Chapter 193: Great Success of the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art
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Translated by Frog in the Well
Read more at Nineheavens.org
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Under Yeo Mu-rin’s gaze, the subordinate quickly continued his report.
“Although it is difficult to be certain because the disguise art Jin So-myeong possesses is unusual, it is the most likely among the information gathered so far.”
“Where did he go?”
“The last confirmed location is Binghyeon Island. He seems to be heading toward the True Realm of Illusory Dreams.”
Binghyeon Island was a tiny island in a lake north of the Middle Province, and because it was a considerably remote area, there were not many regions one could go to from there.
Judging by various circumstances, it was highly likely that Jin So-myeong was heading toward the True Realm of Illusory Dreams.
“Very well. I will go personally.”
Even if he departed now, if he actively utilized the teleportation arrays managed by the Sacred City, he would be able to arrive at the entrance of the True Realm of Illusory Dreams before Jin So-myeong.
“You, Division Leader?”
“Yes. I cannot make a wrong report to the Heavenly Venerable by any chance. I will verify if it is Jin So-myeong at the entrance of the True Realm of Illusory Dreams.”
“…Understood.”
“If contact with me is cut off, it means I have been defeated by Jin So-myeong, so report it to the higher-ups.”
“Yes.”
He frowned upon seeing his subordinate hesitate as if he had something to say.
“What is it?”
“I heard that Jin So-myeong is highly skilled in combat. Judging by the tendencies we have grasped, the possibility of him attacking first is low, but please be careful anyway.”
“…”
He guessed what his subordinate really wanted to say.
It meant he should not overexert himself since the higher-ups had ordered only to locate him.
Honestly, his pride was hurt.
As a Nascent Soul Great Circle cultivator, he had the confidence to challenge the Soul Formation stage tomorrow if only the permission of the Sacred City were given.
However, because that was an act of violating the rules, he was merely enduring it. To rightfully become the Lord of the Divine Wood.
Furthermore, the cultivation methods of the Sacred City were superior to those outside by easily several generations.
Even if the worst situation came, there was no way he would lose his life to a mid Nascent Soul rogue cultivator.
He thought so, but nodded silently. Taking his anger out on a subordinate giving loyal advice was a petty thing to do.
***
A certain wasteland.
A flying vessel traversed the sky like a meteor.
On the flying vessel that flew too fast to trace with the naked eye, only two people were aboard: one was Jin So-myeong and the other was Ju Gwang.
“As the True Realm of Illusory Dreams is called a secret realm born from a True Immortal’s dream, it is a very unique place. It is a space composed of dreams and memories, have you heard of it?”
“I only know of it vaguely.”
When Jin So-myeong listened closely as if to pay attention, Ju Gwang nodded and spoke.
“Because space is not properly structured there, even a Nascent Soul cultivator will find it difficult to support their body. Since one cannot even distinguish front from back, it is easy to get lost.”
“If one cannot even distinguish front from back, what do they do when they want to exit the secret realm?”
“From the beginning, before entering, one must prepare thoroughly. Leaving a marker outside the secret realm and escaping by following that marker is the relatively safe method. Otherwise…”
Ju Gwang, who had subtly observed his expression, continued.
“One has no choice but to wander aimlessly and pray to exit. Literally relying on heavenly luck.”
“Hah.”
“Do not worry too much. Exiting is not that difficult if you prepare in advance. The truly dangerous part is when one is bewitched by the dreams shown by the True Realm of Illusory Dreams.”
“Bewitched by dreams? What does that mean?”
“When you go there, you will see countless memories or dreams, but those are all merely afterimages of the past that has already gone by. Since they can never be changed, you must not cling to them.”
“…Understood. But if we cannot even gauge directions, how can we find and help Fairy Hong?”
“That is why I sought you out. Did I not say the True Realm of Illusory Dreams is a space made of dreams and memories?”
“You did.”
“What is important in the True Realm of Illusory Dreams is not physical distance, but karmic ties. Those with karmic ties to each other naturally come into contact.”
“Karmic ties?”
“I do not know if you are aware, but you are the only one Daoist Hong considers her disciple. If it is you, you should be able to find Daoist Hong and bring her out.”
Just as he fell silent at the words that Hong Seol also regarded him as her disciple.
“Ahem. In fact, not only you, but I have also gathered a few other cultivators who normally have karmic ties with Daoist Hong. They will be waiting for us at the entrance of the True Realm of Illusory Dreams, so do not be too surprised. And…”
The things to watch out for in the True Realm of Illusory Dreams continued on.
After silently listening to the explanation for a long time, Jin So-myeong nodded and spoke.
“But does a secret realm really get created just because a True Immortal took a nap?”
If so, just how high of a realm was a True Immortal? It was something he had been curious about ever since he learned of the True Realm of Illusory Dreams.
“Haha. I do not know that either. What would I, who am only at the Nascent Soul stage, know about a True Immortal? It is just that the rumor says so.”
Indeed.
A True Immortal was a supreme being that transcended life and death to share a lifespan with the world.
Since it could be called the ultimate goal that a cultivator desired, it was not something for them, who had not even ascended to the Upper Realm, to discuss.
“Understood. You said it would take about two years to arrive at the True Realm of Illusory Dreams, correct?”
“Yes. If I need your help, I will call you, so rest in your cabin.”
“Yes. But by any chance, I would like to obtain information on Rank 5 spiritual herbs through the Myriad Cultivators Alliance. Would that be possible?”
“Rank 5 spiritual herbs? It seems like it would be difficult, but… just in case, I will request it from the main headquarters of the Myriad Cultivators Alliance when we stop by the next city.”
“Thank you.”
Leaving the deck of the flying vessel, he headed to his cabin.
Dense spiritual Qi flowed in the spacious room of about fifty pyeong, making cultivation possible.
‘Is it at the level of a Rank 4 medium-grade spiritual vein?’
For a flying vessel that was not even a fixed space to be at this level, it was highly excellent. It was a treasure rarely found even when searching the entire cultivation world.
Was it a flying vessel lent to Ju Gwang by the Myriad Cultivators Alliance?
While admiring the comfortable cabin, Jin So-myeong took out a jade slip.
[The True Realm of Illusory Dreams is a secret realm located on the outskirts of the Absolute Cold Ice Prison, and is a secret realm that even the Sacred City could not control. Staying for a short while is fine, but as time passes, the level of danger rises rapidly. One must absolutely not stay for more than twenty years…]
[Because the structure of the secret realm changes drastically depending on the karmic ties possessed by each individual, it is difficult to guarantee what one can obtain. Looking at examples, a certain Golden Core cultivator was acknowledged by a giant Roc they had passed by in the past…]
This jade slip was obtained by requesting it from Du Geumbo, the Grand Chief of the Myriad Treasures Tower in the past, and records about secret realms that the Sacred City could not control were written on it.
‘There are no major differences.’
Comparing it with the story Ju Gwang had told, there were no contradictory parts.
In fact, strictly speaking, because it was difficult to fully trust Ju Gwang, whose face he had only met a few times, he had checked it, but the old man did not seem to have lied, at least.
Setting down the jade slip, Jin So-myeong tapped his scabbard and reflected on recent events.
‘The one who used divination on me was probably the Sacred City.’
Divination, one of the One Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation, was highly difficult to master.
Unless it was a reasonably large power, possessing a Nascent Soul diviner was itself impossible, so it was highly probable that it was the Sacred City.
‘How much lifespan would they have spent just to find out whether I am alive or dead?’
Based on a competent Nascent Soul diviner, would they not have consumed about fifty years? It was certain that they paid a considerably large price.
The Sacred City that tried to track him by even performing divination unreasonably, and the Myriad Cultivators Alliance that came seeking help for Hong Seol.
It felt like countless connections were intricately entangled.
Scree…
Confronting the face reflected on the blade as clean as a mirror, Jin So-myeong quietly closed his eyes.
Since I have a sword in my hand, there is nothing to fear.
It was a passage he had seen in some sword manual.
For some reason, this sentence that suddenly came to mind resonated particularly well.
***
One year.
And one day, after three more months had passed.
Ju Gwang, who was steering the flying vessel heading toward the True Realm of Illusory Dreams, flinched.
It had been peaceful to the point of boredom just a moment ago, but suddenly his spine went cold and his mouth went dry.
‘…What is this?’
He felt as if a monster was opening its maw right behind his back.
His fingertips trembled faintly from a mysterious chill.
He was always drunk, but for the first time in nearly a hundred years, he sobered up instantly.
Gulp…
His neck, stiffened hard from tension, creaked.
He managed to turn his head with all his might, but there was nothing. It was quiet and peaceful again, as if it had been an illusion.
However, there was no way it was an illusion. No matter what, he was a high-level cultivator who had ascended to the Nascent Soul stage.
Ju Gwang, who quickly sipped from his gourd to replenish his drunkenness, narrowed his eyes.
‘Could it be Daoist Jin?’
The creepy energy he had felt just now certainly originated from the cabin.
Since the only passengers on the flying vessel were him and Jin So-myeong, it was obvious who caused this anomaly.
‘Just what kind of cultivation is he doing for such energy to flow out…?’
Ju Gwang, who stared intently at the cabin, sighed.
He realized vaguely. Jin So-myeong had already advanced to a realm that was impossible for him to even gauge.
Recalling the time he first saw Jin So-myeong at the entrance of the Red Cloud Secret Realm long ago, he was dumbfounded.
To think he failed to recognize a peerless genius who would barely be born once in ten thousand years, despite having him right in front of his nose.
‘If I had recognized him back then, I would have definitely taken him as my disciple… I envy Fairy Hong’s discernment.’
To think the ordinary-looking Qi Condensation kid would grow like that. He had really never imagined it.
Honestly speaking, it was hard to believe even now as he watched with his own eyes…
***
Meanwhile, Jin So-myeong, who was in his cabin, was savoring the powerful energy surging from his entire body.
‘Finally…!’
How should he express his current feelings?
Joy? That was far from enough.
The moment the 4 billion proficiency of the Minor Success-grade Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art was filled.
The Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art reached Great Success. It had touched the ideal pursued by the cultivation method.
【Cultivation Methods】
Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art (Great Success 1 / ∞)
Jin So-myeong, who was drunk on the lingering resonance given by the Great Success-grade manual, exhaled a long breath.
Recalling the moment when the manual, which had been at the Minor Success grade, crossed the barrier to rise to Great Success, he could not remember well.
It was merely distant.
In a complex emotion mixed with regret over the gradually fading realization, joy, and a sense of achievement, he clenched his fist tightly.
What had changed?
There were too many to list one by one, but the most core change was that his true body resided in every single droplet of blood flowing through his veins.
To put it simply, he became able to resurrect even if only a single drop of blood remained.
Literally an Undying Body.
It meant he had obtained a monster-like level of vitality, but unfortunately, he was not invincible. A cost naturally accompanied such an absurd divine ability.
If really only a single drop of blood remained, a truly massive amount of time would be needed to recover.
‘It will take as long as starting cultivation all over again.’
Based on his current standard, it would take hundreds of years to regain his original strength.
Of course,
it was certain to be a divine ability powerful enough that he did not need to care about minor disadvantages.
Since in the first place, other people would have died dozens of times if only a single drop of blood remained, but it meant a possibility of survival had arisen.
‘If I actively use this regenerative power to cultivate, my body tempering realm will also grow rapidly.’
And also.
There was a separate change that was even better than the regenerative power upgraded to a distant level.
Did I not say that his true body resided in every single droplet of blood?
To put it another way, each and every drop of blood had become identical to a clone.
Ting—!
The moment he flicked a droplet of blood squeezed through his fingertip and concentrated.
The blood droplet, which was flying in a parabola, stopped abruptly and drew complex shapes according to his will.
While watching the blood droplet swimming in the air, he cast the Blood Spirit Clone divine ability, and the blood droplet expanded like mist, turning into a human form in an instant.
‘Haha.’
The clone derived from a single drop of blood stared blankly at him.
Looking at that scene, he naturally nodded his head.
‘Although the energy it possesses is only at the Qi Condensation level… it is still a Blood Spirit Clone.’
Except for the Supreme Great Ability, it could do everything Jin So-myeong could do.
It could use the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration and also swap positions with the main body.
He became able to display the Blood Spirit Clone, a divine ability he had previously awakened, using a blood droplet.
‘Wait. Does this mean as long as I leave a trace of blood, I can move to that place at any time?’
Jin So-myeong, who quietly left the cabin, flew a single blood droplet outside the flying vessel.
The blood droplet that fell in the middle of an empty wasteland grew distant.
100 km, 200 km, 300 km…
Since the flying vessel did not stop for a single moment, the blood droplet quickly exceeded the range that could be sensed by his Divine Sense.
‘Does it really work?’
If a Blood Spirit Clone goes outside the range of Divine Sense, the consumption of spiritual power increases rapidly and it also burdens the divine soul.
Yet the blood droplet did not have such constraints.
Even though it had grown considerably distant, he could still resonate with the blood droplet. He felt the approximate distance and direction.
The moment he was about 500 km away from the blood droplet.
He cast the Blood Spirit Clone divine ability. He was testing whether he could move using the blood droplet as a marker.
‘Ugh.’
As the clone was generated at a distant distance exceeding a thousand li, his head throbbed as if it would break.
Communicating with the clone outside his Divine Sense was overwhelming, but he could endure it for a brief moment. He felt confident that they could swap positions.
‘I should not awaken blood droplets that are too far away as clones.’
It was dangerous as it put a burden on the divine soul.
Jin So-myeong, who pressed his throbbing temples, nodded. Still, he judged that he could handle about ten times the range of his Divine Sense.
Jin So-myeong’s current Divine Sense was about 60 km.
Ten times that was 600 km. He had become able to leap an immense distance in a single moment.
‘Decent.’
After verifying up to that point, he retrieved the blood droplet he had thrown in the wasteland using his sub-space.
A cultivator’s blood droplets, in other words, are True Blood.
Since it was no different from the essence in which their cultivation was condensed, not a single drop should be wasted.
‘It seems I can also use True Blood like a bullet…’
It seemed he could fly blood spilled during combat toward the enemy and detonate that blood droplet with the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration.
It felt as if all the abilities obtained through the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art so far were organically connected.
It was not a waste to call it Great Success.
‘My strength has also grown. Should I say the efficiency of blood Qi strengthening the physical body has increased?’
Jin So-myeong, who gauged his strengthened physical power while clenching and opening his palm, let his eyes shine.
The moment he casually extended his fist toward empty space.
Far away, a fist print appeared on a rock halfway up a mountain beyond the horizon.
‘Heh!’
A smile naturally formed at the result achieved exactly as he had targeted in his mind.
Neatly leaving only a fist print at a place as distant as the horizon was more difficult than collapsing a mountain.
‘The ability to control force itself has reached a different dimension.’
The more he looked into it, the more moved he was.
Once he adapted to this change, his combat power would grow by several levels.
A time later.
Jin So-myeong, who had been researching the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art that had reached Great Success, headed back to the cultivation room.
There were about nine months left before arriving at the True Realm of Illusory Dreams.
He intended to build up his strength as much as possible during that time.
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