Cultivating Underground - Chapter 80

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

◈ Cultivating Underground ◈

Chapter 80

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Instead of answering, Yuk Hong-yeon poured spiritual power into the flying boat’s restrictions, sending the hull shooting up over the ridge.

At that moment, dark blue wings cut through the air beneath the storm clouds.

Shreeee!

The monstrous bird lurking overhead folded its wings tight and plunged.

Pale gusts swirled behind its long tail as its mountain-sized body dropped at a terrifying speed.

“Get lower!”

At Wang Seo-rin’s scream, the flying boat tilted so sharply that it nearly rolled over.

Blue-green shield plates shot from Yi Hyeon’s sleeve in a line.

In an instant, four plates locked together like gear teeth above the boat, forming a barrier.

Kaaa-boom!

Dozens of wind blades burst from the bird’s wingtips and struck the plates head-on.

The impact shook even the flying boat’s defensive barrier. One of the spirit stones set into the railing shattered with a crack, and the hull was hurled through the air.

The ridge behind them was sliced clean through at an angle.

Falling rocks and trees swallowed the forest with a deafening roar. Through the noise, Yuk Hong-yeon shouted.

“I’m taking us down!”

The flying boat plunged almost vertically.

As they dropped to a height where they nearly brushed the treetops, Yi Hyeon looked back and frowned.

The ape in the sea had vanished.

‘When did it...!’

Thoom!

With a roar that shook the earth, a gigantic figure struck the top of the coastal cliff like a bolt of lightning.

A Tier 3 demonic beast, a Scale-Armored Sea Ape.

The ape, its chest and belly covered in scales, sprang up again the moment it landed.

Kaboom!

Bedrock shattered beneath it. Wrapped in rippling demonic aura, its enormous body bounded through the air and crashed into the next mountainside.

The landing alone sent thick trees flying, roots and all. The gap between it and the flying boat closed in the blink of an eye.

Yi Hyeon moved the Six-Leaf Shield behind the boat.

Whoooosh!

A huge boulder the ape had torn loose and thrown came hurtling through the air.

A shield plate deflected it at an angle. Knocked off course, the boulder crashed into the forest below and sent up a great cloud of dust.

To make matters worse, the monstrous bird was circling overhead again.

Without slowing, it swept through a wide arc and turned back toward the front of the flying boat.

Yuk Hong-yeon gritted her teeth.

“Junior Sister Wang, take the helm!”

Wang Seo-rin steadied the boat without hesitation.

“Where should I go?”

“The low valley ahead! If we climb, we’ll be food for that bird!”

Yuk Hong-yeon pulled a faded yellow talisman from her storage pouch.

A crescent-shaped blade was drawn on it in blood-red ink. Age had worn away the patterns along its edges, leaving some parts faint, but the energy sleeping within remained sharp enough to cut flesh.

Yi Hyeon’s gaze fell on it.

‘A talisman treasure?’

Talisman treasures were consumable trump cards made by high-level cultivators at Golden Core or above. They sealed part of the power of their spells or magical treasures inside special talismans.

Usually given by family elders to their descendants, they were precious treasures meant for moments when one’s life hung by a thread.

Yuk Hong-yeon held the talisman upright between her palms as though in prayer.

“Buy me a little time. I’ll tear that bird apart first.”

Spiritual power poured from her whole body into the talisman like a waterfall. The blade drawn on it began to shine as though it had come alive.

Yi Hyeon rearranged his shield plates and replied.

“Leave it to me.”

The flying boat slipped into the narrow gorge running through the valley.

While controlling the boat’s restrictions, Wang Seo-rin floated her incense burner into the air. The brush in her other hand swept through the air, spreading a curtain of crimson flames.

Fwoooosh!

Fire streamed from the stern and filled the forest behind them.

The ape pursuing them roared and thrust out an enormous arm. The flames were torn apart with ease.

Broken tree trunks rained down, battering the flying boat’s stern.

At the same time, a shadow fell over them.

Skreeee!

The bird’s hooked talons sliced through the air as it dropped toward the bow. A sharp light flashed in Yi Hyeon’s eyes.

Claaang!

Its talons slid across three overlapping shield plates, scattering sparks.

The tremendous weight forced the flying boat sharply downward.

Treetops scraped its underside with a chilling grinding sound. Wang Seo-rin bit her lip and poured spiritual power into the restrictions, but the unbalanced hull struggled to rise.

Yi Hyeon closed his hand around empty air. An Essence-Condensing Grasping Hand suddenly rose beneath the boat and shoved its underside upward. With its help, the hull barely regained altitude.

Yi Hyeon considered their situation.

‘Even if Senior Sister Yuk uses her talisman treasure, I think she can only deal with one...’

The pressure of Tier 3 demonic beasts attacking in turn from the sky and the ground was terrifying.

Had he been alone, he would have hidden underground with the Earth Escape Spell long ago. But now he had fellow disciples to protect.

“Almost ready!”

Large beads of sweat rolled down Yuk Hong-yeon’s forehead.

The silver blade rising between her hands had taken solid form and was now as long as her forearm. The talisman paper had begun to blacken and burn.

Wang Seo-rin shouted.

“It’s coming back!”

The monstrous bird returned through the narrow opening in the gorge and spread both wings wide. Dozens of wind blades swirled viciously between its blue-tinged feathers.

Without hesitation, Yi Hyeon stacked all six plates of the Six-Leaf Shield in front of the boat.

Clatter-clatter!

Clang! Clang-clang-clang!

Countless sparks showered from the shield plates barring the way ahead of the boat.

The rock walls on both sides burst apart with thunderous blasts, sending rocks tumbling down.

The bird drove the wind with its wings, then charged with its huge body, thrusting its savage beak and talons forward.

At that moment, Yuk Hong-yeon’s eyes snapped open.

“Split apart!”

Paaaang!

Silver sword light shot in a straight line from her fingertips.

Sensing danger by instinct, the bird twisted its wings, but it was already too late.

The sword light cut through the barrier of demonic light around its wing as easily as slicing tofu and pierced the joint beneath.

Splaaash!

Dark blue feathers and blood sprayed in every direction like a fountain.

The bird’s piercing scream shook the gorge. Its massive body lost balance, passed at an angle just above the flying boat, and crashed into the mountainside. Dozens of trees and rocks were swept away at once.

The talisman treasure in Yuk Hong-yeon’s hand crumbled into ash.

Skreeee...!

With one wing hanging in tatters, the monstrous bird barely managed to stand. It glared resentfully at the flying boat.

When Yi Hyeon silently aimed the Six-Leaf Shield at it again, it flapped its wings and staggered into the air toward the sea.

Breathing hard, Yuk Hong-yeon brushed the ash from between her fingers.

“I poured all the talisman treasure’s power into that... and still couldn’t kill it.”

“Driving it away is enough.”

Yi Hyeon had just answered when it happened.

Rrrrumble!

The forest behind the gorge collapsed as though struck by a landslide.

The ape trampled the trees and leaped over the flying boat, then dropped like lightning to block their path.

“Watch out!”

Wang Seo-rin turned the boat sharply, but she could not avoid it completely.

Kaaa-boom!

Two enormous fists slammed into the floor of the gorge.

Fragments and dust surged upward like a waterfall, pounding mercilessly against the flying boat’s defensive barrier. The outer wall at the stern tore away, and the hull lurched violently.

The ape rose through the dust, a terrifying demonic aura spilling from between the scales on its chest.

Yuk Hong-yeon gripped her long spear and faced the roaring beast. But after using the talisman treasure, the flow of her spiritual power had clearly weakened.

Yi Hyeon looked from the huge body blocking their path to his two senior sisters.

‘If it’s just one...’

Having made his decision, he spoke calmly.

“Senior Sister Yuk, I have a talisman treasure too.”

Both women turned to stare at him.

“You have a talisman treasure?”

“A sword-type talisman treasure. When I activate it, sword qi will scatter in every direction. Please take the flying boat out of the gorge first.”

“No, we’ll distract it while you get ready to...!”

Yi Hyeon shook his head firmly.

“Mine doesn’t take long to activate. Having the boat nearby will only get in the way. I’ll hold it here, so go ahead!”

Before he had finished speaking, Yi Hyeon kicked off the deck and sprang into the air.

The blue-green shield plates followed him like shadows.

The ape’s yellow eyes immediately turned toward him. Its enormous hand swept through the air as though trying to catch a flying insect.

Whoosh!

Yi Hyeon dodged as lightly as a feather. At the same moment, the Six-Leaf Shield’s plates overlapped and slammed into the side of its wrist.

Bang!

The huge arm was knocked outward, creating a brief opening.

Wang Seo-rin steered the flying boat through that gap, skimming past the beast and out of the gorge.

“We’ll wait beyond the mountain! If it’s too much, get away at once!”

Yuk Hong-yeon’s shout faded on the wind.

Without looking back, Yi Hyeon put some distance between himself and the ape.

The moment he confirmed that the flying boat’s presence had vanished beyond the ridge, his gaze turned cold.

He took a scabbard from his storage pouch and drew a silver-gray sword.

Shing.

It was the Moon-Sinking Sword.

Yi Hyeon lowered its tip.

Thoom!

The ape kicked off the ground and charged. An arm as large as a house swept sideways through the air.

The six shield plates lined up in front of Yi Hyeon stopped the blow.

Kaaa-boom!

A tremendous impact traveled through the Six-Leaf Shield.

Yi Hyeon twisted the plates’ angles to divert that brute force toward the rock wall. At the same time, he slipped beneath the beast’s armpit.

Bang!

The rock wall burst apart. Through the shower of powdered stone, a silver-gray blade flashed like lightning.

Clang!

White sparks flew from the thick demonic light and scales. The blade failed to sink deep, sliding away after leaving only a shallow line.

Grrrr!

Baring its teeth, the ape brought its free left hand down from above.

Just as the palm covered him like a storm cloud, Yi Hyeon slid backward across the ground.

Thoom!

The earth caved in like a crater, and heaps of soil swept outward like a storm.

Determined not to let the retreating Yi Hyeon escape, the ape lowered its shoulder, stretched its right arm out, and lunged again.

At that moment, an Earth-Origin Force anchor formed in Yi Hyeon’s left hand as he retreated.

Hummm!

An invisible, heavy shackle locked around the beast’s wrist with a clunk!

The sudden force of immense gravity threw the huge arm off course.

Startled by a phenomenon it had never seen before, the ape shook its arm. But that brief delay gave Yi Hyeon more than enough time.

The vast spiritual power stored in his limbs, bones, and meridians surged all at once.

The Moon-Sinking Sword’s Light-Concealing restriction brightened, and the outline of its blade blurred within the light.

Hummmmm!

Yi Hyeon’s figure became a blur.

Supreme Unity Heavenly Dipper, Thirty-First Form: Split Light, Unite as One.

Whoooosh!

Dazzling light burst through the air in every direction, confusing the ape’s vision.

Every one of those countless rays was sword light. The sword light filling the space around it suddenly accelerated, converging into one before the ape’s eyes!

A flash!

Light so intense that it stung the skin covered the ape in white.

Splaaash!

A huge wound opened diagonally from its shoulder to the opposite flank, spraying dark red blood through the air.

“Kyaaaagh!”

The ape’s body arched backward with an agonized scream. But the ferocity of a Tier 3 demonic beast was not easily broken. Even as blood poured from it, it swung its left arm in a final struggle.

Claaang!

The shield plates, which had not yet formed a defensive array, were knocked helplessly aside. At such close range, there was nowhere to dodge, and the enormous fist struck Yi Hyeon hard in the side.

Kaboom!

At that moment, dazzling light swelled beneath his outer robe.

Crack!

A thin membrane, like a shed skin, rose around Yi Hyeon’s body and caught the fist.

It was a spirit molt from the Three-Molt Silkworm Robe.

The shed skin absorbed the deadly impact in his place and shattered.

Thrown backward by the force, Yi Hyeon spun several times in the air before landing lightly on the ground.

A dull pain remained in his side, but his bones and organs were unharmed.

Without the Three-Molt Silkworm Robe, that blow would have broken at least five or six ribs.

Yi Hyeon stared at the ape with cold eyes.

The ape clutched its torn chest, bloody foam spilling from its mouth. Between its ragged breaths came the bubbling sound of blood.

The savagery in its eyes slowly gave way to fear.

Realizing it had chosen the wrong opponent, the ape hurriedly turned to flee toward the coast. Yi Hyeon kicked off the ground.

Without looking back, the fleeing ape tore loose a rock and threw it.

The rock shattered against the Six-Leaf Shield. Through the fragments, a silver-gray flash cut across the air.

The ape hastily turned and covered its neck with its arm.

Sword light cut deep into its forearm, forcing the enormous hand aside. In that instant, the Moon-Sinking Sword flashed again.

Swishhh!

This time, the sword light slipped smoothly into the open wound across its chest.

The ape’s pupils lost focus, and its body stiffened.

The bloody, bubbling breaths in its throat stopped.

Thooooom!

Its enormous body toppled limply onto its side.

The swirling demonic aura dispersed, and a thick cloud of sandy dust rose in a long trail.

Without approaching, Yi Hyeon thoroughly examined the corpse with the Qi-Observing Spell and his spiritual sense.

Only after confirming that its vitality had completely ceased and its primordial spirit had vanished did he slowly lower himself to the ground.

The valley looked as though a natural disaster had swept through it.

An entire section of forest had been torn away, and deep sword marks remained in the rock walls.

Yi Hyeon brushed off his clothes and checked beneath his outer robe. Of the three embroidered cocoons inside the Three-Molt Silkworm Robe, one had lost its light and turned an inky black.

‘Good thing I prepared the supreme-grade magical implements.’

He could not afford to be careless. The thought of what might have happened if there had been just one more Tier 3 demonic beast was horrifying.

Yi Hyeon approached the fallen ape’s throat.

Within its hard breastbone, he sensed a mass of condensed demonic power pulsing more strongly than its heart had.

A demonic core.

It was the inner core of a Tier 3 demonic beast, something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could never dream of obtaining alone.

...

When the flying boat cautiously returned above the valley, Yi Hyeon was standing on a bloodstained rock, steadying his breathing.

Holding the deck railing and looking down, Wang Seo-rin’s eyes widened.

“...No way.”

The enormous ape’s corpse lay sprawled across the valley floor.

Yuk Hong-yeon jumped from the boat first and swept a sharp gaze over Yi Hyeon from head to toe.

“Junior Brother Yi, are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

Wang Seo-rin landed behind her and clicked her tongue at the ape’s horribly torn wounds.

“A talisman treasure could do this...? Just how advanced was the senior who made that sword-type talisman treasure, for it to kill a Tier 3 demonic beast?”

“I was lucky. Its sword qi struck the beast squarely in a vital spot.”

“What about the talisman treasure? Was it completely used up?”

At Yuk Hong-yeon’s question, Yi Hyeon put on a bitter expression and nodded.

“It turned into a handful of ash.”

Yuk Hong-yeon sighed deeply.

“I suppose it would. Mine was used up just crippling one wing... You really made a great sacrifice, Junior Brother.”

“If you hadn’t driven the bird away, Senior Sister, I wouldn’t have survived either.”

Calmly changing the subject, Yi Hyeon pointed to the corpse.

“Let’s take care of this first. The smell of blood might draw other demonic beasts.”

Both women immediately agreed and got to work.

While Yuk Hong-yeon watched their surroundings, Wang Seo-rin took a large jade case, preservative medicinal liquid, and Spirit-Sealing Talismans from her storage pouch.

As Yi Hyeon’s sword cut into the ape’s rib cage, a deep light shone from between its thick bones.

A demonic core the size of an adult’s fist.

Even outside the body, energy like a whirlpool in a blue sea seemed to live and breathe beneath its surface.

Wang Seo-rin held back a gasp.

“It’s completely undamaged! It may only be an early Golden Core demonic core, but... it’s top quality.”

Yi Hyeon carefully held out the core. Wang Seo-rin quickly took it, placed it inside the jade case filled with medicinal liquid, and closed the lid.

The two of them attached several Spirit-Sealing Talismans.

They then swiftly harvested and packed away the Tier 3 demonic beast’s precious scales, tendons, and bones.

After dividing the last of the cases among their storage pouches, the three left without delay.

...

As the flying boat left the valley, a red sunset spread where the storm clouds had cleared, staining the far edge of the sea.

Leaning against the stern railing, Yi Hyeon pressed a hand to his aching side. Wang Seo-rin glanced at him and asked.

“Want some medicine? Are you bruised?”

“I’ve already taken an alchemical pill, so I’m fine.”

“If it hurts even a little, don’t hide it. Tell me.”

“Yes, Senior Sister.”

Sitting in a corner of the deck, Yuk Hong-yeon took a small book from inside her robe and wrote a few lines. Then her brush stopped.

“I shouldn’t have taken the flying boat up in the first place.”

When Yi Hyeon turned toward her, she added with a look of self-reproach.

“There was a bird lurking overhead, yet I rushed to gain altitude. If Junior Brother Yi hadn’t blocked that first strike, the boat would have been destroyed and we’d all have died.”

“It was a sudden ambush.”

Wang Seo-rin spoke as though to comfort her, but Yuk Hong-yeon shook her head firmly.

“Handling unexpected situations is the commander’s responsibility.”

She dipped her brush in ink, wrote another line, and closed the book.

“What did you write?”

At Yi Hyeon’s question, Yuk Hong-yeon smiled bitterly.

“That we didn’t come back alive because my decisions were right. We owed a great deal to the good fortune of having you with us.”

* * *

When the three reached a temple in a nearby city, Abbot Won-o and the young monks were still helping refugees who remained scattered throughout the area.

Won-o had gone pale upon hearing that two Tier 3 demonic beasts had appeared. At the report that the three had driven one away and slain the other, the abbot was left speechless, mouth hanging open.

...

Three days later, a Golden Core elder and elite disciples dispatched by Jewel Light Temple’s Demon-Subduing Court arrived.

Yuk Hong-yeon’s verbal report, Wang Seo-rin’s detailed diagrams of the demonic beasts, and the tissue samples Yi Hyeon submitted were handed to the elder.

No traces of gu insects or sorcery had been found in the beasts’ bodies. The elder raised the possibility that something had chased them in from the open sea. However, the information gathered so far was not enough to determine the cause.

The elder gave an order.

“The Demon-Subduing Court will take over from here. You three are to return immediately and rest.”

Only then did the three return to Jewel Light Temple with their minds at ease.

...

A few days later.

After receiving a full report of the incident, Hyedam clicked their tongue.

“I told you to investigate Tier 2 demonic beasts, and you ended up fighting Tier 3 beasts for your lives... Well, you came back alive. That’s what matters. Take a break from alchemy for now and focus on recovering.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Master.”

“You said you brought that demonic core back?”

“Yes.”

“Come with me. Let’s go see Junior Brother Hye-gak.”

...

The Appraisal Room beside the Inner Alchemy Chamber.

With reverent care, Hye-gak unsealed the jade case.

The demonic core floated into the air, radiating blue light. A faint sound of waves and a demonic aura filled the room.

“It’s certainly from a Scale-Armored Sea Ape.”

Hye-gak sent a faint stream of magical power into the core and spoke in admiration.

“It’s only at early Tier 3, but its structure is undamaged. We can use it as the main ingredient for a Gold-Condensing Pill.”

He continued.

“Yi Dong-sa, are you thinking of keeping it for when you prepare for core formation?”

“I’m still considering it.”

“Then I’d advise against it.”

Hye-gak pointed to the structure inside the demonic core.

“Unlike when it’s inside the beast’s body, once a demonic core has been removed, its energy will leak over time and its structure will deteriorate, no matter how tightly you seal it. Unless you’re about to attempt core formation, it’s better to refine it as soon as possible.”

‘Of course. Besides, one pill won’t be nearly enough for me...’

Yi Hyeon had no idea how long it would take to cultivate his entire body to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.

Even if he had a Gold-Condensing Pill made in advance, it was obvious that most of its medicinal strength would be lost by then.

For now, he was better off selling it.

“Could your division purchase it?”

Hye-gak nodded.

“Of course! The sect is always short of ingredients for Gold-Condensing Pills, so I’ll give you a generous price. I’ll buy all the scales and bones from the corpse as well.”

...

A few days later, the accounts were settled.

The sect praised the three for their service and compensated Yuk Hong-yeon in spirit stones for the talisman treasure she had used. Yi Hyeon declined any separate compensation for his loss, saying that the payment for the demonic beast materials was enough.

In fact, the proceeds from selling the core and other materials exceeded the price of an ordinary talisman treasure.

...

At the end of that month, Hye-gak summoned Yi Hyeon to help with the refining of a Gold-Condensing Pill, which Hye-gak oversaw in a corner of the Inner Alchemy Chamber.

The core of the Scale-Armored Sea Ape Yi Hyeon had slain melted inside the pill furnace, surrounded by several golden rings of magical power.

The savage energy surrounding the core dispersed in the flames. Beneath it, the structure that emerged retained its form, taking in the energy of the refined medicinal ingredients one after another.

The essences of various spirit plants merged in a brilliant display.

After a while, the medicinal energies gathered around the core’s structure and joined as one. At last, a Gold-Condensing Pill with a soft golden glow took shape.

Yi Hyeon watched every step carefully, committing it all to memory.

* * *

Three months passed.

Thanks to a large-scale sweep by the Demon-Subduing Court, peace returned to the southern coast. The closed ports grew lively again.

Apart from the Tier 3 demonic beasts Yi Hyeon’s group had encountered, only two or so more appeared. The exact cause of the beasts’ unrest was never discovered.

Yi Hyeon’s daily life became peaceful.

The damaged spirit molt of the Three-Molt Silkworm Robe was also fully restored through gentle warming with spiritual power.

...

One day, work in the alchemy chamber finished earlier than usual.

Yi Hyeon washed his hands and stepped into the corridor, where a familiar voice reached him.

“Junior Brother Yi.”

He turned to see Wang Seo-rin approaching with light steps.

“You finished early?”

“Yes. Do you still have work left, Senior Sister?”

“No, I’m done too. Um... before you go, just a moment.”

Wang Seo-rin looked around, then stepped close to him.

A faint fragrance reached him as her pale hand slipped suddenly inside his sleeve.