Chapter 164: Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll
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Translated by Frog in the Well
Read more at Nineheavens.org
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***
The Myriad Wood Heavenly Forest, one of the ten great forbidden areas that was dangerous even to Nascent Soul cultivators.
In the primeval forest where dense giant trees spread like an ocean, the sound of tearing air resounded in the quiet place.
A man crossed the sky urgently as if being chased, and after turning his head back, his complexion darkened.
“Has he already arrived…”
He inspected the rear with a secret art that could look a thousand li away, and it seemed he would be overtaken by the pursuer before long.
After a brief silence, the man took on a resolute expression and pulled out a jade box from his storage pouch. He sealed it tightly so that no aura would leak out, and threw it down into the dense forest.
Then, violently distorting his face like an angry man, he shouted.
“Eek, this is truly going too far! Even a cornered rat will bite a cat!”
An immense spiritual power surged from the mid Nascent Soul man. The moment the wave that spread like a whirlwind touched the thick undergrowth,
*Rumble!*
the green ocean of trees began to roll.
“Die!”
A green wave rose from all the giant trees in sight, the sea of trees that filled the space all the way to the horizon. An uncountably vast number of leaves turned into sharp daggers and scattered.
The moment the pursuer who had just arrived, Supreme Elder Gwak Hon-bi of the Dragon Elephant Demonic Palace, frowned,
*Sssrrrrr!*
along with a sound like a rattlesnake’s rattle, the green daggers that filled the sky surged forward.
Against a super-large spell akin to a natural disaster, Gwak Hon-bi’s response was simple.
He pulled out the long staff hanging on his back and poked it forward, and
an invisible shockwave fired from the tip of the staff flew toward the mid Nascent Soul man.
In an instant,
the man, widening his eyes, formed hand seals. A five-colored brilliant shield was summoned to block the front, but it was meaningless. All resistance crumbled the moment it touched the invisible shockwave fired from the tip of the staff.
Eventually, the moment the wave reached the man and touched his chest,
*Thud!*
with a faint sound of rupture as the end, everything above his waist vanished as if evaporated. He died instantly from a single blow, unable to even escape with his Nascent Soul.
*Whoosh!*
Even though the man died, the green daggers did not stop. Emitting the sharp sound of wind, they surged like a downpour.
Gwak Hon-bi’s response was concise. He swung his staff like a windmill, generating a strong wind to blow away the daggers. It was not that there were no daggers that pierced through the strong wind, but upon touching his skin, they bounced off with a metallic clink.
In the sky of the primeval forest, which had now regained quietness,
when Gwak Hon-bi reached out, the storage pouch at the man’s waist was sucked in.
“…Hmm?”
What had he detected? Gwak Hon-bi, narrowing his eyes, directed his gaze somewhere in the forest.
*Fwip!*
The jade box that the man had hidden even while prepared for death. Holding it in his hand, Gwak Hon-bi wore a strange expression, seeming both happy and fearful.
“To think this has fallen into my hands.”
Hesitating for a moment, Gwak Hon-bi packed the jade box into his own storage pouch.
How long did he wait while standing on the empty air?
The Great Elder of Ice Flower Palace, arriving a beat late, discovered the corpse with only the lower half remaining and shouted in surprise.
“Is it already over? What about the storage pouch?”
“I retrieved it.”
“Heh! What truly amazing skill. At this rate, even late Nascent Soul grand cultivators won’t be able to look down on Fellow Daoist Gwak easily.”
The Great Elder of Ice Flower Palace stared enviously. Wondering what kind of opportunity Gwak Hon-bi had encountered recently, his realm had increased explosively.
To think he was at the mid Nascent Soul stage and even his body tempering was at Rank 4 medium-grade…
Looking at his cultivation speed, it seemed he would reach Rank 4 medium-to-high grade body tempering before long.
Considering the powerful combat strength possessed by a Spell and Body Dual Cultivator, there was a high probability that he would not be pushed back even if he fought a late Nascent Soul cultivator.
“That is uncertain. Since grand cultivators who have risen to the late Nascent Soul stage cannot raise their realms for a long time, do they not devote themselves to training secret arts? Each of them possesses quite a few hidden cards.”
At the humble yet calm answer, the Great Elder of Ice Flower Palace nodded as if understanding, but was puzzled inwardly.
The Supreme Elder of the Dragon Elephant Demonic Palace was originally a testy and arrogant personality, but from a certain day, something had changed.
Tracing back his memory, he could tell when his character had started to change.
He had changed like that after returning from dealing with the traces of the Upper Realm under the command of the Sacred City.
‘…Could it be that his body was seized by an unidentified entity?’
If so, the recent explosive rise in his realm was also explained.
Just as he was feeling suspicious, Supreme Elder Gwak Hon-bi of the Dragon Elephant Demonic Palace spoke.
“Since we have also completed the command of the Sacred City, let us go to deal with Jin So-myeong now. My disciples say they have found Jin So-myeong’s whereabouts.”
“Oh? Where is it?”
“He is staying in Cloud Dragon Immortal City of the Middle Province.”
“Fortunately, it is close. We will be able to visit quickly. However, since the fellow is also a Nascent Soul cultivator, we cannot deal with him inside the city, and I do not know how we can draw him out of the city.”
“It does not matter. It is enough to just find a way.”
The Great Elder of Ice Flower Palace nodded. Looking at him now, at least it did not seem like his body had been seized.
Gwak Hon-bi’s purpose was the same now as it was in the past.
If an unidentified entity had taken over his body, his behavior pattern would have changed, but from beginning to end, he sought to take revenge on Jin So-myeong, who had killed the Great Elder of the Dragon Elephant Demonic Palace in the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda.
If his body had been seized, he would not have obsessed over something like revenge. Apparently, it was true that he had obtained a peerless opportunity and his realm had rapidly increased…
***
Meanwhile, Jin So-myeong was examining the lightning-attribute spiritual object handed to him by Du Geum-bo, the chief administrator of Myriad Treasures Tower.
“Lightning Torrent Thunder Magnetite.”
Its rank was Rank 4 medium-grade. In other words, it was a treasure containing a mid Nascent Soul-grade aura.
It was a ruggedly shaped black mineral with mysterious characteristics.
If pressure was applied, it crumbled finely like sand, but it was unique that as time passed, it would merge back into one no matter how far apart they were placed.
‘Mysterious. I wonder if it would feel like this if a very powerful magnet was turned into powder.’
True to a Rank 4 medium-grade lightning-attribute spiritual object, it harbored very powerful lightning Qi. It was to the point that just crumbling it into a sandy form and scattering it at an opponent would become an attack more powerful than most spells.
“How is it? I am not trying to take credit for nothing, but I truly obtained it with great difficulty. As you know, is Lightning Torrent Thunder Magnetite not a mineral that can only be harvested by going to something like the ten great forbidden areas?”
Seeing him openly bragging while saying he was not trying to take credit, a chuckle broke out.
“Thank you for your hard work. I like it.”
“Haha. I am glad you like it. Ah, by the way, is there anything else you need?”
“Hmm… I do need a spiritual object that can be helpful for body tempering training.”
“A body tempering spiritual object? I understand. We at the Myriad Treasures Tower will make an effort.”
Du Geum-bo spouted various words after that, but to summarize, he was asking to leave any items he wanted to dispose of to him.
“Our Myriad Treasures Tower will purchase it directly, or we will connect you with other buyers.”
“Let us do so.”
Just as Du Geum-bo, who acted kindly from beginning to end like a merchant, was about to leave, he suddenly became curious about how far Myriad Treasures Tower had grasped the situation and asked.
“By any chance, did you find out who kidnapped the offspring of the Dark-Thunder Azure-Heaven Beast last time?”
“Ah… that matter.”
Du Geum-bo, hesitating for a moment, cast a quick glance around and said.
“Our Myriad Treasures Tower investigated in our own way, and it seems to be related to Young Master Mok Ryu-jin, who reportedly met with an accident recently.”
“Hmm.”
“Since the Mok Clan is stirring up trouble everywhere under the pretext of revenge, please be careful not to get entangled for nothing, Fellow Daoist Jin. Well, since they cannot run wild for long due to watching the Sacred City’s reactions, you will only need to pay attention for a short while.”
*
After Du Geum-bo left.
Pondering deeply on what would happen in the future, Jin So-myeong nodded.
‘The situation isn’t bad.’
From his position as a rogue cultivator, the Mok Clan’s expansion of power was not something to worry about. Even if their power grew, what would change? It would merely be adding one more early Nascent Soul cultivator.
There is nothing in the world that is only good. To obtain anything, one must pay a price. From now on, the Mok Clan would suffer from the checks of competing forces.
‘Even if time passes and they settle the chaos, my realm will have become higher.’
So it does not matter.
To him who possessed the Lightning Escape Art, the only threats were a small number of strong individuals who could react in an instant—namely, late Nascent Soul cultivators.
Even if they crowded in as a group, was it not enough to just avoid the spot? The important thing was to raise his strength as quickly as possible to overwhelm the late Nascent Soul cultivators.
‘First, let us complete the Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll.’
He contacted Seo Hyeon-geuk, the most famous Rank 4 artifact refiner nearby, to ask him to make the Spiritual Treasure, but was rejected because she was busy making a sword with the Starlight Afterimage Stone.
Having no choice, he visited another Rank 4 artifact refiner with a reputation similar to Seo Hyeon-geuk, Ha Un.
“You want me to complete an incomplete Spiritual Treasure? Show it to me first.”
Ha Un, who had recently begun to have his outstanding skills recognized, was an old man with a scholar-like feel, who seemed to suit books and ink better than a hammer.
To him, whom he felt he should call a village schoolmaster for some reason, he held out the half-made Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll and the Lightning Torrent Thunder Magnetite.
“Here is the blueprint as well.”
“Hmm.”
How many minutes had passed? Ha Un, casting a glance at the blueprint and the Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll, clicked his tongue.
“I do not know whose idiot’s work this is, but the design is clumsy compared to the ingredients invested.”
“Pardon?”
“The balance between ingredients is slightly off. Do you truly want me to make it according to this blueprint? If you leave it to me, I will raise its rank to Rank 4 medium-to-high grade.”
“Do I need to add other ingredients by any chance?”
“No. It is enough to just trim off the excessive things. For your information, the labor cost is ten thousand supreme-grade spirit stones.”
Listening quietly, it was a proposal that had nothing bad about it. The higher the rank of a Spiritual Treasure, the better.
Agreeing without a word of complaint, he handed over ten thousand supreme-grade spirit stones.
“How long will it take?”
“About half a shichen. Since it is already almost completed and I only need to put the finishing touches, it will end quickly.”
The moment Ha Un, gesturing as if telling him to step back, formed complex hand seals,
the temperature of the air soared rapidly.
*Chiiiiik…*
A wisp of fire appearing in midair, a round white flame about the size of a human torso, began to melt the Lightning Torrent Thunder Magnetite.
Did ten minutes pass?
The Lightning Torrent Thunder Magnetite, which melted into a liquid black as ink, drew a parabola and permeated into the Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll.
‘Oh…’
Watching the process, an exclamation naturally escaped.
The Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll was a landscape painting depicting hundreds of steep cliffs, and a sense of life began to be felt in the mountain range where wild winds raged.
Every time Ha Un’s touch reached it, the painting pulsed as if alive and breathing. Although he seemed to gesture casually as if annoyed, the result was exceptionally outstanding.
*Shhhhhh…*
Lightning Qi shimmered in the dark clouds covering the mountain range in the painting, and then a heavy downpour fell. Seeing the landscape painting that moved vividly as if a real scenery had been copied and transferred in its entirety, he could only admire it.
Just as he was watching the unhindered skill as if possessed,
“It is finished, so take it.”
“…Already?”
“Is there any part you do not like? It has been completed well as a Rank 4 medium-to-high grade Spiritual Treasure.”
He picked up the completed Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll, a landscape painting drawn on a scroll white as drawing paper.
Carefully examining the mountain range in the painting, even the trees as tiny as dust were delicately expressed. Anyone could see it was a masterpiece.
The aura felt from it was also excellent. It was indeed at the Rank 4 medium-to-high grade level.
It was very cool, but…
Casting a quick glance, he saw Ha Un, who had not shed a single drop of sweat. He looked comfortable and relaxed, like a person who had taken a walk.
It was not that there was a particular problem, but it meant that he did not seem to struggle at all despite being given ten thousand supreme-grade spirit stones.
It felt like it finished with a click of some sort?
“No. I was just surprised because it was completed already.”
Could he have been ripped off?
Although such a thought flashed by for a very brief moment, he simply offered his gratitude.
Is there not a saying that if something looks easy, it is because the other party possesses exceptionally outstanding skill?
He simply decided to believe that. After all, the result was good.
Jin So-myeong, who returned to his cave dwelling with the Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll, unrolled the scroll.
The moment he focused his mind while injecting spiritual power,
a strange suction was felt from the painting, and since he did not resist, he was sucked into the painting in an instant.
*Shhhhhh—!*
The rough raindrops pouring on his cheeks were cold. Looking up at the sky, it was covered in dark clouds that constantly spat lightning.
“Heh.”
He had only blinked once, yet the scenery had completely changed. He inspected the surroundings with an admiring heart, and they looked exactly like the scenery depicted in the Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll.
‘…The smell of soil?’
The cool fragrance peculiar to rain-soaked soil tickled the tip of his nose. The sound of water droplets bouncing off leaves was pleasant to hear, like the playing of a musical instrument.
It was vivid to the point of being unbelievable for a world inside a painting.
Nodding his head in some unknown satisfaction, he selected the highest mountain in the mountain range and flew to it.
After carving a house-sized rock at the summit with Sword Qi to make a flat platform, he sat cross-legged.
*Rumble!*
The dark sky brightened for an instant.
The moment the lightning bolt that struck down along with a flash hit the crown of his head, the lightning possessing spirituality was refined by the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art and turned into spiritual power.
‘Not bad.’
Jin So-myeong, who accumulated spiritual power while being struck by lightning pouring down all afternoon, nodded.
The Myriad Thunders Chaos Sky Scroll was certainly of great help to his training. It seemed he would be able to reach the 2nd layer of the Nascent Soul stage within five years.
Then the maximum limit of his Supreme Great Abilities would increase to 15,000,000. He would be able to expand his strength significantly.
*
Time flowed like a river.
The day of the Nascent Soul-grade exchange meeting, which was held in fifty-year cycles, drew near, and countless people gathered in Cloud Dragon Immortal City.
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