Chapter 110
Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Second Natal Dharma Treasure (1)
Half a year had passed since the Sacred Star Secret Realm opened.
Given the nature of the realm, which only remained open for a single year, a considerable amount of time had elapsed. During that period, all sorts of major and minor incidents had unfolded within the Sacred Star Secret Realm.
The most famous was the battle between Soul Transformation Realm cultivators on the 13th floor.
Two Soul Transformation Realm cultivators clashed over a mysterious technique that had appeared there, ultimately turning the entire 13th floor into a barren wasteland.
On the 10th floor, a dharma treasure led to the deaths of dozens of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators in a horrific tragedy. A tremendously powerful spirit beast also emerged, putting one Soul Transformation Realm cultivator and hundreds of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators in mortal peril.
In just one secret realm, multiple Soul Transformation Realm cultivators and hundreds of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators had vanished. And that didn't even count the Core Formation Realm ones—they had died in numbers beyond counting.
It was beyond imagination, but in the world of cultivation as a whole, such events were hardly rare.
The cultivation world was vast.
To mortals, even Refining Qi Realm cultivators seemed like immortals descended from the heavens.
But upon entering the cultivation world, one learned that Refining Qi Realm cultivators were as common as sand on the beach, Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators were rare enough to be hard to spot, and Core Formation Realm was a realm as distant as a dream.
However, as one's own cultivation steadily advanced, the truth became clear.
Upon reaching a realm where Refining Qi cultivators seemed as numerous as grains of sand, Nascent Soul Realm cultivators could be seen by the hundreds or thousands on a regular basis, Soul Transformation Realm cultivators became commonplace, and if one advanced even further, Soul Transformation Realm would seem like mere basic attainment.
Besides, even now, somewhere in the world, monstrous beings at the Soul Harmony Realm or above were undoubtedly battling in their own secluded ancient secret realms over long-lost inheritances unknown to the masses.
And occasionally, unqualified cultivators would unluckily get swept up in that "world of the strong."
The Core Formation Realm cultivators who had ventured to the upper levels instead of lingering below—thanks to acquiring fine Moonlight Stones—served as prime examples.
Having strayed into parts of the secret realm beyond their level, they had died in droves beyond counting.
In the midst of all that, the fact that Han Chun-oh—who possessed Foundation Establishment Realm-level power—had survived was entirely thanks to Chohryeo.
Though only at the early Nascent Soul Realm, Chohryeo's exceptional talent in formations allowed her to integrate them into combat, producing power equivalent to the late Nascent Soul Realm.
Without formations, she would lose even to fellow early Nascent Soul Realm cultivators at the 3rd layer, but once her formations were deployed and preparations complete, she could hold her own against five early or mid Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.
After roaming the Sacred Star Secret Realm ceaselessly for half a year, Chohryeo and Han Chun-oh had finally pinpointed the exact location of the Seven Emotions Soul-Calming Stone. Now, they headed toward the secret realm's hidden underground layer to claim it.
The underground layer of the Sacred Star Secret Realm was a special space with entrances scattered throughout the realm. Accessing it required a separate "key" from the Moonlight Stone.
Fortunately, acquiring the key was no great challenge. The Meteor Egg Stones—ores infused with stellar energy that littered the secret realm—served precisely that purpose.
Meteor Egg Stones formed when unhatched eggs from the Dark River Starry Eggfish explosion hardened into solid lumps. Apart from their stellar energy, they had no particular use.
Compared to other heavenly treasures, their value was low, and billions entered the market every time the Sacred Star Secret Realm opened.
In any case, since it was such a common material, Chohryeo and Han Chun-oh encountered no issues entering the passage to the underground layer.
The passage held various cultivators.
A Soul Transformation Realm cultivator flying leisurely with hands clasped behind his back.
Several Nascent Soul Realm cultivators aboard a massive ship-shaped dharma treasure.
Core Formation Realm cultivators desperately trying to minimize their presence while watching their surroundings.
"Fellow Daoist Park, have you heard the news about Fellow Daoist Hyun?"
"Why bring up that guy who still carries his grandson tucked under his arm?"
"Word is he's dead."
At that moment, two Soul Transformation Realm cultivators passed by Chohryeo and Han Chun-oh, conversing leisurely.
"You know Fellow Daoist Hyun's grandson was after the Dragon's Star Egg Thunder Palace this time around, right? Rumor spread that a strikingly handsome Core Formation Realm cultivator had it, so he went to take it."
"Hm. You're not saying a Core Formation Realm cultivator killed Fellow Daoist Hyun, are you? Impossible."
"No, not that. A Soul Transformation Realm cultivator was backing that Core Formation one."
At the mention of an unidentified Soul Transformation Realm cultivator, his counterpart finally showed interest and listened intently.
"According to the Nascent Soul Realm survivor who escaped with the info, it was an extremely advanced dual-body dharma treasure. Fellow Daoist Hyun didn't even last a few exchanges. On top of that, he seems to cultivate some bizarre technique or divine ability—it paralyzes spirit energy and curses the body."
"Well, damn. Better stay cautious."
A Soul Transformation Realm dual-body dharma treasure? One that paralyzed spirit energy and inflicted curses to boot? It had every annoying trait imaginable.
As "Fellow Daoist Park" grew serious upon hearing this, the cultivator in the purple robe— who had struck up the conversation—flashed a sleazy grin and added,
"But they say she's an absolute knockout beauty. Her skin's blue from her technique, which is a shame, but apparently not a dealbreaker."
"Hmph. Is that what you were getting at with me? Fine, whatever. Go find someone else—or just give up. Messing with that will get you burned for sure. Best steer clear."
Though Fellow Daoist Park advised him gravely, the purple-robed cultivator glanced at Chohryeo nearby and replied with regret,
"Unless it's a woman on my level, it won't satisfy. What can I do?"
"Then find yourself a beauty to your taste, raise her to Soul Transformation Realm, and be done with it."
"Too much hassle. Can't be bothered wasting time on something so trivial."
"Sorry, can't help you then. I entered the secret realm this time to refine my natal dharma treasure. Reforging it with the Starflame Heartfire at the underground layer's center will elevate it another step."
Having revealed his purpose, Fellow Daoist Park emphasized that his dharma treasure took priority over pointless favors, bid farewell, and flew ahead. The disappointed purple-robed cultivator muttered about handling it himself and began some preparations.
...And Chohryeo, who had unintentionally overheard it all, suddenly felt grateful to be at the Nascent Soul Realm.
How long had they traveled like that?
The moment they passed through the passage and reached the underground layer, Chohryeo and Han Chun-oh beheld a land of ceaselessly burning earth filled with unstable stars on the verge of exploding.
"The cultivators are starting to swarm in."
As cultivators flooded into the underground layer, I had arrived a few days earlier than most—thanks to Saran—and was exploring ahead.
Having already secured the Seven Emotions Soul-Calming Stone and Layer Core Crystals, my focus now was finding the most crucial element: the "flame for refining the dharma treasure."
When crafting dharma treasures or pills, nothing was more vital than fire.
The more special, pure, powerful, or unusual the flame, the higher the success rate and quality of the resulting dharma treasure or pill.
Thus, I sought the strongest, most central flame among those scorching this underground layer, intending to use it to reforge my Enlightened Six Paths Dragon Rod.
Fortunately, days of steady searching paid off. Shortly after the cultivators began pouring in, I found a suitable pit.
"Intense energy leaking from here."
Convinced this pit led to the underground layer's heart, I reinforced my Tiger Dragon Tempest Armor, deployed Subduing Tiger Divine Light to shield myself from the flames, and descended into the pit.
I wrecked the surrounding terrain to seal the entrance behind me, then activated Cloud Concealment Art, transforming into a wisp of cloud that slipped through the narrow crevices as I flew onward.
'Wish the ancient secret realm had allowed this.'
As I navigated the tight pit, memories of struggling in the ancient secret realm resurfaced. There, the environment had suppressed spells, forcing me to crawl laboriously.
The pit was intricately tangled.
This most central flame scorching the entire continent-like layer had thrashed about, leaking energy everywhere, forming a spiderweb of complex tunnels in its wake.
"Saran. Any info on this place?"
"No. The underground layer was discovered near the end last time we found the Sacred Star Secret Realm, so we only scouted the surface."
"Got it."
How far had I gone? After crawling deep into the pit for a good while, I reached a vast cavern and spotted a small blazing star within.
"...Like a sun."
Unlike ordinary flames, this one burned in a spherical clump, evoking the sight of gazing at a sun floating in space with the naked eye.
I slowly absorbed some of its energy to probe it, while Saran emerged to examine the flames as well.
"...This should be perfect for reforging the Enlightened Six Paths Dragon Rod."
"Excellent. Saran, seal off every pit leading here. Block all cultivators trying to enter."
Saran acknowledged my order and exited the cavern. Left alone, I began laying out all my materials.
Layer Core Crystals bearing the five elements' attributes. The Star Egg Thunder Palace infused with draconic energy from the Dark River Starry Eggfish. I unpacked every other material and arrayed them, then finally drew out the Enlightened Six Paths Dragon Rod from my soul.
"Oh."
The Enlightened Six Paths Dragon Rod, long housed in my soul, had fully purified its baleful karma in the interim, now radiating pure heroic energy instead.
As Saran had taught me beforehand, I positioned each material atop the Dragon Rod, assumed the proper stance, and drew in the flames.
A tendril of fire was sucked from the sunlike blaze into me. The refined flames then flowed out, beginning to melt the Enlightened Six Paths Dragon Rod and its accompanying materials.