Time passed.
Before I knew it, the appointed day I had agreed upon with Seo Ran approached, and I half-opened my eyes.
"Hoo..."
As I exhale, the spiritual cloud of the Earth Surpassing Path rises from my dantian.
A yellow-brown cloud covers the surroundings.
At the same time.
Ssshhh...
A jet-black cloud mixes with the yellow-brown, creating a dual-colored cloud swirling around me.
Black and yellow clouds.
The black cloud is the manifestation of the water and yin energy of the Water Surpassing Path to Cultivation.
Huff...
Inhaling again, both clouds are drawn back into my nose and mouth.
"Water Surpassing Path to Cultivation, Qi Refining 14th Star Infinite Spiritual Cloud achieved."
Since I had already opened all spiritual meridians with the Earth Surpassing Path, there was no need to open additional meridians; I just needed to accumulate spiritual energy.
Additionally, having insight into each stage through Understanding before Breakthrough, I only needed to consider the differences of the Five Elements and slowly open them.
'Of course, that too took a very long time...'
It seemed to be unavoidable due to my constitution.
'At this rate, I won't be able to master all Five Elemental methods in this lifetime.'
It seems it might even take the next life.
Whooom...
I open my eyes and summon a Gang Sphere from my Inner Core.
The Gang Sphere splits into five and circles around me.
'Finally, five Gang Spheres...'
Although I had long ago learned to handle five Gang Spheres, stabilizing all five is a recent achievement.
'I wonder if I can handle nine Gang Spheres like Kim Hyung in this lifetime.'
Grasping the clue to the next Gang Sphere and delving into it.
Barely forming a new Gang Sphere.
Stabilizing the newly formed Gang Sphere.
By repeating this process over and over, I finally reached five Gang Spheres.
But for Kim Young-hoon, it took at most a year, sometimes just months, to form one or two Gang Spheres.
He went through all the processes I did and stabilized the Gang Spheres in that time.
'I'm still at this slow pace.'
I'm far from catching up to Kim Young-hoon.
He struggled a lot and said Ultimate Pinnacle is the end of martial arts, the limit of humanity.
'But if it's him, he will surely pioneer a new realm.'
What comes after Ultimate Pinnacle?
I am very curious about it too.
But I have no idea how long it will take me to reach that realm.
Even reaching the limit of Ultimate Pinnacle with nine Gang Spheres felt like a distant wall.
"Kim Hyung. I believe you will go further."
I can't catch up to Kim Young-hoon.
So, I just wish him well for the future.
I write a letter to Kim Young-hoon using a spell and then start heading to the Black Wind Sea to meet Seo Ran.
Whoosh-
The waters of the Black Wind Sea are calmer and clearer than ever.
Especially as I approach Seo Ran's abode, the sea becomes even more tranquil and serene, giving a clear feeling.
At the same time, I am astounded by the dense spiritual energy emanating from Seo Ran's abode.
'Such power!'
It feels like enough power to shatter an entire island.
'If this is the power accumulated over 10 years in the late Qi Building stage...'
Splash!
I dive into the water and swim towards Seo Ran's abode.
Thanks to mastering the Water Surpassing Path, moving through water felt much easier.
I soon see a golden aura blooming below.
Golden energy envelops Seo Ran's entire cave!
'Beautiful..'
It looks almost divine, leaving me speechless for a moment.
Without the Water Surpassing Path, I would have likely drowned.
I enter Seo Ran's abode.
Splash!
Entering his chamber, I am greeted by a world of golden light.
At the center of that radiance, there is Seo Ran's bell, with Seo Ran infusing energy into it.
Flash!
Noticing my entrance, Seo Ran stopped infusing energy and swallows the bell.
The golden light immediately disappears.
"Have you arrived?"
"Yes, Seo Hyung. That power is truly... immense."
"Immense indeed..."
Seo Ran says with a self-mocking smile.
"We might be able to drive away trivial spirits, but we'll have to fight inside the Nether Crossing Ship, the stronghold of that being. Against a Core Formation-level ghost, no matter how much power we accumulate in the dharma treasure, there's nothing we can do but temporarily immobilize it,"
Seo Ran speaks with determination etched on his face.
"...But I must obtain what lies within. Don't worry, though; I have a technique that allows at least one of us to escape."
"Seo Hyung, what are you talking about? If we decide to do this together, we should leave together as well."
Seo Ran looks at me with a complex expression.
His intent is too convoluted to read.
'It seems he's feeling complicated... But why is he showing such subtle emotions to me?'
If his emotions are clear, I might understand his intentions.
'Well, whether it's goodwill or something else.'
Thinking of repaying the Dragon Kings favor, I decide to stay with him to the end.
"Right. You're correct. If we're together, we should leave together."
Seo Ran agrees with a small nod and heads for the entrance of his cave.
"Let's go then."
Like before, Seo Ran and I headed towards the Black Ghost Valley, where the barrier is located.
Unlike before, I didn't ride on his neck but cast a water element spell to float and move quickly over the water.
"You've even mastered a water element method in the meantime. You're incredibly talented."
"Haha, no, I've just devoted a lot of time to it."
Whoosh!
Soon, we enter the stormy sea area, and from afar, we can discern the location of the barrier through the distortion of spiritual energy.
"Now, ride on my neck again."
"Yes."
Whoosh!
As I cling to his neck, Seo Ran soars again, passing through the barrier.
Once more, a misty sea fog surrounds us.
The familiar sounds of the scattered ghosts reach our ears.
This time, Seo Ran exerts his power from the start.
Flash!
Golden light begins to shine from within him.
The dharma treasure he stored inside him emits a weak but penetrating force.
Flash!
[Ahhhh!]
[No! No!]
[I know that light! I know that light!]
The ghosts scream and flee in all directions, and a massive path opens in the direction we are heading.
Whoosh!
We completely break through the second barrier.
Once again, we enter the area where the Nether Crossing Ship is located.
'It's the same as before.'
The Nether Crossing Ship looks exactly the same as when we left last time.
Still, a sinister, black-colored broken-down ship.
Seo Ran and I cautiously approach the ship.
There is no reaction.
There is still no response from the Nether Crossing Ship as we climb onboard.
"It's quiet."
Seo Ran speaks without relaxing his guard.
"Ghosts often fall into a deep sleep to conserve their energy, clinging to their grudges, ghostly energy, or certain objects instead of going to the underworld. Perhaps, the soul fragment of that Heavenly Being ghost has fallen asleep."
We hesitate for a moment, then enter the interior of the Nether Crossing Ship.
The interior is still dark and massive.
"There's still no response."
"We'll have to hope there's no response even as we go down to that level again..."
Seo Ran brings a slight current with him that lifts his body, allowing him to swim as if gliding inside the Nether Crossing Ship.
Thanks to this, his footsteps make no sound at all.
Using a walking technique, I completely silence my footsteps and follow him.
Since we had already investigated the upper levels of the ship last time, today we only needed to go down to the lower levels.
We quietly head to the lower levels of the Nether Crossing Ship.
The level we had entered last time.
The ghostly energy is still surging as it had been before.
After exchanging glances, we enter the lower level of the Nether Crossing Ship.
We communicate silently with gestures and started moving.
That's when it happened.
Whooosh-
A gust of ghostly wind blows, completely sealing the exit of the level we had descended to with ghostly energy.
"...!"
"...!!"
[I've been awake since you set foot on the Nether Crossing Ship. I'm currently enduring the pull of the underworld by relying on the ship's ghostly and yin energy... If anything happens to the ship, I can tell immediately.]
The voice laced with ghostly energy echoes from all directions.
[I knew you would come back, you fools... And you, the bastard child, I pondered why you came to the Nether Crossing Ship, and eventually, I found the reason."]
Tinkle-
Far away, the sound of a bell rang.
Tinkle, tinkle...
In the darkness.
A single bell, rusted red, floated and rang in the air.
Whoosh-
At the same time, next to the bell, a volume of jade slips appears.
Jade slips are special jade books that can only be read by the consciousness of cultivators. The deeper and stronger the consciousness, the faster one can read and access the information in the jade slips.
Seo Ran's eyes waver at the sight of the jade slips and the bell.
The jade slips have the energy that Seo Ran had once told me to remember.
[I personally found what you were looking for and prepared it for you, aren't you grateful? When I read the jade slips, they contained a story so sad it couldn't be read without tears. Hahaha...]
Crack!
Then, a ghost hand extends from where the voice is coming and shatters the jade slips.
The fragments of the jade slips roll on the ground.
[Now, what will you do? Your reason for coming here is gone. Hahaha... Show me your despair. What do you think? Huh?]
Seo Ran's aura changes color.
His aura flares up with intense anger.
"Seo Hyung, stay calm. This being is trying to provoke you after sensing the energy of the dharma treasure you brought."
Even though its a ghost, it too has consciousness with color.
I read its color and understood its intents.
It seems to mock and toy with Seo Ran while radiating immense wariness towards him.
As I pinpoint its emotions, two blazing red eyes and flaming ghostly fire appear in the darkness.
[Have you, like that demon, learned a special technique to analyze consciousness?]
I don't respond, just gather my spiritual power and internal energy.
"Alright, I understand."
Seo Ran grits his teeth, suppressing his anger.
"Thank you, actually. For finding what I am looking for in advance."
As he opens his mouth, a golden bell, identical in shape to the rusted one, springs from within him.
"If I just get rid of you, I can immediately obtain what I desire!!"
Flash!
Golden light spreads in all directions.
Simultaneously, the lower level of the Nether Crossing Ship, hidden by ghostly energy and darkness, becomes brightly illuminated, revealing the interior of the ship.
The vast space inside the ship, compressed by spatial magic, becomes visible.
Around the ship, shattered ghostly statues and spatial rifts were seen, and remnants of what might have been mechanical puppets lay scattered here and there.
In the center of the space.
On a throne made of jet-black stone, sat a white skull, cloaked in a dark robe.
Red ghostly fire flows from the eye sockets of the skull, and the rest of the body seems to be made entirely of ghostly energy, flickering in and out.
[How dare a mere half-breed... unleash the Ghost Controlling Bell within the sacred artifact of the Azure Ghost Valley? Even inner disciples would face severe punishment, sentenced to labor in the execution grounds of the Ghost Valley Mountain for a month, for such an act...
And a half-breed dares to do this!]
The Core Formation-level ghost from the Black Ghost Valley starts to stir up ghostly energy, displeased by the golden bell.
"Already smashed to pieces by that madman, and you call this derelict ship a sacred artifact? It's laughable."
Seo Ran's words seem to trigger the ghost, as ghostly energy begins to whirl violently around it.
[Do not dare speak of that madman's deed in my presence!!!]
Whoosh!
The interior of the ship, which had been brightened by the golden light, darkens again as the ghostly energy swirls.
[I will kill you!!!]
The ghostly energy surge, attempting to suppress the light of the golden bell.
Seo Ran focuses on the bell without showing any tension.
"Don't worry. I've accumulated power for ten years. A mere remnant soul like this, barely clinging to life by borrowing the power of the broken Nether Crossing Ship to avoid being dragged into the underworld, is nothing to fear!"
Whoosh!
The golden bell emits an even more intense golden light, directing it towards the ghost spirit.
[You think you, mere Qi Building bugs, can handle the dharma treasure of Core Formation!]
The ghostly energy seems to push away the golden wave momentarily, but Seo Ran chucghostlkles.
"Don't bluff! You old ghost. The Ghost Controlling Bell was made by your own Black Ghost Valley, specifically to suppress spirits. A dharma treasure made by you would be the most effective against ghosts!"
[Arrgh!]
Blinded by the explosive light from the bell, the ghost spirit couldn't open its eyes.
"Now's the time, it's weakened by the dharma treasure. Let's attack!"
Seo Ran and I split in opposite directions and begin our respective attacks.
Whoosh!
As Seo Ran opens his mouth, a blue breath bursts forth.
Boom!
The blue light flashes, and the ghost spirit groans loudly.
Crackle, crackle...
The golden bell floating in the air gradually moves above the ghost spirit.
It looks like a golden sun moving towards its zenith at noon.
Flash!
The golden bell hovers above the ghost, shining even brighter and starting to tremble.
Tinkle-
The sound of the bell seems to further weaken the ghost spirit.
Its as if a golden barrier is restraining and sapping its strength.
"We can win this if we keep pushing!"
Seo Ran was about to gather energy in his mouth again when...
[You... vermin...]
Whoosh!
As the light from the bell hits the ghost directly, the ghost spirit starts to rise.
[Do you find it amusing... that with this body, I cannot touch the Ghost Controlling Bell?]
Zap, zap...
[You dare to challenge me, with Core Formation power, with your petty tricks?]
While using its strength to withstand being dragged into the underworld and countering the opposing energy of the dharma treasure...
The ghost conjures up black ghostly clouds, spreading and dyeing the surroundings dark.
[Give up on your futile dreams...!]
Boom!
Black ghost claws burst from the clouds, sweeping towards Seo Ran and me.
We narrowly dodge the claws.
'So fast!'
Due to their lack of physical form, the claws move with frightening speed.
Bang, boom!
Black ghostly energy swirls around.
Wriggle, wriggle...
Black tentacles flow out of the dark clouds.
'Gang Qi...!'
Or rather, it must be something like Pure Spiritual Force.
Thousands of them extend, forming ghost hands, and begin to attack us.
'Accelerate, 6 times.'
Everything around me slows as my movements speed up.
I kick through the air, dodging all the ghost hands.
'Is it time to attack?'
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Boom!
I spin three times in the air, unleashing a Sword Gang that collides with one of the ghost hands.
'It's tingling.'
My Sword Gang significantly weakened the ghost hand, but didn't penetrate it.
"Seo Hyung! Prepare for a powerful strike!"
I form a hand seal and begin to cast spells.
Dual-colored spiritual clouds burst forth, and several spells form within them.
I detach a Gang Sphere from within me, then cover it with Gang Qi, connecting it with the sphere.
'I can't divide the Gang Sphere further.'
The ghost hands, and especially the claws, are just too fast.
Seo Ran, with his tough scales, survived several hits, but I would undoubtedly be split in two if hit once.
Using Severing Mountain Swordsmanship,Twenty-Third Move, Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains!
I adopt the Transcending Peaks stance, and with the Gang Qi further connected to the Gang Sphere, swing.
Kuaaang!
The ghost hands that collide with the Gang Sphere shatter.
Twenty-First Move, Severing Mountain!
Whoosh!
The Gang Sphere grazes the ground, slicing through the ghost hands and the dark clouds inside.
I lock eyes with the ghost spirit forming spells in the center of the dark cloud.
Crack!
As the ghost opens its skull's mouth, a large red skull-shaped spell flies towards me.
I return to the Transcending Peaks stance, gather the emitted energy, and switch to an extreme low position using Entering Mountain.
Whoosh!
My Gang Qi extends below the skull, targeting the ghost.
[Hmph!]
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The ghostly energy condenses in the air, forming dark tombstones that fall and block my Gang Qi.
[You dare challenge me with such child's play!]
Whoosh!
The ghost completes its spell, and thousands of ashen skulls rise around it.
'Each skull has the power of a Gang Sphere!'
Screech!
Ghostly wails echo as the ashen skulls fly towards me.
A direct hit would be fatal.
'Stay calm, I can keep using Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains as long as my body endures.'
With the Gang Sphere and Gang Qi connected, the connected Gang Sphere can withstand multiple collisions without energy loss.
"'I must not face more than two skulls at the same time.'
I have to smash them one by one.
Thousands of skulls.
Each one as strong as a Gang Sphere.
Moreover, the ghost spirit is forming another set of hand seals in the back.
It looks like he's preparing to cast another powerful spell.
'I'll have to smash all the skulls one by one before he completes his spell.'
Its just that simple!
Three skulls in front, sixteen above, and twenty-two below opens their mouths.
While maintaining Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, I use Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to momentarily cut off perception and disappear in front of the skulls.
In the momentary gap when the skulls hesitate, I destroy three skulls in front and one each above and below using the techniques of Ascending Vein, Entering Mountain, Cliff Edge, Dragon Vein, and Flowing Ridge.
'My Inner Core is helping the flow.'
With the aid of my Inner Core, the strain of maintaining Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains is not as burdensome as before.
I think I can last much longer.
The sword moves of Transcending Peaks, Joy of Mountains and Peaks, and Mountain and Valley Transformation naturally flow together, striking each skull one by one.
Although it looks like dozens of Sword Gang are swirling, in reality, I am shattering each skull in the world of an instant.
Transcending Peaks, Mountain and Valley Transformation, Mountain Echoes Valley Responds, Flowing Ridge, Entering Mountain, Cliff Edge, Ascending Vein, Dragon Vein, Seventy-two Lights Emerging Peak...
Dozens of moves naturally connect, forming a single flow.
This flow contains tremendous power.
Twenty-First Move, Heavenly Lake!
Like a lake containing the heaves in its waters, my Gang Sphere encompasses this massive flow.
Power many times greater than that of a single Gang Sphere converges.
Originally, the ultimate move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Severing Mountain, creates massive energy to store in the sword and concentrates the power to a single point to use a powerful technique beyond its usual strength.
However, having reached Ultimate Pinnacle, I learned to reverse the flow of Severing Mountain.
Instead of concentrating on one point, I scatter the accumulated power in all directions.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, ultimate move, Severing Mountain!
The massive power stored in the Gang Sphere shoots out in all directions, striking the skulls directly.
Hundreds of skulls shatter all at once.
Ignoring their ghostly wails, I return to the stance of Transcending Peaks, forcibly maintaining Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, resisting the escaping energy.
'The Gang Sphere is slightly damaged.'
Despite maintaining Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, I had just shattered nearly a thousand attacks of the same level.
Its impossible for there to be no damage.
I grip my Gang Qi and stir up my spiritual power.
Clouds of yellow and black gather around me.
The dual-colored clouds begin to spin around me.
Simultaneously, spells of earth and water shoot out from within the clouds at an astonishing speed.
Each is significantly weaker than a skull, but by shooting dozens of spells per skull, they dampen their momentum, and I shatter the weakened skulls with my Gang Sphere.
I repeat this process on several more skulls.
The ghost spirit watches Seo Eun-hyun, who is raging like a thundering beast, forming hand seals.
[It's foolish. I don't know how a Qi Refining cultivator can use an attack of the Qi Building level, but even Qi Building cultivators cannot stand against me. Yet he dares to buy time in front of me.]
The ghost spirit already completed the next series of spells.
Seo Eun-hyun is still dealing with the skulls he had released before.
His gaze shifts to Seo Ran, who is gathering energy at the corner of his mouth.
[Although the breath of the Sea Dragon Tribe is fearsome, to hurt a Core Formation ghost like me, you'll need to gather much more energy!]
The ghost spirit completes a new set of hand seals.
Dark ghostly energy converges, spewing out a swarm of ghostly insects.
The insects, screaming ghostly, fly towards Seo Ran.
They resemble a black cloud charging towards him!
That's when it happened.
'Wait a moment.'
The ghost spirits gaze turns to Seo Eun-hyun.
'Was he always that fast?'
Seo Eun-hyun, who had been shattering the skulls at a speed comparable to the Flying Escape Technique of a Core Formation cultivator, began to move even faster.
'What...!'
And then.
Kwaang!
There is a flash of light, and the skulls around Seo Eun-hyun all shatter.
The ghost spirit failed to properly perceive and missed the scene.
'I'm resisting the pull of the netherworld and resisting the Ghost Controlling Bell, but to miss that with my consciousness!?'
In an instant.
Seo Eun-hyun's figure disappears and appears again in front of Seo Ran, who is facing the swarm of ghostly insects.
Each individual insect is much weaker than the skulls he had just resisted, but there are a hundred times more of them.
Each insect could match a spell unleashed with Pure Spiritual Force!
Surely, he would be torn apart and killed by the swarm of insects!
However.
Kuang Kuang Kuan Kuang!
Seo Eun-hyun emits Sword Gang from one hand and begins to dance with it.
His Sword Gang collides with the insects and annihilates them.
[Hahaha, no matter how fast you are, you can't possibly...]
Then, dual-colored clouds begin to spin around Seo Eun-hyun.
Clouds of black and yellow.
From within the clouds, thousands of basic spells shoot out in all directions.
The basic spells are slightly weaker than the insects but manage to weaken them significantly, and Seo Eun-hyuns Sword Gang sweeps past the weakened insects.
He continuously shatters one insect after another.
At some point, Seo Eun-hyun's movements become even faster, transforming into a storm of light.
[This...is madness.]
The ghost spirit drops its jaw in disbelief as it watches Seo Eun-hyun.
He has completely wiped out the swarm of thousands of ghostly insects.
[You... monster-like creature...! Now I see that you are stronger than the half-dragon! How could you, a mere Qi Refining bug, do such a thing... What kind of monster are you! What kind of monster, I ask!]
The ghost spirit roars, and Seo Eun-hyun returning to his original stance, looks at it calmly with a faint smile on his lips.
Woong!
Around him, orbs of light, Gang Spheres, begin to emerge.
There are six spheres.
"...Indeed, a warrior grows by transcending the boundary of life and death."
Poof!
At the same time, Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains that Seo Eun-hyun is maintaining is released, and due to the rebound, blood gushes from his eyes, nose, and mouth.
Thud!
I exhausted all the spiritual power in my dantian and the internal energy in my Inner Core.
I feel like I could die at any moment.
Gasping for breath, I move the six Gang Spheres I have successfully split.
Flash!
Six attacks fly,, but the ghost spirit waves his hand, and my Gang Spheres collapse.
At best, they are strikes at the level of a Qi Building cultivator.
They wouldn't significantly harm him.
But...
"Seo Hyung. I've bought you some time."
If it's not a human attack, but a dragon's attack, it might be different.
Seo Ran's eyes sparkle as he gathers blue energy at the corner of his mouth.
Seo Ran opens his jaws.
A flash of blue shoots out.
A blue flash engulfs the interior of the battleship.
For a moment, even the golden radiance emanating from the dharma treasure is overshadowed by Seo Ran's breath.
All around, everything is steeped in a blue light.
-----!
A terrifying explosion resonates, scattering clouds of dust.
With my dwindling spiritual power, I protect my ears and assess the situation.
And then, I am able to see the blood-red domain of consciousness.
'He hasn't fallen yet!'
As the dust cloud clears, the state of the ghost spirit becomes visible to the naked eye.
[Heh, heh heh heh...]
The ghost spirit's long robe is completely tattered, and its fluctuating ghostly form is more unstable than ever.
Above all, there are numerous small cracks on its skull.
[Heh..haha, that attack was quite thrilling...]
Hoo, huk...
Each time the ghost spirit opens its jaw, a clump of black ghostly energy bursts forth.
'Seo Ran got him good, he's not unharmed...!'
Slowly and cautiously, I gather my spiritual power and internal energy, healing my body.
Although not unscathed, he could launch an attack at any moment.
That's when it happened.
Kukukuku...
From the eye sockets of the ghost's skull, thick black ghostly energy pours out, staining the surroundings.
[Though I had the upper hand in elemental affinity, I underestimated you, mere Qi Building novices... Now, I too shall stake my life, which is limited by time...!]
"Oh no...!"
Seo Ran's expression contorts.
"Hurry up! That old ghost has given up resisting the underworld!"
"What...?"
"Until now, its been dispersing its ghostly and yin energy in resistance to the underworld. But now, it's gathering all of it to fight..!"
"If it's given up resisting the underworld, doesn't it mean it will pass on if we just endure?"
"Normally, that would be the case for an ordinary ghost. But this old ghost will resist with its consciousness and try to kill us..! After quickly killing us, it can redirect its energy to resist the underworld and avoid death..!"
Kukukuku!
A massive ghostly creature emerges from the dark abyss.
[You, fools... will, not, take...]
'Damn... it's gotten stronger...!'
This is the Core Formation level.
A living natural disaster.
[None, you... , take, the, sect's... treasure...]
Somehow more mentally unstable than before, the ghost spirit speaks in broken sentences, reaching out its hand.
Swoosh!
A ghost claw extends from the hand of the ghost spirit.
'Damn!'
I roll away with all my strength.
Swish!
The ghost claw passes by the place I just vacated with terrifying speed.
[You... cannot... take...!]
"Ugh...!"
I force myself up, barely managing to stand, drawing on my internal energy.
The ghostly monster's hands sprout another set of ghost claws.
[Mad, Lord...! You, can't, take, anything, from, sect..!]
Confused in mind by using its ghostly transformation, it shouts at us, calling us the Mad Lord.
[As, long, I, here...! You, can't, anything..!]
Pew!
Kuang!
"Ugh!"
'I almost died!'
I barely evade, accelerating my thoughts and pulling out the Gang Sphere.
The ghost spirit lashes out with its claws in all directions, wildly rampaging.
I had to retreat outside its consciousness domain, reading its intent to narrowly dodge its attacks.
'What about Seo Ran..!'
Seo Ran, not as fast as me, is hit several times by the ghost claws and is covered in blood.
'The speed and power of the ghost claws have increased since before.'
Each hit causes Seo Ran's scales to be ripped off, spilling blood.
"Seo Hyung!"
I dodge the claws and approach him.
"Let's escape! We can't win!"
"It's not... possible..! If we leave now, there's no telling what the old ghost will do with what I'm seeking. If only I can readjust the jade pieces..."
"Damn it...! Is that more important than your life!"
Seo Ran looks confused for a moment, then closes his eyes tightly.
"...Yes. It's important."
I read his intent.
His current emotions are too complex to fully understand, but it seems true that it is more important to him than his life.
"...Understood. Then I'll go under the old ghost to collect those things. Then we escape!"
"WhatCan you do it?!"
"I have to make it possible."
I concentrate my energy and focus my consciousness.
I simultaneously heighten my perception of intent and the sensory acuity of the demon race.
At the same time, I wring out my Inner Core, accelerating my thoughts to the extreme.
'If I'm hit even once, I'll die.'
The power of those ghost claws surpasses even the Gang Sphere.
Don't even think about blocking them head-on; just focus on dodging and getting close enough to pick those things up.
"Cover me!"
After shouting to Seo Ran, I step forward, enveloped in extreme concentration.
The tension is akin to when I used the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts in the domain of the Core Formation three-tailed demon fox .
A single mistake means death.
Death.
Though I have been liberated from death, I fear it just as much.
To die once means to sever all ties created and seen in this life.
A single death is no different from real death.
Even if you cheat time and open your eyes again.
Such a regained life must inevitably differ from the previous one.
The people I would meet again wouldn't be the ones I knew.
I execute Mountain Lords Soaring Flight..
Combining Mountain Lord Martial Arts and Transcending Peaks Step into a single body-movement technique.
The overall flow of Mountain Lords Soaring Flight resembles a tiger.
Moving lightly and nimbly like a great tiger leaping over mountains.
Dodging a hunter's arrow like a tiger, I dodge the ghost claws and gradually approach.
The remaining distance to the bell and jade pieces Seo Ran wants is about 20 zhang.
'It's definitely possible.'
The ghost spirit, seemingly out of its mind, is indiscriminately hurling ghost claws, rendering the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts useless.
However, its easier to read the flow of intent.
'I see it.'
The flow of intent, the flow of Yin and Yang.
It is all visible to my eyes.
Accelerating my thoughts, I evade the ghost spirits attacks.
I moved 5 zhang.
15 zhang to go.
As I approach the ghost spirit, the aura of the ghost claws, even without touching me, seem to slice through my body.
I am clearly dodging, yet still getting cut.
'It's not deep.'
I can endure it.
Of course, enduring doesn't mean its easy.
Stepping into a storm and not getting hit by a single raindrop would be easier than this.
'I need to be faster.'
The deeper I go, the more frequently the ghost claws scatter.
Whooosh-
Wind gathers around me.
My consciousness transforms into the form of a dragon, lightening my body.
Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation!
Bang!
My Inner Core vibrates as if it would shatter, but I squeeze out more internal energy and quicken my pace.
Like a dragon and tiger, I dodge the ghost claws, closing another 10 zhang.
Only 5 zhang left.
About 15 steps!
Three ghost claws swoosh towards me.
Inside the ghost spirits consciousness domain, I can't read intent.
I can only predict by reading the Yin and Yang flow with the demon senses.
Swoosh!
I hastily duck, and ghost claws pass over my back.
I dodge three ghost claws and move three steps forward.
12 steps to go!
Eight ghost claws wildly lash out.
I twist my body to dodge three, duck to avoid another three.
But the two crisscrossing ghost claws are hard to dodge.
That's when it happened.
Boom!
A blue flash burst forth, shattering the ghost claws.
Its Seo Ran's support.
Outside the ghost spirit's domain, Seo Ran is bleeding while exuding complicated intent.
On his forepaw is an unfamiliar dark-colored bead. It seems to be a separate dharma treasure he had brought.
However, Seo Ran's intent looks darkened overall while holding the dark bead.
'What's his state of mind? No, focus.'
Trust Seo Ran.
He'll back me up.
I walk seven steps.
Only five steps left!
'Until now, it was hard to interfere because of the ghost claws...'
But at this distance.
Whoosh!
I project my intent, manipulating the jade pieces and bells with the principle of sword control, making them float up.
Swoosh!
The bells and jade pieces fly into my arms.
'I've got them!'
Now, just to get out!
As I refocus on returning by using Mountain Lords Soaring Flight, something happens.
Wobble-
My legs give way.
'What?'
My Inner Core is completely drained.
I am out of internal energy.
As the energy forcibly moving my muscles disappear, my body stops responding.
A ghost claw quickly approached.
I thought it was my ninth return.
Swoosh!
Blood splatters before my eyes.
A huge shadow shields me.
Its Seo Ran.
...Thank you.
He looks at the jade pieces and bell in my arms and smirks.
But I urgently shout,
"Hurry, dodge..."
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
However, several ghost claws strike Seo Ran again.
Blood begins to flow profusely from his entire body.
'It's a fatal wound..!'
Just then.
A warm energy begins to flow into my dantian.
My Inner Core, accustomed to the energy of the demon race through Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation, begins to absorb Seo Ran's energy voraciously.
"Seo HyungWhat are you doing...! Hurry.."
"According to fate, feed on my blood and unleash your power. Ghost Controlling Bell!"
Boom!
Red energy begins to emanate from Seo Ran's body and is absorbed by the golden bell that is suppressing the ghost spirit's strength.
Golden chains burst forth from the golden bell, restraining the ghost spirit.
[Aaaahhh!]
The ghost spirit, in agony, screams and can no longer wield its ghost claws, struggling in vain.
"WaitWhat are you doing! Seo Hyung! Your life is draining away!"
"I know.."
But Seo Ran continues to transfer his energy to the bell.
"Stop it right now."
"If I stop, the old ghost will go berserk, and we'll both die."
Boom!
Blue light begins to emanate from Seo Ran's body.
Simultaneously, the blue-enshrouded Seo Ran begins to shrink.
"What.."
Seo Ran transforms into a young man with blue hair, somewhat resembling Seo Hweol.
His skin is dotted with scales, and a tail protrudes from his buttocks.
He wore a tattered blue robe, his complexion dangerously pale.
"That form is..?"
"Originally, members of the demon race cannot transform into human form before reaching the Nascent Soul stage. So, this is my true form."
"Your true... form..?"
Seo Ran smiles faintly.
"A prince of the great Sea Dragons and a disciple of the Black Ghost Valley fell in love and had a child. The child was treated as a bastard among the Sea Dragons and as a stain born from the filth of the demon race in the Black Ghost Valley, becoming a target for bullying and discrimination."
"Seo Hyung, stop the nonsense and let's get out of here. My strength has returned somewhat, so I can carry you.."
"No. I know my wounds. I was destined to die from the wounds I received long ago."
He shakes his head.
"Even if you carry me, I'll just be a burden. Even in my demi-human form, my weight is no different from my Sea Dragon form. Just escape on your own."
"What nonsense are you talking about! Didn't we agree to leave together!"
Seo Ran smiles bitterly and speaks.
"...Anyway, our King, despite my origin, accepted me as his descendant. I was grateful to him and considered him like my own father."
"Seo Ran!"
I approach him, intending to drag him away.
The energy Seo Ran had shared with me is bubbling inside my Inner Core.
Suddenly.
Freeze-
'What's going on..?'
My body wouldn't move.
"However... maybe because I've been observing others since birth. I naturally observed the King's intentions. Observing him, I came to understand his true nature.
Eun-hyun, the King of our tribe, the ancestor, is incredibly devious. The real name of Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation he gave you is Summoning Wind, Coagulating Core Transformation.
The deeper you cultivate, the more your dantian or demon core turns into a medicinal elixir beneficial for the cultivation and recovery of the Sea Dragon Tribe, turning the cultivator into a slave bound to obey the Sea Dragon Tribe's commands a type of devilish art."
"...!!"
Shocked by this unimaginable truth, I feel as if I had been struck hard on the head.
'The method... Seo Hweol gave me...?'
"I couldn't... sense any devilish energy."
I speak blankly, still in shock.
"Ha... not all devilish arts must accumulate devilish energy. Any power built on sacrifice is a devilish art. You were in the process of sacrificing yourself to become a palatable elixir for us. How could that not be a devilish art.."
He looks into the void with a bitter expression.
"Our Sea Dragon Tribe, generations ago, began to cultivate techniques that involved sacrificing others under the King's lead. We bred numerous races as livestock, teaching them techniques similar to Summoning Wind, Coagulating Core Transformation, and consuming their dantian as medicinal elixirs for our cultivation.
One day, the Mad Lord raided our breeding grounds, destroying them and turning three of the royal family managing the grounds into living puppets. Chaos ensued, and many of the livestock escaped.
From what I know of history, among the remaining human cultivator clans not yet ascended, the Makli Clan is likely the descendants of the livestock bred by the Sea Dragon race.
I am stunned by the truth of history.
The Makli Clan, known for capturing and consuming mortals like livestock, turned out to be the descendants of the livestock bred by the Sea Dragon Tribe.
"I heard that they managed to escape the influence of our Sea Dragon Tribe by transforming the stolen techniques into real devilish arts, but I'm not sure if it's true. Anyway, the Sea Dragon Tribe once enhanced the overall strength of our kind by creating such elixirs under the King's leadership.."
Seo Ran continues with a bitter smile.
"The King probably sent you to me, thinking that the elixir made from the same demi-human would be of great benefit to me...
Even now, if I consume your demon core, I could heal most of my wounds and survive this place."
"Why... are you telling me this?"
"I pondered over this many times. But seeing you follow my request without hesitation to retrieve my mother's keepsake, I realized my folly. You are my friend!
Who in the world would sacrifice their friend just to save themselves?"
"..."
Seo Ran smiles at me.
"I'm sorry. I lied to you, saying there was something inside that would aid my cultivation, and I never showed you my true form. I, including the King, have continuously deceived you.
Don't forgive me for confessing the truth only when facing death."
"I always thought the Sea Dragon King was a good person because he always had a smiling face."
"The King always maintains a dignified, smiling face. But he wears dozens of thick masks, always contemplating how to use even insects."
"You also earnestly taught me the method, so I thought you were a good person."
"I'm sorry."
"You are not a good person."
I smile at him.
"You are not just a good person, you are truly my friend."
I knew Seo Ran had his own schemes.
It was impossible not to know, with all the complex intent he continuously exuded.
But in the end, he chose our friendship over his schemes.
'Then I must respond to this loyalty with loyalty.'
"How can I, as a friend, do nothing when there's a way to save my friend?"
Creak, creak..
I begin to break free from Seo Ran's control, reaching towards my dantian.
Death is frightening and painful.
But my life is many, while Seo Ran's life is just one.
If I can sacrifice one of my lives to save a friend who has confided everything in me...
It's definitely worth it.
Seo Ran forms a hand seal.
"No."
Crack..!
The energy Seo Ran gave me spreads throughout my body, completely controlling my movements.
"Do you think I would be happy if I survived that way? I knew I was meant to die here."
He took out a small bead.
Its the dark bead he had been gazing at earlier.
"The King ordered me to find my mother's keepsake and completely destroy the Nether Crossing Ship using this dharma treasure. It was supposed to counteract all the spatial techniques of the ship and destroy it, releasing the countless ghost souls trapped inside, including those of our Sea Dragon Tribe...
But as I prepared to activate the treasure today, I realized it would certainly kill me. The King probably wanted to get rid of me, a blemish of the tribe, with this opportunity.."
Tears stream down Seo Ran's face, yet he continues to smile.
"Only now do I truly understand how cruel and cunning you are, Seo Hweol. Eun-hyun, I will die along with my mother's keepsake, so please, you must live."
"Seo Hyung! Must you really carry out Seo Hweol's mission..!"
"I've lived clinging to the King's mercy all this time. Now that I know even that mercy was a facade, I no longer wish to live..."
Boom!
He throws a blue bead into my arms, using a technique to force it inside.
"It's hardly a reward, but here's the key to the secret vault in my quarters. Everything in my quarters is now yours."
"Seo Hyung..!"
"Farewell, my friend."
As he finishes speaking, my body involuntarily activates Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation.
Wind envelops me, and I am forcibly lifted outside.
Seo Ran manipulated Eun-hyun's Summoning Wind, Coagulating Core Transformation to forcibly expel him, while feeling his vitality escape.
The Ghost Controlling Bell is draining his vitality, and he is bleeding profusely from the ghost claws' fatal wounds.
"Grandfather Seo Hweol, I won't become like you."
He had followed Seo Hweol.
Even when he knew that Seo Hweol, his distant ancestor and King of the Sea Dragon Tribe, stirred discord among many races with his cunning strategies and cruel acts.
When Seo Ran's talents didn't meet Seo Hweol's standards, he was decisively left behind without hesitation. Even so, when Seo Hweol told him about his mother's keepsake and the mission to completely destroy the Nether Crossing Ship and free the souls of the Sea Dragon warriors trapped within, Seo Ran followed and respected him.
But now, he realized the truth regarding Seo Hweol. Seo Hweol is either heartless or a being whose heart had been long destroyed.
"Rather than living by devouring my friend, I choose to die here. Perhaps you, Seo Hweol, even calculated this outcome..."
Memories of Seo Hweol's attitudes and his many heinous acts done behind a gentle mask haunt Seo Ran.
'I was neither of the Sea Dragon Tribe nor human.'
He had no one.
Seo Ran slowly pieces together the jade pieces that surely belonged to his mother.
Click, click.
Simultaneously, he begins to activate the Breaking Space Pearl.
'As I'm going to die anyway, I'll complete your mission as my last act of respect for you.'
The dark bead starts to tremble and shine.
Seo Ran's life force is fading.
But at the last moment.
Seo Ran successfully reassembles the jade pieces and begins to read them.
Whooom!
The Breaking Space Pearl radiates shining light.
The Ghost Controlling Bell, which has been consuming Seo Ran's life force and holding the ghost spirit at bay, loses its power, and dark ghost claws target Seo Ran.
In his final moments, Seo Ran reads the jade pieces, tears streaming down his face.
"So it is."
As space collapses, numerous black storms envelop Seo Ran.
His father had died immediately after his birth, and he had been separated from his mother all his life.
The only one who had ever treated him with a smile was Seo Hweol.
But today, he realized even Seo Hweol was not his family.
His life had been manipulated from beginning to end.
Yet, reading the jade pieces, Seo Ran cries and smiles.
"I had a family after all..."
With a burst of white brilliance, Seo Ran endlessly reads the contents of the jade pieces as he perishes.
"Mother... Father..."
"Seo Ran!!!"
I cry out for Seo Ran, flying back towards the Nether Crossing Ship.
But in an instant.
Light explodes from the ship, and numerous spatial storms erupt.
A tremendous light scatters, spreading the accumulated ghostly and yin energy in all directions.
At the same time, the sources of that energy, the countless souls stored by the Black Ghost Valley, begin to ascend into the sky.
[Freedom, freedom!]
[We're leaving this cursed ship!]
[This time we're really heading to the afterlife!]
Numerous souls ascend to the heavens and disappear.
I clench my teeth, tears streaming down my face.
The Nether Crossing Ship completely collapsed.
Today, my friend has died.
Translator Notes: Extra chapter donated by Augustus63. Thanks for the support!
Was Seo Ran our MC's first native friend? Also, turns out Seo Hweol is actually a hypocrite!
***
Boom!
A black miasma of yin energy surge, and the compressed space within the Nether Crossing Ship bursts open.
Rumble!
I retreat as far as possible to avoid being swept away.
The inner decks of the Nether Crossing Ship expand endlessly, shattering the barriers.
The Sea Fog Barrier is destroyed, and the Illusionary Barrier shatters.
Countless ghosts trapped in the Sea Fog Barrier ascend into the sky, and the mass of yin energy that had accumulated begins to dissipate.
As the source of the yin energy vanishes, the nearby dark clouds and storms start to disappear as if melting away.
Swoosh!
Waves cover the debris.
I watch the debris, equivalent to the size of the mountain range where the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect once stood, and silently mourn for my friend.
Seo Ran's body was nowhere to be found, likely swept away by the spatial storm.
For days, I searched for his remains, but to no avail. Eventually, I held a small ritual to honor his spirit and then headed to his abode.
Swoosh!
Gliding over the water, my thoughts were heavy with not only Seo Ran's death but also the truths he had revealed.
'Have I, in my ignorance, handed over two comrades to a dragon who bred humans like livestock for elixirs?'
Seo Hweol, outwardly, seemed incapable of such acts.
He didn't have a bad reputation like the Mad Lord and was known for his dignified demeanor.
'I thought he was the second most likable person after Sir Chang-ho and entrusted my colleagues to him...'
But it turned out to be the worst decision.
'Damn...'
Had I, with my own hands, committed the most dreadful sin?
I clench my teeth, lost in complicated thoughts.
'In my ignorance, I handed my colleagues over to the worst being possible...'
I can't afford to be ignorant anymore.
I must gather as much information as possible!
With that resolve, I head to Seo Ran's underwater cave.
Upon reaching his place, the blue bead Seo Ran gave me emitted light, revealing hidden cave entrances.
I cautiously enter the hidden entrances.
There are three in total.
One was Seo Ran's living space, likely used when he was in his demi-human form, with a sturdy bed and human-level living facilities.
Another is a space filled with numerous materials bones and skins of demon beasts, unique woods, and stones.
The last is a library.
Inside are numerous, extensive volumes of demon beast methods and books, real techniques of the Sea Dragon race, not slave or livestock methods like the Summoning Wind, Coagulating Core Transformation I had learned.
I carefully examine the demon beast methods, sending a silent thanks to Seo Ran.
'Thank you, Seo Ran...'
I take out the demon beast method books.
Not only those but also other books, which I began to read.
Seo Ran, being a demi-human hybrid, had a collection covering not only Yanguo, Byeokra, and Shengzi but also other human nations.
I pick out the most worn books and read them.
Among them are demon beast methods, histories of the Sea Dragon Tribe, and books about human nations.
[Culture of Yanguo]
I read one book and then another.
[Culture of Shengzi]
'Shengzi's mountainous region culture involves festivals held once a year...'
'The types of festivals include the centuries-old Great Stone Ceremony, Recounting Celebration Ceremony, and Twin Immortals Dance...'
I move on to the next book.
[Culture of Byeokra]
'Byeokra, bordering the desert, is known for its glass crafts, and there's even a culture of offering glass crafts to the deceased...'
There are also books about the culture of the Upper Realms.
[Life of the Upper Realm People]
This book, especially, seemed to have been read by Seo Ran with great interest.
'Before marrying in the Upper Realms, couples share two cups of wine with each other...'
'Among the wines of the Upper Realms are Mo-ryeong Wine, Gye-ryeong Elixir, Twin Immortals Wine... and White-Red Wine, a symbolic wine for couples made from white lotus and red pear flowers...'
I read on about the various aspects of the Upper Realms' culture.
In a particularly worn page, I read,
'In the Upper Realms, families wear purple ribbons during family gatherings...'
Family.
This section is particularly well-thumbed, as if the reader had lingered on it often.
Seo ran's image of reading the book came to mind.
He might have been reading books here for years.
I imagine him wandering around the library.
The books about the Sea Dragon Tribe are also heavily worn by his hands.
Especially, the records about the mixed blood of the Sea Dragon Tribe and the human race are immensely worn.
Right behind that record, there is a sentence that seemed to have been written by Seo Ran.
"Typical mixed blood possesses the advantages of both the human race and the demon race, but I have such strong demon blood that I can't even utilize the human advantages.
I'm not entirely wild as a demon. Maybe that's why other members of the Sea Dragon Tribe dislike me."
"Still, the King patted my head, saying there must be something I can do for the Sea Dragon Tribe."
"I will remain loyal to the King and Grandfather Seo Hweol."
"..."
It seems the reason Seo Ran couldn't pass through the barrier of the Nether Crossing Ship was because of his stronger demon blood.
While reading the pledge of loyalty to Seo Hweol, I couldn't bear to read more of Seo Ran's records and closed the book.
"...I hope you find peace in the afterlife. Seo Hyung."
I gather the demon beast methods from his quarters and head to Yanguo.
"I was powerless and weak, unable to do anything. But I will use this as a foundation to reach a new future."
Kim Young-hoon, based on the demon beast methods, would be able to reduce many trials and errors again.
In the next life, I'll do everything possible to prevent Seo Ran from dying.
"This is...!"
Kim Young-hoon read the demon beast methods I brought, his eyes nearly rolling back in excitement.
"Thank you..! This will reduce a lot of trial and error!"
"That's good to hear."
Kim Young-hoon's face brightens as he reads through the pile of methods I brought.
With this, I wonder if Kim Hyung will be able to see beyond the Ultimate Pinnacle in this life
He happily looks through the methods, organizing the many martial arts he had practiced using only Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation.
I told Kim Young-hoon that I will practice cultivation and said I would be at the Shattered Heaven Peak in the great mountains of Shengzi, then headed there.
"I've mastered both the Earth and Water Surpassing Paths. Now I should fully master the Fire, Metal, and Wood Surpassing Paths to Cultivation.
I thought that if I familiarized myself with the other element methods, I could learn them even faster in the next life.
But when I arrived near Shattered Heaven Peak...
"Theres a barrier..!"
I stop and examine the barrier.
After a while, some figures emerge from within the barrier.
"Damn, now that I think about it. Since the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is gone, it wouldn't be strange if the noble clans of Shengzi have taken over where the sect used to be.."
I feel a headache coming on and look around.
Shattered Heaven Peak isn't just a single peak.
Most of the mountainous area where the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect was located is called Shattered Heaven Peak, and among the many peaks, there are places not occupied by noble clans because the dragon veins are weak.
"Good, I'll practice there."
I went to a small, inconspicuous peak with moderate dragon veins, sat in a lotus position, and began to practice.
This time, I plan to master the Fire Surpassing Path.
Years passed.
After many years, I finally mastered the Fire Surpassing Path to Cultivation.
Ku-ku-ku-ku-
Three-colored clouds swirl in my dantian.
"My recovery power... has increased to an amazing level."
Its an unbelievable level of recovery.
Even if my cultivation falls to 12th Star due to attempting Qi Building, I can recover in a day or two.
But I have only about 10 years left to live.
"It's futile to try mastering all five elemental methods."
Four would be my limit.
But I won't give up.
Based on the time of this life.
Using the connections of this life as fertilizer, I can sprout new life.
No, I must sprout it!
Ku-ku!
I once again attempt Qi Building.
Again, my spiritual star breaks, and my cultivation falls.
But the three-colored spiritual power in my dantian begins to recover.
"In a day or two, it will all be restored."
Honestly, with this level of recovery power, I feel that even with just my Qi Refining skills, I could compete with those who had just entered the early stages of Qi Building.
Ku-ku-ku-ku-
I observe the swirling spiritual power in my dantian and begin to recover my cultivation.
Two days later.
I fully recover to 14th Star Qi Refining and immediately start practicing the Metal Surpassing Path.
There is no time to waste.
I have to elevate my realm as quickly as possible.
Chaaaak!
A white, metal spiritual power spreads around me.
My lifespan is almost over.
I have just reached the 9th Star in the Metal Surpassing Path, and within my dantian, four colors of spiritual power are swirling.
Yellow earth energy, black water energy, red fire energy, and white metal energy.
Among the three-colored clouds, the white energy swirls only a bit, but even that slight change lets me feel an increase and decrease in recovery power and time.
'Now, even if I fall in cultivation due to attempting Qi Building, I can raise all the elements of the fully mastered spiritual power back to 14th Star in half a day..!'
If I fully master the Metal Surpassing Path, perhaps I could restore all my spiritual power in just an hour or two.
'There isn't much time left..'
That's when it happened.
Paah!
"...?"
The transmission bead I had given to Kim Young-hoon lit up brightly.
[I'm currently in Shengzi. Let's meet in the capital city of Jingju outside the Great Mountains.]
The bead turns off after that message, but I immediately get up and head outside the Great Mountains.
'That voice, it sounded resolute.'
What could it be?
Kim Young-hoon was waiting for me at the entrance of Jingju city in Shengzi.
"You're here."
"Kim Hyung."
"First, let's talk somewhere secluded."
"Yes, if you wish."
I follow Kim Young-hoon to a secluded valley deep within the Great Mountains.
"What brings you here?"
He had been busy researching demon beast methods and hadn't contacted me even once.
I am happy to see him, but his complexion seems a bit off today.
I know that face too well.
The face I had seen on many others, and the color of their intent.
It is the face of someone nearing death.
"Kim... Hyung?"
"...Eun-hyun."
Kim Young-hoon smiles bitterly.
"How long do I have left to live.."
"What...?"
"Maybe, 10 years. Maybe 20 more years. But I'm just a mortal, not a cultivator. I can't live long..."
He draws a saber from his waist.
"Even with the demon beast methods you gave me, I had to go through many trials and errors.
Through those trials, though time-consuming... I have succeeded in finding 'the real path.' Something beyond simply transforming human consciousness into human form..."
"....!"
"But it's too late."
Drip, drip...
Tears fall from Kim Young-hoon's eyes.
"If I knew there was such a realm from the start and focused precisely on it through numerous hardships... Now, just 10 or 20 years is too little time to reach it!
Even I... need time.."
"Kim Hyung.."
Kim Young-hoon's lifespan is a bit longer than mine.
But even he has a limit due to being a mortal.
"I'm confident I can reach it, but I don't have enough time.."
He grits his teeth and raises his head.
"I dreamt of mastering martial arts to return to my family... but it seems like a vain dream now.
But as much as that, I've decided to see the completion of this martial art with my own eyes before I die, even if I can't return to my family...!"
There is a strange madness in his eyes.
"Eun-hyun, I came here today to die! I will burn my life, all my talent, even if just for a moment I can reach the next realm before I die!"
He takes out a book from his bosom.
Unlike the Record of Surpassing Path and Martial Arts filled with his trials, this book is thin.
There is no title on the book yet.
'Is everyone leaving me...'
Seo Ran, and now Kim Young-hoon.
I close and open my eyes with a heavy heart.
I can't stop him.
All I can do is watch.
Watch and pass it on in the next life.
Whisk!
He throws the book to me, and I catch it.
"...What is this called?"
Record of Transcending Cultivation and Martial Arts.
Record of Gazing Cultivation and Exceeding Martial Arts.
Record of Surpassing Cultivation and Martial Arts...
And the Record of Surpassing Path and Martial Arts.
A new history of martial arts built up by the determination and blood of numerous Kim Young-hoons.
"What does this record contain?"
Kim Young-hoon smiles.
Somehow, his smile feels laced with bitterness.
"It's not a record."
"Yes..?"
"Martial...it's a martial philosophy ()!"
Chaek!
Kim Young-hoon takes his stance with his saber in hand.
"What I've poured my entire being, breaking down the old and forging it anew into..."
His aura begins to change.
Nine Gang Spheres appear around Kim Young-hoon, and I open my eyes wide.
"Let's call it the Beyond the Path to Heaven Martial Arts ()!"
The next moment.
A bright golden light, too intense to keep my eyes open, illuminates the surroundings.
Kim Young-hoon, burning his life to leap towards the next realm, begins his ascent.
***
Its difficult to open my eyes.
No, it isn't simply that I can't open my eyes.
Just as staring directly at the sun hurts the eyes, facing the excessively abundant flow of intent causes a throbbing pain in my upper dantian.
Its painful not just for my eyes, but also for my vision of intent and demon senses.
'What kind of enlightenment is this..!'
Yet, I endure the pain and manage to gaze directly at Kim Young-hoon.
He is dancing amidst golden waves.
The martial essence of the Severing Vein Saber Method unfurls from the tip of Kim Young-hoon's blade.
From the first to the seventeenth moves of the Severing Vein Saber Method.
A martial art born from Kim Young-hoon's longing to cross mountains and return home.
However, the sixteenth and seventeenth moves of the Severing Vein Saber Method shares the same enlightenment with the twenty-third and twenty-fourth moves of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
The twenty-third move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, the sixteenth move of Severing Vein Saber Method, Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains..
And the twenty-fourth move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, the seventeenth move of Severing Vein Saber Method.
'Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains ().
Just as there are endless mountains beyond mountains.
No matter how many hardships and adversities life may bring.
If one is as persistent as the Foolish Old Man, believing in their martial path.
They will surely be able to push aside all mountains in their way.
This is the ultimate secret technique of both the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship and Severing Vein Saber Method, following Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains.
It encapsulates the will of the previous cycles Kim Young-hoon's life.
However, Kim Young-hoon has never been the Foolish Old Man.
The term 'Foolish Old Man' refers to a foolish and slow-witted person.
An ill-fitting term for a martial genius like him.
Yet, perhaps the previous Kim Young-hoon, having tasted despair in front of cultivators, wanted to say this.
Even a genius cannot advance further without becoming the Foolish Old Man.
And so...
Kim Young-hoon became the Foolish Old Man.
No matter how unreachable the path seems.
Even if Mount Tai stands in his way.
After inheriting and passing down, he finally succeeds in breaking through the mountain.
Whooosh!
Fwoosh!
From Kim Young-hoon's upper dantian, Gang Qi rises, beginning to burn his dantian.
'That is...'
With my eyes, trained in both cultivation and martial arts, I see its flow.
'The secret technique of the Jin Clan!'
The technique previously used on my disciples, inserting the resentful souls of their relatives into their upper dantians to forcibly awaken their talents.
Kim Young-hoon had reinterpreted the Jin Clan's secret technique in terms of martial arts, creating something new.
Instead of using the souls of others, he burns his upper dantian with his own Gang Qi, elevating his martial talent beyond its limits.
"Aaaaah!"
Starting from his upper dantian, Kim Young-hoon's upper body begins to burn with Gang Qi.
Despite the pain, he does not stop this martial technique.
Akin to the last light before sunset, burning the brightest, he is burning himself.
Its painful to even watch.
But I can't miss this scene.
Changes begin to occur in Kim Young-hoon's martial arts.
Woooom-
In the world of intent.
Around the burning Kim Young-hoon stands nine versions of himself.
Nine Gang Spheres start to change, emitting brilliance.
The Gang Spheres begin to dissolve, not into the air, but into Kim Young-hoon's domain of consciousness.
One by one, the nine Gang Spheres merge, and the golden luminosity emanating from Kim Young-hoon grows intense.
Then, suddenly.
Fzzt, fzzt-
Merely watching, the sharpness of the energy starts to slice through my body.
Simultaneously, Kim Young-hoon's domain of consciousness begins to materialize, merging with the Gang Spheres.
Kim Young-hoon's consciousness domain turns into pure golden brilliance.
"I... Have... Reached... It...!!"
Krrrrrrr!
The materialized domain of consciousness momentarily thins out like a line.
"I... Will..."
The golden line merges into Kim Young-hoon's saber.
"Beyond... The Heavens...!!!!!"
Burning with Gang Qi, Kim Young-hoon swings his golden-lit saber towards the sky.
In an instant, his saber surpasses even the rays of light and reaches the heavens.
Flash!
Brilliant light streaks across the sky, splitting the clouds in half as it passes!
'Ah...'
I felt something flowing down my cheek, coming from my eyes.
When I wipe it with my hand, its red.
Tears of blood, perhaps, shed in the face of such beautiful yet incomprehensible enlightenment.
Fwoosh...
There, Kim Young-hoon, having swung his saber towards the heavens, died standing in that very pose.
Even as he burned with Gang Qi, it was as if he had finally reached his destination, as if he had at last arrived where he wished.
He is smiling.
Plunk, thud...
Whoosh...
Gang Qi escapes from Kim Young-hoon's body, and he disintegrates, swept away by his own energy.
He becomes a cluster of light, flying off to the heavens, to the place he so longed to reach.
"...I will not forget you."
I bow in the direction where Kim Young-hoon had been.
This is a tribute to a grandmaster who had once again transcended the limits of martial arts.
Maybe because I had just witnessed an enlightenment beyond the Ultimate Pinnacle,
Around me, six Gang Spheres emerge and split into seven as they rotate.
Only two more left..
With just two more, I will meet the qualifications to challenge the realm beyond the Ultimate Pinnacle, proven by Kim Young-hoon.
I examine the book of the Beyond the Path to Heaven Martial Arts, left behind by Kim Young-hoon.
It seems graspable, yet elusive.
Perhaps when I reach the extremes of the Ultimate Pinnacle, I can grasp it through this book.
'To that place.'
I will surely reach it.
Maybe because of Kim Young-hoon's saber light that had torn the sky, I see people from various cultivator clans approaching from afar.
I use the Earth Surpassing Path to escape underground.
Mulling over Kim Young-hoon's final moments.
My time of death approaches.
And with a smile, I exhale my last breath.
Huuuu...
Yellow, black, red, and white clouds appear and circle around me.
The Earth Surpassing Path, Water Surpassing Path, Fire Surpassing Path, and Metal Surpassing Path.
Before dying, I successfully mastered these four paths.
'But, it seems I will die without mastering the Wood Surpassing Path...'
The method of the wood element.
I had deliberately left the wood element method for last because it reminds me of my master.
Im not sure if I am good enough soil for a tree to deeply root.
My life is nearing its end.
All seven Gang Spheres had been stabilized after encapsulating the enlightenment.
In my next life, with just 10 years of dedicated practice, I can reach the extremes of the Ultimate Pinnacle.
Seven Gang Spheres.
And the four elemental methods.
All nearly complete, save for one or two of each.
'Have I become good enough soil for a tree to grow now?'
What will the next life hold?
I know nothing.
I laugh at myself, absorbing the clouds swirling around me.
The sacrifice of Seo Ran.
The disintegration of Kim Young-hoon.
And my own cultivation, all to lay the groundwork for the next journey.
This entire life was nourishment for the next.
'So tranquil...'
I contemplate the swirling clouds of four colors in my dantian.
Like the calm before the storm.
'Yes, this life was just like the calm before the storm...!'
In the next life, I will become the storm that sweeps away everything.
Because...
'I cannot dishonor those who have nourished me in this life!'
Thump, thump...
My life is fading.
Krrrrrrr!
I once again challenge the Qi Building stage.
The four clouds whirl and compress.
Simultaneously, a Spiritual Energy Star, shining in four colors, begins to form at the center.
'How many times have I attempted Qi Building..?'
I lost count.
There had been too many attempts.
Krrrrrrboom!
The Spiritual Energy Star, on the verge of collapsing, is continuously sustained by the four clouds.
But the changes are too much.
Four attributes are not enough.
Uggghhh
Again and again, I knock on the threshold of Qi Building.
But...
Thump!
My heart begins to falter.
'It has begun.'
I send Gang Qi to my heart, forcefully pumping to resist the end of my life.
Thump, thump, thump...
Its painful.
But since it has come to this...
'I'll see it through to the end.'
Knowing he couldn't transcend his limits in the time he had left, Kim Young-hoon burned himself up.
Even a genius set himself ablaze; how could a dullard like me hesitate at the brink of death?
Krrrrrrr!
Energy escapes from my Inner Core.
It then transforms into Gang Qi within my body, starting to burn.
Fwoosh!
Fwoosh!
"Aaaargh!"
Without the Spiritual Energy Star to control the Gang Qi and still in Qi Refining rather than Qi Building,
My body can't withstand the Gang Qi and is entirely consumed by flames.
But simultaneously, the Gang Qi incessantly stimulates my heart, surging up from the Inner Core in my lower dantian, reaching and igniting the upper dantian.
Kim Young-hoon's martial technique.
Being at the Ultimate Pinnacle and the extreme of Qi Refining myself, I am able to observe and replicate that technique.
I burn my upper dantian with Gang Qi, elevating my limited talents to their utmost, and even beyond!
Koong! Koong! Koong!
I knock on the wall of Qi Building time and time again.
Simultaneously, I conjure Gang Spheres around me, focusing my consciousness to grasp the sensation of the eighth Gang Sphere.
A life spent sending others away.
Disciples, masters, friends.
I will not lose them again, using this failure as nourishment.
Kurung! Kururung!
Dark clouds begin to gather in the sky.
I laugh mockingly as I burn within the Gang Qi.
"Has it... arrived..?"
Ironically, I am now finding the ominous dark clouds somewhat familiar.
As if mocking a lowly creature for daring to escape the lifespan dictated by the heavens, the clouds laden with lightning completely cover the sky.
I activated the vision of intent and demon senses, along with the Lightning Predicting Eye I discovered at the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
A technique to concentrate on celestial energy and predict the location of lightning strikes.
'Well, it's not much of a technique, just a knack.'
It just focuses the sense of celestial energy gained from the Seven Stars Ritual slightly on the lightning.
Yet, observing the lightning-laden clouds, I still think this technique is pointless.
If someone is skilled enough to predict lightning, they can just block or withstand it.
Conversely, if a weakling can predict but not stop lightning, they won't be able to escape it either.
How can one dodge something that strikes at the speed of light?
Engulfed in Gang Qi, I look up at the sky calmly.
Boom!
Boom!
The Spiritual Energy Star lasts longer than ever before, a result of mastering the four surpassing paths.
This strengthens my hope that mastering all five elements will lead to Qi Building.
And then.
Boom!
The Spiritual Energy Star explodes, failing to endure.
Simultaneously, blue lightning crashes from the sky.
Lightning from the Heavens strikes a Man born of the Earth.
Engulfed in Gang Qi, I am struck by the lightning.
And in that moment of being struck.
With seven rotating Gang Spheres around me.
At the moment of death, when the energy of the Heavens descend to the Earth, I seem to understand the principle of Gang Spheres.
'One divides into Heaven (), Earth (), and Man (). Just as a person isn't formed alone... perhaps the heavens, earth, and humans aren't formed alone either.'
Heaven, Earth, and Man.
Each is influenced by the others aspects.
Then, perhaps the Heavens are influenced by the Earth, Man, and themselves, containing another cycle of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Similarly, the Earth is influenced by the Heavens, Man, and itself, containing another cycle within.
Humans, too, might have a cycle of Heaven, Earth, and Man within them.
'Ah, Kim Young-hoon attained the enlightenment of Gang Spheres through the principle of endless circulation.'
Humans are influenced by those who gave birth to them, those they live with, and those they give birth to, endlessly circulating within.
Perhaps the principles of the world also circulate, influencing each other.
Burning within the blue lightning, I attain enlightenment in that fleeting moment.
'The heavens punishing humans who surpass their lifespan is, in the end, to minimize the influence that man has on the heavens...'
Just as Kim Young-hoon influences me.
Just as Seo Ran influences me.
Just as I influenced them.
We all influence each other.
A cycle within Heaven, Earth, and Man.
The Three Talents divide again into another set of Three Talents.
The number of Gang Spheres increases.
Seven, eight... and then nine!
In that enlightenment.
Even as I turn to ash within the blue lightning, I see the seven Gang Spheres increase to nine and close my eyes.
That was my ninth return.
Translator Notes: Eighth Cycle over! Man, Kim Young-hoon pioneering a new realm was just epic. What do yall think is gonna happen in the next cycle? Will Seo Eun-hyun finally reach the Qi Building stage? Will he manage to reach the new realm of martial arts? So exciting!
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