Chapter 259: A Long Peace

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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Before going to a merchant firm to replenish his elixirs, he decided to find out about the situation of the human race first.

He was curious about how they were living so peacefully beside ferocious things like the Asuras.

Employing his clones to wander around the city, he caught a Golden Core old man who was leisurely drinking wine since broad daylight and asked various things.

“You say the human Unity stage Dao Venerables are three?”

“Yes.”

Perhaps because he asked something that was too common sense, the old man’s expression turned bizarre, but he did not care.

Rather, it was more important that the Unity stage Dao Venerables possessed by the human race were three.

As far as Jin So-myeong knew, the Asura race’s Unity stage Dao Venerables were four in total.

‘Are we at a disadvantage of one person?’

Considering the strength possessed by a Unity stage cultivator, it was safe to say the difference in combat power with the Asuras was considerable.

Usually, a single Foundation Establishment cultivator could slaughter a hundred Qi Condensation stage cultivators.

It could be said that the gap was distantly large, but actually, this was also speaking based on when they clashed head-on.

If moving strategically like surprise attacking or hitting and running, a single Foundation Establishment cultivator could handle hundreds of people.

The same went for the Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Soul Formation stages.

Even if hundreds of lower-realm cultivators swarmed all at once, they could sweep them away.

If the lower-realm cultivators formed a formation, the situation might differ, but in any case, the common sense of the cultivation world was like that.

‘It does not seem like a particularly good situation.’

Even the enemy of the human race was not just the Asura race. The Insect-Armor Race was also there.

If those fellows held hands and invaded like two hundred thousand years ago, the human race would be pushed back in an instant.

Yet despite Heavenly Feast Prefecture City being the very front line touching the Asuras, it was abnormally peaceful.

“Hmm… Perhaps because I came from a remote place, I do not understand well. How are you guys so peaceful like this?”

“Yes? Just what on earth are you speaking of all of a sudden?”

He asked the blinking old man a bit directly.

“I am asking if you are not even worried that the Asuras might invade.”

“Ah, you do not have to worry about that.”

“Hmm?”

“Although the Asuras’ personalities are a bit rough, they keep their promises very strictly.”

“A promise?”

“Does the truce period not still have a hundred thousand years left? The Asuras have not invaded our land even once over the past fifty thousand years. At least in our generation, nothing much will happen.”

Setting aside the truth of the matter, to think they were this peaceful just for that kind of reason?

It was nonsense.

The cultivation world was a cruelly cold survival of the fittest. A powerless person did not even have the qualification to mention a promise.

As he stared blankly because it was absurd, the old man lightly laughed.

“Of course, the truce period is merely one of numerous reasons. What is important is that our human race is not that weak. Just speaking of the Void Refinement stage Heavenly Lords, they are twice as many as the Asuras.”

Six hundred.

It was said to be the number of Void Refinement stage Heavenly Lords possessed by the human race.

‘To think they are three hundred more than the Asuras? If they form a formation, they should be able to endure somehow.’

If some Void Refinement stage Heavenly Lords had mastered powerful secret techniques like A Single Flash Lightens the Heavens, rather, this side might be advantageous.

As he was lost in thought, the old man’s words continued.

“On top of that, since we even formed an alliance with the Artifact Spirit Race, even if the Asuras and the Insect-Armor Race join forces, they will not be able to do anything to us.”

“Indeed.”

Apparently, the human race had also not been merely playing since the war.

Could he be relieved?

Thinking deeply, he decided not to judge hastily.

The old man in front of him had a realm of merely Golden Core. The probability was high that he did not know truly important information.

“I roughly understand. Rather, where is the largest power in the Stone Heart Realm?”

“Hmm… Senior. I am sorry, but it is difficult to point out which is the largest power. With merely my realm, can I evaluate large sects?”

“Then just tell me the famous powers in the vicinity. I merely asked because I wanted to know where to be careful.”

The old man, who rolled his eyes to scan the surroundings, lowered his voice.

“Then, first it is better to be careful of the Dark Soul Demonic Sect faction. As you know, if one masters a demonic cultivation art, does their mind not become unstable as a side effect?”

“The Dark Soul Demonic Sect. And?”

“The Infinite Void Temple and the Myriad Buddhas Sect also have very large powers. From what I heard, just their Soul Formation stage disciples…”

Asking the minor things he had been curious about, he left the old man.

Next, he compiled the information obtained through other clones, and there was no grand difference from the words he heard just now.

It was said that the Asuras had not invaded even once over the past fifty thousand years, and thanks to it, the human race had developed well and reached today.

The lifespan obtainable upon becoming a Void Refinement or Unity stage cultivator, secret realms suitable for Soul Formation stage cultivators, and so on.

He also inquired about other information, but there was no particular result.

Apparently, because it was information obtained from the streets, there was a limit.

‘I should slowly go to buy elixirs.’

Since he roughly found out information at a common-sense level, he would not be treated as a strange person.

Based on the information he found out, he headed to the largest merchant firm in Heavenly Feast Prefecture City.

The Thousand Gold Merchant Union .

Shifting his gaze down from the signboard written in a grand handwriting, he saw the main gate reaching ten meters, where exquisite dragons were carved to the point where it would not be strange if they came alive right now.

‘Luxurious.’

The main gate was made of thick wood carrying an ink-colored shade, and was heavy enough that a Nascent Soul stage cultivator could not even open it.

Since entering with a roughly made clone was impossible, he loaded about ten percent of the main body’s strength.

The moment he pushed open the heavy main gate and entered,

“We greet the Senior!”

the thirty clerks who were lined up in two rows shouted simultaneously.

“…”

At that moment when he paused at the hospitalities to the point of being burdensome,

the clerks who paid their respects in an orderly manner also could not hide their bewildered look.

The way they rolled their eyes upon seeing Jin So-myeong felt as if they mistook him for someone else.

The moment a bizarre silence flowed,

the elegant woman at the front of the line cleared her throat, then smiled brightly and paid respects again.

“I am sorry. Because there is someone who was scheduled to come today, we committed a discourtesy. For what business did you visit?”

“I came to buy cultivation elixirs. Is it possible?”

“Of course. I will personally guide you.”

Following her, who possessed the Soul Formation stage realm, to the VIP room, a spiritual tea emitting a fragrant scent soon came out.

Taking a sip, indeed.

It was a high-grade product harboring spiritual Qi thick enough to be compared to elixirs.

“It is a good tea. I will enjoy it.”

“It is a relief that it is to your liking. Ah, you are someone I see for the first time, yet I have not even mentioned my name. I am Byeok Hae-wol. You can call me Manager Byeok comfortably.”

“I am Jin So-myeong.”

“So you are Daoist Jin. Glad to meet you. However, you said earlier that you were looking for cultivation elixirs; by any chance, is there a particular elixir you are looking for?”

“I hope it is something with few side effects and a strong medicinal property.”

“Ah.”

Byeok Hae-wol’s mouth softened, and her eyes sparkled.

Because speaking of an elixir with few side effects and strong medicinal property in other words meant an expensive elixir.

She, who carried a bright smile, placed a jade box on the table.

“It is the Eternal Solidifying Qi Pill suitable for the late Soul Formation stage. It is also the best among the Rank 5 cultivation elixirs possessed by our Thousand Gold Merchant Union.”

Examining it with the Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye, it was at a level similar to the elixirs he bought in the Asura city.

Although it was a Soul Formation stage-grade elixir, it meant that the human elixir-refining technology was also not greatly inferior compared to the Asuras, so he was satisfied.

“Not bad. Give me three hundred years’ worth.”

Since it was safe to view it as the best among the elixirs that could be purchased normally with immortal stones, he did not hesitate. He ordered grandly.

However,

Byeok Hae-wol, who had been smiling brightly until just now, let out a sigh as if it was regrettable.

“Ah… What should we do. Even if we gather all the Eternal Solidifying Qi Pills possessed by our merchant union, it is merely fifty years’ worth.”

“Are you saying you have merely fifty years’ worth?”

“I am sorry to disappoint you. Because large orders came in consecutively recently, the ingredients are entirely exhausted.”

“…Give me at least that first.”

“Yes. The price is one hundred thousand immortal stones.”

For a moment, his brow furrowed.

It was not because he lacked immortal stones. It was because the price was twice as expensive compared to what he bought in the Asura city.

He wondered if she was ripping him off, but he believed it was not so.

Once reaching the Soul Formation stage, they were superhumans who could each grind a mountain to dust. They would not buy ill will merely for a tiny gain.

Indeed.

Watching the situation of his clones who visited other merchant firms, all of their prices were similar.

‘Why is the market price of elixirs this expensive?’

He suddenly recalled the luxurious dish he ate at the inn.

Could it be that because they were making spiritual feasts, the ingredients to make elixirs became scarce?

Clicking his tongue inwardly, he paid the price for the elixirs and brought up his next business.

“Actually, I am not from this place. I have many things I am curious about; may I ask a few questions?”

“Ah, so that was it. No wonder, I was wondering since you are someone I see for the first time. Ask questions comfortably. If it is something I know, I will answer.”

Perhaps because he spent many immortal stones, she was certainly kind.

He asked her, who wore a gentle smile, starting from the most important thing.

“First, I want to know if there is an opportunity to obtain a Void Refinement stage spiritual object nearby. Like a secret realm.”

He would have to challenge the Void Refinement stage before long. If he could obtain a Void Refinement stage spiritual object, he had to obtain one.

Although the Crimson Heart Lotus he obtained in the Asura temple was a Void Refinement stage spiritual object, he had already swallowed it.

Thanks to it, A Single Flash Lightens the Heavens awakened into a Law Domain, so he had no regrets, but it was unknown whether the already swallowed Void Refinement stage spiritual object would be helpful when breaking through the major realm.

He needed to obtain one more for the time he would challenge the Void Refinement stage.

“If it is a Void Refinement stage spiritual object… Sigh. You will be able to take a look before long.”

In her tone that was kind from beginning to end, a subtle dissatisfaction was revealed. It was not a dissatisfaction toward Jin So-myeong, but toward someone who was not in this place.

“Take a look?”

It felt as if she was saying that looking is possible, but obtaining it would be impossible.

As he did not hide his puzzled look, she wore a bitter smile.

“You must have truly come from a distant place. Seeing that you do not even know about the Succession Ceremony.”

“…”

“It is soon the time for the Profound Lotus Tree to bear fruit, but the owner for that is already decided. It is a matter unrelated to us.”

The Profound Lotus Tree was a 6th-rank spiritual object planted in the very center of Heavenly Feast Prefecture City. He had heard of it briefly while investigating the situation of the human race today.

‘Was that a Void Refinement stage spiritual object?’

As far as Jin So-myeong knew, the Profound Lotus Tree was a tree planted by a human predecessor in the very distant past for future generations, whose owner was not clear.

To think the owner of the fruit borne from such a tree was already decided.

‘For the Asura race, over a thousand Soul Formation stage cultivators killed and died to occupy a Void Refinement stage spiritual object…’

Yet the human race has a pre-designated owner.

It was something deflating. At that moment when he clicked his tongue inwardly,

“Your expression is not very good. Was the place Daoist Jin was at different?”

“…The place I was at was a method where the one who won after competing with each other occupied it.”

“Oh, how fascinating. It seems there is still such a place.”

“Still?”

“I heard that in the past, our Heavenly Feast Prefecture City also used the method where the strongest Soul Formation stage cultivator obtained the Void Refinement stage spiritual object. Of course, the principle is still like that now…”

As he inquired closely at the statement that the principle is still like that now, an absurd story popped out.

“So… you are saying that because the Void Refinement stage Heavenly Lord lends a 6th-rank Magic Treasure loaded with spiritual power to the pre-designated owner, it is impossible for others to win?”

Byeok Hae-wol cleared her throat as if in a difficult spot.

“The expression ‘pre-designated owner’ is a bit awkward. Since the predecessor Void Refinement stage Heavenly Lord is passing down his seat, would it not be more appropriate to call them a successor?”

“Ha, indeed.”

They said that the Void Refinement stage spiritual object borne from the Profound Lotus Tree was originally a tradition for the strongest Soul Formation stage cultivator to obtain.

However, this tradition became twisted from a certain day.

If the Void Refinement stage Heavenly Lord lent a 6th-rank Magic Treasure loaded with spiritual power, even if clashing with skill, winning against the pre-designated owner was impossible.

It meant that the one selected by the predecessor Void Refinement stage Heavenly Lord was soon the owner of the Void Refinement stage spiritual object.

‘Absurd.’

Around this point, he was convinced.

That the long peace reaching fifty thousand years had made the human race weak.

Simultaneously with a sense of futility for some reason, a single question brushed by.

Why did the three Dao Venerables, who could be called the human leaders, tolerate this kind of situation?

Was the fierce war in which the entire race almost faced extermination forgotten in merely fifty thousand years?

‘No way.’

Even the Heavenly Venerable who established the Sacred City in the Human Realm did not forget his mission during the distant time reaching two hundred thousand years.

He wandered searching for humanity’s sword amidst a waiting with no promise.

The madness the Heavenly Venerable had shown was still clear as if reachable by hand.

Yet the leaders of the Upper Realm actually forgot the past already?

He could not believe it.

A part of them could be like that.

However, all of them could not be so.

Rather than that, it was more rational that… there was an unavoidable reason.

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