Chapter 39 – Preempting the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects

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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 leapt down from the ice wall, moved rapidly.

Using the wind as wings, he went straight to the location where the Foundation Establishment spiritual object was.

‘…Sigh. Now I’m dying of heat again.’

If he had to point out just one thing that changed upon entering the center of the Red Cloud Secret Realm, it was none other than the temperature.

The atmospheric temperature soared rapidly.

It felt like entering a blazing cauldron.

‘Fuu.’

Before he knew it, beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Even the wind that should originally be cool felt like a fire-attribute offensive spell.

Jin So-myeong, who was forcing himself to fly, landed on the ground in the end.

This was because he felt he would truly burn to death if he endured any longer.

He was robust from learning the body tempering method and wore a Rank 1 highest-grade dharma robe, yet it was like this.

Other cultivators would not have been able to fly high in the first place.

‘It is a bit better upon landing on the ground.’

Strangely, the higher the altitude, the hotter it became. Looking up at the sky, it was filled with red clouds.

Where the clouds originated from was easy to tell.

This was because red smoke was spewing incessantly from the volcanoes located here and there in the center.

‘Red clouds. There was a reason it was called the Red Cloud Secret Realm…’

Jin So-myeong, who was observing the sky, soon moved his steps.

Based on the information found out from the Red Yang Sect, he moved rapidly to obtain the Foundation Establishment spiritual objects.

Swish!

Although he kept his movement path as short as possible, he could not go straight. This was because he had to detour every time he encountered a dangerous zone like a volcano.

Running at full speed for a long time.

He could finally arrive at the first target point.

‘Please be there.’

He was earnest enough to even say a prayer, which he normally did not do.

Swish!

Entering a forest, strangely full of vital energy, situated in the middle of the desert, Jin So-myeong bit his lip.

‘…It’s not here.’

No matter how much he searched, there was no Foundation Establishment spiritual object.

Surely the location shown on the map was correct. Yet it was completely empty.

It was as if someone had already swept through and passed by this place.

‘There is someone who entered the center earlier than me?’

Squeeze!

Gritting his fist tightly enough for veins to pop, he exhaled a sigh. He brushed away the negative emotions.

The Foundation Establishment spiritual object discovered by the Red Yang Sect was not just one. If there was time to curse, he had to move.

It was even more so since a mysterious competitor had appeared!

Tap!

The body trained through the body tempering cultivation method cried out in fatigue. Sprinting at full speed for a long time.

He arrived at the second target point.

It was a valley where steam rose like a hot spring…

‘Ah!’

Along with a suffocating heat, he discovered the spiritual herb he had desired so much.

‘The Nourishing Jade Essence Flower!’

In other words, a Foundation Establishment spiritual object.

He stared as if possessed at the magnificent flower with an intense presence.

Gulp.

From the straight dark green stem to the red petals shining brightly like the sun. It was perfect without a single flaw.

‘If only I have that!’

I can escape from the pressure of my remaining lifespan which is not much.

His heart thudded.

Jin So-myeong, whose fingertips trembled slightly at the surging emotion, forced his eyes closed.

Huu.

After taking a short deep breath. He backed away a step. Then, sharpening his senses, he scanned the surroundings.

The most dangerous moment was when one lost their reason with such a treasure right before their eyes.

‘…As expected, is a demonic beast guarding it?’

This valley was terribly hot. The Red Cloud Secret Realm, excluding the ice wall, was originally a hot place, but here it was even more severe.

In particular, it was to the extent that a blazing haze even rose around the Nourishing Jade Essence Flower.

Was it because of that?

To fire-attribute demonic beasts, the vicinity of the Nourishing Jade Essence Flower was like heaven.

‘Three Rank 1 highest-grade ones.’

Jin So-myeong narrowed his eyes. He glared at the rocks placed near the Foundation Establishment spiritual object.

At a glance they looked like mere dark red lumps of stone, but looking closely, they were not.

They were absorbing spiritual Qi incessantly as if breathing, and a minute movement was also felt.

Step.

The moment Jin So-myeong, who concealed his presence as much as possible, approached a step.

Rumble!

Along with a heavy vibration, one of the rocks raised its body.

Blue light flashed from a stone fragment presumed to be its head, and it rotated rapidly to scan the surroundings, as if it had opened its eyes.

Just as the tense Jin So-myeong slowly gripped his sword.

Grrrr…

The demonic beast that raised its body returned to being a normal rock.

It had felt something strange, but had failed to find him.

‘It is more sensitive than I thought.’

Contrary to its sluggish appearance, it was very sensitive. It seemed he would be detected if he approached even one step closer.

Contemplating, Jin So-myeong made a decision.

‘I cannot drag out time here.’

In just a little while longer, other cultivators would also break through the ice wall and swarm into the center.

At that time, he would have to compete not only with that demonic beast but with other cultivators simultaneously.

The difficulty would become several times more absurd.

Crack!

Once he decided, he did not hesitate. He consumed as many as five beads of the Supreme Great Ability all at once.

Jin So-myeong, whose presence became faint like a ghost, stepped forward.

Step… step…

He approached cautiously, even careful with his breathing.

Step by step. Just as he left only three steps to the Nourishing Jade Essence Flower.

Rustle!

The rock that raised its body earlier vibrated minutely.

‘Now!’

Jin So-myeong, whose eyes shone, triggered his spiritual Qi.

He threw away the concealment technique which was no longer meaningful. He bet everything on speed.

Crunch!

Stepping on the Rising Dragon Steps specialized in short-distance movement, he brushed past the demonic beast that had just raised its body.

He stretched out his hand toward the flower blooming haughtily.

He had no leisurely time to dig up the soil. With his hand enveloped in Sword Qi, he scooped out the ground entirely!

Gwoooooh!

Simultaneously with a shriek filled with rage. Dozens of thorns surged from the ground, trying to pierce him.

Wuuung!

Just as the Qi barrier arising from the Rank 1 highest-grade defensive dharma robe, the Green Bamboo Dharma Robe, protected him.

He stored the flower in his sub-space and kicked off the ground. He fled without looking back.

Boom!!

Along with a vibration as if an earthquake had occurred, a firestorm arose.

Under that tremendous power, the valley that boasted beautiful scenery until just now was turned into ruins, but…

Jin So-myeong had already escaped to hundreds of meters away.

Ten minutes later.

“Haa!”

Inhaling laboriously and wiping off the sweat formed on his forehead, Jin So-myeong curled up the corners of his mouth.

Swish!

He closely inspected the Nourishing Jade Essence Flower taken out from his sub-space.

Everything from the stem to the petals was hot.

Holding it in his hand, a strange thumping pulsation was felt, making it like a heart.

It felt as if pure vital energy had condensed and transformed into a plant.

‘…I won’t be able to replant it.’

After being uprooted, vital energy dispersing little by little was detected.

Comparing it to a human, it was no different from having already gasped their last breath.

Pulling out a specially made jade box, Jin So-myeong put the Nourishing Jade Essence Flower inside and attached a talisman.

Storing it like this could prevent the vital energy from dispersing.

Even if it could not be replanted, it was sufficient as an ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill!

Just as he was looking down at the box tightly wrapped with talismans.

“…Haha. Ahahahaha!”

Suddenly, unable to contain it at all, he burst into laughter.

It was only natural since he had seized his goal after years of effort!

It felt as refreshing as if his chest had been cleared open. At this moment, he didn’t even care about the burning heat.

He was simply happy!

Since the moment his lifespan was cut in half, it felt like being chased by a collapsing cliff.

He felt thrilled as if he was finally liberated from that pressure.

“Heh…”

Stopping his laughter, he tapped his cheeks. This place was still a dangerous zone. It would be troublesome to get too excited.

Barely regaining his reason, he traced the map in his head.

‘I should obtain a few more.’

The more Foundation Establishment spiritual objects, the better.

Didn’t even the Giant Sword Sect, a Golden Core-grade force, say they would exchange them for a Foundation Establishment Pill if one brought five?

It wasn’t that he must exchange it, but anyway, there was no harm in increasing his choices.

‘They say the success rate of refining a Foundation Establishment Pill is usually thirty to forty percent.’

To make a Foundation Establishment Pill, he had to find the person with the best skill among Rank 1 elixir masters.

Since one Foundation Establishment spiritual object was consumed per refining attempt, he had to obtain at least three to four to be in the safe zone.

‘I should go immediately.’

He had to preempt as many spiritual objects as possible before the competitors crossed the ice wall.

Swish!

Deciding on the direction, Jin So-myeong flew toward the next target.

*

Jin So-myeong, who had become covered in dirt before he knew it, smiled brightly despite his scruffy appearance.

“Nice!”

This was because he had obtained one more Foundation Establishment spiritual object.

‘Already two!’

He was extremely pleased with the smooth progress. Jin So-myeong, who placed the Nourishing Jade Essence Flower in the jade box, recalled the map.

He had to decide on the next target…

‘Too far.’

The closest Foundation Establishment spiritual object from here was also quite far. He had to travel at least half a day more.

This was because, although the locations of Foundation Establishment spiritual objects found by the Red Yang Sect by exerting all their efforts were quite numerous, the secret realm was also vast.

Devising his route in his head, Jin So-myeong murmured.

‘I should stop by the place where the Red Capture Fruit is in the middle.’

Although the highest priority target was indeed the Foundation Establishment spiritual object, in terms of routing, it was better to obtain the Red Capture Fruit.

Swish! Flying up lightly, he cast the Wind Control Art.

Moving while riding the wind for a long time.

Standing on a towering massive rock, Jin So-myeong scanned in all directions.

According to the information traded with the Blue Flood Dragon Gang, the Red Capture Fruit should be near here.

In case he might miss it, he even strengthened his vision with spiritual Qi.

Searching the ground thoroughly, he froze.

‘Found it!’

On a hill composed of black rocks, a burning-like tree was visible.

Every single leaf shaped like a flame stood out sharply.

The treasure that prolongs lifespan. It was definitely the Red Capture Fruit tree!

However…

There was a competitor this time.

It was a mysterious cultivator draped in black clothes, who was commanding over a hundred insects to guard the surroundings while looking up at the Red Capture Fruit.

‘The 7th layer of Qi Condensation? Still, that’s fortunate.’

Since the tree was quite large, there was plenty of Red Capture Fruit.

If he revealed his presence to keep him in check, the opponent would highly likely concede one or two Red Capture Fruits.

Just as Jin So-myeong was approaching quietly.

‘Crazy?!’

He was shocked by the black-clothed man’s sudden action.

This was because that crazy guy commanded the swarm of insects to gnaw down the Red Capture Fruit tree entirely.

Clank!

Instantly drawing his sword, Jin So-myeong unfolded his movement technique.

Charging fast enough for an afterimage to form, he scattered Sword Qi as if bombarding.

Although un-condensed Sword Qi drops sharply in power, it was sufficient for keeping him in check.

“Hmm?”

The startled black-clothed man retrieved the swarm of insects and widened the distance with Jin So-myeong.

Taking advantage of that gap, he stood with his back to the Red Capture Fruit tree.

“Ho. To think you have already come to this place. Was there another lucky fellow like me? Were you also teleported directly into the center of the secret realm?”

“…”

Ignoring the guy’s words, he stretched out his hand.

Plucking the only remaining Red Capture Fruit that was left before he knew it, he inspected it quickly.

Fortunately, since he protected it before the insects could bite it, it was complete without any blemishes.

‘Whew.’

He had almost lost ten years of lifespan.

Just as Jin So-myeong, who put the Red Capture Fruit in his bosom and stored it in his sub-space, glared at the black-clothed man.

The guy sneered as if it was laughable.

“Since you were lucky enough to be teleported to the center of the secret realm despite being a mere mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, how pleased you must have been… but that fortune has led you to death.”

“Haha.”

Listening quietly, it was a sight to behold. It was to the extent that he wanted to watch how far he would go.

“To reveal yourself just over a mere Red Capture Fruit. Being unable to contain your desire makes you no different from a monkey. If you had stayed hidden, your life would have been spared. Hahaha!”

Jin So-myeong, who listened to the mockery and ridicule quietly, laughed in response.

Brightly enough to show his white teeth.

“You laugh?”

Toward the opponent who knit his brow as if looking at a mental patient.

Shring…

Drawing the treasure sword as dark as pitch, he kicked off the ground without saying a single word.