Chapter 94 – A Treasure to Temper the Divine Soul

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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The moment Jin So-myeong poured in the spirit stones.

The entire Secret Realm of the Mind shook. The spiritual vein had broken through its rank and reached Rank 3 high-grade!

The spiritual Qi filling his lungs was ecstatic. Compared to before, it had become almost 1.5 times denser.

Although his meridians became stiff due to the suddenly increased spiritual Qi, it was barely bearable.

‘It is a relief.’

Carefully inspecting his meridian state, he closed his eyes and meditated.

He measured his cultivation speed while operating the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art in an abbreviated manner.

‘…It works.’

He achieved his goal. He felt certain that he could break through to the Golden Core 2nd layer before the secret realm opened!

And.

【Resource Production】 : 60 high-grade spirit stones / 1 day

As much as the spiritual vein rank rose, the spirit stone production also increased. Although it was not his main purpose, it was naturally a good thing.

He felt the reward of tempering his meridians while enduring the pain.

“Mmh.”

Just as he smiled with a proud heart.

Whoosh!

He heard the sound of something heavy cutting through the empty air.

Glancing back, he saw a dark-colored longsword flying in a straight line.

“Limitless?”

Why did the fellow, who should be absorbing the Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword in the spiritual herb field, suddenly appear?

He could soon know the reason.

The dark-colored longsword circled around as if escorting him. It had flown over to protect him because of the sudden vibration that occurred in the Secret Realm of the Mind.

The longsword that was moving busily came to a halt.

As if realizing late that there was nothing dangerous, Limitless, who was permeated in the sword, popped out.

Hum, hum!

It transformed into its original cotton candy form and flew around.

‘It is a fellow with immense curiosity…’

At first glance, it looked like a harmless winged beast playing, but its speed was phenomenal.

Scattering Sword Qi, it shot around in all directions at a speed incomparable to an arrow.

As if untiring, it made several round trips from one end of the secret realm to the other. It seemed to be greatly excited by the suddenly enlarged space.

If the fellow had a tail, would it not be wagging endlessly by now…

Watching the scene that somehow made him laugh, he pulled his gaze away.

Now, before entering the secret realm, he had to set the next goal worthy of challenging.

‘What would be good?’

Since raising his realm further was physically impossible due to time, it seemed he should focus on building up his combat power.

‘Should I buy more dharma treasures?’

Contemplating deeply, he shook his head.

Dharma treasures are not better just by being numerous. Unless one had learned a special secret technique, about two or three were suitable.

He could not even handle the recently purchased Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword perfectly, so buying more would only scatter his concentration.

Just as he was worrying if there was anything worthy of setting as a goal.

Suddenly, a single divine ability flashed through his mind.

‘…Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration?’

This divine ability was the strongest weapon he possessed, but a fatal drawback existed.

That he could not control it perfectly.

Since it poured out all energy and fell into exhaustion every time it was used, it was tricky to use in real combat.

‘It would be nice if I could adjust the fire power.’

If he could adjust the amount of poured-out energy at will, the potential possessed by the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration would become one level higher.

He traced back his past memories.

In the past, just once, he had the experience of succeeding in controlling the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration.

When fighting the wolf Demon King, he had fully controlled the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration, mixing it with Sword Qi to unleash a slash.

However, this experience was only half a success.

‘It was not a proper Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration.’

The Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration was a divine ability that exploded the energy accumulated in the five viscera, but at that time, not even a fraction of a quarter of energy was accumulated in his five viscera.

He had controlled the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration cast with a speck of energy.

‘…Still, since it was mixed with Sword Qi, it was incredibly powerful.’

The feeling of all destructive power concentrating on the blade.

Since it sliced apart even a Rank 3 Demon King in a single strike, there was no need to speak of its power.

If so, should he solve the problem by lowering the energy accumulated in the five viscera?

‘That is a bit regrettable.’

Lowering the power because it was hard to control. At first glance, it seemed like a decent method, but it felt like putting the cart before the horse.

To lower the power, he had to reduce the spiritual power accumulated in the five viscera, which acted as dantians.

However, doing this also decreased the spiritual power he could normally use. In many ways, there were many regrettable aspects.

‘…Let us try using it directly first.’

Sitting still and agonizing did not seem likely to yield a solution.

Coming out of the cave dwelling, Jin So-myeong boarded the Black Jade Flying Boat.

Flying at full speed for three hours, he arrived at a plain where there was not a single person.

In a place where there was nothing except weeds grown up to the waist.

——!

Toward the sky, he poured out the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration.

The moment he extended his fist, everything in its trajectory vanished.

Even the clouds that were far, far away shattered into pieces, revealing a clear sky.

Whoosh!

A gale raged late. Wind rushed in to fill the empty air that had become a vacuum.

“…Heh.”

Jin So-myeong, who focused on the instant, let out a low groan.

Before he knew it, only an empty dantian was felt.

The moment he made up his mind to use the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration, the entire process ended in a flash.

‘Is it because I consumed the Wind Blood Vine? The activation speed has become even faster.’

Somehow, the higher his realm became, the stronger the power of the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration grew.

Without a doubt, it was a good thing, but the difficulty of control became even harder.

Stroking his chin, he gripped high-grade spirit stones in both hands. He intended to try once more after recovering.

*

One month.

One day, during the continuation of days where he concentrated on cultivation and went to secluded places to use the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration.

Jin So-myeong nodded his head.

After using the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration dozens of times in a month, he realized it.

‘It is impossible with my current spiritual power control.’

The Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration was similar to popping a balloon with a needle, making it extremely difficult to control.

Could it be the feeling of trying to forcibly lift a heavy object with insufficient physical strength?

It was not something to be solved by knack. To move a heavy object, one ultimately had to build up strength.

If so.

Physical strength. That is, how should he build control?

‘I must temper my divine soul.’

Once the direction of the solution was set, his goal became clear.

Wandering around Vast Wilderness Immortal City, he inquired about cultivation methods or spiritual objects that made the divine soul strong.

‘…It is not easy.’

For the first time since coming to Vast Wilderness Immortal City, which was abundant in resources, he learned that there were things that could not be bought with spirit stones.

He did not know because he had easily tempered his divine soul through the Secret Realm of the Mind in the past, but strengthening the divine soul was one of the most difficult cultivations.

Spiritual objects related to the divine soul were incredibly rare.

Moreover, Jin So-myeong’s current Divine Sense range was two kilometers. It was at the mid Golden Core level.

Since he had already transcended his realm, ordinary spiritual objects had no effect.

He diligently wandered around the immortal city for a few days, but there was no result.

‘What to do…’

Actually, his current actions might be meaningless.

As time flowed, his divine soul would eventually grow stronger thanks to the Secret Realm of the Mind, and if the proficiency of the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art rose, the drawback of the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration might be improved.

Of course, that did not mean he did not have to make efforts, so he did not stop his inquiries.

One day, while he continued inquiring without giving up.

News was heard that an exchange meeting of Golden Core merchants would be held in Vast Wilderness Immortal City.

It was a gathering to share cultivation difficulties and exchange the treasures each possessed.

‘I must go and see.’

He felt the timing was perfect. Matching the date, he sought out the location where the meeting was held.

It was a mansion so huge that it could be expressed as a castle, and when he entered the main hall, he saw a dozen Golden Core merchants sitting gently.

“You are someone I meet for the first time.”

At the kind greeting of a beautiful woman with a voluptuous figure, he smiled back and spoke.

“Nice to meet you. I use the surname Jin, so please call me as you please.”

“You may call me Madame Ryeo.”

“I am Mr. Cho.”

Once the simple introductions finished, the Golden Core merchants brought up the main points one by one.

“I recently caught a mutated demonic beast, but this fellow’s personality is too rough and does not listen to me.”

“Did you make a spiritual beast contract?”

“Of course.”

“Mysterious indeed. Then try learning the Beast-Taming Script. If you learn a specialized cultivation method to handle spiritual beasts, it will get a bit better.”

“A proper Beast-Taming Script is not easy to obtain…”

“I have a decent scripture, are you interested?”

Overall, it was a similar atmosphere to the Foundation Establishment meeting he had gone to on Sky Island in the past.

It was a place where each sought necessary items or shared cultivation difficulties.

“Is there any fellow Daoist proficient in fire-attribute spells? I would like to make a request.”

“What kind of work is it?”

“It is not dangerous work. I want to refine a special dharma treasure, so I need strong firepower.”

“Mmm.”

A Golden Core merchant who appeared to have learned fire-attribute spells moved his lips.

The two who were looking at each other—perhaps conversing through voice transmission—soon nodded their heads. The transaction was concluded.

‘It is this kind of method.’

Jin So-myeong, who observed the meeting and scanned the atmosphere, opened his mouth.

“I am looking for spiritual objects or cultivation methods that make the divine soul strong. Even if it is not the actual item, it is fine. If you just let me know its whereabouts, I will reward you.”

“Divine soul?”

“Hmm…”

He waited, but proper information did not come out. A few people casting curious gazes was all.

Jin So-myeong, who let out a sigh, backed away, and it passed to the next person’s turn.

“Lately, I am researching a cultivation method to nurture lightning Qi with wood and metal-attribute spiritual Qi. The lightning Qi is too domineering, so it is not easy to control. How…”

After the meeting ended like that.

Jin So-myeong, who was returning to the cave dwelling without achievements, narrowed his eyebrows. This was because someone followed him.

However, there was no sign of trying to hide their presence, so it did not seem malicious.

Moving to a secluded place to wait, a woman with voluptuous flesh soon appeared.

“Madame Ryeo. Do you have business with me?”

“Do not be too vigilant. I followed because of the divine soul-related spiritual object that Fellow Daoist Jin spoke of earlier.”

Jin So-myeong, who paused, had his expression brighten slightly. The effort he spent inquiring paid off.

“What kind of spiritual object is it? If you have thoughts of selling it by any chance, I will buy it.”

“My. Do you know how much this is worth?”

Staring blankly at her as she smiled playfully with her eyes, he spoke.

“Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones.”

Madame Ryeo’s eyes went wide. Moving her lips several times, she shook her head and glared at him.

“Do not joke with me.”

“…”

“Even if it is true, it does not matter. Since I will not sell it no matter how many spirit stones you give, stop it.”

“Then why did you follow me?”

When he asked with a frown, she, who was hesitating over something, scanned the surroundings.

Only after scanning repeatedly several times did she feel relieved and spoke in a cautious tone.

“Actually, I discovered a spiritual object related to the divine soul, but it is in a place where harvesting is not easy. I need someone to help.”

“Are you saying you will give me the spiritual object if I help?”

“Yes. However, your share is exactly one. Since it is a spiritual object I found in the first place, you would have no complaints, right?”

He observed her expression in detail, and she did not seem to be scamming him.

After contemplating for a moment, Jin So-myeong asked.

“What spiritual object is it?”

“I will tell you if you swear not to convey today’s conversation to anyone else for at least a year.”

“…Well, I shall do so.”

Since it was not a particularly difficult matter, once he lightly swore, her heavy mouth finally opened.

“It is a five-hundred-year-old Moonbright Grass. If you help, I will give you one petal.”

Nodding his head, he admired briefly.

The Moonbright Grass was a spiritual herb with twelve petals, and was a divine soul-related spiritual object effective even for mid Golden Cores.

‘It is not bad. But why did she seek me out of all people?’

If it was said that a petal of the Moonbright Grass would be given as reward, Golden Core merchants stepping up to help would overflow.

Just as he was doubting, her voice continued.

“Do not worry in vain. I was just looking for someone to help, and I followed after hearing your words.”

Although it was a casual tone, thanks to his sensitive senses, he did not miss her gaze sweeping past the Five Elements Sword.

‘Ah.’

Only now did he understand the situation.

Currently, the Heavenly Heavy Darkrock Sword was being absorbed by Limitless, so it was in the Secret Realm of the Mind.

Thus, he was wearing the Five Elements Sword, a Rank 2 dharma treasure, and he seemed to have been misunderstood because of this sword.

A Golden Core 1st layer rogue cultivator without even a proper offensive dharma treasure.

From the perspective of Madame Ryeo, who was at the 3rd layer of Golden Core, he was an existence she could control even if an emergency occurred.

‘Do I look that weak?’

If she knew the number of Demon Kings cut down and killed by this Five Elements Sword exceeded five, what expression would Madame Ryeo make?

He was curious, but there was no need to deliberately ruin a plan that was going well.

“How long does it take to the place where the Moonbright Grass is?”

“Taking it liberally, it will take about a fortnight.”

“Good. Please tell me concretely how I should help.”