A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 837 Chapter 834: Side Story - Being Ban Ta's Disciple (3)

Kwagwagwang!

With every ounce of his might, Makli Hyun-ah unleashes a barrage of strikes against Ahn Geum before summoning the ultimate divine ability from the Confucian Family Method at his disposal.

"[Self-Expulsion]! [Self-Expulsion]!"

Makli Hyun-ah's technique attempts to banish him from the current space, yet right before he can be hurled into another dimension, Ahn Geum swiftly seizes him once more.

"Do you believe escaping is so simple with such a minor difference in our realms? Obey and come closer."

Makli Hyun-ah's mind blanks out completely.

'Oh no! I must not allow her to strip me!'

Above all else.

The areas affected by the burn haven't healed yet.

As Ban Ta warned, the aftereffects of the roasted sea cucumber persist for quite a while.

Exposing his sleek, exposed form feels far more humiliating than death.

"Keeeeek! Release me! Emerge, Badger! Emerge, Rabbit Seven Heavenly Lords!!"

Makli Hyun-ah struggles to release his spirit beasts from the beast scroll.

However, as Ahn Geum balls her fist, the fabric of space distorts, shattering his beast scroll instantly.

"Such futile resistance! Cease this childish outburst and approach!"

Ultimately, Makli Hyun-ah finds himself thoroughly inspected by Ahn Geum.

***

On the following morning,

Makli Hyun-ah stirs awake, sensing Ahn Geum peering at him blankly from beneath the covers.

"Ah."

Recalling the events of the previous day, he covers his face with his hands.

"I'm defiled..."

"Defiled? It was merely a mutual benefit."

Ahn Geum caresses Makli Hyun-ah's hair, then rises from the bed, searching for her attire as she dresses.

"Through multiple checks on your physique, I discovered that your Extreme Ghost Path Body exceeds my expectations."

Clad in dark palace garb, she gathers her hair, securing it with a pin, before retrieving a lengthy pipe from her storage scroll and placing it between her lips.

"What resides within you resembles an abyss better described as a 'microcosm'. Considering just the capacity of your inner 'vessel'... it surpasses my Integrated Dao Domain, despite my Grand Perfection Integration stage. In fact... the expanse within you matches what one would expect at the Star Shattering stage... or even a Decaying Corpse Realm. It could be vaster still. As your cultivation progresses, it will expand alongside you. I can't predict its limits, but it should grow effortlessly through the Sacred Vessel stage and Entering Nirvana stage."

"...I don't care to hear it. Besides, Master could have explained this to me from the start."

"You're pouting, aren't you."

"..."

"Regardless... the vastness inside you prevented a full exploration in one day. Yet, I uncovered something intriguing:"

Ahn Geum summons a stray spirit, which ignites her long pipe with ghostly flame, and proceeds.

"At present, you're favored by at least two True Immortals."

"I know."

"And within you, two or more True Immortals clash endlessly for dominance, turning it into a warzone much like a battlefield."

"...Huh?"

"Amid that conflict, interactions between these two True Immortals create a vast cycle. This cycle churns inside you like alternating light and shadow, forging a new world at its core."

"Hold on, what do you mean!?"

In haste, Makli Hyun-ah dresses and challenges Ahn Geum's outrageous claim.

"If such a battle rages, I'd surely sense it, wouldn't I? If such a battle rages, my body would explode outright, no? And if such a battle rages, why show no signs whatsoever?"

"First, your current realm can't detect a True Immortal clash, and your grasp of Immortal Arts is insufficient. Second, though you may not realize it, as I've stated, your internal space rivals a sizable Decaying Corpse Realm. Within that, if True Immortals skirmish lightly via split souls instead of full forms, your body won't rupture. Finally, the absence of symptoms stems from..."

Ahn Geum gestures toward Makli Hyun-ah and poses a question.

"The moment those two True Immortals entered you coincides with your breakthrough to the Purple Gold Realm."

"What...?"

"One True Immortal's identity eludes me, but the other aligns with the light faction, and I received some insights about it from the True Immortal who backs me. During your ascent to the Purple Gold Realm, did you link with a wood-attribute True Immortal?"

"...Yes."

"Then, the one vying against this light True Immortal is likely the True Immortal that latched onto you since Penglai Star."

Makli Hyun-ah nods, admitting the truth.

"...Yeah. A chain-like split soul from some True Immortal invaded me. And during my Purple Gold Realm breakthrough, I connected with that light True Immortal entity."

"As expected. Indeed, you sense no symptoms or warnings because their entry aligned precisely with your Purple Gold Realm achievement. In the Purple Gold Realm, Sacred Master Ban Ta's influence severely suppresses True Immortal auras."

"Ah...! So Master's protection is the reason."

"Essentially, yes. Since these are mere split souls, not primary bodies, the Sacred Master's will constrains them even further, keeping you oblivious."

Ahn Geum inhales deeply from her pipe and elaborates.

"Thus... I still haven't detected my brother's presence within you."

"What's your point?"

"Moving forward, I must remain by your side, conducting regular body checks until I fully identify the 'four Earthlings in this world'. Determining my brother's fate matters greatly."

"Your brother... meant that much to you?"

"No, hardly. If he perishes, I return to Earth and claim the entire inheritance. Dad never gave me pocket money, let alone a share."

'Is she insane?'

"...Don't judge me that way. Dad followed Mom's advice and bought over five hundred Bitcoins early on."

"...Your mother... is remarkable."

"She is. An exceptionally perceptive shaman. Though she abruptly lost her powers, leaving only madness, she ended up confined in a mental hospital."

Ahn Geum exhales a heavy sigh with the smoke and goes on.

"Lately... before arriving here, her sanity partially returned. But she hasn't been released. During visits, she'd ramble about 'a grand destiny awaits,' or 'Lord Star who banished Lord Heavens will summon you,' or 'The head of your group is a mighty figure, serve loyally'... all strange prophecies. She's improved, but her thoughts still fluctuate. At that time, my only affiliation was a gaming guild, so it's amusing."

"..."

"Anyway, Dad divorced ages ago, and my brother's a mess, obsessed solely with games and curry-making. I need Dad's inheritance to support Mom. That's my reasoning. Don't twist it oddly."

"I, I understand. Apologies for the misconception."

Makli Hyun-ah coughs, regretting his assumption, and offers his regrets.

"Fine. In any case... for various reasons... I'll definitely probe your body to ascertain my brother's survival. Thus, I'll accompany you henceforth."

"...Hold on, you're the one who attempted to abduct me! Do you expect Master to accept you?"

"Hmm... true. What now?"

Pondering Makli Hyun-ah's retort briefly, Ahn Geum drops a stunning revelation.

"Then, marriage it is. As husband and wife, Sacred Master Ban Ta will overlook the prior abduction."

"What nonsense is this!?"

"Nonsense? Sacred Master Ban Ta is renowned for wholeheartedly blessing unions among his followers or associates. Regardless of history or affiliations, he endorses them."

"That's beside the point! Marriage isn't taken lightly? It demands deep trust, careful deliberation, and thorough reflection between partners!"

"Eyy, such a hassle..."

Ahn Geum tuts in irritation.

"If not marriage, then engagement? Engagements occur frequently without romance, due to family pressures or personal situations. And dissolving one is straightforward."

"Engagement..."

Makli Hyun-ah contemplates her suggestion momentarily.

He's familiar with engagements.

His sister Lee Seo-ah had been in an on-again, off-again engagement with a fellow from SJD Company, and right before entering this realm, she mentioned turning to games amid her stresses.

'True... family engagements are common, so an engagement feels less binding than wedlock. However...'

Makli Hyun-ah fixes Ahn Geum with a stern gaze and retorts.

"Why would I agree to an engagement with you? You frame it as such, but it's really just protection for you. Especially after your abrupt kidnapping, intrusion, and invasive inspections under the guise of checks!"

"Em..."

Ahn Geum widens her eyes at Makli Hyun-ah's glare.

Her surprised expression fuels his inner frustration.

"First off, sorry for probing your body without permission. But see it as a fervent bid to locate my brother."

"Alright, as a family search, I'll forgive that! But justify the kidnapping?"

"Um... it wasn't kidnapping; it was a rescue."

"Rescue?"

"We're allies, aren't we?"

Her assertion leaves Makli Hyun-ah utterly stunned.

"Allies? Since when?"

"No... during your ascension, the True Immortal must have mentioned it. Light represents the righteous path. You considered joining the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order, right? That order is governed by light True Immortals, so to counter the 'evil god' they fear, you'd naturally align with the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order."

"..."

Makli Hyun-ah sighs quietly at Ahn Geum's logic.

She's correct.

'Indeed... the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos's nature is unclear, and if the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order embodies the light True Immortals' might, aligning there makes sense...'

Noticing Makli Hyun-ah's conflicted face, Ahn Geum adds as if struck by a thought.

"Ah, yes. Your sister Lee Seo-ah belongs to the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order... don't you need to rescue her? That order serves a suspected evil god."

"Hm...!"

Those words prompt Makli Hyun-ah to press Ahn Geum urgently.

"Regarding the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order... what do you know? How's my sister? Brainwashed? Thriving?"

"Hm...I can share. But that info settles the debt from last night's imposition. To aid in extracting your sister from the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order to the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order... I require compensation."

Makli Hyun-ah clenches his lip at Ahn Geum's terms.

"You... could assist in retrieving my sister?"

"Naturally. With backing from the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order's True Immortals, I'll reach Star Shattering stage within ten thousand years max. Then, I can easily overpower your sister at Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage, reverse the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order's indoctrination, and induct her into the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order."

"...Must she join the Immeasurable Life Buddha Religious Order? Couldn't she become Master's disciple like me?"

Ahn Geum pauses blankly, then offers an uneasy grin.

"Well... if she desires it, sure. At minimum, we must extract her from the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order, correct?"

"...Agreed. Assist me. The One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order seems dubious... unclear what evil god lurks behind... I inquired with Master several times, but he dismissed it due to my low realm."

"Excellent. I'll disclose Lee Seo-ah's location and current state, and aid in her rescue from the One Qi of the Primordial Chaos Religious Order. In exchange, recognize me as your fiancée, and permit ongoing body examinations to determine if the 'fourth Earthling' within you lives."

Ahn Geum, driven by her brother's uncertain fate.

Makli Hyun-ah, motivated by his sister's welfare.

In this manner, the pair formalizes a pact of engagement within Ban Ta Castle.

***

Three days afterward,

Ban Ta Castle.

"...Regarding your engagement, I can endorse it. If you two are fond of each other, I won't interfere. Your origins and history stay unspoken."

Ban Ta, forehead throbbing with visible veins, stares down at his disciple and the disciple's betrothed, Ahn Geum, who appear before him to announce their betrothal mere moments after quelling a uprising.

"However, I require dedicated time for my disciple, yet you demand I supervise his cultivation merely every alternate day! Chaos erupts across the Purple Gold Realm, leaving me scant moments to guide his progress, forcing me to seize whatever opportunities arise... and now you propose halving my already limited time with him!?"

Ban Ta's eyes flare with frenzy as he erupts at Ahn Geum.

"Absurd! Unacceptable! What if this delays my disciple's breakthroughs!!?? Ab!! So!! Lute!! Ly!! No!! I won't surrender my moments with my disciple!"

Beneath Ban Ta's furious roar, eyes bulging with whites exposed, Makli Hyun-ah cowers, while Ahn Geum, beading sweat, responds.

"Yet, even as Sacred Master, you can't deny time for betrotheds. Cultivation matters, but so does personal intimacy. Frankly, what if you interrupt while Hyun-ah and I share the night?"

"What's the issue there!? A master's role is to hasten his disciple's growth, be it during defecation, meals, or intimacy! Nothing to hide!"

Ban Ta's hands shake as he rages.

"If my disciple, my disciple, my disciple forfeits prime advancement windows due to this, who bears the blame! Will you? Do you grasp how many idlers infest Ban Ta Castle, lounging about, claiming missed timings as excuses for stagnation!"

His outburst draws from evident precedents.

Ahn Geum appears momentarily baffled but swiftly composes herself to counter.

"Well, I