WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: DereKimchi
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◈ Carefree Tale of Cultivation ◈
Chapter 14: The Eve
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Azure Forge Pavilion’s Third Branch Pavilion.
Martial Uncle Ha’s cave dwelling for refining and forging stood apart from the tiled houses.
Within this cave, which radiated enough heat to scorch the entire peak where Azure Forge Pavilion stood, a refining session was underway.
Ha Seung, whom Jin Hyeon called Martial Uncle Ha, stood in the depths of the cave dwelling.
Before Ha Seung was a basketball-sized hole in the ground, red flames surging through it.
Earthfire.
It was a kind of small artificial volcano that drew fire qi from a nearby vein, concentrated it, and vented it forth.
There were naturally occurring earthfires in the vast cultivation world as well, of course. But they were hard to find, and their efficiency was little different from artificial ones, so artificial earthfires like this were generally used for artifact refinement.
Sensing the heat of the earthfire, Ha Seung pointed a finger and lifted a large bronze furnace nearby.
He moved the furnace over the rising earthfire, then spread both hands.
The furnace settled into place with a heavy sound. Dozens of jars, jade boxes, and bottles poured from Ha Seung's sleeves and storage pouch.
“I’ll refine the Black Flashstone. You two, mix the auxiliary materials.”
Ha Seung took a fist-sized black stone from the most precious-looking jade box and sent it flying into the furnace.
“Yes, Master.”
“Yes, Martial Uncle Ha.”
Myeong Seokho and Jin Hyeon, who had been watching behind Ha Seung, answered respectfully.
Ha Seung nodded, then sat down with eyes closed, focusing on the Black Flashstone heating within the furnace.
As Jin Hyeon and Myeong Seokho removed assorted ores from their containers, Jin Hyeon watched Ha Seung with fascination.
Artifact refinement, the cultivation craft used to make every sort of tool in this world, including magical artifacts, spirit artifacts, and dharma treasures, was clearly different from the factory production of his previous life.
Yet it was difficult to say it resembled traditional blacksmithing or woodworking from his previous life, either.
For example, an ore such as the Black Flashstone Ha Seung was currently refining would, by the standards of Jin Hyeon’s previous life, be melted down, reshaped, or mixed with other materials to change its strength.
But artifact refinement was different.
The ore was heated inside a hot vessel, but rather than melting it, the powerful heat brought it into a state where it could be combined with other materials.
That was why Ha Seung was concentrating on the Black Flashstone before the furnace.
He was not simply melting it. He was using spiritual power to alter its state.
Naturally, methods of artifact refinement differed according to the techniques and secret arts possessed by each cultivator and faction, but this was the most common form.
It was even used to make flying vessels like the one Jin Hyeon had seen. Certain kinds of wood were often processed in this manner as well.
Of course, this was no easy task. One needed knowledge of countless materials and skill in handling them. More importantly, one needed enough spiritual power and mental strength not to make a mistake during the refining process.
Because of the mental strength required, few Qi Refining cultivators who had not opened their divine sense knew how to refine artifacts properly.
“Seokho, throw in five pieces of red-barked grayleaf wood.”
“Yes.”
At Ha Seung’s call, Seokho sprang to his feet and took several charcoal chunks from the corner of the cave dwelling.
One by one, he tossed them beneath the furnace, positioning them over the earthfire’s flames.
The moment the red-barked grayleaf wood charcoal touched the earthfire, the flames swelled as though exploding.
Jin Hyeon reflexively raised a hand to shield his eyes from the wildly dancing flames and overwhelming heat.
The flames soon calmed again under Ha Seung’s control.
But the increased heat still filled the cave dwelling.
Jin Hyeon resumed taking out pieces of ore, using various spell techniques to prepare them for use.
By now, he had assisted with refining and forging in Martial Uncle Ha’s cave dwelling several times.
Watching and experiencing the refining process of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator firsthand had greatly expanded his knowledge of artifact refinement.
According to Myeong Seokho, Ha Seung did not truly need their help during the process, given Ha Seung's realm and skill.
Ha Seung had them assist nearby out of generosity, so they could watch and experience artifact refinement.
It was only natural for Ha Seung to show such consideration to Myeong Seokho, but Jin Hyeon was deeply grateful that Ha Seung gave him the same opportunity.
Since he had taken such an interest in artifact refinement and had already begun making magical artifacts with Myeong Seokho’s help, it was invaluable experience.
Ha Seung’s refining continued for several hours.
Myeong Seokho added more red-barked grayleaf wood charcoal several times, and nearly all the ores and auxiliary materials he and Jin Hyeon had prepared were used up.
Seeing Ha Seung’s noticeably more relaxed expression, Jin Hyeon judged that the process was nearly complete.
“Good. Bring me the goldleaf tree sap.”
At Ha Seung’s instruction, Jin Hyeon handed Ha Seung the bottle Jin Hyeon had been holding.
Inside, faint leaf patterns occasionally rose above the golden liquid.
Psssh-
Ha Seung opened the furnace and drew out a dark longsword with a rough surface. Naturally, Ha Seung did not touch it directly.
Ha Seung then poured the goldleaf tree sap onto the unstable longsword, which radiated scorching heat and trembled as though it might bend at any moment.
The golden liquid flowed over the sword’s surface, moving along its hilt and blade under Ha Seung’s guidance without the slightest error. It rapidly cooled and set the sword.
Once all the sap had been used, the sword had transformed into one with a beautiful, clear surface.
Ha Seung grasped the sword and nodded in satisfaction.
Another spirit artifact had been completed.
Behind Ha Seung, Jin Hyeon looked at it with eyes full of envy and longing.
* * *
After the refining was over, outside the cave dwelling.
Having finished cleaning the cave dwelling, Jin Hyeon and Myeong Seokho headed toward the well.
Though they had used spirit artifacts to shield themselves from the heat, the cave was still hot.
“Come to think of it, Hyeon, you said you’re entering the assembly this time too, right?”
“Yes. I haven’t been in the sect long, so winning will be difficult, but I thought I’d enter for the experience.”
Myeong Seokho shook his head at Jin Hyeon’s answer.
“Come on. Can a genius who’s already reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining be so modest? And I heard you even killed a demonic cultivator recently. You should have the spirit to say, ‘I’ll knock down all my senior brothers and take first place!’”
“Hahaha...”
Jin Hyeon gave an awkward laugh.
After being attacked by the demonic cultivator last time, he had wondered whether he should tell anyone about it.
Who knew what kind of background the other party had? How could he go around telling people he had killed them?
He had only been in the sect for a few months, and he was merely a Qi Refining disciple.
What if that person turned out to be the cherished grandson of an elder from another major sect? What if Jin Hyeon unnecessarily brought the matter up to Blue Willow Sect’s martial uncles, and it became known that he was the one who killed them?
Would Blue Willow Sect truly ignore another sect’s demand to hand him over simply to protect one disciple whose cultivation was advancing a little quickly?
Of course, perhaps he had worried too much.
He had killed a demonic cultivator. He might even have been praised for it.
But he did not have a master. Who was he supposed to approach with something like this?
Still, to ease the unease in his heart, he had casually mentioned it to Myeong Seokho, the person he was closest to.
“Oh? You must’ve made some spirit stones. Treat me sometime.”
That was the only response he received, completely contrary to his expectations.
Myeong Seokho was instead baffled that Jin Hyeon was asking about it.
According to him, Jin Hyeon had been attacked on his way back from the cultivation market and killed his opponent. What was so important about it that he was considering whether to report it?
The sect did not care whether he became entangled with wandering cultivators outside or killed disciples from other sects.
As long as he handled matters quietly and did not involve the sect, the sect’s higher-ups had neither reason nor leisure to concern themselves with the actions of every single Qi Refining disciple.
Jin Hyeon felt it again.
A cultivation sect was ultimately an interest group.
It was not a gathering of people following some lofty cause or ideal. The disciples below worked for the sect in exchange for stable resources, while the higher-ups received their service so they could cultivate in comfort.
The fact that there were far more Qi Refining disciples with no master who merely worked than disciples with masters made that clear enough.
“Like I said before, we were at the same level, and I barely won because I was lucky.”
“Right, right. Are your other preparations going well? With your cultivation speed, I thought you might enter late Qi Refining by the day of the assembly. What a shame.”
What was there to regret? Did Myeong Seokho regret not getting the chance to fight him?
Jin Hyeon knew that Myeong Seokho was entering this assembly as well. Fortunately, he would be facing late Qi Refining disciples, so they would not meet.
Jin Hyeon had no desire to fight this Senior Brother, who could make and wield spirit artifacts, so he considered his own change in cultivation method a great relief.
“I’m always practicing spell techniques...”
“Senior Brother!”
Jin Hyeon’s words were cut off by a woman’s voice.
A blue leaf-shaped magical artifact flew over from the distant sky and landed before them.
A slender female cultivator jumped down from it, her flowing cloth robes fluttering around her.
“Oh, Junior Sister. Where have you been?”
“I went to greet another senior for a moment. Junior Brother Jin, you don’t mind if I borrow Senior Brother, right?”
She was not exceptionally beautiful, but her bright smile and innocent appearance gave her a comforting air.
She was Son Yu-seol, Ha Seung’s other disciple and the junior sister Myeong Seokho had mentioned.
She had spent the past few months carrying out missions outside the sect, only returning recently and becoming acquainted with Jin Hyeon.
“Of course. I’ll be going, then.”
Jin Hyeon readily agreed and said goodbye to Son Yu-seol, who wore a delighted expression as she pulled Myeong Seokho away.
Myeong Seokho gave Jin Hyeon a resentful look, appearing at a loss for what to do, but Jin Hyeon had no intention of interfering in their romance.
“Unlike some people, Junior Brother Jin is easy to talk to. Seeing as Master even lets you join the refining process, Master might have accepted you as a disciple if this weren’t a time like this.”
Leaving those words behind, Yu-seol departed with Myeong Seokho.
Jin Hyeon wondered what she meant.
Even if talk of accepting him as a disciple was merely politeness, what did she mean by a time like this? Was she referring to the assembly?
“I don’t think that’s it...”
After considering it for a moment, Jin Hyeon soon dismissed the thought. It was not important right now.
What mattered was finishing his preparations for the assembly quickly.
Son Yu-seol was also at the eighth layer of Qi Refining. She planned to participate in the assembly, and he might face her.
Jin Hyeon did not know exactly how strong she was, but considering that her Senior Brother Myeong Seokho possessed a spirit artifact, she might have received at least a high-grade magical artifact from Ha Seung.
Knowing an opponent like that was out there, he could not let his guard down.
He had already bought a large supply of low-grade talismans from Hundred Treasures Pavilion, acquired a defensive magical artifact, and learned the other spell techniques recorded in the Azure Thunder Soul-Carving Art.
Still, the surest preparation was his cultivation realm.
Not long after returning to his cave dwelling, Jin Hyeon felt the pull of the Pitch-Black Space grow stronger.
“I probably can’t reach the eighth layer of Qi Refining...”
He had already used thunder marks, leaving only three. There was no guarantee, but even if he accumulated four more this time, seven would be the most he could have.
Even so, that did not necessarily mean he was weaker than someone at the eighth layer of Qi Refining.
Though his realm remained the same, his maximum spiritual power would increase slightly.
On top of the spiritual power he had accumulated through the Minor Five Phases Art, the unusual cultivation method of the Azure Thunder Soul-Carving Art gave him greater reserves of spiritual power than cultivators at the same realm.
That was why he had been able to put up even a minimal fight against the demonic cultivator before.
Jin Hyeon comfortably sat down cross-legged.
“Either way, I should just cultivate diligently.”
He arrived in the familiar space.
* * *
The day of Blue Willow Sect’s Disciple Assembly.
A huge crowd gathered from all throughout the sect.
The changed date, along with the three high-grade magical artifacts offered as the main prizes, drew an enthusiastic response from all Qi Refining disciples, especially those in the early and middle stages.
Flying on the Silver Swallow Board, Jin Hyeon could not help but marvel at the ever-growing crowd as he approached the assembly grounds.
It was difficult to notice normally, but Blue Willow Sect truly had many people.
Only a few people out of every several hundred possessed spirit roots. Even for a major sect, it was astonishing that a single sect had so many disciples. It also meant that the world he had known until now was far larger than he had thought.
Before long, Jin Hyeon could see the arena.
It resembled the Colosseum from his previous life, a circular stadium.
The differences were that its scale was incomparably greater, and rather than constructing a building, they had leveled an entire mountain and hollowed out its center.
Jin Hyeon’s eyes gleamed as he descended into the enormous basin nestled among countless peaks.
The seven thunder marks engraved in his Soul Sea throbbed along with his emotions.
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