Ophidian of the Immortal World - Chapter 87

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: WeTried Translations

◈ Ophidian of the Immortal World ◈

Chapter 87: Origin Flame

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“Thus, before it is an aggregate of Dharma Power, the Dharma Seed may be called the foundation of the Dao, a spark of Ignition that illuminates a cultivator’s own Immortal Path.”

The detached, almost chanting voice of True Person Cheongheo settled into the hearts of every cultivator.

Jegyeong found it somewhat difficult to grasp.

It felt as though he understood True Person Cheongheo’s words, yet at the same time, understood nothing at all.

He savored the Dao Fortune contained within that detachment as deeply as he could while trying to commit every word to memory.

In truth, teachings from a senior cultivator as distant and lofty as True Person Cheongheo were not something he could fully comprehend at his current level.

Even if he could comprehend them, he could only use them for reference. He could not walk the exact same path as a senior cultivator.

After all, if there were ten thousand cultivators, there would be ten thousand Immortal Paths.

The purpose of listening to a senior cultivator’s Lecture on the Dao was to broaden one’s foundation through their experiences and expand one’s Immortal Path.

If one could make that path even a little wider, the chance of taking a wrong step would lessen by that much.

“As expected of True Person Cheongheo.”

“It seems they have resolved to overcome the Spirit Transformation Tribulation.”

“I heard True Person Cheongheo still has quite a bit of lifespan left. Isn’t this too hasty?”

“Perhaps they believe there is no need to delay a path they must walk eventually.”

“What an admirable Dao Heart.”

After the Lecture on the Dao ended, the cultivators of the Forget-Me Garden gathered in small groups to talk.

Jegyeong also joined the cultivators of the Full-Wing Gathering at a suitable place to exchange insights.

The realizations of cultivators who had only reached the early or middle Foundation Establishment Stage were not particularly remarkable, but discussions of the Dao like these still held meaning for them.

They gained something, however small, and fostered a sense of belonging to their little gathering, the Full-Wing Gathering.

“They say senior cultivators give Lectures on the Dao to juniors like us in order to gain Good karmic bonds. But what exactly is a Good karmic bond? Some say it is merit, while others say the bond itself holds meaning... What meaning could a connection with insignificant people like us possibly have?”

“Haha. Who knows? I do not intend to trouble myself over it in advance. When it is time to know, I will know.”

Uh Dobaek shook their head with a bitter smile.

“Yes. That is the right answer.”

Jegyeong glanced sidelong at Uh Dobaek, who carried an air of quiet emptiness.

Uh Dobaek still remained at the middle Foundation Establishment Stage, unable to break through their bottleneck.

‘Perhaps they have given up.’

As far as Jegyeong knew, Uh Dobaek was no longer young.

From the casual conversations they had shared, Jegyeong also knew that Uh Dobaek had a family, and it did not seem to be a small one. For several years now, they had often spoken of a clever grandchild and the promise of that child’s future Immortal Path.

It was the very image of an elder placing their hopes in those who would come after them.

Jegyeong could not understand Uh Dobaek’s heart, but he did not mock or look down on them.

Everyone had their own circumstances. How could he understand another’s heart without becoming that person first?

Still, seeing the Dao Heart of the person he had called Fellow Daoist falter left him feeling unsettled.

“Senior Uh, there is something that has been troubling me lately. I would like to ask for your guidance on fire arts.”

“Oh? If I can be of help, I would be happy to.”

Uh Dobaek was the only cultivator in the Full-Wing Gathering who cultivated fire arts.

Jegyeong often sought their advice on the subject, and Uh Dobaek answered every question without difficulty.

Of course, Jegyeong, who wielded demon power rather than Dharma Power, could not apply Uh Dobaek’s teachings exactly as they were. Still, they helped him greatly as a reference.

Jegyeong believed that roughly thirty percent of his accomplishments in fire arts over the last ten years were thanks to Uh Dobaek.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

“Guidance? You are too modest. We should call it an exchange.”

Uh Dobaek was the oldest cultivator in the Full-Wing Gathering, so they also knew the most.

Jegyeong often asked them about matters beyond cultivation as well, and Uh Dobaek always answered earnestly without showing the slightest irritation.

“I would say that deciding to devote yourself to alchemy was a good choice. Cultivators like us who cultivate fire arts have an advantage in wielding fire, so it is easier for us to show talent in fields such as alchemy and artifact refining. Still, cultivation arts like those, especially alchemy, inevitably consume many Spirit Stones from the very beginning...”

“That is certainly true. Even now, I have only attempted a few types of Qi Refining Stage Medicinal Pills. I cannot yet bring myself to try anything beyond that.”

“That is perfectly normal. Other cultivation arts also require Spirit Stones to build proficiency, but compared to alchemy, they are barely worth mentioning.”

That was why Rogue Cultivator alchemists were so rare.

For an alchemist to build skill, they needed not only a proper inheritance, but countless attempts and failures. Every one of those attempts and failures cost Spirit Stones.

Rogue Cultivators with no one to rely on simply could not bear such expenses. Naturally, alchemy became a field monopolized by wealthy sects and cultivation clans.

Yet cultivators still tried their hand at alchemy at least once, despite knowing those difficulties.

Alchemy Art was simply that alluring.

There was a reason alchemy was considered the foremost of the hundred cultivation arts.

Once one reached the point of calling oneself an alchemist, one no longer needed to worry about lacking cultivation resources.

Spirit medicine for ingredients? Those seeking Medicinal Pills would bring it on their own.

Spirit Stones? Those seeking Medicinal Pills would bring those too.

The only issue was that people who coveted such skill and wealth might pose a threat. Even that was not a major concern.

A capable alchemist was like nobility. People wishing to befriend them gathered like clouds wherever they went.

If one feared hidden schemes, one only needed to find capable friends or patrons among those who gathered around them.

Of course, that was only when everything went as well as possible.

Entering any field was easy, but reaching its peak was difficult. Alchemy was especially so.

Building proficiency in alchemy required more than Spirit Stones. It also required talent.

Jegyeong had come to feel that deeply in recent days.

“Controlling fire is difficult.”

It might sound strange coming from someone who had opened his Spiritual Essence with the fire qi of a Fire Crystal, but it was true.

The deeper Jegyeong’s attainments in alchemy became, the more difficulty he had controlling fire.

It was not only a matter of controlling fire qi. The fire itself was also a problem.

“I feel that Demon Flame is unsuitable for alchemy.”

Demon Flame was fierce and destructive.

The nature of the demon power it came from was like that, so the Demon Flame born of it could not help carrying the same nature.

Jegyeong had tried to control those traits, but the limits were clear.

In a field like alchemy, where even the slightest difference could produce completely different results, Demon Flame’s nature was poison.

“Hmm. I do not know much about Demon Flame, but I have heard that those who cultivate cultivation methods with powerful destructive force often struggle to control fire.”

“So it is not only my problem.”

Should that be considered fortunate?

Jegyeong smiled bitterly.

He was already having this much trouble refining Qi Refining Stage Medicinal Pills. Once he began attempting pills of a higher grade, he might end up producing nothing but ruined pills.

Jegyeong could accept even such heavy losses if they allowed him to improve.

But if they did not?

While Jegyeong was feeling somewhat discouraged, Uh Dobaek, who had been silent for some time, spoke.

“Do not take what I am about to say too seriously. If fire is the problem... perhaps you could change the fire itself.”

“Change the fire? What do you mean?”

“Have you heard of an Origin Flame?”

“I have not.”

“Hmm. Then have you heard of a Life-Bound Dharma Treasure?”

“Yes.”

Just as Qi Refining cultivators used Spiritual Artifacts and Foundation Establishment cultivators used Dharma Artifacts, Golden Core Realm cultivators used Dharma treasures.

A Life-Bound Dharma Treasure was a Dharma treasure connected to a cultivator’s Origin.

Such Life-Bound Dharma Treasures were stronger than ordinary Dharma treasures, and their power increased as the cultivator’s cultivation deepened.

But if a Life-Bound Dharma Treasure was damaged or even destroyed, the cultivator’s Origin would also suffer damage. At best, they would be severely injured. At worst, they could lose their life.

“An Origin Flame is similar to a Life-Bound Dharma Treasure. The difference is that a Life-Bound Dharma Treasure is only connected to the cultivator’s Origin, while an Origin Flame becomes one with it.”

“Are you saying I should obtain an Origin Flame and change the nature of my Demon Flame?”

“It is one possibility. Still, I have only heard about Origin Flames in passing, so I do not know much. I do not know what kind of fire is suitable as an Origin Flame, and even if you find a suitable flame, I do not know how to guide it into your Origin. Naturally, I do not know what effects or changes might come afterward either. That is why I told you not to take it too seriously.”

Uh Dobaek’s words were full of uncertainty, but Jegyeong saw possibility in them.

‘At least I now have a reason not to give up.’

Since he had already begun studying alchemy, Jegyeong wanted to become a proper alchemist.

For the Immortal Path ahead, he needed to master at least one trade that could support him, and alchemy was unquestionably the best choice.

Unless he had no other option, he did not want to give up alchemy.

‘Origin Flame... Since Senior Uh used a Life-Bound Dharma Treasure as an example, perhaps I can only attempt it after reaching the Golden Core Realm?’

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

As Uh Dobaek had said, they had only offered a possibility based on something heard secondhand.

They did not even know what an Origin truly was.

‘Golden Core Realm cultivators would know...’

Not every Golden Core Realm cultivator of the Human Race possessed a Life-Bound Dharma Treasure, but those who had reached that realm would surely know what an Origin was.

‘I should look into it.’

Just because Uh Dobaek did not know did not mean that other Foundation Establishment cultivators would not know either.

The cultivators of the Spirit Talisman Merchant Association in particular had broad experience and access to much knowledge, so there was a good chance they knew about Origins.

They might even know about Origin Flames.

Black Shark Palace.

Jegyeong sat across from Gwak Jeongsin and spoke with him.

After asking after each other, Jegyeong immediately brought up the main subject.

“Do you know about Origins?”

“Origins?”

Gwak Jeongsin’s eyes brightened in surprise, but he readily nodded.

“Not in detail, but I know the general idea.”

“Would you teach me? If necessary, I will pay for it.”

“No, that is unnecessary. There is no need to speak of payment for something like this between us.”

“Haha.”

Gwak Jeongsin smiled as he took a sip of tea, then frowned slightly.

“Still, as I said, what I know is only a general concept. Please regard it only as a reference.”

Jegyeong composed himself and listened closely.

“The three elements that make up a living being are essence, qi, and spirit. Essence refers to the physical body, qi to vital strength, and spirit to the divine soul. But these three are not one. They are closely connected, yet only connected in the literal sense. The thing that binds those three elements together and makes them belong to a cultivator is the Origin.”

Gwak Jeongsin’s explanation sounded somewhat long-winded and disordered.

As he had said, he likely understood it only in broad terms himself.

Still, through Gwak Jeongsin’s explanation, Jegyeong was able to roughly understand what an Origin was.

Put simply, the Origin was the root of a cultivator.

Essence, qi, and spirit were said to be the three elements of a living being, yet a cultivator could exist without all of them.

Ghost cultivators were an example.

A ghost cultivator had no physical body, and therefore no essence. They were beings made only of qi and spirit.

Seen that way, the conditions for a living being could not be the conditions for a cultivator.

But an Origin was different.

It was a cultivator’s true root.

“An Origin Flame... I have heard of it. There was a story about a cultivator obtaining a precious flame and making it into their Origin Flame.”

Gwak Jeongsin said he had heard of Origin Flames as well, but he did not know the details.