The Seeds of the Grotto-Heaven
Everyone present had been waiting to hear those exact words. Cultivation techniques? They were undoubtedly precious. However, unlike spirit stones or spiritual items, a technique did not simply vanish because one person practiced it. In fact, in large sects and prestigious clans, dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of cultivators practiced the very same technique.
If someone were to seek out a cultivator from among them who was down on their luck, or whose poor talent left them with little hope of ever ascending further on the path of immortality, and offered them a handsome reward... would they really refuse such a transaction? Not a chance! Of course, the situation was slightly different for Golden Core techniques, but in essence, there was no major difference.
Furthermore, while some ancient heritages were lost to time, new cultivation techniques were constantly being created. In fact, they were created in even greater numbers. Among cultivators, there was no shortage of highly talented individuals driven by a burning desire for fame and glory. Refusing to merely walk the paths paved by others, they sought to forge their own techniques to maximize their cultivation efficiency or to immortalize their names.
Even at this very moment, countless techniques were being conceived. Though the vast majority would turn out to be worthless trash unworthy of being passed down, a select few would rise to the level of divine arts and peerless teachings. Even those that fell short of such heights would still be quite decent. In other words, there was no shortage of cultivation techniques in the Human Territory. Even a Golden Core technique was not particularly difficult to obtain, provided one had the right connections and was willing to pay the price. Indeed, every single person in this room already had one or two names in mind.
"How do you intend to pay for them?"
"I can pay in spirit stones, or I can pay in spiritual items. However, as I do not possess any spiritual items that would be of direct use to a Golden Core cultivator, I will have to make up for the quality with sheer quantity."
"Understandable. Besides, most Golden Core techniques aren't actually valued that highly."
Cultivation techniques were precious, but they could not be compared to spiritual items. Anyone attempting to trade a Golden Core technique for a spiritual cultivation resource useful to a Golden Core cultivator would be branded a lunatic. Therefore, the price Jekyeong offered was by no means low.
"Hmm. I shall look into it," Seongsu Jinin said.
"As will I," Hyeolsu-jinin chimed in.
In addition to Seongsu Jinin and Hyeolsu-jinin, Yu Jeonggyeom and Jeolhon-jinin also agreed to Jekyeong's request. Whether they would merely make a half-hearted attempt or truly roll up their sleeves to search remained to be seen, but Jekyeong was more than satisfied with their verbal commitments.
"Then, I shall leave it in your hands."
Jekyeong politely expressed his gratitude to the seniors who had shown him such goodwill. Afterward, he began to diligently make his rounds once more. Although he had already requested aid from Seongsu Jinin and the other seniors, the more avenues he had, the better.
The more techniques, the better.
In any case, no matter what technique he obtained, he would not be able to practice it as it was. Just as before, it would require proper modifications and adjustments. If so, having more reference materials would only benefit him. Thus, Jekyeong mobilized his connections to the absolute limit.
"Daoist Jang."
"Daoist Jekyeong."
The person Jekyeong sought out this time was Jang Hu-am, the first cultivator from the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance he had ever contacted. It was Jang Hu-am who had introduced him to Gwak Jeong-sin, allowing Jekyeong to receive various forms of useful assistance back when he had first set foot in Yangseo Lake.
Many years had passed, and this human cultivator, who had been a mere mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator when they first met, had now become a fully-fledged Golden Core cultivator. Sixty years ago, when Jekyeong first heard the news of his successful core formation, he had truly marveled at the sheer whimsy of the world.
Jang Hu-am's talent was considered decent, but he was far from being a peerless genius. In fact, compared to other cultivators of his generation, he was quite advanced in years by the time he reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Yet, he had ultimately succeeded in forming his core and was now addressed as a Jinin.
"I will get straight to the point. I have a favor to ask of you."
Jekyeong launched into the same lengthy explanation he had repeated countless times already. Upon hearing Jekyeong's somewhat flimsy 'plan,' Jang Hu-am's expression turned peculiar, a subtle shift that Jekyeong did not miss.
"Hmm. I understand. I shall look into it for you."
Jang Hu-am was straightforward. Though he had formed his core and become a Jinin, he was still a merchant at heart. What merchant in their right mind would turn away a transaction that walked right through their door?
Jang Hu-am was a mysterious man. The tale of his core formation was still a popular topic of discussion among those who knew him. During his days as a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had once vanished, sparking rumors of his death. When he resurfaced several years later, he was already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment—and a highly refined one at that. Less than thirty years after his return, he successfully formed his core, causing his name to echo throughout the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance and even Bulmangwon for quite some time.
Everyone suspected—no, they were absolutely certain—that he had encountered an extraordinary fortuitous opportunity. Some had tried to pry into what that opportunity might be, but none succeeded. Jekyeong was curious as well, but he chose not to ask. Once a cultivator reached the Golden Core stage, they were bound to have experienced at least one or two fortuitous encounters, big or small. Even if Jang Hu-am's case was somewhat unique, what would be the point of prying?
After sharing a warm and pleasant conversation with Jang Hu-am, Jekyeong bid him farewell.
Now, all I have to do is wait.
Whether it was Jang Hu-am or the other seniors, as long as half of them didn't return empty-handed, Jekyeong would be able to acquire a sufficient number of techniques.
Well, not that there is ever such a thing as 'enough.'
Since more reference materials were always better, there was no true upper limit. However, Jekyeong could not ignore the state of his finances. Ever since his transaction with Myeong-ha, his pockets had grown considerably lighter compared to his peak, and although he had recovered a portion of his wealth, it was still far from satisfactory. Therefore, if Jang Hu-am and the seniors of Bulmangwon proved to be too enthusiastic... that would present a different kind of problem.
I should consider paying with something other than spirit stones if necessary.
Jekyeong was even considering shedding a few of his own scales if push came to shove. A Gyoryong's scales were top-tier materials for refining artifacts, and though he didn't mean to boast, Jekyeong was confident that his scales were far superior to those of an ordinary Gyoryong. Selling just a few would fetch an astronomical price. Of course, this was a last resort to be considered only when all other options were exhausted.
The time has come.
Upon returning from Bulmangwon, Jekyeong sensed the Grotto-heaven dormant within him. His current ace in the hole was the Grotto-heaven—specifically, the belongings left behind by Sangyoza. While many of the items Sangyoza had left behind had crumbled to dust or been rendered utterly useless by the relentless flow of time, a few still retained their value.
I just haven't found them yet. There must be more.
Now that he had resolved his demonic obsession, Jekyeong decided to begin excavating the Grotto-heaven in earnest. This development involved not only strengthening his control over the pocket dimension but also expanding it. A Grotto-heaven was like a seed; the cultivator who possessed it had to nurture and grow it themselves.
The Grotto-heaven Jekyeong had inherited had been expanded to a respectable size by its previous master, Sangyoza, but it had deteriorated significantly over the long years. Compared to its peak under Sangyoza's ownership, its size had shrunk to a tenth, perhaps even less. Even that remnant had been so unstable when Jekyeong first opened it that it felt as though it might collapse at any moment.
Woooong!
The gate of the Grotto-heaven swung open. Simultaneously, Jekyeong's monster power began to pour endlessly into the pocket dimension.
Ugh.
Jekyeong frowned at the familiar sensation of rejection. Because this Grotto-heaven had originally been maintained and expanded by Sangyoza's Dharma power, Jekyeong's monster power could not exert its full strength. This was a problem only time could solve. Since both monster power and Dharma power were ultimately branches of spiritual energy, if he persisted, he would eventually be able to dye the entire Grotto-heaven with his own energy.
And another thing.
Jekyeong's divine sense swept across the entire Grotto-heaven. However, the reach of his divine sense was strictly limited to the areas he had already 'excavated.' The regions that Sangyoza had once developed but had since collapsed or become unstable over time could only be vaguely sensed; he could not extend his divine sense to explore them. It was like a pitch-black room. He knew the room existed, but until he turned on the light to secure his vision, taking even a single step inside was a perilous gamble, let alone trying to see anything clearly.
Rumble!
Jekyeong's massive monster power forcefully breached the Grotto-heaven's resistance and rejection, illuminating one of the darkened 'rooms.' It was a crude method, but highly effective. Jekyeong had wanted to do this long ago, but he had been held back by the demonic obsession nested inside him like a ticking time bomb. He had judged that if his demonic obsession flared up while he was in the middle of excavating the Grotto-heaven, the consequences would be too severe to handle. But that was no longer a concern. He could easily bear this level of strain now.
Are these spiritual herbs?
As the light returned to the darkened 'room,' Jekyeong discovered a few things buried within. There was a patch of black soil, and scattered across it were several stalks of herbs. Though Jekyeong did not recognize them, he was certain they were extraordinary. Spiritual herbs capable of surviving for thousands of years in an isolated Grotto-heaven... Even if he couldn't be sure how much of their medicinal efficacy remained, the mere fact that they had survived without withering was testament to their exceptional nature.
Since I don't recognize them, it must be one of two things. Either they mutated over the countless years of isolation within the Grotto-heaven to the point of being unrecognizable, or this species of spiritual herb went extinct in the cultivation world of Yangseo Lake long ago.
This was a common occurrence in the cultivation world, particularly within the Human Territory. The resources of heaven and earth were finite, while the number of cultivators was vast. As they all burned with the desire to seek the Dao, even the most abundant resources would eventually be picked clean.
Humans...
To put it bluntly, the only reason any cultivation resources, including spiritual items, still remained in the Human Territory was thanks to the great factions that recognized the importance of resource conservation and nurturing future generations. By monopolizing all kinds of Secret Realms and blessed lands, conserving and stockpiling resources, they managed to maintain their power even as the rest of the Human Territory ran dry.
Rogue Cultivators criticized this, accusing the great factions of monopolizing resources. While their accusations were true, the great factions did not see it as a problem. They firmly believed that if the resources of the Human Territory had been distributed 'fairly' as the ignorant masses demanded, the human race would never have achieved its current golden age. Ignoring the disgruntled cries of the ignorant, they redirected the masses' attention outward under the banner of a greater cause.
Though the Human Territory was drying up, countless opportunities still lay beyond its borders. By defeating foreign races and raising the banner of humanity, those boundless opportunities would naturally belong to mankind. It was a classic, almost cliché method, but it was always effective. That was how the history of the human race had been written.
But no feast lasts forever, and the moon begins to wane the moment it is full.
Suddenly, Jekyeong recalled the Great Cataclysm he had heard about previously. When he first heard the tale, he had been too overwhelmed to think of anything else. But looking back now, a slight doubt arose regarding the very name 'Great Cataclysm.' A tribulation that enveloped heaven and earth? The natural order of the world governed by the Heavenly Dao? The words sounded grand, but was that truly the case? Jekyeong recalled that the one who had spoken of the 'Great Cataclysm' was a senior from Bulmangwon, who was also a human.
Though it is said that humans and the Beast Race contend for supremacy over the Changram Realm, the Beast Race is too fragmented to be considered a single unified race. From that perspective, the ones who truly hold hegemony over the Changram Realm as a unified species are the humans.
In this world, the rise of humanity seemed almost like destiny. They knew how to grow strong as cultivators, and they knew how to unite as a species. Despite their short lifespans and fragile bodies, they had defeated other powerful races to attain their current dominance... One could only conclude that a certain grand tide of destiny was flowing in their favor. What was that tide? Fortune? The natural order? If so, where did it end?
The moon wanes the moment it is full, and humanity will likely share the same fate.
In this current era, the human True Lords had begun to speak of a great cataclysm. They must have sensed something to speak of such things. But was it truly a Great Cataclysm of heaven and earth, or was it merely a great cataclysm for humanity...?
We shall see.
Ending his contemplation, Jekyeong carefully harvested the spiritual herbs.
Jekyeong possessed quite a few avenues for gathering information. He could order his subordinates deployed within the Human Territory, or he could obtain it through his seniors in Bulmangwon. Although the latter usually took the form of a transaction, the accuracy and quality of the information obtained that way were beyond doubt.
And now, he had gained yet another source of information: the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace.