Chapter 301: A Reward Far Exceeding Expectations
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Translated by Frog in the Well
Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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The Taixu Sacred Venerable, who burst into a hearty laugh, coughed a few times and then said in a somewhat subdued tone.
“How wonderful to be so young… I will ask just one last question. For what purpose do you walk the path of cultivation?”
This question felt a bit different.
The coughing that had burst out incessantly had completely stopped before he knew it, and his fingertips, which had been trembling finely as if afflicted with palsy, had calmly settled.
Deep within his lifeless, dried-up eyes, a faint ember flickered.
It was only after seeing the dim flame, which would not have been strange to dismiss as an illusion, that he became certain.
The old man in front of him was indeed the pillar that had supported the human race for a long time.
Meeting those eyes, which were filled with a strange warmth that was hard to describe, he spoke.
“There are probably many reasons… but if I had to choose just one, I would say it is because I am curious about the end.”
“Curiosity? Haha, what a truly simple reason.”
Hearing the voice full of laughter, he asked back.
“Is that not allowed?”
“Of course not. In fact, it is even better!”
The Taixu Sacred Venerable, shouting heartily and chuckling, gasped for his rough breath and then nodded.
“It was good to meet you. Seeing you has put my mind at ease. Now, I only need to wait for that day to come.”
That day?
Muttering incomprehensible words, he rose from his seat.
“I am sorry, but I must go now. If I want to live even a day longer, I must not move my body. It was nice to meet you.”
“…Please return safely.”
The smiling old man mounted a gray cloud and leisurely departed alone.
Watching his departing figure, he narrowed his eyes.
‘I cannot even fathom how strong he actually is.’
He was an old man for whom it would not be strange to die from a depleted lifespan this very day, yet he could not be looked down upon in the slightest.
Even with the Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye unleashed to its absolute limit, he could not fathom his depth.
It felt as if he were in a realm that could never be reached no matter how much one stretched out their hand.
Just as he was measuring the gap with the Unity stage Dao Sovereign.
Jeok Song, who had returned after seeing off the Taixu Sacred Venerable, hesitated for a long time before asking.
“Fellow Daoist Jin. But are you really two hundred and eighty-three years old? You are not even three hundred yet?”
“Yes.”
“Sigh…”
Whether he had received a shock, Jeok Song stood blankly for nearly a minute before snapping out of it with a gasp.
“Ahem, my apologies. My mind was complicated, so I showed a disgraceful sight. At any rate, this is the reward for helping us in the secret realm.”
“Thank you.”
He was not of a personality to refuse something offered.
He was about to receive the proffered storage pouch, but…
He could not easily take it. This was because Jeok Song was holding onto it so tightly that the veins stood out on the back of his hand.
‘I do not know what he is trying to do.’
Since he had mastered body tempering, it was not impossible to take it by force, but the situation did not warrant such an action.
“Fellow Daoist Jeok?”
“Ah! Oh dear, I am truly sorry. I did that without realizing.”
Jeok Song, startled, finally let go of the storage pouch and laughed awkwardly.
‘He is acting strange today of all days.’
Shaking his head inwardly, he checked the storage pouch, only to freeze.
“This is…”
How should he describe it?
He checked the storage pouch without much thought, and his mouth fell open in spite of himself.
For the first time in a truly long time, he was genuinely astonished.
Round objects of a size easy to swallow in a single bite were piled up like a mountain, and upon checking to see what they were, they were all cultivation elixirs.
Even a rough glance suggested they were well over two thousand years’ worth.
Furthermore, every single elixir was of the highest quality.
Was that all?
The resources for body tempering cultivation were almost as plentiful, and there were even spiritual elixirs for training Divine Sense.
He was dumbfounded by the reward that far exceeded anything he had anticipated.
“This seems far too excessive.”
“I think so to… No, no. Considering what Fellow Daoist Jin has done for us, that much is naturally deserved. It is fine, ahem. Yes, I am fine.”
“…”
Leaving behind Jeok Song, who looked depressed for some reason, he pulled out a gray elixir that was particularly conspicuous among the elixirs piled high like a mountain.
A gold and silver glow drifted around the elixir like an escort guard, radiating an aura that looked unusual at a glance.
“It is the Clear Soul Mind-Settling Pill. It is an elixir that heals wounds inflicted on the soul and strengthens Divine Sense. It is a masterpiece created by the Dark Soul Demonic Sect through tens of thousands of years of research.”
“The Dark Soul Demonic Sect? Is that not a place that primarily practices demonic cultivation methods?”
He had an ill fate with the Dark Soul Demonic Sect.
Yin Cheon-ho, whom he had fought just as he entered the Limitless Pure Land, was an elder of that place.
“That is true, but you do not need to worry about side effects. You are aware that practicing demonic cultivation methods easily causes mental issues, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Precisely because of that, the Dark Soul Demonic Sect researched methods to nourish the soul over tens of thousands of years. You can view the Clear Soul Mind-Settling Pill as the culmination of that research.”
“Ah.”
“It is literally a secret transmission. To be honest, in terms of training the soul, the Dark Soul Demonic Sect is a step ahead of the Infinite Void Temple. It is safe to say they are the best among the human race.”
“I see.”
However, why was the secret transmission elixir of the Dark Soul Demonic Sect at the Infinite Void Temple?
After pondering for a moment, he asked directly, and a bizarre answer came back.
“The Taixu Sacred Venerable went there personally and obtained it.”
“…”
“Perhaps after today, the Dark Soul Demonic Sect will not bother Fellow Daoist Jin. Though in the first place, with Fellow Daoist Jin’s strength, it would not even be a problem.”
“Are they willing to stay quiet?”
“Yes. There is nothing to gain from conflict between humans during a war, is there?”
Thus, at the request to also forget the ill fate with the Dark Soul Demonic Sect, he pondered for a moment and then nodded.
In any case, from Jin So-myeong’s perspective, he had not suffered any particular loss. If the Dark Soul Demonic Sect, which had lost an elder, chose to endure, there was no need to provoke them.
If they broke their promise and tried to play tricks, he would simply slice them down when the time came.
“Ah, by the way, although you may use the items in the storage pouch as you wish, Fellow Daoist Jin, you must absolutely never leak the map.”
“A map?”
Upon inspecting the storage pouch again, indeed, there were several jade slips carved with lively leaves.
Putting aside the luxurious appearance, he examined the contents, and he could immediately understand why he had been repeatedly urged never to leak it.
‘This is truly…’
The entirety of the Stone Heart Realm and the Green Garden Realm. All territories occupied by the human race were recorded in detail.
It was a precious map just up to this point, but even the latest information on how the current war was progressing was written in detail.
In addition to this, there was one more thing.
The method to travel to the Northern Mang Xuan, a region one level larger than a Realm located beyond the human territory, was also written.
‘It is too excessive.’
His brow furrowed on its own.
Dozens or hundreds of Realms had to gather to form a Xuan .
Although what kind of place the Northern Mang Xuan was was not properly written, it would at least be a place far more prosperous than the human territory.
To give such information in a situation where a war with the Asuras had broken out…
‘If this kind of information spreads, many people will try to leave the human territory to avoid the war.’
He could not understand it at all.
Of course, the method to reach the Northern Mang Xuan was not easy, but with his strength, he could sufficiently cross over.
“…I understand. I will keep this map to myself.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
What could be the reason for the Infinite Void Temple to bestow such excessive goodwill?
Just as something occurred to him and he fell into silent thought.
“And this is an identity guarantee token. It is nothing grand, but please keep it.”
“An identity token?”
As he accepted the wooden token, which felt plain with nothing written on it, the explanation followed.
“With that wooden token, you should be able to use the teleportation arrays without having to reveal your identity.”
“Sigh. You are giving me so much that it is almost burdensome. Is it really alright for me to accept this?”
“Haha… Of course.”
Jeok Song, wearing a bitter smile, looked at the storage pouch, and his eyes were filled with a regret that he could not possibly hide.
To feel regret after giving it with his own hands.
It meant it was a significantly large bloodletting even from the perspective of the Infinite Void Temple.
“Sigh, I still have many matters to handle, so I must go back now. Please rest comfortably.”
He saw off Jeok Song, who departed after hesitating as if his feet would not move.
Once he was alone again, numerous thoughts brushed past him.
Looking at the storage pouch containing a whopping two thousand years’ worth of cultivation resources, he felt a sense of déjà vu.
He had experienced something similar during his time in the Human Realm.
The Star-Shattering True Monarch who wandered in search of the Sword of Humanity.
The countless treasures he had left behind in the Sacred City, showing an obsession bordering on madness to find a successor, came to mind.
‘I do not understand…’
For now, it was correct to view that the one who gave this storage pouch was the Taixu Sacred Venerable rather than the Infinite Void Temple.
Yet, despite providing such immense help, it was puzzling that he did not even mention anything related to the Sword of Humanity.
Because there were ears listening?
That was not even a problem. If that had been a concern, the Taixu Sacred Venerable would have come alone in the first place.
Just as he was wondering why he did that.
Suddenly, the words that Gon-ak had spoken in the Limitless Pure Land came to mind.
‘Did he not say there is knowledge that becomes a calamity merely by knowing it?’
Could it be that even simply mentioning it was forbidden?
Or perhaps he was being cautious since there was nothing to gain from mentioning it.
Although he did not know how transcendent the authority of a Grand Unity stage existence was, all the Unity stage experts he had met so far had shown an extremely cautious attitude.
‘Those who wish to reach the sky must ultimately defy the sky.’
He did not know how fierce that resistance would be, but it seemed at least not to be easy.
“Hmm…”
While turning over various thoughts, he absorbed the storage pouch, which he had been tapping with his fingertips, into his sub-space.
Since they only gave without demanding anything, it was slightly burdensome, but since he had received it, he planned to utilize it to the absolute best of his ability.
Deciding to digest the cultivation resources in the storage pouch in his spare time, he first pulled out the map recording the war situation.
‘They are holding on somehow, but… the outlook is not good.’
To put it plainly, it was correct to say they were at a disadvantage.
The core battlefield where the Unity stage Dao Sovereign Gwang-myeong Dao Sovereign held out was fine, but the other minor fronts were the problem.
It was as if they were being occupied bit by bit starting from the outer regions of the Stone Heart Realm.
In fact, the number of Void Refinement stage cultivators on the human side was nearly twice as many as the Asuras.
Even so, when they actually fought, the humans were inferior.
The biggest problem was morale.
Including some Void Refinement stage cultivators, most low-realm cultivators did not want to risk danger to fight the Asuras.
They would resist moderately, and if they felt it was dangerous, they would routinely surrender immediately.
The Asuras treated those who surrendered peacefully as laborers, and this tactic was incredibly effective against the human race, who had been drunk on a long peace.
‘It does not seem like a very good situation…’
Strangely, the Taixu Sacred Venerable he had just met did not seem all that anxious.
Did he not care about low-realm Immortal Cities being occupied?
Indeed, thinking about it, that was correct.
What meaning was there in minor local battles?
Ultimately, the true victory or defeat was determined by who won when the Unity stage Dao Sovereigns fought each other.
Now that they maintained a tight balance.
Whether it was the Asuras or the humans, if even a single Unity stage Dao Sovereign died, the war situation would tilt one-sidedly.
‘Hmm…’
At any rate, having roughly grasped the war situation, he pondered what to do next.
Originally, he had intended to ask Jeok Song to introduce a merchant union that dealt in Void Refinement-grade spiritual objects, but there was no longer any need to do so.
For had he not acquired two thousand years’ worth of cultivation resources? And of the highest quality at that.
Since his elixir consumption rate was twenty times higher than others, it could be viewed as a hundred years’ worth, but in any case, this was sufficient until he reached the late Void Refinement stage.
If he acquired just a bit more in his spare time between cultivation, he could even achieve the Great Circle.
‘Which means there is no longer a need to stay in the Stone Heart Realm.’
If he calculated purely based on efficiency, leaving for the Northern Mang Xuan right now was not a bad idea.
For had it not been said that dozens or hundreds of Realms must gather to form a Xuan ?
If he went to the Northern Mang Xuan, bustling Rank 7 Immortal Cities like Gwanyun City would be scattered all over the place.
It was difficult to even imagine how many opportunities would be laid out.
‘Leaving just like that is not bad, but… let’s check first.’
A war was, in a way, an opportunity.
Even a rogue cultivator like Jin So-myeong could obtain many rewards if he performed actively in the war.
He visited a nearby Infinite Void Temple disciple and asked about the rewards that could be received when participating in the war.
“Here is the jade slip listing the spiritual objects that can be exchanged according to contribution points.”
“Thank you.”
As he examined the jade slip respectfully offered by the Infinite Void Temple disciple, countless spiritual objects were written on it.
【Exchangeable Spiritual Objects】
Foundation Establishment Pill – 10 points
…
Core-Forming Pill – 100,000 points
Body-Strengthening Liquor – 250,000 points
…
Profound Lotus Precious Fruit – 1,000,000,000 points
The exchange cost of the Void Refinement-grade spiritual object, the Profound Lotus Precious Fruit, was one billion points, and to obtain one billion points of contribution at once, one had to kill a Void Refinement stage Asura.
‘Is it five billion points for taking down a mid Void Refinement stage, and twenty billion points for a late one?’
He got a sense of approximately what value contribution points in the hundreds of millions possessed.
Scanning down the rewards to see if there was anything desirable, he stopped.
‘Void Wilderness Grass.’
It was a spiritual herb with the effect of tempering the Law Domain, and because it was so precious, the exchange cost was a whopping one hundred billion points.
Hoping that Integration-grade spiritual objects or high-grade immortal stones might also be on the exchange list, he searched, but unfortunately, they were not.
‘Still, it is not bad. There are many usable things.’
Whether to participate in the war or not…
As a rogue cultivator, there was no one who could force him.
If there were, it would be the human Unity stage Dao Sovereigns, but seeing the attitude of the Taixu Sacred Venerable, it did not seem likely.
Rather, it felt as though they wished for him to leave for the Northern Mang Xuan.
Just as he was tapping his scabbard and contemplating.
Suddenly, the storage pouch containing two thousand years’ worth of cultivation resources caught his eye, and his complicated mind cleared up.
‘Let us cultivate up to the late Void Refinement stage, or rather, the Great Circle, and then leave for the Northern Mang Xuan.’
When fighting in extreme situations like war, the body tempering realm rises rapidly.
Considering only cultivation efficiency, war was a fairly decent environment.
Moreover, there were also enemies among the Asuras whom he had to repay.
‘The ones who chased me in the Bright Blood Great Valley.’
There were ten in total, and since he had already killed two, there were eight remaining.
‘This works out perfectly.’
Should he call it killing two birds with one stone?
While also filling up the contribution points to acquire the Void Wilderness Grass, it seemed he could simply seek out the battlefield where they were and sweep them all away.
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