Chapter 82 – Pouring Rewards

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Alternately looking at the two storage pouches, Jin So-myeong reached out.

He decided to open the storage pouch of Hyeok Cheon-ung, who was a False Core cultivator, first.

【By consuming 1,000 Supreme Great Ability beads, the contents can be preserved.】

He agreed to the notification that popped up immediately.

Because his Supreme Great Ability had recovered during the half-month of returning to Sky Island, he had enough golden beads.

Crackle!

At the same time the Rank 3 storage pouch vanished in an instant.

A heap of new items appeared in his sub-space, which had expanded by almost ten times compared to before, as wide as a playground.

He had obtained the Golden Core-grade storage pouch, which had been sealed by a restriction, so easily.

The Secret Realm of the Mind divine ability was truly satisfying every time he used it.

‘Let’s see…’

He scanned the harvest obtained this time, and there were truly many, from jade slips to various seeds and miscellaneous dharma treasures.

Pondering what to examine first, he started with the jade slips.

‘Illustrated Guide to Plants and Trees .’

It was an encyclopedia compiling over thousands of spiritual herbs and trees with mysterious effects.

Even if he only mastered this properly, he would be able to recognize most of them unless they were extremely rare spiritual crops.

‘Not bad.’

He liked it because it seemed useful.

Nodding in satisfaction, Jin So-myeong moved on to the next jade slip.

Green Wood Spirit-Generating Art .

It was a Rank 3 Spiritual Crop Art containing various secret techniques for accelerating plant growth, starting from methods to raise and transplant spiritual herbs.

He skimmed through it, and there were many helpful details.

‘Giving spirituality to plants to awaken an incarnation?’

Simply put, it meant he could make spiritual herbs into beings with intelligence like humans.

Of course, it was not easy.

Various heaven-and-earth spiritual objects suitable for each spiritual herb were required, and it took a lot of time and devotion.

‘It would be convenient to have an existence like a deacon to manage my Secret Realm of the Mind.’

Jin So-myeong, who was stroking his chin, carefully examined the Green Wood Spirit-Generating Art to see if there were any drawbacks.

Sure enough.

A fatal drawback existed in this secret technique.

‘If separated from the master for a long time, the spiritual crop might run away or cause a backlash.’

It was a fairly serious defect, but it did not really matter to Jin So-myeong.

He could just grow the spiritual crops in the Secret Realm of the Mind.

Since he would not be separated from them for a long time to begin with, there was absolutely no problem.

‘Spiritual Crop Art…’

He was conflicted.

It was because as the spiritual herbs planted in the Secret Realm of the Mind increased, a limit was reached in raising them through crude, rule-of-thumb methods.

If he mastered a Spiritual Crop Art, it would be useful, but it was burdensome since he would have to dedicate at least several decades of care.

‘Let’s decide after becoming a Golden Core first.’

Once one became a Golden Core, their lifespan would expand drastically to 500 years. At that time, the burden of learning arts would decrease.

Setting down the jade slip of the Rank 3 Spiritual Crop Art, the Green Wood Spirit-Generating Art, he moved on to the next one.

‘This is also an explanation of spiritual herbs.’

Perhaps because Hyeok Cheon-ung was a spiritual crop master, there were many jade slips with similar contents.

Vines that grew by consuming lava, lotus flowers with seven colors, and so on.

He paused while reading a jade slip filled with various legends of which truth was unclear.

It was because he discovered a peculiar secret technique in the last jade slip.

‘Core-Shattering Method ?’

To summarize this secret technique in a single word.

It was the only way for a False Core cultivator to become a true Golden Core Sage.

‘A method of shattering one’s own Golden Core to return to Foundation Establishment and challenging Golden Core again…’

Even just imagining it, he could tell it was a dangerous secret technique.

Nine times out of ten, one would probably die the moment the Golden Core was shattered.

‘Useless to me… No, wait.’

A just-in-case thought flashed through his mind.

What would be the reason that Hyeok Cheon-ung, a False Core cultivator, possessed this secret technique?

Naturally, it was to become a true Golden Core by using the Core-Shattering Method.

‘Then… wouldn’t he have also obtained a Golden Core spiritual object?’

The probability was very high.

He hurriedly set down the jade slip and searched his sub-space.

First putting aside the things that were obviously not Golden Core spiritual objects, he checked the boxes sealed with talismans one by one.

‘Not this one.’

At the moment he opened the seventh wooden box with an anxious heart. He finally discovered it.

The Golden Core spiritual object he had desired so much. The White Spirit Herb.

“Ah.”

Everything from the petals to the stem and roots was white as snow. It was to the extent that he was afraid to touch it, feeling like it would melt away if he nudged it.

Having the treasure called a Golden Core spiritual object right before his eyes, he blanked out for a moment.

‘So easily?’

Although he had anticipated it deep down, once he actually obtained the White Spirit Herb, he did not know how to react.

Jin So-myeong, who stood frozen for a long time, was startled.

Easy?

It was nonsense. He could not count how many times he had almost died to obtain this.

Shaking his head to clear the idle thoughts, Jin So-myeong used his Supreme Great Ability.

He consumed over a thousand golden beads on the White Spirit Herb alone.

He was relieved only after carefully inspecting it to see if there was any issue.

‘It is real… It is a highest-grade Golden Core spiritual object without any anomalies.’

How did Hyeok Cheon-ung obtain this White Spirit Herb? He had probably suffered immensely.

Yet, the reward for all that suffering went to Jin So-myeong.

Click.

He closed the wooden box and wrapped it tightly with talismans.

‘I should consume it when challenging Golden Core.’

Unlike Foundation Establishment spiritual objects, the White Spirit Herb did not need to be refined into a medicinal pill. It was best consumed raw.

“Heh.”

Once his astonishment settled down, his laughter would not stop.

The White Spirit Herb had the effect of purifying the soul and reducing pain during the Golden Core breakthrough process.

It was an essential preparation for using the True Core Condensation Method, but he obtained it thanks to the Spiritual Seeking Talisman.

‘Fortunately. I was at a loss as to how to obtain it.’

The last piece for challenging Golden Core was filled. Now, the only thing he needed was time to reach the 9th layer of Foundation Establishment!

Stroking the wooden box containing the White Spirit Herb, he stored it preciously in his sub-space.

Subsequently, he checked the remaining harvest with a much more relaxed mind.

‘Oh, there is even a Steel Body Pill?’

Preparations to become a Golden Core kept popping up.

All kinds of treasures that Hyeok Cheon-ung must have suffered to gather were handed over as a whole. It was to the extent that he wanted to tell the guy in the afterlife that he was thankful.

“Haha.”

Since he had already achieved Rank 3 Body Tempering, the Steel Body Pill was not absolutely necessary, but there was no harm in having it anyway.

Next was the turn for Magic Treasures, but right now he could not inspect them properly due to a lack of spiritual power.

‘I should look at them again after becoming a Golden Core.’

After looking at the millstone and the bracelet Magic Treasure with three-colored gems here and there, he put them in his sub-space.

Finally, after classifying various spiritual herb seeds as much as he knew.

He picked up the bone necklace storage pouch obtained from the Rank 3 Demon King.

【By consuming 1,000 Supreme Great Ability beads, the contents can be preserved.】

Naturally, he agreed. He absorbed the storage pouch as a whole with the Secret Realm of the Mind.

‘What would be here?’

He scanned the newly created items in his sub-space, which had expanded twofold again.

Actually, since it was a storage pouch held by a demonic beast, he had not expected much. But his expectations were defied in a good way.

Yellow Flow Herb, Wind Blood Vine, Green Jade Flower, and so on.

It was full of Rank 3 spiritual herbs that helped in body tempering cultivation.

Fit for a martial-style Demon King who fought by swinging claws, there were many body tempering spiritual objects.

Even, since the roots of a few spiritual herbs were alive, it seemed he could breed them in the Secret Realm of the Mind.

‘Nice. The Wind Blood Vine is a Rank 3 spiritual object that increases the blood energy circulation speed.’

If the speed of blood energy became faster, there were many advantages.

His reflexes would also improve, and the time to activate the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration would become shorter. It was useful in many ways.

‘Awesome.’

At this point, he wanted to shower praises on the talisman called the Spiritual Seeking Talisman.

The name ‘opportunity’ was truly not wasted at all. Every single thing he obtained was nothing but a great help.

Jin So-myeong, who was marveling, picked up a large stone disc.

It had a rough appearance reminiscent of a tombstone, but inspecting it closely, he could tell it was an item similar to a jade slip.

‘Shall I read it?’

The moment he infused his Divine Sense.

The four characters “Wind Incarnation Force (風化身勁)” emerged.

It was a dharma spell that clad one’s body in wind to speed up movements and could devastate all directions with sharp winds.

‘That is the divine ability he used when fighting me.’

Perhaps because it was a secret technique developed by demonic beasts who naturally control the wind, there were many ambiguous explanations.

For example, basic parts like the method of gathering and manipulating the wind were explained as if they were naturally possible, making it difficult for an ordinary person to learn.

‘Hmm…’

But he had the proficiency system. He could sufficiently learn even an unfriendly demonic beast technique.

If his Supreme Great Ability was sufficient, that is.

Checking the registration cost, it demanded an enormous amount of 30,000 beads.

Estimating from the massive consumption amount, it seemed that if he initiated into this dharma spell, a natural ability to manipulate the wind would probably form.

‘Wind Incarnation Force… Indeed, its power was strong.’

The destructive power that sank the island with a few hand gestures came to mind.

After pondering, he resolved. He would learn this dharma spell after becoming a Golden Core.

‘I obtained a lot.’

There was only a single point of regret. Although he did not know the exact reason, there were only seven high-grade spirit stones.

Still, nameless demonic beast meat and so on. The miscellaneous items, including mid-to-low grade spirit stones, were too many to even count.

‘Now I just need to cultivate.’

The only thing left until Golden Core was reaching the 9th layer of Foundation Establishment.

***

Three years later.

【Jin So-myeong】

【Lifespan】 : 33/ 315

【Realm】 : 8th layer of Foundation Establishment

【Supreme Great Ability】 : 12200/19000

【Divine Abilities】 :

【Cultivation Methods】 : Omitted

【Dharma Spells】 : Omitted

Compared to before, there were largely two points that had changed.

First, he had reached the 8th layer of Foundation Establishment.

Originally, cultivating was not easy around the late Foundation Establishment stage. It was to the extent that it would not be strange if one’s realm remained the same even after entering closed-door cultivation for over ten years.

Yet, Jin So-myeong’s realm rose in just three years.

Perhaps because he fought with his life on the line against the Demon King, the speed of spiritual power accumulation was strangely fast.

Of course, the help of the constantly springing spirit stones was the greatest.

Probably, there was no Foundation Establishment cultivator on Sky Island who had consumed more spiritual medicine than Jin So-myeong.

‘And… my lifespan also increased.’

It increased by exactly 105 years.

Because he was too distracted at the time of fighting the Demon King, he had not known, but as his body tempering realm rose to Rank 3, his lifespan increased.

Actually, since his body reached the Golden Core grade, it would be normal for his total lifespan to be around 500 years.

However, perhaps because he had drawn too much life force during the battle, the increase in lifespan was small.

It was slightly regrettable, but he did not mind it much.

‘Since my lifespan will increase again when I become a Golden Core anyway.’

It was a fact learned thanks to records left by cultivators who cultivated body tempering methods and general cultivation methods simultaneously like Jin So-myeong.

He decided to think of the 105 years added this time as just a bonus.

‘Good.’

He was about to continue cultivating riding on his momentum, but paused.

It was because the cultivation pills piled up like a mountain in his sub-space were running out.

‘I should go to the market.’

The moment he opened the cave dwelling formation. A Voice Transmission Talisman waiting at the entrance flew in.

[Senior Jin. I have something to deliver to you, so please contact me once your closed-door cultivation ends.]

It was a message from Baek Yu-geon, with whom he got along fairly well.

To call him senior politely as soon as his body tempering realm rose to Rank 3. It was slightly burdensome, but he took it as it was.

The culture of this world was originally like this. Probably, if Baek Yu-geon rose to Golden Core, he would call him Daoist friend again.

Stroking his cheek, Jin So-myeong took out a Voice Transmission Talisman.

How long did he wait after replying? Soon, Baek Yu-geon visited the cave dwelling and greeted him.

“I greet Senior.”

“Daoist Friend Baek. It has been a long time.”

“What do you mean, Daoist friend? Please just speak down to me. That way, I can also comfortably order around Foundation Establishment juniors when I become a Golden Core later, can’t I?”

“Hmm… I shall.”

“Haha. You are straightforward indeed.”

After chatting lightly while drinking tea for a long time. Baek Yu-geon brought up the main point.

“Hyeok Cheon-ung, whom Senior told me about before. The results of the investigation on that person have come out.”

“Hyeok Cheon-ung? Ah, you mean that guy who grew the Speech-Opening Herb.”

“Yes. But it is slightly strange. We investigated all the islands in the Source Light Sea, but there was not a single person who knew Hyeok Cheon-ung.”

“No one knows? Is it possible to cultivate to the False Core stage while avoiding people’s eyes?”

“Naturally, it is impossible. It seems Hyeok Cheon-ung was a cultivator from outside the sea.”

Outside the sea?

Just as he paused at the unexpected news. Baek Yu-geon laughed and said.

“As expected, Senior is also surprised. I also learned for the first time that there is another world outside the sea.”

“Hmm…”

According to Jin So-myeong’s investigation, this sea was too wide.

Furthermore, since all sides were blocked by dangerous zones, it was close to impossible for even a Golden Core Sage to leave empty-handed.

But to think someone came from the outside.

In a way, it was good news. Because it meant there was a way to travel to and fro.

‘I wonder if I can return to Damun Kingdom.’

Since there was an enemy he had to pay back, he wanted to return at least once if possible.

“By any chance, did you find out how Hyeok Cheon-ung came to this sea?”

“We are continuing to investigate… but there are no results on that side yet.”

“I see. If the results come out, let me know as well.”

“Of course. Ah! And here are the 20 high-grade spirit stones Senior requested. Since they are such precious items, I came in person.”

High-grade spirit stones!

It was welcome news that naturally made his eyes widen.

High-grade spirit stones were essential items to grow the Secret Realm of the Mind to Rank 3.

“These are spirit stones mined as Sky Island recently seized control of a Rank 3 ultimate-grade spiritual vein.”

The moment he opened the jade box politely presented by Baek Yu-geon.

A clean crystal wrapped in silk was seen. Its size was only about two or three fingers, but the power contained in it was extraordinary.

The spiritual Qi concentration around grew instantly thick. It was to the extent that the air felt heavy.

Looking at the brilliant blue light, he felt like he would be bewitched.

“Thank you.”

“Haha. Then I shall be going.”

Baek Yu-geon seemed curious about where he would use the high-grade spirit stones, but he sensibly did not ask.

Seeing him off as he left quietly, he stopped by the market.

After buying an enormous amount of cultivation resources, such as medicinal pills and medicinal bath ingredients for improving spiritual roots, he returned to the cave dwelling.

After activating the formation to the maximum so that no one could interfere.

He invested all 20 high-grade spirit stones. It was time to grow the Secret Realm of the Mind to Rank 3.