A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 820 Chapter 817

Side Story - Naming Family Method. The main estate of the Makli Clan.

Within the Makli Clan, protective formations are set up in every family member's quarters at the central estate, allowing spiritual energy to converge smoothly in those spaces.

Makli Hyun-ah's chamber follows the same pattern.

Woo-woooong!

Having obtained the cultivation manuals from the library, Makli Hyun-ah triggers the formation exactly as instructed by Makli Hweol, and a stream of pristine white spiritual energy surges through the array from the room's core.

"Oooh... so this is spiritual energy...?"

This force carries an enigmatic aura.

After observing the spiritual energy for some time, he turns his attention to the instructions outlined in the manual.

'First off... the distinction between the Immortal Family and the Naming Family shows up immediately in how they draw in spiritual energy, correct?'

Traditional Immortal Family Methods emphasize 'breathing' techniques to pull in spiritual energy from Heaven and Earth.

In contrast, the approaches of the Naming Family, Confucian Family, and Shaman Family skip the breathing method for absorbing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

"Cultivating the Naming Family Method relies not on breathing, but on weakening the name of emptiness (虛) and substance (實)."

Makli Hyun-ah gathers paper, brush, and ink, arranges a compact table, positions the items upon it, and then, adhering to the guidance in the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon, he recites the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon's formula silently while performing a mental chant (默誦), steadily inscribing characters onto the paper.

'The key lies in the name... Fate resides within the name, and power flows from it as well...'

The character that Makli Hyun-ah inscribes is 'wood (木)'.

Given its straightforward form, he completes it without much delay.

As someone from a semi-chaebol household, Makli Hyun-ah attended numerous academies during his youth.

Calligraphy classes were among them, so his handwriting holds up reasonably well.

The instant the wood character finishes, spiritual energy from the surroundings swirls toward it.

Specifically, wood-attribute spiritual energy adheres to the paper where Makli Hyun-ah wrote, causing the sheet to emit a subtle blue-green glow.

"Oho... it truly works."

By binding the spiritual energy of emptiness (虛) to the [name (名)] of substance (實), the energy gets contained in a fixed spot.

"Now, I attach this to my skin..."

Makli Hyun-ah removes his upper garment.

He moistens the paper slightly with saliva before pressing it straight onto his chest.

With the wood-character paper affixed to his torso, Makli Hyun-ah resumes reciting the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon's formula and maintains his inner chanting.

Before long, Makli Hyun-ah observes the blue-green luminescence fading from the paper, while the wood character inscribed there dims noticeably.

"Oho..."

Sensing a peculiar tingling feeling, he removes the paper, revealing the wood (木) character etched onto his chest, glowing with blue-green light.

Simultaneously, Makli Hyun-ah detects a subtle presence emerging from within his core.

'Could this be... spiritual energy...? The spiritual power now inside me...?'

Once spiritual energy is sealed into a name, cultivation advances by drawing in the [name] that contains the energy.

This defines the practice of the Naming Family Method.

"I never wanted a tattoo... but apparently, at higher realms, it can be hidden, so..."

Gazing at the faintly luminous blue-green wood character on his chest, Makli Hyun-ah releases a soft sigh.

As Makli Hweol explained, those with a Heavenly Spiritual Root progress swiftly, and since he absorbed the [name] effortlessly, it confirms his aptitude.

'Who knew I'd have talent in something beyond gaming...!'

Stunned by his rapid strides in the Naming Family Method, Makli Hyun-ah presses on with studying the Naming Dao Conferring Gods Canon.

***

Two months slip by.

Makli Hyun-ah persists in his cultivation within the Makli Clan, sharing everyday insights with Makli Hweol, which helps him fully grasp this world's norms and layout.

Unnoticed by him, in the Naming Family Method, Makli Hyun-ah achieves a level matching the third star of the Qi Refining stage from conventional Immortal Family Methods.

Chiiiiii!

"Uuuught...! I broke through the barrier... Are you seeing this, Mr. Jegal Mikhail?"

Makli Hyun-ah gently pats the skull positioned in his room and grins.

"Daoist Makli Hweol mentioned that the talking bear without human shape is likely at the Core Formation stage. Now that I've hit a realm like the third star of Qi Refining, turning that wretched bear into stew won't take long! Hold on just a bit more; I'll surely get revenge for you!"

Typically, burial would be proper, but...

In this abrupt exile to a distant realm, Jegal Mikhail's skull oddly bolsters Makli Hyun-ah's mental calm, so he chooses to keep it nearby.

For Makli Hyun-ah, having Jegal Mikhail's skull close feels like the man lives on, offering quiet solace that eases his worries.

'You must be observing from above, right, Mr. Jegal Mikhail?'

-Of course, Makli-ppitppi.

Sensing Jegal Mikhail's response echoing in his mind, Makli Hyun-ah relaxes and chuckles softly.

'What's Makli-ppitppi mean? Use my name, please.'

-OK, Makli Hyun-jok.

[TL/N: Italics means it's English in the raws.]

"...Well, whatever... Let's keep pushing with cultivation!"

He has attained a realm akin to the third star of the Qi Refining stage.

Going forward, rather than channeling spiritual energy into paper, brush, and ink before absorption, he can advance by inscribing [names] directly within his body using internal spiritual energy.

"Sorry, but I can't permit that, Daoist Makli Hyun-ah."

Yet right then, Makli Hweol's voice drifts from beyond the door, laced with a chuckling hoho.

"Elder Makli Hye-seo predicted you'd reach the third star of Qi Refining by now... and she nailed it. With the third star of Qi Refining achieved, from this day, you need to attend the clan's inner academy, where Lianshan Makli Line members study."

"...Eh? What's that?"

Inviting Makli Hweol inside, Makli Hyun-ah inquires.

"It's straightforward. Daoist Makli Hyun-ah knows of village schools, Confucian academies, or similar institutions, right?"

"Yes. Don't say..."

"That 'don't say' hits the mark. Every young clansman hitting a specific realm must learn essential spells and core cultivation world knowledge at the inner academy."

"Uuugh..."

Those words send chills through Makli Hyun-ah as he scrambles for any excuse to dodge the academy sessions.

As a reclusive gamer who'd spent over five years post-adulthood locked in his room, facing a crowd overwhelms Makli Hyun-ah completely.

'The guild offline meet was only for glimpsing the Guild Master. I dragged myself there solely for that...'

"Actually, my stomach's aching..."

"Oh my, the academy offers healing. Elder Makli Hye-seo, the Cultivation Elder overseeing it, excels in various arts."

Ultimately, Makli Hyun-ah gets no escape and finds himself pulled by the hand to the academy by Makli Hweol.

***

Makli Hyun-ah battles a sense of suffocation.

He steps into the academy and barely survives the oppressive self-introduction phase.

Guided by Makli Hweol to avoid revealing his Extreme Ghost Path Body or adopted status from Makli Cheon-sa, he shares just his name, age, likes, and dislikes briefly before hurrying to his spot and sitting.

Perched blankly at his desk, he absorbs the lesson on fundamental spell arts from Makli Hye-seo.

'Why the self-introduction? I feel nauseous. Did I mess it up? They're giving me odd glances, surely judging me as some failure who can't even introduce properly.'

Regretting leaving Jegal Mikhail's skull back in his room, Makli Hyun-ah's hands shake.

'Next time, I must bring Mr. Jegal Mikhail's skull. I can't steady myself otherwise. Jegal Mikhail, lend me strength!'

-Don't fret, Makli Hyun-jok! Puff out your chest, and...

'Puff out the chest, and!'

'Why cut off there!?'

Internally griping at the Jegal Giga Chad voice in his head, Makli Hyun-ah clenches his jaw and focuses on Makli Hye-seo's lecture.

After a while, as the academy session wraps up, a group of Makli Clan's rising young stars crowds around Makli Hyun-ah.

One arrogant-looking youth approaches, plops down beside Makli Hyun-ah, and declares.

"I've heard plenty about you, young lady. Word is you've just taken the Makli name? But without true Makli blood... if you really want to blend with the clan, then-"

"W-Wait... I'm male. Not a young lady!"

...

Realizing the youth's mix-up, Makli Hyun-ah waves his arms wildly.

This mix-up occurred every new school term in his youth, so it surprises him little.

Back on Earth, mentioning it at school led to brief awkwardness and laughs, nothing severe.

But the Makli Clan operates differently.

Upon hearing Makli Hyun-ah, the youth's face flushes crimson, his frame quivering.

"Wh-What...? You dare mock me? Why would a beardless, long-haired man stare at me like that during introductions!? You're intentionally toying with me!?"

"..??"

'I was just glancing around?'

"I, Makli Nobi, elite youth of the Makli Clan, won't tolerate this slight! Come with me! I'll school you properly!"

Staring in alarm at Makli Nobi's 'rooftop challenge' vibe, Makli Hyun-ah glances at Makli Hweol, the assistant instructor under Makli Hye-seo, and sends a recent voice transmission.

[Daoist Makli Hweol! What mistake did I make!? And that Extreme Ghost Path Body... isn't it a big deal? Why do they act clueless??]

[Well... your status is somewhat confidential in the Makli Clan. Only top youths like me, plus elders, know your background now.]

[Uh... help me out.]

[Hmm... the Makli Clan gears up for a bout with the main house, Seogyeong Makli Line... so they welcome these combat drills. It's promoted, leaving me no basis to intervene.]

[Kuaaaagh! Th-Then, prep time! Stall for me! I'll get hauled off and pummeled otherwise!]

Makli Hyun-ah begs Makli Hweol, who sighs and approaches Makli Nobi.

"Listen, Junior Brother Makli Nobi."

"Ah, Makli Hweol Hyung-nim, issue?"

"No, just curious. You're a beast taming cultivator with demon beasts, yet planning bare-handed spar with Daoist Makli Hyun-ah?"

"Hmph, his realm's about third star Qi Refining. A seventh star like me handles that easily sans my prime art."

Witnessing this, Makli Hyun-ah's eyes gleam.

'He'll scold him for bullying with realm superiority! Classic Daoist Makli Hweol!'

But Makli Hyun-ah's eyes widen at Makli Hweol's next words.

"Easy there, Junior Brother Makli Nobi. Why do non-bloodliners like me or Daoist Makli Hyun-ah earn the Makli name?

"We hold exceptional gifts, earning it specially. As I always say: a tiger goes full force against a rabbit. Don't underrate Daoist Makli Hyun-ah. Despite realm disparity, prepare thoroughly before clashing."

"Uuum...!"

"...??"?

Makli Nobi gazes at Makli Hweol admiringly, deeply moved, while Makli Hyun-ah stares in stunned disbelief.

'With the realm edge already, you're suggesting his full art?'

"Since your core is Beast Taming, I suggest booking a proper arena, summoning your demon beasts for the bout. I'll request the Elder for arena access. Approval in two or three days max."

"Thanks, Great Brother Makli Hweol! As advised, I'll deploy my paired contracted Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons and clinch victory. Count your blessings, kid! Facing my Blue-Eyes Sea Dragons pair is a huge privilege! Ahahaha!"

As Makli Nobi departs laughing boisterously, Makli Hyun-ah faces Makli Hweol blankly.

"D-Daoist... Makli Hweol... why...?"

"Hoho, no need to fret excessively."

"D-Do you have a plan?"

"In friendly arenas, the Healing Elder stands ready, so injuries get mended instantly via spells. Death's impossible."

"Kuaaaagh! What about winning or staying unharmed?"

"...? Wait, at mere third star Qi Refining, you aimed to beat seventh star? Hohoho, that's a fun notion."

Makli Hyun-ah gapes at Makli Hweol, who offers grave counsel in return.

"The cultivation world spares no mercy. Don't assume clan safety means pure cultivation. Daoist Makli Hyun-ah, you're a true cultivator now. Yet you remain blind to its brutality—that's perilous. With naive thoughts, abduction for slavery or resources plagues the world endlessly. Thus, I set this Sea Dragon encounter to instill fear of the mighty, spurring deeper cultivation commitment."

"...That's..."

"Pain isn't ideal teaching, but effective. In the two days left, scour ways to counter Blue-Eyes Sea Dragon. Failing that, master a pain-nullifying spell for when it bites. Or else, approach strong Junior Brother Makli Nobi now, plead sincerely. Even innocent, seek pardon. You'll gain survival lessons for the cultivation world."

Faced with Makli Hweol's stern, unyielding guidance, Makli Hyun-ah bows his head.

'Y-Yeah... this world's savage.'

A fleeting calm had tricked him.

'I'll apologize and admit fault... Enduring insults beats getting shredded by that Sea Dragon beast, yeah?'

Makli Hyun-ah heads back to his quarters dejectedly.

He pulls out spirit stones, pills, and talismans gifted by Elders and Grand Elders upon his Makli Clan arrival, pondering a present.

'That nutcase flirted, then lashed out from gender blunder... But damn, powerless as I am... this weakling must grovel...'

As Makli Hyun-ah reaches for the Fire Bullet Talisman holding the Fire Bullet Spell as a gift.

-Really okay with that, Makli Hyun-jok?

Makli Hyun-ah eyes Jegal Mikhail's skull.

A surge builds within him.

-Makli Hyun-jok, pause thinking... Let's stroll a bit first?

"Haah..."

Clutching Jegal Mikhail's skull, Makli Hyun-ah wanders the Makli Clan grounds.

"I'll get thrashed for sure, huh? Hope that lunatic doesn't go overboard."

-Makli Hyun-jok. That's defeat talk. Trust yourself.

"But I only match Qi Refining third star,"