A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 232: Black Snake (10)
"Uh."
Jeon Myeong-hoon can't comprehend the current situation as all.
"Why?"
He merely asks dumbfoundedly into the air.
'Me, an elixir?'
He has heard that when making elixirs, the vitality of a living being is extracted to accumulate medicinal properties with life force.
He has also heard that humans are used when making elixirs such as Qi Building Pills by Jin So-hae.
Of course, to enter the sect and have been chosen to be taken along during ascension, it would be impossible unless one's qualities are outstanding enough to reach the level of Qi Building without Qi Building Pills, so there aren't many who have actually taken such pills.
He remembers Jin So-hae saying that there will hardly be any need to see such elixirs as Qi Building Pills in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, as there are numerous Heavenly Spiritual Roots.
Jeon Myeong-hoon himself thought that he would never consume barbaric pills made from humans.
'But me, an elixir?'
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks around.
Inside the Thunder Prison where he has been captured by his master, Jin Jin-chan.
In 13 hours from now, once the master alchemist has aged all the auxiliary ingredients, the process of refining you into a Heavenly Golden Thunder Pill will begin. Be mentally prepared by then.
Jeon Myeong-hoon still fails to come to his senses after Jin Jin-chan's last words.
'Am I, going to die here like this? After only living like a dog for 10 years?'
He feels wronged.
Angry.
But above all, scared.
'Fuck... Am I really going to die like this? For real?'
Jeon Myeong-hoon clenches his head with a stiff expression inside the Thunder Prison.
His hair, which he has grown for a little over 10 years, slips through his grasp.
'Damn it why does it have to be like this'
Just when he is in despair.
Kududuguk
The wall behind Jeon Myeong-hoon.
A part of it suddenly starts to fall away.
At the same time, Jin So-hae appears from inside.
"! So-hae!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon is shocked and gets up from his spot.
Jin So-hae frowns and puts her finger to her lips.
"Shh! Be quiet! I made it here dodging the guards' eyes Come this way quietly."
Jeon Myeong-hoon swallows his saliva.
Even a fool can tell.
This is his only chance now that Jin So-hae has come.
He quietly moves towards Jin So-hae.
"So-hae, me, save me"
"I came to save you. Please, just be quiet. Come this way."
Soon, the inside of the Thunder Prison where Jeon Myeong-hoon was confined becomes completely empty.
Then, Jin Jin-chan walks into the now-empty Thunder Prison.
"Hmm, So-hae will handle it well."
Behind him, Hong Su-ryeong walks out and says,
"Now, Grand Elder Jin should start the next plan."
"Understood. Grand Elder Hong, make sure to disable the sect's grand formation on time, and if the kid manages to escape, activate the array."
"Of course."
Jin Jin-chan nods and glances at the stone wall Jeon Myeong-hoon had exited through before stepping outside the Thunder Prison.
Before leaving the Thunder Prison, he glances at Hong Su-ryeong and asks.
"By the way, Grand Elder Hong seems to be in poor health recently. Anything wrong?"
"Hmm, I've come to know a rather uninteresting fact."
"An uninteresting fact, you say? I've heard rumors lately that there's no dual cultivation between Grand Elder Hong and Elder Seo Could it be that there's a problem with Elder Seo's lower dantian"
"Shut your mouth before I cut off your lower dantian."
"Hemhem"
At Hong Su-ryeong's fierce remark, Jin Jin-chan coughs awkwardly and quickly leaves the Thunder Prison.
Inside the Thunder Prison, Hong Su-ryeong looks into the void for a moment before letting out a hollow laugh.
"To the Ancestor of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect what exactly were your descendants"
"So-hae, really, thank you. Truly!"
Having completely escaped the Thunder Prison building, Jeon Myeong-hoon wipes off his cold sweat and thanks Jin So-hae gratefully.
Jin So-hae sighs softly.
"Enough. Right now, all the elders and grand elders are in a meeting with the master alchemist. It seems like the elixir they are making is an extraordinary one that even the Supreme Sect Master must attend along with the grand elders. Thanks to that, there's about an hour's gap when the elders and grand elders won't be around"
She leads Jeon Myeong-hoon to where the flying magic artifacts are gathered.
The departure peak of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is a place where flying magic artifacts in the shape of ships are anchored in abundance.
She infuses her spiritual power into one of the flying magic artifacts, a small vessel-type that can carry 500 disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect at once.
"Get on. It's a magic artifact for long-distance travel. Thanks to the Flying Escape Technique cast on the artifact itself, it can traverse thousands of li without difficulty. Take this and leave Thunder Spirit Island."
"...Thank you. But aren't you coming with me?"
"I'll stay behind and lie to the Supreme Sect Master that you are hiding near the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. That should buy us some time."
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at Jin So-hae and asks.
"So-hae why are you doing all this for me?"
"...You don't need to know. Hurry up and get on."
Jin So-hae, with an annoyed expression, loads Jeon Myeong-hoon onto the ship artifact.
Being in the early Core Formation stage, Jin So-hae forcibly loads Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is unable to resist.
"Wait, I don't know how to pilot this"
It's when Jeon Myeong-hoon is worried.
Tstsstsst!
A giant shadow surges up from behind Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"You are Hong Fan?"
It's the giant black centipede, Hong Fan.
Kugugugu!
Jeon Myeong-hoon is astonished by the spiritual energy wave and consciousness emanating from Hong Fan.
"Wait, you! Have you already reached the Core Formation stage?"
[It's only the early stages of Core Formation, just like Miss Jin So-hae. If Sir Jeon Myeong-hoon hadn't experienced Heavenly Rejection during your Seven Stars Ritual, you would have surely surpassed me.]
"...You really have tremendous talent But why are you here?"
[I've come to pilot the ship in your stead.]
"You, you know how to pilot a flying magic artifact? How?"
[My master taught me how to pilot the ship.]
"Wow"
Jeon Myeong-hoon is about to exclaim but then suddenly has a doubt.
"Wait, if you're the pet demon beast of an elder Aren't you bound to your master? Moving with me would"
He looks at Hong Fan with suspicion, and Hong Fan begins to explain calmly.
[My master supports Sir Jeon Myeong-hoon's escape. From the start, someone with a talent like the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body isn't someone who should become an elixir just because they faced a bit of Heavenly Rejection. Not just my master but also several grand elders and elders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect share this view.]
"What!"
[You don't have to run away forever. If Sir Jeon Myeong-hoon evades capture for just a few weeks, after that, the grand elders and elders who support you will come to rescue you.]
Hearing Hong Fan's explanation, Jeon Myeong-hoon finally lets go of his suspicions.
"Sorry for doubting. And, thank you too."
[It was just the elders' order.]
Hong Fan speaks, reducing his size.
Hong Fan's large body shrinks, grabbing the helm of the ship Jeon Myeong-hoon is on.
"Then, Jeon Myeong-hoon."
Jin So-hae, with her arms crossed, looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon and says,
""Let's see each other in good health later."
"Thank you, So-hae."
He bites his lip.
'I'm ashamed of myself.'
He had always treated Jin So-hae as a 'target to conquer' or a 'potential dual cultivation partner' and flirted around.
And whenever he had a chance, he would shift his attention to other female disciples of the sect.
But at this moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon makes a promise to himself.
'If I safely escape from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and if I safely return here again I will only look at Jin So-hae.'
With Hong Fan's control, the flying magic artifact soars into the sky.
Under the night sky of the Bright Cold Realm, filled with countless stars,
The ship Jeon Myeong-hoon is on smoothly passes through the sect's grand formation and flies away.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks back at the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and thinks.
'I will definitely return!'
As Jin So-hae watches Jeon Myeong-hoon waving his hand as he leaves,
A sigh escapes her lips.
"Ha That fool."
Even though they have become quite close over the last ten years, Jin So-hae does not see Jeon Myeong-hoon in a romantic way at all.
She only sees him as a brother she needs to look after, one a bit lacking in brains from her perspective.
"Isn't it strange that the sect's grand formation didn't activate even as he left on the ship? Tsk"
She clicks her tongue while looking at Jeon Myeong-hoon's ship, now far away.
And next to her, a man in white descends.
"Don't be too hard on him, Miss."
"Oh, Elder Seo?"
She blushes, looking at 'Elder Seo,' Seo Eun-hyun, who has approached her.
'Grand Elder Hong is really lucky. Not stuck with someone like Jeon Myeong-hoon but being Dao Companions with Elder Seo'
Seo Eun-hyun smiles briefly at where Jeon Myeong-hoon has disappeared.
"Now that Jeon Myeong-hoon has left, shall we activate the grand formation?"
"Yes, I'll go inform my great-grandfather."
Jin So-hae uses the Flying Escape Technique to fly to where Jin Byuk-ho is staying, in the Golden Thunder Hall, and Seo Eun-hyun stands on the departure peak, smiling faintly.
'You're really lucky, Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
Whooosh
Jeon Myeong-hoon sighs as he looks at the night sky.
"Damn it"
Everything seemed perfect, but everything went awry in just a short 10 years.
Even if he cried out to the heavens for 10 years, the heavens did not permit him.
His expectations of becoming dual cultivation partners with Jin So-hae was cruelly shattered, and the elders of the sect gradually turned their attention away from Jeon Myeong-hoon, seeing that he could not overcome the Heavenly Rejection.
In particular, the infamous incident where Jin Byuk-ho, known for his explosive temper, came to insult him is a well-known story.
Seo Eun-hyun managed to break through Heavenly Rejection as soon as he extended his hand, but why can't you?
Why can't you? You are the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body! It's absurd that you can't do what Seo Eun-hyun can! Unless you're unimaginably dull, you should be able to do it!
Heo Gwak, Cheongmun Sunwoo and I could use Qi Building stage techniques even when we were at Qi Refining! Seo Eun-hyun could also do it, so why can't you?
Damn it! To waste time on such a fool! What a waste of time! Aaaaaaah!
Especially being directly compared with Seo Eun-hyun, who he has always looked down upon, and being subjected to such rage is one of the worst memories he has in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
'Damn it.'
Thinking back on the incident with Jin Byuk-ho, Jeon Myeong-hoon feels as if the little affection he has for the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is crumbling away.
"...Really, if it weren't for you, Jin So-hae, and a few friends, I would have left the sect long ago. Why would I suffer trouble for staying unnecessarily. Thinking about it, starting from the Supreme Sect Master, they've only ever expressed anger and disappointment towards me."
Jeon Myeong-hoon speaks as he looks at Hong Fan, who had shrunk to the size of a human torso and is operating the helm of the ship.
Hong Fan calmly replies.
[There's a saying that the opposite of love is not anger or hatred, but indifference. The anger shown to Sir Jeon Myeong-hoon might be proof that the elders don't want to let go of you.]
"Hmph, funny. Even that anger was initially depressed in abundance but eventually subsided when things didn't work out, didn't they? Look, even my master didn't come to see me for a long while until he decided to make me into an elixir and finally came to lock me up in the Thunder Prison. When have they ever"
Kururung!
It's when Jeon Myeong-hoon is venting his anger to Hong Fan.
Urrurrung!
An immense clapping of thunder rumbles, and a massive storm of lightning energy surges from behind Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is startled and looks back.
Something like a ghastly lightning is chasing the ship they are on, trailing along the clouds.
"Ho-Hong Fan!"
[I will ascend. Hold on tight.]
Boooong!
Hong Fan maneuvers the helm, and the ship they are on begins to rise.
Whoosh!
The ship artifact carrying Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan pierces through the clouds above.
And, whatever is chasing them also rises into the sky.
Kugugugugu!
"Ah, m, master!?"
It's the giant figure of Jin Jin-chan.
Kwajijijik!
A giant body formed from ghastly lightning reveals itself.
It looks like a storm of lightning has transformed into the shape of a giant!
"Ho, Hong Fan! M, my master is chasing us!"
[Do not worry, I do not sense the power of the Heavenly Being stage. It seems like a consciousness separation using Externalizing Spirit. At most, it's the power of a remnant soul of the Heavenly Being stage.]
"H, Heavenly Being stage remnant soul, how powerful is that! Can you handle it?"
[Well Normally, the remnant soul of a Heavenly Being stage cultivator is around the late Core Formation to Grand Perfection stage.]
Hong Fan says calmly.
[Of course, if I were to face it, I'd end up as Fried Hong Fan.]
At the same time, the lightning giant in the form of Jin Jin-chan extends its finger towards the ship.
Kugugugugu!
An immense power of lightning gathers and shoots towards the ship.
Kwarurung!
The clouds are torn apart, and a storm rages across the area.
Jeon Myeong-hoon screams, holding onto the ship's railing.
"Haaaaaaa! Qu-quickly run away! Please!"
[Yes!]
Boooong!
At the same time, the speed of the ship also increases.
However, Jin Jin-chan's Externalized Spirit continues to chase them at a rapid pace.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
Kurung, Kurung, Kururung!
"Haaaaaaa!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon is terrified and trembling, holding onto the railing as lightning strikes aim at them.
Urrung!
Amidst that, a part of the lightning strike falls towards Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at the incoming lightning bolt and screams.
"Haaaaaaa! Save huh?"
Pazik, Pazijik.
Surprisingly not feeling any pain, Jeon Myeong-hoon looks puzzled.
The streak of lightning is naturally absorbed into Jeon Myeong-hoon's body, and he exclaims as he sees the lightning bolt inside him transform into spiritual power.
"Whoa this"
Watching him, Hong Fan speaks,
[Sir Jeon Myeong-hoon, you may be immune to lightning, but this ship is not. If a situation like before occurs again, it will be troublesome, so please go to the rear and block the attacks from the Externalized Spirit.]
"Um! Got it!"
Realizing that small lightning strikes don't have much effect, confidence surges in Jeon Myeong-hoon's face.
He runs to the rear and raises his Accumulating Lightning Technique.
At the same time, Jeon Myeong-hoon also stirs up the anger in his chest.
Pazijijik!
Red lightning surges around Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Taaaat!"
As he forms a hand sign, the red lightning streak collides with the remnants of lightning bolts flying towards the ship.
The remnants of small lightning strikes shot by Jin Jin-chan's Externalized Spirit are all neutralized by Jeon Myeong-hoon's Accumulating Lightning Technique and begin to dissipate.
However, even though they are just remnants of lightning shot by the Externalized Spirit, the Externalized spirit has the power of the Core Formation Grand Perfection and Jeon Myeong-hoon is merely at the Qi Refining 6th Star.
Kwajijijik!
"Ugh"
In an instant, Jeon Myeong-hoon's spiritual power is depleted.
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon grits his teeth and extends his hand.
"Come!"
Kwajijijik!
One of the lightning strikes shot by the Externalized Spirit hits the ship directly.
However, the ship is unharmed.
Jeon Myeong-hoon extended his hand.
Inside his hand, all the lightning streaks are being absorbed.
Pazijijik!
In an instant, Jeon Myeong-hoon's spiritual power surges again, and he continuously emits endless red lightning bolts.
Kururung!
As if annoyed by Jeon Myeong-hoon blocking his attacks, Jin Jin-chan's Externalized Spirit starts chasing them even faster.
[Sir Jeon Myeong-hoon, I will increase our speed. You must not disengage the Accumulating Lightning Technique even for a moment from now on!]
"Ye, yes!"
Piiiiit!
Enveloped in a halo, Jeon Myeong-hoon begins to move forward amidst an immense radiance.
'Damn, I feel nauseous.'
But, following Hong Fan's advice, Jeon Myeong-hoon never releases the Accumulating Lightning Technique.
After all, Jin Jin-chan is growing even closer.
The giant face of the lightning giant is only three zhang (33 feet) away from the rear of the ship, shooting lightning at them.
Kwajijijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon continuously absorbs the lightning and releases it.
It looks as though red lightning is bursting from the rear of the swiftly moving ship.
"Ugh! Damn it! Leave your disciple alone! Hong Fan, how much longer do we have to do this!?"
[We will soon reach the barrier of Thunder Spirit Island. Once we cross the barrier, even the Externalized Spirit will have a hard time following us!]
"Okay!"
Kwajijijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon feels like he is going to vomit from maintaining the Accumulating Lightning Technique, but he clenches his teeth and endures.
'Finally!'
Jeon Myeong-hoon finally sees that the ship has reached the edge of Thunder Spirit Island and his eyes light up.
Now, they just need to cross the barrier and it will be over.
[Just hold on a little longer!]
"Alright!"
Just then.
[You!!]
Kurururung!
At the edge of Thunder Spirit Island where Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan are heading, another giant made of lightning appears.
[How dare you try to leave!!!]
It's the form of Vice-Sect Leader Jin Hwi.
[You dare to flee and leave the sect!]
Kwa