The Body-Refining Art

When Jin Somyeong arrived at the entrance to the Scripture Pavilion, he cupped his fist in salute.

Before him sat an old man who looked for all the world like a library keeper, and Jin Somyeong addressed him with respectful courtesy.

"Greetings, Senior Brother. My name is Jin Somyeong, and I joined the Red Yang Sect today. I was told inner disciples may learn spells free of charge, so I came to have a look."

"You're an inner disciple?"

The old man looked startled. His wrinkled face studied Jin Somyeong closely, and then he let out an exclamation.

"Well now! You're young, and already at the third layer of Qi Refining. No wonder you qualified as an inner disciple. I can see how exceptional your talent must be. Junior Brother, you must have such an easy time of it in life. Enviable little brat..."

The jealousy in the old man's voice made Jin Somyeong smile bitterly. Since he had the Boundless Great Ability, the old man was not entirely wrong, in a sense, but he still felt a little wronged. The man spoke that way only because he had no idea what Jin Somyeong had sacrificed to reach this point.

"Sigh. At my age, I'm still only at the sixth layer of Qi Refining. All that's left for me now is to grow old and die... If I'd known it would turn out like this, I would have risked my life and challenged fate when I was young..."

The old man, muttering his complaints, looked up ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠toward the sky. With a bitter smile full of every kind of regret, he held out his palm.

"If you're an inner disciple, you should have received an identity plaque. I need to verify it, so show it to me."

"Here it is."

"Mm... good. You haven't taken any spell manuals before."

The old man had shone the plaque with a mirror-like magical artifact, and now he nodded.

"Since this is your first time, I'll explain briefly. The Scripture Pavilion has three floors in total. The higher you go, the more precious the spells stored there become. However, the areas you're permitted to enter differ depending on your status."

"Then how high am I allowed to go?"

"Inner disciples are permitted up to the second floor. Within those limits, you may choose two spells and learn them free of charge. If you wish to learn more, you'll have to pay contribution points."

"...The third floor is off-limits?"

"Haha! Of course it is. The third floor contains Foundation Establishment-level knowledge. You won't be allowed in even if you offer contribution points. But... if Junior Brother becomes a great Foundation Establishment cultivator, then why not? When that day comes, I'll prostrate myself and open the door for you."

"A shame that I can't enter. In that case, may I choose the spells now?"

"Of course."

The old man waved a wooden plaque.

Rumble!

The formation guarding the Scripture Pavilion opened, and an entrance appeared.

"Hurry. You may remain inside for exactly four hours."

Leaving the old man's urging behind, Jin Somyeong stepped into the Scripture Pavilion, and the thick scent of ink rushed over him.

"Huh."

It was far larger than he had expected. Thousands—no, tens of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thousands—of books filled his vision in a spectacular sight, like a sea made entirely of paper and bindings. He had not realized it because the place was concealed by a formation, but the interior was much wider than it appeared from outside.

Not bad.

He was still only on the first floor, yet it already exceeded his expectations. Every person he had met from the Red Yang Sect so far had been dreadful, so he had unconsciously developed a prejudice against the place; the Scripture Pavilion, however, was genuinely impressive.

There were a tremendous number of books, but they were well organized by category. Finding the spell he wanted would not be difficult.

Jin Somyeong, who had been skimming the books that caught his eye, paused. After turning only a few pages, he found blank paper with nothing written on it.

Flutter!

He checked another book, but it was the same. None of the books here were complete. They were samples containing only a brief explanation of the spell and its opening section.

So that's why. I thought it was strange that the monitoring was so lax. You look at the samples here, make your selection, and they exchange it for the real book.

Jin Somyeong put down the book he had been examining and looked around. Most of the spells on the first floor were lower- to mid-grade first-tier spells, though a few upper-grade ones appeared here and there.

Not bad, but... I should just head straight to the second floor.

Since he had come all this way, he had to choose the best. Without wasting any more time on the first floor, he found the stairs leading upward and approached them.

Vmmm!

The stairs were blocked by a formation, but as Jin Somyeong drew near, it opened naturally. When he glanced down, he saw his identity plaque glowing.

So that's how it works.

After reaching the second floor, he looked up. The stairs to the third floor were firmly sealed by a formation. He waved his plaque at it, but there was no response.

...Even if I forced my way in with the Boundless Great Ability, it would be meaningless if all I found were samples.

Whoosh.

Jin Somyeong turned his attention away from the inaccessible third floor. Compared to the first floor, the second held fewer books, but their quality was far higher. Even the lowest-grade spells here were upper-grade first-tier arts, and he occasionally saw peak first-tier cultivation methods as well.

His eyes gleaming, he hurried forward. Since he had gone through the trouble of entering the Red Yang Sect, he had to milk it for everything it was worth.

First, he scoured the second floor for methods that might improve his spiritual root.

"...Ojangbaekryeongyeol?"

Jin Somyeong, who had been moving diligently, stopped in one place. He had discovered a peak first-tier body-refining art that matched his purpose perfectly: the Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art.

He skipped over the exaggerated preface and focused on the practical effects.

Overall, it's a body-refining method specialized in regeneration.

If one cultivated this body-refining art to great completion, all manner of blessing-like effects would appear. Immunity to countless poisons and prevention of aging were only the basics; it also made the meridians supple and resilient. It could even store a portion of spiritual energy in the internal organs rather than the dantian.

The more he read, the more he liked it. Its effects were worthy of a peak first-tier body-refining art.

It looks good. So why is it covered in so much dust?

When he tapped the book containing the Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art, gray dust puffed up. That meant no one had opened it in years.

Moreover, this body-refining art had been classified as peak first-tier only because its latter half had been lost. Its original value was at least second-tier, perhaps higher. Had it been complete, it would have been on the third floor rather than here.

At least everything up to achieving Foundation Establishment is written down... so for me, it isn't bad.

After thinking for a moment, he understood why it was unpopular. The body-refining art right beside it was the Iron Armor Art, which made the skin as hard as steel as soon as one entered the threshold.

Once the boasting was stripped away and only practical effects remained, body-refining methods that tempered the flesh like metal were far more powerful. After all, no matter how much one's regeneration improved, a severed head meant instant death.

True... the magical artifacts cultivators use are terrifyingly powerful. If you can't dodge or block with a defensive artifact, you basically die on the spot.

If one could truly resurrect from a single drop of blood, the result would be different, but honestly, that was hard to believe. In the present age, body-refining arts were undeniably a fringe path as well. No one was foolish enough to think they could simply endure everything with their body.

It was like trying to train one's muscles enough to stop bullets.

...I'll take this.

For Jin Somyeong, however, the story was different. If he properly learned this body-refining art specialized in regeneration, he was certain he could also strengthen the recovery of his spiritual root. Even if its regenerative power was somewhat lacking, when combined with the Boundless Great Ability, it would display tremendous force.

Moreover, since body-refining arts were methods for tempering the body, it would also help him break through the three barriers of Foundation Establishment.

...Could I restore the lost latter half with my Boundless Great Ability?

If he succeeded, it would be perfect. That would mean he could apply the same approach not only to the Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art, but to other cultivation methods as well.

In this world, many cultivation arts had been damaged or lost for all sorts of reasons. There were even cases where divine arts of immense power, once ruined, were sold cheaply on the street. The more advanced a cultivation method was, the harder it became to obtain in complete form, for everyone hid their true inheritances tightly away.

If he could somehow acquire only a portion, then restore the rest through the Boundless Great Ability, he could move several steps ahead of others.

If only it works, it would be incredible.

Jin Somyeong stroked his chin and opened the sample of the Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art. Using the opening portion as a foundation, he attempted to restore the complete formula.

...No good. The feeling itself is different from improving my spiritual root aptitude, which at least changed little by little despite poor efficiency.

It felt as though he lacked enough golden beads. It seemed he would have to consume a large amount all at once to restore the missing section.

Suddenly, his status window came to mind.

How nice would it be if my status window could supplement incomplete cultivation methods?

Several ideas flickered through his mind. If it was a status window, should it not at least have a proficiency system?

It would be nice to have a system that displays proficiency in spells and martial arts, improves their shortcomings, and evolves cultivation methods into better versions.

Jin Somyeong closed his eyes. He focused on the Boundless Great Ability engraved into his soul, concentrating on the faint sensation he could feel.

I think displaying proficiency itself might be possible somehow, but...

With his current ability, supplementing incomplete chants seemed difficult—unless he consumed lifespan.

Things would be easier if I could save up the Boundless Great Ability without using it.

If he saved up a year's worth of golden beads and used them all at once, how powerful would the wish become? The thought alone was pleasant. Perhaps, beyond consuming lifespan, it might become a way to overcome the limits of the Boundless Great Ability.

Because of that, Jin Somyeong had already tried every method he could think of to store the Boundless Great Ability. None of them had been easy. Most demanded an enormous amount of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lifespan. Beyond the maximum that naturally increased with his cultivation realm, he could not store even a single additional golden bead.

Immersed in thought, he shook his head. For now, he would focus on breaking through to Foundation Establishment and think about the matter again when he had room to spare.

I've chosen one. What should the next be?

In truth, he had wanted to find a secret art specifically intended to improve spiritual root aptitude, but there was not a single one. It seemed a sect at the Red Yang Sect's level could not acquire such advanced knowledge.

Would I need to reach at least a Golden Core-level city...?

Content with having found the Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art, he set out in search of his next target. After circling the second floor once, he chose the one he liked most.

"Rivercloud Sword Art."

Drawn by an inexplicable pull, Jin Somyeong picked it up and focused. After reading for a long while, he nodded in satisfaction.

...Not bad.

It was not a sword art that boasted ferocious offensive power. Rather, it was a sword art that contained the principles of rivers and clouds, ceaselessly flowing and changing. Because it focused on controlling the flow, it included many techniques for deflecting or blocking stronger force with weaker force.

In many ways, it would be useful when facing enemies stronger than himself.

If I learn it properly, I can even cultivate Sword Qi...?

Sword Qi was an extremely sharp energy that could slice not only stone, but even steel, as if cutting tofu. It was also proof of being a sword cultivator, and sword cultivators were known to possess combat power among the highest of all immortals.

Learning the Rivercloud Sword Art means I can become a sword cultivator...

Having made his decision, Jin Somyeong left the Scripture Pavilion and spoke to the old man.

"Senior Brother. I've chosen both books. I brought the samples here."

"Good. Hand them over. I'm curious to see how ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠discerning our newly arrived Junior Brother is. Mm...?"

The old man rubbed his eyes. After inspecting the books, he looked at Jin Somyeong with an expression of disbelief.

"Junior Brother. I can understand the Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art, since it is certainly useful if learned properly. But isn't this Rivercloud Sword Art a bit much...?"

"It was on the second floor, so I brought it. Is there a problem with it?"

"Not exactly, but... the Rivercloud Sword Art was created by some eccentric sword cultivator who modified mortal martial arts into an immortal art. As mortal martial arts tend to be, it's difficult to learn while its power can't be guaranteed. Are you truly certain?"

"Yes. I like the Rivercloud Sword Art."

He had already known that. In fact, he had chosen the Rivercloud Sword Art precisely because he saw traces of martial arts in it. He had an innate talent for martial arts. The claim that it was difficult to learn did not apply to him. If anything, he could learn it more easily than immortal arts that relied on the spirituality of spiritual energy.

"Haah! Even if you come back later asking to change it, it won't do you any good."

"Yes."

At Jin Somyeong's firm attitude, the old man clicked his tongue and took out a talisman, then burned it.

"I've contacted them with a Sound Transmission Talisman, so disciples from the Martial Transmission Hall will soon bring the real books. See that empty lot over there? Wait there."

Jin Somyeong bowed to the old man and moved aside. After waiting for some time in the empty lot, which did not even have a single chair, he saw two young men in the distant sky flying toward him in an arc.

Whoosh!

They approached in an instant, and one of them stepped forward.

"Are you Jin Somyeong, the new Junior Brother?"

"Yes. Greetings, Senior Brother."

The young man confirmed Jin Somyeong's plaque and nodded. Then he held out two books.

"Check whether these are the ones you chose."

"The Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art and the Rivercloud Sword Art. Yes, these are correct."

"Good. Restrictions are inscribed on these books, so they will automatically shred themselves after one month. Make sure you memorize them before then."

"Thank you."

"It should go without saying, but you must not copy them down. You must not leak the cultivation methods to others either."

Jin Somyeong nodded to show that he understood and accepted the books. At that moment, the senior brother warned him with a stern expression.

"Don't let that go in one ear and out the other. Keep it firmly in mind! For reference, this is an official order from the Red Yang Sect. Since you're an inner disciple as well, you must have signed the contract, so you know very well that you cannot disobey orders, don't you?"

"Yes."

In truth, Jin Somyeong had signed no contract whatsoever, so that warning meant absolutely nothing to him. Outwardly, however, he nodded obediently.

"Good. Then cultivate diligently from now on and become a pillar of the Red Yang Sect."

Pat, pat.

The senior brother, who had even patted him on the shoulder while offering words of encouragement like a superior, suddenly flinched. The instant he whipped his head around, a flying sword cut across the sky and came toward them.

A slender woman stood atop the flying sword. Her hair, grown down to her waist, streamed in the wind, calling to mind a legendary female sword immortal.