WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: DereKimchi

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Carefree Tale of Cultivation ◈

Chapter 19: The First Master

──────

“...”

I won.

Jin Hyeon stared blankly at Son Yu-seol, who had collapsed after being struck by thunder qi.

It was not that winning itself surprised him...

“Congratulations. Honestly, it was not an outcome I expected.”

Just as Jin Hyeon narrowed one eye and moved toward Son Yu-seol, a familiar voice came from above the dueling platform.

“Martial Uncle Ha.”

Jin Hyeon immediately turned and greeted Ha Seung, who had already descended from the viewing stands to the platform.

The elderly referee standing beside the platform also bowed respectfully upon seeing him.

‘Why did Martial Uncle Ha suddenly come down?’

Jin Hyeon collected himself when he saw Ha Seung's gaze linger briefly on Son Yu-seol, who was still tangled in the remains of the black snake.

“Ah, Martial Uncle Ha. I may have gone a little too far at the end...”

“Enough. Do I look so small-minded that I would berate you for defeating my disciple in a match between disciples? You won. In the cultivation world, victory alone is never enough, so do not concern yourself with such trivial matters.”

Waving a hand dismissively, Ha Seung approached Son Yu-seol and flicked a small medicinal pill into her mouth with his left hand.

“Cough! Ugh, I still can't use the Mind-Confounding Eye Art properly... Huh? Master!”

Astonishingly, Son Yu-seol, who had been unconscious and unable to shake off the thunder qi until moments ago, swallowed the pill and immediately began recovering her spiritual power at a rapid pace.

Ha Seung lightly tapped her forehead with a finger, then swiftly pulled her from the coils of the recently slain snake.

He stroked his chin as he looked at the Black Serpent's corpse, enlarged by the power of the Savage Blood Art.

“I do not know what secret art you used on this spirit beast, but its power is not bad. This fellow's scales look quite useful. Would it be all right if I took them for research?”

Jin Hyeon nodded.

He could make some profit by handling, selling, or using them himself, but he did not have the nerve to refuse a Foundation Establishment martial uncle's request to his face.

Even if that martial uncle was the good-natured Martial Uncle Ha.

“Thank you. I intend to use some of them for your magical artifact anyway, so do not think you are only losing out. Now, follow me. The sect elder wishes to see you.”

With a faint smile, Ha Seung's scholar-like robes fluttered as he withdrew a storage pouch from his sleeve. He sucked the snake's corpse into it as though it were being drawn into a vacuum.

He then took a flat, leaf-shaped magical artifact from another storage pouch.

Surprise showed on Jin Hyeon's face.

Had winning among the mid-level Qi Refining disciples drawn enough attention for a sect elder to take interest?

Together with Son Yu-seol, who wore an equally startled expression, Jin Hyeon stepped onto Ha Seung's magical artifact.

Leaving behind disciples watching them with envious eyes, the three flew up to the elder's viewing stand.

As he stepped off the artifact after arriving in an instant, Jin Hyeon set foot on the terrace extending out from the pavilion.

He immediately spotted Myeong Seokho standing at one end, wearing a more restrained than usual but still innocent smile. He also saw Gwang Seung-hyeon, whom he had never once seen since entering the sect.

Surprised by his unexpected appearance, Jin Hyeon wondered whether he had some connection to the elder.

Then Jin Hyeon's gaze reached the elder seated at the center of the pavilion.

Without needing any instruction, Jin Hyeon promptly offered a greeting.

“Disciple Jin Hyeon greets Sect Elder.”

Son Yu-seol, standing slightly behind him, followed with a greeting of her own.

Elder Jong watched the two and offered a kindly smile from their wrinkled face.

“Ho ho. It has been an entertaining assembly after quite some time.”

Their eyes, nearly hidden beneath white brows, were fixed on Jin Hyeon standing before them.

Jin Hyeon merely smiled modestly at the elder's praise.

At the same time, he did not forget to study the elder carefully.

The Core Formation stage elder of Blue Willow Sect looked even more ordinary than Jin Hyeon had expected.

He had the appearance of someone who might leisurely play Go in a park somewhere in Jin Hyeon's previous life, along with the warm air of an elder relative met during the holidays.

Considering that the person he had met at Jade Cloud Tower, whom he presumed to be a Core Formation elder, had not looked especially remarkable either, perhaps all high-level cultivators gave off such an impression.

Moreover, perhaps because the elder was suppressing their spiritual power, Jin Hyeon could not sense the waves of spiritual power that radiated from other cultivators. It gave him an odd feeling.

If Elder Jong had not been the only person here whom Jin Hyeon did not know, Jin Hyeon would not even have recognized them as an elder.

While Jin Hyeon studied the elder, Elder Jong also looked him over from head to toe before clearing his throat softly.

“Ahem. You entered the sect at such a young age, and it has not even been long since then, yet you have already achieved this much. The sect cannot simply leave such talent alone.”

Elder Jong extended a hand to point at Gwang Seung-hyeon.

“My third disciple is more than capable of guiding you. What do you think of becoming his disciple and achieving even greater progress?”

Startled, Jin Hyeon lowered his head and let his eyes dart about.

At first, he had thought the elder would praise him, perhaps give him some spirit stones or another reward, and send him on his way.

But an offer to become the elder's disciple's disciple was truly unexpected.

Of course, it was not rare for Foundation Establishment martial uncles to accept those who performed especially well at the Disciple Assembly as disciples.

Yet for an elder to personally step forward and make him an offer, Jin Hyeon briefly wondered whether the elder had somehow recognized his abilities.

But on further thought, if the elder had recognized them, they would have tied Jin Hyeon down and tried to seize them first. They would not have offered to take him into their lineage like this.

Then Gwang Seung-hyeon, who had been standing quietly, spoke in a calm voice.

“If you do not want to, say so. I have no intention of taking a disciple by force.”

He looked just as he had when Jin Hyeon first met him. Scholar-like features and attire, with a sword at his waist.

Jin Hyeon had heard about this Martial Uncle Gwang from Myeong Seokho a few times.

Though slightly younger than Ha Seung, he was likewise at the late Foundation Establishment stage and was renowned within the sect for his exceptional swordsmanship.

He was also said to be the sole remaining disciple among one sect elder's three disciples, trusted deeply and expected to inherit that elder's mantle.

There were many other rumors and stories, but Jin Hyeon had no time to recall them.

“Disciple Jin Hyeon greets Master!”

Jin Hyeon immediately performed a disciple's bow to Gwang Seung-hyeon.

Once the elder had told him to become Gwang Seung-hyeon's disciple, there had really been only one choice.

Besides, becoming the disciple of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was hardly a bad thing.

In the future, he would receive help when he struggled with spell arts or encountered bottlenecks in cultivation. He would also receive the various forms of support a master provided to a disciple.

Having someone to back him within the sect was an added benefit.

Of course, Jin Hyeon would have preferred to become Ha Seung's disciple if possible.

Not only was Ha Seung good-natured, but Jin Hyeon thought becoming his disciple would let him learn artifact refinement better.

But things did not always go as one wished.

Receiving Jin Hyeon's bow, Gwang Seung-hyeon gave a brief “Mm,” and nodded. Elder Jong smiled with satisfaction.

“Good, then it is settled! Ha ha. Now that the assembly is over, I must be going. Seung, make the children fine magical artifacts, and Third, teach your new disciple well.”

The competition for the early Qi Refining disciples had not yet ended, but no one objected.

It was already unusual enough for an elder to attend an assembly for Qi Refining disciples. Naturally, Elder Jong would not remain to watch low-level disciples trade blows.

Then Elder Jong vanished in an instant.

Jin Hyeon was impressed by how they disappeared without even giving them time to offer a farewell.

As expected, the abilities of a Core Formation cultivator were beyond anything he could imagine.

Once Elder Jong left, Ha Seung led Myeong Seokho, who was giving Jin Hyeon a thumbs-up, and Son Yu-seol, who was somehow already leaning on Myeong Seokho for support, over to Jin Hyeon.

“Martial Uncle Jong is always quick. After the assembly ends, come to Azure Forge Pavilion for your high-grade magical artifact. Think carefully about what you want made. And Junior Brother Gwang, I envy you for receiving such a talented disciple.”

Though he was still dazed by a master-disciple relationship formed in the blink of an eye, Jin Hyeon told Ha Seung that he understood. There were several magical artifact candidates suited to the Azure Thunder Soul-Carving Art, and he thought he would need to look through that information again.

“Thank you, Senior Brother. We will be going now.”

Realizing that “we” included him as well, Jin Hyeon greeted Ha Seung and his disciples before stepping onto the broad flying sword, several jang long, that Gwang Seung-hyeon had already brought out.

And from atop that flying sword, Jin Hyeon experienced the flight speed of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The fierce wind could not reach him beneath the flying sword's protection. Yet the landscape below changed at a pace incomparable to when he rode the Silver Swallow Board.

The flying sword sped onward and soon reached its destination.

It was a peak near the western edge of Blue Willow Sect.

The summit consisted of rocky terrain, and a fairly large valley ran below it along the slope.

Gwang Seung-hyeon guided the flying sword down into an open space on one side of the rocky ground.

“This is my cave dwelling.”

At his words, Jin Hyeon looked around, but he could not see anything resembling a cave entrance.

Then Gwang Seung-hyeon casually extended a hand and touched the empty air ahead. The scenery changed, revealing the entrance to a cave dwelling in the center of a large boulder adjoining the clearing.

‘He set up a formation.’

Jin Hyeon's mouth fell slightly open at the sight.

As expected, this cave dwelling was different from those of Qi Refining stage disciples.

Once cultivators reached Foundation Establishment, they could claim a certain area within the sect and create a personal cave dwelling there.

Compared to Qi Refining disciples living crammed into small cave dwellings, it was like the difference between an apartment and a mansion.

Furthermore, as the formation was removed, Jin Hyeon sensed abundant spiritual qi around them and realized that a dense spiritual vein ran through this place as well.

His new master was the elder's disciple, so it was only natural for him to occupy such a fine location.

“Follow me.”

Gwang Seung-hyeon put away the flying sword and headed for the cave entrance. Jin Hyeon followed while looking around. He had felt it before, but his new master seemed to be a person of few words.

The entrance to the cave dwelling was ordinary.

The marks of carving through the stone mountain remained clearly visible, and apart from unusual ores that glowed from the walls, there were no decorations.

Before long, they reached a spacious cavern.

Jin Hyeon marveled at its size, several times greater than his own cave dwelling.

Gwang Seung-hyeon walked to a stone table on one side of the cavern, took out a teapot from somewhere, and poured its contents into two teacups that had somehow already been sitting on the table.

“Drink. It is spiritual tea of fairly good quality.”

“Thank you.”

Jin Hyeon cautiously took a sip. His eyes widened at the unexpectedly refreshing fragrance and the faint spiritual qi he could sense within the tea.

After taking a sip himself, Gwang Seung-hyeon looked at Jin Hyeon and spoke.

“Before I explain what comes next, ask if there is anything you are curious about.”

Something he was curious about?

Jin Hyeon thought seriously. Should he ask about this sudden master-disciple relationship? Or about what he would need to do as a disciple?

As he considered what to ask, Jin Hyeon suddenly remembered something from the past.

“When you examined my spirit root at Pine Sword Sect, was there a reason you chose me first?”

Gwang Seung-hyeon took another sip of tea before answering.

“Your spiritual perception appeared exceptional.”

“Spiritual perception?”

Spiritual perception. It was an ability that every cultivator possessed, though it was difficult to explain precisely.

Put simply, it was the ability to sense spiritual qi and detect spiritual power. Upon reaching Foundation Establishment, it evolved into divine sense. In a way, it could also be called a manifestation of mental strength.

“How much do you know about Pine Sword Sect?”

“I know it was a sect established in the mortal world by a high-level cultivator from our sect after that person left the sect long ago.”

After entering Blue Willow Sect, Jin Hyeon had looked into Pine Sword Sect, which had served as his gateway to cultivation.

As it turned out, when a Core Formation elder from Blue Willow Sect had neared the end of their lifespan long ago, that elder had given up their position in the sect, left the cultivation world, and established Pine Sword Sect in the mortal world.

Because of that, Pine Sword Sect had gained the privilege of sending people to Blue Willow Sect. It had maintained its strength by relying on its connection with a cultivation sect.

“The stele at the place where your spirit roots were examined is a relic left behind by that senior. They bound a portion of their dharma treasure and a strand of their soul within it. Naturally, it contained spiritual power, and among the children gathered there, you alone noticed it.”

Jin Hyeon silently nodded at his words.

“Actually, I had considered taking you as my disciple from that moment. Master told me to take you as a disciple after seeing your cultivation method, but I consider your spiritual perception the greater asset.”

Cultivation method? Jin Hyeon thought of the Azure Thunder Soul-Carving Art. It was objectively true that this lightning cultivation method was difficult to cultivate, but was there some hidden distinction within it that would interest an elder?

“And in the battle just now, you quickly shook off a mental-type spell technique cast by Senior Brother Ha's disciple. It means your spiritual perception and mental strength are sufficiently strong. Even if Master had not made the proposal, once you displayed such ability, I would have taken you as a disciple.”

Jin Hyeon looked with slight surprise at Gwang Seung-hyeon, who had finished speaking and was drinking his tea.

He had thought his master would be cold due to his few words and impassive expression. He had not expected such praise.

Jin Hyeon thought he might get along quite well with this master.

‘Still... spiritual perception.’

Behind his calm expression, Jin Hyeon recalled the battle from earlier.

The moment he had met Son Yu-seol's eyes and fallen victim to the Mind-Confounding Eye Art.

He had been caught by surprise, and he possessed no knowledge of mental spell techniques or illusion arts.

Normally, defeat would have been inevitable.

Jin Hyeon clearly remembered his darkening vision and clouded mind.

But just as the Mind-Confounding Eye Art's influence penetrated his Soul Sea and was about to completely bind his movements,

Jin Hyeon had felt the black stone shard embedded within his soul move.

And the next moment, free of the Mind-Confounding Eye Art's influence, he had continued his attack.

From the sensation at the time, it had felt less as though the stone had exerted some ability and more as though the stone shard's inherent nature had caused that phenomenon.

Jin Hyeon stroked his teacup as he thought of this cheat code of his.

It seemed to contain far more secrets than he currently knew.

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried