WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

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◈ Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart ◈

Chapter 60: A Feat That Made a Name

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Karma, the more the better.

Just considering what came to mind immediately, there were still two Heaven-Connecting Spirit Treasures he had yet to retrieve from the Five Elements Sect ruins, not to mention the Grotto-Heaven treasures. Besides, turning cultivation achievements into reality would only grow more expensive over time.

As he thought, he returned the books he had memorized to their original places.

'I could use this as bait, too.'

If he later used these as references to create a flawless origin power cultivation method, many martial world factions would come to him on their own, carrying their advanced martial arts and secret ultimate arts for a “trade.”

Then he could use those as foundations to create even better cultivation methods.

Han Yujin formed a grand plan in one corner of his mind as he examined the remaining sections of the ancient tomb complex.

Gold, silver, and jewels piled as high as small hills. Extraordinary weapons that had not rusted over the years and still carried a sharp aura. Landscape paintings, slightly yellowed but still inspiring admiration. A sculpture that used jade of several colors to fantastically shape the form of a majestic deer.

This place was truly full of treasures that could not help but stir greed.

Gold, silver, and jewels aside, that jade deer sculpture in particular was enough to awaken Han Yujin's desire to possess it.

“Ahem.”

He cleared his throat for no reason and placed the sculpture into his Storage Pouch. It was the work of art here that he wanted most.

'Was the owner of this tomb a member of the imperial family?'

He had learned that from patterns engraved on several pieces of treasure. Without Divine Sense, even he might have passed over them without noticing.

'If the schemer behind this is the Heretical Alliance, as the rumors say, I can roughly see the picture they had in mind.'

The treasures resting in this tomb were too remarkable to let a single faction monopolize them. If they had offered this as bait, there had to be a catch.

The cultivation method clearly contained a genius idea, but it was an incomplete product that would cause ninety-nine out of a hundred people to die from qi deviation. As for the treasures, some bore the seals of the Imperial House, so they were bound to cause trouble later.

No matter how much the Imperial House and the martial world avoided involving themselves with each other, the Imperial House would never yield treasures like these. Nor could the Righteous Alliance forcibly swallow treasures whose ownership was so plainly apparent.

'Giving the Righteous Alliance Leader a hint should be enough.'

They might not be able to take everything, but they could probably divert some of it. The Imperial House would have no choice but to overlook that much.

As he thought, he used the Earth Escape Art again to deal with the remaining areas of the ancient tomb complex.

* * *

It was the third day since Han Yujin neutralized every mechanism and formation array in the ancient tomb complex, roughly mapped its structure, and informed the others.

The work, whether it was called exploration or excavation, progressed rapidly. Each time traces of activated mechanisms or formation arrays appeared, his reputation rose ever higher because it became clear he had dealt with them beforehand.

Even those who were not specialists, such as formation array masters or mechanism masters, could not help but understand how many casualties and difficulties would have followed if they had tried to dismantle them by the “proper method.”

Though the Righteous Alliance Leader was clearly the extremely busy person in overall charge of this site, they spent a considerable amount of time beside Han Yujin. They likely wanted to bring Han Yujin, a Profound Realm master who had also displayed unfathomable abilities, over to their side at all costs.

However, Han Yujin merely answered that they should remain friendly in the future, keeping a suitable distance.

'It feels like they've nearly outlived their usefulness.'

The higher his reputation rose, the less he would need the Righteous Alliance's help. And considering the future, getting too close to them was not particularly good.

For the “trade” he planned, it would be beneficial to give the impression that he remained neutral and did not needlessly involve himself in any martial world conflicts. That way, more factions could approach him with greater peace of mind.

'Of course, no matter how neutral I act, it will be hard to interact with the Dark Shadow Demon Cult.'

He had begun his course through the martial world by dealing with the Yin Demon Gu Lord. Moreover, the Dark Shadow Demon Cult was currently so powerful that it threatened both the Righteous Alliance and the Heretical Alliance, making it something of a public enemy.

More than anything, looking at their deeds made even an objective observer frown at their sheer viciousness. They were not the sort he wanted to befriend in the first place.

He thought it would be better to finish cultivating to a certain extent, then attack their headquarters and force a “trade.”

Of course, there was something he would need to watch out for.

Among the martial world's ten greatest masters, also called the Ten Venerables of the Martial World, the person ranked second was the Dark Shadow Demon Cult's leader, Dark Shadow Divine Demon Cheon Rajin. According to what was known, he was one of only two Life and Death Realm masters in the martial world.

As an aside, the person in first place was Great Master Hyegak Baek Jidam, abbot of the Samsara Buddhahood Temple and another Life and Death Realm master.

At the moment, Han Yujin was idly passing the time at one side of the expedition camp while Eun Miryeong attended him.

He also took the opportunity to hear about the Dark Shadow Divine Demon from her.

“Has that actually been confirmed?”

“Yes, Benefactor. Until four years ago, the Ten Venerables of the Martial World were originally the Twelve Venerables.”

“Hmm...”

“Of course, there may be some exaggeration in the details. Very few people actually witnessed it.”

Han Yujin nodded as he thought.

'The more I hear, the more it sounds like a Divine Sense secret art.'

He believed a Profound Realm master's offensive abilities would be similar to those of a Dharma Soul Stage cultivator. If they could use the energy called Aura in more varied ways than a Transformation Realm master, that would only be natural.

However, that was only in terms of offense. He was confident that he would win if he fought a Profound Realm master.

Just using the Earth Escape Art properly could put an opponent in serious trouble. No matter how many opponents there were, he could strike and retreat as he pleased while fighting from an advantageous position.

Thus, the only thing that made him wary was that power, likely a Divine Sense secret art, possessed by Life and Death Realm masters.

If it was truly a proper Divine Sense secret art, he might die absurdly if he were struck by it even once. On the other hand, if he gave them no chance to use that secret art, he might be able to deal with them as easily as Profound Realm masters.

'There is no chance that the Life and Death Realm is equivalent to the Core Formation Stage.'

Looking at the martial world's history, there had been quite a few times when a Life and Death Realm master existed on only one side among the righteous, evil, and demonic factions. Thus, if a Life and Death Realm master had truly been a Core Formation Stage powerhouse, there would have been no reason not to unify the martial world at that time.

Even apart from such circumstantial reasoning, it made no sense for someone to possess Core Formation Stage abilities in this world, which already lacked spiritual energy, without being able to wield superior forms of spiritual energy such as dharma power or origin power.

It was around the time he was thinking about such things.

Suddenly, a disturbance seemed to break out beyond one side of the camp, drawing Han Yujin's gaze in that direction. A little later, Eun Miryeong and Seogwang Gahu also noticed something was wrong and looked the same way.

A moment later.

Someone appeared atop a hill outside the camp's perimeter.

“An enemy atta...!”

Then something embedded itself in the nape of their neck with a thud, and they collapsed, spraying blood.

“The Dark Shadow Demon Cult is attacking!”

Several other martial artists came rushing into view a moment later, shouting with internal energy behind their voices.

They were likely members of the patrol stationed outside. It seemed they had discovered the enemy and been chased all the way here.

'If things weren't going to remain peaceful to the end, it was about time they came.'

Han Yujin remained calm. Because of his efforts, the exploration schedule had been shortened drastically. If there were spies, they would have hurriedly informed their faction.

Naturally, those who received the news would come rushing here far earlier than originally planned.

“Prepare for battle!”

The Righteous Alliance Leader's tremendous shout thundered across the area. As the Righteous Alliance members gathered their weapons and formed up in some semblance of order, countless small black objects shot into the air from beyond the hill.

By the time people identified them, a rain of arrows was already pouring down with sharp whistles through the air.

Whatever kind of bows they used, more than ten arrows reached even the place where Han Yujin had been sitting, though it was some distance from the direction of the attack.

Before Eun Miryeong and Seogwang Gahu could react in surprise, Violet-Gold Radiance burst from Han Yujin's body and lightly deflected the arrows.

“Th-thank you, Benefactor.”

“Thank you!”

Han Yujin casually waved away their gratitude as he examined the deflected arrows. They were iron arrows crafted with such precision that they felt almost like works of art.

Soon.

Hundreds of enemies appeared atop the hill from which the arrows had been fired.

They all wore black martial uniforms, making their affiliation clear. Many held sinister crimson longbows and nocked another arrow. The symbol of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult embroidered on their chests and forearms was unmistakable.

Their numbers seemed slightly smaller than those of the Righteous Alliance.

However, if every one of them was a combatant, they were effectively more numerous than the Righteous Alliance side, which included formation array masters and mechanism masters.

Moreover, the fact that no news had arrived until this many people reached the area sent a chill through his chest.

There could be many spies within the Righteous Alliance, allowing them to bypass the multilayered guard network with remarkable precision. Or they may have received more active assistance, exploiting a major gap to infiltrate.

Otherwise, they could have simply forced their way in, but possessed such outstanding operational ability that they successfully cut off every attempt to send word.

'Whichever it is, they must be elites.'

Otherwise, they could not have appeared like this. They had shown themselves because they were confident they could win.

“Baekhwa Sword Venerable!”

At that moment, someone from the Dark Shadow Demon Cult stepped forward and shouted. Their voice was extremely harsh, as though their throat was not in normal condition, which only made it subtly more chilling.

“I won't waste words! If you don't wish to see more blood, touch nothing further and leave this place at once!”

“What nonsense! Scum worse than the bandits of this desert dare threaten our Righteous Alliance?!”

“Hahaha...! Then you mean to fight? In truth, I prefer that. Who do you think holds the advantage now?”

As the representative of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult raised one hand, the subordinates occupying the hills pulled back the strings of their crimson longbows and took aim.

Two more people appeared beside the representative, an old man with silver-red hair and a bent old woman. At a glance, neither seemed inferior in skill.

“Ah, it seems three elders of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult have come!”

Seogwang Gahu, standing near Han Yujin, explained the situation.

“Are all elders Profound Realm masters?”

“Yes! The person who just spoke with the Alliance Leader must be the Brightblood Demon Blade. The old man with silver-red hair beside them should be the Six-Meridian Sword Demon. And that bent old woman is likely the Black Yin Old Mother!”

“Hmm.”

Thanks to this, he could roughly assess the balance of power.

As he had seen earlier, the enemy could be considered more numerous. They also had one more Profound Realm master, and there was a high chance they had more Transformation Realm masters below them as well.

There truly seemed to be spies. The enemy had come in just enough force to overwhelm the people here without hindering their mobility.

Even their timing was excellent. Most of the important treasures had already been excavated and neatly arranged to one side.

“Choose quickly! We aren't so leisurely ourselves, so if you hesitate, we'll have no choice but to attack!”

After a brief look, Han Yujin saw that the Righteous Alliance Leader was deeply conflicted. However, Han Yujin could guess what decision they would ultimately make.

If both fighting and retreating would result in severe losses, they would choose to fight for the sake of their own honor. The moment that happened, a storm of blood would sweep through this place.

If a battle was bound to happen anyway, there was no reason not to use it as a stepping stone for his own plans.

“You two, retreat far away. I mean hide well enough that I won't have to worry about you.”

“What? Ah... yes, Benefactor!”

“Benefactor, surely you don't...!”

Seogwang Gahu understood his meaning a little later and answered. Eun Miryeong, on the other hand, seemed to be urgently trying to stop Han Yujin.

However, Han Yujin, with Muyong in his arms, moved first.

Kra-kaboom!!

A thunderous crash rang out through the tension-filled area.

As everyone looked in surprise toward the source of the sound, only the Profound Realm masters sensed something else and looked up.

Han Yujin appeared there in a flash, using the Wind Escape Art as he shot toward the Dark Shadow Demon Cult's elders at tremendous speed.

“Who are you...!”

The bloodshot eyes of the person called the Brightblood Demon Blade, who had been speaking until now, met Han Yujin's rapidly approaching gaze.

At that moment, purple light flashed in Han Yujin's eyes. The Brightblood Demon Blade's focus scattered, and their body froze for a brief instant.

“Gasp...!”

It was an extremely brief moment.

However, in a fight between masters, it was enough to decide life and death.

Geng Metal Sword Qi shot like a ray of light from Han Yujin's outstretched sword fingers and passed directly through the Brightblood Demon Blade's neck.

“One.”

Having stopped proudly in midair some distance away, Han Yujin quietly said, “One.” At that moment, the head of a top-tier Profound Realm master flew unrealistically through the air. Based on objective ability alone, this was someone who would not have seemed out of place among the Ten Venerables, though people refused to acknowledge it only because of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult's reputation.

The powerful body fell backward, blood spraying like a fountain from its severed neck. The person had not even drawn a weapon, much less displayed the blade art they had prided themselves on.

The two eyes of the head that fell and rolled on the ground a moment later stood out, filled with shock.

Before the other two Profound Realm masters of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult could even react, Han Yujin unleashed his second and third spells in succession.

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