A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

"To send a letter like this to Senior Wi implies..."

"Yes. She knows that you've been appointed as a Grand Cultivator of the Human Race. Moreover, this information comes from spies we have among the Earth Tribe..."

Wi Ryeong-seon begins to explain as he takes a jade slip out of a storage scroll.

"Recently, there's information that a Dragon King has emerged from the Dragon Race. They're keeping it quiet for now to use at a critical moment, but...it's likely that Gyu-ryeon, who's become the Dragon King, is challenging you now that you've also become a Grand Cultivator. Considering that the Ark Controlling Envoy Gyu-ryeon achieved the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage at just 10,000 years old, she certainly has the qualifications."

"Hmm..."

Gyu-ryeon as the Dragon King.

I recall her from a previous life.

Even without fully being at the Integration stage, the power of the beams she emitted from her mouth was quite immense.

Right, it was just to that extent.

'I think I can handle her...'

It would be somewhat frightening if it was Seo Hweol who reached the Integration stage with a genuine Orthodox Axis Foundation, but Gyu-ryeon...

'Hmm, not scary.'

I'm sorry to Gyu-ryeon, but purely from a combat perspective, she's about the same or slightly below Wi Ryeong-seon.

Wi Ryeong-seon, after all, was originally not trained in combat-focused methods and is arguably one of the weakest Integration stage cultivators within the Human Race Grand Alliance.

Compared to such weakest, she isn't very strong in her current state.

Of course, as part of the Dragon Race, if she stabilizes her cultivation and gains experience after reaching the early Integration stage, who knows. But in her current state, she isn't frightening at all.

And what puzzles me most is that she herself must know this.

"Sending me the letter means she knows I'm a Grand Cultivator, and that means she must've heard about what I've been doing since I entered Heavenly Human Island these past few weeks, doesn't it?"

"That's right. It's likely that the Dragon Race has also heard all the commotion through the moles they've planted among the Human Race. They know all about your combat power and potential."

My noisy deeds have already spread far and wide among the Heaven Tribe. I grinded the Heaven-Earth Palace Inspectors into dust, killed Seo Hweol in one strike, and faced Wi Ryeong-seon directly within his domain and defeated him.

The Earth Tribe, too, must have passed along such information through their spies within the Heaven Tribe, and yet they still threaten me—what could be the reason?

'Because of Seo Hweol?'

If it involves Seo Hweol, it's perfectly probable for her to go crazy.

'If it's not Seo Hweol...In my past life, she gave me a chance to explain and argue my motives despite openly betraying her, showing her rational side. If Seo Hweol did something and conveyed it to her, Gyu-ryeon would have flipped. Then...this incident must be a move by Seo Hweol.'

I'm getting a headache from the complicated situation.

'Is Seo Hweol alive or dead?'

I dispersed his soul and scattered the Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings to ensure his death. Seeing Gyu-ryeon enraged by Seo Hweol's death confirms he is indeed dead.

But it's too coincidental.

'What if Gyu-ryeon goes berserk and charges at me, and I end up killing her?'

Assuming Seo Hweol is alive, he'd want to shake her off, and that would achieve what he wants.

'Seo Hweol is definitely dead.'

I severed his soul pathway and completely blocked even the attempt to resurrect.

Yet hearing about Gyu-ryeon, the illusion of Seo Hweol making a move with his damned smile passes before my eyes.

'...Snake-like bastard.'

Although I hate to imagine it, I decide to assume that Seo Hweol is not dead.

'If he is alive, what would benefit him, and what would harm him?'

Benefiting him would be killing Gyu-ryeon.

Then what would harm him?

"...Thank you for delivering the letter, Senior Wi. I'll handle Gyu-ryeon later."

"Hmm, if it feels too dangerous, quickly pull back. You are the future of the Human Race. The Grand Alliance Leader is pouring resources into making sure you reach the Four-Axis stage, so if there's something you want to do, just let us know."

"...Yes, I understand."

I am currently at the Human Race Grand Alliance's Heavenly Human Island.

I am being protected at a cave residence within Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.

Lately, Integration stage Grand Cultivators have been frequenting my cave residence every day, imparting the intricacies and enlightenment of the Four-Axis stage, urging me to reach it soon, and gifting me with all sorts of spiritual liquid, spiritual pills, and spiritual fruits as they leave.

'Four-Axis stage...'

Having just risen from Grand Perfection Nascent Soul to Grand Perfection Heavenly Being, it isn't just a dream to rise to the Four-Axis stage once I am fully prepared.

Everyone is curious about how strong I will become once I reach the Four-Axis stage, given that I am already producing Integration level power at the Heavenly Being stage.

Among them, the Grand Alliance Leader Jun Je is searching for a special type of spiritual liquid called Clear Peace Tears (淸安淚) to help with the promotion from Heavenly Being to Four-Axis.

'If I reach the Four-Axis stage, even Hon Won won't be so terrifying'

Of course, considering Hon Won's power, it won't be easy even at the Four-Axis stage, but at least I won't die helplessly like last time.

I watch Wi Ryeong-seon leaving my cave residence and smile bitterly.

'Talking about spies this and spies that, it seems I'm really becoming one.'

Though I'm grateful for the Grand Cultivators' intentions to help me reach the Four-Axis stage, I have to move to counteract Seo Hweol's plans.

'The most damaging action to Seo Hweol will probably be bringing in the Mad Lord.'

I immediately set a goal.

'I'll summon Oh Hyun-seok to the Bright Cold Realm as soon as possible, end the Human-Devil Great War, ensure that Azure Tiger Saint doesn't die...and then go look for Kim Yeon.'

Kidnapping Kim Yeon and tipping off the Mad Lord that Seo Hweol is preparing for a marriage and that he should head to the True Dragon Alliance would make him ecstatic.

'The Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum wouldn't dare intervene in the Human-Devil Great War if that madman starts bombing the headquarters of the True Dragon Alliance."

It's uncertain whether Seo Hweol is truly dead or not.

But having died a gruesome death by my hand once and having mobilized Gyu-ryeon using his death as an excuse, Seo Hweol can't openly move as long as Gyu-ryeon is alive.

Then, during the time Seo Hweol can't act openly,

I have a lot of things I can do.

'In this life, while Seo Hweol can't come to the forefront...'

I set another goal.

Considering Kim Young-hoon is in the Ancient Force Realm, there's nothing I can do about that.

Oh Hye-seo is...probably doing well on her own, not my concern.

Excluding those two,

Jeon Myeong-hoon.

Kang Min-hee.

Oh Hyun-seok.

Kim Yeon.

I will try to arrange for these four colleagues to meet once again.

That is the new goal.

'Jeon Myeong-hoon is easy since he's with the original body, Oh Hyun-seok can be met once the Human-Devil Great War is resolved, and Kim Yeon can be seen again if kidnapped from the Mad Lord. That leaves Kang Min-hee...'

This makes Seo Li's role important.

"I" sigh while receiving the emotions of my original body deep within the Grand Tomb Domain of Black Ghost Valley.

'Damn it, whether it's Kang Min-hee or whatever...don't I need to accept a Ghost King to do something?'

These Ghost Kings, always running away, just make me sigh continuously.

'What should I do...'

As I ponder,

Suddenly, my thoughts reach the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.

'Thinking about it, when I covered the Ghost King with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, didn't it seem like the Ghost King couldn't feel its fear towards me as if it was hypnotized?'

Then, if I cover my body with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, would the sense of death the Ghost Kings feel lighten a bit?

'I have to test it right away.'

Tstssts—

I unleash countless curse spells, covering my entire body in pain.

Sssssss—

My whole body is enveloped in dark curses.

Despite the tingling pain, I realize something has changed in the atmosphere of the Grand Tomb Domain.

"It worked!"

As expected, it was resolved with a fairly simple method!

Kugugugu!

The Grand Tomb Domain trembles, and from afar, countless Ghost Kings surge like a wave.

[Damn it, why did I leave my tomb and go to another area?]

[Did you do that too, Hyung-nim? Seems like everyone did. Maybe we were all bewitched by something?]

[It's something even a ghost would lament. I can't remember what happened at all...]

Unlike earlier, when they were screaming in utter panic, the Ghost Kings now return in a much more rational state, flying around.

And it's when the Ghost Kings approach above me.

[Huh, are you a disciple of the Black Ghost Valley?]

I reply to them politely.

[I am the new Yin Soul disciple Seo Li. I greet the elders of Black Ghost Valley.]

My voice, covered in curse spells, resounds deeply and vibrates through the space.

At this sight, the surrounding Ghost Kings are noticeably startled.

[Wait, that thing covering your body..]

[Are those cursesl?]

[Impossible!? How can a single person create curses so dense that not even water could leak through?]

[Isn't that amount of curses only possible with a Great Formation?]

[You! What sorcery have you used!?]

'Hmm, is it a marvel even to the Ghost Kings of the Grand Tomb Domain?'

Apparently, spewing out as many curse spells as the sea with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation isn't an easy feat.

It's when numerous Ghost Kings are murmuring around me.

[You, what kind of sorcery is this? Did you not hear me ask?]

One Ghost King looks down at me angrily and shouts.

I look back at him, making eye contact with one of the Ghost Kings at the level of the Heavenly Being stage.

[This is the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation of the Black Ghost Valley.]

[What!?]

Then that Ghost King shouts even more furiously.

[How dare you lie to a respected figure of the sect! Stop talking nonsense! Speak the truth! Have you not utilized a special dharma treasure, or are you connected to some curse-forming formation outside the Grand Tomb Domain!?]

The Ghost King glares at me, his eyes rolling back, and I lift the curse in my hand and say,

[If you doubt it, why don't you take a look? The curse spell created by this junior is indeed the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.]

[Continuing to lie to the end...]

The Ghost King shivers with rage as he approaches me, and then looks at the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.

How long has he stared at the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.

[It can't be...don't lie.]

The Ghost King speaks, his voice trembling.

[The Yin Soul Ghost Incantation...it ends at 108. It was designed to end with 108...!]

Feeling the peculiarity of his tone, I ask.

[How can you so readily judge the limits of a method? I, this disciple, have a slight talent for curses, so I just made a few more curse spells.]

[Are you saying you really modified the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation like that?]

[Not a modification per se...]

[Shut up! Don't make me laugh! What was all the effort of our faction for then? You, continuing to lie to a respected figure of the sect, deserve to be punished without a word!]

The Ghost King suddenly bursts in fury and stretches out a dark ghost claw, grabbing my body forcefully.

I flinch in surprise and try to push him away.

[Wait, elder. You shouldn't touch there!]

[Quiet, you scoundrel. For insulting me and my lineage...]

[No, wait...!]

But he relentlessly scratches off the curse spells covering my body with his ghost claw, and finally, the curses covering my body are peeled off.

"Damn it!"

At the same time, my soul reappears in the Grand Tomb Domain.

And then.

[Ahhhhhhhh!]

[Kyaaaak!]

[Hiiiiaaaak!]

The ghosts begin to go mad again.

[It's a great ghost!]

[We're going to be eaten! Run awayyy!]

[Hiiiiaaaak!]

Dozens, perhaps hundreds of Ghost Kings flee all at once, and the Ghost King who had been tearing apart my curses also loses his mind and begins to rave madly before fleeing.

Crack...

Feeling the veins on my forehead pop, I reach out towards the Ghost King who caused his mess.

Kuarururu!

A wave of black curse spells transform into a giant hand and grab the Ghost King.

[Kyaaaaaaaak!]

Having not kindly transformed the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation into Yin spiritual power, the Ghost King screams in pain.

Yet, even while screaming in pain, his fear of me seems to dilute, and he begins to utter other 'words' that are not ghostly shrieks.

[Kyaaak! Kyak! Hiiyak! O, O, O Great One! Have you evolved the humble secret art of our lineage?]

"Hmm?"

[Ah, the Death God of the Netherworld has lifted the possibilities of our humble secret art, the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation. Words cannot express the joy I feel. Please allow me to repay this grace...]

Listening to him, I can discern what type of Ghost King he is.

[I will serve you. I will devote myself to you. I return (歸依) to thee, my Lord. Please take me in as your servant.]

Intoxicated by the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation I created, he staggers forward with his eyes glazed over, moving his dark ghostly body, clasping his hands together and kneeling down.

[I return to thee...I return to thee...I return to thee...]

"...You..."

I ask the Ghost King with a scoff.

"Could it be...are you the originator of the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation?"

[The Yin Soul Ghost Incantation is the starting point of the curse method developed by our lineage. It is a Qi Building method, created by our ancestor who passed away at the Grand Perfection Qi Building stage. My grandfather received it and then made it into a Core Formation curse method, My father adapted it into a Nascent Soul stage curse method, and in my generation, I finally succeeded in creating a separate Heavenly Being stage curse method...]

Indeed.

He is a ghost soul from a lineage within the Black Ghost Valley that specialized in researching curse methods.

[The Yin Soul Ghost Incantation handles 108 curse spells...the Core Formation method handles 500 curse spells, the Nascent Soul method handles 1080 curse spells, and the Heavenly Being method handles 3000 curse spells. But...I have never heard or seen such a vast number of curse spells that the noble one can handle. Surely it must be a divine technique possible only for a distinguished noble of the Netherworld...]

He bows even deeper to me, shedding icy tears as he pleads.

[Please take in this lowly servant. Allow me to return to thee. I shall serve you...]

"...Hmm..."

Eventually, I decide to accept this Ghost King who earnestly requests to serve me.

"Have you all decided on which Ghost Kings you will serve from now on?"

Excluding myself, the bald tattooed man, the corpse-like man, the woman in mourning clothes, and Heo Nam-kwon all nod with pale faces.

Looking closely, dark energy is embedded within them.

It seems they had all decided to serve at least Ghost Kings of the Heavenly Being stage.

Eub Yeon looks at me, who didn't nod, and asks.

"How about you, Sir Seo?"

I also nod awkwardly.

"Well...I decided for now."

It isn't 'me serving', but rather that I had chosen a Ghost King who will 'serve me'.

Anyway, the decision was made.

Within my Golden Core,

I sense the Ghost King sitting demurely next to my Nascent Soul.

'Hey, Bi Yul (悲潏).'

[Yes, my Lord. Did you call me?]

'Why is it that everyone was causing such a fuss inside the Grand Tomb Domain, but it's quiet inside the shrine?'

[It is because the flesh (肉) that you, my Lord, are wearing conceals your true essence. In the Grand Tomb Domain, the essence of the soul is revealed, so everyone was granted the grace to see my Lord's true essence, but outside the Grand Tomb Domain, one cannot recklessly see the essence.]

The Ghost King who came to serve me is named Bi Yul.

After swearing allegiance to me, he settled in my Golden Core and continuously received the spiritual power of the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.

While half regaining his senses, Bi Yul swore to wholeheartedly support and assist me.

"Now that it seems everyone has chosen a Ghost King to serve, I will guide you to the Method Repository."

We follow Eub Yeon out of the shrine and move to another space within the Nether Crossing Ship.

After a while, we are able to stand in front of a library marked 'Nether Crossing Repository'.

'Sir Repository Keeper, I am Eub Yeon, the disciple of Entry Hall's Baek Jin. Please allow us entry."

Then a voice comes from inside the repository.

[Eub Yeon and the ten with you may enter.]

It seems that the voice includes even the Ghost Kings within us.

We enter the repository and are able to see the face of the repository keeper.

And, upon seeing him, I'm startled.

'Song Jin?'

He greatly resembles Song Jin, showing his appearance during his lifetime.

"Welcome. I am Song Gil, the Repository Keeper of Black Ghost Valley. In this valley, it is customary for masters to be assigned to disciples below the level of Ghost Soul, and the masters recommend methods to their disciples...However, Yin Soul disciples and onwards are given the opportunity to choose their own methods. Everyone, wander around the repository and choose one method each. You will be given one meal time as the limit."

I pause to look at Song Gil's face, then start walking deeper into the Method Repository.

'He must be Song Jin's brother...'

I consider acknowledging him, but then I decide against it.

After all, Song Jin is doing well in the Ancient Force Realm with Seo Ran, so there's no real need to mention it.

[My Lord, may I recommend a method that would be suitable for you?]

"Hmm?"

I ponder Bi Yul's words for a moment and then nod.

After all, he would know the methods of Black Ghost Valley better.

[Yes, then please follow me to the locations I describe. I will recommend methods that my Lord is likely to favor.]

After a while.

I end up selecting seven volumes of methods recommended by Bi Yul.

The methods are as follows:

Silver Basket Devil Technique (銀籃魔功).

Purple Yang Mad Devilish Art (紫陽狂魔功).

Corpse Devouring Secret Ritual Tome (屍食秘禮本).

Serene Soul True Secrets (安魂眞訣).

Yama Secret Inheritance Will (閻魔秘傳意).

Expending Soul True Devil Method (費魂眞魔功).

Ghost Immortal Kui Devil Secrets (鬼仙奎魔訣).

[Whichever method you choose from these, it will be the most fitting for my Lord. Please enjoy selecting one.]