Qi Building Method.
Among cultivators, the basic Qi Refining Method is easily accessible if one has enough spirit stones, but the difficulty of obtaining a Qi Building Method, which is typically mastered by elders of a cultivator clan, is significantly higher.
Not to mention the more advanced Core Formation Methods, which is beyond the Qi Building Method.
For instance, in the case of the Qi Refining basic method, I know of the five methods recorded in the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation and a sixth from the Earth Dwelling Method of the Cheongmun Clan.
Its even possible for other cultivators to purchase additional Qi Refining basic methods.
However, the only Qi Building Method I currently know is a wood attribute method that my master had imparted to me as knowledge.
Wood attribute method, Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea.
In theory, this method could advance one from Qi Building through Core Formation to the Nascent Soul stage.
Naturally, it's focused on Understanding before Breakthrough and is difficult to master and understand, making it a rare method in the Cheongmun Clan, with no one other than my master having practiced it.
'Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea is excellent, but to have any method I desire...'
Especially since Black Ghost Valley has a long history and is said to lack no attribute methods.
'First, it wouldn't hurt to gather as many Qi Building Methods as possible. Plus, I can prepare methods for Core Formation and Nascent Soul stages in advance...'
Its an appealing offer.
However,
"How can I trust that the methods you provide will be genuine?"
Having been tricked by Seo Hweol into using Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation, I can't help but be skeptical about his offer of freely giving methods.
[How dare you, questioning me, an elder of the great Azure Ghost Valley?]
"Elder or not, you're just a ghost now, but I have too much at stake."
[Hmph, insolent... Fine, I'll make a vow.]
He places his hand on the wall of the Nether Crossing Ship and begins to speak.
[Here in front of the Nether Crossing Ship, I, Song Jin, once an elder of the Azure Ghost Valley, swear by the honor of the Azure Ghost Valley's name not to lie about the cultivation methods.]
The wall of the Nether Crossing Ship vibrates faintly, and a mystical connection seems to form between the ghost spirit, Song Jin, and the ship.
I peer into his heart essence and intent to judge the truth.
Sure enough, he has some ulterior motives, but at least he intends not to play tricks with the cultivation methods.
'Well, a small ulterior motive is fine...'
Kim Yeong-hoon also reads his heart essence and sends me heart message asking if its okay.
I send back a heart message affirming its fine.
"Alright, then let's hear your request. If it's unreasonable, I won't grant it."
[It's nothing unreasonable. I'll teach you how to operate the Nether Crossing Ship, so take it to the sea.]
"Just that?"
[Just that.]
Seo Ran asks with a puzzled look.
"Isn't the Nether Crossing Ship no longer able to move?"
[Hmph, it's lost most of its main functions and power source, but there's still enough residual soul power for a few more voyages. It's broken, but one more trip is no big deal.]
Song Jin caresss the Nether Crossing Ship with a bittersweet expression.
[The Nether Crossing Ship... can still sail.]
Reading Song Jin's heart essence, it seems he wants to meet his end with the ship.
'Wanting to meet your end at the desired place, at the desired time...'
Feeling a strange empathy for him, I look around.
"I'm willing to fulfill this ghost's request. What about you, Kim Hyung?"
"Do as you please. But I can't operate the Nether Crossing Ship or anything like that."
"What about you, Daoist Seo?"
"I..."
Seo Ran hesitates for a moment, then looks at Song Jin and speaks.
"I would like the elder of the Black Ghost Valley to help me find something left by my mother."
At Seo Ran's words, Song Jin frowns deeply.
[I've been bothered by you since earlier. So its you, the disgrace of the valley, a half-blooded demi-human. Hmph, I heard you were of demi-human lineage but too deeply rooted in the demon race to use the Seven Stars Ritual and was shunned in your clan.]
Song Jin glares at Seo Ran.
[Your mother was a promising disciple of the Black Ghost Valley. If only she hadn't given birth to you, she could have received enough support to become a Nascent Soul elder.
A blemish like you appeared, leading to the cut-off of support, and you committed the disgrace of siding with the Sea Dragon Tribe, demoting her status to that of an ordinary disciple!
How dare you now ask me to find your mother's heirloom?]
"..."
Song Jin looks at Seo Ran with great displeasure and continues,
[If you want to find it, search for it yourself. I will not help with such things.]
I think about pressuring Song Jin to help Seo Ran, but seeing his obstinate heart essence, I give up.
No matter the pressure, he seems unwilling to compromise on this matter, directly linked to the honor of Black Ghost Valley.
"Daoist Seo, I will assist you in your search. Together, we can find it faster. That aside... is it really just about taking the Nether Crossing Ship out to sea?"
[Yes, that's all I need. I will teach you how to operate the Nether Crossing Ship, so follow me.]
I follow Song Jin to the upper deck of the Nether Crossing Ship.
[The Nether Crossing Ship originally moves using the soul and spiritual energy stored within the ship itself. Before the Mad Lord took its power source, the soul and spiritual energy was almost boundless, but now it may run out after a few uses.]
He teaches me how to operate the Nether Crossing Ship.
I instruct Seo Ran to search the lower decks of the Nether Crossing Ship while I will search the upper decks.
In my past life, I had already searched the upper decks of the Nether Crossing Ship and found nothing, so this is a gesture to save his time.
For several days, I learn how to operate the Nether Crossing Ship from Song Jin, while Seo Ran thoroughly searches its lower decks.
Kim Young-hoon practices the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
About a fortnight passes.
[You seem to have gotten the hang of it.]
Song Jin observes as I attach my consciousness to various parts of the Nether Crossing Ship, controlling it.
Originally, its said that tens of people were needed to operate this impossibly large space-compressed ship, but it seems that I alone am enough to clumsily operate this ruined ship.
In fact, for cultivators, its possible for one person's consciousness to do the work of dozens, so clumsily operating it isn't too difficult.
Around this time...
Seo Ran's search in the lower decks is nearing its end.
"Only three more rooms to search. Hopefully, one of them contains my mother's heirloom."
Seo Ran speaks with a trembling voice.
Song Jin looks at Seo Ran with a complex expression.
Two days later, Seo Ran finds his mother's heirloom.
"Did you find it?"
"Yes, senior. Thanks to you, I was able to find my mother's heirloom."
In Seo Ran's hand is a jade slip.
"Have you read it?"
"Not yet. I plan to go back to my quarters, prepare myself mentally, and then read it."
"I see."
Then, Song Jin, who is watching us, speaks.
[Now that you seem to have finished your business on the Nether Crossing Ship, it might be time to fulfill my request.]
"Well, let's do that. I'll operate the Nether Crossing Ship and set out."
I ascend to the top deck of the Nether Crossing Ship where the steering wheel is located.
I breathe consciousness into the steering wheel.
The structure and system of the Nether Crossing Ship is completely different from ordinary ships.
Fwoosh!
[Now send your consciousness to various auxiliary power parts of the Nether Crossing Ship.]
Rumble!
The current state and structure of the Nether Crossing Ship appears in my mind.
I send my consciousness to various parts of the schematic, stimulating them.
The Nether Crossing Ship then begins to tremble, emitting more spiritual energy.
[Nether Crossing Ship, activation!]
"Nether Crossing Ship, activation!"
Roar!
Yin wind blows from beneath the Nether Crossing Ship.
Simultaneously, the Nether Crossing Ship begins to ascend.
"Wow..."
Kim Young-hoon watches from the edge of the deck, looking down, while Seo Ran looks around with a mix of tension and anticipation.
[Depart!]
Roar!
The Nether Crossing Ship rises into the air and begins to move forward, following my will and manipulation.
Following Song Jin's advice, I distribute spiritual energy here and there, controlling the Nether Crossing Ship.
[Damn, why is the operation speed only this fast? Aren't you at the Core Formation stage? With Core Formation cultivation, the output of Pure Spiritual Force should be overwhelmingly higher, making the operation speed much faster...]
He looks at me with an annoyed expression and continues.
However, I ignore him and silently steer the Nether Crossing Ship.
Splash, splash!
Pieces and debris from the damaged Nether Crossing Ship fall downwards.
Given the ship's considerable damage, a large amount of debris is falling off.
Whoosh!
The Nether Crossing Ship penetrates the barrier and formation laid out in the sea.
As the central Nether Crossing Ship leaves its position, the barrier begins to collapse.
Whoosh!
Wells filled with seawater.
[Kyaa!]
[It's the Nether Crossing Ship!]
[Run! We'll be devoured by the ship!]
The ghosts in the mist barrier beyond shrieks at the sight of the Nether Crossing Ship and make way for it.
As we pass the middle of the sea mist barrier, it collapses, and all the ghosts within ascend to heaven.
Finally.
Crash!
We shatter the illusion barrier and enter the proper sea area.
Whoosh!
As the ghosts are released, the yin energy and ghostly energy boiling over the entire sea area begin to dissipate.
Dark clouds melt away, and sunlight stream through the gaps.
Whoosh!
The Nether Crossing Ship, which has been flying in the air for a while, falls into the sea.
The decadent Nether Crossing Ship barely floats and glides over the sea.
Song Jin silently watches this scene.
After a while, he turns to look at me.
[If you have any questions, ask them now. I think I'm about to attain Nirvana. I'll answer everything you ask now.]
"Does it include questions not about cultivation methods?"
[Yes.]
Pondering for a moment, I ask a question.
"I know the name of the valley as Black Ghost Valley, but why do you call it Azure Ghost Valley?"
[That's simple. The main method of our valley is of the Ghost Path, dealing with ghosts. Fundamentally, this method exhibits a black energy.
However, it is said that those who master the Ghost Path exhibit a blue (azure) energy.]
I recall the blue light in his ghostly transformation and the explosive skull in blue-white skull he summoned.
[Even I, having reached the Heavenly Being stage and understanding some principles of the Ghost Path, could turn part of my energy blue.
But those who truly enter the extremes of the Ghost Path are said to be enveloped in blue energy.
Azure Ghost Valley is the ideal our Black Ghost Valley aspires to.
I and some elders firmly believe that Black Ghost Valley will one day reach this ideal, so we use the name Azure Ghost Valley.]
I nod at his answer and ask my next question.
"It's said that the Ascension Gate opens once every 1000 years. Does it always cause all the sects of every continent to ascend en masse like this?"
Song Jin shakes his head at my question.
[It does, but this period is peculiar.]
"...?"
[During this period, when the Ascension Gate was about to open, the entire continent was overheated, like a powder keg about to explode.
There has never been a time with so many Heavenly Being cultivators in any generation.
Not just Heavenly Being cultivators but also Nascent Soul cultivators.]
Song Jin continues his explanation.
[Among those many cultivators, the Grand Elder of our valleys Elder Council, the previous Sect Master of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, the founder of the Heaven Creation Sect, the leaders of the Righteous and Devil Path Alliances, and the representatives of the Demon Tribes: Holy Peng King, Sea Dragon King, and Mighty Tiger King, all gathered for a meeting.
Sea Dragon King Seo Hweol led the meeting, and the result was a prediction that if things continue as they are, the dragon veins of the entire continent and seas will be completely exhausted due to the cultivation and competition of numerous large forces.]
He seems to recall the past as he speaks.
[To prevent the depletion of dragon veins and the continent from being engulfed in disaster, it was proposed that all Heavenly Being cultivators join forces to ascend together during this opening of the Ascension Gate, along with their sects and forces.
Ascending together would support each other against spatial pressure, increasing the probability of successful ascension. Furthermore, ascending alone means starting from scratch, while ascending with a sect means having a strong supporting force.
For the disciples of these sects, it also means an opportunity to cultivate in a vastly superior world, so it was a good proposal for everyone.]
"Is that why so many Heavenly Being cultivators ascended this time?"
[Yes. In addition, this ascension required all beings Nascent Soul and above, and those with the potential to reach Nascent Soul, to be taken.
With large sects and Heavenly Being cultivators gone, its clear that Nascent Soul cultivators would cause chaos, trying to take control of the legacies and forces left behind.
Therefore, even the Nascent Soul cultivators, whether willing or not, were all forcibly involved in this ascension.
Black Ghost Valley, Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, Heaven Creation Sect, Righteous and Devil Path Alliances, and the Three Great Demon Tribes joined hands to eliminate those who refused to ascend. They also captured talented Core Formation cultivators with the potential to reach Nascent Soul, incorporating them into their forces.]
Song Jin chuckles.
[So, after the Ascension Gate closed, the continent is left only with those like myself, essentially a Core Formation wandering ghost awaiting death, and other Core Formation cultivators who have no prospect of reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
Or those who are Core Formation but have almost no life left, just old people groaning on their deathbeds. It will take at least 600 to 700 years for a Nascent Soul cultivator to appear on the continent again. Haha...]
After hearing his explanation, I finally understand the circumstances surrounding the ascension.
'Didnt the Makli Clan start producing more elixirs after the Ascension Gate closed to extend the life of their late-stage Core Formation cultivators?'
Its all to buy time for those Core Formation cultivators to reach Nascent Soul.
The Jin Clan attacked the Makli Clan's elixir workshops to prevent the emergence of Nascent Soul cultivators from the Makli Clan.
Since all the young Core Formation cultivators with the potential or already at Nascent Soul ascended, its the old ones, who couldn't reach Nascent Soul even in their old age, that struggles to extend their lives.
As soon as they reach Nascent Soul, given the surrounding circumstances of only having Core Formation cultivators, their forces will become the strongest in the vicinity.
I finally understand the interests of the forces and clans entangled with the Ascension Gate.
Gradually, Song Jin's figure becomes more transparent.
[Do you have any more questions?]
"Well, that's about it for now. Can I ask for the method I want?"
[Hmm, alright. But wait a moment...]
Song Jin looks at Seo Ran and speaks.
[You, the half-blooded dragon. Bring the jade slip you found on your mother's heirloom.]
"Yes, what?"
[I need to see its contents too. I must know why your mother, bearing the disgrace of Black Ghost Valley, married that beast and gave birth to you.]
Seo Ran hesitates for a moment, then brings over the jade slip.
Song Jin moves behind Seo Ran and reads the contents of the slip together with him.
After a while,
Tears flow from Seo Ran's eyes.
"...Mother, Father..."
Song Jin, who is reading the jade slip with Seo Ran, closes his eyes with a complicated expression.
[...Had I been at full strength, I would not have forgiven you, the disgrace of our valley]
Song Jin speaks to Seo Ran.
[Your mother, that child. I saw her born on the Nether Crossing Ship, babbling, learning to speak, and growing up.
She wasn't my disciple or kin, but she often came to me, the keeper of the archives, asking many questions about cultivation. She was a commendable child.]
Song Jin continues while looking at the jade slip.
[I hated that Sea Dragon who ruined the life of our valley's disciple, and you, the disgrace of our valley.
But to your mother, it seems you were her proud child.]
Song Jin turns his back to Seo Ran and walks towards me again.
[...Are you infusing consciousness into the Nether Crossing Ship's third auxiliary power source?]
"That's right."
[Stop infusing it. If the third auxiliary power source is stimulated too much, the Nether Crossing Ship is set to self-destruct.]
"What...!"
I quickly stop infusing my consciousness and glare at him.
Song Jin grins and says,
[I originally planned to take all of you with me as companions. I wanted to meet my end with the Nether Crossing Ship, and as a dead body, I have nothing to lose.
You all should be grateful for the mercy of our valley's disciple. She wanted her son to live... That's why I changed my mind to go alone.]
"..."
I almost got caught up in the self-destruction of the Nether Crossing Ship.
I glare at this wretched ghost.
[Don't worry. There are no more tricks or secrets now. Tell me the cultivation method you want. I plan to give it to you before I attain Nirvana, so speak quickly.]
"...Sigh."
I hold back the irritation rising in me while looking at Song Jin.
I need to acquire a cultivation method, regardless.
"Firstly, I want a Qi Building cultivation method. Not a devilish art. Based on the principle of Understanding before Breakthrough. Something that doesn't require precious materials, elixirs, or special spiritual root qualities."
[Oh, why are you so picky? Requesting a non-devilish cultivation method from our devil path sect? Based on the principle of Understanding before Breakthrough? Who even practices such an outdated principle? And a technique that doesn't require precious materials or special spiritual root qualities?]
His face scrunches up in annoyance.
[Such demanding requests you make. If it's not a devilish method, does that mean it shouldn't use devil energy, evil energy, or ghostly energy?]
I shake my head.
"Please exclude any cultivation methods that require the sacrifice of others."
[That's a broad range. Damn...]
He seems annoyed and ponders before speaking to me.
[There are three cultivation methods that meet your demanding criteria: Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, Devil Legion Terracotta Scroll, and Silica Earth Great Wall Practice. Which one will you choose?]
"...The names of two of them sound like devilish cultivation methods."
Yin Soul and Devil Legion.
They sound inherently evil, don't they?
Song Jin explains the cultivation methods.
[Heh, you'd think that, but no.
Yin Soul Ghost Incantation is a method where the practitioner understands their own pain and resentment. It's not about cultivating evil energy, and as you understand your pain, the faster your cultivation progresses. It's not of the devil path but rather the essence of Understanding before Breakthrough.
Devil Legion Terracotta Scroll, despite its name, is best for cultivators who possess a dharma treasure. The more you understand the nature of the dharma treasure, the more it's integrated into your practice, speeding up your cultivation.
Silica Earth Great Wall Practice speeds up cultivation the more you understand the dragon veins of the earth. The longer you stay in one place, understanding the earth, the faster your cultivation progresses.]
After explaining the cultivation methods, Song Jin looks at me.
[To be honest, I recommend the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation the most.]
"Why is that?"
[Isn't it obvious? Have you forgotten that I peeked into your heart essence? How many understand 'pain' as well as you do? If you practice Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, you'll be able to cultivate at an incredibly fast rate.]
"Hmm..."
Pain.
I ponder internally.
'The Devil Legion Terracotta Scroll isnt suitable for me as I lack even a magic artifact, let alone a dharma treasure. The Silica Earth Great Wall Practice is useless unless I stay in one place, and there's no guarantee I can do that...'
But still, the Silica Earth Great Wall Practice is tempting.
However, if Yin Soul Ghost Incantation indeed speeds up with understanding of pain, it seems like a good choice too.
Of course, it seems the most dangerous just by the name.
'Well, there's always the next life...'
"Give me the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation ."
If I'll eventually get my hands on all three, I might as well start with the most dangerous one and choose better next time.
[A good choice. With your state of mind, you'll achieve great mastery quickly.]
After speaking, Song Jin engraves his consciousness into the remnants of the Nether Crossing Ship nearby.
Intricate patterns form densely over the debris.
[I didn't play tricks with the name Azure Ghost Valley. Cultivate it to your heart's content...]
After speaking, he turns around.
He heads towards the prow of the Nether Crossing Ship.
[Over sixty percent of Azure Ghost Valley's practitioners are both born and meet their end on the Nether Crossing Ship. Similarly, my own birth and demise occurred while safeguarding this very ship.]
His figure gradually becomes more transparent.
[Listen well, half-dragon. You are indeed a 'blemish' of our valley, but you're still 'our' blemish. So grow and survive in a way that you won't become a disgrace to your mother and our valley anymore.]
Fssshhh-
[Half of your blood is from a disciple of Azure Ghost Valley. It may only be half, but as a senior of the sect, I cannot leave without giving something to my disciple's child.]
Pfft!
New characters are added to the jade slip in Seo Ran's hand.
[You'll understand its value. I don't like you. But as a senior of the sect, it's my last duty for our disciple who loved you enough to bear disgrace. Be thankful to your mother and live well!]
Song Jin climbs onto the prow of the Nether Crossing Ship, looking back at the blue sea gliding under the ship.
He slowly turns back to us, giving Seo Ran one last look.
It seems like hes overlapping someone else's image through Seo Ran.
[...And, thank you for witnessing my last moments.]
With those words, Song Jin scatters into the sea breeze.
Seo Ran, with a complex expression, looks at where he had been and bows.
I, too, briefly pray for the peace of the deceased, regardless of the circumstances.
After witnessing Song Jin's final moments,
I turn the steering wheel, setting a course towards Seo Ran's dwelling.
Seo Ran begins to interpret what Song Jin left him, while I sit down and start comparing and reading the techniques from the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea given by my master and the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation bestowed by Song Jin.
With all the ties that needed resolution now settled, its time to properly learn the Qi Building cultivation method.
"The cultivation method of Yin Soul Ghost Incantation is..."
Knowledge about the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation begins to enter my mind.
Yin Soul Ghost Incantation is a method that can be explained in just a few words.
Curse Method.
Indeed.
Isn't it a method where the practitioner themself must understand pain?
Yin Soul Ghost Incantation creates curse spells as much as one understands pain, scattering them to cause various status abnormalities and weaken the target.
'Status abnormalities and weakening are the main focus of this method.'
Its a method that can't be expected much in the way of direct confrontation.
'Usually, it's a method learned in conjunction with devil path arts.'
Ironically, it seems that even the founder of this method did not achieve great mastery in it.
To understand pain to the extent of mastering this method meant that one had endured that much pain.
An ordinary creature would likely die from such levels of pain.
Except for someone like me, who can't die even in death.
As I look into the method manual, I think,
'Strictly speaking, it's not a devilish method, but it's a method that easily falls into the devil path due to pain.'
Usually, understanding pain means not only having endured it but also having inflicted it.
Thus, there is the a possibility of falling into a path of destruction while trying to understand pain.
'Pain...'
In Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, for every pain understood, one can form a curse spell.
These curse spells can be transformed into spiritual power, or can be activated with spiritual power
'The founder of the method could handle 108 curse spells at once.'
The number of curse spells one can handle at once depends on their understanding of pain.
'The founder didn't achieve mastery, but if one did, it would become a method that's incredibly troublesome to deal with...'
Undoubtedly, relentlessly bombarding the adversary with curse spells, especially if one is able to cast over 108 curses, would be exceedingly troublesome and irritating for the enfeebled foe.
'But.'
I finish reading the method and click my tongue.
'The weakness is clear. There's almost no way to directly inflict damage.'
It is written in the method manual that it is often learned as a supplementary method to devilish arts.
If used together with powerful devilish arts, it would certainly be effective, but it isn't particularly relevant to me.
'Looks like I need to parallelly learn Yin Soul Ghost Incantation with another method...'
And the method to be learned in parallel is only one at this point.
Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, given by my master.
It is a method focusing on the subtleties of Understanding before Breakthrough, difficult to master but extremely powerful.
'While understanding pain through Yin Soul Ghost Incantation and breaking through the Qi Building stage, it will be best to learn Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea along the way.'
Using Yin Soul Ghost Incantation to pave the way and fertilize the soil, then sprouting the seeds of Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea.
That seems to be the most appropriate method.
As I am comparing and reading the methods of Yin Soul Ghost Incantation and Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, planning my future cultivation,
Seo Ran suceeds in decrypting what Song Jin left behind.
"Seniors, please come here for a moment.
Woosh!
Around this time,
The Nether Crossing Ship has already reached Seo Ran's abode, and we enter to have a conversation.
Though its underwater with a bit of a cold aura, its a much better environment than the constantly ghostly Nether Crossing Ship.
Hmmm!
As Seo Ran sets up patterns in the air with Pure Spiritual Force, the spell given by Song Jin is engraved in the air.
At the same time, as Seo Ran breathe consciousness into the spell, it activates and bursts forth.
Whoosh!
Its a massive map.
On that map, a red dot blinks, continually moving somewhere.
"What is this map?"
"Perhaps seniors have heard of it. This map shows the coordinates of Serving Command Palace."
"Serving Command Palace?"
"Ah, I guess I need to explain."
Seo Ran goes to his library and brings back a book.
As he opens the book, theres an illustration in it.
A giant palace with jade-colored tiles and pure white walls.
Unusually, instead of the typical square style of palaces, its a unique, round palace.
Below the illustration, the name 'Serving Command Palace' is written.
"A long time ago. The heavenly artisan who created the original model of the Nether Crossing Ship, made this palace when he was still in the lower realm. It was one of his masterpieces.
Inside, there is space compression similar to the Nether Crossing Ship, and within the compressed space, there are spiritual lands growing all sorts of spiritual herbs and creatures.
There are also storerooms filled with various magical items and treasures left by the ancient cultivators."
"Hmm!"
Seo Ran continues, swallowing his saliva.
"It is indeed a remnant of a Heavenly Being Cultivator. It goes without saying for Core Formation, but even Nascent Soul cultivators cannot find the coordinates of Serving Command Palace. They just wait for the rare days when the palace does appear.
It seems a Heavenly Being cultivator has left coordinates inside Serving Command Palace to detect it whenever desired."
He says in admiration.
However, I notice something odd in his words.
"If what Daoist Seo says is true, then Serving Command Palace has times when it 'appears' and doesn't.
So, the location Daoist Seo is tracking is when it's not visible?"
"That's right. Serving Command Palace floats along the outskirts of space, only entering our world once every few hundred years, allowing many cultivators to find it."
"Then what use is this map? If it's on the outskirts of space, there's no way to reach it even if we track its coordinates in real-time."
"Normally, that's true."
Seo Ran grins.
"But we have the Nether Crossing Ship, albeit damaged and usable only a few more times. Still, it's here."
Seo Ran's explanation continues.
"The original model of the Nether Crossing Ship is known to cross even the realm of the dead. The Nether Crossing Ship also has some of these properties, making it possible to transcend space."
"Really?"
"It seems likely. I've seen the battle at Black Ghost Valley from afar. When Black Ghost Valley was at a disadvantage, they led the Nether Crossing Ship across space and disappeared. If that's not transcending space, what is?"
His words continue.
"Therefore, my proposal is for seniors to accompany me to the Serving Command Palace.
It's too challenging for me alone, as I am still at the Qi Building stage.
With the spatial ability of the Nether Crossing Ship, we might be able to reach it."
"Hmm..."
Im rather hesitant.
'Spiritual herbs and pills are abundant there...'
To be honest, it isn't very attractive to me.
My way is to advance through Understanding before Breakthrough..
External items will only be a hindrance.
I was thinking of declining when,
"I've heard that within Serving Command Palace, there's an immortal fruit that extends life by 100 years, the Longevity Fruit."
"....!"
Im startled and look at him.
"Really?"
"Yes, the elders of the Sea Dragon Tribe sometimes attempt it whenever Serving Command Palace appears, and they've managed to get the Longevity Fruit."
"Hoo..."
If thats true.
I glance at Kim Young-hoon.
As far as I know, he only has about ten years left.
While he could cut down the heavenly lightning, whether he could survive just by doing so is uncertain.
If there's a way to extend life, it's right to seek it.
Perhaps it can be the key to extending Kim Young-hoon's life a bit more.
Rumble rumble!
Seo Ran, Kim Young-hoon, and I ride the Nether Crossing Ship towards a certain location.
The coordinates left by Song Jin are shining.
'I wonder, can it really transcend space?'
Among the controlling methods of the ship that Song Jin taught, there are indeed techniques to break through formations or transcend space.
Its natural since I had to break through several barriers just to get the ship out.
Anyway, I learned how to break through space, and reaching the Serving Command Palace is a matter of properly inputting the coordinates and passing through.
"We're here."
"I see. Then, let's break through."
I grab the helm of the Nether Crossing Ship and infuse my consciousness into it.
Rumble!
The Nether Crossing Ship envelopes in ghostly energy for a moment, then breaks through something invisible.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, all sound and energy around us vanish, and we enter a completely dark world.
In that dark world,
Seo Ran, Kim Young-hoon, and I discover 'it'.
A palace with jade tiles, a body like white jade, and a unique cylindrical shape.
Its Serving Command Palace.
There is a huge jade door in Serving Command Palace, but its firmly closed, perhaps as its not the time to open.
Also, the entire palace seems submerged in some kind of prohibition, making it impossible to enter anywhere other than the main gate.
"Hmm, this is tough..."
Seo Ran licks his lips in frustration.
"We need to find a weak point in the prohibition, decipher it, and break through to enter."
"Hmm, can't we just break it?"
Boom!
Kim Young-hoon swings his Surpassing Radiant Saber at the prohibition.
Explosion roars, and light flashes.
However,
Crackle, sizzle...
The prohibition only sparks a bit, not even wavering.
'It's on a completely different level than the barriers protecting the abandoned Nether Crossing Ship...'
I also strike various parts of the prohibition with my Formless Sword, but the result is the same.
It seems that at least a Nascent Soul cultivator is needed to affect this prohibition with force.
'Tch, is there really no way...'
Rumble, rumble!
I try hitting a few more spots, but its all the same.
Of course, by observing the prohibition's reaction, I can tell which parts are slightly weaker.
But anything beyond that is too difficult.
'What if I crash the Nether Crossing Ship into the prohibition and detonate it?'
The thought crosses my mind, but actually detonating the Nether Crossing Ship would require someone to sacrifice themselves inside.
Seo Ran, Kim Young-hoon, and I try hitting and observing different parts of Serving Command Palace's prohibition for a while.
After a long investigation, we return to the Nether Crossing Ship.
"...I guess I'll have to see if any friendly demon beasts are skilled in formations. Of course, such individuals are rare among the demon race, and most of them have been captured in the recent conflict..."
Seo Ran sighs.
I clench my teeth in frustration.
Having studied formations, I know roughly.
This prohibition isn't a problem that one or two people can solve.
Its a matter that will require top-tier formation masters and prohibition experts to work on for years.
After Seo Ran leaves, I dock the Nether Crossing Ship in a nearby valley and come down, feeling downcast.
Kim Young-hoon looks at me curiously.
"By the way, Eun-hyun. Why are you so gloomy?"
"...Kim Hyung hasn't mastered a method to reach the Qi Building stage, so you'll probably leave soon."
"Hmm..."
At those words, Kim Young-hoon looks baffled.
"Eun-hyun. Death is... a natural part of life."
"That is true, but."
"Why so down then?"
"...My lifespan has now increased by another 300 years. If Kim Hyung goes, I'll have to spend those 300 years alone."
"Hmm, that is true."
Kim Young-hoon nods.
But after a moment,
He looks up at the sky and smiles.
"So what?"
"Huh?"
"I've reached the realm I've always pursued and realized something precious and important.
You might not know, but ever since I obtained the Surpassing Radiant Saber, I felt like I could sense my own fate."
"Really...?"
"It feels like fate is whispering to me. Why I'm alive, where I should go... how I should live my life. It's like fate is supporting me.
It sounds funny, but I feel like I've grasped my own destiny. Ha-ha, even the wisest of this world don't know their own fate. And here I am, a nobody, talking about such things..."
Suddenly, a vision flashes before my eyes.
-The next Ender.
-Entering this space means you've miraculously met the conditions I set.
-Coming to Shattered Heaven Peak before grasping your fate...
To grasp one's fate.
Why did the condition mentioned by Yang Su-jin's remnant and Kim Young-hoon's talk of grasping his fate seem connected?
What does it mean to grasp one's fate?
And what exactly is the fate that Kim Young-hoon claims to have grasped?
Im extremely curious, but...
-Never reveal the fate bestowed upon you.
I dare not ask.
I just listen to Kim Young-hoon happily talking about his mindset towards martial arts.
"If I can live according to this fate, I'm okay with dying. Don't feel lonely and strive on your path too. Someday, you might grasp your fate as well."
He smiles and lifts his saber.
"How about a match, it's been a while?"
"That sounds good. Do you think you can win again, Kim Hyung?"
"I'll win this time as well!"
"I think I went easy on you last time."
Kim Young-hoon and I, holding Formless Sword and Surpassing Radiant Saber, wreak havoc in the surrounding valley as we spar.
And so.
17 years have passed.
Kim Young-hoon's aura has changed over these years.
In the 17 years since he acquired the Surpassing Radiant Saber,
He has far surpassed me in the realm of pure martial arts.
Of course, I too have gradually become accustomed to the output of the Qi Building stage, not easily losing to Kim Young-hoon.
2054 fights, 2039 draws, 9 wins, and 6 losses.
This is Kim Young-hoons record in our duels.
Whoo-
A vivid aura circles in Kim Young-hoon's eyes.
He has the demon race senses and can perceive the flow of spiritual energy. Although not predicting fate, he can foresee things that might happen to him to some extent.
"...Today seems like the day my life ends."
He smiles.
I can't say anything back.
"Don't look so gloomy. I'm confident enough to cut the lightning. Confident enough to control my heart with Gang Qi. Ha-ha, how can someone like me not overcome my lifespan?"
Kim Young-hoon confidently raises his saber.
I can't hide my troubled feelings.
For 17 years, we tried everything to break through Serving Command Palace's prohibition, but Seo Ran said it would take at least 50 more years of research to break through.
"Don't worry. Even the heavens cannot stop me. No, it will not stop me. I feel so vividly that fate is on my side... how can I possibly die?"
He smiles lightly.
"I won't die."
'Kim Hyung...'
In my 500 years of life, I have learned one harsh truth.
That fate sides with no one.
Can Kim Young-hoon really overcome his fate?
Can his martial prowess transcend the heavens?
Thus, the end of Kim Young-hoon's life draws near.
***
It begins.
Thump!
Kim Young-hoon grits his teeth, his eyes wide open.
Shortly after.
Thump, thump!
Gang Qi surges from Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core, stimulating his heart.
The direct stimulation to the heart is so intense that Kim Young-hoon clenches his teeth to endure the pain.
"Ha, haha.. It's thrilling."
After stimulating his heart for a while, Kim Young-hoon forces a laugh and says,
"Eun-hyun, you're really amazing. How did you endure this? Hahaha..!"
I can't speak and just watch him silently.
However, while continuously stimulating his heart, Kim Young-hoon did not just surrender to the pain.
I look into his eyes.
His eyes are connected to some kind of ecstasy.
'Those eyes...'
And that flow of intent.
I recognize that expression.
He would fall into that state of ecstasy whenever we spar.
He is creating a new martial art.
Thump, thump, thump...
Changes begin to occur in Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core and internal energy.
From the Inner Core in his lower dantian to the heart in his middle dantian, the internal energy forms a connection.
Thump, thump, thump!
As stimulated by the Gang Qi, his unstable heartbeat begins to stabilize.
I smile wryly at this sight.
'A talent that can even overcome his own lifespan...?'
The flow of internal energy from the Inner Core fully connects to the heart.
The heart pumps blood, and the Inner Core sends Gang Qi to stimulate it.
Thump, thump!
Kim Young-hoon's life and martial arts seem to become one.
Two hearts appear within him.
The heart that circulates blood.
The Inner Core that circulates Gang Qi.
Thump, thump, thump...
After a while, Kim Young-hoon's heartbeat completely stabilizes.
'Incredible...'
Kim Young-hoon opens his eyes and smiles laboriously.
"Since I kept my heart beating even unconsciously, I don't have to worry about heart attacks now. But it still hurts."
After all, it's about forcing the heart to beat every moment with Gang Qi.
It has to be painful.
Whooosh!
Kim Young-hoon starts focusing again with a pain-filled face.
A new martial art is being created once more.
Whooosh...
He inhales and exhales deeply.
Breathing deeply, he spreads the pain flowing in his consciousness throughout his body, then disperses it from his entire body back to his consciousness.
He is regulating the pain with his breathing.
"If I stop breathing, the pain will start again, but as long as I keep breathing like this, the pain will be significantly alleviated. Haha, how about that!"
After easily tearing through his limits with a new martial art, he grins at me.
But I can't easily smile.
'He's drenched in sweat.'
Kim Young-hoon's entire body is soaked as if it had rained.
At the same time, his face rapidly becomes drained with exhaustion.
This brief moment seemed short from the outside, but during that time, Kim Young-hoon had squeezed out all his willpower in extreme pain.
To survive!
Despite the immense mental pressure, Kim Young-hoon is grinning and joking like that.
"Kim Hyung.."
"What are you staring at?"
Kim Young-hoon steadies his breathing and gets up.
"You always have that look in your eyes. Direct that gaze at yourself. I will definitely..."
Kim Young-hoon closes his eyes and places his hand on the scabbard.
He concentrates his consciousness.
"I will create time to push myself beyond my own fate..!"
Woooom!
Kim Young-hoon laughs, and his consciousness begins to glow golden.
Rumble rumble rumble!
Kim Young-hoon's entire body seems to burn in a golden blaze.
Golden rays gather towards his blade.
Just like before, Kim Young-hoon's internal energy forms blood vessels and meridians, linking with his life force.
The Surpassing Radiant Saber begins to transform into another Inner Core.
Kim Young-hoon's internal Inner Core is connected to his heart.
Kim Young-hoon's external Inner Core is connected to his Surpassing Radiant Saber.
At this moment, martial arts physically become his life.
With the concentration of a lifetime, Kim Young-hoon grips the saber as if to crush it.
Overcoming heart attacks and pain with his talent.
Now, what remains is the heavenly punishment from above.
Heavenly Lightning.
Rumble rumble rumble...
As Kim Young-hoon's lifespan comes to an end, and time passes, dark clouds begin to form in the sky.
If my lifespan originally ended at night, and the dark clouds gathered at dawn,
Then Kim Young-hoon's lifespan originally ends during the day, and now dark clouds begin to form as the night sky envelopes the earth.
Rumble, rumble...
Inside the dark clouds, blue lightning flickers.
Here it comes.
Kim Young-hoon's heart resonates.
Simultaneously, a blue flash of lightning struck down from the sky towards Kim Young-hoon.
Boom!
At the same moment,
Kim Young-hoon, with all his focus, swings the saber he was holding.
It isn't a special ultimate move or a secret technique.
Just an upward slash with the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
A simple upward slash that Kim Young-hoon has always practiced.
'Truly, the Radiant is brilliant...'
But, its speed.
The speed he has prepared up until now.
Its so terrifyingly fast that even I almost miss it in the instant.
When I cut the Heavenly Lightning, I used the Lightning Predicting Eye to foresee the position of the lightning and swung my Formless Sword accordingly.
But Kim Young-hoon, he simply swings his saber with sheer speed, aligning his blade with the lightning.
Golden light engulfs the blue lightning, rising to the sky, tearing apart the dark clouds!
"Ah..."
Kim Young-hoon laughs cheerfully.
Between the parted dark clouds, countless stars shine down.
Kim Young-hoon, bathed in the light of the starry sky, sheds tears.
Though his Surpassing Radiant Saber has melted away in the incredible clash, losing even its form,
He keeps holding onto the hilt, still smiling.
"Look, I surpassed it!"
At that moment!
I feel something warm surging in my chest.
I, too, smile at him.
"As expected, you are indeed Hyung-nim."
If a friend lives tomorrow together,
300 years won't feel lonely.
The next day arrived.
I look at Kim Young-hoon.
His hair has turned white. Wrinkles has formed all over his face.
"...Kim... Hyung...?"
"Umm..."
Kim Young-hoon looks at himself reflected on the water droplets of a water spell I have set up.
"This, this is..."
"..."
After reaching the Five Energies Converging to the Origin and undergoing a complete transformation, aging almost stops.
The body is always full of vitality and life force.
That's why I forgot.
The inevitable fate of life.
Aging ().
Our time hasn't stopped.
We just live as vibrant as possible within the time the heavens allow us.
Now that the heavens no longer permit,
Life itself seems to be rapidly draining away.
I look at Kim Young-hoon with a stunned expression, and he looks at his own face for a while.
After observing himself calmly, Kim Young-hoon chuckles.
"It's okay. Honestly, I never had much expectation for this aspect..."
He smiles faintly with his wrinkled face.
"Rather, I'm happy now. Cutting the heavenly lightning, it feels like I've grasped a new realm. A new possibility in martial arts has opened up, how can I only despair!"
Kim Young-hoon holds his saber and speaks.
"Even if I age and die tomorrow. Even if I fade away from this world without ever seeing my family again. I'll do what I can in the present. I'll leave a mark in the history of martial arts before I go!"
After saying this, Kim Young-hoon continues his training.
Wrapped in a golden aura, he creates new martial arts every day, establishes existing ones, achieves enlightenment, and summarizes his insights.
About seven weeks pass.
Kim Young-hoon's face grows more and more aged each day.
His hair turns completely white, and more wrinkles appear on his face.
Although his body, always filled with muscles from martial arts training, does not shrink, its evident that his vitality is weakening.
But Kim Young-hoon never lets go of his saber.
He continues practicing martial arts, rushing towards death.
And then, one day of the seventh week.
He says to me.
"Eun-hyun. The place where we first fell into this world."
"Yes. It's called Ascension Path."
"Ascension Path ... Can we go there?"
"Ascension Path ...Do you mean...?"
Kim Young-hoon nods.
"I know there's a thing called the Ascension Gate there. Maybe our fall into this world was somehow related to it.
After all, if I can't return to my family and have to rush towards my death, I'd like to see the Ascension Gate before I die."
"Kim Hyung..."
I can't continue my words.
But eventually, I have to spill the bitter truth.
The Ascension Gate opens only once every 1000 years. The one we likely came through... closed about 70 years ago, the day after we fell into Yanguo."
"I see..."
Kim Young-hoon ponders for a moment, then nods.
"Then that's okay. If we can't go back to where we first arrived, being near as I meet my end is not bad either. Can we go to Ascension Path ?"
"From what I know."
I explain what I know about Ascension Path to him.
"Ascension Path is easy to exit for those within, but for outsiders to enter, they either need to be a Nascent Soul cultivator capable of breaking its barrier, or they must be caught in a spatial rift and accidentally fall into Ascension Path."
"Hmm, where is this barrier around Ascension Path?"
I explain that its in the center of the Heaven-Treading Desert, hidden above the sky, and the barrier surrounding Ascension Path is located there.
"Hmm..."
After pondering for a moment, Kim Young-hoon smiles and says,
"Then thats fine. Even if we can't enter, it's not bad to meet my end near it."
"Understood."
Is this how one by one, everyone departs?
I board the Nether Crossing Ship to fulfill Kim Young-hoon's wish.
The Nether Crossing Ship, unused for the past 17 years, rises again.
Sailing with the sound of the wind, the massive black ship ascends into the sky.
"Let's go."
Kim Young-hoon uses his lightness technique to leap onto the Nether Crossing Ship, and I take the helm, setting off on Kim Young-hoon's final journey.
"Setting sail!"
Rumble!
The black ship shoots towards the Heaven-Treading Desert faster than any flying device.
We arrive at the Heaven-Treading Desert in less than half a day.
I maneuver the Nether Crossing Ship to precisely the location beneath Ascension Path.
Rumble!
The Nether Crossing Ship settles in the middle of the sandy desert.
"Hmm, is Ascension Path up there?"
"Yes."
Nothing can be seen from immediately below.
Only the bright and clear sky of the desert is visible.
But I know theres a huge illusionary barrier above.
"Shall we go up and check?"
Kim Young-hoon uses his lightness technique to ascend into the sky, and I follow suit.
After stepping through the air for a while, I feel the presence of an invisible massive wall above.
"This must be it. Let's try..."
Whoosh!
Kim Young-hoon swings his Surpassing Radiant Saber.
Flash!
Golden light blazes, striking the void.
Boom!
However, the invisible barrier resists the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
I also swing my Formless Sword, but the barrier remains intact.
"Ha, I see. Understood."
After confirming the barrier, Kim Young-hoon returns to the Nether Crossing Ship.
"So that's Ascension Path above... the place we first fell into."
He looks up at the sky, smiles faintly, and then laughs clearly.
"We probably came through there. Thank you, Eun-hyun. At least I can die close to my homeland."
His hair has turned completely white, and his face is full of wrinkles, but his smile still shows the Kim Young-hoon I know.
From that day, Kim Young-hoon resumed his devotion to martial arts.
He remained unchanged.
As days passed, Kim Young-hoon visibly aged rapidly.
The light in his eyes dimmed, and his hair started falling out.
But Kim Young-hoon's pursuit of martial arts did not change at all.
Even though he had aged, what he had achieved in his lifetime remained unbothered..
In fact, his martial arts seemed to reach higher realms even as he neared death.
Kim Young-hoon's martial arts, facing imminent death, started to incorporate increasingly elusive flows.
'What is this?'
Has he surpassed Beyond the Path to Heaven and now, after 27 years, reached yet another new realm?
'No, that can't be.'
How many centuries had he spent trying to reach beyond the Ultimate Pinnacle?
To break through to a new realm again?
Even for Kim Young-hoon, that seems too difficult.
I stay by Kim Young-hoon's side, preparing for his end while observing his martial arts.
And on the 48th day after he cut the heavenly lightning
I surmise that Kim Young-hoon will die tomorrow.
Shiver, shiver...
He has completely become an old man.
His saber-holding hand trembles.
The trembling stops when he performs martial arts, but otherwise, he is just an ordinary old man.
'He wont be able to last 49 days...and will leave me.'
The shadow of death over Kim Young-hoon's body has grown so large its evident even without seeing.
Hyung-nim.
You will pass away by tomorrow.
You will not be able to live longer.
However, why then
Are you smiling?
He is smiling.
Kim Young-hoon, holding his saber and practicing martial arts, is smiling.
Swoosh, swoosh!
When he swings his saber, which normally would produce a whooshing sound, its now silent.
Every time Kim Young-hoon naturally swings his saber, the blade perfectly splits the air, making no sound at all.
Kim Young-hoon's martial arts are reaching an unprecedented peak.
"Will you leave tomorrow"
I ask, looking at him, whose appearance of death has reached the extreme.
Kim Young-hoon, seemingly deaf now, just holds his saber, consolidating all the martial arts he has learned.
"I will engrave your passing in my heart."
I prepare myself for Kim Young-hoon's 49th day, his last day.
The final night is unusually starlit.
I stand on the deck all night, watching Kim Young-hoon muttering insights of countless martial arts with his eyes closed.
"I'll prepare rice porridge for you to eat tomorrow morning."
I go down to get the rice I had brought on to the Nether Crossing Ship when we came to the Heaven-Treading Desert.
After reaching the Qi Building stage, I only need to eat a little every few months, but Kim Young-hoon, even with an Inner Core, has to eat at least every few days.
Now that all his teeth have fallen out and he can't chew, he can only eat porridge or gruel.
On his last day, he should at least have a good meal.
As I scoop the rice and come up on deck,
"By the way, Hyung-nim. You won't sleep tonight either..."
Kim Young-hoon, who was just on the deck, disappeared.
"...What?"
I put down the bowl of rice and look around.
But no matter where I look in the Heaven-Treading Desert, theres no sign of Kim Young-hoon.
'If he moved quickly, there should have been the sound of breaking air...'
He had literally disappeared without a trace.
'Did he use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts?'
Im puzzled and compress my consciousness with the Hidden Consciousness Technique to search the surroundings, but still, I cant detect Kim Young-hoon.
"What the..."
I find his trace when I activate the demon senses and read the flow of Yin and Yang remaining in the area.
"Ah..."
The flow of Yin and Yang in the vicinity is split in half.
As if it had been cut sharply.
And that cuts trace lead straight up to the sky.
To Ascension Path.
"Ah..."
I quickly perform a lightness technique and jump up towards Ascension Path.
And when I reach the location of its barrier,
I can't help but burst into laughter.
"This is crazy..."
The barrier of Ascension Path is split open as if cut by something sharp, revealing a gap.
Whoosh!
Spiritual energy flows from that gap, slowly healing the barrier.
It seems the barrier will be completely restored in a day or two.
"Ha, haha..."
My mood, which had been depressed by Kim Young-hoon being on the verge of death and his impending passing, is completely overtaken by shock, confusion, and excitement.
"What on earth did he do..."
I laugh and enter Ascension Path.
Inside, I activate the demon senses again, and I can still see the flow of Yin and Yang sharply split apart.
It leads to the center of Ascension Path.
"Utterly crazy, insane..."
Too unbelievable and awe-inspiring, I can't speak properly and just laugh.
Whoosh!
I accelerate my thoughts tenfold and rush madly towards the center of Ascension Path.
And about half a day later.
As the night passes and dawn approaches.
I finally reach the center of Ascension Path, following the trail of the Yin and Yang.
"Ha, huh..."
Catching my breath, the place where I arrive is still riddled with spatial rifts.
Thunder rumbles in the sky.
Under the thunder, a stele absorbing lightning floats.
And...
There remains Kim Young-hoon's 'trace.'
Despite the danger of spatial rifts, I carefully avoid them and approach the trace left by Kim Young-hoon.
"This is..."
Footprints.
They are footprints.
Footprints left by Kim Young-hoon.
I look at the footprints and the surrounding flow of spiritual energy and understand what they are.
"Starting Form?"
I follow the footprints, taking up the stance.
Its the Starting Form of the Severing Vein Saber Method.
I unfold the saber method, following the Starting Form left by Kim Young-hoon.
'No, it's not just the Severing Vein...'
It isn't just the Severing Vein Saber Method alone.
All the martial arts he has created.
All the martial arts he has established.
The numerous martial arts he has modified and evolved are unfolding around the Severing Vein Saber Method.
Since its impossible to directly follow all of them without seeing them, I follow the flow of the Severing Vein Saber Method and step on the footprints.
During this process.
I notice something strange.
'The depth of the footprints are getting deeper?'
In and of itself, that is not strange.
The flow of the Severing Vein Saber Method and the deepening of the footprints correspond to the final move of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship and Severing Vein Saber Method.
Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains.
What I find odd is the 'way' Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains is deployed.
'Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains is a technique that requires an opponent.'
Without an opponent, at the very least, there needs to be a wall.
However, Kim Young-hoon had deployed Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains in the void, without any wall or anything.
'What is this...'
Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains is a self-destructive technique.
One can practice it without infusing internal energy, but once internal energy is infused, it becomes a certain death technique.
Although Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains can exhaust the body and potentially lead to death if severely used, one can still survive.
The technique of Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains, however, has over a 90% chance of death upon use.
Its a final move created to sacrifice one's life to either die with an opponent or inflict fatal wounds, as it relies on utilizing the opponent's strength, necessitating an opponent for the technique.
'But how did he use a technique that utilizes an opponent's strength without any opponent?'
I follow Kim Young-hoon's footsteps, puzzled, deploying the technique of Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains.
As expected, without an opponent, the energy just brushes through the void.
'This would just be Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains.'
Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains, based on Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, has to be used while performing the latter, and without an opponent, only the tirelessness is experienced, not deepening footprints.
But Kim Young-hoon had clearly deployed Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains.
His footprints and traces prove it.
'This is incomprehensible...'
I continuously follow Kim Young-hoon's footprints, using the technique.
His phantom seems to perform martial arts beside me.
The phantom moves at a speed like light, executing martial arts.
At some point,
I can no longer comprehend the principles of the martial arts he is unleashing.
The display of his phantom I cant understand cuts off abruptly, and I stumble.
I hurriedly correct my stance, following the footprints, but I can't keep up with the phantom.
And when Im about to completely fall over.
Thud.
"Ah..."
I realize that Kim Young-hoon's footprints end there.
His last footprint is deeper than any other, and the surrounding area is upheaved as if a bomb had exploded.
I step on the footprint, imagining holding the Surpassing Radiant Saber, and swinging diagonally upwards.
And then.
"..."
Where Kim Young-hoon's Surpassing Radiant Saber had passed, a cleanly sliced spatial rift lay.
This area is where the Ascension Gate opened.
"...Kim... Hyung...?"
I ask with a trembling voice, looking at the spatial rift.
Its definitely not the Ascension Gate.
Compared to when I witnessed the Ascension Gate in a previous life,
That sacred yet strange feeling is not present.
Rather, its closer to the feeling of the spatial rift opened by Mad Lord and Seo Hweol when they transported us far away.
However, Kim Young-hoon had undoubtedly created a spatial rift and crossed over to the other side.
Was he transported somewhere?
Or did he perish, unable to withstand the pressure of space?
Or did he, with the speed of light, cut through even the pressure of space and...
Arrive 'somewhere' beyond this rift?
"Ha. Haha. Hahaha..."
I laugh.
Kim Young-hoon has been on the brink of death.
I have been waiting to witness his final moments.
But now, I can no longer do so.
Kim Young-hoon has crossed over.
He defied my expectations of a quiet passing before my eyes.
A new realm of martial arts.
A new space beyond this world.
He has transcended it.
Most likely, he has died.
But perhaps he has not.
What lay ahead is completely unknown.
I laugh.
And I cry.
The reason why Kim Young-hoon left me suddenly, entering Ascension Path to speculate on a new realm and entering the spatial rift without leaving his body behind became clear.
He is telling me.
-You won't know whether I am dead or alive, nor what realm I might have reached.
-If you're curious about what's beyond.
-Don't worry about having lost me for 300 years, persevere and pursue martial arts in the remaining time.
He has left me with the hope to endure 300 years and has thus departed.
"Hahahaha...!"
I laugh and cry, stepping again on the footprints Kim Young-hoon had left, striving to understand the realm he had reached.
I tried to witness his passing.
But instead, my despair, loneliness, and hopelessness towards his passing are the only things that truly faced death.
Yes.
What died is only my pain, loneliness, and despair.
Kim Young-hoon does not need to be guarded in his final moments.
Because he is alive.
Beyond there.
And within my heart.
Alive here.
I laugh and cry, following Kim Young-hoon's footprints.
I face the passing of my own emotions.
Before I know it, dusk has arrived.
How long have I followed Kim Young-hoon's footsteps?
How much of my heart have I vented?
As my mind calms down, I finally see something next to the spatial rift left by Kim Young-hoon.
Its a message carved onto the ground with saber marks.
I approach the message he has left.
The first words of the message are a clue to the next realm.
"Is that what you saw beyond...?"
Translator Notes: Starting Form is not the same as the primary stance of the saber method or swordsmanship.
Starting Form () - Martial artists, when competing against each other, begin with a flashy but non-aggressive initial move to show respect, followed by the start of the actual exchange of blows.
***
-Gang Sphere is in fact one.
-Martial arts and I are one entity.
That is the first phrase in the writings left by Kim Young-hoon.
Its a riddle-like statement.
But instead of forcibly interpreting it, I accept the sentence as it is.
For martial artists of our realm, explaining in detail will only ruin its implied meaning.
'Gang Sphere is in fact one'
I display nine Gang Spheres around me.
Are these Gang Spheres, which appear to be nine, actually one in essence?
After all, they all originate from me.
They are one within the framework of myself.
Whooosh
The Gang Spheres begin to change, melting into the air and transforming into Formless Sword.
'However, realizing that the Gang Spheres are one within me is no different from the enlightenment of the Formless Sword. Do I need a different kind of enlightenment?'
Martial arts and I are one entity.
Hmm
I grasp the Formless Sword.
The phrase 'Martial arts and I are one entity' is also difficult to comprehend.
The Formless Sword and I are already essentially the same existence.
An actual avatar!
Already being one, what more can be done to become even more unified?
I continue to ponder while holding the Formless Sword.
...I dont know.
Let's find out slowly.
There is plenty of time.
I continue to read the writings left by Kim Young-hoon.
If the first phrase is about martial arts, the rest are just letters of well-being sent to me.
Eat well and live well.
Take it easy sometimes, dont live life too harshly, and try to woo a lady friend.
Try to live a bit more amusingly.
Etc.
You boring guy.
Its as if Kim Young-hoon is speaking right in front of me.
I intentionally wrote the martial arts secrets confusingly so that you, with your stupid head, would dive into it and live more leisurely.
Theres a way of life where you grind every moment like you, but.
How could that be the only way to live? Life is joy, so try living by doing what makes you happy.
...Hes nagging.
And that porridge you made, it was terribly tasteless. Practice cooking a bit. You dull guy. Im off.
Hahaha
Eat well and live well.
The end of the writing.
That is the end.
Theres no farewells like 'Im leaving' or 'Take care'.
As if we can meet again someday, giving me hope.
...Ill endure.
No matter how long the remaining time is.
With the hint you gave.
I look at the spatial rift, nod my head, and then turn around.
I, too, do not say goodbye.
After imprinting the location and shape of the footprints left by Kim Young-hoon in my mind,
I emerge from the vicinity of the Ascension Gate.
From that day on.
I settle in Ascension Path, forgetting to eat and sleep, and begin training.
Yin Soul Ghost Incantation and Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea.
Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea is a Wood attribute Dao of Combat method.
Yin Soul Ghost Incantation is a method applying the Five Elements to the Eight Trigrams, a method applying the Earth attribute to the of the Eight Trigrams.
is interpreted as Yin, so its a method of accumulating spiritual power based on the Earth attribute to cultivate Yin () spiritual power.
Wood and Earth have the relationship of Wood overcoming Earth. They are mutually antagonistic relationships. But...
The effect of mutual generation and overcoming does not only consist of generating and overcoming.
The roots of a tree dig into the earth below, disrupting the ground.
But at the same time, the roots of the tree grasp the ground, making it even more solid.
If you pour water onto fire, the fire goes out, but the fire can also burn more fiercely.
Metal melts when it meets fire, but fire is needed to refine the metal to be even more solid and detailed.
In short, the relationship of overcoming () also means control ().
Earth controls Water,
Water controls Fire,
Fire controls Metal,
Metal controls Wood,
Wood controls Earth.
Mutual overcoming means that even though they may not strengthen each other's energy, it is possible to intricately manipulate and control one energy with another.
Whooosh
I generate spiritual power using the Yin energy of Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
Dark curses rise around me, enter through my nose and mouth, and are absorbed as spiritual power into the Spiritual Energy Star.
Next to the Horn Spiritual Energy Star, a new Neck Spiritual Energy Star begins to form from the power of the curse.
I watch this birth and then move from practicing Yin Soul Ghost Incantation to Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea.
Flash!
Green spiritual power gathers, mixing with the power created by the curse.
The power of Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, following the effects of mutual generation and overcoming, subdues the energy of Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, controlling the Yin energy of Yin Soul Ghost Incantation from spreading recklessly.
I alternate between practicing Yin Soul Ghost Incantation and Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, half-opening my eyes.
'This is... Yin Soul Ghost Incantation... Definitely.'
It seems to be a method that suits me very well.
A method of contemplating pain, is it not?
A method that creates curses based on my own pain?
Murmuring...
As I recite the mantra, the power of Yin Soul Ghost Incantation gathers, forming a curse.
Swoosh
Even though I only formed one curse, the temperature around me drops, and my whole body tingles.
But this tingling sensation is quite familiar to me.
Its my usual feelings of despair and pain towards myself, and my anger and misery towards this world.
Yin Soul Ghost Incantation is a method that forces the opponent to fight within the same pain as mine.
'Ha, the battle will be decided by who is more accustomed to pain.'
Although it is mainly used as an auxiliary method in devilish arts, I wonder how many can actually master it.
'To feel pain every time you use a curse.'
Of course, if you master the entire latter part of Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, you can transfer more than 90% of your pain to a pre-designated target through the curse.
But to master it to that extent, you must become accustomed to pain, and even if you can transfer the pain, you still have to feel the 10%..
'What a ridiculous method.'
I chuckle bitterly and convert the curse back into spiritual power to absorb it again.
Its the worst method that a normal person will never learn, but for me, its the best.
Whooosh
'Is it right for spiritual power to accumulate this fast?'
I originally accumulated spiritual power at a rate comparable to a cultivator with the Hidden Consciousness Technique with Mixed Spiritual Roots.
But now, with Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, the spiritual power is accumulating at a speed comparable to someone with True Spiritual Roots.
First, I pave the way with Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, and then consolidate the roots with the power of Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, controlling the Yin energy.
'At this speed...'
Maybe I can complete the 1st Constellation of Qi Building in this lifetime.
I solidify the earth with the pain I have accumulated so far.
I sow seeds and sprout with the method taught by my master who believed in me.
A forest is gradually growing in the field of my heart.
"...How many years has it been?"
Im startled as I practice Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, and Formless Sword in Ascension Path.
Time has flown by so quickly.
[Senior, can you hear me, can you hear me?]
The communication device Seo Ran gave me is ringing.
[Senior, I don't know where you are. I contacted you to let you know that I have found a way to break the weakest part of the barrier outside Serving Command Palace.]
Its almost time for Seo Ran's promise to break the prohibition.
[If you come, we can enter Serving Command Palace. If you join me with the Nether Crossing Ship on the outer edge of space, we can enter Serving Command Palace and take the Longevity Fruit. I will wait for your response.]
"...Longevity Fruit."
I chuckle to myself.
"I don't need such things anymore."
I look at the void for a moment, then smile and stand up.
Right.
Even though I don't need it now, it wouldn't be bad to know the method to break the barrier and the location of the Longevity Fruit.
It will all be a foundation for the future.
I leave Ascension Path and jump down below.
Swoosh!
As I scatter Formless Sword, the Nether Crossing Ship buried in the sand reveals itself.
Rumble rumble!
As a result of practicing Yin Soul Ghost Incantation and Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, three Spiritual Energy Stars are twinkling in my dantian now.
The Spiritual Energy Stars of Horn, Neck, and Root are twinkling, emitting Pure Spiritual Force.
The output and duration of use of Formless Sword has significantly increased.
Swoosh!
The sand is completely dug up.
I swing the Formless Sword rapidly in all directions, but have to click my tongue in frustration.
"Tch."
What good is such strong power if there is no one to share a fight with?
Even if I find out the method to obtain the Longevity Fruit in this life and pass it to the Kim Young-hoon in the next life.
He is, in fact, a completely different person.
The Kim Young-hoon who trained with me in this life, watched me obtain the Formless Sword, enlightened me.
He who obtained enlightenment before me and left for the beyond, preventing me from being by his deathbed.
Kim Young-hoon of the next life will be essentially a different being.
Actually, that's the case with everyone..
Doesnt Kim Young-hoon miss his family?
I long and yearn for a life that would not cease.
I feel lonely.
In the middle of the desert, I activate the Nether Crossing Ship, turning the steering wheel towards the coordinates sent by Seo Ran.
Theres almost no energy left in the Nether Crossing Ship.
It will fall apart after one or two more voyages.
Rumble rumble!
The Nether Crossing Ship moves.
'But, lonely as it may be, I cannot stop.'
Life may be painful, but someday, surely.
If I can escape from all these attractions of fate, I will find a life that is truly not negated.
The Longevity Fruit I find in this life may be meaningless, but it will be significant from the next life onwards.
Nothing is in vain.
I muse this thought as I head towards Seo Ran.
"Senior, happy news. We can now find the Longevity Fruit!"
Seo Ran holds a scroll with strange magical symbols engraved on it, his expression excited.
"I contacted my friends, even invited a human cultivator who is an array master, and barely completed it. It's the barrier-breaking scroll of Serving Command Palace!"
"Is that so?"
"Now, if we find the Longevity Fruit..."
Seo Ran, who is talking excitedly, lowers his voice as he senses the atmosphere emanating from me.
"Senior."
"What is it?"
"Your friend, the other senior..."
I smile at Seo Ran.
What happened to Kim Young-hoon?
"He ascended."
Yes, that must have been the case.
Becoming an immortal, he must be waiting for me in the far heavens.
Seo Ran lets out a low sigh.
"I should have broken the barrier sooner. It's my fault."
"No. Daoist Seo need not worry. He surely... must have really ascended."
"..."
We observe a moment of silence.
"Anyway, there must be something to gain by entering Serving Command Palace, so let's give it a try."
"Thank you, Senior!"
I board the Nether Crossing Ship and take the helm towards the coordinates shown by Seo Ran.
Now, its time to enter this place called Serving Command Palace.
Rumble rumble!
The Nether Crossing Ship leaps through space.
In the pitch-black darkness, we arrive at the outskirts of space and reached the Serving Command Palace floating there.
Serving Command Palace still floats on the edge of space, unchanged in its appearance.
"Senior, I'll break the barrier."
Seo Ran flows next to the jade-colored gate of Serving Command Palace, takes out the scroll he brought, and holds it up.
Flash!
A strange light emanates from the scroll, meeting the Serving Command Palace's prohibition.
Crackle!
Numerous magical symbols flow from the barrier, resisting the light from the scroll.
However, the light from the scroll intertwines, pouring out magical symbols identical to those on the barrier.
Crackle!
The magical symbols of the barrier are neutralized by those from the scroll, and a crack starts appearing in one corner of the barrier.
"The barrier has cracked, Senior! Please break through that spot with your strength!"
I raise the Formless Sword and break through the outer wall of Serving Command Palace.
Boom!
Seo Ran follows me in, and I look around the interior of the wall.
'The inside is overwhelmingly larger than the outside.'
It looks like space is massively compressed.
Numerous corridors and buildings stretch out.
"Wow, it's incredible."
Seo Ran enters and looks around.
Creak...
Suddenly, when I turn around, spiritual energy gathers at the broken outer wall, starting to automatically repair it.
It seems to have an automatic repair function as well.
"Will there be no problem getting out?"
"Yes, I brought one more barrier-breaking scroll."
Seo Ran takes out another scroll.
"Hmm..."
I look at the scroll, memorizing the formation and magical symbols engraved on it for use in the next life.
"Based on the information given by an elder of the Sea Dragon Tribe who visited Serving Command Palace before, I'll guide you to the arboretum where the Longevity Fruit is said to be,"
Seo Ran says, pulling out an old map from his pocket.
The map looks decades old, fragile and worn.
I silently follow Seo Ran, observing various corridors of Serving Command Palace.
And then, I sense something odd.
'It's like...'
It feels like the first time I entered the abandoned Nether Crossing Ship.
Its quiet.
And many of the structures are somehow all destroyed.
"...Daoist Seo."
"Yes, Senior?"
"Doesn't something seem strange?"
"What do you mean?"
I point at a collapsed hall with a giant slash mark engraved on it.
"Were the structures inside Serving Command Palace always built like this?"
"Ah..."
Seo Ran looks confused and awkwardly scratches his head.
"Actually, I've only heard about it and never entered before..."
"Hmm..."
I frown.
Its an odd feeling.
And this strange feeling grows as we pass a pile of debris in the corridor.
'Mad Lords... puppets?'
The debris have the same engravings as those I had seen inside the Nether Crossing Ship.
Not only the debris of Mad Lords puppets, but other remains are also visible.
Stone statues with the same energy as Serving Command Palace.
"This is..."
Seo Ran, too, feels uneasy and frowns.
"Daoist Seo. Think about it, wasn't it too easy to get here? For a relic of this size, there should be some kind of guardians protecting it..."
"Yes. Everything... is completely destroyed."
Seo Rans face darkens.
"Not just the traces of the Mad Lord. The slash marks we saw earlier, the places that have lingering evil energy, areas that are completely shattered, and those torn apart roughly."
I look at him and voice the most ominous theory I can think of.
"If Serving Command Palace is floating inside a spatial rift and appears once every few centuries, could it be possible that before the Ascension Gate opened, the Heavenly Being cultivators raided and looted all the treasures inside Serving Command Palace?"
"..."
Seo Rans face contorts.
"That can't be..."
Could it be that the wretched ghost gave such false information on purpose?
'No, that can't be.'
The last heart essence of Song Jin truly wanted to help Seo Ran.
'Maybe, Serving Command Palace appeared after Song Jin's death. Afterwards, the Heavenly Being cultivators raided everything without his knowledge,, so he gave Seo Ran the coordinates not knowing its empty...'
"Let's go to the arboretum for now."
Seo Ran suggests stiffly, forcing a smile.
"Who knows. Maybe theres still some useful spiritual plants left in the arboretum..."
"..."
With a heavy heart, I follow Seo Ran to the arboretum.
Upon arriving at Serving Command Palace's arboretum, I sigh softly.
'Curse those Heavenly Being cultivators.'
The arboretum is dug up in several places, and the remaining trees are bare, their fruits plucked.
Seo Ran looks stunned as he leads to where the Longevity Fruit should be.
The Longevity Tree.
There are no fruits on the Longevity Tree.
Instead, several branches are even cut off.
The Heavenly Being cultivators have thoroughly looted Serving Command Palace.
"Damn it."
Seo Ran curses bitterly.
I, too, sigh deeply.
'In the next life, will Kim Young-hoons lifespan...'
Is there no answer?
I wander around the arboretum with a heavy heart, looking up at the ceiling.
Desolate.
Although the dragon vein flowing through the arboretum is substantial, the spiritual plants and trees that absorb its energy and grow are plucked and cut.
"Tch."
Is Kim Young-hoon fated to never escape the constraints of lifespan?
Even after several lifetimes, his limitations...
As I walk through the arboretum.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, among the trees stripped of their fruits and cut branches.
I find a tree emitting a unique spiritual aura.
"That is..."
Its the same species as the Longevity Tree I saw earlier.
The difference is that this tree looks younger, much smaller in size.
"!"
But what catches my eye is not that.
"Wait, wait... Daoist Seo! Come here..."
I hurriedly run towards the young Longevity Tree.
On the young Longevity Tree, a few flowers are blooming.
And beneath one of the flower buds, something is swelling up, resembling something like a fruit.
"Daoist Seo!"