A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

Chapter 315: Not A Lord (君) (1)

[How!?]

I, who sank to the bottom of the lake in the Care Layer.

I, who just arrived at the Xiezhi Worship Layer.

And I, who transformed into the Mysterious Bizarre Gu and entered the bodies of the cultivators of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.

All of me cry out in shock at the same time.

"How are you here! Seo Hweol!"

"Ah, is that what you're curious about?"

"Why, isn't there a teleportation array in Black Ghost Valley? As a Grand Cultivator, I formally requested to use the Black Ghost Valley's teleportation array. By using the Nether Crossing Ship at the Black Ghost Valley in the Human Race, I was able to teleport to the Nether Crossing Ship in the Swiftwind Domain and arrive just in time."

"You bastard..."

I speak through the mouth of a disciple of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.

"That's not what I'm asking! How did you break out of the barrier in just 500 years...!"

The barrier I set up was no ordinary barrier.

It was designed to be extremely difficult to break before a thousand years had passed, with the condition that it would automatically release after a thousand years.

Of course, someone at the Integration stage could simply tear it apart and escape, but Seo Hweol is certainly not at the Integration stage.

It's possible to glimpse two stages above his own by combining the powers of Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Puppet.

However, even though Seo Hweol might be able to use Heaven, Earth, and Puppet, it's absolutely impossible for him to use my Formless Sword at the level of Tribulating Heavens.

"How...did you do it?"

At my question, Seo Hweol smiles faintly.

"Why are you so concerned, Daoist Seo? The Human Race is famously known for being a race full of camaraderie and affection, isn't it?"

"That's news to me."

"Hoho, whatever you may think...I simply made a 'request'. It's impossible to break the barrier with my current power from the inside, but I could manage to at least send my 'voice' outside."

"Voice...?"

I glare at him in disbelief. 

"I told all the other Grand Cultivators through my avatar that I would be in seclusion for a thousand years and that if I requested from inside to open the barrier, it meant I had likely fallen into demonic possession by my Heart Demon, so they should absolutely refuse. I also created General Seo to guard the entrance..."

"Who knows...perhaps it worked because I conveyed my true feelings? Hoho..."

"..."

I stare at him for a moment, then look at the throats of Gyo Yeom and Nok Ju held in his hands.

"Why did you kill them?"

I feel a pang of regret for Gyo Yeom.

I heard from the Demon Race that Gyo Yeom abandoned his kind like discarded trash.

While he deserved punishment considering this, I hoped he could at least cure his wife before being punished.

But ultimately, Gyo Yeom's wish was completely thwarted by Seo Hweol.

Seo Hweol smiles brightly.

"It's just a trivial joke, Daoist Seo. What difference does it make if a few bugs live or die?""

"..."

I don't bother to argue and just glare at him.

There's no point in arguing with a heartless being.

Instead, I mock Seo Hweol.

"How unfortunate for you."

Wo-woong!

Far away in the distance, the morning sun is rising from the east.

Given the size of the Bright Cold Realm, I don't understand how this is possible.

But the sun and moon rise in the east and set in the west every day, and it is clearly 'morning' now.

As the darkness of the waning moon washes away, and with no shadow to conceal, the entrance to the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person closes.

"Why did you come all the way here? You won't be able to do anything even if you have come."

Kiiing!

I surround Seo Hweol's body using the bodies of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect disciples.

I intend to reverse-corrupt him using the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.

However, Seo Hweol smiles warmly.

"Didn't you see something when you entered Lofty Dragon True Person's Otherworld, Daoist Seo?"

"Hmm?"

"The Storage Scroll of the Envoy of Health and Care. The place you entered isn't just an ordinary storage scroll. From the Integration stage onwards, it's common to carry items in one's own domain, so why would someone like Lofty Dragon True Person need a storage scroll?"

Wo-woong!

As I watch Seo Hweol extract something from the corpses of Nok Ju and Gyo Yeom, I activate the Mysterious Bizarre Gu while he rambles on.

'Mysterious Bizarre Gu, reverse assimilation!'

Chiiiii—

After sealing his Ten Directions with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu, I invade him.

However, Seo Hweol just smiles calmly.

"The place you entered was...during the great war that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago, used as an alternate dimension by Lofty Dragon True Person to designate all living beings of the Bright Cold Realm as protected species and prevent their extinction from the battle between Love of Virtue and Lofty Dragon. After teaching the concept of 'Health' (康寧) to the beings of the Bright Cold Realm, Lofty Dragon True Person allowed anyone who understood this concept to enter and become protected."

Kugugugugugu!

Seo Hweol's energy starts rising sharply.

'This, this is...!'

He absorbs the energies of Gyo Yeom and Nok Ju, temporarily exuding the aura of the Four-Axis stage.

His eyes gleam, and familiar characters begin to float around him.

Health (康寧).

"Health Axis (康寧軸), Release (解)."

Flash!

The power of Health illuminates Heaven and Earth.

At the same time, something massive echoes through the Dead Earth Domain.

Ko-woong, clack!

The sound of a latch opening, or perhaps a lock being undone.

The moment I hear that sound, I notice goosebumps rising all over me.

'This, this bastard...'

The entrance to Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll had already closed, but Seo Hweol has reopened it.

He's coming in here.

"You won't pass easily!"

I use all my strength to erode his mind with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.

But at some point, I feel my connection with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu fading.

"Hoho, this spell...I've heard of it before. Wasn't it created by the Earth Tribe of the True Devil Realm to resist the assimilation of the Heavenly Fiends from the Blood Yin Realm?"

I see Seo Hweol's smirk.

"Apologies, but mine is not some primitive low-grade assimilation or parasitism like the Heavenly Fiends'...It will be difficult for you. Hoho..."

At the same time, my vision goes black and I feel the connection with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu completely severed.

Among the Mysterious Bizarre Gu that have entered Seo Hweol, control over all of them is lost, leaving only the 'sight' and 'sound' of one Gu.

He has absorbed my Gu and made them his own.

'Why did he leave the sight of just one Gu?'

And soon, I understand why.

Splash!

Seo Hweol plunges into the celestial pond.

Simultaneously, he skillfully navigates the illusionary formation by reading the constellations.

'This bastard...'

He left the sight to make me anxious on purpose.

I ponder, feeling a surge of irritation at Seo Hweol's intention.

'But it's not that big of a deal. Even if Seo Hweol reaches the Care Layer, I am sealed.'

Presumably, even Seo Hweol can't do anything about this lake water.

The lake water nullifies physical force tremendously and also has significant resistance to spiritual power.

'He absolutely can't enter this water.'

He can't come in, so what can he do?

"Ah ha, so you were sealed within the Clear Tears (淸淚)?"

'What?'

I feel goosebumps all over my body.

Seo Hweol speaks through the remaining Mysterious Bizarre Gu's vision and hearing.

"This is going to be quite bothersome. But the way to nullify the Clear Tears is surprisingly simple. If I make a hole at the bottom of the Care Layer, the Clear Tears will naturally pour down to the lower layer, and you can come out, Daoist Seo."

Chills!

I grind my teeth at the thought of the worst case scenario.

'Seo Hweol, this bastard, right now...'

"Ah, so you're curious about how I read your thoughts."

Step, step...

Seo Hweol breaks through the illusionary formation in an instant and reaches the gate entrance marked with the plaque 'Scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person, the Envoy of Health and Care.'

Creak, creak—

Upon reaching the entrance, Seo Hweol begins to manipulate his face.

His face twists and transforms from 'Blue-haired Seo Eun-hyun' to the 'complete face of Seo Hweol'.

Except for the lack of horns, he is now completely Seo Hweol.

"Don't worry, Daoist Seo. You'll understand soon enough. Hohohoho..."

I feel a chill as if I have fallen into an ice cave.

Since becoming a Ghost King, I have never felt so cold and had my spine tingle like this.

'Does he really know all my thoughts?'

Tingle, tingle

Feeling a prickle from deep within my heart essence, I collect my thoughts.

'No, I can't believe all of Seo Hweol's words.'

"I always like to tell the truth."

'Don't be swayed by his deceitful words.'

With the prickling sensation in my heart essence, I ignore Seo Hweol's words. Then, I inspect all the Mysterious Bizarre Gu connections and make my consciousness as dormant as possible.

After that, I accelerate my consciousness with Ultimate Pinnacle and ensure that the waves of my consciousness do not leak out by using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon before I organize my thoughts.'

'Is he following my accelerated thoughts?'

'No, he's not.'

'He can't read all my thoughts. He can only read the parts that are strongly expressed.'

'Whether it's through the Mysterious Bizarre Gu or Yuan Yu's Blood Body...even if there is a reason he can read my thoughts, it's not perfect.'

And then, as Seo Hweol walks through the Water Flow Layer, he speaks to me again.

"Interesting, Daoist Seo. Why don't you give it a try? I can read everything."

His words are certainly chilling.

But the closer he gets to me, as he draws near,

Should I say it's a sense of vigilance?

From deep within my heart essence, the prickling feeling grows stronger.

And because of that prickle, I begin to doubt Seo Hweol's words even more.

'Can he really read everything? If he could read everything, why would he need to threaten and instill fear through words? He could just silently read my thoughts.'

When the liar Seo Hweol says he is telling me the truth.

Is it true when he says 'I can read everything'?

'No. Somehow...'

As the prickling sensation grows stronger, I begin to better understand Seo Hweol's tactics.

'I'm becoming more certain that he can't read everything.'

Judging by his behavior, it's clear he's reading my thoughts by some means.

But one thing is certain.

He can't read 'everything.'

'In that case...'

I operate the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, making the waves of my mind complex and filling my consciousness with countless trivial thoughts.

'Try reading all this.'

Ziiiiing—

IwanttoeatGeneralSeolookslikeafoolWhydoesthemainbody'sfacelooklikethatThesoupIhadwithKimYeonwasdeliciouswhycan'ttheyunderstandmyaestheticsSeoHweolyoubeggar'sfootragIlikeKangMin-heeWhat'sSeoHweol'ssecretDidthemainbodyreallygeteatenIfSeoHweolandtheMadLordorderedsweetandsourporktogetherwouldtheyfightornotfightSpeakingofwhichtheMiddleRealm'sfoodculturehasn'ttreallydevelopedmuch...

After floating a multitude of useless thoughts on the surface of my consciousness, I hide the 'real' secrets.

'That guy, Seo Hweol, he gives me the chills...'

I think while taking a deep breath in the Xiezhi Worship Layer.

The Xiezhi Worship Layer is dark.

However, the darkness of the Xiezhi Worship Layer seems to be getting absorbed by my Dream Body, and my field of vision is expanding. I am waiting until my vision is fully restored.

'While Seo Li blocks Seo Hweol from reading my thoughts, I need to achieve something in the Xiezhi Worship Layer.'

After some time.

Seo Hweol reaches the end of the Water Flow Layer and is ready to ascend to the Dao Departure Layer.

At the same time, I realize my vision is completely restored.

'This is the Xiezhi Worship Layer...!'

Oooooooh—

Somehow, an eerie yin wind is howling ghostly wails

I open my mouth in amazement as I look at the 'huge things' in front of me.

The Xiezhi Worship Layer feels more like a 'warehouse' rather than the 'small worlds' the other layers resembled.

Statues of Recognizing Sin as big as small hills, and hanging Taenghwa paintings and scrolls.

Large boxes and...an equally expansive [jade slip].

'Wait, where I'm standing...'

I realize that I'm not standing on the ground but on top of a 'desk.'

I have climbed onto an incredibly gigantic 'desk.'

'The statue of Recognizing Sin in front of me...it's not a statue.'

It's a kind of Recognizing Sin 'seal.'

'Fit for the body size of Lofty Dragon True Person...'

Upon closer inspection, this isn't a warehouse.

Rather, this is...

'An office.'

It resembles an office where someone conducts official affairs.

And I feel this place wasn't used by Lofty Dragon True Person.

'Lofty Dragon True Person's body occupies one of the largest lands in the Earth Tribe territory.'

The entire True Dragon Alliance is essentially Lofty Dragon True Person's body.

This office is large, but it's far too small to contain Lofty Dragon True Person's entire true form.

Without looking further, I fly towards the enormous jade slip on the desk to gather information.

Fortunately, I can use the Flying Escape Technique in the Xiezhi Worship Layer, so I reach it quickly.

Operating the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon above the jade slip, I envelop it with my consciousness and begin reading it.

'This jade slip is...'

My eyes sparkle.

It's written in the language of the Netherworld, which I learned from Bi Yul when I made the Ritual Worship Scripture of Wealth Virtue my own.

It's written in the language of the dead.

I read the contents of the jade slip.

'This is...'

The jade slip is none other than a will.

―Seat Holder of Health (康寧座主) Deputy Judge (次席判官將) Ancient Force True Lord (古力眞君)Hae Nyeong (解寧) speaks to lower seat Great Net Immortal Lofty Dragon.

Ziiiiing—

"Kuuaaaaaargh!!!"

[Name]!

The moment I hear that [Name], I feel an excruciating pressure crushing my mind.

'I have to endure...!'

It feels like I'm going to be 'devoured' immediately!

"Kk...Kkwueeeek!"

Simultaneously, I steady my consciousness and strongly link the Axis of Wealth from Seo Li's body to mine.

The attraction force of the Axis prevents my consciousness from being dispersed and obliterated.

"Huff, huuh, huuuuh..."

When I regain my senses, I realize that Seo Hweol has already crossed half of the Dao Departure Layer.

And around me are countless blood inscriptions written with the fingers of my 'Dream Body.'

They contain vast knowledge and formulas, and I instinctively know what they are as soon as I see them.

'Ah...I see.'

The Four-Axis stage cultivator living in the Human Race's protected area.

While recalling memories of the 'Immortal Art' he saw, he believed some 'entity' was resurrecting within him.

Indeed, he even spewed out a handful of strange stones from his belly and sealed them.

Those stones melted, leaving 'water' containing the formula to control the Clear Scale Armor.

The moment I heard the name [Hae Nyeong], I understood.

That was the entity believed to be resurrecting within the Four-Axis stage cultivator.

And simultaneously, I feel a deep sense of relief and fear.

Hae Nyeong cannot resurrect.

He was entirely, utterly obliterated, making resurrection impossible.

The moment I accepted this 'knowledge,' I understood.

It's a truth only I could understand having faced numerous True Immortals and survived.

And simultaneously, I can also deduce the state of Cheongmun Ryeong.

Judging by how his symptoms resemble mine, his transformation into a salt pillar must have also been due to accepting information about a 'dead True Immortal,' just like me.

The existence known as the Owner of Salt Mountain will not revive through Cheongmun Ryeong.

He too is an existence utterly annihilated like Hae Nyeong.

Of course, the difference in reaction to the Owner of Salt Mountain turning his entire body into a salt pillar upon sight and mine is not only due to the difference in cultivation between me and Cheongmun Ryeong, but also because the entity known as the Owner of Salt Mountain holds a higher rank than Hae Nyeong.

'In that case...the Head Realm harbors an existence higher than the Deputy Judge, and Cheongmun Ryeong glimpsed the traces of that existence...'

While I feel relief regarding Cheongmun Ryeong, the information makes me even more fearful about the Head Realm.

I stare at the formula I have scattered.

Although I can't figure out what it is, I barely suppress the desire to devour the formula, deciding instead to finish reading the [jade slip] to gain more information.

―The God of the Underworld has commanded the selection of a Tribunal to assist in the battle of the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord.

The members of the Tribunal are familiar faces, even to you, Lofty Dragon.

Chief Judge (首席判官將) Nether Devil True Lord (冥魔眞君) Yu Hao Te (Love of Virtue).

Reincarnation Judge (還生判官將) Nether Ghost True Lord (冥鬼眞君) Yu Soo Ryeon.

Deputy Judge Ancient Force True Lord Hae Nyeong.

These are the seats that are part of the Tribunal, and Purple Gold Heavenly Lord, under the orders of the God of the Underworld, has struck the Owner of Light from behind and escaped to join us.

"Graaaaah!!!!!"

[Names]!

The [Names]!

The [Names] of distant entities pierce my mind.

Enduring the pain that feels like my head is being torn apart, I gasp for breath while drooling uncontrollably.

The agony is far worse and terrifying than when I had my testicles removed or when I consumed poison that caused pain to amplify sixty thousand times.

A terror envelops me, as if the very essence of 'me' will be devoured by the [Names].

However, perhaps due to the resilience built from meeting numerous True Immortals, or maybe due to the slight resistance developed after reaching the Four-Axis stage, I barely manage to avoid disintegration.

'Madness...'

My hair has turned white from the ordeal.

It's proof of how terrifying the pain and pressure from the [Names] were.

'Seo Hweol is approaching.'

Gritting my teeth, I continue reading the jade slip.

―Thanks to the efforts of the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord, who held their ground against all the Heavenly Venerables and the Owner of Light, even pushing the Owner of Light to the brink of annihilation, there was a lapse in the surveillance over the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain governed by the Owner of Light. As a result, we, who preside over the Five Blessings, were able to all gather.

―The Chief Judge, being at a critical juncture of promotion to Supreme Deity, was asked by the God of the Underworld to send you in their place. However, the noble Chief Judge, determined to witness this historic moment with their own eyes and captivated by Vast Cold's character, submitted their declaration of participation and descended to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain through the Nether Crossing River.

―This seat, too, relinquished the position of King of Immortal Beasts and submitted my declaration of participation out of the same sentiment. Originally, you, lower seat Great Net Immortal Lofty Dragon, would have been here in my place, but I chose not to bring you along.

― By the time you read this will, I will likely have been annihilated. I hope that at least one of us will return victorious, so you never have to read this will.

― However, to prepare for the worst, I must convey my will to you. If that entity is indeed what we imagine, it may be impossible to pass on my seat to you. If that happens, the Netherworld will lose the four seats of Longevity, Wealth, Health, and Love of Virtue all at once.

―Such a power vacuum in the Netherworld will be catastrophic. To prevent this worst-case scenario, I leave this will hoping for you to become my successor and inherit the seat of Health.

―Lofty Dragon, you were my most faithful subordinate. I entrust you with the Netherworld's law book, my office, my crown, my judicial pen, my seat, and my will.

―If we fail, this will naturally be passed on to you. Come to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. The attraction force connected to my seat is linked to this will, so not even they can prevent you, my successor, from inheriting my seat.

―Lofty Dragon, my subordinate as dear as my child. If I perish, you must assist the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.

That is the end of the jade slip.

"Kkeuhk, keoheok..."

I am lying on the ground, spewing blood like a fountain from my seven apertures.

Having encountered so many formidable entities, I am on the brink of death.

Fortunately, thanks to meeting many True Immortals before, I have developed some resistance, and thanks to reaching the Four-Axis stage, my life force and consciousness have strengthened, preventing my disintegration.

'Besides hearing those terrifying...names, there's no other harvest...?'

With a desperate expression, I look around.

On the distant, massive wall, there are Taenghwas and scrolls larger than mountain ranges.

Among them is a Taenghwa that depicts a dragon, assumed to be Lofty Dragon True Person and a being with blood-red eyes shrouded in darkness.

As I gaze upon the Taenghwa titled Blood Yin Great War (血陰大戰),I take a deep breath.

My Dream Body is about to disintegrate.

'Damn...Seo Hweol is...about to enter the Care Layer...'

At that moment.

'...Wait.'

I look at the depiction of Lofty Dragon True Person on the Taenghwa.

Lofty Dragon True Person appears to be draped in a 'transparent' canopy.

Zziiiiiing—

At the same time, I feel the 'knowledge' I gained when I heard the [Name] [Hae Nyeong] being digested in my mind.

"Kkuuuuurgh...!"

'Knowledge!'

If one doesn't die upon seeing a True Immortal, they gain 'knowledge'!

Seeing the content of the 'knowledge,' I grin.

"With this..."

I can win.

Against that bastard Seo Hweol!

Step, step...

Above the Care Layer.

Seo Hweol walks towards the lakeside with a grin.

"Haha, then Daoist Seo. I shall take your true 'main body'."

It's when he reaches out and focuses his attraction force.

Shuararararara!

The lake water begins to surge.

Swoosh―

And then, the water crashes down on Seo Hweol like a waterfall.

"Kugh...!"

Sensing the danger, Seo Hweol quickly steps back from the waterfall's trajectory.

"...How did you escape from the Clear Tears, Daoist Seo?"

He glares with reptilian eyes at the Ghost King emerging from below.

The Ghost King opens his 18 mouths and laughs.

"Did you call this Clear Tears (淸淚)...?"

"Yes. Since this lake water is the tears of the Immortal Beast Xiezhi."

"I see...so it was one of the legacies left by the Ancient Force True Lord for his subordinate..."

The Ghost King laughs, his eyes burning with ghost fire.

"This is not only called Clear Tears, but is also known as Clear Scale Armor (淸鱗甲)."

Chuaaaaa―

"Now then. Let's have a proper fight, Seo Hweol."

Swoosh―

The lake water gathers in the void, encasing Seo Hweol.

Without any resistance, Seo Hweol is sealed.

Translator Notes: Seo Li’s thoughts:

[I want to eat. General Seo looks like an idiot. Why does the main body's face look like that? The soup I had with Kim Yeon was delicious. Why can’t they understand my aesthetics? Seo Hweol, that beggar's foot rag. I like Kang Min-hee. What's Seo Hweol's secret? Did the main body really get eaten? If Seo Hweol and the Mad Lord ordered sweet and sour pork together, would they fight or not fight? Speaking of which, the Middle Realm's food culture hasn't really developed much.]

***

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