Yu Yue Secret Realm (1)
A proper Korean-style meal was laid out before her eyes. Beef soup simmered from spirit beast meat, grilled tofu, and an assortment of fresh vegetable wraps. And on one side, a steaming bowl of white rice. It was the kind of table that any Korean would find deeply satisfying.
Rice was rice, after all—white rice was the way to go—so instead of the red rice, I'd planted some other seeds.
"Not bad for a five-year solo cooking veteran, huh?"
A memory from my past life suddenly surfaced. Sure, I hadn't cooked like this every day back then. Usually, it was delivery food or convenience store lunches to get by. At best, I'd whip up some pasta or instant ramen when I felt like actually cooking.
Life really is unpredictable.
Would my past self have ever dreamed of this?
"Not in a million years."
I shook my head with a wry smile and ladled some freshly fermented soybean paste from the jar into a small dish. There were no chilies here, so no gochujang, just miso and soy sauce. I dipped the tip of my pinky in for a taste—it was far superior to anything from those fancy ancestral recipe vats.
This was worth the effort of fermenting it myself.
Anyway, the reason I'd gone all out on this meal today wasn't anything major.
"Senior Sister?"
A familiar voice called from outside the door.
"Come on in."
The door creaked open, and Han Seol-a peeked in. Her eyes went wide as she took in the spread.
"Whoa, what's all this?"
Her reaction made me swell with pride, though I played it cool and jerked my chin toward the seat across from me.
"Let's eat first."
But she didn't sit right away. Instead, she eyed me suspiciously for a moment.
"Senior Sister, is something up?"
"What do you mean? Nothing's up."
"No way. Usually when you do this, there's something. You're always so stingy, and now you're serving a full meal? You definitely want something."
"Am I really that stingy?"
"Yep."
Her answer came so fast it left me speechless. She wasn't wrong, though, so I couldn't really argue. I cleared my throat awkwardly and sat down.
"Anyway, just sit."
Han Seol-a still looked dubious, but she plopped down anyway. Her eyes kept darting over the table.
"You really made all this yourself, Senior Sister?"
"Of course. What do you take me for?"
"Whoever ends up as your dao companion is gonna be lucky. Getting meals like this."
"Kuh!"
I choked on nothing. "What are you talking about? Dao companion? I haven't even thought about it."
"True. I've never seen you hang out with other disciples from the sect."
"Does that mean I have no friends?"
Her words stung a little inside. Ever since joining Qingyun Sect, I hadn't really gotten chummy with anyone. No need to schmooze around and build connections. My master was my master, and the other disciples were just... fellow sect members.
Han Seol-a was about the only one I talked to regularly. And we'd only started using casual speech recently.
I busied myself with my chopsticks, avoiding her obvious stare.
"Enough. Just eat."
"Dodging again."
She smirked, popping a piece of tofu into her mouth.
"Wow~ Your tofu really is top-notch, Senior Sister. No wonder the elders keep asking for it."
"Where'd you hear that?"
"Where do you think?"
She scooped up another piece, dipped it in the paste, and ate it like it was the most natural thing.
"Nothing happens on Qingling Peak that I don't know about. You took some to Elder Cheong Nan-seo last time, right?"
It wasn't a big deal. When your farming turns out well, you share with others sometimes. My tofu had come out surprisingly good, so I'd brought some to my master once. She ate it all without a word. I figured she liked it and thought that was that.
But apparently, she must've bragged somewhere, because after that, strangers started showing up at my place now and then. From Thunderclap Peak, Golden Glow Peak—sending disciples to snag some tofu. They were Core Formation cultivators, though, so they paid generously with mid-grade spirit stones. It turned into a nice little side gig.
Even Core Formation folks can't resist good food. But having people drop by my nest all the time got annoying, so I started supplying the Spirit Food Pavilion instead. No more visitors now.
"Who knew it'd blow up like that. Anyway, let's finish eating."
"Sure, dig in. Thanks, Senior Sister."
We polished off the meal in no time. The side dishes vanished one by one.
She eats well. Watching her chow down heartily, I shoveled the last spoonful of rice into my mouth.
A moment later, we both set down our spoons. I stepped out to the yard and brought back some tea.
"Alright, now for the main topic."
"See? I knew you didn't call me just for food."
"That's why I fed you first."
"Classic you."
"It's nothing big. Heard anything about the Yu Yue Secret Realm?"
Her expression turned serious.
"Knew it."
"Lots of talk going around the Affairs Hall lately, right?"
"Tons. It's all anyone's talking about these days."
Makes sense—it's almost time.
"Each peak is sending twenty disciples. Plus about forty from minor sects."
"Heard who's going from our sect?"
"Of course. What do you take me for?"
Han Seol-a set down her teacup and started folding her fingers one by one.
"The ones you'd know: Yu Seong-baek from Thunderclap Peak and Ha Jin-myeong from Golden Glow Peak."
"They're going too?"
Ha Jin-myeong hadn't left much impression, but Yu Seong-baek's tournament swordplay was still fresh in my mind. Impressive stuff.
"Obviously. And I hear Senior Brother Yu Seong-baek has hit Qi Condensation 10th star."
"Already?"
"Says the one who shouldn't talk. How long have you been in the sect? You've already reached 9th star. Everyone knows."
I pretended not to hear and sipped my tea. Yu Seong-baek at 10th star. Not that I can say much, but yeah, a bit envious.
I'd thought after entering the path of cultivation, hitting 5th star would be quick, and Foundation Establishment not far behind. But after reaching 5th star, I revised that notion.
It's like money. Easy to go from one million to two million won, but from one hundred million to two hundred? Totally different story.
Plus, I haven't fully tapped my abilities yet.
"Anyone else?"
"Hmm... Jang Mu-hyeok from Qingyun Peak and Nam So-ha from Mystic Mechanism Peak are no pushovers either. Both at 10th star. Oh, and I'm going too!"
"You?"
My eyes widened.
"Why? Can't I go?"
"No, it's not that... "
I scanned her up and down. She'd been mid-stage Qi Condensation before, but now she was at 7th star.
"I won't go deep into the realm, though. I know my limits."
Fair enough—working at the Affairs Hall would've sharpened her instincts.
She took a sip of tea and shrugged.
"Honestly, I'm scared. But opportunities like this don't come often. I have ambitions for my cultivation too."
I nodded silently. No matter how you start on this path, cultivators all chase immortality in the end. Stagnation is a death sentence. You'd grab any chance to advance.
"..."
I set down my empty cup.
"Alright. Let's meet back here safe and sound."
"Deal. You owe me another feast next time?"
"You got it. I'm off to see Master now."
"Now?"
"Yeah. She asked me to drop by."
Han Seol-a stood and nodded.
"Cool, I'll head out too. See you at Qingyun Peak next week."
"Yeah. Let's meet once more before we go."
She flashed a final smile and slipped out the door.
Sharing a meal like this before the Yu Yue Secret Realm wasn't bad. Happiness comes from moments with the few close ones you have. Entering without even that could cloud your judgment.
I quickly cleared the table and headed out. Time to see Master.
Cheong Nan-seo was already waiting in the reception hall when I arrived at Qingling Hall.
"Sit."
"Yes, Master."
I bowed properly and took the seat across from her.
"I called you for one reason. Take this."
She handed me a jade slip.
"A map of the Yu Yue Secret Realm. Things may have changed over time, but better than nothing."
I infused it with qi to scan the contents. Terrain leading to the depths, poisonous creatures, demon beasts, spirit herb clusters—all marked.
This alone would be a huge help.
"Thank you."
Cheong Nan-seo nodded lightly and produced another jade slip.
"And this?"
"A list of materials the sect wants. The realm has spirit herbs and treasures hard to find outside. I can't guarantee you'll find these easily, but the sect will reward whatever you bring back handsomely."
The slip had unfamiliar names mixed with ones I'd read about in books. Even some Foundation Building Pill ingredients I'd heard of in passing.
"You want me to bring as many as possible?"
"As much as your abilities allow."
She sipped her tea.
"The sect's offering spirit stones, magic tools—even Foundation Building Pills as rewards. You won't need one yet, but grab it while you can."
True enough. I wasn't at the Foundation Establishment threshold, but it didn't feel far off.
"But don't value it over your life. The realm holds things beyond your handling. Don't get fixated on immediate opportunities."
"I'll keep that in mind."
She paused, then drew a talisman from her sleeve. It looked ordinary, but the qi emanating from its inscribed pattern was on another level.
"Master, this is...?"
"A talisman treasure."
I'd only read about them in books. Unlike regular talismans, these sealed part of a Core Formation cultivator's spell or magic treasure power. Only Core Formation and above could make them—not something you got easily.
I asked cautiously, "You're giving this to me?"
"Who else is here?"
I fiddled with my hair awkwardly.
"It's called the Qing Mu Talisman Treasure. Overkill for a Qi Condensation cultivator—use it only when you're about to die."
The moment I took it, sealed power swirled within the thin paper. Far from ordinary.
"Three uses only. Don't waste them."
I nodded silently. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would suffer against this. In a place with no help, it was my ace in the hole.
I tucked it carefully into the innermost pouch at my waist.
"I'll remember."
"Departure is in a week. Prepare thoroughly."
I nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"Good. Go."
Cheong Nan-seo waved me off curtly.
By early morning, Qingyun Peak's plaza was filling up. Disciples heading into the Yu Yue Secret Realm from Qingyun Sect gathered here for departure.
Han Seol-a was there, along with disciples from other peaks.
She waved as soon as she spotted me.
"Senior Sister!"
"You're early."
We chatted briefly, then a Core Formation cultivator appeared to lead us.
"I am Jin Lei-hyeon, elder of Thunderclap Peak."
His booming voice echoed across the plaza. He was an elderly cultivator, but his body was pure muscle. Even standing still, the air crackled around him.
He swept his gaze over us.
"I'll lead Qingyun Sect this time. Keep your mouths shut during travel."
With that, he raised a hand toward the sky behind him. Moments later, a long shadow sliced through the clouds from afar.
At first, I thought it was a dragon. But it lacked something. Still, too overwhelming for a mere spirit beast.
As the shadow loomed over Qingyun Peak, gasps rippled through the crowd.
"An imugi...?"
"Thunderclap Peak's elder really commands an imugi."
The imugi descended slowly before the peak, lowering its body. Its back had plenty of room for disciples, and at Jin Lei-hyeon's gesture, a barrier enveloped the area.
"Mount up."
We climbed aboard one by one. The scales were sleek.
Peel off a few and you could refine them into magic tools.
Not a true dragon yet, but imugi and proto-dragons were top-tier materials.
Lost in that thought, departure time arrived.
"Let's go."
With those words, the imugi stretched out. A thunderous rumble echoed as its massive body shot into the sky.
Looking down, the landscape shifted rapidly. But the tension among the disciples thickened quickly—no time for sightseeing. I felt it too.
By the time we reached the canyon housing the Yu Yue Secret Realm, the other major sects had already arrived. The imugi settled at the canyon's edge, drawing countless eyes.
Jin Lei-hyeon waited silently until the last disciple dismounted, then spoke once.
"From here, stay sharp."
The arriving disciples busied themselves sizing up rivals.
"You, see that guy at the front of Golden Seal Valley?"
"The cocky one with the gold sash?"
"Yeah. Jin Mok-hyeon, they say. Strongest Qi Condensation in Golden Seal Valley."
"Watch the woman next to him too. Geum Ha-yun or something."
On the other side, talk turned to Blood Fiend Sect.
"Blood Fiend Sect—start with those red skull emblem guys."
"Yeom Ja-ho. 10th star Qi Condensation."
"That woman's Dang Hong. Uses poisons."
"Poisons, huh."
Other sects aren't pushovers either.
Han Seol-a sidled up. "Tense, Senior Sister?"
"Nah. Just curious who's here."
I brushed it off and silently observed the others. The murmurs spread across the canyon. Everyone seemed more talkative from nerves.
Then, abruptly, silence fell. The four great sects' elders stepped into the canyon center.
As they formed hand seals, the cliffside restrictions lit up one by one.
Everyone watched breathlessly. Finally, space tore open in midair.
The elders' voices boomed across the canyon.
"Enter!"
At the command, disciples from each sect surged forward.
"Here we go. Be careful, Senior Sister."
"You too, Junior Sister."
I parted from Han Seol-a and stepped into the realm. Before me stretched a dense forest.