Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 43

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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 43: Puppet (1)

 

 

“Right now, Cheon Daoist’s standing is rising dramatically.”

 

Today, Cheon Woo-jin had come to meet Seo Seol-ryeong to receive the reward for the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect subjugation.

The matter had been delayed due to Taesa Ryang’s death.

 

“Among those who returned from this subjugation operation without serious injuries, only Cheon Daoist came back unscathed. Moreover, he played a decisive role in bringing down Jeok Ya-wol, so his value is bound to rise.”

“You seem quite pleased.”

 

At Cheon Woo-jin’s observation, Seo Seol-ryeong smiled.

As a broker, such situations were bound to be enjoyable.

 

“Some people are even saying that Cheon Daoist might have been the one who killed Jeok Ya-wol.”

“A mere Spirit Condensation cultivator killing a Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator?”

 

Cheon Woo-jin spoke while feigning ignorance.

 

“That’s quite unrealistic.”

“But it’s just that stimulating of a story.”

 

In fact, that unrealistic story was the truth of this battle.

It was definitely Cheon Woo-jin who had finished off Gyeol Sa-ryang.

 

“Soon, people interested in that stimulating story will likely make contact. Let’s try to drive up your value as much as possible.”

“I’m counting on you.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin coordinated future matters with Seo Seol-ryeong.

 

Currently, Cheon Woo-jin was right on the verge of Foundation Establishment.

Among the Foundation Spirit Beasts, he had secured all five Five Elements Spirit Creatures, so he could create a Foundation Building Pill and attempt Foundation Establishment once he obtained just one Foundation Spirit Material.

Taking this into account, he made several requests to Seo Seol-ryeong.

 

“Now that I’ve received what I came for, I’ll be going.”

 

Having finished his business, Cheon Woo-jin rose from his seat.

Incidentally, the reward provided by the Sacred Horn Unity Gate was 1 Cloud Spirit Stone and 10,000 regular Spirit Stones.

 

“Cheon Daoist.”

 

As Cheon Woo-jin was about to leave the tent, Seo Seol-ryeong called out to him.

 

“It would be wise to move your Cave Dwelling soon.”

“….”

“Information about exactly where you’ve established your Cave Dwelling on the 1st Layer has reached even my ears. I’ve even heard trivial stories about you being close with the owner of that Cave Dwelling.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a calm voice.

 

“While the cultivators active on the 1st Layer won’t touch you, there’s a possibility that those who came down from above might scheme against you. Other problems could arise as well, so it would be better for you to move your Cave Dwelling.”

 

In fact, it wasn’t normal for someone of Cheon Woo-jin’s caliber to be living on the 1st Layer.

Even Jo Hyu, the landlord, had suggested it would be better to move soon.

 

“And… it might be good to consider hiding your face when you go around.”

“I’ll consider it.”

 

After leaving Seo Seol-ryeong’s shop, Cheon Woo-jin immediately headed to the 3rd Layer.

But as he walked along the path, too many people were staring at him.

Now, even on the 3rd Layer, the majority of people recognized Cheon Woo-jin.

 

‘This certainly isn’t a good situation.’

 

Enduring those gazes, Cheon Woo-jin headed to the Central Market on the 3rd Layer.

Then he entered a tavern called Cave Heaven Tower and secured a room.

 

“Customer, what kind of alcohol do you prefer?”

“What I always drink.”

 

Before the shop clerk trying to take his order, Cheon Woo-jin replied briefly.

The shop clerk then politely clasped his hands together.

 

“My apologies. Then I’ll prepare what you always drink.”

 

The shop clerk immediately left the room.

Shortly after, faint spiritual energy began to be felt from the direction of the door the shop clerk had exited through.

Cheon Woo-jin rose from his seat and headed toward the door.

 

Slide.

When he opened the sliding door, a scene different from the corridor he had passed through earlier unfolded before his eyes.

 

‘It’s like outer space.’

 

It was a space where neither ceiling nor floor existed.

In the endlessly extending black space, countless ‘islands’ were floating.

 

While surveying those islands, Cheon Woo-jin pulled out a piece of paper from his chest.

It was the note he had found in Taesa Ryang’s sleeve.

 

On it were arranged letters that had no special meaning.

Cheon Woo-jin read those letters aloud one by one.

 

Whooom.

A translucent platform appeared beneath his feet.

The platform extended straight across the void to one of the islands.

It was a stepping stone bridge leading to the island.

 

Cheon Woo-jin carefully crossed the stepping stones, making sure not to miss his footing.

The island he arrived at was protected by a transparent barrier, and when he read the letters aloud once more, an entrance opened.

 

‘In the end, those characters were the password to enter this place.’

 

Upon entering the island, he could see vast rice fields spread out before him.

Behind the rice fields was a small hill, where a tranquil hermitage stood.

As he stepped inside the hermitage, he could see various manuals and spiritual herbs piled up.

 

‘I’ve found the right place.’

 

Tae Sa-ryeong’s secret personal space that no one else knew about.

A Cave Heaven that could be entered from any layer by simply speaking the password at entrances located throughout Ghost Head City.

 

This would be the new Cave Dwelling that Cheon Woo-jin would use from now on.

 

‘Originally, this Great Void Cave Heaven Realm was a place that could only be accessed after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage in the game.’

 

The Great Void Cave Heaven Realm was not an ordinary space.

It was a ‘Dharma Treasure’ containing island-shaped Cave Dwellings floating in the void.

Like Ghost Head City, it was an artificially created object made by a sect with tremendous power.

 

Long ago, there was a sect that boasted tremendous power.

They decided to create dormitory-like facilities for their disciples, and the result was this Great Void Cave Heaven Realm.

Each island existing in this space was a personal room for the sect disciples.

 

That sect had undergone Sect Ascension like the Yin Soul Ghost Bone Palace and departed for the immortal realm, leaving only this Great Void Cave Heaven Realm abandoned in the Lower Realm.

Some people were managing it and secretly running a rental business.

 

Taesa Ryang had contacted them and rented this island.

He probably thought it was a safer space than his own quarters inside the Sacred Horn Unity Gate.

 

But Taesa Ryang had lost his life in Black Secluded Valley, and the access password had fallen into Cheon Woo-jin’s hands.

Now this place had become a location that Cheon Woo-jin could use.

 

‘I’ll have to pay the rent later though.’

 

Originally, Cheon Woo-jin had liked the Cave Dwelling on the 1st Layer.

It felt like the studio apartment he used to live in, giving him a sense of stability.

 

But this place also felt good.

It was like having his own villa on a tranquil uninhabited island.

When he got tired from cultivation, it would be nice to sit on the hermitage’s front porch and look up at the black space like stargazing at the night sky.

 

Moreover, the small rice fields spread out in front of the hermitage were Spirit Fields where he could cultivate spiritual herbs and spiritual rice.

He could also plant trees that bore spiritual fruits on the small hill.

Taesa Ryang must not have been interested in farming as it was just left empty, but if Cheon Woo-jin obtained seeds or saplings to cultivate, it would be quite profitable.

 

‘I can challenge the Qi Accumulation stage here too.’

 

This place was also rich in spiritual energy.

The vast cosmic space was generating spiritual energy on its own, which was being steadily supplied to each island.

Unlike the 1st Layer Cave Dwelling where no spiritual energy could be felt, this place itself was an excellent cultivation location.

 

Taesa Ryang would have cultivated in the Upper Levels of Ghost Head City, so he wouldn’t have needed to cultivate here.

But for Cheon Woo-jin, who couldn’t yet ascend above the 3rd Layer, this was the perfect place.

 

‘And…’

 

Cheon Woo-jin examined the inside of the hermitage again.

 

Taesa Ryang had piled up quite valuable manuals.

However, most of the books were too complex for Cheon Woo-jin, who was still at the Qi Refinement stage, to attempt.

 

Still, Cheon Woo-jin didn’t give up and checked the manuals one by one.

As a result… he was able to find one very old secret manual.

 

‘Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art!’

 

The Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art was a cultivation method said to have been created during the Qi Accumulation stage by the Thunder Spirit True Person, who had ascended and left the Lower Realm long ago.

Cultivators who followed the Thunder Spirit True Person tried to practice the Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art, but it was so difficult that almost no one properly mastered it.

 

‘Taesa Ryang enjoyed using the Thunder Strike Jade, a magical device that discharged lightning energy. Did he obtain the Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art to read it for that reason?’

 

In the game, the Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art was a powerful thunder attribute cultivation method.

Among thunder attribute cultivation methods for the Qi Accumulation stage, it boasted the highest attack power overall.

 

‘If I use this as a guide when challenging the Qi Accumulation stage… I’ll be able to use powerful thunder attribute magic arts from the early Qi Accumulation stage.’

 

The Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art was a cultivation method for the Qi Accumulation stage, but one could study it in advance during the Qi Refinement Great Perfection stage and use it as a guide when challenging the Qi Accumulation stage.

Since this method allowed for faster growth, it was almost an essential process when playing Spirit Path Cultivation Chronicle.

 

‘I was planning to wander around inside Ghost Head City for a while to find a useful Qi Accumulation stage cultivation method, but I guess I don’t need to do that.’

 

If it were up to his heart, he wanted to open the book and start studying right away.

But Cheon Woo-jin put the book down for now.

If he started studying, he would need to be absorbed in it for days on end, but there were still many matters left to handle.

 

‘First, I need to obtain an alchemy furnace.’

 

This place had almost everything, but there was one thing missing.

There was no alchemy furnace for performing alchemy.

 

Taesa Ryang could use the Sacred Horn Unity Gate’s workshop, so he wouldn’t have needed an alchemy furnace, but Cheon Woo-jin, being a mercenary, needed a personal alchemy furnace.

 

* * *

 

Cheon Woo-jin returned to the 1st Layer to meet Jo Hyu.

Jo Hyu had been relieved after the Mad World Yin Spirit Sect was annihilated, but he was very disappointed to hear that Cheon Woo-jin was moving out of the Cave Dwelling.

 

“My child was also very fond of you…”

 

Jo Hyu’s granddaughter was still hiding elsewhere, so he couldn’t see her face.

So Cheon Woo-jin handed over the snacks he had prepared in advance to Jo Hyu.

 

“Please tell her I said we should meet again later.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

 

Jo Hyu’s eyes welled up with tears as he received the snacks.

 

“Then I’ll return the deposit you paid at the beginning. I’ll get it right away…”

“Innkeeper, wait a moment.”

 

Stopping Jo Hyu who was trying to return the deposit, Cheon Woo-jin spoke up.

 

“There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“A request?”

“I’d like to take the pill furnace you installed in my Cave Dwelling last time.”

“…!”

 

The pill furnace currently installed in the Cave Dwelling was something Jo Hyu had used during his time at a Demonic Sect.

 

Cheon Woo-jin had been borrowing that pill furnace all this time, and he wanted to take it with him.

Not only was he accustomed to it from continuous use, but it was also a much better quality item than the low-grade pill furnaces available in the Ghost Head City Lower Levels.

 

“The new place I’m going doesn’t have a pill furnace.”

“Ah…”

“Of course, I’m not saying I’ll take it for free.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin took out Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag.

Seeing the pile of Spirit Stones stacked on the table, Jo Hyu’s eyes widened.

 

“I heard rumors, but… it seems you’re really achieving great success these days.”

“Would this amount be sufficient?”

 

At Cheon Woo-jin’s question, Jo Hyu let out a sigh.

 

“Alright. I’ll dismantle it and put it in a Storage Box for you to take.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll also add a few more tools I used to use for alchemy. I don’t use them anymore anyway…”

 

Jo Hyu took Cheon Woo-jin into the Cave Dwelling and dismantled the pill furnace for him.

He also explained in detail how to install it.

 

“I hope everything you do from now on goes well.”

 

Before Jo Hyu, who was saying farewell with reddened eyes, Cheon Woo-jin clasped his hands together to express his gratitude.

 

This was the ruthless Cultivation World. Moreover, it was the bottom of Ghost Head City where all sorts of dirty deeds occurred.

But sometimes it was necessary to exchange such human kindness.

If one abandoned humanity and pursued only power, they would become a monster.

 

Cheon Woo-jin hoped to continue surviving in this harsh world.

But what meaning would there be in achieving Immortality as a monster rather than a human?

 

To reach higher realms while maintaining one’s humanity.

That was Cheon Woo-jin’s wish.

 

* * *

 

“I’ve prepared a new Cave Dwelling in the 3rd Layer Southwest. I’d appreciate it if you could spread that rumor.”

 

When Cheon Woo-jin entered the tent and suddenly said that, Seo Seol-ryeong nodded with a calm expression.

 

“Understood. I’ll spread word that you no longer live in the 1st Layer.”

“I’m counting on you.”

 

She understood perfectly without explanation.

This was why Cheon Woo-jin worked with Seo Seol-ryeong.

 

“So, where did you actually prepare the Cave Dwelling?”

“What would you do with that information?”

 

Replying like that, Cheon Woo-jin took a seat.

 

“How did the matter I requested go?”

“I was just about to start with that topic.”

 

During his last visit, he had made one request of Seo Seol-ryeong.

To cooperate in finding Foundation Spirit Materials needed to make Foundation Building Pills.

 

“It seems one of the Spirit Materials you mentioned is located not far from here.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, it’s said to be at a Blood Puppet Sect Branch near Ghost Head City.”

“…”

 

Hearing those words, Cheon Woo-jin fell silent for a moment.

 

“By any chance, is it the Blood Puppet Sect of the Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon?”

“Yes, it’s the Blood Puppet Sect of Blood Puppet Ancestor Gu Do-ryun, one of the Thirteen Venerables.”

 

The Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon had the Thirteen Venerables, who were the Dark Gate’s greatest masters.

The Blood Puppet Sect was the group led by Blood Puppet Ancestor Gu Do-ryun, one of them.

 

“Recently, a Flying Vessel from the Azure Cloud Trading Company was attacked by the Blood Puppet Sect’s puppets. Most of the cargo was stolen.”

“Don’t tell me…”

“The Foundation Spirit Material you wanted… the Yin-Yang Mystic Pearl was also loaded on that Flying Vessel.”

 

The Yin-Yang Mystic Pearl was the Foundation Spirit Material Cheon Woo-jin had considered his first priority.

It was an orb where the principles of Yin and Yang formed a complex harmony, greatly enhancing the efficacy when used in making Foundation Building Pills.

 

In the game, it was a rare item that appeared with very low probability when visiting the auction house.

That’s why he had asked Seo Seol-ryeong to gather information… but who would have thought it would end up at a Blood Puppet Sect Branch.

 

“Blue Cloud Trading Company is trying to recover their cargo, but it doesn’t seem to be going well.”

“….”

“If you truly want to get your hands on the Yin-Yang Mystic Pearl, joining Blue Cloud Trading Company to strike the Blood Puppet Sect Branch is one method. Or you could attack the Blood Puppet Sect Branch on your own.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a cold voice.

 

“However, you must consider that you might become a target of Blood Puppet Ancestor Gu Do-ryun, who has reached the Nascent Soul Realm.”

“….”

 

Nascent Soul Realm.

A realm where one becomes capable of creating another independently moving life form called a ‘Nascent Soul’.

Gu Do-ryun was a monster who had reached that Nascent Soul Realm.

 

While Gu Do-ryun himself wouldn’t be at a mere branch office, all of the Blood Puppet Sect’s puppets have their consciousness connected to Gu Do-ryun.

 

Even if Cheon Woo-jin succeeded in attacking the Blood Puppet Sect Branch and obtaining the Yin-Yang Mystic Pearl, his future would become uncertain if Gu Do-ryun recognized Cheon Woo-jin’s existence and made him a target.

 

“What will you do, Cheon Daoist.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong asked Cheon Woo-jin what choice he would make.

—————
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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