A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

'Immortal Arts?'

I am taken aback by Cheongmun Ryeong's words.

And at that moment—

Tuk, tuk—

Cheongmun Ryeong taps my back.

"...!"

I am startled.

'My body...'

Chiii—

At the same time, strength surges, and the dried-up internal energy in my dantian starts to fill again.

"This, this is..."

It's not some kind of healing spell.

No, there isn't even the slightest movement of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

And yet, my body recovered in an instant.

An event completely incomprehensible by the usual knowledge of spellcraft!!

On top of that, the flesh torn from Gwak Am's whip, and the ruined body from the chores forced on me begin to heal, becoming stronger and more resilient.

This isn't just about pushing my body to the limit and then 'training' it through recovery. It's as if the fundamental constitution of the human known as Seo Eun-hyun has been entirely transformed.

Wududuk...

'I haven't undergone complete transformation, but my physical strength has increased three or fourfold. Did my genes get altered...?'

I look up at Cheongmun Ryeong in bewilderment, and he turns away with a gentle expression.

"Well then, follow me. From today, you must train diligently."

"Wait, Elder Cheongmun Ryeong! No, Master!"

Before I begin training with him, I bow deeply and shout,

"One of my close friends has recently been experiencing mental instability, seeing illusions and hallucinations every night. Please, I beg Master, have pity on her and help heal her mind!"

Cheongmun Ryeong nods and says,

"If that's the extent of it, I don't need to personally go. Go with Am-ah. Am-ah"

"Yes, Master."

"Go and help Seo Eun-hyun's companion stabilize and return."

"Yes."

Gwak Am kicks my back lightly and says,

"Lead the way. Since it's the Master's command, I'll help as much as I can."

"..."

Though I don't like this brute, they at least listen to Cheongmun Ryeong, so I head with them to where Seo Ran is staying.

"Ah, ahhhk! Aaaahhhk!"

When we arrive at the inn where Seo Ran resides, her groans can be heard even from outside the room.

"Ah! Eun-hyun, you're here?"

Kim Young-hoon opens the door for me, looking relieved.

Inside the room, Jeon Myeong-hoon and Oh Hyun-seok are restraining Seo Ran, while Kim Yeon is trying to calm her down in any way possible.

I look at Gwak Am and ask,

"Senior Brother Gwak Am, can you treat her?"

"...Don't talk to me, dog bastard."

Gwak Am, annoyed at having to speak to me, strides over to Seo Ran and looks down at her.

After observing her for a while, Gwak Am smirks.

"This one quite...looks good to eat."

"...!"

I barely manage to suppress the killing intent rising inside me as I glare at Gwak Am.

"If you harm her, even if you are my senior brother, I won't let it slide."

"I told you not to call me senior brother. Besides, with Master's command, I won't do anything bad. Don't worry. And you lot."

Gwak Am looks around at my comrades and says,

"I'll stabilize this one, so each of you come and hold her limbs tightly."

My comrades look at me with confusion, and I nod.

"This is the disciple of Salt Sea Master Cheongmun Ryeong, and the one who became my senior brother this time, Gwak Am. They're going to treat Seo Ran, so let's trust them."

Following my words, my comrades each hold down Seo Ran's limbs, securing her to the bed.

Gwak Am watches for a moment, then raises their hand.

In the next instant, Gwak Am's palm slams down onto Seo Ran's abdomen.

Kwang!

The entire inn shakes.

"Kuhwek!"

Blood bursts from Seo Ran's mouth.

'The internal organs have ruptured!'

I nearly lose my mind but barely hold back and ask,

"...What is this?"

"I treated her."

"...Treated her?"

"Yeah. After observing her carefully, I found a lot of filth inside her head. I gave her a shock treatment to stop those unnecessary thoughts. With Immortal Arts, I've solidified her soul, so she won't be seeing any strange hallucinations for the rest of this life."

"...Thank you very much."

Though I trust them because they said Immortal Art, I grit my teeth as I look at Seo Ran, who looks like she might not survive this life at any moment. 

Gwak Am turns and walks out of the room, saying,

"Her internal organs are slightly ruptured. I was only instructed to treat her mind, so internal injuries aren't my concern but...since that one seems interesting, I'll give you some advice. The best physician nearby for internal injuries is the one who treated you last time."

'Buk Hyang-hwa...'

I clench my teeth and bow my head.

"...Thank you for the advice."

With that, Gwak Am leaves the inn, and Kim Young-hoon draws his sword.

"That crazy bastard...Eun-hyun, don't stop me. I'm going to see some blood today."

"...Please stay calm. They're a monster; you won't be able to defeat them. And more importantly..."

It's a strange feeling.

Though they clearly pushed Seo Ran to the brink of death with malicious intent, at the same time, it feels like Gwak Am is helping gather my comrades together.

"...The physician they mentioned is indeed skilled. Hyung-nim, please take Seo Ran to White Lotus Valley in Clear River County and find a physician named 'Baek Ran'."

"...Fine."

Kim Young-hoon glares at the door Gwak Am left through, then lifts Seo Ran onto his back and disappears in an instant using lightness technique.

The fastest among us is Kim Young-hoon, so Seo Ran will reach her destination in time.

"Jeon Myeong-hoon, Hyun-seok Hyung-nim, and Yeon as well. Please head to White Lotus Valley for now and take care of Seo Ran."

After sending my comrades off, I leave the inn and head to Cheongmun Ryeong's estate.

'I want to check on Seo Ran's condition more, but...'

It seems like Cheongmun Ryeong is calling for me.

Though my thoughts are towards Seo Ran, my feet lead me towards Cheongmun Ryeong. It seems to be some kind of Immortal Art.

Clack!

It's when I open the door to the estate Cheongmun Ryeong resides,

"...Great Grasslands?"

I step beyond the door and look around.

What was the estate just a moment ago has transformed into the Northern Great Grasslands.

I quickly turn back, but the door has disappeared, and beyond the grasslands, a solitary tree stands tall.

At the top of that tree, Cheongmun Ryeong sits cross-legged, his eyes closed.

Amazingly, he isn't using any spells or martial arts, yet he doesn't fall from the small branch atop the tree.

"Have you come?"

"Yes, Master. But I wanted to check on my friend's condition. Why did you call me so urgently?"

"I know Am's nature well. But that child never takes my orders lightly, so your friend will surely be treated."

"...I understand."

"More important than that is for you to learn Immortal Arts even a day faster."

"...?"

Why is that?

For some reason, I get the feeling that Cheongmun Ryeong is feeling a bit impatient.

"I understand. Please teach this disciple, Master."

I bow my head to Cheongmun Ryeong, and thus, his teaching begins.

"First, what do you think Immortal Arts are?"

'Immortal arts...'

At his question, I recall the explanations from Seo Hweol and Yang Su-jin.

'A method that influences the Plane of Fate...'

Fate is essentially the heavens, so in other words...

"Is it not a spell that twists the principles of the heavens?"

"Correct. Then let me ask you, what does it mean to twist the principles of the heavens?"

"That is...as Master said before, not fearing death, and changing the heavens through one's heart?"

"Indeed. And you've recently endured my trial and entered that realm. Then let me ask you this. How can the heart of a mere person change the heavens?"

"Hm...!"

The heart of a mere person, he says.

'What an interesting remark.'

I didn't expect those words to come from his mouth.

But as I listen, I realize he's right.

'That's true. With just one person's heart, changing the laws of the heavens, of this world, is ridiculous.'

However, as I ponder more deeply, one thought crosses my mind.

'A single person's heart? Then...'

At the same time, I recall the Mad Lord's Immortal Art, Yeon's Play.

A secret art that uses tens of trillions of artificial souls to manipulate the attraction force of fate to pull the spacetime of history.

And I remember Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

A secret art that floods the world with the presence of 'Seo Hweol,' turning the entire world into one dominated solely by Seo Hweol.

"...If it's not just one person's heart, but the hearts of many, couldn't that change the heavens?"

"Exactly! It seems you've seen something similar before?"

"Yes, I've seen something similar."

"Then it'll be easier to explain. Listen closely. A single person's heart cannot change the heavens. But...with the hearts of many, the heavens can be changed. However, isn't it strange? Why were you able to enter the basics of Immortal Arts and stave off death, even though you don't possess the hearts of many?"

I ponder deeply over his question before answering.

It's an answer I can give because I've entered the realm of Void Shattering, seen the Plane of Soul with my own eyes, experienced many lives, and repentantly enlightened myself.

"Is it because a person's heart is not made up of just their own heart?"

Cheongmun Ryeong smiles faintly.

"That's correct."

Taatt!

He descends from the top of the tree and begins to explain.

"A person's heart doesn't reside in the lump of flesh in their chest and neither is it confined in some spiritual body. Have you ever had this thought? What is the fastest thing in this world?"

"Yes, I used to think about that a lot as a child."

"Then do you know the answer?"

"Many people say it's 'thought'."

Because thoughts can travel anywhere in the universe.

"That's right. To be precise, it's the thought and heart. They're as inseparable as the palm and the back of the hand, so either answer is correct. Now let me ask you this. Why is it that the heart can go anywhere in the world?"

"Hmm...I'm not sure."

The heart, as I understand it, can 'simply' go anywhere in the universe.

Being asked 'why' about this leaves me a bit perplexed.

Then Cheongmun Ryeong very easily provides the answer.

"That's because the heart of a being isn't bound within this body but is spread out across the entirety of all phenomena in the universe."

"That's...ah!"

I fail to understand for a moment, but then I recall the image of the Plane of Soul and understand immediately.

'I see...'

Why does the Plane of Soul take the form of clouds?

Before, I used to think that each cloud particle in the Plane of Soul was a being's heart.

But each particle gathers to form a cloud, and forms things like the collective unconscious.

And the moment the 'grains' become 'clouds'—

It has already become a single mass.

If the Plane of Soul is ultimately filled with clouds, and if the hearts of all beings in this world are connected in the form of clouds...

'It means the world and I are connected.'

It's a somewhat obvious realization, but it settles deep with my chest.

"Have you understood?"

"To some extent, yes."

"Good. In that case, let's try Immortal Arts right away."

"Pardon?"

"You've already grasped the basics of Immortal Arts. Clearing the heart and understanding the power of the heart through the exchange of hearts. Those are the basics of Immortal Arts. Now, using that power of the heart, try reflecting your heart into the world."

"That, that's..."

"Come, don't worry. Let's go beyond the basics and start with an Immortal Art for training. The effect of this Immortal Art is to reflect your heart in six different forms into the world. I'll teach you the formula."

Without further explanation, Cheongmun Ryeong closes his eyes and places his hands together.

'Immortal Arts all of a sudden?'

I start to feel nervous, thinking of the terrifying Immortal Arts like the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique, Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, and Yeon's Play.

'Will I be able to learn it properly?'

And at that moment.

Urung, ururung!

Dark clouds begin to gather in the sky.

At the same time, Cheongmun Ryeong opens his eyes wide.

"Rain (雨)."

Shwaaaaa!

Rain begins to pour down.

Cheongmun Ryeong and I stand in the grasslands, getting soaked by the rain.

"This is the first form of the 'primal' heart. Just like a newborn baby crying. Feel it."

Following Cheongmun Ryeong's words, I try to feel the sound of the falling rain and the dark clouds covering the sky.

"The next is Sunlight (陽)."

Shwaaaaa...

The clouds that had filled the sky slowly recede.

The sky becomes clear.

"This is the second form. The clarity (陽) a baby begins to perceive in the world when they first open their eyes. Feel it."

I close my eyes and feel the 'clarity (陽)'.

"The next is Heat (燠)."

It grows warm.

"This is the third form of the primal heart. It's like a baby being held in the arms of their parents or guardian. Next is Cold (寒)."

Hwiiiiii!

It becomes cold.

Snowflakes begin to scatter.

"The fourth form of the primal heart. It's the 'anxiety,' 'loneliness,' 'fear,' and 'panic' a child feels when they leave their parents' embrace. The next is Wind (風)."

Hwiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

A strong wind sweeps across the grassland.

"This is wind. Wind changes the world. As the child grows, they begin to feel that their perception of the world is changing. And the last one..."

"The last is Time (時), isn't it?"

"Haha, that's right."

Cheongmun Ryeong's explanation continues.

"Rain, Sunlight, Heat, Cold, Wind. These five attributes continuously revolve and act in turn. The totality of these changes is called Time (時)... These are the six primal forms of the heart."

Paaaatt!

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

In between, countless changes in phenomena occur.

It rains, clears, becomes hot, cold, the wind blows...

Cheongmun Ryeong isn't speeding up time.

He's simply distorting our perception of time for a moment.

Finally, the wind dies down.

I take a moment to organize my enlightenment. 

And at last, I understand.

"...I have one question."

"Ask."

"The cultivation we practice, the reason it's called 'Immortal Cultivation (修仙)'—is it because Immortal Cultivation itself is about learning Immortal Arts?"

Rain, Sunlight, Heat, Cold, Wind, Time.

The six divine powers that are realized during the Integration stage.

I didn't understand them when I first learned the divine powers, but after this conversation with Cheongmun Ryeong, I finally grasp it.

From the Qi Refining stage to the Heavenly Being stage, one accumulates spiritual power and studies 'how to clear the heart.'

Up to this is the Minor Boundary.

Then from the Four-Axis stage to the Entering Nirvana stage.

In the Four-Axis stage, one practices the Axes Foundation, bestows blessings upon those in the Lower Realms to gain the Five Blessings, 'exchanges hearts to understand the power of the heart,' and through the Six Extremes, one indirectly experiences death, learning not to fear it, thus 'entering the basics of Immortal Arts.'

After that, in the Integration stage, starting with the primal forms of the heart—Rain, Sunlight, Heat, Cold, Wind, and Time—one gradually 'begins to learn Immortal Arts' up to the Entering Nirvana stage. This is the Middle Boundary.

'The formulas that exist from the Qi Refining stage to the Entering Nirvana stage...I don't know if there are formulas after entering True Immortality, but perhaps...those weren't just formulas, but the basic forms of Immortal Arts.'

Cheongmun Ryeong smiles warmly as he speaks.

"It's similar, but a little different."

"Pardon?"

"Immortal Cultivation isn't the process of learning Immortal Arts. Immortal Cultivation itself is...someone's Immortal Art."

"...Is that so?"

He continues.

"You're familiar with the typical cultivation realm system. Qi Refining, Qi Building, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Heavenly Being... But in very ancient times...so ancient that it surpasses imagination, such a complex realm system didn't exist."

"Pardon?"

"There were only three realms. 'The realm of clearing the heart,' 'the realm of laying the basics of Immortal Arts through the heart,' and 'the realm of fully using Immortal Arts and reaching the heavens'."

It seems that these correspond to the Minor Boundary, Middle Boundary, and Great Boundary.

"But later, the realms began to divide. As the realms split, many began gaining powerful authorities. However...the precise division of stages within the cultivation realms was meant to study the heart more systematically, not to attain world-encompassing power or become monsters capable of destroying stars."

He gazes up at the distant sky.

For some reason, he's glaring at the sky as if it displeases him.

"But [someone] twisted 'the process of cultivation' through an Immortal Art called 'Immortal Cultivation.' As a result, all living beings began gathering Qi, aligning it with the process of cultivation, and gradually acquired excessive lifespans and overwhelming power and authority. The purpose of living beings shifted from understanding the heart to craving power. Everyone became capable of wielding immense power, but...whether that was the right thing, I cannot say..."

"...Master?"

I ask, sensing that something is wrong with Cheongmun Ryeong's condition.

For some reason, his eyes don't seem normal.

At my call, Cheongmun Ryeong looks at the sky for a moment, then shudders slightly.

"Hmm...! It seems my memory slipped again for a moment..."

He speaks with a bitter smile.

"Recently, this has been happening more often. My body is starting to reach its limits. That's why I called you urgently."

He continues speaking, as if he doesn't remember what he just said.

"Where was I...? Had I finished explaining about Rain, Sunlight, Heat, Cold, Wind, and Time? Since I've told you the basics of Immortal Arts, let's now begin proper training in Immortal Arts."

"...Understood."

Thus, I learn four types of Basic Immortal Arts from Cheongmun Ryeong.

The first is the six primal forms of the heart, connected to the Integration stage formulas.

Next are the five actions and two aspects that arise from the function of the heart, making a total of seven acts.

The third is a total of eight spells born from the five senses and three attitudes of the heart.

The last is how to command the nine powers by adding a single will to the eight spells.

In this way, I learn many things from him.

And so, 80 years pass by quickly.