The Chaotic Immortal Wood Sect: Immortal Cultivation War - Chapter 8

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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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8. First Anniversary of the Great Unity Festival and the Crane’s Cry

“Is it today?”

“That’s right.”

Kang Hyeon and In Deok had come out of the Tower and were looking up at the sky.

It wasn’t just them—all the other trainees were outside the Tower as well.

The reason was that today marked the first anniversary of the Great Unity Festival, and there was supposed to be a special event in This Place’s Mystic Realm where the festival was held.

“Watch carefully. See where they fall.”

“Got it. Don’t worry. I’ll take this side, you take that side, Kang Hyeon.”

“Right.”

The Twelve Sects had announced that they would randomly scatter treasures throughout the Mystic Realm every year on the anniversary of the Great Unity Festival.

Treasures would be scattered not only within the ten-li radius but also within and beyond the hundred-li and five-hundred-li barriers, meaning whoever crossed the barriers first could monopolize the treasures.

“There are roughly three hundred people inside the hundred-li barrier, right?”

“That’s about how many trainees have entered the Spiritual Energy Technique stage, so yes.”

The ten-li barrier could be crossed once one entered the Spiritual Energy Technique realm.

Currently, about three hundred trainees had reached that level.

The rest had not yet succeeded in entering the Spiritual Energy Technique stage.

“Even though we say three hundred people, the area within the hundred-li radius isn’t exactly small. Plus, there are still many spirit beasts that are too difficult for us to handle.”

Animals imbued with spiritual energy, called spirit beasts, was a term that encompassed all demonic beasts, magical beasts, and monsters, while those tamed by masters were separately called spiritual creatures.

This Mystic Realm was a Virgin Mystic Realm that had not been properly developed or even explored.

Naturally, countless native creatures lived here, and among them were many dangerous ones that even masters had to be careful of.

“Come on, with the two of us together, there’s nothing to fear within the hundred-li area.”

“That Single-Horned Python we saw before—want to try fighting it?”

“Hmph, y-yeah. Let’s give it a try. The two of us can catch it now.”

“That’s only if you can properly land your Lightning Summoning Technique. If you can’t do it properly, it’ll be hard to guarantee victory.”

“Is that so?”

“Besides, there are several others. The Human-Faced Blue Crane is out of the question.”

“The Human-Faced Blue Crane! We absolutely can’t beat that before breaking through the hundred-li barrier. No, it might be difficult even after breaking through the hundred-li barrier.”

“Who knows? We only caught a glimpse of it and never went near it again.”

The Human-Faced Blue Crane was a strange bird that Kang Hyeon and In Deok had witnessed by chance.

With a human face and the body and beak of a crane, when it spread its wings it reached over ten zhang, and from head to tail it was about six zhang—a massive creature.

They had seen such a thing flying across the sky, and the aura it emanated still made their hearts run cold.

Since that aura was similar to Master Hyeon Gak’s, they guessed it was probably at the level between mid and late Mid Qi Refinement Stage.

Having encountered such a creature within the hundred-li barrier, if their luck had been bad, that day could have been Kang Hyeon and In Deok’s death anniversary.

“If it hadn’t been carrying prey, we might have become the prey.”

“Right. That’s why we’ve been avoiding the northern mountain range as much as possible.”

“But we’ll catch it someday, right?”

“Of course. It definitely has an Inner Core, and its feathers and beak would make good Magical Instrument materials too.”

“Hehe. Plus it could be an offering for your Demon Catalog?”

“Tsk!”

“Ah, sorry.”

In Deok, who had broken their promise to avoid talking about Trent as much as possible, grimaced and apologized.

Kang Hyeon didn’t say anything more about it and began examining the Mystic Realm’s sky again.

Just then, he could see golden spiritual energy clearly forming at the top of the Tower, indicating that preparations for launching the treasures were complete.

Puhwahwahwahwahwak!

Swish swish swish swish swish swish! Swiiing swiing!

Swish swish swish swish swish swish! Swiiing swiing!

“They’re coming!”

“Wow, it’s like fireworks. With so many, there doesn’t seem to be any need to remember them all?”

“Are you stupid? You need to separately remember the ones with strong spiritual energy.”

“But most of them look similar… Ah, that one! That one’s special. That one too!”

“It seems the later ones are better. Stay sharp from now on!”

After giving that warning, Kang Hyeon also forgot to speak as he watched the direction the treasures were flying and estimated where they would fall.

***

After the treasures collected by the Twelve Sects had fallen throughout the Mystic Realm, the Great Unity Festival participants became extremely tense.

They formed groups to create factions, using that power to push out other participants as they ransacked various parts of the Mystic Realm.

The competition among the leading participants who had reached the Spiritual Energy Technique realm was especially fierce.

“Kang Hyeon, what are you going to do about Ju So Chil?”

Right after moving beyond the ten-li barrier using the teleportation array from the Tower, In Deok asked with a serious expression.

“What’s the problem?”

Kang Hyeon responded as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“That guy is controlling the Cheonroemun trainees. Aren’t you concerned?”

“So what can So Chil actually do?”

“As time passes, more kids will reach the Spiritual Energy Technique level, and then So Chil’s faction will grow bigger. How can you not worry?”

“Why should I worry?”

“Look, even now that bastard Ju So Chil looks down on us. He ostracizes us too.”

In Deok snorted angrily through his nose.

But Kang Hyeon comforted In Deok as if it wasn’t a problem.

“It’s fine. Even so, he’s a guy who can’t even speak properly in front of us. What’s there to worry about? We just need to reach the Mid Qi Refinement Stage first.”

“Huh?”

“Once we reach the Mid Qi Refinement Stage, we’ll be able to cross the hundred-li barrier, and then we won’t have to meet Ju So Chil or anyone else for a while.”

“But…”

“Why? Are you worried So Chil’s gang will interfere with our work before then?”

“Yeah, that’s right. This time too, that guy said his group would go south and told us not to run into each other if possible.”

In Deok was angry just from hearing those words.

If they were going to decide where to go, naturally Kang Hyeon and he should choose first, and So Chil’s gang should go to other places, but that bastard was deciding where to go first and giving them notice.

“That’s stupid talk. The teleportation formation’s movement is random anyway, so what’s this about south.”

“Random? What do you mean by that?”

“Ah, I mean arbitrary. Look even now. The place we’re at is north. Would there even be a chance to go south like this?”

“What, n-north?!”

In Deok stopped mid-sentence and looked around in surprise.

And when he realized that he and Kang Hyeon were near the summit of a quite high mountain, his face turned pale.

“Kang Hyeon, here, isn’t this that place? North Giant Mountain.”

“Looking at the surrounding terrain, that’s right. North Giant Mountain.”

“Then this isn’t the time to be doing this. We need to get out of here quickly. If the Human-Faced Blue Crane appears, we’re finished.”

“Right, the Human-Faced Blue Crane, that’s why I’m standing here without moving like this.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“Teleportation formations that move through space have several devices to guarantee the safety of the destination.”

“Safety devices?”

“Among them is the activation of a formation technique that blocks the spiritual energy waves that appear during teleportation.”

“So right now we’re safe thanks to the formation technique that hides our spiritual energy?”

In Deok wasn’t a lacking child either, so he immediately understood Kang Hyeon’s words.

“Right. But if we leave here and move carelessly, who knows what might happen. There might be a Human-Faced Blue Crane really close by, and it could sense our presence and come flying over eagerly.”

“That would be terrible.”

“If it doesn’t work out, we’ll have to use the Return Talisman.”

“Should we prepare it in advance?”

At the mention of the Return Talisman, In Deok’s expression relaxed a little.

It was a Dharma Talisman that Yang Gwang had given to the two through Hyeon Gak, and when activated, it was a precious item that could immediately transport them to Hyeon Gak’s Estate within the Tower.

Naturally, its value was considerable, so In Deok and Kang Hyeon had each received only one, and they were warned not to expect more.

This meant it was an item that required careful consideration in its use.

Kiruururururuk kirururuuk!

“Oh? That’s a crane’s cry!”

“Ugh, tremendous spiritual energy. Just hearing it makes my blood run cold.”

“Kang Hyeon, you feel it too? This must be that Human-Faced Blue Crane, right?”

“Probably.”

“Then shouldn’t we use the Return Talisman?”

“Just prepare it for now.”

“Just prepare?”

“By my calculations, the effect of the teleportation formation’s spiritual energy concealment formation technique hasn’t disappeared yet. But I don’t understand why that crane is having a fit like that.”

“Really? The formation technique’s effect is still there?”

“Calculationally, it’s certain.”

“I-is that so?”

In Deok nodded at Kang Hyeon’s words while taking out a talisman from his sleeve and gripping it tightly in his hand.

It was a talisman with golden lines and patterns carved on red paper—the Return Talisman.

Kirururuuk kirurururu!

“There’s the Human-Faced Blue Crane. It looks like there’s a nest over there?”

At that moment, from beyond a ridge invisible from where Kang Hyeon and In Deok were, they could see the Human-Faced Blue Crane soaring into the sky.

“Duck down!”

Kang Hyeon pressed down In Deok’s head and hid behind a tree together.

“It’s going that way?”

Fortunately, the Human-Faced Blue Crane didn’t come toward the direction where Kang Hyeon and In Deok were.

“Huh? Why from over there?”

But it didn’t fly far away either.

Swish swish swish! Whoosh! Whoosh! Screech!

“Oh, there must be someone there.”

“It seems there were other children besides us. They moved as soon as they were transported by the teleportation formation and got caught by that crane.”

“It seems so. Whoever they are, they’re brave. To start by casting attack techniques like that.”

“Right. But it’s a bit strange.”

While agreeing with In Deok’s words, Kang Hyeon tilted his head.

“Huh? Strange?”

In Deok asked with a puzzled expression.

“That Human-Faced Blue Crane, isn’t its energy weaker compared to before?”

Kang Hyeon stared intently at the Human-Faced Blue Crane and asked In Deok.

“Huh? Now that you mention it, last time it was terrifying even when flying so far away, but now it seems less so. Even though the distance is closer.”

“Right?”

“Yeah, it’s certain. It really is strange like you said?”

In Deok also stared at the Human-Faced Blue Crane fighting with about seven students with a strange expression.

This place was beyond the ten-li barrier.

So the students fighting the Human-Faced Blue Crane were all talented ones who had broken through the Spiritual Energy Technique.

But the Human-Faced Blue Crane wasn’t a monster that could be handled by those who had just barely reached the Spiritual Energy Technique level.

No matter how much the students shot fireballs, launched water spears, and wielded wind blades, they couldn’t pierce the Human-Faced Blue Crane’s feathers.

In contrast, the Human-Faced Blue Crane would hover in flight then dive down, attacking the students with its sharp beak and claws.

The reason the students at the beginning stage of Spiritual Energy Technique were holding out was thanks to the Dharma Talismans and magical instruments they possessed.

Children with outstanding cultivation achievements naturally received support through various channels.

The instructors, with future acceptance as sect disciples in mind, secretly provided quite a few things.

Kirururuk kirururuk! Kiruk!

Rat-a-tat-tat! Boom!

Even now, they could see the Human-Faced Blue Crane’s beak attacks and subsequent claw strikes as it soared up being blocked by the blue light of the protection talisman.

“Wow, isn’t that a Spirit Shield Talisman?”

In Deok asked Kang Hyeon while speculating about the type of talisman that had just been used.

“Looking at the formation pattern that appeared with the blue light, it seems to be a low-grade Spirit Shield Talisman.”

Kang Hyeon could speak confidently since he had been observing that light carefully.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?”

In Deok asked.

“Yeah. That Human-Faced Blue Crane isn’t normal. Even though low-grade Spirit Shield Talismans are strong protection talismans, the fact that it couldn’t break through after hitting it so many times…”

“Maybe it’s injured?”

“From what I can see externally, there doesn’t seem to be anything like that.”

“Right, that’s strange.”

The Human-Faced Blue Crane had made their knees weak just from seeing it flying across the distant sky before, but now it was engaged in a back-and-forth struggle with monks at the beginning stages of Spiritual Energy Technique.

It certainly couldn’t help but be strange.

“Let’s go.”

At that moment, Kang Hyeon urged In Deok and stood up.

“Huh? Where to?”

In Deok asked with a puzzled expression.

“The Human-Faced Blue Crane will be fighting like that for a while. So that means that place will be empty in the meantime.”

Kang Hyeon pointed in the direction where the Human-Faced Blue Crane had flown up from earlier.

“Oh? Then?”

“I definitely saw the light of a treasure flying in that direction before. And it had quite strong energy too.”

This was about the treasures scattered by the Twelve Sects to commemorate the first anniversary.

“So we’re taking advantage of their fight?”

“We need to hurry. It seems like it fell somewhere close to the Human-Faced Blue Crane’s nest, so we need to grab it quickly and leave.”

“Hehe, alright, got it.”

In Deok happily followed Kang Hyeon.

The two of them ran along the mountain ridge toward where the Human-Faced Blue Crane had flown up from, using as little spiritual energy as possible.

***

“So this is why?”

“Right. This is why the Human-Faced Blue Crane became weak.”

In Deok also nodded beside Kang Hyeon.

The place they were at now was the Human-Faced Blue Crane’s nest.

There was a sheer cliff, and beyond that cliff, about ten zhang away, stood a rock pillar hundreds of zhang high, with the Human-Faced Blue Crane’s nest on top.

The nest was made by roughly weaving large trees as a foundation, then placing small branches on top, and covering that with soft feathers.

But looking at it, all those feathers were blue and filled with spiritual energy.

“It was far away so I couldn’t see well, but it plucked its own feathers to make the nest. And it injected plenty of spiritual energy into the feathers too.”

“So it was in a weakened state by that much?”

“That’s part of it, but it became even weaker because of those eggs.”

Kang Hyeon pointed to the eggs in the nest.

Compared to the Human-Faced Blue Crane’s size, the eggs were too small, only about the size of Kang Hyeon and In Deok’s fists.

However, despite their size, as if to show they were spirit beast eggs, they pulsed with a deep blue radiance like a heartbeat.

“There are five of them?”

“I don’t know how many eggs cranes normally lay, but it’s a lot for a spirit bird like the Human-Faced Blue Crane to lay. That’s probably why it lost even more strength.”

“Hmm, so what do we do now?”

“What else? First we’ll take the treasure, then we’ll steal two or three of the crane’s eggs.”

“Huh? The eggs?”

“With that much energy, wouldn’t they be good for anything?”

“Whether we make spirit pills or just cook and eat them?”

“Tsk, you always think about eating. That’s one option, but we could also hatch them and keep them as spirit beasts.”

“Ah, riding a crane and flying around would really be like an immortal.”

“Taming flying spirit beasts as transportation is common. Flying spirit beasts are especially born with many abilities related to movement.”

“I see.”

“We could use them ourselves, or sell them and exchange them for spirit stones.”

“And earn contribution points too?”

“Exactly.”

“Then what are we hesitating for? Let’s go, quickly.”

In Deok got excited and urged Kang Hyeon, leaping forward first.

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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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