Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 49

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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 49: Middle Layer (2)

 

 

‘As expected, the speed itself has changed.’

 

While neutralizing the gatekeeper’s magic arts with lightning energy, Cheon Woo-jin once again realized that his reaction speed had greatly improved.

He had felt it when facing the Demonic Cultivators too, but this was a level that far exceeded the average of typical Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

 

Despite still being in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, he had become fast enough to overwhelm other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, which was likely thanks to Cheon Woo-jin’s innate qualities and the Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art.

 

However, there was one more thing he had realized.

 

‘The speed of my mind has also increased.’

 

The gatekeeper had definitely launched his magic arts as a surprise attack.

It was even at a distance that wouldn’t take even a second to reach Cheon Woo-jin.

 

But Cheon Woo-jin had the leisure to calmly analyze the magic arts flying toward him.

While it was actually less than a second in real time, from Cheon Woo-jin’s perspective, he had more than ten times that amount of time.

That’s why he could make accurate judgments and respond within that less-than-a-second timeframe.

 

Of course, during normal times, it was the same as before.

A brief conversation with someone didn’t feel like it lasted dozens of minutes.

But depending on the situation, it seemed he could extremely enhance the speed of his mental activities.

 

Probably when he advanced to Core Formation or Nascent Soul, he would be able to conduct mental activities at even faster speeds than now.

His reaction speed would also increase, so by then, there was a high possibility he would engage in battles at speeds that truly transcended human limits.

 

But… thinking from that perspective, there was one concerning factor.

 

‘As expected, Instant Death Heaven Eye won’t work on higher-level beings.’

 

This was a hypothesis he had been considering for a while.

 

Instant Death Heaven Eye activates the moment a target is designated.

But for higher-level beings, even that moment is sufficient time.

Transcendent beings who can move within extremely fragmented time can notice Cheon Woo-jin’s intention and respond accordingly.

 

‘If my cultivation level increases and my speed improves, I might be able to kill beings above Soul Transformation, but… at this point, it would be right to consider it impossible.’

 

Based on the game settings, the limit would probably be up to mid-stage Nascent Soul.

The Black Mist Dragon he had instantly killed at first was at mid-stage Nascent Soul.

From late-stage Nascent Soul onward, they transcend the limits of speed according to the setting, so he shouldn’t attempt Instant Death Heaven Eye.

 

To instantly kill beings living at transcendent speeds, Cheon Woo-jin himself had no choice but to approach that speed.

In the end, he had no choice but to continuously raise his cultivation level.

 

“You bastard…!”

 

A beat late, the gatekeeper tried to launch a follow-up attack.

 

When he checked the Status Window, the gatekeeper was at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Ghost Head City Middle Layer was a place where even a mid-stage Foundation Establishment expert served as a gatekeeper.

 

But Cheon Woo-jin could respond even to that mid-stage Foundation Establishment attack.

He extended lightning energy from his hand and intercepted the magic arts flying toward him.

Seeing the magic arts shatter into pieces and become neutralized, the gatekeeper opened his mouth wide.

 

“N-no way…”

 

After gulping down his saliva.

The gatekeeper asked in a frightened voice.

 

“Are you a Core Formation senior…?”

 

He seemed to have misunderstood upon seeing how easily his mid-stage Foundation Establishment magic arts were broken.

But Cheon Woo-jin was merely at early-stage Foundation Establishment, having just escaped Qi Condensation.

 

He had simply gained abilities that exceeded the Foundation Establishment average during his growth process.

 

“This is an introduction letter I brought.”

 

In front of the frightened-looking gatekeeper, Cheon Woo-jin took out Seo Seol-ryeong’s introduction letter.

 

“It’s not an official introduction letter, but they said if I show it to Ho Yeon-rin, she’ll give me entry qualification.”

“Hmm…”

 

Originally, only introduction letters written with the membership number of an official member with Heavenly Dragon Tower entry qualification would be recognized.

You had to bring that to get through the main gate entrance.

 

But since finding someone to write down their membership number would take time, he had simply substituted it with Seo Seol-ryeong’s letter.

 

“I don’t really know who this person is, but… I cannot call Ho Yeon private secretary for you. I cannot leave this place…”

“I’ll go in and find her myself.”

“But I cannot let through someone without an identification plaque…”

“I’ll move quietly so no problems arise, so just let me in.”

“…”

 

While his duty as a gatekeeper was important, if he kept being stubborn in front of a Core Formation Cultivator, his head might fly off in an instant.

 

In the end, he stepped aside.

He had to survive first, after all.

 

“Please don’t mention that I let you in, my lord.”

 

My lord.

This was the first time he’d heard such a title since coming to this world.

It seemed he thought Cheon Woo-jin was someone like a True Transmission Disciple belonging to some sect.

 

Cheon Woo-jin only nodded and entered through the back door.

After passing through the narrow corridor, the bustling interior of the tavern immediately came into view.

 

‘Heavenly Dragon Tower 1st Floor… This is a space that wasn’t implemented in the game.’

 

Against the backdrop of music played by musicians, Foundation Establishment cultivators were drinking alcohol.

 

Cheon Woo-jin quickly looked around the establishment.

Unlike the customers sitting at tables and the shop clerks serving them, there were people standing still and keeping watch of their surroundings.

 

Just by examining their status windows one by one… he could find the person he was looking for.

 

“Cultivator Ho Yeon.”

“…?”

 

A woman who had been surveying the establishment with her arms crossed, leaning her back against the wall.

She turned her head upon hearing Cheon Woo-jin’s voice.

 

“Who are you?”

 

Before her clear black eyes looking at him, Cheon Woo-jin was filled with emotion.

She was a character he had often seen in the game.

 

[Ho Yeon-rin]

* Race: Human Race

* Age: 154 years

* Realm: Foundation Establishment Late Stage

* Constitution: Earth-Metal Spiritual Root

* Faction: Neutral Path

* Affiliation: Heavenly Dragon Tower

* Destiny: Loyalty

 

Ho Yeon-rin was a major named NPC of Ghost Head City’s middle section.

Normally she stood guard on the 1st floor like this, but when something happened, she would step forward as Heavenly Dragon Tower’s action leader.

Therefore, when events involving Heavenly Dragon Tower occurred on the 4th Layer, she would show her face in some way or another.

 

‘She even has an upright and righteous character. It would have been better if she belonged to the Orthodox Sect.’

 

Because her destiny was Loyalty, once intimacy was built up, she would never betray and showed self-sacrificing attitudes, making her a popular character among players.

 

“I haven’t seen your face before. Did you come from the lower levels?”

 

At Ho Yeon-rin’s question, Cheon Woo-jin took out Seo Seol-ryeong’s letter.

 

“What’s this?”

“I brought it from the 2nd Layer.”

“…”

 

Ho Yeon-rin received Seo Seol-ryeong’s letter with a suspicious expression.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Ho Yeon-rin let out a small groan while checking the letter.

Then she looked at Cheon Woo-jin’s face.

 

“Are you saying you’re the person written about in this letter?”

“I don’t know the letter’s contents, but it’s correct that it’s a letter about me.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong had written the letter’s contents in code.

So Cheon Woo-jin also couldn’t know what she had written.

 

“Hmm, so that’s how it is.”

 

Ho Yeon-rin nodded while alternately looking at the letter and Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“Hmm…”

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

Ho Yeon-rin spoke with a smile.

 

“I received great help from Seo Dou in the past. If it’s her request, I have no choice but to listen.”

 

Saying that, Ho Yeon-rin handed over a metal token.

 

“It’s an identification plaque for entry. From next time, you can enter through the main gate with that.”

“Thank you.”

“However, identification plaques that allow entry to higher floors cannot be issued with just my authority. You’ll have to obtain that yourself.”

 

Anyway, this was all he needed for now.

At this point, he had no plans to go up to higher floors.

 

“What did you come for today?”

“I’d like to use the auction house.”

“The auction house…”

 

Ho Yeon-rin nodded.

 

“Today is a day when only dharma artifacts and elixirs are being auctioned. Is that alright?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

 

He had come after checking the date in the first place.

The Heavenly Dragon Tower’s auction house dealt with different items each day.

 

“Then come this way. The auction will start soon.”

 

It seemed Ho Yeon-rin would guide him personally.

Cheon Woo-jin obediently followed behind her.

 

“It seems Seo Dou cares for you greatly.”

“Is that so?”

“Seo Dou has never helped anyone to this extent before. It seems she has high expectations for you.”

“Hmm….”

 

Ho Yeon-rin, who was walking down the corridor, looked at Cheon Woo-jin with a suspicious expression.

 

“You’re not in a dao companion relationship with Seo Dou, are you?”

“That’s impossible.”

 

A dao companion means a partner who cultivates the Way together.

Since it’s a relationship formed for the exchange of yin and yang, it can only be established between men and women.

 

“We’re just in a working relationship.”

“Hmm, is that so? For just that, she seems to be giving you very special treatment.”

“Is that woman someone who would easily open her heart to a man?”

 

When Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a cold voice, Ho Yeon-rin immediately burst into laughter.

 

“True, that aloof person wouldn’t easily give her affection to a man so easily. I understand.”

“I’m glad the misunderstanding is cleared up.”

“But… then she really must think highly of you. To take care of you to this extent.”

 

Ho Yeon-rin looked at Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“Do you have any thoughts of joining the Heavenly Dragon Tower?”

“The Heavenly Dragon Tower?”

“Don’t think of our Heavenly Dragon Tower as just another ordinary tower. If your skills are recognized, you can receive support for elixirs and cultivation manuals, so it would be more helpful for cultivation than joining an ordinary sect.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin knew that too.

There was a route to join the Heavenly Dragon Tower in the game as well.

In that case, if the player character’s gender was set to male, it was typical to form a dao companion relationship with Ho Yeon-rin.

Incidentally, if the gender was female, forming a dao companion relationship with the Heavenly Dragon Tower Master was recommended.

 

“Sorry, but the mercenary life suits my temperament.”

“You prefer being a mercenary?”

“And if you make me exclusive to the Heavenly Dragon Tower, wouldn’t that be betraying Seo Seol-ryeong?”

“Ah….”

 

At Cheon Woo-jin’s point, Ho Yeon-rin made a troubled expression.

 

“That’s right. I shouldn’t steal away the talent that Seo Dou is putting so much effort into. I made a mistake.”

 

Saying that, Ho Yeon-rin raised her hand.

 

“The auction house is this room.”

 

In front of the auction house, they were handing out masks one by one.

 

“It’s not simply a mask to cover the face, but a dharma artifact imbued with the power of concealment.”

“To hide who won the bid.”

“Right, though it’s not perfect.”

 

It was a measure to prevent attacking successful bidders and stealing their items.

 

“Oh, did you bring enough spirit stones?”

 

Ho Yeon-rin asked Cheon Woo-jin, who was putting on a red fox mask.

 

“You should have at least a hundred thousand regular spirit stones.”

“I’ve prepared enough so don’t worry.”

 

Though he had consumed many spirit stones for refining the Heavenly Armor Spirit Shield and alchemy of Foundation Building Pills, he currently had plenty of spirit stones.

Because he had taken the storage pouches of the demonic cultivators earlier.

 

Thanks to that, he had enough funds to purchase at least one good elixir.

 

“Hmm, understood. Then I’ll be going now.”

“Thank you.”

 

Ho Yeon-rin’s guidance ended there.

Cheon Woo-jin entered the auction house alone.

 

“….”

 

Inside the auction house, about thirty people were seated.

Due to the concealment effect of the masks, not only their faces but even their clothing couldn’t be recognized.

 

However… Cheon Woo-jin could identify who they all were using his status window.

 

‘There are people from the Yuk Family Head and the Crushing Dragon Society too. There are also disciples from the Sacred Horn Unity Gate.’

 

Shortly after, the auction began.

The auctioneer explained the basic rules first, then introduced the first item.

 

“The first dharma artifact put up for auction today is… a wooden puppet from the Blood Puppet Sect.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin flinched.

Of all things, the first auction item had to be that.

 

“You all probably know that recently a Blood Puppet Sect branch was attacked and annihilated by an unidentified Core Formation cultivator. Most of the puppets were burned away at that time, but fortunately three puppets that weren’t caught in the flames came into our hands.”

 

It seemed the cultivators who had sided with the Azure Cloud Trading Company had separately collected them and diverted them here.

Since they couldn’t recover the cargo and wouldn’t have received compensation, they would have needed to earn pocket money this way.

 

“Some of you might be worried that all Blood Puppet Sect puppets are connected in consciousness to the Blood Puppet Ancestor. But this puppet has the long-distance communication part destroyed, so there’s no need to worry about that.”

 

The auctioneer tapped the back of the wooden puppet’s head.

 

“You could modify it directly to follow your commands, or disassemble it to study the Blood Puppet Ancestor’s techniques.”

 

Having finished the explanation, the auctioneer announced the start of the auction.

 

“Starting at 90,000 ordinary spirit stones for all 3 combined.”

“I’ll take them for 90,000.”

 

Someone sitting in a corner seat raised their hand.

Though they hid their appearance with a raccoon mask, looking at the status window, it was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Hwangju Neungryeong Sect.

 

“92,000.”

 

However, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Six Family Alliance raised their hand and called out a higher amount.

Then the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Hwangju Neungryeong Sect raised the price again.

 

“93,000!”

“95,000!”

“97,000!”

“100,000!”

 

Due to the competition between the two, the price kept rising.

When it reached 100,000, the cultivator from Hwangju Neungryeong Sect groaned, but eventually raised his hand high and shouted.

 

“105,000…!”

“Ugh…!”

 

The cultivator from the Six Family Alliance slumped his shoulders.

It seemed calling out an amount higher than 105,000 was burdensome for him.

 

“Sold. You can collect it in the private room after all auctions are finished.”

 

In the end, the Blood Puppet Sect’s puppet went to Hwangju Neungryeong Sect.

Since Hwangju Neungryeong Sect specializes in elixirs, talismans, and dharma artifacts, they would be able to utilize that puppet in various ways.

 

“Now, let me introduce the second dharma artifact. This is a high-grade dharma artifact called the Red Fire Blue Wind Sword…”

 

At the mention of a high-grade dharma artifact, most of the participants leaned forward.

Since Foundation Establishment Cultivators could boast just by carrying one mid-grade dharma artifact, a high-grade dharma artifact would naturally make their eyes spin.

 

The auctioneer enthusiastically explained how excellent this dharma artifact was until his mouth went dry, and announced that bidding would start at 100,000 ordinary spirit stones.

 

“I’ll take it for 100,000!”

“Not a chance! 110,000!”

“120,000!”

“150,000!”

“200,000!”

 

The price shot up in an instant.

From Cheon Woo-jin’s perspective, having little interest, it was an entertaining spectacle.

 

‘That’s a trap though.’

 

The Red Fire Blue Wind Sword, while being a high-grade dharma artifact, didn’t have very good performance.

It was a dharma artifact created with the intention of catching two rabbits – fire attribute and wind attribute – but it was a failure that was mediocre in both aspects.

In the game, it was a dharma artifact no one would use even if given for free.

 

“Sold!”

 

In the end, the Red Fire Blue Wind Sword was sold for 400,000 spirit stones, four times the starting price.

The Sacred Horn Unity Sect disciple who won the bid was very pleased, but from Cheon Woo-jin’s perspective, he couldn’t help but feel sympathy.

 

“Now, for the third dharma artifact…”

 

The auction continued.

Since the elixir auction would only start after all the dharma artifact auctions were finished, Cheon Woo-jin just watched with a relaxed mind.

 

“Next up is today’s final dharma artifact.”

 

The auctioneer’s voice dropped slightly.

 

“This is a mid-grade dharma artifact.”

“Mid-grade?”

“What a disappointment…”

 

The participants grumbled.

Up until now, only high-grade dharma artifacts and dharma artifacts like the Blood Puppet Sect’s puppet that were difficult to grade had been put up for auction.

Since mid-grade dharma artifacts could just be bought with money at the market, interest was bound to drop.

 

“However, everyone, if you knew this was a legacy left by the Yin Soul Ghost Bone Palace, you’d think differently.”

“What?”

“A legacy of the Yin Soul Ghost Bone Palace?”

“Look at this.”

 

The auctioneer held up a pitch-black sword.

 

“Looking at the inscription, it says Black Strange Sword. It’s a dharma artifact made using black iron, and judging by the refining method, it’s definitely from the Yin Soul Ghost Bone Palace.”

“…”

“According to our investigation, it’s very sturdy and responds well to water spirit energy. Perhaps there might be more hidden powers.”

“…”

 

The participants who had briefly hoped at the mention of the Yin Soul Ghost Bone Palace’s legacy were disappointed again.

 

“In the end, it’s just a mid-grade dharma artifact with no special features.”

“Not everything made by the Yin Soul Ghost Bone Palace is a good dharma artifact. Something like that is just an antique.”

“Since it’s made of black iron, martial artists would probably like it if we threw it to them.”

 

However.

Cheon Woo-jin was leaning forward and concentrating.

 

‘That is…’

 

There was no mistake.

That was the Black Strange Sword that appeared in the game.

 

And just as the auctioneer said… that sword has hidden power.

 

“I’ll start with 130,000 Spirit Stones!”

 

Laughter erupted from here and there.

The starting price was called too high for the sole reason of being a legacy of the Yin Soul Ghost Bone Palace.

 

However…

 

‘They all know nothing.’

 

If this was the Black Strange Sword that Cheon Woo-jin knew, it was worth not just 130,000 but more than ten times that value.

That was an item he absolutely had to win.

 

“130,000.”

 

Right then.

A cultivator sitting in a corner seat raised his hand and joined the auction.

Everyone’s attention turned to him at once.

 

Spending 130,000 Spirit Stones on something like that?

Everyone looked at that cultivator as if they couldn’t believe it.

 

But that cultivator just sat quietly with his face hidden behind a White Tiger Mask.

 

“130,000 has been called. What about others?”

 

The auctioneer asked while scanning the room.

When he was about to declare the winning bid seeing no one else raise their hand.

 

“135,000.”

“…!”

 

Everyone’s attention shifted to the opposite side.

The one who called 135,000 Spirit Stones was… none other than Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“…”

 

The participant who first called 130,000 turned his gaze toward Cheon Woo-jin.

Since he was wearing a tiger mask and had a Concealment Technique applied, his expression couldn’t be seen.

 

But intense emotion could be felt from the gaze looking this way.

 

Don’t interfere and get lost.

It was a gaze that seemed to say that.

 

“140,000.”

 

That cultivator raised it to 140,000 again.

 

Other participants began to murmur.

They started thinking that there might really be some kind of power hidden in that item.

 

While they were lost in thought, Cheon Woo-jin raised his hand again.

 

“150,000.”

 

Do you want to die?

The cultivator in the tiger mask glared at Cheon Woo-jin with eyes that seemed to say that.

But Cheon Woo-jin’s attitude remained unshakably calm.

 

Anyway, Cheon Woo-jin had no interest in that cultivator’s gaze.

What Cheon Woo-jin was looking at was that cultivator’s Status Window.

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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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