Chapter 279: Limitless Land
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Translated by Frog in the Well
Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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Facing the gazes where all kinds of emotions were mixed, Jin So-myeong closely scanned the entire cave.
Although it was a cave spacious enough to be called a plain, various groups of people had settled in.
Because the Soul Formation stage cultivators numbered in the thousands, counting them individually was difficult, and Nascent Soul stage cultivators were also seen here and there.
‘To them, the Limitless Pure Land will be highly dangerous… What great courage.’
The Limitless Pure Land was a considerably dangerous place even to Void Refinement stage cultivators. If one let down their guard or forced things, one could lose one’s life.
What would it mean to be a threat even to the Void Refinement stage?
It meant that for the Soul Formation and Nascent Soul stages, it was a despairing difficulty where they would die nine times out of ten.
To think they came on their own feet to a place where they would die if heavenly luck did not follow…
Leaving behind the cultivators with solemn expressions, he counted the Void Refinement stage cultivators who could be called competitors.
Exactly thirty-seven.
Considering the number of Void Refinement stage Heavenly Lords possessed by the human race, it was a considerable number.
It was to the extent of being puzzling because there were so many, but looking closely, there were also quite a few races other than humans.
‘Is that person… could he be of the beast race?’
He saw a man possessing a black-and-yellow striped tail unique to tigers, who stood shoulder to shoulder with several humans.
And also.
There was a woman holding a greatsword reaching nearly 2 meters in both hands, and she, who possessed snow-white hair, somehow did not feel like a human.
An unfamiliar, yet familiar Qi is felt.
The quiet and desolate feeling unique to inanimate objects. Rather than a human with blood and flesh, it felt like looking at inorganic matter like rock or steel.
‘It seems she is of the Artifact Spirit race .’
The race that was very rarely born from a Dharma Treasure possessing spirituality was precisely the Artifact Spirit race.
The difference between a typical Dharma Treasure and the Artifact Spirit race was whether they could accumulate law power on their own to raise their realm.
Usually, the stronger the spirituality possessed by the Dharma Treasure, the stronger the tendency to awaken as the Artifact Spirit race.
Is that why?
The Artifact Spirit race and the human race were on very good terms.
It was because a human cultivator would make a Natal Spiritual Treasure to be the companion of their soul, and in this process, cases where the Artifact Spirit race woke up were frequent.
Looking at the Artifact Spirit race, he got a general feeling.
Presumably, the other races here seemed to be on good enough terms to roam the human territory.
Just as he took his eyes off the white-haired woman and scanned the undersea cave.
“Jin So-myeong?”
A middle-aged man who looked ferocious enough to make one flinch if encountered on the street approached.
Reflexively, he grasped his realm first, and he was at the 6th layer of the Void Refinement stage.
“Who are you?”
Since he spoke informally first, he merely returned it as it was, but was it displeasing?
The middle-aged man, who narrowed his brow minutely, was silent for a moment before speaking in a much more polite attitude.
“I am Yin Cheon-ho, an Elder of the Dark Soul Demonic Sect. I was just looking for you, and it is good that we met.”
As he stared blankly instead of answering, the man let out a chuckle.
“You are a taciturn Fellow Daoist. Good. Since I also dislike useless words, I will only state the core point. I know that the Soul-Shattering Bell is with you. Is that correct?”
“The Soul-Shattering Bell? Ah, you mean that bell handled by the Ghost Smoke Grand Palace Elders?”
In an instant, the bell-shaped Dharma Treasure that had been in his sub-space crossed his mind.
The Dharma Treasure the Ghost Smoke Grand Palace cultivators had used to obstruct his Lightning Tribulation was precisely the Soul-Shattering Bell.
“That is correct. Although you might not know, that Soul-Shattering Bell is mine.”
“The Soul-Shattering Bell is yours?”
Did it not amount to confessing that he lent a hand in obstructing his Lightning Tribulation?
What was the reason for coming to reveal it in person?
Surely he was not asking to return the Soul-Shattering Bell, was it a declaration of war?
“Ah, I am saying this just in case. I merely lent the Soul-Shattering Bell, and I am unrelated to your matter.”
“…”
“It was just that the Ghost Smoke Grand Palace Elders came and earnestly petitioned, so I granted their request. However, I heard later that they obstructed you with my Soul-Shattering Bell.”
“I see.”
He did not know? Honestly, he could not believe it, but he let it be.
To be more precise, he had no interest whether it was true or not.
As he remained still while merely nodding his head lightly, Yin Cheon-ho’s expression stiffened.
“…The Soul-Shattering Bell is mine, so please return it now.”
“I’m sorry, but that will be difficult.”
The Soul-Shattering Bell had already vanished from the world.
It was because it was swept by the Black Lightning, shattered to pieces, and became waste, and he had already absorbed even the remaining fragments to cultivate the Primordial One Qi Art.
“…You are saying you will not return it?”
“It was ruined under the aftermath of the Lightning Tribulation. I have already used the shattered fragments personally.”
Since he had done nothing wrong, he had nothing to be discouraged about.
As he spoke honestly, a considerably long silence followed.
Yin Cheon-ho, whose complexion had stiffened hard, let out a long, slow breath and relaxed his expression.
“Since the situation is like that, it cannot be helped. I understood very well what you meant.”
Did he really understand?
‘It doesn’t matter.’
There was nothing to fear.
If he came with hostility, he just had to have a bout.
1st layer and 6th layer of the Void Refinement stage.
Although the gap was large enough that the difference in law power reached eight times, that was a typical case.
To Jin So-myeong, who was armed with all kinds of divine abilities, he was rather an opponent he wanted to have a bout with.
At any rate, he had wanted to test how strong he had become while breaking through the Void Refinement stage.
‘6th layer of the Void Refinement stage. If we fight one-on-one, it seems doable…’
The problem was his companions.
Yin Cheon-ho, who departed quietly, joined two people in the corner of the cave, and the two men who looked like companions glanced over here.
Unfolding the Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye to examine, their realms were also at the mid-Void Refinement stage.
4th layer and 5th layer of the Void Refinement stage.
If the three of them joined forces, it was expected to be considerably troublesome.
Should he raise his realm further?
Just as he was predicting his chances of victory while fighting a mock battle in his head.
A young man with a cheerful impression entered from the cave entrance.
His gaze met with him who was looking around the cave as if searching for someone, and discovering Jin So-myeong, he seemed startled and immediately approached.
“Fellow Daoist Jin. As expected, you also came.”
“It has been a long time. Has it been fifty years?”
Ha Do-jin, the rogue cultivator he had hired when taming the Thunder-Pattern Hermit Lizard, had become a Void Refinement stage cultivator in the time they had not met.
It was not a particularly strange thing.
Since Ha Do-jin was already right before the Great Circle of the Soul Formation stage fifty years ago, it was a sufficiently possible thing.
Rather…
The one who was far from normal was this side.
Ha Do-jin, who stared blankly at Jin So-myeong, shook his head as if absurd.
“It took me over four hundred years just to go from the 7th layer of the Soul Formation stage to the Great Circle, yet you… Goodness.”
Looking at Ha Do-jin who let out a hollow laugh, something suddenly came to mind.
“Ah, I almost forgot. This is the medium-grade immortal stones I promised to give at that time.”
As he handed over a pile of medium-grade immortal stones in a storage pouch, Ha Do-jin, who paused, let out a chuckle.
“Indeed. I almost died going to the desert to receive this.”
At that time, he had promised to give medium-grade immortal stones as the price for guiding through the Plateau Desert, but because a battle broke out upon encountering the Thunder-Pattern Hermit Lizard, he could not pay the balance.
As he handed over the storage pouch, Ha Do-jin’s expression became strange.
Did he feel emotion seeing the medium-grade immortal stones he had risked his life to obtain during his Soul Formation stage days again now that he was a Void Refinement stage cultivator?
Ha Do-jin, who silently stared at the storage pouch, nodded his head.
“Come to think of it, the medium-grade immortal stones you gave were useful. They were of great help when breaking through the Void Refinement stage great realm.”
“It is a relief that they were helpful.”
Ha Do-jin, who packed up the storage pouch, glanced at the surroundings and deployed a barrier using law power.
Preventing the sound from escaping to the surroundings, he spoke with a serious expression.
“Actually, there was something I definitely wanted to ask when I met you. May I ask a question?”
“Yes.”
As he nodded to grant permission, the question followed immediately.
“Fifty years ago, you were at the 7th layer of the Soul Formation stage, right? But did you really fight and defeat the Thunder-Pattern Hermit Lizard? Is it truly possible to fight and defeat an enemy beyond the great realm?”
Although it was a tone harboring a strange heat, it was not a difficult question.
“It was possible.”
“Just how on earth?”
“I cut it with a sword and pulled out its inner core.”
“…Haha. It is truly simple.”
Ha Do-jin, who chuckled as if absurd, muttered almost inaudibly.
“Is it truly possible to kill an existence of a higher realm than oneself…”
Ha Do-jin fell silent as if deeply lost in thought.
Did fighting and defeating an enemy of a higher realm possess some special meaning?
Around the time the silence continued.
The old man who had been looking over here since earlier approached, and discovering him, Ha Do-jin scattered the barrier and greeted him.
“Elder Jeok. You arrived first. I am a little late.”
“No. Is there not still time before the Limitless Pure Land opens? At any rate, I am sorry for intruding on your conversation. Actually, since he is someone I definitely wanted to meet once, I came to find him despite the rudeness.”
The old man who bowed his head slightly as if requesting understanding greeted Jin So-myeong.
“I am Jeok Song, who holds the position of Elder in the Infinite Void Temple.”
“I am Jin So-myeong. Do you have some business with me?”
“Haha. It is not that. Since Fellow Daoist Jin’s reputation is so resounding, I merely wanted to exchange names before entering the secret realm.”
He had wondered if he had something to say, but it was not particularly so.
Presumably, his purpose was to get acquainted before entering the secret realm, reducing the room for conflict to arise.
Elder Jeok, who engaged in small talk, wore a benevolent smile and quietly returned to his original place.
Leaving behind a single transmission.
– Yin Cheon-ho is a man who is proficient in actual combat, on top of being thoroughly versed in all kinds of bizarre demonic secret techniques. If a problem occurs, it would be better to resolve it through dialogue.
Just as he was deeply lost in thought to grasp the intention of leaving such a warning, Ha Do-jin also left the spot.
“I should also leave now. Oh right, if we encounter each other in the Limitless Pure Land, I hope we yield to each other appropriately. How about it?”
“Let us do so.”
“Good. Then see you later.”
Jin So-myeong, who became alone again, searched for a secluded place and sat cross-legged.
According to what several cultivators calculated, the path heading to the Limitless Pure Land from this cave would open in fifteen days.
‘It was said to open once every ten thousand years.’
Although he heard it was because the crust in the undersea twisted, creating a spatial rift.
At any rate, since this secret realm was a rare opportunity, he had to take maximum profit.
He fell deep into thought.
To move efficiently in the Limitless Pure Land, he needed to make his priorities clear.
‘First, the most important thing is to obtain a large amount of 6th-rank spiritual herbs.’
Only then could he cultivate rapidly even at the Void Refinement stage.
Actually, while coming to the Blue Cloud Sea Region, he had visited 6th-rank immortal cities a few times.
It was to obtain cultivation elixirs suitable for a Void Refinement stage cultivator…
As expected, it was so.
Regrettably, there was not a single merchant union that handled 6th-rank spiritual objects.
Presumably, to find a large merchant union selling 6th-rank spiritual objects, he had to go to the center of the Stone Heart Realm.
Of course, even if he went to the center of the Stone Heart Realm, there was no guarantee that he could obtain cultivation elixirs in large quantities. 6th-rank and above resources were that precious.
That was why this secret realm was important.
‘I must obtain as many 6th-rank spiritual herbs as possible.’
Fortunately, he heard that if he went to the Limitless Pure Land, all kinds of rare spiritual herbs were scattered like wild grass.
If he swept up the 6th-rank spiritual herbs there and had his clones turn them into elixirs, it would at least be enough to cultivate for the time being.
‘It is a relief that I mastered the Primordial One Qi Art.’
Unlike other Void Refinement stage cultivators who had to find resources suitable for themselves, he, who mastered the Primordial One Qi Art as his Natal Cultivation Art, could consume various spiritual herbs.
To speak slightly roughly, it did not matter even if he just picked up and ate anything.
Whether it was poisonous grass or demonic spiritual objects, all were fine.
‘I will obtain as many spiritual herbs as possible, and also obtain Life-Prolonging Stones in between.’
There were not only spiritual herbs in the Limitless Pure Land.
Life-Prolonging Stones, which were treasures that could extend lifespan, were also rarely discovered.
‘If I obtain Life-Prolonging Stones in large quantities and have Wugeuk absorb them…’
The Supreme Great Ability that Wugeuk could store would increase drastically.
6th-rank spiritual herbs and Life-Prolonging Stones.
For now, his top priority goals were those two. Of course, if opportunity allowed, he must not forget to cultivate in between to raise his realm.
‘I must move diligently.’
Recalling the content he had investigated about the Limitless Pure Land, he drew a rough plan.
One day, two days, three days…
As time flowed, the atmosphere inside the cave became heavy.
It was because at the fact that they were going to a secret realm dangerous even to the Void Refinement stage, the expressions of the cultivators below the Soul Formation stage darkened rapidly.
There were even cultivators who left the cave because their determination to risk their lives faltered.
The time that flowed like that was already fifteen days.
It became right before the path heading to the Limitless Pure Land opened.
Around the time everyone was sharpening their nerves.
A man and a woman appeared at the cave entrance.
The man who had a calm expression and held his hands behind his back looked to be in his mid-thirties, and the woman who followed politely one step behind like a maid was a beauty with impressive white skin.
‘To think they came exactly at the right time.’
At the very latest, it was normal to come a week before the secret realm opened to scan the competitors, so it was fascinating that they came at the very end.
‘Well, it is none of my business.’
Glancing at them, he turned his attention away. Just as he was about to focus on the secret realm that would open soon.
He paused at a feeling as if he had forgotten something.
‘…’
Just what was this oddly bothersome feeling, as if he had forgotten something important?
After pondering for a long time while narrowing his brow.
‘Ah.’
He belatedly realized the fact that he had not grasped the realm of the man and woman who just entered the cave.
Startled, he turned his gaze again, and the man and woman were staring intently over here.
To think he had not even noticed their gaze…
‘Mid-Void Refinement stage…? No, it also feels like the late stage.’
Surprisingly, even with the Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye, it was difficult to gauge how strong the opponent was.
There was something else strange.
An immense powerhouse had appeared, yet no one in the cave paid any attention.
“He is an outstanding talent. It is worthy of you guys to struggle.”
As he instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword,
His gaze clashed with the man who was staring over here as if observing an interesting object, and
Rumble…!
The entire cave vibrated and light poured from all directions.
The time had come.
Simultaneously with a sensation of his Divine Sense being suppressed, the peaceful space began to become rapidly unstable.
The moment he felt a sensation of being sucked in somewhere.
‘Ah.’
The surrounding scenery turned upside down in an instant.
A blazing sun.
An endlessly spread lush forest and a giant mountain range traversing through it.
Unbelievable for a secret realm inside the sea,
A limitless land filled his vision.
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