Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 6

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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 6: Rogue Cultivator (2)

 

 

The atmosphere was menacing.

 

Ghost Shadow was glaring at Cheon Woo-jin with murderous eyes.

The atmosphere was as if he would reach out and snap his neck at any moment.

 

This was far from the teacher-like attitude Ghost Shadow had shown in front of Cheon Woo-jin until now.

It could be said that the true nature of a cultivator who only thinks of his own advancement had been revealed.

 

However, Cheon Woo-jin felt no fear.

 

“I apologize, Master.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin bowed his head while hiding his true feelings.

 

“At first, I tried to use various energies equally as you taught me. But I realized that using only one type of energy would lead to faster achievement. So I interpreted the Five Elements Path Cultivation Technique in my own way and cultivated using a new method.”

“A new method? How exactly?”

 

Ghost Shadow’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“I selected the essence of the elixir and sent only the energy that felt most comfortable to the meridians of my limbs. I sent the remaining energy down to the lower part of my torso to balance my entire body.”

“You mean you not only dispersed the suitable energy but also descended the remaining energy?”

“When I did that, the balance between upper and lower, inside and outside aligned perfectly, making the ascent and descent of energy more stable.”

“Hmm…”

 

That explanation gave Ghost Shadow new enlightenment.

 

Until now, when Ghost Shadow consumed elixirs, he would only select the spiritual energy that matched his spiritual root and immediately expel the rest.

But Cheon Woo-jin didn’t just expel the remaining spiritual energy; he used it to balance the whole body.

 

When he thought about it, that made more sense.

After all, the human body should maintain balance between upper and lower, inside and outside to be stable.

 

From the perspective of yin and yang, when yang energy circulates through the upper and outer parts of the body, yin energy revolves around the lower and inner parts.

This is necessary to maintain the balance of yin and yang in the human body.

 

Cheon Woo-jin had applied this principle to creating spiritual meridians.

Even though his master Ghost Shadow hadn’t taught him this.

 

“Master, no matter how much I think about it, this Five Elements Path Cultivation Technique doesn’t seem to be an Internal Energy Mental Method. What exactly am I learning?”

“Ahem…”

 

Ghost Shadow fell into thought.

 

The guy in front of him possessed exceptional talent.

If he continued cultivating like this, he would soon surpass Ghost Shadow.

 

Thinking this made Ghost Shadow feel frustrated.

If it were up to his feelings alone, he would want to strangle him right here.

 

But he couldn’t do that.

He knew that being swept away by momentary jealousy would only result in his own loss.

 

If someone with exceptional talent had fallen into his hands, he should make the most of it.

Thinking this, Ghost Shadow opened his mouth again.

 

“You’re right. The Five Elements Path Cultivation Technique is a Cultivation Method.”

“A Cultivation Method?”

“It’s a technique for becoming a cultivator and reaching a realm incomparably higher than martial artists.”

 

Ghost Shadow slowly explained about cultivators.

 

“In this world, there exist beings called cultivators who aim to become immortals.”

“This is the first I’ve heard of this.”

“Of course it would be. Unlike martial artists, cultivators have no interest in making their names known to the world.”

 

Ordinary people don’t know of cultivators’ existence.

Ghost Shadow himself only learned about them when he was nearly sixty.

 

“But cultivators possess much stronger power than martial artists. They even use renowned martial sects like slaves.”

“Is that really true?”

“The Won Family Clan, which boasts the greatest power in Wei Jin Kingdom, is merely a subordinate of the cultivators’ sect called ‘Taeul Yeokri Gate.’ Though only a few people in the Won Family Clan know this fact, including the family head.”

 

A sneer appeared on Ghost Shadow’s lips.

 

“Even that arrogant family head prostrated himself before the cultivators of Taeul Yeokri Gate.”

“I can’t believe it. Are cultivators that strong?”

“In a direct fight, martial artists do have a chance of winning.”

 

Though Ghost Shadow had spoken boldly, he immediately added with a bitter expression.

 

“But cultivators use strange Magic Arts. They can breathe fire and hide their appearance. When caught up in such techniques, ordinary martial artists find it difficult to cope.”

“Ah…”

“And… martial artists can only challenge cultivators at the lowest stage, those at the Qi Refining realm. Higher-stage cultivators are said to be able to toy with even absolute masters who have reached the Transcendent realm with just one finger.”

 

Against cultivators at the Foundation Building stage or higher, even the most skilled martial arts masters cannot resist.

Because combat itself cannot be established.

 

“Yes, we martial artists were frogs in a well.”

 

Ghost Shadow let out a sigh.

 

“I spent my entire life cultivating Martial Arts. But after learning of cultivators’ existence, I felt the helplessness of having wasted my efforts.”

“Master…”

“So I decided to walk the path of immortal cultivation.”

 

There could have been a way to spend his remaining years comfortably as an elder of the Won Family Clan.

But Ghost Shadow chose to abandon everything and become a cultivator.

 

“I knocked on the doors of Taeul Yeokri Gate to become a cultivator. Fortunately, I possessed spiritual roots, which are the qualifications of a cultivator, so I had the right to enter.”

“Then did you learn cultivation methods there?”

“No, I was unable to enter Taeul Yeokri Gate.”

“Why was that?”

“That was….”

 

Ghost Shadow hesitated slightly.

 

“They said I was too old.”

“Pardon?”

“No matter how hard I tried, I would die of old age before reaching a high realm… That’s what they judged.”

 

Upon entering the Qi Accumulation realm, one’s lifespan extends to 200 years.

 

However, Ghost Shadow had mixed spiritual roots with four different attributes, so it was expected to take a long time to reach the Qi Accumulation realm.

 

“But I couldn’t give up. If Taeul Yeokri Gate wouldn’t accept me, I decided to become a cultivator through my own strength.”

“….”

“So I came to walk the path of cultivation alone, belonging nowhere. People like me are called rogue cultivators.”

 

Rogue cultivator.

A term referring to cultivators who practice alone without belonging to any sect.

 

Ghost Shadow was a typical rogue cultivator.

 

“Luckily, I obtained the Five Elements Path Cultivation Technique and mastered a cultivation method, creating spiritual meridians and becoming able to manipulate spiritual energy. I became a proper Qi Refining realm cultivator.”

“That’s amazing, Master.”

“However, honestly speaking, I was feeling my limitations.”

 

Ghost Shadow spoke with a bitter expression.

 

“That’s why I began accepting disciples.”

“Master….”

“My remaining lifespan isn’t long. If I die like this, all my efforts up to now would become meaningless. That’s hard to accept.”

 

Ghost Shadow met eyes with Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“You’ll soon be able to turn all twelve meridians into spiritual meridians and enter the Qi Refining realm. However, that’s merely the early stage of Qi Refining.”

 

Converting the twelve meridians into spiritual meridians is only the minimum requirement for entering the Qi Refining realm.

To grow as a cultivator, one must convert other meridians into spiritual meridians as well.

 

“Not only the twelve meridians flowing through the limbs, but also the Conception and Governing vessels that penetrate the center of the human body must be converted to spiritual meridians. Then you reach the middle stage of Qi Refining.”

“….”

“When you convert the other eight extraordinary meridians and even the minute collateral meridians into spiritual meridians, enabling you to manipulate spiritual energy throughout your entire body, that’s the late stage of Qi Refining. With further cultivation from there, you reach Qi Refining Great Perfection and gain the qualification to challenge the next realm, Qi Accumulation.”

 

Early stage, middle stage, late stage, Great Perfection.

These are the detailed stages of each realm.

 

Ghost Shadow was currently at the middle stage of Qi Refining.

He had been striving to enter the late stage of Qi Refining, but hadn’t yet achieved results.

 

“It seems like too distant a story. How could I possibly….”

“No, that’s not true.”

 

Ghost Shadow shook his head in front of Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“With your talent, you can definitely challenge the Qi Accumulation realm. I’m certain of it.”

“Master….”

“I’ll help you. The remaining time isn’t very long, but….”

 

Ghost Shadow’s profound gaze turned toward Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“I want to spend the rest of my life for your sake.”

“….”

 

Toward the silent Cheon Woo-jin, Ghost Shadow spoke in a serious voice.

 

“Become an immortal in my place. That’s all I wish for.”

 

* * *

 

Cheon Woo-jin bowed deeply to express his gratitude.

He appeared deeply moved.

 

Watching such a disciple, Ghost Shadow quietly sneered.

 

‘Naive fool.’

 

Just moments ago, Ghost Shadow had passionately declared he would guide Cheon Woo-jin with all his heart.

But that was all lies.

 

‘If I can’t become an immortal myself, what use is there in making you an immortal?’

 

That was natural thinking for a cultivator.

 

When one has thrown away everything to devote themselves to cultivation in order to become an immortal, there’s no reason to sacrifice oneself to make another an immortal.

 

‘I will never give up. If you possess greater talent than me, I’ll devour you and make that talent mine.’

 

Someone with such outstanding talent would surely make a very powerful elixir.

Ghost Shadow was certain of this.

 

‘The day you reach the middle stage of Qi Refining will be the day of your death.’

 

If Cheon Woo-jin entered the late stage of Qi Refining, Ghost Shadow wouldn’t be able to handle him.

Ghost Shadow was still stuck at the middle stage of Qi Refining.

 

So he had to nurture Cheon Woo-jin only up to the middle stage of Qi Refining, then subdue him.

Subduing Cheon Woo-jin, who had never learned martial arts, wouldn’t be a difficult task.

 

‘Originally, once you reach the Spiritual Qi realm, you can cultivate magic arts, but I won’t teach you any magic arts. It would be troublesome if you tried to oppose me with magic arts.’

 

He had to make him focus solely on accumulating spiritual power and raising his realm.

Then, when he reached the middle stage of the Spiritual Qi realm, he could immediately devour him.

 

‘Just wait a little longer.’

 

Watching the back of Cheon Woo-jin’s head as he headed to the kitchen to cook rice, Ghost Shadow smiled.

 

‘I’ll devour everything you have.’

 

* * *

 

‘He’s probably thinking about how to devour me right about now.’

 

Feeling Ghost Shadow’s gaze on the back of his head, Cheon Woo-jin entered the kitchen.

 

‘Ghost Shadow, I can tell what you’re thinking.’

 

Earlier, Ghost Shadow had told him what path he had walked.

But there were parts he had deliberately hidden.

 

All this time, Ghost Shadow had been raising his realm by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth near Goeyu Mountain.

But since that alone had its limits, he had gathered children with spiritual roots and made them into elixirs.

 

Even now, Ghost Shadow only thought about turning Cheon Woo-jin into an elixir and devouring him.

 

‘But… even if you do that, you’ll just end up walking in place.’

 

Ghost Shadow’s cultivation method had many flawed aspects.

It was because he hadn’t received proper teachings from a sect and had been self-studying with only the Five Elements Path Cultivation Technique.

 

Even if Ghost Shadow turned Cheon Woo-jin into an elixir and consumed it, entering the late stage of the Spiritual Qi realm would be impossible.

After all, Ghost Shadow’s elixir-making skills were quite poor to begin with.

 

‘The limitations of a hermit cultivating alone.’

 

However, Ghost Shadow still had utility value.

 

From now on, Ghost Shadow would continue to gather all kinds of good medicinal herbs near Goeyu Mountain and feed them to Cheon Woo-jin.

Since Cheon Woo-jin had the Profound Enlightened Body, he could absorb that spiritual energy with maximum efficiency.

After accumulating spiritual energy with Ghost Shadow’s help like that, he would have to make his next move.

 

‘Ghost Shadow, don’t feel betrayed by me when that time comes. After all, aren’t you planning to betray me too?’

 

Ghost Shadow was planning to stab Cheon Woo-jin in the back.

Then Cheon Woo-jin could just stab Ghost Shadow in the back too.

 

An endless chain of betrayals.

That was the xianxia world, after all.

 

‘You probably think you can easily devour a greenhorn like me. But that’s not going to happen.’

 

Ghost Shadow was a martial artist with excellent martial arts skills.

As a cultivator at the middle stage of the Spiritual Qi realm, he could even use magic arts.

 

Someone like Cheon Woo-jin, who hadn’t properly cultivated martial arts and hadn’t even learned magic arts, could be easily subdued and neutralized.

Ghost Shadow was probably thinking that to himself.

 

But that was a grave misconception.

 

Cheon Woo-jin possessed the means to subdue Ghost Shadow.

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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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