Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart - Chapter 62

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

◈ Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart ◈

Chapter 62: An Unexpected Gain

──────

Rumors about the newly emerged Life and Death Realm master, the Gold Lotus Martial Venerable, spread through the martial world with astonishing speed.

Reaching the Life and Death Realm was shocking enough, but this master had made a name by slaughtering three Profound Realm experts of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult. It was only natural for the news to cause an even greater stir.

Rumors were usually exaggerated, so quite a few people did not entirely believe the story.

However.

A second rumor struck the martial world, one that both believers and skeptics could not help but take an interest in.

The Gold Lotus Martial Venerable had settled in an estate in Okhan City, Gangbuk, where he had begun cultivating a peerless ultimate art capable of shocking the heavens and shaking the earth.

They said its energy waves could be felt before one even entered Okhan City. Trained warhorses were startled into frenzy, and those sensitive to energy could barely breathe.

Unable to contain their curiosity, many martial artists headed for Okhan City in Gangbuk.

They did not dare approach the estate, merely lingering nearby before returning to their home territories to recount their experiences. They spoke of an imposing presence so tremendous that it could only be called heaven-shaking and earth-rattling.

As the rumors spread, even more martial artists flocked there out of curiosity.

Some loudly declared that they would ask the Gold Lotus Martial Venerable to exchange a few moves. Yet upon arriving, they only offered a respectful fist-and-palm salute in the estate's direction before withdrawing.

Even the Black Mountain Spear Venerable, one of the Ten Venerables of the Martial World, was drawn to Okhan City by the rumors. The Venerable wished to meet the Gold Lotus Martial Venerable, but was merely told that he was in secluded cultivation and could not even enter the estate.

As one of the Ten Venerables, it could have been considered a loss of face. The Black Mountain Spear Venerable was especially known for a fierce temper, standing somewhere between the righteous factions and unorthodox factions. No one would have found it strange if they had caused a commotion.

Yet this time, the Venerable simply withdrew after politely saying they understood.

The Venerable said that, as a fellow martial artist, they understood the importance of secluded cultivation and naturally would not interfere. However, the common opinion was that the terrifying energy pouring from the estate had kept them from causing trouble.

At a time when martial artists from all across the martial world came as though on pilgrimage, with some even choosing to settle there permanently, others withdrew from Okhan City.

Every force from both the righteous factions and unorthodox factions, which had previously fought indirect struggles for influence through minor sects in this region of uncertain allegiance, let go as though they had made a prior agreement.

It was no different from recognizing all of Okhan City as the territory of Han Yujin, the Gold Lotus Martial Venerable.

Though he had never shown any such ambition.

All forms of covert conflict swiftly disappeared. Then, as if they had received some sort of message, many merchants and prominent families in Okhan City began sending “gifts” to the estate.

In the end, Dok Junseong had no choice but to step forward. Yet in another sense, it was only natural.

Using local forces, Dok Junseong restored order and established new security measures. With handling worthy of their experience, Dok Junseong quickly secured a position.

Naturally, it was a position as the Gold Lotus Martial Venerable's representative.

Thus, all of Okhan City in Gangbuk became Han Yujin's possession.

It was enough to recall the martial world's saying that strength alone decided everything.

* * *

About two months had passed since he had begun seriously refining the Dragon Heart through the Threefold Harmonization Formula.

Han Yujin was spending his days in complete satisfaction, having discovered no fewer than three unexpected benefits significant enough to make him revise part of his plans.

The first was this.

Originally, he had intended to cultivate the Taiji Returning to the Origin Art until the Nascent Soul Stage, then obtain the Grand Unity Five Elements Dao Scripture and cultivate that.

That way, he could fully enjoy the strengthening effects origin power had on his body and soul, awaken the divine ability known as the Origin Power Great Hand, and later achieve growth without regret through the Grand Unity Five Elements Dao Scripture.

However.

Though he had not yet even completed the first Heart Stage of the Threefold Harmonization Formula, he could already sense something.

'Once I enter the Qi Stage... my dharma power itself may have effects similar to origin power. No, effects greater than ordinary origin power.'

In other words.

At least half the benefits he could have gained through cultivating the Taiji Returning to the Origin Art had effectively vanished.

That meant it would be fine to cultivate the Taiji Returning to the Origin Art only until he reached the Core Formation Stage. Once he had grasped the divine ability known as the Origin Power Great Hand, there would be no need to continue cultivating it.

The second benefit.

The full effect would likely begin to appear from the Qi Stage, and it would become even clearer once he reached the final Body Stage.

This Dragon Heart refinement would undoubtedly at least double his lifespan. Moreover, it would continue increasing as his cultivation realm rose.

'It must be an effect caused by changes to my constitution, just as I hoped.'

Spiritual Roots were not the only factor that determined one's talent for cultivation.

One's constitution was also a type of talent. A constitution suited to cultivating special methods or divine abilities was called a Spiritual Body, while an even more exceptional constitution was called a Dao Body.

According to the books he had read so far, unless it was particularly unusual, those with Spiritual Bodies received treatment comparable to those with Heavenly Spiritual Roots. Those with Dao Bodies received even better treatment.

The cultivation world would not offer such treatment without reason. No matter how his constitution changed, he could not help but look forward to it.

Even the increase in lifespan alone was a benefit too great to calculate. Would that not give him far more room to use his awakening abilities?

The final, third benefit.

He could already sense signs that another divine ability was about to awaken. It was a type of power that handled illusions, inherited from Casarnox's traits.

Like the awakening abilities of Earth's Hunters, it would give him a new and useful means he could use on a far more instinctive level than a spell.

It also seemed likely to produce some sort of synergy with the Illusory Dream Heart-Seizing Art, which made it all the more promising. He could already feel that casting the Illusory Dream Heart-Seizing Art had somehow become easier.

'This is what a Dragon Heart should be like.'

Even thinking about it again now, his encounter with Casarnox had been an enormous fortuitous opportunity. Had it not been for Casarnox, it would have been very, very, very difficult for any other Dragon Heart to satisfy him this much.

Rumble...!

At that moment.

A wave resembling a heartbeat passed through the large Dragon Heart he was holding. Han Yujin, who was operating the Threefold Harmonization Formula, briefly frowned before relaxing and continuing his cultivation.

As he had just listed.

The Dragon Heart's rank was so exceptional that it had given him several unexpected benefits.

Precisely because it was so exceptional, however, there were unfortunately aspects he would have to give up during refinement.

It was absurd to expect to use it as the vessel for an Outer Core Method at the Core Formation Stage while fully preserving all of its Void Refinement Stage-level power.

The wave just now had been a minor clash caused by the process of giving up some of that power. Even the finest raw stone had to be carved away to complete a statue.

'Unless I prioritized preserving this over preserving myself...'

In other words, he could make himself, rather than the Dragon Heart, the primary target of the Threefold Harmonization Formula.

Naturally, it was not an option worth considering. It would be like the mad idea of carving away his own feet in order to wear an incredible pair of luxury shoes.

Fortunately, this item had been so compatible with him that he had been able to form a very faint connection with it from the moment he obtained it.

'Casarnox's declaration at the time must have played a major part.'

Thanks to that, the portions that needed to be carved away seemed to have been greatly reduced. Still, it was difficult to say what form it would take once the refinement was complete.

Much later.

As the sun began to set, he ended his Threefold Harmonization Formula cultivation for the day. It was only natural, since endlessly clinging to it would not be efficient and he had other things to do.

Leaving the building, he strolled through the well-maintained garden while appreciating the sunset sky.

Seogwang Gahu had grown up in a prestigious clan and had considerable knowledge and experience in such matters. He had no issue hiring people and running the estate as a proper estate.

'Should I try creating origin power martial arts a little sooner?'

He had never asked them to follow him, nor had he mentioned any reward. Yet those who had chosen to come along had helped him in many ways, and he felt he should give them something in return.

'And by giving, I may be able to make them useful in other ways...'

He was spending a peaceful moment making several additional plans in his mind when it happened.

Squeak! Squeeeak!

Muyong, who had apparently been off playing somewhere, came racing over, climbed up his body, and settled on his shoulder.

Having found the creature curious from the moment he sensed it with his Divine Sense, Han Yujin asked.

“Where did you get those clothes?”

The pale blue outfit tailored to fit Muyong perfectly was both adorable and funny. What amused him most was the fact that someone in this martial world had thought to dress a pet in clothes.

Squeak! Squeak!

“Eun Miryeong?”

Han Yujin lifted the useless little fellow in both hands and examined the outfit. Muyong's twitching nose and obvious excitement made him smile as well.

Then, he sensed someone approaching from behind.

It was Eun Miryeong.

She appeared to have come looking for Muyong, but upon spotting Han Yujin, she immediately gave him a respectful clasped-hands salute.

“You are out, Benefactor. Shall I prepare dinner?”

“No, not today. You made this, apparently...?”

When he pointed to Muyong's clothes, she nodded, her face faintly reddening.

“Yes, well... I thought it would suit Muyong.”

“It suits Muyong well. And Muyong seems to like it too.”

Han Yujin stroked Muyong a few times before setting the creature down. Muyong immediately ran into Eun Miryeong's embrace, and she held the creature that had received such a fine gift from her.

Holding Muyong, Eun Miryeong seemed to hesitate over something before gathering her courage to speak.

“Benefactor, actually... I made clothes for you as well.”

“Clothes for me?”

He asked reflexively, then thought about it.

He had not changed clothes even once until now. He was still wearing the wandering Daoist outfit he had worn when he first came through the Door using his awakening ability.

Naturally, as a Dharma Soul Stage cultivator who had also learned the Purification Art, he did not have a trace of dirt on him. That was precisely why those around him often found him even more mysterious.

However, the sensibilities of his ordinary days suddenly returned to him, and Han Yujin said to Eun Miryeong,

“Let me see.”

“...Yes, Benefactor.”

Unable to hide her joy, she led Han Yujin to a place not far from the building he used as both residence and cultivation room.

After asking him to wait a moment, Eun Miryeong entered the building and returned with neatly folded blue clothes in her hands. They were the same color as the outfit worn by Muyong, who now sat on her shoulder.

Han Yujin accepted them and used the Object Manipulation Art to spread them out in the air. He liked them immediately.

They were made to allow easy movement like martial attire, but the wide outer sleeves and gold embroidery preserved an air of elegance. White and deep navy were used in all the right places, giving the outfit a very refined impression. Most notably, gold lotuses were embroidered across it in a flowing pattern that was not excessive.

“...You made this?”

“Yes, Benefactor.”

“This is amazing. I had no idea you were this skilled at sewing...”

Han Yujin was praising her in admiration when, suddenly.

His gaze met Eun Miryeong's as her face deeply reddened, and for some reason, he fell silent.

He had always thought she was beautiful. From the moment they had first met, he had been unable to deny her beauty.

However, beneath the sunset, seeing her again while receiving clothes she had carefully made for him sent quite distinct ripples through his heart.

“Thank you. I truly mean it.”

“Yes, Benefactor...”

“Since I have received something like this, I should return the favor soon.”

He gathered the clothes he had spread in the air, held them in his hands, and smiled.

“Have you eaten dinner?”