WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Cultivating Underground ◈
Chapter 44
──────
The Medicinal Identification Hall fell quiet for a moment.
“Ninety-one points?”
“That’s higher than Jin So-yeong’s score.”
“What’s his name?”
“Didn’t they say he was an independent alchemist?”
Jin So-yeong, who sat several rows ahead, also turned her head.
Her gaze rested on Yi Hyeon for a moment.
At seat 29, Yeo Mun-deok sat with their mouth half open.
“Quiet.”
The middle-aged female cultivator gave the score sheet a light shake.
The murmuring applicants fell silent.
“Number 38, seventy-four points.”
“Number 39, fifty-five points.”
“Number 40, sixty-eight points.”
...
The scores continued, but no one exceeded eighty-eight points, let alone ninety-one.
Yi Hyeon had placed first in the opening test.
Of the eighty-three applicants, forty-seven had scored sixty or higher.
The middle-aged woman spoke.
“Those who failed must leave the Guest Reception Court today. Those who passed will gather at the Pill Examination Hall by the chen hour tomorrow. Don’t grow arrogant over a high score in the first test. The Special Skills Selection is decided by your combined results across all four tests.”
...
After leaving the Medicinal Identification Hall, Yi Hyeon headed back to the Guest Reception Court.
Several people watched him as he walked along the path.
Then a familiar voice called from behind.
“Fellow Cultivator Yi!”
Yeo Mun-deok hurried over. Joy and a sense of grievance were strangely mixed on their round face.
“Ninety-one points! We’re sharing a room, yet you never said a word!”
“About what?”
“That you were so confident in medicinal identification.”
“I didn’t expect to score ninety-one either.”
“...”
Yeo Mun-deok’s eyebrows twitched.
“You’re saying that when you know I barely managed sixty-three?”
“At least you passed. That’s a relief.”
“It certainly is. Honestly, you have no idea how worried I was that I’d score below sixty.”
...
As the two approached their lodging, Jin So-yeong walked toward them.
Yeo Mun-deok brought their hands together first.
“Fellow Cultivator Jin.”
“Fellow Cultivator Yeo.”
After a brief greeting, Jin So-yeong looked at Yi Hyeon.
“Fellow Cultivator Yi, congratulations on placing first in the opening test.”
“Thank you. I was lucky.”
Jin So-yeong didn’t seem to believe him.
“Since childhood, I’ve been free to visit the Danha Jin Family’s spirit fields and medicinal stores as I pleased. I’d seen most of the samples in this test before. Given that background, I don’t believe luck explains why I finished three points behind you.”
“There are still three tests left.”
“Indeed.”
Jin So-yeong gave a small nod, then walked past them without another word.
Yeo Mun-deok watched her leave before whispering to Yi Hyeon.
“Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“Fellow Cultivator Jin acknowledged us as rivals.”
“Wasn’t she talking about me?”
“Must you hurt my feelings by making that distinction?”
...
The next day.
The Pill Examination Hall was filled with small jade bottles.
Within the allotted time, the applicants had to determine the condition of the alchemical pills inside and record the causes of any problems they found.
Yi Hyeon wrote his answers far more carefully than the day before.
‘Let’s avoid coming first.’
Taking first place in an entrance test for outside Qi Refining independent cultivators was hardly a major event in a sect this large. But if he had the bad luck to attract a Nascent Soul cultivator’s attention, that would be another matter.
Someone at that level might have a way to see through the Spirit-Hiding Spell and Qi-Concealing Spell.
Of course, Yi Hyeon was an ancient monster who had used both spells for longer than a Nascent Soul cultivator’s entire lifespan. When he applied himself to the Spirit-Hiding Spell, he showed no trace of spiritual power at all. Even the Golden Core cultivators of the Jangchun Sect had shown no sign of noticing his Primordial Unity Body. Still, he couldn’t make careless assumptions about a Nascent Soul cultivator’s methods.
On the other hand, it would look unnatural if the person who had placed first in the opening test suddenly performed terribly.
‘Stay near the top, but don’t get ahead of Jin So-yeong.’
Yi Hyeon deliberately left several questions blank, even though he knew the answers.
...
The results were announced.
“Number 12, ninety-two points.”
Jin So-yeong had scored highly once again.
“Number 29, ninety-five points.”
Yeo Mun-deok clenched both fists.
“Yes!”
‘Impressive. They weren’t exaggerating when they said they’d spent two years preparing for pill examination.’
“Number 37, eighty-one points.”
Yi Hyeon nodded.
It was a good score without standing out as much as his first result.
...
Yeo Mun-deok couldn’t stop smiling as they left the Pill Examination Hall.
“Did you see that?”
“Congratulations.”
“Didn’t I tell you I was confident when it came to pill examination?”
“You did.”
“Ninety-five points. Three points higher than Jin So-yeong.”
...
The third day brought the heat control test.
Yi Hyeon played the part of a reasonably capable Tier 1 alchemist.
...
The final day’s test involved refining pills.
‘This should be about right.’
A medicinal fragrance spread as Yi Hyeon opened his pill furnace.
The examiner inspected the alchemical pills one by one.
“Consistent results.”
“Thank you.”
All the tests were over.
...
The following morning.
The applicants who had taken part in the Special Skills Selection gathered in the broad square outside the Guest Reception Court.
The examinations in all nine fields, including alchemy, had ended. Many of the hundreds who had initially filled the square had already left the Danso Mountains.
Thirty-two applicants had completed the final alchemy test.
The middle-aged female cultivator stood at the front of the square with the Foundation Establishment examiners.
“I will now announce the results of the Special Skills Selection’s alchemy examinations.”
Tension appeared on the applicants’ faces.
“Twenty-four have passed. The remaining eight have failed this examination.”
The middle-aged woman unfolded the list of successful applicants.
“First, Jin So-yeong.”
For the first time, a smile appeared on Jin So-yeong’s face.
“Second, Wi So-cheon.”
An elderly cultivator at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, who looked about sixty, stepped forward.
“Third, Yi Dong-sam.”
Yi Hyeon walked forward.
Jin So-yeong looked at him and gave a small nod.
The names continued.
“Seventeenth, Yeo Mun-deok.”
Yeo Mun-deok stepped forward with a sigh of relief.
“Phew...”
At last, the twenty-fourth name was called.
Once the eight unsuccessful applicants had left, the middle-aged woman spoke again.
“As a rule, those who pass the Special Skills Selection become outer sect disciples.”
Her gaze turned to Jin So-yeong.
“However, in consideration of Jin So-yeong’s dual spiritual roots, young age, and results in this selection, she has been chosen as an inner sect disciple.”
“This disciple is grateful for the sect’s kindness.”
Jin So-yeong bowed respectfully.
The other successful applicants watched her with envy.
...
Jin So-yeong followed a Foundation Establishment cultivator onto a flying magical implement ahead of the others.
Hummm.
Yeo Mun-deok watched her fly away.
“An inner sect disciple... Dual spiritual roots really do make a difference.”
“Is being an outer sect disciple not very good?”
“Not at all. After spending my whole life as an independent cultivator, how could I complain about becoming an outer sect disciple of a major sect? Besides, we can earn contributions in the outer sect and receive a Foundation Establishment Pill. If I reach Foundation Establishment, becoming an inner sect disciple won’t be just a dream.”
The successful applicants other than Jin So-yeong collected their belongings from the Guest Reception Court, then departed aboard the Foundation Establishment cultivators’ flying magical implements.
...
The External Affairs Office.
“Yi Dong-sam?”
A steward of the External Affairs Office handed him two Danso Sect outer sect robes, an identity token, and a small storage pouch.
Inside the pouch were a bottle of Fasting Pills, ten low-grade spirit stones, and a book containing the rules for outer sect disciples.
Yi Hyeon checked the identity token.
「Outer Sect Skilled Disciple Yi Dong-sam.
Outer Alchemy Court.」
“As your identity tokens state, you’ve been assigned to the Outer Alchemy Court. They’ll explain your specific schedules and duties there.”
“Understood.”
A young disciple at the back cautiously raised a hand.
“Steward, which elder will take us as disciples?”
The steward looked at the disciple.
“Has anyone accepted you as a disciple?”
“No one yet...”
“Then where would this master come from?”
“...”
Quiet laughter rose around them.
The steward calmly explained.
“Outer sect disciples don’t study under a particular master. If you want to become an elder’s disciple, you must first catch their eye or advance to the inner sect.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Still, skilled disciples who pass the Special Skills Selection have more opportunities than ordinary outer sect disciples. If you carry out your duties diligently, you’ll have plenty to learn.”
...
Yi Hyeon and Yeo Mun-deok changed into their new robes.
Yeo Mun-deok kept looking down at their sleeves.
“Doesn’t this suit me rather well?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t this look rather bad on me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know where we are?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you think Jin So-yeong is interested in me?”
“No, she isn’t.”
“...”
Just then, several disciples in dusty robes came up from the lower slopes.
The man in the lead presented his identity token to the steward at the entrance to the External Affairs Office.
“We’ve returned from the Immortal-Serving Court in the Anneung Kingdom. We’d like to deliver the tribute and hand over the records for our resident cultivator duties.”
Yi Hyeon’s gaze shifted slightly.
It was a familiar voice.
‘White Owl?’
White Owl glanced at the new disciples. His gaze briefly reached Yi Hyeon, but passed on without any particular reaction.
“It seems the Special Skills Selection has ended.”
The steward replied.
“The results came out today. These are the new disciples assigned to the Outer Alchemy Court.”
“I see.”
White Owl gave the new disciples a faint smile.
“Congratulations on joining the sect.”
Yeo Mun-deok brought their hands together.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Yi Hyeon greeted him as well.
“Thank you.”
White Owl showed no reaction even after hearing Yi Hyeon’s voice.
The voice of Society Leader Badger at the gatherings and Yi Dong-sam’s voice were completely different, from their pitch to their manner of speaking. This was thanks to Yi Hyeon’s Major Mastery of the Seven-Aspects Disguise Art, which he had obtained long ago from the Untaek Kingdom’s Heaven-Serving Directorate.
A little later, a Foundation Establishment steward from the Outer Alchemy Court arrived to guide the new disciples.
“I’m Yang Jin-pyeong of the Outer Alchemy Court.”
“Greetings, Steward Yang.”
After checking everyone’s identity tokens, Yang Jin-pyeong took out a red, leaf-shaped flying magical implement ten jang long.
“Everyone, get aboard.”
The twenty-three new disciples boarded one after another.
Whoosh.
The red leaf slowly rose into the air.
...
The flying magical implement passed between the peaks on the outer edges of the mountain range.
Each time they rounded a peak, new halls and spirit fields came into view.
Yeo Mun-deok kept looking around.
“Just how many disciples are there?”
Yang Jin-pyeong answered.
“Well over ten thousand, even without counting mortal servants and people sent by cultivation families. I’d guess fewer than twenty thousand... though I don’t know the exact number myself.”
Yang Jin-pyeong pointed at the distant peaks.
“Most of those high peaks belong to the inner sect. Formations will stop you if you approach without permission, so don’t wander over out of curiosity.”
The peaks rising above the white clouds looked deeply mysterious.
Occasionally, light flashed between the clouds, seemingly produced by Golden Core cultivators’ spells. Even at this distance, they could feel a lofty power.
...
About half a shichen later, a broad valley surrounded by three gently sloping peaks came into view.
Hundreds of pill-refining chambers dotted the slopes and cliffs.
Flying boats of various sizes and cranes flew here and there.
Below, dozens of storehouses and halls stood in orderly rows across the valley.
The flying magical implement landed in the center.
As they stepped off, dense spiritual qi and the scents of various medicinal ingredients washed over them together.
“Follow me, everyone.”
Yang Jin-pyeong led the new disciples toward the central hall.
The signboard read:
「Outer Alchemy Court」
...
A thin Foundation Establishment cultivator with a long face was waiting inside the Outer Alchemy Court.
Yang Jin-pyeong addressed the steward.
“Steward Gwon, I’ve brought the new disciples who passed this Special Skills Selection.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Steward Gwon opened a ledger and checked the new disciples’ names and scores one by one.
“For the first three months, you’ll rotate through the medicinal stores, pill examination rooms, and pill-refining chambers. Afterward, we’ll assign your main duties based on your abilities and preferences.”
Steward Gwon looked around at the new disciples.
“You won’t be given nothing but odd jobs just because you’re on probation. You’ve already proven your alchemical skills, so you’ll receive pill-refining duties suited to your level. Your basic duties will be complete once you deliver the required number of alchemical pills each month. Yields and quality above the standard will earn you additional contribution points. Once your work is done, you may cultivate, visit the Scripture Repository, or accept other missions.”
One of the new disciples asked a question.
“Are we allowed to leave the sect?”
“During the first three months of probation, you may not leave the Danso Mountains without permission. After that, you may apply for leave, provided you’ve finished your assigned work. If you want to be away for more than a month, take an outside mission from the External Affairs Office or obtain a steward’s permission.”
‘No problem.’
Before joining the Danso Sect, Yi Hyeon had filled the water tank in Underground Hideout No. 3 and checked all the watering equipment.
Steward Gwon spoke to Yang Jin-pyeong.
“Show them their lodgings and pill-refining chambers, and have them begin basic instruction at the medicinal stores tomorrow. Don’t forget the ranking rewards for the Special Skills Selection.”
Steward Gwon looked at the new disciples again.
“Wi So-cheon, who placed second in the Special Skills Selection, will receive fifty contribution points. Yi Dong-sam, who placed third, will receive forty. The rest of you can check your rewards with Steward Yang.”
...
The lodgings provided for the new disciples stood on a gentle slope on the eastern side of the valley.
Small stone houses stood at regular intervals.
Each had a bed, a table, and a cultivation room, along with a small clearing behind it where one person could practice spells.
By mortal standards, they were quite luxurious, and they were more than adequate for a Qi Refining cultivator.
Yi Hyeon chose a quiet stone house at the edge of the slope.
It stood a little farther from the other houses, with a small rock face behind it. Even with the door open, it was difficult to see inside.
After closing the door and activating the restriction, Yi Hyeon carefully inspected the interior using the formation knowledge he had learned at the Jangchun Sect. There were no separate formation inscriptions in the walls or floor. The house’s restriction was also simple, designed only to block intruders and noise.
‘Not bad.’
A Spirit-Gathering Formation had been installed in the cultivation room. It had more formation inscriptions than the one in his Jangchun Sect lodging, and its design was more complex.
‘A better Spirit-Gathering Formation, perhaps.’
Yi Hyeon lay comfortably on the floor and looked up at the ceiling.
When he had joined the Jangchun Sect, little time had passed since the Cheongmok Ridge Medicine Calamity. He had worried that the sect might be attacked, and that was exactly what had happened.
This time was different.
At least within the Gon Kingdom, no force was capable of attacking the Danso Sect head-on. Nor was there any reason for anyone to take an interest in an individual outer sect disciple named Yi Dong-sam.
He only needed to make alchemical pills, study the teachings he needed at the Scripture Repository, and collect contribution points.
Even in this peaceful setting, the other new disciples had to keep pushing themselves to reach Foundation Establishment before their lifespans ran out. Yi Hyeon, however, felt as though he had come to the Danso Sect as a tourist.
‘Isn’t this a temple stay? Not that I ever tried one in my past life...’
After lying comfortably for a while, Yi Hyeon sat up and took six bronze flying swords from his storage pouch.
Humm.
The flying swords rose into the air together.
With a slight movement of his fingers, they began circling as though each were chasing the tail of the one ahead.
Clatter.
When he opened his palm, the flying swords stacked neatly together and settled onto it.
Next, he took out a black iron spear.
With a light thrust, the seemingly single black spearhead split into three for an instant, piercing three different points in the air.
Whoosh.
He then twisted at the waist and swung the spear, sending a heavy gust around the cultivation room.
Nearly three hundred years had passed since he had obtained the bronze flying swords and black iron spear. No trace of their former owners remained in the restrictions of either high-grade magical implement. Both had become extensions of his own limbs.
Finally, he took out a protective bell the size of a fist.
Hummm.
As it absorbed primordial unity true qi, the protective bell suddenly grew as large as a person.
“Hmm... This one still feels awkward.”
He returned the magical implements to his storage pouch.
Just then, the spirit insect pouch at his waist shifted slightly.
Yi Hyeon took out a Fuzzbee.
Bzz.
It flew once around the cultivation room before landing on the back of his hand.
“You can’t wander around here as you please. There are some very frightening cultivators in this place. I’ll let you out when we visit the underground tunnel later.”
Yi Hyeon put the Fuzzbee back in the spirit insect pouch.
He still didn’t know what the Fuzzbees were. They might be spirit insects that other cultivators would covet, so it seemed better to keep them hidden.
...
The next day.
The new disciples gathered at the Outer Alchemy Court’s medicinal stores.
Dozens of connected storehouses held mountains of Tier 1 medicinal ingredients.
Each ingredient had a wooden label listing its variety, medicinal age, harvest date, and place of origin.
‘The scale is incredible...’
What was more, many of the ingredients hadn’t come from the Danso Sect’s spirit fields.
Cultivation families and mortal kingdoms throughout the Gon Kingdom, as well as outside merchant groups, delivered medicinal ingredients every day. Some came from the Chang Kingdom to the south or cultivation kingdoms across the sea.
The Foundation Establishment steward in charge of the medicinal stores spoke.
“Every medicinal ingredient used by the Outer Alchemy Court must be recorded in the ledgers. Collect only what you need for pill refining, and return the finished alchemical pills along with any unused ingredients.”
...
Their instruction at the medicinal stores ended after half a day.
Yang Jin-pyeong led the new disciples to another nearby hall.
“This is the Mission Hall under the Outer Alchemy Court.”
Yang Jin-pyeong continued as they entered.
“Most work within the Outer Alchemy Court is assigned here. This is also where the results are inspected and contribution points awarded. The other courts each have their own Mission Hall as well. Work involving several courts and long-term assignments outside the sect are handled separately by the External Affairs Office’s Mission Hall.”
The new disciples nodded.
Hundreds of mission tablets hung on the walls.
They covered everything from alchemical pill refining, medicinal ingredient appraisal, and spirit field management to transporting supplies, inspecting goods from outside merchant groups, and short-term assignments to cultivation families.
On the opposite wall hung lists of alchemical pills, magical implements, spirit stones, alchemy materials, and other items available in exchange for contribution points. Requests submitted to the Mission Hall would be passed on to the storehouse responsible for each item.
Yi Hyeon looked for the Foundation Establishment Pill first.
「Foundation Establishment Pill.
Outer sect disciples at Great Perfection of the Qi Refining stage may apply for an exchange after passing the Foundation Establishment eligibility assessment.
Priority is determined by contribution points and length of service, according to the number allocated to the outer sect each year.
Repeat applicants must also provide records of previous doses and a steward’s recommendation.」
The required contribution points were considerable.
But the greater problem was the limited supply.
‘As expected, getting several pills won’t be possible. One or two will be the limit through official exchanges.’
The Foundation Establishment Pill formula was nowhere to be found in the Mission Hall.
He had expected as much.
As he looked through the lists, Yi Hyeon asked Yang Jin-pyeong a question.
“Steward Yang, should I go to the Scripture Repository if I want to look at various cultivation arts and teachings?”
“That’s right.”
Yang Jin-pyeong pointed north.
“The Scripture Repository is on Book Collection Peak. Outer sect disciples may only use the Outer Pavilion.”
* * *
Half a month later.
With some free time at last, Yi Hyeon left the Outer Alchemy Court, passed several peaks, and arrived at Book Collection Peak.
Two tall halls stood on the peak, one above the other.
The lower hall’s signboard read 「Outer Pavilion」, while the upper hall, which touched the clouds, was marked 「Inner Pavilion」.
A stone stairway more than a hundred jang long connected the two halls, but a translucent curtain blocked its entrance.
Several disciples in outer sect robes passed beside the curtain, naturally keeping their distance.
Yi Hyeon entered the Outer Pavilion.
Its interior was several times larger than the Jangchun Sect’s Scripture Repository, with countless bookshelves and stone chambers.
Jade slips were sealed behind restrictions along the walls.
From outside, only the name of each teaching, a short description, and its required contribution points could be checked.
Yi Hyeon headed for the section containing insect control teachings.
《A Hundred Varieties of Tier 1 Spirit Insects》, 《Spirit Insect Feed and Medicinal Baths》, 《Essentials of Spirit Insect Recognition》...
Even basic teachings cost anywhere from two contribution points to several dozen. Some slightly more advanced teachings listed low-grade or mid-grade spirit stones in addition to contribution points.
Yi Hyeon stopped in front of 《Essentials of Spirit Insect Recognition》.
「Contains several basic methods of establishing a master-servant bond with spirit insects. Twenty contribution points.」
Yi Hyeon returned to the attending disciple.
“I’d like to read Essentials of Spirit Insect Recognition.”
The attending disciple placed Yi Hyeon’s identity token on a formation disk.
Hummm.
The forty contribution points he had received from the Special Skills Selection appeared, and twenty of them vanished.
The disciple took out a blue token the size of a palm and handed it to Yi Hyeon.
“Go to study chamber seventeen. Hold the token against the door to open the restriction. You have two shichen to read.”
“Where is the jade slip?”
“It will be delivered inside once the chamber’s restriction closes. It will be retrieved automatically when your reading time ends.”
Yi Hyeon accepted the token and went to study chamber 17.
When he held the token against the recess beside the stone door, it opened silently.
Inside were only a cushion and a small stone stand.
Once Yi Hyeon entered, the stone door closed, and dozens of golden patterns lit up one after another along the walls.
Click.
The center of the stone stand opened, and a jade slip slowly rose from within.
Yi Hyeon picked it up and pressed it to his forehead.
Countless words and diagrams flowed into his mind.
As its description promised, 《Essentials of Spirit Insect Recognition》 contained several methods of forming a master-servant bond with spirit insects.
There were contracts that used blood essence to link the lives of insect and master, restrictions that branded obedience onto the soul, and imprinting methods that familiarized insects with their master through shared food and energy. Each had different properties and risks.
With some contracts, the death of a spirit insect would cause a backlash against its master. With certain restrictions, the master’s death would kill the insect as well.
Yi Hyeon read through each method without rushing.
One passage caught his attention.
「Shared Swarm Seal Spell (群蟲同印術).
A spell that places a Spirit-Nurturing Seal (養靈印) on an entire swarm of spirit insects.
The contract’s binding force is weak. It cannot force the insects to obey complex orders that go against their instincts or commands that send them to their deaths.
In exchange, it places almost no burden on either the insects or their master, and there is no need to form a separate contract with each insect. Once the Spirit-Nurturing Seal takes hold, the insects will recognize their master and be able to follow a few simple commands.」
‘This should work well enough for the Fuzzbees.’
Footnotes:
A temple stay is a program at a Korean Buddhist temple where visitors experience temple life and practices.
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