A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 838 Chapter 835: Side Story - Being Ban Ta's Disciple (4)

Chapter 835: Side Story - Being Ban Ta's Disciple (4)

Once Ban Ta's form transformed,

Makli Hyun-ah plunged into utter disarray.

From the moment of her feminization, Ban Ta stuck to Makli Hyun-ah's routine without fail each day.

Be it during meals, handling personal matters, or sharing a bed with Ahn Geum, she slipped under the covers alongside him to quiz him on the day's lessons.

His grasp of cultivation surged forward rapidly... yet Makli Hyun-ah sensed himself teetering on the edge of insanity.

However, another figure appeared even closer to snapping than Makli Hyun-ah.

"Isn't he insane!? No, why is he pushing it to such extremes?"

It was Ahn Geum.

She seemed on the verge of crumbling under Ban Ta's utterly bizarre behavior.

"Whether we're dining, relieving ourselves, bathing, or even resting at night, he crawls under the sheets and murmurs nonstop... Is that a Sacred Master!? That's a demon!!"

"...P-Please don't berate M-Master so harshly..."

As Ban Ta quells yet another uprising, Makli Hyun-ah intervenes to halt Ahn Geum's barrage of sharp insults directed at her.

Ahn Geum's face twists in clear outrage as she retorts.

"What kind of rubbish is that? Even if he's your master or like a parent, does following you under the covers and muttering endlessly in your ear about reviewing today's teachings strike you as normal!?"

"Even so, Master remains Master..."

"You're spouting more nonsense... Hold on a moment."

Ahn Geum abruptly locks eyes with Makli Hyun-ah, her gaze sharpening into focus.

"...Hey. You aren't saying... No, tell me it's not the case."

"..."

"Ah, come on... Just deny it..."

Ahn Geum exhales deeply and tilts her head toward the heavens, while Makli Hyun-ah flushes with embarrassment.

Makli Hyun-ah has harbored affection for three individuals throughout his existence.

His initial crush was on his elder sibling, Lee Seo-ah.

Up until the third grade of primary school, when Lee Seo-ah attended a kendo school and demonstrated her skills by thrashing him with an umbrella as if punishing a stray on a sweltering afternoon, Makli Hyun-ah genuinely adored her.

His next infatuation struck with Ji Hwa, leader of the Loot Farming Heavenly Lord Guild he joined amid his gaming days.

He was smitten instantly upon viewing the image she shared on social media.

That devotion lasted until Ji Hwa struck him with a vehicle; he cherished her deeply until then.

And his latest affection...

It surfaced only after his arrival in the Purple Gold Realm.

With cheeks burning, Makli Hyun-ah coughs lightly and denies it.

"What do you mean? There's absolutely no chance I fancy Master. Chivalry's gone!"

In truth, he had fallen for Ban Ta's altered visage.

Observing Makli Hyun-ah's flushed features and evasive glances, Ahn Geum regards him with a gaze brimming with pity, disdain, sorrow, wretchedness, and sympathy.

"What exactly captivates you so? The looks? Ah, I suppose the physique is appealing enough."

"I keep insisting it's nothing! What are you implying!?"

"You fell for the guild master too, remember?"

"No! Never!"

"If someone's attractive, you tumble headfirst. Hmm, actually, beyond that, the guild master and Sacred Master share a certain vibe... Is that your preference? Attracted to powerful women?"

"I told you it's not!!!"

"Reflecting on it, Lee Seo-ah carried that aura as well. Did your sister shape your inclinations from youth? Even today, you cling to my hand seeking echoes of her... You always idolized your older sister, didn't you?"

"Stop painting me as a freak!! I said it's not true!!"

Makli Hyun-ah yells in protest, feeling deeply maligned, while Ahn Geum casually cleans her ear against the racket.

"Fine, with things at this pass, no choice remains. Sacred Master Ban Ta will persist in shadowing us, and you clearly have zero plans to halt it, relishing her constant presence... Whatever I attempt won't matter. I'll bide my time until your realm elevates, then during Axis Foundation Practice, I'll escort you and inspect your form."

"Suit yourself."

Sensing his hidden feelings exposed, Makli Hyun-ah averts his gaze from Ahn Geum pointlessly.

Yet Ahn Geum seizes his jaw, redirects his face, and grins.

"It won't happen on a whim. Success demands you swiftly surpass the Heavenly Being phase and ascend to the Four-Axis equivalent realm."

"Why grip my jaw...? Wait, more importantly, I yearn to hit Four-Axis level soon too! But Master insists I can't breakthrough to Four-Axis without forging authority through personal insight into the Plane of Soul, transforming soul force into authority power—that's the only path forward. So what now!?"

"Hmph, such a blockhead. Haven't you figured why Sacred Master Ban Ta allows me, your would-be abductor and fiancée, to linger unchecked beside you?"

"Eh, ehh?"

Ahn Geum clutches Makli Hyun-ah's jaw tighter, seals her lips to his with force, and surges a massive wave of ghostly energy into him via their kiss.

"Mmph, mmph!"

As the torrent of ghostly energy floods in abruptly, Makli Hyun-ah's sclera invert to black while his irises flip to white.

Simultaneously, darkness creeps into his lips, along with his finger and toe nails.

"Puha!"

She withdraws only after infusing the utmost limit of ghostly energy he could possibly withstand.

Face aflame, Makli Hyun-ah wipes at his mouth.

"Absorb it and transmute it into social power. It'll boost your progress rate."

"Y-You..."

"With us bound so closely, I can channel ghostly energy bridging the Plane of Soul to hasten your advancement— that's precisely why she imposes no bindings on me. Process it swiftly into social power. Thus, your realm climbs, I can tour with you under cultivation pretexts to probe you, and you rescue your sister too. Sound good?"

"..."

Makli Hyun-ah reddens further and agrees with a nod.

"...Understood."

Though the approach feels mortifying,

Ultimately, it's vital for Makli Hyun-ah's quest to save his kin.

Starting that day, he progresses onward, partnering with Ahn Geum to steadily convert ghostly energy into social power.

***

Several months elapse.

Makli Hyun-ah, accompanied by Ahn Geum, gets summoned to Ban Ta Hall in Ban Ta Castle, the site of Ban Ta's official duties, where he receives startling intelligence.

"Uh...excuse me...?"

"W-What did you just say?"

Ahn Geum mirrors the shock, fluttering her eyelids as she absorbs Ban Ta's declaration.

Ban Ta eyes the pair and tuts disapprovingly.

"What's unclear? Preparations for Four-Axis breakthrough are set, so I'm instructing you to venture into various Middle Realms for Axis Foundation Practice."

"So...you're permitting me to escort Makli Hyun-ah beyond the Purple Gold Realm?"

Ahn Geum inquires once more, surprised that Ban Ta would greenlight Makli Hyun-ah's travel to other Middle Realms.

"Naturally, I distrust you. You, the Radiance Hall devotee, have a history of attempting to abduct my pupil. Lately, though, a vexing entity has started rousing for revival, and even the True Immortal dubbed Owner of the Antimatter Sea emits odd signals. Consequently, dividing my focus toward Hyun-ah grows challenging. Moreover, post the God of Heavenly Punishment's demise, Heavenly Tribulation runs unchecked, surging far beyond the mythic era of 40 billion years past. You're aware, correct?"

"Yes, the mythic annals detail it."

"Precisely. Plus, aid from another intensifies the Heavenly Tribulation. Cultivators under Ban Ta Castle bear the altruism woven into my essence, which counts as Immortal Art, thus deeming them as 'under my aid' without exception. Hence, within the Purple Gold Realm, Heavenly Tribulation inevitably strengthens."

Ban Ta presses on, directing his words at Makli Hyun-ah and Ahn Geum.

"Thus, despite my reservations, for my disciple's benefit, I authorize excursions to Middle Realms like Vast Cold, Nether Ghost, Ancient Force, and True Devil Realm for Axis Foundation Practice."

"...Aren't you concerned I'll draw True Immortal aid and snatch Hyun-ah anew?"

"Hmph, give it a shot. Precautions are in place."

Snap!

With Ban Ta's finger snap, Makli Hyun-ah finds himself relocated to the spot next to her.

"Uh, what's occurring...huh!?"

Soon, though, Makli Hyun-ah comprehends it's not full relocation; rather, solely his spirit yanks instantly to Ban Ta's proximity.

"My mark is embedded already. Should other True Immortals rashly seize my disciple, I can summon her soul back to the Purple Gold Realm forthwith. As Purple Gold Realm Sacred Master, I wield authority to render a Four-Axis cultivator's revivals boundless, so upon any grave peril to my disciple, I merely recall the soul and resurrect in the Purple Gold Realm."

"Thorough indeed."

"It involves my disciple, naturally. Furthermore, nightly as Hyun-ah slumbers, I'll draw the soul for extra instruction, like cultivation counsel."

"Heheok!"

Makli Hyun-ah freezes in shock.

Previously, sleep offered respite, but henceforth, even that eludes him.

Nevertheless, Ahn Geum appears unperturbed and assents.

"Well, handle that as you see fit. So long as you ensure our private moments, anything goes."

"Agreed. Proceed to breakthrough your realm at once, and gear up for departure to other Middle Realms immediately!"

"Y-Yes? Sorry?"

Makli Hyun-ah blinks amid the abrupt shift, yet the plan holds firm.

Shortly thereafter, he embarks on Ahn Geum's Nether Crossing Ship toward the Mind Domain, one of the Purple Gold Realm's eight domains, serving as a gateway to external Middle Realms.

Kugugugu!

Aboard the Nether Crossing Ship, beyond Ahn Geum and Makli Hyun-ah, additional passengers join.

These consist of Qi Building stage aides assigned by Ban Ta to Makli Hyun-ah, plus Makli Cheon-sa, freshly ascended to Integration stage via Heaven and Earth Unity.

"No need to tag along."

"I'm serving as Hyun-ah's protector and your overseer. Within me dwells a fragment of the Sacred Master's divided soul. In remote dimensions beyond the Purple Gold Realm's laws, should you attempt spiriting Hyun-ah to another Heavenly Domain, the Sacred Master will descend through me to chastise you."

"How chilling. Apologies, but no such thing will occur, so kindly avoid meddling in my time with Hyun-ah."

"Provided you act aboveboard."

Makli Cheon-sa, assigned as Makli Hyun-ah's safeguard and Ahn Geum's watcher, settles on the Nether Crossing Ship, ready to assist with the impending Heavenly Tribulation.

Wo-woong!

In a section of the Mind Domain, awash in sacred floral dust resembling a Peach Garden Paradise, a portal to another Middle Realm materializes.

Ahn Geum maneuvers the Nether Crossing Ship into the portal alongside the group, then addresses Makli Hyun-ah.

"Initiate Four-Axis advancement the instant we exit the Purple Gold Realm. Delaying until arrival in another Middle Realm risks the Heavenly Tribulation twisting oddly from foreign influences."

"Hmph, I'm aware, so relax."

Makli Hyun-ah assumes the lotus stance for breakthrough, and Ahn Geum observes briefly before deftly steering the Nether Crossing Ship past the Purple Gold Realm's borders.

And the very next instant,

Tsuaaaaat!

In this peculiar realm dubbed Avīci too, Makli Hyun-ah, Makli Cheon-sa, Ahn Geum, and their companions behold a solitary silhouette.

Awaiting with crystalline Three Great Ultimates hovering at her back, it's Makli Hyun-ah's sister, Lee Seo-ah.

Her face contorts demonically as she fixates on Ahn Geum and snarls.

"Where do you think you're headed? Planning to drag my little brother to Radiance Heaven once more!?"

"Hmph, absurd. We're merely conducting Axis Foundation Practice with Ban Ta's blessing."

"You? Sanctioned by Ban Ta? What bribe did you offer?"

"Well, nothing substantial to Ban Ta. Since..."

As if toying, Ahn Geum lifts her shoulders, saunters to Makli Hyun-ah's side amid his preparations, and flashes a cunning grin.

"We've become engaged."

"...What?"

Lee Seo-ah gapes blankly at them, and Ahn Geum muffles Makli Hyun-ah's impending words with her hand before addressing Lee Seo-ah.

"An engaged pair heading for honeymoon...so mind your own affairs and scram. He's mine now."

"...You...that wench..."

Bbudududuk...

Lee Seo-ah's skin pales to ashen.

Witnessing her fury-drained visage, Makli Hyun-ah's legs buckle.

He recalls all too well the consequences of that glare.

'Hold on, release my mouth! I need to clarify to Noona!'

"Mmph, mmphmphomph!"

But Ahn Geum, seemingly delighted, presses her hand firmer over Makli Hyun-ah's lips and curves into a wicked smirk.

That expression prompts Lee Seo-ah to roar with seething wrath.

"Don't treat Hyun-ah...like some possession!!"

"Ahaha, 'don't treat him like a possession'?"

Ahn Geum mocks further, seizes Makli Hyun-ah's jaw, and plants another aggressive kiss before Lee Seo-ah's eyes.

Potent ghostly energy courses into Makli Hyun-ah anew from her lips.

His gaze inverts once more.

The scene evokes Makli Hyun-ah's corruption by Ahn Geum's ghostly essence.

'Ah...this spells trouble.'

Makli Hyun-ah senses, as if whispered nearby, the phantom crack of Lee Seo-ah's final restraint shattering.

"Sufficient energy now, yes? Begin the advancement. We're initiating dimensional transit shortly."

Kurung, kururung!

Makli Hyun-ah yearns to protest, but glimpsing Lee Seo-ah's fury-blinded stare, he opts to hasten his Four-Axis breakthrough and clarify afterward.

'Currently, Noona's rage blinds her completely. Better not stir her further needlessly. Quicker to demonstrate this kiss aids me, not coercion!'

Kurururung!

Stormy thunderheads amass over Makli Hyun-ah and the Nether Crossing Ship.

Immediately, raindrops patter down.

"Rain? Such a manifestation of Heavenly Tribulation?"

The Confucian Family Method's Heavenly Tribulation typically manifests as calamity, yet when direct strikes prove impractical, it adopts a Transformation guise to assail the target.

For the Confucian Family Method, this Transformation yields [Black Rain].

Among Makli Cheon-sa, the Rabbit Seven Heavenly Lords, and Badger, positioned as guardians during Makli Hyun-ah's Heavenly Tribulation—

Badger voices her insight.

"As I've heard, each cultivation system's Heavenly Tribulation embodies the creator's deepest dread. For the Immortal Family's founder, it's Heavenly Lightning symbolizing bonds...and for the Confucian Family Method's Mountain Divine Spirit originator...perhaps [Black Rain] represents their utmost terror."

"Hooh...that's a fascinating piece of lore."