Episode 18: Obtaining the Secret Formula for Cultivating Divine Power
*
"Squad Leader! What should we do?"
Sanggwan Cheonse asked Gwak Mu-jin.
"What else? If it's certain the Tamrang Tribe is going to attack... then we need to get out of the Eastern Region before they arrive."
"You're right, but we have nowhere to go, do we?"
"..."
"And we don't even have a Flying Magic Device."
"I know. Still, let's try to find a way."
"Understood. But can we trust that woman, the princess of the Red Fox Tribe?"
Sanggwan Cheonse glanced at Eun Dan-bi, who was talking with Jang So-cheon in the distance. They were well aware she seemed to have some goodwill toward Jang So-cheon. But she was a member of the fox tribe—a yokai. It was hard to judge just how far they could trust her.
"Vice Leader, we're not trusting the yokai woman—we're trusting So-cheon, aren't we? Let's leave things here to him and focus on recovering our strength."
"That sounds best."
Sanggwan Cheonse nodded, as if he had no other choice.
*
Meanwhile, as Jang So-cheon recounted his journey here, Eun Dan-bi asked him,
"You were ambushed by yokai while riding a Flying Magic Device?"
"They were yokai with wings on their backs, covered head to toe in feathers, and incredibly fast in the air. Fierce and cunning... they were tough opponents."
"Sounds like you fought the Chang-eung Tribe. Did you kill them all?"
"I let one get away."
"Tsk..."
"Is there a problem?"
"Their tracking skills are on par with hunting dogs. A search party could be here within a few hours."
"That sounds serious."
"Not as much as you think."
"What do you mean...?"
"Think about it. They're only dangerous in the sky. If they don't know their place and enter this narrow Eastern Region... they're basically walking into their own graves."
"I see. But, Princess, what brings you here? Are you still looking for incense ingredients?"
"This time, I'm here for a spirit herb."
"A spirit herb?"
"My younger sibling is unwell. I'm trying to make the Spirit Purification Pill, a secret remedy of the Red Fox Tribe, but I'm missing one spirit herb. I'm here to find it."
"I see. Could you tell me the name of the herb?"
"The spirit herb? Ah! You're an herbalist, aren't you? Have you ever seen this herb?"
Eun Dan-bi showed Jang So-cheon a drawing of the spirit herb. He looked troubled.
The herb Eun Dan-bi showed him was the Soul-Returning Herb, a rare spirit herb almost never used by humans.
"This herb is so rare, I've only seen it once. It thrives in areas with strong yin energy and ghostly qi, most likely deep underground."
"That's why I came to Ghost Blood Valley. But even after a month of searching, I haven't found it."
"It's not just this herb. Even the herbs on Spirit Gathering Mountain have almost disappeared."
"That's the work of the Yeong Tribe."
"Are you saying the herbs vanished because of the yokai?"
"The Yeong Tribe is one of the minor yokai tribes in the Nine Ancient Kingdoms. They carry tens of thousands of insects in their Spirit Gathering Platforms, collecting honey and defending against enemies."
"And?"
"Apparently, someone taught the Yeong Tribe a secret technique. They let their insects devour herbs and then absorb the energy from them. I've heard their power has grown significantly."
"So that's why all the herbs disappeared. Even if just ten Yeong Tribe members show up, their insects could scour the mountains for herbs... that's truly frightening. But why are the spirit herbs still around?"
"Spirit herbs have such strong energy that the insects can't eat them."
"Still, it's a big problem. With all the herbs on Spirit Gathering Mountain gone, human herbalists like me are going to starve. We can't even refine pills anymore."
"You must need a lot of herbs?"
"Is there anywhere left with herbs?"
"Of course. No matter how bold the Yeong Tribe is, they're still a minority. Spirit Gathering Mountain is jointly managed by humans, so they can act freely there, but other yokai territories are off-limits."
"I hadn't thought of that. Is there any way to get herbs?"
"You know we're at war, right?"
"Of course. If you can get me herbs, I'm willing to pay any price."
"We have plenty of spirit stones. If you want to buy herbs, you'll need to bring something of equal value."
"You mean...?"
"Something the Red Fox Tribe would be eager to get their hands on."
"..."
After some thought, Jang So-cheon took out an elixir pill from his Heaven and Earth Pouch and showed it to Eun Dan-bi.
"This pill is a Spirit Purification Pill. It clears the soul and spirit."
"A Spirit Purification Pill! That's a unique name."
At first, Eun Dan-bi's eyes lit up at the sight of the elixir. But after tasting a tiny bit, she spoke in a slightly disappointed tone.
"This pill will help my sibling somewhat. But it will only slow the progression of the illness, not cure it completely like the Spirit Purification Pill."
"I'm glad it'll help at least a little. Do you have any herbs with you right now?"
"Not a large amount, but I do have some."
"Then could you exchange them for these pills?"
Jang So-cheon tapped his Heaven and Earth Pouch and took out twenty elixir pills—all the Spirit Purification Pills he had.
"I thought you only had one, but I see you have more. Wait a moment."
Eun Dan-bi untied a Heaven and Earth Pouch from her waist, hesitated briefly, then handed it over to Jang So-cheon.
"I was going to give you just a little, based on the value of the elixirs. But we have some history, so I can't do that. Take it. That's all the herbs I have."
"Thank you."
When Jang So-cheon opened the Heaven and Earth Pouch and examined its contents with Divine Sight, his jaw dropped. There were dozens of times more herbs than he'd expected, including ingredients needed to make True Blue Pills and Enhanced Spirit Energy Pills.
Jang So-cheon bowed his head to Eun Dan-bi.
"I don't know how I can ever repay this favor."
"If you learn anything about the Soul-Returning Herb, let me know. By the way, what's he doing over there?"
Eun Dan-bi asked, glancing at Gwak Mu-jin, who had just awakened from Qi Circulation Meditation and was channeling energy into his palm in front of a wall.
*
After taking the Qi Spirit Pill Jang So-cheon made and meditating, Gwak Mu-jin quickly recovered all the energy he'd lost. When he opened the Heaven and Earth Pouch he'd taken from the yokai, he was surprised to find a Dharma Treasure inside.
The Soul Destroying Bow.
Despite its grand name, the bow was only about the size of two palms, and the arrows weren't even a foot long. Judging it unsuitable for himself, Gwak Mu-jin handed the bow and arrows to Han Yeo-ok.
He himself practiced with the Returning Spear he'd taken from a slain yokai. The Returning Spear was not only powerful but also had the miraculous ability to return automatically.
"Haah!"
With a mighty throw, Gwak Mu-jin hurled the Returning Spear, but he looked dissatisfied.
When the yokai used it, the spear would immediately return to their hand with a simple gesture. But when he threw it, there was always a delay before it came back. Unsure why, Gwak Mu-jin focused on familiarizing himself with the weapon.
Whoosh!
Gwak Mu-jin, a giant over seven feet tall, infused the spear with spirit energy and hurled it into the rock wall, embedding it deeply.
Vrrrr...
When he opened his palm and channeled Law Power, the spear finally dislodged from the wall after a long moment. He sighed quietly, just glad it came back at all, when a tongue-clicking sound came from beside him.
"Tsk, tsk! Hand that Dharma Treasure over here."
He turned to see the princess of the Red Fox Tribe. Normally, he wouldn't have handed it over, but after seeing Jang So-cheon's expression, Gwak Mu-jin obediently gave her the Returning Spear.
"The Dharma Treasures used by the Chang-eung Tribe are marked with the yokai's emblem. It's not a seal or restriction, so it doesn't prevent you from using it, but unless you erase the emblem, you can't unleash its full power."
Eun Dan-bi inspected the spear, and as she did, a dazzling red light shone from the throwing spear, accompanied by a sinister energy that drifted away like smoke—the emblem was erased.
Immediately after—
Wooooong.
The spear seemed to wail, and the red light faded completely.
Whoosh!
Thunk!
When Eun Dan-bi tossed the Returning Spear back to Gwak Mu-jin, it felt as if the Dharma Treasure fit perfectly in his hand. Relishing the sensation, he threw it again.
Whoosh!
The Returning Spear pierced three feet deep into the rock wall.
Snap!
And with just a gesture, the spear was suddenly back in Gwak Mu-jin's grasp.
A satisfied smile spread across his lips.
"What's going on here?"
Before Eun Dan-bi, who had erased the emblem as a favor, stood Sanggwan Cheonse and Han Yeo-ok, each holding Dharma Treasures they'd found in the yokai's Heaven and Earth Pouches.
"Senior, could you help us with ours too?"
"Me as well."
Eun Dan-bi glanced at Jang So-cheon, exasperated by the situation. He bowed politely.
"Sister Eun, since you're helping, could you take care of their Dharma Treasures too?"
"Humph. Humans really are shameless..."
Despite her words, Eun Dan-bi picked up the Seven Colored Fan Sanggwan Cheonse offered and the small bow in Han Yeo-ok's hand.
*
As evening approached, Jang So-cheon sought out Eun Dan-bi again.
"What is it?"
"I have something to ask you."
"I'm a yokai, you know."
"I know. But you feel more like an older sister to me now. I don't even know why."
"Maybe you're close to death?"
"Maybe so."
"Enough nonsense. Ask your question."
"I wanted to know what this is."
Jang So-cheon took a bronze mirror from his Heaven and Earth Pouch and showed it to Eun Dan-bi.
"Recently, some Black Phoenix Tribe disciples attacked our Extreme Heaven Sect. I got this from them, but no matter how much I examine it, I can't figure out what it is."
"Are you sure they're Black Phoenix Tribe?"
"They're famous, aren't they? We determined they used a Teleportation Divine Skill to get behind our lines in an instant."
"I learn something new every time I talk to you. Anyway, what do you think it is?"
"I suspect it's a kind of Spatial Treasure."
"Why?"
"Because the items that should be there are missing. After a careful look, I concluded it's neither a Dharma Treasure nor a Law Treasure."
"Why not ask your sect elders?"
"I asked one of the seniors over there, but even he couldn't identify it."
"Doesn't your sect have Void Refining Stage masters?"
"I didn't ask them."
"Why not?"
"If I did, I wouldn't be able to keep it for myself."
"You're quite honest. You're right—it's a Spatial Treasure."
"Do you know how to open it?"
"That's impossible. The secret isn't even shared lightly among yokai."
"Is it a cultivation secret?"
"Persistent, aren't you? Since you've been sincere, I'll tell you a little. To use a Spatial Treasure, you must cultivate Divine Power. Once you accumulate enough Divine Power, Divine Authority will naturally manifest."
At the mention of Divine Authority, Jang So-cheon's eyes widened. Divine Authority was the minimum requirement to use the Dragon Flying Peak Martial Art.
"So Divine Power isn't just for using Spatial Treasures, is it?"
"Almost all mysteries in the world start from there. It even helps increase the efficacy of elixir pills."
"Hearing that makes me want it even more. Can I buy the secret you just mentioned with this?"
Jang So-cheon took out a fist-sized Silver Essence from his Heaven and Earth Pouch and handed it to Eun Dan-bi.
Her eyes widened at the sight. She'd thought he'd already given her everything, but he still had more of such size left... With this much, she could greatly strengthen the Red Fox Tribe's power, even improve the Dharma Treasures and Law Treasures of the elders and high-ranking disciples.
Still, she couldn't hand over the secret to cultivating Divine Power so easily—it was a matter of survival for the yokai.
"Sister Eun, if that's not enough, just say so."
"You mean you have more Silver Essence?"
"Of course."
Jang So-cheon took out another Silver Essence. When Eun Dan-bi still hesitated, he took out the larger of the two remaining Silver Essences and handed it to her as well.
At last, she let out a long sigh.