A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 834 Chapter 831: Side Story - Ban Ta's Disciple.

Kurururung!

Right at that moment,

Makli Hyun-ah suddenly senses a humming vibration in the surrounding space, spotting the pale-faced image of Makli Cheon-sa hovering close to the pavilion.

[Sacred Master! That young one is my descendant who just ascended recently. My descendant remains largely ignorant of the Purple Gold Realm, so it appears he erred and sought out the Sacred Master, causing you inconvenience. Kindly return that child!]

"Hmph, your words sound odd. If he truly is your descendant, why does his bloodline response differ so vastly from yours?"

Makli Cheon-sa's statement draws a snort from Ban Ta, who then gestures toward Makli Hyun-ah.

"He's merely someone you bestowed your family name upon and brought into your clan, not an actual descendant. Lacking any direct or even branch lineage, you needn't fret over him."

Makli Cheon-sa bites down firmly on her lower lip before responding.

[Yet it remains a fact that the child tended to my clan for centuries in the Lower Realm. That alone qualifies him as family. I beseech you to release him.]

"Hmm."

Ban Ta furrows his brow at her plea, while Makli Hyun-ah draws on his lifelong skill of gauging situations to interpret Makli Cheon-sa's urgent look.

'Taking on the role of direct disciple under Sacred Master Ban Ta spells trouble!

'Is it possible that for such a position, he conducts brutal experiments on living subjects to test his techniques?'

"Uh... upon reflection, I haven't even had a formal discussion with the Sacred Master, so I'm unsure if jumping straight into discipleship is appropriate..."

Makli Cheon-sa's eyes light up at Makli Hyun-ah's remark, seizing the chance to push her case harder.

[See! The child barely knows the Sacred Master and remains clueless about the Purple Gold Realm entirely. Grant him some time to consider! He mentioned no proper interview took place, which blatantly breaks protocol!]

"Ahem..."

Ban Ta shifts uncomfortably under her insistence, and Makli Hyun-ah's eyes widen in shock at Makli Cheon-sa's daring stance.

'Wait, isn't the Sacred Master at the Sacred Vessel stage? In this Purple Gold Realm, that equates to divine status... and she's supposed to be under his command. How dare she challenge him so boldly?'

To Makli Hyun-ah, her behavior borders on outright defiance,

'What if the Sacred Master loses his temper and obliterates our ancestor? That mustn't occur...'

Such concerns flood Makli Hyun-ah's mind.

Ban Ta coughs to clear his throat and declares.

"What truly matters is the child's own desire! Am I forcing him into discipleship through deception!? Surely you realize my disciples ascend to the Star Shattering stage in mere moments?"

[No, but...]

"Enough! Cease your chatter! Very well, I concede. Once I hold a standard interview, I'll determine if he's worthy of discipleship! Satisfied now!?"

Evidently annoyed, Ban Ta silences Makli Cheon-sa's projected voice, then with a casual finger snap, summons a table and chairs out of nowhere.

'M-Material manifestation?'

Makli Hyun-ah stares in awe at Ban Ta's display of immense power, prompting Ban Ta to click his tongue in response.

"Indeed. Your ancestor insists on formalities, so we'll conduct a legitimate interview. Take a seat. To start... do you wish to become my disciple?"

Makli Hyun-ah settles into the chair at Ban Ta's prompt, casting a discreet glance toward Makli Cheon-sa.

Though her voice remains muted, her projection lingers, vigorously shaking her head while mouthing 'Under no circumstances.'

'Becoming Sacred Master Ban Ta's disciple seems destined to unleash major chaos...'

The prospect of apprenticing under a Sacred Vessel stage Sacred Master offers unparalleled fortune, yet Makli Hyun-ah suspects valid reasons behind the warnings, leading him to offer a hesitant smile.

'Outright refusal might come off as impolite...'

"As for desiring discipleship... truthfully, I'm uncertain. My time in the Purple Gold Realm has been brief."

"...!"

Ban Ta pulls a volume from his robes and begins jotting notes inside.

"...?"

"Next inquiry. What cultivation technique did you practice, and how did you spend your days in the Lower Realm?"

"Ah, I followed a Confucian Family Method known as Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey. The Confucian Family Method involves..."

"I'm familiar with it. Simply state your role. Scribe? Official? Local governor? High advisor?"

"Pardon? Ah..."

'Evidently, Confucian Family Methods allow cultivation even as an official, not solely as a sovereign.'

"I pursued the Confucian Family Method as a ruler. Drawing on my own power and that of the Makli Clan, I established a kingdom, gained acknowledgment from neighboring forces, claimed all unused lands as my domain, and steadily grew my borders."

Ban Ta's face alters subtly upon hearing Makli Hyun-ah's response.

A strong signal emanates from Makli Cheon-sa, but inexplicably, Ban Ta dismisses her projection the instant Makli Hyun-ah speaks.

"I removed her temporarily, sensing your distraction during the interview. Let's proceed."

With a warmer smile, Ban Ta presses on with his queries to Makli Hyun-ah.

"Your age? Duration and extent of your rule? Any notable accomplishments from your reign?"

"I'm roughly two centuries old. My rule spanned a comparable span."

"So you attained the Heavenly Being stage by age two hundred?"

"Correct. Precisely, at around one hundred twenty years, I fully established the kingdom, declared myself king, and broke through to Heavenly Being, reaching Grand Perfection Heavenly Being by two hundred, before ascending just lately."

"IseeIseeIseeIseeIsee..."

Ban Ta furiously inscribes details in the book, as Makli Hyun-ah rubs his head in puzzlement.

'Perhaps due to his vast lifespan...? Gauging the Sacred Master's temperament proves challenging... Still, my initial response hinted at refusal, so rejection seems inevitable, doesn't it?'

"Describe your governance style and highlight any key achievements."

"My technique, Pacifying Myriad Demons Under Heaven Survey, focuses on Beast Taming. Thus, most subjects were Demon Race, though as a human myself, humans formed a significant portion too. I devoted efforts to fostering unity between Human Race and Demon Race. Beyond humans, the Demon Race encompasses diverse tribes, requiring deep insight into their dynamics and frequent mediation. Consequently, by ascension, harmony prevailed among Human Race, Demon Race, and their myriad sub-races, yielding a thriving, serene kingdom. I'd call that a success."

"Uniting those perpetual brawlers in a mere century..."

Ban Ta's gaze appears somewhat more injected with blood.

"Ah, another feat involves Talisman War."

"Talisman War?"

"Yes, a pastime I devised, involving talismans that draw energy from Demon Race, natural elements, or human cultivators to stage intense sword clashes. This diversion greatly aided harmony between Human and Demon Races in Penglai Kingdom. Nowadays, it likely stands as Penglai Kingdom's cherished tradition."

"I understand... So your unification and mediation stemmed not from imposing force or leveraging might to reconcile races, but from crafting a unique culture that naturally bonded them, correct?"

"I didn't entirely avoid force. Yet, as you noted, the cultural harmony aspect holds slightly more weight…"

"..."

'What's happening? The Sacred Master's breath seems labored...'

Makli Hyun-ah dismisses it as possible illness with a shrug.

"You appear unwell... are you okay?"

"...Why inquire?"

"Pardon? Your breathing..."

"No, regardless of my breathing, why concern yourself?"

"Ah... my apologies. The Sacred Master oversees the whole Purple Gold Realm, and should illness strike, calamity could befall it... I asked out of genuine caution. If cultural or racial differences deem it improper, I regret the intrusion."

"...Deference to superiors... concern for the Purple Gold Realm..."

Ban Ta fixes a intense stare on Makli Hyun-ah before continuing.

"Why fret over the Purple Gold Realm? Isn't it merely a strange new world you've entered shortly?"

"Ah... well, as my future home, worry crept in naturally."

"Future home... So even upon advancing, say to Star Shattering stage enabling realm-hopping or domain visits, you'd stay away from other Middle Realms?"

"...? Must I seek another Middle Realm? Ah, perhaps the Purple Gold Realm lacks longevity pills for Star Shattering cultivators... or hinders Sacred Vessel breakthroughs?"

"Impossible! Our Purple Gold Realm showers Star Shattering cultivators with vast advantages! We even assist memory-retaining reincarnation here if desired. For Sacred Vessel advancement, I intervene personally. I construct the advancement altar myself, procure and prepare all aiding spirit herbs, pills, and liquids, and ensure you receive them directly. From Star Shattering to Sacred Vessel, zero concerns!!!"

"Ah..."

Makli Hyun-ah gulps at Ban Ta's explosive outburst, oddly laced with irritation.

'Some traumatic past perhaps...? Regardless, if accurate, relocating to another Middle Realm seems unnecessary...'

"In that case, I see no reason to relocate..."

"Really...!?"

Ban Ta beams delightedly, only for his face to sour abruptly, as if recalling something unpleasant.

"Yet post-Star Shattering, you might crave voyages... or itch for exploratory quests seeking fortunes, right?"

Observing Ban Ta's fluctuating demeanor, Makli Hyun-ah deems him utterly inscrutable.

'Bipolar tendencies? Is that why Ancestor Makli Cheon-sa resisted my discipleship...? Serving such a master would drain me utterly!'

Reaffirming his intent to withdraw post-interview, he presses forward.

"Ah... I favor staying indoors. Adventures repel me."

"Adventures repel you? No desire to roam vast expanses freely?"

"Personally... over aimless wandering, I relish lounging in cozy bedding, savoring favorite meals, or indulging in fun games..."

"..."

Through successive exchanges with Makli Hyun-ah, Ban Ta's tremors intensify progressively.

"But cultivation ahead will extend your life immensely, granting endless years. In that span, won't adventure appeal? Say, to ease bodily stiffness..."

"Uh... for stiffness, a short stroll around home usually suffices, so..."

"Around home...?"

"Like circling the residence once?"

"Hooh...hoohhoohhoohhoohhoohhooh..."

As the session drags, Makli Hyun-ah notes Ban Ta's increasingly bizarre responses, yearning for closure, while the odd behaviors escalate with each query.

At last, the final question arrives.

"Final query... Your view on the Sacred Master role? Would you seize the opportunity to become a Sacred Vessel stage cultivator?"

"Ah, isn't it self-evident?"

Makli Hyun-ah replies promptly, nodding affirmatively.

"Why? What drives your wish for Sacred Vessel stage? The extended life and might?"

"More than that... I've heard Sacred Vessel stage allows near-total confinement within one's Middle Realm, cultivating solely inside... A path of adventuring for fortunes, gathering resources, and building bases doesn't appeal. If everything's supplied on-site for cultivation, what sweeter existence than that honeyed bliss?"

'Oh no... I let that slip too casually...'

Makli Hyun-ah pales, fearing 'honeyed bliss' might offend a superior, but Ban Ta shows no reaction.

He merely gazes steadfastly at the interview tome, murmuring incomprehensible phrases nonstop.

"Um... is the interview concluded?"

"...You may leave. On acceptance... actually, I'll inform you within a day..."

"Haha, got it. Farewell then!"

After bidding Sacred Master Ban Ta goodbye, Makli Hyun-ah departs without further ado.

Alone in the garden, Ban Ta fixates on the interview notes, body quaking as he mutters incessantly to himself.

"Founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit founditfoundit found it...IhavetomakehimaSacredMasterihavetomakehimaSacredMaster IhavetomakehimaSacredMasterihavetomakehimaSacredMaster IhavetomakehimaSacredMasterihavetomakehimaSacredMaster..."

Eyes partially rolled upward, Ban Ta rises unsteadily from his position.

"...This is plainly you tempting me first... Like it or not now... I will claim you as my disciple...! Absolutely...!!"

With manic fervor in his eyes, Ban Ta broadcasts a thunderous transmission to every cultivator in Ban Ta Castle.

[All Ban Ta Castle cultivators, heed this. Prepare an opulent banquet at once, featuring our castle's signature fire-roasted black sea cucumber!!!]

Ban Ta, eyes askew, issues the decree, then glares in the direction Makli Hyun-ah vanished, gripping the void tightly.

[Heaven and Earth Net, engage! Purple Gold Realm Closed Barrier, engage! Ban Ta Castle Sealing Order, enforce!]

Chijijijik!

By Ban Ta's command, the dimensional shroud over the entire Purple Gold Realm thickens impenetrably, barring even Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones from breaching it.

From Ban Ta Castle's heights, a colossal net of energy unfurls, blanketing the Heaven and Earth and encasing the full Stable Realm zone in the Purple Gold Realm.

Via the Ban Ta Castle Sealing Order, every teleportation array linking Ban Ta Castle to external domains halts abruptly.

In this drastic measure, eleven Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones poised to flee the Purple Gold Realm,

three Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones covertly attempting realm descent in the Stable Realm area,

and thirty-two Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones plotting escape from Ban Ta Castle to other Middle Realms,

forty-six Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones in total stiffen, gripped by sheer dread.

"The Sacred Master, the Sacred Master uncovered our scheme!"

"Curse it! Will we fall into the Sacred Master's clutches and face forced inheritance like this!? That Araya Domain, that Manas Domain, the Black Sea... and Ban Ta Castle as well!"

"Absurd! Ban Taaaa!! Who exactly are you pursuing!?"

As the Esteemed Ones quiver in panic,