A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 827 Chapter 824: Side Story - Nation Founding (2)

The essence of the Naming Family Method lies in separating emptiness from substance via names.

Names serve to pull elements of emptiness into the tangible world, while capturing those in reality and thrusting them back into the void.

This act warps the laws and unleashes divine authority—that's the heart of the Naming Family Method.

"Talisman War. Open!"

As Makli Hyun-ah utters the 'name' of the technique known as 'Talisman War,' a barrier spanning five li in diameter instantly envelops their surroundings.

By invoking the name, he manifests into reality the conceptual entity of Talisman War, which exists solely in the realm of emptiness.

This domain of Naming Dao Conferring Gods excels at amplifying the might of Naming Family talismans.

Elder Seo Hae-ryeong of the Sea Dragon Race witnesses the scene and voices his awe.

[A domain of Talisman War? To deploy a barrier typically reserved for the Human Race's Grand Talisman War Competition with just a single command... truly, you are the originator of Talisman War.]

With excitement gleaming in his eyes, he pulls out the talismans collected from Talisman War and starts deploying the Talisman War.

[Activating Trap Talisman Coral Zone. Through Coral Zone's effect, this oceanic region becomes a spot that boosts the strength of sea demon beasts. Using Coral Zone's unique effect, I trigger the spell talisman from the sea demon beast lineage. Spell Talisman Vortex activates. Vortex's effect draws an additional talisman from the Talisman War deck and sets it into motion. If that talisman belongs to the water, wind, sea, or demon beast category, it links with Coral Zone and Vortex to enable summoning one demon beast talisman.]

Chwaaaaaah!

The spell talisman drawn by Seo Hae-ryeong bears the name 'Storm Talisman.'

[Spell Talisman Storm Talisman! Storm Talisman's effect summons a storm across this vast sea area.]

Under Seo Hae-ryeong's barrage of talismans, illusions of coral phantoms emerge throughout the arena, while water surges upward nearby.

Right away, a massive vortex swirls between them, with waterspouts erupting amid crashing waves, as ominous clouds unleash bolts of lightning and torrents of rain.

An ideal setting for a sea dragon to unleash its fury takes shape.

Yet, the entity summoned from Seo Hae-ryeong's demon beast talisman isn't from the Sea Dragon Race.

[Summon, demon beast talisman! Via the demon beast talisman's effect, I call forth Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect disciple, Jin Je-ja!]

[TL/N: Je-ja means disciple.]

Kwarururung!

Thunder booms, and amid the storm, a Core Formation-level man in golden robes materializes.

Makli Hyun-ah tuts at the unfolding spectacle.

"I understand... The Human Race draws demon beast auras to craft demon beast talismans, but races like the Sea Dragon extract Human Race auras to create human talismans..."

[Hm? No, that's not entirely accurate. I draw out and store the energy from Humans who fall to me in Talisman War duels. These are the spoils I've gathered so far. And should you lose this Talisman War duel, prepare yourself...!]

The thought of that ancient sea dragon targeting him sends chills down Makli Hyun-ah's spine, sweat beading unbidden.

'How terrifying. Even reaching a realm akin to Core Formation, if drained by that old Core Formation expert, my vitality—far frailer than those using Immortal Family Methods—would leave me as a mere husk!'

—Makli Hyun-hok, I keep saying, use 'absorb' instead...

Makli Hyun-ah brushes off Jegal Mikhail's mental plea and meticulously selects his talismans.

The key difference between Earth's games from Makli Hyun-ah's homeland and Penglai Star's Talisman War is the impossibility of predicting an opponent's talisman choices.

'Among the talismans I spread, those that escaped the Makli Clan and circulated through Penglai City, many are of the 'Sealing-Name talisman' variety...'

Talismans from the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon split mainly into two categories.

Name-Sealing talismans first uncover the foe's name, inscribe it ahead, affix it to the target, and lock away their power.

In contrast, Sealing-Name talismans ignore the opponent's name but, upon attachment or condition fulfillment, compel the name into the talisman, sealing the linked power as well.

The latter proves more challenging and intricate to produce, commanding greater worth.

Unlike Name-Sealing talismans with fixed targets, Sealing-Name talismans that capture and seal portions of any power hold even higher value.

This feature ensures that for Talisman War talismans—like spell, trap, or demon beast types—no details emerge about the opponent's creations.

In Talisman War, trap talismans capture natural phenomena, laws, and similar forces.

Spell talismans seal segments of spells or demon abilities from oneself or others.

Sealing-Name talismans expand trap and spell talisman varieties to near infinity.

'My foe masters Talisman War. Preparing it before our meeting shows he's sealed, in Sealing-Name talismans, phenomena or abilities tailored against me.'

'I never anticipated a Talisman War duel, carrying only my standard everyday talismans...'

Makli Hyun-ah's talismans are commonplace ones available in markets.

'Using market talismans, I face the Sea Dragon's eccentric and wild ones. Only one path remains: delve into the Naming Family Method's core.'

The core of the Naming Family Method separates emptiness and substance through names.

The core of the Naming Family Method divides emptiness and reality by names.

"Activate Trap Talisman Mountain Soil. I flip over one trap talisman right away."

[Huh? Just one trap talisman? Are you mad? Though you must have a strategy. Charge, Jin Je-ja!]

The phantom of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect disciple parts his lips, expelling a red banner, then lashes out with it to hurl lightning downward.

Kwarururung!

Crimson lightning skewers Makli Hyun-ah, forcing blood from his mouth, but in his turn, he merely draws and flips another trap talisman.

Five rounds elapse thus, with Seo Hae-ryeong unleashing five rounds of assaults, while Makli Hyun-ah flips just five talismans.

At last, on Seo Hae-ryeong's sixth strike, he unleashes a total onslaught via six summoned demon beast talismans, confident of triumph on the ensuing turn.

[Founder of Talisman War. Those must serve some purpose, but victory falls to me next turn. Your vitality dwindles to nothing.]

Kugugung!

Seo Hae-ryeong gazes down at Makli Hyun-ah and sneers.

[Admit defeat gracefully, and yield your vital essence to me!]

That's when it happens.

On his returning turn, Makli Hyun-ah raises a talisman and speaks.

"Do you grasp the paramount idea in Naming Family talismans, Seo Hae-ryeong?"

[Hmm, what could it be?]

"Emptiness and reality. An unactivated talisman embodies emptiness, while an activated one becomes substance. Align this opposition of emptiness and substance in the Immortal Family manner, and it forms Yin-Yang Taiji!"

Tststst!

Makli Hyun-ah's stare intensifies, as the drawn demon beast talisman starts to glow.

"As yin diminishes, yang surges, and as yang fades, yin rises, yet Taiji maintains balance in motion—so when one strengthens, the other does too, and when one weakens, so does the counterpart."

[Hhm... what point are you making?]

"The talismans I've flipped and left in emptiness until now... yearn fiercely to shift into substance!"

[Yin-yang, emptiness-substance—your take on the Naming Family Method intrigues... but claiming talismans possess will? Even if they crave substance, it changes nothing. The result is set!]

"It does."

[What?]

"Talismans harbor soul and will!"

Seo Hae-ryeong eyes Makli Hyun-ah as if hearing absurdity, yet he stands firm.

"More accurately... they gain it in this instant. In this Talisman War moment! Souls dwell in the talismans! Talisman War lives!"

[Talisman War alive? What drivel is this!?]

"If Talisman War's soul eludes your belief, witness it now! Summon, demon beast talisman. Makli Nobi!"

"Uh, eot!"

Makli Nobi's illusion summons, and promptly, the talismans Makli Hyun-ah drew and flipped atop the Talisman War disk all reverse together, emitting radiant light.

[What!?]

Seo Hae-ryeong's eyes bulge, and in that instant, within the seawater-filled Naming Dao Talisman War domain.

A colossal clan estate materializes there.

It belongs to the Makli Clan.

The trap and spell talismans Makli Hyun-ah kept flipped in emptiness reconstruct around Makli Nobi's illusion, forming a scene from the illusion's recollections.

Thus formed stands the Makli clan's primary estate.

But upon viewing it, Seo Hae-ryeong scoffs.

[Hah, emptiness, reality—whatever. Ultimately, you just call a battlefield favoring you, right?]

"Elder Seo, you've joined many Talisman War events, yet delved shallowly into the talismans employed there."

[What?]

"Naming Family talismans... the longer they linger in emptiness, the fiercer their pull toward substance. Their birth desire intensifies. And potent desire sparks a measure of free will. Witness! Advance, Makli Nobi!"

At Makli Hyun-ah's order, the invoked Makli Nobi phantom sweeps a hand.

Simultaneously, brilliance erupts from the Makli Clan phantom encircling Makli Nobi's form.

At once, the Makli Clan's defensive formation ignites.

Kugugugugu!

The whole Makli Clan glows as if seething, igniting and scorching Seo Hae-ryeong's demon beast talismans.

Seo Hae-ryeong stares agape at the display.

[Th-That can't be...!]

Makli Hyun-ah speaks.

'Talisman War differs from Earth's. Unlike Earth's rigid rules... this extends true combat.'

"...Talisman War extends sword discussion. A realm where theories clash—what would in reality—and gauge skills mutually."

Sword discussion (僭瑜).

A verbal spar simulating combat, assessing skills, mending flaws, and attaining insights.

Sword discussion's merit lies in injury-free enlightenment for both, but its flaw is the lack of intensity, remaining mere simulation.

Makli Hyun-ah's Talisman War serves as an enhanced sword discussion overcoming that flaw.

"Talismans may lack inherent soul. But here, we exchange insights. Thus, Immortal Cultivation insights birth Talisman War's soul, clashing within. Hence, Talisman War possesses soul."

Kururururur!

Prolonging trap and spell talismans in flipped emptiness heightens their independence upon substantive manifestation.

Summoning Makli Nobi's illusion lets those autonomous talismans evoke the Makli Clan via traps and spells, activating its formation.

Finally, igniting Makli Nobi's lineage triggers the formation, flipping the tide instantly for victory.

Such is the edge Makli Hyun-ah wields in Talisman War.

Seo Hae-ryeong acknowledges his Talisman War loss.

[...My defeat. Your win, Makli Hyun-ah.]

Tsuaaat!

With outcome settled, the Talisman War barrier dissipates.

Seo Hae-ryeong offers genuine admiration to Makli Hyun-ah, bowing formally.

[That Talisman War holds soul... I'll etch it deep within me...]

"Gratitude is mine for your comprehension."

Receiving Makli Hyun-ah's bow, Seo Hae-ryeong addresses him.

[Your Talisman War victory means the Sea Dragon Race pledges firm backing for Daoist Makli Hyun-ah as western sea region's lord.]

Wooo-woong!

Makli Hyun-ah senses his custom robe, crafted for 'Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey' practice, vibrate potently, bestowing authority upon him.

'Now, gather this authority to elevate my realm.'

Yet, despite the boon, Makli Hyun-ah can't fully rejoice.

"No... but do you truly accept me via Talisman War? Truly?"

[Ahahahaha!]

Seo Hae-ryeong bursts into laughter at that and replies.

[Naïve, Daoist Makli Hyun-ah. Think we accept solely for your sake? Silent observation shows it benefits us too.]

"...? What do you mean by observation?

Makli Hyun-ah puzzles over Seo Hae-ryeong's response, but Makli Hweol steps near and clarifies.

"You couldn't observe Daoist Makli Hyun-ah endlessly. Brief watch, clashing solely in Talisman War. Thus, if Elder Seo focused on anything, it's Talisman War. Not mere fondness for Talisman War granting recognition based on skill alone. Likely, you gauged Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's grasp of the Naming Family Method itself. Correct?"

[Hehe.]

"Meaning Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's talismans and the Naming Family Method fulfill a need for the Sea Dragon Race. Right? If so, speak plainly now. Daoist Makli Hyun-ah recently mastered the Naming Family Method greatly and intends another practice... starting that might limit aid to you, Elder. Better to reveal and secure his assistance."

"Pardon? Uh ..."

Makli Hyun-ah starts to protest, 'Even practicing Confucian Family Method, I can wield Naming Family Method,' but seeing Makli Hweol's face, he silences.

—Makli Hyun-jok, sense the atmosphere. He's signaling silence.

Jegal Mikhail's mental chiding, noting Makli Hweol's look, forces Makli Hyun-ah quiet.

At that, Sea Dragon Race's Seo Hae-ryeong eyes Makli Hweol sharply and says.

[Wondered why they dispatched such an innocent Daoist to this perilous sea, but they paired him with a shrewd tactician. Unsure if true... but if so, troublesome. Fine, I'll reveal without concealment.

[Our Sea Dragon Race... nay, much of the Demon Race gains substantial aid from Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's talismans.]

"Hoho...I see Demon Race views human magic artifacts or dharma treasures as inferior to their mighty forms... but why seek human creations?"

[Ordinary magic artifacts, dharma treasures, or talismans fit that. Human elixirs, though potent, often mismatch our bodies, rendering them pointless... But Daoist Makli Hyun-ah's talismans stand apart. That marvelous sort sealing power via names.]

Seo Hae-ryeong regards Makli Hyun-ah and continues.

[We Demon Race, via name-sealing talismans binding power... aim to contain our innate ferocity.]

"Contain demon beasts' ferocity?"

Makli Hyun-ah blanks momentarily at Seo Hae-ryeong's revelation.

'This, applying Confucian Family Method fully, resolves it neatly...'

Particularly 'Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey,' requiring Demon Race recognition, proves most effective.

'I could quell the Sea Dragon Race's wildness entirely at once. If I mention...'

—Kuaaaagh, Makli Hyun-jok! Heed Makli Hweol's vibe! That glare screams he'll end you for blurting naïvely!

'Kkuung...'

But as Seo Hae-ryeong presses on, Makli Hyun-ah finally speaks out.

[Yes, the Sea Dragon Race's savage nature. It forms the foundation reviving our fallen progenitor, letting the Sea Dragon Race ascend fully as Immortal Beast lineage. Since progenitor 'True Person Yuk Jeung' perished in Immortal Beast ascension, our Sea Dragon Race bears an incomplete Immortal Beast bloodline.]

'True Person Yuk Jeung...? '

"That True..."

As Makli Hyun-ah begins, 'What sort of figure is True Person Yuk Jeung?',