A Path of Retreat

Besides, would others idle away while he strove for the Yao King realm? Of course not. They, too, would cultivate relentlessly, and their growth ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would inevitably weigh on him as a burden. If they were of the Beast Race, it would be somewhat manageable. The Beast Race enjoyed long lifespans but cultivated slowly, so their rate of progress was nothing to worry about. Humans, however, were different. In particular, Han Cheongyu, who had just broken through the barrier to Foundation Establishment, would see his cultivation rise rapidly up to a certain point. Jekyeong had to find a solution. And quickly.

I must either find a superior method of control or practice selection and concentration.

Looking back, directly controlling the late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators had been highly inefficient. Previously, he had no other choice but to screen and manage them one by one, but the situation had changed. Now that Han Cheongyu was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could share the burden through him. Of course, Han Cheongyu, having just stepped into the Foundation Establishment realm, would not be of immense help immediately, but even the smallest assistance was better than none.

While Han Cheongyu consolidated his realm, Jekyeong pondered how to utilize him. Foundation Establishment cultivators were common yet rare, depending on how one looked at it. To Qi Condensation cultivators, they were like towering mountain peaks to be looked up to, but that was only because their own standing was low and their vision narrow. The view from the foot of a mountain is vastly different from the view from its summit. Once one actually ascends to the Foundation Establishment realm, they realize that such cultivators are not particularly extraordinary. Furthermore, not all Foundation Establishment cultivators were equal. An early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Han Cheongyu, who had just crossed the threshold, could only put on airs in front of Qi Condensation cultivators; when meeting peers of the same realm, he would have to bow his head meekly. Jekyeong understood this truth all too well, so he did not harbor excessive expectations for Han Cheongyu.

It would be difficult for him to run a business or establish a proper stronghold. Nor is there any need for it.

If it came to business, Jekyeong had two viable paths: forging and alchemy. The Spirit Blacksmiths of Yeongi Island were blacksmiths in name only; their skills were mediocre, incomparable to the proper Spirit Blacksmiths of the Human Territory. The best they could forge was mid-grade spiritual tools, which would hardly yield a decent profit. They might manage a business if they went for high-volume, low-margin sales, but Jekyeong had no intention of starting an enterprise just to earn pocket change.

As for alchemy...

Jekyeong prided himself on being a respectable Tier 2 alchemist. With his Origin Earth Fire, he was confident he could achieve better results than most Tier 2 alchemists. This was no delusion of grandeur; the market had proven it. Every time he refined elixirs, they sold out immediately. Though the prices fluctuated depending on the timing and circumstances, they always remained well above average.

Yet, those highly-priced elixirs were merely the ones Jekyeong had filtered out. Whenever he performed alchemy, he kept the highest-quality elixirs for his own consumption and consigned the rest for sale. Had he sold every single elixir he refined, his fame would have spread far and wide long ago.

With such skill, establishing a business through alchemy would be a simple matter. He could set up shop anywhere in Yang-seo-ho and rake in Spirit Stones by the shovelful—provided he was willing to take the risk.

But that is out of the question.

To run an elixir business, one needed strength. And by strength, it meant not just alchemical skill, but the power to protect one's wealth. Jekyeong certainly possessed such power, but unfortunately, he could not reveal it in the Human Territory. Therefore, if he wanted to sell elixirs there, Han Cheongyu would have to act as his proxy. However, with Han Cheongyu's current strength, while he might manage Tier 1 elixirs, handling Tier 2 elixirs would be too much for him. Of course, they could intentionally lower the quality of the elixirs to make the business viable, but wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?

Let's not get greedy. The timing is good, so taking it slow, one step at a time, will suffice.

The Human Territory was currently undergoing a period of expansion and chaos. Previously, a massive influx of cultivators from Jimagwon had swollen their numbers, but the ongoing war had also thinned them out significantly. In the midst of this, the Human Territory had swallowed parts of the demon territory, growing in size. Many were salivating at the chance to grab even a single scrap of meat. According to Myeong-ha and Choi Ju-tang, shadow struggles were already breaking out frequently across the Human Territory. Thus, now was the perfect opportunity to establish a foothold there. Jekyeong did not ask for much. What he wanted was a reliable path of retreat to fall back on in times of crisis. Of course, if he could earn some Spirit Stones along the way, he had no reason to refuse.

"Phew—"

Jekyeong intensified the heat of his Origin Earth Fire, accelerating the refinement of his Essence Blood. A process that would normally take at least a month was completed in a mere five days under the grace of his Origin Earth Fire.

The refinement is complete... but it is still not enough.

Jekyeong could feel the few drops of Essence Blood nestled deep within his massive heart. He felt a surging vitality, immense power, and a slight sense of foreignness. This foreignness could not be resolved artificially; he could only grow accustomed to it over time.

With this, the depletion from refining the Heaven-Bridging Blood Ascension Pill has been fully replenished.

Energy surged through his entire body, and confidence welled up within him. It was merely a single drop of Essence Blood, but that very drop marked the boundary between completeness and imperfection. At this moment, he was finally whole. He felt as though he could defeat that mad dog of the Yojeong if they fought again. Of course, he had no intention of actually testing that theory.

Time passed, and once Han Cheongyu had consolidated his early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation to some degree, Jekyeong immediately summoned him to assign a mission.

"Go to Jaseong Island."

Jaseong Island was a large island located about a month and a half's journey north of the Heukgyo Water ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Territory. Originally part of the demon territory, it had been annexed into the Human Territory during the recent war. Currently, countless cultivators were flocking there, making it incredibly chaotic.

"Disguise yourself as a Demon Hunter. Since you are a Foundation Establishment cultivator, securing a small manor should not be difficult."

Jekyeong explained the full significance of this mission to Han Cheongyu.

"Lord Dragon, should I keep a low profile and bide my time there?"

"No. Do not stand out, but there is no need to hold your breath either. Adding a touch of caution to an ordinary demeanor will be most appropriate."

Arrogance would breed enemies, but excessive caution would arouse suspicion. Hearing Jekyeong's words, Han Cheongyu finally understood how he should conduct himself as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Go. Take three men of your choosing with you."

"Yes, Lord Dragon."

Han Cheongyu carefully selected his companions. Since this was to be a long-term mission, those accompanying him needed to possess both strength and reliable character.

"You, you, and you."

When choosing his men, Han Cheongyu took personal relationships into account. He did not select his close associates; rather, he excluded them entirely. Once on Jaseong Island, he would have to command his companions as their superior, utilizing his status as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. While he was confident in his ability to draw a strict line between public duty and private feelings, there was no guarantee they could do the same. Thus, he ruled them out from the start.

"Thank you, Senior Han!"

Among the three chosen was Ju-hyeong. Jekyeong was slightly surprised to see Ju-hyeong's name when he checked Han Cheongyu's selections, but he quickly understood the reasoning. While Ju-hyeong's cultivation was merely at the early stage of late-stage Qi Condensation and could not be called outstanding, he was clever and quick-witted, making him highly useful for external affairs.

"Unless something extraordinary occurs, we will contact each other once every six months. Once you decide on a meeting place in advance, Hyeongu will go to meet you."

"Understood."

Jekyeong handed Han Cheongyu a storage ring. The Spirit Stones inside would be more than enough to purchase a sizable manor, and the elixirs would sustain his cultivation for at least half a year.

"You may leave now."

"Take care, Lord Dragon."

Han Cheongyu and the three ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cultivators departed from Heukgyodo. Not long after, Jekyeong confirmed they had moved beyond the range of his Divine Sense, then pulled out a fresh jar of Spirit Wine and drank.

"Caw!"

Just as he emptied his third jar of Spirit Wine, Cheongo cried out loudly and flew into the Black Cult Palace. Thud! The bird dropped several Spiritual Fruits in front of Jekyeong.

"Oh?"

Jekyeong's eyes gleamed as he picked up one of the fruits to examine it.

"Good, right?" Cheongo asked, landing on Jekyeong's head and preening its feathers.

"Yes. It is definitely better."

The previous Spiritual Fruits had been excellent, but these...

If the previous ones were low-grade, these could be considered mid-grade.

Could this be the effect of independence? Had he known, he would have let it live independently much sooner.

"Are you going to see it?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Muk-su ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠said you're annoying and told you not to come."

Jekyeong, who had half-risen, awkwardly sat back down.

"Did it say anything else?"

"It did. It said to scatter more Spirit Stones."

"I see."

As Jekyeong nodded, Cheongo, as if it had been waiting for this moment, snatched the Spiritual Fruit from Jekyeong's hand and flew off to its nest.

Even though Muk-su had supposedly told him not to come, Jekyeong went to find it anyway. In truth, he suspected that the claim of being told not to come was a lie. If it wanted Spirit Stones but told him not to visit, was he supposed to send the stones with Cheongo? Ridiculous. He would sooner trust a cat with a fish.

When Jekyeong arrived at the island where Muk-su resided, its thick branches swayed rhythmically.

"You can speak, can't you?"

"Too much trouble."

Jekyeong recalled the first time he had laid eyes on Muk-su. Back then, it had stealthily exuded toxic mist, resembling an experienced hunter. In this lazy tree before him now, not a trace of its former sharpness remained. A comfortable life free from the fear of death or the need to hunt for food seemed to have completely dulled its edge.

"Here."

Jekyeong scattered the Spirit Stones. Dozens of low-grade Spirit Stones flew and embedded themselves in the ground around Muk-su as if drawn by magnets, causing its deep-set roots to wriggle. In an instant, a dense wave of spiritual energy surged like a tide. It felt as though he were standing right in the center of a Spirit Gathering Array.

This feels even more effective than the Spirit Gathering Array installed in the Black Cult Palace.

For a brief moment, the thought of staying and cultivating here crossed his mind. Of course, it was a fleeting thought. If he declared he would cultivate here, Muk-su might just spew poison for the first time in ages.

"I think I understand why Cheongo is so obsessed with Spirit Stones."

"Ah... it's not for the reason you think."

"Hmm?"

Jekyeong chose not to criticize Cheongo's ridiculous hobby and quietly sat cross-legged beneath Muk-su's shade. A gentle breeze blew, soothing his mind and cooling his head. Without even intending to, Jekyeong naturally entered a semi-meditative state.

"Lord Dragon, do you have any further instructions?"

"No, none. More importantly... summon the Spirit Blacksmiths."