Chapter 92 – Blocking Divination

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Before looking into the secret realm.

Jin So-myeong gathered minor information first while wandering around Vast Wilderness Immortal City.

This was to learn the common sense of this place before making a mistake in vain.

‘There are many differences from Sky Island.’

First of all, unlike Sky Island, high-grade spirit stones were not treated as that precious here.

A large amount was released in the market to the extent of functioning as currency.

There was only one reason it differed from Sky Island.

A stable spiritual vein environment.

Just the fact that the spiritual vein did not suddenly disappear changed many things.

‘Indeed. Come to think of it, the reason high-grade spirit stones are treated as strategic materials on Sky Island is entirely due to the spiritual vein.’

What was the reason high-grade spirit stones were lacking on Sky Island?

First of all, because the spiritual vein was unstable, they could not construct large-scale mining facilities at the spirit stone mines. This meant that the quantity of spirit stones itself was small.

Also, being at war with demonic beasts was one of the reasons.

Sky Island had to continuously operate its guardian formation, the Reverse Polarity Mighty Locking Formation, and as powerful as this formation was, its spiritual Qi consumption was large.

‘It would be fine if it were only up to here, but…’

The real problem appeared when the spiritual vein suddenly disappeared.

When the spiritual vein disappeared, they had to endure by using the accumulated high-grade spirit stones until they found another spiritual vein.

No matter how many high-grade spirit stones they had, most of them were consumed to maintain the formation.

‘They could not gather spirit stones even if they wanted to.’

However, if the spiritual vein was stable like in Vast Wilderness Immortal City, many things would change.

Vast Wilderness Immortal City would also have a guardian formation, but the spiritual vein bore most of the consumption.

Since the maintenance cost became extremely low, they could naturally gather the remaining spirit stones.

Ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years…

It meant that as time flowed, the spirit stones in the market would increase.

Of course, everything had its pros and cons.

As the land was abundant in resources, there were also many cultivators. The number of Golden Cores in Vast Wilderness Immortal City alone exceeded dozens.

Why did beings who could become masters of a city and be respected come all the way here to suffer?

‘It is for the same reason as me.’

A higher realm. It was to challenge the Nascent Soul stage.

Resources, cultivation methods, and opportunities.

To raise one’s realm within a limited lifespan, many things were needed. It could not be reached by cultivating leisurely.

And actually, becoming a city castellan on the ground was not an easy thing either.

Conversely, this was difficult because the spiritual vein was fixed.

Would there be no owner in a place where spiritual Qi wells up since long ago?

Naturally, there were owners. To occupy a spiritual vein and become a city castellan, one had to defeat someone.

‘One has to fight humans instead of demonic beasts.’

The barren Sky Island and the abundant ground. It was difficult to hastily answer which was a better place to live.

Jin So-myeong, who was quietly lost in thought, smirked.

‘Forget it. Let us do what needs to be done.’

It was not as if the world became harsh just yesterday or today, so there was no reason to fall into vain sentimentality.

Besides, his circumstances were different from others.

Since he had the Supreme Great Ability and the Secret Realm of the Mind, he could step out of the infinite competition and watch from a step aside.

‘Let us first buy a divination-blocking dharma treasure, and then look into the secret realm.’

Rare Treasure Pavilion.

He headed toward the Rank 3 specialized dharma treasure shop he had selected while looking into Vast Wilderness Immortal City.

“I heard there are many unique dharma treasures in your esteemed pavilion. I would like to see the list.”

“…Are you referring to Rank 3 dharma treasures?”

“Yes.”

Currently, Jin So-myeong was disguised as an ordinary Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator.

Even though it was a situation where a Foundation Establishment cultivator wanted to buy a Rank 3 dharma treasure, the clerk did not behave rudely.

Instead, he bowed his waist even more politely. This was because this world was overflowing with people who hid their realms and identities.

“Senior. Please wait for just a moment. I will bring the master.”

Had he waited for about ten minutes?

A neat-looking Golden Core merchant approached with a smile.

“Valued customer. I am sorry for keeping you waiting. All the dharma treasures available for sale at our Rare Treasure Pavilion are recorded here.”

He scanned the jade slip handed over by the shopkeeper with his Divine Sense.

‘…As I heard, there are indeed many items.’

The number and types of dharma treasures were incredibly diverse.

Even counting roughly, there were thousands. It was so numerous that it was hard to believe they were items possessed by a seven-story Rare Treasure Pavilion.

While inspecting the jade slip with narrowed eyes, he faltered.

This was because he discovered a unique point in the list.

“What is the meaning of the character ‘Myriad (萬)’ written next to the name of the dharma treasure?”

“Our Rare Treasure Pavilion is a shop belonging to the Myriad Treasures Tower. The dharma treasures with the character ‘Myriad (萬)’ are not in our shop, but are items possessed by the Myriad Treasures Tower.”

“…If I choose this, will you bring it to me?”

“Yes. However, you must pay additional shipping fees depending on the item.”

“Hmm.”

“As you may know, the Myriad Treasures Tower is a merchant guild run by Nascent Soul seniors. Thanks to that, our shop has almost everything.”

Hearing the voice full of pride, he fell into contemplation.

Although the shopkeeper did not say it, the time spent in transit would probably be quite long.

‘Could it take years?’

There was a high probability of that. This world was just that vast.

“If I were to buy the Reverse Star Astrolabe, how long would it take to transport it?”

“Hmm… That is a dharma treasure within the Eastern Province. You only need to wait five years.”

He picked a suitable dharma treasure and asked just in case, and indeed, it was as expected.

Sighing, Jin So-myeong simply chose from the items available in this shop.

“The Silver Light Thunder Robe, the Flowing Water Demon-Revealing Mirror, and the Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword. I like these three. Would it be possible to see the real items?”

“…Please wait for just a moment. I will immediately have a disciple bring them.”

The moment he said he would buy three dharma treasures at once.

The shopkeeper’s attitude changed subtly. His shoulders narrowed, and his head and waist lowered.

It did not take long for the proud Golden Core merchant to become a kind businessman.

Having plenty of anything exerted a powerful force by itself. Naturally, spirit stones were no exception.

How much had he waited?

Soon, five Foundation Establishment cultivators came carrying a box while groaning.

It was one meter in length and about a palm’s width.

How heavy the box, which was just suitable for one sword to enter, was that even after sticking a Giant Strength Talisman on their forearms to make their physical strength strong, they could not lift it properly.

Beads of sweat trickled down the foreheads of the Foundation Establishment clerks.

Honestly, as it was a sight hard to call elegant, an awkward smile formed at the corner of the shopkeeper’s mouth.

“Ahem… My disciples have shown you an ugly sight.”

“It is fine. They seem to be the items I requested, so may I look at them?”

“Of course.”

Grab.

The moment Jin So-myeong casually picked up the box that the Foundation Establishment cultivators had transported while groaning.

The shopkeeper’s eyebrows twitched minutely.

“Heh. The Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword weighs ten thousand jin in the blade alone, so it does not even enter a normal storage pouch, yet you lift it like a twig, valued customer.”

He only smiled and did not answer precisely.

There was no need to deliberately let him know how deep his attainment in body tempering techniques was.

Click.

Upon opening the box, a sword as black as charcoal was visible, but rather than being sharp, it felt like a heavy iron bar.

“The Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword increases in weight the more spiritual power is injected. Since it is said to increase up to a maximum of one hundred thousand jin, it will exert tremendous power if only you can handle it properly.”

A maximum of one hundred thousand jin.

To properly use such a heavy sword, having spiritual power alone was not enough. One also had to learn body tempering.

Although it was a high-grade Rank 3, as a demanding condition was attached, it was a dharma treasure that exerted power stronger than its rank.

Hum!

When he injected spiritual power as a trial, the weight of the sword amplified endlessly.

‘It is heavy.’

Wielding the sword, which had become heavy by about forty to fifty thousand jin—around thirty tons—he tried manipulating it in reverse this time.

Admiration escaped him as the ten thousand jin sword became as light as a whip. Reducing the weight was also possible.

“It is good.”

He liked it. If his Natal Magic Treasure, the Limitless Divine Sword, could absorb the characteristics of the Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword, it would become stronger.

Nodding his head, Jin So-myeong did not return the sword but kept it right beside him.

Perhaps understanding the meaning that he would buy it, the shopkeeper’s expression brightened up.

“Valued customer. Next is the Silver Light Thunder Robe. It is a dharma robe that can store a certain amount of lightning energy to be manipulated at will, and has excellent effects in anti-tracking and concealment.”

It was a splendid dharma robe that sparkled like the Milky Way.

It seemed to stand out too much, but it did not matter. Since it was at the level of a dharma treasure, its appearance could be easily changed.

Functions were more important than appearance.

‘A garment specialized in anti-tracking.’

Naturally, divination was also included in this tracking. Just by wearing the dharma robe normally, he could block divination.

Its rank was high-grade Rank 3.

It was also a decent item as defensive gear.

“I like this one as well.”

As he set the dharma robe aside as well, the corners of the shopkeeper’s mouth went up without knowing the limit.

The shopkeeper, who had now become polite almost like a servant, held out a mirror with clear water flowing on its surface.

While inspecting the mysterious appearance, which looked as if he had caught and carved spring water, he asked.

“It is written that this mirror is an installation-type dharma treasure, so exactly what method is it?”

“The Flowing Water Demon-Revealing Mirror only operates while more than a certain amount of spiritual power is injected. To use it properly, it must be installed in at least a Rank 3 low-grade spiritual vein.”

“Will it block curses or divination targeted at me just by installing it in the cave dwelling?”

“Yes. However, it is ineffective if you move more than ten li away from the mirror.”

“Can it block a curse cast by a Nascent Soul-grade expert by any chance?”

“…A Nascent Soul-grade curse? Mmm.”

Curses and divination had similar difficulty. By asking about curses, he could find out the ability to block divination.

The shopkeeper, who let out a low groan, spoke after contemplating for a long time.

“It should be able to block it once or twice. If the water flowing on the surface dyes black, it means the mirror has reached its limit.”

“…Even if it cannot block it continuously, I can notice that I am targeted by a Nascent Soul-grade expert by the mirror turning black.”

“Correct.”

Blocking a Nascent Soul-grade divination with a Rank 3 dharma treasure seemed absurd at first glance, but if looked into in detail, it was not that strange of a thing.

Divination was a technique of reading the future without any proper basis, a sensitive act like building a sophisticated structure with matchsticks.

On the other hand, blocking divination was like kicking and collapsing a hard-built structure.

Building and smashing.

There was no need to explain which one was easier. Of course, there was no absolute truth in the world, but for now, it was like that.

“I like all three dharma treasures. I will buy them all.”

“Ah! Thank you very much. The price is 10,200 high-grade spirit stones, but I will only take ten thousand.”

Although he already knew it, it was truly expensive.

Now, only thirty thousand high-grade spirit stones remained. This would also quickly decrease once he bought cultivation resources.

‘Well… it is all necessary.’

Was it not spirit stones that he could not buy anything with even if he wanted to spend them on Sky Island? Since he had come to the wide world, he did not spare them.

“Please come again!”

Leaving behind the shopkeeper who bowed his waist as if seeing off a master—having thrown his Golden Core expert’s dignity somewhere—he returned to the cave dwelling.

First, he wore the Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword at his waist instead of the Five Elements Sword.

Since it was an inherently heavy fellow, his physical balance tilted. Moving this way and that, he injected spiritual power to reduce and adjust the sword’s weight.

‘It will also serve as training to manipulate spiritual power.’

Although it was inconvenient to constantly pay attention, it felt just right as a training sword.

It seemed he could carry it around for one or two months to get used to it, and then give it to the Limitless Divine Sword to absorb.

Next was the Silver Light Thunder Robe.

After putting on the dharma robe that blocked tracking and divination, he changed its appearance to a plain gray martial arts uniform.

Finally…

The Flowing Water Demon-Revealing Mirror. This dharma treasure was originally an item to be installed in a cave dwelling, but he had not bought it for that purpose in the first place.

After scanning the surroundings using his Divine Sense, he summoned the Limitless Divine Sword and requested it to safeguard his body.

Thereafter, he installed the Flowing Water Demon-Revealing Mirror in the Secret Realm of the Mind and returned to the cave dwelling.

‘…It works.’

He felt the mirror operating in the secret realm. Now, wherever he went, this dharma treasure would protect him from divination and curses.

Since he carried a spiritual vein in his body, such an absurd thing was possible.

‘Good.’

Once he guarded against transcendental means like divination, he felt relieved.

The feeling of being pursued by a mysterious organization disappeared a lot.

‘I think this level is fine.’

The abilities and limits of those fellows were clear.

Even though they were an organization mighty enough to employ Golden Cores as subordinates, they could not find out Jin So-myeong’s real name.

He could not distinguish whether their will to track him was weak or if they simply lacked ability, but the result was the same anyway.

It meant that there was no need to shrink his actions due to fear.

‘Now I can properly look into the secret realm and redraw my cultivation plan.’

From what he briefly heard while wandering around Vast Wilderness Immortal City, a secret realm would open in the nearby desert in three years.

Although he had not decided for sure, if he were to enter the secret realm, he needed to pull up his combat power in a short period.

He had to use his Supreme Great Ability, which was currently raising the proficiency of the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art, elsewhere.