If You Join Me, There Are Four
"If my fellow Daoists join me, there are four."
Myeong-ha toyed with the piece of metal—no, the key fragment—and asked, "Do you think four will be enough?"
"I intend to try with them first. If it is not enough... we will have to think of something else then." Gwak Yeon tore her eyes away from the key fragment resting in Myeong-ha's hand. "So... will you join me?"
"I am willing. What about you, Fellow Daoist Jekyeong?"
As Myeong-ha and Gwak Yeon turned their gazes toward him, Jekyeong set down his gourd and nodded. "I am in as well."
Jekyeong usually prioritized safety and stability, but this time was an exception. An opportunity for Core Formation had practically walked up to his doorstep; he could not back down now.
Now that his mind was made up, there was no reason to drag his feet, but preparation was essential. The place they were heading to was not some remote, deserted island; it was a sealed site that the Gwak family, with its seven-thousand-year history, was watching with hawk-like vigilance. If push came to shove, they had to be prepared to clash with the Gwak family, which meant thorough preparation was non-negotiable.
"The Gwak family has completely fallen," Gwak Yeon had said. "The family patriarch is only at the Late Foundation Establishment stage, and he is barely clinging to life. He didn't even notice me inspecting the seal and leaving."
Gwak Yeon had spoken with confidence, but Jekyeong and Myeong-ha, naturally, could not take her words at face value. After Gwak Yeon departed, Jekyeong questioned Myeong-ha, who was lost in thought.
"What if everything that woman said is a lie?"
"What do you mean by 'everything'?"
"Everything from her background to her current situation."
"Haha. Are you really that pessimistic?" When Jekyeong remained silent, the smile slowly faded from Myeong-ha's face.
"For now, I believe her story about the keys and the seal is true. I also half-believe her claim that she is taking this risk because she couldn't find any other opportunity for Core Formation."
"The possibility of a trap?"
"I think it is slim. Ah... of course, that is only based on what we know so far. Who knows what might happen next?"
Whether it was their side or hers, they were both after the same thing: the opportunity for Core Formation. Even if that opportunity could be shared amicably, there was almost no chance their alliance would remain peaceful. It was the nature of cultivators to take as much as they possibly could. The more opportunities for Core Formation one had, the better, so how could anyone willingly share such a precious treasure with a complete stranger?
"In that regard... we should verify things first."
Jekyeong did not pry into what Myeong-ha planned to do. The cunning bastard would handle it well enough on his own, so there was no need to waste breath. Or rather, to be completely honest, Jekyeong did not have the luxury to worry about such things.
Soon, he would have to throw himself into an adventure where everything was uncertain. He knew he had to prepare, but he didn't even know what to prepare for. He wasn't afraid or anxious; his mind was just a bit cluttered.
He and Myeong-ha agreed that Gwak Yeon could not be trusted, but that wasn't the only issue. If Gwak Yeon was untrustworthy, could they trust each other? Although they had built a decent amount of trust while running the business on Haeyeon Island together for the past decade, such trust could easily be torn to shreds like wet paper in the face of an opportunity for Core Formation.
Yet, neither of them uttered a word about it. They both knew all too well that what maintained their fragile trust was not empty words, but the power to pose a tangible threat to one another.
Gwak Yeon departed, promising to return in a month. She said she would finish her preparations during that time and mentioned she would bring a companion. Since Jekyeong and Myeong-ha made a pair, she wanted to balance the numbers. Having no valid reason to refuse, they had no choice but to agree.
'A month, is it?'
A month was not a short time, but it was still insufficient to accomplish anything substantial. The first thing that came to mind was gathering as many useful items as possible. And...
'It can't be helped.'
After a brief hesitation, Jekyeong made up his mind. Returning to Heukgyodo, he retrieved spiritual herbs one by one from his Jeo-mul-dae and placed them into his alchemical cauldron. Finally, he lightly sliced his left chest with his fingertip. A single drop of blood, brilliant and clear as a gemstone, seeped from the cut.
With a flick of his finger, Jekyeong guided the drop into the cauldron. Having done this once before, the entire process went much smoother than last time. The Flood Dragon Blood Ascension Pill.
'I originally planned to wait longer, but...'
Thanks to Han Cheongyu playing a major role after entering the Human Territory, and with a stroke of good luck, all the ingredients had already been gathered. He had only been waiting because the refinement of his Essence Blood did not seem fully complete yet...
But given the circumstances, he had no choice. Even if it caused him severe indigestion, he had to swallow it down first.
*Whoosh!* The Origin Earth Fire heated the cauldron intensely, and the pill refinement began.
The Origin Earth Fire blazes, refining the essence blood and spiritual herbs into a legendary pill.
Cheongo understood that this journey to the Human Territory was to seek an opportunity for Core Formation, and that it could be highly dangerous. Even so, the bird insisted on accompanying Jekyeong. It didn't seem to be out of pure concern, but Jekyeong still found the gesture endearing. Perhaps his efforts in feeding and sheltering the bird all this time had finally paid off.
"That's why I told you to practice your Transformation Art more diligently," Jekyeong said.
"It's too hard! And it's a hassle!" Cheongo complained.
"Tsk." Jekyeong clicked his tongue, watching Cheongo shake its head vigorously. "I'm off."
"Yeah. Have a safe trip!"
It was likely a casual, routine farewell. Yet, Cheongo's simple assumption that Jekyeong would naturally return warmed his heart. The cluttered thoughts in his mind seemed to clear up in an instant.
'Indeed. There is no need to overcomplicate things.'
Whatever traps or schemes lay ahead, he would simply crush anything that stood in his way. Even the destiny decreed by heaven had crumbled before his hands; why should he care about petty calculations?
*Boom!* Reverting to his true form, Jekyeong whipped his massive tail and surged toward Haeyeon Island.
Journey to the Human Territory II
Upon arriving at Haeyeon Island, Jekyeong exchanged greetings with those who had arrived before him. Atop a stone tower overlooking the entirety of Haeyeon Island, Jekyeong observed Gwak Yeon and the young cultivator standing beside her.
"This is my Dao companion, Jo Baek," Gwak Yeon introduced.
"I am Jo Baek. I greet the Dragon Lord of the Heukgyo Water Territory."
He was at the Middle Foundation Establishment stage. However, it was not his cultivation level that caught Jekyeong's attention.
"..."
Jekyeong had been puzzled at first glance, and even after taking his time to observe, he remained perplexed. Although Gwak Yeon looked young, she carried the distinct aura of an experienced, veteran cultivator. But no such aura could be felt from this man, Jo Baek. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He exuded a vibrant energy unique to the truly young. This contrast was highlighted even further by the presence of Gwak Yeon, who was quite old for a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator.
As they engaged in light conversation after the introductions, Gwak Yeon glanced sideways at Jo Baek and spoke up.
"Though my companion's cultivation is only at the Middle Foundation Establishment stage, his strength far surpasses other cultivators of the same realm."
Perhaps worried that her young companion might be looked down upon, she praised him in a calm, protective tone.
"Oh? Is that so?" Myeong-ha remarked.
"Junior Sister Gwak exaggerates," Jo Baek said modestly. "My meager skills are far from enough to catch the eye of Senior Ghost Spider."
Jekyeong couldn't speak for his strength or talent, but the man certainly possessed an amiable charm. Perhaps it was this gentle, smooth-talking nature that had won Gwak Yeon's heart.
"Haha. I only met Fellow Daoist Gwak recently, but I can tell she is not one to speak lightly," Myeong-ha laughed. "If she praises your talent so highly, there must be a good reason for it."
Myeong-ha seemed to be in a good mood. Was it because the companion Gwak Yeon brought was merely a Middle Foundation Establishment greenhorn? Or was it because he was pleased with the information Gwak Yeon had provided?
"The information Fellow Daoist Gwak shared was highly useful," Myeong-ha said. "Thanks to it, we now have a much better grasp of the sealed site's condition."
"Then you must also be well aware of the difficulties we will face," Gwak Yeon replied.
"Indeed."
The information Gwak Yeon had provided contained not only her detailed observations of the seal but also the changes that occurred when she brought two key fragments into contact with it.
"According to your records... four key fragments should indeed be sufficient to open a passage," Myeong-ha noted. "Come to think of it, there happen to be exactly four of us as well."
The atmosphere was quite pleasant. As Myeong-ha smoothly guided the conversation, Jo Baek chimed in tactfully, making them seem like old acquaintances. Jekyeong quietly observed the harmonious scene, and once the laughter began to subside, he tossed out a remark.
"It seems we have exchanged enough pleasantries. Shall we move on to more sensitive matters?"
"Oh, of course, of course. We must discuss what needs to be discussed. In a way, it is the most important issue," Myeong-ha agreed.
As Jekyeong turned his gaze toward Gwak Yeon, she nodded in agreement.
"What Fellow Daoist Jekyeong wishes to address is likely the distribution of the spoils, correct?"
"Yes. You might think I am getting ahead of myself, but I believe we must settle this matter before we proceed."
"The Dragon Lord—no, Fellow Daoist Jekyeong is correct. In fact, hearing you bring this up now actually puts my mind at ease."
Discussing the distribution of spoils seriously meant they were taking their cooperative relationship seriously. Of course, it could also be a calculated move to foster trust, but Gwak Yeon chose not to overthink it. Even if she did, there was nothing else she could do at the moment anyway.
"What we are after is the opportunity for Core Formation," Gwak Yeon said. "And based on everything we have gathered so far, if there is such an opportunity inside the sealed site, it is highly likely to be the remains of a core."
A core was the ultimate symbol of a Core Formation cultivator. After all, the very name of the realm was Core Formation. Whether one was of the human race, the beast race, or any other foreign race, the name for the third realm of cultivation remained the same, which alone showed the profound significance of forming a core.
Unless a Core Formation cultivator deliberately detonated their core, the core they formed would theoretically not disappear even after their death. Of course, while it did not vanish, it was still affected by death and could no longer exert its original power. Nevertheless, the value of a core was beyond measure.
It could be used as a material for refining spiritual treasures or elixirs, and above all, one could comprehend the core to deepen their understanding of Core Formation. The final benefit was precisely what everyone gathered here was aiming for.
Although it was uncertain how much of its original state a seven-thousand-year-old core—especially one heavily eroded by corruption—would retain, the benefits would be boundless if they could obtain even a tiny fragment to comprehend, even if only for a brief moment.
"The Core Formation cultivators resting in that sealed site are Senior Sangyoza and the Demon King Jegu. There happen to be two of them—one a human Golden Core cultivator and the other a beast Demon King. Isn't that a perfect split?"
"That sounds reasonable." Jekyeong had no objections to Gwak Yeon's proposal. As long as he could comprehend a core, he didn't care whether it was a human Golden Core or a beast's Yodan.
"I agree as well. However, there is one more thing I would like to discuss," Myeong-ha said, a faint smile playing on his lips as his gaze shifted between Gwak Yeon and Jo Baek.
"Since Fellow Daoist Gwak mentioned things being 'perfect,' it reminded me of something. We have four key fragments in total, do we not?"
"..."
Gwak Yeon remained silent, and Jo Baek tactfully kept his mouth shut. Myeong-ha stared intently at Gwak Yeon as he spoke again.
"Since there are four key fragments and exactly four of us, wouldn't it be best if each of us kept one? It shouldn't be too difficult, right? All you need to do, Fellow Daoist Gwak, is return the key fragment you borrowed last time."
"You are correct, Fellow Daoist." Gwak Yeon meekly handed over a key fragment.