Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 34
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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 34: Dark Soul Secret Realm (3)
‘Was there such a guy at Yuk Family Manor?’
The unknown young cultivator who had just emerged from the secret realm.
He could sense a different aura from him compared to the Six Merchant House Four Brothers.
‘What kind of guy is he?’
Gwak Yu tried to examine that young cultivator.
But then Yuk Baek-dal urgently spoke up.
“Ah, the Dark Dew Great King Centipede appeared!”
“What? The Dark Dew Great King Centipede?”
The Dark Dew Great King Centipede was a Core Formation centipede demon that occasionally appeared in the Dark Soul Secret Realm.
Gwak Yu had also witnessed the Dark Dew Great King Centipede when he entered the Dark Soul Secret Realm during his Qi Condensation days.
Though he had seen it from a distance, he remembered feeling an overwhelming presence and getting goosebumps all over his body.
“Not only the Dark Dew Great King Centipede, but other demons were also rampaging wildly… everyone seemed to have lost their lives getting caught up in it.”
“Is that really true?”
“I didn’t see it directly, but I confirmed traces of the demons’ rampage.”
“…”
Could it be that the demons were provoked because of Yu Gi-ryeong?
Originally, Foundation Establishment Cultivators couldn’t enter the Dark Soul Secret Realm. To the demons, he would have felt like very precious prey.
“Hmm…”
Gwak Yu bit his lips.
This was an unexpected turn of events.
He had expected the Demonic Cultivators to kill the cultivators from Yuk Family Manor and Dragon Domination Society and sweep up all the resources of the Dark Soul Secret Realm.
Instead, the Demonic Cultivators were annihilated and only Yuk Family Manor survived.
This would disrupt the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect’s plan to advance into Ghost Head City while securing the Dark Soul Secret Realm’s resources.
“Ah, it looks like the gate is slowly closing now.”
“…!”
Wooong.
The gate that had opened in the crack in the ground closed.
In the end, only the five people sent by Yuk Family Manor survived this Dark Soul Secret Realm exploration.
“Really, not a single one of our guys made it back…”
“Don’t be too disheartened. These things happen sometimes.”
“Yuk Family Manor must be pleased. All of them returned alive…”
“Hmm, but this time they didn’t bring out that many resources.”
Listening to the conversation between Yuk Family Manor and Dragon Domination Society, Gwak Yu left the scene.
And he headed toward the Demon Slaying Gate Main Hall located on the 4th Layer of Ghost Head City.
The Main Hall was where the Sect Leadership handled various matters, and as indicated by its location on the 4th Layer, it was a place where low-ranking disciples couldn’t enter.
All of Demon Slaying Gate’s core resources were also stored in this Main Hall.
“Ahem, I’m coming in.”
Entering the room deepest within the Main Hall, he saw the figure of a man looking at a map in front of a table.
The man had a terrifying appearance like a demon from hell.
“Sect Leader Jeok, the Dark Soul Secret Realm exploration has ended.”
“Is that so.”
The man raised his head from the map and looked at Gwak Yu.
Seeing those cold eyes, Gwak Yu swallowed his saliva.
The eerie man before him was none other than Jeok Ya-wol, the sect leader of the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect.
“How did it go, Gate Master Gwak?”
“They’re all dead.”
“All dead?”
Gwak Yu sat down in the chair across from him and let out a sigh.
“All the cultivators who entered from our side are dead.”
“What do you mean by that?”
In front of Jeok Ya-wol, Gwak Yu repeated exactly what he had heard earlier.
“…”
As the story progressed, Jeok Ya-wol’s expression became increasingly grim.
Inwardly, Gwak Yu felt fear, but he hid it and continued speaking.
“In the end, no one came out until the Dark Soul Secret Realm’s gate closed. They were all killed by the demons.”
“That can’t be right.”
Jeok Ya-wol raised an objection.
“Yu Gi-ryeong isn’t such an incompetent fool. Moreover, he went in prepared to either repel or escape even if powerful demons appeared.”
“But he didn’t return from the secret realm.”
Gwak Yu spoke carefully.
“Normally I would think he was done in by other sect bastards, but Cultivator Yu is a Foundation Establishment cultivator. There’s no way he would have been defeated by Qi Condensation small fry, so it’s natural to think he was killed by demons.”
“…”
Even after hearing Gwak Yu’s words, Jeok Ya-wol seemed unconvinced.
“The fact that only the Yuk Family Manor survived is suspicious.”
“The Yuk Family Manor, you say?”
“Who entered from the Yuk Family Manor side? The Family Head’s children?”
“The eldest son Yuk Baek-dal and his younger brothers must have entered… Ah, but there seemed to be one unfamiliar guy I hadn’t seen before.”
“Hmm…”
Jeok Ya-wol crossed his arms and fell into thought.
Gwak Yu felt frustrated and opened his mouth again.
“Sect Master Jeok, what will you do from now on? This will make cultivation resources far too insufficient.”
The Mad World Yin Spirit Sect, being a newly formed force, needed many cultivation resources to establish itself.
They had planned to secure those from the Dark Soul Secret Realm, but the plan had gone completely awry.
“I have another place in mind.”
“Is, is that so?”
“Yes, if we secure that place, we’ll be able to gain even greater power than exploring the Dark Soul Secret Realm.”
Hearing those words, Gwak Yu let out a sigh of relief.
If such a place existed, that was fortunate.
“I’ll give orders to gather as many skilled cultivators as possible from the Demon Slaying Gate.”
Gwak Yu now had no choice but to share his fate with the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect.
Since things had come to this, he had to handle matters thoroughly.
“No, there’s no need for that.”
“What do you mean?”
“From now on, I’ll give the orders directly.”
Puuk.
A strange sound was heard.
Gwak Yu looked down in confusion.
Jeok Ya-wol’s fist… was embedded in Gwak Yu’s lower abdomen.
“Uh…?”
Thud!
Dropping a clump of blood, Jeok Ya-wol pulled his fist from Gwak Yu’s lower abdomen.
While grasping an egg-sized core.
It was Gwak Yu’s Golden Core.
“Se, Sect Master, what is this…”
Gwak Yu, caught by the surprise attack, opened his mouth.
But Jeok Ya-wol crushed Gwak Yu’s Golden Core with an indifferent expression.
A Core Formation cultivator can survive even with a hole through their heart as long as their Golden Core remains intact.
But if the Golden Core is destroyed, they can never survive.
“Ah…”
Gwak Yu understood too late.
The Mad World Yin Spirit Sect had already taken control of the Demon Slaying Gate anyway.
In that case, Gwak Yu, the Doyomun Sect Master, was just an obstacle.
Since the Dark Soul Secret Realm exploration was over, there would be no problem killing him here.
Jeok Ya-wol had planned to do this from the beginning.
His promises to give Gwak Yu powerful demonic cultivation methods or elixirs had all been lies.
“Filthy demonic bastard…”
Gwak Yu collapsed on the spot.
But Jeok Ya-wol didn’t even spare him another glance.
Instead, he called the Demon Slaying Gate Elders who had been waiting outside.
“Find out who the cultivator was that helped the Yuk Family Manor in this secret realm exploration.”
Jeok Ya-wol was giving orders as if he had become the sect master, but Gwak Yu could make no protest.
He could only meet a lonely death, shedding tears of blood while regretting his alliance with the Demonic Path.
* * *
“Thank you for your hard work, Cheon Daoist.”
When Cheon Woo-jin entered the tent, Seo Seol-ryeong immediately brought out items.
It was the reward for successfully completing this Dark Soul Secret Realm mission.
“These are Foundation Spirit Beasts provided by the Yuk Family Manor. Please check them.”
“…”
Red Root Fire Dragon Ginseng with red roots.
Yellow Earth Mountain Spirit Mushroom with a distinct yellow cap.
They were Foundation Spirit Beasts of Fire Element and Earth Element respectively.
“The Yuk Family Manor was somewhat displeased. They said you locked them in a cave until the fourth day and wouldn’t let them out.”
“Still, there should have been nearly a day’s time remaining.”
Cheon Woo-jin had locked the Yuk Family Manor Four Brothers in Shadow Hiding Cave and freed them on the afternoon of the fourth day.
It was after he had defeated the final boss-level monster with his fourth Instant Death Heaven Eye.
“You also let them harvest the Golden Nourishing Flower that their family absolutely needs for cultivating their techniques, and told them about places with many other spirit herbs.”
At that time, Cheon Woo-jin had already acquired such a massive amount of resources that his storage bag had no more space.
There was no problem giving the rest to the Yuk Family Manor Four Brothers.
“If we had let them wander around freely, they would have been killed by demons like the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect’s Demonic Cultivators.”
“About that.”
Seo Seol-ryeong asked in a cold voice.
“Were the Demonic Cultivators really killed by demons?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m wondering if someone actually killed them all by themselves.”
“Who knows.”
Of course, Cheon Woo-jin had killed them all himself.
But there was no need to reveal this part.
He had already coordinated his story with the Yuk Family Head’s side.
“You’re a frightening person.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I mean I’m glad to be working with someone skilled.”
Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a calm voice.
“But if you’re too skilled, it could be troublesome.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Mad World Yin Spirit Sect might take interest in Cheon Daoist.”
“….”
Originally, what happens in Secret Realms is generally covered up.
The Yuk Family, Dragon Domination Society, and Dao Yo Sect must have fought deadly battles against each other many times inside the Dark Soul Secret Realm.
Nevertheless, they had jointly managed the Secret Realm for many years, treating such incidents as if they never happened.
But this time, a demonic force called the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect had gotten involved.
In the process of trying to understand why this happened, there was a possibility they might suspect Cheon Woo-jin.
“If you’re worried about conflict with the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect, shall I introduce you to a place to lay low for a while?”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Is that so.”
Seo Seol-ryeong nodded.
“I understand. Then should I find a way to obtain a Water Element Foundation Spirit Beast now?”
“That’s not necessary either.”
“What?”
Since he had obtained the Dark Dew Great King Centipede’s Golden Core, he had already secured a water-attribute Foundation Spirit Beast.
“Cheon Daoist, you couldn’t have….”
“I want to ask for something else.”
Cheon Woo-jin interrupted Seo Seol-ryeong’s words and asked.
“Can you introduce me to someone who makes good Dharma Artifacts?”
“Dharma Artifacts?”
The Dark Dew Great King Centipede’s jaw and carapace.
The Dim Curse Plague Great Ape’s Great Ape Spirit Crystal.
Besides those, he had gathered various materials needed for Dharma Artifact creation from the Dark Soul Secret Realm.
“Preferably someone who can make Core Formation level Dharma Artifacts.”
“…!”
Seo Seol-ryeong’s mouth fell slightly open.
She seemed to be desperately holding back from saying ‘Are you crazy?’
* * *
After leaving Seo Seol-ryeong’s shop, Cheon Woo-jin headed to the 3rd Layer.
He passed through the area thick with gray fog and headed to the market located in the Central District.
The 3rd Layer wasn’t bustling even though it was called a market.
This was probably because only those at the Qi Refining Great Circle level or above could enter.
In that market, Cheon Woo-jin found a building with a plaque reading “Hwangju Refinery Pavilion.”
As could be seen from the name containing ‘Hwangju’, it was a shop operated by the Hwangju Spirit Gate, with whom he had once formed a connection.
Though the Hwangju Spirit Gate was a Black Gate-aligned force, it was a sect specialized in arts like Talisman Arts and Alchemy Art rather than combat magic.
Among these, this Hwangju Refinery Pavilion specialized in Refinery Arts, that is, Magical Artifact Refining.
“Welcome.”
As soon as Cheon Woo-jin stepped into the Hwangju Refinery Pavilion, a shop clerk approached him.
“Are you here to purchase Dharma Artifacts? Or to commission their creation?”
“I’d like to meet the pavilion master.”
“Are you acquainted with the pavilion master?”
The shop clerk looked at him with a suspicious expression.
“May I ask your name….”
“Tell them Black Cat and they’ll know.”
“Black Cat…?”
Tilting his head, the shop clerk went inside.
While waiting, Cheon Woo-jin looked around the interior of the shop.
Though the Hwangju Spirit Gate was more famous for talismans and elixirs, he could see their Dharma Artifacts were quite excellent too.
‘Still, most of what’s here are low-grade or mid-grade Dharma Artifacts.’
Dharma Artifacts are classified into low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and supreme-grade.
Typical Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment Cultivators use one or two low-grade Dharma Artifacts, and those who carry mid-grade Dharma Artifacts receive others’ envy.
But Cheon Woo-jin already possessed the high-grade Dharma Artifact Five Thunder Heaven-Shaking Sword and the supreme-grade Dharma Artifact Silver Spirit Steel Guardian Shield.
At this point, low-grade or mid-grade Dharma Artifacts couldn’t possibly catch his eye.
For reference, items with performance superior to Supreme-Grade Magical Artifacts are classified as ‘Magical Treasures.’
However, since Magical Treasures can only be controlled by those at the Foundation Establishment realm or higher, Cheon Woo-jin can currently only use up to Supreme-Grade Magical Artifacts.
While Cheon Woo-jin was looking around, urgent footsteps could be heard from inside.
Then a man with dark, swarthy skin appeared.
Though it was a face he was seeing for the first time, Cheon Woo-jin knew this man’s name.
[Song Pyo]
* Race: Human Race
* Age: 165 years old
* Realm: Foundation Establishment (Late Stage)
* Constitution: Earth Spirit Root
* Faction: Black Gate
* Affiliation: Yellow Pillar Spirit Gate
* Destiny: Emotional Alliance
It was Song Pyo, who had commissioned him to attack the Dong Ryu Trading Company.
Back then he had been disguised as a black cat, but since Cheon Woo-jin could see status windows, he could recognize him at a glance.
“It’s been a while.”
“…!”
Song Pyo seemed quite surprised.
He probably never expected Cheon Woo-jin to visit his establishment.
Actually, Cheon Woo-jin hadn’t expected to reunite with Song Pyo like this either.
Once a commission was completed and payment received, the relationship should have ended there.
But Seo Seol-ryeong had told him earlier.
She said that in the 3rd Layer, Song Pyo, the pavilion master of Hwangju Refinery Pavilion, was the most skilled refiner.
Thanks to that, they were able to reunite like this.
“Wh-what do you want?”
Song Pyo wore a tense expression.
Last time, Song Pyo had hired Cheon Woo-jin to sabotage the deal between Yellow Pillar Spirit Gate and Dong Ryu Trading Company.
That was tantamount to an act of betrayal against Yellow Pillar Spirit Gate, so it could be considered Song Pyo’s weakness.
However, Cheon Woo-jin had no intention of threatening or blackmailing Song Pyo.
If he did such a thing, his trust relationship with Seo Seol-ryeong would crumble, and it would disrupt his future plans.
In the first place, Seo Seol-ryeong probably introduced this place because she knew Cheon Woo-jin wasn’t that kind of person.
“Let’s talk somewhere without other people around.”
However, even without intending to threaten, it was important to maintain the upper hand.
Cheon Woo-jin gave Song Pyo a meaningful look, and Song Pyo led Cheon Woo-jin inside with a tense expression.
“So, what business do you have?”
“If I came to a refinery, I should get some refining done.”
Guided to an inner room, Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a cold voice.
“I heard you’re the refiner with the most outstanding Refinery Arts in the 3rd Layer. Is that correct?”
“What…?”
Song Pyo’s eyes widened.
“Are you saying you came here to have a Dharma Artifact made?”
“That’s right.”
When Cheon Woo-jin nodded, Song Pyo swallowed hard.
“I don’t suppose you’re looking to make an ordinary Dharma Artifact….”
Song Pyo knew what kind of man Cheon Woo-jin was.
He had personally witnessed him charging alone into a pleasure house with several Foundation Establishment cultivators, burning it all down and coming out.
Such a Cheon Woo-jin had summoned the pavilion master of Hwangju Refinery Pavilion to make a Dharma Artifact.
In that case, it couldn’t possibly be an ordinary Dharma Artifact he wanted.
Understanding this fact, Song Pyo leaned forward.
“Just what kind of Dharma Artifact do you want to make?”
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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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