Chapter 233: Ascension, to the Upper Realm
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Translated by Frog in the Well
Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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Hong Seol, who had been listening to the conversation, stepped far back so as not to interfere with the battle, and Jin So-myeong slowly drew his sword and gestured with his chin, as if telling him to start.
With a stiffened expression, the Soul-Tempering Division Leader strained his eyes.
‘Just what I wanted.’
Although he was bewildered because his challenge was accepted so readily, there was no reason to hesitate since things went as he wanted.
The moment he struck his storage pouch while remaining wary of the sword aimed at his throat.
Swish!
Silver threads as thin as spiderwebs popped out and surrounded the area.
This silver thread was a Rank 5 spiritual object called the Bright-Light Severing Thread, characterized by being sharp enough to slice even solid metal like a sheet of paper.
While scattering the Bright-Light Severing Thread in all directions, he infused it with cold energy. Since one’s limbs would be severed while freezing if it touched the skin, he would not be able to easily approach.
‘It is done.’
As soon as the battle started, he poured out the things he had prepared.
Since he had blocked him from closing in, now it was time to force a long-range battle.
At the moment he was condensing spiritual Qi in the air to launch a light probe.
Swish…!
A whitish ray of light. Something like a gust of wind crossed the center of the battlefield, and he felt a sting on the nape of his neck.
For a very brief moment.
The Soul-Tempering Division Leader, who had been standing blankly, swept the nape of his neck with a finely trembling hand, and a faint blood line was drawn there.
A single strike of the sword.
Faced with that speed which transcended perception, everything he had prepared lost its meaning.
‘What is this…’
What on earth had happened?
Seeing the wound on the nape of his neck, it was clear that he had been cut, but he could not even know when and how he was cut…
“Do you need further confirmation?”
At the same time as Jin So-myeong’s calm voice, who was still standing in the same place,
the Bright-Light Severing Thread scattered in the surroundings split into dozens of pieces and fell with a pattering sound.
The Soul-Tempering Division Leader, who was lost for words in dismay, checked the wound on the nape of his neck again.
Looking now, only the outer skin was cut. It was a mere scratch that could not even count as an injury, but that was why it was all the more chilling.
For even though it was a rapid sword strike that he, a Soul Formation cultivator in name, could not perceive, it meant that Jin So-myeong still had the composure to adjust his strength.
What an immense gap this was…
The Soul-Tempering Division Leader, who blankly looked up at the sky, closed his eyes tightly and bowed his head respectfully.
“No. I have already seen enough.”
Along with the bitter result, he realized it.
Although he did not know how strong Jin So-myeong was, he realized that at the very least, early Soul Formation cultivators would not be a threat at all, no matter how many of them swarmed him.
***
One day.
Baek So-yul and Ryeo Jeong, who had awakened from their idiot state thanks to Jin So-myeong, recovered their Golden Core realm in an ownerless spiritual vein and then headed straight to the Middle Province.
Of course, the journey was not smooth.
Although they were not fragile women of ordinary households, there were many disasters in the cultivation world that were dangerous even for Golden Core cultivators.
They had to cross the Myriad Desolation Mountain Range teeming with demonic beasts and endure cold storms that froze the sea.
“Mother! I think that place over there is the Mysterious Spirit Valley!”
Arriving at the Rank 4 immortal city after all kinds of hardships, emotion was written on their faces.
Since they could cross over to the Middle Province they had only heard about if they took the teleportation array installed in the Mysterious Spirit Valley, it was safe to assume that their hardships were now over.
“Next time we have to go far, let’s just take a transport vessel. I do not know how many times we almost died while trying to save a few spirit stones.”
“You are right. We must have taken the Myriad Desolation Mountain Range too lightly. I did not know the Demon Kings would be so aggressive.”
“Sigh. Tell me about it. We were only trying to pass through for a moment, yet they attacked us blindly. Do we look that easy?”
Ryeo Jeong, who was muttering about the damn demonic beasts, soon smiled brightly and spoke.
“Anyway. Since we have arrived at the Rank 4 immortal city, there won’t be anything dangerous. If you and I combine our strength, So-yul, to make and sell formation Dharma Treasures, our cultivation resources will be sufficient too.”
“That is true.”
Ryeo Jeong, who was a formation master, and Baek So-yul, who had mastered artifact refining techniques. If the two combined their strength, they would be able to overcome most difficulties.
“For now, let’s rent a suitable cave dwelling and rest a bit.”
“Sounds good. After resting well for a month or two, let’s investigate what events occurred while we were in the mortal world.”
“Yes.”
Just as they chose and entered a suitable inn after looking around the bustling market.
“Did you hear that? I heard another Soul Formation cultivator was born in the Sacred City.”
Hearing the talk about the Sacred City from the Foundation Establishment cultivators sitting by the window and savoring spiritual tea, she pricked up her ears.
Although a soundproofing barrier was cast, to Ryeo Jeong, who was a Golden Core merchant, it was such a clumsy restriction that it was practically nonexistent.
“Ah, I heard the gist of it. Frankly, it was surprising. I did not know that allowing challenges to the Soul Formation stage was sincere.”
“Who could have expected that? Honestly, I secretly thought it might be a trap.”
When the Divine Wood Lord permitted challenges to the Soul Formation stage, almost no one believed it in earnest.
It is easy to act generous only in words. The really important thing was to actually carry it out.
Who in the world would welcome a competitor?
There were not many who could tolerate subordinates rising up.
Even if one secretly interfered, it would not be strange.
It was not simply out of narrow-mindedness, but because a rising number of competitors would disadvantage one’s survival. In a world with limited resources, that was a rational choice.
However…
with the birth of a Soul Formation cultivator this time, the words spoken by the Divine Wood Lord were proven to be sincere.
“To be honest, I do not know if it is a wise action, but still, his tolerance is admirable.”
“Mhm.”
“By the way, now that there are two Soul Formation cultivators in the Sacred City, is there any possibility of them clashing?”
“Since they belong to the same Sacred City, won’t they get along? More than that, I am curious whether he will allow one to ascend to the Soul Formation stage even if they do not belong to the Sacred City.”
“Uhm. Strictly speaking, isn’t it a bit much to say Senior Jin belongs to the Sacred City? Since he was originally a rogue cultivator, he won’t favor only the Sacred City.”
Ryeo Jeong, who was listening with pricked ears, froze.
‘The Divine Wood Lord is from a rogue cultivator background?’
What on earth happened while they were in the mortal world for a rogue cultivator to become the master of the Sacred City?
‘And his surname is Jin?’
Suddenly.
Jin So-myeong’s words that he had ascended to the Soul Formation stage not long ago came to mind.
Could it be that what she had thought was a joke…
Swallowing hard, Ryeo Jeong approached the cultivators who were talking before she knew it.
“Excuse me. I have something I am curious about, may I ask you a question?”
When Ryeo Jeong, who possessed the Golden Core realm, spoke to them, the startled Foundation Establishment cultivators arose in unison and bowed.
“Greetings, Senior!”
“Skip the greetings. Rather, I am curious as to what the name of the Divine Wood Lord is, can you answer?”
“Uh…”
Was it because she asked something so common that even a neighborhood kid would know?
One of the Foundation Establishment cultivators, who blinked as if puzzled, stepped forward.
“He uses the name So-myeong with the surname Jin.”
“…Jin So-myeong?”
“Ahem. That is correct.”
As a mere Golden Core called the name of a Soul Formation cultivator so casually, the corners of the Foundation Establishment cultivators’ mouths twitched.
Worried that they might suffer some mishap, they rolled their eyes to scan the surroundings, but Ryeo Jeong could not care less.
“Uh…”
She was simply standing blankly, plunged into shock.
Only after a long while did she let the Foundation Establishment cultivators go, returning to Baek So-yul and muttering.
“To think Senior Jin was the Divine Wood Lord… His statement that he had ascended to the Soul Formation stage was not a joke.”
“Sigh, this has become troublesome. If he is the master of the Sacred City, he wouldn’t lack anything. I do not know how we should repay his grace.”
How much time had passed in the silence?
Ryeo Jeong, who let out a sigh, muttered barely audibly.
“To stand beside him… at the very least, a Golden Core will not do.”
“Pardon?”
“After saving you, So-yul, I did not know what to do in the future. I feel like I finally have a goal now.”
Ryeo Jeong, who looked up at the sky, nodded as if making a resolution.
“For now, let’s sell formation Dharma Treasures to prepare the fee for the teleportation array. To become a Nascent Soul cultivator, it will be advantageous to cross over to the Middle Province, where resources are rich.”
“…Good. Since we also need to rent a fire vein to refine artifacts, let’s look into that too.”
The women, who had said just a moment ago that they would rest well for a month or two, headed to the market. It was to obtain materials to make formation Dharma Treasures.
***
A whopping twenty years.
A period of time long enough for a newborn baby to become a full-fledged adult passed like a fleeting moment.
Of course, twenty years was not a short time even in the cultivation world. Many things had happened in the meantime.
If one were to speak of the biggest event,
it was that a Soul Formation cultivator who did not belong to the Sacred City was born.
“Hahaha! No matter how strong the Divine Wood Lord is, he won’t be faster than me! There is no one in the world who can kill me now!”
Having reached great success in a secret art passed down from ancient times, he visited Jin So-myeong full of confidence, but before long, he quietly left the Sacred City with a dumbfounded face.
His disciples swarmed him and asked what on earth had happened upon meeting the Divine Wood Lord, but he only wore a bitter smile and did not answer properly.
After that, similar events were repeated several times.
Some politely, and others somewhat arrogantly, filled with confidence.
Those who became Soul Formation cultivators, one and all, visited Jin So-myeong and tried to test their skills against his.
It was only natural, since they had to know how strong their opponent was to decide whether to contest the Rank 5 spiritual vein.
However…
the result of visiting Jin So-myeong was identical, as if they had conspired.
Their confidence vanished like a lie, and they quietly withdrew with gloomy faces.
When someone asked how strong Jin So-myeong actually was, they would only let out an absurd chuckle and shake their heads.
“One thing is certain. He has already far surpassed the level of the early Soul Formation stage.”
“I do not believe there is anyone among those in the Soul Formation stage who can defeat Cultivator Jin.”
As similar events were repeated, another title arose by which the people of the world called Jin So-myeong.
An existence stronger than anyone throughout all of history, both ancient and modern.
The Number One Sword of the Human Realm.
***
【Jin So-myeong】
【Lifespan】: 170 / 2845
【Realm】: Soul Formation 3rd layer
【Supreme Great Ability】: 2 billion / 2 billion
【Dharmic Power Amplification】: +70%
【Divine Abilities】: <Secret Realm of the Mind>, <Myriad Flows Restoration>
170 years old.
Since Jin So-myeong had ascended to the Soul Formation stage at the age of 131, nearly forty years had already passed.
‘I intended to achieve the mid Soul Formation stage before ascending… but that will not do.’
It seemed it would take at least fifty more years to break through the minor realm in the Human Realm where the origin Qi of heaven and earth was thin.
Of course, reaching the 3rd layer of the Soul Formation stage in just forty years was a sufficiently outstanding achievement.
In addition to the highest-quality elixirs, the jade pendant that absorbed the surrounding origin Qi of heaven and earth to aid in cultivation, the Supreme Great Ability used to amplify training speed, and even the Secret Realm of the Mind.
If not for those various opportunities, he would not have even reached the 2nd layer of the Soul Formation stage yet.
‘It is fine. This much is enough.’
All preparations were complete.
There was no need to delay any further, nor did he wish to do so.
Now it was time to leave the Human Realm and advance to a wider world.
“Limitless.”
Limitless, who had reached Rank 5 before he knew it, cut through the air and appeared, then became a streak of light and resided in the sword at his waist.
Limitless, which had absorbed the Rank 5 sword created by Ha Un and the Artifact Refining Division Leader and become a Heavenly Spiritual Treasure, gained a special ability, which was none other than the ability to store lifespan.
The lifespan that Limitless could contain, namely, the vital energy, amounted to approximately 1 billion units when converted into the Supreme Great Ability.
Since the maximum limit of the Supreme Great Ability Jin So-myeong possessed was currently 2 billion, it meant that by joining forces with Limitless, he could use 3 billion units at once.
Buzz! Buzz!
As if it knew he would soon depart for an unknown world, he calmed the highly excited Limitless and left the cave dwelling, finding Hong Seol waiting for him.
“Are you planning to leave now?”
“Yes. Since the preparations are complete, there is no reason to hesitate.”
“…Since there will be many high-realm cultivators above the Soul Formation stage in the Upper Realm, be careful. Do not run too wild.”
“Do not worry. You also know how sharp my sword is, don’t you, Master?”
As he spoke playfully, Hong Seol smirked and nodded.
“Indeed. I will follow you before long, so let us meet in the Upper Realm.”
“Yes. Your disciple will go first and experience what kind of place the Upper Realm is.”
Hong Seol said she would ascend after checking if any problems arose in the Human Realm after Jin So-myeong left.
Since she would have her own thoughts, he respected her choice.
Jin So-myeong, who was smiling, turned his gaze to the Soul-Tempering Division Leader this time, and he, standing politely like a subordinate, bowed his head.
“Please take care of yourself.”
“Indeed. I will leave the Sacred City to you in the future.”
“Yes.”
Considering the Soul-Tempering Division Leader’s safety-oriented tendency, yet also the courage to risk his life and challenge when judged necessary, he selected him as the successor to be entrusted with the Sacred City.
Although Hong Seol was the strongest cultivator except for Jin So-myeong, she aimed to ascend to the Upper Realm, making her unsuitable to manage the Sacred City, hence this choice was made.
“This is a Rank 6 Boundary-Breaking Talisman, so keep it in the Sacred City and use it when necessary.”
“…Thank you.”
He handed a copy of the Rank 6 Boundary-Breaking Talisman to the startled Soul-Tempering Division Leader.
Next, he looked around at the people gathered to see him off, including Ryeo Jeong and Cheong Hwa-ran, who had heard the news and come, and bid farewell to each of them.
“Well then. If fate permits, let us meet again someday.”
With that brief statement as the end.
He left the Sacred City and headed to an empty wasteland, and activated the Rank 6 Boundary-Breaking Talisman without hesitation.
In that manner,
along with the distant energy originating from the talisman, the path heading toward the sky opened.
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