A Regressor's Tale of Cultivation
C795 Chapter 791: Primordial Chaos (1)
Chapter 791: Primordial Chaos (1)
Chwaaaaa—
The textures and weaves of countless nets come into my eyes.
I see and feel the grains of innumerable nets and think,
'Amazing.'
Though I don't know how, Yang Su-jin somehow weaved the net itself and applied it to the seal.
'He manipulated the net through Heavenly Tribulation.'
I cannot even get a sense of how.
Even I can only barely hang onto the very edge of the principle that forms the net, and can do no more than faintly disturb the power of that principle.
'This is a True Immortal...!'
If one is a True Immortal, can one just freely manipulate rules themselves like this?
Marveling at Yang Su-jin's immense abilities, I go around Ascension Path and pick apart the power of the seal that blankets the entirety of Ascension Path.
Back when I was only at the Qi Refining and Qi Building levels, even looking around Ascension Path took ages...
But now that I have reached the early Nascent Soul stage of Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, I can circle Ascension Path in half a day.
Because I look around faster than I expect, I use the Earth Escape Technique to peer down beneath the ground.
Before, I only looked around the surface of Ascension Path, or I looked up from below Ascension Path from the Heaven-Treading Desert. But now, I can survey the Sky Island's 'underside' using the Earth Escape Technique.
Tudududududu!
Moving under the soil through the Earth Escape Technique and circling once around the lower part of Ascension Path, I come to know something about the overall structure of Ascension Path.
It is something I uncover for the first time through my 16 regressions.
'Ascension Path is like...the shape of a brazier.'
A three-legged brazier shape.
That is Ascension Path.
'Is Yang Su-jin's Ascension Gate the lid's handle part of the brazier...?'
Thinking about it, that's right.
'The Black Castle.'
Yang Su-jin's Black Castle was originally under the Ascension Gate, and, torn away by 'something', only the bottom part remains with Ascension Path.
The upper part fell away to the Heaven-Treading Desert and became the Black Castle.
'If Ascension Path really is some kind of brazier, then the Black Castle itself is the lid's handle.'
"Hmm..."
After I circle Ascension Path once and then spend about seven days and nights observing the seals even more, I go again to the upper side of Ascension Path.
I head to where the bottom portion of the Black Castle remains.
The base part is in the northwest direction of Ascension Path, and farther northwest is where the Black Fortress is located in the Treading Heaven Desert.
I sit on the very northwestern edge of Ascension Path and think,
'The sealing art cast on Ascension Path is too high-level.'
There is nothing I can even poke or prod with the divine power of Cutting Principle.
'I cannot undo this seal as I am now.'
No matter how much I cultivate Cutting Principle, it's the same.
'Rather, finding a proper method to interfere with the seal will be faster...and...'
With a very high probability, the method to interfere with the seal likely remains in the Black Castle.
Wo-woong!
I unfold the Flying Escape Technique and fly toward where the Black Castle is.
Hwoooong!
In the distance I faintly sense the familiar Black Castle and the puke-inducing smell of blood.
Much of it is washed away by the desert's sandstorms, and before I ascended, I entrusted the vengeful souls to Seo Ran and Song Jin, so much is diluted, but...
It is still a disgusting smell.
Step—
Landing atop Yuan Li's Black Castle, I head instead.
'As expected, Seo Ran and Song Jin only took the vengeful spirits and cultivation resources, leaving things like old books or jade slips behind.'
If it's something in Yuan Li's fortress castle, it's either an ancient secret record or a manual of devilish arts.
But Song Jin is the librarian of the Black Ghost Valley's library with hundreds of thousands of years of history.
In Song Jin's eyes, they are no different from junk not worth the trouble to take, so they were left behind.
In Yuan Li's library within the Black Castle, I rapidly read through the books and jade slips he left.
Sure enough, there are several secret records hidden regarding Ascension Path.
"Sta-, Star Shattering stage cultivator...?"
While investigating the secrets about Ascension Path, Yuan Li, and the Black Castle, I read the history of a clan called the Yuan Clan and come to know an unexpected fact.
Yuan Li was the sole descendant of the 'Yuan Clan' that was exterminated by a great clan called the 'Jo Clan'.
Of course, I already know the Jo Clan is the lineage the Mad Lord came from, so it is not surprising.
But what is even more shocking is about the being called the progenitor of the Yuan Clan.
"One of the Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones from the Blood Yin Realm who descended from the Upper Realm...tore off the Black Castle, and, by coupling with the clan that originally managed Yang Su-jin's shrine that is the Black Castle...gave birth to the Yuan Clan...?"
Yuan Li and the Yuan Clan seemed to have regarded that Star Shattering stage Esteemed One from the Blood Yin Realm as their de facto progenitor.
"So...is that why he raised such chaos to return to his homeland, the Blood Yin Realm?"
In a way, the origin of the Heaven-Treading Desert massacre started from that Star Shattering stage Esteemed One.
'Why on earth did an Esteemed One of the Upper Realm descend to the Head Realm?'
What on earth exists in this Head Realm?
Above all, if it's a Star Shattering stage Esteemed One, there should be some traces, but they left no trace behind, and I have never sensed their existence throughout all the regressions until now.
Perhaps...
Somewhere in this Head Realm, that Star Shattering Esteemed One might still be alive.
It is a very frightening thought.
Gulping, I read the secret records about the Yuan Clan, and then go further back than the Yuan Clan.
I read the records of the lineage that managed Yang Su-jin's shrine.
And suddenly, while reading the record book, I realize something.
"Central Spirit Holy Kingdom...?"
A familiar word appears.
I remember reading it long ago in the royal library of Shengzi.
'Long ago, the place where the Treading Heaven Desert is located was not a desert, but a very prosperous and abundant land. In that land there existed a tremendous empire that dominated the whole continent of the Head Realm in that era... That country was called the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom.'
But after the era of Yang Su-jin, that Central Spirit Holy Kingdom seemed to have gradually declined.
I am able to find the reason for it in the record book of the lineage that managed the shrine, kept by the Yuan Clan.
"Just before the progenitor ascended. That one destroyed the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom."
—According to the records, the progenitor called the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom a country of evil people that took as its state religion a wicked cult that believes in a snake.
—That person gathered all the dragon veins of the Central Spirit Holy Palace, robbed the vitality of the land where the cultists of the wicked Holy Kingdom lived, and sealed it into the land of the shrine that establishes that person's accomplishments.
—Thus, by that one's feats, under the Ascension Gate, the land of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect where that one's shrine was built took its place in the heavens as a Sky Island.
—It is called the Flying Ascension Island, and by placing the main hall of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect here, it facilitated the taking of tolls from those who seek to ascend, allowing the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to establish itself as a top sect that remains through all ages—how is this not the grace of the progenitor!?
"..."
In summary, using religion as the reason, Yang Su-jin plundered all the dragon veins of a perfectly thriving nation and made one island.
He made it into the Ascension Path that floats in the sky.
'Because Yang Su-jin robbed the dragon veins, the area where the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom was located turned entirely into the Heaven-Treading Desert...'
Afterwards, the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom did not completely perish, and they struggled by any means to restore the dragon veins in the land that became a desert, but even that was utterly cut off and destroyed by the Star Shattering stage Esteemed One who descended from the Upper Realm forty thousand years ago.
'Did he have a grudge against the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom? Even so...under the pretext of believing in one religion, to wipe out an entire country...'
I glance at a book on Yuan Li's library shelf titled [Great Famine of a Destroyed Nation] and sigh.
Skimming it with consciousness, it is a book that details how many people, after the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom's fall, suffered famine and died because the dragon veins suddenly disappeared.
Truly, the more I hear of Yang Su-jin's deeds, the more I doubt whether this person is really a human.
'Is this truly not the conduct of one who does not regard people as people? This is...'
It is cruelty that could only come from regarding humans as something other than human.
Clicking my tongue at Yang Su-jin's outrageous conduct, I close the books.
"At least I found a lead..."
The caretakers of the shrine only knew that Yang Su-jin simply gathered the dragon veins of the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom into one and made Ascension Path, but they did not know 'what' was sealed.
But what is clear is that the dragons of the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom were gathered, the nation was destroyed, and something was sealed.
'It's too strange to say it is merely to support the Ascension Gate.'
Why was it the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom of all places?
Could it not have been Byeokra, Shengzi, Yanguo, the Great Northern Grasslands, or perhaps the Eastern Tribal States?
'There is something in the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom.'
"Hong Fan. I have a favor to ask."
At my words, Hong Fan appears behind me in an instant and bows his head.
The gigantic centipede politely opens his mouth.
"Please give the command."
"Gather materials concerning the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom."
Since his work sense is in any case better than mine, he will gather information faster than if I go around myself.
In addition, if I needlessly stir up the Head Realm as I go around, the chances of meeting old connections will be high.
At least now, while I cultivate the Star Extinguishing True Chapter, I do not want to meet old connections.
"Understood. Then...may I first advance to the Nascent Soul stage and then receive the command?"
"Of course."
Hong Fan cautiously asks me whether he may reach the Nascent Soul stage, and I nod.
Over the past few days, as I went around inspecting the seal on Ascension Path that Yang Su-jin set up, the gloom of having my realm caught up to by Hong Fan also eased a little.
Perhaps, regardless of realm, the act of exploring something mysterious itself blew away such a Heart Demon.
"To confess honestly...I was a little depressed that I can't keep up with your realm rising. I suppose...it is fair to say I felt a little jealous."
"Is that so?"
"No, perhaps besides being jealous of you...I was also a little afraid. The curse of Heavenly Punishment upon me...began from a True Immortal. Even now, frankly, I have such thoughts that you might be a True Immortal toying with me...and I am a little afraid."
"..."
"But...as I went around Ascension Path and washed away stray thoughts, I could find my original intention again."
I smile toward Hong Fan.
"Even if you are toying with me, so what? Even if you are such a vast existence that I cannot possibly oppose you and you are toying with my entire life...I decided to think of you as a friend."
At my words, Hong Fan's eyes become something unreadable.
"If I...truly am a wicked existence that toys with you, Master, then what are you going to do?"
"If you are such an existence, I absolutely cannot resist. Then is it not meaningless to discuss it?"
"I cannot...understand. Like the True Immortal of Heavenly Punishment who made Master's body like that, if I give Master an indelible wound, what are you intending to do?"
"That is a matter for that time. Right now, you are helping me, are you not?"
"That...is true."
"For what intention you help me, I do not know. But right now, you claim yourself as my subordinate and stand as my comrade. In that case, I treat you as a friend."
"Then, if I later betray and toy with Master, what will you do?"
"Hahaha, what use is there in talking about something that has not happen. I can think about it when the time comes."
"...You are a little irresponsible."
Hong Fan twitches his antennae, as if something about my attitude bothers him.
"Do you mean even when hope that comes in the future is to turn into despair, you will just let go?"
"I am not letting go. I am being faithful to the present."
"...Is that not ultimately an attitude that there is no tomorrow?"
"Is there any need to abandon the friend of now for the fear of tomorrow?"
"That is sophistry. Be prepared. What does Master know about me. That kind of complacency that does not prepare for tomorrow, that does not think of the future, is what brings misfortune. It is what dulls hope!"
Is it that something about my attitude is unpleasant?
Hong Fan raises his antennae stiffly, seeming to show irritation.
"Fine. Then since it is your sincere advice, I will prepare."
"...Do you truly understand my words, or are you just pretending to listen to me?"
"I am not pretending to listen to you. My friend is now earnestly offering sincere advice, so I am accepting it as well."
"..."
As if something does not sit right with him.
Letting out a vaguely unpleasant intent, he stares at me for a moment.
But in the end, he sighs and nods.
"Anyway, Master is saying that from now on, you will not be seized by Heart Demons, and you will not care whether I raise my realm or not? Understood. As for Master's thoughts, as one lives, there is plenty of room to change. Then, starting today I will earnestly raise my realm and assist Master."
Having finished speaking, he goes out of the archives, and I, seeing such a Hong Fan, think of something.
'He is very negative about not thinking of the future...'
Considering that countless insects live only for this one day, Hong Fan is a very alien centipede.
'Well, since memories of his previous life are coming to mind, it is only natural...'
Anyway, the important part was ultimately the words, 'I choose to trust Hong Fan'.
But seeing that at the word 'future', his mood was scratched and he showed an unpleasant tone, it seems he has some bad memory about 'not preparing for the future'.
'Perhaps...in this life, as I investigate Ascension Path, I should also try to learn about Hong Fan.'
In this life, just the two of us, Hong Fan and I, will have to be together for hundreds of years.
In the meantime, it would be good to learn about his previous life and his true intent.
Thus, the next day arrives.
Hong Fan immediately challenges the Nascent Soul stage advancement, and with the Three Spirits Art he raises all three bodies to the Nascent Soul stage.
Until now, it seems he deliberately held himself back, reading the mood because his master was depressed.
Clack, clack...
Entering the Nascent Soul stage and finishing his molting, Hong Fan succeeds in Transformation and comes to obtain a human body.
"Ohhh, Hong Fan...is that your Transformation form?"
"Mmm..."
Hong Fan's first Transformation form is the appearance of a robust middle-aged man.
His hair is black mixed with a few gray strands, and his body is that of a middle-aged man so robust that he stands at least a head taller than me.
At the same time, the black robe he condenses by exuding poison energy makes him look like an Emperor.
"Yes. Since a great many memories of my previous life returned, it seems the Transformation form was determined by the appearance of my past life."
In his voice there is an overbearing aura, seeming to have a wondrous power that naturally makes the listener look up to him.
'Sure enough, he really was a True Immortal in his previous life.'
If, with just a Transformation form at the early Nascent Soul level, he carries such dignity and imposing majesty, then surely in his previous life he was a True Immortal.
With such an imposing bearing that just looking makes one naturally want to bow and prostrate, I almost prostrate before him without realizing it.
But before that happens, Hong Fan goes down on one knee before me and bows his head.
"I speak again, but my fate is to attend and assist at Master's side so that you walk the right path. Under the heavens, I pledge loyalty to thee...so please treat me as before, no matter what my realm is. Under these heavens, I swear that I will care for you with utmost sincerity and devotion."
"...Thank you."
I accept once more the vow of loyalty that Hong Fan offers and reach out my hand as I raise him up.
"As long as you stay by my side, I will treat you as a friend. Barring anomalies, until this life ends...I will trust you."
"...Thank you."
At my words, Hong Fan wears a faint smile, and naturally takes the hand I extend for a handshake.
Though I have not taught him a handshake, it seems he does it by intuition.
Thus, after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Hong Fan begins to move in earnest for my sake.
Through the Three Spirits Art, Hong Fan brings even the external clones all to the Nascent Soul stage.
Then he stations two of the three clones he made with the Three Spirits Art in other places, and keeps only himself, the main body, and one body at my side to attend me.
"First, I will leave one Three Spirits Art clone for the purpose Master mentioned, to travel all over the Head Realm and collect information."
"Oho, good. Of course you will handle it well on your own, but...what about the rest...? What do you plan to do? Would it not be better to invest the rest in information gathering as well?"
"I will send the other clone up to the Upper Realm. Through the clone raised to the Upper Realm, I judged it better to gather the trends and information of the Upper Realm to find even one method to undo Master's curse, or to find a way to slow the progress of Master's curse, or to find such an elixir or artifact."
"Hoh, good."
Following Hong Fan's counsel, I did come to the Head Realm where the Heavenly Punishment curse progresses more slowly, but I am also curious about the situation of the Bright Cold Realm, so it is welcome news.
"For the last clone, I will leave it by my side for now so that, should Master need it, I can trigger its cultivation to help. Is this acceptable?"
"Hm, I see. Thank you for the consideration. Then I leave it to you."
"I will not disappoint Master."
From that day, after I said I will not worry and will trust him, he displays his skill without reserve.
The clone chosen to sent up to the Upper Realm reaches the Heavenly Being stage in three days and he has it ascend, and the clone to gather information in the Head Realm learns within three days a method called the 'Blood Insect Demon-Devil Great Method' which Hong Fan says he once obtained in his past life, transforming its whole body into tens of thousands of tiny insects and departs the Heaven-Treading Desert.
Since those countless insects, once they accumulate sufficient energy, can divide as much as desired and can also parasitize the desired target, it seems to be an art optimized for information gathering.
Thus, seven days and nights after Hong Fan departs to gather information.
He quickly compiles high-quality information and hands it to me.
"Information on the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom..."
It is excellent.
I acquired considerable knowledge from the royal library