After passing under dark clouds and navigating the sea for several hours, something came into view for me and Seo Ran.
'Is that a barrier?'
It's not visible to the naked eye. It looks just like any other part of the ocean with waves crashing, nothing unusual.
However, when viewed through the perception of the demon race, sensing the flow of Yin and Yang, the currents in that distant part of the ocean were strangely twisted, unlike the surroundings.
"Is that the barrier?"
"No, that's just an illusionary barrier. Of course, the formation masters of Black Ghost Valley twisted the space, so if you enter that area, you come out on the opposite side... But I've long since figured out how to break through that.
There are several more layers of barriers inside, and we need to break through all of them to find what I want."
Swoosh!
Seo Ran burst into the sky with demonic power.
"Hold on tight!"
Flash!
A jade-colored light emitted from Seo Ran's horn, coloring the surroundings.
Boom!
Simultaneously, I heard a massive sound of breaking air and defended against the shockwave with my protective Gang Qi.
Swoosh!
I felt us passing through an invisible flow of spiritual energy, and I gradually opened my eyes.
'This place is...'
Fog.
A sea mist covered everything in sight.
Instantly, I felt a chill run down my spine.
'No, it's not just mist.'
Terrifying Yin energy.
Gulp.
'Ghosts...!'
"Don't open your mouth. This is the second barrier. If the sound of a living human echoes, those things will swarm you. I am from the Sea Dragon Tribe, and we can handle the power of Yin, so they wont attack me. That's why I'm safe, but you need to be as quiet as possible."
I nodded in understanding.
Seo Ran dived back into the water, surveying the surroundings.
"These are wandering ghosts released by Black Ghost Valley. With so many ghosts gathered and the barrier of Black Ghost Valley covering the area, storms always rage in these waters."
'Do ghosts bring storms?'
It made sense that spirits or ghosts, with their Yin nature, would attract similar dark clouds.
While I was lost in thought, holding onto Seo Ran's neck, I heard something.
Aaaaah-
Kiyaahaaa!
Aaaaah!
"....?"
As we moved forward with Seo Ran, the distant wailing of ghosts became louder.
"Don't worry. The deeper we go, the more unique ghosts affected by the Nether Crossing Ship appear..."
Then, it happened.
[It's a ghost...!]
[A very big ghost has entered the waters!]
[Find it! Find the very big ghost!]
Rumble!
The sea mist began to stir.
"What...! This has never happened before!"
Seo Ran, in panic, moved quickly and quietly forward.
[Kiyaahaaaak!]
[A big ghost has come to catch us all!]
[Kiyaahaaak! A ghost! Catch the very big ghost! The very big ghost has entered!]
The once merely hazy mist began to change.
Ssshhh-
The mist turned pitch black.
At the same time, thousands, maybe millions of red lights appeared in the dark fog.
"What on earth is going on!"
Seo Ran swam even faster, perplexed.
Rumble!
The red lights in the black mist started flying towards us.
"Cough, hold on tight. We're going to fly up again!"
Demonic power burst out from Seo Ran's body again.
'Seo Hweol used to fly around at will, but it seems hard for Seo Ran to do the same.'
Considering his large size, it was actually impressive how Seo Hweol managed to fly as he wished.
Swoosh!
He leaped from the water into the air.
I held onto Seo Ran's mane, holding my breath as much as I could to avoid the eyes of the ghosts.
After flying for some time.
"We're breaking through the second barrier!"
Swoosh!
We broke through a water wall that suddenly appeared in front of us, soaking wet as we looked around.
"....!"
A gigantic water barrier!
Hundreds of miles around us were devoid of water, defying gravity, as the seawater formed a giant well-like barrier.
At the center of this 'Well of Seas.'
I saw a massive translucent barrier, big enough to cover dozens of miles.
Inside the barrier, a powerful ship emitting ghostly energy was visible.
"You can talk now. Ghosts can't enter this part of the barrier."
"Phew... Is that the Nether Crossing Ship?"
"Yes."
Swoosh!
Seo Ran glided along the water barrier and descended to the bottom of the Sea Well.
"Get off now. From here on, there's nothing particularly dangerous for you."
I got off Seo Ran's neck and stepped on the air, approaching the barrier.
As I got closer to the barrier, the details of the ship inside became clearer. The ship is terribly broken, barely maintaining its shape, and intense ghostly and Yin energies emanated from within.
"The first barrier is to block mortals and ordinary animals. The second barrier of ghostly mist is to stop human cultivators. This last barrier is meant to stop demon beasts like me," Seo Ran explained.
"Well, the earlier ghosts were sentient beings, causing unusual phenomenons, but this barrier isn't alive, so it won't cause any unpredictable situations."
He lifted his tail and brought it close to the barrier.
Then.
Crackle!
Bang!
Light exploded, and Seo Ran retreated. His tail was covered in green ghost fire, which went out only after he concentrated his spiritual power.
"Being a member of the demon race, this is my reaction. But you, with human lineage, should be different. Try touching it."
I cautiously approached the barrier, restraining my Inner Core's energy, and touched it.
Crackle!
With a tingling sensation, my hand went smoothly into the barrier.
"Hmm, it really goes in."
"Yes, it's a barrier meant solely to stop demon beasts."
I hesitated briefly before stepping into the barrier.
Swoosh!
My Inner Core area felt a bit sore, but I could pass through the barrier without much trouble.
It was almost too easy to believe.
"Seo Hyung, this seems too easy..."
"Right. For someone with human lineage like you, it would be easy. Now, to let me in, you just need to pull out all eight flags near the Nether Crossing Ship that are keeping the barrier active."
Seo Ran points with his claw towards where a flag with a ghost face drawn on it is planted.
There is a total of eight such flags around the ship, standing firmly on the water.
I quickly move around the ship, pulling out all eight flags.
Then, the barrier surrounding the Nether Crossing Ship loses its light, and Seo Ran approaches me.
"It's quite easy, isn't it?"
"Well, up to here, it definitely is easy. After all, it's a discarded divine object. It's just an old relic with no value other than its symbolic significance as a divine object. Black Ghost Valley wouldn't have set such an extensive protection for it."
He clicked his tongue as he continued.
"Actually, it was much more annoying than before. If you entered the mist barrier before reaching here, the ghosts would signal Black Ghost Valley. Then Black Ghost Valley would send Core Formation cultivators to hunt down demon beasts like me.
Even if someone managed to get this far, Black Ghost Valley usually had several Qi Building disciples stationed here to hunt... but now that Black Ghost Valley has completely vanished to the higher realm, it'd be strange if the difficulty is higher."
"I see."
"Anyway, the real challenge begins after entering inside. Help me find something inside."
"Sure."
It seems that rather than the barrier, Black Ghost Valley had relied on people to guard the place.
Now that those guards had ascended to the higher realm, it was like easily jumping over a low wall.
"By the way, even if it's a discarded divine object, considering they protected it with such a huge barrier and had inner disciples guarding it, it must have been quite a significant object... What happened to it?"
I ask as we approach the ship.
The ship is half-destroyed, with one side completely shattered.
There are a few intact parts, but not many.
"Heh. It was damaged in a war among human cultivators."
"What kind of war was it?"
"You probably wouldn't know since it happened before you were born. There was a human cultivator known as the Mad Lord. I don't know the details, but one day, the Mad Lord suddenly caused a commotion, wanting to take one of the components inside the Nether Crossing Ship.
Black Ghost Valley naturally ignored him, calling him insane, but due to the Mad Lord's uproar, two Heavenly Being elders of Black Ghost Valley were killed. In response, Black Ghost Valley went mad as well and mobilized all their power to capture the Mad Lord.
The Mad Lord didn't flee but waged war against Black Ghost Valley alone. As a result, three of Black Ghost Valley's only three Nether Crossing Ships were destroyed, and a third of Black Ghost Valley was annihilated."
"..."
"Eventually, the Mad Lord indeed smashed one Nether Crossing Ship, entered inside, and took away the core component. No one from Black Ghost Valley could stop that crazy cultivator."
What in the world is this, this terrifying battle record?
If its the Mad Lord, then that hunchback old man... Does he really possess such unimaginable power?
After all, if he's just a madman, then other cultivators at the Heavenly Being stage...
Even the usually composed Sea Dragon King shuddered at the mention of his title, showing a clear distaste.
The fear and disgust must be because the madman possesses such unbelievable power.
"Before fighting the Mad Lord, Black Ghost Valley used to roam the seas on three Nether Crossing Ships, flaunting their terrifying might. But after the war with the Mad Lord, they were stuck to one sea area, staying quiet... Thinking about it, many demon tribes living in the sea held quite positive feelings about that event."
Was there some resentment towards Black Ghost Valley?
Seo Ran smiled contentedly as we ascended to the deck of the Nether Crossing Ship.
The ship was made of some incredibly sturdy and glossy material.
A considerable amount of yin and ghostly energy was emanating from the deck.
"Let's go inside."
Seo Ran opened the door leading inside the ship from the deck.
Whoosh!
"...!"
I was stunned as I looked inside.
Just opening the door released an overwhelming amount of yin and ghost energy.
The interior was completely shrouded in darkness, obscuring everything from view.
Seo Ran became a bit tense too, stiffening up at the door.
"...But Seo Hyung, it seems a bit cramped inside for you to enter..."
"...Don't worry about that. Let's just go in."
Swoosh
As he spoke, Seo Ran stepped into the darkness.
I followed him, tensely entering after him.
Whoosh!
Then, I witnessed an astonishing sight.
'It's bigger inside than outside...!'
A colossal space!
A passageway thousands of times larger than what it appears from the outside is before me.
Seo Ran turns to me and said,
"Black Ghost Valley used to rule the entire sea with three Nether Crossing Ships. The reason they could do so was because each Nether Crossing Ship itself was a divine object with an unbelievably huge compressed space.
The Nether Crossing Ship is almost the same as Black Ghost Valley's main base. In fact, their main base, Gui Valley, was merely a port for docking the Nether Crossing Ship. So, it's more accurate to say that the Nether Crossing Ships are Black Ghost Valley."
"Wow..."
I was overwhelmed by the sheer size and lost my words for a moment.
"I heard it was an artifact created by mimicking the immortal treasures of true immortals by one of the talented artisans of the times. Whether it's true or not, I'm not sure."
We continued walking.
Passing through the vast corridor, we arrived at a large cavern.
In various places, there were statues of ghosts strewn about, and sizable wooden buildings situated here and there.
"Can you check all the rooms and buildings inside the ship to see if theres anything emitting this kind of energy?"
Woong!
When Seo Ran extended his paw, a bead the size of a fingernail, emanating the energy of the Sea Dragon Tribe, floated up.
"Remember not only the shape but also the energy. If you find an object emitting this energy, tell me right away."
"Understood. Shall we go in and look?"
I remembered the energy he emitted and took a look at a pavilion four or five stories high.
'But to think that such a gigantic space, still with plenty of room left, is compressed into just one ship.'
Is this what qualifies as a divine object of a great cultivation sect?
Just when I was looking around.
Step-
Whoosh!
Something flew at me at high speed.
"....!"
Clang!
I quickly emit Gang Qi to deflect it.
'This is..!'
Its a small dagger.
Looking closely, a hole opened in one wall, revealing a hidden mechanical trap that had sprung.
'A mechanical trap?'
Then.
Click-clack, click-clack...
Something clicks inside one of the wooden buildings, and something walks out.
Click-clack, click-clack...
They are puppets made of wood.
The puppets move awkwardly at first, then suddenly rush at me.
"Hmph!"
Boom! Boom!
Without hesitation, I emit Gang Sphere from my palm and completely ground the puppets to dust.
"Seo Hyung. These things are.."
"I heard that these are mechanical traps left by the Mad Lord when he entered the Nether Crossing Ship. I don't know how he does it, but the Mad Lord is said to be capable of filling an area with his mechanical traps in just a moment of sitting."
That's when it happened.
Click-clack, click-clack...
More wooden puppets begin to approach us from a distance.
Seo Ran twitches his brows and move his body.
"Alright... let's break through together."
"Let's do it."
Seo Ran and I charge towards the puppets rushing at us.
We broke through the puppets, dodging numerous mechanical traps as we searched inside.
The inside of the ship was immensely spacious, rivaling the size of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect that I had seen in the great mountain ranges.
Even more so, there were at least two more such ships in Black Ghost Valley.
One could easily imagine their former glory.
The parts of the ship seen from the outside that were half-destroyed were either warped in space or completely inaccessible. We destroyed mechanical traps and headed down to the lower part of the ship.
Ssshhh...
The lower deck of the ship is filled with ghostly energy.
There were no ghosts or vengeful spirits, but the formidable ghostly energy was enough to make one's consciousness tremble.
"Seo Hyung, I'm feeling a bit numb in my consciousness."
I felt the ghost energy affecting my consciousness.
Seo Ran opened his mouth in response.
A small golden bell pops out of his mouth and jingles once.
Ting-
With its clear sound, the surrounding darkness seems to recede slightly, and the pain affecting my consciousness eases a bit.
"I used a Dharma Treasure with the power of exorcism to drive away some of the ghostly energy. I put a lot of effort into empowering this treasure over the past three years. However, to completely eliminate the pain, it would be better to compress the consciousness and give it form."
Seo Ran advises me while looking in my direction.
I utilize the technique of Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation to change my consciousness into the shape of a sea dragon.
Since Seo Ran's consciousness already perfectly covered him in the same form, it seemed to put less strain on him from the start.
'Indeed, giving form to the consciousness allows better resistance to attacks on the mind.'
I solidify my consciousness and aske Seo Ran a question.
"Seo Hyung, what exactly is a dharma treasure? Is it different from magic artifacts?"
"You ask about everything. Magic artifacts are toys used by cultivators from Qi Refining to Qi Building stage.
Dharma treasures are real weapons used by Core Formation cultivators. They feed on the power within the Core Formation cultivator's golden core and grow along with the cultivator."
He continued explaining about dharma treasures.
"If one is not at the Core Formation stage and below, they would need to accumulate power over several years to use it, but the effect is certainly significant."
"Hmm, so Seo Hyung, when you reach a stage equivalent to Core Formation, will you be able to use a dharma treasure properly?"
At my question, Seo Ran hesitated for a moment before responding.
"Unfortunately, demon beasts don't usually use dharma treasures. Our fangs, claws, scales, etc., are essentially our dharma treasures. This treasure is used only in special situations like this and won't be my main weapon."
"I see.."
We continued to drive away the ghosl;y energy in the Nether Crossing Ship, breaking through puppets and mechanical traps as we went deeper.
"By the way, can the Nether Crossing Ship really cross the netherworld?"
"It's a symbolic name. This ship is just an imitation of a true immortal treasure. While those treasures could possibly travel to the netherworld...
This ship can traverse space but, as far as I know, cannot go to the world of the dead."
"Being able to traverse space alone is impressive..."
As I shattered an approaching puppet and we continued downward, I noticed something.
"Huh? There are no puppets attacking on this floor."
It is quiet.
And dark.
While the previous floors were somewhat visible, this floor is completely shrouded in darkness.
Its too quiet.
And teeming with ghostly energy.
"..."
"..."
Without exchanging words, Seo Ran and I simultaneously fall silent and keep watch.
The demon senses are keen.
The circulation of Taiji around us has changed.
Yin and Yang are not circulating properly, with yang energy being suppressed by yin energy.
There is something dangerous on this floor.
That's when it happened.
[What ghost dares to intrude upon the Nether Crossing Ship... a demon beast and a human? I understand the demon, but what's with this human, coated in several layers of death on his soul?]
Chill!
"Cough..!"
"Ugh!"
It's hard to breathe.
A chill runs through my body.
[It's natural for ghosts to coat their deaths. But why does this one have several layers of death? How curious and strange...]
I recognize this presence.
From the Makli Clan, Jin Clan, Cheongmun Clan, and others.
An unchallengeable disaster.
The aura of Core Formation.
[A great ghost indeed. A living human cloaked in the skin of a ghost... What audacious business brings you here?]
"Let's escape!"
Flash!
A burst of light emits from Seo Ran's bell.
Simultaneously, the pressure bearing down on us vanish.
[That dharma treasure, could it be..]
"Quickly, to the upper deck...!"
Seo Ran cries out as if in agony, and we frantically climb back up.
[Ahaha, I see. A bastard of the Sea Dragon King's lineage. The prince of the King family, yet still here when others have ascended. Seo Hweol must have abandoned you. A great ghost and a stain of the royal family. Even a dead old man has exciting days!]
Rumble!
A wave of dark ghostly energy begin to chase us from below.
[Do you really think you can escape from the grasp of a Heavenly Being cultivator]
The voice of that entity echoes throughout the ship.
The mention of 'Heavenly Being' makes my head spin, nearly causing me to lose my balance and fall.
"Stay focused! If it was a Heavenly Being, we wouldnt be feeling so easily. It must be the resentful spirit of a Heavenly Being cultivator killed by the Mad Lord! At best, it can only exert Core Formation level strength, and that too only within this ship. Just focus on escaping!"
I regain my senses at Seo Ran's words, utilize the Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation to cloak myself in wind, and flee even faster upwards.
[How dare you run, you maggots!]
Rumble!
Behind us, a wave of yin energy surge.
***
Kugugugugu!
Darkness reaches out to us.
Thousands of black hands emerge from thin air, stretching towards us.
Twisting my body in mid-air, I narrowly evade all the hands along the optimal path.
Using Mountain Lords Soaring Flight at full display, I manage to escape the ghost hands without a single hair touched.
However, for Seo Ran with his large size, escaping is a bit more challenging.
Using the power of exorcism and destruction from his golden bell, Seo Ran burns off several hands clinging to him and ascends upwards.
Once we break free from the ghost hands, the puppets we previously shattered on our way down started to rise in the air and swiftly charge at us.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
"Seo Hyung, don't stop, just look ahead."
I release Sword Gang from both hands, swinging it in all directions.
Boom! Bang!
Following the intricacies of Dual Energy Sword Control, my Sword Gang wildly changes trajectory in mid-air, knocking away all parts of the puppets charging at us.
Yet, ahead of us, a sea of destroyed parts, emitting intense ghostly energy, are surging towards us.
"Prepare the strongest attack."
"Understood."
I emit Gang Sphere from my Inner Core, and Seo Hyung gathers spiritual power at the corner of his mouth.
"Break through!"
Boom!
Three Gang Spheres fly from my hand, turning into a storm of light that stops the wave in its tracks.
A blue torrent of light erupts from Seo Ran's mouth, striking the wave head-on.
Seo Rans breath carves a huge hole in the wave.
We rush towards the gap and manage to escape..
We quickly ascend to the next level.
Sticky, black darkness surges towards us, trying to grasp us.
Seo Ran keeps exhaling breaths and I continuously emit Gang Spheres, narrowly escaping the pursuit of the Core Formation-level ghost spirit.
Finally.
We see the entrance we came through in the distance.
As were about to escape the Nether Crossing Ship,
Numerous black hands emerge from the ship itself.
I evade all the hands, but Seo Ran, due to his size, cant avoid them all.
There is a reason for the sudden emergence of ghost hands from the ship's hull.
Humming sounds emanate from the ship, and the ghost spirit's voice resonates.
[Escaping well, aren't you? Daring to plunder the Azure Bone Valley's treasures like that bastard Mad Lord...!
While I am here, it will never happen... Even if this ship is destroyed and discarded, it once shared its glory days with the Azure Bone Valleys prime!
No one can covet the Valley's treasures...!!!]
'Azure Bone Valley?'
Before I can ponder, another giant ghost hand surges towards me.
I explode the ghost hand with a Gang Sphere from my Inner Core and approach Seo Ran.
"Seo Hyung, I'll help..."
"No need. I've gathered enough strength, I can handle this!"
Seo Ran's body emits a sudden surge of demonic power.
Simultaneously, golden energy begins to emanate from between his scales.
He looks to be cloaked in a golden protective Gang Qi.
'Is this the power of that Dharma Treasure he mentioned earlier?'
The ghost hands grasping him explode, freeing Seo Ran.
He gnashes his teeth and ascends into the sky, as thousands more ghost hands emerge from the ship, trying to grasp him.
The ghost spirit's voice echoes everywhere.
[You! That's a treasure of the Azure Bone Valley, isn't it! If you leave it behind, Ill let you go!]
"Nonsense! This is my treasure! My own treasure!"
Seo Ran shouts back at the ghost spirit and signals me with his eyes.
I activate Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation, slicing through the ghost hands with wind, and cling to Seo Ran, aiding his flight.
"Hold tight. We'll break through the barrier in one go!"
"Yes!"
I blast two ghost hands approaching us from both sides with Gang Spheres and grab onto Seo Ran's mane.
Blue light emits from between his scales.
In an instant, Seo Ran's massive body exerts explosive power, leaping through space, and we find ourselves near the water barrier.
Looking back, I see the Nether Crossing Ship teeming with hundreds of black hands.
The next moment.
We're soaked again, entering the foggy area.
The fog, blackened, follows us.
Seo Ran evades the pursuing fog and throws himself towards the end of the mist.
There is significant resistance when entering from outside.
But theres no resistance when leaving from inside to outside.
Once we're outside the barrier, the light between Seo Ran's scales vanishes, and he falls powerlessly into the sea.
'He's exhausted.'
Seo Ran's condition doesn't look good.
His eyes are rolled back and gasping for air. Seo Ran writhes as he floats on the sea.
'I need to move him, or else he might be attacked by other sea demons...'
Using my internal energy, I grab Seo Ran's neck and activate Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation.
Seo Ran and I are engulfed in a whirlwind and rise into the sky together.
"If only I had mastered water attribute spells, I could have just let him float in the sea and swim along..."
I once again realize the importance of mastering the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation, especially the Water Path.
After carrying his heavy body and flying for a while,
Whoosh!
We finally make it out of the stormy sea.
"Huff, huff..!"
As soon as were in the sunlight, Seo Ran regains his consciousness.
"Seo Hyung, may I put you down now?"
"Ugh.. Yes, go ahead. My neck is sore."
Splash!
I drop Seo Ran into the sea, and he emerges from the water.
Using Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation continuously while carrying Seo Ran quickly depleted my Inner Core's energy.
'If I had kept flying while carrying Seo Hyung, I might have been exhausted too.'
"Anyway, thanks for helping me several times and getting me out of that sea area. There are many demon tribes there practicing dark arts...
If I had floated in the sea unconscious, I would have surely become their prey."
"Helping a comrade is only natural. No need for thanks."
"Haha, 'natural to help a comrade,' huh..."
A trace of sorrow momentarily crosses Seo Ran's face and consciousness.
"Anyway, this attempt was a failure."
"What will you do now, Seo Hyung?"
"I can't give up on what's inside there. It's something I desperately need."
He clenches his teeth.
"But that place is guarded by a Core Formation-level ghost spirit. It's impossible to investigate further."
After a moment of silence, Seo Ran pulls out the golden bell.
"I didn't expect such a ghost spirit to remain, so I only gathered energy in this treasure for three years just to fend off basic ghosts. But if such a being exists, it's a different story."
He continues, looking at the golden bell.
"More than three years. I'll invest even more time in this treasure to make it even stronger, so no evil ghost can approach.Then, I'll definitely get what I need!"
Seo Ran looks at me.
"Eun-hyun. Ten years. Can you help me again after ten years? I must obtain it. Without it, I cannot move forward. It's equivalent to my entire life being denied."
His eyes reveal an obsession bordering on madness.
Previously, he said he needed to find an item to enhance his cultivation.
But I can tell.
'It's not just about cultivation, there's something else.'
After pondering, I nod to Seo Ran.
"I will help you. You and the Sea Dragon King have been kind to me."
It isn't just out of gratitude to Seo Ran.
I owe much to Seo Hweol and wanted to help him.
Seo Ran stays silent for a moment, then nods.
"Thank you."
We arrange when and where to meet again, and then part ways.
"Sigh..."
I stay floating above the sea with Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation, organizing my thoughts.
'Thinking back, a great ghost...'
The many ghosts in the fog.
And the Core Formation-level ghost spirit called me a great ghost.
The remaining ghost spirit of a Heavenly Being cultivator said I had a soul coated with multiple deaths.
'Do the dead see such things?'
The Black Bone Valley Grand Elder, White Bone Ghost Devil, who seemed much more skilled than the Core Formation ghost spirit, hadn't said anything to me.
'The influence of being a 'dead person' seems significant.'
' Azure Bone Valley, too. I've never heard of it, even in the royal archives of Shengzi. Azure Bone Valley?'
Could it be related to Black Bone Valley's hidden history?
After contemplating, I shake my head.
Theres nothing I can do now.
I need more information later.
'For now...'
I must elevate my cultivation.
I need to enhance my Gang Sphere to reach the extreme of Ultimate Pinnacle.
And find a way to advance from Qi Refining 14th Star to Qi Building.
Whether it works or not, I'll give it my best shot.
First, I decided to go to Yanguo, meet Kim Young-Hoon, and find a way to advance to Qi Building while gaining martial arts experience.
After contacting Kim Young-Hoon through the Jin Clan, I informed him where I would be staying.
I went to the mountains near Yanguo, Yansan City, defeated all the bandits in the area, and settled down.
"First, I should master the Water Surpassing Path up to the 4th Star."
Considering that in ten years, I'll be joining Seo Ran to venture deep into the Black Wind Sea and search the Nether Crossing Ship of the Black Bone Valley again, it's essential to at least know the basics of water attribute spells to avoid being a burden.
The cultivation manual I acquired, regarded as the basic among the basics in the Daoist community, is 'Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation.' It contains the basic techniques for the Five Paths: Earth, Water, Fire, Wood, and Metal.
So far, I had only mastered the Earth Surpassing Path but I could always learn the other paths if I wanted.
Initially, mastering even one Earth Surpassing Path was challenging, so I focused solely on it.
To assist Seo Ran in the sea, mastering at least the basics of the Water Surpassing Path is necessary, so I plan to learn it to the minimum extent.
I began training in the Water Surpassing Path, replenishing water spiritual energy in a nearby valley.
While practicing the Water Surpassing Path, I found it surprisingly 'easy.'
'Perhaps it's because I've already activated and cleared the meridians with the Earth Surpassing Path.'
Its just a matter of accumulating water energy along those pathways.
The teachings of Understanding before Breakthrough I learned from my master weren't limited to earth attribute methods.
Despite the differences between the Five Elements, I quickly embodied and made the Water Surpassing Path my own.
Once I form the Water Hand Seal, the valley's water rises into the air, forming shapes as I envision.
Forming the seal again, water droplets form in the air and begin to fall.
"This will solve any thirst problems in the desert."
I smile, feeling the Water Surpassing Paths spiritual power settling within me.
After about a year of diligent practice, the Water Surpassing Path is close to reaching the 2nd Star of Qi Refining.
I also mastered all seventy-two Earthly Sha True Words corresponding to the water element, making them freely usable.
Since I always had an overwhelming understanding of the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words, mastering other elemental attributes became straightforward after getting accustomed to them.
"Now, let's try Qi Building again."
Even while mastering the Water Surpassing Path, I haven't neglected martial arts training, and my Gang Sphere has increased to four.
I can now accelerate my mental facilities by more than five times.
Woooong.
I focus, attempting to advance to the next phase from the Infinite Spiritual Cloud.
Rumble, rumble!
Clouds of spiritual power whirl in my dantian, forming a Spiritual Energy Star.
However, like before, the spiritual energy star begins to crack under strain and turbulence.
And then...
Boom!
I clench my teeth and endure the pain.
The spiritual energy star exploded, and my cultivation fell back to 12th Star.
"Sigh..."
Back to square one.
I sigh softly, slowly recovering my spiritual power.
But then...
"....?"
Something felt off.
I focus and activated the Earth Surpassing Path
I realize the odd sense of dj vu.
'The recovery speed... has slightly increased...?'
My spiritual power recovery rate has sped up compared to before.
A mysterious phenomenon!
After some contemplation, I figure out the cause.
'The Water Surpassing Path!'
That's right.
Not just the Earth Surpassing Path, but also the recently practiced Water Surpassing Path's water energy was complementing the earth energy, slightly speeding up the recovery of spiritual power.
'Ah, this was mentioned when I bought the manual.'
The old man selling the cultivation manual previously explained it.
'Good. This means I can try the next challenge sooner.'
Faster spiritual power recovery meant more attempts at advancing to Qi Building.
With a lighter heart, I begin to recover my cultivation state.
Four years passed.
I successfully mastered the Water Surpassing Path up to 4th Star and could handle the four Gang Spheres quite stably.
Around this time, Kim Young-Hoon finally visited.
"Kim Hyung, have you finally come after I sent a letter years ago?"
I greet him with a hearty laugh.
However, Kim Young-Hoon's expression isn't bright.
"...Sorry. I was so absorbed in something that I lost track of time. A few years ago, the cultivator clans in Shengzi started attacking the Makli Clan for breaking a treaty. Recently, the Makli Clan hasn't been active, so I've been focusing solely on martial arts. And..."
Wooooong.
Kim Young-Hoon releases his Gang Sphere.
The sphere split into three, then each sphere split into three again, totaling nine spheres orbiting around him.
"I've also reached the extreme of Ultimate Pinnacle...
But. This is the end."
His complexion turns ashen.
"I've made several attempts and errors, yet I can't grasp what to do next. Even after studying the demon beast method to explore the next realm, it isn't enough.
There are so many paths before me, yet none seem to lead anywhere! It's completely unclear what I should do next! I have increased my miscellaneous skills, but no matter how much I learn, it doesn't raise my realm.
How do I transcend beyond this point? Really, how...?"
After venting his emotions, Kim Young-Hoon takes a deep breath and calms down.
"Sigh... I'm sorry. I'm just too frustrated. I don't know what to do. Up to Ultimate Pinnacle, it felt like I was following a path laid by others, but beyond this, it feels like I need to create a realm that doesn't exist.
I've studied medicine, and even advanced to the 3rd Star of Qi Refining with the cultivation method I requested from the Jin Clan. I've researched and re-researched the demon beast method you gave me. But how to create the next realm... I just don't know."
He sighs, clearly frustrated.
'Ultimate Pinnacle, as well, was a realm of theory.'
The realm of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit is rare.
Five Energies Converging to the Origin is legendary.
And Ultimate Pinnacle was just a 'conceptual' realm imagined by martial artists.
What could be stronger than Five Energies Converging to the Origin?
If such a realm exists, what would it be named?
The name of a realm born from the frivolous theories of martial artists.
That is Ultimate Pinnacle.
And now, Kim Young-Hoon is struggling to reach a realm beyond imagination.
A realm beyond imagination.
Even the storytellers, who playfully speak of Ultimate Pinnacle, have not even dreamt of what lies beyond it.
Ultimate Pinnacle, after all, was a realm of fantasy, thus it had a name. But the world beyond that, even among the storytellers, remains nameless.
Kim Young-Hoon is struggling to reach a place without a name.
"I'm sorry."
But I can't join him in his struggle.
I am slow.
So slow, in fact, that I am still at the mid-stage of Ultimate Pinnacle with only four Gang Spheres.
It is uncertain whether I could even handle nine Gang Spheres in this lifetime.
How can I, then, discuss what lies beyond Ultimate Pinnacle?
"I'm not yet qualified to discuss such a realm."
"Yes, you're right."
Kim Young-Hoon isn't a bad person. Normally, in such a situation, he would try to lighten the mood by praising my skills as decent.
However, Kim Young-Hoon only affirmed my words with a dark expression, evidence of his extraordinary efforts to transcend to the next level.
"What lies beyond is unexplored. A realm that's never been seriously discussed. The 'basic' requirement to enter it is reaching the extreme of Ultimate Pinnacle. Even my talent needs to be honed to the absolute brink for this realm..."
Suddenly, during his speech, Kim Young-Hoon pauses, then begins to chuckle.
"Ha, haha...! It's so infuriating. It might have been better if my talent was mediocre, focused only on reaching existing realms...
If the realm already exists, I could have trained diligently. But since I don't even know what to do, it's unbearably tormenting. Being the only pioneer, the pressure that I cannot give up is immense..."
I look at him with a bittersweet feeling.
When I think about it, its true.
Kim Young-Hoon ascended to Ultimate Pinnacle several lifetimes ago.
In the past life.
And the life before that.
And even before that.
He ascended to Ultimate Pinnacle multiple times, wielded nine Gang Spheres, and reached its extreme repeatedly.
But not once had he mentioned discovering a realm beyond or shown any joy in such a discovery.
Does a realm beyond Ultimate Pinnacle truly exist?
I couldn't dare to console his despair.
His despair is entirely different from mine.
All I can do is silently listen to his despair.
After venting for a while, Kim Young-Hoon spoke more calmly.
"I'm sorry... I didn't come here to vent my emotions. I came to give you a warning."
"What kind of warning?"
"While studying the Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation method you gave me, I realized something. When humans practice it, during its activation, it forcibly transforms the consciousness into the form of a dragon.
I thought while studying this technique that it shouldn't be practiced by humans."
I listen carefully to his words.
Indeed, Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation is powerful, but every time I use it, it feels overwhelmingly uncomfortable, like wearing a tight suit of armor.
"It puts too much strain on the human soul. No matter how powerful your consciousness is from practicing cultivation.
Cultivating that method is, metaphorically, like diving deep into the ocean without a diving suit and wearing a dragon's skin. The burden on your soul is too great.
There's a reason humans don't practice demon beast methods."
"..."
I sigh softly.
"Perhaps, humans have their own suitable form of consciousness. But at least, it's definitely not in the form of a dragon... I clearly felt that."
The form of consciousness fitting for humans.
I repeat those words in my mind.
Translator Notes: I made some changes to the terms:
3 Great Realms of Cultivation first mentioned in chapter 38 has been changed to 3 Great Boundaries of Cultivation to better differentiate
The God of the Azure Emperor, etc for the 4 Constellations has been to changed to the Spirit of the Azure Dragon and etc. I initally thought the constellations mentioned referred to the 5 Emperors of Chinese Myth cuz of the Yellow Emperor part, but after doing some research it turns out the constellations refer to the 4 mythical beasts.
***
A form of consciousness perfectly suited for humans.
"Is it merely a warning about the demon beast method I'm practicing? Or is it some kind of conundrum you've discovered, Kim Hyung?"
It was unlikely he brought this up without reason.
Kim Young-hoon gaze at me intently, then seem to ponder for a moment.
"...It's both."
"If it's both, have you already found the foundation for the next realm, Kim Hyung?"
"Ha, what do you think is the reason I came to you and poured out my emotions? If I had found the clue to the next realm through that, I would have told you long ago."
He adjusts his posture with a self-mocking smile.
'Anyway, it seems he has found something.'
Kim Young-hoon moves in front of a massive rock and takes a ready stance, then slowly reaches out his hand.
A hand without any internal energy.
No matter how slow, to strike a rock with such a hand looks like an action not caring about shattering the hand!
But then, at that moment.
Flash!
"....!"
My eyes widen as I closely observe Kim Young-hoon's fist.
No, his 'consciousness.'
His consciousness fluctuates, and suddenly, the area around Kim Young-hoon's fist compresses into the same shape as his 'fist.'
Its almost like...
'Demon beast methods...!?'
There is a resemblance to the demon beast methods that altered the domain of consciousness.
Kim Young-hoon's fist finally makes contact with the rock.
Crack!
"....!!"
Like burrowing into tofu.
Kim Young-hoon's fist digs into the rock, burying up to his forearm.
'He didn't use internal energy!?'
I rub my eyes and look again, but there is no internal energy in Kim Young-hoon's arm.
"Look."
Craaack
Sizzzz
Kim Young-hoon pulls his arm out of the rock and shows it to me.
Observing his arm, I understand how he burrowed into the rock without using internal energy.
'It's not internal energy, but the basic Qi naturally flowing within the body activated to the extreme! When the consciousness domain momentarily aligns with the fist, the basic energy of the fist is maximally activated...!'
Swoosh..
After showing me his arm for a while, he relaxes his focus and returns the consciousness, previously compressed into a fist shape, back to its original form.
"I can't maintain it for long as it's a recent discovery. Unlike your Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation, it's not about naturally altering the consciousness to fit the configuration. I just forcibly compressed the area of consciousness."
I listen to him and ask.
"So, a form of consciousness suitable for humans means, like you just demonstrated, changing the consciousness domain into a human form?"
That is my conjecture based on what I had just seen.
However, Kim Young-hoon's expression becomes strange.
"It's... ambiguous. Perhaps subtle..."
"Yes?"
"I contemplated over hundreds, thousands of false paths laid before me. Among them, I found the method of compressing consciousness into a human form and strengthening the physical energy... I intuitively knew that it was one of the 'real paths.'"
"Then, what's the problem?"
"I'm not sure if the path I found truly belongs to martial arts."
"...?"
What does he mean by that?
"Something about it subtly overlaps with the realm of martial arts. But, intuitively, I feel that following that path might eventually lead to a realm utterly unrelated to martial arts.
Of course, I also learned it with the intention of informing you, as it's clear that the stage you've reached with your demon beast method is certainly misguided."
"Hmm..."
"By the way, is there no way to acquire other demon beast methods besides that Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation?"
"Yes, it would be difficult to find others."
Kim Young-hoon sighs in frustration.
"It would be nice to have more reference material..."
"You just said that changing the consciousness domain doesn't belong to the realm of martial arts, didn't you?"
"That's true, but I've only researched the one Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation you gave me. Without anything to compare and contrast, it's hard to reduce trial and error. If I could obtain other demon beast methods for research, I'd have much more data."
"Hmm... I'll try to find them, but I can't make any promises."
"That's enough for me."
Kim Young-hoon nods and then we exchange a discussion about consciousness domains. After a while, we achieve satisfactory results.
I gained a clue about the fifth Gang Sphere, and Kim Young-hoon attained enlightenment about the differences and similarities between cultivation methods, demon beast methods, and martial arts.
We sat and discussed for several hours before parting ways.
I wanted to spar with Kim Young-hoon after not seeing him for so long, but it felt like he was avoiding it due to some concerns he had.
Since that day, Kim Young-hoon started visiting me more frequently, especially to hear my insights into cultivation methods and demon beast methods.
He is unparalleled in martial arts, but when it comes to cultivation methods, due to his perhaps lesser talent, there was no change in his cultivation.
His focus was more on applying the insights from cultivation methods to martial arts to break through to the next realm.
Based on the insights of 'Understanding before Breakthrough,' I taught him cultivation.
Kim Young-hoon explained his understanding of the Gang Sphere in a way that I could easily understand.
Years passed like this.
Swoosh.
The valley around me.
The water from the valley flows towards me, swirling around me as the center.
Then, suddenly.
Whoosh!
Like an explosion of water, it sprays apart and then gathers around me again, forming a large water droplet.
Within that water spell, I slowly open my eyes.
I am underwater, but the water energy connects with me, allowing me to breathe freely.
Bubbling.
After staying in the water for a while, I form a hand seal and disperse the water droplet.
The Water Surpassing Path to Cultivation has now reached the 9th Star of the Qi Refining stage, the phase of the Five Elements.
From the 9th Star of Qi Refining, one can fully manifest the elements of the learned spell and use the corresponding attributes.
Moreover,
Swoosh.
"The speed of spiritual energy recovery has increased significantly."
'I wonder how much the recovery speed of spiritual energy will increase if I fully understand both the Earth and Water Surpassing Paths to Cultivation.'
It definitely won't be a small increase.
'How much help will it be to master two methods of different attributes...'
So far, aside from being able to attempt Qi Building more frequently due to the faster recovery of spiritual energy, there are no other noticeable benefits.
'Once I fully understand the methods, I'll see. After all, in the Water Surpassing Path, only the stages of Four Images, Three Talents, Yin-Yang Unity, Unified Origin, and Infinite Spiritual Cloud are left. But since I've already cleared the spiritual meridians with the Earth Surpassing Path, all that's left is to accumulate more spiritual energy.'
While gathering my spiritual energy, its time to think.
Thud, thud.
Someone approaches from afar.
'By the sound of the footsteps, it's not Kim Young-hoon.'
They isn't someone skilled in martial arts.
The strength of the footsteps suggest a young person.
But they don't seem afraid of venturing deep into the mountains.
The weight of the footsteps indicate they aren't a child either.
'Not a martial artist, not a mountain-wise hermit, not an ignorant child, and no fear in the footsteps?'
Either a high official or cultivator.
One of the two.
'A cultivator, I guess.'
A high official wouldn't come alone.
They would bring dozens of attendants.
Swoosh!
I use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to hide my presence .
Soon after.
A young cultivator in red robes emerges from the bushes.
"Hmm, this is where that mortal often came..."
A cultivator from the Jin Clan.
It seems he had followed Kim Young-hoon and found this place where he often came.
'I don't want to get involved in trouble, so I'll have to move and contact Kim Hyung later.'
I assess his strength while hidden..
Judging by the size of his consciousness domain and spiritual aura, he is also a Qi Refining 14th Star cultivator, likely one of the influential late-stage cultivators of the Jin Clan.
'I seem to have seen him once or twice in passing.'
I was about to leave him be when he suddenly started.
"Haha, that damned mortal. How dare a mortal become an external elder with some strange power? Ridiculous.
That damned guy, Ill make him suffer a lot..!"
The Jin Clan's cultivator begins throwing spirit stones around, setting up a formation.
'Is he setting a trap?'
Unfortunately for him, Kim Young-hoon has already awakened demon senses and could see the flow of heaven and earth spiritual energy, so it probably wouldn't work on him.
I continue to observe what he is up to.
Click, click, click!
He starts forming hand seals.
With each seal, the fire energy starts to rise around him.
While observing the changes in his energy, I am startled and step back.
"Fire Embryo Formation!"
Brrrrrrr
The surrounding area fills with the energy of flames, covering a radius of 3 zhang with fire.
"Come out, whoever is hiding!"
'Ah, I see.'
It seems my remaining energy from the water element spell I used before hiding hadn't completely dissipated.
He must have sensed someone hiding nearby based on that.
"Who are you! Come out now! What's your relationship with that mortal, the external elder of the Jin clan?"
After a moment of consideration, I release my concealment and appear in front of him.
He is quite startled when I appear out of nowhere like a ghost.
"Who are you?"
He cautiously sizes me up, feeling the pressure of my consciousness and spiritual power.
'How should I introduce myself...'
How to do this without causing harm to Kim Young-hoon?
I think for a moment and come up with a suitable excuse.
"I am a disciple who learned techniques from Kim Young-hoon, the external elder of your Jin Clan, before he joined the clan. Recently, we have been exchanging insights.
What are you trying to do here?"
"Hmph, the place you are in now is the territory of my Jin Clan! Have you received permission from my Jin Clan to train here?"
'Annoying, even though it's not really their territory.'
I decide not to provoke him unnecessarily.
After all, the Jin Clan recently usurped the imperial throne and established themselves in this area. There's no need to create a conflict with the Jin Clan, especially now when they are already so arrogant.
Especially if Kim Young-hoon is taking refuge with the Jin Clan.
I interrupt him and make a proposal.
"Since we've met here, how about a bet?
If you win, I'll teach you this technique."
Flash!
As I manifest a Gang Sphere from my Inner Core, the cultivator flinches and steps back.
But at the same time, greed appears in his eyes.
"What kind of bet...? Wait, what happens if I lose?"
He asks politely, bowing slightly, perhaps recognizing me as a Qi Building level figure.
"If you lose, keep it a secret that I train in this vicinity from the Jin Clan. Also, Kim Young-hoon is both my teacher and friend, so stop any intentions of bothering him.
Hes an external elder of your clan, isnt he?"
"Yes, I understand."
"The terms of the bet are simple. I will only use pure Qi Refining level spells to fight you. I won't use any magic artifacts, while you can use all your magic artifacts and spells to defeat me."
"Yes, alright."
Sizzzzzz
As soon as I finish speaking, the formation he had set up begins to react.
Crack!
I also activate the Earth Surpassing Path and spread my own formation around me.
'A pure fight as a Qi Refining cultivator, almost a first for me.'
Until now, I had mostly used cultivation methods as a support.
Because the Ultimate Pinnacle is almost at the Qi Building level, the Qi Refining spells are relatively weak in comparison.
Especially after reaching the 14th Star of Qi Refining, I have hardly fought against any cultivators of the same level.
'Well, let's see how much power I can use.'
At the 14th Star of Qi Refining,
When reaching the Infinite Spiritual Cloud realm, a spiritual cloud forms in the dantian.
Compressing this spiritual cloud into a spiritual star signifies successful Qi Building.
But the spiritual cloud can also be accumulated and utilized in combat.
Whoosh!
Almost simultaneously, both of us breathe out.
From his dantian, a hot red spiritual cloud containing fire energy, and from mine, a heavy yellow-brown spiritual cloud containing earth energy, emerges.
Clouds cover the surroundings.
The hot red and yellow-brown clouds collide.
Kuaaang!
Within the range of the clouds, the formations become more active, and several spells emerge above them.
"Heavenly Leader (), Heavenly Gang (), Heavenly Machine (), Heavenly Leisure (), Heavenly Bravery ().."
"Earth Strength (), Earth Darkness (), Earth Support (), Earth Union ().."
Earth and Fire spells begin to condense in the clouds and collide wildly.
Both of us are at a level where we can use spells with just incantations, omitting the hand seals and detailed chants.
We clash using the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words and the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Method Decrees.
Amidst the collision of flames and clods of earth between the two clouds, a thunderous explosion resounds.
"Flame (), Explosion (), Brilliant ()!"
He begins to form hand seals and starts to condense his unique innate ability.
Unlike the basic spells learned from the Earth Surpassing Path, it seems the Jin Clan's true essence cultivation methods have their unique innate abilities.
Flames gather into the shape of a bird.
Fluttering and fluttering!
The fire-formed bird scatters sparks in all directions and then, like lightning, darts towards me.
'So fast!'
Judging by the structure of the spell, its the type that will explode upon direct impact.
"Earth Prison ()!"
I quickly form hand seals to create a prison of earth, trapping the fire-formed bird inside.
Boom!
The bird explodes within the prison, but the prison is only slightly charred and not destroyed.
"How could... Basic spells counter unique innate abilities...!"
"If you can draw out the true power of a spell, it's entirely possible."
I continue to use spells while speaking calmly.
"One who has reached a realm through Understanding before Breakthrough can dominate others of the same level...!"
"Argh... You said I could use magic artifacts!"
Clang!
The Jin Clan cultivator pulls out a red magic artifact emitting flames from his storage device.
The feathers on the tool flutter in his formation, akin to blazing flames.
"Twelve Flame Explosive Birds!"
Fwoosh!
Flames condense, and twelve firebirds form in the air.
"Attack!"
The birds fly in from twelve directions.
However, I start forming hand seals even faster.
Inside the yellow-brown cloud, spells begin to condense at an even faster rate.
Bang, bang, bang!
Basic spells fly out, shattering his unique innate abilities, and new basic spells begin to condense continuously.
"What, how can you condense spells faster than before..!"
I formed hand seals until my hands bled and my fingerprints disappeared.
This isn't enough to tire me out!
The yellow-brown cloud begins to engulf the red cloud.
"Ugh!"
The Jin Clan cultivator continues to swing his magic artifact, and as he starts to lose, he even takes out talismans to throw.
I match him equally with only basic spells, without using any magic artifacts or unique innate abilities.
If the battle drags on, my victory is assured due to my overflowing spiritual power, as I wasn't using any magic artifacts or powerful innate abilities.
Realizing this, he begins to increase his spiritual power even more, opting for a short battle.
Crack-
He bites his finger, drawing blood.
The red blood droplets rise into the air and soak into his magic artifact.
Rumble!
His magic artifact blazes even redder, emitting intense heat.
"Piercing Heat (), Explosive Brilliance ()!"
The heat breaks through limits, and a giant firebird flaps its wings like a phoenix.
"Not bad."
Is this the strength of a typical Grand Perfection Qi Refining cultivator?
"Thanks, now I know my own strength."
"What..?"
I begin forming different hand seals than before.
"Heavenly Explosion ()!"
Simultaneously, the water in the valley behind him begins to churn.
Whoosh!
A giant wave rises and engulfs him from behind.
His formation, clouds, and entire array of innate spells are enveloped by the wave, and the moisture evaporates, spreading steam everywhere.
A sudden sneak attack!
Its an attack of the 9th Star Qi Refining level, so it doesnt significantly affect his 14th Star Qi Refining formation.
However, his prepared spell is significantly weakened.
I seize the opportunity, forming sixteen hand seals in an instant.
Sixteen spells condense and fly towards him.
Boom, boom, boom!
Splash!
"Ugh..."
His formation and clouds are completely shattered, and the Jin Clan cultivator is swept into the valleys, submerged under water.
"Cough! Huff.. How, how did you... How did you reach the 14th Star of Qi Refining and master another element method, and even high-level Qi Refining techniques, how...!"
"I won the bet, so please keep my training here a secret as promised."
The Jin Clan cultivator, struggling in the valley, climbs onto a nearby rock and looks up at me incredulously.
"How... No, why? Why bother mastering two element methods..? At the 14th Star, you should be secluded, preparing for Qi Building..."
"Preparing for Qi Building."
I chuckle.
"I've been doing that consistently. For decades, continuously."
The smile on my lips is bitter.
"But I couldn't reach Qi Building, so I sought other methods by mastering different elements.
Isn't it that one without talent must try everything possible, within the bounds of not losing one's way, to reach a higher realm?"
I am actually thankful to this Jin Clan cultivator.
During our intense battle, I felt my spiritual power rapidly depleting and then recovering.
Through him, I have an idea.
'If practicing two element methods has already sped up my recovery rate to this point, what if I fully master them?'
What if not just two, but three elements? Or even four?
No, what about all five elements?
An absurd and foolish endeavor no one has tried.
It would take a lifetime just to fully master them.
But,
'I have gained insight from Understanding before Breakthrough, and I have enough time.'
If I fully master all five elemental methods,
How fast will my recovery rate become?
Could I attempt Qi Building dozens of times a day with that recovery rate?
The Jin Clan cultivator, apologizing for daring to disturb me, swears on his clan's honor to keep today's events a secret and quickly flees into the distance.
'I've decided.'
For a dullard to reach a higher realm, they must put in many times the effort of a genius.
So, why not just put in that much effort?
Even if I attain enlightenment in the morning and die in the evening, it's worth it.
"I will fully master the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation..!"
This had been brewing in my mind, and after today's duel with the Jin Clan cultivator, it burst forth.
I am resolved to complete all Five Elements to reach Qi Building.
***