Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Awakening (3)
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Deng Jinguan was escorted back to the Black Bamboo Sect.
The sect's leadership began a lengthy discussion to decide his fate.
In the meantime, Seoran was working with her assistant Jang Seonhwa to craft a puppet body for Deng Jinguan to possess.
But there was one problem.
Deng Jinguan had even forgotten his own gender.
The silver lining was that his Primordial Spirit remained intact.
Seoran managed to determine his gender using a method similar to sexing chicks.
Before diving into the full design, Seoran kneaded some clay.
In an instant, a life-sized clay puppet took shape.
From here, she planned to refine its appearance to match Deng Jinguan's preferences.
Seoran pointed at the clay puppet and asked.
“Deng Jinguan, you said you've forgotten your original appearance, right? Do you have any preferred features? I'll accommodate as much as possible, so feel free to speak up.”
Deng Jinguan promptly rattled off his requests, as if he'd been waiting.
“Pretty is good, but it looks too frail. I'd prefer something with a healthier vibe. A bit taller than average would be nice too. Is that difficult?”
“Not at all. Seonhwa, could you grab some more clay from the storeroom?”
Assistant Jang Seonhwa quickly returned with a lump of clay.
Seoran added it on, enlarging the puppet.
She also adjusted the lower body proportions to give it more elegance.
After completing the full-body makeover, Seoran asked again.
“Is this closer to what you had in mind?”
“Yes, perfect. I love it.”
“Then we'll craft it to this design.”
Seoran rapidly sketched out the blueprints.
It was as precise as if she were copying from a reference right beside her.
The blueprints were finished in no time.
Deng Jinguan watched the puppet-making process in awe.
From material selection to processing, shaping, assembly—the entire workflow was flawlessly masterful.
The sounds of carving and refining various materials filled the puppet workshop.
Deng Jinguan felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
Seoran, silently working on the puppet, spoke up.
“Deng Jinguan, are you getting bored?”
“I'm fine.”
“Ah, good.”
Deng Jinguan wasn't lying.
He couldn't quite explain why, but watching Seoran's process was enjoyable.
Seoran, however, assumed it was just polite talk.
Seoran gave her assistant a look.
It meant Deng Jinguan seemed bored, so do something about it.
Jang Seonhwa instantly picked up on the nuanced intent in her superior's gaze.
Jang Seonhwa naturally brushed the material scraps from her hands and stepped away from the crafting table.
She headed to a nearby rest table.
That was where Deng Jinguan's Primordial Spirit was seated.
Jang Seonhwa attempted some ice-breaking.
“Come to think of it, you're from the Immortal Realm, right? How does the mortal world feel? Much different from up there?”
“Yeah, it is. The ambient spiritual energy is way too thin. Maybe because the world's so small, or perhaps there's some suppression... it just feels off.”
“How about daily life?”
Deng Jinguan pondered briefly before answering.
“For one, it's fascinating how the cultivator society and the mundane world are separated. They call it the secular world, right? Probably because the low concentration of spiritual energy can't handle the turbidity mortals emit.”
“In the Immortal Realm, do cultivators and mortals live together?”
“Unless there's a special reason otherwise, yeah. Major cities typically have cultivation sects or clans at the center, surrounded by towering skyscrapers—that's the norm.”
Jang Seonhwa's questions continued.
“Cultivation clans? How are they different from sects?”
“Not much difference. They're just another name for bloodline-based sects. Think of them as large-scale villages.”
“Oh...”
Deng Jinguan's Primordial Spirit smiled brightly.
“Why, find it intriguing?”
“Can't help it.”
“To me, this lower realm feels more exotic.”
By the time Jang Seonhwa and Deng Jinguan's conversation wrapped up, the puppet was complete with the final artificial skin graft.
*****
While Deng Jinguan was possessing his brand-new puppet body, the sect leadership was still in meetings.
Everyone was racking their brains over how to handle this ancient transcendent who'd popped out of a relic.
To kill or not to kill—that was the question.
The risk-averse faction pushed for swift execution.
“Why take unnecessary risks? With sect ascension all but guaranteed, why leave a wildcard like this Deng Jinguan lying around? Just follow procedure and execute him.”
“Exactly. He's no innocent to begin with. A dangerous figure who tried to spark bloodshed at an international conference. Even if it was just an attempt, he violated international law multiple times over.”
“If it's true he was once at Quasi-Immortal Realm, that makes him even riskier. Who knows when he'll regain his cultivation and slip our control? This might be our last chance to eliminate the threat.”
The risk-averse arguments were straightforward.
The Black Bamboo Sect and Gold Forge Sect were about to ascend to the Immortal Realm.
No need for extra variables—just stick to the law, they argued.
Sect ascension was the top priority for any cultivation sect, after all.
In these critical times, avoiding even minor risks was perfectly rational.
But not everyone agreed.
There were those who preferred uncertain jackpots over sure safety.
The risk-tolerant faction quickly balanced the scales.
“Sect ascension isn't the finish line—it's a new starting point. Arriving in the Immortal Realm doesn't end cultivator life. We have to sustain our members while adapting to an alien environment. Deng Jinguan's cooperation would make it far easier.”
“I agree. To prepare for the future, we need Immortal Realm intel. It's not just adaptation—it's tied to the sect's entire future. What do we even know about Incarnation Realm or higher realms?”
“Is there reason to see Deng Jinguan purely as a threat? Any major grudge between us? We can demand info in exchange for including him in the ascension—then go our separate ways once we're there.”
The risk-tolerant side had valid points too.
To mortal realm cultivators, the Immortal Realm was uncharted territory.
Inferences from ancient texts or celestial observations only scratched the surface.
Knowledge of the Immortal Realm, any kind, was worth some risk.
Risk-averse and risk-tolerant clashed sharply.
“Frankly, he could recover his original realm tomorrow.”
“Liu Susa's report mentioned some safety measures in place.”
“But can we trust everything Deng Jinguan says?”
“Even if it's all lies, it's a hundred times better than nothing.”
“Could he hold a grudge for being subdued by Liu Susa and the Dragon Girl?”
“Where in the world are there people that petty?”
The debate dragged on, extending repeatedly.
The marathon meeting, sidelining all other business, finally ended past midnight.
Final vote: the risk-takers narrowly won, opting to embrace the danger for information.
Soon after, a simplified treaty was signed.
The Black Bamboo Sect and Gold Forge Sect pardoned Deng Jinguan's crimes and promised to include him in the ascension.
Deng Jinguan, in turn, swore to faithfully provide information per the principles of good faith.
One more freeloader joined Seoran's estate.
*****
Unnamed Instructor from the Immortal Realm, Deng Jinguan's Cultivation Class.
Damcheong, summoned out of the blue, asked.
“Do I have to take this class too?”
Deng Jinguan, organizing lecture materials, replied.
“Aren't you raising your realm?”
“My realm? Me?”
“Yes. You're not planning to stay at Supreme Star Realm forever, right?”
Damcheong's single-core brain whirred.
Cloudmist Realm, Supreme Star Realm, Radiant Rainbow Realm, Subtle Brilliance Realm, Quasi-Immortal Realm.
He couldn't fathom why Immortal Realm cultivation stages were being applied to dragons.
Damcheong quit puzzling and sought answers.
“Isn't Supreme Star Realm for cultivators?”
“Dragons are cultivators too. Low tiers differ slightly, but high tiers share the same system as regular cultivators. Didn't you know?”
“What!?”
Dragons as cultivators?
A Copernican revolution.
Damcheong's horns flashed for the first time in ages.
Ignoring the student twitching like a glitchy cat, Deng Jinguan pressed on.
“Alright, shall we start as planned? Before details, let's outline the big picture. From Vitality Condensation to Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Primordial Spirit—these are commonly called low tiers in the Immortal Realm. From Cloudmist—what lower realm calls Incarnation—onward, they're high-tier cultivators. Of course, these divisions vary by era and place...”
Deng Jinguan methodically explained the Immortal Realm cultivation system.
He kept the mood light with periodic questions and jokes.
Seoran was inwardly impressed by his proficient lecturing.
Seoran and Damcheong eagerly absorbed the Immortal Realm knowledge.
Deng Jinguan adapted to the lower realm without much trouble.
Thus, three years passed, and the year of the Water Spirit Realm arrived.
The Secret Rite Ceremony—the final step toward Incarnation Realm.