Chapter 268: An Uninvited Guest Who Came to the Succession Ceremony (2)
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Translated by Frog in the Well
Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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“He would naturally be at Void Refinement, and what is his specific realm?”
“……”
Jin So-myeong, who was waiting for an answer, tilted his head.
Because Byeok Hae-wol’s expression had turned blank. She looked like a person who had heard an undecipherable foreign language.
Was it too difficult of a question?
‘Indeed. It is possible she might not know.’
Information regarding an existence of a higher realm was difficult to find out, even the minor details.
He waved his hand at her, who was only parting her lips without being able to answer, as if to say it was fine.
Just as he was about to move on to another question since there was no use forcibly prying into what she did not know.
Byeok Hae-wol, who snapped back to her senses, opened her mouth.
“Uh… Daoist Friend Je Won-tak’s grandfather. That is, Senior Je Hyeon-muk, who is the Ghost Smoke Grand Palace Elder, is probably at the Void Refinement stage 2nd layer.”
“Void Refinement stage 2nd layer?”
He wondered how she knew, but he could tell immediately upon hearing the subsequent explanation.
“Senior Je Hyeon-muk likes banquets very much. He is famous for holding grand celebratory banquets every time his realm rises.”
“Ah.”
“Since he held a celebratory banquet upon ascending to the Void Refinement stage 2nd layer fifty years ago, it is almost certain.”
“The 2nd layer… That is slightly disappointing.”
“Pardon?”
Although he did not know in what sense she had taken the words he muttered without much thought, the smile formed on Byeok Hae-wol’s lips trembled slightly.
“It is nothing. More importantly, you said the Ghost Smoke Grand Palace is proficient in Ghost Dao cultivation methods; what secret techniques are famous?”
“…Ah! Looking at it now, it seems Daoist Friend Jin plans to participate in the succession ceremony.”
“Yes. I heard that anyone can participate in the ceremony itself.”
“That is true. But are you worried that the Ghost Smoke Grand Palace Elder might retaliate for no reason if you participate?”
“…Well, it is roughly similar.”
It was slightly different.
To be precise, he was not worried that they would retaliate.
Considering what he would commit at the succession ceremony, retaliation was guaranteed. Since it was obvious they would come nine times out of ten, he was merely trying to find out beforehand.
“Hmm. Although there are rumors that Senior Je Hyeon-muk’s personality is slightly rough… he will not get angry just because you participated in the succession ceremony.”
“…”
“Anyway, there are many people other than Daoist Friend Jin who plan to participate in the succession ceremony. You do not need to worry too much.”
“There are many?”
“Yes. Because an opportunity like the succession ceremony to encounter 6th-rank energy without the danger of dying is uncommon.”
“Ah.”
There was a saying that encountering 6th-rank energy frequently was helpful when ascending to Void Refinement.
Although he did not know if it was true, there was also a rumor that if heavenly luck favored and one gained enlightenment, they could break through the great boundary even without a Void Refinement spiritual object.
It seemed she assumed that was why he was participating in the succession ceremony…
He just let her misunderstand.
Because even if he explained, there was no way she would believe it, and it would also be troublesome if she really believed it and rumors spread.
“I envy Daoist Friend Jin’s courage. To think you plan to personally experience the power of the 6th-rank divine treasure. You will not die, but if things go wrong, the injuries could be severe.”
***
Time flowed, and before long, three months passed,
And Heavenly Feast Prefecture City reached a state of saturation.
Because so many people that it made one’s mind dizzy gathered to watch the succession ceremony.
The taverns had long been fully packed, and even the secluded alleys were filled with people sleeping rough, leaving no space to step.
Despite this, the footsteps of those visiting Heavenly Feast Prefecture City did not cease.
Although the meaning contained in the succession ceremony had changed a lot from the past, it was still a grand festival.
Of course, if the succession ceremony were a mere spectacle, this many people would not have visited.
The succession ceremony was actually helpful for cultivation.
To someone, it was a highly important opportunity that might come only once in several hundred years.
“Hoo… fortunately, I am not late.”
Gwak Shin-do, who had visited to watch the succession ceremony…no, to participate in it.
Having reached the late Soul Formation stage after overcoming all kinds of adversities and hardships as a rogue cultivator, he hurriedly moved his footsteps.
Because it had taken too much time to reach Heavenly Feast Prefecture City, he could not delay for even a brief moment.
Without even having time to enjoy the scenery, he headed straight for the center of Heavenly Feast Prefecture City where the succession ceremony was conducted.
The moment he arrived at the square where the succession ceremony was held.
“…It is incredibly wide.”
An immensely large arena, so colossal that capturing it in a single glance was impossible, entered his view.
Millions of spectator seats installed in tiers formed a circle while facing the central stage.
The succession ceremony would be conducted on that stage, where a 6th-rank formation was installed so that the aftermath of combat would not leak outside.
The spectator seats were divided into several zones through formations, strictly distinguished from Qi Condensation to Soul Formation.
Seeing that, he nodded his head without realizing.
‘The Castellan of Heavenly Feast Prefecture City must possess a highly benevolent personality.’
Dividing the zones by realm was not discrimination but consideration.
If one were a Qi Condensation cultivator and a Soul Formation cultivator sat next to them, could they even watch properly? They probably would not even be able to breathe properly.
Furthermore, the real reason they divided the zones by realm lay elsewhere.
Spiritual Qi at the level of the 2nd rank flowed through the seats where Qi Condensation cultivators sat, and spiritual Qi at the level of the 3rd rank flowed through the seats where Foundation Establishment cultivators sat.
It provided spiritual Qi at a level perfectly suitable for each to cultivate.
Since they said the arena would remain open for a year even after the succession ceremony was over, entering this place itself was a fortuitous opportunity for them.
‘Of course, it is the same for me.’
As he went to the Soul Formation zone, spiritual Qi at the level of the 6th rank welcomed him.
‘To think there is such dense spiritual Qi…!’
He was to the point of his mind turning hazy from the dense spiritual Qi filling his lungs.
Gulp…
Gwak Shin-do, who was drunk on the overwhelming spiritual Qi, snapped back to his senses and turned his gaze.
Unlike the other noisy zones, the place where Soul Formation cultivators gathered was quiet.
‘Everyone looks strong…’
There were many who had arrived first, and not a single one of them looked easy to deal with.
Scanning the Soul Formation cultivators sitting while keeping their distance from one another, he paused.
‘A sword cultivator?’
There was a young man in greyish-white martial robes, and the sword tied at his waist particularly caught his eye.
To think he is a sword cultivator who survived safely to the late Soul Formation stage…
His surprise was only temporary.
He felt a slightly strange sensation.
‘…Is he a proper sword cultivator? His sharp Qi seems a bit weak.’
The memory of meeting a Soul Formation sword cultivator fifty years ago came to mind.
At that time, that sword cultivator harbored a sharp Qi so keen that just looking at him brought chills.
It was hair-raising to the point where it felt as if one would be cut just by drawing close.
However, the young man in front of him was different.
He was merely wearing a sword and had no particularly extraordinary aspects. He looked considerably lacking to be called a true sword cultivator.
Was it because he was weaker than the sword cultivator he met fifty years ago?
But what was also strange was that a repulsive feeling arose when he stared at the young man.
According to the senses he had honed as a rogue cultivator, if he touched him for no reason, it would not end well.
Just as he was quietly turning his eyes away because it felt uncomfortable for some reason,
“Excuse me.”
From the side of the entrance where Gwak Shin-do stood, a young man appeared wearing a silk robe that wavered with a subtle golden glow.
At that moment,
Attention focused on him.
The Soul Formation cultivators, who had merely glanced and ignored even when Gwak Shin-do entered, stared intently at the young man who had just walked in.
Gwak Shin-do, startled, took a step back, and belatedly realized the young man’s identity.
‘Je Won-tak!’
The protagonist of this succession ceremony and the owner of the Void Refinement spiritual object.
Je Won-tak, who appeared leisurely as if out for a stroll, proudly faced the numerous gazes. Seeing him even wear a broad smile, Gwak Shin-do gritted his teeth tightly.
‘Tsk.’
Just being next to him made Gwak Shin-do feel intimidated, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
Looking at Je Won-tak…no, the young master…who wore a subtle smile, irritation suddenly welled up.
While someone had barely reached this place after breaking through all kinds of adversities, that fellow…
Forcibly covering the murky emotions that crept up, he took his eyes off him.
Just as he was regaining his composure with a deep breath,
“Since the time has come, I will begin.”
The stage in the center of the square. On that spot, which had been empty, an expressionless old man appeared, and
All the commotion stopped abruptly.
The moment a voice that was neither loud nor quiet flowed out, millions of spectators closed their mouths simultaneously.
The Castellan of Heavenly Feast Prefecture City, Jo Hyang-un.
Overwhelming everyone just with his appearance like a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord, he scanned the spectator seats and continued speaking.
“In accordance with the will of the deceased who left the Profound Lotus Tree in Heavenly Feast Prefecture City, I will hand over the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit to the strongest Soul Formation cultivator.”
Jo Hyang-un, speaking in a monotonous tone that harbored almost no emotion, opened the jade box sealed with talismans.
The moment the fist-sized fruit wrapped in golden clouds was revealed to the whole world.
The expressions of the millions of spectators filling the square turned blank.
“Void Refinement spiritual object…!”
Muttering in a finely trembling voice, they could not snap out of it.
Although its influence must have been weakened by the formation, they absolutely could not take their eyes off it. They stared only at the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit like someone possessed by something.
Mind-dizzying greed, admiration and excitement, despair toward an unreachable ideal, awe, yearning…
The moment the heat boiling like a furnace filled the square.
Cheolkeok.
The jade box closed, concealing the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit.
The spectators who had forgotten to even breathe let out heavy breaths, and the calm voice of the Castellan of Heavenly Feast Prefecture City continued.
“Anyone who desires the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit, ascend to the sparring arena. Originally, we should conduct sparring for seven days and nights… but let us just make it informal. Half a day from now, I will give the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit to the one standing on the stage until the end.”
Simultaneously with Castellan Jo Hyang-un finishing his words.
“Castellan. I will challenge.”
Je Won-tak, stepping forward proudly, ascended to the stage while receiving everyone’s gaze.
“Are there no more? I say again, whoever is standing on the stage half a day from now, I will give the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit to that person.”
Just as a brief silence ensued,
Gwak Shin-do, jumping up impulsively, shouted.
“I will challenge too!”
Although the person who would obtain the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit was naturally Je Won-tak, who possessed the 6th-rank divine treasure, challenging was still free.
Experiencing the 6th-rank divine treasure through sparring would be of great help.
However, why was it?
The Castellan, staring intently at Gwak Shin-do’s face, let out a sigh. His expression was as if he were looking at a child performing a foolish action.
“Very well. It would not be bad to experience it once. Ascend to the stage.”
“…Yes.”
Something was strange, but he had no intention of backing out now.
He ascended to the stage and stood at an appropriate position, and Castellan Jo Hyang-un’s voice continued.
“Before starting, I will make just one request. Sparring is merely sparring, so do not intentionally try to kill the opponent. If such an attitude is shown, I will intervene.”
“Do not worry, Elder. I will conclude it nicely without going overboard.”
Je Won-tak replied with a smile, and Gwak Shin-do also answered that he would do so, but inwardly his pride was hurt.
Was it not a statement that treated him as a weakling no matter who looked at it?
Irritation surged, but he did not show it.
Because it was also true that he wanted to experience the 6th-rank divine treasure through sparring where his life was not in danger.
Simultaneously with Castellan Jo Hyang-un leaving the stage.
He greeted Je Won-tak, with whom he was left alone, once again.
“I am Gwak Shin-do.”
“I am Je Won-tak. Since I am ready, start whenever you like.”
Gwak Shin-do, pulling out his Natal Magic Treasure, the flail, furrowed his brows.
Because Je Won-tak had not even pulled out an ordinary Magic Treasure, let alone the 6th-rank divine treasure.
“May I really begin?”
“Yes. Is there any problem?”
“…Where is the 6th-rank divine treasure?”
“Ah, you must have wished to experience the 6th-rank divine treasure. I am sorry, but the 6th-rank divine treasure is difficult to control. I am apprehensive that I might inadvertently use too much force, so please understand.”
Hearing the leisurely voice, his stomach boiled. Unlike his polite words, his eyes oddly looked down on him.
‘Are you saying I am not even worth using the 6th-rank divine treasure on?’
Just as he bit his lip,
Je Won-tak, who was talking relaxed, even clasped his hands behind his back, and the moment Gwak Shin-do saw that arrogant posture, his reason snapped entirely.
‘A fellow who cultivated easily just because he met good parents dares to…!’
Feeling as if his blood were running backward, he tapped his storage pouch.
Clutching dozens of 5th-rank talismans that poured out in a flurry, he activated them all at once.
Kwareureung…!
The moment the lightning and flames pouring from the talismans dyed heaven and earth.
He swung the flail frantically with his other hand.
Controlling all of the spells filling the sky, he poured them onto the arrogant young master.
‘You son of a dog. Die!’
Was he flustered by the fierce offensive? Je Won-tak, whose eyes widened, tried to do something in a hurry, but it was far too late.
“Hmph!”
The moment Gwak Shin-do, who snorted, aimed his sword finger.
Peopeopeok!
Three needles that flew stealthily between the raging lightning and flames simultaneously pierced Je Won-tak’s forehead, dantian, and heart.
Looking at Je Won-tak collapsed and covered in blood, it was infinitely gratifying. It was to the point where shivers ran down his spine and nerves.
“Bwahahaha! You idiot!”
Just as he was laughing frantically, unable to contain his ecstasy,
“Will you continue?”
He was startled by a peaceful voice that echoed in his ears.
“…Ah?”
Je Won-tak, who had collapsed covered in blood, vanished like an illusion, leaving only the empty ground.
Turning his gaze blankly, Je Won-tak could be seen still holding his hands behind his back leisurely.
Seeing the subtle smile, he felt as if he had been struck on the back of his head.
‘What is this… No, wait. Why did I step forward first in the first place?’
As a rogue cultivator, he absolutely never stepped forward first in ordinary matters.
He had planned to do the same for today’s succession ceremony.
He should have challenged after watching others fight and considering countermeasures, but when he regained his senses, before he knew it, he had stepped forward first.
Furthermore, the needles he used just now were the Ice Soul Heart-Shattering Needles, which were the final resort he used only at moments when his life was in danger.
They were absolutely not items to be used in an open place like this.
Moreover, trying to kill the grandson of a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord was also a crazy act.
‘How could this be. From when on earth…’
Belatedly realizing that his mind had been twisted, his fingertips trembled finely.
Was this the Ghost Dao cultivation method? He literally felt possessed by a ghost.
Come to think of it, his emotions had fluctuated unusually easily since earlier. Could it be that he had been hit by a trick ever since he was in the spectator seats?
Just as his face was turning pale,
“If you think it is insufficient, please speak. I will continue.”
At Je Won-tak’s leisurely voice, his fighting spirit was completely broken.
“…No. I lost.”
Gwak Shin-do, lowering his head deeply, left the stage powerlessly.
After that, several challengers stepped forward as well, but all met a similar end. Unable to even draw out the 6th-rank divine treasure, they were possessed by the Ghost Dao cultivation method and merely attacked the empty air before descending just like that.
Thus,
As time flowed, people had no choice but to admit it.
“He is overwhelming.”
That Je Won-tak was strong even without the 6th-rank divine treasure, lacking nothing to become the successor.
***
Jin So-myeong, who was watching the succession ceremony…which was highly peaceful in a way, with not a single severely injured person, let alone a casualty…looked up at the sky.
‘It is slowly drawing to an end…’
The sun that had hung in the middle of the sky vanished beyond the horizon before he knew it, and a pure white full moon rose in the sky.
Watching the full moon, which was exceptionally clear today, a strange emotion arose.
How should he express this feeling right now?
For some reason, it felt as if the stopped time were flowing. Although it was difficult to explain why, it was certainly so.
“…”
Jin So-myeong, who stared at the full moon for a fairly long time, turned his gaze.
Not at Je Won-tak, who was toying with the challengers with overwhelming skill,
But at the Castellan of Heavenly Feast Prefecture City sitting cross-legged outside the formation installed on the stage.
Did he feel the gaze?
The eyes of the Castellan of Heavenly Feast Prefecture City, who was closing his eyes as if meditating, turned precisely toward this side.
A moment of silence passed.
The Castellan, whose eyes bore a curious light, wore a faint smile that was barely visible before closing his eyes again.
‘…’
Leaving behind the Castellan, who exuded a strange atmosphere,
He inspected outside the square where the succession ceremony was underway using the Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye.
A luxurious pavilion located beyond the crowd that was feeling regretful at not being able to enter the arena.
At the top of a seven-story building floating in the sky, Void Refinement cultivators sharing wine cups could be seen.
They were sharing conversation while spreading out an abundance of luxurious dishes that even Jin So-myeong saw for the first time, and one of them particularly stood out.
‘Is that fellow Je Won-tak’s grandfather?’
An old man wearing a black robe painted with a crow.
Possessing a sharp gaze, he closely resembled Je Won-tak. Anyone could tell they were blood relatives.
Just as he was observing the old man raising his wine cup high and shouting something with a flushed face,
“Is there no one else to challenge? There is still time left, so it is a pity to conclude it already.”
Turning his gaze at the voice that suddenly reached his ears, he saw Je Won-tak still holding his hands behind his back.
At that leisurely and proud appearance.
Jin So-myeong, letting out a smirk, slowly stood up from his seat.
And, he took a step toward the stage.
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