Ophidian of the Immortal World - Chapter 98

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: WeTried Translations

◈ Ophidian of the Immortal World ◈

Chapter 98: Harvest

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In the end, Cheongo failed to recreate an Innate Divine Ability, but they still gained something in their own way.

Surprisingly, this childish crow had a talent for divine-soul secret arts, or more precisely, Illusion Art.

Jegyeong had taught them the Soul-Seeking Technique, but Cheongo had only heard a rough explanation of its principles before putting it to use.

Even so, the secret art they used so casually was more effective than when Jegyeong used it with full focus.

Jegyeong even doubted whether Cheongo had truly used the Soul-Seeking Technique at all.

After all, Cheongo's Soul-Seeking Technique activated the instant they met someone's eyes.

Whenever Qi Refining cultivators made eye contact with Cheongo, the light vanished from their eyes at once, and they became puppets who diligently answered every question.

Even if Jegyeong used the Soul-Seeking Technique with all his strength, he could not achieve such an effect.

When he asked sensitive questions, it took quite some time to receive an answer. On rare occasions, late-stage Qi Refining cultivators with strong wills even broke free of the Soul-Seeking Technique entirely.

Cheongo, on the other hand, had learned the Soul-Seeking Technique only days ago, yet they could already be called a master of it.

And that was not all.

“Caw! More to the right! To the right!”

Jegyeong watched Cheongo press their wings tightly to their body, hold their head high, and bark meaningless orders. It reminded him of his previous life.

A thin-haired, pot-bellied middle-aged man who stood with his hands behind his back while everyone else worked, doing nothing but flapping his mouth.

When everyone else rubbed their aching backs, that hateful man had patted his bloated belly instead.

Cheongo looked exactly like him now.

Jegyeong knew this was absurd jealousy.

But what was he supposed to do when jealousy was eating at him?

Cheongo had used a Hypnosis Technique that surpassed the Soul-Seeking Technique to turn five Human Race cultivators into puppets.

The problem was that they were using them to build a nest.

The new nest still gleamed gaudily, and it was ridiculously huge.

The longer Jegyeong watched it, the more uncomfortable it made him feel.

‘Well, if that counts as cultivation for them, then I suppose it does.’

Cheongo had gained Spiritual Intelligence long ago, but they had always been something of a wastrel, strongly inclined to chase pleasure alone. After dreaming of the Immortal, though, their disposition had changed greatly.

Perhaps they had developed the awareness of a cultivator.

They were not as desperate about cultivation as Han Cheongyu, but they now possessed an ambition to improve equal to that of any ordinary cultivator. Aside from their ridiculous hobby, Cheongo could be considered a proper cultivator.

This change had happened quite a while ago. Recently, however, sleep itself had been cultivation, so Cheongo had not had the chance to show that side of themself.

Now that they had become a Great Demon Beast and escaped their addiction to sleep, things were different.

There was probably some meaning in turning Human Race cultivators into puppets and making them build a nest.

“Polish it! Clean it properly! Make it shine brighter!”

...There probably was.

* * *

Perhaps Cheongo's absurd talent for Innate Divine Abilities and Illusion Art had left too strong an impression, because their other abilities failed to impress Jegyeong.

Their body had grown larger and stronger, and their combat power had become incomparably greater than when they had been a Demon Beast. Still, for a Great Demon Beast, it was rather disappointing.

Jegyeong did not care.

He had never expected Cheongo to have any combat ability in the first place.

“You should act as my representative.”

“My representative?”

“You'll patrol the islands in these waters on my behalf at regular intervals.”

Until now, Jegyeong had paid little attention to the Human Race within his waters.

He had only forbidden them from freely interacting with the Human Race in the outer region. He had not tried to gain anything from them.

It was not because he had no desire to do so. They were simply too poor and too untalented. Even if he wanted to profit from them, there was nothing to gain.

Now, though, the situation had changed.

Jegyeong had taught the Human Race in his waters cultivation methods and given them various basic cultivation arts, spirit plants, and other things.

All those investments had been for this moment.

They had grown plump enough. It was time to collect what he had not been able to collect before.

There would probably be resistance.

Out of sight, out of mind. Whether it was affection or fear, emotions faded if they were not felt firsthand for too long.

The Black Sect Hall's oppression had been thorough, while Jegyeong's rule had been close to neglect.

The Human Race had likely forgotten how terrifying the black jiao that had crushed the Black Sect Hall they feared so deeply truly was.

Controlling them was simple.

If they had forgotten fear, he only needed to plant it in them again.

Jegyeong did not want to do that.

Not for any grand reason. It was simply too troublesome.

If he had the mental energy to spend on such trivial matters, should he not devote it to cultivation instead?

Originally, he had intended to use the Human Race subordinates of Black Shark Island.

But when Cheongo crossed the Great Demon Barrier, a better option appeared.

“Can I do it?”

“You don't have to do anything special. Just fly over the islands and threaten them as needed. They'll submit on their own.”

No matter how unreliable they were, Cheongo was still a Great Demon Beast.

If they cried out a few times, most Human Race cultivators would lose the will to resist and fall to their knees.

“Okay. I understand. Do I go now?”

“No. We should notify them first.”

A few days later, Jegyeong summoned Han Cheongyu and the other Human Race subordinates.

They looked confused by the sudden summons, but their expressions stiffened as soon as Jegyeong explained his purpose.

Jegyeong carefully observed their reactions.

This was a simple order, but it was also a test.

He wanted to know whether they would submit by force or follow him willingly.

“I will obey your command.”

Han Cheongyu did not disappoint him.

He immediately prepared to depart for Three Frog Island as though it were nothing important.

Han Cheongyu's reaction influenced the other Human Race cultivators as well.

‘Damn it. This means it isn't much of a test.’

The Bloodline Restriction Art could control their hearts, but it could not control their minds. Jegyeong had wanted to use this chance to sound out their true feelings.

But Han Cheongyu had ruined it.

‘That was a mistake. I should have called everyone except him.’

It was unfortunate, but what could he do? It had already happened.

“Go. Convey my will to your people.”

The cultivators of Black Shark Island departed together.

They split into several groups, visited the islands of the Black Jiao Waters, and conveyed Jegyeong's will.

Some sighed and accepted it. Others resisted.

Following Jegyeong's instructions, Cheongo visited those who resisted.

There was no need for direct threats.

It was enough for them to release the Aura of a Great Demon Beast and cry out a few times in the sky above an island.

“Caw!”

Cheongo's eyes gleamed as they looked down at the trembling Human Race below.

The islanders had already lost heart and were shaking in fear, but Cheongo continued circling the island for a long while, proudly showing off.

They neither revealed killing intent nor made any direct threat. Yet the mere fact that a Great Demon Beast was prowling about without concealing its presence subjected the Human Race on the island to extreme terror.

The Human Race cultivators of Black Shark Island diligently traveled from island to island, while Cheongo followed them and continued their display of might.

In less than two months, every member of the Human Race in the Black Jiao Waters agreed to accept the new rules.

“Although the tribute is not without burden, it is still better than being tormented by the Black Sect Hall. Besides, did the Dragon Lord not give us the means to prepare tribute long ago?”

Those forced to accept reality began rationalizing it.

Still, this was not mere self-consolation.

They now had to offer tribute, but the burden was far lighter than the exploitation they had suffered under the Black Sect Hall.

Unlike before, they now possessed skills of their own. As long as they did not grow lazy, preparing tribute would not be a problem.

* * *

“Hmm.”

After receiving the report on the small changes in the Black Jiao Waters, Gwak Jeongsin nodded meaningfully.

‘So he has finally decided to squeeze them dry.’

He had no interest in fugitives who possessed neither talent nor wealth.

The one he cared about was his business partner, who was lying low on Black Shark Island.

‘Then again, he endured it for a long time.’

People were resources. Even those who appeared completely useless could produce something if squeezed hard enough.

Gwak Jeongsin thought his business partner's patience alone had been remarkable.

‘Tribute. How human of him.’

His patience until now was impressive enough, but the way he had chosen to squeeze the Human Race at last was also striking.

By swinging the sickle only as far as they could bear, he was seeking long-term profit.

Was that not the Human Race's way?

‘Still... a crow Great Demon Beast.’

A crow-like Great Demon Beast had immediately appeared over any island that resisted.

Judging by the Great Demon Beast's actions, they were clearly a subordinate of the black jiao.

There was nothing strange about that by itself.

Powerful Great Demons sometimes kept Great Demon Beast subordinates.

‘Could it be that one?’

Gwak Jeongsin remembered that his business partner had an unusual companion. He had even given that creature sweet treats a few times in the past.

If he remembered correctly, that companion had been a crow Demon Beast.

Could that creature have crossed the Great Demon Barrier?

‘Yes. That must be it.’

Gwak Jeongsin quietly marveled.

Was it true that extraordinary beings drew extraordinary companions to their side?

Who would have thought that the foolish-looking crow from back then possessed such potential?

“Withdraw all our information agents from the Black Jiao Waters.”

“Yes.”

A Great Demon Realm Demon Bird was exceptional.

Combat power aside, its mobility was faster than that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator riding a Flying Sword.

With such strength added to Black Shark Island, the Black Jiao Waters would clearly become far more dangerous than before.

Rather than risk their lives for a little unimportant information, it was better to pull back.

“Vice President, Myeongseo Sect has sent word that they will attend this auction.”

“Understood. Discreetly let Golden Sun Sect learn of the news as well.”

“Yes.”

“And... what happened to those fellows from before?”

“We have not found them yet. Could they have already left Yangseo Lake?”

Gwak Jeongsin shook his head.

“No. That is impossible. How could those who have already tasted the sweetness retreat so easily?”

“Then... perhaps they fled beyond the Human Territories.”

“That may be so.”

A heavy mood settled over the room.

Calamity Cultivators who ignored order and rules could occasionally become useful pawns, but most of the time, they were a nuisance.

This time was no different.

“Enough. If they have already slipped away, there is nothing we can do. Tell the people on the front lines to be careful. For the time being, use spiritual cuisine for all trade caravans.”

“Yes, sir.”

After giving his orders, Gwak Jeongsin turned around.

The splendid, majestic vista of the great city filled his sight.

It was familiar by now, yet it still seized both his eyes and his heart.

Every time he saw it, he felt pleased and proud.

How desperately had he worked to stand here in the past?

The emotions he had felt when he first reached this position two years ago had been so intense that they affected even his Dao Heart.

At the time, he had been overjoyed, but he had not been satisfied.

Even this position, admired by all, had never been his goal.

From the beginning, his eyes had been fixed higher.

‘There is not much left.’

Only one step remained.