Kim Young-hoon always found Seo Eun-hyun irritating.
"I am a man without talent."
When was it?
It was after Kim Young-hoon had reached the Ultimate Pinnacle and sparred with Seo Eun-hyun.
Indeed, to Kim Young-hoon, Seo Eun-hyun seemed inferior in the realm of martial arts talent, especially in reading the flow of martial arts or creatively disrupting that flow.
Yet, ironically, Seo Eun-hyun had reached the Ultimate Pinnacle before Kim Young-hoon.
After falling into this world, Seo Eun-hyun had conversed with the monstrous Heaven Being cultivators.
Kim Young-hoon, since waking up in Yanguo after an old hunchback opened a spatial rift, had various martial arts and linguistic knowledge in his head, so he assumed Seo Eun-hyun was similar.
However, Seo Eun-hyun reached the Five Energies Converging to the Origin faster, using just his martial arts knowledge.
He even helped pull Kim Young-hoon up by teaching him martial arts.
Considering his colleagues' immense talents and his own natural sense for martial arts, he accepted this reality.
After proudly reaching the Ultimate Pinnacle, he found out that Seo Eun-hyun had reached the extreme of that realm.
Kim Young-hoon thought Seo Eun-hyun, though different in approach, had a natural talent too.
However, what Seo Eun-hyun said after their fight was astonishing.
He claimed he had no talent.
"If he has no talent, what does that make me? Someone whos not even garbage?"
Kim Young-hoon nearly burst out with those words but held back.
Moreover, Seo Eun-hyun was simultaneously mastering cultivation methods.
Not just one element with Heavenly Spiritual Root, but all Five Elements!
His pace in mastering these methods was similar to the promising late-stage Qi Refining cultivators of the Jin Clan, where Kim Young-hoon had briefly stayed.
But even those late-stage Qi Refining cultivators hadn't mastered multiple elemental methods simultaneously.
Upon reaching the Grand perfection of their stage, they typically stole Qi Building pills from the Makli Clan and transitioned to Qi Building.
But Seo Eun-hyun seemed to be forcing his breakthrough with all Five Elements of a Qi Refining method.
Yet he continued both his martial arts and cultivation training.
Kim Young-hoon also rose early and slept only after the moon was high.
But Seo Eun-hyun used a technique to forcefully stay awake for ten days straight without sleep.
Kim Young-hoon tried the same technique, but once the effects wore off, he spent days like a complete wreck.
It wasn't something ordinary willpower could achieve.
Seo Eun-hyun lacked the martial arts sense Kim Young-hoon had.
But he certainly had something else, something different, something Kim Young-hoon lacked.
"Everything I've done is part of my life. Just as heaven, earth, and man influence each other, what I've done influences my life.
If Kim Hyung understands his life, it will melt into your martial arts."
These were Seo Eun-hyun's words during an enlightening conversation after a spar.
Suddenly, Kim Young-hoon felt that Seo Eun-hyun, though younger, seemed like an elder who had lived a much longer life.
Simultaneously, Kim Young-hoon could organize his clues for the next realm through Seo Eun-hyun's words.
Years passed.
'This won't do.'
Kim Young-hoon gripped his saber.
Initially, he felt he could reach the extreme at any time and easily reach every realm.
He had talent, after all!
He instinctively refrained from sharing this, but his martial arts talent stemmed from a certain 'sense' he felt upon arriving in this world.
Following this sense, he believed he would eventually reach the extreme.
But it wasn't so.
Decades after reaching the Ultimate Pinnacle.
He trained and retrained, following Beyond the Path to Heaven Martial Arts, which described the realm beyond the Ultimate Pinnacle.
Yet, the wall was still too thick and impenetrable.
'What must I do...'
Even with his talent, the next wall seemed too high and rugged.
It appeared unreachable.
One late night, while wielding his saber, Kim Young-hoon heard a strange sound from Seo Eun-hyun's training cave.
With his hearing, honed to a delicate extent from having an Inner Core, he could hear what was happening in Seo Eun-hyun's cave, dozens of yards away.
It wasn't the usual sound of Seo Eun-hyun training in martial arts or cultivation in the middle of the night.
Cracklinggroaning...
Sounds like gasping for air.
Kim Young-hoon entered the Shattered Heaven Peak cave, thinking something had happened.
'Has he used that technique to awaken his mind and train again?'
Seo Eun-hyun often used the technique to drive away sleep and train for days, occasionally fainting.
Of course, after fainting, Seo Eun-hyun would quickly get up, regain consciousness, realize he had fainted, and then properly sleep to recover his body.
'It seems he fainted longer this time...'
Recently, Seo Eun-hyun had indeed been pushing his body harder.
A cultivator could know their own lifespan, and Seo Eun-hyun mentioned there wasn't much left for him.
Kim Young-hoon went deep into the cave to find Seo Eun-hyun.
There, he found Seo Eun-hyun, fainted while standing with his sword drawn.
'This state again.'
Seo Eun-hyun had fainted during training, foaming at the mouth and eyes rolled back.
"Tsk, he should take it easy."
Kim Young-hoon was about to wake Seo Eun-hyun when suddenly...
Seo Eun-hyun, still fainted, swung his sword.
While unconscious, he continued to move.
Seo Eun-hyun refined the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship from start to finish, then began practicing cultivation in a seated position.
It was astounding how he could complete his regular training regimen even while unconscious.
His body, his life, his energy remembered it.
Kim Young-hoon stood dumbfounded, watching Seo Eun-hyun train while unconscious.
Seo Eun-hyun continued until dawn.
Only when the morning sun rose did Kim Young-hoon come to his senses and wake Seo Eun-hyun.
"Eun-hyun, you fainted again. Wake up."
"...Ah, ah...ugh!"
Seo Eun-hyun regained consciousness, clutching his heart, and looked around.
"...Ah, I see. Sorry, Kim Hyung. I should rest my body."
"...Eun-hyun."
Kim Young-hoon looked at Seo Eun-hyun and asked.
"Why push yourself so hard? Isn't this too much?"
To that, Seo Eun-hyun bitterly laughed and said,
"I have no talent. Without talent, in order to reach high places, one must be willing to die even in the evening."
"..."
The willingness to die even in the evening.
After saying that, Seo Eun-hyun collapsed into his sleeping quarters, but to Kim Young-hoon, it felt like a heavy blow to his head.
'What have I been doing all this time?'
For the first time, he felt lazy.
While he had endlessly strived for the next realm,
'Maybe... what I've been doing was just self-satisfaction.'
Without the readiness to die, had he ever thought beyond his current state?
Kim Young-hoon clenched his saber until it nearly shattered.
'The founder of Beyond the Path to Heavens Martial Arts ascended only after being ready to die, what have I been doing?'
He felt wronged.
Regretted the time wasted.
'As a martial artist, I tried to reach the next realm without even being ready to face death...?'
He was too ashamed to lift his face.
He returned to his training ground, grasped his saber, and took his stance.
"Right, let's die."
With the resolve to die, he aimed to surpass.
Until now, he had only verbalized enlightenment.
From now on, he will be different. Ready to face life and death, he would truly strive!
From that day, Kim Young-hoon stopped sleeping.
He didn't eat.
He concentrated his talent to the extreme, focusing solely on his saber.
Forgetting the flow of time, the sensation of pain, he lost himself in the joy of martial arts training.
Then, he reached Beyond the Path to Heaven.
Surpassing Radiant Saber of Beyond the Path to Heaven.
The name Surpassing Radiant Saber contained his wish to return home faster than light.
But it also meant surpassing a person who had loomed like a mountain in Kim Young-hoon's heart.
That person was Seo Eun-hyun.
Kim Young-hoon finally stands, wielding what he had built, facing the man before him.
'No talent?'
Will he even know much of a deception that is to those below him?
'You have strived, Seo Eun-hyun.'
Far more than Kim Young-hoon can imagine.
How shocked he was the first time he observed his heart essence.
Striving as if willing to die in the evening.
The heart essence Kim Young-hoon had while striving for 50 days is basic for Seo Eun-hyun.
'Even if you truly lack talent, with that much effort, you deserve confidence.'
No, he should be confident.
That's the respect someone who has reached that level can show to those below.
Therefore, Kim Young-hoon is rather pleased when Seo Eun-hyun, having obtained the Formless Sword, looks down on him.
I have no advantage other than speed?
Right.
If its Seo Eun-hyun, he deserves to say so.
He has every right to say so, having worked so hard that it pains even the onlookers.
'But, Seo Eun-hyun.'
Kim Young-hoon takes his stance, gripping his saber.
'Even if speed is all I have, I intend to surpass you this time.'
Seo Eun-hyun's martial arts.
Seo Eun-hyun's will.
The effort he has put in!
'I will surpass them!'
That's what it means to be a martial artist!
"Here I go!"
Time seems to split.
Golden radiance swirls as Kim Young-hoon's saber targets Seo Eun-hyun's neck.
'I can't give Formless Sword any chance to react!'
Strike first to gain the advantage!
In the next instant, Seo Eun-hyun's intent resounds in his consciousness.
The sword technique he uses, along with the Formless Sword, lunges forward.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Layered Mountains.
The Formless Sword spreads in all directions like thorns.
A sword free of all shapes and constraints!
Seo Eun-hyun is surrounded by an invisible barbed fence.
'Tear apart!'
Kim Young-hoon quickly retreats.
Swish!
Just by approaching and retreating, he is already scratched all over.
Seo Eun-hyun's intent resonates again.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Landscape Painting.
The Formless Sword Gang spreads in all directions, slashing everything around.
The Formless sword, extending and shrinking in unpredictable orbits, spreads destruction within a radius of about 18 meters.
Seo Eun-hyun's technique continues.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Mountain and Valley Transformation, Mountain Tiger.
The Formless Sword Gang burrows below and erupts, collapsing the terrain, and converges towards Kim Young-hoon.
Kim Young-hoon, merging with the Surpassing Radiant Saber, turns into a beam of light, dodging the Formless Sword Gang, then retreats to a stable ground to confront Seo Eun-hyun.
Seo Eun-hyun emphasizes the basics. In the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship dispersed by the Formless Sword, none goes against martial principles.
Each is true to the foundation and essence of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Joy of Mountains and Peaks.
Boom!
Seo Eun-hyun, using the Formless Sword, starts rushing towards Kim Young-hoon.
The Formless Sword Gang roams freely, charging at Kim Young-hoon.
'I can't dodge.'
He needs to penetrate through.
Severing Vein Saber Method, Mountain Bird!
Kim Young-hoon turns into a ray of light again.
Speed is a tremendous advantage in combat.
Seo Eun-hyun had provoked him, but if the Surpassing Radiant Saber's potential is fully realized, it can potentially far surpass the Formless Sword.
The essence of the Surpassing Radiant Saber is in the instant, while the essence of the Formless Sword is its trajectory.
The colorless trajectory, changing freely in the void and striking down, is unpredictable.
'But change means there will be strengths and weaknesses.'
If there's a strong part, there must be a weak part.
Kim Young-hoon concentrates.
He needs to analyze the formless trajectory in an instant and approach Seo Eun-hyun by flowing through the weakest part.
Otherwise, Seo Eun-hyun will have an overwhelming advantage at a distance due to his larger consciousness.
He has to get close for a chance to win.
Whizz!
Severing Vein Saber Method, Mountain Bird unfolds, and Kim Young-hoon dances with the Golden Saber Gang.
Graceful.
With light-footed grace, he strikes the weakest flow of the Formless Sword Gang.
Boom!
When the weakest flow of the Formless Sword Gang collides with Kim Young-hoon's Surpassing Radiant Saber...
"....!"
Kim Young-hoon narrowly avoids internal injury.
'Insane, this is the weakest part?'
Even though he didnt face it head-on but glided to divert its trajectory,
The difference in power is clear.
'Is this what it means to transition from Qi Refining to Qi Building...?'
Seo Eun-hyun's entire body emits Gang Qi, endlessly powering the Formless Sword.
'What a monster!'
Yet, Kim Young-hoon does not stop Mountain Bird and continues to glide past Seo Eun-hyun's Sword Gang, approaching him like a dancing Golden Peng
The Peng pierces through the formless storm to face its core.
Severing Vein Saber Method, Mountain Wind!
Whoosh!
A ray of light, with the fastest technique, shoots forth.
The Formless Sword, which had been scattered in all directions until a moment ago, suddenly transforms.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Echoing Valley.
The Formless Sword whirls like a fearsome storm, gripping the ray of light.
The trajectory of the Surpassing Radiant Saber is caught by the Formless Sword, spun around, and then hurled back at Kim Young-hoon.
Kim Young-hoon narrowly dodges his own rebounding attack and moves behind Seo Eun-hyun.
The rebounding ray of light passes where Kim Young-hoon had just been and stikes the cliff behind him.
Boom!
The cliff fractures like a spiderweb, and a thunderous explosion resounds.
Shivers run down Kim Young-hoon's forearm as he prepares for the next attack.
'Normally, it wouldn't have such power...'
The power mixed and rebounded by Seo Eun-hyun transformed into that formidable force.
Kim Young-hoon fee;s like he is single-handedly fighting a storm.
'Severing Vein Saber Method alone won't win.'
He needs to mobilize all his talent.
If he doesnt evolve in this instant, he is doomed!
Kim Young-hoon's mind races on ways to win, and he creates a new martial art.
Movement Technique, Seven Color Evasion!
Whoosh!
Kim Young-hoon's movements change, and the Surpassing Radiant Saber morphes into seven colors.
In the next instant, Kim Young-hoon's form splits into seven, attacking Seo Eun-hyun from above, below, and all sides, penetrating the blind spots of the Formless Sword.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Bouldered Cliff!
The Formless Sword coalesces around Seo Eun-hyun, spinning like a whirlpool.
Offense and defense became one, and the size of the Formless Sword creates a storm-like effect in all directions.
Six of Kim Young-hoon's forms burst immediately, but his real form, penetrating the blind spot, swings his saber at Seo Eun-hyun.
'This strike isnt enough.'
The Formless Sword will morph to protect Seo Eun-hyun in the next moment.
Even the weakest part of the Formless Sword is difficult to cut through with the Surpassing Radiant Saber's attack power.
'Next martial art!'
Kim Young-hoon's face turns red as if burning.
Blood rushes to his brain.
A new martial art is created.
A technique to surpass the speed and power of the Surpassing Radiant Saber in one instant.
Forty-four Continuous Strikes.
In a flash, forty-four slashes are unleashed, concentrated with efficiency beyond Layered Mountains, amplifying the force immensely.
Seo Eun-hyun choses to counterattack instead of defending.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Flowing Ridge.
The Formless Sword smoothly pierces through Kim Young-hoon's new martial art.
Normally, Flowing Ridge is a move to softly stab and make defense difficult, not known for its attack power.
However, when Flowing Ridge collides with the Forty-four Continuous Strikes, magnified dozens of times more powerful than the original Surpassing Radiant Saber, Kim Young-hoon spits blood and is blown away.
Bang!
While being flung away, Kim Young-hoon kicks off the air to regain his stance, laughing bitterly.
'Even after creating a martial art to divert 30% of its power, I end up like this.'
Even a slight brush can shatter his bones entirely.
'The versatility of the Formless Sword is almost infinite.'
Kim Young-hoon ponders.
'But Seo Eun-hyun's imagination isn't infinite.'
Moreover, Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword is adapted to Severing Mountain Swordsmanship and changes only within that framework.
'I need to create a martial art specifically to counter Severing Mountain Swordsmanship!'
Flash!
'Let's play!'
A golden radiance flashes, and in an instant, it strikes Seo Eun-hyun, with both exchanging hundreds to thousands of classes per second.
Sword marks, saber scars fly in all directions.
Every time Seo Eun-hyun uses Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Kim Young-hoon references several martial arts on the spot to counter it, and they are evenly matched for a while.
Kim Young-hoon's injuries multiply.
Meanwhile, Seo Eun-hyun remains unscathed.
Kim Young-hoon, despite gasping for breath, still smiles.
"Indeed..."
An overwhelming disadvantage.
An insurmountable mountain!
That is the man before him.
"The best!"
He is annoyed with Seo Eun-hyun.
How can someone who reaches this realm not believe in themselves, hiding behind a lack of talent!
Flash!
Kim Young-hoon's head spins to the point of overload, and blood bursts from his nose.
Creating three martial arts simultaneously, he approaches Seo Eun-hyun again.
Their eyes meet.
Seo Eun-hyun is also smiling.
500 years.
For 500 years, Seo Eun-hyun has never truly surpassed Kim Young-hoon
Especially the Kim Young-hoon, who after 50 years, has always become a monster.
Both feel the same way at this moment.
"I shall!" (Seo Eun-hyun)
"I will!" (Kim Young-hoon)
The two martial artists exclaim simultaneously.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Qi Mountain Heart Heaven
Severing Vein Saber Method Variant, Mountain Earthquake
Applied Martial Art, Mountain Goblin
Created Martial Art, Tearing the Void
Created Martial Art, Twelve Light Streams Slash
The streak of radiance and the void shines brightly.
"Win!" (Seo Eun-hyun)
"Surpass!" (Kim Young-hoon)
The next moment, the Formless Sword swells to over sevenfold its size, engulfing the space with its formidable presence, while the Surpassing Radiant Saber, with unerring precision, targets Seo Eun-hyun's unseen vulnerability.
Suddenly, the world erupts in a blinding inferno of light.
-x-X-x-
The momentum of the Formless Sword alone shatters most of the martial arts created by Kim Young-hoon.
However, using his newly created martial arts as a sacrifice, Kim Young-hoon's saber pierces through and slices through the air, targeting Seo Eun-hyuns neck.
On the other hand, although Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword is ferocious, it still needs half of a half-breath more to descend and reach him.
'I will win!'
Its when Kim Young-hoon laughs as if his mouth might tear.
Above Seo Eun-hyun's left hand, a brilliant five-colored glow bursts forth.
Among the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words, the Earth Penalty True Word materializes through the five elements spiritual power.
'Did he create it without reciting the mantra, by just manipulating the flow of spiritual power?'
Judging by its quick formation, it seems like a spell that has been prepared from earlier and has just been completed.
The spiritual power solidifies in the void, condensing firmly.
Its a type of spell that condenses spiritual power to trigger an explosion!
'It doesn't matter, he can't hit me anyway.'
It will only take as much time to blink an eye for Seo Eun-hyun to complete his spell and launch it at Kim Young-hoon.
Yet, in that amount of time, Kim Young-hoon's saber will have already reached Seo Eun-hyun's neck!
That's what he thought...
Boom!
Seo Eun-hyun did not launch the spell in his left hand.
Instead, he grasps the spell with his hand imbued with Pure Spiritual Force and looks at Kim Young-hoon.
Along with Seo Eun-hyun's intent, the name of his technique echoes.
Infinite Fighting Hidden Weapon Technique, Direct Serpent.
The Formless Sword, which seems to be striking down at Kim Young-hoon, has already changed its form and resides in Seo Eun-hyun's left hand.
The spell overlays on the Formless Sword and is shot at Kim Young-hoon.
If it continues like this, it would be a counter-strike.
'And if it's a counter-strike, this monstrous guy with Gang Qi flowing in his veins will win.'
Even if his neck is half-cut, as long as the spinal cord is not severed, he probably won't die, thanks to the Pure Spiritual Force spreading life force throughout his body.
Its a judgmental defeat for Kim Young-hoon.
'No.'
Rumble!
Kim Young-hoon squeezes out all the energy in his body.
'I'll be prepared to die, just like Seo Eun-hyun!'
It feels as if his upper dantian is about to explode.
But Kim Young-hoon doesnt care and further ignites his talent, the sensation he had since he first opened his eyes in this world.
The joy of cultivating martial arts.
He forgets everything else.
'How can this not be enjoyable?'
Kim Young-hoon creates another martial art.
This new martial art is not just about physical agility or pouring out slashes.
In a paused world.
Golden threads spurt out from all over Kim Young-hoon's body.
The threads, moving at the speed of light in the world of an instant, gather around his arms and into his grip, connecting to the Surpassing Radiant Saber he holds, completely enveloping the saber.
On the surface of the Surpassing Radiant Saber, thin thread-like veins form, creating blood vessels and meridians.
Kim Young-hoon contemplates and ponders over martial arts.
Internal energy, techniques, and intent.
All are a part of martial arts.
And the Inner Core harmoniously connects everything, maintaining balance in martial arts.
Suddenly, Kim Young-hoon recalls this and ponders over the existence of the Inner Core.
'What is the Inner Core?'
The Inner Core is basically where the Gang Sphere settles in the dantian, mixing with the nature of the dantian to form something new.
Then, what is the dantian?
Why does the Gang Sphere, used externally, get depleted when its energy is exhausted, but the dantian recovers its power?
Kim Young-hoon's senses lead him to the answer as he questions.
'It's because they're connected.'
The dantian is connected to the body's blood vessels and meridians.
It's connected to physical life.
Thus, empowered by the vitality of life, it continuously draws energy from the atmosphere, nurturing internal energy.
The Gang Sphere, although containing consciousness, is not truly connected to vitality, so it keeps depleting.
In that brief moment, Kim Young-hoon's talent leads him to a new idea.
If he creates external meridians and blood vessels to emit energy and infuse life force into the Gang Sphere, wouldn't that Gang Sphere become another Inner Core existing externally?
Beyond the resistance to the depletion of energy, can it be possible that, due to being connected to life force, one can continuously recover strength?
Or could it become a new source of power?
Kim Young-hoon's Surpassing Radiant Saber is the union of nine Gang Spheres and his domain of consciousness.
'Here I go.'
Breathing life into the Surpassing Radiant Saber, he creates a new dantian outside his body.
The Surpassing Radiant Saber begins to burn even more brilliantly.
The Surpassing Radiant Saber, in a completely still world, surpasses through all perception and cognition, rushing towards Seo Eun-hyun after slicing through his spell.
The Formless Sword infused with Seo Eun-hyun's spell rapidly changes form and targets Kim Young-hoon, but due to the hasty change, it only manages to head towards his shoulder.
Swoosh!
Boom!
Delayed by the breaking of the sound barrier, sound belatedly explodes, and the dust that rises around them is pushed away in a circle.
Kim Young-hoon's Surpassing Radiant Saber is touching Seo Eun-hyun's neck, while Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword is touching Kim Young-hoon's shoulder.
"I..."
Its Kim Young-hoon's victory.
"I won!"
Churk, Walkak
Blood spurts from Kim Young-hoon's eyes, nose, and mouth, having overstrained his upper dantian by rapidly activating his talent.
Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core is also empty, and the brilliance of the Surpassing Radiant Saber seems to extinguish at any moment.
Seo Eun-hyun sighs.
"...If it had been a real fight, I would have died. Yes, I admit defeat."
"Ha, haha, hahaha...!"
Kim Young-hoon laughs, covered in blood.
He has finally succeeded in surpassing him.
Fizz...
The golden light embedded in Kim Young-hoon's saber is retracted back into his domain of consciousness, and Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword returns as well.
"By the way, what was that? That thing at the end."
"I theorized I could turn the external Gang Sphere into an Inner Core by connecting it to a dantian outside the body like Surpassing Radiant Saber.
I created an additional source of power outside the body and used it to momentarily enhance the Surpassing Radiant Saber beyond its limits."
"Huh..."
Seo Eun-hyun looks at Kim Young-hoon with a stunned expression.
"Did you... create that martial art in the midst of battle just now?"
"If the idea is there, it's certainly possible to create such martial arts. You probably can learn it even more easily. You originally emit energy outside your body to perform spells..."
Suddenly, Kim Young-hoon glances around while talking to Seo Eun-hyun.
He hasn't had a chance to pay proper attention until now.
"Being a cultivator... without difficulty..."
He only thought the surroundings were destroyed, and the terrain damaged.
He hadnt considered 'how' it differed from the original terrain.
"...You'll be able to learn it."
The terrain altered by Seo Eun-hyun scattering his Formless Sword in all directions forms a battle formation.
The battle formation has spell characters carved into it as sword marks, with five overlapping formations centered around Seo Eun-hyun.
If he had just infused his spiritual power, the Five Elements battle formation would have activated, making the entire vicinity Seo Eun-hyun's territory.
"..."
Chill, chill!
Kim Young-hoon suddenly feels a shiver run down his spine.
'If the battle dragged on, and Seo Eun-hyun started activating the battle formation...'
It wouldve been an inevitable defeat for Kim Young-hoon.
'Against cultivators, prolonged battles are nearly impossible, huh.'
He sighs, thinking he had done well to end it quickly.
"...Anyway, uh...!"
Kim Young-hoon suddenly feels his legs give out.
'Ah... I'm exhausted.'
Consciousness seems to be fading away.
"Eun-hyun, please take care of me.."
And just before losing consciousness,
Kim Young-hoon realizes how unscathed Seo Eun-hyun is.
Kim Young-hoons whole body is torn, his clothes soaked in blood, and he himself is exhausted from internal injuries and the depletion of energy.
He has been injured in several places by the force of the Formless Sword.
But Seo Eun-hyun, aside from slightly faster breathing, has no injuries or even dust on his clothes.
Except for the slight mark on his neck where Kim Young-hoon's saber had touched, hes unharmed everywhere else.
If it had been a real fight, Kim Young-hoon's saber would have decapitated Seo Eun-hyun, and Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword would have taken one of Kim Young-hoon's arms.
Strictly speaking, its Kim Young-hoon's victory, a fact acknowledged by both sides.
But as Kim Young-hoon loses consciousness, he can't help but chuckle to himself internally.
Is this really a win?'
The victor is on the brink of death, while the loser remains unscathed.
Swallowing his ironic laughter, Kim Young-hoon faints.
'This shit...'
"Sigh..."
I look at the fallen Kim Young-hoon and sigh softly.
Its a complete defeat.
Honestly, the way he kept creating martial arts in the midst of the battle, especially within those fleeting moments, was spine-chilling.
And that last martial art he created.
'Creating an external dantian to increase the output of a martial art?'
Its revolutionary, something only a genius like him could create.
I couldn't have imagined Kim Young-hoon's talent to be this extraordinary.
Its undoubtedly my defeat in the pure realm of martial arts, and had it been a real battle, it would have been the end of this life for me.
'If I only had a few more seconds, I could have activated the battle formation and seized control of the surrounding area...'
Kim Young-hoon moves in a world far faster than a mere second.
Even my reactions with the Formless Sword are barely in time.
'He didn't give me any time and just chased after me.'
I pick up the blood-soaked Kim Young-hoon.
"Truly remarkable."
I dont know how much longer Kim Young-hoon has to live.
Nor do I know if he can overcome the heart attack and heavenly lightning to overcome lifespan.
Im curious about how much more he will grow in the time he has left.
"At least in this life, I will be able to see all of your growth."
For a long, very long time.
As long as he's been granted a new lifespan.
If he can't overcome death, I will be there to witness his final moments.
For a very long time.
I take Kim Young-hoon and leave Shattered Heaven Peak.
Having achieved everything I wanted, its time to visit others.
I left Shengzi and returned to Yanguo.
In one of the coastal cities of Yanguo, I rented a small mansion and treated Kim Young-hoon.
The external dantian-forming martial art Kim Young-hoon recently created is damaging to the essence. It must be incomplete since it was made on the spot.
Moreover, having clashed with me several times, Kim Young-hoon's energy and blood were twisted and needed a long time to heal.
While treating Kim Young-hoon, I contemplated the enlightenment from Beyond the Path to Heaven. I decided to think about what to do next with Qi Building.
'Everything I learned during my Qi Refining days were just basic spells.'
True cultivation starts from Qi Building.
It's the stage where one's lifespan truly begins to extend and where one starts to transcend humanity.
Thus, all the spells from the 1st to the 14th Stars of Qi Refining are essentially just the basics.
Its like laying the groundwork in the body to produce Pure Spiritual Force.
Now that the product is made, it's time to sell it and influence the surroundings.
I need to learn proper cultivation methods and elevate my cultivation in Qi Building.
'I need to find Qi Building methods.'
Where should I get the cultivation manuals?
At this point, being at Qi Building, I will be welcomed in any clan.
'Well, I'll think about obtaining them later...'
Essentially, I now have the power of Core Formation, so getting cultivation methods wouldn't be difficult.
Of course, finding 'the right' method is another matter.
I put the thought of cultivation methods aside and think about the visions I saw at Shattered Heaven Peak.
'Don't reveal? The Ender? Gifts?'
Honestly, I dont understand what it all means.
Sure, there are records of Yang Su-jin causing Heavenly Rejection and other suspicious records.
And considering he called me the 'next generations Ender'...
'Perhaps... he's like us, someone who fell into this world.'
Then, what does it mean to be an Ender?
I dont know for sure. I can guess why we're called Enders, but I can't be certain.
And the warning he gave me must have been about the power I possess.
'Don't disclose my regression ability?'
So far, I haven't told anyone about it.
It seemed no one would believe me even if I did.
Even if they did believe, what could they do about it? It would only cause mutual distress, so I kept silent.
'And... I instinctively felt averse to it.'
All humans instinctively avoid disclosing their fate. Especially Enders.
That shadow, calling himself Yang Su-jin, had said so.
Revealing it means [it] will notice, no matter where in the Three Thousand Worlds. Does that mean, [it]
I gaze at the sky, far away, furrowing my brow.
A very vast and powerful being, capable of scouring the entirety of the Three Thousand Worlds, just by us uttering it... Is it searching for us, the 'Enders', even now?
The sky today is clear.
Its a spotless blue. The sky seems high, and beyond it looks endlessly vast.
Shiver!
I feel a chilling sensation and shake my head.
Honestly, I don't understand, but it's probably better not to do what I've been warned against... Besides, not disclosing about fate means
I think about my colleagues who were captured by Heavenly Being cultivators.
Those who had their talents immediately exposed.
"What happens to those who have been exposed? Have they already been noticed by [it[ he spoke of?"
I sigh, squinting my eyes.
I can't figure it out.
"Never mind. I'll think about it later. Right now, I don't have enough information to understand anything."
Gradually, Kim Young-hoon's treatment is coming to an end.
Several days passed.
Kim Young-hoon gets up and swings his saber again.
"So, what now?"
He asks me.
"Now that you're a Qi Building cultivator, you can easily become an elder in any clan."
"Elder, huh... That could be good, but."
I look towards the south, far away.
"There's a friend I need to meet."
"A friend to meet? Who might that be?"
"Oh, remember that dragon-like creature that captured Deputy Manager Oh? It seems he has a job for me."
I briefly explain Seo Ran to him and say,
"It seems he wants me to help his descendant and defeat a Core Formation level ghost. I'm thinking of giving it a try."
"Hmm, a Core Formation level ghost."
Kim Young-hoon, upon hearing my summary, grins.
"That sounds fun. Let's go beat it up together."
"Alright, then shall we go meet that dragon's descendant first?"
Kim Young-hoon and I cross the Black Wind Sea and head towards Seo Ran's abode.
Thump, thump!
Kim Young-hoon and I kicked through the air and arrived at Seo Ran's cave.
If we used Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation as before, we could have flown, but knowing its a trap set by Seo Hweol, it became an option we shouldnt learn.
"Is it down there?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then shall we swim..."
Just as Kim Young-hoon is about to hold his breath,
I stop him and draw my Formless Sword.
"Why bother swimming? Let's just ask the owner to come out, though I feel sorry for him."
"Hmm?"
Rumble!
I fee; sorry for Seo Ran, but it seems we needed to cause a bit of a commotion.
Formless Sword!
Whoosh!
With a single strike, the sea splits apart.
The water all the way above Seo Ran's cave is torn open by the Formless Sword, and a path to his dwelling appears before us.
"Is the owner home?"
I use the language of the demon race to vibrate spiritual energy and shout. After a while,
Seo Ran crawls out of his abode in his dragon form.
"...What brings seniors to this place...?"
He looks at us, Kim Young-hoon and me, with great caution.
Swoosh!
The divided sea merges again, and Seo Ran emerges from the water to meet our eyes.
I show him the Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation given by Seo Hweol and explain.
"The Sea Dragon King Seo Hweol asked me to help you, his descendant, break the barrier of Black Bone Valley. This demon beast manual is the proof.
Would you like to accept our help?"
After looking at me and the manual, Seo Ran's expression brightens.
"Se, seniors, if you could help me, I would be grateful. But you are humans, and I am a member of the demon race, can you trust me..?"
"...I've already heard everything from the Sea Dragon King. Including your origins."
I look at Seo Ran as I speak..
At those words, Seo Ran bows his head slightly, sighs softly, and emits light.
He transforms into his demi-human form, with scales and a tail.
"...I apologize for not greeting you in my true form from the beginning. Knowing this fact, you must be truly requested by the King."
Seo Ran smells faintly and speaks..
"Understood. Then, I ask for your help. Please assist me in breaking the barrier."
I look at him.
Calling me a senior, this feeling is somewhat strange.
In this life, perhaps we can't be friends.
But I won't let him die.
"Let's do that. Lead us to the barrier."
Seo Ran, Kim Young-hoon, and I head towards the sea area where the Nether Crossing Ship of Black Bone Valley is hidden.
Swoosh!
"Wow, magnificent."
After breaking through the illusionary and ghost barriers set up by Black Bone Valley, we look at the Nether Crossing Ship positioned at the center of a massive water barrier.
Kim Young-hoon is overwhelmed by the sight and exclaims in awe.
"That's the barrier."
Seo Ran points out the barrier surrounding the Nether Crossing Ship to Kim Young-hoon and me.
A barrier that will dissolve if we remove the eight formation flags inside.
However, the barrier easily accepts those with pure human lineage, posing no problem.
Kim Young-hoon and I approach the barrier.
Like my previous life, we just need to enter and remove the flags.
"Please help me break through this barrier."
"Alright, then..."
At that moment,
Boom!
A flash of golden radiance strikes one side of the barrier.
Kim Young-hoon had slashed at the barrier surrounding the Nether Crossing Ship with his Surpassing Radiant Saber.
The barrier shakes violently and wavers..
"Oh, no, senior. There's no need to smash the barrier like that...!"
Seo Ran seems panicked as he speaks to Kim Young-hoon.
However, Kim Young-hoon just smirks and readies himself again.
"Ah, well, I don't know much about spells and such. So I just tried brute forcing it... But this."
Kim Young-hoon's Surpassing Radiant Saber begins to emit a golden brilliance.
"Seems like I can smash it. Do we really need to dismantle it the hard way?"
Boom!
He swings the Surpassing Radiant Saber again, and the barrier wavers once more.
"Oh, no..."
Seo Ran is taken aback by the unexpected development.
But I just chuckle at the scene.
If Kim Young-hoon is doing so, I can't be outdone.
Boom!
I take out my Formless Sword and, like Kim Young-hoon, batter the barrier.
The barrier starts to shake wildly.
Paaat!
With my strike, the barrier trembles and a faint crack appears.
-x-X-x-
The sound of a loud explosion vibrates the surroundings.
Kwaang!
As a golden ray of light flashes, the barrier trembles and shakes violently.
Gwaang!!!
As the Formless Sword Gang is wielded, the quivering barrier starts to develop cracks and gradually fails to hold up.
Kim Young-hoon and I relentlessly strike the barrier with our Formless Sword and Surpassing Radiant Saber, shattering it.
Seo Ran watches us with a stunned expression.
"...But, you could have just entered and pulled out the flags.."
When you have physical prowess, there's no need to overthink.
Gwaang!
Kim Young-hoon and I simultaneously strike down with our Formless Sword and Surpassing Radiant Saber.
Finally, the barrier cracks and completely shatters.
Pakang!
The formation flags inside the barrier cant withstand our strikes and break apart.
Kim Young-hoon and I step beyond the barrier, followed by a bewildered Seo Ran.
"Is this enough?"
"Yes, yes... That's more than enough, senior. But, if you don't mind me asking..."
Seo Ran cautiously inquires, seeing me continue to respond in the language of the demon race.
"Are you also demi-human?"
The demon race's language, which only those with the ability to see the flow of Yin and Yang can learn, is entirely different from the communication structure of humans, who vibrate air to speak. Using the demon race's language is essentially the same as declaring oneself a demon.
"Hmm, not demi-human. Just think of me as a... uniquely different human. It's this uniqueness that got the Sea Dragon King's recognition to assist you."
"Ah, I see... Thank you for your help then. Now that the barrier is broken, I'll take it from here. If you come to my place later, I'll compensate you properly.."
However, I shake my head.
"No, I'll join you."
"Excuse me?"
"I've always wanted to enter the famous Nether Crossing Ship of the Black Ghost Valley."
"Ah..."
Seo Ran looks slightly burdened by the idea of Kim Young-hoon and me, evidently powerful cultivators, accompanying him, but I pay it no mind and head with him towards the Nether Crossing Ship.
Better to be burdened than dead.
And so, Kim Young-Hoon, Seo Ran, and I approach the deck of the Nether Crossing Ship.
"Shiiii..."
"...?"
"What..."
The ghostly and yin energy that has been pervading the deck suddenly dissipates.
The Nether Crossing Ship, known for its ghostly and yin energy, seems to have lost its ominous aura.
"What's going on...?"
Seo Ran looks around, baffled, but I have an inkling of the reason.
I send a heart message to Kim Young-Hoon, explaining the situation.
Understanding, Kim Young-Hoon tightly grips his saber.
We enter the interior of the Nether Crossing Ship.
As expected.
The inside of the Nether Crossing Ship, unlike my last lifes visit, is not as steeped in ghostly and yin energy.
"Well, that's a relief. If the ghostly and yin energy aren't too intense, exploring the inside shouldn't be too difficult."
"...Hmm. Listen, Daoist Seo"
I look at Seo Ran and speak,
"Let's head straight to the lower levels of the Nether Crossing Ship."
"Start our exploration from the bottom?"
"Yes. I have a bad feeling. The reason for the reduced ghostly energy seems to be in the lower levels."
"Hmm, if the senior says so..."
Without waiting for his response, I lead the way to the lower levels of the Nether Crossing Ship.
In my past life, the deeper we went, the denser the ghostly energy became. But today, as we descend, the ghostly energy didnt increase but rather seems to thin out.
And soon, we reach the place I had visited in my past life.
The lowest level of the Nether Crossing Ship.
Unlike the previous levels, where theres still some ghostly energy, this level has none at all.
However, I tense up and ready myself.
Kim Young-hoon, arriving a bit later, also heightens his alertness and begins to draw his Surpassing Radiant Saber.
"What are you doing, seniors... Huh!"
Around us, the ghostly energy is weak.
But it hasnt just vanished into thin air.
The anchored ghost spirit attached to the lowest level of the Nether Crossing Ship had been absorbing and devouring the ghostly energy, compressing it within itself.
Kugugugu!
Above the black throne,
There sits a being, completely engulfed in darkness, almost as if it had become a shadow itself.
Unlike before, when at least the skull's outline was visible, now it is entirely shrouded in darkness.
[...I thought two Core Formation cultivators had barged in, but it's just two Qi Building and one Qi Refining? No, that can't be. Breaking the Nether Crossing Ship's protective barrier requires at least Core Formation strength. You must've mastered some unique techniques.]
From the darkness, the shadow gazes at us.
Ptshh
From the eye sockets of the shadow, blue ghostly flames ignite.
[...No matter who it is, it doesn't matter. Those who couldnt even cling and follow when the Ascension Gate opened, mere trash, think they can receive the cultivation secrets of the Azure Ghost Valley?]
Zap, zap...
I swallow hard at the menacing aura emanating from the ghost spirit.
It isn't the feeble presence I had felt before.
Its aware of our full strength and is on high alert.
[Whatever you want from the Nether Crossing Ship, you won't get anything from the Azure Ghost Valley...! I will protect it!]
Rumble, rumble!
Screech, screech...
Howl, howl...
From the body of the ghost spirit, ghostly energy boils, and from within its shadow, dozens, hundreds of ghostly wails erupts.
Then, the ghost spirit rises from its seat.
Step, step.
It completely detaches from the throne.
Simultaneously, a subtle connection between it and the throne seems to break.
'Did it cut off the supply of ghostly energy from the Nether Crossing Ship?'
In return, it seems to have absorbed all the remaining ghostly energy in the ship.
It has no more reason to receive ghostly energy, and the weakness of being passive in its attacks while seated on the throne is gone.
This time, it will be much more difficult to confront it than in my past life.
The next moment.
The ghost spirit moves its hand, and a 3 meter large ghost claw flies at us with incredible speed.
Boom!
The ghost claw clashes with my Formless Sword Gang and is neutralized, then Kim Young-hoon steps forward.
Flash!
A golden radiance flickers.
Boom!
Kim Young-hoon's saber strikes at the neck of the ghost spirit.
With a speed that seems to pause time!
The ghost spirit couldn't respond to Kim Young-hoon's speed, but Kim Young-hoon's Surpassing Radiant Saber couldn't sever its neck either.
The ghost spirit is repelled by the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
Then, as the ghost spirit forms a hand seal, countless ghost hands erupt from it, targeting Kim Young-hoon.
Flash!
Again, a golden radiance flickers, and Kim Young-hoon is beside me.
"Hmm. A few special spells are as fast as your Formless Sword, such as the ghost claw. But the ghost itself can't keep up with the speed of those spells.
In short, it's much slower than us. But the output of the Surpassing Radiant Saber isn't enough to penetrate the ghostly energy of that Core Formation ghost spirit."
He glances at me and says,
"I'll draw its attention. You confront it head-on and target it."
"Yes."
"I can launch an effective attack on that ghost, but I need to gather energy to do so. Please buy me some time."
Seo Ran looks at us and speaks.
Kim Young-hoon and I nod at each other, and Seo Ran, understanding our meaning, transforms from his demi-human form to his dragon form.
Flash!
A golden bell shoots out from Seo Ran's mouth, and he begins to gather energy in it.
Rumble!
Again, several ghost claws fly towards us.
In my past life, these fearsome attacks made me desperate just to evade.
But in this life, I step forward, swirling my Formless Sword, and slice the ghost claws apart.
Boom, boom!
Light flashes as ghost claws explode, and again, a golden light flickers.
Flash!
Kim Young-hoon, like a ray of light, reappears below the ghost spirit's shoulder.
He strikes the ghost spirits arm, disrupting the spell it was casting.
[You...!]
Screech!
Dozens of ghost claws chase after Kim Young-hoon, but they can't catch up.
Swish!
Completely enveloping himself in ghost claws, the ghost spirit begins forming a new spell.
This made it difficult for Kim Young-hoon to penetrate inside.
However, I take a stance, summoning the Formless Sword.
Severing Vein Saber Method, Mountain Wind!
Whoosh!
Holding the Formless Sword, I accelerate my thoughts to the extreme and appear right in front of the ghost spirit.
In that state, while accelerating, I instantly switch the sword technique of the Formless Sword.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Flowing Ridge!
The straight-shooting Mountain Wind twists and turns, weaving through the gaps of the ghost claws.
Effortlessly avoiding all ghost claws, it accurately hits the target in the center.
Boom!
A loud explosion occurs, and the ghost claws burst apart all at once, revealing the ghost spirit, pierced in the chest by my Formless Sword.
The ghost spirit looks to be in agony, but continues to form hand seals.
'Is he not dead even with this?'
It seems a hole in the heart is no issue for a ghost body, unlike a normal human body.
'I'll tear it apart then.'
Of course, tearing everything to shreds is not a hassle..
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Layered Mountains!
Swish!
The Formless Sword, stuck in the ghost spirit's chest, transforms, rapidly extending in all directions like thorns.
An invisible barbed wire envelops the space around it.
However, in the final moments, the ghost spirit completes its hand seals.
[Flying Escape.]
Swish!
In that instant, the ghost spirit transforms into a beam of dark light and escapes from the transformation of the Formless Sword.
Swish!
Although the Formless Sword's myriad changes didn't completely miss the ghost spirit, tearing a significant part of the ghost body, the ghost spirit ultimately manages to escape.
'This must be the Flying Escape Technique of a Core Formation cultivator.'
A Core Formation cultivator can use spells by utilizing the stars formed in the dantian, hiding in the escaping light for fast movement.
Typically, Flying Escape is used for long-distance travel, and its speed is so fast that cultivators below the level of Qi Building cant catch up.
A long time ago.
When I was under my master's tutelage, Makli Yun-ryeon of the Makli Clan used a life-saving magical artifact that allowed him to use a Core Formations Flying Escape Technique several times, escaping from my and Kim Young-hoon's pursuit.
However, I retrieve the Formless Sword and hold it again, looking at the ghost spirit who is repairing its ghost body.
"Is that all?"
I smirk and accelerate my thoughts once more.
"While my speed is slightly lacking compared to the ghost claws you project..."
If its just that speed, I can sufficiently chase with the Formless Sword.
"To properly react, you'll have to keep using that spell."
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Entering Mountain!
I swing the Formless Sword again.
The Formless Sword rises towards the ghost spirit in the air, targeting him.
The ghost spirit, showing signs of anger, uses the Flying Escape Technique again.
Wham!
The ghost spirit narrowly avoids the Formless Sword, but in the next instant, he is unable to react to the Surpassing Radiant Saber that appears beside him.
Bang!
A golden brilliance spreads out like a fan, striking the ghost spirit.
Boom!
[You bastards... If only I had my dharma treasures and ghost servants intact...!]
But before he can finish speaking, Kim Young-hoon's Surpassing Radiant Saber appears again around the ghost spirit, striking him a total of thirty-six times.
"Hold on tight..!"
Severe him in one go.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Qi Mountain Heart Heaven!
Rumble!
The aura of the Formless Sword grows more ferocious, and I, combining it with the Dragon Vein sword move, slash down with the Formless Sword.
Kim Young-hoon, who has been restraining the ghost spirit, retreats at a speed akin to light and the ghost spirit, greatly infuriated, reaches out towards my towering Formless Sword.
Boom!
A black ghost bone emitted from the ghost spirit's hand blocks my Formless Sword.
"Blocked this?"
As I exclaim in admiration, the ghost spirit hastily forms another hand seal.
[I'll kill you all!]
Rumble!
Around the ghost spirit, thousands of ghost skulls, each powerful enough to be considered a Gang Sphere, appear.
Following after, numerous ghost claws erupt, and swarms of ghost insects envelop the surroundings.
'He's stalling for time.'
I realize the ghost spirit is gathering ghostly power among these many spells, preparing an even bigger technique.
Rumble!
I hold the Formless Sword, transforming it constantly.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Transcending Peaks!
The Formless Sword, embodying the numerous martial principles of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, swings horizontally.
One strike!
Swish!
In a single blow, countless ghost skulls and swarms of ghost insects blocking my view are all swept away like a wave.
What remains are the ghost claws surrounding the ghost spirit.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Bouldered Cliff!
The Formless Sword envelops me.
It surrounds me from all sides, becoming a small storm, and I dive towards the ghost claws with an integrated offensive and defensive momentum.
The Formless Sword rotates, tearing through the ghost claws and penetrating inside.
Swish!
Like the eye of a storm, the center of the ghost claws is calm, and the ghost spirit is completing a hand seal right there.
Kooong!
The blue ghost fire burning in the ghost spirit's eyes weakens considerably.
At the same time, above the ghost spirit's hand, a faint blue-white skull is floating.
The skull looks unstable, as if it could scatter into the void at any moment.
However, the power contained within is formidable, and I have a premonition that facing it will mean certain doom.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Layered Mountains!
The Formless Sword Gang extends in all directions, splitting apart.
Once again, an invisible barbed terrain envelops the area.
Boom!
The ghost claws are all torn apart, and the ghost spirit, pierced all over by the Formless Sword, becomes a honeycomb.
However, the ghost spirit is still infusing ghostly energy into the hand seal, completing the spell.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Mountain Tiger!
I focus on the Formless Sword that has spread in all directions into one point, and as the thick barbed terrain retracts, the golden light of the Surpassing Radiant Saber enters from beyond.
"Haah!"
Kim Young-hoon, manifesting the externalized Inner Core used before, swings the Surpassing Radiant Saber, and the power of my Formless Sword concentrates into one point and explodes.
Flash!
A bright white light erupts, causing an explosion of ghostly energy, and I see that more than 80% of the ghost spirit's body is torn apart.
Swoosh...
The light subsides.
And then, a blue-white glow spreads in all directions.
[It's... done.]
Shiver!
The ghost spirit, reduced to tatters as if he could scatter any moment, glares at us.
Now, the ghost spirit's eyes no longer burn with blue ghost fire.
They emit a red luster, like ordinary ghosts.
[Let's... go together!]
'Dying together!'
Kim Young-hoon and I read the ghost spirit's intent and harden our expressions.
The blue-white skull swells.
The formidable power of death contained within it makes the entire floor of the Nether Crossing Ship feel chillingly cold.
Then, Seo Ran's voice came.
[Avoid it, seniors.]
"!"
A glimmer of hope flickers on mine and Kim Young-hoon's faces.
Seo Ran, holding a golden bell in his mouth, has been gathering tremendous energy inside his mouth.
Seo Ran opens his jaws.
Flash!
The power of the Ghost Controlling Bell mingles with Seo Ran's breath. Not blue, but a golden brilliance shoots out, flying towards our direction.
Kooong!
[Oooohhhhh!]
The ghost spirit, attempting to detonate the blue-white skull, gets trapped in the golden breath along with the skull.
The ghostly power is suppressed by the power of Ghost Controlling Bell, diminishing the self-destructive force. The blue explosion only exerts its power within the golden beam.
The formidable explosion that has been emanating fierce energy is gradually weakening within the golden radiance.
"Huh, is this a dragon?"
Kim Young-hoon clicks his tongue, watching Seo Ran spewing the radiance with the power of the dharma treasure.
"Can he do that attack every time? If so, I'd like to spar with him..."
"It's probably impossible. Daoist Seo has been gathering energy since earlier."
"Tsk..."
That's when it happens.
Fwoosh
The beam of golden light begins to weaken.
Seo Ran's power is waning.
The blue explosion, while greatly diminished by Seo Ran's effort, still contains terrifying power.
"It seems Daoist Seos power alone is not enough. But at least the force has been greatly reduced..."
"Right, let's do it."
In moments, Seo Ran's power will be depleted, and the explosion will burst forth again.
Kim Young-hoon and I move to both sides of the ghost spirit, taking our stances.
We hold the Formless Sword and the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
The next moment.
Seo Ran's breath completely extinguishes, and he collapses to the ground, gasping.
Blue light bursts forth beyond the golden prison.
And then, the Saber and the Sword swings.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, First Move, Transcending Peaks
Severing Vein Saber Method, First Move, Mountain Force
Each of us uses our martial arts towards the explosion from opposite directions.
Entering Mountain, Ascending Vein, Flowing Ridge
Mountain Spirit, Mountain Presence, Mountain Wind
The Formless Sword undergoes myriad transformations, maximizing the power of its techniques.
The Surpassing Radiant Saber, with extreme speed, splits the instant and bursts into light.
The formless storm and the golden storm devour the blue light from both sides.
Finally.
Each martial art and their profound meanings unfold.
Echoing Valley, Nine Mountains Eight Seas, Heavenly Lake...
Great Trunk, Surpassing Mountains, Returning Home...
Boom!
The Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, the ultimate move.
The Severing Vein Saber Method, the ultimate move.
[Severing Mountain.]
[Saber Tomb.]
The myriad transformations of the Formless Sword concentrate in a single strike that severs the mountains.
The extreme speed of the Surpassing Radiant Saber is encapsulated in a single strike that buries even light beneath its blade.
Boom!
The golden and formless forces devour the blue explosion, completely grinding down the remnants of the ghost spirit, who was sustaining the spell at the core.
Chuaaaaa
After unleashing the final move, we hold the Formless Sword and Surpassing Radiant Saber, gazing through the dissipating light.
The light fades, and within, a figure stands.
"He's still not dead."
"Such a tenacious one. If he died once, he shouldve just gone peacefully to the underworld.
Kim Young-hoon clicks his tongue, tensing up again.
However as the light dissipates and its form is revealed, we are taken aback.
Before us was not the ghastly ghost spirit from before, but a translucent middle-aged man in black robes.
The black-robed middle-aged man is lifting a dark blue ghost fire in both hands, using a spell.
Judging by the remaining ghostly energy, this spell seems like his last.
[Dark Soul Possession Great Spell!]
Boom!
The dark blue ghost fire envelops the ghost spirit, and he, shrouded in the dark blue flame, charges at me.
[Know the sin of coveting the treasures of the valley!]
Swish!
I try to cut him down with the Formless Sword, but somehow, even the Formless Sword passes through him, and the ghost spirit is sucked into my upper dantian.
Dark malice stains my soul.
My soul is being eroded.
The ghost spirit enters my upper dantian, touches the core of my soul, and seeps deep into it.
He penetrates into the depths of my consciousness where no one else has ever entered.
In an instant, he infiltrates the depths of myself, and his heart essence intertwines with mine.
The emotions he felt throughout his life and his consciousness enter into me, and conversely, my emotions and consciousness permeate into him."
And then.
[Keughaaah!]
The ghost spirit, who has entered my soul, begins to scream madly.
[Huuaah... let me out! Stop!]
[Aaaah!]
[Please, please!]
But, I, in turn, constrict him even tighter with my will deep within my consciousness.
[What are you? Why does a human have such thoughts and feelings? Are you, are you]
In a voice saturated with fear and despair, the ghost spirit weeps.
[Are you really human..?]
When the ghost spirit used the Dark Soul Possession Great Spell to infiltrate Seo Eun-hyun's consciousness, he was quite confident.
A trump card used by the cultivators of Black Ghost Valley!
A technique to wrest control of the opponent's body by directly confronting their willpower and the life they have lived.
Moreover, in the world of heart essence, he, having mastered the methods of the ghost path, had a significant advantage.
All he needed to do was suppress the core of the opponent's heart essence!
Thinking so, he touched the core of Seo Eun-hyun's soul, his heart essence.
Boom!
Bright rays surrounded him, and in the next moment.
The ghost spirit found himself in a strange space.
[What...?]
Pop!
Suddenly, the ghost spirits entire body turned into a honeycomb.
[Ah, aah]
Clear and transparent swords were thrust in reverse.
Densely packed colorless swords on the ground welcomed him enthusiastically .
[Kughh..Ahhh...!]
He screamed.
They were densely stuck in all directions.
The swords formed a gigantic mountain far away.
The Colorless Sword Mountain Hell!
That was the world of heart essence he had entered
[What is this... Can a human even have such a state of mind?]
Typically, the heart essence, whether for cultivators or demon beasts, was small.
Some people's heart essence appears as a child, some as small grass, and others as a rock.
But generally, the heart essence was an object.
An object that could be something the person is focused on or an ideal they think of, a single entity.
Typically, that was a normal heart essence.
But this was something else.
[A world...?]
The heart essence forming such a vast and distinct world was unheard of.
He had never heard or seen such a thing before.
But what was most terrifying was this:
[Even if this world is this person's heart essence, why does he possess such a painful world?]
Pierced all over by colorless swords sprouting densely from the ground, the ghost spirit couldn't move.
The colorless swords caused immense pain upon mere contact.
Constant failure after failure.
A life of only losses.
Despite all the effort, Im always being rejected and denied.
Everything in this life eventually falls apart.
Even though I'm alive, it's as if I'm not.
The swords echoed with Seo Eun-hyun's voice.
Each one represented a part of Seo Eun-hyun's life.
[Are you really human..?]
The swords symbolized his life.
Overwhelmed by the immense pain they emitted, the ghost spirit cried out in fear.
[You are not human. No human could be like this... You are a ghost, closer to death than even me, who is already dead!
How can a human have such a heart essence!!!]
Rumble!
The Sword Mountain stirred.
The ghost spirit felt himself being sucked into the clear. pristine swords.
Seo Eun-hyun was manipulating his heart essence, trapping him.
The ghost spirit, facing this unbelievable sight, could only laugh madly.
"Eun-hyun, are you okay?"
"...Yes, I'm fine."
I speak, having completely confined the ghost spirit in a corner of my subconsciousness.
"I've completely subdued him. There won't be any problems."
Hoowoowoo
I form a hand seal and exhale spiritual energy.
In the spiritual energy, the ghost spirit's face, trapped by my will, looks at me with a face filled with terror.
[What are you... What are you people?]
"We're just humans. What else?"
[Heh... You call yourself human.]
The ghost spirit chuckles bitterly.
"Well, it was indeed a tough fight. Now that his ghostly energy has all but depleted, he'll go to the underworld on his own if we let him go, right?"
Im about to release the consciousness binding the ghost spirit when he speaks.
[Wait a moment...]
"Hmm? What is it?"
[...I acknowledge your strength. I realize that I can't resist, and that I have been defeated. So, as a victor's mercy, can you grant me one last request?]
Swoosh-
The ghost spirit, who has been captured in my consciousness, changes his form.
He appears as the translucent black-robed middle-aged man I had seen before.
The middle-aged man stands there with a very bitter expression.
[...I don't mean to harm you. If I have to die like this, there's something I want to do one last time. Please, as a victor's mercy, grant me my last request.]
Kim Young-hoon and I look at him for a moment, reading his heart essence.
Hes not lying or intending to harm us.
He is genuinely asking for our mercy.
He has no more fighting spirit left.
"Well, that's fine and all, but why should we? I consider sending you peacefully to the underworld a significant act of mercy."
[...You're right. Therefore, if you grant my request, I will also reward you.]
The words that follow make me pause.
[I was killed by the Mad Lord and became a wandering soul, but originally, I was a Heavenly Being cultivator of the Black Ghost Valley and the keeper of the scriptural repository, knowledgeable in all sorts of methods.
Nascent Soul methods, Core Formation methods, Qi Building methods... Any of the Five Elements you desire, just name it.
If you grant my request, I'll give you one or two as a reward.]
We read his heart essence.
Indeed, he isn't lying.
[If you grant my dying wish, I will share all that you wish to know.]
-x-X-x-