Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Cultivation Through Copulation.

Episode 62: Master

The subtle tension between Hwa-young and Yuk-gyeong was soon resolved.

This was because a middle-aged man guided Hwa-young, Yuk-gyeong, and the five Foundation Establishment disciples.

“Those who will enter the inner sect, this way.”

The five Foundation Establishment disciples moved according to the guidance of the middle-aged man.

While they entered the outer sect without any special procedure, entering the inner sect required a special procedure similar to when they first joined. This was called the inner sect ceremony.

The person who conducted the ceremony to become an inner sect disciple was the inner sect deacon. The middle-aged man guiding the five Foundation Establishment disciples was precisely him.

The inner sect deacon held a position one step below the elders of the inner sect but one step above the disciples. He focused on the internal affairs of the Sect and rarely appeared.

Thus, the inner sect deacon was someone you could only see once you entered the inner sect.

Seeing the inner sect deacon made entering the inner sect feel real.

“Follow me.”

The place the inner sect deacon led them to was a familiar place that even Yuk-gyeong had visited once.

The Ancestral Hall1.

The Ancestral Hall, still protected by golden ropes, talismans, and seals, was small but dignified. Now that he had become a Foundation Establishment, he could slightly perceive the strict barriers and defenses. The security was tight. He hadn’t realized it when he first joined.

‘Come to think of it, could my Pure Land Incantation Technique break through this barrier?’

It seemed possible.

But there was no reason to do so.

The barrier only blocked those who were not disciples of the Dark Moon Sect.

It felt like breaking through the barrier would be a dangerous act. Would the barrier exist just as a barrier? Surely, the security system would be thorough. Entering without a reason would only be a dangerous act.

“Come in.”

Entering the Ancestral Hall, there were tablets and portraits as before. In front of them, incense was placed in the incense burner.

The portrait of True Immortal Yang Woon, with his fierce eyes and stern, wrinkled face, remained unchanged.

The inner sect deacon bowed deeply towards the ancestral tablet and solemnly began to speak.

“I report to the founder, True Immortal Yang Woon. On the first day of the new year, five disciples enter the inner sect. May their names be recorded with the Sect. Please watch over their cultivation and ensure they face no adversities on their path.”

He then recited the invocation and conducted a simple ceremony.

The ceremony, conducted in a reverent and solemn atmosphere, had an aura that allowed no interruptions.

Yuk-gyeong and the four Foundation Establishment disciples stood silently, observing the proceedings.

When told to bow, they bowed; when told to stand at the back, they stood back.

During this,

Yuk-gyeong realized that someone’s gaze was directed towards this place!

Yuk-gyeong trembled at the majestic energy contained in that unknown gaze. A gaze devoid of any emotion. It was clear that the gaze came from a higher place, possessing an overwhelming power.

‘Could this gaze belong to the founder, True Immortal Yang Woon? Is there really a place called the Upper Realm? Perhaps I felt this gaze during the initiation ceremony too, but just didn’t notice it then.’

Amidst Yuk-gyeong’s confused reflections, the inner sect initiation ceremony concluded.

After the ceremony, the inner sect deacon recited the rules of the inner sect, explained the responsibilities and rights of an inner sect disciple, and then sent them off.

Yuk-gyeong listened absentmindedly.

The gaze, as if looking down from the Upper Realm, still left Yuk-gyeong bewildered.

“The inner sect disciples who have completed the ceremony should follow the inner sect disciples. The inner sect disciple taking you will show you your quarters.”

The newly inducted disciples of the inner sect were like fresh recruits. Each Peak of the inner sect would take these recruits as soon as a spot opened up, and there was no room for the recruits’ opinions in this matter.

Hwa-young went to Jade Maiden Peak. Geum Mook and Jang Su-wi were assigned to Iron Star Peak, while Seok Chun-sam was sent to Grass Dragon Peak.

Now it was Yuk-gyeong’s turn. He too was about to be guided to his residence by an inner sect disciple,

when an inner sect disciple called Yuk-gyeong separately.

He greeted the inner sect deacon politely before calling Yuk-gyeong.

“Disciple Lee Yuk-gyeong, the Elder is calling for you.”

“The Elder?”

“You are to go to Severed Will Peak.”

Severed Will Peak,

A rugged terrain with training caves carved into sheer cliffs. It was a completely different atmosphere from the gentle slopes of Grass Dragon Peak.

The hall located in such a treacherous and bizarre landscape as Severed Will Peak was, surprisingly, the guest hall.

Why host guests in such a desolate terrain?

Whatever.

I’ve heard that the cultivators are all satisfied with the caves in Severed Will Peak, as they seem to favor them.

The cultivators’ love for caves is beyond my understanding.

Anyway, Yuk-gyeong’s arrival at the harsh Severed Will Peak was due to the Elder’s summons.

‘Which Elder from Severed Will Peak is looking for me? Now that I’m an inner sect disciple, could it be a disciple proposal? I’m worthy of such a proposal, aren’t I?’

The elder’s cave was certainly larger and more splendid than the others. Not flashy, but elegantly luxurious, if you will.

The inner sect disciple guided him only up to the entrance of the cave and then left.

As if to say his role ended there.

Yuk-gyeong entered from there without the guidance of the inner sect disciple, cautiously so as not to offend the Elder.

“Is anyone here? Disciple Lee Yuk-gyeong has come in response to the summons.”

“Come in.”

The person waiting in the east was none other than…

Elder Geum Seung-won.

Elder Geum, who was sitting in a chair, calmly closed the book he was reading and gestured towards Yuk-gyeong.

Yuk-gyeong approached him and respectfully clasped his hands in front of him.

Elder Geum asked Yuk-gyeong.

“Yuk-gyeong, do you know why I called for you?”

“I do not know.”

Elder Geum was the first elder Yuk-gyeong had ever seen. He had seen him since the initiation ceremony, so one could say they had a deep connection. He clearly had a favorable view of him.

Then why did he call him as soon as he became an inner disciple? Yuk-gyeong had a hunch but feigned ignorance and answered that he did not know.

Elder Geum, upon hearing Yuk-gyeong’s answer, asked directly,

“I intend to take you as my disciple. What do you think?”

Who would say no, I don’t want to, in this situation?

Especially when an elder personally offers to take you as a disciple?

Yuk-gyeong did not refuse. There was no reason to refuse. Having a master was undoubtedly a good thing.

A master could be a supporter, a problem solver for training difficulties, or sometimes a mentor who teaches the ins and outs of life in the sect.

Just having a master is a good thing.

Even having a temporary master like Elder Bu was so beneficial. No one complained when he constantly received pills, asked for favors, or whined.

Having an official master, especially an Elder of the Core Foundation stage, would be even better.

Oh, it’s not that I didn’t like Elder Bu or that he was lacking. He was like my first master, so that won’t do. I am always grateful. It’s just that I am equally excited about the new master.

Yuk-gyeong bowed politely, bending at the waist.

“I greet my Master.”

Iron Face Geum Seung-won!

Elder Geum was famous for his stern expression and cold demeanor. Because of this, many within the Sect feared him.

Nevertheless, the reason people revered him was that he was an elder who had one foot in the late Core Foundation stage and was considered the strongest among the Dark Moon Sect Elders.

A subject of respect and fear.

Elder Geum of Severed Will Peak was someone all the disciples of Dark Moon Sect looked up to.

“You must know my name. I am Geum Seung-won, the Elder of the Severed Will Peak in the Dark Moon Sect. You will become a disciple of Severed Will Peak from now on.”

After a brief pause, Elder Geum made a bombshell announcement.

“And, you will succeed my True Legacy.”

A True Disciple2!

Usually, a disciple who showed potential after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage would become a named disciple of an elder. Among those named, those who stood out and caught the elder’s eye would typically be accepted as True Disciples.

Yuk-gyeong skipped that stage and became a True Disciple directly.

Considering that most True Disciples were either in the mid or late stage of Foundation Establishment, Yuk-gyeong’s appointment as a True Disciple could be considered groundbreaking.

Moreover, Elder Geum did not have any other True Disciples, so Yuk-gyeong became the sole disciple to succeed his True Legacy.

A disciple to succeed all of Elder Geum’s True Legacy, who was close to the late Core Formation stage.

Wouldn’t this be the position every Foundation Establishment disciple in Dark Moon Sect dreams of?

In reality, Yuk-gyeong had no particular thoughts about becoming everyone’s wannabe. It just felt like having a master in the Core Foundation stage? Even if it wasn’t Elder Geum, but another Elder in the Core Foundation stage, it would have been the same.

Anyway, I’m going to reach the Core Formation stage too, so why does it matter if I have a master in the Core Formation stage?

However, Yuk-gyeong suddenly felt much better as he recalled a rumor he had heard about Elder Geum.

“Have you heard that Elder Geum has the most treasures in the Sect? They say his nickname is the Many Treasure Daoist.”

That’s right, he has a lot of treasures, doesn’t he?

Yuk-gyeong felt an endless surge of respect for Elder Geum.

Loyalty, loyalty to my Master!

Even if they call me materialistic, I can’t help it.

How much treasure do you need to survive in this world?

Treasure could be a lifeline that saves your life or a stepping stone that allows you to gain one more opportunity.

Whether Elder Geum knew about Yuk-gyeong’s greedy thoughts or not, he looked at Yuk-gyeong with a benevolent expression, which was actually a blank face, and said,

“Go to Severed Will Peak. There, I will give you a Foundation Establishment technique.”

Then he turned his eyes back to the book he was reading.

Yuk-gyeong bowed respectfully to Elder Geum and left his quarters, heading to Severed Will Peak.

A Foundation Establishment technique…

At Severed Will Peak, there was a place like a library that housed all the techniques of Dark Moon Sect.

This library at the Severed Will Peak was called the Scripture Pavilion.

The Scripture Pavilion was the largest and deepest building in the sect.

The size of the Scripture Pavilion was visibly apparent, but it was said that no disciple knew how deep it truly was.

‘It’s said that the depths of the Scripture Pavilion are like a complete maze, and if you go in there, you’ll lose your way forever and never come out.’

‘You have to be careful when you go to the Scripture Pavilion. If you carelessly choose a technique there, you could be in big trouble. I’ve heard that forbidden techniques have terrifying restrictions placed on them.’

The ominous rumors about the Scripture Pavilion stirred both curiosity and fear among the disciples.

In any case, there was a caretaker at the Scripture Pavilion, but it was said that neither an elder nor a deacon managed the place.

“Hello. Disciple Lee Yuk-gyeong is here to receive the Foundation Establishment techniques.”

There was the usual caretaker at the Scripture Pavilion.

He was a very old man, with a bent back and a thin, frail frame. Occasionally, his hands trembled slightly, suggesting his advanced age.

The old man squinted at Yuk-gyeong’s shout and asked back,

“Foundation Establishment techniques?”

“Yes.”

“The other four have already chosen their Foundation Establishment techniques, so you’re the last one.”

“I was delayed because I was accompanying my Master.”

Yuk-gyeong didn’t know who the old man was, but he treated him with respect.

In this damned xianxia world, the old man was a survivor. He was someone who had lived long enough to become an elder without dying young.

Even though it was hard to judge age by appearance in this xianxia world, this old man looked truly ancient.

‘He looks over a hundred years old, but could he actually be several hundred?’

The old man blinked and climbed a ladder, bringing down three books.

“These are all the Foundation Establishment techniques. Choose from these.”

Yuk-gyeong recalled what his master had told him.

‘You can choose any Foundation Establishment technique you want. Whatever it is, I can teach you. And, try not to get on the bad side of the caretaker at the Scripture Pavilion.’

There were a total of three Foundation Establishment techniques.

The Imperial Wood Foundation Scripture, the Great Concord Scripture, and the Yin-Yang Prodigy Scripture.

Each technique was divided into three piles. As expected of Foundation Establishment techniques, they existed like mountains, just like the Qi Condensation stage techniques.

These three techniques each had their own strengths and weaknesses.

The Imperial Wood Foundation Scripture was a traditional Dark Moon Sect technique related purely to the body, making it a solid Foundation Establishment technique for establishing a strong foundation. However, it had the drawback of having slow training progress.

The Great Concord Scripture was a Daoist technique related to mental cultivation. Mastering this technique greatly aided in spiritual training and strengthening mental faculties. However, it had the disadvantage of being acquired from some ancient ruins, with its origins unknown.

The Yin-Yang Prodigy was a Daoist technique related to Yin and Yang, aiding in the understanding of Yin and Yang and enhancing their power, making it a fast training technique. However, like the previous technique, it was also obtained from ancient ruins, with its origins unknown, and parts of the technique were missing.

Which one would be the best choice?

Footnotes:

1: TL/N: Previously translated as Ancestor Hall ↩️

2: TL/N: I mistranslated this as ‘direct disciple’ previously ↩️