"Kim Hyung."
"What is it?"
"Why are those called cultivators so heartless?"
"... How would I know that?"
I frowned, thinking about the conduct of cultivators.
From the monsters we encountered at the beginning of the regression, who ignored everything we said.
To the cruel method of pill-making by the Makli Clan.
And the cultivators of the Jin Clan who rummaged through the dead and criticized us for trying to bury them.
'I can understand searching the bodies, a hundred times over.'
But why do they think burying the dead is a waste of time?
Why are their thought processes so different?
"... Perhaps, since they have been seeing the world of the Five Energies Converging to the Origin from birth, their way of thinking is different from ours. Plus, they've spent their whole lives not treating mortals as humans."
I sighed, frustrated.
The cultivators of the Jin Clan informed us of the next gathering place and left the village, closing the formation of the Makli Clan territory and flying away on their flying devices.
We were currently following them.
"... A difference in perspective?"
Or is it the inherent arrogance of cultivators?
Or is it that all cultivators turn out that way?
I wondered if it was right for me to become a cultivator.
We continued to follow the guidance of the Jin Clan's cultivators, destroying one stronghold of the Makli Clan after another.
Five years had passed since I left the Imperial Palace.
"Ha, look, Eun-hyun, it's your face."
"..."
I saw my face on a wanted poster, wandering around the marketplace.
Not just mine.
Kim Young-hoon, as well as countless martial arts masters who followed him, were on wanted posters.
The charge was treason.
"Treason. What nonsense. After all, it's just the lower forces of the cultivator clan. Even if they issue wanted posters, we can walk around the streets without any problems, thanks to the facial manipulation technique you created."
"That's good to hear."
Over the past five years, I had developed a technique called Reverse Appearance Technique, using my medical knowledge and transformational skills to manipulate facial muscles and change appearances.
Thanks to that, we could walk around the streets freely, even though we were wanted.
"So, where's the next stronghold?"
"It's on the western side of Lianshan City, on the hills. One of Makli Clan's pill-making furnaces is located there. This time, the furnace we are going to destroy is especially huge, so there will probably be a lot more cultivators from the Makli Clan."
"That's likely."
"And from what I've heard, there are also a significant number of peak martial artists raised by the Makli Clan. They are not just simple Jaingshi but actual peak martial artists, so we need to be a bit more cautious."
Peak martial artists.
I looked up at the sky.
35 years since regression.
It took around 10 years to reach the mid stage of the Pinnacle Realm since the regression and now 25 years later
My realm had not changed.
'Is my talent not enough to reach the Three Flowers Gather at the Summit?'
Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.
Kim Young-hoon and other experts of that realm have been consistently giving me clues regarding it.
"The third color."
Red thread signifying hostility.
Blue thread signifying self-intent.
Beyond that, the need to find and see the third color to reach that realm.
But.
"In a fight, there's me and you. What else is there beyond that?"
There's definitely something beyond me and you.
The very existence of the Three Flowers realm itself proves it.
Ugh.
Ignoring the screaming pain in my hand, I held the sword and felt the thread of those around me as I walked down the street.
I can see others' threads.
I can see my own threads.
But beyond that, no matter how hard I look, I can't see anything.
"Enlightenment still hasn't come."
Even when I asked Kim Young-hoon about Three Flowers Gather at the Summit, I couldn't understand his words well.
Originally, when Kim Young-hoon reached the peak, he didn't go through the early or middle stages but directly achieved Three Flowers .
Asking him about transitioning from the middle stage to Three Flowers was nonsensical.
Of course, I asked other masters of Three Flowers how to transition into it, but the answers I got were:
"Immerse yourself in the state of selflessness."
"Understand that there is no you and no me."
"Contemplate the purity of martial arts."
All of these answers were metaphysical in nature.
"Someone is staying in this place because they don't want to fall into a state of selflessness."
Ignoring the tearing pain in my hands, I swung my sword for years.
No matter how much I maintained the unity of sword and body, and fought life-threatening battles multiple times.
The miracle of suddenly leaping to a higher realm never happened to me.
While it wasnt as despairing as when I first reached the peak, climbing higher required tremendous talent and effort again.
"There are many masters at the peak here..."
The stronghold of the Makli Clan, located to the west of Lianshan City.
"If there are many masters, I might gain something by fighting them."
Somehow, I felt that the stronghold discovered by the Jin Clan this time seemed like a trap.
It was a judgment I made after hearing from one of the Jin Clan cultivators about how they found the stronghold and its level of force.
"The Makli Clan wants to capture Kim Young-hoon as well as the Jin Clan."
And me, a traitor to the Imperial family.
That's why I thought this time they would be fully prepared to face us.
"But I'm not worried."
I glanced at Kim Young-hoon walking beside me.
He had been writing a book recently.
The title of the book was Secrets of 'Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martials Arts
"Condensing the deep understanding of the 6 volumes of 'Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martial Arts Scripture', and integrating it into one complete book of understanding," he had said.
Like the 'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts', 'Record of Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martial Arts', and 'Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martial Scriptures', it was a book of profound knowledge that I couldn't understand even when I looked at it.
But one thing was certain.
Kim Young-hoon had surpassed his previous lifes realm.
Such a person could now inflict significant damage on a Core Formation cultivator and quickly escape!
"A trap is of no use."
We would easily destroy their stronghold this time as well.
Lianshan City.
This is the place I fell in my very first life before regression.
It had been a very long time since I had visited.
Here I made soap, gathered herbs, brewed liquor, begged robbers to spare my life
Memories of those miserable times came flooding back.
"Let's go west."
"Yes."
I wonder if the daughter of the Ju family has been born.
Is the house of Lord Geum still filled with servants strutting around arrogantly?
I wonder if the persimmon tree of the Sung family still bears fruit well.
After looking at Lianshan City for a while, I ran west following Kim Young-hoon.
Memories that no one but I remember.
Memories that only I know of, changed by my power of regression.
A miraculous, incredibly grateful ability.
But that's why this ability has to disappear.
These memories that only I will know will continue to accumulate, and the more they do, the harder it will be for my mind to endure.
Hence, I will definitely go to the previous world and eliminate this power.
Until then, I will strive to be human.
As a human, I will live a human life.
Absolutely.
I will not become corrupted by evil paths like the cultivators of the Makli Clan, nor act against human morals.
Of course.
"Those filthy evil path bastards, they can't make me dance less."
Those who violate human morals, as long as I can reach them, must be punished.
Tadat!
Arriving at the destination with Kim Young-hoon, there were already Jin Clan cultivators in red robes and other peak masters gathered.
"The opinion that this Makli Clan's stronghold is likely a trap came out in the Jin Clan's elder council. Therefore, one-third of the Jin Clan's elder council has personally come forward.
Thus, you martial artists must also fight with all your might."
Among the red-robed cultivators, a considerable number of Qi Building cultivators with substantial consciousness were mixed in.
"I understand. Do not worry. I always fight with my best."
"Hmm, good. Then, let's open the formation."
Woong
As one of the elders of the Jin Clan completed a hand seal, the air began to distort.
We followed the elders of the Jin Clan into the formation and soon saw the village, just like before.
This village was about twice the size of any territory of the Makli Clan we had seen before, with not just straw houses but also a significant number of tiled mansions.
And then,
"...It was a trap after all."
The cultivators of the Makli Clan were forming a formation and sealing spells in front of the village.
"Seal ()!"
The cultivators of the Makli Clan simultaneously formed their hand seals and shouted an incantation.
At the same time, an enormous barrier, unlike any we had seen before, surrounded the territory of the Makli Clan.
"Water ()!"
Simultaneously, dozens of cultivators formed another hand seal and used a different spell.
Shaaaah!
A massive surge of water gushed from behind the cultivators, rushing towards us outside the barrier.
The water reeked of rotting corpses, and I had a feeling that even a single drop touching me would be disastrous.
"Elders, to the front!"
The Qi Building cultivators of the Jin Clan stepped forward and formed their hand seals.
"Flame ()!"
Hwarurururu!
A wall of flames appeared.
The giant wall of fire blocked the water flow and began to evaporate it.
"Push forward!"
Chiiiiii
As the cultivators of the Jin Clan stepped forward one by one, the giant wall of fire also moved forward in sync.
"Mortals! We will clear the way, so break through the barrier!"
"Understood!"
Pang!
Kim Young-hoon sprinted forward, kicking off the ground.
He leapt into the air and, stepping on thin air, headed towards the barrier.
Woong!
As Kim Young-hoon extended his hand, energy seemed to gather in it, and a sphere of Gang Qi burst forth from his palm.
'That must be the realm Kim Young-hoon achieved by condensing and integrating the 6 volumes of the Scripture'
The Gang Qi didn't gather chaotically in the air but was released cleanly from his body, forming a sphere in an instant.
I don't know for sure, but he must have reached and surpassed the realm the previous Kim Young-hoon stepped foot in.
'The preparation time for compressing Gang Qi is much shorter than last time!'
Before the battle began, I remembered the Secrets of Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martial Arts that Kim Young-hoon had given me.
'If I pass this technique on to Kim Young-hoon in the next life.'
He would surpass this realm again.
Kwaang!
Kim Young-hoon launched the sphere at the barrier.
A loud explosion roared, and a gust of wind blew.
However, this time the barrier only shook slightly and remained steadfast.
'As expected, the Makli Clan was thoroughly prepared this time!'
Kim Young-hoon, without any sign of panic, extended his palm again.
And another sphere of Gang Qi burst forth.
Kwaang!
The barrier was hit by consecutive explosions.
Cracks began to form in the barrier.
Kim Young-hoon extended his palm once more.
Kwaang!!
More cracks appeared in the barrier.
Kim Young-hoon extended his palm again.
With each attack, more and more cracks appeared in the barrier.
At some point.
Pakang!
Unable to withstand Kim Young-hoon's attacks any longer, a hole was blown open in the barrier.
"Everyone, head towards the barrier!"
"Burn down the Makli's business!"
The cultivators of the Jin Clan rushed towards the hole created by Kim Young-hoon, and the peak masters also rushed through the gap into the inside of the barrier.
"Die, you devils."
When I, too, entered the barrier with my sword,
Pang!
The sound of air tearing apart, and something long rushed towards me.
It was a halberd.
Kaang!
I exerted sword silk and blocked the halberd. I could see the face of the person holding the halberd in front of me.
I couldn't stop my pupils from shaking.
"...Leader?"
Leader of the Shadow Guards.
My former superior was blocking me.
Behind him, the members of the Shadow Guards were lined up, holding various weapons.
"...It's been a while."
"...I don't know a traitor like you."
Vroom!
The leader swung his halberd.
Seven red threads emanated from his halberd.
I countered his red threads with my own blue threads.
My blue and his red crossed in the air.
"A traitor, you say. Leader, do you know what the current Imperial family is doing?"
"...I know."
Vroom!
He swung his halberd again.
I parried his halberd with my threads while dodging and swinging my sword silk.
"You know and yet you're loyal? Is that what a human should do?"
"...Before being human, we are the limbs of His Majesty the Emperor. Limbs do not think. They move as commanded! Since His Majesty has ordered me to capture you, I will not think either."
"How frustrating! In the eyes of the Emperor, mortals like us are not the same humans as him! We are not his people but livestock he raises!"
Leader spun with his halberd, thrusting it three times, then extended Qi Silk towards me.
I danced the Transcendent Peaks Step to dodge Leader's attacks and countered with Landscape Painting, covering my sword with sword silk and striking back at his qi silk.
"Loyalty should be given to someone deserving, not to him. All that comes from serving him is the death of helpless commoners!"
Our threads of red and blue intertwined.
Then, breaking through my defense, Leader aimed his knee at my waist.
"Keuk!"
I was hit by Leaders kick and floated in the air, turning once before landing.
'He's improved. The Leader... he's in the realm of Three Flowers'
"...Is it different for you?"
Leader asked me with a gloomy face.
"Those from the Jin Clan who you are with, are they different?"
"They're better than those devils..."
"No. The Jin Clan you're with are also cultivators. The only difference from the current Imperial family is the degree; they both see mortals as bugs! Do you think you're on the side of justice? Wrong! It's just a matter of scope and degree.
Those people will also grind down the people of Yanguo. They're no different but all the same!"
"..."
Woosh, woosh, woosh!
As he swung his halberd, the wind seemed to be sucked into the Leader's chest.
His qi silk swirled and shot towards me.
'I can't block it!'
Like my Qi Mountain, Heart Heaven, an attack that can't be stopped even if anticipated.
"If there's no difference, at least I won't turn my back on the loyalty I've given now!"
The movement of his halberd converged to one point and shot towards me.
The Qi silk on his halberd strengthened and began to evolve.
Paaat!
A brilliant light burst forth.
Gang Qi!
"...If that's your belief."
Seeing the Gang Qi rushing towards me, I relaxed the power in my sword.
"I will respect that as well."
As I removed my intent, the sword silk around my sword disappeared, leaving only pure sword energy.
I placed my sword against the incoming halberd, absorbing its power into my sword.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Echoing Valley!
"...!"
Surprise flickered in the Leaders eyes.
I rotated, redirecting his Gang Qi back at him.
Flash!
Light flashed.
And where the storm of light subsided, Leader stood, his right hand severed.
"...I've lost. Your swordsmanship is always hard to predict, no matter how many times I see it."
"...It is a swordsmanship I am still lacking in."
"Still lacking? Impossible. Even your move just now had the enlightenment of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit. It was the most beautiful technique I've ever seen."
He smirked.
"I spent my life practicing martial arts, hoping to reach Three Flowers, but once I did, I realized I was just a lesser version of a cultivator. Unless it's the legendary realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin, martial arts will always be secondary to cultivators. Hahaha, Seo Eun-hyun. Do you understand? Nothing matters in front of cultivators."
"..."
"Since nothing in martial arts matters, all that's left is the meaning I give to it. I chose loyalty, and my object of loyalty happened to be the current Emperor."
He smiled sadly.
"That you and I have different beliefs... is a shame... only."
Cough, cough...
Leader coughed up blood and collapsed.
No more life flowed from him.
He was dead.
"...Why didn't you join the fight?"
I asked the other members of the Shadow Guards.
If they had intervened while I was fighting Leader, I might have died.
"...It was Leader's request. If we joined, deputy-leader would start using hidden weapons and poison, so he asked us to let him have a pure martial duel."
"...You still call me deputy-leader"
"Once a superior, always a superior. Once loyalty is given, it is forever."
"Yes, you too remain loyal to the current Imperial family."
I gave a sad smile to my former subordinates.
"I am sorry."
I might have to kill you today.
Papabat!
As soon as I finished speaking, all members of the Shadow Guard drew their weapons and charged at me.
Chak!
First, I scattered poison and drew out hidden weapons.
Infinite Fighting Hidden Weapon Technique.
Double Killing Snake.
Pying, Pying!
I threw two hidden weapons, each coated with a different poison, at the Shadow Guards.
All eleven Shadow Guards avoided the poisoned hidden weapons with minimal movements.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Landscape Painting.
Entering Mountain.
Flowing Ridge.
Deep Mountain.
After wielding my sword in the Landscape Painting style, I shifted to a low stance, aiming for balance, and made a serpentine thrust for control.
I then lunged in for the attack.
"Hah!"
However, the Shadow Guards quickly dodged and each wielded their weapons against me.
Infinite Fighting Hidden Weapon Technique.
Triple-Headed Snake.
Shuk!
I fitted three hidden weapons on my left hand and swung them like a whip at the closest guard.
After swinging three times to create distance, I coated the hidden weapons with poison and fired them in succession.
Pying, Pying, Pying!
While the three Shadow Guards who were charging at me dodged the hidden weapons, others leaped over them, swinging their weapons.
Sword, blade, curved sword, chain sword, dagger.
Different weapons rushed towards me.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Strange Stone.
Boom, boom, boom!
I spun my body, wielding my sword in an all-encompassing defensive and offensive posture.
At the same time, I took out poison powder from my pocket and spread it around.
Infinite Fighting Hidden Weapon Technique.
Illusionary Snake Mist.
Amongst the poison powder, I sent other poisoned hidden weapons targeting the Shadow Guards.
Taking advantage of their moment of distraction to dodge the hidden weapons.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Entering Mountain.
I shifted to a low stance to aim for balance.
"Ugh!"
"Damn, to be at the same level as a mid peak master..."
"Truly the skills of deputy-leader."
Crack.
I took out and chewed an antidote pill while gripping my sword tightly enough to break my hand.
Ignoring the pain that felt as if my hand would break I spoke.
"Don't open your mouth. Use your energy sensing technique if you want to live. The poison powder I just spread doesn't poison through the skin."
Quickly applying paralysis powder to a cloth, I covered the sword blade and prepared another move.
'It's not a sword technique, but a saber technique.'
But since they share the same root, they can be used similarly.
Severing Vein Saber Method.
Mountain Wind.
Five Consecutive Strikes.
Pying!
A series of thrusts at a terrifying speed, too fast to react, cut through the air five times.
"Guk, gurk..."
Five members of the Secret Guards collapsed after being hit by my sword coated with paralysis powder.
'Six left.'
As I faced the six Shadow Guards charging at me, I grasped another hidden weapon.
Infinite Fighting Hidden Weapon Technique.
Red Snake.
I threw three hidden weapons at the approaching soldier wielding dual swords, each timed differently.
The first targeted his forehead,
The second, immediately following, aimed at his ankle.
The third, following that, targeted his lower abdomen.
The trajectory of these hidden weapons was akin to a red snake.
Ting!
His dual swords deflected two hidden weapons, but he couldn't deflect the third.
I swiftly charged in, using Transcending Peaks Steps and employing Transcending Peaks.
Chak!
With the front of the Shadow Guards chest slightly cut, he soon collapsed from paralysis.
"Are you going to keep coming at me?"
I asked the remaining members.
"Truly the skills of deputy-leader."
"Truly a seasoned veteran."
"The difference in skills coming from that vast combat experience is simply insurmountable..."
They smiled at me, each holding a spear, moon blade, dual heavy swords, staff, and sword.
"If all cultivators are the same anyway, let's at least be good to the one we're currently loyal to," they said, agreeing with Leaders view.
I smiled bitterly.
"That's right."
Even if the Jin Clan regains control of the Imperial family, the situation for mortals like us might not change.
But still, just maybe, it could be a little better.
With that slim hope, I pushed on with my actions.
"Come at me, all of you."
A staff swung at me.
A spear pierced towards me.
A moon blade swung from the opposite side of the staff.
The guy wielding the dual broadswords swings his swords from the opposite side of the spear.
The guy with the sword leaps up as if flying and strikes down at me.
Meanwhile, countless thread trajectories target me.
Red and blue lines draw numerous orbits around me.
It felt like my brain was going to burn.
How can I escape this crisis?
How can I!
Just then, amidst those numerous trajectories, I suddenly saw 'a third color.'
Puk!
The spear grazed my waist.
The energy on the spear tore the flesh from my waist.
Infinite Fighting Hidden Weapon Technique.
Triple-Headed Snake.
Pying!
I put three hidden weapons on my fingers, each coated with paralysis poison, and threw one at the Shadow Guard who swung the spear.
My hidden weapon easily penetrated his trajectory and hit his shoulder.
The staff spins targeting my head.
I threw a hidden weapon to alter the trajectory of the staff, and then threw the last hidden weapon at the guy who threw the staff.
Again, my hidden weapon easily penetrated his trajectory and embedded in his thigh.
Two of the guards became incapacitated.
Three left.
I see something.
Between their threads and mine.
A third color, neither red nor blue.
Shuk!
The dual broadswords swing from right to left below.
I bent my waist to dodge the broadsword.
But a long cut appeared from my forehead to my left jaw from the sword energy on the broadsword.
The moon blade targets my waist.
If I dodge upwards, Ill become a target for the guy striking from above, and if I dodge downwards, Ill be cut by the dual broadswords preparing their next move.
But amidst the red and blue threads,
In this life-or-death fight, my focus was on the emerging third color.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship,
Secluded Valley.
Heavenly Lake.
Using the Secluded Valley I twisted and deflected the trajectory of the guy striking down with the sword, and with Heavenly Lake, I momentarily stopped the action of the guy swinging the moon blade.
In the meantime, the dual broadswords wielder who had completed his next move swung his broadswords at me again.
In an instant, I threw hidden weapons coated with paralysis poison at the arms and legs of the Shadow Guards with the moon blade and sword.
Then, I swiftly extended my sword toward the dual broadswords soldier.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Echoing Valley!
Between the blue and red.
The color that appeared was purple.
The Shadow Guards' and my thread.
That purple color, whose origin was indiscernible, showed me a new path between him and me.
I followed this new path, countering the dual broadswords soldier's move with Echoing Valley.
Kaang!
My sword cleanly sliced through his dual broadswords.
As his weapon was severed, the gaurd seemed about to draw a dagger and charge, but I was faster in throwing my hidden weapon.
Ke, keuk It was that movement. As if I was facing Leader.
"..."
"You could have killed all of us. It would have been much easier and painless. Why did you choose such a difficult path? Even if you didn't kill us, it would have been easier to subdue us if you were prepared to sever an arm or leg!"
I briefly replied to the fallen dual broadswords soldier.
"You called me deputy-leader
"Keuk. You are an interesting person."
""
"That movement just now. It looked similar to Leaders. An attack that suddenly breaks through the trajectories I didn't see a red line, but suddenly the ability to penetrate the trajectory Did you gain a new perspective? Have you reached Three Flowers Gather at the Summit?"
I shook my head bitterly at the question.
"No. I am sorry, but I havent reached that realm."
"Then"
"Im getting a sense of it. Slowly entering that realm."
The third color.
The purple thread was sometimes visible, sometimes not.
It didn't appear consistently.
So, to see purple consistently,
I would need to continue fighting life-or-death battles.
Just then.
Someone approached me.
Someone familiar to me.
From my time in the Shadow Guards, someone I had guarded a few times and my job more difficult.
The Crown Prince.
Makli Hyun.
"It's amazing. Deputy-leaders skills are to this extent. There was a reason why my father sent me."
"It's been a while, Your Highness. If you've been watching since earlier, why didn't you intervene?"
"Why intervene? It wouldn't be fun if I did. And don't call me 'Your Highness.' Today, I'm here representing a branch of the Makli Clan, not as a member of the Imperial family."
"Fun You realize the entire Shadow Guards could have died at my hands. Is that fun for you, Your Highness?"
"Don't call me 'Your Highness' Well, since you keep calling me that, I'll tell you something. Do you know why I became the Crown Prince?"
The Crown Prince began to expand his domain.
His red threads started to engulf the surrounding space.
"I reached the same Qi Refining 4th Star as my father at a young age! Regardless of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit or whatever, they can barely compete against Qi Refining 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Star. Do you think you, who is not even in the Three Flowers Gather at the Summit, can defeat me?"
"I'll ask again. Do you find this fun?"
"Tch, it's not fun. Enough talk, come at me."
As always, that annoying guy who used to bother the Shadow Guards when I was guarding the Emperor.
He always questioned our necessity while speaking arrogantly.
But he had the right to be arrogant.
Because he was strong.
So strong that not even a group of peak martial artists could stand against him.
Even ordinary Three Flowers Gather at the Summit masters would have to risk their lives against him.
However, I hadn't entered Three Flowers, just barely stepping into its boundary.
Fighting against him would surely lead to my death.
But why?
I can feel a smile forming on my lips.
'Ah, yes.'
Because it's okay even if I die.
I've grasped the clue to enlightenment, so what does it matter if I die the next moment!
"Take care, all members of the Shadow Guards. I am now going to die."
I attained the Way in the morning.
So, it's fine if I die in the evening.
To embody this enlightenment.
I am going to die today.
I ran towards the Emperor's son, the Crown Prince, with my sword in hand.
Seeing the faint purple thread, I felt like I could do something I never dared to attempt even after several regressions.
I swung my sword.
The martial art that had always been in my head, but I could never understand.
Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts!
As I entered the red divine consciousness of the Crown Prince, I used the martial art I had long longed for.
"Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts."
The next moment, Seo Eun-hyun's form disappeared like a phantom.
***
A new world appears before my eyes.
Though I haven't fully entered that world yet, I sense that once I do, everything will change drastically.
The purple thread.
Familiarizing myself with the direction this new path points to, I recall the formula of 'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts'.
Up to now, I memorized the formula but couldn't understand a single word.
That's why, even possessing this divine technique, understanding it was impossible.
Now, however.
The moment I saw the path of purple, somehow, I felt I could understand 'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts'.
'Now I understand why everyone who read 'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts' called it an absurd martial art.'
Yes, this is a martial art that could completely overturn the history of martial arts in Yanguo.
Its basis might be for escaping and ambushing cultivators.
But if used properly, this could be.
Undoubtedly a martial art meant to capture and kill those cultivators!
A few cycles back, this was Kim Young-hoon's assessment of 'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts' after mastering it.
Yes, used properly, it's indeed a martial art capable of killing cultivators!
The formula of 'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts' crosses my mind.
[In the contest of martial arts, if the clashing of colors represents the essence of martial arts can't we attack the colors themselves?]
A phrase incomprehensible before stepping into the realm of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.
But now, I understand.
'Colors represent intent (spirit, will, etc). Attacking the colors themselves mean.'
Attacking the opponent's intent directly!
Beyond exchanging intent trajectories, attacking the intent themselves, and furthermore, cutting through the opponent's very consciousness, is the essence of Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts. One who uses this as a basis can enter a cultivator's blind spots and strike!
The divine technique Kim Young-hoon showed, which made him disappear like a phantom, wasn't his agility but the record that quickly sliced through my consciousness, making it impossible for me to perceive him momentarily!
Shuk!
My sword dives into the flow of the Crown Prince's consciousness.
Every human consciousness has its fibers.
Aiming for the gaps in the fibers through the purple thread, I concentrate my intent following the formula of 'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts' and slice into his consciousness.
Paat!
The edges of his consciousness split.
Though I stand before him, in his eyes, I must appear to have vanished like a phantom.
I've entered the cultivator's blind spot.
Ordinary martial artists can't perceive intent due to completely being dominated by a cultivator's consciousness domain.
Conversely, a cultivator can detect every movement of a martial artist who enters their realm of consciousness.
But 'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts' allows one to penetrate the cultivator's blind spot, rendering even cultivators unable to track a martial artist's actions.
A martial art that momentarily equalizes martial artists with cultivators!
This is.
'A martial art created by mortals to transcend the cultivators!'
Quickly slicing through the fibers of the Crown Prince's consciousness, I approach him closely and raise my sword.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Transcending Peaks!
Paat!
My sword, covered in sword silk, precisely targets the Crown Prince's neck.
Then, the sound of clashing metal resounds.
Kaang!
A translucent defensive spell suddenly covers him.
Huh, huhuk! What trick did you play?
Surprised by my sudden disappearance and close-range attack, he forms a spell seal.
Kwaang!
Energy writhes, changing the flow of the surrounding air.
Purung!
I'm thrown backwards by a strong recoil, and a small whirlwind starts rising around the Crown Prince.
Fun tricks, but I'll show you they won't work on a true cultivator!
Pyeung!
Several wind blades shoot out from the whirlwind covering him.
I hastily retreat, dodging outside the Crown Prince's domain of consciousness.
From outside his realm, the flow of intent becomes clear.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Strange Stone.
Boom, boom, boom!
In a defensive and offensive stance, I deflect all incoming wind blades and prepare to re-enter his domain.
However, as the Crown Prince forms another spell seal, a wind bullet, as big as my upper body, shoots towards me from the whirlwind.
'I need to dodge.'
Frowning, I deploy my agility technique and escape among the houses within the Makli Clan's territory.
Kwaang, Kwaang, Kwaang!
The wind bullet collapses several straw houses, and corpses and streams of blood from mortals spill out.
'I need to approach the whirlwind.'
Observing the Crown Prince's whirlwind, I click my tongue.
'Every strand of that wind is a wind blade. If I approach, I'll be shredded.'
Even if I manage to approach by cutting through his consciousness, if I can't penetrate the whirlwind, I can't deliver a strike.
'No, hold on.'
Even if I penetrate the whirlwind, the Crown Prince's defensive spell remains.
My sword silk isn't enough to penetrate his spell.
'How can I break through all of it?'
Kwaang, kwaang, kwaang!
I dodge through the alleys of the village, using the houses of cultivators as a shield against the Crown Prince's attacks.
Dodging isn't a problem.
As long as I keep observing the flow of his intent from outside his domain.
However, fundamentally, the internal energy of a martial artist is more impure compared to a cultivator's spiritual power, so no matter how much internal energy a martial artist has, they will tire much quicker than a cultivator.
'I can't drag this out.'
I need to finish this quickly.
And to do that.
'Now, right now. I must ascend to Three Flowers Gather at the Summit!'
I must seize this clue and ascend now.
With the resolve to die!
Ta-at!
Climbing onto the roof of a house with my Transcending Peaks Step, I thrust my sword at the wind bullets the Crown Prince shoots.
Boo-woong!
Kwaang!
Cutting upwards with Ascending Vein, the wind bullets split in half and fly off in different directions.
Jing, jing, jing!
'My hand is trembling.'
Indeed, the power contained in the wind bullets were formidable.
The hand holding my sword ached unbearably.
'I'll keep receiving those attacks.'
I gave up on dodging and continue to thrust my sword at his wind bullets and wind blades.
The intent of the wind bullets and wind blades is directed at me.
I observe the attacks coming from both sides and prepare my stance.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Landscape Painting!
Diagonal slashes extend left and right, cutting through the approaching wind blades and wind bullets.
But beyond, even more endless wind blades rush in.
'They don't stop.'
I keep wielding my sword and perform sword moves.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Joy of Mountains and Peaks.
Flowing Ridge.
Strange Stone.
Bouldered Cliff.
Amidst continuous rotation.
Piercing and slicing the wind bullets.
I attack and block in a defensive and offensive stance.
While doing so, I begin to approach step by step again.
Shuk! Shuk!
I cautiously advance, inching forward with measured steps
Shoulder, waist, cheek, thigh.
The flesh touched by the wind blades turn to tatters.
"Hmph, dare to come at me! Die!"
The Crown Prince forms a spell seal, and the whirlwind writhes, as numerous wind blades begin to merge.
Soon, they form the shape of a giant bird.
A deep red consciousness aims at me.
A terrifying killing intent pierces the entire space I stand in.
I can't block it.
I can't dodge it.
The moment it flies at me, I'll die.
I instinctively know.
But for some reason, I'm not worried.
I just aimlessly follow the faint purple thread between the red.
'What does purple mean?'
Blue is the thread of self-protection.
Thus, it extends from me.
Red is the thread of killing intent.
Thus, it extends from the enemy.
Then what is purple?
Purple is...
Suddenly, I feel as if the red and blue threads are mingling, somewhat forming a Tai Chi.
Though blue is weaker compared to red, it mixes with red.
And between red and blue.
A purple thread opens a path.
'Purple is the color born from the mix of blue and red.'
Hostility and self-will.
The will to protect oneself and the will to kill.
Why can these two intents mix?
Suddenly, looking at the stance I've taken, I'm amazed.
Facing this fearsome attack, I've adopted the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship's first move, Transcending Peaks.
'Do I no longer want to live?'
No, that's not it.
I've always wanted to live.
Then, the current stance also means my will to live has guided me towards it.
'Ah, right.'
This isn't just a simple Transcending Peaks.
Transcending Peaks marks both the beginning and end of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Therefore, it can also be the initial form of the ultimate technique, Severing Mountain ().
Kieeek!
The giant bird flies towards me.
I initiate the twenty-second form of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Severing Mountain ().
Transcending Peaks ().
Entering Mountain ().
Ascending Vein ().
Flowing Ridge ().
Bouldered Cliff ().
Strange Stone ().
Deep Mountain ().
Secluded Valley ().
Landscape Painting ().
Dragon Vein ().
Cliff Edge ().
Twelve Lights Emerging Peak ().
I slash horizontally, then vertically again holding the sword high and piercing crookedly, then I rotate in a defensive and offensive stance, adjusting and charging forward with an upward slash.
I twist and neutralize the opponent's power, slashing diagonally several times.
In an instant, I intensify the sword silk with a rapid vertical slash, then change the speed, slashing upwards and firing twelve streams of sword silk.
All of this happens in a flash.
I frantically wield the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, relentlessly pursuing the purple thread.
The power of the giant bird intensifies.
The wind blades emitting from its body leave scars and cuts all over my body.
My vision blurs, perhaps due to too much blood loss.
'A little more, just a little more!'
Keep moving the sword.
Get even one step closer to that color!
Even if I die the next moment!
'If I lack talent.'
Joy of Mountains and Peaks ().
Qi Mountain, Heart Heaven ().
Layered Mountain ().
Mountain Tiger ().
Mountain and Valley Transformation ().
Echoing Valley ().
'I must go crazy!!!'
It's okay to die now.
So please, show me the way!
In that moment.
I see a massive red intent aiming at me and think.
'Maybe in the contest of martial arts, there is no me or others.'
Until now, I've always thought others' intents were invariably red.
But if I change my perspective, from the other's point of view, their intent is blue, and mine is red.
I used to think the world of peak martial artists only consisted of others' intents and mine.
But maybe that's a mistaken thought.
Others' intent.
And my intent.
It's just a matter of perspective and maybe they're all the same color.
I close and then open my eyes.
Changing perspectives, my intent appears red and the giant bird's intent blue.
When I blink again, the colors return to normal, but I understand.
'If intent is essentially the same, what remains is only my martial arts.'
The boundaries between my color and the Crown Prince's color start to fade.
Red and blue melt into each other, and before me, the world seems to be drenched in purple.
My body is turning into tatters in real-time, but concurrently, I enter a strange state of ecstasy.
Martial arts are never complete on their own.
Martial arts need a partner to dance with.
'Ah, I see.'
I finally understand the realm of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.
A realm of connection!
A realm where the boundary between the opponent's intent and mine disappears, allowing me to read their intent more directly and meticulously
By understanding the opponent's intent, I can ensure that all my movements and techniques are flawless.
I mirror all my techniques in the Crown Prince's intent, fully understanding how much energy I've wasted.
How many unnecessary movements I made while executing sword moves.
Huuuuh
I take a deep breath.
I gather all the internal energy I've carelessly scattered while executing my sword moves!
The Shadow Guards, paralyzed by paralyzing powder, watched the duel between Seo Eun-hyun and the Crown Prince from the ground.
A seasoned veteran with overwhelming practical experience despite his young age!
That was the assessment of Seo Eun-hyun when he joined the Shadow Guard.
Such an experienced master had been refining his skills for decades.
But everyone in the Shadow Guards thought he couldn't beat the Crown Prince.
Because he was a cultivator.
A being of a different class from martial artists.
Indeed, Seo Eun-hyun was becoming tattered in real-time while fighting the Crown Prince.
He was spewing blood, covered in wounds and holes torn in his body.
Yet, he did not give up and steadily moved forward, step by step.
Everyone knew.
This desperate struggle was futile.
Suddenly, the Shadow Guards were astounded.
Seo Eun-hyun began to execute his swordsmanship.
It looked more like a sword dance.
A series of movements, clean without any superfluity.
But what astounded them was what happened next.
Seo Eun-hyun's intent became increasingly refined to the point where even the mid pinnacle guards failed to grasp in understanding.
His intent, which had spread out around him, suddenly converged into three points.
"Th-Three..."
Above his head, three flowers bloomed.
"Three Flowers... Gather at the Summit!"
The three flowers that momentarily lingered above his head were soon sucked into his nose and mouth.
Huuuuup!
All the wasted energy returns at once.
The internal energy spent while executing the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship is instantly replenished.
I felt like I understood why Leader said that Echoing Valley was linked to Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.
'A technique that receives and counters the opponent's power.'
In a sense, it was a practice of exchanging intents with the opponent, ultimately leading to connection.
'Thank you, Hyung-nim.'
I express my deep gratitude to Kim Young-hoon from my past life and continue to swing my sword.
There is no you or me.
Only martial arts itself exists here.
I felt like I understood why Three Flowers Gather at the Summit masters spoke to enter a state of no-mind.
Not a metaphysical answer, but advice to reach a state where neither your intent nor the other's exists.
Mountain Echoes, Valley Respond ().
Nine Mountains Eight Seas ().
In a state of no-mind, I unleash my sword.
In executing sword moves, not even a single bit of wasted movement exists.
In the realm of purple, beyond blue and red, I continue to infuse my sword with intent.
'If there is no you or me in martial arts, then there is neither your intent or mine.'
The sword silk becomes one with the sword, infusing it with energy.
If sword silk is the realization of sword intent,
Then next.
'Sword intent should connect with the intent flowing through the world.'
Paaat!
The sword silk evolves.
The faint aura surrounding the sword thickens and starts to emit a radiance.
It looked as if the sword was adorned with starlight.
Sword Gang!
Why I couldn't sustain the Sword Gang for more than a second with my strength alone, even when pouring all my internal energy into it, became clear in the realm of Three Flowers.
Because martial arts aren't just about using one's own strength.
The opponent's intent.
And the intent of the world must connect to truly complete martial arts.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Heavenly Lake!
I become like a clear lake, sweeping through the 'flow' of the giant bird with my sword.
Though it was a spell body without meridians and channels, I felt like I could understand the giant bird's structure.
The flow of intent inside the giant bird was clear to see.
The power of the giant bird was sucked into my sword in an instant, and I executed the ultimate technique of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship while sheathing my sword.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Ultimate Move.
"Severeing Mountain."
Chaaaak!
Unsheathing the sword again, I unleash it towards the giant bird.
My sword was clearly adorned with bright Sword Gang.
Chung!
The Sword Gang shatters the giant bird.
"Huuu..."
I catch my breath.
I look at the Crown Prince, grinding his teeth within the whirlwind, with clear eyes.
"Ha, you. Don't be happy just because you broke one spell. Take this!"
Numerous wind blades merge, transforming into a giant dragon this time.
But I no longer felt that these would kill me.
Tadat!
I charge at him with the Transcending Peaks Step.
Koooong!
The wind dragon roars and flies towards me.
In the midst of executing the foot technique, I realized something more.
'Mountain Lord Martial Arts and Transcending Peaks Step were one technique all along.'
Until now, I didn't realize it due to my lack of talent.
It was only after reaching the state of Three Flowers that I finally understood.
The intention Kim Young-hoon had left in this foot technique when he created it.
Mountain Lord () transcends Great Peaks()!
'And then, it soars.'
Mountain Lords Soaring Flight ().
I leaped up, avoiding the wind dragon, and entered the Crown Prince's domain.
'Be nervous, Your Highness.'
Now, there were no more constraints in executing the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
The moment I entered his domain, I felt the flow of his consciousness sweeping over my entire body.
Using Secrets of Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martial Arts, I sharply honed my intent and cut through his consciousness directly.
Just moments ago, I was cutting unconsciously in ecstasy, but now I was fully aware and executing in single form!
'Ha, resorting to tricks again. But do you really think you can penetrate this whirlwind?'
The whirlwind surrounding the Crown Prince.
It was the culmination of a spell made of thousands, even tens of thousands of wind blades.
Yet, I feel a newfound confidence.
'I can cut through it.'
The weakest point of the spell.
The spot where the rotation of the wind blades was weakest.
I shot towards that spot.
Kaang!
Dozens, hundreds of wind blades seemed to shoot towards me.
But I did not flinch, sensing their intent.
I felt it.
Kaang, kang, kang!
Landscape Painting ()!
Dozens of slashes extended in all directions, shedding the wind blades, and I successfully penetrated the inside of the whirlwind.
Inside, the Crown Prince's consciousness was denser and harder to cut.
'No matter.'
At this distance, my sword can reach him.
I infused my sword with Sword Gang.
Paat!
A bright white light burst from my sword, shocking the Crown Prince who just noticed me.
'Before, I couldn't pierce the defensive spell with sword silk.'
But Sword Gang would be different!
Kwaang!
My single sword stroke shattered the Crown Prince's defensive spell like glass.
"Kreuaak!"
Chaaak!
My sword tore a part of his neck.
Paaat!
The Crown Prince hurriedly executed a wind spell to dodge my sword.
For the first time, fear seemed to surface in his eyes.
"He, heek. Don't come. Stay away!"
Paat!
I lunged at him with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, cutting through his consciousness again.
As I disappeared from his sight, his complexion turned deathly pale.
"G-go away! Get away, get away from me!"
Kwaaaa!
A gust of wind howled.
He blindly scattered wind in all directions due to not seeing me, but I quickly sliced through the wind and approached him again.
Chaaak!
Using Sword Gang, I aimed at him once more.
The Crown Prince screamed and used another spell, narrowly surviving once more.
"Die! Just die!"
Paat!
As he chanted a spell, forming another incantation, once again, spells in the forms of giant bird, wind dragon, phoenix, and Qilin burst forth.
Now fully grounded in Three Flowers Gather at the Summit and using Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, they were useless against me.
Shuk!
I rushed towards the giant bird with Deep Mountain, slicing it, then pierced the wind dragon with Flowing Ridge. Dodging other spells with Mountain Lords Soaring Flight, I chase after the prince.
Once again, he uses powerful spells to escape from me.
The situation had reversed.
"Hu, huk! Huoooork!"
The Crown Prince miserably ran away, continuously forming incantations.
Compared to me, who uses my internal energy without any waste, the Crown Prince, who had kept casting large-scale spells that never hit, now turned pale.
"Ju, just die! Please, just die! Huaaaa!"
'With the next strike, I'll end it.'
I took the stance of Qi Mountain, Heart Heaven and took a breath.
"Ha, ha! Krk!"
While fleeing, the Crown Prince suddenly changes direction, leaping with a spell.
'Qi Mountain, Heart Heaven!'
Shuk!
My Sword Gang extends and aims at his legs, severing them.
"Kraaak! Damn, damn it! A mere martial artist, why a martial artist!!"
In agony from his severed legs, he grits his teeth at me.
"You! Do you think what you're doing is right? Do you think the Jin Clan you're with is any different?"
I silently raise my sword towards him.
"Hahaha! That's right, you received the Blessing Pill from father years ago! The Blessing Pill is made of the same material as the Revival Pill.
And you know what the Qi Building Pill is, the one that Qi Refining cultivators eat to ascend to Qi Building right?"
I raise my sword towards the babbling prince.
"The Qi Building Pill is made using a hundred years of human vital energy and essence as one of its ingredients! Do you think there's a Qi Building cultivator who ascended without eating a Qi Building Pill?
Over 99% of Qi Building cultivators ascend by consuming Qi Building Pills! The Jin Clan you follow is no different in the end! They all consume human lives!
Since you've eaten the Blessing Pill, you're no different..."
Puk!
I kick the Crown Prince in the chest. He coughed up blood, struggling to breathe.
But I, too, had to gasp for air.
I had lost too much blood.
There were places where flesh had been completely torn away, and I was losing sensation in my thigh.
I glanced down at the Crown Prince coughing on the ground, then took out a silk box from my pocket.
I looked at the Blessing Pill inside.
A lustrous pill with a hint of red.
A legendary elixir said to extend a person's life by ten years.
Today, I realized the true nature of the red hue in the Blessing Pill.
Tuk
Crunch.
I throw the filthy pill beside the Crown Prince and crush it under my foot.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of ever consuming such filthy pills made by you cultivators."
Flames roared and raged.
The Makli Clans base was now engulfed in flames by the fire spells of the Jin Clan cultivators.
Above, a battle was raging among Qi Building cultivators.
Kim Young-hoon was also engaged in that battle.
'I need to hurry... and help.'
Would I have been able to move a bit more if I had taken the Blessing Pill?
But I have no regrets.
I don't want to touch a filthy pill made at the expense of human lives.
Sleung
I raise my sword.
"Farewell."
I struck down at the Crown Prince.
Shuk!
What's happening?
Why is my body upside down?
I suddenly realize that my neck felt empty.
'Ah, I see. My head has been cut off.'
It was due to a wind blade that suddenly shot from the necklace the Crown Prince was wearing.
A wind blade I couldn't possibly block or dodge.
'I need to... cut.'
Finally reaching that realm.
To be a little more helpful.
Is this how I die?
'No, it's not.'
Even if I die like this.
Let me be of some help.
Despite achieving the realm I longed for, to die without doing anything?
'I'll cut! I'll cut!'
Even if I die, I'll keep cutting!
"Huh...huk..."
Makli Hyun, the Crown Prince of Yanguo, gasped for breath upon witnessing the decapitated body of Seo Eun-hyun.
'I survived.'
The life-saving magical instrument given to the Crown Prince of Yanguo.
A one-time use magical instrument capable of delivering a blow equivalent to a Qi Building cultivator was activated.
"...Ha, hahaha!"
He laughed maniacally.
"I won! I beat this mortal! You can never challenge the authority of cultivators Ha, haha! Kuhk! Kuk!"
He coughed up blood.
He had used too many powerful spells excessively.
His spiritual power was depleted, and he couldn't move his legs.
'I need to recover my spiritual power with spirit stones.'
He looked up at the sky.
Among the martial artists who came with Seo Eun-hyun, there was a monster who was confronting Qi Building-level elders head-on.
'I shouldn't have come to gain merit. I need to escape before it's too late...'
Then, it happened.
Wriggle
"..."
Seo Eun-hyun's decapitated body began to move.
"What?"
Makli Hyun dumbfoundedly watched the body.
A body without a head, now adopting a stance.
"What, what's going on! No, nooo!"
Without any spiritual power controlling its movements, it wasn't a Jiangshi.
"Why is he moving!"
He tried to stand and flee, but his legs wouldn't move.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun's intent captured his consciousness.
'This is...'
Obsession!
An overwhelming obsession to cut down the opponent in front of him, no matter what, was raging within Seo Eun-hyun's body.
'Nonsense! How can a mere mortal have such obsession!'
Seo Eun-hyun's corpse took on a sword stance.
Though his corpse could not gather energy into the sword, Makli Hyun was now powerless, unable to move, and had even used up his one-time life-saving magical device.
The sword began to move.
"This is nonsense! How can a mere mortal possess such tenacity? How can such a thing be possible! Why, why won't you give up even in death!"
It was Seo Eun-hyun's body.
The body he honed in martial arts all his life.
The hands that held the sword so tightly through decades of arduous training.
His lifelong dedication to refining his martial arts, even in death, moved his body on its own, performing its destined task.
"Why won't you give up! Why resist even in death!!!"
Swoosh!
Seo Eun-hyun's sword cleanly sliced off the upper part of Makli Hyun's mouth.
His mouth remained agape in disbelief until his death, and his eyes were filled with incredulity and fear until the end.
Seo Eun-hyun's head, even severed, bore a faint smile.
Thus ended the life of a man who had relentlessly refined himself.
This was Seo Eun-hyun's fifth return.
Translator Notes: Headless Eun-hyun isekais into another world as a Durahan. The end.
Anyway, the 4th cycle is now over. What did yall think of it?
I feel Seo Eun-hyun's character and determination is deepening every cycle. In the third cycle, Seo Eun-hyun engraved the concept that the untalented must go mad in order to advance. In this cycle, Seo Eun-hyun engraved the concept that if he can gain enlightment in the morning, he is fine with death in the evening. Meaning, Seo Eun-hyun must train and pursue martial arts with death as a consequence. What will he engrave in the next?
The next cycle is one of my favorites. It might be a tad bit slow in the middle, but trust me it'll be worth it in the end!
***
As I opened my eyes, a familiar scent filled the air.
It was the forest Ascension Path.
'I've returned again.'
First, I swiftly pressed the sleep acupoint on Jeon Myeong-hoon, who was trying to say something to me, making him fall deeply asleep at an invisible speed.
'I'm not sure if I succeeded in cutting down the Crown Prince.'
It seemed like my body had moved, but I wasn't certain.
'Did I manage to be of any help...'
I hadn't known cultivators had such things.
Naturally, thinking I had reached a new realm, I was too complacent.
Just as martial artists often hide 30% of their true power and keep life-saving herbs a secret, it would make sense for cultivators to have something similar.
'Given he didnt use it until the very end, it seemed more like an external object rather than his own power. Probably a type of magical device.'
Next time, when confronting a cultivator, I'll need to check for such life-saving devices first.
I gathered my thoughts, feeling the vitality coursing through my young body.
The regression was evident.
'In my last life... I reached Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.'
It was an achievement I had always dreamed of.
It was also the goal I desperately wanted to achieve in my previous life.
But...
'I died too soon.'
In all my past lives, I had died according to my natural lifespan.
Living for about 50 years each time, steadily achieving and advancing.
However, in the 4th cycle, I died before my time for the first time.
'It's a pity.'
Had I lived a few decades more and further refined my enlightenment, I might have even reached Five Energies Converging to the Origin
'...It's over. No use dwelling on it.'
I sighed softly, shaking my head.
It was all in the past now.
Being granted another life was a miracle, and I silently expressed gratitude for this new life.
"Uh, look at this Deputy Manager Seo. Section Chief Jeon doesnt wake up no matter how hard we shake him. And where are we now..."
Kim Young-hoon and Chief Oh Hyun-seok were holding the pale Jeon Myeong-hoon, and worried.
"Um, I've studied oriental medicine before, so let me take his pulse."
"Really? I'll trust you then!"
Pretending to take Jeon Myeong-hoon's pulse, I pressed his acupoint again to wake him up.
"Uh...? Where is this..."
Before he could fully regain consciousness, I pressed his sleep acupoint, putting him back to sleep.
"Um, seeing that he just woke up, it seems he was just sleeping. He must have been accumulating fatigue."
"That's a relief then."
"But shouldnt we wake him up? He doesnt even know what's going on..."
Ignoring the discussion between Kim Young-hoon and Oh Hyun-seok about whether to wake Jeon Myeong-hoon, I pointed to a large tree nearby.
"I'll climb up that tree to see if there's anything around."
"Huh?"
Without waiting for their response, I approached the tree and executed the martial arts I had realized in my last life.
Mountain Lord Martial Art and Transcending Peaks Steps True Form.
Mountain Lords Soaring Flight.
Whoosh!
Just like a tiger leaping over a great mountain, I swiftly climbed up the tree branches and came back down.
"Wow... Deputy Manager Seo. That's amazing."
"When did you learn that?"
"Ha ha..."
I casually explained that there was nothing around and persuaded everyone to go to the cave.
Then, after making a windbreak and preparing a campfire in the cave, I continued to consolidate the realization of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.
'Constantly connecting with the opponent.'
When I first entered Three Flowers, it was only a connection with the opponent I was fighting. However, the more I became accustomed to it, it seemed possible to connect not only with enemies but also with nearby allies and structures.
'If this ability is maximized...'
Eventually, I could read the myriad intents flowing through the world, connecting not only with living beings but also with the world itself.
'That would probably be the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.'
I smiled lightly as I made an educated guess about the realm of Five Energies.
I burst into laughter.
"Ha ha, ha ha ha!"
Oh Hyun-seok, who was gathering branches for the campfire, looked at me curiously.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Oh, nothing. Just remembered something funny."
I had always thought that reaching the peak of Three Flowers was the ultimate end.
But Three Flowers was not the end.
Rather, it was just the beginning of the journey towards Five Energies.
I guess it's the same with Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
The end is just the start to a new beginning.
I am still so weak.
However.
'Someday, I will definitely reach there.'
The beginning to reach the end.
Naturally, my goal in this life is Five Energies!
Now, only one step is left to become a cultivator.
Soon it was night.
All my colleagues at the company had fallen asleep,
Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had been sleeping all day, tried to wake up, but I knocked him out again by hitting the back of his neck.
Leaving my colleagues behind, I went outside the cave, dug up yellow bamboo roots, and channeled internal power.
Then I chose a suitable branch and carved it into a wooden sword.
Woo-woong-
When I infused energy and intent into it, a white Sword Gang formed on the wooden sword.
It certainly wasn't the sturdy body I had trained for a lifetime in my past life.
However, no longer did my grip ache even when holding a sword.
'Good, a new life.'
Right after death, which always strikes at the last moment, the life that follows feels so grateful.
I closed my eyes for a moment and contemplated my body.
After looking at the Sword Gang, I sniffed the scent carried by the wind.
'It's over there.'
Tadat!
Using Mountain Lords Soaring Flight, I climbed onto a tree and ran towards the direction of the scent, jumping across trees.
Shu-shush!
Every time I stepped, it seemed like trees passed by me in an instant.
This unforgettable scent.
In a giant rural area far away.
There.
There was a fox.
Zzzt, Zzzt!
As soon as I visually confirmed the fox's territory, tension swirled throughout my body.
The fox's domain was over 30 zhang (100m) in radius, centered around the fox.
'Core Formation...!'
Now, I could roughly gauge the level of the opponent by the size of their domain.
In my last life, I once glimpsed at the Core Formation cultivator of the Jin Clan, and his domain was about that size.
Woo-woong-
Maintaining the vision of a peak master, I observed the fox's territory, shimmering in purple.
Then, as if the fox sensed something strange, it opened its eyes.
Shuk!
I quickly refined my intent to cut off the fox's perception, erasing my presence.
The fox looked around for a while but, not finding anything unusual, closed its eyes and fell asleep again.
'It's a good thing I was far outside its domain.'
If I had been inside the fox's domain, it would have been impossible.
Unlike the consciousness of a lower level practitioner at Qi Refining, the consciousness of a Core Formation being was much denser and richer.
It was doubtful whether I could even find an intent in that gap to secretly cut.
'...As expected, I can't face the fox with my current level.'
The difference in level was absurd.
'Not mentioning killing the fox, but even to escape, I need to reach Five Energies.'
Before that, it would be presumptuous to even try to penetrate those dense layers of consciousness.
'...First, I need to practice the state of Three Flowers a bit.'
As I focused on the giant purple area before me, the purple area began to turn red, distinguishing my consciousness from the fox's.
In the state of Three Flowers, intent could simply appear purple, but like this, I could also perceive the others consciousness by dividing into red and blue.
After integrating and separating the purple, blue, and red intents for a while, I slowly descended to the ground.
And took a step towards where the fox was.
Shuk!
With each step, I simultaneously cut through the fox's consciousness again.
Another step.
One more.
Gradually approaching the fox's domain, I continuously sharpened my intent.
'I can't enter inside of the domain. But... it's possible to get as close as I can!'
How close can I get to the fox?
Consciousness seemed to dominate space based on some sort of boundary, but in fact, that boundary was not clear.
Even though it looked like there were boundaries when viewed with the vision of a peak master, in reality, a faint consciousness was constantly flowing beyond that.
I was approaching the fox by cutting through that faint consciousness.
'How capable am I?'
How far can I reach?
Where am I now!
This was an opportunity to test myself and at the same time, to understand and train in the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
Boo-woong! Boo-woong!
My wooden sword split the air, barely cutting through the faint consciousness of the fox.
With each step, sweat dripped from my entire body.
With each division of countless consciousnesses, my heart pounded with tension.
'No, I can do more.'
I took another step.
Only thirty steps left to the fox's domain.
When I took another step, cutting through the consciousness,
Woo-woong-
The fox's consciousness intensified.
It had sensed something was off.
I quickly cut through the consciousness and stepped into the fox's blindspot.
'It's far...'
If I were Kim Young-hoon from my past life, I could have easily passed this distance and entered the fox's domain.
But this was my limit.
Twenty-nine steps to the proper inner area of the consciousness domain. That was my current level.
'No, it's not.'
I gritted my teeth.
'I can go further.'
With all my concentration, I saw even more consciousnesses.
Sweating, I swung my sword again.
Whoosh!
The consciousness was cut again by the intent on my sword.
'Is this my limit?'
Then what am I supposed to do?
My original limit was much lower.
Far from getting close to the fox, I was always waiting in the cave to be torn apart.
I've constantly overcome my limits to reach this point.
This time, too, I will overcome my limit.
'Squeeze out your brain!'
Until the brain busts into flames!
It's comfortable now that I'm used to the peak state, but when I first reached the peak state, I had to constantly endure my brain burning!
It felt like my brain was on fire.
More details of the consciousness became visible.
I took another step.
The distance till the inner area of the fox's domain was gradually closing.
Twenty-seven steps.
Twenty-five steps.
Twenty-two steps.
Twenty steps.
Fifteen steps.
And...
'Ten steps!'
Maybe because I overloaded my brain too much, my brain was screaming.
The tension exceeding the limit had my muscles and body tightly contracted.
'One more step, and I'll really be caught.'
The next step was where the color of the fox's consciousness faintly leaked out.
If I go one step further, I might be caught by the fox.
'...Well, what does it matter?'
Though sweat poured down my entire body, I smirked.
'If I can take one more step, I don't mind dying.'
My body screamed madly.
It felt like smoke would come out of my brain.
'If you want to live, squeeze out more!'
I'm a dunce.
So, when the opportunity comes, if I don't squeeze out all my ability, I can't move forward.
I can't move forward without dying!
Blood rushed to my brain.
At the same time, I was able to move half a step further.
Half a step.
Originally, I tried to take one more step, but my body instinctively prevented me from going any further.
But...
'I've crossed the limit.'
I wasn't caught.
The fox was still asleep, and my body had gone far beyond what I thought was my limit.
I smirked and quietly killed my presence, cutting through consciousness and stepping back.
'This was the end for this life.'
In the next life, I might be able to go a little deeper.
Having completely escaped the influence of the fox's consciousness, I thought as I ran back to the cave.
'Next time, even more...'
I'll go deeper!
Drip...
As I arrived at the cave, blood flowed from my nose.
It seemed to be due to overloading my brain.
But even with the feeling of collapsing from exhaustion, I smiled, showing my teeth.
"Ha ha, hahahaha!"
This life.
The first day I woke up!
I had succeeded in overcoming another limit.
I will continue to surpass my limits and surely reach the next realm!
The fifth regression.
Five Energies Converging to the Origin seemed to be in sight.
***
The events of the following day were similar to before.
The fox appeared, bit my arm, and the next day a snake came asking for blood.
The day after, a trio of cultivators appeared, healed my arm, and kidnapped my colleagues.
The fourth day, the Sea Dragon King took away Deputy Manager Oh, and the strange hunchback took away Manager Kim.
As usual, Kim Young-hoon and I were pushed into a spatial rift and lost consciousness.
"...This place is."
When I opened my eyes, it was an unfamiliar ceiling.
'A ceiling?'
Startled, I quickly got up and looked around.
Kim Young-hoon was sprawled nearby.
It seems we hadn't been out of the rift for long.
'I knew we'd be randomly transported somewhere in Yanguo, but being transported into someone's room is a first.'
Slightly amused, I pick up Kim Young-hoon and try to leave the room.
Bang!
And then, I lock eyes with a woman passing by the door, who clearly looks like a maid.
"Aaaah! A thief!"
"...Damn it."
I quickly tap the maid's sleep acupoint and hurry out of the room.
'Is this a mansion?'
It seems to be a mansion of someone quite powerful.
"Hey, there! The villains went that way! That villain knocked me out and... no, anyway, he came out of the lady's room!"
Far away, I hear the voice of the maid I had knocked out.
It seems we had fallen into the room of the lady of this mansion.
'Damn, this is crazy.'
Why do we always end up in places like this when we fall?
Thinking this, I was about to escape carrying Kim Young-hoon.
"How dare you sneak into the house of Lord Heo Semin, you must be a mad thief!"
Two elite warriors, looking like guards, were rushing towards me.
'Wait, Heo Semin?'
I paus when I hear that name.
That name was one of the pieces of information I had come across in my past life when digging into the Imperial family's information.
'Lord Heo. One of the top five corrupt officials in Yanguo. Known for his extreme exploitation of the people, he's been audited several times by the central government, but he always bribed the auditors and used his connections to slip away.'
His exploitation was so severe that he used his power to take brides from other families on their wedding nights and turn landowners into tenant farmers, and nobody could say anything against him.
'Ah, right. A memorable piece of trash, that's why I remember his name.'
I turn my steps away from escaping and head back into the mansion.
'If he's such scum, he'll have enough wealth to last a lifetime, so borrowing a bit won't be a problem.'
I quickly entered Heo Semin's inner chambers and began rummaging through the house.
Some of Heo Semin's private soldiers tried to threaten me, but I put them all to sleep with sleep acupoints and continued searching.
After searching for a while, I found twelve gold toads in a wooden chest hidden by Heo Semin.
"Hmm, this should be useful."
I tucked the chest with the gold toads into my arms, gathered a few more coins, and then left Heo Semin's house.
Afterward, wanted posters with my face circulated in Cheolryung City, where Heo Semin's mansion was, but I changed my appearance using a technique and bought a manor to stay in.
In the manor, I taught Kim Young-hoon literacy and martial arts.
A month passed like that.
Shooosh-
I chuckled as I looked at the three flowers floating above Kim Young-hoons head.
'It's been a month now.'
A month since I, having reached the state of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit, started personally guiding Kim Young-hoon.
Once he accumulated some internal energy, Kim Young-hoon reached the same state as me.
'The higher the state of the teacher, the shorter the learning time for the student...'
Even though he reached Three Flowers in a month, Kim Young-hoon had not finished learning literacy.
"Ha ha, I never knew I had such talent. To reach this state before learning the language and literacy..."
"Since you have reached Three Flowers, I have a gift for you."
"Oh? What is it?"
A secret manual integrating the six volumes of Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martial Arts Scripture created by Kim Young-hoon in my past life.
Secrets of Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martial Arts!
'This Kim Young-hoon will reach even greater heights in this life.'
And he will evolve the secret manual again.
I passed on the secret manual to him and taught him the language and letters of Yanguo, then sat in the manor looking up at the sky.
'What should I do in this life?'
I've wandered around the martial world, established factions, followed Kim Young-hoon, and even entered the Imperial family.
'I do want to concentrate more on martial arts training this time.'
But I couldn't just ignore the ruthless deeds of the Makli Clan family.
What could be a way to stop the Makli Clan and still train in martial arts?
After some thought, I quickly found the answer.
'The Jin Clan.'
Yes.
The cultivators of the Jin Clan, who were trying to drive the Makli Clan out of Yanguo.
'In this life, I should cooperate with the Jin Clan.'
Just like in the latter part of my previous life, helping the Jin Clan would indirectly hinder Makli Clan's activities.
After deciding to visit the Jin Clan, I went to Kim Young-hoon.
"I will go my own way from now on."
"Uh!? Why, what happened?"
"...I just want to wander a bit."
Kim Young-hoon seemed a bit anxious like before, but I reassured him and left Cheolryung city.
We had agreed to meet here once every five years, so there would be no problem in meeting again.
I started heading towards a territory of the Jin Clan.
The secret base of the Jin Clan was located in a valley called Surak, north of Changho city, near the Yanguos eastern region that borders Byeokra.
It was a place I had visited a few times in my past life.
'As far as I know...'
I heard it was where the lower-rank cultivators of the Jin Clan stayed.
After finding a suitable place, I waited for someone to come out of Surak Valley.
A few days of waiting went by.
Finally, I saw a man in a red robe coming out of Surak Valley.
Around him, his consciousness dominated the space.
'A cultivator of the Jin Clan!'
I secretly followed him.
After arriving in Changho City, the man went into a tavern and began ordering food and drinks.
'Good, time to get closer.'
I casually joined him and ordered more good drinks.
"Uh? Who are you?"
"Ha ha, I saw you looked lonely, so I came to drink. I'll pay for the drinks."
"Well, if you're really paying..."
After ordering enough food and drinks to break the table, we chatted.
When he was somewhat drunk, I subtly steered the conversation towards cultivators.
Soon, the inebriated Jin Clan cultivator confessed to me that he was a cultivator and had come to the secular world for a mission.
"Truly impressive. A cultivator, I'd have no regrets working with such a noble lineage of cultivators."
"Hmm, well, but in our home, there are already too many mortals like you..."
When he seemed to reject my offer, I showed him the twelve gold toads I had stolen from Lord Heo.
"If I could work under a cultivator clan, I could give these toads to you..."
"Hmm, hmm...!"
Staring blankly at the gold toads for a moment, the Jin Clan cultivator coughed and accepted the wooden chest I offered.
"Well, I'll mention it to the elders of my family. Hem hem..."
"Ha ha, thank you. I'll rely on you."
I smiled amiably and obtained a promise from him.
The next day, though he seemed a bit troubled sobering up, he couldn't resist the temptation of the gold toads and pretended to take me to his clan before casting a flame spell at me.
He wanted the gold toads but didn't want to introduce me to the clan.
'This guy seems to be in the 1st Star of Qi Refining...'
I frowned, split his flame spell with my sword, and shattered his defensive technique with my Sword Gang.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh, I... I..."
"If you don't want to introduce me to your clan, just say so. Do you think I'm some mortal to be taken lightly?"
"Hi, hic..."
I glared at the Jin Clan cultivator and grabbed him by the collar.
'Good, I'll use this as an excuse to make him take me to his clan.'
I nudged him to spit out six of the gold toads he had taken.
"Now that you've accepted six gold toads, you will guide me properly, right? I'm counting on a proper introduction this time."
"Alright, I'll introduce you to the elders of the cultivator clan. I had no idea you were a master of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit!"
Stuttering, he guided me.
I learned that his mission was to deliver a letter to the Jin Clan's territory in another city.
Together, we arrived at a Jin Clan's secret base near Yongho City in Yanguo.
After delivering the letter to an older Qi Refining cultivator, he introduced me.
Hearing that I was a master of Three Flowers, the eyes of the older Qi Refining cultivator lit up.
"Good timing. Someone of your caliber is certainly qualified to serve the clan. Ha ha, we needed an instructor to teach martial arts to mortals. Three Flowers at the Summit, that's a high realm for mortals, correct?"
"Yes. I dare not compare to the clan, but I have reached a high level among mortals like myself."
"Good, good. Follow me."
I followed him to a training ground in the Jin Clan's territory.
There, children around sixteen were practicing.
The instructor seemed to be at the early-Pinnacle Realm, struggling with the large number of kids.
"The education of these mortal children was entrusted to that instructor, but it seems he isn't doing well. You seem to have a higher level of martial arts, so you could teach them better, correct?"
"Yes, leave it to me."
I was quite pleased with the task of teaching kids.
It wouldn't take too much of my training time.
Especially since entering Three Flowers, I needed to study more about intent. teaching kids would allow me to explore their intents too.
"By the way, why are these kids learning martial arts?"
"Oh, that's because..."
The Qi Refining cultivator stroked his beard and explained.
"Recently, many cultivation sects that dominated the cultivation world suddenly disappeared. I don't know the details, but it's said that cultivators above Core Formation suddenly vanished.
So currently, the cultivation world is like the calm before the storm. The cultivator who reaches beyond Core Formation the fastest will become the authority, and their cultivator clan could become the leading faction.
The current cultivation world seems calm on the surface but is in a state of fierce hidden battles. Those ruthless Makli Clan are extending the lives of Core Formation cultivators with forbidden elixirs, creating an opportunity for their elders to reach beyond their realm."
'So that's what happened...'
I could roughly guess the chain of events that had occurred.
The Ascension Gate, which opens once every thousand years.
Many high-ranking cultivators and sects gathered at Ascenion Path to challenge the Ascension Gate, leaving only Core Formation cultivators in the current cultivation world.
The cultivator who reaches the next realm fastest could control the cultivation world, so the Makli Clan was draining the vital blood of mortals to extend the lives and cultivation of the Core Formation cultivators in their clan.
'I thought it was no big deal whether those monsters ascended or not... but it turned out to be the starting point of all these events.'
I nodded, listening to the Qi Refining cultivator's explanation.
"The Makli Clan, that devilish clan, needs a vast amount of mortal blood for the process of creating their forbidden elixir. Because of that, disappearances are increasing everywhere in Yanguo...These kids are survivors rescued by our Jin Clan.
They all harbor immense resentment towards the Makli Clan and the current Imperial family for killing their relatives. Our Jin Clan wants to prevent the Makli Clan from making the elixir by draining mortals' vital blood and stop their Core Formation cultivators from surpassing their realm."
'Do the interests of the cultivator clan and these kids align...?'
Then, these kids...
"We plan to first reclaim Yanguo from the Makli Clan and prevent them from indiscriminately capturing mortals. As part of that, we're planning to assassinate the current Emperor of Yanguo, Makli Jung."
I felt a chill hearing the next words.
"These kids have all volunteered as assassins. Can you teach them martial arts?"
That's when I realized the true nature of the unsettling feeling.
I had to teach the kids whom I had personally beheaded in my past life.
***