A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

Wo-woong, Wo-woong!

The sound of thunder resonates through the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

As Jin Byuk-ho's temper flares, the celestial phenomena changes, and lightning flashes through the dark clouds.

[Do you really think that reaching the Qi Gathering stage in 3 months makes any sense?]

Jin Jin-chan bites his lip, unable to meet the enraged gaze of Jin Byuk-ho.

Typically, for those with Mixed Spiritual Roots, creating a Law-Transformation Dantian takes about 1 to 5 years at the fastest and slowest, respectively.

For those with True Spiritual Roots, it takes about 1 to 3 months, while those with a single Heavenly Spiritual Root can create a Law-Transformation Dantian in a day or two under normal circumstances.

This 'normal' standard is based on the criteria of the Lower Realms, specifically the Head Realm. In the Bright Cold Realm, everyone is born with a Law-Transformation Dantian as if it's a given from birth.

Even newborns born with Mixed Spiritual Roots naturally absorb heaven and earth spiritual energy within 1 or 2 months after birth to generate a Law-Transformation Dantian.

In other words, Jeon Myeong-hoon's pace was even slower than that of newborns in the Bright Cold Realm with inferior qualities.

[Just how did you teach the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body to waste such an absurd amount of time with this foolish pace!]

Naturally, instead of reprimanding Jeon Myeong-hoon, Jin Byuk-ho vents his anger on his master, Jin Jin-chan.

Seeing someone born with a physique like Yang Su-jin, the founder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, lagging behind even those with Five Element Spiritual Roots and struggling to even enter the Qi Refining stage makes the expressions of Jin Byuk-ho and the other elders darken.

"...It's my incompetence that I could not teach my disciple properly. Even if I had ten mouths, I could not excuse myself."

Of course, Jin Jin-chan, Jeon Myeong-hoon's master, wants to have even more mouths to express his grievances.

'Damn, what's the use of having the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body?'

It's said that those with a Heavenly Spiritual Root can create a Law-Transformation Dantian within a day or two.

But that standard assumes the cultivator is 'giving their all' and focusing intently on their training.

For cultivators to practice cultivation methods, not only must they be familiar with the terminology used in those methods, but they also need a basic understanding of spiritual energy and consciousness, as well as the meridians to allow spiritual energy to circulate throughout the body.

Of course, higher realm cultivators possess techniques to forcibly inject knowledge into another's upper dantian, making knowledge not that significant an issue. After injecting knowledge and a few practice sessions to embody it, that type of basic knowledge is considered imparted.

Originally, Jin Jin-chan's claim that he could raise Jeon Myeong-hoon to the 6th Star of Qi Gathering within seven weeks was based on such 'common sense'.

However, the elders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect misjudged one crucial aspect regarding Jeon Myeong-hoon.

It's about 'willpower'.

Cultivation is no joke.

Even for someone with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, the process of absorbing spiritual energy and creating a Law-Transformation Dantian through the circulation of Yin and Yang takes 'a day or two' of immense concentration.

It demands mental fortitude to maintain focus without deviation and repeatedly perform the same actions endlessly for two days.

Children of cultivation clans and disciples of mountain hermits or cultivation sects undergo years of mental training to form a Law-Transformation Dantian within the expected timeframe without issue.

However, Jeon Myeong-hoon practically lacks such willpower.

Having lived a life where sitting still was a challenge and effort-requiring tasks were casually handled thanks to his connections and wealth, Jeon Myeong-hoon found cultivation to be a category of work that couldn't succeed without his own effort.

In the end, Jeon Myeong-hoon spent the entire three months, equivalent to 24 hours a day or 12 hours by this world's standards, sitting motionlessly, becoming accustomed to the detailed process of creating a Dantian.

Jeon Myeong-hoon's master, Grand Elder Jin Jin-chan, wanted to complain to Jin Byuk-ho about this fact but clenched his teeth instead.

'The disciple's mistakes are all due to the master's lack of virtue. It's also my fault for not recognizing that my disciple's willpower and concentration are below expectations. Making excuses will only make me look worse.'

"...However, after spending three months teaching my disciple, I've come to understand his temperament even better. Please give us more time, and I will ensure to teach Jeon Myeong-hoon more effectively."

"Ahem!"

Jin Byuk-ho shows a slight displeasure but gradually calms his anger.

"Seo Eun-hyun, with a Lightning Sacred Body, has already received the position of an elder, and it won't be long before he truly condenses his Nascent Soul and becomes an official elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. It's unacceptable for the bearer of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, akin to the second coming of our Ancestor, to still be struggling in the Qi Gathering stage."

Jin Byuk-ho stands up from the throne in the Golden Thunder Hall and says,

"Grand Elder Jin Jin-chan, listen! As the Grand Elder, I command you to use any means necessary to improve Jeon Myeong-hoon's cultivation! It is said that the true power of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body is revealed only after facing the Heavenly Tribulation and growing through it. So, we must quickly elevate Jeon Myeong-hoon to the Nascent Soul stage!"

"...I shall obey the Supreme Sect Master's noble command."

Jin Jin-chan leaves the Golden Thunder Hall with Jeon Myeong-hoon.

After leaving the hall with Jin Jin-chan, Jeon Myeong-hoon is grinding his teeth internally.

'What the hell is going on?'

He thinks of Seo Eun-hyun.

How could that idiot, who was so pitiful at the company, already become an elder in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect?

'That idiot who couldn't even use Excel properly when he joined the company has already mastered those difficult techniques and reached the Nascent Soul stage?'

Jeon Myeong-hoon thinks bitterly.

'That's impossible. Does Seo Eun-hyun have the intelligence for that? No, he doesn't! Then how did he reach the Nascent Soul stage so quickly?'

After pondering for a moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon realizes the answer.

'Right, he must have consumed a lot of spiritual elixirs. And his dual cultivation partner must be one of the Nascent Soul stage elders, so he skyrocketed in cultivation in a short time with the power of dual cultivation.'

Convinced he has uncovered Seo Eun-hyun's secret, Jeon Myeong-hoon smirks inwardly.

'Yes, he must have gotten smart enough to become close with the sect's higher-ups and received plenty of good spiritual elixirs and a powerful dual cultivation partner, leading him to that level.'

Regardless of the truth, Jeon Myeong-hoon firmly believes so.

'Just wait a bit longer, Seo Eun-hyun. I, too, will quickly be assigned a good dual cultivation partner and surpass you.'

He confidently envisions a hopeful future as he arrives at his cave residence with Jin Jin-chan.

Perhaps due to being lost in his own delusions, Jeon Myeong-hoon failed to notice the expression on his master, Jin Jin-chan's face.

"...Myeong-hoon, let's begin your training."

"Haha, yes. At least I've got the hang of cultivating the Law-Transformation Dantian and the basics of cultivation methods. The Qi Refining stage is going to be in a similar manner, right?"

Jeon Myeong-hoon says with a confident expression.

"Even though this disciple is momentarily behind Seo Eun-hyun, I will continue to grow rapidly and become the pride of our sect…"

"Yes, yes. It's good to have ambition, so let's start the training. This master has considered a training method that suits your temperament perfectly."

The middle-aged Jin Jin-chan strokes his beard and reaches out into the air.

Then, the ground of Jeon Myeong-hoon's quarters writhes, and the earth transforms into a stone seat.

"My disciple, take a seat. Your training will proceed while you're seated here."

"Oh, I don't need to sit in a lotus position?"

Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had found sitting in the lotus position for extended periods uncomfortable, happily takes his place on the stone seat.

At that moment.

Click, click, click, click!

Stones from the armrests and near the legs protrude, binding Jeon Myeong-hoon's limbs in restraints.

"...Master?"

Click!

Finally, a circular restraint resembling a torture device springs from the back of the seat, securing Jeon Myeong-hoon's head.

Jeon Myeong-hoon is now bound to the stone seat.

As Jin Jin-chan flicks his fingers again, runes detailing the Lightning Path Method are engraved into various parts of the stone seat.

Zap, crackle, crackle!

Simultaneously, lightning gathers around the runes and blue lightning writhes around the seat where Jeon Myeong-hoon is sitting.

Fortunately, Jin Jin-chan must have cast some protective spell, as the lightning does not reach Jeon Myeong-hoon's body.

"Master...? What is this electricity for?"

"...The Heavenly Golden Thunder Body is a physique that receives the love of all lightning in the universe. When its qualities are fully manifested, it can even consume and withstand Heavenly Tribulation."

Jeon Myeong-hoon, bound by his limbs and head, swallows hard.

'Damn it, this looks just like the chair used for electric executions...'

Even a fool would sense ominous vibes from the current situation.

He swallows and responds to Jin Jin-chan's statement.

"...Yes, I understand but..."

"From now on."

A bitter smile mixed with frustration appears on Jin Jin-chan's face.

"You will familiarize your body with the hand seals and mantras of the Seventy-Two Earthly True Words. If you lack in learning, this master will personally infuse you with the power of lightning, using both the method of Understanding before Breakthrough and Understanding after Breakthrough.

Jeon Myeong-hoon forces a smile upon seeing Jin Jin-chan's expression.

"Um... Can't we just go back to practicing in the lotus position like before?"

Soon after, screams echo from within Jeon Myeong-hoon's quarters.

Crackle, zap!

"Aaaargh!!!"

"Hehe, then I'll be counting on you in the future, Elder Seo."

"I'm the one who should be saying that. Please take care, Elder Gal."

After receiving congratulations from the elders and senior members of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in my cave residence, I bid them farewell and sit in the lotus position.

Crackle...

The Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple and the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea are complementing each other, drastically boosting my cultivation speed.

'I've managed to achieve considerable mastery in both the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple and the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture.'

The Taiji Quaking Lightning Body is also being mastered through Yuan Yu's control, significantly improving my understanding.

I have mastered all the methods called the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's Three Great Methods.

'...The deeper I dive into the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's methods, the more wondrous they seem.'

I contemplate the interconnectedness of the three methods.

'Hong Su-ryeong said that no one has ever achieved such rapid mastery of all three methods before.'

Hong Su-ryeong and I were designated as dual cultivation partners, but instead of engaging in physical dual cultivation, our relationship evolved mainly into exchanging insights.

I shared my enlightenment on the way and essence of the sword, and she mainly imparted her insights on the integration of sword techniques and cultivation methods to me.

Thanks to that, I've recently gained a considerable understanding of sword cultivators' techniques.

'And that includes sword formations.'

I learned about sword formations that involve the use of multiple swords.

Thus, our dual cultivation relationship focused more on a spiritual connection rather than a physical one.

While reviewing my Lightning Path Method, Hong Su-ryeong, as a grand elder of the Heavenly Being stage within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, also offered her advice.

I recall our conversation.

-No one has ever mastered all Three Great Methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect like you have before. Even our ancestors who were born with the Lightning Sacred Body initially attempted the same path as you but soon abandoned it for some reason.

-Do you know what that reason was?

-I'm not sure. But as someone who has long practiced the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's methods, I suspect that perhaps all the Lightning Path Methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect are 'incomplete' to some extent.

-What do you mean by that?

-Precisely, when practiced together, the incomplete methods complement each other.

-Doesn't that mean it's actually correct to practice the Three Great Methods together?

-I've experimented with this approach myself. However, all attempts failed. It seemed promising up to a certain point, and I appeared to dominate in the same stage, but ultimately, one method would subsume the others.

-You mean one method becomes subordinate to another?

-Yes. For example, if a cultivator practices both the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple and the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture, and the mastery of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple slightly surpasses that of the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture, at some point, the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture becomes subordinate to the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple.

Hong Su-ryeong continued her explanation, drawing with lightning in the air.

-Subordination itself isn't the issue. But by becoming subordinate, the cultivation of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple ends up engulfing that of the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture. While the cultivation of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple might increase...

-It's no different from the situation where the cultivation of the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture is suddenly pulled out

-Exactly. Our bodies adapt little by little to the methods we practice. But what if, after the body has perfectly adapted to both the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture and the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple, one of the methods suddenly disappears?

-...Wouldn't that completely disrupt the body's balance, shortening lifespan or suddenly weakening it?

-Yes. Perhaps our ancestors, who were born with the Lightning Sacred Body, also couldn't overcome this imperfection of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's Lightning Path Methods.

Confused, I asked her.

-Then why doesn't the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect try to improve these flaws in the method? And why didn't you try to stop me when I said I would master all the major methods?

-Because the Lightning Sacred Body naturally achieves harmony among the methods within the body. Even if the 'flaws' of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's Lightning Path Methods manifest, it would probably be almost a thousand years later. Besides, according to the records from the era when the founder was alive, those 'flaws' did not exist. Maybe, with the power of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, there was a way to somehow compensate for the imperfections of the Lightning Path Method.

'The power of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body...'

Thinking back on our conversation, I remember Jeon Myeong-hoon.

'I wonder how long it will take for that guy to grow to the level of Yang Su-jin.'

But based on my estimates, it will take him at least ten thousand years to reach such a level.

'It took him three months just to reach the Qi Gathering stage.'

Even Kim Yeon managed to reach the 4th Star of Qi Refining within three months.

'There's no need to rely on such a person and leave the weaknesses of the Lightning Path Methods unaddressed.'

I am aware of the disharmony between the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple and the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture within me.

For now, the 'curse' is playing a part in aligning the disharmony between the two methods.

But as time passes, if the achievement of one method lags behind, it will be consumed by the other, leading to an imbalance within me.

'I can't wait for Jeon Myeong-hoon.'

I decide to balance it out with my own efforts.

And so, how should I balance between the methods?

'There are countless Lightning Path Methods scattered throughout the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.'

Hence, I determine myself to master 'all' the Lightning Path Methods that exist within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

'By mastering all the Lightning Path Methods within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, I'll prevent the disharmony from intensifying and one method from being subjugated by another.'

If there's a method trying to subjugate others, I'll just enhance the influence of other methods to suppress it.

Others might call it madness, but I am determined.

'It took me 500 years to barely reach the mid-stage of Nascent Soul in my 16th cycle.'

Hong Su-ryeong said talent doesn't exist, but I know in reality that talent exists, and mine is exceptionally lacking.

'I don't have the luxury of wasting time to recover to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul in this life.'

So, what's the answer?

To push through forcefully, somehow breaking through to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul!

And the way to do it, while overcoming the disharmony in the Lightning Path Methods, is to encapsulate all the Lightning Path Methods that exist within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Crackle, zap!

I request Jin Hwi to bring me the method manuals from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's Scripture Pavilion, and I begin to practice them one by one.

'First, I'll start with the Eight Thundering Heavenly Palms...'

Seo Eun-hyun and Jeon Myeong-hoon each began their diligent cultivation.

And after about a year and a half.

"Finally!!!"

Jin Jin-chan and Jeon Myeong-hoon embrace each other in joy within the same cave residence.

"Disciple Jeon Myeong-hoon! I've finally completed the 6th Star of Qi Refining, the Eight Trigrams!!!"

"Excellent, excellent, my disciple! With this speed, you're now comparable to ordinary disciples with Heavenly Spiritual Roots!"

In a year and a half.

Under the hellish training of Jin Jin-chan, Jeon Myeong-hoon's concentration and willpower were forcibly improved.

Thanks to this, Jeon Myeong-hoon's cultivation speed, although still not matching the legendary Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, has caught up to that of ordinary cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots.

"Now all that's left is the Seven Stars Ritual! Once you pass through the gate of the Seven Stars Ritual, you will be assigned a proper dual cultivation partner and can advance your Lightning Path Method achievements even faster!"

"Yes, Master!"

Jeon Myeong-hoon smiles with anticipation.

'Finally! Can I now practice the Lightning Path Method with a dual cultivation partner?'

For a year and a half, Jeon Myeong-hoon felt like he was going insane.

Ashamed of having enraged Jin Byuk-ho, his master Jin Jin-chan had not allowed Jeon Myeong-hoon to step outside his quarters.

For a year and a half, Jeon Myeong-hoon was confined within his residence, enduring electrocution and forcibly having his cultivation improved.

'But that damn cultivation is finally coming to an end!'

After the Seven Stars Ritual, he will be assigned a dual cultivation partner.

Having a dual cultivation partner means he can visit their cave residence for dual cultivation practice, so Jin Jin-chan promised to let Jeon Myeong-hoon out after he is assigned a dual cultivation partner.

'I can finally leave this damned cave!'

Jeon Myeong-hoon is overjoyed by that more than anything else.

"Well, then. We'll conduct the Seven Stars Ritual in a few days."

"Yes, Master!"

"It was just a lack of willpower. As your willpower and concentration increase, so does your cultivation speed day by day, proving that the fame of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body is no mere exaggeration!"

Under Jin Jin-chan's trusting gaze, Jeon Myeong-hoon resolves to devote himself even more to his cultivation.

A few days later.

With the preparations for Jeon Myeong-hoon's Seven Stars Ritual completed, he stepped outside his quarters for the first time in a long while.

'It feels refreshing.'

A year and a half has passed in the blink of an eye.

For cultivators, a year and a half might seem like a fleeting moment, but for Jeon Myeong-hoon, it feels longer than his time as a public service worker.

'The more I practice cultivation methods, the stronger I feel as the spiritual energy inside me amplifies. There's also a sense of transcending humanity as my consciousness expands...'

Jeon Myeong-hoon gradually came to find joy in his cultivation.

Though it was a hellish ordeal, he became stronger.

And he gained that much more power.

'If I continue to cultivate like this, will I also have the enormous lifespan and powers of the Nascent Soul stage elders and the Heavenly Being stage elders?'

Jeon Myeong-hoon smiles, thinking about the life that lies ahead of him.

'I heard that after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Seo Eun-hyun's cultivation speed hasn't been as fast as before.'

He decides to catch up to Seo Eun-hyun quickly while he is still stagnant.

'After the Seven Stars Ritual, it'll be dual cultivation training. I'm confident I can be even more diligent than any other cultivator.'

He might have lacked a bit in concentration and willpower before, but Jeon Myeong-hoon is sure he can burn with passion for dual cultivation.

'I can finally utilize the skills I honed on Earth. Alright! From now on, I'll quickly grow stronger with the power of dual cultivation and surpass Seo Eun-hyun!'

As Jeon Myeong-hoon is thinking this,

Kugugugu!

Suddenly, something large and elongated passes by Jeon Myeong-hoon's side.

"Hic!"

Overwhelmed by the formidable presence of that something, Jeon Myeong-hoon involuntarily hiccups.

'Is that, an imoogi?'

For a moment, that thought crosses Jeon Myeong-hoon's mind.

The long, black thing that passes in front of Jeon Myeong-hoon is obscured by backlight, resembling a long, black serpent.

'No, a snake?'

Indeed.

It looks like a black snake.

But as Jeon Myeong-hoon focuses more closely, he can see the true nature of this 'black snake.'

'It's not a snake, that's, that's!'

"Eek, what is that!"

Jeon Myeong-hoon screams as he recognizes the true nature of that grotesque creature.

It's a giant centipede, each segment as big as a house.

The giant centipede flies through the sky, passing in front of Jeon Myeong-hoon's cave residence.

At Jeon Myeong-hoon's scream, the centipede suddenly bends its antennae and turns its gaze toward him.

'What, what? I thought demons couldn't enter the sect...'

Just as Jeon Myeong-hoon feels his mind go blank in front of this massive predator,

[Who might, you be, sir?]

"...Huh?"

Words of consciousness emanate from the centipede's mouth.

It spoke in a rather polite tone.

"You can speak?"

[I am, called Hong Fan, beloved demon beast, of one of the, Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's, elders.]

"Ah, I see."

Jeon Myeong-hoon finally understands, realizing it's the pet of an elder.

'So it isn't a common demon after all.'

"Sorry, I was startled for a moment, thinking you were a demon invading the sect. But if you become a Nascent Soul elder, can you..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon assesses the cultivation of the centipede demon beast, Hong Fan.

"Control demon beasts at the Qi Building stage?"

[Well... it varies depending on the elder's abilities.]

"I see..."

Looking at Hong Fan floating in front of him, Jeon Myeong-hoon makes up his mind.

'I must become as powerful as Hong Fan's master, capable of raising such a demon beast.'

He unknowingly harbors respect for Hong Fan's master, vowing to become such a strong cultivator himself.

And that evening,

Jeon Myeong-hoon's Seven Stars Ritual began.