A Step Toward the Yao King
A senior at the Core Formation stage. That alone was headache-inducing enough, but he even had to find a senior Yao King. That is, unless he wanted to spin a fictional tale as Han Gyeong-un had suggested. Fortunately, the Bulmang Grand Assembly was scheduled to open soon. If luck was on his side, he might be able to find a Yao King senior there. Of course, finding one and asking for their help were two entirely different matters.
If all else fails... there's nothing I can do. Pretending to be a runaway spiritual beast wasn't a bad option either. In any case, he wouldn't say a single word, so it was none of his business how the Jansu Whale King misunderstood the situation.
Ever since Hyeon-do-jin-gun first hosted the Bulmang Grand Assembly, this grand gathering had naturally become the largest regular event in Bul-mang-won. Although it was only the third time it had been held, the Grand Assembly was nonetheless a fortuitous opportunity that the vast majority of Foundation Establishment cultivators eagerly anticipated. The reason it was the "majority" and not "all" was due to a tiny fraction of Foundation Establishment cultivators who already had close contact with Golden Core masters, or Yao cultivators like Jekyeong whose paths were entirely different. Yet, even if the degree of utility varied, they still regarded the Grand Assembly as a precious opportunity. Even if their paths did not align, the experiences of the seniors who had walked ahead of them were treasures in their own right. No one, no matter how wealthy, would refuse a treasure, and they were no exception.
It seems even more crowded than before. Arriving at the assembly grounds with the cultivators of the Mansi Association, Jekyeong marveled at the bustling venue. He realized once again that the number of cultivators in Bul-mang-won was truly beyond count. Watching their spiritual bodies emit their respective glows made him feel as though he had plunged into a sea of stars. Yet, even this vast multitude of cultivators was a mere handful compared to the entirety of the Changram Realm. No, perhaps not even a handful.
"Many seniors have arrived this time as well. It seems there are even more than before," U Do-baek remarked in admiration, looking up at the Grotto-heavens floating above the sea of stars.
"Come to think of it, those seniors are truly incredible. I heard that not all Golden Core cultivators possess a Grotto-heaven," Choi Ju-tang added, also filled with admiration. Unlike U Do-baek, however, Choi Ju-tang's voice carried a burning yearning.
Jekyeong could understand his feelings, for he felt much the same. Previously, he had deemed it too distant to even dare look at. But things were different now. Though he had only just crossed the threshold, he had finally reached the late stage of the Great Yao realm. Just one more step from here would bring him to the Core Formation stage—the Yao King realm. Of course, even if that single step was like the stride of a giant, making it impossible to guarantee when or if he could ever take it... a step was still a step.
"Let us find a place to sit first." The group settled down slightly away from the center of the assembly grounds. Since there was no difference in hearing the sermons of the Golden Core masters whether one was close or far, there was no such thing as a "prime spot" at the Bulmang Grand Assembly. Consequently, no one rushed to claim a seat early, nor did anyone scramble in late. Everyone maintained the quiet dignity befitting Foundation Establishment cultivators, calmly waiting for the sermon to begin.
"You seem tense," U Do-baek spoke to one of their companions. She was a newcomer who had joined the Mansi Association barely over a year ago. Her name was Chae Yu-hwa, an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who practiced earth-attribute cultivation methods.
"I am a bit nervous. After all, this is my first time seeing a Golden Core cultivator."
"It is not your first time. Have you forgotten the senior who first guided you here?"
"Ah..." When Chae Yu-hwa fell silent in embarrassment, U Do-baek chuckled playfully.
"Do not be so stiff. There is no need. Nine times out of ten, you will just end up sitting here blankly before leaving anyway. Just enjoy the view of this stellar paradise. It is not a sight you can see every day."
"Oh..."
"I am not teasing you. This is advice born of experience. As for me, I attended both of the previous assemblies, but all I gained was a keen awareness of my own foolishness. I felt it deeply, perhaps more than was necessary."
While the senior's lamentations were putting Chae Yu-hwa on the spot, Yoo Gyeyoon and Choi Ju-tang chimed in to voice their own complaints.
"I was the same," Yoo Gyeyoon said.
"Who wouldn't be?" Choi Ju-tang added. "Honestly, aren't nine out of ten people gathered here hoping for that one-in-a-million stroke of luck?"
By this point, Chae Yu-hwa had completely let her guard down. It had been over a hundred years since she began her new life in this world, and through various hardships, she had fully awakened to reality. The shock of gaining a new life and the pride of being a special existence had vanished without a trace amidst the countless trials brought by time. Or so she had thought. But looking back now, it seemed a sliver of shallow expectation had still been hiding deep within her heart.
Sigh. It was time to face reality once more. She was a reincarnator, but she was not special at all. Weren't the countless people gathered here all her peers? There are no protagonists in this world. And even if there were, it wasn't her. Accepting that bitter truth was not all that difficult.
No, have I truly accepted it? She could not be sure. She had thought she realized and accepted it several times before, yet here she was today, suffering from the same old "main character syndrome."
"Indeed. Do not expect too much. Instead, just enjoy the moment. An experience like this does not come easily."
Chae Yu-hwa nodded in agreement with Senior U's advice, but she still stealthily glanced at the silent Yao senior. Senior U and the other seniors did not seem to expect much from this sermon. In a way, it was only natural. They were merely at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, so if they could glean anything from the sermons of Golden Core cultivators, it would be a stroke of luck akin to finding a needle in a haystack. But this Yao senior, Jekyeong, was different. He was at the late stage of the Great Yao realm. When that fact was revealed not long ago, all the seniors of the Mansi Association had been utterly shocked. Some had even called him a "heaven-sent genius."
If there are people in this world who could be called protagonists, it must be someone like him. The late stage of the Great Yao realm corresponded to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Of course, the cultivation of the Yao race and that of the human race were strictly different, but without a doubt, the one most likely to gain something from this sermon among everyone present was this Yao senior.
Meanwhile, Jekyeong had no idea what his pensive junior was thinking as she stole glances at him. When he first settled down with the group, he had been too busy scanning the gathered Core Formation cultivators to see if there were any senior Yao Kings among them. Later, he had to speak with an acquaintance who had spotted him and rushed over.
"Fellow Daoist Jekyeong!" A cultivator's memory is superhuman. While they might not remember absolutely everything they had ever seen, they could vividly recall the face and name of someone they had met briefly decades ago. Moreover, this acquaintance shared a decent rapport with Jekyeong.
"Fellow Daoist Jang." It was Jang Hu-am. As a member of the Yeongbu Merchant Association, he was the one through whom Jekyeong had first established ties with the association. Since then, Jekyeong had met him a few more times, but they had only exchanged light pleasantries and never held a deep conversation.
"I heard the news. An foolish member of a branch family crossed paths with you, did they not?" Jang Hu-am whispered cautiously. "I swear, that matter had nothing to do with me."
"Of course, I know that." Even with Jekyeong's immediate reply, Jang Hu-am did not seem entirely reassured.
"It is somewhat awkward to say this myself, but the Yeongbu Merchant Association is a rather deformed organization. It has a massive head and countless legs, and each of those legs moves with its own will and thoughts. Thus, even the head does not know what minor schemes these legs are plotting."
"I understand. Though I happened to run afoul of that Gwak fellow, I hold no personal grudge against the Yeongbu Merchant Association."
"Ah! Those are truly welcome words. If only all cultivators were as rational and broad-minded as you!" This was not a lie fabricated to placate Jang Hu-am. Jekyeong truly harbored no ill will toward the Yeongbu Merchant Association. In fact, his feelings toward Gwak Jeong-sin were somewhat complex—perhaps half hatred and half gratitude. After all, Gwak Jeong-sin had been a good business partner for quite a long time, saving Jekyeong from a great deal of trouble. Of course, if an opportunity to snap his neck ever presented itself, Jekyeong would not hesitate. He planned to keep him barely alive and toss him to Muk-su.
"I was planning to take action when I heard the news, but he had already ruined himself. Of course, if you wish, I can have him dealt with quietly and cleanly."
"That is tempting, but if you are willing to help, I would like to ask for a different kind of assistance."
"Oh?" Like most cultivators in Bul-mang-won, Jekyeong avoided speaking about his personal affairs as much as possible. Even now, having reached the late stage of the Great Yao realm and gained some confidence in his strength, his caution remained unchanged. But Jang Hu-am was different. Since Jang Hu-am likely already knew his circumstances, there was no point in hiding anything. Jekyeong briefly explained his situation and mentioned that he needed the assistance of a senior Yao King.
"I see. I understand what you mean." After hearing the whole story, Jang Hu-am's reaction was somewhat ambiguous. He seemed pleased, yet also slightly troubled.
"I have heard that the name of the Yeongbu Merchant Association is renowned throughout the cultivation world, and its influence extends beyond human territories into the Yao domains. If so, there must be quite a few senior Yao Kings acquainted with your association."
"Of course. And not just Yao Kings; we even have connections with great seniors of the Yao Emperor realm." Jang Hu-am proudly boasted of the association's reach, but his posture quickly deflated right after. "But the problem is... that is the Yeongbu Merchant Association, and I am different. I am merely an insignificant figure within the association, so my name holds no weight with those seniors."
"Just arrange a meeting. I will handle the rest myself."
Jang Hu-am hesitated briefly, but ultimately agreed to Jekyeong's request. "I will do my absolute best, but I cannot make any promises. If luck is on our side, I might be able to arrange a meeting immediately after the Grand Assembly ends, but if not..."
"It is fine. If we must leave it to luck, then so be it."
"As expected, you are bold! Do not worry too much. I will do my utmost." Jekyeong and Jang Hu-am continued to chat about minor matters. Soon, the Grotto-heavens hanging in the sky began to vibrate, and brilliant pillars of light shot down one by one into the center of the assembly grounds. Seeing this, they bid each other farewell and parted ways.
"A member of the Yeongbu Merchant Association. Is his standing higher than Gwak Jeong-sin's?" Since Jekyeong and Jang Hu-am's conversation had been conducted in secret, Choi Ju-tang could only gauge Jang Hu-am's identity from the brief introduction he had offered when he first greeted them.
"It is," Jekyeong replied.
"So he was the one who originally introduced Gwak Jeong-sin to you?"
"That is correct." Perhaps because they belonged to the same merchant group, Choi Ju-tang seemed quite interested in Jang Hu-am. He looked as though he wanted to ask more, but unfortunately, now was not the time for idle chatter. As the overwhelming presence of the Golden Core cultivators blanketed the vast assembly grounds, the noisy venue fell into an instant, absolute silence.
Jekyeong had already attended two previous assemblies and had even seen a Nascent Soul Perfected Lord. However, knowing the height of the heavens does not make a mountain look small. To those bound to the earth, both the heavens and the mountains were existences they could scarcely dare to look up to.
"Let us begin."
"I shall go first." A mysterious and majestic resonance echoed from within the pillars of light. At the same time, a gentle shimmer of light appeared atop the stone altar.
The sermon began. The words Master Myeong-yu murmured as if in a monologue flowed like a gentle, quiet stream. Every cultivator in the assembly grounds strove to scoop up even a fraction of that slender stream, but those capable of catching even a few drops were exceedingly rare. Unfortunately, Jekyeong was not among that select few. He could not comprehend a single word of Master Myeong-yu's sermon. Perhaps it was because he had only recently reached the late stage of the Great Yao realm, or perhaps it was because he was of the Yao race and could not grasp the teachings of humans.