A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 358: Is It Not A Joy To Have Friends Come From Afar? (2)

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Chapter 358: Is It Not A Joy To Have Friends Come From Afar? (2)

Thud!

Seo Ran leaps down from above Hong Fan's head.

His face is a mixture of joy and astonishment.

"No, Senior. What is this...are you really the same Senior from 300 years ago?"

"Haha, yes. Some minor things have been added, but there hasn't been much change, has there?"

"Ah...hmm...well, let's just say so. Haha, it's truly astonishing, Senior. The last time I saw you, you were at the Nascent Soul stage, but now you're already in the late Four-Axis stage...indeed, Senior is a genius like no other."

"Haha..."

Well, considering that I appear to have progressed from the Nascent Soul stage to the late Four-Axis stage in 300 years, it's indeed an enormous growth.

Of course, there were far more events involved in my cultivation progress than it appears on the surface.

"Well, let's leave it at that. Anyway, it's been a while since we met. Let's go inside and talk instead of standing outside."

I stand up and intend to guide Seo Ran inside the Wuji Religious Hall.

"Oh, I almost forgot, there's one more person."

I look at another figure who has returned with Hong Fan.

It's a beautiful fox-eared woman dressed in a pure white robe with long white hair flowing down.

"Is she your wife?"

As soon as I see her, I can recognize who she is.

'It's been a really long time for her as well.'

Indeed, her identity is that fox who had chewed my arm like a snack when I fell to Ascension Path during my early cycles.

Of course, after reaching Entering Heavens, she was always beaten up by me.

I don't know her name, and honestly, I don't even care about her gender, but it seems she was female.

She descends from Hong Fan's head, gracefully holding the bottom of her robe and bows to me.

"Hello, Senior. It has been a long time. I am Shi Ho (始狐), the beloved of Older Brother Seo, and my art name (號) is Gi (棋)."

[TL/N: 'Older Brother' is 가가 (Gaga) in the raws. It's basically what a younger woman would use to address her older beloved. Gi means the board game Go, and Kim Young-hoon used to call the fox baduk, which is the board game Go in Korean.]

[Editor: Also, amusingly, her name, Shi Ho (始狐), literally means 'start/beginning fox.']

"Hoh, impressive."

I exclaim, gauging the cultivation level of the fox, now named Shi Ho.

'Grand Perfection Heavenly Being...she might step into the Four-Axis stage soon.'

Thinking about it, she's the fox who reached the Core Formation stage by merely absorbing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy on Ascension Path.

It seems her inherent talent is truly extraordinary.

'Seo Ran is now on the verge of crossing from the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage to the Heavenly Being stage...he must be under her thumb a lot.'

Regardless of what happened with Seo Ran and the fox.

Though there were some unfortunate incidents in the past, looking back now, they are both those I consider good friends.

"You come in too. Since it's been a while since we've met, let's hear how you've been. Haha, tell me how you two got married."

"Thank you for your consideration, Senior. Huhu, but this girl has yet to marry Older Brother Seo. We are just getting to know each other."

Shi Ho blushes and seems shy, and I laugh heartily.

They seem to be in the early stages of their relationship, still embarrassed around each other.

"Sorry about that. You two looked so much like a newlywed couple that I didn't real...ize..."

However, during the conversation, I'm startled as I notice Seo Ran's face growing increasingly pale.

'What's this?'

His intent is filled with terror, shock, and confusion.

And right then, Shi Ho suddenly sniffs the air.

In the next moment, her face contorts like a malicious evil spirit.

"Senior, please pardon my rudeness, but did a koi with a changing face sneak into your territory?"

"Ah, you mean Yuk Yo? I found it interesting since she had Seo Ran's face, so I brought her over. I used her to gather information about the Ancient Force Realm, and now she's temporarily kept in the guest chambers of that building..."

"...I see, she still has Older Brother Seo's face. That mongrel dares..."

Crack―

Shi Ho grinds her teeth and, exuding killing intent, flips in the air.

Chuaruruuru!

In an instant, Shi Ho transforms into a fox with five tails and rushes towards the building I pointed at.

'She grew two more tails...'

I watch in fascination and, at the same time, speak to Hong Fan since Yuk Yo is still my guest.

"Go and calm her down a bit."

"Yes."

Paaatt!

Hong Fan transforms into his human form, quickly splitting the space and heading to the guest room.

I pat Seo Ran's shoulder and guide him inside the Wuji Religious Hall.

"Haha, come to think of it, you didn't look very happy when I mentioned your marriage earlier. What's the matter? You seem to be quite under her thumb?"

As I say this, Seo Ran looks around.

A loud commotion is unfolding from inside the building Shi Ho has rushed into. Seo Ran, having entered the Wuji Religious Hall, is now inside the hall's protective barrier.

"D-Does this barrier have soundproofing as well?"

"Yes, it does have a soundproofing function."

Wiiiiing—

When I snap my fingers, the formation activates, blocking the sound from inside and outside.

"Do you have something you want to say?"

I ask curiously, and Seo Ran, pale-faced, grabs my arm as if clinging for his life.

"Senior! Please save me! I can't live like this! My master, who is of lower cultivation than that fox demon and is very open-minded, doesn't seem to understand me. Even when I asked Lady Buk to intervene, she only told me to 'have a beautiful love.' which isn't helpful at all! I absolutely can't endure this. Even though it's said that different species of the Earth Tribe can have children after the Transformation stage, I really think this too much! Senior, please separate Shi Ho away from me!"

His face is pale with fear.

His intent is filled with terror and astonishment.

'No, wait, this is...'

Within Seo Ran's terrified intent, I realize what he is scared of.

'Amidst his fear, he's afraid of something changing within himself...'

Seo Ran feels that something is changing within him as he interacts with Shi Ho, and that is what he fears most.

I ask seriously.

"Seo Ran, what's the matter? Does Shi Ho torture you every night? Or, does she drain your essence for her cultivation with something like the Star-Absorbing Great Technique...?"

[TL/N: Star-Absorbing Great Technique is a reference to Jin Yong's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, where it's one of the iconic techniques of the main character Linghu Chong.]

"No. Shi Ho is always good to me. Shi Ho never uses any techniques like the Star-Absorbing Great Technique. In fact, Shi Ho's cultivation was even delayed to find spiritual elixirs that would aid mine. As a companion, Shi Ho is ideal."

"Hmm...then what's the problem? I heard from the koi demon who deceived you that the koi demon drugged you and did something. Perhaps, did Shi Ho get extremely jealous thinking you cheated because of that?

"Yes, that's part of it. Since the night I spent with that koi demon, Shi Ho became extremely jealous towards any female demon beasts that come near me, to the point of even trying to kill them if they get too close."

"So she's extremely possessive. But how bad is it for you to be like this?"

"No, the reason I'm acting this way is not because of possessiveness. Although Shi Ho is very jealous, most fox demon beasts are said to be highly jealous when they fall in love, so it's a racial trait that I can understand."

"Then what exactly is the problem?"

I frown, unable to understand.

She doesn't torture her husband using her higher cultivation, nor does she use any essence draining techniques, and her possessiveness can be understood as a racial trait. Then just what is the issue?

But seeing my confusion, Seo Ran looks at me with eyes that seem to say he can't understand me either.

"Senior, do you perhaps not possess the vision of demon beasts?"

"Hmm, no. Of course, I do."

"Then you can see the Taiji, right? How can you pretend not to know?"

"Huh? Taiji? What are you talking about?"

As I'm still puzzled, Seo Ran finally explains directly, sounding frustrated.

Upon hearing his words, I stop dead in my tracks.

"That fox is male."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

We share a moment of silence in the dark atmosphere.

"...Did you really not know?"

"...No, I just...thought it was a racial characteristic. Why would I use the Taij-seeing vision to check something like gender? Normally, people don't observe such things in detail."

"...Ah, yes. That is true, I apologize..."

"...So how did you two end up together?"

"In my opinion...I think his mind became a bit strange after being beaten up so much by Sir Kim Young-hoon. I felt sorry for him getting beaten up like a local dog, so I treated him once, and he's been like this ever since."

"...Oh...hmm. Is that so...?"

Just as I'm about to say something to Seo Ran.

"Older Brother~ I'm back."

Shi Ho, dressed in a pure white long robe, runs towards us.

'He' jumps into Seo Ran's chest, acting affectionately.

"You know, I felt so sad being apart for so long. But don't worry. I never forgot about Older Brother. It wasn't too painful because it was a meaningful task, so don't worry too much."

Seo Ran and I notice the blood on Shi Ho's fingers.

When I reach out with my consciousness to check, I find that fortunately, Hong Fan is treating Yuk Yo who has been injured to the point of death but is not dead yet.

'If Hong Fan is treating her, her life should be fine. And...'

I meet the desperate gaze of Seo Ran, who is silently pleading for my help.

Shi Ho, meanwhile, is overflowing with intense, pale pink emotions towards Seo Ran.

I'm at a loss for words, my mouth opening and closing. Finally, I manage to speak something.

"Um...have a beautiful love."

Seo Ran's intent decays, while Shi Ho, overjoyed, wipes tears with his bloodstained hands.

"Thank you, Senior!"

"...Ha, ha... Thank...you."

I avoid Seo Ran's gaze.

'Well...they'll handle it somehow.'

It isn't as if someone had died or a close friend was lost, so minor matters like are none of my concern.

It isn't my business, and I can only hope that Seo Ran will handle it himself.

Besides, there are many techniques to change one's gender. If he can't endure it, one of them will learn one eventually.

'As long as it's not me, there's no need to interfere.'

Unless it's something as serious as selling Seo Ran's flesh as Qi Building Pills every night, I decide not to meddle in the affairs of these lovers (?), and I sit them down in the guest room to ask about what has happened.

Seo Ran seems extremely uncomfortable regarding their relationship, so I mainly ask about Song Jin and Kim Young-hoon.

As well as her matters and the Ancient Force Realm.

"There really have been many events."

"...Yes, many indeed. I never expected we'd have to go to Salt Sea Island to collect salt crystals for Cheongmun Ryeong-nim."

"Salt crystals, huh..."

Hearing about it, it seems Seo Ran and Shi Ho are currently searching for clues related to Cheongmun Ryeong, who has turned into a salt pillar.

"Speaking of which..."

I spread my hands and demonstrate a simplified version of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.

Chuarararak.

Salt grain-like energy appears in my palms.

Seo Ran is startled at the sight.

"I too have obtained a similar power. Though I haven't yet thought of a way to save Sir Cheongmun Ryeong, combining my power with your research might yield some results."

"...! I see. Thank you."

"And while we're on the subject...I heard that Kim Young-hoon and Buk Hyang-hwa are primarily focused on Cheongmun Ryeong, but you and Song Jin have a different goal related to Seo Hweol."

"Yes, that's correct...to properly understand the King's intentions, identify the nature of the spells he placed on the Sea Dragon Palace, Serving Command Palace, and the Black Castle, and find a way to counter him, we thought it would be best to ascend to a different realm than the Bright Cold Realm where he resides. Hence, for various reasons, we ascended to the Ancient Force realm."

I nod and share the information I have gathered about Seo Hweol with Seo Ran.

Seo Hweol and the Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

And that within him exists a trace of pure light, along with the fact that he has a separate 'main body.'

Seo Ran, seemingly overwhelmed by the continuous revelations, listens with wide, open eyes.

"...In that case, the incident 300 years ago when our group suddenly vomited salt was also..."

"Yes, when I used the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique on Seo Hweol, showing him the power of this salt, it must have dissolved the Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens within you all."

"Such..."

"But don't worry. The remaining Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens within you has been turned into salt, so it's no longer a threat."

"...Understood. Thank you, Senior. Truly, thank you."

He appears to be in such a state of shock that he seems to have forgotten even the presence of Shi Ho clinging to him, contemplating something with a serious expression.

Shi Ho wipes the sweat from Seo Ran's forehead and says,

"Older Brother, we can't just keep receiving such incredible information from Senior without giving anything in return. Let's give him what we've gathered."

"Oh, we should."

Following Shi Ho's suggestion, Seo Ran takes out a storage scroll and spreads it before me.

Inside the storage scroll are various drawings.

"These are items we collected while wandering the Ancient Force Realm. We'll explain each one, and you can take whatever you like, Senior."

"Oh, thank you very much. I've always been curious about what items exist in the Ancient Force Realm..."

As I look into the storage scroll with growing interest, Seo Ran begins explaining the items one by one and laying them out on the table.

"Yes. first, this is..."

As I listen to the descriptions of the unique specialties of the Ancient Force Realm, I am suddenly shocked by an item with immense capabilities.

"Wait, explain that again."

"Yes, this is called the Supervisory Jade (監察玉). It's a crystal that allows you to project your consciousness to observe one of the Lower Realms you have been to or have previously descended your consciousness to."

"...!"

I receive the Supervisory Jade with trembling hands.

"It consumes both ancient stones and spirit stones to activate and only lasts for about a day, so its practical use is limited. However, it's a popular item among collectors who enjoy observing the Lower Realms."

"Hmm...! A very useful item indeed."

"Useful? You can only observe the Lower Realms with your consciousness in the Plane of Soul so it's not very practical..."

"No, for me, it's one of the most necessary items."

With the All-Heavens Sword's ability, this item is practically a one-time-use Void Spirit Pond for me.

'Especially since the Void Spirit Pond disappeared when I left the Nether Ghost Realm, this is a very meaningful resource.'

Currently, the structure of the Ancient Force Realm makes it uncertain if there is a Void Spirit Pond or not.

Although seeing that Yeon Wei built the Health Axis makes it plausible there is one, there is nothing more important that can be used than this right now.

"Sorry, but could I use this for a moment? There's something in a Lower Realm that I need to observe."

"Ah, of course. Use it as much as you need."

"Thank you. Then..."

Wooooo-woong!

Borrowing Seo Ran's ancient stones and using my spirit stones, I activate the Supervisory Jade.

________________________________________

Ham Jin chews on his lip.

"Hoh, is it this boy?"

"Remarkable, a demi-god disciple. Your luck with disciples blossomed. Hahaha!

Ham Jin awkwardly smiles at the praise from the three old monsters before him.

Before him stand the Three Sage Gods of Yuhwa.

Heavenly God Blissful Sage.

Fire God Merchant Hwa Yeol.

Devil God Black Tomb Old Devil.

Each one of them is a top expert in the Core Formation stage.

'Sir Fighting Ghost, Sir Infinite Fighting Ghost.'

He repeatedly calls out to Infinite Fighting Ghost, the subordinate of the Wuji Ghost King, but receives no response.

Since Infinite Fighting Ghost disappeared like the wind, he no longer answers Ham Jin's calls.

'What happened to Sir Infinite Fighting Ghost? Just what is going on? Damn it, why today of all days!'

He bites his lip tightly.

"To inherit everything from Black Tomb at such a young age, you're really fortunate."

"For even the disciple to have such exceptional talent, I'm so envious I could die, Black Tomb."

Heavenly God Blissful Sage and Fire God Merchant Hwa Yeol look at Black Tomb Old Devil with eyes filled with jealousy.

Black Tomb Old Devil chuckles and replies.

"Enough! Ham Jin is mine. We agreed on this from the beginning, so don't covet him."

Ham Jin feels chills run down his spine at those words.

"Haha. Well, we've seen his face and rested enough...When will the ceremony start?"

Amidst their noisy chatter, they ask Black Tomb Old Devil with serious expressions.

Black Tomb Old Devil nods solemnly with a serious face and speaks.

"We can start immediately."

"Then let's begin right away. What are we waiting for?"

"Haha, I was just concerned that you weren't ready. Let's go!"

At those words, the Heavenly God and Fire God stand up, and Black Tomb Old Devil signals Ham Jin from behind with a look.

A signal to rise.

'Damn, I was planning to follow from behind and look for a chance to escape...'

It seems that will be difficult as well.

Ham Jin grits his teeth and squeezes between the Sage Gods as they head out of the cave residence.

Split Turtle Valley was originally a massive round black mountain that had been split in half.

However, being split in half doesn't mean it's perfectly divided into two; if seen from above, the split is slightly skewed to the left.

And the place Ham J