Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Immortal Aptitude Test
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“You came faster than I expected.”
Wi Seongcheon, who had been sitting cross-legged, lifted his head. Baek Rihyang’s expression shifted through a rainbow of emotions the moment she spotted him as she cautiously opened the door and stepped inside.
Her eyes held the question of why he was here, her lips bore the shame of yesterday’s disgrace, and her eyebrows carried the guilt of that impulsive slap and the jealousy that had fueled it.
“Sit.”
Yeomyeong was seated in the center of the room. The moment Baek Rihyang heard his voice, her expression changed once more. Swallowing her anticipation and excitement, she entered the room.
The floor was covered in intricate patterns and indecipherable script. Baek Rihyang knew little about formations, but she could guess that the designs radiating from Yeomyeong formed one.
Among the densely packed characters on the floor, one empty circle stood out prominently. Wi Seongcheon sat within it, and Baek Rihyang’s spot was the symmetrically opposite circle. As she settled into a cross-legged position there, Yeomyeong cleared his throat.
“Though it was not my intention, it seems I must teach you the mysteries of immortal arts. Better late than never, I suppose. I am called Jinchung. My master, True Man Cheongheo, took the Supreme Old Lord as his own master… but I failed to become a true immortal, so I lack both the qualification and the humility to take disciples.”
Supreme Old Lord? Immortal? Baek Rihyang, who knew nothing of Yeomyeong, felt profound confusion at these words, but unlike Wi Seongcheon, she didn’t press for details. Yeomyeong gave a pleased smile to the silent Baek Rihyang.
“Even so, I hurried to take this step because, though we may not formally bind ourselves as master and disciple, I hope you will recognize the orthodox lineage of the Dao and accept this as a gracious gift.”
Yeomyeong rose to his feet.
“Before delving into the immortal arts proper, I will assess your immortal talents and dispositions. This is called Soul Metaphor, Body Serenity, a means to glimpse what you were born with and what you have cultivated.”
Though the words held no clear meaning, Wi Seongcheon kept his mouth shut without asking, just as he had been firmly warned before Baek Rihyang arrived.
“Empty your mind into stillness and draw forth your qi.”
Yeomyeong spoke as he formed hand seals. Wi Seongcheon and Baek Rihyang followed his instructions, circulating their inner energy from their dantians. As the circulation began, the characters on the floor began to writhe and shift. They floated up lightly, drifting around Wi Seongcheon and Baek Rihyang.
“Enough.”
About an hour later, Yeomyeong spoke. Though it had been mere circulation, their minds had sunk deeper into tranquility than usual, lost in immersion. When they opened their eyes, every last character and pattern had vanished from the floor.
In their place hovered yellow talismans made of monster-hide paper before Wi Seongcheon and Baek Rihyang. As Wi Seongcheon stared blankly at his, Yeomyeong spoke in a solemn tone.
“Take hold of the talisman.”
Miraculously, the moment it touched his hand, it was consumed by blue flames, crumbling to ash. Startled, he looked to Yeomyeong, whose outstretched palms blazed with the same blue fire. The flames died quickly, leaving new talismans in Yeomyeong’s hands.
“The judgment is complete.”
It had been ages since he last performed the rite, but thankfully it hadn’t failed. Had it gone wrong after he’d put on such gravitas, he might have bitten his tongue in shame.
“Let’s see. Wi Seongcheon, your innate disposition is metal, tempered further by water. Metal generates water—a perfect harmony of birth and cultivation. Moreover, you hold heaven in your head, wind in your chest, and earth below.”
“What does that mean?”
He couldn’t help but ask. Fearing Yeomyeong might bristle, he was surprised when the immortal instead smiled as if he’d been waiting for the question.
“The head refers to the upper dantian, the chest to the middle, and below to the lower. Though they differ, placing heaven high and earth low aligns with the natural order. If you grow greedy, consider clouds over wind in the chest—but that’s a talent seen once a century.”
“……Ah, yes.”
He still didn’t quite grasp it. But seeing Yeomyeong’s satisfied smile suggested his aptitude wasn’t bad.
Far from it. To embody mutual generation across the three dantians in natural harmony was a gift counted on one hand. Ordinarily, even Yeomyeong would marvel, but now he suppressed his astonishment to maintain his dignified facade.
“And Baek Rihyang…… you…… this is insane.”
But the composure he’d so carefully maintained shattered the instant he saw her talisman. He’d braced himself inwardly, yet beholding the result with his own eyes left him unable to contain his shock.
“Wh-why is it?”
Ever since learning the talisman revealed innate talent, Baek Rihyang had been visibly tense and anxious. She had long realized her gifts were pathetically unworthy of the Black Demon King’s daughter. She’d despaired countless times over lacking genius, nearly crumbling again just yesterday.
Now, against all odds, she’d earned personal instruction from one of the Ten Heroes, Yeomyeong. This was the opportunity she’d longed for. Yet before even beginning, her pitiful talent was about to be laid bare—naturally, she felt on edge.
“You…… you…….”
Yeomyeong swallowed hard. Impossible. Unthinkable. Even as he denied it, he acknowledged the talisman’s verdict. Of course he did. Though not born of carnal union, Baek Rihyang was the child of Black Demon King Baek Rimuwon and the Sevenfold Night Yao. She was the very child that Sevenfold Night Yao had conceived from his vital essence.
“……You were born with all five elements.”
“Pardon……?”
“Your body contains wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—all five. Your head holds the moon, your chest darkness, and below…… the sea.”
Heat crept into Yeomyeong’s voice.
“The moon high above, darkness beneath, and the sea at the very bottom. The celestial order! The deep night sea reflects the moon. Your three dantians cycle in infinity.”
“Y-Yeomyeong, sir. I can’t comprehend any of this.”
“No immortal in history has been born with talent equal to yours. To embody all five elements is remarkable enough, but the sea is vast and profound—sometimes serene, sometimes tempestuous. Darkness dyes all in its hue and devours, yet harmonizes perfectly with the sea. And atop it all, the moon!”
Yeomyeong couldn’t contain his joy. He was neither her father nor mother, yet as the one who had pursued her birth, he felt ecstasy.
But Baek Rihyang couldn’t understand. If she possessed talent so exalted that even Ten Hero Yeomyeong sang its praises, why was she such a mess? She’d trained in martial arts since childhood, yet never once felt she had genius.
“The reason is simple. What you were born with—too many elements failed to blend.”
Whoosh! The talisman in Yeomyeong’s hand burned to ash.
“You were born with the five, but never learned to wield them. That one was born with metal and cultivated water’s path and arts. But you started with all five, then added the Black Demon King’s Blood-Eye Torrent, which carries fire’s nature.”
“Does that mean it was wrong?”
“Adding fire to fire scorched your wood, drained your water, melted your metal, and baked your earth. Your innate five elements tangled, and the added fire weakened from exhaustion.”
Baek Rihyang’s eyes wavered. She bit her lip, staring at Yeomyeong. This meant the Blood-Eye Torrent—directly taught by her father, the Black Demon King—had been utterly useless.
She couldn’t accept it.
“……Then must I discard Blood-Eye Torrent and learn something new?”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
Yeomyeong didn’t guess the fierce shift in her gaze, too elated to care. He raised his hand and drew a five-pointed star on the floor.
“Mutual generation is meant to be wielded. Even with added fire, if you comprehend your innate five elements and center the fire without forcing its growth, it won’t disrupt the harmony.”
Fire was inscribed at the empty center of the five-pointed star.
“Instead, it gains strength from mutual generation, transforming into劫火. Of course, only once you properly enter the Five Elements Path and master mutual generation arts.”
He said as much, but Yeomyeong was certain Baek Rihyang would face no difficulty mastering the Five Elements Path. Her body held everything needed for it. No need to cultivate other qi—just over twenty years in that body contained it all. Her innate five elements were tangled and frail now, but upon entering the Path and practicing mutual generation, they’d swiftly reclaim their power.
‘No way she’ll struggle.’
Baek Rihyang was born for this.
Whatever her martial genius from the Black Demon King, she’d clearly inherited Sevenfold Night Yao’s immortal talent. Lacking immortal bone was unexpected, but her three dantians and five elements surpassed it.
‘Such a pity, what a waste.’
If only she hadn’t gone to the Demonic Cult, and he’d raised her himself! If he’d shaped that talent these past dozen years……
As Yeomyeong reflected on his time in the Demonic Cult,
A chill settled in his mind. Sevenfold Night Yao couldn’t have been ignorant of Baek Rihyang’s gifts. Yet she’d handed her to him, extracting only a vow to return to the Cult in two years. She’d shown her own daughter no interest whatsoever.
‘……That yao spirit was never one for maternal love.’
Merely a fleeting amusement? Not captivating enough for her attention? It wasn’t incomprehensible. Sevenfold Night Yao was the world’s last immortal, peerless even among the Severed Teachings yao spirits. Why would she care for a child born without affection, fresh from the womb?
He hoped that was it.
* * *
After the Soul Metaphor, Body Serenity rite ended, Wi Seongcheon received instruction in immortal arts from Yeomyeong. Such transmissions were one-on-one, leaving only the two in the room.
“I’ve given it thought, and the art that best suits your dragon veins, constitution, and innate qi is this one.”
Wi Seongcheon’s heart pounded as he awaited Yeomyeong’s words. Honestly, until yesterday, he’d had little hope for immortal arts or immortals. The Yeomyeong he’d seen was eccentric, bullied by the Black Demon King and White Lotus Witch, showing not a shred of immortal grace. At best, the gourd’s endless items hinted at it.
But after the rite, hearing Yeomyeong speak gravely of five elements and mutual generation, he seemed profoundly immortal compared to yesterday. Expectation came naturally.
‘He said cloud-riding is impossible, but maybe a cloning art?’
By plucking a hair. Or perhaps the Shrinking Earth Step to cross a true thousand li in a stride. As Wi Seongcheon spun tales in his head, Yeomyeong stroked his chin and continued.
“Your innate nature is metal, cultivated in water. Metal generates water. Metal holds water, and they suit each other perfectly—forge the metal right, and water conforms without resistance.”
“Yes.”
“Thus, metal must be flexible yet firm. Your body has already achieved this, as I mentioned yesterday—honed over centuries into such a constitution. And Heavenly Flower Sect arts flow free like water.”
He’d known this since first hearing of metal generating water.
So what immortal art will you teach?
Wi Seongcheon wanted to ask but held his impatience, waiting steadfastly.
“You possess immortal qi from the Dawn Heaven Divine Pill, but without formal Dao cultivation, you can’t grow it further. Nor can I teach you methods to nurture it. Even if I did, breathing arts and inner cultivation differ fundamentally, making practice arduous.”
“Then what do we do?”
“There’s a perfect immortal art that works with your scant immortal qi. It suits those richly endowed with innate strength, developed by fighting immortals of that lineage. It’s the very art practiced by Lü Dongbin and Zhongli Quan of the Eight Daoist Immortals you mentioned.”
His heart raced harder, eyes sparkling like stars. Wi Seongcheon swallowed and awaited the next words.
“This art is called the Shangqing Secret Art.”
Yeomyeong shot to his feet. He spread his legs wide, bent his knees, kept his back ramrod straight, and thrust both arms forward, palms open. Then he tucked his chin, fixing his gaze ahead.
“…….”
Wi Seongcheon watched silently. After holding the pose, Yeomyeong inhaled sharply and thrust his hips back.
“Keep the back straight—that’s key.”
Yeomyeong said, arching his back like a bow.
“Knees immobile. But lower the body.”
His backward-thrust hips sank.
“With the momentum of a soaring dragon!”
The lowered body surged upward powerfully. His extended arms moved with it—right hand to heaven, left to earth.
“Unite heaven and earth as one! From here…….”
A pause.
Yeomyeong cut himself off. Carried by momentum, he’d nearly taught what needn’t be taught.
‘Have I lost my mind? I almost revealed the Great Heaven-Earth Shift.’
He couldn’t even use it properly himself—how could he teach it? Yeomyeong coughed dryly and rotated his upraised arms a few times.
“……Loosen the shoulder joints. That is the Shangqing Secret Art.”
“Are you joking right now?”
Wi Seongcheon blurted in disbelief.
What Yeomyeong had demonstrated as the Shangqing Secret Art differed little from the horse stance he’d practiced diligently since childhood.