WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart ◈

Chapter 24: Yao Tribe Attack

──────

It was both obvious and not obvious what name to give.

If Han Yujin gave the name Yeon Biwon, he could immediately make use of the identity jade token. But that meant accepting the risk that Yeon Biwon might have acquaintances somewhere. Besides, once the citywide art-formula restriction was restored, there was a strong chance he would be exposed anyway.

On the other hand, if he gave his real name or any alias, even presenting the identity jade token would become difficult. Still, that might be better than being caught after stealing and impersonating someone else's identity.

"Yeon Biwon."

Even so, Han Yujin gave that answer. Since he had decided to make use of Yeon Biwon's identity, he intended to see it through for now.

Since he planned to return later, he also needed to find out just how useful Yeon Biwon's identity was.

"Your enthusiasm is commendable, but do you truly understand my lecture before coming here?"

"I believe I understood everything you have taught so far."

"Everything?"

A trace of disbelief appeared on Won Baengnyeong's face.

It was already the fourth day since the lecture had begun, so Han Yujin had learned the other cultivator's name and identity without making much effort.

Won Baengnyeong was an early Core Formation Stage female cultivator. She was not only an alchemy master herself, but also the direct disciple of Bok Changgwang, a late Nascent Soul Stage grandmaster alchemist.

Taicheong Palace, where Bok Changgwang served as an elder, was said to be an enormous and immensely powerful cultivation sect whose influence extended across several worlds. It even had an Integration Stage Supreme Elder.

After the Entry Stage came the Dharma Soul Stage, then the Core Formation Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, Spirit Transformation Stage, and Integration Stage.

Depending on the cultivation method, there could also be a special realm called the Void Refinement Stage between the Spirit Transformation and Integration Stages. In any case, only the Tribulation Crossing Stage and True Immortal Stage lay above it. Even across the entire cultivation world, an Integration Stage cultivator was a terrifying existence whose status was anything but trivial.

"Why is the Fire Essence Dissolution Dharma Pattern necessary when processing a fire-aspected spirit plant?"

"First, because it shares the fire attribute, it minimizes the energy lost during processing. Second, among the components of the Fire Essence Dissolution Dharma Pattern, these particular parts..."

Though slightly troubled, Han Yujin calmly began explaining. Following the method Won Baengnyeong used during her lectures, he used a simple application of dharma patterns to draw light in the air.

The question could have been answered simply, but Han Yujin guessed her intention and recited the related lecture material at length.

"...therefore, during the later fusion process, this pattern may clash with the two purification dharma patterns used earlier. Even so, if it clashes with this pattern, arranging them like this can deliberately produce an additional opposing effect and settle the unstable fluctuations of spiritual power. However, another point of caution during this combination process is that if the toxicity of that fire-aspected spirit plant..."

"That will do. You certainly seem to understand it."

The Core Formation Stage female cultivator waved a hand and stopped Han Yujin's answer. She already looked sufficiently satisfied.

Many Dharma Soul Stage cultivators nearby, and even a few Core Formation Stage cultivators, looked at Han Yujin with considerable interest.

"You appear to be only in the middle Entry Stage. When did you accumulate such knowledge of alchemy dharma patterns?"

"This junior has always been interested in it, so I studied whenever I had the time."

"Show me your identity jade token."

Slightly tense, Han Yujin removed the jade token from his waist and sent it over with the Object Manipulation Art. The Core Formation Stage female cultivator gently caught it, glanced once at Han Yujin, then took something from her Storage Pouch and returned it along with the token.

It was a book. Its title was simply Alchemy Primer. Though clean as if it were new, it also bore signs of having been handled.

"It is a book I studied when I was in the Entry Stage. It has annotations as well, so come find me once you have mastered it all. Or you may come directly to Taicheong Palace. I will accept you as an Outer Sect disciple."

"Gasp..."

Han Yujin had not made that sound. It came from a Dharma Soul Stage cultivator beside him.

The gazes that had been directed at Han Yujin with interest and slight admiration instantly turned into intense looks mixed with envy and jealousy. Everyone here was exceptional enough that it almost felt as though those gazes pricked his skin.

"Th-thank you."

Han Yujin stammered slightly in surprise. Yet perhaps that reaction made him seem genuinely moved, because Won Baengnyeong looked quite satisfied.

"You are still young and have talent as an alchemist. Taking care of you to this extent is nothing. Do not grow complacent, and continue cultivating diligently."

"I will remember that."

"Then... fellow cultivators, I will continue the lecture. My apologies for taking up some time."

After apologizing out of courtesy, Won Baengnyeong resumed her lecture as usual. Han Yujin immediately focused, though he could not help drifting into a few thoughts.

'A book a Core Formation Stage cultivator studied and annotated during the Entry Stage...'

It was only material from her Entry Stage days, but perhaps that was precisely why it held even greater value. It was enough to make Han Yujin wonder whether it was really all right to hand something like this over to a stranger merely because he showed a little talent.

'Did I really do that well?'

Maybe he had. He needed to consider once again that he was the only Entry Stage cultivator in this vast square.

'The rarity of alchemists must have played a part, too.'

Won Baengnyeong might have judged that trying to draw Han Yujin in with nothing more than an annotated book would at least not be a loss.

This situation alone proved that alchemy was worth learning.

Setting aside those thoughts, Han Yujin concentrated more deeply on the lecture.

* * *

The Alchemy Primer Won Baengnyeong gave Han Yujin was certainly worthy of being called a treasure. Compared to it, the books on alchemy they had obtained from the Five Elements Sect ruins were simply trash.

If that expression was too harsh, it could be softened to children's learning books. They contained only shallow, surface-level knowledge.

In any case, Han Yujin was able to continue improving by reading the Alchemy Primer even during hours without lectures. It could not compare to hearing the lectures in person, but the annotations throughout the book left nothing feeling inadequate.

'With this much knowledge, I should be able to consume the many spiritual ingredients in the primeval forest more efficiently.'

Above all, he seemed likely to be able to make proper use of the Bloodwood Spirit-Fruit Brewing Art he had acquired earlier.

He had selected it as a Harvest simply because of the Bloodwood Spirit Fruit's convenience, never expecting it to bring such benefits.

He would need to inspect what materials were in the primeval forest again before he could be sure, but if he could somehow complete a recipe even after a few failures, it would be an enormous help from then on.

It would likely remain quite useful even after they reached the Dharma Soul Stage.

Another four days passed.

The alchemy lecture had gradually become difficult enough that even many Dharma Soul Stage cultivators had fallen behind.

Even with his transcendent comprehension, Han Yujin had only barely managed to commit the material to memory. Whenever they recalled the lecture, everything felt mixed together in their mind, leaving them confused. It seemed that becoming fully accustomed to it would take time.

Still, merely keeping up to this point was remarkable enough. Won Baengnyeong now often looked at Han Yujin and occasionally smiled at him approvingly.

Even knowing that she was a Core Formation Stage monster who could erase him with a flick of her finger, and that she was surely at least a hundred years old, Han Yujin's heart occasionally fluttered.

Won Baengnyeong's beauty and bearing were simply exceptional. Besides, it was ridiculous to judge a cultivator's age by ordinary standards.

'At least ten percent of the people attending must be here to admire that woman's beauty.'

Han Yujin even found himself having such an idle thought.

But those pleasant days came to an end. While returning after the lecture, Han Yujin suddenly felt his skin tingle as a broad spiritual wave spread out.

"Oh... it seems the citywide art-formula restriction has finally been restored!"

"We are fortunate the Yao Tribe has not attacked until now."

Hearing the conversation between cultivators passing nearby, Han Yujin naturally looked at the jade token hanging from his waist.

'The results will come soon.'

Would he be able to maintain this identity even after the citywide art-formula restriction, which served as a central information processing system, was restored?

Or would he be exposed despite his caution and suspected of being some sort of spy?

Just as he was about to move again, feeling both worried and curious, he sensed another broad presence similar to the first but far stronger. It struck him like a stone smashing into his head, shocking and terrifying him.

Spell-like warning sounds they had never heard before burst out from every direction. Then mind-speech that seemed to crush those warnings at once rang through Han Yujin's head.

"Now is the time to die, human vermin."

The voice sounded almost calm, yet its tone was thick with killing intent and cruelty.

As if it had been waiting for that declaration, the restored citywide art-formula restriction began to fluctuate more and more strangely. Before long, the blue protective barrier spread across Thousand Origin City City began to turn an unnatural yellow.

"W-what is that?!"

"The restriction barrier...?!"

Panicked cries rose from the cultivators around Han Yujin.

Naturally, the barrier was not merely changing color. As it became discolored, the spiritual energy around Han Yujin also seemed to be changing, making it difficult to breathe.

'Is this... the demonic qi I have only heard about?'

Something had clearly gone wrong with the citywide art-formula restriction. Given the timing, there was a strong possibility that it was the scheme of the Yao who had just sent that overwhelming mind-speech.

No one was a fool, and everyone seemed to recognize the danger of the situation.

Though panicked and urgent, they frantically began moving to prepare for battle. Han Yujin naturally had no choice but to watch their lead and move with them.

If he wanted to survive, he could not flee. He had to join forces with them and fight.

Using the Wind-Cloud Art to move as though flying, Han Yujin reached the vicinity of the city wall with a group of cultivators.

Outside the protective barrier, which had become an eerie yellow and was now riddled with ragged holes, a pterosaur appeared. Though it must have been an immense distance away, it was so enormous that Han Yujin could see it clearly.

Naturally, it was no ordinary pterosaur. It was adorned with precious metals, and merely looking at it made Han Yujin's eyes feel as if they would burn from the tremendous demonic qi it emitted.

Without making any strange cry, the Yao immediately began its attack.

As it flapped its wings and opened its jaws wide, a golden sphere gathered before its mouth. The sphere rapidly swelled before falling toward Thousand Origin City City.

Though it was still far from reaching the city, all moisture in the surrounding area instantly evaporated. Heat like that pouring from a furnace swallowed everything around them. The atmosphere visibly boiled like a mirage.

Han Yujin hastily cast the Jade Skin Art and covered himself with the Five Elements Sword's water-element inscribed spell restriction, yet could not stop a cry from escaping. As the water boiled, it somehow felt even hotter.

'It would be better to die right away. I don't think I can survive this anyway.'

The heat and pain were so overwhelming that Han Yujin was just about to act on that thought when they saw a human cultivator shoot out from the center of Thousand Origin City City like a ray of light.

"You placed your faith in such a pathetic trick!"

This mind-speech also rang tremendously through their head, but it felt refreshingly pleasant, sweeping away all confusion and fear.

The instant the human cultivator's figure collided with the descending golden fireball, an indescribable explosion rang out.

A ring-shaped shockwave spread at a speed that seemed impossible to exceed, as though it would cross the horizon. The clouds that had already been driven away by the golden sphere were completely torn apart and scattered.

As the air itself heaved in waves, it felt as though the sky had overturned like an ocean in a storm.

'Gu Sobo, Lord of Thousand Origin City City.'

It was undoubtedly a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator displaying their power.

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried