Chapter 115: Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda (15)

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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Madame Ryeo, who had been in a state of self-forgetfulness while training, opened her two eyes.

“Ah…”

Like a person who had wandered in a dream, her expression, as she sat blankly, brightened up. Swallowing her welling emotions, she cheered silently.

‘I have reached the mid Core Formation stage!’

Out of habit…or rather, as she had been educated…she tried to manage her expression, but it was not easy.

This was because she was incredibly pleased with the fact that she had broken through the minor realm and reached the mid Core Formation stage.

In the end, unable to hold back, she waved her fists around before flinching.

Pretending not to notice the face-burning embarrassment, she first adjusted her disheveled hem.

‘…Nobody saw that, right?’

She spread her Divine Sense to check all directions, and fortunately, there was no one.

“Ahem.”

Coughing dryly, she calmed her excitement and returned to being an elegant lady.

‘Daoist Jin is probably already at the mid Core Formation stage, right?’

He probably was. Because he was a person with talent far superior to hers.

In truth, it was embarrassing to describe him as simply superior.

Jin So-myeong was truly overwhelming among the numerous cultivators she had seen.

Honestly, even now, it was hard to believe.

‘At the 3rd layer of Core Formation, he defeated a late stage cultivator. And not just any late stage, but a Spell and Body Dual Cultivator.’

As she recalled the way Jin So-myeong had fought, her expression grew increasingly serious.

‘No matter how I look at it, he is not an ordinary rogue cultivator. Where on earth is he from?’

Body tempering, sword, and lightning arts.

Ordinary people could not handle even one of the three.

This was because, much as all three boasted powerful combat strength, their training was difficult.

Yet, Jin So-myeong had practiced all three simultaneously.

He had not just dipped his feet in amateurishly either. He had trained properly to the extent of using them freely in actual combat.

She could not understand how that was possible at all.

‘Did he inherit the legacy of a colossal sect? Even so, it seems it would be impossible…’

Cultivating body tempering, sword, and lightning arts simultaneously was not something possible just by having abundant resources.

If it were possible, the successors of colossal forces would have all been Spell and Body Dual Cultivators and sword cultivators.

The reason it was impossible was only one:

time.

No matter how infinite the resources one possessed, as long as one was a mortal, one could not escape the shackles of time.

‘But how?’

No matter how much she thought about it, the strength Jin So-myeong possessed was strange.

Perhaps because it could not be measured by common sense, a fairy tale she had read in her childhood suddenly came to mind.

‘Could it be that an immense expert reincarnated while maintaining his memories? It is said that if one’s realm reaches the heavens, one can even overcome reincarnation.’

Although it was a wild story she had not even believed, for some reason, if it were said that Jin So-myeong was the reincarnation of a supreme powerhouse, she felt she would be able to accept it.

Madame Ryeo, who had been spreading her wings of imagination without realizing the passage of time, flinched.

There was no time for this.

Soon was the promised month. She had to stabilize her realm as quickly as possible and finish her training.

Closing her eyes, she managed her spiritual power for a long while.

‘This is enough.’

Just as she, having gathered her spiritual power to the extent that no problem would arise, emerged from the temporary training chamber,

Swish!

a Voice Transmission Talisman left by Jin So-myeong flew over.

“Ah…”

It contained the details that he would look around the surroundings while she trained.

‘It would be nice if we could congratulate each other on our realms rising…’

Swallowing an inexplicable sense of regret, she pondered.

‘What should I do? Should I go to where Daoist Jin is?’

Joining up was not difficult. This was because they had exchanged nameplates that shared each other’s locations.

However, because space was twisted here and there in the secret realm, it did not mean they could meet just by walking in a straight line.

She worried that their paths might cross.

Just as she was wondering what to do,

“We have finally found it.”

Two men and one woman appeared outside the restriction. The man standing at the front was a late Core Formation stage cultivator, and the other two were at the early Core Formation stage.

“Brother. If it is a restriction this large, a Rank 4 spiritual object is bound to be inside.”

“Exactly. Let us break it quickly before other cultivators arrive.”

“Do not worry. Since there won’t be anyone who arrived at the third floor faster than us.”

“Still.”

“Indeed. There is no harm in hurrying. Let us break it quickly and search for other restrictions.”

Putting some distance, they channeled their spiritual power.

Seeing how they looked ready to attack the restriction at any moment, Madame Ryeo, who had been watching from inside, was forced to step forward.

“Daoists. I have already broken this restriction. Please withdraw before we needlessly turn our faces in anger.”

The startled two men and one woman looked at each other. After whispering something via voice transmission, they narrowed their eyes.

“Fairy. Is there no other companion? If there is, I would like you to tell us in advance. Before we turn our faces in anger, that is.”

The corners of the mouth of the man standing at the front twitched upward.

***

“Is this the result of struggling for a thousand years? Truly… what a whimsical life. Is it not, talented Daoist?”

Jin So-myeong shrugged his shoulders at the sight of Perfected Wuyang speaking in a cheerful tone, wondering what was so pleasant.

“Well. I do not know about things like life, but the iron beads Senior launched were quite painful. My bones rang.”

The old man, who was silent for a moment, laughed belatedly: “Hehe.”

“Indeed, if there is one thing I know, my earth-attribute spells are the best in the Eastern Province. If you saw the spells I properly unleashed, you would gasp in surprise.”

“…I would like to see them once.”

Although it sounded like a bluff due to his playful tone, he was curious.

He wanted to know how powerful a force a Nascent Soul stage expert who had regained his senses could exert.

“Tsk, I cannot do it because my energy is lacking. More importantly, is there something to drink?”

“Yes?”

“Did I not say I was thirsty when I was senile? That was real. At this rate, I will die of dehydration before my lifespan even runs out.”

Seeing a fellow who would soon die laugh and speak about his own life made it impossible to distinguish whether it was a joke or reality.

He was dumbfounded, but on the other hand, it was nice to see him looking cheerful until the very end.

“I do do wine, but since I obtained it by chance, it might contain poison. Would you like a cup?”

“A poisoned wine to drink at the end… that would also be fine.”

He handed over the white wine bottle obtained from the Dragon Elephant Demonic Palace.

Perfected Wuyang opened the lid without hesitation, and surprise dwelled in his two eyes.

“Splendid Peach Red Wine? You are a far more capable fellow than I thought.”

“Mmm… Do you know what kind of effect this wine has?”

“To an old man like me, it is merely a health supplement, but to a Spell and Body Dual Cultivator, it is quite a precious spiritual wine. It accelerates the conversion speed between spiritual power and vital energy. Are you truly giving it to me?”

It was a meaningful gaze.

Jin So-myeong shrugged his shoulders to Perfected Wuyang, who was staring at him with an expression that seemed to say, ‘It is something absolutely necessary for you.’

“Even if I asked for it back, I do not think you would give it.”

“Kuhu! What a quick-witted rascal. You will live long.”

As Perfected Wuyang, who wore a faint smile, grasped empty air, a wine cup was caught in his empty hand.

‘As expected…’

He could not know how he had done it even though he watched right in front of him.

Just as he was inwardly admiring him, Perfected Wuyang, who drank the Splendid Peach Red Wine, let out an exclamation.

“Perhaps because it is the last, it is truly sweet! It is the absolute best among the wines I have drunk in my lifetime.”

What would a person who had lived for a thousand years think at the end of their life?

He could not know.

Perfected Wuyang, who poured for himself while looking at the sky, smiled broadly and spoke:

“If you have a spare jade slip, give it to me.”

“A jade slip?”

“I must pay for the wine. I will inform you of the trials and errors I experienced while cultivating up to the Nascent Soul stage.”

“Ah.”

It meant he would inform him of the method to reach the Nascent Soul stage. Jin So-myeong, who expressed his gratitude by lowering his head, pulled out a suitable jade slip and held it out.

A moment later.

Receiving the jade slip recorded with the Nascent Soul insights, Jin So-myeong let out a brief breath.

“Thank you. I will use it well.”

“Mmm. But you see.”

“…?”

“The insights I gave must be far more expensive than the wine price, do you acknowledge that?”

“Uh, yes.”

He felt slightly lukewarm. What was a fellow who would soon die trying to say?

Surely he was not trying to play tricks?

He had no choice but to harbor doubts, but Perfected Wuyang defied his expectations in a good way.

He caught the two jade boxes Perfected Wuyang held out in his confusion. Looking at them, they clearly contained precious herbs.

“Senior. This is?”

“It is a Rank 4 spiritual herb called the Beautiful Sky Grass-Leaf Herb. I do not know if you have heard of it, but it is a core ingredient for the Nascent Condensation Pill.”

“The Nascent Condensation Pill…?”

He was dumbfounded. The bewilderment was greater than his joy.

He had not expected to obtain a Nascent Soul-grade spiritual object so suddenly, and according to what Madame Ryeo had told him, the essential ingredient for the Nascent Condensation Pill was the Void Shadow True Blossom Herb.

“Wasn’t the Nascent Condensation Pill made with the Void Shadow True Blossom Herb?”

When he asked to clarify for sure, Perfected Wuyang’s expression turned bizarre. Should he say he looked like a person who had heard a childish remark?

“Are you perhaps the successor of some colossal righteous sect?”

“No.”

“Indeed. There is no way such a precious body would enter a secret realm alone.”

Nodding his head, Perfected Wuyang continued:

“Naturally, the Nascent Condensation Pill made with the Void Shadow True Blossom Herb is better. However, the Void Shadow True Blossom Herb is too rare and difficult to obtain. That is why…”

The story that the low-grade Nascent Condensation Pill made with the recently developed Beautiful Sky Grass-Leaf Herb had become the mainstream followed.

Jin So-myeong, who was lost in thought, nodded his head.

“I see. But in any case, since the Beautiful Sky Grass-Leaf Herb is also an ingredient for the Nascent Condensation Pill, it must be a precious spiritual herb. Why are you giving this to me?”

Was he bestowing favor because he would die anyway?

“When I search through my memories, I recall having run into you at the entrance of the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda. You entered the pagoda through the Dead Soul Wilderness, correct?”

“Yes.”

“That is perfect. Let me ask a single favor. You keep one of those jade boxes, and deliver the other to my son in Vast Wilderness Immortal City.”

Although it was not a particularly difficult favor…

‘How does he trust me to make such a request? What if I embezzle the Beautiful Sky Grass-Leaf Herb?’

He harbored such doubts, but whether he read his expression, Perfected Wuyang let out a smirk and answered:

“Does it look like I have a choice?”

He understood immediately. Jin So-myeong was the only person Perfected Wuyang could ask right now.

“I understand. I will deliver it to your son.”

“Thank you. And even if there had been other choices, I would have asked you. As I grew older, I developed an eye for reading people.”

Perfected Wuyang, who spoke thus, informed him of the place where his son lived, the request to deliver, and so on.

“I have memorized it.”

“Good. Now I can go with a peaceful mind.”

Perfected Wuyang let out a sigh, and the mixed feeling of relief and regret was clearly felt.

Pour…

Watching him repeat the act of filling and emptying his wine cup in silence, the thought that he was a dangerous person disappeared a lot.

With the intention of keeping him company, he decided to ask something he had been curious about since they first met.

“Senior. May I ask a single question?”

“Haha. After battering even my solar plexus, why are you being so polite? If you have something to say, do it quickly. I have no time. I am a busy body.”

“Mmm… Why did you enter the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda?”

“Heh, what special reason would there be? I just struggled uglily to live a few years longer. Although I realized it was all in vain.”

An ordinary Nascent Soul stage lifespan is fifteen hundred years, but Perfected Wuyang lived over sixteen hundred years.

This meant he had consumed most lifespan-extending spiritual medicines.

Was there a spiritual medicine so powerful in the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda that it could extend a lifespan already prolonged to its limit?

In all likelihood, if it existed, it would be on the fourth floor rather than the third.

Jin So-myeong, who felt moved before he knew it, asked carefully:

“Senior. By any chance, do you know what kind of place the fourth floor is?”

Perfected Wuyang, who was savoring the Splendid Peach Red Wine, paused, then shook his head with a serious face.

“Do not go to the fourth floor.”

“Yes?”

“It is a place completely different from the third floor. I went there and my mind was ruined, making me senile.”

“…Is it possible to return to the third floor after going to the fourth?”

“For a Core Formation cultivator, it is impossible. It was because I squeezed out all my remaining power, tore the void, and escaped. However…”

Perfected Wuyang, who knitted his brows, muttered:

“Strange. My memory of what I experienced on the fourth floor is blurry. But why did I say I escaped?”

Tucking his chin in deep thought, he clicked his tongue and spoke:

“Anyway, do not go. Though I have no memory of it, a vague impression that it was a highly ominous location remains.”

“I understand.”

The hesitating Jin So-myeong nodded his head. He had accepted the advice of the Nascent Soul stage expert.

As if blowing away the unpleasant emotion that arose from recalling the fourth floor, Perfected Wuyang, who drank the Splendid Peach Red Wine without pause, lifted his last cup and shouted:

“It would be a lie to say there are no regrets, but it was not a bad life nonetheless.”

“…That is fortunate. You have worked hard.”

“Yes. If there is a next life, let us meet again.”

Along with a gentle smile, the immense energy he had accumulated over a thousand years began to dissipate.

His distinct presence grew faint in real-time.

Just as he was watching an old man accept the end of his life and quietly depart,

-Who said you could die as you wish? Your body is mine now.

Half of Perfected Wuyang’s face twisted bizarrely, and a voice like scratching a glass window was heard…

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