A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 832 Chapter 829: Side Story - Purple Gold Realm (2)

"Hmm...One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order..."

As Makli Hweol starts to display curiosity, Makli Hyun-ah offers an embarrassed grin and signals his rejection.

"Haha, sorry about that, Cultivator Heo. We truly appreciate your generosity, yet we've only recently made our way to the Upper Realm...plus, a senior from our family ascended to the Purple Gold Realm ahead of us. Before committing to any group, we ought to seek out that individual first and get their thoughts too."

"Oh, got it. That makes sense. In that case, it wouldn't feel right to lead you directly into the territory controlled by the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order...so I'll take you to the Star Master Jurisdiction instead, which stands as the nearest spot to a truly impartial area."

With that, Makli Hyun-ah and Makli Hweol trail after Heo Yak-ham toward the neutral territory within the Purple Gold Realm, known as the Star Master Jurisdiction.

***

Purple Gold Realm, Star Master Jurisdiction.

Makli Hyun-ah trails behind Heo Yak-ham northward, and he can't suppress a gasp at the immense proportions of what they call the Star Master Domain.

Over a vast ocean composed of dark liquid, numerous coral formations create island chains, each one rivaling the expanse of a single country from Penglai Star.

These coral islands feature shores shaped into massive halls, and the whole cluster of islands housing scores of such grand structures forms the renowned Star Master Jurisdiction.

"Th-This..."

"Haha, you seem taken aback. Naturally, the initial Upper Realm view upon your arrival was a Star Master Jurisdiction ravaged by conflict and reduced to ruins, making this difference feel quite stark."

Heo Yak-ham keeps providing details while leading the wide-eyed Makli Hyun-ah and Makli Hweol, both stunned by the vastness of the Star Master Jurisdiction.

"The dark ocean beneath us is known as heavy water."

"Uh...heavy water?"

Recalling a relative who once labored at a nuclear facility, Makli Hyun-ah pictures the heavy water employed to chill reactor cores.

"Well, heavy water is described as liquid with extra elements infused into the fundamental particles of regular water."

"Extra elements, you say?"

"Truthfully...I'm not versed in the specifics, but legend holds that the Sacred Master's anguish and vengeful toxins turned into a malediction, blending with the waters to weigh them down—that's heavy water for you. Every sea across the Purple Gold Realm consists of this stuff."

"Uh..."

"Beneath those depths of heavy water, all sorts of spirit herbs thrive, like the molting sea cucumber, a hallmark product of the Purple Gold Realm. Naturally, the intense resentment poison from the Sacred Master tainting the heavy water makes harvesting them quite the challenge."

Makli Hyun-ah's mouth falls open at the prowess of this entity dubbed the Sacred Master.

'What sort of being could transform a whole ocean into heavy water with mere traces of torment...? Could this be...the power of the Sacred Vessel stage?'

While Makli Hyun-ah marvels inwardly at the Sacred Vessel stage Sacred Master, Heo Yak-ham escorts the pair to a particular coral fortress.

A multitude of Demon Race members, Humans, and various other species bustle through the numerous openings in the coral fortress, employing flight-based artifacts or swift escape techniques.

"Watch out for crashes. For now, I'll assist you both in obtaining the standard identity plaque for the Purple Gold Realm. Simply submit to a qi-scanning artifact that checks for Lower Realm signatures to confirm your ascension, and you'll get it without hassle. No need to fret. On top of that, I'll cover the fundamentals of life in the Purple Gold Realm for you two."

Heo Yak-ham leads them deeper into the coral fortress, reaching what appears to be a bustling bazaar, where he acquires a jade slip from a vendor.

"Channel some spiritual energy into it, and the embedded knowledge will flood your mind. This holds a full layout of the Purple Gold Realm. It could help you review and get a sense of things."

Makli Hyun-ah infuses the jade slip with spiritual energy cultivated via the Naming Family Method, and instantly, a torrent of the Purple Gold Realm's terrain data surges into his awareness.

"The Purple Gold Realm divides into nine major areas overall."

Heo Yak-ham's briefing commences.

"At the core sits Ban Ta Castle, home to the Sacred Master who oversees and arbitrates the Purple Gold Realm, with Eye Domain, Nose Domain, Ear Domain, Tongue Domain, Touch Domain, Mind Domain, Manas Domain, and Araya Domain extending in all eight directions."

The map from Heo Yak-ham's purchase depicts the Purple Gold Realm as eight territories encircling a colossal fortress.

These eight territories stand isolated by oceans of inky water, and their current location, the Star Master Jurisdiction, floats in the waters between the Eye Domain and the Nose Domain.

"Now, the Araya Domain counts as a formal division on records, but...barring the Sacred Master, none can access it, so effectively, it's regarded as nonexistent."

Heo Yak-ham also injects spiritual energy into the jade slip, allowing Makli Hweol and Makli Hyun-ah to share its data, as he describes the layout of the Purple Gold Realm.

"Records from the Purple Gold Realm's past indicate that only beings at Great Net Immortal level or beyond have ventured into that area and emerged alive. It's mere folklore, so its accuracy is questionable. Regardless, that's why the Araya Domain remains nominal...treat the Purple Gold Realm's divisions as practically eight."

Makli Hyun-ah nods at the foggy sector atop Ban Ta Castle on the map, and Heo Yak-ham shifts to the one below it.

"The Manas Domain proves equally tough to access. Beyond the Sacred Master, just Star Shattering stage powerhouses can venture in and make it back. Yet even they face severe trials in the Manas Domain or perish there, rendering it a perilously hazardous zone.

"Occasionally, cultivators under Star Shattering stage have slipped inside and, through pure chance, survived...but those survivors supposedly gained vast riches and boons, allowing them to bask in luxury amid piles of spirit stones for eternity. All who escaped by divine luck stay silent on the domain's secrets...though whispers suggest something there attracts destinies of prosperity."

Similar to the Araya Domain, the Manas Domain appears shrouded in light fog on the map, yet hints of golden radiance seep through the cloud breaks.

"That's why fortune-seekers linger near the Manas Domain, biding for the perfect moment. Following that comes the Mind Domain."

The Mind Domain positions itself east of Ban Ta Castle.

"The Mind Domain ranks as the Purple Gold Realm's loveliest spot. As one of three areas under the Sacred Master's direct control—alongside Araya Domain and Manas Domain—it brims with heavenly treasures, spirit herbs, and ethereal beauties beyond imagination. Mostly, True Immortality experts and higher from distant Heavenly Domains visit for leisure and depart. Thus, it's no realm for casual intruders. Rumors mention a teleportation array linking to other Middle Realms, enabling trades with those realms or Heavenly Domains. Consequently, all foreign Middle Realm wares circulating in the Purple Gold Realm funnel through the Mind Domain."

"Hoh..."

"Beyond Araya, Manas, Mind, and Ban Ta Castle—the four under the Sacred Master's personal rule—the remaining domains fall to various powers."

He offers a subtle smile while detailing each area.

"Our One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order holds the Eye Domain and Ear Domain. Meanwhile, the Touch Domain and Tongue Domain belong to those wandering rogues known as the 'Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order.' As for the Nose Domain, where you fellow Daoists arrived, it serves as a fierce contest between the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos and Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Orders, so view it as unclaimed by any single force."

Makli Hyun-ah gestures toward the map's edges.

"Outside Ban Ta Castle and the eight domains, the rest shows in black...what's that section?"

"Oh, numerous Middle Realms split into 'Stable Realm' zones and 'Chaos Realm' zones. The Stable Realm supports life for beings, whereas the Chaos Realm twists space-time or disrupts Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to extremes, making it unlivable for ordinary folk."

"It looks hugely expansive from here..."

"Indeed. In Astral Realm terms, the Chaos Realm spans an entire galaxy."

Makli Hyun-ah tuts in awe at the mind-boggling vastness that leaves his jaw slack.

"Incredible...Middle Realms dwarf anything we could picture. Ah...so the Stable Realm's borders appear black on the map, right? Since full scouting's impossible, and no beings dwell there."

"Well...the black marking actually signifies that the Chaos Realm overflows with heavy water."

"Hm? What's that about?"

"Ancient tales claim the Purple Gold Realm's Chaos Realm was once desolate badlands or iron plains battered by magnetic tempests...but across endless ages, Ban Ta Castle poured out heavy water ceaselessly, flooding the whole Chaos Realm with a dark sea."

"Hoh...why would Ban Ta Castle unleash such a flood?"

"Hmm...I'm not entirely clear on that. Maybe since grilled sea cucumbers from the molting sea cucumber—Purple Gold Realm's pride—are renowned universe-wide...the Sacred Master aimed to farm more of them, you think?"

"Ahahahaha, that's the reason, huh."

Makli Hyun-ah erupts in chuckles at the unexpectedly straightforward motive, and Heo Yak-ham joins with booming laughter.

"Folks say the Sacred Master adores sea cucumbers so much that even with the Chaos Realm brimming, heavy water keeps flowing from Ban Ta Castle nonstop. This sparks wild talk that the Purple Gold Realm's seas are steadily gaining depth."

"Hahaha, what a fun tale. When the Chaos Realm matches a galaxy's girth, a bit of outflow from that small spot raising levels... Puahaha."

As Heo Yak-ham and Makli Hyun-ah share their mirth, a blue-robed elder strolling past scowls and interjects sharply.

"You insolent Heo whelp, you find the rising waters amusing? Back in my youth, levels weren't this high. It's fact—they climb bit by bit! The black sea's depths increase daily. At this rate, heavy water will swallow the whole Purple Gold Realm! We must act swiftly on defenses, yet youngsters dismiss the rise as fiction...tsk tsk."

With that, the elder abruptly fades from sight nearby, leaving Makli Hyun-ah bewildered as he questions.

"Who was he?"

"Ah...that was a Star Shattering stage Esteemed One from our Black Ghost Valley's Purple Gold Realm outpost."

"...!!??"

Makli Hyun-ah stares in shock at the formidable Esteemed One who brushed past them so casually.

"Ah, what a formidable figure..."

"Haha, don't dwell on it. His lifespan nears its end...so his wits wander. Despite qualifying for Sacred Vessel stage, he stubbornly rejects it, gradually succumbing to time's flow, which has addled his thoughts."

"Oh no... Why skip the Sacred Vessel advancement? Advancing would restore his lifespan..."

"No idea. Details escape me, but word is he seeks reincarnation into another Middle Realm, memories intact, over pushing to Sacred Vessel. Can't say why."

It happens then,

Space warps, and the elder who just departed scowls at Heo Yak-ham with a bark.

"You wretched fool, how dare you claim your sect's honored senior has a fractured mind? Time for a disciplinary strike to straighten you out! My mind remains sharp! I'm only pretending!"

"Heok...!"

Heo Yak-ham pales, caught off guard that the Esteemed One overheard the chatter, and as the Black Ghost Valley Esteemed One fixes a stern glare on Heo Yak-ham, extending a hand—

"Wh-What...!?"

Kugugugugung!

Shadows engulf the heavens, and the sky tears apart as a massive [Eye] descends to survey the world below.

Makli Hyun-ah senses crushing dread and terror from that [Eye], buckling to the ground beneath its immense aura.

: : I N T E R E S T I N G : :

Kururururu!

"Huh, huaaaaaaaah! Sacred Master! Why!? I thought you were in slumber!"

: : H O W  D A R E  Y O U  H I D E  T H A T  Y O U R  M I N D  I S  W H O L E  A N D  R E F U S E  T H E  A D V A N C E M E N T  D E C R E E ? : :

Kwagwagwang!

A colossal shadow hand emerges from the heavens, snatching the elder in a flash and hauling him skyward.

"N-Noooo...! I don't want to advance here in the Purple Gold Realm...! Sacred Master! My mind truly falters, so release meeeee!!"

The Black Ghost Valley's Star Shattering stage Esteemed One gets yanked away by the [Eye]'s master in the sky, vanishing through a rift in space.

Soon after, the sky's [Eye] dims and vanishes, prompting a sweat-drenched Makli Hyun-ah to inquire.

"Th-That was just now..."

"...Yes...the Sacred Master... They summon Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones with intact mind, qi, and body—those ready for Sacred Vessel stage—to Ban Ta Castle for forced cultivation, but...since the ordeal proves grueling, many feign flaws in mind, qi, or body to evade the draft."

"Uh...do they offer rewards for such forced takings?"

"Not sure, but supposedly none. When the Sacred Master oversees your cultivation personally, what reward could one demand?"

"..."

"Still...this was meant to be the Sacred Master's rest cycle, so they shouldn't be snatching Esteemed Ones so rashly..."

Heo Yak-ham gazes at the lingering signs of the sky's Sacred Master, then shudders as realization dawns.

"The Sacred Master...broke free from slumber and stirred...? It feels like a mighty destiny looms over this Purple Gold Realm."

"Hooh..."

Intrigued by Heo Yak-ham's speculation, Makli Hweol peppers him with queries on the Sacred Master, while Makli Hyun-ah inevitably ponders the 'draft' enforced by that Sacred Master entity.

'Forcibly seized, subjected to endless torments, and scant recompense... Hm...'

An eerily recognizable distaste washes over him, linking the Purple Gold Realm's Sacred Master to the tyrannical bureaucracies back on his origin world.

'So this is the nature of the Purple Gold Realm.'

Upon arriving in the Purple Gold Realm, Makli Hyun-ah etches in his first true 'impression'...

And he figures he's grasped the essence of what this Purple Gold Realm truly entails.