sect’s demonic cultivators.”
“So I was designated.”
“To be precise, I recommended you.”
Cheon Woo-jin was a kind of mercenary.
Cheon Woo-jin’s role was to become one of the five people participating from Yuk Family Manor’s side and eliminate Mad World Yin Spirit Sect’s demonic cultivators.
“If you can bring back all four participants from Yuk Family Manor’s side alive, they promised to provide one Foundation Spirit Beast each of Fire Element and Earth Element.”
Two Foundation Spirit Beasts no less.
From Cheon Woo-jin’s perspective, it was quite a substantial reward.
“The reward is quite substantial. It seems excessive for the lives of four Qi Refining cultivators.”
“All four of them are said to be the Family Head’s own children.”
“If that’s the case, then it makes sense.”
Though the world of cultivation is ruthless and merciless, there are places that value family bonds.
These are the cultivation families where blood relatives band together to walk the path of cultivation.
In such places, the Family Head’s direct children are treated as important assets.
This is because there are Blood Relation Magic and rituals that utilize bloodlines.
However, if they keep their own children confined at home to protect them, they cannot grow and will eventually die as Qi Refining cultivators.
To challenge the Foundation Building stage and double their lifespan, they must venture into Secret Realms despite the risks.
“I want to confirm just one thing.”
“What is it?”
Cheon Woo-jin asked in a cold voice.
“I can consider any cultivation resources I find inside the Secret Realm as mine, right?”
He could play the role of a mercenary.
But he had no intention of acting like a slave who would also handle resource gathering for them.
* * *
After finishing his meeting with Seo Seol-ryeong, Cheon Woo-jin briefly visited the 3rd Layer and returned to the 1st Layer.
On his way to the Cave Dwelling, he peered into Jo Hyu’s shop and saw Jo Hyu sitting alone, fanning himself.
“Where did your granddaughter go?”
“She went to play at an acquaintance’s house. There are children her age there.”
Cheon Woo-jin entered the shop and sat on the wooden platform.
“Shopkeeper, do you know someone called Jeok Ya-wol from Mad Spirit Pavilion?”
“….”
Jo Hyu’s expression became serious at the sudden question.
“Why are you asking about that?”
“I heard that name today.”
“Don’t tell me Jeok Ya-wol has entered Ghost Head City?”
“I can’t know that much yet.”
Jo Hyu’s pupils trembled slightly.
It was clear he was feeling fear.
“Jeok Ya-wol was the most cruel and arrogant cultivator in Mad Spirit Pavilion.”
“….”
“His subordinates were generally similar types.”
Jo Hyu let out a deep sigh as he spoke.
“There’s a guy named Yu Gi-ryeong who served as Jeok Ya-wol’s right hand, and my Junior Sister was brutally murdered by that bastard.”
“Fellow demonic cultivators killed each other?”
“They belonged to different factions… No, those bastards would kill even if they belonged to the same faction.”
Jo Hyu looked at Cheon Woo-jin as he spoke.
“Anyway, try to avoid getting involved with those bastards as much as possible. They’re too dangerous for you to handle.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded and stood up from his seat.
“You should take your granddaughter and hide for a while, shopkeeper. It seems like those demonic cultivators will be lurking around Ghost Head City for some time.”
“Ah, understood.”
Jeok Ya-wol probably wouldn’t even care about Qi Refining cultivators like Jo Hyu.
But since there was no telling what his subordinates might do, it would be better to hide for a while.
“You be careful too!”
With Jo Hyu’s farewell, Cheon Woo-jin headed to the Cave Dwelling.
Entering through the hidden entrance in the back alley, the familiar room appeared.
However, now there was one more room, so it was no longer a single room.
Cheon Woo-jin unpacked his belongings in the room with the pill furnace.
These were the spirit herbs he had bought from the 3rd Layer market earlier.
‘I need to prepare in advance before entering the Secret Realm.’
He needed to make other medicines besides the Muscle Strengthening Bone Pill.
By combining medicinal ingredients using Cheon Woo-jin’s knowledge, he could create powerful elixirs unknown to the world.
Moreover, he had also prepared materials for making talismans.
He would work on making talismans while the alchemy was in progress.
‘Actually, there’s no need to prepare this much just for Qi Refining cultivators.’
Demonic cultivators who practice Demonic Cultivation Methods generally have superior combat abilities.
But they’re still just Qi Refining cultivators, so they’re not particularly threatening to Cheon Woo-jin.
Even if five Qi Refining members of Mad World Yin Spirit Sect rushed at him simultaneously, Cheon Woo-jin’s abilities would be sufficient to handle them.
‘But… things won’t unfold that easily.’
Among the Three Great Sects, Blood World Demon Sect is the most vile and wicked.
Jeok Ya-wol, who was notorious even within that Blood World Demon Sect, is orchestrating something by deploying his subordinates.
Even with the restrictions in place… they wouldn’t obediently send only Qi Refining cultivators.
* * *
Four days later.
Cheon Woo-jin headed to the 3rd Layer Outskirts.
There was a place where the ground was cracked as if an earthquake had occurred.
Several people had gathered around it, and he could see a group of four wearing matching yellow Daoist Robes.
“Ah, you’ve arrived?”
When Cheon Woo-jin looked in their direction, the group of four came rushing over.
“I am Yuk Baek-dal, the eldest son of the Yuk Family Head.”
“I’m Yuk Jung-dal, the second son.”
“I am Yuk Suk-dal, the third son.”
“I am Yuk Gye-dal, the youngest.”
While receiving greetings from the four brothers, Cheon Woo-jin first examined the Status Window of the eldest, Yuk Baek-dal.
[Yuk Baek-dal ]
* Race: Human Race
* Age: 89 years old
* Realm: Qi Refining Great Perfection
* Constitution: Earth-Metal Spiritual Root
* Faction: Orthodox Sect
* Affiliation: Yuk Family Manor
* Destiny: Managing Family
He was at Qi Refining Great Perfection but 89 years old.
With only about 10 years of lifespan remaining, he absolutely had to enter this Secret Realm that only opened once every 20 years.
The rest of his younger brothers were all at Qi Refining Great Perfection as well, and with little age difference between them, their situations were similar.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, but is your skill really that remarkable?”
Yuk Baek-dal looked Cheon Woo-jin up and down with his hands clasped behind his back.
Despite hiring Cheon Woo-jin as a mercenary because they feared the demonic beasts of Mad World Yin Spirit Sect, his attitude was quite arrogant.
“Your aura seems decent enough… Where did you learn your Cultivation Technique? Do you have any Magic Arts you’re particularly good at?”
“…”
Cheon Woo-jin didn’t answer Yuk Baek-dal’s questions and turned his head away.
After all, it wasn’t Yuk Baek-dal who hired Cheon Woo-jin, but the Yuk Family Head.
Since he only needed to bring Yuk Baek-dal and his brothers back alive, there was no need to humor Yuk Baek-dal.
“Look here, when someone asks you a question, you should answer…”
“Be quiet.”
Yuk Baek-dal frowned, feeling ignored, but Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a low voice.
“The Demonic Path has arrived.”
“…!”
Thud! Rumble rumble thud!
Those who had flown from afar landed on the opposite side of the Rift.
Their landing was quite rough, raising a large cloud of dust.
“Cough, cough!”
“How can they be so careless!”
The Yuk brothers, covered in dust, became angry.
However, Cheon Woo-jin had already blocked the dust’s approach with his Spiritual Power, so it wasn’t a problem for him.
“Sorry for arriving late.”
The Man who had landed first clasped his hands together and bowed from across the Rift.
“Representing Demon Slaying Gate, I am Seol Jin-hu of Mad World Yin Spirit Sect, participating in this Dark Soul Secret Realm exploration. Please take care of me for the next five days.”
The surroundings stirred.
It was because the Man possessed a presence that didn’t match that of a Qi Refining cultivator.
“Brother, is that Man really at Qi Refining Great Perfection?”
“This Dark Soul Secret Realm has restrictions placed on it, so only Qi Refining cultivators can enter. If he were Foundation Building or above, he wouldn’t be able to enter and would be repelled…”
While listening to Yuk Baek-dal’s conversation with his brother, Cheon Woo-jin sent a strand of Spiritual Power across the Rift.
Just like he had done in the previous Small Secret Realm, he tried to explore using his Spiritual Power like a spider web.
After careful examination, the response he felt from him was at the Qi Refining level.
If so, he would be able to enter the Secret Realm without problems.
‘However.’
Cheon Woo-jin stared intently at him.
To be precise, he was looking at his Status Window.
[Yu Gi-ryeong ]
* Race: Human Race
* Age: 172 years old
* Realm: Foundation Building Great Perfection
* Constitution: Wood Spiritual Root
* Faction: Demonic Path
* Affiliation: Mad World Yin Spirit Sect
* Destiny: Killing
The response he felt was definitely at the Qi Refining level.
But the realm shown in the Status Window was Foundation Building Great Perfection, the highest stage of Foundation Building.
Evil Arts that scatter Spiritual Power to lower one’s apparent realm below their actual level.
He was using that technique occasionally seen in martial arts novels to hide his Foundation Building realm and pretend to be at Qi Refining.
Moreover, his name wasn’t Seol Jin-hu but Yu Gi-ryeong.
It was Jeok Ya-wol’s right-hand man that Jo Hyu had mentioned, appearing in person.
‘He must have planned to enter the Secret Realm while hiding his Foundation Building power, then slaughter all the Qi Refining Cultivators from other sects.’
After sweeping up all the cultivation resources that way, he would have used them to expand his influence in Ghost Head City.
With abundant cultivation resources as leverage, he could easily recruit the Scattered Cultivators from Ghost Head City’s lower levels.
However…
‘That dream will never become reality.’
Cheon Woo-jin had already anticipated their sinister scheme and completed all his preparations.
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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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