Chapter 68
Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Another Heavenly Teaching (1)
Disciples who joined the High Heaven Sect typically spent their Refining Qi Realm days as outer disciples. Upon reaching Foundation Establishment Realm, they could become inner disciples by scoring high on the sect-wide exam or catching an elder's eye through sheer luck.
Even in the Refining Qi Realm, paths to inner disciple status existed.
Those who mastered arts and contributed to the sect in some way—like Yong Yoo on Present Music Peak—or received recommendations from direct disciples—like Mun Yoo, backed by Do Mun-hyang—could join Sea Severing Peak as inner disciples despite their realm.
These inner disciples then performed sect missions and cultivated on their peaks until reaching Core Formation Realm.
If they shone brightly enough to catch the sect's attention or became direct disciples under a peak elder, they received monthly resource allotments for comfortable cultivation. Otherwise, they had to grind through missions, earn spirit stones, and buy resources from the market.
Yong Yoo's habit of saving his stipend—since he rarely spent on anything else—allowed him to splurge on bulk purchases. This was possible only because the sect provided overflowing cultivation resources.
Disciples who trained diligently and broke through to Nascent Soul Realm were assigned to the main peak, becoming the sect's core disciples.
Core disciples ranged from early to mid Nascent Soul Realm, where most stalled, unable to climb higher.
Even single-element root holders found Nascent Soul cultivation arduous. Just as many High Heaven Sect elders perished at the end of their lifespans without surpassing Nascent Soul, core disciples often met their end without breaching the early-to-mid barrier.
Yet a talented few reached late Nascent Soul, earning treatment as core direct disciples from that point.
Core direct disciples—the elder candidates.
No matter how many tens of thousands of cultivators swarmed the sect from Refining Qi to Core Formation, only a handful remained at this stage.
These core direct disciples filled elder vacancies when a peak elder retired or died unexpectedly, becoming new elders.
…In the past, only Soul Transformation Realm cultivators were appointed elders. But over the last few millennia, with no breakthroughs to that realm aside from Geum So-ryeo, the requirement had been lowered to late Nascent Soul.
Even then, the sect master had once tried passing the throne to Geum So-ryeo, but she declined, saying an elder position suited raising disciples better, remaining the sole Soul Transformation elder. Otherwise, elders would still start from late Nascent Soul to perfection.
During her nearly two thousand years as elder, how many Nascent Soul elders had died of old age?
Only two core direct disciples remained now. If three or more elders perished, they'd have no choice but to appoint a mid Nascent Soul elder.
Thus, the sect master and elders welcomed Yong Yoo's emergence.
They hoped he'd become the sect's new "Soul Transformation elder," and as the Heavenly Child, his heavenly fortune would uplift the sect's fortunes, spurring all disciples' growth.
Geum So-ryeo wasn't the only one yearning to restore High Heaven Sect's greatness.
With such expectations, they watched Yong Yoo's Dao Debate with Pyeong Yu-ran.
Even if Yong Yoo, at perfected Foundation Establishment, felled a perfected Core Formation cultivator, the gap between 4th layer Core Formation and 1st layer Nascent Soul dwarfed that.
Nascent Soul cultivators wielded nascent soul power to amplify spell might, boasted denser, stronger, purer spirit energy for efficient casting—and above all, commanded divine abilities.
"Can that Pyeong Yu-ran girl wield divine abilities?"
"Yes. And with her dual dharma body ascension to Nascent Soul, expectations for her are high."
"I hope Yong Yoo shows us something good."
"Speaking of, I'm curious if Yong Yoo truly refined an immortal realm enlightenment. We only heard reports last time—no evidence."
"Ah, I forgot to ask. No one's gained such fortune before, but… connecting with that Immortal Jade Senior, he bears a potent fate. Might be different."
As the sect master and elders murmured, Yong Yoo and Pyeong Yu-ran's second Dao Debate—their third bout—began.
Right as the debate started, five swords materialized around Pyeong Yu-ran.
Each condensed the heaven-earth five elements qi, mimicking her Great Freedom Heaven Sword. She amplified their power through mutual generation: earth sword bolstered metal, metal nourished water, water fed wood, wood fueled fire, fire enriched earth.
After cycling once, the swords erupted with ferocious aura, slashing at Yong Yoo to cleave him in one stroke.
The preparation took a moment, but to Core Formation eyes, it was instantaneous.
Yong Yoo swiftly cast Cloud Escape Art, turning his body to mist, dodging the earth sword and weaving nimbly.
His cloud form outpaced wind-escape cultivators in speed and outmaneuvered water-escape users in fluidity.
Pyeong Yu-ran splintered her massive earth sword into thousands of blades, raining them toward Yong Yoo's path. He unleashed his prepped Worldly Chains Breaking Free Seal, grinding all incoming swords to dust.
Hiding breaths in the mist, Yong Yoo flanked her rear and fired his quickest spell: Blazing Palm Seal.
Pyeong Yu-ran's terrifying reflexes dodged it; her Great Freedom Heaven Sword sliced his flank.
Kagagak!
Empowered by Yong Yoo's growth, Black Dragon Tempest Armor blocked the strike. From point-blank, he hammered another Blazing Palm Seal.
Kuwaaaang!!
A colossal force exploded between them. Parted, both eyed each other unscathed.
Seeing this, Yong Yoo adjusted tactics.
'Mid-tier spells can parry Nascent Soul spells but inflict negligible damage.'
They mitigated harm at best, none of the attacks were fatal.
Even treasures like the Nine-Feet Nail would fare similarly; Black Dragon Tempest Armor's lightning energy wouldn't change much.
'Then redirect all other spells to defense. Win with Worldly Chains Breaking Free Seal and Severing Black Dragon Claw.'
Yong Yoo was glad for the debate. Sparring a Nascent Soul revealed flaws in his arsenal.
He tested another approach.
'If chaining won't work, what if I lead with my strongest spell?'
Cloud Escape widened distance; he formed Union Art seal.
'Union Art.'
Before, he'd pause post-Union Art before next seal. Now, he flowed seamlessly into another.
'Severing Black Dragon Claw.'
Spirit energy drained sharply as a massive dragon-claw dharma image formed—Yong Yoo's left hand. Pyeong Yu-ran and all watchers gasped.
"What spell is that?!"
"Heavens! Such ferocious aura!"
"Does our sect even have that technique?"
Severing Black Dragon Claw intimidated onlookers with its menace. Yong Yoo swung it swiftly.
Kaaaaang!!!
Pyeong Yu-ran desperately countered with Great Freedom Heaven Sword.
That enigmatic heaven-fallen treasure, wielded by a dual dharma body Nascent Soul cultivator, clashed against Severing Black Dragon Claw—unleashing a mighty shockwave.
Clouds rippled overhead. While Pyeong Yu-ran recovered from swinging, distant-casting Yong Yoo pressed faster.
'Can't restore with spirit liquor, we have to overwhelm them quickly!'
Post-claw, he followed with his completed One-Hand Jade Seal. Pyeong Yu-ran hurled a massive slash to repel it.
Yong Yoo quietly shifted seals.
'Crimson Immortal Union Art.'
Three Evils Mist Veil. One-Hand Jade Seal. Severing Black Dragon Claw.
Persistent spells' advantage: late Union Art infusions.
Amid the flashy duo's distraction, Yong Yoo empowered his prior Worldly Chains Breaking Free Seal.
Thick, heavy fog surged, engulfing Pyeong Yu-ran instantly. Yong Yoo addressed her from within.
"Can you continue?"
…"I concede. Ha. Third loss."
Yong Yoo smiled softly at her surrender.
'Whew, close. Spirit energy's tapped.'
The final mist was half-bluff.
Pressing attack would've drained him fully, inflicting fatal backlash.
'Spirit energy shortage is glaring.'
Yong Yoo wielded realm-transcending spells, but such power demanded tolls.
Spells matched Nascent Soul potency, but his Core Formation spirit energy couldn't sustain them.
Despite fewer casts than in Foundation Establishment days, he was depleted.
Previously, spirit liquor refilled him via Vast Bounty Gourd Bottle. Without it, no Nectar Spirit Liquor—no fix.
'Need a treasure from the sect vault to replace Nectar Water, at least for spirit energy…'
Post-debate, Yong Yoo was summoned briefly by the sect master.
"You truly gained immortal realm enlightenment?!"
"Yes… I hadn't fully assimilated it then, so I apologize for showing proof late."
"Haha, hahaha! What apology?!"
The sect master and elders nearly danced upon hearing he'd not only gained but mastered immortal spells.
Three months of headaches over Falling Star Sect melted away; Yong Yoo's perfect deeds made him irresistible.
Even elders once resentful of his rewards for mere outer-elder cave discovery now adored him en masse.
Thus, excused to rest at main peak infirmary for debate fatigue, Yong Yoo learned the sect master would personally escort him to the vault tomorrow for rewards.
Staying overnight unwittingly, he received the same infirmary as before, pampered by slaves, leisurely easing fatigue and recovering.
"Owow."
Bathing, Yong Yoo touched his flank grazed by Great Freedom Heaven Sword.
Black Dragon Tempest Armor protected, yet shock burrowed deep—bruising half his body.
'Lucky Pyeong Yu-ran held back for debate. Otherwise, lost there? Post-treasure, learn defense spells first.'
After rest, seeking sleep with his Wood Fiend, an unexpected late-night guest arrived.
"A guest?"
"Yes, Yong Yoo."
"Who?"
"Core disciple Pyeong Yu-ran."
"Eh, Pyeong Senior Sister?"
Yong Yoo greeted her personally.
"Pyeong Senior Sister, what brings you so late?"
Beaming, Pyeong Yu-ran stated her business.
"Young Master Yong, care to chat?"
Yong Yoo warmly welcomed her, snacks and liquor in hand.