Nano-engineering Immortal Cultivation Chronicle

Chapter 28

Episode 28: Thunder Calamity

There were so many things I wanted to say to my Master.

But in the end, I realized none of it was necessary.

"Master! I went to the Demon Clan territory and gathered a lot of herbs and medicinal ingredients. On the way back, I discovered the remains of Medical Type, who was once an Investigator of the Ancient Sect, at Monstrous Peak Mountain.

These are the items he left behind."

Jang So-cheon handed over the Heaven and Earth Pouch filled with herbs and the Jade Box containing the Primordial Spirit Pill to his Master.

Wuji Perfected One examined the Heaven and Earth Pouch and smiled contentedly.

Then he opened the Jade Box...

His hands trembled, and he let out a deep sigh.

"Master! The Primordial Spirit Pill in the Jade Box is a gift from your disciple."

At Jang So-cheon's words, Wuji Perfected One gazed at his disciple with deep affection and replied in a gentle voice,

"Long ago, Master Gwang-eum once said your fortune was extraordinary. But it seems my own fortune is not so lacking either."

"If you reach the Void Refining Stage, Master, the prestige of the Extreme Heaven Sect will rise to a new level."

"You're right. Now that Master Mucheon has advanced to the mid-stage of Void Refining, if I also reach that realm, our Extreme Heaven Sect will flourish like never before."

'If that happens, even the Demon Clan won't dare look down on us.'

"That would be wonderful. Come to think of it, Master Mucheon only managed to reach the mid-stage of Void Refining thanks to you. Without the Nine-leaf Immortal Herb you gathered, how could we have refined the Void Spirit Pill?"

"That's true, but perhaps Mu Cheon Four Ancestors' fate was simply blessed by the heavens. After all, Patriarch Gwang-eum failed to advance even after taking the same pill."

"You're not wrong, but the difference likely lies in their Spirit Root Attributes. Master Mucheon is the only one in our sect with the Heavenly Shadow Muscle Body. Even if they take the same elixir, the effects will differ. In that sense, your achievements are truly remarkable."

Wuji Perfected One still believed Jang So-cheon possessed the Two-Yin Muscle Body Type.

So, the Realm Advancement he sensed from Jang So-cheon felt nothing short of miraculous.

And yet, he harbored no doubts...

Because Jang So-cheon had discovered the remains of Medical Type, once an Investigator of the Ancient Sect.

If Medical Type had even possessed a Primordial Spirit Pill...

Granting miracles to a skilled Qi Refiner was hardly impossible.

"I suppose I've just been lucky."

"Your character is outstanding as well. I must be the only Master in the world blessed with a disciple like you."

"Master, hearing you say that makes me blush. I'll return to the One Group Dormitory now. I hope for the best outcome."

"There's nothing to worry about. Aren't there three Primordial Spirit Pills? Go and summon Herbal Hall Master Chae and the Law Enforcement Hall Master."

"Understood."

Realizing his Master intended to strengthen the defenses of Wuji Hall, Jang So-cheon went to Gwak Mu-jin and relayed the Master's wishes.

Gwak Mu-jin, in turn, passed the message to the two Hall Masters, and for several days, Present Ghost Peak was shrouded in silence.

Fifteen days after Wuji Perfected One entered closed-door cultivation,

Suddenly, dark clouds began to gather over Present Ghost Peak.

And not just there—

All of Spirit Gathering Mountain was soon engulfed by black clouds, which then surged toward Present Ghost Peak, layering it in darkness.

Rumble...

Crackle, crackle, crackle...

An ominous sound echoed from within the clouds, and suddenly, a streak of thunderbolt shot down like a white horse,

Only to shatter into pale fragments and fade away.

But that was just the beginning.

Dozens—no, hundreds—of thunderbolts writhed within the clouds, then crashed downward, unleashing a tremendous peal of thunder.

Rumble...

KWA-KA-KA-BOOM!

"It's the Thunder Calamity! The Thunder Calamity is descending!"

At someone's shout, all the Investigators on Spirit Gathering Mountain rushed outside.

They craned their necks, searching for the source of the Thunder Calamity.

"It's Present Ghost Peak! The Thunder Calamity is striking Present Ghost Peak!"

"Present Ghost Peak! That means Wuji Perfected One!"

"Wow! Wuji Perfected One is challenging the Void Refining Stage at Present Ghost Peak!"

"Really? Let's go!"

Investigators of the Extreme Heaven Sect all leapt toward Present Ghost Peak, eager to witness another momentous event in their sect.

Even Elder Jang Mun, the Heavenly Medicine Hall Lord, and the two Supreme Elders soared into the sky, gazing toward Present Ghost Peak from afar.

Rumble...

KWA-KA-KA-BOOM!

Massive thunderbolts rained down from the sky onto Present Ghost Peak.

More precisely, onto the upper reaches of Wuji Hall.

Wuji Perfected One, having taken the Primordial Spirit Pill, floated in midair,

At first, he endured the falling thunderbolts with his body alone.

But as time passed, the thunderbolts grew stronger and more fearsome.

Wuji Perfected One had to defend himself with the Dharma Treasure, the Throwing Moon Ring.

Flash!

FZZZZZAM!

The clash between the Throwing Moon Ring and the thunderbolt sent blinding arcs of thunder energy surging, collapsing parts of Wuji Hall.

Even that wasn't enough—the thunderbolts scorched Wuji Perfected One's entire body black.

Yet, Wuji Perfected One endured with extreme patience and willpower.

He even absorbed the thunder energy, using it to strengthen his newly forming Primordial Spirit.

Watching the Thunder Calamity with Makjang, Jang So-cheon exclaimed,

"Wow! Incredible. So that's the Thunder Calamity?"

"Hmm. They say the Thunder Calamity is heaven's punishment for mortals who defy the natural order and seek to extend their lifespan. To reach the Spirit Refining, Void Refining, or Refined Body Stages, you must overcome the Thunder Calamity."

"Why doesn't he dodge the thunderbolts?"

"The thunderbolts that descend with the Thunder Calamity contain a special power. Only by accepting them into your body can your Primordial Spirit become complete and draw closer to the heavenly way."

"So there's no choice. Do you think he'll endure it?"

"He will. Master has a strong will."

"Will?"

"Well, you could call it consciousness. In any case, if your will to advance is strong enough, you can endure it."

"You're right. Master will overcome this."

"Of course."

Perhaps thanks to the passionate support of his two disciples, Wuji Perfected One endured even the final thunderbolt.

His body was battered and not a single spot was unscathed, but a faint smile lingered on his lips as the Thunder Calamity ended.

The black clouds vanished from the sky in an instant.

Then, Heavenly Origin Energy rained down, enveloping Wuji Perfected One's body.

A mystical radiance covered him, shining for three days and nights...

At last, only Wuji Perfected One remained, the light fading away.

"Congratulations on reaching the Void Refining Stage!"

"Wuji Perfected One! Congratulations on becoming a Supreme Elder of the Extreme Heaven Sect."

"Another Void Refining master has emerged in the Extreme Heaven Sect. My heartfelt congratulations."

Everyone in the sect celebrated Wuji Perfected One's advancement.

Even masters from other sects, drawn by the spectacle of the Thunder Calamity, came to offer their congratulations.

Though he was now a Void Refining master and called Supreme Elder, Wuji Perfected One announced he would not leave Present Ghost Peak.

In response, Elder Jang Mun decided to expand the buildings at Present Ghost Peak in accordance with his wishes.

An interim residence was prepared at Golden Lotus Peak, close to the Golden Palace.

Golden Lotus Peak housed the Heavenly Medicine Sect, where elixirs were refined, and the Alchemy Pavilion, where Dharma Treasures were crafted.

The powerful Golden Sword Unit and Blue Sword Unit were also stationed there.

With Wuji Perfected One's ascension, the way people looked at the disciples of the Herb Gathering Hall changed.

No longer did anyone dismiss them—some even looked on with envy and admiration.

Wuji Perfected One's status soared after becoming a Void Refining master.

Even the most prideful elders bowed their heads to him, and the supplies he received were upgraded to the highest quality.

The dormitories and living quarters for the One Group members of the Herb Gathering Hall at Golden Lotus Peak became far larger and cleaner than before.

Inside, Jang So-cheon handed out Wooden Talismans to his team.

"A gift?"

"Yes. These are elixirs I crafted using a very special secret method in the Demon Clan territory."

"Are you saying they're different from other elixirs?"

"You'll feel the effects immediately after taking them. There's only a limited supply, so please use them sparingly."

"Elixirs of that quality... Thank you."

Everyone expressed their gratitude, though they didn't seem to expect much.

Unless it was a legendary medicine like Spirit Land Ginseng,

A few Qi Spirit Pills wouldn't have much effect at their level, no matter how special the method.

Makjang felt the same.

When he saw his was a Yellow Essence Pill, he looked a bit disappointed.

"Why did I get a Yellow Essence Pill?"

"You're a 4-Star Qi Refiner. It's the perfect elixir for your level."

"Can't you swap it for something else? I've taken a lot of these before... Yellow Essence Pills don't really suit my body."

"Try it first before you complain. I even gave you a few extra."

Since he'd made them back in the Demon Clan territory, Jang So-cheon was generous.

These Yellow Essence Pills were infused with Divine Power.

He no longer needed them himself.

"Well, since it's free, I'll take it. Come by my room later if you have time. I have a gift for you too."

"A gift?"

"You'll probably jump out of your skin when you see it."

"Alright."

Jang So-cheon chuckled as the impatient Makjang immediately popped a Yellow Essence Pill into his mouth.

Sensing the stirrings of Realm Advancement, he quickly sat cross-legged and began Qi Circulation Meditation.

The other team members, startled by the unusual signs, looked anew at the Wooden Talismans Jang So-cheon had given them.

They hurried back to their own rooms.

The next morning.

When the team members returned to the dormitory, everyone had advanced in their cultivation.

The team leader, who was at the early Eleven Star level, had advanced to mid-level, and the Deputy Leader was now at the late Eight Star level.

Han Yeo-ok, with her Four-Yin Muscle Body Type, showed the most remarkable progress—her early Eight Star level had jumped to late stage, putting her on par with the Deputy Leader.

Makjang as well.

Despite his Two-Yin Muscle Body Type, which made Realm Advancement painfully slow,

Makjang had jumped from early 4-Star to late 4-Star overnight.

He even had some Yellow Essence Pills left.

If things went well, he might even reach the coveted 5-Star level.

"Makjang! Did you spend all night here doing Qi Circulation Meditation?"

"I couldn't move—the spiritual energy kept surging up from my belly. Team Leader, you've reached mid Eleven Star! Congratulations."

"Seems So-cheon's elixirs are truly miraculous. I think they're even more effective than Spirit Land Ginseng."

"Right? Back then, you were the only one who didn't advance, Team Leader... but now everyone has. What should we say if someone asks how we all advanced?"

"Whatever you do, don't say you advanced after taking So-cheon's elixirs. That would put him in a difficult position."

"But what if they keep pressing?"

"Blame it on Master. Say the Supreme Elder himself bestowed the elixirs—no one would dare question that."

"Heh heh. Team Leader, you're really quick-witted."

"Hey! I've got more brawn than brains, you know."

"Should we count and see?"

"What was that? Hahaha!"

"Team Leader! I heard Master sent a huge amount of medicinal ingredients to the Heavenly Medicine Sect. Is that true?"

"It's true."

"With herbs so scarce these days, where did Master get so many? Maybe you really do gain new powers when you reach the Void Refining Stage."

"Why, are you jealous?"

"It's not that... it's just, all that is money, you know."

"Then who do you think will make all those elixirs? For your information, thanks to Master becoming Supreme Elder, Present Ghost Peak no longer has to send tribute elixirs."

"Really? Wow! Master is just as clever as you, Team Leader. He'll have the alchemists at the Heavenly Medicine Sect make elixirs for the Lower Rank Investigators, while he and you focus on researching pills for the High Rank Investigators."

"Does that sound like scheming to you?"

"No, it's a far-sighted plan. How could a sparrow guess the will of a phoenix?"

"That sounds a bit insulting, but... in any case, if we have an abundance of elixirs, the strength of our sect will only grow."

"Then what will the Herb Gathering Hall do now? If we don't have to send tribute elixirs, we have nothing to do."

"Nothing to do? We'll be busier than ever researching elixirs for the High Rank Investigators."

"Are you saying we need to go find more spirit herbs?"

"Of course. And to match the reputation of our Supreme Elder, we need to improve our skills too. We can't go around getting beaten up, can we?"

"You're right. But don't worry about me."

"Why not?"

"Because I can take care of myself."

Despite being the lowest in cultivation, Makjang brazenly lifted his chin.