Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart - Chapter 37

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

◈ Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart ◈

Chapter 37: S-Rank Verification

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After reading the remaining relevant material and committing it to memory, he went to look for another book.

He remembered seeing it nearby, so it was not hard to find. It was a special cultivation manual called the Threefold Harmonization Formula.

This special cultivation method could be used in many ways, but Han Yujin's intended purpose was to harmonize the vessel for the outer core method with the cultivator. Without such a process, the outer core method would inevitably bring severe side effects. The stronger the vessel, the worse they would be.

He focused on reading the Threefold Harmonization Formula. Only after gaining the understanding he needed did he return to the section containing cultivation manuals.

'Time to choose.'

He briefly reviewed the six top-grade cultivation methods he had selected earlier, checking their compatibility with the Threefold Harmonization Formula.

The Crimson Lotus True Fire Art, which maximized the destructive power of flames and could burn an opponent's Divine Sense and soul through eye contact, while strengthening and protecting his own Divine Sense and soul.

The Purple Firmament Divine Thunder Scripture, which could create and cultivate an exceptionally special kind of lightning. It could easily break countless spells, display tremendous power against monsters and ghostly entities, and even force its way through most art-formula restrictions through sheer strength.

The Cloud Dragon Free Wanderer Art, which allowed one to command wind and clouds, moving with incomparable speed and flexibility. It was not lacking in offense or defense, but its extraordinary mobility allowed its user to avoid most dangers from the start.

The Supreme Clarity Mysterious Water Returning Origin Art, which excelled in offense and defense while exerting remarkable healing power over the body and soul. Its incredible restorative effects caused rejuvenation, restoring the body to youth and extending one's lifespan by at least three hundred years.

The Geng Metal Thick Earth True Guard Art, which was not lacking in attack but showed particularly terrifying defensive ability. So long as its user stood upon the earth, they would rarely be pushed back or exhausted.

The Taiji Returning to the Origin Art, which had no Five Elements attribute. It created a special energy called origin power, allowing the body and soul to be permanently strengthened, if only slightly. It could also grant a divine ability called the Origin Power Great Hand.

'I have to choose only one from these?'

Even after reviewing them again, he was nearly driven mad by indecision.

In the cultivation world, offensive and defensive means targeting Divine Sense were almost as precious and useful as Heaven-Connecting Spirit Treasures. Simply using Crimson Lotus True Fire would be enough to terrify most enemies he encountered.

There was no need to explain the usefulness of Purple Firmament Divine Thunder in breaking spells, nor its strength against monsters and ghostly entities. This was especially true because its spell-breaking scope included art-formula restrictions.

The Cloud Dragon Free Wanderer Art, which could make its user faster than any other cultivation method, was much the same. Wasn't there an incredibly cool line from a movie?

Even if every martial art under heaven could be broken, speed alone could not.

The Supreme Clarity Mysterious Water Returning Origin Art had no particular weakness and even extended one's lifespan through its powerful healing ability. It could only inspire awe.

The Geng Metal Thick Earth True Guard Art did feel somewhat like a slow, dull turtle, but based on the manual's description, it was nearly at the level of immortality. It was not to be underestimated.

Even the seemingly most ordinary Taiji Returning to the Origin Art was exceptionally useful. Its enhancements to the body and soul remained even if he switched cultivation methods later, and it could grant him a divine ability.

But.

After studying them carefully, Han Yujin closed his eyes and eliminated several choices.

The Crimson Lotus True Fire Art, the Supreme Clarity Mysterious Water Returning Origin Art, and the Geng Metal Thick Earth True Guard Art.

'All three cause special changes to the body or soul.'

During the Dharma Soul Stage, he needed to use the Threefold Harmonization Formula to harmonize his body and soul with the vessel for the outer core method. It seemed best not to introduce any variables during that process.

The Taiji Returning to the Origin Art had no special attribute, and after carefully considering the nature of the origin power described in the manual, he judged it would be all right. It was an extremely fundamental power.

In other words.

He had to choose one of three: the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder Scripture, the Cloud Dragon Free Wanderer Art, or the Taiji Returning to the Origin Art.

'What a difficult choice. A truly difficult choice.'

Considering how often he would likely clash with the Church of the Goddess of Eternity bastards connected to ghosts, the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder Scripture tempted him. Its proficiency in breaking spells and art-formula restrictions was also incredibly appealing.

However, the speed offered by the Cloud Dragon Free Wanderer Art was perfect for someone like him, who needed to stay as far from danger as possible in reality. It was not especially weak in combat, either.

The Taiji Returning to the Origin Art was attractive because it could strengthen his body and soul without special attributes or concerns over unwanted variables. It would improve a cultivator's fundamental strength. Naturally, the divine ability called the Origin Power Great Hand was another tempting point.

As a brief aside, divine abilities could be considered powers used far more instinctively than spells. The awakened abilities of Earth's Hunters were a perfect example.

Han Yujin considered it again and again. This choice could determine the next several decades, perhaps even centuries, of his future.

Then.

“Ah.”

A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he took several books from his Storage Pouch. Had his intelligence not improved upon reaching the Dharma Soul Stage, he might have continued to forget about it entirely.

What he found and picked up was an ordinary book containing various miscellaneous accounts about the Five Elements Sect. He had once obtained information from it about the Five Elements Sword and Spirit-Liquid Flask.

'It should have been around here...'

His hand, rapidly flipping through the pages, stopped at last. Han Yujin's expression became slightly complicated as he read the passage.

After hesitating briefly, he left the book and the other cultivation manuals behind and began searching throughout the Scripture Pavilion. He wanted to confirm whether the information he had just read was true.

'If it is, I might not have to worry anymore.'

It would be extremely difficult to succeed, but if he made good use of his awakened ability, there might be a chance.

'Is this it?'

At last, he found a thin book. His eyes brightened as he read its contents.

The foundation of the Five Elements Sect was the Heaven-Connecting Spirit Treasure located on the highest floor of the Artifact Refining Pavilion, the Five Elements True Spirit Boulder. The Five Elements True Spirit Boulder was a peculiar object, neither offensive nor defensive in nature.

It was a treasure that contained a Dao Scripture, though its creator was unknown.

The scripture was called the Grand Unity Five Elements Dao Scripture. The five cultivation methods with Five Elements attributes he had examined earlier had all been separated from that Grand Unity Five Elements Dao Scripture, because its original form had been impossible for just anyone to cultivate.

Therefore, if he could overcome the difficulty of the Grand Unity Five Elements Dao Scripture.

There would be no reason to choose only one of the five cultivation methods.

* * *

The increased intelligence he had gained by reaching the Dharma Soul Stage proved tremendously useful. He could grasp large amounts of information clearly in a short time. With his former, ordinary intelligence, he would have needed at least three more visits.

In any case, thoroughly satisfied, he used the Escape Spell and found himself standing in the Waiting Area.

Muyong was still asleep, exactly as she had been when he left. After watching her for a moment, he turned his gaze toward the harvests.

He had wondered if things might be different, but as expected, they were not.

The only things he could choose without concern were medicine bottles without their contents, along with books and Jade Slips.

Though he had firmly decided not to skimp on the bracelet-type magical artifact's cost, it was quite expensive. Fortunately, the rope-type magical artifact was cheaper than expected, which put his mind somewhat at ease.

He did not even dare consider the flag that was presumed to be a Heaven-Connecting Spirit Treasure. The same went for the metal sphere he had privately given the temporary name Mountain-Sea Pearl.

What was unusual was that there were two ways to restore those two items.

One was to restore them to their state at the height of their power. The other was to restore them to their complete initial state, with only their functionality intact.

'They're probably both a kind of growth-type treasure.'

A cave-heaven treasure could have resources poured into it to expand its interior space and increase its spiritual energy density. It was common knowledge that a spirit-commanding treasure grew stronger the more souls it captured.

'I should get them in their initial state when I obtain them later.'

That would save him a great deal of Karma. Unless the situation was urgent at the time, of course.

The next moment.

He opened his eyes and sat up in bed. At the same time, Muyong woke up beside him, looking slightly dazed.

She seemed completely unaware of what had happened, merely letting out a huge yawn. For some reason, the sight annoyed him. He had just spent over fifteen days struggling in a place ravaged by the End of Dharma Calamity.

“Hmm.”

Perhaps because of that, the place where he woke felt remarkably unfamiliar. He had used his ability immediately after arriving at this spacious and comfortable safe house, without even properly looking around.

“Aren't you curious about what this world is like?”

Squeak!

Through the Spirit Beast Training Formula, he received the impression that she disliked the low density of spiritual energy.

“Get used to it. It isn't that this place is lacking. That place was just absurdly abundant.”

As he soothed Muyong, he slowly looked around the house. It was certainly a luxury apartment, incomparable to the studio where he had once lived.

'Before awakening, living somewhere like this was my lifelong goal.'

As he began to feel slightly sentimental, he finished looking around and used the Object Manipulation Art to pull his smartphone into his hand. He planned to complete both his S-Rank verification and the organizational work for knowledge dissemination today.

He needed to accumulate Karma quickly. Only then could he obtain the Dragon Heart, and only with the Dragon Heart could he cultivate the Threefold Harmonization Formula and the like.

'I'll be staying in reality for a while.'

Of course, that did not mean he would have no reason to use his awakened ability at all. It only meant he would not stay away for extended periods like he had in the primeval forest.

There were many ways to use his awakened ability while conserving Karma.

'There's still the Thousand Origin City lecture... I need to begin searching for the Dragon Heart... I need to find a way to quickly learn cultivation crafts... It might also be good to test whether there are worlds with an SF feel...'

Busy, busy, modern society.

A famous phrase that suddenly came to mind made him chuckle.

Naturally, he did not feel bad at all. This was not labor he had been ordered to do. Each task was an invaluable opportunity that would visibly make him stronger once resolved.

'Still, perhaps I should focus on reality for a few days.'

That had been his original intention. Had he not felt the need to strengthen his combat power after the attack, he would not have gone to the Five Elements Sect ruins so quickly.

As he messaged the case officer in charge, he prepared to go out.

* * *

He arrived by public transit at the Special Ability Verification and Training Center. Administrative Officer Oh Taemin and the case officer in charge, Kang Mina, were both waiting for him at the entrance.

“I heard everything. You must have been very shaken.”

Beginning with those words, the administrative officer offered sincere condolences and asked after Han Yujin's well-being. He seemed quite sorry that he had not been able to go to the scene himself.

Han Yujin repeatedly assured him that it was all right and had no choice but to urge him to begin the verification quickly. It had certainly been an unfortunate incident, but it was not something Oh Taemin needed to apologize for.

They arrived at a special ability training room prepared for A-Rank Hunters and above. It was slightly smaller than the training room he had first visited, but its equipment and contents were far more extraordinary.

“The full firepower test will be conducted outdoors tomorrow. Today, we'll be checking your telekinesis and similar abilities here.”

Han Yujin nodded at the details he had already been informed of through the messenger.

For an S-Rank verification, it was remarkably sparse, with only three people including himself. However, there was a reason for that.

'Since I've already been attacked, it might be wise to hide some of my power.'

He had openly displayed his A-Rank ability in the past because he needed to show that level of strength to be qualified to promote knowledge dissemination.

There was no need to reveal additionally that he was S-Rank now. His A-Rank qualification alone should be enough for knowledge dissemination. It might even make his opponents lower their guard.

“Since we're on the subject, shall we start by checking your telekinesis?”

The administrative officer stood before a computer terminal and diligently manipulated something. Meanwhile, Han Yujin followed the case officer's guidance and stood before a piece of equipment.

Soon, objects of various shapes appeared before him, with targets visible farther beyond them. It was not much different from the telekinesis test he had experienced before.

“You may begin whenever you're ready.”

The anticipation in the administrative officer's tone was clear. Though Kang Mina did not express it aloud, she also seemed to be eagerly awaiting confirmation that Han Yujin was an S-Rank Hunter.

'...Naturally, I suppose?'

He had become so accustomed to the balance of xianxia worlds that he seemed to have grown somewhat insensitive to the status S-Rank Hunters possessed here in reality.

After looking briefly at the objects for the telekinesis test and the distant targets, Han Yujin asked,

“They're definitely going to break. Is that all right?”

“It is.”

The administrative officer answered immediately.

He was not answering carelessly as he had before. He clearly expected them to break, but must have judged that measuring S-Rank power through their destruction was more important.

“Don't hold back. You can turn all of it into scrap metal.”

For some reason, it felt slightly provocative.

Han Yujin smiled without realizing it.

Then he activated the Object Manipulation Art.

The Object Manipulation Art, a basic spell that allowed cultivators to control objects from afar.

It was not considered a basic spell because it was weak. It was a basic spell because its formula sequence was simple despite being extremely useful.

Screeeeeech!

In an instant, a hollow, box-shaped metal object rose into the air and began crumpling wildly, as though gripped by the invisible hand of a giant.

It was then mercilessly torn into twelve pieces, each fired toward a different target at a speed comparable to bullets.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Overlapping thunderous impact sounds reverberated through the special ability training room.

The targets were all smashed apart and sent flying, creating a spectacle more forceful than anything from a movie.