Chapter 267: An Uninvited Guest Who Came to the Succession Ceremony
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Translated by Frog in the Well
Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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【Jin So-myeong】
【Lifespan】: 210 / 2017
【Realm】: Soul Formation Stage 8th Layer
【Supreme Great Abilities】: 7.1 Billion / 19 Billion
【Spiritual Power Amplification】: +102%
【Divine Abilities】: <Secret Realm of the Mind>, <Myriad Flows Restoration>
Soul Formation stage 8th layer.
It was an achievement made seventeen years after entering the Golden Body Dharma Image.
Originally, he had expected it would take twenty years to reach the Soul Formation stage 8th layer, but it was shortened by three years.
Because as he became familiar with the Thunder Dao Refining Art, the efficiency of extracting lightning Qi from the crystal cave improved.
Thanks to absorbing the lightning Qi contained in the crystal cave without sparing anything, a large amount of spiritual power accumulated.
Although the durability of the crystal cave would weaken the more lightning Qi he absorbed, he did not care since he planned to leave the desert anyway once he achieved Void Refinement.
‘How much has my spiritual power increased?’
Closing his eyes, he concentrated. Inspecting the spiritual power flowing majestically along his meridians, he could tell that it had grown about twenty percent stronger.
‘Good.’
Gauging the degree of his strengthening as his realm rose, he turned his gaze to the Status Window.
【Cultivation Method】
Primordial One Qi Art (Proficiency 2.6 Trillion / 3 Trillion)
Thanks to steadily investing the Supreme Great Abilities over the past seventeen years, before he knew it, he had reached right before mastery.
‘At a generous estimate, I only need to invest for about two more years.’
As he reached the Soul Formation stage 8th layer, the Supreme Great Abilities recovered in a month increased to 19 billion. The remaining proficiency of around 400 billion could be filled in two years.
Once the Primordial One Qi Art, his Natal Cultivation Method, reached the Mastery stage, his cultivation speed would become significantly faster.
He believed he would be able to reach Void Refinement before going to the secret realm that would open in thirty years.
‘I do not know how long it has been since I focused solely on cultivation like this.’
Looking at the Status Window that fully reflected the fruits of his tireless efforts, he felt proud.
Should he say it felt like catching a favorable wind?
Nodding his head at the feeling that everything was working out smoothly, a puzzling point suddenly came to mind.
‘But what on earth is the standard by which the Status Window distinguishes divine abilities?’
【Divine Abilities】: <Secret Realm of the Mind>, <Myriad Flows Restoration>
He had learned quite a few secret techniques while cultivating up to the Soul Formation stage. Nevertheless, the divine abilities displayed on the Status Window were still only two.
‘The Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye alone is an incredibly outstanding divine ability.’
It was so outstanding that he still could not fully develop all of its potential.
The Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye was, strictly speaking, a pupil technique combined from two divine abilities.
Lightning Insight, a divine ability that lit up the world with the power of lightning to pierce through the possibilities of all creation.
And Spell-Breaking.
Combining the divine ability to break spells just by looking…which sounded absurd just hearing about it…made the Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye.
Was that all? The Light-Moon Silent-Life Sword and Blood Wings were secret techniques powerful enough to annihilate even enemies of higher realms.
If one considered purely firepower, it was outstanding enough to compete for the lead even among all the divine abilities Jin So-myeong possessed.
Yet, they still could not enter the Divine Abilities category.
It meant that the standard of the Status Window derived from the Supreme Great Abilities was incredibly high.
In that case, why were the Secret Realm of the Mind and Myriad Flows Restoration in the Divine Abilities category?
Was it because their potential was far greater compared to the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration?
‘…Come to think of it, both are indeed tremendous divine abilities.’
The Secret Realm of the Mind did not even need explanation.
Was it not the prime contributor that allowed Jin So-myeong to reach the Soul Formation stage 8th layer at the age of only 210?
In terms of increasing cultivation speed, it was outstanding enough to defy comparison even if any other divine ability were brought against it.
It was a divine ability so outstanding that dedicating half of his lifespan during his Qi Condensation days was not a waste at all.
Since the Secret Realm of the Mind had too many advantages to list individually, he moved on, and Myriad Flows Restoration was also not to be taken lightly.
Depending on how it was used, an immense benefit could be obtained.
‘Even just copying and distributing Void Refinement spiritual objects in huge amounts would cause an uproar.’
The number of Void Refinement Heavenly Lords possessed by the human race would increase exponentially.
Exaggerating just a bit, it was a power capable of twisting the balance of the Upper Realm.
Of course, doing so could draw the attention of high-tier races that were several times more powerful than the Asuras, so he merely restrained himself.
Although copying and using a 6th-rank spiritual object by himself did not matter, selling or distributing them in large quantities had to be thought of cautiously.
‘Hmm… thinking about it again, both are indeed worthy of being called divine abilities.’
Both the Secret Realm of the Mind and Myriad Flows Restoration could trigger miracles that could not be achieved through ordinary means.
Just as he was answering his own suddenly raised question,
Hwareuk!
The sound-transmitting talisman in his chest flared up, conveying important news.
[Daoist Friend Jin. The Profound Lotus Tree in Heavenly Feast Prefecture City has borne fruit.]
It was news from the Chief Administrator of the Blue Sea Merchant Union, with whom he had built a friendship while purchasing medicinal pills periodically.
‘The Profound Lotus Tree has borne fruit? Already?’
He had thought there would be about ten years of time, but for it to bear fruit already.
The fruit of the Profound Lotus Tree, another name for the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit, was indeed a Void Refinement spiritual object.
Since it was a spiritual object that extremely raised the success probability when challenging the Void Refinement stage, he must obtain it if the opportunity arose.
[It is said that the succession ceremony to decide the owner of the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit will be held in Heavenly Feast Prefecture City one year from now.]
‘Only one year?’
His brow furrowed naturally.
At this rate, those far away from Heavenly Feast Prefecture City would not even be able to participate in the succession ceremony…
Jin So-myeong, clicking his tongue lightly, made preparations to depart.
***
Nine months later, as time flowed by.
In the Thousand Gold Merchant Union, the largest firm in Heavenly Feast Prefecture City, its Chief Administrator, Byeok Hae-wol, let out a sigh.
Thinking about the succession ceremony to be held three months later, she felt as if her mind were floating.
“Void Refinement.”
As she muttered it in a whisper, a thirst arose.
Excluding the Unity stage, which could be called a mythical realm, Void Refinement was the highest realm in the human race.
How wonderful would it be if only she could reach that supreme realm.
If she frowned because she was in a bad mood, everyone would tremble, and with a light gesture, hundreds of millions or tens of millions of cultivators would bow their heads.
Since it meant she could reign over ten thousand people until the day her lifespan ended, it was a dream-like thing that sent thrills just by imagining it.
However, becoming a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord was truly not easy.
Although cultivating to the Soul Formation stage Great Circle was also difficult, leaving that issue aside, she ultimately had to obtain a Void Refinement spiritual object, which was truly a headache.
Why?
That could be seen just by looking at the upcoming succession ceremony.
Traditionally, the Void Refinement spiritual object, the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit, was originally taken by the strongest Soul Formation cultivator in the vicinity.
Because even to resist the Asuras who might invade at any moment, there was a need to raise the strength of the entire human race.
However…
From some point, this tradition had become tightly twisted.
In the past, a certain Void Refinement Heavenly Lord lent a 6th-rank divine treasure to his offspring.
As a result, a person who originally had not even a speck of hope to become the owner of the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit became the successor.
Although countless people cursed at the absurd occurrence…
What meaning was there in the words of the weak?
The only ones who could impose practical sanctions on a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord were the Unity stage Dao Sovereigns.
While everyone’s attention was focused, for some unknown reason, the Unity stage Dao Sovereigns displayed no reaction.
Was it too minor of an issue for those in the supreme positions?
In any case,
After that day, similar occurrences took place throughout the human territory.
The Void Refinement Heavenly Lords who watched the situation handed down Void Refinement spiritual objects to their descendants and disciples.
The succession, which had been carried out secretly at first if only for the sake of saving face, became increasingly public from a certain point, and upon reaching today, it became taken for granted.
An era had arrived where the one chosen by a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord was indeed the successor.
“Haa…”
Byeok Hae-wol, who was recalling the succession ceremony, let out a sigh.
For experts who had already reached Void Refinement to monopolize Void Refinement spiritual objects and hand them down to their descendants…
A person like her, who had no connection with a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord, had no answer.
It felt like being blocked by a thick wall.
Of course, it was not that there was no opportunity at all.
One just had to compete at the risk of their life in a dangerous secret realm where nine out of ten died.
If heavenly luck favored and one survived, they could also become Void Refinement.
However, that was too grueling of a path. Just as she bit her lip at an inexplicable sense of injustice,
“Chief Administrator. A guest has arrived.”
“Ah.”
Regaining her senses from being lost in thought, Byeok Hae-wol hurriedly headed to the VIP room, and
She was able to see a welcomed face.
“Daoist Friend Jin? It has indeed been a long time. Is it twenty years?”
“It has been roughly about that long. Long time no see.”
Looking at Jin So-myeong, who replied calmly, she smiled brightly.
Jin So-myeong was a guest who had bought medicinal pills in large quantities twenty years ago, and she still remembered him vividly because he had many special aspects.
As she bowed her head to greet him and naturally scanned his outward appearance, the sword tied at his waist caught her eye.
‘Indeed…’
Although she did not inspect it using her Divine Sense, just at a glance, it was a 5th-rank peak-grade Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure. According to the discernment accumulated as a merchant, it was certain.
‘A sword cultivator who has survived to the late Soul Formation stage.’
Although sword cultivators boasted an overwhelming combat power to the point of being called invincible among their peers, their average lifespan was actually short.
Because the process of sharply honing Sword Qi was too harsh.
Sword Qi became sharp only when one fought at the risk of their life, but would that be easy?
Since they were prone to dying while fighting formidable enemies, sword cultivators who survived to the Soul Formation stage were truly uncommon.
‘Key to it all, he is young.’
It meant he was born with a talent that might appear only once in several thousands or tens of thousands of years.
On the off chance, if heavenly luck favored and Jin So-myeong became a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord?
A shiver ran down her spine.
He was a guest she must become close to. Thinking so, the smile formed on her lips grew even deeper.
“Thank you for visiting our Thousand Gold Merchant Union again. Is there any item you need?”
“I do have some information I need, but I will buy cultivation-use medicinal pills first. The Eternal Solidifying Qi Pill I bought in the past was decent; how many do you have?”
“If it is the Eternal Solidifying Qi Pill… we have about two hundred years’ worth.”
“That is suitable. I will buy all of it.”
“Ah.”
Of course, even excluding the expectations for the future, Jin So-myeong was a good guest. Because a guest who splashed immortal stones so lightheartedly like this was truly not common.
Enjoying the feeling of hitting a windfall, she politely clasped both hands.
Having lived for too long as a merchant, it was an action that came out without her realizing.
“Just a moment. I will prepare it for you right away.”
After ordering her subordinates to bring the medicinal pills stored in the warehouse,
She smiled while looking at Jin So-myeong, who was savoring spiritual tea.
“You mentioned there is some information you need; what are you curious about? If it is something I know, I will tell you everything.”
“Hmm… I heard a succession ceremony to decide the owner of the Void Refinement spiritual object will be held soon.”
“Yes. It will be held three months from now.”
“Hearing the rumors, it is said that a person named Je Won-tak will become the owner of the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit. I would like to know for what reason he became the designated successor.”
“Oh, um…”
From the very first question, it was considerably difficult.
If another person had asked, she would have smoothed it over appropriately.
However, the quantity of medicinal pills Jin So-myeong purchased, the talent faintly felt, and so forth; she hesitated because of various factors.
After keeping silent for a moment, she spoke with a bitter smile.
“Please just listen and forget the things I tell you today. Because a problem might arise…”
“Understood.”
She carefully examined Jin So-myeong’s face, and at least he did not seem like someone who would go back on his word.
Slightly relieved, she opened her mouth.
“Daoist Friend Je Won-tak is the direct grandson of the Ghost Smoke Grand Palace Elder. In other words… he can be called a beloved grandson of a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord.”
“Ghost Smoke Grand Palace?”
“It is one of the demonic sects served by the Dark Soul Demonic Sect, famous for being proficient in Ghost Dao cultivation methods.”
Jin So-myeong’s eyes sparkled. It was a reaction like a child who had heard an interesting story.
“Indeed… is he strong?”
“Of course. Daoist Friend Je Won-tak is a genius who was born with the Heavenly Spiritual Root and became a Soul Formation stage Great Circle at the young age of one thousand one hundred years. Frankly… he is a capable person who could aim for the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit even without the 6th-rank divine treasure lent by the Void Refinement Heavenly Lord.”
Just as she was explaining diligently,
Jin So-myeong, pausing, showed a bitter smile and waved his hand.
“I spoke in a way that caused a misunderstanding. I was asking about the Ghost Smoke Grand Palace Elder, not Daoist Friend Je Won-tak.”
“…Pardon?”
Was he asking how strong the Void Refinement Heavenly Lord was right now?
“He would naturally be at Void Refinement, and what is his specific realm?”
It seemed it was indeed so.
But what on earth did he plan to do by knowing how strong a Void Refinement was?
After all, to a chick, it was the same that it could oppose neither a wolf nor a tiger.
“……”
Should she say it felt as if her head had broken down?
It was difficult to understand with what intention he had asked.
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