Chapter 100 – Golden Core 2nd Layer

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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The remaining time until the secret realm opened was half a year.

Jin So-myeong, who was concentrating on his cultivation to reach Golden Core 2nd layer, stroked his chin.

‘Hmm… it is not easy.’

Actually, there was no problem in particular.

Becoming Golden Core 2nd layer before entering the secret realm was as good as confirmed.

He had simply wanted to utilize the Blood Spirit Clone Technique for his cultivation, but it just did not work out as he thought.

At first, he thought the speed would become faster if he cultivated together with the clone.

However, trying it in practice, it was not so.

Even if he divided his body with the Blood Spirit Clone Technique, the mind controlling it was still one.

‘It only feels like my concentration is dispersed.’

Of course, the clone was not without any meaning. It was usefully employed in various fields.

Because the clone did not need to fear injuries, it could easily perform dangerous experiments or rough cultivation.

Experiments of modifying the circulation paths to efficiently improve cultivation methods, practice of containing the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration within Sword Qi, and so forth.

Cultivation so extremely dangerous that it would not be strange for an ordinary cultivator to die several times was also possible.

‘…Still, it is a bit regrettable.’

A clone by all rights should at least possess the ability to move and judge on its own.

The Blood Spirit Clone Technique was somehow like a half-measure.

‘Will it change once I reach the Nascent Soul stage?’

The probability of that was high, but he had no intention of doing nothing while trusting only in that.

The important thing was always the present. If there was an aspect he did not like, he had to solve it.

“Hmm.”

Crossing his arms, he fell into thought.

The biggest problem possessed by the Blood Spirit Clone Technique was the absence of a mind to control it.

‘It would be convenient if the mind also divided into several as many as the clones created.’

Flicking his finger at the suddenly rising thought, it felt like a direction for the solution was visible.

A secret art that divides the mind.

If he only learned this, one problem of the Blood Spirit Clone Technique would disappear.

‘Hmm… but secret arts related to the divine soul are hard to obtain.’

Would it be easy to divide the mind without side effects? It looked difficult at a glance.

Just as he was worrying while scratching his chin.

“Ah!”

Hye-gong, the puppet master, came to mind.

If it was a puppet master who controlled multiple puppets simultaneously, the probability of knowing about a secret art related to the mind was high.

Since it came to mind, he did not delay but moved immediately.

Whoosh!

Burning a Voice Transmission Talisman, he contacted Hye-gong. Had he waited for a few minutes?

At the reply saying he could seek him out anytime, he immediately left the cave dwelling. Acting fast was Jin So-myeong’s strength.

Whoosh!

He traversed the mountain range called the cave dwelling area. Around the time he crossed dozens of rugged mountains.

He arrived at a magnificent castle occupying three mountains simultaneously.

Wood True Mechanical Form Pavilion.

Judging by the plaque hung at the entrance, he seemed to have sought out the right place. This grotto was precisely the place where the puppet master Hye-gong lived.

‘It is incredibly wide for a cave dwelling.’

First of all, the entrance itself was huge. It was to the extent that it could practically be called a city gate.

There were even gatekeepers.

A Rank 3 tiger puppet guarded the entrance like a guardian deity, and next to it, although they were at the Qi Condensation stage, humans were directly on duty.

The gatekeepers were three in total, and since their attire was unified, it gave the feeling of a single organization.

‘Did he establish a sect in his cave dwelling?’

Thinking about it, there was no reason why he could not.

The cave dwelling Jin So-myeong lived in could also accommodate a small-scale sect.

Although Hye-gong’s cave dwelling was Rank 3 low-grade, the area was wider. Since there were three mountains, it was suitable for establishing a sect.

The moment Jin So-myeong, who stood in the distance as if admiring the scenery, moved his steps.

The gatekeepers who were giggling and chatting froze tight.

“S-Greetings, Senior. For what business have you come to our Wood True Mechanical Form Pavilion?”

“I came to meet Fellow Daoist Hye.”

“…Do you refer to the Pavilion Master? Please wait for just a moment. I will immediately send word inside.”

The gatekeeper who spoke rapidly as if nervous faltered.

Looking closely at the Five Elements Sword worn at Jin So-myeong’s waist, he asked with a glad expression.

“Are you by any chance Senior Jin?”

“Hmm? Do you know me?”

“I have not met you directly, but I have heard stories. The Pavilion Master told us to usher Senior Jin in immediately if you came.”

“Fellow Daoist Hye paid attention to me.”

“Let us go. I will guide you to the VIP room.”

Just as the Qi Condensation disciple bent his waist in a respectful attitude.

– There is no need. I will usher him in myself.

Hye-gong’s voice came out of the tiger puppet next to him.

The gatekeepers were bewildered for a brief moment. Before long, Hye-gong flew down from the sky.

“Fellow Daoist Jin. Long time no see. Since I did not know you would seek me out so quickly, my preparations were lacking.”

“Not at all. I am the one who is sorry for suddenly visiting.”

“Haha. Had it not been for Fellow Daoist Jin, I might have died already, so do not care about trivial things.”

Leaving behind the wide-eyed gatekeepers, he entered inside the castle following Hye-gong.

‘He was a more luxurious gentleman than expected. Or does he simply like sparkling things?’

Statues made of gold, silver, and jewels were filled everywhere, including the corridors.

Inspecting with his Divine Sense, it was not plated but solid gold.

Of course, to a cultivator, minerals where spiritual Qi did not settle were no different from stones. Common gold could be bought enough to fill a carriage even by giving a single spirit stone.

‘In a way, it also seems frugal.’

Eagles, foxes, wolves, snakes with two heads, and so forth.

As he was looking at the statues so sophisticated that even a single strand of fur and their expressions were felt, Hye-gong spoke as if embarrassed.

“It is slightly clumsy, isn’t it? They are things I carved for practice during my childhood.”

“These were carved in your childhood? Heh, your manual dexterity must have been outstanding since back then.”

“Ahem. Outstanding? It was around when I was sixty years old that I carved these, which was exactly the fiftieth year since I honed puppet arts. Anyone can do this much if they cultivate for half a century.”

Seeing Hye-gong, who spoke in a pleasant tone—perhaps having felt good from the compliment—he could not help but falter.

‘Sixty years old was childhood?’

For a moment, a sense of disparity was felt, but he was soon convinced.

This place differed from Earth. It was a world of long-lived species who lived for hundreds of years.

Based on a Golden Core whose lifespan was five hundred years, sixty years old was a teenage youth if converted to a mortal’s lifespan.

In any case, he had not come to talk about such things now.

Since the atmosphere relaxed through chatting, as soon as they arrived at the reception room, he asked directly without beating around the bush.

“Fellow Daoist Hye. Do you know about a secret art that divides the mind into several?”

“…Are you by any chance in need of a Soul-Splitting Art?”

“Yes.”

Hye-gong let out a low groan as if he received a difficult question.

“Most Soul-Splitting Arts have considerable side effects. Learning it itself should not be easy…”

“What kind of side effects are there for it to be so?”

“Emotions like sadness or joy might disappear, or one could become a madman, and if one is slightly careless, the split personality might even threaten the main body.”

“Heh.”

It was a side effect far more serious than expected.

Just as he was knitting his eyebrows.

“To speak honestly, in the puppet arts I learned, a Soul-Splitting Art that has relatively less side effects is indeed included. However…”

Hye-gong, who was hesitating, let out a sigh.

“I am sorry but I cannot let you know. When I entered the Wood True Mechanical Form Pavilion in the past, I swore to absolutely never leak the cultivation method to outsiders.”

“…I see.”

He thought of asking him to let him know the cultivation method by paying a price, but soon dropped the thought.

A core cultivation method was the foundation and the most important secret possessed by a cultivator.

No matter how much Jin So-myeong had treated Hye-gong, there was no way he would tell him.

‘It is regrettable.’

Still, it was not as if there was no harvest.

Since he knew that a Soul-Splitting Art was included in puppet arts, the solution also naturally followed.

‘Rank 1 and 2 puppet arts should be easily obtainable. If I evolve them with the proficiency system, it might become a usable cultivation method.’

Just as he was agonizing while stroking his chin, Hye-gong spoke while coughing hollowly.

“A Soul-Splitting Art without side effects is extremely rare, but there are ways to obtain it. Coincidentally, the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda will open soon, so try aiming for a Soul-Splitting Art there.”

Jin So-myeong tilted his head.

According to his investigations, there were many treasures in the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda, but the internal structure changed constantly, making it hard to target a specific item.

“Are you telling me to find a Soul-Splitting Art in the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda? Honestly, I think that would be difficult.”

When he asked in puzzlement, Hye-gong subtly scanned the surroundings. He lowered his voice as if whispering a secret.

“It is not certain, but there is a rumor that the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda responds to desires.”

“Desires…?”

“Yes. It is said that when first entering the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda, if one strongly desires something, the probability of obtaining it increases.”

Just as he paused at the story heard for the first time, Hye-gong’s voice continued.

“If Fellow Daoist Jin craves a Soul-Splitting Art, the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda will guide you to it. Of course, it cannot be guaranteed that you will obtain it unconditionally. The pagoda also has a tendency to be self-willed.”

He had not neglected to investigate the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda, so why did he not know such important information?

When he asked about this point, Hye-gong wore a bitter smile.

“Vast Wilderness Immortal City natives will know. However, isn’t what cultivators want eventually similar?”

“…Nascent Soul spiritual objects?”

“Correct. They might also desire a tool that increases cultivation speed. Since they do not want to increase competitors targeting the same thing, they keep silent.”

Perhaps Hye-gong also would not have deliberately let him know this fact had he not received a favor from Jin So-myeong.

“As it has not been long since the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda appeared in the Dead Soul Wilderness, information is greatly lacking. Still, if there are points to be careful of…”

He listened intently to the continuing talk. There was quite a lot of usable information.

Half a day later.

After finishing the conversation and leaving the cave dwelling, Jin So-myeong toured the market once.

He bought trivial puppet arts and scanned the contents, and indeed, most secret arts that divided the soul had extreme side effects.

‘Losing memories for a day or two every year? What kind of cultivation method is this?’

Actually, such side effects were on the minor side. The serious problem lay elsewhere.

The possibility of the clone initiating a rebellion.

The second personality created by splitting the soul. The higher the autonomy of the clone grew, the higher the probability of initiating a rebellion became.

In Jin So-myeong’s case, it was especially more dangerous.

The possibility of the clone listening obediently? Slim. This was easily understood if thought of from the opposite perspective.

‘What if one day I realize that I am a clone?’

What would I do?

There was no need to even worry. I would try to deal with the main body by any means to regain freedom.

Of course, since he could dismiss the blood spirit clone anytime simply with a thought, the probability of a successful rebellion was slim.

‘My personality is the problem.’

Bursting into a hollow laugh, he shook his head. Deciding to put this matter aside for now, he would think about it again next time.

In any case, learning a proper Soul-Splitting Art in a short period was difficult.

Since only half a year remained until the secret realm opened, it was right to first concentrate on cultivation and achieve Golden Core 2nd layer.

***

Five months later.

Boom!

A roaring sound echoed in a quiet mountain.

A bright yellow lightning bloomed in the sky that lacked a single cloud.

Uniquely, just as lightning that surged from the ground rather than the sky dyed all directions.

“Phew…”

With a single slow exhalation, the wildly rampaging lightning quieted down.

The moment a smile formed at the lips of the youth, Jin So-myeong, who was in the middle of the place where lightning raged.

Flash!

【Jin So-myeong】

【Lifespan】 : 50 / 702

【Realm】 : Golden Core 2nd Layer

【Supreme Great Ability】 : 30,000 / 150,000

【Divine Ability】 :

【Cultivation Method】 : Omitted

【Spells】 : Omitted

【Arts】 : Omitted

His smile did not stop before the translucent hologram that appeared before his eyes.

‘It is Golden Core 2nd Layer!’

The moment one’s realm rose was always ecstatic.

Should it be said that his status as a living being became higher? It felt like becoming a more superior existence.

“Heh…”

He, who could not hide his joy, concentrated his mind.

He controlled the spiritual power that had become unstable as he broke through the realm, and completely recovered all the lightning Qi that leaked out after losing control.

‘It is done.’

Next, he checked the recently occurred changes one by one.

First of all, as the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art reached Minor Success, his lifespan increased by thirty years. With this, it became certain that the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art influenced lifespan.

‘Is it a change due to the proficiency system?’

He had never even heard that the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art circulating in the market had such an effect.

An ordinary Golden Core could only live for five hundred years, but Jin So-myeong had already come to possess a lifespan of seven hundred years.

‘It is awesome.’

The Supreme Great Ability also increased from 100,000 to 150,000.

The divine ability that always supported him reliably had grown stronger!

Naturally, his spiritual power also increased, which grew by 1.5 times compared to his Golden Core 1st layer days.

Jin So-myeong, who grinned unable to hold back at all, inspected the spells side this time.

【Spells】

Wind Control Art (Minor Success 1 / 300,000,000)

Thousand Transformations Art (Mastery 1 / 10,000,000)

During the past five months, these were the ones he raised while worrying about where to use the Supreme Great Ability.

First, the disguise spell, the Thousand Transformations Art, became more sophisticated as it reached Mastery.

Since no anomalies could be felt even with a late Golden Core-grade Divine Sense, although it was a guess, it seemed likely to work even on Nascent Soul-grade experts.

‘Hmm… is Nascent Soul a bit too much? If they inspect closely, it might be discovered.’

Anyway, it seemed likely to be usefully employed in the secret realm he would soon enter.

Also, as the Wind Control Art reached Minor Success, the power of all spells related to wind was amplified.

The Wind Transformation Body Force grew stronger by about thirty percent, and his usual body movements also became meaningfully faster.

Now, he had the confidence to move faster than a mid Golden Core even without using the Lightning Escape Art.

‘Good.’

There had truly been a lot of development during the past three years.

Now, only one thing remained. To enter the Seven-Colored Treasure Pagoda and obtain treasures.