A Path Set in Stone
Jekyeong was pessimistic about this. Setting aside whether they had enough talent, resources were the primary issue. Jekyeong did not treat them poorly, and he wouldn't in the future, but he could not support them with the resources needed for Core Formation. He had neither the ability nor the desire to do so. What he needed was competent subordinates, not masters to revere and serve.
'But this is certainly a problem.'
If he were to share these concerns with other Demon Kings, eight or nine out of ten wouldn't even understand why Jekyeong was worrying about such things. To them, subordinates were merely tools to be used when helpful and discarded when useless. The concept of growing attached to them, or investing in their growth like Jekyeong did, was incredibly rare; most viewed it as an unnecessary and foolish waste.
But Jekyeong thought differently. In his view, the only reason a tool remained just a tool was because the master treated it as one. A tool could only perform its designated role, and even then, the master had to handle it directly every single time. On the other hand, a competent subordinate would anticipate the master's wishes and act accordingly without needing constant supervision, sometimes even delivering results beyond their capabilities. Their utility was incomparable to a mere tool.
Wasn't Han Cheongyu proof of this? Jekyeong had experienced firsthand just how much trouble a single competent and loyal subordinate could save him.
'Realistically, the chances of him achieving Core Formation are slim.'
This was an objective fact, and also Jekyeong's own hope. Jekyeong could not deceive himself. He did not want Han Cheongyu, Ju-hyeong, or any of his human subordinates to achieve Core Formation. Even without the limitations of the Blood Contract Restriction, he currently lacked the confidence to keep a Golden Elixir cultivator as a subordinate.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, unless heaven played a cruel trick, the immortal path of Han Cheongyu and the others would top out at the late Foundation Establishment stage at best. Therefore, Jekyeong had to consider what came next. It might seem far off, but trying to react only after the situation arose would inevitably be too late.
'Still, I should give him a heads-up.'
Since he was a subordinate who had worked loyally for a long time, he deserved that much respect. It was a message that might hurt, so he needed to tell him directly to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.
After falling into thought for a moment, Jekyeong pulled out a jade slip and began engraving words onto it with his divine sense.
"Are you willing to establish a clan and serve me for generations?"
"..."
Han Cheongyu stared at the short yet profound message engraved on the jade slip, which thrummed with a subtle, deep power. He had looked at it so many times he had lost count, yet he still could not find his composure.
The content was simple and straightforward. It wasn't an unreasonable command; it was just a light greeting followed by a single question.
Are you willing to establish a clan and serve me for generations?
Looking at that brief question, Han Cheongyu felt as if the Dragon Lord were standing right in front of him, asking him directly.
'A clan.'
Though phrased as a question, it was practically an invitation. To look at it positively, it was an opportunity to enjoy the Dragon Lord's favor for generations to come. But...
'Does the Dragon Lord believe this is as far as I can go?'
Han Cheongyu looked into the mirror on the table. He saw the face of an ordinary, middle-aged man. His eyes were firm and clear, but the ambition he once possessed had been endlessly chipped away by the passing years, leaving barely a trace behind.
'How old am I this year?'
Few cultivators remembered their exact age, and rogue cultivators were even worse. Han Cheongyu had rarely thought about his age since his youth. Now, calculating it after so long, he was easily past a hundred, and two hundred... probably not quite there yet.
But even at two hundred, it was still the prime of a Foundation Establishment cultivator's life. Being in his prime meant he was at an age where he could reasonably look toward the late Foundation Establishment stage.
As for Core Formation...
'It will probably... be difficult.'
The Dragon Lord had undoubtedly thought that far ahead. That was why he was making this suggestion now. To establish a clan and secure his lineage before it was too late.
'My lineage.'
He had never once doubted the Dragon Lord or harbored any resentment toward him. But this time... just this once, it was hard to obey the command.
Yes, a command. To Han Cheongyu, this was neither a question nor a suggestion, but a tacit order. An order to give up on Core Formation, establish a clan, raise the next generation, and serve him for all eternity.
'I don't want to accept it.'
This was Han Cheongyu's honest feelings as a cultivator. Any cultivator would feel the same. Even a cultivator facing their natural end would naturally want to challenge the impossible one last time. How much more so for Han Cheongyu, who was still in his prime as a Foundation Establishment cultivator?
'But... what choice do I have if I don't accept?'
Han Cheongyu was not foolish. He knew the Dragon Lord was not mistreating him, but rather considering the situation with cold, objective realism.
How vast was the cultivation world of Yangseo Lake? In this immense world, regardless of race, how many had actually achieved Core Formation? If restricted to humans, how many had been called Golden Elixir masters over the past several centuries?
Excluding the two great Golden Elixir sects, had any other place even produced a Golden Elixir cultivator?
"..."
Han Cheongyu looked at his reflection in the mirror, staring at the middle-aged man who felt exceptionally unfamiliar today.
'Come to think of it... I've still come quite far. A kid from Three Frogs Island who had nothing going for him except a bit of poison resistance has become a Foundation Establishment cultivator contemplating Core Formation. I suppose that can be considered a success in its own way.'
'Dragon Lord. Since you tell me to stop, I shall stop. But I cannot help but resent you for it.'
After scanning the jade slip one last time, Han Cheongyu incinerated it.
Han Cheongyu's reply satisfied Jekyeong. His loyal subordinate had not disappointed him this time either. However, establishing a clan was not something that could be done overnight, so he had asked for some time. It was a reasonable request and an expected answer.
Yet, despite the smooth reply, Jekyeong could guess that Han Cheongyu's heart was not entirely at ease. This was an extremely obvious matter that required very little thought.
From Han Cheongyu's perspective, Jekyeong had essentially severed his path to the Dao with a single letter.
Had Han Cheongyu seriously aimed for Core Formation? He might have, or he might not have.
'He's not a fool, so he must have known it would be difficult.'
This, too, was a fact that anyone with a functioning brain would inevitably know. Looking at Yangseo Lake alone, how many Golden Elixir cultivators were there among the vast number of human cultivators? Had a new Golden Elixir cultivator been born in the last hundred, or even two hundred years? How many exceptionally talented cultivators had challenged Core Formation only to return to dust?
Though Han Cheongyu's talent was outstanding, he was not some once-in-a-century genius. Without an incredible stroke of serendipity, the probability of him achieving Core Formation was... so extremely low that it could practically be considered impossible.
Han Cheongyu himself was likely aware of this. Of course, being aware of an unwanted reality and accepting it were two different things. Even if his mind knew it, his instincts as a cultivator would have resisted admitting it.
Jekyeong knew that forcing Han Cheongyu to face reality would earn him some resentment. But the man was not foolish, so that small resentment would fade with time.
'Rather, someone like Ju-hyeong is the real concern.'
Han Cheongyu was loyal and, in some ways, simple-minded, but Ju-hyeong was different. That fellow was highly clever and adept at looking out for his own interests. Furthermore, he was still young, so making such a suggestion to him now would be inappropriate.
'I just need to let him naturally feel his limits. Perhaps I won't even need to do anything. He's quick at calculating his gains.'
Even Choi Ju-tang, a thoroughly weathered rogue cultivator, had eventually established a family and looked to the future of his lineage. He had run forward with all his might as a cultivator, only to eventually feel his limits and change direction. One could view it as a weak will, but one could also view it as intelligence. He had realized the fire was hot without having to burn himself.
Jekyeong hoped Ju-hyeong would be the same.
Thud!
While Jekyeong was lost in thought, a rather violent surge of spiritual energy was felt in the distance.
Even without looking or actively sensing it, Jekyeong knew exactly what it meant.
It was the sign of a breakthrough.
The little turtle had finally, slowly, grasped his chance to break through.
"Go watch over him. Make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Got it."
Cheongo, who was currently in her human form, floated up into the air. Her plump face was clearly filled with annoyance, but she still set off without a word of complaint. It seemed Hyeongu's respectful treatment of Cheongo and the occasional gifts he offered had paid off.
"Dragon Lord!"
Six days later, Hyeongu, whose size had grown by half, knelt flat on the ground before him with a solemn face.
Jekyeong immediately recognized the turbulent emotions hidden behind Hyeongu's stiff expression. It seemed all the emotions he had suppressed for so long had been released during this breakthrough, and some had even been resolved.
"Well done."
Jekyeong did not say much. Since they knew each other so well, what need was there for elaborate words? He rewarded Hyeongu with a single word of praise and a pre-prepared gift.
"That I could reach this point is entirely due to the Dragon Lord's grace."
Hyeongu bowed his head repeatedly, suppressing his intense emotions.
With Hyeongu's breakthrough complete, everyone by his side had now become mature, mid-stage Great Yao.
A mid-stage Great Yao was at a level where, provided they kept a sharp eye on their surroundings, they could walk with their heads held high anywhere in the demon territories of Yangseo Lake.
Jekyeong believed this was enough to maintain order in the Seongya Archipelago even if he were to temporarily leave. Setting aside the others, Bigu alone was more than capable of handling any Great Yao that unfortunately drifted into the Seongya Archipelago. This fellow's size was nearly on par with Jekyeong's own, so if he utilized his weight advantage, most ordinary Great Yao would find it hard to even breathe in his presence.
'For now, this is enough.'
Lately, Jekyeong had been forced to spend his days in meditation due to the erosion of his Demonic Obsession, exhausting his mental energy by managing surrounding affairs in his spare time.
But things were different now. Originally, he could manage the Demonic Obsession more effectively than before by using Cheongo's divine ability, and now, with the power of the Sealed Title bestowed by the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace added to the mix, he finally had some breathing room.
'Now I can prepare for the Transformation Tribulation.'
The Transformation Tribulation.
Literally, the tribulation one must undergo to achieve true human transformation.
Although Jekyeong already knew how to transform by practicing the Transformation Secret Art, strictly speaking, his transformation was not a true one.
To use an analogy, transforming through the Transformation Secret Art was like wearing a mask. It was changing one's appearance by putting an exquisite, different face over one's original face.
But no matter how exquisite, a mask was still a mask, so a slight unnaturalness was unavoidable, and it could not be worn indefinitely.
On the other hand, the transformation obtained after passing the Transformation Tribulation was like having another face entirely. Just like a pair of arms that could be raised or lowered at will, a demon beast who gained the ability to transform after passing the Transformation Tribulation could change their form as they pleased.
All of those forms belonged to the cultivator themselves, so there were no restrictions whatsoever in changing appearances.
As for facing the Transformation Tribulation, Jekyeong had no worries at all.