Chapter 271: Absurd Speed of Progress

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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***

Heavenly Feast Prefecture City.

Although the succession ceremony was already over, the spectator seats were still packed with people.

Because the square, which would remain open for the next year, had extremely dense spiritual Qi, making it an incomparably great place to cultivate.

As it was a highly important opportunity that did not come easily, normally everyone should focus on cultivation, but…

A slightly strange thing happened.

“Heh… a truly ridiculous thing occurred.”

“I still cannot distinguish whether what I saw then was a dream or reality.”

The cultivators, who should have been engrossed in cultivation, gathered in small groups and chattered about what had happened at the succession ceremony.

Normally, one must not speak carelessly about seniors of higher realms, but this time, they simply could not hold it in.

“Could it be that I was possessed by the Ghost Dao cultivation method?”

“No way. Unless they possessed millions of people in the spectator seats simultaneously, everyone could not have seen the same scene.”

The Ghost Dao cultivation method was not a secret technique that caused illusions in reality, but a secret technique that possessed the opponent and made them see things.

“Then… that scene where Senior Je Won-tak vomited blood, ahem! Anyway, is that scene real?”

“Probably.”

As they began to open their mouths one by one, the entire square became as noisy as a marketplace, and

Eventually, someone lacking tact went so far as to bring up the words that everyone had treated as a taboo.

“It is a bit awkward to say such things, but I view this matter as something that occurred because Senior Je Won-tak was too careless.”

“Hmm?”

“In the first place, if he had pulled out the 6th-rank divine treasure first, things would not have turned out like this. Because no matter how much of a Soul Formation stage sword cultivator one is, opposing a 6th-rank divine treasure is impossible.”

“……”

As those words, which everyone had kept in their hearts but did not dare to utter, burst out, the lips of those who had been doubting trembled slightly.

At the ecstasy of scratching an itchy spot after holding it in tightly, those who trembled all over closed their eyes tightly.

Just as they bit their lips tightly, unable to laugh.

The words of the tactless cultivator continued.

“Actually, no. Come to think of it, Senior Jin So-myeong sliced through the 6th-rank divine treasure with a single sword strike. Even if they had fought properly, Senior Je Won-tak might have struggled.”

“Shh.”

Someone gave him a look, but of course, it did not work. Because if he had such tact, he would not have brought up such words in the first place.

“Anyway. If only he had pulled out the 6th-rank divine treasure in time, at least such a miserable result would not have occurred. Is it not so?”

“…You will not live long because of that mouth.”

“Huh?”

At any rate, the rumors that started in the square spread in all directions in an instant.

A Soul Formation stage sword cultivator had sliced through a 6th-rank divine treasure, and the successor chosen by a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord had lost.

It was only natural, as it was an event that might occur only once in ten thousand years, uncommon even if one searched the entire human race.

***

One day, as time flowed, in the Blue Cloud Sea Region.

The rogue cultivator Ha Do-jin, whom Jin So-myeong had hired to hunt the Thunder-Pattern Hermit Lizard.

Having completed ten years of closed-door cultivation, he headed for a shabby tavern frequented by low-level cultivators.

There was a reason why Ha Do-jin, who was at the Soul Formation stage, went to a tavern that only Qi Condensation cultivators would likely visit.

It was partly to relieve the mental fatigue accumulated during closed-door cultivation, and partly to observe the way people lived.

Due to the characteristics of the cultivation method he practiced, time spent looking at people’s daily lives was absolutely necessary.

At any rate,

He entered the tavern, but it was exceptionally noisier than usual.

The Qi Condensation cultivators filling the tavern were chattering about some strange story.

“Senior Jin So-myeong split a 6th-rank divine treasure in a single stroke at the succession ceremony?”

“I tell you, it is so! The sword strike was so fast that Senior Je Won-tak could not even react.”

“Tsk, no way.”

The low-level cultivators used sound-proofing talismans to prevent others from hearing, but it was clearly audible to Ha Do-jin, who was at the Soul Formation stage.

As he listened to the whispering of the Qi Condensation cultivators, his eyes naturally widened.

“Jin So-myeong? As expected, he was alive.”

He had wondered what became of Jin So-myeong, who fought the Thunder-Pattern Hermit Lizard, and only now had news arrived.

Since it was the news he had been waiting for, he listened intently, but something was quite strange.

To cause a disruption at a succession ceremony attended by Void Refinement Heavenly Lords…

‘He is still a crazy fellow.’

Should he say this was typical of a sword cultivator?

Just imagining what kind of expressions the Void Refinement Heavenly Lords who witnessed Jin So-myeong must have worn brought a dry laugh.

Ha Do-jin, who was shaking his head, fell deep into thought.

Clearing away the uncertain information like rumors, he calculated only what was certain.

Jin So-myeong faced the Thunder-Pattern Hermit Lizard head-on, yet he was still alive.

Did it mean he succeeded in hunting the Thunder-Pattern Hermit Lizard?

If so, it meant Jin So-myeong had already far transcended the level of an ordinary Soul Formation cultivator, so slicing through a 6th-rank divine treasure was nothing to be surprised about.

‘Grand… just what kind of life does one have to live to become that strong?’

Suddenly, the memory of entering the desert with Jin So-myeong flashed through his head, and his mood felt strange.

How should he express this feeling…

‘Awe-inspiring?’

No, it was a pity to conclude it with such a simple word.

Just as he was silently contemplating while sitting by the window,

He casually raised his head and saw the sun pouring out light so bright that it was dazzling.

The moment he faced that which lit up all creation.

For some reason, he could clearly explain what his feelings were right now.

Yes. It was fine to say it like this.

That it felt like witnessing the moment a mythical existence was born.

“……”

Just as he was silent,

The whispering of the Qi Condensation cultivators continued.

“Could Senior Jin by any chance be a descendant of the Twelve Stars Sect?”

“The Twelve Stars Sect? Hmm…”

During the past war with the Asura race, when the human race was pushed into the worst situation.

There were twelve Void Refinement cultivators who sacrificed their lives to die together with Asura Unity stage Dao Sovereigns.

The families or sects to which they belonged were called the Twelve Stars Sect out of respect.

Recalling the extraordinary qualities Jin So-myeong displayed, it would not be strange even if he were a descendant of the Twelve Stars Sect.

“Well, I do not know. But was there a Jin Clan in the Twelve Stars Sect? I do not think so.”

“Are there not only five places among the Twelve Stars Sect that still maintain their legacy? Since most scattered or vanished, it would not be strange even if he changed his surname.”

“Indeed.”

“And since there are also sects among the Twelve Stars Sect, they might not necessarily be connected by blood.”

The Qi Condensation cultivators, nodding their heads, soon moved on to another topic.

However, the complexion of Ha Do-jin, who had frozen stiffly, did not relax.

Was it because of the term Twelve Stars Sect?

After being unable to move for a long while, he closed his eyes tightly and let out a deep, long sigh.

***

The land of the human race, the deepest part of the Stone Heart Realm.

The place called the Bright Life Palace was truly a strange location.

Because despite having the title of a palace in name, its outward appearance was actually no different from a shabby grassy field.

Furthermore, the Bright Life Palace did not even have a proper ceiling.

It was a palace in name only, but in reality, it was just an empty lot where weeds grew densely.

The reason such a shabby place came to possess the grandiose name of Bright Life Palace was only one.

Because this was indeed the place where a Unity stage Dao Sovereign resided.

There was absolutely nothing strange about it.

The place where a Unity stage Dao Sovereign resided was worthy of being called a palace, even if it were an open field.

“O Dao Sovereign Bright Life.”

A man possessing the appearance of someone in his mid-thirties bowed his waist politely, and surprisingly, he was a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord reigning over ten thousand people.

At the extremely respectful and polite greeting,

A muscular giant lying under a luxurious silk blanket, which did not suit the grassy field at all, let out a massive yawn.

“What is it again?”

Although it was a way of speaking like a street hoodlum, the Void Refinement Heavenly Lord was not shaken in the slightest.

Expressing extreme reverence from beginning to end, he spoke politely.

“Lately, the movements of the Asura race are unusual. It seems they are targeting the moment the Taixu Sacred Venerable enters reincarnation.”

“Haaam.”

“…I ask whether we should enter a wartime posture before it is too late.”

It was grave news that a war between races might break out, but Dao Sovereign Bright Life’s attitude remained unchanged.

Picking his ear as if bothered, he yawned in succession.

He did not even open his half-closed eyes properly while groping the ground, going as far as to pick up a gourd containing wine and drink it down in gulps.

“Phew, I am sleepy as hell. Who did what? Say it again.”

Although it was an absurd response, the Void Refinement Heavenly Lord repeated the same words clearly.

“Lately, the movements of the Asura race are unusual. It seems…”

“The Asuras? Crap. I can sweep away such fellows by myself. Throw away useless worries and cultivate properly! Only when you quickly become Unity stage can I rest even slightly! Damn it.”

“I am sorry. Because your disciple is incompetent, I could not live up to the Dao Sovereign’s expectations…”

“I do not want to hear it, so shut up! You rotten fellow. I do not know when on earth that stuffy way of speaking will be fixed.”

The Void Refinement cultivator, who wore a bitter smile, paused and then spoke as if he had just remembered.

“Dao Sovereign. Recently, an interesting event took place in Heavenly Feast Prefecture City.”

“Heavenly Feast Prefecture City?”

As the muscular giant knit his brows as if he did not remember, a kind explanation returned.

“It is the place closest to the Bright Blood Great Valley among the 6th-rank Immortal Cities.”

“It is the frontier. And?”

“It is said that a Soul Formation stage sword cultivator sliced through a 6th-rank divine treasure in a single stroke at the succession ceremony held in Heavenly Feast Prefecture City. Although it is not certain, under the circumstances, there is a possibility that he even defeated a Void Refinement stage.”

It was said that the Soul Lamp of the Void Refinement Heavenly Lord who pursued the Soul Formation stage sword cultivator had gone out.

It meant the possibility of him being counter-defeated and losing his life was highly great.

“…”

“Judging by the unclear background, he seems to be a cultivator who recently ascended from the Lower Realm.”

If it was news of this level, it was a considerably special event even to a Unity stage Dao Sovereign who had lived for tens of thousands of years.

However,

Dao Sovereign Bright Life did not display any particularly distinct reaction.

Whether he was listening or not, he merely sipped from the gourd with half-closed eyes.

“If you are interested, I will look into it properly.”

At the Void Refinement Heavenly Lord’s polite question, Dao Sovereign Bright Life snorted as if it were absurd.

“Soul Formation? Do I have to concern myself with such a minor matter? You take care of a thing like that by yourself!”

“…Yes.”

The Void Refinement Heavenly Lord, whose expression turned sheepish, greeted politely once again and left quietly.

Around the time the desolate grassy field was dyed with tranquility again.

The expression of the alone Dao Sovereign Bright Life changed completely.

Peoseok!

The wine gourd he had been sipping like a slacker was reduced to powder and scattered, and his half-closed eyes snapped open clearly.

“For a Soul Formation stage to slice through a Void Refinement stage…”

Staring at the moon floating in the sky with eyes bearing a strange heat, he muttered as if sighing.

“I hope it is real this time.”

***

A nameless plain.

Bieeeeek…!

The moment a cry that made his hair stand on end just from hearing it shook all directions of heaven and earth.

The wild beasts living in the plain were startled and buried their heads into the ground.

Hwoong!

A giant phoenix with a wingspan reaching ten meters crossed the sky at a tremendous speed.

On the back of the phoenix, whose entire body was made of black flames, sat a young man wearing a single sword, and he was Jin So-myeong, who had evaporated a Void Refinement Heavenly Lord with three punches not long ago.

Jin So-myeong, who was returning to the Plateau Desert riding the 6th-rank mobile-type Magic Treasure, the Black Flame Boundary Stone, wore a bitter smile.

“Do not grumble and let us go quietly.”

Pureuk!

The Black Flame Boundary Stone, which spewed flames as if expressing dissatisfaction, soon suppressed its presence, and the wild beasts that had been trembling without knowing the reason raised their heads one by one.

Jin So-myeong, who stroked the back of the calmed Black Flame Boundary Stone a few times, closed his eyes as if meditating.

He reviewed the battle that had occurred recently.

There were many points to ponder, but what he was personally most interested in was the difference between the Asura race and the human race.

To be honest, he was disappointed at first.

For a person who was a Void Refinement demonic Heavenly Lord in name to have died without even showing proper skill.

‘He was too weak compared to the Asuras, especially Ra-heuk.’

However, was that really so?

Pondering it carefully, he realized that the standard had changed.

Calculating calmly, Je Hyeon-muk was on a level similar to the purple-skinned woman who specialized in formations, who was somewhat weak among the Asuras.

But why did it end so futilely?

The reason was clear.

Because Jin So-myeong had become incomparably stronger compared to the past.

At the time he fought Ra-heuk, he was at the Soul Formation stage 5th layer, and his body tempering realm was also 5th-rank mid-grade.

Now?

He had reached the Soul Formation stage 8th layer, and his spiritual power amplification rate also rose while unfolding the Moon-Reflecting Blade Canon.

Even comparing purely spiritual power, he had grown at least four or five times stronger, and as the proficiency of the Primordial One Qi Art and the Nine Successes Golden Body Art rose, the efficiency of handling energy also increased.

His body tempering realm had also reached the edge of 5th-rank high-grade, and since he had even learned the Golden Body Dharma Image divine ability, a Void Refinement-grade secret technique…

No matter how conservatively calculated, it could be said that he had grown eight or nine times stronger.

Of course, since he had unfolded the Moon-Reflecting Blade Canon to fill the lacking realm when fighting Ra-heuk, a simple comparison was difficult, but…

It was certain that he had become tremendously stronger compared to that time.

Thanks to the tremendous progress, which was unbelievable to have achieved in a short time, he was able to overwhelm and crush Je Hyeon-muk.

Furthermore, the absurd speed of progress remained unchanged.

【Cultivation Method】

Primordial One Qi Art (Proficiency 2.8 Trillion / 3 Trillion)

The remaining proficiency was about 200 billion. Normally, it would have been a proficiency that required about a year to fill, but…

If he absorbed the numerous treasures obtained this time, he would be able to fill it quickly.

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