Chapter 85
Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Venturing Out (1)
By the time I arrived at the Peak Lord's Pavilion, Geum So-ryeo was cultivating there as always, noisily absorbing all the surrounding spirit energy.
As I approached, she naturally halted her cultivation, gathered her energy, and greeted me warmly. I paid my respects to her.
"It's been a while, Master."
"Indeed. It's been years since we've met face-to-face like this."
Geum So-ryeo smiled as she replied to my greeting.
Seeing her again after so long, she looked nothing like the twisted figure she'd been before heading off to battle the Nakseong Sect. Instead, she had her usual calm, cool beauty—like that of a fairy descended to earth.
"I heard you took the Tribulation Evasion Pills. They're hardly necessary for you now that you're already at Core Formation."
"If I take in a disciple far in the future, won't they need them?"
When I was sixty-one, during the Daoist Conference, we'd heard that all the Tribulation Evasion Pills had been used up and that more would be produced in five years.
True to that word, the moment I turned sixty-six, I hurried straight to the main peak and claimed them. Ever since missing out on a batch once, I'd made it my policy to grab anything available and stock up just in case.
Of course, I had no need for them now, but who knew when or where they might prove useful?
"Heh heh. Do you aspire to become an elder?"
"If I'm at it, I'd like to claim a peak of my own."
Geum So-ryeo laughed happily at my words. She seemed unusually cheerful—smiling more than she used to.
'Is it because of my connection to the immortal?'
The genius she sought was someone with the talent to restore the High Heaven Sect to greatness.
In that sense, I was very much the kind of person she wanted.
I'd defeated a Core Formation cultivator back in Foundation Establishment, gained enlightenment from the higher realms in the Ancient Mystery Realm—transcending my aptitude limits to form a perfect core—and later, at Core Formation, I'd even triumphed over a Nascent Soul expert while forging a profound bond deep enough to leave behind an immortal's arrangements.
'The arrangements were a white lie... but thanks to that, the sect's prestige has truly risen again, hasn't it?'
Beyond mere future potential, I'd actually elevated the High Heaven Sect's standing in the Central Continent's cultivation world.
Disciples had flocked in greater numbers, and more clans and families had submitted to the sect.
Maybe that's why she smiled at me like that? Like a teacher beaming at a student who'd studied hard and aced their exams?
As we chatted with Geum So-ryeo, I took out the Refined Flying Sword.
"You've helped me immensely over the years, but now I think it's time to return this treasure to the sect."
"...What should I do with it?"
"Whatever you deem fit, Master."
At my words, Geum So-ryeo stroked the Refined Flying Sword fondly before carefully tucking it away.
"You've refrained from greed and returned the sect's treasure, so I must reward you accordingly. Is there anything you desire?"
"Hm... To repair the treasure I currently possess, I'd need some dragon materials. Do you have any treasures or ingredients related to dragons?"
"The treasure you currently possess. What do you mean?"
I silently pulled out the Merit Dragon Rod of Six Paths and showed it to her.
Geum So-ryeo's eyes widened at the tattered state of the Merit Dragon Rod of Six Paths.
"This... Disciple, could it be...?"
"It's the Nakseong Sect Lord's Merit Dragon Rod of Six Paths. I'm calling it that provisionally for now, but once it's repaired, I plan to give it a new name."
I spoke casually, and Geum So-ryeo burst into laughter.
It was the first time I'd seen her laugh out loud, so not only was I startled, but even the pavilion attendants stared at her with wide eyes.
Covering her mouth with her sleeve, Geum So-ryeo laughed heartily before looking at me and saying,
"Disciple."
"Yes, Master."
"You always surpass this master's expectations. To think you'd even claimed this... And formed an owner recognition with it, no less. Even ruined, it's still a Soul Transformation-grade treasure."
I shrugged.
Inside me were the Myriad Scriptures Pagoda and the Shadowless Whip. Perhaps because I'd formed owner recognition with those two treasures, bonding with the Merit Dragon Rod of Six Paths had been effortless.
Actually, now that I thought about it, I'd always been good at forming owner recognition with powerful treasures.
'The Vast Bounty Gourd Bottle is Soul Harmony-grade, and that went smoothly too.'
They said a strong soul was essential for claiming ownership of treasures. Was my soul particularly robust?
"Very well. Once repaired, it should grant you great power. I'll help."
With those words, Geum So-ryeo told me to follow her.
I trailed her down to the pavilion's basement.
"Any troubles with your recent cultivation?"
"No issues with cultivation itself, but... Master, do you happen to know where you obtained the Three Lives One Origin Art?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I'd like to develop the Three Lives One Origin Art further."
With that, I let a strand of my refined spirit energy flow toward her.
"Ho ho."
"Ever since that incident, my refined spirit energy has grown stronger and purer, making it impossible to merge with basic spirit energy."
Geum So-ryeo knew about fusion techniques.
She wasn't aware of my dual spiritual roots, so she thought I split my spirit energy into two streams—like a fusion technique—to cast spells, which explained their extraordinary power.
Seeing the basic spirit energy melt away before the refined spirit energy, Geum So-ryeo nodded thoughtfully.
"So you want to evolve the Three Lives One Origin Art to produce even purer basic spirit energy."
"Yes. To gain enlightenment, it might help to visit where it originated—or at least where it was discovered—and examine the traces."
Geum So-ryeo nodded at my words.
"With your talent, you might uncover what even I missed. I'll tell you later."
Saying that, she led me to what looked like a storeroom and began inspecting various storage pouches.
"Here it is."
She pulled out one particularly ornate storage pouch and handed it to me.
"The flood dragons used to forge the Merit Dragon Rod of Six Paths were offspring of a dragon king."
"Ah, yes. Is that so?"
I'd already gleaned that from its inner energy, but I feigned ignorance.
"These scales, horns, and other materials came from when I tracked down and subdued that dragon king. They'll be a great help for the repairs."
"Th-thank you."
Was repairing a ruined child's body with its parent's akin to filial impiety...? As I accepted the storage pouch with such odd thoughts, Geum So-ryeo went elsewhere and pulled out some books, handing them to me.
"And these are texts on fusion techniques—specifically those used by those two individuals."
"Ah."
"It must have been hard to find records of the fusion techniques those two employed."
"Yes. Aside from Water Shield Box..."
"Learn from these."
"Thank you."
I gathered all the spellbooks and stored them in the pouch.
Geum So-ryeo also handed over various fortuitous encounters she'd accumulated over the past few years.
"This is the complete manual for the Five Skandhas Enlightenment Art."
I was startled by her words and eagerly took the manual to read. The latter half—which had been torn and damaged, detailing the divine abilities—was intact.
"I got information from the Present Music Peak elder about where it was obtained and retrieved it from there."
"Thank you so much, Master."
I carefully examined the three divine abilities described in the Five Skandhas Enlightenment Art.
Geum So-ryeo placed both hands on my shoulders and said,
"I have high expectations for you. Please work hard."
I was flustered by her firm grip on my shoulders. In the past, she'd merely rested them lightly, but now they pressed down heavily.
Glancing at her in confusion, I saw her eyes sparkling vividly—twinkling brightly. It was so overwhelming that I instinctively averted my gaze.
As I panicked and looked away, Geum So-ryeo watched me quietly before speaking.
"Hm. Even a guy who's embraced plenty of women reacts like this—how cute."
Was that unconscious? Geum So-ryeo seemed startled by her own words, her eyes widening as she covered her mouth.
She'd always exuded a cool, detached air, but her wide-eyed surprise made her look adorably like a rabbit.
"W-well then, off you go."
Geum So-ryeo hurriedly shooed me out and remained alone in the storeroom, lost in thought.
"......"
Left alone in the storeroom, Geum So-ryeo gently touched her lips with her fingers—the ones that had uttered such strange words without her realizing.
As a cultivator with complete control over her body, she couldn't even remember the last time she'd let slip something unintended like this.
It had to have been over two thousand years ago, give or take.
"Hah. Is my cultivation still lacking?"
With such thoughts, Geum So-ryeo recalled Yong Yoo.
His towering height. Broad shoulders. Sculpted muscles faintly visible beneath his robes. The wild veins subtly bulging on his neck and the backs of his hands. And that unforgettable face, etched into memory at first glance.
Things she'd once brushed off indifferently now subtly tugged at her nerves.
Most vividly, she remembered him emerging from Mystic Echo Valley, clutching the Nakseong Sect Lord's corpse.
His orange robes trailing as he soared high against the sun, announcing that he'd received an immortal's arrangements.
She also thought of the High Heaven Sect's current booming prestige and expanding influence, thanks to him.
"......"
Geum So-ryeo spent some time alone in the storeroom, contemplating the sect and Yong Yoo.
When I announced my plans to venture out in search of fortuitous encounters, it caused a minor stir in the sect.
Given my history of slipping out quietly last time and running into a Nascent Soul cultivator, the sect insisted on assigning me escorts.
I said that if escorts were necessary, I'd prefer familiar faces, and requested Pyeong Yu-Ran. She ended up accompanying me out of the sect.
However, when I went to meet her afterward, she was on the cusp of the Nascent Soul second layer bottleneck and asked me to wait a bit.
"Ah, I'll wait as long as needed. Congratulations on your cultivation progress."
"Thank you, Young Master Yoo."
I decided to wait for Pyeong Yu-Ran to finish her breakthrough and headed to Hyang-ah's eastern quarters. There, I trained alongside her and Ahan.
Hyang-ah and I helped Ahan, who was nearing Core Formation, with her cultivation. I asked if she needed any Tribulation Evasion Pills.
"No. If Master takes a disciple in the future, bestow them then. As for me... I'll manage on my own."
Ahan refused, saying she didn't want to burden me, and threw herself into desperate training. A few months later, she reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.
Ahan's aptitude as a Three Elements Spiritual Root holder wasn't bad at all. She'd simply made no progress living as a slave, thinking there was no point in cultivating as a mere servant.
Drawing on my experience forming my core with the aid of Elder Tuho Bibul's lingering soul, I used my refined spirit energy to assist Ahan's Core Formation breakthrough.
Kurrr rumble!!
As soon as Ahan began her breakthrough outside the eastern quarters, lightning began crashing from the sky. I gazed up in wonder.
The clear sky of moments ago had vanished, replaced by ominous thunderclouds roaring with menace.
"......So this is the thunder tribulation."
"You've never experienced it, Yoo Lang?"
"There was no thunder tribulation in the Ancient Mystery Realm."
"Ha. Environment really matters during breakthroughs. I struggled hard with my own thunder tribulation."
"You did?"
"Yeah. I lost quite a few treasures. It'll be even tougher for Ahan."
I nodded and prepared for the descending thunder tribulation while simultaneously influencing Ahan's spiritual roots.
'I was worried my refined spirit energy might melt her spirit energy, but thankfully it hasn't.'
On the contrary, the refined spirit energy targeted only the impurities arising during core formation, aiding her delicately. Watching it wield power so precisely sparked a sudden insight in me.
Kwarrr rumble!!
But before I could grasp what it was, the full thunder tribulation erupted, unleashing a barrage of lightning.
Kwarung! Kwarrr rumble!!!
Each time a bolt fell, I hurled non-elements thunder isles crafted solely from refined spirit energy to scatter its power. Hyang-ah erected defensive barriers with her secret arts to shield Ahan.
"Hyang-ah, was yours like this too?"
"No. Mine only struck occasionally..."
Hyang-ah stared at the thunder tribulation in bewilderment.
Did poorer spiritual root aptitude intensify the tribulation? A Five Elements cultivator might face a real storm of lightning.
A typical Core Formation cultivator would be of little help during breakthrough, but Hyang-ah and I were far from 'typical'.
Thanks to us, Ahan endured the harsh thunder tribulation unscathed and smoothly completed her Core Formation breakthrough in just a few days, even stabilizing her energy afterward.
Now at Core Formation, Ahan examined her new core, then deeply bowed to me in gratitude.
"Thank you for aiding my breakthrough, Master."
"You could've done it alone without my help."
"No. Thanks to you, I formed a core beyond my aptitude."
That was true.
Though still immature, my refined spirit energy was uniquely pure, allowing me to eliminate most impurities during Ahan's core formation.
Thus, she'd forged a core superior to what a Two Elements cultivator could achieve.
"Keep this a secret from others. You too, Hyang-ah."
"Why?"
"I don't fancy helping every Foundation Establishment kid with their breakthroughs."
They both nodded in understanding, and we celebrated Ahan's Core Formation with a feast.
"Hyang-ah, why not come along too?"
"Ah, really? Can I?"
"If you have nothing else, join us this time. We can travel together for a few years."
I had my share of heavenly luck, and Hyang-ah, as the main heroine, had even more. Traveling together should boost our chances of fortuitous encounters considerably, right?
Hyang-ah beamed happily at the prospect of traveling with me and downed her drinks eagerly. Meanwhile, I pondered the best route to the region where Geum So-ryeo had obtained the Three Lives One Origin Art.
As I'd mentioned before, the Black and White Immortal Chronicle original revealed few fortuitous encounter locations explicitly.
Ones like the Refined Flying Sword, with precise details, were exceptions. Most were vague: 'entered an Ancient Mystery Realm that appeared by chance and caused a stir,' 'retrieved by Geum So-ryeo,' or 'obtained coincidentally from a passing cultivator.'
'Come to think of it, Mun Yoo's method of gaining encounters is similar to mine.'
That said, some encounters had detailed timings and locations.
'Mun Yoo's are tailored to the Dual Fate Scripture, so not very useful. What encounters benefited Hyang-ah...?'
As I mulled it over, Hyang-ah, who'd been staring at me, spoke up.
"There are precautions for outings."
"Hm? Like what?"
"Your face."
Hyang-ah poked my cheek with her finger, then silently pressed her lips to mine.
After the brief kiss, she cupped my face in both hands, rubbing it as she said,
"Don't attract weirdos. Keep your face covered."
I chuckled and playfully pressed my forehead to hers.
"Should I hide it forever and show it only to you?"
"Hee hee. Liar. You'll show it to Ahan and Pyong too."
We gazed at each other, laughing mischievously, then kissed again.