Chapter 30 – Body Tempering Method

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Jin So-myeong, who arrived at the entrance of the Sutra Pavilion, clasped his hands.

He spoke politely to the old man sitting like a librarian.

“I greet you, Senior Brother. I am Jin So-myeong, who entered the Red Yang Sect today. I came because they said inner disciples can learn spells for free.”

“You are an inner disciple?”

The old man wore a surprised expression.

Staring blankly at Jin So-myeong with his wrinkle-filled face, he burst into exclamation.

“Huo! Looking at you now, you are young yet already at the 3rd layer of Qi Condensation. You deserve to be an inner disciple. I see how outstanding your talent is. Junior Brother, life must be really easy for you. You envious fellow…”

A bitter smile came out at the jealousy contained in the old man’s voice.

Although it was true in a way since he had the Supreme Great Ability, he was also slightly wronged.

He spoke like that because he did not know what he had sacrificed for this result.

“Sigh. I am still at the 6th layer of Qi Condensation at this age. Now only growing old and dying is left… Had I known it would turn out like this, I would have challenged at the risk of my life when young…”

The complaining old man looked at the sky.

Wearing a bitter smile filled with all sorts of regret, he held out his palm.

“If you are an inner disciple, you must have received an identity plaque, right? Show it to me since I have something to verify.”

“Here it is.”

“Hmm… Good. You have not received any spells even once yet.”

The old man, who projected the plaque onto a mirror-like dharma treasure, nodded his head.

“Since it’s your first time, I will explain briefly. The Sutra Pavilion has three floors in total, and the higher you go, the more precious spells are stored. However, the permitted locations differ by status.”

“Then up to which floor can I climb?”

“Inner disciples are permitted up to the 2nd floor. You can choose two spells you want within it and learn them for free. If you want to learn more, you must pay contribution points.”

“…Is the 3rd floor not allowed?”

“Haha! Naturally. The 3rd floor is a place where Foundation Establishment-level knowledge is stored. It is not permitted even if you offer contribution points. However… if Junior Brother becomes a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator, there is nothing that cannot be done! When that time comes, I will prostrate and open the door for you.”

“It’s a pity that it’s not allowed. I would like to choose spells right now, if possible?”

“Of course.”

Simultaneously with the old man waving a wooden plaque.

Rumble!

The formation guarding the Sutra Pavilion opened, and an entrance arose.

“Hurry. The time you can stay inside is exactly two hours.”

Leaving the old man’s urging behind, the moment he entered the Sutra Pavilion.

A thick smell of ink wafted strongly.

“Heh.”

The scale was much larger than expected.

The sight of thousands, tens of thousands of books filling his vision was a grand spectacle. It felt like looking at a sea made of books.

He did not know because it was hidden by the formation, but the inside was much wider than what was seen from the outside.

‘Not bad?’

Despite still being on the 1st floor, it was beyond expectations.

Because the people of the Red Yang Sect he had met in the meantime were all the worst without exception, he had unconsciously harbored a prejudice, but the Sutra Pavilion was truly decent.

The books were incredibly numerous but well-organized by category. Finding the desired spell was not difficult.

‘Nine Lotus Fire Bullet Spell . A secret technique that compiles the method of consecutively casting the Fire Bullet Spell, a fire-attribute basic spell…’

Just as Jin So-myeong scanned the books as his gaze drifted, he faltered.

This was because, after turning a few pages, blank paper with nothing written on it appeared.

Flutter!

He examined other books as well, but it was the same. All the books here were incomplete.

They were samples containing only brief explanations of the spells and the early parts.

‘No wonder. I thought it was strange since the surveillance was poor. It is a method where you look at the sample here to make a choice, and then they exchange it for the real book.’

Jin So-myeong, who set down the book he was scanning as a test, surveyed the surroundings.

The spells on the 1st floor were mostly Rank 1 mid-to-low-grade, but high-grade ones were also seen here and there.

‘It’s not bad, but… let’s just go straight to the 2nd floor.’

Since he had come anyway, he had to choose the best.

Without spending any more time on the 1st floor, he found the stairs leading up and approached.

Hum!

The stairs were blocked by a formation, but they opened naturally when Jin So-myeong approached.

Glancing down, his identity plaque was emitting light.

‘It is this kind of method.’

Arriving on the 2nd floor, he looked up, and the stairs leading to the 3rd floor were firmly blocked by the formation.

He tried waving the plaque, but there was no response.

‘…Even if I force my way in with the Supreme Great Ability, it is meaningless if they are just samples.’

Swish.

Jin So-myeong, who lost interest in the 3rd floor which he could not even go to, turned his gaze.

The 2nd floor had fewer books compared to the 1st floor, but the grade was much higher.

Even the lowest spell was Rank 1 high-grade, and even Rank 1 highest-grade cultivation methods were seen occasionally.

His eyes gleaming, he hurriedly moved his steps.

Since he had entered the Red Yang Sect with difficulty, he had to make the absolute most of it.

First of all, he searched the 2nd floor thoroughly looking for a method to improve spiritual roots.

“…Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art ?”

Jin So-myeong, who was moving diligently, stopped at a certain spot.

This was because he had discovered a Rank 1 highest-grade body tempering method that was a perfect fit for his purpose.

‘Liver , Heart , Spleen , Lungs , Kidneys . It aims to strengthen the essence of life by training the five viscera of the human body… Upon great completion, one achieves an immortal body, allowing one to revive from death even if only a single drop of blood remains.’

Skipping the preface filled with exaggeration, he focused on the practical effects.

‘Overall, it is a body tempering method specialized in regenerative power.’

If one achieved great completion in this body tempering method, all kinds of blessing-like effects appeared.

Immunity to all poisons and anti-aging were basic, and it made the meridians flexible and tough.

It was also possible to store a portion of spiritual Qi in internal organs instead of the dantian.

He liked it more and more as he read, as it had effects worthy of a Rank 1 highest-grade body tempering method.

‘It looks good. Why has dust accumulated like this?’

When he tapped the book containing the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art, gray dust rose up. It meant that nobody had opened it for at least several years.

In fact, this body tempering method had received a Rank 1 highest-grade evaluation because the latter half was lost.

Its original value was at least Rank 2 or higher.

If it were a complete cultivation method, it would have been on the 3rd floor, not this spot.

‘Since everything is written up to the part of achieving Foundation Establishment at least… it is not bad for me.’

After contemplating for a moment, he realized the reason why it was unpopular.

The body tempering method right next to it was the Iron Armor Art , which made the skin as hard as steel just by entry.

Clearing away the bluff and looking only at the actual effects, a body tempering method that trained the physical body like iron in this way was much more powerful.

No matter how much one strengthened regenerative power, if the neck was severed, it was instant death.

‘True… The power of dharma treasures used by cultivators is immense. If one cannot dodge or block it with a defensive dharma treasure, it is almost instant death.’

If one truly revived with a single drop of blood, the result would be different, but frankly, it was hard to believe.

In addition, arriving at the current era, body tempering methods were certainly non-mainstream.

This was because nobody held the ignorant thought of blocking with their body.

This was similar to the idea of training muscles to block bullets.

‘…Let’s go with this.’

But for Jin So-myeong, the story was different.

He felt confident that if he mastered this body tempering method specialized in regenerative power properly, he would also be able to strengthen his spiritual root’s recovery capability.

Even his somewhat lacking recovery capability would exert immense power if accompanied by the Supreme Great Ability.

Also, since body tempering methods were physical training cultivation methods, they also helped break through the Three Passes of Foundation Establishment.

‘…Could I restore the lost latter half with my Supreme Great Ability?’

If he succeeded, it would truly be the best.

This was because it meant it could be applied to other cultivation methods as well, not just the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art.

There were many cultivation methods lost for various reasons in this world.

There were even cases where divine arts possessing immense power were damaged and sold for a song on the street.

Also, the higher-grade the cultivation method, the harder it was to obtain in its complete form.

This was because everyone tightly hid true secret techniques.

If he somehow obtained only a part and restored it with the Supreme Great Ability, he could stand several steps ahead of others.

‘It would truly be the best if it works.’

Stroking his chin, Jin So-myeong opened the sample of the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art.

Based on the early part, he tried to restore the complete art.

‘…It doesn’t work. The feeling itself is different from the spiritual root aptitude, which was improving little by little, though the efficiency was bad.’

It felt like the number of golden beads was insufficient.

It seemed that he had to consume a large amount at once to be able to restore the lost part.

Suddenly, the status window came to mind.

‘How good would it be if my status window supplemented incomplete cultivation methods.’

Various ideas flashed through his head.

Shouldn’t a status window at least have a proficiency system?

‘I wish there was a system that displays the proficiency of spells or martial arts, improves the lacking parts, and evolves the cultivation methods for the better.’

Jin So-myeong closed his eyes.

Focusing on the Supreme Great Ability engraved in his soul, he concentrated on the vaguely felt sensation.

‘I think displaying proficiency might somehow be possible, but…’

Supplementing incomplete mnemonics seemed difficult with his current ability.

Unless, of course, he consumed his lifespan.

‘It would be convenient if I could gather the Supreme Great Ability without using it.’

If he gathered a year’s worth of golden beads and used them at once, how powerful would the wish become?

It was good just to imagine.

Perhaps, besides consuming lifespan, it might become a way to overcome the limits of the Supreme Great Ability.

Because of this, Jin So-myeong had tried all sorts of methods from the past to gather the Supreme Great Ability.

But not a single one was easy. Most demanded massive lifespan.

He could not gather even a single golden bead beyond the maximum limit that naturally increased according to his realm.

He, who was lost in thought, shook his head.

He decided to focus on breaking through to Foundation Establishment for now, and think about it again when he had leeway.

‘I chose one. What should I do for the next?’

In truth, he wanted to find a secret technique with the purpose of improving spiritual root aptitude altogether, but there was not a single one.

It seemed that such high-grade knowledge could not be obtained at the level of the Red Yang Sect.

‘Will I have to go to a Golden Core-grade city at least…?’

Satisfied with finding the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art, he went out to search for the next target.

Going around the 2nd floor, he chose the one that pleased him the most.

“River and Cloud Sword Art .”

Jin So-myeong, who picked it up due to an unknown attraction, concentrated.

Nodding his head with satisfaction after reading for a long while.

‘…Not bad?’

It was not a sword art that boasted fierce attack power.

Rather, it was a sword containing the principles of rivers and clouds that constantly flowed and changed.

Because it focused on controlling the flow, there were many techniques to deflect or block strong power with little force.

In many ways, it was useful for facing enemies stronger than himself.

‘If I master it properly, they say I can even cultivate Sword Qi…?’

Sword Qi was an extremely sharp energy that sliced through steel as well as boulders like tofu.

It was also the proof of a Sword Cultivator, and Sword Cultivators were beings with combat power strong enough to be counted on fingers among all immortals.

‘It means that if I master the River and Cloud Sword Art, I can become a Sword Cultivator…’

Making a decision, he came out of the Sutra Pavilion and spoke to the old man.

“Senior Brother. I chose both books. I brought the samples here.”

“Good. Give them here. I am curious how high the newly arrived junior brother’s eyes will be. Hmm…?”

The old man rubbed his two eyes.

Looking at the books, he spoke with an absurd expression.

“Junior Brother. Let’s say the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art is useful enough if mastered properly, so let it pass. But isn’t this River and Cloud Sword Art a bit…?”

“I brought it because it was on the 2nd floor, but is there some problem?”

“It is not that… The River and Cloud Sword Art is something where a certain eccentric Sword Cultivator improved a martial art into an immortal art. As mortals’ martial arts originally are, it is tricky to master yet the power cannot be guaranteed. Will it really be alright?”

“Yes. I like the River and Cloud Sword Art.”

He already knew.

It was because the traces of martial arts were visible that he chose the River and Cloud Sword Art.

He possessed natural talent for martial arts.

The words that it was tricky to master did not apply to him. Rather, he could learn it more easily than immortal arts that relied on the spiritual nature of spiritual Qi.

“Haa! It will be useless even if you visit later asking to exchange it.”

“Yes.”

Clicking his tongue at the firm attitude, the old man pulled out a talisman and burned it.

“Since I contacted them with a Voice Transmission Talisman, the disciples of the Hall of Dharma Transmission will soon visit carrying the real books. Do you see that empty lot over there? Wait there.”

Greeting the old man, he moved spots.

How long did he wait in the empty lot without even a single chair?

Far away in the sky, two young men flew drawing a parabola.

Swish!

One of them who approached in an instant stepped forward.

“Are you Junior Brother Jin So-myeong who newly entered?”

“Yes. I greet you, Senior Brother.”

The young man who verified Jin So-myeong’s plaque nodded his head. Holding out two books, he spoke.

“Verify if what you chose is correct.”

“Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art, River and Cloud Sword Art. That is correct.”

“Good. Since a restriction is carved in these books, they will be shredded automatically after one month. Memorize them clearly before that.”

“Thank you.”

“It is an obvious sound, but you must not copy them down. Nor leak the cultivation methods to others.”

At that moment when Jin So-myeong, who nodded as if he understood, accepted the books.

The senior brother warned with a stern expression.

“Do not let it go in one ear and out the other, and keep it in mind! For reference, this is a formal ‘order’ issued by the Red Yang Sect. Since you are also an inner disciple and must have written a contract, you know well that you cannot disobey orders, right?”

“Yes.”

In truth, Jin So-myeong had never written a contract in the slightest, so that warning was completely meaningless.

However, outwardly he nodded submissively.

“Good. Then cultivate diligently in the future and become a pillar of the Red Yang Sect.”

Tap, tap.

The senior brother, who was tapping his shoulder and giving well-wishing remarks like a superior, flinched.

The moment he suddenly turned his head.

A flying sword traversing the sky flew toward this direction.

On the flying sword, a slender woman stood, and her hair grown down to her waist fluttered in the wind, bringing to mind a female Sword Immortal in legends.