Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Relic Report (2)
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The meeting in the Sect Leader's Hall had concluded.
An elder who could be called one of the Sect Leader's closest aides came to report the remaining matters.
"The Jang Clan demanded Gathering Qi Pills from the Herb Hall. Elder Han went there in person to make the request..."
"Hmph, the Jang Clan demanding Gathering Qi Pills?"
"You know Hall Master Mok of the Herb Hall. There were several heated exchanges. Hall Master Mok refused to hand them over, citing the sect rules, and Elder Han left empty-handed."
Elder Jang Su-gi had ruined far more than expected.
Not only had he violated sect rules by secretly smuggling monsters, but he'd let them escape and gotten his own disciples killed to boot.
This had become the trigger that tarnished the entire Jang Clan's reputation.
Even so, the Jang Clan had always been respected as meritorious retainers who contributed greatly to the main sect.
"Hall Master Mok is reliable. In that case, what about the Gathering Qi Pills for Yuk-gyeong?"
"He's prepared them according to the sect rules as well. Once they've ripened sufficiently for Qi condensation, he'll hand them over right away. Hall Master Mok thinks highly of Elder Bu, doesn't he? And since that disciple is Elder Bu's favorite, it seems Hall Master Mok has taken a liking to him too."
Hall Master Mok Jin-gwang of the Herb Hall held Elder Bu Bi-un, a Gathering Qi Realm elder skilled in pill refinement, in high regard. Having personally selected Elder Bu for the position, his affection for him was special.
When Hall Master Mok first proposed granting Elder Bu the elder position, everyone whispered that he must be the hall master's son. Of course, those rumors vanished once they witnessed Elder Bu's exceptional pill-refining skills.
In any case, Hall Master Mok cherished Elder Bu that much.
Thus, he couldn't help but view Elder Bu's cherished disciple Yuk-gyeong favorably as well.
"Fine, whatever. When will the pills for that child finish ripening?"
"W-well, it seems Disciple Yi Yuk-gyeong will need to contribute to the ancient ruins excavation as well. Timing-wise, they should be ready to distribute while he's out at the site."
"Heh, are we that short on manpower? At least nothing major should happen during the ruins excavation, so no need to worry..."
"How can someone grow into a pillar of the sect if they're just coddled and protected? Even so, letting them gain experience in a relatively safe place will ensure they grow up straight. Isn't that why you've permitted the child to go out?"
"Just an old man's worries, old man's worries."
The Sect Leader shook his head.
Deep down, he wanted to lock the boy in a training cave and make him cultivate nonstop, but human hearts didn't work that way. Forcing someone to sit and cultivate didn't guarantee steady realm advancement.
All he could do was watch over him and let him grow on his own.
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"A bit more to the left!"
"Dig a little further that way! Everyone, put your backs into it!"
"I can see the outline! This should do it!"
Under Elder Han's command on Jade Maiden Peak, the ruins excavation buzzed with energy.
The site, like a massive construction zone, burned hot with the disciples' labor and sweat.
Something was definitely buried underground.
The disciples plunging probes into the earth shared that conviction. Something hidden beneath the soil. True to their cultivator spirits, they brimmed with excitement at the prospect of a hidden serendipity.
The reason they endured the grueling labor was the promise of serendipity and merit points.
Amid it all,
"Elder, preparations are complete. Just give the signal, and the formation will activate."
An inner sect disciple who had flown in on a flying sword whispered to Elder Han.
Still veiled and overseeing the excavation from midair, Elder Han looked every bit the celestial fairy in her flowing light robes.
The empty air seemed to cradle her like an invisible platform.
As a Core Formation Realm elder, Elder Han could hover in the sky without a flying sword or flight artifact.
Elder Han gestured with her hand.
Her inner sect disciple cupped his hands into a megaphone and shouted loudly.
"She says that's enough!"
At the inner disciple's command, the outer disciples hurriedly withdrew from the ruins. Spotting those who hadn't yet retreated, the inner disciple waved his arms and bellowed.
"All disciples, withdraw from the ruins! All disciples, withdraw from the ruins! The elder is about to cast a spell!"
Elder Han in the sky raised one arm. Her billowing sleeve fluttered in the wind, and at that moment, heaven-earth spiritual energy stirred.
Whoosh—!
The wind swirled around Elder Han.
And then,
Rumble rumble rumble—!
The ground quaked. It felt like the entire earth was shaking, as if the land itself were screaming.
A colossal vibration, like a giant stomping its foot, continued as those on the surface felt the world flip upside down.
The disciples clung desperately to nearby trees or grass to avoid being thrown off their feet.
And this wasn't even an attack spell.
"Uwaaaah!"
"Everyone, hold on tight! You'll get swept away if you don't!"
"This is the power of a Core Formation spell...!"
A structure emerged as if rising from the earth itself.
In truth, the surrounding ground had sunk, revealing the ruins.
A miracle that sank an entire area's worth of land!
Even for a Core Formation elder, this was no easy feat without prior preparations.
With a single gesture sinking the ground, Elder Han vanished into thin air, looking fatigued.
"The elder has cast her spell, so let's resume work!"
"Probes over here! Shovels that way!"
The ruins, now half-excavated in an instant.
A grand structure buried in soil had revealed its crown.
The structure appeared to be a roof, shaped like a triangular pillar. Traces of intricate ancient carvings lingered, and it was made of a grayish-white unknown material that still looked sturdy.
No one knew how deeply the structure extended underground.
The Radiant Moon Sect aimed not to fully excavate it but to breach an entrance first and inspect the contents within.
Thus, disciples wielding probes stabbed and dug around the massive structure.
The excavation seemed to proceed smoothly.
Until the others arrived...
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That day, as on any other, the Radiant Moon Sect members were peacefully excavating the ruins.
The multi-day dig wasn't something that could end in a day or two, so the disciples were gradually settling into the routine.
"Wonder how much ground we can cover today."
"Who knows. I'm planning to practice spellcasting instead. Gotta see if I can move a shovel with my Object Interference spell."
"If only I could sink the ground like Elder Han with a spell. Even scooping out a chunk of earth with magic is tough."
Chatting idly, the disciples gathered around the ruins with shovels, pickaxes, talismans for spell use, spirit stones, and the like.
It would have been just another day of steady work.
If not for that.
One Radiant Moon Sect disciple, glancing at the sky, pointed upward and asked,
"Huh? What's that?"
Something strange indeed hovered in the direction he indicated.
At first, it was a single streak of cloud.
The cloud approaching from afar soon cast its shadow over the Radiant Moon Sect disciples' heads.
Brilliant multicolored clouds blanketed the sky, and from somewhere came the long cry of a crane.
From within the clouds descended an elderly man with a long beard, looking every bit the immortal sage.
"Elder Han, it's been a while."
Elder Han, who hadn't shown herself even as the ruins were half-unearthed, appeared veiled.
She had appeared out of nowhere before the clouds arrived, already prepared to greet him.
Clad in flowing robes, she faced the elder, though her expression didn't seem particularly welcoming.
"Elder So. What brings a Wandao Sect elder to the borders of our Radiant Moon Sect?"
Elder So Han-pyeong of the Wandao Sect. He was a renowned Core Formation elder even within his sect.
The Cloud Fusion Sage So Han-pyeong was known for his mastery over cloud-manipulating spells. Tales still circulated of his youthful days when he blanketed an entire mountain in mist to subdue all foes.
Rarely leaving the sect after lingering long in Core Formation, his appearance here was unexpected.
The Wandao Sect was one of the three great immortal sects like the Radiant Moon Sect, walking the righteous path unlike the Blood Fiend Sect.
Yet, two suns could not coexist under heaven. Even as fellow righteous sects, the Radiant Moon Sect and Wandao Sect were rivals.
On the surface, they got along splendidly as brother sects, but in reality, they were competitors fighting over the same bowl of rice when dividing profits.
So why had rival Wandao Sect dispatched Elder So Han-pyeong here?
Obvious, without looking.
"Heh heh, how is this solely Radiant Moon Sect territory? It's Wandao Sect borderlands too, no? Our Wandao Sect borders are right next door. Did I come somewhere I'm not allowed? Hm? What's that, Elder Han? Could it be ancient ruins?"
Elder So of the Wandao Sect feigned exaggerated surprise.
He'd known in advance. At least he was putting on a show to save Radiant Moon Sect a scrap of face.
Infuriating.
How had he found out?
The excavation was known only to the participants and Radiant Moon Sect leadership. Information didn't leak easily among them.
Moreover, the noise and vibrations from the dig were contained by formations.
There was no way word could spread outward from here.
Then?
The original informants: the tomb raiders who brought the relic report.
They must have leaked it.
Faithless scum.
People who discarded the important for money.
Elder Han ground her teeth inwardly.
"This is Radiant Moon Sect property. No need for Wandao Sect to concern itself."
"Heh heh, Radiant Moon Sect property? Something not even fully excavated yet? Come here, Elder Han. Let's discuss these ruins further..."