Translator: TranslatingNovice

Editors: Z0Rel, BlueMangoAde

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Chapter 846: Side Story - Path of Immortal Cultivation (1)

Hwioooooo—

In the chaos where countless Vairambha Wind blows in.

Makli Hyun-ah rubs his eyes and gets up.

"Uuugh...this place is...?"

"Outside the Vast Cold Realm, a space within chaos. While we were stopping the self-destruction of the Vast Cold Realm Overseer Factory, a hole opened in the dimensional veil, so we ended up falling through. Hehe...I hear that if we reach the 'outside' of the Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand World where we live, we will reach a sea of chaos where everything is twisted. We are probably drifting through that space within chaos."

"Ah, Daoist Makli Hweol...?"

For a moment, Makli Hyun-ah thinks, 'Why is Makli Hweol here?'

'When we stopped the self-destruction, there was definitely only me and Ahn Geum...'

☯

'Right. The three of us stopped the self-destruction. Daoist Makli Hweol supported me from behind.'

"Thank you for earlier, Daoist Makli Hweol... If this is within chaos..."

"Yes, Miss Ahn Geum is currently having us ride the Nether Crossing Ship while drifting through chaos."

"By the way...how do we go back? I don't know what this chaos or whatever is, but is there even a way to return?"

"Hoho...who knows. Since chaos is a place where time and space and everywhere is all jumbled up, it seems it might be hard to return easily."

"Kkuung..."

Makli Hyun-ah clutches his head and gets up from his seat.

The familiar sight of the Nether Crossing Ship comes into view.

"Are you up?"

And to the standing Makli Hyun-ah, Ahn Geum suddenly approaches and hands something over.

"Uh, this is?"

"Acceptance at Fate's End Axis. Unlike us Immortal Family cultivators, you Hundred Schools cultivators don't have the soul undergo Axis Transformation at the Heavenly Being stage, so when you gather the Five Elements or the Five Blessings Axes, you have to gather all five. Originally I was going to gather them with you in the Vast Cold Realm while spending time, but luckily, the gratitude of the spirits you saved resonated with the will of the Vast Cold Realm, so you could obtain the Acceptance at Fate's End Axis right away."

"Oho...! That's totally lucky, isn't it?"

"Simple-minded. The Acceptance at Fate's End Axis is originally the easiest axis to obtain. The real problem starts now..."

Ahn Geum lets out a sigh and continues.

"From here on, the axes we have to gather are the Longevity Axis, the Wealth Axis, the Health Axis, and the Love of Virtue Axis. Among them, the Wealth Axis is something we can pick up like taking a walk if we stop by the Manas Domain of the Purple Gold Realm with your master, Sacred Master Ban Ta, so it practically has no difficulty. Then the axes we have to gather are the Longevity Axis, the Health Axis, and the Love of Virtue Axis. Among them, the Health Axis and the Love of Virtue Axis are pretty doable. The True Devil Realm, where you can obtain the Love of Virtue Axis, fears the Human Race, so you can travel around with a pretty big advantage, and the Ancient Force Realm, where you can obtain the Health Axis, is a closed-off place, so outside divine spirits do not intervene. As long as your own ability is outstanding and you do not violate the Sacred Master's taboos, there is no problem. But..."

Ahn Geum lets out a deep sigh and continues.

"The Nether Ghost Realm, where we have to obtain the Longevity Axis...is a place ruled by two groups: the Wheel Imperial Venerable Religious Order that serves the God of the Afterlife and the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order that serves the starry sky we know well. The Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order does not exist. In other words, in the Nether Ghost Realm, my status does not work at all, and instead, only my status as a traitor of the Black Ghost Valley will stand out... We will just get chased by the main sect of the Black Ghost Valley in the Nether Ghost Realm."

"Mm, then isn't it enough to stack up the Health Axis, the Love of Virtue Axis, and the Wealth Axis, and then at the end go and quickly stack up the Longevity Axis and come right out?"

At Makli Hyun-ah's nonchalant question, she clicks her tongue and speaks.

"That was the original plan. But because we slipped out into the sea of chaos, to get out of this place we have to use another world outside as a coordinate with a powerful medium. And...the most powerful medium we have is the Nether Crossing Ship, and the Nether Crossing Ship is a divine artifact of the Black Ghost Valley, so it's heading to the Nether Ghost Realm where the main sect of the Black Ghost Valley is."

She sighs.

"Of course, the sea of chaos has time and distance all jumbled up...so even if we keep advancing toward the coordinates, we don't know when we will arrive. We might arrive right away, or we might not arrive even after ten billion years pass."

"Huaaak! Isn't this a big problem!?"

"...Don't worry. If we still can't arrive even after ten thousand years, as a last resort we can use the last remaining True Immortal summoning right..."

Ahn Geum grinds her teeth, as if it pains her to death to spend it.

Makli Hyun-ah reads the mood and quietly apologizes.

"Um...sorry. Because of me for no reason...we ended up evacuating to a place like this."

"...It's fine. We also got plenty of spoils."

When Ahn Geum opens her alternate space, the Star Shattering stage marquis puppets walk out from inside, and they spread out on top of the Nether Crossing Ship the major facilities they ripped off from the Overseer Factory while fleeing.

"Puppet manufacturing equipment. You know what I mean, right?"

Makli Hyun-ah thinks for a moment, then his eyes light up.

"Ah!"

That's right.

Puppets are an opponent that boasts the worst matchup for the Confucian Family Method.

Even if one suppresses mystery with the Confucian Family Method, they are mechanical devices that run well as long as they only change the power unit.

But that also means...

Conversely, if the subject handling those puppets is Makli Hyun-ah, the Confucian Family Method's weakness disappears.

'If I suppress Heaven and Earth spiritual energy with the Confucian Family Method, and in the meantime have the puppets deal with the enemy...?'

In theory, it is no different from being invincible.

"So from now on, you're saying I should complement my Confucian Family Method with the puppets, right?"

"That's also true, but have the puppets modify my Nether Crossing Ship. Since you and I have to travel together anyway, and if we go to the Nether Ghost Realm, being chased is going to be the everyday life, we should prepare in advance."

"Hehe, of course. Hey, you guys! So..."

While Makli Hyun-ah thinks about how he should give orders to the puppets, Makli Hweol speaks.

"As for where to install the puppet facilities, I have a bit of knowledge, so if you leave it to me, I will modify the Nether Crossing Ship together with the puppets."

"Ah, then please, Daoist Makli Hweol."

"Hoho..."

Makli Hweol goes down to the underside of the Nether Crossing Ship with the puppets and the factory facilities, and Makli Hyun-ah is excited at the thought of perfectly overcoming the weakness of the Confucian Family Method.

"Don't get cocky already, refine the Acceptance at Fate's End Axis first."

But unlike Makli Hyun-ah, Ahn Geum's face is only heavy.

"...Haahh...the main sect of the Black Ghost Valley."

To escape the sea of chaos, they are moving forward to the Nether Ghost Realm as the coordinate through the Nether Crossing Ship.

But to be honest, her wish is that they do not arrive at the Nether Ghost Realm at all.

'Will Master be there...?'

With high probability, her master, Gongmyo Min-hee, is in the Nether Ghost Realm.

If so, she is likely to meet her in the Nether Ghost Realm.

It is awkward beyond measure.

If it is up to her, she only wants the Nether Crossing Ship not to arrive at the Nether Ghost Realm.

'Haa...'

It is when Ahn Geum is worrying.

Kwaaang!

Suddenly, there is a sound of something colliding with the prow of the Nether Crossing Ship.

"What is it?"

Ahn Geum quickly heads to the front of the Nether Crossing Ship,

And she is shocked to the point of goosebumps.

Some ‘woman’ is clutching the bow of the Nether Crossing Ship, crawling up to the deck.

"...! Who are you!? If you do not reveal your identity, you cannot come in!"

Kwa-chijijik!

Ahn Geum quickly activates the barrier of the Nether Crossing Ship, but the woman passes through as if such a barrier does not exist, and finally crawls up onto the deck of the Nether Crossing Ship.

"Makli Hyun-ah!"

Ahn Geum slips behind Makli Hyun-ah, Makli Hyun-ah uses all his strength to designate the range and activate the Confucian Family Method, and Ahn Geum shoots curses at the woman from outside the Confucian Family Method's range.

But she pays no heed at all to either the Confucian Family Method or the curses, and slowly approaches Ahn Geum and Makli Hyun-ah.

Makli Hyun-ah is terrified by this bizarre situation, and Ahn Geum, as if she finally notices something, quickly makes Makli Hyun-ah kneel and then kneels before the woman as well.

"...O Great One. Due to a certain matter, we came out to the Outer Sea from the Vast Cold Realm, and we are on our way to the Nether Ghost Realm using the Nether Crossing Ship as a medium. Please forgive us for daring to not recognize thee."

"Ah, Ahn Geum?"

"Shh...keep your head down! That being is...a True Immortal."

At those words, shivers rise over Makli Hyun-ah's entire body, and he can only feel the bizarre woman who crawls up from the sea of chaos approaching in front of them, making wet splattering sounds.

Because the presence of that bizarre woman is so terrifying, Makli Hyun-ah squeezes his eyes shut and calls Ban Ta inwardly.

'Master, Master Ban Ta, we're not in danger, right!? Even if we die by a True Immortal's hand, you can pull us out...right?'

It is then,

"...Ban...Ta?"

As if she reads Makli Hyun-ah's inner thoughts at once, the woman seems to look down at him for a moment, then questions Makli Hyun-ah.

"You are...Sacred Master Ban Ta's...disciple...?"

"Heok...! Yes...! My master is Sacred Master Ban Ta! Do you happen to know him!?"

Thinking that this unknown True Immortal knows Ban Ta, Makli Hyun-ah speaks to the woman with a bright face.

And the woman raises Makli Hyun-ah to his feet and flicks off something stuck to his body.

Chwarak, chwak!

As if she is brushing off the chaos itself from the Outer Sea, what she brushes off returns directly to the outside of the Nether Crossing Ship's barrier, back into the chaos of the Outer Sea.

Only then, when Makli Hyun-ah sees the woman's face, his face flushes for a moment.

She is not on the level of Ji Hwa or Ban Ta, but she has an appearance beautiful enough to make his heart pound for a moment.

"My name is Ju Soo Ryeon. Before I became a True Immortal, I once received help from Ban Ta. Seeing that connection guided you to me, it seems it is time to repay that favor."

Thump, thump...!

Hearing the True Immortal's true name, Makli Hyun-ah breaks into a cold sweat with the feeling that his heart is being stopped.

It seems the True Immortal called Ju Soo Ryeon is showing consideration for him as he does not die on the spot the moment he hears the name, but that name is far too heavy for Makli Hyun-ah.

"You are...a cultivator of the Naming Family Method, which is why you seem to feel a little weighed down when you hear my name. When I part with you, I will properly make you forget my name. Do not feel too burdened."

Ju Soo Ryeon strokes Makli Hyun-ah, and also helps Ahn Geum to her feet.

"Child who learned the Ghost Path Method and divination. Long ago, after I received Ban Ta's favor, I received a prophecy that if I meet his connection when I enter this chaos, I will repay that kindness to him. Divine and calculate whether Ban Ta is in a situation of danger right now."

"P-Pardon...? However, True Immortal, in this sea of chaos, I cannot read any celestial energy..."

"I will add strength to your authority. I am a Ghost Immortal who walks the Ghost Path, so it is more than possible."

At those words, Ahn Geum's face turns a little pale, but she nods for now.

"...Understood. Then..."

And Makli Hyun-ah puts on a slightly serious face and asks her.

"E-Excuse me, Lord True Immortal...what do you mean by my master being in danger?"

"Exactly as it sounds. The fact that I, who received your master's favor, met a person who has a connection to him in this sea of chaos itself means danger has come upon your master. Therefore, I can repay your master's favor now. But do not worry. Whatever danger comes...I can more than block it. Come here. If this child calculates the danger that comes upon your master, I will use you as a medium and lend authority to him..."

At her words, Makli Hyun-ah cannot help but walk toward her as if bewitched.

***

Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

In front of the Purple Gold Realm.

There, Ban Ta sees a pure-white peacock rising up inside an enormous Taiji.

The peacock, so huge it seems to cover the universe, lets out a snort like a bird's cry and opens its beak toward Ban Ta.

: : Normally, I should have resurrected before beautiful love and the fruit of yin and yang, but the fact that you are before me means that the fruit of yin and yang was again connected to your disciple, so you hurriedly took action. It has been a long time, Ban Ta. : :

"Glass Peacock...Ignorant One...! You tried once again to steal my disciple."

Ban Ta grinds his teeth and growls at the Glass Peacock.

Glass Peacock speaks to Ban Ta in a languid voice.

: : I have already said it, but taking your disciples was nothing but a coincidence. What can I do when you dress up your disciples so well in ideology, in conviction, and in appearance. Every single one is attractive, so after taking them, violating them in my embrace, I have no choice but to forcibly drag them past the Sacred Vessel stage and all the way up to the Entering Nirvana stage.: :

"This dog bastard... If you knew in the middle that they are my disciples, couldn't you have let them go!? I'm saying, couldn't you have released them at the Sacred Vessel stage!?"

: : In fierce intercourse, how can there be a middle? It is proper to finish it at the Entering Nirvana stage, right before death. Above all... : :

Glass Peacock speaks to Ban Ta in a voice that sounds like mocking.

: : Being stuck in that place is, no matter how one looks at it, because of your own desire, is it not? Truly, you are a Daoist who cannot ascend because of a golden cushion.: :

"A golden cushion...? Don't make me laugh. I can hope for that much, can't I? Forty billion years. It has been forty billion years. Even after forty billion years, are you saying I still cannot leave this Purple Gold Realm!?"

: : Is it not simply your Ātmagrāha? When you had been a Sacred Master for twenty billion years, you could have seized the Seat of Wealth and become the Wealth Heavenly Lord. But you endured in that seat for another twenty billion years until I awakened. One can only say it is because of your own stubbornness. : :

Glass Peacock looks at Ban Ta seriously and speaks.

: : I insult you only because I want you to accept that insult and break your own frame and improve...yet you do not break that frame at all, and instead keep it even more firmly. : :

"..."

: : One full of desire. I know your vow is lofty, but it is excessive. Do you think countless others stepped on the stairs of cultivation in proper order because they do not know a method like yours? : :

"...I only want to break free."

: : Foolish. Do not try to fly while crawling, practice walking first. : :

"I've crawled my whole life. Even with crawling alone, I am faster than those who run, so how can it be that I cannot fly at once!?"

: : It seems words are not enough. : :

Glass Peacock smiles faintly and begins to swell their body.

: : This shall be amusing. In celebration of resurrecting after twenty billion years, it will be fun to copulate with you as well. I will bring down the Purple Gold Realm entirely. I will smash everything you cling to. You already cannot control your own desire, so I will forcibly make you fall... : :

When Glass Peacock flaps their wings, the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain shakes.

As Ban Ta faces the strange law of yin and yang Glass Peacock possesses, he feels an intense desire to become one with Glass Peacock.

But Ban Ta endures Glass Peacock's temptation with willpower and, with difficulty, forces out words.

"...I cannot do that. I will carry my Dao through, I cannot let innocent living beings die..."

: : Foolish! Look at your Purple Gold Realm! Your tears of blood have become a black sea and filled the body of the Purple Gold Heavenly Lord to the brim. Before long, the entire world will sink into your pain and all living beings will go extinct. Sooner or later, the living beings of the Purple Gold Realm will be destroyed, so cut off your attachment! : :

Kuooooo!

"...Kuuugh...if only not for the sleep period..."

Ban Ta grits his teeth and even brings out the Three Great Ultimates to resist Glass Peacock's light, but Ban Ta's body gradually becomes engulfed by that light and falls into lust and desire.

"Ah, no..."

Ban Ta grits his teeth.

To break free from Glass Peacock, there are two ways.

The first is to pull in the Seat of the Purple Gold Heavenly Lord that he has compressed and stored in the Manas Domain.

If he does so, he can push Glass Peacock back, but Ban Ta's painstakingly built tower of twenty billion years will collapse.

The second is to draw in his own power that is in Araya Domain, but likewise, that too will collapse the painstakingly built tower.

But if he chooses neither, the Purple Gold Realm will perish, and Ban Ta will become Glass Peacock's Immortal Treasure, bound to have his mind melt for a span close to ten million years.

'If only...if only not for the sleep period...!'

Ban Ta trembles as he laments, but he feels agonizing conflict between stopping Glass Peacock and collapsing his painstakingly built tower.

It is then,

"...!"

Ban Ta suddenly feels a familiar aura.

"...! You're...!"

A familiar power he feels through his disciple, Makli Hyun-ah.

Someone who, long ago, after ascending to the Purple Gold Realm, received his favor a few times and safely advanced all the way to True Immortality.

If even the memories of the previous life are included, a being whom even Ban Ta and Glass Peacock must treat with honor is attempting to connect to Ban Ta.

Ban Ta smiles and calls the name of an old connection from long ago.

"Long time no see, Ju Soo Ryeon. Are you trying to help?"

: : It has been a while, Teacher Ban Ta. Honestly, like the Ignorant One says, I also think your vow is certainly excessive, but I am still rooting for you. And I also have a debt from the favor I received before so...I will help you. : :

Ju Soo Ryeon links with Ban Ta.

Glass Peacock also seems to notice the sign and lets out a snort.

: : Foolish. Even if you were a Judge in your previous life, in this life have you not only recovered up to Upper Immortal? And you are not even a Heaven Immortal. As a fellow Earth Immortal, by what method do you think you can resist me, who is close to an Immortal Beast King? Moreover, with not even with your main body but only by supporting power? Ahahaha, the taste of doing it simultaneously with the former Judge and Ban Ta. I like it even better! : :

And in the distant Outer Sea, Ju Soo Ryeon smiles.

: : You call me a fellow Earth Immortal, yet why do you forget our greatest authority? : :

: : What? : :

: : I will lend it to you, Teacher Ban Ta. Receive it well. : :

Hwaruk, huarurururuk!

On both of Ban Ta's shoulders, enormous flames begin to surge upward.

: : Oho... : :

Glass Peacock's eyes gleam.

True Immortals are divided into three types: Flower Immortal, Earth Immortal, and Heaven Immortal.

And each immortal has its own characteristic, and they are exactly like so:

Flower Immortals are clouds.

Heaven Immortals are winged garments.

Earth Immortals are flame emblems.

The flame emblem that great Immortal Beasts possess surges over Ban Ta's shoulders and combines the authority of countless histories.

And Glass Peacock also snorts and, from their shoulder blades, raises a flame emblem.

: : Have you forgotten that I too am an Immortal Beast? : :

Kurururu!

But in the next moment,

Ban Ta's flame emblem wavers and begins to turn black, and Glass Peacock's gaze changes.

Immortal Beast authority.

History Projection.

Ju Soo Ryeon's laughter echoes out.

: : Have you forgotten that in my previous life I died to [someone], and from the moment I became an Earth Immortal and remembered my previous life, [what] I have become able to project? : :

Immediately after, Glass Peacock withdraws all the lust and desire draped over their eyes, turns completely serious, withdraws light and flame emblem, turns their back to Ban Ta's black flame emblem, and begins to flee madly.

Borrowing Ban Ta's body, Ju Soo Ryeon begins to project into reality, as a history projection, the terrifying vicious technique that killed her in her previous life.

Shwirik, shwiririririk!

Something black begins to spin around Ban Ta.