A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

A pure white sky and earth.

Inside, Cha Jo-gwi experiences a horrific feeling as if even his screams are disintegrating.

'M-My domain...! It's being torn apart!'

He grits his teeth and contracts his domain.

'If my domain is destroyed, it's truly over...I'll die...!'

Kuguguk―

He decisively abandons pieces of his domain and retrieves it.

To the ghostly creatures belonging to the Yin domain, the power of blessing incantations of the Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness are truly devastating.

'As expected...! It is indeed an old monster eroded by a True Person...!'

Despite the agony that feels like his entire body is being cooked, Cha Jo-gwi contracts his domain to prevent his own dissolution and steps before the Nether Crossing Ship to prevent his subordinates from 'ascending' (성불/passing on).

'Surrounding himself with such pitch-black death and mastering such brutal devilish arts, yet wielding a Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness method like this? I've never heard of such a thing. It's impossible...!'

He is an incarnation of death with nineteen heads.

Logically, it's nearly impossible for a being that is practically the manifestation of such devilish arts to concurrently master a method of Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness.

Therefore, there is only one possible conclusion.

This is a power that has been 'injected.'

It's a power gained from being corrupted by a great True Person!

"Kuaaaaaah!"

Despite his entire body cooking, he stands firm in front of the Nether Crossing Ship.

The white flash that seems like it would last forever finally fades.

"..."

Chiiii―

Cha Jo-gwi looks around, observing the black smoke rising from his body.

He can no longer feel the 'gaze' from above.

'Is it...night now?'

But it's strange.

Even though it's night, no. Even though it's the Nether Ghost Realm.

Everything around is so 'bright.'

'A blue...sky?'

Most ghostly creatures do not originate from the Nether Ghost Realm.

Most of them come to the Nether Ghost Realm after wandering the Nine Heavens upon death from the Lower Realms.

As such, they remember what a 'blue sky' looks like.

Cha Jo-gwi stares stupidly at the 'blue sky.'

The surroundings are dyed blue from the pure white light emanating from the sky.

And, the surroundings have become a desert.

'Ah...I see.'

Cha Jo-gwi collapses to the ground as he understands the situation.

'Because of the devilish cult leader's power, the vicinity of the White Yin Domain turned into a desert. The eerie Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness that he used caused the sky to brighten and turn blue...'

Thud!

He looks behind him.

The magnificent ship that had been floating in the sky.

The Nether Crossing Ship is now buried in the sand without emitting any more ghostly energy.

'Focusing the power on the shield must have drained the energy source in an instant.'

At that moment Cha Jo-gwi realizes there is a large 'shadow' in front of him.

'Ah...'

No, it isn't a shadow.

It's a 'pit.'

A blue sky.

An endlessly sprawling desert.

At its center, an indescribably huge pit has formed.

Cha Jo-gwi trembles.

That 'pit' was where the White Yin Domain had been moments ago.

The devilish cult leader had covered the area with a spherical barrier using his method.

Cha Jo-gwi looks at the sky with trembling eyes.

The sky has turned blue because of the light emitted from above.

Then, what is the source of the light?

Yes.

The light source is the White Yin Domain.

The White Yin Domain is emitting light of blessings, floating in the sky and dyeing it blue.

"Activating formation, connection to the Void Spirit Pond complete."

"Condensing dragon vein complete, floating formation operating normally."

"Formation charge is 120% complete. Ready to cast at any time.

Wo-wooong―

I face Hong Fan, who is fiddling with the attraction force of the Void Spirit Pond.

Next to him is Kim Yeon, who commands the formation and oversees the formation masters gathered from all over the Wuji Religious Order. As I sit on the cult leader's throne, I manipulate attraction force while beginning to speak.

[Hear my words, remaining followers.]

Woo-woong―

[Thank you for joining this mad cult leader's goal. From now on, our Wuji Religious Order will embark on a long journey with the White Yin Domain. This entire area you live in will become a Sky Island, drifting far and wide like the place I once lived, spreading the name and teachings of the Wuji Religious Order across the world.]

At the center of the White Yin Domain, the headquarters of the Wuji Religious Order.

At the Wuji Religious Hall at the center of the Wuji Religious Order.

Sitting in the basement of the religious hall, I survey the entire White Yin Domain with my vast consciousness.

The formations set up over the years move the dragon vein of the White Yin Domain, lifting it into the sky.

Just like the Sky Island of the Human Race's territory.

And, like Ascension Path.

The Ascension Gate of Ascension Path.

I conceived this plan inspired by it.

The Ascension Gate created by Yang Su-jin is influenced by the spiritual energy of Ascension Path.

It is intertwined with Ascension Path itself through attraction force.

Similarly, I connected the entire White Yin Domain to the Void Spirit Pond using attraction force and the dragon vein.

Now, this land will become the sacred ground of the Wuji Religious Order.

[This White Yin Domain, which will be reborn as a new land, needs a new name. From now on, this land will be known as the Sky Island, Twilight Domain (光陰域)]

Kugugugugu!

I, on the seat of the Wuji Religious Hall,

At the center of all formations, I reach into the void.

Kuguguguk!

Attraction force moves.

The floating formation lifting the entire domain is merely using the power of the dragon vein.

The power created by absorbing the attacks of the Integration stage Grand Cultivators with the Great Desert to Dead Sea has yet to be used.

Then how exactly should that power be used?

This is now the beginning.

Pajik, pajijik!

Next to me, Jeon Myeong-hoon folds his arms with an amused expression as red lightning crackles.

"Are we leaving now?"

[Yeah, let's go rescue our comrades.]

It's time to rescue the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

[Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation (界滅縮地陣). Activate!]

Kugugugugu!

Cha Jo-gwi's expression changes.

'This is crazy. That insane cult leader, just what is he trying to do?'

He, who has suffered a fatal injury with his domain torn apart, can do nothing even if the devilish cult leader is planning something.

It's when he looks up at the White Yin Domain floating in the sky with a pale face.

Kikikikik―

A chilling sound echoes, and he sees the space tearing apart.

And from inside, 'it' emerges.

Kwa-jijijik!

It's a giant, spewing red and black lightning from its entire body.

The giant, with six arms and six shadows on its back, tears through the space and locks eyes Cha Jo-gwi.

"Wha-what!? Who are you!?"

He has a startled expression, but the giant of red lightning ignores Cha Jo-gwi and focuses its gaze on someone behind him.

[I missed you that time. Haha, I'll make you share the same fate as your friends.]

Kugugugugu!

The giant extends its hand towards the Nether Crossing Ship behind Cha Jo-gwi.

Cha Jo-gwi realizes the giant's intention.

'Damn it! It's targeting Baek Rin!?'

"Baek Rin! Run away!"

Before his voice can finish echoing, a pure white light bursts forth from the Nether Crossing Ship, forming a massive white skeleton.

[Even though it's frustrating, I have to escape again! White Bone Shedding...]

[You think I'll let you go again?]

Kwa-jijijik!

In the next moment, the six-armed giant.

The Six Extremes Ghost King Jeon Myeong-hoon transforms into lightning in an instant.

Kwa-jijijik!

Before the gravely injured and immobile Cha Jo-gwi can do anything, Jeon Myeong-hoon transforms into a red lightning that covers Heaven and Earth.

He becomes a giant net.

[Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation (赤雷天劫), Indra's Net (因陀羅網).]

Kwa-jijijik!

The net, made of red lightning, spreads out as if covering the heavens.

The Nascent Souls of Baek Rin, shattered into thousands of pieces, let out screams akin to wails.

[Six Extremes Ghost King!!! Kuaaaaa!!!]

Cha Jo-gwi, lifting his critically injured body, tries to shake Jeon Myeong-hoon's net with his faint attraction force.

"You...bastard...! Devilish cult scum! Release my friend!"

[Hmph, you're annoying.]

Kwa-jijijik!

"Kuaaaaagh!"

Cha Jo-gwi is ultimately struck by the red lightning and flung far away.

At that moment,

"Kugh, damn it, let me go!"

"Huaak! Captain!"

"Please save us!"

In Cha Jo-gwi's eyes, he sees several ghostly creatures caught in the net of the Six Extremes Ghost King.

As Jeon Myeong-hoon tries to capture the Baek Rin who split into thousands of pieces and is attempting to flee in all directions, his net inadvertently catches other ghostly creatures as well.

Among those caught in Jeon Myeong-hoon's net are Cha Jo-gwi's lieutenant, Yu Hye, and several other crew members.

Cha Jo-gwi shouts with fury in his eyes,

"You bastard! You vile devilish cult scum! Release my comrades immediately!"

[Apologies. As we will be leaving soon, I have no leisure in controlling my strength. I'll drop them off at a suitable place, so do not worry.]

Kwa-jijijik!

Jeon Myeong-hoon pulls the net towards the spatial rift he has emerged from.

The Sky Island emits a strange wave and begins to slowly move forward.

Yu Hye, Cha Jo-gwi's lieutenant, grits her teeth and creates a small gap in Jeon Myeong-hoon's net.

Kwa-jijijik!

"Yu Hye! Escape quickly!"

Cha Jo-gwi shouts.

But Yu Hye throws the other crew members out first.

The net is gradually being pulled into the spatial rift along with Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"Yu Hye!"

Cha Jo-gwi, drenched in blessings and lightning, forcefully drags his trembling body into the air.

At the last moment, Yu Hye manages to free the last crew member from Jeon Myeong-hoon's net.

And finally, Jeon Myeong-hoon, along with Yu Hye and the Baek Rin divided into thousands of pieces, is pulled into the spatial rift.

Yu Hye looks at Cha Jo-gwi and smiles.

"Captain, it was an honor to serve you."

Chi chi chiiit―

And Jeon Myeong-hoon closes the spatial rift.

Cha Jo-gwi flies madly towards the Sky Island that is gradually moving, emitting light from the sky.

Even though the Sky Island radiates pure white blessings, he does not care.

Cha Jo-gwi's body is burning.

"Yu Hye!!! No!!!"

Wo-woong—

But the Sky Island is gradually accelerating.

What once moved at a snail's pace seems to accelerate tenfold with each breath.

Wiiiiiing—

Pa-jijijijijik!

As Cha Jo-gwi finally reaches out towards the veil of light emanating from the Sky Island,

Flash!

The Sky Island emits a blinding light and disappears in an instant.

"..."

Cha Jo-gwi can only stare blankly at the gradually darkening void.

He felt the space folding.

Yes, it's the ground-shrinking technique.

However, it isn't a simple ground-shrinking technique.

It's an incredibly immense distance that even cultivators at the Integration stage can't cover in one go.

A ground-shrinking technique that jumps over hundreds of thousands of li in a single move.

Cha Jo-gwi trembles with a vacant expression.

"Yu Hye...Baek Rin..."

His lieutenant and lover captured by the devilish cult.

And his old friend Baek Rin.

"Huaaaaaaaah!!!"

Under the sky of the Nether Ghost Realm, which is returning to its original state, Cha Jo-gwi screams madly.

Wiiiiiing—

I can feel it.

That this entire Twilight Domain is leaping through vast spacetime.

Rather than the ground-shrinking technique, it feels more like spatial teleportation.

Kugugugugu!

I indirectly feel the immense pressure of spacetime and laugh.

Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation.

It's a formation developed by Kim Yeon, who was taught about formations by Yeon Wei, Hong Fan, and myself, given knowledge on the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation that explodes space using the Void Spirit Pond.

The Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation fundamentally explodes by 'distorting space.'

And the ground-shrinking technique of the Four-Axis stage cultivators unfolds by temporarily compressing and folding space to move.

Hong Fan came up with the idea of combining the two.

The Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation is the crystallization of Human Vice. After deploying this embodiment of Vice, I assimilate it with my curses.

Then, using the White Orchid Blessing Incantation, I reverse the Vice along with the curse.

Doing so transforms the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation from a mere formation for destruction into one with a different purpose.

The reversed Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation by Hong Fan became a formation meant for the 'ground-shrinking technique.'

By absorbing power when fighting the Integration stage Ghost Kings with the Great Desert to Dead Sea and injecting it into the Vice-embodied Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation, the formation charges up.

Then, by assimilating the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation with my curses and reversing it, it transforms into the Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation.

In this way, the immense power of the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation instantly converts to the ground-shrinking technique, allowing us to travel distances that are normally impossible.

Flash!

Kugugugugu!

We finally reach the first destination of the long and short Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation.

'Six more steps to go.'

The Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation is designed to perform the ground-shrinking technique seven times in total.

It's impossible to traverse such immense distances all at once, so after each step, we need to create a gap to cool down the formation's overload.

"First destination reached. We have moved 200,000 li from the original position in the White Yin Domain."

[Excellent. When is the next formation activation?]

"In one day."

[Good. We will hover at the first destination for a day to let the formation's overload cool down.]

I look around the entire Twilight Domain.

The formations laid out everywhere.

And the countless followers of the Twilight Domain who remain.

The followers are connected to the dragon vein of the Twilight Domain to support the formation.

'Excellent.'

I smile, satisfied with the sight.

Those who wanted to leave are gone, and those who remain became even more loyal followers of the order.

Just as I am feeling pleased,

"Seo Eun-hyun. No...Cult Leader. I have captured the one who got away last time."

Jeon Myeong-hoon approaches with a satisfied expression, holding a white bone spirit creature in one hand.

[Hoho, I see. So you are Baek Rin. I've heard much about you from Wei Shi-hon and Eum Wa.]

I laugh heartily as I speak.

[Once we reach our final destination, I will let you explore our cult and grant you 'treatment' and 'grace'.]

Baek Rin seems to shudder but speaks in a defeated voice.

"Do as you please, Devilish Cult Leader..."

[Haha, send him to Wei Shi-hon and Eum Wa. The Guardian Ghost King couple will treat him well.]

Jeon Myeong-hoon nods.

Then, scratching his head, he speaks.

"Well, actually...the problem is, aside from the original target of the Guardian Ghost Kings' friend, I accidentally captured another one as well."

[Hmm?]

When Jeon Myeong-hoon gestures, a maiden ghost in pure white mourning clothes, tightly bound by lightning ropes, is dragged in front of the cult leader's seat.

"I accidentally caught one of the Four-Axis cultivators aboard the Nether Crossing Ship. What should we do with this one?"

[Hmm...]

I gaze at the ghost in mourning clothes with a gleam in my eyes.

The ghost glares at me, clenching her lips.

"Kugh, kill me...! You devilish cult leader!"

Translator Notes: Gwang Eum, AKA광음(光陰), translated as Twilight, means sunlight and shade, metaphorically referring to the passing of time as day becomes night. It’s part of the idiom 광음여시[光陰如矢], meaning day and night passes like an arrow, or time flies like an arrow.