I slowly opened my eyes.
It was the familiar scent of the forest.
"...How merciless."
Why do I keep regressing?
I quickly formed a hand seal and used a sleep spell to knock out my companions who were trying to regain consciousness.
Thud, thud, thud...
I recalled the last moments of my past life.
I was struck by the heavenly lightning dropped by the sky, and at the last moment, I reached the 14th Star of Qi Refining through my realization regarding the Unified Origin.
That enlightenment was still with me.
The heavens are both a singular entity and eternal.
And to embody the principle of this oneness within me.
The path of cultivation, after all, might be about becoming like the heavens.
I had encapsulated the principle of the heavens within me.
Now, I have reached the peak of Qi Refining.
After completing the 14th Star, the Infinite Spiritual Cloud, all that was left was to attempt Qi Building.
Zing!
"Argh...!"
Suddenly, blood gushed from my nose.
Crack, crack...
My head started throbbing insanely.
It felt like my eyes would pop out.
"Ugh...uhhh..."
My Upper Dantian was rattling!
'The consciousness from the peak state of Qi Refining in my past life had returned with me.'
This could lead to serious trouble.
I hurriedly ran to where the yellow bamboo roots were, grabbed handfuls of them, and chewed and swallowed them.
Crunch, crunch, crunch!
As I quickly consumed the herbs, the energy of the Dragon Vein Qi Method circulated throughout my body.
With considerable internal energy, I began rejuvenation being at the stage of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Crack, crunch!
Every muscle and bone in my body twisted and reformed, achieving an optimal state of harmony.
The harmony of the upper, middle, and lower dantians perfectly aligned!
And finally.
Flash!
Brilliant light flowed from my eyes, and the intense pain in my upper dantian subsided.
"Phew..."
I decided to go further and form my Inner Core, condensing Gang Qi into the air.
The Gang Qi interwove and formed a Gang Sphere.
I slowly absorbed the Gang Sphere into my dantian.
As it writhed, the Gang Sphere settled completely in my dantian.
Hum!
The Gang Sphere mixed with the nature of the dantian, fixing itself securely and evolving anew.
After a while, I confirmed the presence of my Inner Core at the center of my dantian.
I had regained a body nearly identical to my previous life.
"Phew..."
Although I had not trained much since my return, it didn't matter.
'This takes care of the immediate crisis.'
I worried about the increasing size of my consciousness.
'Eventually, if this continues, wont I return only to have my head explode instantly?'
It seemed crucially necessary to find a solution.
This is dangerous.
I remembered the heavenly lightning that struck me in my past life and pondered over it.
'When I struggled fiercely, it felt like it was determined to kill me.'
Even a fool could understand.
The heavens are not inanimate.
'Well, maybe that vast sky is just an inanimate object.'
But the flow of heaven and earth energy through the heavens...
The flow of fate, is like a living thing, trying to crush and burst those who defy it.
And I must continue to rise against these heavens.
"...First, I should move the others."
I lifted each of my companions, making sure they were not wet by the dew, and carried them one by one to a cave to lie them down.
The events at the beginning of each return are always the same.
I put my companions to sleep, eat yellow bamboo roots, and undergo rejuvenation.
The next day, a fox comes and deliciously bites off my arm.
It's been an unchanging cycle that's never varied.
Until today.
What's happening now is something I've never seen before.
The fox was staring at me.
[...You.]
"Yes."
[Hmm... Strange. Very strange. You have a peculiar scent.]
Ignoring my unconscious companions, the fox continued talking to me through consciousness.
[Originally, I planned to simply kill you on sight, but since you acknowledge me as the master of this forest and performed the rites, I'll spare you for now.]
Although I thanked the fox, I felt a strange discrepancy.
The fox's emotions were somehow different from before.
[You with the strange aura, step aside. I'll taste an arm or leg from the other humans.]
"....?"
After pushing me aside with a flick, the fox turned its gaze to Kim Young-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kang Min-hee, Oh Hye-seo, and Kim Yeon.
"Wait, master of the forest, please take my arm instead!"
I was used to being mutilated, but for them, it would be their first experience of such terrifying horror.
The fox frowned at me and growled.
[How dare a member of the forest argue with the master of the forest. If you don't want to become my meal, shut your mouth. I want to taste these humans.]
"...?"
A member of the forest?
What is it talking about?
I didn't understand the fox's words.
Was there some unknown change in me?
The other colleagues were frozen in fear as they sat.
The fox then bit off and chewed the arm of Oh Hye-seo, who was closest.
"Kyaaak!"
Crunch, crunch...!
"Deputy manager Oh!"
I quickly ran to her, put her to sleep with a sleeping spell, and applied pain-relieving herbs to the amputated area.
[Hmm, not great. Not tasty. I don't want to eat them again. I'll leave now.]
The fox casually turned around and hopped away, leaving me in shock. I ground more pain-relieving herbs for Oh Hye-seo.
It wasn't just the fox that was strange.
Ssss...
A red snake with two heads.
The snake looked at me, flicking its tongue.
[Hmm... Peculiar. What are you? You seem human, but maybe not? Confusing...]
'Not human?'
Me?
Filled with confusion, I asked the snake.
"...Excuse me. If I'm not human, then what am I?"
[I don't know. I can't figure out what you are. Well... I'll leave you be. Let's taste the blood of the other humans.]
Like before, the snake sucked a mouthful of blood from Jeon Myeong-hoon and left, finding it tasteless.
"...What the hell..."
Jeon Myung-hoon clutched his bitten arm, gritting his teeth.
"...I'll go gather some herbs. Wait here."
I entered the woods, using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
Then, I quickly ran towards the snake, which was already far ahead.
This snake is at the initial level of Qi Building.
Flash!
Boom!
The Gang Sphere emitted from my palm flew towards the snake.
The snake glanced at me for a moment, then, seeing the power of the Gang Sphere, immediately rolled away to dodge.
'Mental Link.'
After creating a Gang Sphere, I absorbed its consciousness into me.
The linkage of two consciousnesses doubled my mental facilities.
Zip!
With one step, it felt like space itself had condensed.
To the snake, it must have seemed like I had suddenly cut through time to reach it.
Boom!
I kicked the snake's midsection, sending it flying into the air.
[.....!]
The snake screamed and bared its teeth at me.
However, after slicing its perception with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, I approached and delivered a knee strike to one of the snake's heads.
[Ouch!]
"Hmm, is that all?"
The two-headed snake, which previously seemed quite formidable, didn't look so strong.
Of course, the fox is still formidable.
But at least, this one, I could handle.
Stomp!
I stepped on one of the snake's heads and demanded.
"Speak. If I'm not human, then what am I?"
[Hiss, hiss, hiss!]
The snake panicked, flicking its tongue.
It seemed to be contemplating its words, judging by the color of its intent.
I needed to find out why the fox and the snake were acting this way towards me during my return, so I was harsh in my interrogation.
"If you don't speak right now, this head will be..."
[Okay, okay, I'll speak!]
The two-headed red snake spoke with a terrified look in its eyes.
[You... You feel like one of our own kind. That's why the master of the forest and I didn't harm you severely for no reason!]
One of their own kind?
Hearing this, I felt absurd.
How could this snake and I be of the same kind?
But the snake looked to be telling the truth.
After a moment of contemplation, I took a little snake venom from it and let it go.
Unlike the fox, which always greedily went after my arm,
The snake could be considered a gentleman, taking only a sip of blood and then leaving us alone.
'Considering the fox also included me as its kind, maybe they thought of me as some kind of demon, not a snake?'
But why?
Why am I suddenly being treated like a demon?
What did I do?
Wrapped in these bizarre thoughts, I returned to the vicinity of the cave.
Afterward, I began to create a Law-Transforming Dantian and prepare for the arrival of the Heavenly Being cultivators.
Two days passed.
I formed the Law-Transforming Dantian and successfully activated one spiritual meridian by chanting the Earthly Sha True Words, entering Qi Refining 1st Star.
Just as I had succeeded in activating the Earth Leader Star,
Flash!
Familiar faces descended from the sky again.
It was Jin Byuk-ho, White Bone Ghost Devil, and Sir Chang-ho.
Fortunately or unfortunately, nothing here changed.
Sir Chang-ho regenerated Oh Hye-seo's arm with his blue healing spell.
The three each attracted to their side Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, Kang Min-hee, who had awakened the Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root, and Oh Hyun-seok, who had the Unique Holy Body.
When Jin Byuk-ho began to examine my entire body with his unique malignant spiritual root scanner,
[Hmm...?]
A look of confusion appeared on Jin Byuk-ho's face.
[What's this? Are you some kind of demon?]
Again.
'Why are they calling me a demon?'
Is it because of the size of my consciousness?
Or can the Heavenly Being cultivators see the soul of their subject, revealing my unique mental world?
But Jin Byuk-ho, White Bone Ghost Devil, and Sir Chang-ho all seemed indifferent to me and left me nearby.
"Hmm, interesting qualities. But even if you are respectful, I am already burdened with the Unique Holy Body. I'll grant you a recommendation to the Cheongmun Clan."
Sir Chang-ho flicked his finger and gave me the symbol of the Cheongmun Clan's recommendation.
I politely declined Sir Chang-ho's offer and cautiously asked Jin Byuk-ho.
"Esteemed cultivator, I've always admired the reputation of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and especially admired Yang Su-jin of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Could you possibly bestow upon me the grace of replicating the records of Ancestor Yang Su-jin...?"
When I asked him in the language of Shengzi Jin Byuk-ho was startled and replied in the same language.
"Why should I do that?"
"I wish to receive the records of Sir Jin and preserve them for generations, so that countless lives in the lower realm can praise Sir Jin and the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!"
"..."
Jin Byuk-ho seemed to ponder, then replied briefly.
"No."
"...Why not?"
"Hmph, if I say no, then it's no. You talk too much! But alright. Since you show respect, if you're really curious about our history, go to the Great Mountain Range where the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect used to be, specifically Shattered Heaven Peak ().
There are several caves there with historical records stored. If you find them, they should be quite detailed compared to the scattered histories known to the public."
"...! Thank you, thank you so much!"
I prostrated before Jin Byuk-ho, and he seemed inwardly pleased, though he pretended not to care.
This time, he didn't drop any lightning unnecessarily.
'Anyway, glad that went well.'
Regarding Jin Byuk-ho and White Bone Ghost Devil, as long as you don't provoke them too much, things usually go well.
The next day came.
I re-implanted the knowledge I had given to Kim Young-hoon in the previous life, including the records of trials and errors he had added to the Record of Surpassing Path and Martial Arts, the day before.
The knowledge would manifest in a few days.
Rumble, rumble...
The sky was covered with dark clouds.
Now, the Sea Dragon King will come to take Oh Hye-seo.
I planned to entrust Kim Yeon to the Sea Dragon King again, send Kim Young-hoon elsewhere, and then leave after practicing in Ascension Path for about 10 years.
Rumble, rumble!
Storms covered the sky.
At that moment, I saw the Sea Dragon King, Seo Hweol, enter the cave and check Oh Hye-seo's pulse.
"You are..."
"I am Seo Hweol, the Sea Dragon King. I came out of curiosity because this girl summoned the wind and rain... But you mortals..."
His words halted as his eyes met mine.
Startled!
He furrowed his brows.
"...You."
He approached me.
"Hmm, interesting. Are you perhaps a demi-human?"
"...Excuse me?"
"Are you a hybrid of human and demon? There are occasionally such beings."
Confused by his question, I blankly replied.
"No, I am not. Do you sense a demonic aura in me?"
Then Seo Hweol asked with a puzzled look.
"Not a demi-human? Then what are you? Are you saying you're not a demon when you're carrying a demon core inside you?"
"...Excuse me?"
Demon Core?
I was taken aback by these unexpected words.
'Could he be talking about the Inner Core?'
The only relevant Core Seo Hweol could be referring to was the Inner Core, as far as I know.
"Why do you call this a Demon Core? This is..."
As I tried to explain the Inner Core, I found myself at a loss for words.
The Inner Core was something only high-level martial artists like Kim Young-hoon and I, who had reached the Ultimate Pinnacle, possessed.
In a world where even those at the stage of Five Energies Converging to the Origin are considered geniuses appearing only once every few hundred years, there were probably only two martial artists in the history of martial arts who had reached the Ultimate Pinnacle: Kim Young-hoon and me.
But how should I explain this Inner Core, which only a martial artist of Ultimate Pinnacle could create?
"...On reflection, I realize I am not well-versed enough to understand. I would be grateful if the Sea Dragon King could enlighten me on what a Demon Core is."
[The Demon Core is a spiritual essence formed by beings like me, an Enlightened Demon Beast. At the same time, it's the catalyst for regular demons and mystical beasts to start cultivating upon gaining intellect.
While humans are born with intellect, most beasts just instinctively absorb the heaven and earth spiritual energy until one day this energy forms a core in their body, which becomes a Demon Core, gradually granting them intellect and the ability to cultivate.
My dragon race, among a few others, can pass down the Demon Core, so we possess intellect from a very young age.]
It seems that what is typically known as a Demon Core is formed by demons and mystical beasts.
I now understood why Seo Hweol was referring to my Inner Core as a Demon Core.
'If the aggregation of heaven and earth spiritual energy grants intellect to demons, then their Demon Cores are essentially concentrations of their own intellect and energy. My Inner Core was formed by the mingling of Gang Qi with the nature of the Dantian.'
The Gang Qi was, in turn, another concentration of my own being.
A kind of concentration of intellect, so to speak.
In other words, it was convergent evolution.
Though evolved under entirely different conditions and in different ways.
The end results appeared similar.
This seemed to be the case with my Inner Core and the Demon Cores of demon beasts.
[Humans, typically born with intellect, can't form a separate core of intellect, like a Demon Core. You don't see humans stuffing their brains into their dantian to converge it. Normally, only enlightened demons form Demon Cores.
Occasionally, hybrids of humans and demons can form them. But you formed a Demon Core and yet didn't know you were a hybrid?]
The Sea Dragon King, apparently misunderstanding my identity, kept asking me, thinking I was some sort of human-demon hybrid.
[Hmm, I wonder what kind of hybrid you are, but it's about time for me to go. I must be on my way to the Ascension Gate.]
After asking me a few things, the Sea Dragon King clicked his tongue as if in regret.
He pushed Kim Young-hoon's body into a spatial rift and, persuaded by me, decided to take Manager Kim Yeon as well. He then looked at me.
[But a human-demon hybrid, that's almost the first in a thousand years. This is also fate. Here is a demon beast cultivation manual. One of the decent cultivation methods passed down in my Sea Dragon Clan.]
"...! How can I express my gratitude..."
Shaking, I took the book he handed me. The book was bound in some beast's hide and emanated a cool aura.
And then.
"...I apologize, but could you tell me what these characters are?"
[Ah, that's the demon script. I suppose you, not knowing that you had a Demon Core or what kind of hybrid you are, wouldn't know the demon script either.]
"..."
Then what are you telling me to do?
'Maybe he could transmit the knowledge of the demon script using a spell..?'
I looked at him hopefully, but Seo Hweol shook his head, noticing my gaze.
[The consciousness of humans and demons are quite different in frequency. Forcibly transmitting knowledge usually results in the weaker mind going insane. Unfortunately, it looks like you'll have to learn the demon script separately.
Let's see... If you go to the Black Wind Sea's Utmost Chaos Island, there's a descendant of mine, Seo Ran, who's of late-stage Qi Building. That child is proficient in both human and demon script. If you offer him something in exchange, he might teach you.]
"As my knowledge is not broad enough, what if I turn out not to be a demi-human and get attacked?"
[What are you even talking about? Im telling you that youre a demon-human hybrid. You've even condensed a Demon Core, so any sentient demon wouldn't dare treat you lightly. Well, I must be going. That cultivation manual is quite a decent demon beast method and should be helpful to a demi-human hybrid like you.]
After saying this, Seo Hweol picked up Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo and left the cave.
A while later, I saw Seo Hweol cutting through the dark clouds and flying away.
I bowed my head towards the departing Sea Dragon King.
'Demon beast methods you say...'
Suddenly, I pondered the origin of martial arts.
Most trace the origin of martial arts to cultivators' cultivation methods.
The internal energy methods were said to have been born from the cultivators spiritual energy cultivation.
However, martial arts are not composed solely of internal methods and energy cultivation.
Techniques.
Where did the techniques that martial artists use to move their bodies come from?
'The movements of beasts are the origin of countless martial arts techniques.'
From the pouncing of tigers, the galloping of horses, the fluttering of bees, the solidity of turtles.
Humans imitated those stronger than themselves to perfect their martial arts.
They created internal methods by imitating cultivators and techniques by imitating beasts.
These techniques and internal methods merged over thousands of years to become fully integrated and become martial arts of today.
Thus, 'martial artists' firmly established their existence in this world.
Is the Gang Sphere I created an energy method or technique?
It could be seen as a clump of energy.
Or a collection of techniques.
Similar to that of cultivators, but also born from the movements of beasts.
Therefore, my Inner Core shared similar traits with the Demon Cores of demon beasts.
That meant,
'Perhaps, by studying demon beast methods, I could discover the next stage of martial arts?'
Cultivators' methods have evolved over thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of years.
Demon beast methods likely have a similar history, though not much is known.
But martial arts, compared to them, have a much shorter history, even at their best.
That's why martial arts are weaker, and their realms are limited.
Kim Young-hoon's continuous effort to pioneer new realms wasn't in vain.
Without it, martial arts could never reach new realms.
'If I learn demon script, interpret demon beast methods, and inform Kim Young-hoon...'
Perhaps he could see beyond much faster?
I made up my mind.
'Yes, first I will recover my past life's cultivation as quickly as possible in Ascension Path.'
Afterwards, I will set out to find the sea dragon named Seo Ran living in the place called the Black Wind Sea's Utmost Chaos Island to learn demon script.
This was my goal for this life.
The time it took to recover up to the 7th Star of Qi Refining was much faster than in my past life.
Just about 7 years.
It was almost gaining one star per year.
Repeating the process of Understanding before Breakthrough from the beginning, my understanding of the stages deepened, accelerating my recovery.
Then, I performed the Seven Stars Ritual again.
A ceremony to receive celestial energy from the heavens.
This time, too, I witnessed something familiar.
The inevitable Heavenly Rejection.
Dark clouds blocked my path.
But I just smiled and raised my hand.
Boom!
A burst of light and a hole in the sky.
Starlight poured down, bestowing celestial energy upon me.
I smoothly reached the 8th Star of Qi Refining.
It took about 3 years to reach the 11th Star, Three Talents, from the 8th Star of Qi Refining.
Recently, as I reached the stage of Three Talents, I noticed changes in the Gang Sphere again.
"Heaven (), Earth (), Man ()..."
The Gang Sphere underwent changes in the Three Talents Stage in my past life as well.
Back then, the feeling wasn't clear. Now, I somewhat understand it.
Of course, it was still hard to explain verbally.
Whirring!
It seemed possible to induce changes in the Gang Sphere.
Bang!
The Gang Sphere split into two.
The left sphere became Earth (), the right sphere Heaven ().
And myself, between the two spheres, became Man ().
Thus, making heaven and earth revolve around me.
Whirr, whirr, whirr!
The two Gang Spheres stabilized as they rotated around me.
I lifted the two spheres in my hands.
'The principle of Three Talents applied, and the Gang Sphere split.'
Why was that?
Why did the principle of Three Talents apply so perfectly to the Gang Sphere?
Whoosh, whoosh!
I lifted the two Gang Spheres in one hand.
The two spheres, representing Heaven and Earth, revolved around each other and eventually merged into one.
'The principle of Three Talents...'
I pondered over the principle of Three Talents and tried splitting the Gang Sphere again.
For now, I could only split the Gang Sphere into two.
Without proper enlightenment, the two spheres would merge back into one if the force was released.
I observed the Gang Sphere for a moment and then continued my practice of the Record of Surpassing Path and Martial Arts.
About a year later.
I successfully completed the 12th and 13th stars of Qi Refining.
Yin-Yang Unity and the Unified Orgin.
Bam!
All spiritual meridians merged into one, and a single point of spiritual power gathered in the dantian.
Completing the 14th Star of Qi Refining, Infinite Spiritual Cloud, grants eligibility to attempt Qi Building.
The stage of Infinite Spiritual Cloud was more like a bridge between Qi Refining and Qi Building.
Therefore, having completed the Unified Origin and able to enter 14th stage, I had essentially reached the limit of Qi Refining.
"Finally."
After about 11 years.
I have fully recovered to the 13th Star of Qi Refining.
Crack!
Clasping my hands, I formed a formation on the ground without even gestures or chants.
I could now instantly create simple formations.
What remained was to complete the 14th Star and enter Qi Building.
'Entering Qi Building requires more thought.'
With my current talent, it might not be achievable even with a lifetime of hard work.
Therefore, as I had originally planned, I should meet Seo Ran in the Black Wind Sea to learn demon script.
And learn the demon beast methods given by Seo Hweol.
11th year of return.
Having reached Qi Refining 13th Star, I jumped off Ascension Path.
It was now time to explore the demon beast methods.
Having jumped from Ascension Path, it took several days to reach Byeokra
Having reached the 14th Star of Qi Refining and possessing sufficient spiritual power, I could quickly cast spells. Perhaps due to this,
Or maybe it was because I brought a lot more food from Ascension Path than before,
Or perhaps because I didnt waste time searching for traces of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect like last time,
Anyway, I managed to avoid the dreadful predicament of running out of water.
'Of course, it would have been better if I had a little more water.'
Licking my dry lips, I entered the Cheon-saek City in Byeokra.
'Next time, after the Earth Surpassing Path, I should practice the Water Surpassing Path to the level of 3rd or 4th Star of Qi Refining.'
Since I possess the Five Elements Spiritual Roots I should be able to master other elements as well.
Learning at least the initial part of the Water Surpassing Path will be helpful for crossing deserts.
While purchasing basic necessities and clothing in Cheon-saek City and about to enter Byeokra, I was stopped.
"Halt for a moment. Which clans young master are you?"
A subtle pressure of spiritual power could be felt.
Simultaneously, a presence with a slightly larger consciousness than mine enveloped my consciousness.
Swoosh-
The air shimmered, and a middle-aged man adorned with numerous glass bracelets emerged.
The man in white was adorned with glass ornaments all over his body, emitting faint spiritual energy from each.
'Each one is a magic artifact... He must be wealthy to be covered in them.'
I observed him cautiously, a little tense.
Wearing magic artifacts all over meant not only wealth but also possessing enough spiritual power to activate them all.
'A cultivator in the Qi Building stage..!'
Maintaining my guard, I replied politely to his question.
"I am a loose cultivator named Seo Eun-hyun. May I know the purpose of your inquiry, senior?"
"A loose cultivator? Not affiliated with any clan?"
"Yes, not affiliated."
The ring-shaped glass artifact around the mans neck turned a clear blue.
"The fact that the Listening Ring turns blue means you are telling the truth. Youre not a spy sent by another clan to scout the Gongmyo Clans territory then"
'An artifact that can discern truth and lies?'
The whirlwind of spiritual energy within the ring was dizzying just to look at.
"Quite young, arent you? How old?"
My physical age was about 40, considering I fell into this world at 29 and about 10 years have passed.
"I have reached my forties."
"Hmm, you look remarkably young."
My aging was slow due to rejuvenation and the Inner Core, so I still maintained the appearance of my early twenties.
"Anyway, reaching the 14th Star of Qi Refining in your forties implies you have remarkable talent What is your spiritual root?"
"I possess the Five Elements Spiritual Roots."
"Five elements...? At that age, with all five elements, you reached the 14th Star of Qi Refining?"
The Qi Building cultivator in white looked at me with amazement and then spoke.
"More talented than expected. Tempting... I am Buk Joong-ho, an external elder of the Gongmyo Clan.
I was once a loose cultivator too, but a former elder of the Gongmyo Clan recognized my talent and recommended me as an external member of the clan.
The Gongmyo Clan welcomes talented individuals regardless of background. Why not join the Gongmyo Clan?"
"Ah..."
It seems he approached me not only to determine if I was a spy but also to recruit talent.
I relaxed my excessive tension while maintaining basic caution.
"I am deeply honored by your offer, but unfortunately, I must decline as there are certain things I cannot do if I belong to a clan."
"Hmm that's regrettable. Think about it carefully. It seems you're at the peak of Qi Refining. If you join our clan, you'll receive support for Qi Building.
And if you reach Qi Building, you could become an external elder like me. If you choose to become a son-in-law of the main family, becoming an internal elder is also possible.
You know the Gongmyo Clan is renowned for refining magic artifacts, correct? Join us and you'll receive high-quality artifacts for free."
"Um... I am truly sorry, but I really have things to do that prevent me from joining a clan."
"Huh... Well, if that's the case"
Buk Joong-ho clicked his tongue, disappointed.
"If you ever change your mind and want to join a clan, make sure to visit the Gongmyo Clan.
As an external elder, my sincere dedication to Gongmyo Clan speaks volumes of its remarkable life, does it not?
The Cheongmun Clan is nothing but a battleground where one must constantly fight to prove themselves if their strength is unverified. And the Byeok Clan, they are just wallflowers - dull and foolish.
Be sure to seek out Gongmyo Clan if ever you grow weary of your loose cultivator lifestyle!"
"...Yes, I suppose I will."
'Why is he so keen on recruiting me?'
His promotion of the Gongmyo Clan was suspiciously earnest.
After exchanging pleasantries with Buk Joong-ho, I left Cheon-saek City and headed towards the territory of the Cheongmun Clan. I planned to participate in the training conference as before and meet Cheongmun Ryeong.
After all, shouldn't I see how his life is doing at least once?
It was when I entered the registration office for the training conference of the Cheongmun Clan.
"Wow, what do we have here? A fresh talent!"
"....!"
Suddenly, a muscular giant burst out from a corner of the office.
'A Qi Building cultivator...!'
And I knew him.
He was Cheongmun Ryeok-shin, a Qi Building elder. I occasionally greeted him during my previous life when I studied under my master.
'A man who was right behind my master in the rankings of the Immortal Combat Meeting...!'
As I was flustered, Cheongmun Ryeok-shin approached me, grabbed my shoulder, and exclaimed.
"A Qi Refining cultivator at the extreme level, and your consciousness is almost comparable to Qi Building! What a tremendous talent! You, join the Cheongmun Clan!
I'll support any aspirant who challenges Qi Building!"
"Ah, no, I..."
"Silence! I won't allow any defiance! Do you think talents like you are common?"
'Damn it...!'
Apparently, being a Qi Refining cultivator at 14th Star, just before Qi Building, was more valuable than I thought.
Indeed, in their eyes, I was a potential elder-level talent just rolling around, awaiting a bit of support.
"No thank you, I don't need it!"
I hurriedly fled the registration office.
I knew they were all aggressive except for my master and a few others, but I hadn't expected this level of stubbornness.
Boom!
The entrance of the registration office exploded, and Cheongmun Ryeok-shin charged at me like a madman.
"You! Why don't you obediently become a part of the Cheongmun Clan! I will make you my family's son-in-law!"
"Wait, wait! I only came to meet Cheongmun Ryeong!"
"What? You came to see my brother?"
He paused!
Cheongmun Ryeok-shin stopped mid-air, then stroked his chin and laughed heartily.
"Well, it's true my brother has much to teach! Alright! So you want to be his disciple!"
"No, that's not what I..."
"Fine! Then you're either going to be his disciple or my family's son-in-law!"
My head started to hurt.
'I knew he was stubborn, but...'
When I was Cheongmun Ryeong's disciple, I hadn't seen such greed. But meeting me now, a 14th Star Qi Refining cultivator, seemed to bring it out in him.
"Fine! I'll arrange for you to meet him. But you can't go to any other clan! You'll either be my family's son-in-law or his disciple!"
"..."
I felt I had somehow gotten myself into trouble.
Meeting Cheongmun Ryeok-shin was unexpected.
But Cheongmun Ryeong was the same as before.
In the territory near the main house of the Cheongmun Clan.
My meeting with Cheongmun Ryeong happened again.
"Tch, at such a young age you've reached the extreme of Qi Refining. With such talent, why seek me? I agreed to meet you because Ryeok-sin was being a nuisance, but if you have questions, ask them quickly and leave."
He hadn't changed.
'Even if I live several lives...'
People don't change.
"...I possess the Five Elements Spiritual Roots."
I cautiously revealed my spiritual roots, and saw a flicker of surprise in Cheongmun Ryeong's eyes.
"Five Elements Spiritual Roots...? Someone with Five Spiritual Roots reaching extreme Qi Refining at this age...? No, don't talk nonsense!"
Instead of explaining, I recited my understanding of the Seventy-two Earthly Sha True Words.
This time, it wasn't through the victor's privilege of the training conference that I met my master.
It was because Cheongmun Ryeok-shin, a Qi Building elder, had set the stage for me, a peak Qi Refining cultivator with potential. Thus, it seemed appropriate to spend a night discussing with Cheongmun Ryeong.
As I spoke of my understanding and experience of the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words, a glint of interest appeared in Cheongmun Ryeong's eyes.
"So it is. With that level of understanding... you've carved your path following the method of Understanding before Breakthrough. I never thought there would be another like me..."
We spent the entire day immersed in conversation.
Cheongmun Ryeong, too, seemed delighted to meet someone who understood the method of Understanding before Breakthrough as well as I did, and he didn't cease our discussion.
The next day dawned.
"...Your understanding and realization up to the 7th and 8th stars of Qi Refining arent behind me at all. Impressive. You truly are a once-in-a-lifetime talent."
I discussed with Cheongmun Ryeong my realization from the 1st to the 14th star of Qi Refining. My repeated experiences and insights up to the 7th and 8th stars were, I realized, on par with Cheongmun Ryeong.
I also eagerly inquired about my realization from the 9th to the 14th Star, and particularly about the principles and methods of transitioning from the 14th Star of Qi Refining to Qi Building.
I had now become quite learned in these principles and theories.
Before we knew it, morning had arrived.
"Do you not wish to become my disciple?"
Once again, Cheongmun Ryeong, having seen my level of expertise of Understanding before Breakthrough, seemed interested in taking me as his disciple.
I replied with a gentle smile.
"Even if one is taught for just a day, they will be a father for a lifetime. You are already my master."
"Hmm, cut the flattery! Being a teacher for a day and whatnot, I truly want to take you as my real disciple. Have you really no intention of joining our main family?"
I smirked bitterly and bowed to my master.
"...I have duties unaligned with joining a clan. I'm afraid it's not possible."
"..."
My master fell silent.
After a moment of silence, he sighed softly.
"...I can't keep someone who wants to leave. Rarely do I come across someone as agreeable as you...
Fine then. Go! Just go away!"
I bowed to my master and left the room where we had been talking.
'Farewell.'
Just as I was about to leave the Cheongmun Clan's territory,
Thud!
A muscular middle-aged man. Cheongmun Ryeok-shin blocked my path with a stern expression.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"...Excuse me?"
"I asked where you are going."
"I was just leaving after receiving teachings and saying my goodbyes to Grandmaster Cheongmun Ryeong..."
"What the...!!!"
Boom!
A powerful surge of power burst forth.
"How dare you receive teachings from Elder Cheongmun Ryeong for a whole day and then try to escape without fulfilling your duties as a disciple!"
"No, it's not like that..."
"You ungrateful wretch! You dare to make light of the great Cheongmun Clan! I cannot allow someone as impudent as you to become Elder Cheongmun Ryeongs disciple.
I'll match you with a suitable branch family and make you my son-in-law!!!"
Whoosh!
Cheongmun Ryeok-shin's hand thrust towards me.
I felt a chill run down my spine.
'If he catches me, I'll be forced into marriage...!'
Swoosh!
I evaded his grasp and leaped into the air.
"You dare to escape!"
Rumble!
Clods of earth rose from the ground and flew towards me.
Each clump transformed into hands trying to grasp me.
I immediately extended my Gang Sphere from my hand.
Bang! Crack, crackle!
The shining sphere revolved around me, bursting all the earth hands attempting to capture me.
Vroom!
I linked the Gang Sphere, accelerating my thoughts.
Zoom!
At the same time, I swiftly rushed through the air, heading out of the territory.
I could sense Cheongmun Ryeok-shin's bafflement behind me.
Cheongmun Ryeok-shin stood with a dumbfounded expression, watching the direction Seo Eun-hyun had escaped.
'Escaped from the hands of a Qi Building cultivator...?'
Among cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, even a single star difference had a significant disparity in power.
However, the gap between Qi Refining and Qi Building stages is incomparable.
The young Seo who just fled, even if he was at the peak of Qi Refining, shouldnt be able to match a mid-level Qi Building cultivator from Cheongmun.
Originally, his plan was to have the young man captured by Cheongmun's special technique and forcibly married to one of his descendants.
But he broke the spell and escaped?
A mere peak Qi Refining youngster?
"...Qi Building..."
A twisted smile spread across Cheongmun Ryeok-shin's lips.
"He's immediately a Qi Building level combatant...!"
Many elders above the Nascent Soul stage, considered usable talents, ascended to the higher realms, depleting the continent.
The disappearance of strong cultivators above the Core Formation realm had already thrown the four directions into chaos.
In such times, a peak Qi Refining talent with the potential to reach the Qi Building stage was a rare treasure.
Further amongst them, one who could somewhat stand against a Qi Building cultivator, despite being only at Qi Refining...
"He's a big catch! Ha-ha! I'll force-feed him a potion and marry him off to my descendant!"
Cheongmun Ryeok-shin's eyes went wild.
He took out a transmission device and sent a message to some Qi Building elders nearby.
Then, he entered a house in the estate where Cheongmun Ryeong was located, where Seo Eun-hyun had his discussion.
"Ryeong Hyun-nim! Why didn't you capture such a talent?"
"He said he had things to do, what could I do?"
"Hyung-nim, that's frustrating! That guy brushed off my attack and ran away!"
"What?"
"Don't you get it!? That kid could easily fulfill the role of a Qi Building elder if we bring him in!
Hyung-nim, it looks like you like that kid too. Why didn't you catch him!? Be honest with yourself, Hyung-nim. Weren't you looking for someone who could understand your knowledge?"
"..."
Cheongmun Ryeok-shin continued.
"Catching him aligns with the clan head's order to nurture talents in preparation for the upcoming chaotic political situation.
It also means, Hyung-nim, you could find a disciple to inherit your lifelong wish!!
This is frustrating! How long will you just wait! It's what you've always wanted, Hyung-nim, why sit and hesitate? Be honest!"
Cheongmun Ryeong remained silent for a moment.
Then he looked up, meeting Cheongmun Ryeok-shin's eyes.
Cheongmun Ryeok-shin flinched at the intense desire in Ryeongs eyes.
"Yes, you're right."
Cheongmun Ryeong stood up.
"It aligns with the clan head's order, and I should be more honest with myself..."
Cheongmun Ryeok-shin felt a tremendous spiritual pressure.
'It's been a while since I've seen Hyung-nim like this.'
The towering figure of the Cheongmun Clan rose.
"This is the first kid who understands precious knowledge in this muscle-headed clan. Yes... I must catch him now...!"
His eyes flashed with a green light.
I kicked off the air and reached the edge of the Cheongmun Clan's territory.
Ahead was the clan's protective barrier.
I extended my consciousness.
A star of light emitted from my hand.
Then.
"Is this the guy Ryeok-shin told us to catch?"
A Qi Building elder flew towards me.
As he formed hand seals, the clan's barrier strengthened.
"Just surrender..."
Kuuaaang!
Ignoring the elder's words, I sent a Gang Sphere towards the barrier.
A tremendous explosion echoed, and a hole appeared in the barrier.
"What...!"
The Qi Building elder was shocked, and I quickly passed through the barrier, escaping the territory.
However, I suddenly felt a chill.
Behind me, two immense spiritual pressures were chasing me.
'Master!?'
Master and Cheongmun Ryeok-shin were rapidly following me.
"Stop, you!"
"When caught, you'll be married off to my descendant!"
"What nonsense! Hes to marry my descendant!"
"Whatever! The first to catch him decides who he marries!
He won't escape becoming a member of our family!"
'What madness... Why!'
I accelerated my mental capabilities and kicked off the air again.
In an instant, I widened the gap between us, but as they took to the skies, they closed in again.
'I must escape to Yanguo!'
Once I cross the Yanguo border, Qi Building cultivators can't follow!
I frantically headed east, kicking through the air.
Behind me, a tremendous wooden attribute spiritual power whirled, and a giant wooden figure formed in the air, chasing me.
"You can't escape!"
Flash!
Huge restraining spells shot from the wooden figure.
'I can't be caught!'
I released a Gang Sphere. Summoned from the world of intent, a clone identical to me appeared, releasing intent.
Whoosh!
The Gang Qi I infused into the Gang Sphere emerged, forming thousands of Sword Gang in the air.
Cheongmun and my master watched in awe.
"Is this the technique of Externalizing Spirit?"
Boom, bang, boom!
The Sword Gang from the Gang Sphere clashed with the restraining spells, neutralizing them.
"My desire grows even stronger. What kind of technique has he mastered?"
"No time to wonder, Hyung-nim! He's getting away!"
The surrounding earth gathered around Cheongmun Ryeok-shin, covering his body.
Soon after, a giant earthen figure, identical to Cheongmun Ryeok-shin, stepped onto the earth.
Boom!
With a powerful slap, dozens of gigantic earthen hands emerged from the ground, reaching towards me.
"Just get caught and marry!"
"Damn it, I have things to do!"
I fired Gang Qi in all directions, but it couldn't scratch the Qi Building level spells..
The earth hands soon formed a prison, trapping me.
Flash!
But I had already regenerated another Gang Sphere.
The light swirled, creating an exit for me.
I accelerated my thoughts.
Dodging another set of wooden restraining spells, I quickly headed east.
The pursuit by Cheongmun Clan elders continued for days.
Several other elders, summoned by Cheongmun Ryeok-shin, joined the chase, bombarding me with spells as I fled.
On the fourth day of fleeing, I felt a strange sensation.
How many times have I used Gang Sphere?
Had I ever relied on it so desperately since reaching the Ultimate Pinnacle?
I floated the Gang Sphere above my hand, sensing something I hadn't understood before.
'The Gang Sphere has always reacted to the principle of Three Talents.'
Why was that?
An unknown reason then, but it seems clear now.
Another self resides within the Gang Sphere.
In a way, the Gang Sphere is a person.
But a person isn't made up of themselves alone.
Born and living under the grace of Heaven and Earth.
A person is formed through countless connections, perhaps even including Heaven and Earth.
This realization came during the pursuit by my master.
If a master's grace is like Heaven and Earth, then Heaven and Earth have given me something as significant.
Perhaps.
If the many connections I've formed have made me who I am, then what Heaven and Earth have given is also part of me.
The light on my hand vibrated.
Centering on myself, I divided the light into Yin and Yang, Heaven and Earth.
The cycle of Heaven and Earth began around the person.
'So that's it...'
Finally, I glimpsed a path further into the Ultimate Pinnacle.
The Gang Sphere split into two.
With a burst of energy, I launched both Gang Spheres to either side, erasing numerous spells in one fell swoop.
Raising two more spheres, I realized many more possibilities opened up.
"Accelerate, threefold!"
A multitude of spiritual wooden roots covered the sky and earth, transforming into a prison trying to capture me.
However, I delved into that fleeting instant, escaping through a tiny gap just before the prison solidified.
"This kid...!"
"He's gotten faster!"
Now, the border of Yanguo was within reach.
I descended to the ground, knelt, and deeply bowed towards Cheongmun Ryeong.
I had gained this enlightenment through my master's heart.
I hadn't formed as deep a connection as in my past life.
This person is not the same as that person.
Yet, even so.
'I will not forget your kindness.'
Since my master's grace was as great as Heaven and Earth.
I could understand a bit about Heaven and Earth.
"Thank you."
And,
"I'm sorry. I cannot marry or be bound to a clan."
What happens if I marry and have children?
What becomes of my mind if they disappear with regression?
I dreaded to even imagine.
Additionally, being bound to a clan, especially since I demonstrated my strength, would mean being treated as an elder and prevented from traveling to other countries.
I need to visit Yanguo, go to Shengzi to seek traces of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and learn demon beast methods in the Black Wind Sea. Being tied to the Cheongmun Clan will be difficult for me.
"Thank you for your concern. I am truly grateful!"
After the final farewell.
I quickly crossed the border of Yanguo, leaving behind the myriad spells that pursued me.
Cheongmun Ryeong seemed to adjust the flow of dragon veins, but only to an extent.
Once inside Yanguo, the Dragon Veins no longer shifted, and the Cheongmun elders ceased their pursuit.
"That was intense. I almost got caught."
I let out a small sigh and recomposed myself after crossing a few more mountains.
I felt strange.
Those who had not paid much attention to me before changed their reactions so dramatically once I reached the peak of Qi Refining.
'My stomach feels queasy...'
Perhaps it was land sickness from having floated in the air for so long and then suddenly walking on stable ground.
I feel strange and queasy.
Suddenly, looking at the ground, I realized tears were flowing from my eyes.
"Ah..."
That's it.
I understood why I felt strange, why I am queasy.
I wanted to be caught.
I know the Cheongmun Clan is a good clan.
I know the elders who tried to capture me fiercely are good people.
Cheongmun Clan, known for its strength and pride, is also a place I know well.
Maybe I could have married there, become a son-in-law, and receive teachings from my master. Interact with the elders and live happily.
Indeed, I wanted that.
"But then what?"
Everything disappears.
Everything becomes nothing, forgotten.
Even now, seeing my master and disciples again, I keenly feel how different it is from my previous life's connections.
If I were to blend in, have children, and immerse myself in those connections.
What kind of pain would I have to endure?
From the enlightenment I just gained, I know.
Humans are not made up solely of themselves.
A being is formed within the connections of Man, Heaven, and Earth.
Yet, if all those connections eventually crumble and disappear,
What meaning does that being's life have?
"Farewell."
Swallowing this queasy feeling, I bow again in the direction of my master.
Someday.
In the far, far future.
After I get to live a real life, I will greet you again.
I went to find Kim Young-hoon.
***
In my previous life, it was only in the twilight years of my life that I finally left Ascension Path and found Kim Young-hoon.
At that time, Kim Young-hoon was already pursuing beyond the extreme limits of the Ultimate Pinnacle.
Then, what level could Kim Young-hoon, who now has around 10 years of experience, have reached?
"Hmm, it appears that for now, the Makli Clan still has control over the imperial power."
It seems that neither the Jin Clan nor Kim Young-hoon had yet usurped the throne.
However, according to the rumors, the Emperor and the Crown Prince were assassinated by some mysterious figure.
It must have been Kim Young-hoon.
"From what Ive gathered, Kim Young-hoon has not yet made contact with the Jin Clan and seems to be on the run..."
In that case, it seemed unlikely to enter the Jin Clan's domain through legitimate means.
"Still, I have to see their faces at least."
I headed to the territoriy of the Jin Clan and released a Gang Sphere.
Whooosh!
In the empty air.
A hole was punctured in the formation that was spread around the domain.
After erasing my presence completely with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts and the Hidden Consciousness Technique, I entered inside.
Whether an alarm was raised or not, the cultivators of the Jin Clan were jumping out in all directions to guard, but none could detect me.
Leaving the cultivators behind, I headed towards the training ground where the disciples were practicing.
"There's no one."
Both the training ground and the disciples' quarters were empty, covered in dust.
It seems that after the Emperor and Crown Prince's deaths, the Jin Clan had decided not to operate the assassination unit.
"Then..."
I recalled my past life's memories and headed to where the disciples lived within the domain.
As expected.
The disciples were scattered throughout the territory, learning the work of mortals.
Their faces were noticeably younger than in my previous life.
Young adults, fresh-faced, were learning various tasks here and there.
After watching them aimlessly for a while, I smiled softly and quickly exited through the opening I created.
Having left the Jin Clan, I decided to look for Kim Young-hoon first.
"Considering Kim Young-hoon's personality, the pursuit of the Makli Clan, and the geographical features of Yanguo..."
I narrowed down the possible hiding places for Kim Young-hoon by combining information from my past life.
Before long, I set out towards a likely hiding place for Kim Young-hoon.
In the vicinity of Bakju City in Yanguo, among the mountain ridges.
He was likely hiding in a settlement there.
Tap, tap, tap!
I stepped through the air towards the direction of a mountain fort among the mountain ridges.
The majestic mountains unveiled themselves, and I could see people bustling below.
"Indeed, he was here."
I enhanced my sight to see what the bustling people were doing and smirked.
They were all practicing martial arts.
All familiar martial arts.
Although not the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship or Severing Vein Saber Method, every one of them carried traces of Kim Young-hoon.
As I was void stepping and looking down below.
Whooosh!
A flash of light spread in the air and rushed towards me.
Thud-
But as I flicked my finger, the flash of light dissipated and vanished.
"This is..."
Centered around me in all six directions - up, down, front, back, left, right - was dyed with clusters of Gang Qi.
"Dual Energy Sword Control."
I floated a Gang Sphere into my hand.
I transferred another consciousness of mine and embedded the Gang Sphere among the light swarms rushing at me.
I usurped control over the Gang Qi.
Whoooom!
The Gang Qi coalesced in the air under my will and lined up.
Then, I distinctly felt it.
A martial art that stealthily slashed through my consciousness and cut through my perception.
I densified my consciousness and launched the seized Gang Qi towards the sneaky approacher.
Boom!
A figure sprang out in the air like an apparition and deflected the bundles of Gang Qi I had thrown.
"What, who are you! How could a cultivator like you..."
"Haha, a cultivator, you say. That's quite an understatement."
I haven't even used any profound cultivation spells yet...
"It was purely a feat of martial skill."
Whooom!
As I coalesced thousands of Gang Qi clusters into a Gang Sphere in my hand, his eyes widened.
"Long time no see, Director Kim."
"You, you are...!"
And then, as he finally remembered my face, Kim Young-hoon's eyes widened.
"Deputy Manager Seo..?"
It's been a long time since I've heard that title.
However, I focused more on Kim Young-hoon's gaze rather than my title.
Really, to what extent has Kim Young-hoon reached at this point of time?
What realm has he attained?
'I think I know, but.'
Confirmation is necessary.
Whoosh!
The Gang Sphere in my hand splits into two.
I absorb one to accelerate my mental capabilities and raise the other at my fingertip.
Bang!
Tearing through the void, I reach Kim Young-hoon and thrust my hand holding the elevated Gang Sphere.
Kim Young-hoon reacts hastily just before my hand can touch him, barely avoiding my attack.
He can't accelerate his mental facilities yet.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Gang Qi is layered over the void.
But it's chaotic.
Whoosh!
A powerful aura of control arises around my Gang Sphere, completely seizing control of Kim Young-hoon's Gang Qi.
Thousands of strands of Gang Qi wrapped in the void all move under my will.
'What...!'
Thousands of sword controls under my command orderly seal the six directions around Kim Young-hoon, pressuring him.
Kim Young-hoon, although flustered, continuously inputs his intent calmly trying to regain control of the Gang Qi I've taken.
At the same time, perhaps realizing he shouldn't approach me, he extends and swings the Gang Qi from a distance.
'His combat sense is excellent.'
It hasn't even been 10 seconds since we started fighting, but he's already becoming familiar with fighting against an Ultimate Pinnacle expert and figuring out the tricks.
On top of that, he keeps trying various ways to regain control of the Gang Qi, and his use of intent is becoming more refined.
However,
Boom!
The void is torn apart.
A cracking sound resonates, and before I know it, I've reached right in front of Kim Young-hoon.
'The difference in realm is inevitable.'
Bang!
I swing my hand containing the Gang Sphere.
This time, Kim Young-hoon doesn't hastily avoid it. Instead, he moves fluidly like water, dodging my attack and countering me.
'This movement is...'
It's systematic.
Yet, it's a movement I've never seen before.
There is only one answer.
'He just created a martial art just to counter me.'
It may sound crazy, but.
Kim Young-hoon is someone who saw the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship and invented the Severing Vein Saber Method in just two or three months of learning martial arts.
It's a martial art tailored to me, created on the spot while sparring with me.
If it's Kim Young-hoon, he really could create a martial art suited for the situation to oppose me on the spot.
Excitement starts to well up within me.
I smile brightly and stretch out my hand again.
'This is so Kim Young-hoon...!'
Kim Young-hoon's movement accelerates momentarily and reacts to my speed, knocking away my attack. Not my Gang Sphere, but my wrist.
'Ah!'
In my eyes, having reached Ultimate Pinnacle, I could roughly guess how he did it.
He momentarily accelerated the flow of internal energy in his body, optimizing his movement to the flow, and increased his instant reaction speed for a brief moment.
That's the martial art he created on the spot to use against me.
'At first, he was just busy avoiding. The second clash, he fluidly evaded. The third time, he knocked away my arm.'
He is growing with each exchange, second by second.
Tingle, tingle...
A chilling sensation encircles my entire body.
I could guess Kim Young-hoon's realm.
Right now, about 10 years in, he's at the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
He's not a match for me, an Ultimate Pinnacle, either in terms of experience or pure skill.
However, that insane talent of his is continuously creating martial arts to oppose me as he clashes with me.
Just...
'I cant help but admire.'
Kim Young-hoon swiftly mixes a couple of martial arts and rushes at me.
Again, theyre martial arts I've never seen. At the same time, I can feel theyre aimed and created just for me. It must have been made just now.
Nevertheless, it was a martial art excellently prepared to confront someone faster and stronger than himself.
However,
Boom!
Without accelerating my thinking with a Gang Sphere, I float two Gang Spheres beside me and rush towards Kim Young-hoon, dismantling his martial art with pure force.
I then reached out to Kim Young-hoon's head and grabbed it.
I raise my knee and strike.
Kim Young-hoon quickly deploys protective Gang Qi on his chin to absorb the shock. But I use the moment he loses his balance to flip him over and throw him down. Then, using the Thousand-Weight Fall, I pressed him from above as we both fall.
We started falling together.
Kim Young-hoon tries desperately to shake me off in midair, but I stubbornly stay above him.
When Kim Young-hoon swings his saber, a saw-tooth shaped Gang Qi whirls towards me.
He spun three times in midair, accelerating instantly.
Thin threads of Gang Qi shot out, secretly targeting me in the void.
All of these were martial arts I have never seen before.
And all of them were obviously crafted to counter me.
Kim Young-hoon was creating martial arts in real-time, doing everything he could to shake me off.
The ground was getting closer.
The martial artists training at the fort saw us falling and panicked.
"Haah!"
In a brief moment, another martial art he just created activated.
Kim Young-hoon's Gang Qi concentrated at one point, displaying a tremendous explosive power.
It wasn't a Gang Sphere, the principle was entirely different. Only the form was somewhat similar.
But that explosive force momentarily separated me from Kim Young-hoon.
In that instant, Kim Young-hoon spun his body, accelerating rapidly and blended into the void like a phantom with Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
In a blink of an eye, Kim Young-hoon was above me, grabbing my clothes.
The ground was right before us!
He intended to smash me right into the ground.
In a single moment.
I read the flow of energy inside Kim Young-hoon's body and used that flow to reverse the situation.
The situation, where Kim Young-hoon was about to smash me into the ground, turned upside down, and now I was about to do the same to him.
Boom!
Dust flew up, shaking the surroundings.
Birds in the quiet mountains flew upwards, and the area became noisy.
Tingle!
I saw a tingling pain in my hand holding Kim Young-hoon and smirked slightly.
As a master of Five Energies Converging to the Origin, I knew he'd protect himself with defensive Gang Qi when I smashed him into the ground.
But in that brief instant, he created another martial art that transferred some of the impact of the descent to me, delivering a painfully sharp counterattack.
'Such insane talent, no wonder he managed to ambush and kill Qi Building cultivators even when he was just at the Five Energies Converging to the Origin.'
He creates optimized martial arts on the spot, depending on who he's facing.
A monster, unbelievable, wondrous such terms don't do justice to his talent, which exists in a different dimension.
'A talent that won't appear again in a thousand years, before and after?'
Nonsense.
Even in ten thousand years, before and after, no martial artist surpassing Kim Young-hoon's talent will likely appear.
I stepped down from above Kim Young-hoon and dusted off my hands.
"Please get up, Director. I believe you must have gained a lot from this spar."
"Spar? Was that sparring? You were attacking like you wanted to kill me! I was just desperately fighting for my life."
"Haha, I originally intended to make it feel like a light spar. But your talent is unbelievably great, so I did put in a few serious moves."
Kim Young-hoon chuckled and got up, brushing off his waist.
"Serious moves? You didn't even absorb that mass to accelerate at the end and just drove me with pure force. Are you mocking me?"
As we talked, the bandits who had fled earlier started to peek their heads out.
Seeing them, Kim Young-hoon frowned and shouted.
"You lot! There's a guest here, what are you dawdling for! Hurry up and prepare to welcome the guest!!"
"Yes, yes! Leader!"
"Hmm, who are they?"
"Nothing much. They were going to raid the village I was hiding in, so I beat them all nearly to death and reformed them to make use of them."
"That's commendable."
We chatted and slowly unwound the reunion of 10 years.
Several days passed.
During these days, I taught Kim Young-hoon martial arts and gave him the key to ascend to Ultimate Pinnacle.
'At this rate, he'll reach Ultimate Pinnacle within half a year.'
The growth rate is insane.
Plus, it's only been 10 years.
I have about 40 years left until I die.
In that time, will he be able to surpass the Record of Surpassing Path and Martial Arts in this life?
...Right. Lets give some help to Kim Young-hoon.
Seeing Kim Young-hoon's talent, I further resolved to study demon beast methods.
If the martial arts of humans are similar to those of demons, perhaps we can also learn from the demon beasts regarding the realm we aspire to reach.
Just as humans learned martial techniques from animals.
Could the next realm also be learned from demon beasts?
I have already passed on all the enlightenment and keys of Ultimate Pinnacle to him.
With his talent, he should be able to reach Ultimate Pinnacle and form his Inner Core within half a year without my guidance.
"...Then, I shall take my leave."
"Are you not going to stay to see me reach Ultimate Pinnacle?"
I considered taking Kim Young-hoon with me, but he declined, expressing a desire to properly enter and consolidate his understanding of Ultimate Pinnacle.
"...With your talent, Kim Hyung, I know you will surely reach it. However, I wish to seek information about realms beyond Ultimate Pinnacle elsewhere.
I will return later. When we meet again..."
I smiled and bowed to Kim Young-hoon.
"I hope next time, Kim Hyung, you can teach me."
"Alright. Next time, I'll make sure I've reached a higher realm than you."
We bid each other farewell and went our separate ways.
Leaving behind my intense encounter with Kim Young-hoon, I set out for the Black Wind Sea, as mentioned by Seo Hweol.
Black Wind Sea, Utmost Chaos Island.
The Black Wind Sea, located to the south of Shengzi, Yanguo, and Byeokra, is a treacherous sea where storms blew unpredictably, and deep within lived numerous demon beast packs.
Known as the territory of numerous demon tribes, it was also said that the main headquarters of the Black Ghost Valley was near the Black Wind Sea.
There are many islands in Black Wind Sea, but finding Utmost Chaos Island was not so difficult.
An island ruled by a Sea Dragon.
Utmost Chaos Island was one of the islands famous for being under the rule of a Sea Dragon.
I sailed to Utmost Chaos Island and inquired with the locals about the Sea Dragon, Seo Ran.
Seo Ran was revered as a kind of guardian spirit of the island, receiving modest offerings each year to protect the ships from storms and the island from demon beast packs.
'A benevolent Sea Dragon, it seems.'
After all, the offerings were just a few food items from Utmost Chaos Island.
It wasn't a wicked demon demanding maiden sacrifices but genuinely seemed like a guardian spirit of the island.
"Originally, Utmost Chaos Island was just a land full of thorny bushes, not so suitable for living. It wasn't called Utmost Chaos Island but Thorn Demon Island. But our ancestors were pitied by the guardian spirit who came to this land and helped cultivate it.
Since then, following the guardian spirit's name, Thorn Demon Island was renamed Utmost Chaos Island. Honestly, where would you find orchids () on this island to call it Utmost Chaos Island ()?" (Doesnt make sense when translated but think of it as a pun)
One of the village elders explained the origin of the name Utmost Chaos Island and about the guardian spirit, Seo Ran.
Seo Ran was a giant Sea Dragon about ten feet in size.
It was said to be a wise dragon, interested in human culture and proficient in their language.
At the same time, to see Seo Ran, one had to go west of Utmost Chaos Island.
At the Western Sacrificial Altar, where offerings are made every year, one could occasionally see Seo Ran swimming in the sea beyond.
"Is there anything I should be careful of when meeting the guardian spirit?"
"Well, the thing is... the guardian spirit doesn't like sharp objects, so don't bring swords or such in front of them."
"Thank you."
I thanked the elder and headed towards the Western Sacrificial Altar mentioned in Utmost Chaos Island.
The altar was located on a cliff on the western side of the island, a simple altar built three feet high on the cliff.
'I'll be able to see Seo Ran from here.'
What should I say when I see it?
That Seo Hweol sent me?
Before I could finish my thoughts.
Whoosh!
A massive shadow was cast over my head.
Bang!
At the same time, the demon beast method manual given to me by Seo Hweol, hidden in my possession, emitted a blue water attribute spiritual energy and vibrated.
Simultaneously, through my consciousness, Seo Ran's consciousness echoed.
[What are you? What brings you here with the skin of a sea crystal beast that only reacts within the embrace of the demon race while in the form of a human?]
He was a dragon with blue scales, a slender body, silver-blue horns, and a white beard like sea foam.
I smiled, took out the manual, and introduced myself.
I am called Seo Eun-hyun. The Sea Dragon King Seo Hweol told me that I am a hybrid of human and demon and instructed me to go find Seo Ran to learn the language and script of the demon race and master the demon beast methods."
Its now time to study the method of demons.
"Please teach me, descendant of the great Sea Dragon King."
Seo Ran asked me in a curious tone.
[The King said you are a hybrid of human and demon...?]
"Yes, that's right."
[Strange. Why do I see you as a demon disguised in human form?]
I couldn't help but be surprised by Seo Ran's following words.
[It's not just a feeling of strong demon blood in you. Aren't you just a demon itself?]