TBISF 18

 Chapter: 18

Leaving the Mystic Realm, They End Up in Nokju

Hango Realm

This is the name for the world where Kanghyun and Indeok were born and raised, though most who know it are actually from outside the Hango Realm.

One must understand that the Great Celestial World contains thousands of realms; only then does it make sense to give each realm a name. Those who lack the concept of “realm” may live in Hango without even realizing it.

Given this, how could one blame Kanghyun and Indeok for not knowing the Hango Realm? Until they were dragged into the Grand Competition, they didn’t even know much about the countries bordering their own. Could they have imagined the scale of the Twelve Ancestral Sects that grouped several countries together under one sect’s domain?

Even the Twelve Ancestral Sects are only modest in scale compared to the entire capital system of the Hango Realm. Without any sect leaders or elders having reached the Avatar Realm, how could they raise their voices in the Hango capital?

“So, we really don’t know where ‘outside’ is?”

Indeok asked Kanghyun again.

“That’s right. At least, it doesn’t look like the Gorge State where the Twelve Ancestral Sects are.”

“Wait, you mean it’s not just a bit far—it’s on a continental scale?”

“The Gorge State we lived in has deep canyons and volcanic terrain. Ours was relatively normal, but the Gorge in general is like that.”

“Yeah, that’s what we learned at the tower.”

“But when I checked outside the spatial rift, I didn’t see those features. The energy composition is completely different from the Gorge.”

“Maybe you just looked at a small area?”

“I’m only a Mid-Late Practitioner, but I see the world with a practitioner’s eyes. I even examined the flow of spiritual energy. It’s different from the Gorge’s energy.”

“If it were the Gorge, earth and fire energy would be strong, and water energy would be weak.”

Indeok guessed the general distribution of spiritual energy in the Gorge.

“Exactly. The environment shapes the energy. But outside the spatial rift we found, wood and water energy dominate, and the area is full of life.”

“Hmm? If that’s the average energy, then we’ve probably landed in Nokju?”

“High probability.”

“Wow… I’ve never even fully explored my birthplace in the Gorge, and now we’ve just fallen into Nokju?”

Indeok muttered in disbelief.

“Nokju is east of Cheonju, the center of the world, while the Gorge is south of Cheonju. So if we go to Nokju, returning to the Gorge won’t be easy.”

“It’s not just across continents; we’d have to cross the sea too, right?”

“Likely. There are seas between the continents.”

“This is insane… should we try finding another spatial rift?”

Indeok’s face twisted at the thought that the rift they had been observing leads to Nokju. Kanghyun shook his head.

“Finding another rift is hard, and even if we do, it’ll probably still connect to Nokju.”

“Why!? How come?”

“You know how the Mystic Realm’s rifts work: their endpoints are fixed.”

“Yeah, I know that.”

“And the distance between a Mystic Realm and its rift’s endpoint rarely exceeds the realm’s size.”

“So this Mystic Realm can’t be bigger than Nokju, meaning any rift we find will inevitably connect there?”

“Originally, there might have been a rift linked to the Gorge, but that was from the small Mystic Realm used for the Grand Competition. The larger one we’re in now connects to Nokju.”

“And now that the two Mystic Realms have merged, we can’t expect a Gorge rift anymore?”

“The large one swallowed the small one. Do you think it left a breathing hole? Besides, the Twelve Ancestral Sects abandoned the tower in a hurry, and no one has entered since, meaning they couldn’t find a rift either.”

“Sigh… so we really have no choice.”

Indeok realized there were no alternatives, groaning in resignation.

“I’m sorry the result is like this, but it can’t be helped.”

“It’s not really your fault anyway.”

“Either way, eventually we’ll have to go out there, so I wanted you to be aware.”

“So we’re not leaving immediately?”

“No reason to rush.”

“Haha, true. The training environment here is so good; no point in risking anything outside. Who knows what dangers might await?”

“At least around the spatial rift, there seems to be no danger. I couldn’t sense any strong beings. But the overall energy is extremely dense, which is a little worrying.”

“Dense energy, but no strong presence? That’s suspicious… could still be dangerous.”

Kanghyun’s words made Indeok frown. Where energy is dense, there’s usually an owner. If not, either an enemy has left the area vacant, or the owner is far enough that Kanghyun can’t sense them. If the latter, it’s a very strong being controlling a large area. Indeok guessed this, and her expression darkened.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll scout thoroughly through Trant.”

Kanghyun reassured Indeok, concerned she might stubbornly refuse to move. After years in the Mystic Realm, he had determined it was finally time to leave.

“You’re now a Mid-Late Practitioner. It’s time to leave.”

Kanghyun resolved to exit the Mystic Realm and informed Indeok.

Indeok, having endured Kanghyun’s strict training, was more than ready to leave, eagerly arranging his belongings and running to the spatial rift.

“Finally going.”

“Yes. Now that you’ve reached Mid-Late Practitioner, it’s time.”

“If we try to ascend to the Chakra Realm here, we might draw attention from the six monsters outside?”

“It’s risky inside the Mystic Realm. Only a Mid-Late Practitioner could safely ascend; Chakra Realm ascension could attract attention from other beasts. And the monsters vying for territory would definitely notice.”

“Then we could end up as their prey.”

“Exactly. You know this. So let’s not linger—just go.”

Indeok nodded, pretending to be calm and sticking close to Kanghyun.

“Remember, the spatial rift is unstable. Passing through it is physically demanding. You could lose limbs or suffer serious injuries.”

“I know. But my Diamond Body Technique can’t be broken, right?”

“Yes. Now that you’re a Mid-Late Practitioner, as long as you maintain your technique, you’ll be safe.”

“I’m more worried about you, Kanghyun.”

“Me? Do you doubt my Ancient Tree Bark Armor?”

“Honestly, your armor is weaker than my Diamond Body.”

“Your Diamond Body wins in strength, but my bark armor is durable with incredible regeneration. It’s a different kind of defense.”

“Even so, I can’t match your defense. That’s for sure.”

“So cross safely.”

“Huh? Now?”

“Yes. No need for farewells. Go.”

“Okay.”

“And follow Trant’s vines inside the passage. Don’t stray into other gaps.”

“Got it.”

Indeok, startled by Kanghyun’s warnings, leapt into the spatial rift, recalling his reassurances and closing his eyes.

In the Qingmu Dao Yuan, one of the five elders, Eungryeong, collapsed in the middle of the Spirit Sea, coughing blood.

“Ugh!”

If he stayed, the trackers would spot him. Desperate, he drew Wood Energy from his dried-out spirit root and activated the Dao Formation Flag on his sleeve.

The flag, shaped like a leafy branch, was made from the branch of the guardian tree, Mokhonsu, over ten thousand years old. Mokhonsu could hold immense Wood Energy and even absorb enemy spirits to serve its master. The branch enhanced the formation’s power.

‘The Qingmu Circulation Formation blends with surrounding trees, hides one’s presence, and helps heal injuries. If I survive undetected, I’ll avoid danger.’

Eungryeong collapsed, losing consciousness, while trackers passed nearby, unaware of his formation. For a brief moment, he escaped danger.

Then, the space inside the Qingmu Circulation Formation twisted.

“Whoa!”

“Hmm, should’ve stayed alert.”

Indeok was thrown from the twisted space and landed on the ground. Kanghyun descended beside him, golden wood energy flickering around Indeok, and his own body armored with bark-like protection from the Ancient Tree Bark and Diamond Body Techniques.

“Someone’s lying here?”

“What’s happening? We’re inside our formation!”

Indeok spotted Eungryeong, and Kanghyun recognized the Wood-based formation surrounding him.

“Eungryeong, he looks in danger.”

“Huh?”

“He might die immediately.”

Indeok shouted to Kanghyun. Kanghyun examined Eungryeong, leaning against a tree.

“His spiritual energy and innate energy are dried up. He probably can’t survive alone.”

“So what do we do?”

“He must have been fighting fiercely, fleeing for long periods, or both. That explains this state.”

“So he’s likely being chased. And there may still be pursuers nearby, meaning we could be in danger too?”

Indeok understood immediately.

“Then what do we do?”

“You said the capital is dangerous, right?”

“Yes.”

“So we won’t cross lines recklessly. And I, your friend, must follow the same rule.”

“First save him, then think later?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Kanghyun took a spirit fruit from his sleeve, infused with Wood Energy from Trant, suitable for Eungryeong.

“You’re giving him that?”

Indeok recognized it as an emergency reserve.

“Without this, he won’t revive. He’s clearly trained in Wood Energy, so this is the perfect remedy.”

Kanghyun fed it to Eungryeong, and the fruit became liquid, restoring his parched body.

“Ugh…”

Eungryeong awoke, instinctively realizing his danger, and immediately focused his mind, pressing Kanghyun and Indeok with his will.

“Hmm.”

“Eh? What…?”

Kanghyun groaned briefly, while Indeok froze, realizing she had to obey Kanghyun’s usual discipline.

“You must already understand the situation. You know we saved you.”

“Yes… the fruit still lingers in my mouth; how could I not know?”

“Then why oppress us?”

“Personally, I owe you my life, but as a member of my sect, I must prioritize my duties.”

“Your sect’s affairs shouldn’t concern us. We don’t know you or your sect.”

“You wear no Dao robes, so you probably don’t recognize Qingmu Dao Yuan.”

Eungryeong’s expression hardened at their ignorance.

“We’re from the Gorge Continent. We were drawn here by the Mystic Realm’s merging.”

“Do you know this is Nokju?”

“We sensed the surroundings but couldn’t discern anything because of your formation. So this is Nokju?”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“I am Eungryeong, fourth elder of Qingmu Dao Yuan.”

“I am Kanghyun.”

“I am Hwang Indeok.”

Kanghyun and Indeok bowed deeply in respect.

“From the Gorge Continent?”

“Yes.”