A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

Gyo Yeom glances nervously behind him and looks at Nok Ju with a trembling voice.

”Cultivator Nok, is there really no other way?”

”Hmm, I’m sorry, but I’ve already made a promise with Cultivator Baek so there’s really nothing I can do.”

”You didn’t swear on your Nascent Soul, did you? I can pay any price!”

”It’s not an oath on the Nascent Soul, but Cultivator Baek and I formed an alliance while climbing up here. Our Heaven Tribe does not shamelessly backstab others in the back!”

”Three drops! Just three drops! I’m not asking for much! I’ll offer all the artifacts and elixirs I obtained from this exploration of the storage scroll!”

”What use would I have for the elixirs and dharma treasures of the Earth Tribe?”

”I’ve also collected many things that are effective for the Heaven Tribe!”

”Hm...”

However, Nok Ju speaks with an indifferent expression.

”I’m sorry, but it’s really not possible. This is a matter for our Tall Tree Race and to appease the wrath of Sacred Master Baek Woon. A matter for the greater good. It’s also better for the entire Bright Cold Realm. Whatever the reason may be, put aside your greed and step back.”

Baek Wi-ik adds.

”Like Cultivator Nok, I am also doing this for the greater good. If Grand Cultivator Baek Myeong becomes a Star Shattering Esteemed One with the help of the Heavenly Lotus Fruit juice, the power of the Heaven and Earth Tribes will increase, allowing us to exterminate the Heart Tribe and act more dominantly in the Middle Realms. Isn’t this also for the greater good of the Bright Cold Realm?”

Sneering, he asks.

”Why are you so desperate for the Heavenly Lotus Fruit? If your reason is more important than the greater good we’re discussing, we can give you the three drops.”

At those words, Gyo Yeom falls to his knees.

”...Please. My wife...is on the verge of death. Her illness can only be cured with the Heavenly Lotus Fruit. There’s no substitute...! If I just have three drops of the juice, I can at least attempt to make an elixir to save her. I, Gyo Yeom, am begging you. Please show mercy.”

Both Nok Ju and Baek Wi-ik shake their heads at Gyo Yeom’s plea.

”Ridiculous. Are you saying your wife’s life is more important than the calamity facing our entire Tall Tree Race?”

”That’s right. The rise of our Paired Wings Race depending on this goes without saying, but with the birth of an Esteemed One, we can crush the Heart Tribe’s forces and reclaim our slaves, and perhaps even eliminate our worries about the Blood Yin Realm. Yet you prioritize your personal affairs over such a significant cause! You should be ashamed!”

Gyo Yeom bows his head to the ground, begging.

”Three drops. Just three drops are enough. I beg you. This lowly Earth Tribe pleads with the noble Heaven Tribe...please...”

Nok Ju and Baek Wi-ik sneers.

Baek Wi-ik especially laughs openly, mocking Gyo Yeom.

”Ridiculous. Are you trying to undermine the greater good of the entire Bright Cold Realm and the Heaven and Earth Tribes for three drops of juice? What if the Grand Cultivator fails to become an Esteemed One due to those three missing drops? Will you take responsibility?”

”...”

”From the start, you’ve failed to understand the greater good due to your selfishness. Are you perhaps a Heart Tribe spy?”

”Haha! Indeed, isn’t it already suspicious that your wife desperately needs the Heavenly Lotus Fruit, which the Heaven Tribe’s Two Heads have their eyes on? Ah perhaps...I see. Cultivator Gyo, your so-called wife might be a Heart Tribe spy who approached you. Be careful.”

The two cultivators of the Heaven Tribe laugh and jeer at Gyo Yeom and his wife, calling them Heart Tribe spies.

Nok Ju, in the mid Four-Axis stage, Baek Wi-ik, in the late Four-Axis stage.

And Gyo Yeom, in the early Four-Axis stage.

Their numerical and cultivation superiority allows them to belittle him in this manner.

And Gyo Yeom fully understands this.

He has always been aware of his situation.

Therefore, he thought he could rationally navigate through the current predicament.

However, for some reason, he feels as if his mouth is moving on its own.

”...You trash...”

Never before has he acted this way.

He is a member of the Blood Shark Race known for their cold-blooded nature, always calm and ruthless.

Yet, for some reason, Gyo Yeom can’t control his mouth.