A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 837 Chapter 834: Side Story - Being Ban Ta's Disciple (3)

Chapter 837 Chapter 834: Side Story - Being Ban Ta's Disciple (3)

Kwagwagwang!

Once Makli Hyun-ah unleashes a barrage of assaults on Ahn Geum using every ounce of his power, he activates the strongest divine ability from the Confucian Family Method at his disposal.

"[Self-Expulsion]! [Self-Expulsion]!"

Makli Hyun-ah's technique attempts to banish himself from the current space, yet right before he can be hurled into another dimension, Ahn Geum swiftly seizes him once more.

"You believe escaping will be simple with such a minor difference in our realms? Submit and come quietly."

Makli Hyun-ah's mind turns utterly blank.

'Oh no! I must not allow her to strip me bare!'

Above all else.

The areas that had melted away haven't regenerated even yet.

As Ban Ta warned, the repercussions of the fire-roasted sea cucumber endure for quite a while.

Exposing his sleek, exposed form feels far more humiliating than death.

"Keeeeek! Release me! Emerge, Badger! Emerge, Rabbit Seven Heavenly Lords!!"

Makli Hyun-ah struggles to summon his spirit beasts from the beast scroll.

However, as Ahn Geum grips her fist firmly, the fabric of space distorts, shattering his beast scroll instantly.

"Such feeble resistance! Cease this childish outburst and approach!"

Ultimately, Makli Hyun-ah endures a thorough inspection of his body by Ahn Geum.

***

The following morning,

Makli Hyun-ah awakens to discover Ahn Geum nestled within his covers, gazing at him with a blank expression.

"Ah."

He covers his face with his hands, recollecting the events of the previous day.

"I'm sullied..."

"Sullied? We merely engaged in a mutually advantageous activity."

Ahn Geum caresses Makli Hyun-ah's head before rising from the bed and searching about as she dresses.

"Through multiple probes of your physique, I've realized that your Extreme Ghost Path Body exceeds my initial expectations."

Clad in dark palace attire, she gathers her hair, secures it with a pin, then retrieves a lengthy pipe from her storage scroll and places it between her lips.

"What resides within you resembles an abyss better described as a 'microcosm.' Considering merely the capacity of the 'vessel' in you... it surpasses my Integrated Dao Domain, and I'm at Grand Perfection Integration. Actually... the expanse inside you matches the scale appropriate for the Star Shattering stage... no, a Decaying Corpse Realm. It could be vaster still. Moreover, as your realm advances hereafter, it will expand alongside you. I can't predict its ultimate extent, but it should expand effortlessly to the Sacred Vessel stage and Entering Nirvana stage."

"...I refuse to hear this. Besides, Master could have explained it to me from the start."

"You're pouting, aren't you."

"..."

"Regardless... the vastness within you prevented a full exploration in just one day. Yet I uncovered something rather intriguing:"

Ahn Geum summons a stray soul, which ignites the long pipe with ghostly flame, and proceeds.

"Currently, at least two True Immortals have selected you."

"I'm aware."

"Moreover, within you, two or more True Immortals relentlessly vie for dominance to oust one another, turning it into a veritable warzone."

"...What?"

"Amid that conflict, the interactions between those two True Immortals generate a grand cycle. This cycle churns inside you akin to light and shadow, forging a unified world at its core."

"Hold on, what do you mean!?"

Makli Hyun-ah quickly dons his garments and challenges Ahn Geum's outrageous claim.

"If such a conflict rages, how could I remain oblivious? With a battle like that unfolding, my body would explode immediately, wouldn't it? And if it's truly occurring, why show no signs whatsoever?"

"First, your realm lacks the height to perceive a True Immortal clash, and your grasp of Immortal Arts is insufficient. Second, though you may not realize it, the dimensions within you rival a substantial Decaying Corpse Realm, as I reiterate. There, if True Immortals skirmish lightly via split souls instead of avatars, your form won't rupture. Finally, the absence of symptoms stems from..."

Ahn Geum directs her finger toward Makli Hyun-ah and poses a question.

"The moment those two True Immortals entered you coincides with your ascent to the Purple Gold Realm."

"What...?"

"One remains unidentified, but the other aligns with the light faction's True Immortal, and I received some insight via a vision from my supporting True Immortal. During your Purple Gold Realm breakthrough, did you link with a wood-attributed True Immortal?"

"...Indeed."

"Thus, the True Immortal clashing with the light one is likely the entity that attached to you since Penglai Star."

Makli Hyun-ah affirms and reveals the truth.

"...Correct. A chain-like split soul from some True Immortal invaded me. And during my Purple Gold Realm ascension, I encountered that light True Immortal entity."

"As expected. Indeed, you sense no symptoms or portents because their infusion occurred precisely at your Purple Gold Realm entry. In the Purple Gold Realm, Sacred Master Ban Ta's influence suppresses True Immortal auras to the utmost."

"Ah...! So Master is the reason."

"Essentially. Being split souls rather than primaries, they're subdued even fiercer by the Sacred Master's will, hence your unawareness."

Ahn Geum inhales deeply from her long pipe and elaborates.

"In any case, due to this... I haven't located my brother's remnants within you yet."

"What point are you making?"

"Henceforth, I must remain by your side and conduct regular checks on your body until I fully identify the 'four Earthlings in this world.' Determining my brother's fate is crucial."

"Your brother... meant that much to you?"

"Not particularly. Should he perish, I return to Earth and claim the entire inheritance. Dad never granted me allowance or a share originally."

'Is she insane?'

"...Don't regard me that way. Dad heeded Mom and acquired over five hundred Bitcoins early on."

"...Your mother... is remarkable."

"She is. An exceptionally prescient shaman. Though eventually her powers faded, leaving only madness, confining her to a mental facility."

Ahn Geum exhales a prolonged sigh amid the smoke and goes on.

"Lately... before arriving here, her sanity partially returned. Yet she stayed hospitalized. During visits, she'd murmur, 'A grand destiny awaits,' or 'Lord Star, vanquisher of Lord Heavens, summons you,' or 'Your leader is a supreme entity; serve diligently'... endless oddities. Improved from before, but unstable. At that time, my only affiliation was a gaming guild, so... amusingly prophetic."

"..."

"Anyway, Dad divorced ages ago, and my brother's a slacker fixated on games and curry-making. Thus, I must secure Dad's legacy to support Mom. That's my intent. Avoid misconstruing."

"I, I understand. Apologies for the misconception."

Makli Hyun-ah coughs awkwardly at his error and offers amends.

"Fine. Regardless, for various motives... I'll thoroughly probe if my brother lives or dies via your body. Thus, I'll accompany you henceforth."

"...Hold on, you attempted to abduct me initially! Think Master will permit someone like you?"

"Hmm... true. What now?"

Ahn Geum ponders Makli Hyun-ah's retort briefly, then drops a startling revelation.

"Then let's wed. As spouses, Sacred Master Ban Ta will overlook the prior abduction."

"What nonsense is this!?"

"Nonsense? Sacred Master Ban Ta is renowned for heartily endorsing marriages among his followers or affiliates. Past deeds or affiliations notwithstanding, he endorses them."

"That's beside the point! Marriage demands profound trust, careful deliberation, and repeated reflection!"

"Eyy, troublesome..."

Ahn Geum tuts in irritation.

"If not marriage, perhaps an engagement? Engagements occur sans love due to familial or personal pressures, and dissolving them is straightforward."

"Engagement..."

Makli Hyun-ah contemplates her suggestion momentarily.

He understands engagements.

His sister Lee Seo-ah had navigated one with an SJD Company executive, and shortly before his arrival here, she turned to gaming from the stress.

'True... familial engagements abound, so an engagement feels less binding than marriage. However...'

Makli Hyun-ah fixes Ahn Geum with a stern gaze and retorts.

"Why engage with you? You frame it as engagement, yet it's mere shielding for yourself. Especially after your abrupt abduction, intrusion, and invasive probes disguised as examinations!"

"Em..."

Ahn Geum widens her eyes at Makli Hyun-ah's intensity.

Her surprised demeanor fuels his inner turmoil.

"First, I regret probing your body without consent. Yet comprehend it as a fervent quest for my brother."

"Alright, familial pursuit excuses that! But justify the abduction?"

"Um... not abduction, but salvation."

"Salvation?"

"Fundamentally, aren't we allies?"

Her assertion leaves Makli Hyun-ah truly stunned.

"Allies? How so?"

"No... during your ascension, the True Immortal must have mentioned it. Light represents righteousness. You considered joining the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order, didn't you? That order is governed by Light's True Immortals, so to counter the 'evil god' they dread, you'd gravitate there naturally."

"..."

Makli Hyun-ah sighs wordlessly at Ahn Geum's logic.

She's correct.

'Indeed... the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos's nature eludes me, and if the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order embodies Light's True Immortals, aligning there makes sense...'

Noticing Makli Hyun-ah's conflicted face, Ahn Geum adds as if recalling.

"Ah, yes. Your sister Lee Seo-ah resides in the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order... shouldn't you rescue her? It's a faction under a suspected evil god."

"Hm...!"

Makli Hyun-ah presses Ahn Geum urgently.

"Regarding the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order... what do you know? How fares my sister? Brainwashed? Thriving?"

"Hm... I can share. But that disclosure settles last night's imposition. Further aid in extracting your sister from the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order to the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order requires compensation."

Makli Hyun-ah grimaces at Ahn Geum's terms.

"You... could assist in retrieving my sister?"

"Naturally. With backing from the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order's True Immortals, I anticipate reaching Star Shattering within ten thousand years max. Then, I can easily restrain your sister at Grand Perfection Four-Axis and dispel the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order's indoctrination, integrating her into the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order."

"...Must we induct her into the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order? Couldn't she become Master's disciple like me?"

Ahn Geum pauses blankly, then offers an uneasy grin.

"Well... if she desires, proceed. At minimum, you concur on extracting her from the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order?"

"...Agreed. Assist me. The One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order reeks of suspicion... its evil god patron unknown... I queried Master repeatedly, but he dismissed it due to my low realm."

"Excellent. I'll disclose Lee Seo-ah's location and status, aiding her rescue from the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order. In exchange, recognize me as your fiancée, permitting ongoing examinations to ascertain the 'fourth Earthling's' survival within you."

Ahn Geum, driven by her brother's destiny.

Makli Hyun-ah, motivated by his sister's welfare.

Thus, within Ban Ta Castle, they forge a pact of engagement.

***

Three days subsequent,

Ban Ta Castle.

"...Your engagement, I can endorse. If mutual affection exists, I won't interfere. Nor will I dwell on backgrounds or histories."

Ban Ta, forehead veins bulging, scowls at his disciple and fiancée Ahn Geum, who announce their betrothal post-rebellion suppression.

"However, I require time with my disciple, yet you demand alternating supervision of his cultivation! Chaos erupts across the Purple Gold Realm, leaving scant moments for his guidance, squeezing in whenever possible... and now halve my precious disciple time!?"

Ban Ta's eyes flare madly as he erupts at Ahn Geum.

"Absurdity! Unacceptable! What if this delays my disciple's progress!!?? Ab!! So!! Lute!! Ly!! Forbid!! I won't yield my disciple's time to you!"

Beneath Ban Ta's frenzied roar, eyes rolling white, Makli Hyun-ah cowers, while Ahn Geum, perspiring, responds.

"Yet even as Sacred Master, you can't deny fiancée intimacy. Cultivation matters, but so does couple time. Bluntly, what if you intrude during our nightly union?"

"What's the issue!? Master's role accelerates disciple growth, be it defecation, dining, or coupling! No shame in that!?"

Ban Ta quivers with fury.

"Should my disciple, my disciple, my disciple forfeit prime advancement due to missed timing, will you atone! Will you compensate, I demand!? Know how many loafer scum infest Ban Ta Castle, abandoning progress on timing excuses!"

His rage draws from evident precedents.

Ahn Geum appears momentarily perplexed, then shifts to counter.

"Well, I