A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 820 Chapter 817

Side Story - Naming Family Method. The main estate of the Makli Clan.

Within the Makli Clan, formations get set up in every family member's chamber at the central estate, allowing spiritual energy to converge easily in those spaces.

Makli Hyun-ah's chamber follows the same pattern.

Woo-woooong!

Having obtained the cultivation manuals from the library, Makli Hyun-ah triggers the formation exactly as Makli Hweol instructed, and a stream of pristine white spiritual energy surges through the array from the room's heart.

"Oooh...so this is that spiritual energy...?"

This force carries an enigmatic aura.

After gazing at the spiritual energy for some time, he turns his attention to the instructions in the manual.

'First off...it mentions that the distinction between the Immortal Family and the Naming Family shows up immediately in how they draw in spiritual energy, correct?'

Traditional Immortal Family Methods emphasize 'breathing' to draw in Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

In contrast, the approaches of the Naming Family, the Confucian Family, and the Shaman Family skip the inhalation of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy via breathing.

"The path to practicing the Naming Family Method involves not breathing, but diminishing the name of emptiness () and substance ()."

Makli Hyun-ah arranges paper, brush, and ink, positions a compact table, lays them out, and then, adhering to the practice outlined in the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon, he recites the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon's incantation silently within himself and, through steady mental recitation (), starts inscribing characters onto the paper with composure.

'They emphasize that the name holds the utmost importance... Destiny resides in the name, and so does power...'

The symbol Makli Hyun-ah inscribes is 'wood ()'.

Since it's an extremely basic symbol, he completes it quite rapidly.

As someone from a semi-chaebol household, Makli Hyun-ah attended numerous academies during his youth.

Calligraphy classes were among them, so his handwriting turns out decent.

The instant the wood symbol finishes, the room's spiritual energy converges toward it.

Exclusively wood-attribute spiritual energy adheres to the paper where Makli Hyun-ah writes, and the sheet begins emitting a subtle blue-green glow.

"Oho...it truly produces results."

Through linking the spiritual energy of emptiness() to the [name ()] of substance (), one confines the spiritual energy in a single spot.

"Now, I affix this to my skin..."

Makli Hyun-ah removes his upper garment.

He moistens the paper slightly with saliva before pressing it straight onto his torso.

With the wood-symbol-bearing paper adhered to his flesh, Makli Hyun-ah promptly chants the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon's formula and maintains his internal recitation.

Before long, Makli Hyun-ah observes the blue-green radiance in the paper fading away, and the wood symbol on it dims.

"Oho..."

Sensing a peculiar itchy feeling, he removes the paper, revealing the wood () symbol etched on Makli Hyun-ah's chest, shining with blue-green light.

Simultaneously, Makli Hyun-ah detects a subtle presence deep within his frame.

'Could this be...spiritual energy...? The spiritual power now inside me...?'

Once spiritual energy gets sealed into a name, cultivation advances by taking in the [name] that contains the spiritual energy.

This defines the practice of the Naming Family Method.

"I never desired a tattoo...but alright, they mention that at higher realms, it can vanish from sight, so..."

Eyeing the faintly glowing blue-green wood symbol on his chest, Makli Hyun-ah releases a soft sigh.

As per Makli Hweol's explanation, those with a Heavenly Spiritual Root progress swiftly in cultivation, and given his seamless absorption of the [name], it appears accurate. He clearly possesses some aptitude.

'Who would've thought I'd excel in something beyond gaming...!'

Stunned by his rapid strides in the Naming Family Method, Makli Hyun-ah proceeds to deepen his practice of the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon.

***

Two months elapse.

Makli Hyun-ah persists in his cultivation within the Makli Clan, and through sharing everyday insights with Makli Hweol, he gains full grasp of this world's norms and framework too.

Before long, in the Naming Family Method, Makli Hyun-ah attains a level equivalent to the third star of the Qi Refining stage in conventional Immortal Family Methods.

Chiiiiii!

"Uuuught...! I broke through the barrier... Are you seeing this, Mr. Jegal Mikhail?"

Makli Hyun-ah gently pats the skull positioned in his chamber and grins.

"Daoist Makli Hweol says that bear who utters human speech without assuming human shape likely sits at the Core Formation stage. Now that I've hit a level matching the third star of the Qi Refining stage, turning that wretched bear into stew won't take much longer! Hold on just a bit more; I'll surely get your revenge!"

Typically, one would inter him properly, but...

In this abrupt exile to a distant alien realm, Jegal Mikhail's skull offers Makli Hyun-ah an unusual boost to his mental composure, leading him to keep it nearby.

For Makli Hyun-ah, having Jegal Mikhail's skull close by evokes the sense that Jegal Mikhail lives on, softly soothing him, which brings comfort.

'Surely you're observing from above, Mr. Jegal Mikhail?'

-Of course, Makli-ppitppi.

Sensing Jegal Mikhail's reply resonating in his mind, Makli Hyun-ah gains assurance and chuckles softly.

'What even is Makli-ppitppi? Please use my actual name.'

-OK, Makli Hyun-jok.

[TL/N: Italics means it's English in the raws.]

"...Well, whatever... Let's push forward with cultivation!"

He has achieved a level akin to the third star of the Qi Refining stage.

Going ahead, rather than channeling spiritual energy into paper, brush, and ink before absorbing it, he can advance by inscribing [names] directly within his body using internal spiritual energy.

"Sorry, but that's not permitted, Daoist Makli Hyun-ah."

Yet right then, Makli Hweol addresses him from beyond the door, laughing with a hoho.

"Elder Makli Hye-seo predicted you'd likely reach the third star of the Qi Refining stage by this point...and her foresight proves spot on. Now that you've attained the third star of the Qi Refining stage, you must attend the clan's inner academy where Lianshan Makli Line members study, effective today."

"...Eh? What's that?"

Inviting Makli Hweol inside the chamber, Makli Hyun-ah inquires.

"It's straightforward. Daoist Makli Hyun-ah must have encountered concepts like village schools, Confucian academies, or similar institutions, right?"

"Yes. Don't say..."

"Your 'don't say' hits the mark. Every young clan member who achieves a specific level needs to gather essential spells and foundational cultivation world knowledge at the inner academy."

"Uuugh..."

At that statement, chills trickle down Makli Hyun-ah's back as he frantically searches for an evasion to dodge the academy sessions.

As a recluse who spent over five years post-adulthood confined to his room gaming, entering a crowded environment proves utterly unbearable for Makli Hyun-ah.

'The sole reason I attended that guild meetup was to glimpse the Guild Master's visage. I dragged myself there solely for that...'

"Actually, my stomach's aching..."

"Oh my, the academy offers remedies. Elder Makli Hye-seo, the Cultivation Elder overseeing the academy, excels in numerous areas."

Ultimately, Makli Hyun-ah gets seized by the arm and hauled to the academy by Makli Hweol.

***

Makli Hyun-ah senses suffocation closing in.

He steps into the academy and barely survives the oppressive introduction period.

Following Makli Hweol's directive to omit his Extreme Ghost Path Body or adopted son status under Makli Cheon-sa, he simply shares his name, age, preferences, and aversions before hurrying to his spot and settling in.

Perched at his desk with a vacant stare, he absorbs the details on basic spell arts that Makli Hye-seo lectures on.

'Why force a self-introduction? I feel nauseous. Did I mess it up? Folks keep casting odd glances; they're surely deeming me a worthless fool who botches even introductions.'

Regretting leaving Jegal Mikhail's skull back in his room, Makli Hyun-ah's fingers shake.

'Next time, I must tote Mr. Jegal Mikhail's skull. I can't steady myself otherwise. Jegal Mikhail, lend me your power!'

-Don't fret, Makli Hyun-jok! Puff out your chest, and...

'Puff out the chest, and!'

'Why halt midway!?'

Objecting to the inner Jegal Giga Chad reverberating in his thoughts, Makli Hyun-ah clenches his jaw and focuses on Makli Hye-seo's lesson.

A while passes, and as the academy session concludes, various Makli Clan prodigies among the youth crowd Makli Hyun-ah.

One conceited-looking youth approaches, plops down beside Makli Hyun-ah, and declares.

"I have heard much about you, young lady. I hear you have newly received the Makli surname? But since you have not truly received the blood of the Makli Clan...if you truly wish to become one body with the Makli Clan, then-"

"W-Wait a moment... I am a man. I am not a young lady!"

...

Grasping the youth's error, Makli Hyun-ah waves his arms in haste.

This occurred routinely at new school terms since childhood, so it surprises him little.

Yet on Earth, voicing such at school led merely to brief awkwardness and amusement, with no further fallout.

The Makli Clan operates differently, though.

Upon hearing Makli Hyun-ah, the youth's face flushes crimson, and he shudders.

"Wh-What...? Are you daring to insult me? Why on earth would a man, without even growing a beard and with his hair long, look at me with those eyes during self-introduction!? You dare to deliberately make fun of me!?"

"..??"

'But I was just glancing around casually?'

"I, Makli Nobi, promising younger talent of the Makli Clan, cannot endure such an insult! Follow me! I shall thoroughly teach you a lesson!"

Gazing in alarm at Makli Nobi, who demands, 'Follow me to the rooftop', Makli Hyun-ah glances toward Makli Hweol, present as an assistant instructor under Makli Hye-seo, and transmits a message via the voice technique recently acquired from him.

[Daoist Makli Hweol! What did I do wrong!? And also, that Extreme Ghost Path Body...aren't I supposed to be an important talent? Why are these guys acting like they don't know anything??]

[Well...Daoist's position is a sort of secret in the Makli Clan. Right now, aside from someone like me, the top of the younger generation in the Makli Clan, and the elders, there are few who know your identity.]

[Uh...then please save me.]

[Hmm...the Makli Clan is currently preparing for a match with the main house, the Seogyeong Makli Line...so they view very favorably this trend of practicing real combat even like this. It's even something that is encouraged, so...l have no grounds to stop it.]

[Kuaaaagh! Th-Then, preparation time! Give me some time to prepare! If it goes like this, I'll just get dragged off and beaten up!]

Makli Hyun-ah begs Makli Hweol, who sighs and approaches Makli Nobi to say.

"Look here, Junior Brother Makli Nobi."

"Ah, Makli Hweol Hyung-nim, is there some problem?"

"No, I just have something I am curious about. You are a beast taming cultivator who handles demon bests, yet are you thinking of sparring with Daoist Makli Hyun-ah with just your bare body?"

"Hmph, judging by his realm, he seems to be only around the third star of the Qi Refining stage. Someone like who is at the seventh star of the Qi Refining stage can easily handle him even without my main method."

Watching that scene, Makli Hyun-ah's eyes shine.

'So he's going to lecture him that it's shameful to trample me with a realm difference! As expected of Daoist Makli Hweol!'

However, Makli Hyun-ah's eyes grow round at the words that then come out of Makli Hweol's mouth.

"Calm yourself, Junior Brother Makli Nobi. What do you think is the reason that people like myself or Daoist Makli Hyun-ah, who are not of the bloodline, receive the Makli surname?"

"It is because we all possess something outstanding that we are specially granted the surname. I eternally say this: a tiger uses all its strength even when catching a hare. Do not underestimate Daoist Makli Hyun-ah. No matter how much of a realm gap there is, I advise you to only face him after you have made ample preparations."

"Uuum...!"

"...???"

As if greatly impressed, Makli Nobi looks at Makli Hweol with eyes full of respect, while Makli Hyun-ah looks at Makli Hweol with eyes full of shock.

'Even though there is already a realm gap, you're advising him to use his main method?'

"Since Junior Brother Makli Nobi's main technique is the Beast Taming Method, I recommend that you properly rent a dueling arena and then summon your controlled demon beasts and spar. I will ask the Elder to arrange the rental of the dueling arena. At the latest, permission should come in two or three days."

"Thank you, Great Brother Makli Hweol! Just as you say, I will bring along a pair of my contracted beasts, the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons, and firmly secure my victory. Consider yourself lucky, you brat! To face a pair of my Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons is an enormous honor! Ahahaha!"

As he watches the back of Makli Nobi leaving with a loud laugh, Makli Hyun-ah looks at Makli Hweol with a blank face.

"D-Daoist...Makli Hweol...just why...?"

"Hoho, do not worry too much."

"D-Do you have some method?"

"In the friendly dueling arena, the Healing Elder is always on standby, so if you are injured, they will immediately fix you up through healing spells. There is absolutely no chance of dying."

"Kuaaaagh! What about a way for me to win or not get hurt?"

"...? Wait, then, while only being at around the third star of Qi Refining, you were thinking of winning against someone at the seventh star? Hoho, that is an amusing thought."

Makli Hyun-ah stares at Makli Hweol with dumbfounded eyes, and to such a Makli Hyun-ah, Makli Hweol gives advice with a serious expression.

"The cultivation world is ruthless. You must not think you can just sit inside the clan and only cultivate. Daoist Makli Hyun-ah has now become a proper cultivator. And yet, you still do not know at all the ruthlessness of the cultivation world. That is extremely dangerous. With your head still full of flowers, being kidnapped in the cultivation world and turned into a slave or material happens more often than one can count. Therefore, I deliberately created a situation for you to face Sea Dragons, hoping that through this matter you will truly come to have a heart that fears the strong and that it will become motivation for Daoist to devote yourself even more to cultivation."

"...Such..."

"Pain is of course not the best teacher, but it is an excellent one. In the two days that remain, do your utmost to find a way to deal with the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragon. If not that, then at least learn some spell that lets you not feel pain while you are being chewed by the Blue-Eyes Sea Dragon. If not even that, then even now, go to the strong one, Junior Brother Makli Nobi, and beg him earnestly. Even if you feel you have done nothing wrong, go and ask for forgiveness. Whatever it is, Daoist will be able to learn something you need in order to live on in the cultivation world."

At Makli Hweol's serious yet ruthless advice, Makli Hyun-ah lowers his head.

'That, that's...right. In the end, this place is a barbaric world.'

Because of a bit of peace, he has briefly mistaken it.

'Let's go and beg and say I was wrong... No matter how much he insults me, that's better than being chewed to pieces by that monster called the Sea Dragon, right?'

Makli Hyun-ah returns to his room with a gloomy face.

He takes out the spirit stones, pills, and talismans that the Elders and Grand Elders had given him as gifts on the first day he had come to the Makli Clan, and he thinks about whether he should bring something as a gift.

'No matter how I think about it, that crazy bastard tried to hit on me, then because he got my gender wrong, he got embarrassed and took it out on me... But fuck, what can I do when I have no strength...? This still-pathetically-weak me has to beg...'

And it is when Makli Hyun-ah is about to take the Fire Bullet Talisman that contains Fire Bullet Spell to give as a gift.

-Are you really fine with that, Makli Hyun-jok?

Makli Hyun-ah looks at Jegal Mikhail's skull.

He feels something well up from inside.

-Makli Hyun-jok, stop thinking for a moment... Shall we take a little walk first?

"Haah..."

Holding Jegal Mikhail's skull, Makli Hyun-ah takes a walk around the surroundings of Makli Clan.

"I'm definitely going to get beaten up, right? I hope that crazy guy doesn't do anything too extreme."

-Makli Hyun-jok. That is only an assumption for when you lose to them. Believe in yourself.

"But I only correspond to the Qi Refining third star,"