The Chaotic Immortal Wood Sect: Immortal Cultivation War - Chapter 20
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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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20. The Calamity Beast No Cheong Woo
Kiiiiiii piiiiiiik!
“What!? Did it notice us?”
However, the harmonious atmosphere didn’t last long.
When a sharp cry was heard from overhead, Eung Ryeong was startled and began moving urgently.
“Take this.”
Eung Ryeong threw a box made of blue jade to Kang Hyeon.
Kang Hyeon caught it reflexively, but by then Eung Ryeong had already climbed onto the back of the wooden crane.
“Seeing your character, I entrust this to you. If you go to Blue Wood Mountain, there is the Blue Wood Heart Garden. Never go to the shade of the Soul Tree, but say that you want to go to the Blue Wood Heart Garden. Then someone will surely come to meet you, so follow them and deliver this to the Garden Master.”
“Wait, Elder!”
“If you stay here, you absolutely won’t be discovered. From the cry, it’s definitely a Flowing Flame Flying Beast. Its master is a bastard named Dam Yeol from the Blazing Fire Spirit Beast Sect, and I can’t guarantee what will happen later. So I’m asking you to deliver this to Blue Wood Academy. Come out one day after I leave.”
Kiruururururuk!
As soon as Eung Ryeong finished speaking, he immediately urged the wooden crane and flew up into the sky.
In Deok tried to call out to Eung Ryeong, but Kang Hyeon quickly stopped him.
‘Shh! If we’re not careful, we’ll be discovered too.’
In Deok also calmed his excitement and quietly looked up at the sky.
Then he saw a strange beast flying across the sky, filling it completely.
It was a beast with a tiger’s body, an eagle’s head, and a tail that looked like a falling meteor.
Particularly, its skin had crimson patterns that looked like flowing lava, which weren’t fixed but changed constantly, creating a mystical feeling.
‘That must be the Flowing Flame Flying Beast?’
‘The fire spiritual energy is very powerful. Since I can’t gauge its level, it must be at least Foundation Establishment or higher.’
‘Why do we keep encountering such terrifying things we can’t handle?’
‘But we’ve survived safely every time, and the results have always been good.’
‘…Good? We’re newcomers who fell onto Nokju Continent right now.’
‘Still, isn’t it better than being trapped in the Mystic Realm forever?’
‘Hey, can’t we just go back to the Mystic Realm? It would be neat if we stayed there for about a year and then came out.’
In Deok said this while looking at the empty air, but there was no way there would be a spatial rift leading to the Mystic Realm there.
‘Coming out is easy, but going in is difficult. Even if I know that spatial rifts open near here, I don’t know when, and even if they open, stabilizing them to enter the Mystic Realm is beyond my abilities.’
‘You talked like you could do it.’
‘The outside situation is worse than what we confirmed from inside. The spatial rifts are unclear, should I say? Or well hidden. Something like that.’
‘Tsk. What a waste. So we have no choice but to move while hiding ourselves?’
‘Since Elder Eung Ryeong lured away that beast master named Dam Yeol, it should be fine.’
‘That beast with the flaming tail has already gone far, so how about we move quickly too?’
While the two were quietly conversing, the Flowing Flame Flying Beast in the sky disappeared in the direction Elder Eung Ryeong had flown without any hesitation.
Then In Deok asked Kang Hyeon as if he wanted to go somewhere else immediately.
‘Elder Eung Ryeong mentioned one day for good reason. We should consider this the safest place right now. There might be Dam Yeol’s subordinates nearby.’
‘Ah, you’re right. Sigh, this is frustrating.’
In Deok nodded but expressed his frustration at being trapped and unable to move freely.
But one way or another, time passed, and a day went by quickly.
In Deok also quickly forgot his initial frustration thanks to the wooden box Elder Eung Ryeong had given them.
In Deok couldn’t open the lid because of the lightning energy flowing through the box.
If the lightning energy was this intense even with the box sealed, how could he handle it when the lid was opened?
Knowing this, In Deok was content with just the lightning energy spreading outside the box and spent time practicing the Lightning Glory Technique.
“Let’s go out now.”
After a day had passed, Kang Hyeon, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, stood up and spoke.
“Is it okay?”
In Deok also put the box in his storage pouch and got up, asking.
“The vicinity seems safe. There are no places where spiritual energy is particularly concentrated.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Let’s go for now.”
“Should I take out the flying sword?”
“No, let’s just move with ordinary escape techniques. There’s no need to draw attention by flying.”
“Okay, got it. Sure thing.”
In Deok put the flying sword he was about to take out back into his storage pouch and stood next to Kang Hyeon.
Kang Hyeon then recovered the Yin Spirit Wood that Eung Ryeong had scattered in all directions, and also collected the Soul Tree branches.
“What’s that?”
In Deok had seen Eung Ryeong scatter the Yin Spirit Wood here and there, but he hadn’t seen the Soul Tree branches, so he asked about them.
“They’re the axes of the formation the Elder set up. We can’t get out without dismantling the formation.”
“Wow, how did you do that? Did the Elder teach you?”
“No, that’s not it. I couldn’t set it up again if asked. It’s just that recovering from the inside was made to be not too difficult, so I did it.”
“Really?”
“Mm, but not only the Yin Spirit Wood, but these branches are also incredible treasures. The energy contained in them is truly amazing.”
“In your terms, a jackpot?”
“Hahaha. Right. A jackpot. A huge jackpot at that. Hahaha.”
When an unexpected expression from his past life came from In Deok’s mouth, Kang Hyeon felt his stiff body and mind relax and burst into laughter.
And seeing Kang Hyeon laugh like that, In Deok laughed along happily.
***
“Really, Elder, no matter how urgent it was, it would have been so nice if you had thrown us at least one map before leaving.”
In Deok grumbled as he glided through the air with the forest beneath his feet.
Kang Hyeon, who was using flight techniques alongside him, completely agreed with those words.
“That’s exactly right. We don’t even know where we are, so how are we supposed to find Blue Wood Mountain where Blue Wood Academy is located?”
“Exactly!”
It was when In Deok raised his voice as if gaining strength from Kang Hyeon’s agreement.
Suddenly, Kang Hyeon stopped flying and stared intently in one direction.
“Huh? Why? What’s there?”
“Hmm, judging by the spiritual energy gathering there, it seems like there’s something.”
Kang Hyeon said this and changed direction, using his flight technique to head that way.
In Deok naturally followed after Kang Hyeon.
“What do you think it is?”
“I’m not certain, but it seems like a formation technique or barrier technique. Ah, it looks like someone’s cave dwelling is there.”
“Huh? Then shouldn’t we avoid going there carelessly?”
“There’s still some distance, so it’s fine. I’m thinking of going to an appropriate spot and using communication to contact the owner and request an exchange. If that works out, we should be able to get some information about this place.”
“Will that be okay?”
“Let’s go moderately close first, and if it seems too difficult for us to handle, we’ll retreat. We should be able to decide before the other side notices us.”
Kang Hyeon trusted his spiritual energy sensitivity.
If he got just a little closer, he would be able to identify the nature of the spiritual energy gathered over there.
And if it was indeed formation techniques and barrier techniques related to someone’s cultivation cave dwelling as expected, he could gauge their level and decide whether to advance or retreat.
Of course, this was premised on being able to do so from a distance where the other party wouldn’t notice them, but with his spiritual energy sensitivity, that seemed possible.
***
“I didn’t expect senior practitioners to visit such a remote place. Please, come in.”
An elderly cultivator.
His skin was full of wrinkles, and his hair, eyebrows, and beard were rough and lifeless.
If not for his sharp eyes, he might have been mistaken for a decrepit person.
The robes he wore were also shabby beyond measure, as if they hadn’t been maintained for a long time.
Kang Hyeon could tell that the elderly cultivator before him was at the Mid Qi Refinement Stage, 6th layer.
“We got caught up in spatial magic and ended up flying here, so we don’t know where this place is. Ah, I’m called Kang Hyeon, and this friend is In Deok.”
“So you had such circumstances. I am No Cheong Woo. I’m a rogue cultivator without any particular affiliation.”
“Should I address you as Cultivator No?”
“Please be comfortable. I’m already a humble junior who has given up on realm advancement and is waiting for the end of life, so what does it matter how you address me?”
“Still, I can’t do that. We’re in a position of coming here to ask for help.”
“Are you saying you need my help?”
No Cheong Woo looked at Kang Hyeon with a puzzled expression.
Even considering their cultivation levels, it didn’t seem like there would be anything No Cheong Woo could help Kang Hyeon with.
“It’s not that I want to take something from you. I just want to obtain a map of this area. Also, please tell me about things I should know about the surrounding Cultivation World.”
“Ah, if it’s something like that, I can help you. Come, come in. Even with my poor circumstances, shouldn’t I at least offer you a cup of tea as courtesy?”
No Cheong Woo unhesitatingly led Kang Hyeon and In Deok into his cave dwelling.
When Kang Hyeon and In Deok followed him into the cave dwelling’s antechamber, a fairly spacious interior was revealed.
There were several bookshelves and display cabinets set against the walls, and the paintings and hanging scrolls on the walls were not shabby.
“Hmm. Unlike what you said, this is quite a substantial cave dwelling.”
“I’m embarrassed. These are just things I’ve gathered here and there to ease the loneliness of my later years.”
“For such things, they seem quite precious?”
“Heh heh heh. Thank you for seeing them that way. Ah, please wait a moment. I’ll prepare something quickly and come out. It’s been a long time since I’ve had guests, so please understand if I’m a bit flustered.”
No Cheong Woo said this and left Kang Hyeon and In Deok in the cave dwelling’s antechamber, opening a door in one wall and entering.
Kang Hyeon and In Deok, left in the antechamber, went to a table with four chairs and sat facing each other.
“Wow, his cultivation is only at the Mid Qi Refinement Stage, but the way he’s decorated his cave dwelling wouldn’t make Foundation Establishment cultivators envious.”
“He appears to be about sixty on the outside, but in reality he’s over one hundred fifty. Compared to us, he’s lived as a cultivator for an immeasurably long time, so it’s reasonable that he could arrange this level of living.”
“When you think about it, that makes sense.”
In Deok nodded at Kang Hyeon’s words.
While doing so, he enhanced his eye power and examined the hanging scrolls on the walls and artifacts on the display cabinets one by one, passing time.
Kang Hyeon also looked around various parts of the antechamber while waiting for No Cheong Woo, and before long, No Cheong Woo came out carrying a tray.
“I apologize. I kept you waiting for a long time.”
He placed the tray on the table and apologized to Kang Hyeon and In Deok.
Kang Hyeon waved his hand dismissively and said.
“Excessive courtesy can be considered discourtesy, so Cultivator No, don’t be so humble. You are fulfilling the duties of a host sufficiently.”
“Thank you for seeing it that way. Actually, most of the senior practitioners I’ve encountered were extremely eccentric and also very greedy. So I’ve developed the habit of always being careful and cautious.”
“Hmm. Well, I have nothing to say about that.”
“It’s not like you seniors did such things, so there’s no need to feel sorry. Come, come, this is Clear Stream Tea, the one thing I can be proud of. Please try it.”
No Cheong Woo placed tea cups in front of Kang Hyeon and In Deok and tilted the tea set to fill the cups.
As the tea filled the cups, a refreshing fragrance spread throughout the antechamber, giving a feeling of mental clarity.
Kang Hyeon and In Deok considered the tea No Cheong Woo offered to be extremely precious.
“To offer such fine tea. Thank you.”
“I’ll drink it gratefully.”
Kang Hyeon and In Deok greeted him thus and each lifted their cups, taking a sip and savoring the taste.
“Hmm?”
“Ptui!”
But soon both men frowned and either pushed the tea water back into their cups or spat it into the air.
“What have you done!”
Kang Hyeon put down the cup he had spat the tea water back into on the table and asked No Cheong Woo.
“What do you mean ask? Can’t you see this old man tried to poison us!?”
Compared to the calm Kang Hyeon, In Deok was furious and tried to draw up his spiritual energy.
However, In Deok couldn’t easily draw out his spiritual energy.
Not only was a poisonous energy that restricted spiritual energy spreading inside his body, but that energy was even interacting with some external force.
“Heh heh heh. Having raised your cultivation realm so quickly at such a young age, how could you not lack worldly experience? That’s why you fall so easily into such simple traps.”
“Why are you doing this? We haven’t wronged you in any way.”
“Why would I need a reason? It’s simply that you two seniors looked like perfect prey to me.”
“We looked like prey to you?”
“That’s right. High in cultivation but ignorant of worldly matters—what else would you call easy prey to devour?”
“Hah, so that’s how we appeared to you? But what’s your purpose? What do you hope to gain from us?”
“Heh heh heh. Even if you have nothing, what does it matter? The mere fact that I, a mere Mid Qi Refinement cultivator, hunted two Great Perfection Qi Refinement seniors at once is meaningful enough.”
“Hmm, like some kind of trophy?”
“Trophy? I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Ah, it’s natural you wouldn’t know that, so never mind. But you’re really confident, aren’t you? Against both of us?”
“Heh heh heh. There’s no point in such bluffing. Once my Blood Rain Crystal has entered your bodies, you two can do nothing.”
“Blood Rain Crystal—what a peculiar name.”
“It’s my own modification of my sect’s secret technique. Originally it was the Clear Rain Crystal, but…”
“You bastard! Do you think you can do anything to us with such petty tricks!”
Kuuuung! Bzzzzt!
At that moment, In Deok roared furiously and wrapped his body in lightning energy.
The force shattered the table, and lightning energy spread in all directions, forcing No Cheong Woo to quickly retreat several steps.
“Heh heh. The Great Perfection realm is indeed formidable. Even after being hit by the Blood Rain Crystal and with the formation’s restriction activated, you still thrash about like that.”
No Cheong Woo spoke with his eyes wide in apparent surprise, but there was no sense of urgency in his words or actions.
His attitude suggested either confidence that In Deok could do nothing more, or that he could handle whatever In Deok might try.
Seeing this, Kang Hyeon decided not to act hastily and observe No Cheong Woo’s scheme a bit longer.
“You damned old bastard!”
Crash! Rumble! Bzzzzt!
Once again, In Deok exerted himself, channeling lightning energy as he tried to charge toward No Cheong Woo.
But In Deok couldn’t move even half a step as his body stiffened and his movement stopped.
“Heh heh heh. The Blood Rain Crystal is not so simple. Once you’ve been hit by it, even a Great Perfection Qi Refinement cultivator can do nothing. Look—now you won’t even be able to move a finger.”
Watching In Deok like this, No Cheong Woo laughed with his aged face full of ecstasy.
Conversely, In Deok’s face was turning pale as he felt his body stiffening.
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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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