A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 834 Chapter 831: Side Story - Ban Ta's Disciple.

Chapter 831: Side Story - Ban Ta's Disciple.

Kurururung!

At that moment,

Makli Hyun-ah abruptly senses a vibration in the surrounding space, spotting the pale-faced projection of Makli Cheon-sa hovering close to the pavilion.

[Sacred Master! That young one is my descendant who ascended only recently. Since my descendant remains unfamiliar with the Purple Gold Realm, he must have erred and sought out the Sacred Master, causing you trouble. Kindly return that young one!]

'Hmph, your words are odd. If he's truly your descendant, why does his bloodline response differ so vastly from yours?'

Ban Ta snorts in response to Makli Cheon-sa's plea and gestures toward Makli Hyun-ah.

'Isn't he merely someone you granted your surname to and brought into your clan, not a true descendant? He's neither direct nor collateral lineage, so cease your concern.'

Makli Cheon-sa bites her lip firmly upon hearing this and responds.

[Yet, it's undeniable that the child supported my clan for centuries in the Lower Realm. That alone qualifies him as family. Please release him.]

'Hmm.'

Ban Ta furrows his brow at her insistence, while Makli Hyun-ah draws on his lifelong skill at reading situations to interpret Makli Cheon-sa's expression.

'Taking on Ban Ta as my direct master sounds disastrous!'

'Perhaps for a direct disciple, he conducts brutal experiments to test cultivation methods?'

'Uh... upon reflection, I haven't even had a formal discussion with the Sacred Master, so I'm unsure if accepting discipleship this way is appropriate...'

Makli Cheon-sa's eyes gleam as if seizing a chance at Makli Hyun-ah's statement, and she pushes her argument further.

[See! The child lacks knowledge of the Sacred Master and remains clueless about the Purple Gold Realm. Grant him time to consider! He mentioned no proper interview occurred, making this a breach of protocol!]

'Ahem...'

Ban Ta's look turns uneasy at her words, and Makli Hyun-ah's eyes widen in astonishment at Makli Cheon-sa's audacity.

'No way, isn't the Sacred Master at the Sacred Vessel stage? In this Purple Gold Realm, that's akin to divinity... and she's supposed to be his subordinate. How dare she challenge him so boldly?'

To Makli Hyun-ah, Makli Cheon-sa's behavior appears outright rebellious.

'What if the Sacred Master grows furious and obliterates our ancestor? That mustn't occur...'

As Makli Hyun-ah frets over this possibility,

Ban Ta coughs and declares.

'The child's own desire matters most! Am I coercing him into discipleship or what!? Surely you know my disciples ascend to the Star Shattering stage in mere moments?'

[But...]

'Enough! Silence! Very well, I get it. Following a standard interview, I'll determine if he becomes my disciple! Satisfied!?']

Seemingly annoyed, Ban Ta silences Makli Cheon-sa's projection with a wave, then snaps his fingers to summon a table and chairs instantly.

'M-Material manifestation?'

Makli Hyun-ah stares in awe at Ban Ta's divine power, prompting Ban Ta to tsk and remark.

'Indeed. Your ancestor fusses over protocol, so we'll conduct a real interview. Take a seat. To begin... do you wish to be my disciple?'

Makli Hyun-ah settles into the chair at Ban Ta's prompt and glances discreetly at Makli Cheon-sa.

Though her voice is muted, her projection persists, and she vigorously shakes her head, mouthing 'No way.'

'It seems becoming Sacred Master Ban Ta's disciple invites major trouble...'

Discipleship under a Sacred Vessel expert offers unparalleled prospects, yet Makli Hyun-ah suspects the warnings stem from valid dangers, leading him to offer an uneasy smile.

'Direct refusal might come off as impolite...'

'As for becoming your disciple... truthfully, I'm uncertain. I've only arrived in the Purple Gold Realm shortly.'

'...!'

Ban Ta retrieves a book from his robes and begins jotting notes rapidly.

'...?'

'Next query. What cultivation method did you practice, and how did you spend your days in the Lower Realm?'

'Ah, I followed the Confucian Family Method known as Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey. The Confucian Family Method entails...'

'I'm familiar. Just state your role. Clerk? Magistrate? County official? Prime minister?'

'Pardon? Oh...'

'Evidently, Confucian Family Methods allow cultivation as a minister, not solely as a ruler.'

'I pursued the Confucian Family Method as a monarch. With my own power and the Makli Clan's aid, I established a kingdom, gained acknowledgment from neighboring forces, claimed all unused lands as my domain, and broadened my borders.'

Ban Ta's demeanor shifts subtly upon hearing Makli Hyun-ah's explanation.

A urgent signal emanates from Makli Cheon-sa's direction, but inexplicably, as soon as Ban Ta absorbs Makli Hyun-ah's reply, he dismisses her projection entirely.

'I removed her temporarily, suspecting she distracted you from the interview. Proceed.'

Ban Ta poses further questions to Makli Hyun-ah, his smile growing warmer.

'Your age, and the duration and extent of your rule? Any notable accomplishments from governing?'

'I'm roughly two hundred years old. My reign spanned a comparable time.'

'So you attained Heavenly Being at two hundred?'

'Correct. Precisely, at around one hundred twenty, I fully established the kingdom, declared myself king, and hit Heavenly Being; by two hundred, I achieved Grand Perfection Heavenly Being, ascending just lately.'

'IseeIseeIseeIseeIsee...'

Ban Ta scribbles furiously in the book, leaving Makli Hyun-ah to rub his head sheepishly.

'Given his ancient existence... gauging the Sacred Master's temperament proves challenging... Still, my initial response hinted at refusal, so rejection seems inevitable, no?'

'Describe your governance and key achievements.'

'My technique, Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey, focuses on Beast Taming. Thus, most subjects were Demon Race, though as a human myself, humans abounded too. I strove for unity between Human and Demon Races. Demons encompass diverse tribes, so I delved into their dynamics, frequently mediating disputes. Consequently, upon ascension, humans, demons, and myriad demon sub-races coexisted harmoniously, forging a thriving, serene realm. That... counts as my success.'

'You unified perpetual brawlers in a mere century...'

Ban Ta's eyes appear somewhat redder for unknown reasons.

'Another feat involves Talisman War.'

'Talisman War?'

'Yes, a game I devised, where talismans draw energy from Demon Race, natural elements, or human cultivators to clash in lifelike sword battles. It greatly fostered harmony between humans and demons in Penglai Kingdom. By now, it's likely a cornerstone of Penglai's heritage.'

'Understood... Thus, your mediation wasn't mere forceful imposition or dominance to balance races, but genuine unity via a culture you invented, correct?'

'I didn't entirely avoid force. Yet, as you note, cultural harmony outweighed it somewhat...'

'...'

'What's this? The Sacred Master's breaths seem labored...'

Makli Hyun-ah dismisses it as possible illness and inquires.

'You appear unwell... are you okay?'

'...Why inquire?'

'Pardon? Your breathing...'

'No, regardless of my breathing, why ask?'

'Ah... forgive me. As ruler of the Purple Gold Realm, your ill health could spell catastrophe here... I asked out of concern. If it offended due to cultural norms, I regret it.'

'...Deference to superiors... care for the Purple Gold Realm...'

Ban Ta fixes Makli Hyun-ah with an intense gaze and presses on.

'Why fret over the Purple Gold Realm? It's a foreign place you've barely entered.'

'Ah... well, as my future home, worry crept in.'

'Future home... So even upon reaching Star Shattering for interdimensional jaunts or domain visits, you'd stay away from other Middle Realms?'

'...? Must I leave? Ah, perhaps the Purple Gold Realm lacks longevity pills for Star Shattering cultivators... or Sacred Vessel advancement proves arduous?'

'Impossible! Our Purple Gold Realm lavishes benefits on Star Shattering cultivators! We even assist memory-retaining reincarnation here if desired. For Sacred Vessel, I aid personally—erecting altars, crafting all necessary spirit medicines, pills, and liquids, feeding them to you. From Star Shattering to Sacred Vessel, zero concerns!!!'

'Ah...'

Makli Hyun-ah gulps at Ban Ta's explosive outburst, oddly temperamental.

'Some traumatic past perhaps...? Still, if accurate, no urge to relocate arises...'

'No intent to depart then...!?')

Ban Ta beams delightedly, only for his face to sour as a grim recollection strikes.

'Yet post-Star Shattering, you might crave voyages... or adventures for lucky breaks, right?'

Observing Ban Ta's fluctuating moods, Makli Hyun-ah deems him utterly inscrutable.

'Bipolar tendencies? Is that why Ancestor Makli Cheon-sa resisted my discipleship...? Serving such a master would drain me!'

Resolving to withdraw post-interview, he persists.

'Ah... I favor staying indoors. Adventures repulse me.'

'Repulse adventures? No desire to roam vast expanses freely?'

'For me... over aimless travels, I relish snuggling in warm bedding, savoring favorite meals, or indulging in fun games...'

'...'

With every exchange, Ban Ta quivers increasingly.

'But cultivation extends lifespan immensely, granting endless years. Might boredom spur adventures then? Say, from bodily stiffness...'

'Uh... for stiffness, a short stroll nearby suffices...'

'Nearby...?'

'Like circling the house once?'

'Hooh...hoohhoohhoohhoohhooh...'

As the session drags, Makli Hyun-ah notes Ban Ta's escalating oddities, yearning for closure, yet the peculiarities intensify with each query.

Finally, the concluding question arrives.

'Final one... Your view on Sacred Master role? Keen on becoming Sacred Vessel if possible?'

'Ah, naturally?'

Makli Hyun-ah replies promptly, nodding.

'Why? For extended life and might?'

'Less so... I hear Sacred Vessel lets one stay within the Middle Realm indefinitely, cultivating solely there... Adventuring for fortunes, materials, and foundations doesn't appeal. Gaining all needs on-site sounds blissfully ideal.'

'Ah... I slipped with that 'blissfully ideal' phrasing...'

Makli Hyun-ah pales, fearing 'blissfully ideal' might irk a superior, but Ban Ta ignores it.

He fixates on the interview tome, murmuring incomprehensible phrases endlessly.

'Um... is the interview concluded?'

'...Leave. Results... no, expect notice within a day...'

'Haha, got it. Farewell!'

Makli Hyun-ah bows to Sacred Master Ban Ta and departs promptly.

Alone in the garden, Ban Ta scrutinizes the notes, body shaking as he mumbles to himself.

'Founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit found it... IhavetomakehimaSacredMaster IhavetomakehimaSacredMaster IhavetomakehimaSacredMaster IhavetomakehimaSacredMaster IhavetomakehimaSacredMaster IhavetomakehimaSacredMaster...'

Eyes half-lidded in frenzy, Ban Ta rises unsteadily.

'...This tempts me first... Like it or not... you'll be my disciple...! Absolutely...!!'

With manic gaze, Ban Ta broadcasts a thunderous transmission across Ban Ta Castle's cultivators.

[All in Ban Ta Castle, heed! Prepare a grand banquet, featuring our specialty fire-grilled black sea cucumber!!!]

Ban Ta, vision blurring, decrees this, then glares after Makli Hyun-ah's path, clenching fist into void.

[Heaven and Earth Net, engage! Purple Gold Realm Closed Barrier, engage! Ban Ta Castle Sealing Order, enforce!]

Chijijijik!

By Ban Ta's command, the dimensional shroud over the Purple Gold Realm thickens, impenetrable even to Star Shattering experts.

A colossal net of energy descends from Ban Ta Castle, blanketing the Stable Realm zone entirely.

The Sealing Order halts all teleport arrays linking Ban Ta Castle elsewhere.

In this drastic measure, eleven Star Shattering Esteemed Ones poised to flee the Purple Gold Realm halt.

Three Star Shattering Esteemed Ones covertly descending realms in the Stable area freeze.

Thirty-two Star Shattering Esteemed Ones plotting escape from Ban Ta Castle to other Middle Realms stiffen.

Forty-six Star Shattering Esteemed Ones total succumb to dread.

'The Sacred Master detected our scheme!'

'Curse it! Will we be ensnared by the Sacred Master and forced to succeed him!? That Araya Domain, Manas Domain, Black Sea... and Ban Ta Castle!'

'Nonsense! Ban Taaaa!! Who's your target!?']

While the Esteemed Ones quiver in panic,