A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

"...That's all for today. With that, the history lessons of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect are concluded. You've learned about the culture, language, and etiquette of Shengzi, as well as the basic language, constellations, general culture, and common knowledge of the Bright Cold Realm. From today, you'll formally start learning the Lightning Path Methods. Understood?"

"Yes, I understand."

Jeon Myeong-hoon nods his head.

It seems about a month has passed since he landed in this strange world and was captured by Jin Byuk-ho in a place called Ascension Path.

During that time, Jeon Myeong-hoon learned many facts under the guidance of Jin So-hae.

This world really is a Xianxia world where qi and cultivation sects live and breathe.'

In fact, falling into a world of cultivators isn't necessarily a good thing.

To Jeon Myeong-hoon, who knows the workings of a Xianxia world better than anyone, it is almost like being trapped in a dangerous maze.

'I despaired when I realized it wasn't the world of Lightning Daoist... but it's okay.'

Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at his body.

Unbeknownst to himself, he is said to possess the mythical quality known as the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.

Over the past month, while learning the history of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect from Jin So-hae in the Discipline Pavilion, he clearly understood the power of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.

'A physique that doesn't need to worry about Heavenly Tribulation until reaching the very end of cultivation?'

Moreover, Heavenly Lightning energy aids in the training of Lightning Path Methods, allowing for cultivation at a speed several times faster than that of ordinary cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots.

The legendary constitution of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Even if you combine all the legendary and prestigious physiques like the Lightning Sacred Body, Black Lightning True Body, Seven-Colors Golden Lightning Golden Body, or even slightly lesser ones like the Wall Force Constitution, Primordial Origin Physique, and Red Spirit Water Body, none can ever reach the owner of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.

Even the Lightning Sacred Body, which is referred to as lightning itself, can't match the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body. At the pinnacle of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, it was said Yang Su-jin could artificially produce Lightning Sacred Bodies, clearly showing the prestige of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.

'My life in this world will be in easy mode from now on to the absolute top of success.'

Jeon Myeong-hoon smiles contentedly as he looks at Jin So-hae.

'To climb to the top of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, indulging in power... That too will be the best.'

Jeon Myeong-hoon has long since abandoned any thoughts of returning home.

'What awaits me back home is just the power struggle of SJD Company... Saying goodbye to the foolish act of cleaning up after my uncle in such a frustrating medium-sized company!'

He recalls the legends of Yang Su-jin, the founder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Legends tell of Yang Su-jin roaming the Three Thousand Worlds, ascending to the pinnacle of True Immortality, and aside from a few terrifying beings, no one could stop his tyranny.

Of course, Jin So-hae described it as a 'domineering' journey, but honestly, Jeon Myeong-hoon found Yang Su-jin's actions to be as audacious as China on Earth.

'It's just glorified because he's an ancestor. Anyone on the receiving end would've wanted to kill him.'

What comforted him is that, fortunately, Yang Su-jin eradicated anyone who dared to cross him once, either by exterminating them root and branch or by imposing restrictions to ensure they could never influence the realm again. Hence, there is no worry of revenge.

'Anyway, having power in this world means you can act like Yang Su-jin.'

And Jeon Myeong-hoon was born with the same qualities as Yang Su-jin.

'From now on, the history of this world will revolve around me, Jeon Myeong-hoon.'

He smiles as he leaves the Discipline Pavilion with Jin So-hae.

Kurung, Kururung!

Jeon Myeong-hoon heads with Jin So-hae to Thunder Cloud Peak, known as the peak with the densest spiritual veins in the sect.

At the summit of Thunder Cloud Peak, in front of the Thunder Tribute Hall where the sect's sacred artifacts are sealed, Supreme Sect Master Jin Byuk-ho, other leaders, and the elders are exuding a powerful aura.

Cultivators above the Qi Refining stage mostly have no need to walk on their feet, so when climbing high places like Thunder Cloud Peak, 'stairs' are unnecessary.

Therefore, following the etiquette learned in the Discipline Pavilion, Jeon Myeong-hoon rides on Jin So-hae's flying magic artifact and takes a solemn standing posture.

Jin So-hae's flying magic artifact slowly ascends to Thunder Cloud Peak.

Below Thunder Cloud Peak are the Qi Refining and Qi Building disciples.

Midway are the Core Formation disciples.

And at the edge, Nascent Soul stage elders are sitting or floating in the air.

Jeon Myeong-hoon, while maintaining his standing posture, discreetly observes the faces of the Nascent Soul stage elders and the Heavenly Being stage elders.

'I need to quickly familiarize myself with the faces of the sect's power structure.'

Opportunities come only to those who are prepared.

Jeon Myeong-hoon starts to quickly imprint the faces and characteristics of the sect's highest echelons in his mind, using his experience from the company.

Seo Eun-hyun thought Jeon Myeong-hoon wasn't doing any work, but the reality was different.

Jeon Myeong-hoon wasn't slacking off at the company. Rather, he was continuously working behind the scenes to make himself look good to the highest powers.

'There's no need to worry about those Core Formation disciples. Starting from the Nascent Soul stage elders to the Heavenly Being stage elders, and even becoming close with Supreme Sect Master Jin Byuk-ho of the Four-Axis stage is what's most important.'

Jeon Myeong-hoon's cunning mind works rapidly.

'Going forward, I need to quickly identify the specialties and precious resources of the Bright Cold Realm, securing them for myself and using them as gifts to get close to the sect's higher-ups.'

His eyes sneakily shift towards Jin So-hae.

'And since Jin So-hae is also a descendant cherished by Jin Byuk-ho, it will be best to get even closer to her.'

He smiles inwardly while looking at Jin So-hae.

'Honestly, in terms of looks, she's not inferior to anyone. Considering the nature of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, which involves dual cultivation, there's a high chance I'll become her partner. I'll completely subjugate her in bed.'

Jeon Myeong-hoon was born a winner.

Although SJD Company wasn't a conglomerate, it was still a bath product company that was somewhat renowned in the industry.

Especially in soap production, it was an innovative company without equal. Jeon Myeong-hoon was born into the Pyongyang Jeon family that held a significant stake in SJD Company.

He never lacked anything because of money and had never bowed his head to his peers unless they were from a truly powerful family.

Of course, after officially joining the company, he did receive some cold shoulders from his colleagues. But as long as his uncle Jeon Myeong-chul was there, nobody dared to openly criticize him.

And Jeon Myeong-hoon believed his life would continue to be successful.

Now that he had acquired the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, it's a future he can truly be certain of.

'Ah, that reminds me. Didn't they say Seo whatever... that guy also come here?'

Jeon Myeong-hoon thinks for a moment and finally remembers the name 'Seo Eun-hyun'.

'Right, it was Seo Eun-hyun.'

Jeon Myeong-hoon recalls Seo Eun-hyun and smirks.

They had joined the company at the same time and were the same age.

Perhaps because of that, Seo Eun-hyun initially tried to become close to Jeon Myeong-hoon by talking to him a lot.

'He was a guy who didn't know his place.'

Of course, Jeon Myeong-hoon had no interest in someone who was just ordinarily poor, ordinarily humble, and worked hard ordinarily.

He was just an average person not worth dealing with.

So, Jeon Myeong-hoon ignored Seo Eun-hyun's attempts to get close.

'He didn't know his place. What an annoying guy.'

Jeon Myeong-hoon feels a sudden irritation as he thinks of Seo Eun-hyun.

When Seo Eun-hyun and Jeon Myeong-hoon were at the same rank at the beginning of their employment.

Initially, a bit more attention was given to Jeon Myeong-hoon, Jeon Myeong-chul's nephew.

However, it didn't take long for the workplace superiors' attention to shift to Seo Eun-hyun, who, although slightly less competent, worked incredibly hard, and to Kang Min-hee, who seemed unenthusiastic but handled work swiftly and flexibly.

Kang Min-hee was acceptable.

She's a woman after all.

She had been on Jeon Myeong-hoon's list of people to win over eventually.

However, Jeon Myeong-hoon was annoyed that Seo Eun-hyun, another man, kept drawing attention away.

So, after quickly climbing the ranks with Jeon Myeong-chul's help, he openly bullied Seo Eun-hyun.

Telling him to quickly disappear from the company.

Yet, Seo Eun-hyun didn't leave the company and stubbornly held on.

Especially when Kim Yeon, a cute new employee, joined, Jeon Myeong-hoon bullied Seo Eun-hyun more openly. But for some reason, Kim Yeon started showing overt affection for Seo Eun-hyun at some point.

Jeon Myeong-hoon grew annoyed by Seo Eun-hyun.

'I was planning to properly crush him after getting drunk at the workshop with Chief Oh and plotting together…'

He smirked triumphantly.

'Well, it turned out for the best. It'll be fun to crush him to the point of no return in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.'

After all, it's a world where human rights barely exist.

He can crush him more thoroughly than at the company.

Jeon Myeong-hoon decides to look for Seo Eun-hyun from the bottom of Thunder Cloud Peak.

'Let's see, didn't they say he was born with the Lightning Something Body? Jin So-hae mentioned that Seo Eun-hyun also learned cultivation methods and made significant progress... So, he must be among the Qi Refining disciples, right?'

However, Seo Eun-hyun is not found below.

'Hmm, Qi Building level for him? He was diligent in whatever he learned, but that's about it. He surely couldn't have reached Qi Building, and he didn't like me either...'

Jeon Myeong-hoon turns his gaze away from below and snickers.

"'Probably he couldn't stand seeing me attracting so much attention from the sect and hid somewhere. Keke...'

Jeon Myeong-hoon feels pleased.

If Seo Eun-hyun understood his place and shrunk away without appearing before him, there would be no need to go out of the way to crush him.

Thinking this, he turns his gaze upwards.

Slowly, the flying magic artifact operated by Jin So-hae approaches the summit of Thunder Cloud Peak, Thunder Tribute Hall.

'Let's not worry about the guy cowering below. My path lies in the vast sky above...'

"..."

'...Huh?'

Jeon Myeong-hoon turns his eyes towards the summit, blinking in confusion at something he can't understand.

"Huh?"

Confused and momentarily forgetting his manners, he blurts out a dumbfounded sound.

Jin So-hae gives him a side-eye, signaling him to mind his behavior.

Jeon Myeong-hoon quickly shuts his mouth, but his mind is filled with questions.

'What? Why...?'

Wo-woong!

Before long, the flying magic artifact carrying Jin So-hae and Jeon Myeong-hoon arrives at the summit of Thunder Cloud Peak.

And Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes meets with 'his'.

A dark blue belt.

Seo Eun-hyun, wearing a badge proving his qualification as someone fully capable of becoming a future elder, indicating he has completed the Core Formation stage, is giving Jeon Myeong-hoon a meaningful smile from among the Nascent Soul stage elders.

'...???'

He fails to comprehend.

'Why is that guy there...'

While he is confused, the flying magic artifact reaches the summit of Thunder Cloud Peak, in front of Thunder Tribute Hall.

The Heavenly Being stage elders and Jin Byuk-ho, floating above Thunder Tribute Hall descend one by one in front of Jeon Myeong-hoon and solemnly announce.

[Today, our Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect has once again fully reclaimed the Ancestor's Divine Artifact, the Heavenly Lightning Banner, and the source of the Ancestor's power, the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body. The day when we regain the renowned name of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, which once held prestige across all Three Thousand Worlds, is not far off!]

Jin Byuk-ho's speech goes on for a while, followed by a ceremony where he holds the Heavenly Lightning Banner and prays for blessings from the ancestor, Yang Su-jin.

"...With this ceremony concluded. Jeon Myeong-hoon is hereby recognized as an official disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!"

Finally, Jeon Myeong-hoon is officially made a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Jeon Myeong-hoon, following the etiquette, bows to Jin Byuk-ho.

"I will heed the words of the Supreme Sect Master as if they are commands of the heavens."

After several more rituals are performed, Jeon Myeong-hoon is finally able to receive what he has long awaited.

"Now, Jeon Myeong-hoon. Here is the basic method you will learn, the Accumulating Lightning Technique. Your Heavenly Golden Thunder Body has the ability to gather Heavenly Lightning energy, so mastering the Accumulating Lightning Technique will be..."

'Good, this is the beginning.'

Jeon Myeong-hoon smile brightly.

'Jin So-hae said it takes normal Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivators 2 to 3 years to master the Accumulating Lightning Technique and reach the peak of Qi Refining... For me, it shouldn't take more than a year, maybe even just 6 months to master it!'

It's when Jeon Myeong-hoon is full of confidence.

"Mastering the Accumulating Lightning Technique? Well, it should take only an hour or two, haha..."

"...???"

Jeon Myeong-hoon discovers a slight dissonance between Jin Byuk-ho's and his own sense of time.

The Accumulating Lightning Technique is too basic for someone with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body like you... Honestly, it's almost embarrassing to ask you to learn it. However, it's the foundation of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, so you must master it. Please understand."

"Yes, yes... Of course, it's right to start with the basics..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon is a bit embarrassed to receive Jin Byuk-ho's expectation that he would succeed in mastering the Accumulating Lightning Technique in just an hour or two.

'What? Is the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body I possess really that incredible?'

"Haha, seeing how well you understand the importance of fundamentals makes me feel reassured already. I heard that Seo Eun-hyun, who is inferior to you in talent and was born with the Lightning Sacred Body, is your comrade."

"...Yes, that's correct."

'Ha, Seo Eun-hyun, that guy. He's my comrade? He doesn't know his place...'

"That Seo Eun-hyun received the Accumulating Lightning Technique in the morning and reached the 6th star of Qi Refining by evening. Reaching the 7th star took a bit of time due to procedural issues, but today is just the right day for you."

"Yes?"

"In other words, as soon as you reach the 6th Star of Qi Refining, we can immediately hold the Seven Stars Ritual for you today."

Jin Byuk-ho laughs heartily, patting Jeon Myeong-hoon's shoulder as if he is already proud.

"I believe in you, my disciple."

"...Ah, yes."

Jeon Myeong-hoon has no choice but to nod dumbfoundedly.

After the welcome ceremony for Jeon Myeong-hoon, the new disciple with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, Jeon Myeong-hoon heads to his assigned cave residence and to begin reading the text of the Accumulating Lightning Technique.

"Uh... Hmm..."

And Jeon Myeong-hoon's face stiffens.

'Damn, what kind of gibberish is this?'

Shockingly, Jeon Myeong-hoon couldn't understand a single character of the Accumulating Lightning Technique's intricacies.

The next day arrives.

The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is turned upside down.

"What do you mean you didn't hold Jeon Myeong-hoon's Seven Stars Ritual yesterday? I specifically chose the right timing to grant him the Accumulating Lightning Technique yesterday!"

Jin Byuk-ho's roar thunders through the Golden Thunder Hall where the sect's affairs are managed.

One of the Heavenly Being stage elders, appointed as Jeon Myeong-hoon's master, Jin Jin-chan, steps forward and says,

"I apologize, Supreme Sect master. However, it seems Jeon Myeong-hoon is fundamentally ignorant about the cultivation world. He lacks the fundamental understanding of spiritual energy, spiritual power, and the intricacies of cultivation methods."

"Hmm..."

Jin Byuk-ho clicks his tongue.

"Indeed, I was too excited about the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body and forgot that the boy was just a mortal until recently."

Jin Byuk-ho nods and asks.

"So, how long will it take for him to grasp the basics of cultivation methods and understanding of spiritual energy, so he can reach the 6th Star of Qi Refining?"

Jin Jin-chan seems to ponder for a moment before responding.

"I believe seven days and nights should suffice. It will take about five days to teach him the breathing techniques for spiritual energy, the locations of the meridians, and so on, so seven days should be plenty."

"Seven days and nights... Well, I understand. I expected too much from a child who was just a mortal until recently."

Jin Byuk-ho speaks with a tone of understanding, but clear disappointment is evident in his eyes.

"Then, let's hear about Jeon Myeong-hoon's achievements again after seven days and nights. Hopefully, he won't be unable to hold the Seven Stars Ritual by then."

"I will ensure we can hold the Seven Stars Ritual within seven days and nights. Do not worry."

Jin Jin-chan confidently states.

And 3 months pass.

Jeon Myeong-hoon.

Finally.

Reached the Qi Gathering stage.

"Finally!"

Wo-woong!

Jeon Myeong-hoon tears up with joy at the Law-Transformation Dantian formed in his lower abdomen, and Jin Jin-chan, appointed as Jeon Myeong-hoon's master, does his best to control his facial muscles to not show his mixed feelings.

"...Yes. Well done, Myeong-hoon."

Jin Jin-chan mutters under his breath, sighing softly.

"...Let us go report your achievement to the Supreme Sect Master."

"Haha, yes. Understood."

Jeon Myeong-hoon, fascinated by the sensation of spiritual energy swirling around his fingertips, expel spiritual power with his fingertips and follow Jin Jin-chan.

'Good, after three months of hard work, I've got a feel for cultivation methods. I'll quickly progress through Qi Refining too.'

And, as Jeon Myeong-hoon happily follows Jin Jin-chan to the Golden Thunder Hall where Jin Byuk-ho resides,

"Hahahahaha! Well done, Seo Eun-hyun! No, Elder Seo!!!"

Inside the Golden Thunder Hall, Jin Byuk-ho's laughter thunderously echoes the space.

Jin Jin-chan enters the Golden Thunder Hall with Jeon Myeong-hoon, wearing a complicated expression.

Inside the Golden Thunder Hall.

There stands Jin Hwi, with an expression so proud it is almost unbearable, next to Seo Eun-hyun.

"Ah, have you arrived, Jin-chan? Look here. My disciple has reached the 9th Star of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple and ascended to the Nascent Soul stage in just 3 months."

The following question twists the expression of Jin Jin-chan, appointed as Jeon Myeong-hoon's master, drastically.

"After hiding the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body in seclusion for three months, you finally show your face today. So, has the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body also reached Core Formation? Or, perhaps like Seo Eun-hyun, already achieved Nascent Soul stage?"

Not only Jin Hwi but also Jin Byuk-ho, who had been bursting with laughter, now looks at Jin Jin-chan and Jeon Myeong-hoon with eyes full of expectation.

Jin Jin-chan grits his teeth slightly and pushes Jeon Myeong-hoon forward.

"My disciple, Jeon Myeong-hoon's achievement is..."

And the words that follow turns the Golden Thunder Hall upside down.

"What!!!!!!"