WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: DereKimchi

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◈ Carefree Tale of Cultivation ◈

Chapter 27: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation

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The pitch-black world became the walls of his cave dwelling in an instant.

Nothing had changed from a second ago.

Nothing except Jin Hyeon's cultivation realm.

"Qi Refining, Level 9... Late Qi Refining."

Feeling the flow of spiritual power circulating through his Soul Sea, now qualitatively more advanced than before, Jin Hyeon took a deep breath.

Inside the Pitch-Black Space, he had focused solely on raising his realm, so he had not fully felt it. But now that he was outside, calmly observing himself, the advancement of his realm felt all the more real.

Not only had his spiritual power increased, but the degree to which his spiritual qi had condensed, utterly different from his days in mid Qi Refining, filled him with an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

For a moment, Jin Hyeon lost himself in thought.

Spiritual power growing through cultivation.

His perspective changing in quality.

The feeling of drawing closer to the concept of eternal life, step by step.

It was all like a drug.

Neither chemical compounds created through human technology nor the neural substances secreted by the brain to regulate a living being's emotions could compare. It was a drug that brought not pleasure, but a sense of omnipotence.

Even someone like the person he had been just after reincarnating, who had wanted only a life of ease supported by family money, driven solely by a desire to make up for his short previous life...

Even someone who, for some reason, did not desire eternal life.

This feeling.

The moment they encountered the indescribable sensation of their lifespan increasing, a desire they did not recognize, yet one that lay deep within every living being, would be stirred.

The desire to live just a little longer.

Just as it had been for him when he first saw a cultivator.

And perhaps that was one of the most powerful forces driving countless cultivators onward along the endless path of cultivation.

Jin Hyeon recalled the independent cultivators he had met at Suyeop Market.

Had they not risked their lives hunting demon beasts to advance even a little beyond the insignificant existence that was Qi Refining?

Simply crossing a minor boundary within the Qi Refining stage had left him with such thoughts. How great, then, must the longing of those at Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and beyond be?

Feeling the nine drops of thunder marks carved into his Soul Sea, Jin Hyeon's yearning for Foundation Establishment deepened.

He would reach Foundation Establishment, then continue onward from there.

He would advance until he attained eternal life, preserving the pleasures he had failed to enjoy in his short previous life and the peace he rightfully deserved in this one.

Hum.

At that moment, he sensed a slight vibration in the Azure Wind Formation surrounding his cave dwelling.

Pulled from his thoughts, Jin Hyeon approached the formation disk to see whether something was wrong.

At first, he thought some wild animal unable to sense spiritual qi had wandered over and collided with it.

But upon sensing a faint ripple of spiritual qi as well, Jin Hyeon decided to go outside himself.

Standing beyond the boundary of the Azure Wind Formation before the entrance to his cave dwelling was Won Hyu.

The Azure Wind Formation did not block one's view, so it showed everything both inside and outside. The moment Won Hyu spotted him, he waved and called out.

"Brother Jin! It's been a while! You even got your own cave dwelling. I knew you'd make it someday... Huh? Don't tell me you've already reached late Qi Refining?"

Jin Hyeon gave a quiet laugh at Won Hyu's expression as it stiffened in surprise.

"I've made some progress in my cultivation recently. What brings you here?"

It was not a particularly convincing answer, but Won Hyu did not pry any further.

Since Jin Hyeon had taken a Foundation Establishment master, Won Hyu assumed he had probably received medicinal pills or some other preferential treatment.

Instead, Won Hyu quickly relayed the message he had been sent to deliver.

"Martial Uncle Ha is calling for you! He said your magical artifact is finished and told you to come pick it up."

Anticipation flashed through Jin Hyeon's eyes.

His high-grade magical artifact was already complete!

Of course, he already possessed the defensive high-grade magical artifact Venerable Flying Swallow had carried.

But unlike that artifact, which had been badly damaged by Nyx's attack, this one could display its full capabilities. More importantly, it had been made specifically for him.

Jin Hyeon offered Won Hyu, who had brought such good news, a cup of spiritual tea before he left. Won Hyu, however, gave a sly smile and said he had only run Martial Uncle Ha's errand because he was passing by anyway. He was too busy with work at Hundred Treasures Pavilion to stay long.

Watching Won Hyu's retreating back, Jin Hyeon noticed that Won Hyu was still in early Qi Refining.

Perhaps that was Won Hyu's limit...

At the very least, the chances of Won Hyu reaching Foundation Establishment were slim.

Jin Hyeon shook his head slightly.

After returning to his cave dwelling, he inspected its condition before departing for Azure Forge Pavilion.

"I've been so absorbed in making puppet constructs lately that I've neglected everything else..."

A pile of Thunder Horn Snake horns and pangolin demon beast claws had accumulated in one corner.

Training in the Three-Thunder Sword Art required the thunder qi from the lightning arts wielded by the practitioner, as well as two different types of lightning from separate demon beasts.

Of course, he could not simply use demon beast materials as they were. He had to extract the qualities within them.

Jin Hyeon approached the piled materials and checked the remaining thunder qi.

"One more extraction should drain them completely. I'll do that after I get back..."

Next, Jin Hyeon picked up Venerable Flying Swallow's Black Turtle Shield, which leaned against one wall of the cave dwelling.

It was heavily damaged, but it was still a high-grade magical artifact. He might be able to ask Ha Seung to repair it.

Jin Hyeon wanted to attempt it himself as well, but the value of a high-grade magical artifact was too great for him to tamper with carelessly.

After organizing the other scattered items, Jin Hyeon examined the spirit beast pouch resting atop the stone table.

The spirit beast pouch originally used by the black-clad cultivator to store the Black Serpent was now Nyx's home.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to let Nyx roam around the cave dwelling, but..."

Nyx had recovered and begun resisting his commands little by little while Jin Hyeon was still in mid Qi Refining. Since Nyx had also grown far too large, Jin Hyeon simply kept the creature inside the spirit beast pouch.

Once he had finished checking everything, Jin Hyeon replenished the spirit stones in the groove of the Azure Wind Formation's disk and left his cave dwelling.

* * *

As the familiar tiled house came into view, Jin Hyeon spotted Ha Seung already waiting outside.

"Martial Uncle Ha!"

Ha Seung stroked his short beard and smiled with his eyes at Jin Hyeon's greeting after he folded away the Silver Swallow Board and descended.

"Ha ha, you came quickly enough. Then... No, your realm?"

As Ha Seung reached for his storage pouch, he looked Jin Hyeon over from head to toe with surprise.

Only a month ago, during the Disciple Assembly, Jin Hyeon had been at Qi Refining, Level 7. Yet he had already advanced to late Qi Refining.

Jin Hyeon merely lowered his head.

If Ha Seung asked why his realm had risen, Jin Hyeon could simply say he had progressed thanks to the Snow-Vine Pill Gwang Seung-hyeon had given him, or through his own cultivation.

Ha Seung appeared to reach a similar conclusion and merely nodded.

"Your cultivation speed isn't bad. Perhaps Martial Uncle Jong misjudged you... At this rate, you may even have a chance of reaching Core Formation."

With that generous assessment, Ha Seung drew a sword from his storage pouch.

The pale sky-blue blade glimmered beautifully in the sunlight.

It was a double-edged sword, sharp along both sides of its blade.

Unlike the sword-shaped magical artifacts commonly used here, it resembled the swords used in the Western world of Jin Hyeon's previous life.

Its hilt shone silver and was wrapped in black scaled hide.

Sensing the sword's powerful yet sharp aura, Jin Hyeon smiled with delight.

"Here. Pour some spiritual power into it."

Ha Seung handed him the sword.

The cold, solid sensation in his hand made Jin Hyeon's grip tighten.

The instant he held it, he instinctively understood how to use it.

Looking toward a tree some distance away, Jin Hyeon poured thunder qi and spiritual power into the sword in his hand.

Then he swung it.

As it sliced through the air, faint lines appeared across the blade at Jin Hyeon's command.

The lines multiplied to twelve, and then the blade separated along them.

The long sky-blue blade split apart, extending along a sturdy, flexible metal cord running through its core.

Shrrrk!

With a pleasant metallic scraping sound, the extended sword cut through a tree that should have been beyond its reach.

At the same time, blue lightning erupted from every blade segment, scorching the tree and its surroundings.

As lightning filled his vision, Jin Hyeon felt the weapon's formidable power.

Satisfied with the destructive power this new weapon displayed from a casual swing alone, Jin Hyeon flicked his wrist.

The metal cord contracted as if time were reversing, and the sword, which had extended like a whip, became a single sharp blade once more.

"What do you think? The metal used for the blade was made to receive your lightning arts well. And to preserve the characteristics of a segmented sword, I used tough material for the central core so it won't be cut even by the attacks of Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Ha Seung proudly pointed out various parts of Jin Hyeon's sword as he explained.

"And as you've probably noticed, the material wrapped around the hilt is that snake's hide. Its elasticity was decent, so it proved useful."

After proudly describing several more features, Ha Seung gave a light cough and revealed the magical artifact's name.

"Hm. I've named it the Azure Serpent Thunder Sword. If you don't like it, call it something else."

Ha Seung spoke playfully, but Jin Hyeon had no intention of objecting.

He liked the name Azure Serpent Thunder Sword, but more importantly, he had come today to ask Ha Seung for a favor. He had no desire to say he would use a different name from the one Ha Seung had chosen.

After running his hand over the blade one last time and feeling its tingling thunder qi, Jin Hyeon stored the Azure Serpent Thunder Sword in his storage pouch.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle Ha! It's a remarkable work indeed, worthy of the sect's finest master artifact refiner!"

"Ha ha ha! The finest master artifact refiner? Ha ha, I'm grateful even if it's only words."

Ha Seung shook his head as if dumbfounded, but he could not hide the smile on his lips.

It was not mere praise of his cultivation realm or strength. Even knowing it was flattery, praise for the artifact refinement and forging into which he poured his heart could only please him.

Carried along by the mood, Jin Hyeon took the Black Turtle Shield from his storage pouch.

The moment the enormous turtle shell appeared, reflecting sunlight, Ha Seung picked it up before Jin Hyeon could say anything.

"Oh? A high-grade magical artifact? It's badly damaged, but its original defensive power must have been formidable. The material is... It seems to come from a water-dwelling turtle demon beast close to Foundation Establishment..."

After examining the Black Turtle Shield from every angle, Ha Seung handed it back to Jin Hyeon.

"Junior Brother Gwang told me you encountered a powerful enemy outside the sect. I suppose this is your spoils from that battle. Did you bring it to ask for repairs?"

"Yes. Of course, since I would be taking up your time, I will compensate you adequately..."

Jin Hyeon had earned a fair amount recently, so he believed he could meet Ha Seung's demands.

But Ha Seung's answer was not what he expected.

"I'm sorry, but I can't."

"What?"

Could the magical artifact be damaged beyond repair?

Seeing Jin Hyeon's confusion, Ha Seung hesitated briefly before sighing.

"It's because I'll soon be entering closed-door cultivation."

Closed-door cultivation. Jin Hyeon knew there was only one reason Ha Seung would enter seclusion now.

"If you're entering closed-door cultivation, then..."

"Yes."

Ha Seung looked up at the sky with a grave expression.

"I will attempt Core Formation."

* * *

As Ha Seung gazed up at the blue sky, deep within Blue Willow Sect, in one of the elders' residences, someone stood at the top of a plain three-story pavilion entirely devoid of splendor, looking out the window with meaningful eyes.

Jong Jin-hyang, commonly called Elder Jong by the disciples, was looking at the blue sky. More precisely, at the stele that seemed to touch it.

Jin Hyeon had seen it as well when he first entered Blue Willow Sect aboard a flying vessel. It stood at the center of the sect.

It rivaled, even surpassed, Earth's high-rise buildings in height and scale. It was practically the symbol of Blue Willow Sect.

Immortal Cheongyu.

The figure who, tens of thousands of years ago, named a vast mountain range after herself, then founded a sect upon that land and gave it the same name.

A being who had reached the great realm of Spirit Transformation, which cultivators could only dream of attaining.

That stele was one of the few relics she had left behind for her sect.

Before disappearing, Immortal Cheongyu, whose end remained unknown, whether she had ascended to the Upper Realm or eventually reached the end of her lifespan and became dust, left three relics for her sect.

The stele known as the South Sea Suppression Stele was the formation core of the enormous formation that covered all of Blue Willow Sect, as well as a powerful defensive dharma treasure.

A dharma treasure personally crafted by Immortal Cheongyu, who excelled at artifact refinement, it was a sect-protecting treasure that only the Supreme Elder of Blue Willow Sect possessed the right to operate.

At Jong Jin-hyang's side, Elder Seok, Seok Man-jeong, who appeared to be middle-aged, calmly took a sip of tea while Jong Jin-hyang stared intently at it.

Savoring the fragrance before swallowing, Seok Man-jeong paid no attention to Jong Jin-hyang's grave expression and picked up the nearby teapot to refill the cup.

"Blue Willow Sect truly has declined."

Jong Jin-hyang sighed as he looked at their ancestor's great relic.

"At least the Supreme Elder remains well. And Senior Brother Byeok-un is still here."

Seok Man-jeong spoke evenly.

Annoyed by that attitude, Jong Jin-hyang lightly struck the table.

"How can you say something so complacent? Unlike the other Four Great Sects, we have only one Nascent Soul cultivator, the Supreme Elder! At a time when we do not know when another sect may covet our territory, it is our duty as elders to strengthen Blue Willow Sect, with its history of tens of thousands of years, and ensure it endures for the next tens of thousands!"

Jong Jin-hyang spoke passionately, brows furrowed with concern, but Seok Man-jeong merely looked away from the teacup and glanced at him briefly.

Jong Jin-hyang knew this old friend's temperament well, so he gave up and rubbed his forehead.

"As you know, it will not be long before Thunder-Burning Mountain opens."

Tap.

Seok Man-jeong set down the teacup.

Seeing Seok Man-jeong grow a little more serious, Jong Jin-hyang continued.

"That boy Seung needs to reach Core Formation soon... He should be entering closed-door cultivation around now."

"As agreed in our bet, I have already delivered the spirit fruit I cultivated and the specially made spirit wine to that fellow's disciple."

After falling silent for a moment, Seok Man-jeong met Jong Jin-hyang's gaze.

"But Ha Seung seems to care greatly for that disciple. Do we truly need to prepare for the worst?"

Jong Jin-hyang snorted.

Had someone who had done and seen everything over hundreds of years truly grown soft-hearted?

"Then do you wish to lose your chance of reaching Nascent Soul?"

Jong Jin-hyang rose from his seat.

"For your own sake and for the sect's, challenging the barrier of Nascent Soul is essential."

"Have you forgotten what happened to Ha Seung's master?"

Watching Jong Jin-hyang's expression stiffen, Seok Man-jeong lifted the teacup again.

"Core Formation and Nascent Soul are entirely different. You were close to them too. You watched it happen from right beside them."

Jong Jin-hyang used his powerful will to suppress the horrific screams and roars of the past that brushed past his ears.

Then he turned them into anger.

"So you would give up because you're afraid? That will never happen."

Jong Jin-hyang growled fiercely, utterly at odds with the appearance of a kindly grandfather, and decided to end this pointless conversation.

Even the spiritual tea Seok Man-jeong was continuing to drink felt like a waste.

"Once you set foot upon the path of cultivation, you must be prepared to face everything."

Steadying his complicated feelings, Jong Jin-hyang looked once more at the South Sea Suppression Stele.

Along the long path of cultivation, would there ever come a day when he could reach even the tip of the realm his ancestor had attained?

The stele's shadow covered Jong Jin-hyang's dark expression.

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