A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 835 Chapter 832: Side Story - Being Ban Ta's Disciple (1)

Chapter 832: Side Story - Being Ban Ta's Disciple (1)

"Starting today, you serve as my direct disciple. You mentioned practicing the Confucian Family Method, correct? You'll require social authority. Henceforth, I'll spread your reputation across the Purple Gold Realm and establish your social standing. For starters, enter Ban Ta Castle, and we'll discuss matters over a feast."

Makli Hyun-ah takes on the role of Ban Ta's disciple, and simultaneously, he gains entry to Ban Ta Castle where he receives abundant aid from Ban Ta.

"Here now, this delicacy from the Purple Gold Realm goes by the name of fire-grilled sea cucumber."

"Th-This is..."

Makli Hyun-ah gulps down his saliva while eyeing a mass resembling black energy.

"Doesn't it appear like a spectral entity?"

"Indeed. The molting sea cucumber in the Purple Gold Realm isn't a biological being, but rather a formation of ghostly energy... essentially a type of innate Heart Demon. One might term it the resentment harbored by the Purple Gold Realm itself... Regardless, you refine the toxic essence via yang energy, and consuming it after direct-fire grilling replenishes your body's deficiencies."

Makli Hyun-ah pauses, gazing at this dark lump that twitches faintly even under the flames, yet upon shutting his eyes and consuming it, an extraordinary flavor assaults his soul, surpassing all anticipation.

'Could it be due to its ghostly nature...? It seems to awaken taste sensations deep within the soul... What on earth is this flavor...!?'

Overwhelmed by the intense taste of the Purple Gold Realm's signature fire-grilled sea cucumber, Makli Hyun-ah remains speechless in awe, while Makli Hweol, present as his intimate companion, samples the dish too and, struck by a sudden recollection, shuts his eyes to relish it deeply.

It happens at that moment.

Chiiiiiik...

"Huh?"

Makli Hyun-ah abruptly notices his hand dissolving.

"Hold on, what's ha-ueooooo...eoooooook..."

In panic, Makli Hyun-ah attempts to stand, but terror grips him as his body, beginning with his vocal cords, liquefies into blackness.

Yet Ban Ta chuckles loudly and reassures Makli Hyun-ah.

"Relax. To achieve greater heights, you must discard the original form. The fire-grilled sea cucumber from the Purple Gold Realm, particularly the black variant hailed as the pinnacle quality, triggers an instant full metamorphosis upon ingestion."

Makli Hyun-ah, stunned, inquires via mental transmission.

[Does this complete transformation typically involve dissolving the existing body and reforming it from scratch?]

"Naturally! Fear not. The regenerated components will prove far more robust. Utilizing your body as the base, the fire-grilled sea cucumber bestows an enhanced, flawless physique, ensuring it remains truly yours."

True to those assurances, Makli Hyun-ah's limbs and vocal cords start regenerating from the dark fluid.

"...! My skin... Wait, my voice as well!?"

Makli Hyun-ah observes that the flesh on his arms, along with tendons, bones, and throat, feels remarkably purer.

"A standard fire-grilled sea cucumber requires time for the old form to dissolve and the new one to emerge, but the black version operates differently. The instant you consume it, your bodily equilibrium aligns perfectly, birthing a physical form ideally suited to embrace pristine primeval energy."

"Th-There's something like that...? Uh, but why isn't Makli Hweol showing any effects?"

"Hm? Hmm..."

In response to Makli Hyun-ah's query, Ban Ta fixes his gaze intently on Makli Hweol.

"This individual..."

After scrutinizing Makli Hweol for some time, Ban Ta creases his brow and remarks.

"The black fire-grilled sea cucumber rebuilds the body solely for those with inherent flaws."

"...? So, did my body possess issues?"

"Precisely. Regardless, someone who skips Immortal Family Methods will suffer disruptions in the Taiji balance and internal microcosm, leading to numerous complications. In essence, this person's grasp of the Immortal Family Method is exceptionally profound, allowing him to meticulously correct all internal disequilibriums as his realm advanced..."

Doubt flickers in Ban Ta's eyes.

"Yet, is such aptitude innate? He's merely at the half-step Four-Axis level, yet confined to the Heavenly Being stage..."

☯

"Hmm... Perhaps he truly is a prodigy? Would you consider becoming my disciple as well?"

"Hoho... I appreciate the commendation, but presently, I prefer to roam freely and expand my insights."

"Hmm, alright... Ordinarily, I'd seek to enlist you in Ban Ta Castle, but since today marks the acceptance of a personal disciple, I'll magnanimously permit it."

Upon reflection, Ban Ta concludes that Makli Hweol harbors no dubious intent and resumes savoring the banquet.

Amid the ferocious flavor of the fire-grilled sea cucumber, Makli Hyun-ah devours more pieces, and Ban Ta beholds this with a pleased grin.

"You devour it with such gusto, my disciple. Nonetheless, take it easy. Excessive intake can delay the reformation of certain areas as a drawback."

"Th-Thank y—hheup!"

Makli Hyun-ah persists in masticating and gulping down the potent taste of the fire-grilled sea cucumbers, even as peculiar feelings arise from portions of his body dissolving and regenerating afresh.

'W-Was my body truly riddled with so many flaws...? It's as if my entire form is undergoing rebirth... Does avoiding Immortal Family Methods cause such extensive issues...?'

Tudududuk, tududuk!

As Makli Hyun-ah continues feeding the squirming dark masses into his mouth, a odd sensation stirs in his chest abruptly.

"Uh."

"Is something amiss, Daoist?"

Makli Hweol notices Makli Hyun-ah's look and questions curiously, while Makli Hyun-ah, face somewhat rigid, massages his chest.

"...My nipples... they dissolved, but aren't reforming..."

"Hoho...pohuhup..."

Upon hearing this, Makli Hweol, who typically maintains a single style of laughter, suppresses it no longer and averts his gaze, as Ban Ta bursts into hearty laughter and consoles Makli Hyun-ah.

"Observe, didn't I warn you? Overindulging in fire-grilled sea cucumber brings side effects. Ahahahaha! No need for concern. The reformation merely lags; ultimately, it will restore itself."

"Ah... Understood. Thank you."

Confronting this bothersome repercussion, Makli Hyun-ah eyes the final piece of fire-grilled sea cucumber on his dish.

'Nipples regenerating gradually or not doesn't signify much... And Master indicates the reconstruction is merely delayed, yet it returns to normal eventually... So, what's the harm in one additional bite?'

Recalling the fierce delight of the fire-grilled sea cucumber, Makli Hyun-ah's fingers quiver, and ultimately, he yields, lifting the morsel to his lips once more.

'Just this one, then I'll cease. Besides, one ought to finish what's on the plate.'

And at last, as Makli Hyun-ah fully ingests the ultimate fire-grilled sea cucumber.

"...Huh?"

Makli Hyun-ah experiences a sudden void below.

He blanks out briefly, peers downward with vacant eyes, then turns to Ban Ta.

"M-Master...?"

"Mm? Hahahaha!"

Ban Ta glances at Makli Hyun-ah, comprehends the occurrence, and erupts in booming laughter.

"Don't fret excessively. As I repeated, it's solely that overindulgence has extended the reformation duration. Over time, the molting sea cucumber will mend every bodily imperfection and imbalance. Given your realm, you can employ spatial transmission regardless, so lacking that particular orifice proves no hindrance."

"No... it's feasible, but... No, even so..."

With the former presence vanished, Makli Hyun-ah senses profound desolation, finally snapping free from the compulsion of the fire-grilled sea cucumber's intense flavor.

'This proves hazardous. I must genuinely halt now...'

Since the banquet's other dishes tantalize the palate too, Makli Hyun-ah samples them while beads of cold sweat trickle down his brow.

Thus, Makli Hyun-ah passes the day in a feast that commences with exhilarating culinary bliss from novel fare, but concludes with him anxiously monitoring the vanished organs in the latter portion.

***

The following day dawns.

Called to a practice area within Ban Ta Castle, Makli Hyun-ah undergoes the ritual of gaining direct endorsement from Ban Ta affirming his membership in Ban Ta Castle.

"This emblem verifies your connection to Ban Ta Castle. Imprint it upon the ascension plaque."

"Thank you, Master..."

Makli Hyun-ah applies the spiritual seal crafted by Ban Ta straight onto the ascension plaque, thereby securely joining Ban Ta Castle's ranks.

'This must be the discouraged approach that Ancestor Makli Cheon-sa mentioned.'

Through this direct endorsement beneath Ban Ta, Makli Hyun-ah's identity evades entry in the Immortal Registry, explaining why Makli Cheon-sa, who disapproves of apprenticing under Ban Ta, advised against it.

'Beyond that, Ancestor Makli Cheon-sa deemed it idiotic to take Sacred Master Ban Ta as master... Tsk. I'm unsure if it's truly that severe.'

As Makli Hyun-ah contemplates Makli Cheon-sa's cautions.

Paaat!

A mass of dark energy coalesces above Ban Ta's palm.

"Ah, that's..."

"Take a seat. Since you now stand as my disciple from this day, no further actions are required. I'll examine your cultivation meticulously, so simply sit, maintain steady practice, and swiftly ascend to the Sacred Vessel stage."

"Understood. However, that in Master's grasp..."

"It's social authority power. Isn't it the essence of the Confucian Family Method you pursue?"

"Has Master studied the Confucian Family Method too?"

"Hahahaha, hardly."

Ban Ta guffaws and snaps his finger, transforming the deep-black social power cluster in his hand into a spiritual energy mass instantaneously.

"...! Wh-What the...?"

Makli Hyun-ah widens his eyes, clueless about whether spiritual energy and social power can interchange or the mechanism behind it.

"Disciple. What extent of knowledge do you possess regarding the social authority you wield?"

Faced with Ban Ta's inquiry, Makli Hyun-ah deliberates thoroughly.

And he grasps a key insight.

'I've never delved into the essence of social power before...'

"I regret it. Hitherto, I cultivated the Confucian Family Method without true comprehension."

"No apologies needed! As my disciple, hold no fear. Heed this closely. Firstly, encompassing the Confucian Family Method... exist the Heaven-Earth Immortal Family, Heart Dao Blooming, Shaman Family, Buddhist Family, Naming Family, Legalist Family, Yin-Yang Family, Vertical-Horizontal Family (縱橫家), Eloquence Family (說家), and others. To grasp the core [power] underpinning the diverse Immortal Cultivation paths of the Hundred Schools, one must fathom this world's framework deeply."

"The world's framework...? No, prior to that, why exist so many cultivation paths...?"

"They number so vast they're grouped as the Hundred Schools. Prior to One Qi of the Primordial Chaos..."

Abruptly, Ban Ta, invoking 'One Qi of the Primordial Chaos' in his discourse, appears vexed and shakes his head vigorously.

"...Suffice it. The topic veered astray. In any case, that's secondary. You need to comprehend the world's compositional structure to discern power origins clearly, and knowing those origins will aid your method's advancement."

"Yes, I see."

"Within this world lies the concept of Three Planes. Do you grasp planes?"

"Yes, somewhat. If water's elevation defines the water level, it's a notion derived from denoting dimensional elevation variances..."

"Correct. As you're aware, our world features three major planes. The Plane of Fate. The Plane of Qi. The Plane of Soul. These correspond respectively to Heaven, Earth, and Heart."

Ban Ta's discourse proceeds.

"Conventional Immortal Family Methods seek to commence in the Plane of Qi and ascend progressively to the Plane of Fate. The distinction between Earth Tribe's accumulation in the Plane of Qi versus Heaven Tribe's invocation from the Plane of Fate marks their split, yet the sequential ascent remains constant. Conversely, the Confucian Family Method and Naming Family Method you practice invert this."

"Invert, how so...?"

"The Naming Family's power roots in the belief that fate resides within names, initiating cultivation from the Plane of Fate."

"Pardon...?"

Makli Hyun-ah's jaw drops at the method's grander scope than anticipated.

'No, is that feasible?'

"Likely, you've advanced by amassing energy into names thus far...yet the Naming Family Method's potency stems from manipulating [names] to directly warp and alter fate."

"E-Even for a path limited to Core Formation stage?"

"A method's peak attainment isn't the crux. The key lies in its foundational basis. Should you aim to dominate the Purple Gold Realm ahead, familiarize yourself with other Immortal Cultivation systems; henceforth, I'll elucidate thoroughly."

Ban Ta methodically details to Makli Hyun-ah the entities each method bases upon.

"The foundational Immortal Family Method draws from the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos and the Immeasurable Life Buddha. Prior aspects...er, unnecessary for you. In essence, grounded in the world's primal entities, they prove potent and widespread.

“Next, the broadly applicable Heart Dao Blooming bases on the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos and the entity known as the Golden Speed.

"The Buddhist Family Method, equally prevalent as Heart Dao Blooming, founds upon the dual Buddhist luminaries: the Wheel Imperial Venerable and the Axle Imperial Venerable. Certain sects substitute the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos for the Axle Imperial Venerable, but...regardless.

"Subsequently, the third-most common Shaman Family Method anchors on an entity termed the Immortal Beast King, occasionally equated to the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos."

"..."

Makli Hyun-ah grows increasingly uneasy, sensing the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos infiltrates too many systems.

'What sort of sprawling tentacles are these?'

"For the Eloquence Family Method, it's an eccentric path relying on illusion arts to allocate narrative roles, basing on an entity called the [Owner of Liberation].

"The Vertical-Horizontal Family Method forms a system gathering believers' faith via divine paths for cultivation... It draws from obscured entities, so even I lack full knowledge.

"The Yin-Yang Family Method employs dual cultivation to harness yin and yang forces, founding on two divine ancestors: the [Ignorant One] and [Blue Bird].

"The Legalist Family Method utilizes formations to bend laws and regulations, forging or erasing them, and anchors on the Underworld's [Ten Kings].

"And regarding the Confucian Family Method and Naming Family Method you've acquired..."

As Ban Ta nears revealing the foundations of the Confucian and Naming Families, he pauses briefly, as if pondering.

"They base on entities termed the [Mountain Divine Spirit]...and the [Owner of Names]."

For unclear reasons, Makli Hyun-ah perceives Ban Ta's expression tense momentarily upon uttering Mountain Divine Spirit, then ease.

Wo-woong!

And prior to Makli Hyun-ah registering his bewilderment, Ban Ta sweeps his hand, employing an il