Cheonroedochegyeol

After Jin Somyeong sent his reply to Steward Go, an old man came to his cave residence in the eastern district, his snow-white beard long enough to reach his solar plexus.

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"Haha! Fellow Daoist Yeo, it has been some time. Seeing you again truly gladdens this old man's heart."

"It is good to see you as well, Senior."

"Now, now! What senior? Just call me fellow Daoist. We are of the same realm now, are we not?"

"...Understood."

Calling a man who looked well over a hundred years old a friend felt uncomfortably awkward, but Jin Somyeong nodded all the same. In this world, seniority among cultivators was naturally determined by realm. He would have to get used to it.

"Ah, yes! Here is the gift I mentioned in the sound transmission talisman."

"Hm? Thank you."

So it had not been empty courtesy after all. Jin Somyeong swept the wooden case the old man handed him with his Divine Sense and felt dense spiritual power within.

"They are Yellow Essence Pills, a second-grade cultivation pill. Their medicinal properties are perfectly suited to the early Foundation Establishment stage, so they should prove useful to you."

"Oh. I needed something like this, in fact. Thank you very much."

Unlike when they had met in the steward office, the old man was being particularly cordial. Then, in a cautious tone, he asked, "Haha, what are a few Yellow Essence Pills worth? Mm... But I hope you will not take offense if I ask you something."

"Please go ahead."

"How old are you, exactly? It does look as though you are using some disguise artifact, but at a glance you seem quite young."

"It is simply that the nature of the technique I practice prevents me from aging. My actual age is greater than you might think."

"Hoh! Then I envy you even more. Does that not mean you will remain as you are even after a hundred years?"

The old man stroked his snow-white beard and sighed again and again. Apparently, he was not fond of his wrinkled face.

Jin Somyeong had no desire to discuss the Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art, so he changed the subject.

"Steward, I have been focused on cultivation and have fallen behind on recent affairs. Has anything of note happened these past few years?"

"Plenty has happened. The war between the demonic sects and the orthodox sects continues to intensify. A year ago, Jeokyang Market fell into the hands of the demonic sects."

Jin Somyeong's brow furrowed.

Jeokyang Market, where he had first begun his cultivation journey, had fallen to the demonic path. The war seemed far more severe than he had expected.

"Jeokyang Market was fortunate, all things considered. They barely resisted at all and more or less surrendered, so there were almost no casualties."

"...They surrendered?"

"Yes. Apparently, the Jeokyang Sect had in truth been a faction secretly nurtured by the demonic sects. What was his name again? Elder something Sim, a Foundation Establishment elder, opened the formation that protected the market, and it was occupied in an instant."

"Good heavens."

A chill crawled up Jin Somyeong's spine as he realized how joy and disaster had diverged from a single decision he had made long ago.

If he had not challenged the secret realm and had instead taken his time cultivating, he would likely still have been in Jeokyang Market. In that case, there was no telling what might have become of him after being forcibly conscripted by the demonic sects.

The orthodox sects at least cared about maintaining appearances, but the demonic sects had no line they would not cross. If it made them stronger, they were the sort of people who would literally devour other human beings.

A few of his former senior brothers and sisters came to mind, but all he could offer them was a moment of silent mourning.

Hoo... Leaving early was the right choice.

This was not a world where one could simply cultivate at ease because one wanted to. A choice that looked safe in the moment could turn out to be a road leading straight into a deathtrap.

Just as he was inwardly letting out a breath of relief, something the steward had said suddenly came back to him, and he asked, "If Jeokyang Market was fortunate by comparison, what happened elsewhere?"

"Was it two months ago? Yellow Wind Market was reduced to dust. It was caught up in a Golden Core-level battle and everyone there was annihilated. I doubt even a single ant survived."

"..."

The appalling news left him at a loss for words.

While Jin Somyeong was considering how he ought to respond to a crisis as vast as this war, Steward Go cleared his throat.

"Ahem. These are turbulent times indeed. Which brings me to the matter at hand. Do you have any plans for the future?"

"...I am not sure."

"How about joining the steward office of Cheongdan City? It is not wise to wander alone in times like these. For reference, we are a neutral force and have not joined the war."

The steward office, was it?

Jin Somyeong was not surprised. He had expected this from the moment a Cheongdan City steward came to find him.

When he fell silent in thought, Steward Go said, "There is no need to make it so difficult. Try it for now, and if you decide it does not suit you, you may resign at any time."

"I can resign?"

"Of course. Our steward office is not some sect. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Do you think we would hold you by force? And there is hardly anything you need to do."

Jin Somyeong listened to the explanation that followed, then nodded.

"So I simply need to patrol openly once every month or two?"

"Exactly. Simple, is it not?"

It was exactly as he said. What Cheongdan City wanted was the rumor itself—that a great Foundation Establishment cultivator was managing public order.

It would certainly not be difficult. It did not seem as though it would interfere with his cultivation either.

"To be honest, I cannot claim the compensation is astonishing, but it is not bad. The second-grade cave residence in the eastern district where you currently live would, of course, be provided for free, and once every half year you may choose one second-grade cultivation method to study."

A second-grade cultivation method.

The rent for his cave residence was not much of a burden, so that did not matter greatly, but the techniques Cheongdan City had collected were tempting. Having just broken through to Foundation Establishment, he needed many new cultivation methods and spells.

I need to learn new concealment arts, disguise arts, and movement techniques too.

Perhaps noticing that Jin Somyeong's interest had been stirred, Steward Go raised his voice a little.

"Haha, I came from a rogue cultivator background myself, so I know all too well. You likely cultivated the Five Elements Qi Refining Art, did you not? Now that you have reached Foundation Establishment, should you not change to a proper method?"

"Mm. That is true."

The Five Elements Qi Refining Art Jin Somyeong cultivated was vastly superior compared to that of others, but the steward was not exactly wrong. If Jin Somyeong registered a second-grade cultivation method into his proficiency system and evolved it, a far more powerful art might emerge.

"For reference, among the cultivation methods Cheongdan City has collected, there is also a thunder method."

"...A thunder method? Do you mean a lightning Dao cultivation method, the kind said to be unrivaled among its peers?"

There were few cultivators famous for combat power as overwhelming as that of sword cultivators, and one of them was the cultivator who practiced thunder methods.

Lightning, the so-called foremost among all arts. Even aside from its ability to repel evil and unorthodox forces, lightning was known for its speed and tyrannical destructive force.

When Jin Somyeong's attitude turned noticeably eager, Steward Go seemed flustered and avoided his gaze.

"Er, mm. Yes. Thunder methods are indeed said to be unrivaled among their peers."

"Is there a problem with it?"

The steward's guilty manner was suspicious. When Jin Somyeong stared at him, the old man spoke with an awkward look.

"The truth is that thunder methods are powerful, but they are equally famous for being difficult. You will most likely find it hard to cultivate."

"Do I need to possess a thunder spiritual root to begin?"

"Not that, no..."

"If it is not a matter of requiring a thunder spiritual root, then I do not mind. I will join the steward office. I would like to challenge myself and see whether I can cultivate it."

"Thaaat... Haa. It seems I may have misspoken. For now, come ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with me and look at the lightning Dao method first."

Together with the steward, Jin Somyeong arrived at a building guarded by strict formations, and before long a jade slip was placed in his hand.

"May I read it?"

"Yes. If you still wish to cultivate it after seeing the opening portion, I will not stop you."

Jin Somyeong nodded and swept the jade slip with his Divine Sense.

Because of the restrictions placed upon it, he could only read the beginning, but it was enough to understand what kind of cultivation method it was.

Cheonroedochegyeol.

By using the core of a Thunderclap Beast to refine ... one may protect the meridians. In addition, if the perfect balance of ... is achieved, one may begin cultivating this art even without a thunder spiritual root.

Jin Somyeong's mouth parted slightly as he read the jade slip.

Upon reaching great completion, one shall not merely become one with lightning, but obtain the spiritual constitution known as the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body?

It was because of the sentence that followed. One could artificially obtain a spiritual constitution?

A spiritual constitution was a special aptitude possessed only by geniuses among geniuses, a blessing-like talent that aided cultivation in all manner of ways.

For instance, the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body increased one's affinity with lightning, dramatically raised resistance to all kinds of lightning, and even granted the ability to absorb thunderbolts and convert them into spiritual energy.

If there was one problem...

"It seems several characters are damaged. Is it supposed to be like this?"

"It is. The cultivation method was already difficult to practice, and the damage made it even harder. For reference, Thunderclap Beasts are already extinct, so it is impossible to obtain their cores."

"Is there truly no way? I do not mind spending a fair number of Spirit Stones."

"You could search our entire Damun Kingdom and still fail to find one. Just give up. There are many other decent cultivation methods, so do not be too disappointed."

"...No. I like this method."

"Hm? Are you certain?"

"Yes. I feel I will regret it if I do not at least make the attempt."

"Ngh... Very well. Lightning is tyrannical and easily causes internal injuries. You have only just entered Foundation Establishment, so do not push yourself too hard."

"I will be careful."

The steward's concern was reasonable, but Jin Somyeong had a way. As long as he had the proficiency system, he could cultivate even a damaged method.

He wanted to register it in the system immediately, but someone was watching, so he restrained himself.

Just then, as he was inwardly whetting his appetite, Steward Go said, "Ordinarily, I would have to give you a cultivation method after you completed six months of patrols... but since I feel bad for misspeaking, I will give it to you half a year early."

"Oh. Then I can only be grateful."

After that, Jin Somyeong followed the steward around and received the handover regarding patrols. Since all he had to do was reveal his Foundation Establishment spiritual power and circle Cheongdan City once, there was nothing difficult about it.

Once he finished the patrol, Jin Somyeong returned to his cave residence in the eastern district. His eyes shone with anticipation as he took out the jade slip containing Cheonroedochegyeol.

To think he might be able to wield lightning, the power that symbolized the heavens. One of the dreams he had secretly admired seemed close to coming true.

There was no need to hesitate. First, he checked the cost of registering Cheonroedochegyeol in the proficiency system.

Five hundred?

He was slightly puzzled. Not because it was too many, but because it was too few.

For a thunder method famous for being difficult to cultivate, the cost was low.

Let us register it first.

Half a month later, Jin Somyeong, who had been waiting for the Boundless Great Ability to recover, consumed five hundred beads at once.

Thousands—tens of thousands—of characters rose into his mind and began to reconstruct themselves.

Rumble!

Five colors of lightning struck down within his Mental Pocket Realm and intertwined.

Red, blue, gold, green, and yellow.

The lightning, blazing with brilliant radiance, split and merged ceaselessly. At times, it became two, as though symbolizing yin and yang; at others, it fragmented into five and circulated like the Five Elements. In the end, it returned to one.

"...Ah."

The complete law, branded into him in a single instant, left Jin Somyeong dazed. Still lingering in the afterglow, he quietly closed his eyes.

He could clearly sense a single strand of lightning imprinted within his mindscape.

He knew without even trying. If he merely stretched out his hand, he was certain he could command thunder.

As he looked at the status window, a smile rose on his face of its own accord.

The proficiency required is already in the tens of thousands from the beginner stage. That must mean it is powerful.

Just imagining how strong it would be to wield lightning and Sword Qi at the same time filled him with anticipation.

Upon entering the threshold of Cheonroedochegyeol, he also found the answer to his questions.

There were several conditions required to cultivate this method, but if he were to name only the most important, they were these:

First, one needed meridians tough enough to withstand tyrannical lightning, or the aid of a spiritual creature equivalent to that.

Second, one had to possess the mutated thunder spiritual root, or else have Five Elements spiritual roots balanced to absolute perfection.

There were many other minor conditions, but those two were the most important.

Under normal circumstances, they were extremely difficult to satisfy.

The second condition in particular is hard.

Thunder spiritual roots were exceedingly rare to begin with, so putting that aside, achieving perfect balance among the Five Elements spiritual roots was no easy feat either.

Every person was born with their own innate attributes. How could anyone precisely balance all five spiritual roots?

Jin Somyeong himself had once possessed the strongest affinity with the water attribute.

If not for the Five Elements Qi Refining Art evolved by the system, he could never have met this condition.

But now, it does not matter.

Was it good fortune? Jin Somyeong had been almost perfectly prepared to cultivate Cheonroedochegyeol.

Of course, it was not purely luck.

When he thought about it, with the durability of his physical body, he could cultivate most methods without trouble. Thanks to the blessed effects of the Five Viscera Hundred Refinements Art, his foundation had grown incomparably solid.

So there was an advantage like this to a body-tempering method that strengthens the body from the inside...

He sat cross-legged and focused on his breathing. Then he gathered all the Five Elements attributes and guided them toward the lightning within his mindscape.

Time passed swiftly amid a peaceful routine.

On the day Jin Somyeong turned exactly twenty-two, red lightning fell from a clear, cloudless sky.

Kraaaash!

It struck the earth and released an intense wave of heat.

Hissss!

It was so hot that even soil imbued with spiritual energy began to melt.

Then Jin Somyeong murmured the formula of Cheonroedochegyeol.

The instant he drew forth the single strand of lightning settled within his mindscape—

Boom!

Another bolt descended with a thunderous roar.

Strangely, however, this bolt of lightning was blue.

When the blue pillar struck the earth, the rising heat subsided in an instant.

Shaaa...

A cold so biting it seemed capable of freezing skin spread outward.

In a deserted wasteland where lightning struck without pause, Jin Somyeong smiled. He was satisfied with the result of half a year spent cultivating Cheonroedochegyeol.

It truly deserves to be called Five Elements Divine Lightning. At this level, it will work in actual combat.

The lightning divine ability he had just used could contain all manner of attributes, including the Five Elements, making it tremendously versatile.

He liked the fact that it would allow him to employ a wide variety of tactics depending on the enemy.

Only now do I feel like a proper great Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The sensation of growing stronger pleased him. As he watched the ground devastated by lightning, he stroked his chin.

I should expand the mine a little more, and then it will be time to acquire a second-grade artifact.

For reference, his daily income was now three mid-grade Spirit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Stones.

It was the result of steadily expanding his Mental Pocket Realm while staying within the limits that would not strain his meridians.

Since it occurred to him, he counted the Spirit Stones he had accumulated.

About one hundred and fifty mid-grade Spirit Stones.

After a brief moment of thought, he invested Spirit Stones into the mine. He spent one hundred in total, increasing his daily income to four mid-grade Spirit Stones.

Checking the state of his meridians, he found he still had a little room to spare. It seemed he could strengthen it a bit further.

I will raise production to five, then wait for the Cheongdan City auction.

During the auction, when trade became more active, he should be able to obtain a usable artifact.

As he was reviewing his plan, a sound transmission talisman flew in on a streak of light and delivered news.

The Cheongdan City Lord has summoned all stewards?

It was the first time such a thing had happened in the half year he had served as a steward.

Jin Somyeong narrowed his eyes and shot straight upward. Without even touching the ground, he flew through the air toward Cheongdan City.