Chapter 160: Rank 4 Demonic Beast Born with Lightning

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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***

Yun Cheong-hyeon held out three or four stalks of spiritual herbs good for internal injuries.

In general, the effect was not bad, but the quantity was slightly small; if Jin So-myeong had truly suffered an internal injury, it wouldn’t have even satisfied a flea.

Still, since it was better than nothing, he bought them all. If absolutely necessary, he could replicate them with the Myriad Flows Restoration divine ability anyway.

“Thank you. I will use them well.”

“Haha. I am glad to have been of help. If your internal injury is serious, how about going to the Nine Heavens Tower with me?”

“The Nine Heavens Tower?”

“The beautiful fairies there are well-versed in the Dao of Yin and Yang. The spiritual wine they brew is highly effective against internal injuries.”

Simply put, he was suggesting they go to a pleasure house and drink…

One might wonder what kind of nonsense this was to a sick person, but in the cultivation world, pleasure houses did sometimes assist in treating internal injuries.

Of course, dual cultivation, a training performed together by a man and a woman, was not something to be done easily. If betrayed during dual cultivation where energy was exchanged, one could suffer extremely severe damage.

“It is fine. A minor issue merely arose while cultivating, so I will recover with some rest.”

“Hmm, that is a relief. In that case, I won’t recommend it further.”

Yun Cheong-hyeon, nodding his head, did not mention the internal injury after that.

“Actually, I just came to share some friendly interactions today. Hasn’t it been quite a while since Fellow Daoist Jin settled down in Cloud Dragon Immortal City? It has been about half a year, right?”

“Yes.”

“However, you cultivate so diligently that there was simply no opportunity to run into you. Please look kindly upon my visit, as I came after hesitating just to exchange greetings.”

As if to prove his words that he came to interact, Yun Cheong-hyeon only chatted about trivial matters for a long time before departing.

Watching that, Jin So-myeong narrowed his eyes.

Yun Cheong-hyeon, who visited suddenly, acted friendly from beginning to end, but his motives did not seem entirely clean.

‘Who sent him?’

The feeling that he just killed time after asking a few ceremonial questions?

At the very least, it did not seem like he came because he wanted to. The meeting itself seemed to be the purpose.

‘What are they trying to do by meeting me?’

The only thing they could find out by meeting lightly like this would be his physical condition, though.

Did they want to verify if he suffered an internal injury?

Suddenly, the Gold-Shackling Bone-Crushing Grass he consumed recently came to mind, bringing a chuckle to his lips.

His poor complexion today was due to pushing himself to condense the Blood Armor. Strictly speaking, it was true that he had suffered an internal injury, but he could recover in a few days.

‘Are they trying to draw in Hong Seol using me as bait? Or is it a trick by Mok Ryu-jin whom I met recently?’

Jin So-myeong, reflexively tapping his scabbard out of habit, headed to the cultivation room.

No matter who targeted him, the task ahead was the same. It was enough to tune out useless things and focus on building his strength.

Half-hearted tricks lost their meaning before a fundamental difference in strength.

*

Sitting cross-legged in the center of his cultivation room, Jin So-myeong fell into thought.

Since he had achieved Rank 4 body tempering, the things he needed to accomplish urgently were roughly wrapped up.

Therefore, what he had to do now was to establish plans from a long-term perspective.

Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art (Minor Success 19.31 million / 4 billion)

Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art (Minor Success 8.2 million / 20 billion)

River and Cloud Sword Art (Minor Success 22.1 million / 3 billion)

He quietly inspected the three pillars that exerted the greatest influence on combat.

‘Currently, the maximum limit of my Supreme Great Ability is ten million.’

If he focused on raising proficiency, he could invest about a hundred million of the Supreme Great Ability in a year.

‘Which means it will take about forty years to raise the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art to the stage after Minor Success…’

Mastering a single secret technique after cultivating for decades at the Nascent Soul level is not particularly unusual. However, to Jin So-myeong, who had tasted rapid growth, it felt slightly frustrating.

‘Should I first focus on raising my realm as quickly as possible?’

If he poured all his Supreme Great Ability into cultivation, it seemed he would reach the second layer of the Nascent Soul stage in about twelve years.

Once he reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage, the maximum limit of his Supreme Great Ability would become forty million, allowing him to raise proficiency far more easily than now.

‘I should ponder on this a bit.’

And also, there was a problem with the River and Cloud Sword Art.

Although he had not explicitly mentioned it, the River and Cloud Sword Art, which was a Qi Condensation-grade sword chapter, had changed significantly from its original version.

This was not because it was corrected by the proficiency system.

Not a single point of the Supreme Great Ability had entered the River and Cloud Sword Art. Perhaps because of that, the River and Cloud Sword Art did not particularly undergo changes in its mnemonics even as its proficiency stage ascended.

Currently, the River and Cloud Sword Art was practically a method of manipulating sharp Qi, which he had forged himself by referencing numerous sword chapters.

‘To be honest, it is closer to a simple Qi cultivation technique rather than a sword chapter.’

The sole ideal he pursued to weave dozens of sword chapters into one was just one: to refine a sharper energy and cleave through the enemy.

Although he had not felt a lack of power so far, it was gradually reaching its limit. He needed a proper sword chapter, rather than something learned in a makeshift manner.

Suddenly, the illusion he saw in the desert came to mind.

Recalling the extremely absurd power of One Blade Cleaving the Heavens, the single sword strike of the Star-Shattering True Monarch that cleaved a meteor and a hydra in a single stroke, Jin So-myeong tapped his scabbard.

‘It would be nice if I could obtain a Soul Formation-grade sword chapter.’

A good cultivation method played a role similar to a map. To go far, it was necessary to reference the footprints of those who had gone before.

If an opportunity arose, he should acquire a Soul Formation-grade sword chapter.

Adding this goal to his mind, Jin So-myeong sat cross-legged in the center of the cultivation room.

As time passed and he recovered all the wounds sustained while condensing the Dark Armor.

“Fellow Daoist Jin! I apologize for visiting suddenly! An urgent matter has arisen that I must request of you!”

The General Manager of the Myriad Treasures Tower, Du Geum-bo, had come to find him, and he had flown so urgently that his breath was short despite being a Nascent Soul stage cultivator.

“What is the matter that brings you here?”

“Ah… before that, rumors are rife that Fellow Daoist Jin has practiced a thunder art; is that true? Since it is crucial, I ask despite the rudeness.”

“That is correct.”

Du Geum-bo, who let out a sigh of relief as if it were a blessing, spoke rapidly.

“Those damned demonic beasts stole the cargo our Myriad Treasures Tower was transporting and fled!”

“The cargo was stolen?”

“Yes! Those beasts dared to touch our Myriad Treasures Tower! Damned bastards! I will definitely make them pay the price!”

While it was a regrettable matter, why did he come all the way here to say that?

Just as Jin So-myeong was listening quietly.

Du Geum-bo, who did not hide his anger, suddenly gritted his teeth.

“However, those demonic beasts’ strength is considerable, making things difficult. Have you heard of the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast?”

“Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast?”

“It is a demonic beast born with lightning. Although it takes a long time to grow, once it reaches adulthood, it possesses a Nascent Soul-grade strength, making them extremely dangerous fellows.”

A Rank 4 demonic beast that manipulated lightning. To Jin So-myeong, who was looking for a thunder-attributed spiritual object, interest naturally arose.

“An even greater problem is that the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beasts that stole the cargo this time are a couple.”

“A couple? You mean there are two Nascent Soul-grade demonic beasts that manipulate lightning?”

“That is correct! That is why… could Fellow Daoist Jin please handle just one of the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast couple?”

“Hmm…”

“Of course! I am not asking you to kill the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast. Honestly, that would be impossible. You only need to hold down one Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast while we retrieve the cargo.”

“Impossible? What is the realm of the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast for you to say that?”

“Both are at the early Nascent Soul level, but…”

Whether there was something fishy, the hesitating Du Geum-bo spoke while watching his reaction.

“Demonic beasts are born with naturally robust physical bodies, making them stronger than cultivators of the same grade, aren’t they? Furthermore, the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast even has wings, making it fast enough that average cultivators find it difficult to react. It is said to be strong enough to face the mid-Nascent Soul stage…”

Du Geum-bo’s voice trailed off toward the end.

He imagined for a moment: an existence born with a thunder attribute, manipulating lightning as if it were its own body, and even possessing wings.

‘It would be no different from a Spell and Body Dual Cultivator who mastered a thunder-attribute technique.’

A desire to clash with it welled up strongly, but he remained silent for now.

Had he waited for a few seconds? Unable to bear it any longer, Du Geum-bo opened his mouth.

“If you assist us in this matter, even if we must mobilize all of our Myriad Treasures Tower’s capabilities, we will obtain a Rank 4 thunder-attributed spiritual object for you.”

“Specifically, which spiritual object are you referring to?”

“At least Rank 4 mid-grade! We will obtain the best possible spiritual object so that Fellow Daoist Jin won’t be disappointed!”

Seeing him shout so desperately, the lost cargo seemed remarkably precious. Indeed, since the General Manager of the Myriad Treasures Tower was taking direct action, it was natural in a way.

‘The reward is not bad, but…’

He was inwardly satisfied, but to be prudent, he pondered once more. The moment he judged that even if problems arose, he could sufficiently handle them.

“Very well. I will do it.”

“Ah! Thank you so much. Since Fellow Daoist Jin has practiced a thunder art, no matter how strong the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast is, you will be able to hold it down for a moment. Time is pressing, so let us go immediately.”

*

Going to the east gate of Cloud Dragon Immortal City together with Du Geum-bo, a mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivator was waiting.

He was a middle-aged man who grew a stylish mustache, and his appearance of wearing various military equipment all over his body like a soldier heading to war was impressive.

A bow slung over his shoulders, a whip hanging from his waist, a short spear gripped in his hand, and so forth. The visible Rank 4 spirit treasures alone numbered at least three.

As they inspected each other, their gazes naturally met, and the man frowned.

“General Manager Du. You are bringing an early Nascent Soul stage to face the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast? What is the meaning of this?”

It was a tone filled with dissatisfaction, but before Jin So-myeong could reply, Du Geum-bo intervened.

“Fellow Daoist Jin is an early Nascent Soul stage, but is one who possesses outstanding strength by having practiced a thunder art.”

“A thunder art…?”

The man, whose surprise was enough to twitch his eyebrows, pondered deeply for a moment and spoke.

“If you have practiced a thunder art and your surname is Jin, are you the Jin So-myeong who recently reached the Nascent Soul stage in the Southern Province?”

“And you are?”

When Jin So-myeong nodded and asked back, the man’s expression scowled heavily.

“Ha, you have only just reached the Nascent Soul stage, so you probably lack proper spirit treasures, let alone divine abilities, yet you wish to fight the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast?”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“Of course not! If you cannot handle a single Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast, won’t I have to face both of them! Stop being a nuisance and withdraw.”

“Well.”

In truth, since he had no experience fighting a Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast, it was difficult to assure that he could definitely face it.

However…

“Honestly, I cannot give a definitive answer. Since I do not know about the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast in detail, I do not know how strong it is.”

“A relief that you do not act obstinately. Then withdraw immediately…”

“Still, one thing is certain. It seems I am stronger than you, at least? Then isn’t there no problem?”

The man’s mouth fell wide open.

Just as he could not even reply in his dumbfounded state, Du Geum-bo, unable to watch any longer, intervened and waved his hand.

“Everyone, please! There is no time. Although we can know the location because a restriction is planted on the cargo, we do not know when the restriction might vanish.”

“…Tsk.”

“Please focus solely on retrieving the cargo for the sake of my face. I beg of you.”

At Du Geum-bo’s desperate tone, the man let out a sigh, then spoke toward Jin So-myeong.

“Hey. I am No Un-taek of the White Bottle Mountain Villa. I shall see if you can say the same after the matter is finished.”

“That is excellent. I was just starting to get curious about what you would say as well.”

“Haha. I do like your confidence, at least. Fine, let us depart for now.”

Du Geum-bo, who pressed the bridge of his nose as if having a headache, tapped his waist.

All three mounted the golden flying carriage that popped out into the void, and the flying carriage, transformed into escape light, traversed the void.

***

Two days later.

When Jin So-myeong’s group, tracking the restriction, arrived near the cargo, the clear sky was suddenly dyed in bright yellow flashes.

Rumble!!

At the fierce thunder that seemed about to tear the sky apart, the complexion of Du Geum-bo, who was in the early Nascent Soul stage, turned pale. Fresh blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, and the flying carriage he was controlling lost its balance and shook.

Although No Un-taek was not to that extent, he was affected. Frowning as if his insides had grown uncomfortable, he was forced to be shocked upon inspecting Jin So-myeong.

Because he was the only one in the group who was perfectly fine.

Just as No Un-taek, parting his lips, ultimately chose silence.

Roaaar!

A tiger enveloped in wild lightning appeared. A fierce tiger with giant wings reaching a length of ten meters stood stepping on the void, glaring this way.

“Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast!”

The fierce tiger, whose eyes held a bright red light, glared at Jin So-myeong as if to kill him.

Although it was clearly their first meeting, it revealed an enmity difficult to understand.

-Oh dear! The cargo is getting further away. Fellow Daoist Jin, please hold out for just one shichen somehow. We will retrieve the cargo as quickly as possible and return!

Sending a voice transmission, Du Geum-bo departed to pursue the cargo together with No Un-taek.

However, strangely, the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast only glared at Jin So-myeong with hateful eyes, and did not block the two.

“…Hmm.”

Jin So-myeong, who stood blankly tapping his scabbard for some reason, glanced his way.

Gazing at the void with his Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye, eyes laden with lightning, he spoke.

“It has been a long time. Should I call you Young Master Mok?”

The eyes of Mok Ryu-jin, who had been hiding in the void while wearing a mask, widened sharply.

Thanks to the Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye that penetrated all creation, the distorted expression inside his mask was clearly visible.

Was he confident in his concealment?

A look of bewilderment was clearly evident; he seemed not to have expected that his identity would be revealed, let alone being discovered.

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