Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 9

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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 9: Magic Arts (1)

 

 

From a mere piece of paper, he had created a sharp blade.

That fact brought Cheon Woo-jin tremendous satisfaction.

 

Though he had cultivated as a cultivator for half a year, he had never accomplished anything using those results.

Ghost Shadow had forced him to focus only on raising his realm through energy circulation.

 

But now Cheon Woo-jin had succeeded with talisman arts.

For the first time in his life, he had performed magic arts using his power as someone who had reached the late stage of the Qi Refining realm.

 

Just succeeding with one talisman art felt this thrilling.

How much greater sense of achievement could he gain when he became able to perform more powerful magic arts?

 

‘So this is why everyone is desperate to reach higher realms.’

 

Swoosh!

A single blade rushed forward, cutting through the wind.

 

And it pierced diagonally through the body of the Azure Wind Wolf that had been leaping toward Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“Keheng!”

 

Despite being a fearsome wolf demon beast, its scream sounded like an ordinary puppy.

 

The Azure Wind Wolf rolled on the ground with the blade stuck in it.

The Azure Wind Wolf writhed in agony, but each time it did so, the wound only grew larger.

 

Cheon Woo-jin watched the scene coldly.

 

How long it would take to reach death with that degree of injury.

How long the blade created by the Fish Sword Talisman would last.

He needed to observe carefully and remember the details.

 

“Heeek…”

 

Eventually, the Azure Wind Wolf died with its tongue hanging out long.

The blade created by the Fish Sword Talisman disappeared a little earlier than that.

 

‘The effective duration isn’t as long as I thought. I’ll need to improve it.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin would have to cultivate magic arts from now on.

Because instant kill abilities alone weren’t enough to survive in this harsh world.

 

The Instant Death Heaven Eye was certainly a powerful authority, but it wasn’t an omnipotent ability that could solve every crisis.

Particularly, it had the limitation of only being able to kill one person at a time.

 

In a one-on-one situation, he could instantly kill even the Black Mist Dragon of the Soul Realm, but if there were multiple opponents, it would be difficult to handle.

Even being surrounded by just three or four third-rate warriors would require him to prepare for death.

 

‘If I could control multiple Fish Sword Talismans simultaneously, I could handle being surrounded by multiple people.’

 

The Fish Sword Talisman wasn’t the only thing he needed to cultivate.

Attack magic arts, defensive magic arts, movement magic arts… there was much he needed to learn.

 

To leave this quiet hermitage and venture into the world, he needed to make complete preparations.

 

* * *

 

Cheon Woo-jin devoted himself to cultivation throughout the winter.

 

The stone cave contained many books about various cultivation methods besides magic arts.

There were also manuals that filled in the lacking parts of the Five Elements Path Cultivation Technique.

Cheon Woo-jin consumed all the elixirs that Ghost Shadow had hidden away and continued cultivating his cultivation method.

 

‘Now I’ve become accustomed to the level of late-stage Qi Refining realm.’

 

Near the end of winter.

While circulating spiritual energy through the meridians of his entire body, Cheon Woo-jin felt satisfaction.

 

Cheon Woo-jin had already mastered the Five Elements Path Cultivation Technique.

 

‘However, it seems difficult to reach the great perfection of Qi Refining realm here.’

 

Early stage, middle stage, late stage, great perfection.

Among the four stages of the Qi Refining realm, Cheon Woo-jin was staying at the third stage, the late stage.

 

Only by becoming the final stage, great perfection, could he challenge the next realm, the Foundation Building realm.

But it seemed difficult to reach great perfection in this place.

 

‘If I holed up in Goeyu Mountain and practiced energy circulation, I could eventually reach the great perfection of Qi Refining realm, but it would take too much time.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin came out of the stone cave and directed his gaze toward Goeyu Mountain.

Then he could sense the magnificent spiritual energy flowing like clouds.

 

If he holed up deep in the mountains and steadily absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, there would surely be results.

The Black Mist Dragon had also reached the Soul Realm by doing so.

 

The problem was that such a method alone would require at least several decades to reach the great perfection of Qi Refining realm.

Though cultivator training was originally like that, Cheon Woo-jin didn’t feel the need to do it that way.

 

‘It’s about time to venture into the outside world.’

 

He had consumed all the elixirs Ghost Shadow had hidden, and had read through all the manuals.

Now there was no longer any reason to remain in this place.

 

‘But…’

 

When he was about to prepare to leave, Cheon Woo-jin sensed a strange presence.

 

It felt completely different from beasts or monsters.

Human presence… and that of those who possessed special power.

 

‘Martial artists?’

 

There was a feeling somewhat similar to Ghost Shadow.

They must be martial artists with internal energy.

 

“….”

 

Cheon Woo-jin moved quietly.

About five or six men were thoroughly searching the empty hermitage.

 

Among them was one martial artist with an overwhelming presence.

A one-eyed man with an eyepatch covering one eye.

The moment he saw that distinctive appearance, Cheon Woo-jin realized the man’s identity.

 

‘It’s Won Hang, Ghost Shadow’s nephew.’

 

Won Hang was a martial artist with quite a high position in the Won Family Clan.

 

He had once been saved by Ghost Shadow, so he supported Ghost Shadow’s cultivation both materially and spiritually.

It was also Won Hang who found promising candidates among the Won Family Clan’s Outer Disciples and sent them to Ghost Shadow.

 

In other words, he could be called Ghost Shadow’s accomplice.

 

“….”

 

Cheon Woo-jin hid behind a tree and eavesdropped on their conversation.

 

They seemed to have come to personally confirm the rumors that the Black Mist Dragon had disappeared.

They had come to request cooperation from Ghost Shadow, who knew Goeyu Mountain well, but upon arrival, Ghost Shadow was nowhere to be seen.

 

“It seems he’s been away for quite some time. Where on earth could he have gone…”

 

Won Hang, who had been speaking to his subordinates, suddenly flinched and turned his head.

He had noticed Cheon Woo-jin eavesdropping.

 

“Who’s there!”

“….”

 

Cheon Woo-jin revealed himself from behind the tree.

 

“Could he be Senior Ghost Shadow’s disciple?”

“No, that can’t be.”

 

Next to the subordinate who was tilting his head, Won Hang frowned.

 

“I’ve never sent someone who looks like that to my uncle. This is the first time I’m seeing his face.”

 

The Outer Disciple Won Hang had sent last summer had died from a beast attack.

Since Cheon Woo-jin had assumed that identity to become Ghost Shadow’s disciple, it was inevitable that he and Won Hang were meeting for the first time.

 

“You, who are you.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin didn’t respond.

Instead, he kicked off the ground and leaped.

 

“Lightness Skill!”

 

The martial artists were startled by the sight of Cheon Woo-jin jumping high and fleeing.

They mistook Cheon Woo-jin for a master of Lightness Skill.

 

Of course, what Cheon Woo-jin used wasn’t Lightness Skill.

It was a magic art that made the body light using spiritual energy instead of internal energy… Light Flight Art.

 

“He’s suspicious. Don’t let him escape.”

“Yes, Master!”

 

The martial artists pursued Cheon Woo-jin.

 

Cheon Woo-jin fled using Light Flight Art, then hid behind another suitable tree.

From the beginning, Cheon Woo-jin had no intention of running away.

 

‘I thought a day like this would come.’

 

Encountering martial artists from the Won Family Clan was something he could have easily anticipated.

That’s why Cheon Woo-jin always kept talismans hidden in his chest.

 

After infusing spiritual energy into the talismans he pulled from his chest, he threw them toward the air.

But it wasn’t just one talisman.

 

‘I can test the results of my winter cultivation.’

 

Whoosh!

A total of ten Fish Sword Talismans deployed all at once.

 

* * *

 

The subordinates Won Hang brought today were all first-rate martial artists.

This wasn’t an ordinary reconnaissance mission, but one to investigate the Black Mist Dragon’s movements.

 

First-rate martial artists of the Won Family Clan were masters recognized anywhere.

They could all use Sword Qi, and were well-trained enough to handle even martial artists a level above them through coordinated attacks.

 

However, they were now backing away with wide eyes.

They had witnessed ten swords suddenly shooting up.

 

“Qi Sword Control?”

“Could he possibly be a master of the Profound Realm?”

 

Above first-rate is peak level.

Above peak level is transcendent level.

Above transcendent level is the Transformation Realm.

Above the Transformation Realm is the Profound Realm.

These are the stages of martial artists.

 

The Transformation Realm can maximize the power of internal energy to unleash Sword Energy, but the Profound Realm goes one step further.

They can freely control internal energy, making Qi Sword Control possible – manipulating swords without holding them in hand.

 

And now, Qi Sword Control was being displayed right before their eyes.

Even first-rate martial artists of the Won Family Clan couldn’t help but feel fear.

 

“How can he control ten swords simultaneously…?”

“No matter how skilled a Profound Realm martial artist is, there’s no way they can control ten swords at once! That must be an illusion… Guhk!”

 

Thunk!

One unlucky martial artist screamed.

Two swords had rushed at him from front and back, piercing through his body simultaneously.

 

The other martial artists trembled at the sight.

They were all prepared to give their lives for the Won Family Clan, but witnessing such a scene, they couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by terror.

 

How could they possibly face a Profound Realm master wielding Qi Sword Control with ten swords?

 

“G-great hero, spare… Guhk!”

“Aaaahhh…!”

 

Swish swish swish swish!

Multiple swords danced through the air.

 

Some martial artists tried to block with their swords, while others attempted to flee from the scene.

But it was all meaningless.

 

In the end, all the martial artists met their deaths, pierced through by the swords.

 

“…”

 

Cheon Woo-jin silently watched the scene.

 

The martial artists thought Cheon Woo-jin had displayed Qi Sword Control, but in reality, it was Fish Sword Talismans, a type of Talisman Arts.

Through cultivation all winter long, he had reached the level of controlling ten Fish Sword Talismans simultaneously.

His control skills had improved to the point where he no longer needed to point directions with his fingers individually, and even the duration had increased.

 

Thanks to this, he was able to massacre the Won Family Clan’s first-rate martial artists without much difficulty.

 

“…”

 

But just then.

Someone rushed at Cheon Woo-jin from his blind spot, sword in hand.

 

It was Won Hang, who had been secretly hiding and waiting for an opportunity while his subordinates were being slaughtered.

 

* * *

 

Won Hang was different from his subordinates.

 

While his subordinates fell into terror thinking a Profound Realm martial artist had appeared, Won Hang analyzed the situation with cold eyes.

 

‘There’s no way this bastard is in the Profound Realm.’

 

Profound Realm martial artists are not common.

Even the head of the Won Family Clan remains at the Transformation Realm.

 

‘He looks like he’s not even twenty yet – too young for a martial artist who has reached the Profound Realm.’

 

Of course, he could be an absolute master who had achieved rejuvenation.

 

But if that were the case, his earlier quick escape would be unnatural.

Why would such a master need to do that?

 

He could have just massacred everyone on the spot.

 

‘This bastard is definitely a cultivator. He ran away earlier to buy time to use Magic Arts.’

 

Won Hang had already seen through that his opponent was a cultivator.

 

Won Hang himself was just an ordinary martial artist, but he knew what kind of existence cultivators were.

He had heard about them in detail from his uncle, Ghost Shadow.

 

‘Uncle probably died at this bastard’s hands.’

 

Won Hang had once saved his life thanks to Ghost Shadow.

If this bastard had harmed Ghost Shadow, Won Hang had to avenge him personally.

 

‘Uncle told me before. Even if you encounter a cultivator, if you keep your wits about you, you can win.’

 

What is a cultivator’s greatest weakness?

 

It’s that they’re not as skilled in Body Techniques as martial artists.

While their physical abilities are enhanced by the power of spiritual energy, they don’t cultivate Martial Arts daily like martial artists do.

 

So if he could close the distance and engage in close combat before the cultivator could deploy Magic Arts, there was a chance of victory.

 

‘If he were a Foundation Establishment cultivator or higher, attempting close combat would be meaningless, but if this bastard were a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he wouldn’t have run away in the first place. So this bastard must be a Qi Refinement cultivator.’

 

Won Hang hadn’t just been watching his subordinates get slaughtered.

He had been observing the scene while gauging the bastard’s capabilities.

 

‘That magic art just now was definitely a Sword Control Talisman, a type of talisman art. Then he would need to take out a talisman hidden in his robes and infuse it with spiritual energy.’

 

His earlier retreat was probably an attempt to buy time to deploy such magic arts.

 

‘If I strike his neck before he can do that… there’s a chance of victory!’

 

Swoosh!

He charged forward, drawing up all his internal energy.

The techniques of the Cloud-Breaking Sixteen Swords, the pride of the Won Family Clan, unfolded.

 

He intended to sever the man’s neck before he could draw out a talisman.

 

“…!”

 

However, Won Hang’s attack was blocked midway.

Something transparent was blocking his blade in mid-air.

 

‘Water?’

 

Its identity was water.

Water that had gathered from somewhere formed a shield, blocking Won Hang’s sword.

 

‘Defensive magic!’

 

It was defensive magic utilizing water spiritual energy.

Realizing this fact, Won Hang trembled.

 

To deploy defensive magic so instantly meant he had prepared it in advance.

This Daoist had been preparing defensive magic while simultaneously slaughtering warriors with the Sword Control Talisman.

He had anticipated that Won Hang would launch a surprise attack.

 

‘He was far more experienced than I thought…!’

 

However.

Won Hang did not give up.

 

“Haaah!”

 

A battle cry erupted.

Then a sharp energy swirled from the sword blocked by the water shield.

 

He had infused internal energy into the blade to form sword qi.

 

When he did so, something amazing happened.

The blade, which had seemed completely blocked, began to pierce through the water shield.

 

Won Hang was a warrior who had reached the pinnacle realm like his uncle Ghost Shadow.

Because he had devoted himself solely to martial arts cultivation without being distracted by things like cultivation methods, his martial arts skills had already surpassed Ghost Shadow’s.

 

Because it was Won Hang’s sword qi, it could pierce through the Daoist’s defensive magic.

 

‘I can defeat him! I can overcome the Daoist with my martial arts!’

 

Won Hang was swept up in ecstasy.

 

Until now, the Won Family Clan had been subservient to the Daoists.

Even Won Se-rip, the family head who had reached the Transformation realm, became respectful before the Daoists.

 

Yet here he was, merely a branch member of the Won Family Clan, defeating a Daoist.

As a warrior, he couldn’t help but feel thrilled.

 

‘I’ll sever this Daoist’s neck here!’

 

In extreme excitement, Won Hang poured out all of his internal energy.

 

Unaware that beyond the water barrier, the Young Daoist maintained a calm expression.

—————
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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