The Nascent Soul stage of the demon race is referred to as the Transformation Stage instead of the Nascent Soul stage like the human race because it allows them to transform in human forms.
"To think you're already about to reach the Transformation Stage"
I recall the time when Hong Fan was just a tiny centipede, squirming and clinging to my foot.
That little centipede has now reached the stage capable of forming a Nascent Soul.
"It's all thanks to the Master's excellent guidance."
"No, it's all due to your talent. Your talent is truly unbelievable, perhaps even surpassing mine."
In cases like Young-hoon Hyung-nim, it's understandable as he is an Ender. But there are also those with outrageously unbelievable talents that just can't be comprehended.
The Mad Lord Jo Yeon and Hong Fan are exactly such individuals.
Hong Fan shakes his head at my words and says,
"Perhaps, to follow Master, this level of capability is necessary. My fate is tied to Master. This meager talent may just be what's required to keep up with Master. Didn't you, Master, reach the Nascent Soul stage in less than a year?"
"Hmm, well, let's not talk about my talent.... When are we going to start? The right moment is approaching."
Just as one needs to find the right moment for the Seven Stars Ritual at the Qi Refining 7th Star, the importance of finding the right moment continues to be crucial as one's realm advances.
However, while timing accounts for 99 percent of the importance during the Qi Refining's 7th Star, its significance gradually decreases in the later stages.
When ascending to the Core Formation stage, the importance of timing is about 40 percent, and when reaching the Nascent Soul stage, it's about 20 percent.
Of course, for demon beasts practicing the general Earth Tribe method, timing isn't very crucial. Compared to the Heaven Tribe, the importance of timing falls to mere cents instead of dollars. For Hong Fan, it only holds a 3 or 4 percent importance.
However, despite being able to breach the Nascent Soul stage with his basic qualities alone, Hong Fan didn't want to miss even a sliver of possibility and sought the right moment that suited him best.
"Please help me a little, Master. I get confused because I cannot directly see the celestial energy."
I look up at the sky and inform him about the celestial energy.
"The energies of the Ladle, Ox, Rooftop, Chamber, and Wall stars are intertwined and almost match your fortune. In about one day, your luck will align perfectly, increasing your chances of ascending to the Nascent Soul stage."
"Thank you. Please forgive this lowly being that, despite being from the Earth Tribe, must borrow the timing of the heavens to ascend."
"All this talk of being 'modest' or 'lowly' is nothing but deceit."
I smirk at Hong Fan's display of modesty.
The Ladle, Ox, Rooftop, Chamber, and Wall stars are the constellations that best match him.
Among them, the Ladle, Ox, and Chamber are the stars most suitable for lifting Hong Fan's energy, and the intertwining of these stars' energies is his celestial moment.
And so, after a bit of idle chat and waiting for about a day, several close friends from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, including me, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Jin So-hae, and Hong Su-ryeong, stand guard around Hong Fan.
"Then, Master I will begin."
"Yes Now."
I read the celestial energy and inform him of the power of the stars.
"The energies of the Ladle, Ox, and Rooftop are at their peaks. Start now."
[Yes.]
His voice, imbued with spiritual power, becomes a chant.
And Hong Fan's energy begins to rise.
Kugugugugu!
Hong Fan's demonic power surges.
His consciousness begins to transform from his head, morphing into a shape similar to Hong Fan himself.
Click, click, click!
Hong Su-ryeong forms hand seals, planting eight lightning attribute banners around Hong Fan.
"Extinguishing Lightning, Outer Heaven!"
The banners glow.
The symbols of the Eight Trigrams appear above each of the eight flags, and each flag emits the power of the Eight Trigrams, combining the inner and outer Trigrams to create 16 Trigram symbols.
The 16 symbols rotate, creating 64 variations. Amidst those changes, lightning storms.
Hong Su-ryeong laid a formation to seize control of the space, creating a barrier around Hong Fan.
This not only protects Hong Fan from external harm but also serves as a protective measure for us who are performing his protective rites.
Murky
A thick, black gas of poisonous energy spews from Hong Fan, attempting to spread outwards but being trapped by the formation laid by Hong Su-ryeong, instead forming a cylindrical shape around Hong Fan in the air.
Ssssssh
The rocks and soil around him begin to melt away due to the toxicity.
The tremendous poison energy unleashed by a Core Formation demon beast turns the inside of the formation into a wasteland where no life can survive.
'It's starting.'
Simultaneously, Hong Fan's consciousness rapidly contracts.
The consciousness that had covered his body in his own form compresses inward toward his body!
Kugugugugu!
Noticing the change in Hong Fan, the celestial energy shifts, emitting dark clouds.
Wo-woong!
Receiving the timing of the Ladle, Ox, and Rooftop, Hong Fan finally succeeds in compressing all his consciousness inside his Demon Core, deep within his body!
Whoosh!
As his lifespan changes, the heavens begin to unveil their power.
Kurung, kururung!
Golden Heavenly Tribulation thunders in the sky.
Overcoming this is all that is needed for him to truly become a Nascent Soul stage demon beast.
Just then.
"Hmm?"
I frown.
It's strange.
Unusually so,
"Grand Elder Hong. Is it normal for such a thing to happen when reaching the Nascent Soul stage?"
"No, absolutely not."
The amount of golden lightning is too excessive.
Kwarurung!
A pillar of golden light strikes down from the sky, targeting the center of the poisonous energy where Hong Fan is condensing his Nascent Soul.
It's literally a pillar of light.
Not just any lightning.
Lightning gathered and gathered, forming a cluster so massive that it can be mistaken for a genuine attack of a Heavenly Being stage cultivator, falling like a pillar.
"What in the world! What is that!"
I'm startled and look up at the sky.
The power combined with my Dual-Colored Heavenly Tribulation'
It's at least seven times greater.
It isn't even the Dual-Colored Heavenly Tribulation that Jeon Myeong-hoon and I had faced, but just the pure golden lightning for the Nascent Soul stage. Yet it is this powerful.
"Hong Fan! Disperse your Nascent Soul! You aren't ready for this level of power! You can't handle it!"
I exclaim in horror at the sight of the insane magnitude of Heavenly Tribulation striking down on Hong Fan.
Heaven's wrath descends upon the cultivator trying to defy the heavens by consolidating a Nascent Soul.
Heavenly Tribulation.
Heaven's thunderous punishment pours down on Hong Fan.
'If it's detecting the Nascent Soul and striking down, scattering the Nascent Soul will break the chain of lightning!'
"Hong Fan!!!"
I shout in terror at him.
"Ah!"
However, I see a shadow inside the pillar of light.
It's Hong Fan's shadow.
He is dancing.
Using the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique I taught him, he moves his long body faster and more accurately than anyone else to the 'weakest' part of the heavenly lightning within the pillar of light.
'Is that Lightning Predicting Eye?'
I momentarily think of the Lightning Predicting Eye that allows one to detect the position of heavenly lightning through the vision of the Heaven Tribe.
Otherwise, such movement is inexplicable.
'No, it can't be'
Hong Fan is not of the Heaven Tribe.
Then how can he display movements that require the Lightning Predicting Eye?
I think of one absurdly simple yet unbelievable possibility.
'Could it be not through the vision of the Heaven Tribe, but purely through his own senses, he's finding every gap in the lightning to burrow into its weaknesses to withstand it from within?'
What kind of talent does one need to be able to do that!?
Jeon Myeong-hoon stares blankly at the pillar of light.
That terrifying golden Heavenly Tribulation!
Inside, a centipede moves like a serpent.
He feels a voice echo in his head as he watches the Heavenly Tribulation.
The purification of
Great Heavenly Punishment seek it
The purification of the Great Heavenly Punishment
Suddenly, Jeon Myeong-hoon sees the fleeting figure of a woman inside the Heavenly Tribulation.
Dressed in a palace attire made of lightning, with white hair flowing down and bare feet walking in the sky, it was the figure of a fairy whose face wasn't clearly visible.
"So beautiful"
He instinctively reaches out towards the illusion glimpsed within the immense heavenly lightning.
Somehow, he feels blood rush downwards.
But, as soon as he reaches out, that illusion disappears as if it was a mirage.
"Ah!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks around.
'What? Did I see it wrong?'
The others are only looking at Hong Fan inside the Heavenly Tribulation.
He presses his throbbing temples with his index finger, frowning.
'The voice of the lightning has been getting louder recently. It seems clearer too Did I see that illusion because of the voice of the lightning?'
"Among those born with the powerful lineage of immortal beasts, there are occasionally those who face such monstrous Heavenly Tribulations"
Hong Su-ryeong murmurs in admiration.
"Does the lineage of immortal beasts really make them face such strong Heavenly Tribulations?"
Having received the true blood of an immortal beast myself, I'm puzzled and ask since it's news to me.
"Yes, it is said that the direct descendants of immortal beasts are born with tremendous power and privileges. But in return, they must face incredibly severe Heavenly Tribulations fitting for descendants of a True Immortal.
"Wow."
Does that mean Hong Fan is a direct descendant of an immortal beast?
'But I've never heard of centipedes among the immortal beasts.'
I look at Hong Fan, puzzled.
Maybe Hong Fan has secrets I don't know about.
"Hm?"
While I'm looking at Hong Fan with concern, I suddenly notice an unusual flow of intent and turn my gaze.
"So beautiful"
""
It's Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'That lunatic, what is he doing?'
He is looking at Hong Fan's Heavenly Tribulation, seemingly enchanted, revealing an intent of desire as he reaches out towards Hong Fan.
'Now he's even targeting a bug like Hong Fan for dual cultivation'
I click my tongue, wondering how to make Jeon Myeong-hoon come to his senses, and continue to focus my attention on Hong Fan.
Kurung, kururung!
Hong Fan continues to dance within the pillar of light.
The Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique I taught Hong Fan isn't just about throwing hidden weapons.
Logically, how can a centipede with its short limbs throw hidden weapons?
Therefore, the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique I taught Hong Fan transformed into secretly shooting from Hong Fan's body to disperse poison, rather than a technique of throwing weapons.
Moreover, I incorporated the essence of 'Gyu-ryeon's movements' from the Dragon Form Soaring Claw that I had taught Gyu-baek into the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique, making Hong Fan move as if he's a coiling dragon, dancing through the air.
What he is using now is closer to a completely new martial art rather than the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique.
'Well, once he fully undergoes transformation, I'll be able to properly teach him the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique and other martial arts.'
The seemingly eternal baptism of heavenly lightning is almost coming to an end.
I wonder what form Hong Fan will take after the Transformation Stage.
The energy of the Heavenly Tribulation begins to subside.
"Hmm?"
Then, I suddenly look at the many grand elders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect gathered around.
"Hehe, is that the demon beast raised by Elder Jin?"
"Indeed, it's extraordinary."
"As expected, even the demon beast raised by Elder Jin is extraordinary."
Due to the extraordinary nature of Hong Fan's Heavenly Tribulation, most of the sect's grand elders gathered to witness his transformation.
Bo-oong!
Jin Byuk-ho also came to see Hong Fan's Heavenly Tribulation and clicked his tongue in amazement.
"Such an enormous Heavenly Tribulation. Elder Jin Eun-hyun, is your demon beast perhaps born from the bloodline of some immortal beast?"
"Hmm... I'm not quite sure. He attached himself to me just before my Ascension in the lower realm in Ascension Path..."
"Ascension Path... Well, it's true that there are many unique demon beasts with great potential in Ascension Path."
He nods, and I look at Hong Fan's shadow within the pillar of light.
Now that the pillar of light has weakened significantly, it has dropped to the level of a normal Heavenly Tribulation. Hong Fan, seemingly able to withstand it with his bare body, stops dancing and sits down, looking up at the sky with his head held high.
The shadow of a giant centipede raising its head towards the sky within the light resembles that of an Imugi raising its head.
And then it happens.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Hong Fan's form begins to collapse.
The shadow seen within the light appears to crumble, and I am momentarily shocked and consider rushing out.
However, seeing that Hong Fan's intent and energy are still intact, I stop in my tracks.
After a while.
Kurung...
Finally, the lengthy Heavenly Tribulation comes to an end.
Ssshh...
I look at the spot where the Heavenly Tribulation had faded.
There, Hong Fan's 'shells' are piled up, having collapsed.
'So, the collapse of Hong Fan's form was because his shell had collapsed?'
He had molted upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
'Then...!'
I look beneath Hong Fan's shells.
Hong Fan completely succeeded in his transformation.
Rustle, rustle!
One of the shells shakes.
And then, something small begins to emerge from inside.
"Hong Fan...?"
I slowly approach it.
Hong Su-ryeong and a few grand elders, seemingly curious about Hong Fan's transformation, come close. I can feel Jin Byuk-ho focusing his gaze here as well.
Finally, from under the trembling shell, Hong Fan completely emerges.
"Hong Fan...!"
"Ah... Master...?"
I chuckle at the sight of Hong Fan.
"Indeed, a fitting form for you."
"Um... Is this my form after the Transformation Stage?"
Hong Fan is speaking 'with his voice' rather than in the demon beast language.
He seems uncomfortable with his human voice, touching his throat.
Hong Fan has the appearance of an old man with white hair.
Appearing to be almost a hundred years old, the wrinkled old man wears a black robe, with eyebrows resembling centipede antennae, and a beard about two spans long.
It's a perfect match for his old man-like tone of speech, so I think it suits him quite well.
"Hmm Isn't this appearance too old Is it okay for you, Master?"
However, Hong Fan seems embarrassed about his aged appearance after his transformation and asks me.
"It's fine. I think it's perfectly acceptable."
"If Master thinks it's okay"
Satisfied with my response, Hong Fan naturally takes out the Immortal Demon Bamboo, lights it, and takes a puff.
"Hoo..."
His appearance, puffing on the Immortal Demon Bamboo and exhaling smoke in his old form, looks very natural.
"Hmm, curious."
Hong Su-ryeong steps forward and speaks.
"It's said that when demon beasts undergo their transformation for the first time, despite individual differences in appearance, most of them take on a young or even youthful form. How come this young fellow, who isn't even twenty years old, looks so aged?"
Hearing her words, Jin Byuk-ho comes down and says,
"I seem to remember Heo Gwak mentioning something about this. He read it in an ancient text from the Black Ghost Valley, stating that while most demon beasts appear young after their transformation... those with very old souls might appear aged."
"An old soul? What do you mean by that?"
I ask, puzzled.
"It's exactly as it sounds. In this world exists the cycle of reincarnation, and upon death, the soul goes to the Netherworld to reincarnate into the next life. It is said that these souls are reborn into the next life having forgotten the memories of their previous lives. However, occasionally, there are souls that retain faint memories of their previous lives. Such souls are said to be 'old souls,' according to Heo Gwak."
"Hmm..."
'Previous lives...'
Then, the source of Hong Fan's talent might indeed be something extraordinary from his past life.
"Well, anyway, congratulations on your transformation, Hong Fan."
"Thank you, Master..."
"Have you felt anything like recalling your past life, as the Supreme Sect Master mentioned?"
"Um... I'm not sure about that."
It doesn't seem like a lie. It appears that Hong Fan inherited qualities or subconscious traits from his previous life rather than explicit memories of it.
"Understood. As a celebration"
I'm about to go to my cave residence with Hong Fan when I suddenly look around.
"Ah, Supreme Sect Master."
"What is it?"
"Have you seen Jeon Myeong-hoon around here?"
I'm puzzled to see that Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had come to watch Hong Fan's transformation with me, has disappeared.
'Where did he go?'
Then, Jin So-hae steps forward and answers.
"He said he had something to look for and went to his cave residence."
'To his cave residence?'
I look towards Jeon Myeong-hoon's cave residence next to the Thunder Tribute Hall.
***
Jeon Myeong-hoon breathes in and out with an excited breath.
"Hoo..."
He feels good.
As if his lover is caressing every part of his body, Jeon Myeong-hoon moves forward with a vacant look in his eyes, listening to the voice of lightning that seems to stroke every corner of his mind.
Whisper, whisper, whisper...
A mysterious voice leads him.
'Inside here... further within...'
With a dumb look, he flings open the door to the Thunder Tribute Hall.
The elder guarding the Thunder Tribute Hall is currently away, assisting in deploying the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's protective barrier.
Hong Fan's Heavenly Tribulation was so powerful that it necessitated the activation of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's protective barrier to prevent the sect's formations from running rampant due to its aftermath.
Thanks to this, Jeon Myeong-hoon is able to enter the Thunder Tribute Hall without facing any obstruction.
Crackle, sizzle...
He enters the vast space inside the Thunder Tribute Hall and moves forward unabated.
Many restrictions attempt to block Jeon Myeong-hoon, but as he waves his hand with a vacant look, most of the lightning-formed restrictions are absorbed by him and cleared away.
Jeon Myeong-hoon walks foolishly to the edge of Thunder Tribute Hall.
And then, he takes a deep breath.
"What's a disciple of the Blue Lightning doing in Thunder Tribute Hall...?"
It's that woman.
The very illusion he had seen amidst Hong Fan's Heavenly Tribulation.
'Huh... Is she the elder of Thunder Tribute Hall?'
A woman, dressed in palace attire formed of lightning, with long white hair and bare white feet.
She does not reveal her face in detail but asks Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Child, this is not a place where one should enter recklessly. Did the elders not warn you?"
Only then does Jeon Myeong-hoon come to his senses.
"Hmm..."
'What? Thunder Tribute Hall? How did I end up at the place where the Heavenly Lightning Banner is sealed...'
He smiles awkwardly at the woman in front of him.
"I apologize. This unworthy disciple got confused..."
"Hmm... Does this place look like somewhere you can just wander into if you're confused?"
"I apologize!"
At Jeon Myeong-hoon's apology, she laughs with a melodious voice.
Inside the desolate Thunder Tribute Hall,
Jeon Myeong-hoon finds her echoing voice truly mystical.
"If you're sorry, then that's settled? Do you know where this is?"
"Th-this is the Thunder Tribute Hall."
"What is this place for?"
"It's where the immortal treasure Heavenly Lightning Banner is sealed!"
With every question she asks, the woman with white hair takes slow steps towards Jeon Myeong-hoon, barefoot.
"Blue Lightning disciples cannot simply come as they please. Even Purple Lightning elders only enter when they need to handle the restrictions, and only the chosen ones among the Golden and Heavenly Lightning grand elders can enter this place. Yet, you, merely a disciple of Blue Lightning, have entered here... You should rightfully ask for punishment..."
Rustle...
Her hand, as white as her feet, caresses Jeon Myeong-hoon's cheek.
"I ought to scold you."
Slip...
All too naturally, her hand begins to untie Jeon Myeong-hoon's clothes.
Caught off-guard by her natural movements, Jeon Myeong-hoon fails to regain his senses, and soon his robe is undone.
"What is your name?"
"I, I am Jeon Myeong-hoon...!"
By now, Jeon Myeong-hoon should have realized something is amiss.
It's absurd for any elder or grand elder secluded in a corner and only focusing on seclusion not to know him, given his status as the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon didn't feel anything strange, let alone resist.
"I see... So that's how it is..."
Her delicate fingers trace over Jeon Myeong-hoon's chest.
"Ah, ah..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon, with a vacant look, stutters at the touch of her fingers.
"Mo-more... a little more..."
That's when.
Thud
The delicate fingers stop in place.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks down at her.
Her face isn't clearly visible.
However, somehow Jeon Myeong-hoon feels like the owner of that face, hidden within the white hair, is wearing a bewitching smile.
"Ah, ah..."
Yet, Jeon Myeong-hoon clearly feels that the smile, which should have been eerie and cunning, somehow seems too beautiful.
As soon as he becomes aware of that 'smile,' his mind feels as if it is engulfed in pleasure, burning white-hot.
But Jeon Myeong-hoon fails to reach the peak of pleasure.
Just before reaching the climax,
Something seems to block it.
The woman with white hair laughs.
"Aren't you curious about my name?"
"Ah, ah... Ye-yes, curious..."
"Ask me."
"Your name... what is it...?"
"My name is Zhengli."
Zhengli says with a mischievous smile.
"Call my name. Then, I will grant you the next level of pleasure..."
Just then.
Zzzt
Above Jeon Myeong-hoon's neck, a dark curse spell emerges.
Screech!
"...! Aaaahhhhhh!"
Simultaneously, the curse spell wraps around Jeon Myeong-hoon's neck, as if a noose made of curses formed, binding his neck tightly.
"Ahhhh! Keeeuuuk! Kkuuuk!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon clutches at his neck, screaming in pain.
The next moment.
Tsstsstsst!
The curse spell that formed around his neck reversed into a bright white, guiding Jeon Myeong-hoon's mind.
"Ha!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon regains his senses and looks around.
"What are you doing here, Jeon Myeong-hoon?"
"...!"
And then, an icy voice comes from behind him.
I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has regained his senses.
'What exactly happened?'
I had been training Jeon Myeong-hoon according to the methods of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect, and always carried a drop of his blood with me.
As a curse sorcerer, having a part of someone's body means I can use curse spells to know their location and condition, a precaution in case he is kidnapped.
Just a moment ago, when I checked his condition with a curse spell,
Jeon Myeong-hoon was deeply ensnared in a powerful brainwashing.
I turn my head to look at the Heavenly Lightning Banner sealed on the altar of the Thunder Tribute Hall.
Perhaps because the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is a collection of Lightning Path Methods, unlike in my previous life, I can clearly see the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
'So that's it...'
I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon, who still seems not quite in his right mind, sporting a slightly dazed expression.
'The currents in his brain were clearly flowing strangely.'
I had rushed over before Jeon Myeong-hoon could do something rash, but it seemed he was about to do something under the influence of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
Fortunately, I seem to have arrived just in time.
"Snap out of it, Jeon Myeong-hoon."
I use the White Orchid Blessing Incantation once more to clear Jeon Myeong-hoon's mind.
"Ha!"
Only then does he seem to fully regain his senses, suddenly standing up.
"That, that person was..."
"That person?"
"Seo, Seo Eun-hyun? When did you get here...? And where did the elder who guards Thunder Tribute Hall go?"
I frown.
"She is not present. Currently, she temporarily vacated her post to assist with the activation of the sect's protective formations."
"What are you talking about? I mean her. The one with white hair and..."
"Stop!"
Grasp!
I rush to Jeon Myeong-hoon and cover his mouth directly.
"Uh, ugh..."
"Do not carelessly mention that name. Keep your mouth shut, and from now on, blink once for 'yes' and twice for 'no.'"
Worried that he might not grasp the situation, I deliberately spread a killing intent while speaking.
"...!"
Receiving my killing intent, Jeon Myeong-hoon stiffens and stands rigidly in place.
"Did something happen here just now?"
Blink.
"Did you meet someone?"
Blink.
"That someone... did they...?"
I recall how the Heavenly Lightning Banner asked me in my previous life to call its name.
"Did they reveal their name to you?"
Blink.
"...."
I frown.
'Damn it...'
Cold sweat runs down my back.
I could have inadvertently moved on to the 18th cycle without realizing it.
"Listen carefully, Jeon Myeong-hoon. The elder guarding Thunder Tribute Hall temporarily left their post due to Hong Fan's unexpected Heavenly Tribulation. Right now, there is no one else in the Thunder Tribute Hall besides you and me. Therefore, the white-haired 'elder' you saw does not exist. Understand?"
Blink, blink, blink.
He blinks frantically.
It seems like he doesn't understand what I am saying.
"In simple terms, what you saw was not an elder of the sect but some bewitching entity residing in Thunder Tribute Hall. Got it?"
Blink.
"You were momentarily enchanted by that bewitching entity. Also..."
I sternly warn Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Never, ever mention that bewitching entity's [name]."
He again sends a gesture that he doesn't understand.
"The name that entity revealed to you... is nothing less than a terrifying curse spell that will bring disaster upon the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Understand?"
"...."
His eyes convey disbelief.
'I can't let it end like this.'
The most efficient way would be to kill or seal Jeon Myeong-hoon right now.
Of course, I'm neither Seo Hweol nor the Mad Lord, and there's no reason for that.
Then, I have to persuade him...
"...There's a hidden secret in the sect. Unleashing that secret could bring forth a terrible disaster. The Heavenly Lightning Banner sealed in this Thunder Tribute Hall is not just a divine object. The entity that revealed its name to you is probably the resentful spirit dwelling within the Heavenly Lightning Banner."
"...?"
I begin to concoct a plausible story for Jeon Myeong-hoon to believe.
I have no choice but to avoid directly mentioning things like the Owner of Heavenly Punishment, his Immortal Treasure Zhengli, Yang Su-jin, and so on, because Jeon Myeong-hoon might not be able to handle it.
"The history of the sect spans 120,000 years. Throughout that time, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect has had countless enemies, and the resentment and lingering thoughts of those enemies have fused into that Heavenly Lightning Banner. What you heard was the name of that mass of resentment."
"...!"
"Calling that name would release the resentment and grudges from the Heavenly Lightning Banner, potentially devastating the sect. It's the accumulated grudges of 120,000 years, impossible to handle!"
A look of bewilderment flashes in Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes.
Reading his intent, I guess what he means and explain.
"You're wondering why you don't know this when I do?"
Blink.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to be the future sect leader."
"..."
"Anyway, you must never call that entity's name again. Understand?"
Blink.
I let go of Jeon Myeong-hoon's mouth.
"Ah, damn. Your grip is ridiculously strong."
Jeon Myeong-hoon grumbles, massaging his jaw.
As he grumbles, I secretly engrave another curse spell on the back of his neck, just in case.
Should Jeon Myeong-hoon attempt to speak the true name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, the spell will seal his voice and free him from the illusion of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, just like before.
"Let's get out of here."
I push the grumbling Jeon Myeong-hoon's back, expelling him from the Thunder Tribute Hall and exit.
Just before leaving the Thunder Tribute Hall,
I stealthily look back.
"..."
'What is with that person...'
In my past life.
The Heavenly Lightning Banner was clearly terrified of Jeon Myeong-hoon.
But in this life, the Heavenly Lightning Banner not only isn't afraid of Jeon Myeong-hoon but even seems to rejoice in his presence.
'...Well, maybe it's because he hasn't grown enough yet.'
Thinking about it, Jeon Myeong-hoon was at least in the late stages of Core Formation in my past life, but right now, he is only at the early stage. Maybe it just isn't time to be afraid of him yet.
I decide to increase the intensity of Jeon Myeong-hoon's training as I close the door of Thunder Tribute Hall and leave.
Inside the Thunder Tribute Hall.
A woman with long, white hair flowing down her back is sitting on top of the altar, her hands covering her face.
"Ahaha..."
She chuckles mischievously, her shoulders shaking.
[Jeon Myeong-hoon...
[Jeon Myeong-hoon...
[Jeon Myeong-hoon...
[The owner of the Heavenly Tribulation Body has directly conveyed his name to me... Jeon Myeong-hoon...]
She stretches out her hand into the void.
[The descendant of the Golden Deity has undone one layer of my seal, and the owner of the Heavenly Tribulation Body has delivered his name to me...]
Her delicate white fingers caress the void.
[I can make a deal with the Heavenly Tribulation Body...]
She speaks into the void.
No, it is both a song and a ritual.
[O Heavenly Tribulation Body... I shall elevate your talent and grant you the authority of the Golden Deity... in return, lend me the power of the Heavenly Tribulation Body... I have already given you pleasure, now, give me your power... The pleasure is already given, and it cannot be taken back... likewise, give me authority that I cannot return... I may not take back the pleasure, but what you give me, I shall kindly return...]
Crackle!
Crack!
As she clenches her hand in the void, red lightning writhes and shoots toward the direction Jeon Myeong-hoon had left.
The next moment, something returns from the direction where the red lightning had been shot. She successfully catches something invisible in her hand.
[With this...]
She strikes the invisible object down around her.
Clank!
Simultaneously, one of the invisible chains binding her is released on the spot.
[One layer...]
Zzzt!
Simultaneously, the invisible thing in her hand shoots back in the direction Jeon Myeong-hoon had left.
In the darkness, the Purification of the Great Heavenly Punishment.
Zhengli laughs mischievously.
[There was an obstacle this time, so I couldn't reveal my name... but I will teach you the path of the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation... O owner of the Heavenly Tribulation Body. However, you must provide me the power to undo the seal of the Golden Deity in return. Whether you want to... or not...]
Zzzt...
The next moment, only the Heavenly Lightning Banner remains, placed atop the altar where Zhengli had stood.
Inside the Thunder Tribute Hall.
The Heavenly Lightning Banner chuckles mischievously, sinking into the darkness.
[Whether you want to... or not... having received the payment, you must pay it back with interest...]
***
Wo-woong!
The dragon veins converge, forming a massive clump of spiritual energy.
"Blood Soul."
I bring over pieces of the Nascent Soul that I scattered throughout Thunder Spirit Island during the early stages of creating the Nascent Soul of the Earth Tribe, and place them into the cluster of spiritual energy.
"Spirit of the Mysterious Bizarre Gu."
Then, I insert the Mysterious Bizarre Gu into the clump to form a consciousness.
Wo-woong
My vision splits in two.
I look at the Nascent Soul floating before me, surrounded by a faint red aura.
And from the perspective of the Nascent Soul, I can also see 'myself.'
It's my second Nascent Soul, created by combining the techniques of the Blood Soul and the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.
As long as this second Nascent Soul is alive, I can use it to cheat death once even if my original Nascent Soul is destroyed.
Swoosh...
I insert the second Nascent Soul into Yuan Yu's body.
Kugugugu!
Energy surges within Yuan Yu's body, and Yuan Yu, who had been at the Grand Perfection of Core Formation, rises to the Nascent Soul stage.
Since Yuan Yu is kind of my tool, there's no Heavenly Tribulation even when he reaches the Nascent Soul stage.
With this, I now have at least two entities at the Nascent Soul stage at my disposal right away.
Hong Fan and Yuan Yu.
Zzzt...
I fill Yuan Yu's body with my curse spells, modifying Yuan Yu so that I can use him as a curse doll whenever necessary.
Utilizing Yuan Yu's cockroach-like tenacity as my curse doll to assist me will elevate my power by a notch.
"Congratulations, Master."
Hong Fan, standing next to me with his back hunched and hands behind his back, speaks.
"It's nothing. At best, he's a usable curse doll..."
I look at Hong Fan and say,
"Rather, Hong Fan, I have higher expectations for you."
"Hehe, that's an overestimation."
"Overestimation? What..."
I smirk at the tingling aura emanating from Hong Fan.
A deadly level of poison energy.
Poison, although seemingly weak on the surface, can wield a power stronger than any weapon depending on how it's used.
Moreover, if mixed correctly, it can inflict fatal wounds regardless of the opponent's level.
Therefore, even though Hong Fan's realm is only at the early stage of Nascent Soul, he can potentially inflict fatal injuries on cultivators several stages above him by using poison.
'The poison cultivation Hong Fan has mastered...'
There's a significant difference between poison methods of cultivators and that of martial artists.
Martial artists typically hide poison in pouches to coat their weapons during emergencies, sprinkle it in powder form, mix it in food, disperse it in the wind, or dissolve it in water to poison their opponents. This is the usual 'toxic method' martial artists learn.
However, the 'poison cultivation' of cultivators is different.
They accumulate toxic energy in their bodies, cultivate poison pills that can store and mix poisons, and release them from within.
Cultivators who practice poison cultivation often consume potent poisons to enhance their cultivation.
Such cultivators usually have immunity to the poisons stored in their poison pills and specialize in creating endless variations of poisons to combat their enemies.
And in Hong Fan's case, early on, that is, during the Qi Building stage, I shared some of my knowledge on poison cultivation with him, but afterwards, he self-taught himself and developed unheard-of poisons. He advanced his poison cultivation on his own and has long since surpassed me in terms of poison.
"Your poison is something even I would find difficult to neutralize, so you will be a great asset to me in the future. Be mindful."
"Hehe... My poison is nothing special. These material poisons can be detoxified with some time. They are merely ordinary. The true pinnacle of poison is your curse poison, Master. In front of it, whatever poison I develop cannot compare."
"Well, a curse isn't exactly a poison, but regardless,"
I look at Hong Fan.
Hong Fan had succeeded in his transformation, and Yuan Yu had ascended to the Nascent Soul stage.
Although Yuan Yu is essentially a backup life or a curse doll, I have regained all the powers of my prime with this.
"Your role from now on is crucial."
"Yes, I will engrave it in my heart."
I recall the incident a few days ago when Jeon Myeong-hoon was enchanted by the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
One must never be careless when dealing with entities related to a True Immortal.
The memory of Thunder Spirit Island evaporating when I carelessly summoned Zhengli after feeling reassured by looking at the celestial energy.
Having experienced tense confrontations with Seo Hweol, I know how cunning and sinister those related to True Immortals can be.
'Although I rescued Jeon Myeong-hoon before he called Zhengli... At that time, Zhengli had done something to Jeon Myeong-hoon by manipulating the lightning energy in his upper dantian.'
Knowing this, I can't be careless.
I have to prepare even if it means overreacting.
'It wouldn't be surprising if the Owner of Heavenly Punishment shows up above the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect right now.'
I look at Hong Fan and Yuan Yu, and beyond them, at the main building of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
I am currently in a valley a little distance away from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to elevate Yuan Yu to the Nascent Soul stage.
"It's about time"
As I look up at the sky, a golden light flashes in the distance, and Hon Wei flies towards me.
Unlike before, she openly brings along a cultivator at the Heavenly Being stage, not concealing her attendant at all.
Her gaze falls on Yuan Yu and Hong Fan as she approaches me.
"Hmm, I heard your pet beast underwent transformation What's that one over there?"
"One of my forces. Think of him as my subordinate."
"Well, as long as your power increases, it's good for me."
Hon Wei smirks and asks.
"So, is everything going as planned?"
"Yes. I plan to expand my influence step by step. In fact, many followers have recently joined me in the sect, which will make it easier to take action when the time comes."
"Haha, that's very good. Then, what's the reason you called me today?"
"To amend the content of the secret pact we made before."
"Oh?"
Several years ago, I made a secret pact with Hon Wei, who wanted to establish a close relationship with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
The content of the pact is as follows:
Law Enforcer Hon Wei of Penglai Palace and the future Sect Leader Jin Eun-hyun of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect agree to the following secret pact:
If the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect loses its legitimacy due to an unforeseen accident, the Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace will assist the successors of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in rebuilding it.
During this process, the Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace will support the legitimacy of the newly rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and unconditionally support the decisions of its leadership to prove its legitimacy.
If the rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect successfully restores at least 20% of its original size in terms of legitimacy, the sect will appoint a representative from Penglai Palace as an honorary Grand Elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
The rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect promises a sisterhood alliance with Penglai Palace through the future appointed honorary Grand Elder.
The rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will establish a shrine to honor the ancestors of the old Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and allow members of sects allied with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to pay their respects.
This is the content of the secret pact between Hon Wei and me.
The "unforeseen accident" mentioned in the first article is in anticipation of me stealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the future.
A secret pact made to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the Head Realm if Jeon Myeong-hoon turns out to be a lost cause.
'If Jeon Myeong-hoon turns out to be hopeless, I plan to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner, declare a new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and transfer the sect's main base to the Head Realm.'
The second clause's 'support the legitimacy of the newly rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect' means that even if there is opposition from Jin Byuk-ho or the grand elders, Hon Wei, as the Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace, will support it.
Furthermore, the 'legitimacy' of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, represented by the divine object, the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
The clause stating 'unconditionally support the decisions of its leadership to prove its legitimacy' means assisting and supporting me when I go to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the Head Realm.
Clauses 1 and 2 are about providing aid for me to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner through the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, while clauses 3, 4, and 5 are for Hon Wei's benefit.
Clauses 3 and 4 will make the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and Penglai Palace closely related, and clause 5 is to allow Hon Wei's father, Hon Won, to visit the shrine honoring the ancestors of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
According to her, her father, Grand Cultivator Hon Won of the Integration stage, still longs for his true love. Therefore even without us marrying, this arrangement will sufficiently satisfy both parties.
I can seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect can avoid destruction, Hon Wei can gain her father's recognition, and Hon Won can feel the presence of his true love through his daughter. It's a win-win pact for all parties.
Initially, I was content with this arrangement.
But thinking about what happened to Jeon Myeong-hoon with the Heavenly Lightning Banner a few days ago, I became anxious.
"Originally, I planned to create many factions within the sect that follow me, take the Heavenly Lightning Banner, and declare a separate sect."
"That would indeed prove the legitimacy."
"However, I would like to add a clause that even if I take only the Heavenly Lightning Banner without a part of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's forces, you will still recognize me personally as the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."
"...? Do you think that makes sense?"
Hon Wei furrows her brows.
"The reason I agreed to join hands with you is because my father loves the 'Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.' If there are no disciples, and only the Heavenly Lightning Banner and you personally are recognized as the 'Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect,' my father will never acknowledge you as such.'"
"I have received the Jin surname, which signifies the position of Sect Leader of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and I have mastered all the methods of the sect. With only the Heavenly Lightning Banner, which signifies the legitimacy of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, it would not be difficult to accept new disciples and establish another Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect as the Sect Leader."
"Hmm... I'm not convinced."
I read Hon Wei's intent.
'It's not about convincing her. She wants me to offer more favorable conditions.'
"What do you want?"
I ask, realizing she wants some benefits.
After all, her goal is to gain recognition from her father through her relationship with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
So, I am prepared to create an honorary position that can symbolize her relationship with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
However, Hon Wei's next words exceed my expectations.
"You said you wouldn't marry me or become dual cultivation partners, right?"
"Yes, but..."
"Then become my adopted son."
"...??"
"Affiliation to a sect doesn't depend on blood relations, so even if you become my adopted son, there won't be any problem in the rebuilding of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Considering the age difference, this should have been the correct approach from the start. It will give me more to say to my father, making it a beneficial condition for both of us, no?"
"..."
'I'm not that much younger than her, what is this...'
I stare at her in disbelief for a moment, dumbfounded.
I press my temples with my index finger, feeling a headache.
"...Becoming an adopted son... seems rather difficult."
"Hmm, then it will be difficult for me to modify the pact..."
"Instead, how about making the vice-sect leader who will assist me your adopted son? The sect leader position involves a lot of symbolic duties, so if I become your adopted son, I might even have to pass the Jin surname to you. But for a vice-sect leader, there's no need for the Jin surname, and in terms of actual authority, they might even have more than the sect leader."
"Hmm..."
Since I plan to appoint Yuan Yu as the vice-sect leader anyway, it doesn't matter to me.
"Well, okay."
Fortunately, it seems my persuasion works as Hon Wei nods in agreement.
"But, I have a condition."
"What is it?"
"Honestly, recognizing and supporting you alone as the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect doesn't make sense. So, even if you obtain the Heavenly Lightning Banner and establish a separate Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, there must be 'at least three' individuals from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who follow you. Understand?"
"Including myself, is a total of four people acceptable?"
"Yes. Can you gather that many?"
I ponder.
'If I mention sealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner, Yeon Wei will definitely agree, and being Yeon Wei's descendant, Yeon Jin can be swayed to my side.'
That's one person.
'Jin Hwi, Jin Byuk-ho, and others would flip if I said I was going to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner. Jeon Myeong-hoon... I'd have to tell him the truth to persuade him, but that might drive him mad, so that's definitely not an option. The same goes for Jin So-hae, who is one with Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
I think about the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's key figures and the disciples who pledged loyalty to me.
'Those who claim to follow me are loyal to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's system, not to me personally. They all have high pride in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's history and will never accept what I'm doing. So...'
I start to filter through those I can persuade, and eventually, another candidate emerges.
'Hong Su-ryeong. If it comes to it, I might be able to persuade Hong Su-ryeong.'
That makes two people.
'And lastly... since Yuan Yu has mastered the Taiji Quaking Lighting Body, I can insist that Yuan Yu is also a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. This way, the numbers add up.'
That makes three people.
Including myself, that totals four people.
"Yes, I can gather the required number of people."
"Good, then I'll modify the pact."
We add a special clause to the pact.
In essence, if I am to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner due to an unforeseen event and flee, and if I have three disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who follow me, she will recognize and support us four as 'the legitimate new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.'
'With this, the conditions are set.'
If Jeon Myeong-hoon fails to meet my expectations and doesn't grow quickly enough, I plan to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner and run away under the pretext of establishing a 'new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect' with my followers.
However, in case of an emergency.
If something happens between Jeon Myeong-hoon and the Heavenly Lightning Banner, forcing me to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner hastily, as long as I have three supporters, I can be recognized by Hon Wei and Penglai Palace for my legitimacy.
'Even if I steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner and run away, as long as only the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is chasing me, I should be able to hold out.'
My concern is if the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will issue a bounty for "traitor Seo Eun-hyun" to the Human Race Grand Alliance.
While I can handle the power of one sect, it'd be difficult to withstand if the elites of the Human Race Grand Alliance came after me.
But having made such a pact with Hon Wei, I will have the support of Penglai Palace, one of the six major sects of the Human Race. This way, no bounty should be issued.
After modifying the pact, Hon Wei leaves, and I return to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
'Then before any unforeseen events occur, I need to persuade Hong Su-ryeong.'
I head to Hong Su-ryeong's cave residence.
''I wonder will Hong Su-ryeong accept such a proposal?'
Although it's for preventing the demise of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, it is entangled with True Immortal-related matters so I can't properly explain. Furthermore, what I am planning is essentially a betrayal.
'Even if I propose this, given her reclusive nature, she probably won't go telling the sect leader...'
Though we are nominally dual cultivation partners, I doubt she will accept such 'betrayal.'
'I'm not sure if she will accept or not.'
Given her character, she wouldn't spill this to anyone else, so there's no issue in terms of secrecy. The real problem is her refusing to accompany me.
With a nervous heart, I enter her cave residence.
And then.
"Alright."
"...Yes?"
I'm dumbfounded at her refreshingly straightforward acceptance.
"Well, as long as you let me continue my research and cultivation without any issues. Besides, you've practically mastered all the Lightning Path Methods of the sect, you have the Jin surname, and, as you said, if you obtain the Heavenly Lightning Banner, there shouldn't be any major issues regarding legitimacy."
"No, that's not the problem"
I ask in bewilderment at her too easy acceptance.
"Isn't this essentially a betrayal against the current sect leader and the Supreme Sect Master? You're okay with accepting this so easily?"
"What's the issue? Historically, the leaders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect have always devoted themselves to the sect. I might not say it often, but I've always respected them. And."
Hong Su-ryeong speaks while looking into my eyes.
"Don't even think about avoiding my gaze. Dripping with the intent of 'solely for the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect' while playing coy about betrayal won't work on me."
She laughs.
"No matter what, you're not intending to harm the sect, are you?"
""
I nod slowly, without saying a word.
Seeing my silence, Hong Su-ryeong continues.
"Just promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"If what you've said happens, and you end up needing to act after obtaining the Heavenly Lightning Banner, the elders and grand elders of the sect will surely mobilize to capture you."
"That's very likely."
"I know you're hiding your true strength. I feel it every time we spar. Even if I give it my all, I wouldn't be a match for you. To even briefly match you, I'd have to invoke all my life force and cultivation.... Your true strength is probably on par with, if not surpassing, the Supreme Sect Master."
I'm taken aback but manage to control my expression and intent.
"If you find yourself facing the elders and grand elders... show mercy, so none of them end up dead."
"...I promise not to let anyone die."
"Good. That's enough for me."
I look at the easily accepting Hong Su-ryeong. After a moment of silence, I ask.
"But why do you think a Nascent Soul stage elder like me would have such power?"
I have never truly shown my full strength in our spars, always ensuring she couldn't gauge my real capabilities.
Yet, unexpectedly, Hong Su-ryeong has a sense of my real strength.
Hearing my question, Hong Su-ryeong smiles slightly.
"A woman's intuition."
""
At her response, I can't help but let out a bitter laugh.
"...Thank you."
That's all I could say.
Kurung, Kurrurung!
"Die, Seo Eun-hyun!"
I dodge Jeon Myeong-hoon's lightning while still beating him.
'His skills are improving. No...'
Even with Hong Fan reaching Nascent Soul, my daily life remained the same.
I continued to teach Jeon Myeong-hoon, focusing on elevating his cultivation through the methods of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.
And it seems to be effective, as Jeon Myeong-hoon's cultivation and skills have been rapidly improving lately.
Crackle!
Red lightning, alive and unpredictable, shoots towards me from an unexpected angle.
Swish!
The lightning momentarily turns into a sharp blade, leaving a small cut on my cheek.
"...Impressive."
I genuinely look at Jeon Myeong-hoon with astonishment.
'The Red Lightning Quaking Scripture has evolved to the point where it can be considered a completely different method.'
"In about a hundred years, you might manage to put a couple more scratches on my cheek."
I tease Jeon Myeong-hoon, provoking him as I hit him.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's intent reddens further with my words, and each time, his lightning grows even more intense.
Provoking Jeon Myeong-hoon's anger is also part of the training.
Since he's been pampered within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, provoking his anger to elevate his cultivation is quite effective.
"Damn it!"
Kwajijijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon unleashes all his lightning energy at me, then collapses to the ground, drained.
I speak to the fallen Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Well done for today. Just keep growing like this."
He breathes heavily, calming his anger, and I conclude today's training and return to my cave residence.
'Grow quickly, Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
Though I have plans to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner as a last resort, that's insurance for the worst-case scenario.
The best outcome will be for Jeon Myeong-hoon to awaken his abilities and seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner with his own hands.
To prevent the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's demise, it's necessary to expedite Jeon Myeong-hoon's growth.
"Damn it, damn it!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon curses at Seo Eun-hyun, who had left for his cave residence.
"Damn! It's still not enough!"
He irritably stands up and paces around.
'I need more...!'
What Seo Eun-hyun didn't realise is that Jeon Myeong-hoon's red intent includes not only anger but also 'inferiority.'
Recently, Jeon Myeong-hoon's sense of inferiority has been intensifying.
'More, more...!'
Jeon Myeong-hoon sits down and operates his method, gathering lightning energy. He focuses on the 'voice' within the lightning.
Wo-woong!
Whisper whisper whisper
A strange voice reveals to him a cultivation method far more advanced than the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture.
It's a method even more suited for controlling lightning.
Zzzt!
Jeon Myeong-hoon feels something leaving his body as he follows the voice but doesn't care.
Anyway, as long as he follows the voice's instructions to guide his spiritual power, he gains even stronger power.
He doesn't mind that his feelings of inferiority and anger strangely intensify as he focuses more on the 'voice.'
He has always had an inferiority complex, after all.
'I will definitely by following the guidance of the lightning surpass Seo Eun-hyun!'
Driven by the desire to surpass Seo Eun-hyun, Jeon Myeong-hoon is step by step growing stronger.
***
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
I sit quietly, watching Kim Yeon perform the Paired Wing Dance.
She executes each move flawlessly, without missing a beat.
How long have I been staring at her?
"Eun-hyun Oppa? I've completed all 10,000 repetitions of the Paired Wing Dance you assigned!"
She approaches me, wiping off her sweat.
"Eun-hyun Oppa?"
It's only when she shakes me that I snap back to reality.
"Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment."
"Hmm..."
After a brief pause, she looks at me worriedly and then checks my forehead.
"Eun-hyun Oppa, have you been like this often lately?"
"Hm? Ah..."
I hold my head and nod.
"Sorry, I'll be more careful."
"No, I'm not saying that... Just don't overdo it."
"..."
"Having pushed the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to its limit myself, I know. Eun-hyun Oppa, you must be exhausted from pushing your consciousness to its extremes, right?"
"...Yes."
I chuckle bitterly.
It seems she noticed, despite my attempts to hide it.
Teaching Jeon Myeong-hoon and Kim Yeon, instructing the transformed Hong Fan in martial arts, and sharing insights about poison had been my routine for months.
Lately, I found myself zoning out more frequently, a consequence of pushing my consciousness to the extreme, just as she had pointed out.
"Thanks for worrying about me, Yeon-ah. Shall we take a look at your Paired Wing Dance then?"
"Yes."
After watching her perform the dance and giving feedback on her cultivation, we wrap up the day's training.
"See you tomorrow, Yeon-ah."
"Yes, and as I said... don't overdo it!"
"...I won't."
Swoosh...
I wake up with a start.
"Huff..."
I'm drenched in sweat.
Dreaming through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, my body continued to practice the sword in the cave residence even as I slept, training with the sword all night long.
Dawn is approaching.
But I don't let the sun rise.
"Accelerate..."
Zzzt...
As my consciousness accelerates, time seems to slow.
"Accelerate, accelerate, accelerate..."
At Ultimate Pinnacle, the acceleration of my conscious could only achieve up to a tenfold increase.
"Accelerate, accelerate, accelerate...!"
But after reaching Treading Heavens, tenfold acceleration became the 'base level.' Depending on the current state, I can accelerate much more beyond that.
How long have I been compressing my consciousness to the extreme and accelerating?
I see the morning sun hanging on the horizon rising exceedingly slowly.
The wind slowed to the point where I could see the movement of floating dust particles with the naked eye.
The grass stands still, not swaying in the wind.
The morning dew stops in mid-air.
Or rather, it seems to stop, moving so slowly that it appears frozen.
No, precisely, my consciousness is just accelerating that much.
I push my consciousness to its maximum acceleration.
Ultimate Pinnacle, Beyond the Path, Treading Heavens.
Along with the power of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and a vast consciousness domain equivalent to a Heavenly Being,
I mobilize all the power of my consciousness and successfully enter a world nearly at a standstill, compressing time to an extreme extent.
Crackle
My head feels like it's on fire.
I want to escape this insane world immediately.
It feels like my upper dantian is about to explode from the overload.
Crackle...
This state is not meant to be maintained in full consciousness for long.
But I endure.
I force myself to endure in this crazily still world, experiencing time almost at a standstill.
And in that state, I begin to unfold all the martial arts I have learned,
Created,
And used.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship unfolds.
Within it, the complexities of the Severing Vein Saber Method, the subtleties of the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique, and the intricacies of the Fighting Monster Traceless Fist.
The flurry of the Dragon Form Soaring Claw, entwined with the maneuvers of the Parallel Wing Spear and Paired Wing Dance.
My sword moves beyond the planes, so despite swinging at tremendous speeds, there's no shockwave dispersion.
Thus, in the dark dawn.
I rise in my cave residence and quietly, unbeknownst to anyone, rapidly perform Severing Mountain Swordsmanship 42,000 times.
"Huff..."
I'm drenched in cold sweat.
I feel like I'm losing my mind.
Though my body is not tired, enduring in this world of extreme standstill brings with it a brain-burning agony just by enduring.
"Huh..."
But I don't stop.
Instead, I utter a single phrase.
"There's... not enough time."
Indeed.
It's insufficient.
Far too insufficient!
At any moment, it feels as though that terrifying True Immortal will crack open the heavens like a lid and peer down at us.
Yet, the time allotted to me was at best around 50 years.
With just 50 years, a dullard can accomplish nothing.
Then what should be done?
I have to squeeze every last bit out of my brain, create time however possible, and advance as far as I can.
I must reach beyond Treading Heavens within the given time!
Boom!
As I unfold Severing Mountain Swordsmanship for the last time, I'm unable to control the sensation of crossing the plane and a shockwave spreads through the void.
In a world nearly at a standstill, the shockwave activates the protective formations installed around my cave residence.
Rumble!
Although the impact should have shaken the mountain, fortunately, the protective formations absorb the impact, only stirring the air inside my cave residence.
"Huff... Huff..."
I take a moment to catch my breath.
The pain that had been constricting my mind disperses for a moment.
But that's it.
I take a moment's respite and immediately begin to perform the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship again.
Sizzle...
It feels like steam is coming out of my head.
Not just my consciousness, but my Nascent Soul itself feels wrung out and abused.
Continuing like this will undoubtedly cause issues with my Nascent Soul.
Yet, I don't stop.
Wo-woong!
In one corner, Yuan Yu, who is accumulating spiritual power in seclusion, bears all the stress that's placed on my Nascent Soul as a curse.
The burden that is placed on my Nascent Soul enters inside Yuan Yu.
Boom!
Yuan Yu's head explodes.
Not stopping there, the area above Yuan Yu's neck boils and bubbles for a while before it begins to regenerate properly, and his Blood Soul suffers severe damage.
The burden I transferred to Yuan Yu is too great.
It's the result of desperation to extend the time given to a dullard.
It can't possibly be at a normal level.
But.
Even so, I can't ascend to the next stage.
I'm still lacking Gradual Cultivation.
"More, more, more!"
If it's still not enough, then I just need to fill it more!
I clench my teeth and swing the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship to its extreme, accelerating my consciousness until sunrise.
Originally, to keep the secret pact with Hon Wei, I had to gather my followers within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
However, the young disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who had been following me recently started to stealthily avoid me whenever they see me.
Crackle
Only Jeon Myeong-hoon, whom I consistently trained, would substitute his morning greetings with a lightning baptism without fail.
Wo-oong!
I swing my club to deflect Jeon Myeong-hoon's lightning directly.
Recently, I haven't been reinforcing the club with energy to prevent it from breaking or getting damaged, aside from making sure it stayed intact.
Just infusing it with the bare minimum energy of the Qi Refining initial stage.
I continue practicing the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship with a club in hand towards Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Accelerate, accelerate, accelerate!
Boom!
A shockwave is created in front of my body.
Enjoying the feeling of every flow of air striking my body and being unilaterally repelled, I lock eyes with Jeon Myeong-hoon in this extreme standstill world.
For a moment, I see myself reflected in his pupils.
With an untrimmed beard and disheveled hair, with eyes full of bloodshot veins, I look like a complete madman!
'No wonder all those who pledged their allegiance to me disappeared.'
I chuckle to myself for a moment with that thought.
But there's no helping it.
There's no time to groom myself.
No time to kindly respond to those who speak to me.
No time for greetings.
No time to smile.
No time to spare for others.
I crazily oversee Jeon Myeong-hoon's training while also relentlessly repeating my own.
But still, time is insufficient.
Living all day with accelerated consciousness, the Blood Soul I divided to Yuan Yu is tasked with cultivating, recovering spiritual power, and recuperating the Nascent Soul all day long.
And so, continuously transferring the burden to Yuan Yu, I endlessly pondered and pondered again about martial arts ().
Pondering martial arts, I repeated the process of pushing the vitality of my body to its limits, endlessly bringing the Earth Tribe's cultivation close to the Heavenly Being stage.
Similarly, for the Heaven Tribe's cultivation to ascend to the Heavenly Being stage, I continuously analyzed and reflected on the enlightenment and teachings of the Heavenly Being stage I heard from Jin Hwi and Hong Su-ryeong in a part of my mind for Understanding before Breakthrough.
Though I say I practice martial arts, martial arts have become part of me. Recently, since sitting down to cultivate spiritual power and practicing martial arts to cultivate spiritual power had no difference in speed, I did not insist on meditating, allowing the Heaven Tribe's cultivation to proceed without difficulty.
Practicing the cultivation of the Heaven and Earth Tribes, and concurrently training in martial arts, I constantly yearned for the next stage.
Wo-oong!
Before I knew it, the club in my hand became the sword itself.
Crackle
How many times have I unfolded the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship that the club itself was weathered by the air pressure and transformed into the most appropriate form of a wooden sword for performing Severing Mountain Swordsmanship?
Then, what beyond Treading Heavens am I so desperately swinging my stick-turned-wooden sword for?
Beyond Treading Heavens, the third phase of Manifestation is as follows:
The realm where one imposes their ideals upon the world.
But what exactly does that mean?
What does it mean to impose one's ideals on the world?
Essentially, it boils down to this:
What is perfection?
I recall the teachings of Jang Ik.
The term 'perfect,' or 'complete,' does not exist in this world. Do you know why?
...Why is that?
Try executing a perfect slash, a perfect thrust.
I performed as Jang Ik instructed in front of him.
Is the technique you performed perfect?
...Yes, it is.
Right, it is. But at the same time, it's not. Would you use the exact same technique in a blizzard-swept battlefield?
No, I wouldn't.
Conversely, inside a volcano seething with lava, would you use the same technique as in a blizzard-swept battlefield?
Absolutely not.
Then, let's say both of your arms were cut off and couldn't regenerate. If you were to perform the same technique by holding the sword in your mouth, would it be the same as before?
That would be impossible.
Right, it's impossible. Therefore, there is no such thing as perfection in this world.
As I swing my Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, I ponder Jang Ik's words.
Your swordsmanship was created under the same principle, and you swing your sword under that principle, but the principle changes depending on the target and the location where you swing your sword. In other words, from the moment you learned that swordsmanship to now, 'you have never swung the same swordsmanship twice.'
Woong, woong, woong!
The tip of the wooden sword seems to carry Jang Ik's advice with it.
The space one second before and one second after changes entirely with the subtle flow of air. Not just the air, but the flow of energy, the opponent's mental state, and your own, all change from one second to the next. Therefore, the swordsmanship you unfold one second before and one second after are 'different.'
...Then, what should I do?
How can the same martial arts be executed?
If you've reached this stage, you must know that your Fighting Spirit isn't just a simple combat technique. Your Fighting Spirit embodies your life and everything you've asserted for.
Wo-ong, wo-ong, wo-ong!
I perform the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Whoooosh!
An explosion rings out, and my sword, containing merely the level of Qi Refining energy, shakes off Jeon Myeong-hoon's Core Formation level lightning and even rebounds a shockwave back at him.
Polish your assertion to the utmost within your Fighting Spirit. I polished the assertion of 'destruction'! Yu Hwa polished the assertion of 'rest.' What is your assertion?
'My assertion...'
The external expression of your Fighting Spirit can change endlessly and continuously adopt different identities. But! The heart does not change. Or rather, imbue your Fighting Spirit with an unchanging heart! Thus, no matter how the outward appearance changes, no matter how your sword changes, that immutable heart will remain and become engraved as a law upon this world.
That's right.
Simply put, it's about awakening the unique traits of one's martial art, creating a standard that does not change regardless of the situation.
If that 'standard' is truly made to be 'absolutely' unchangeable, then it becomes engraved as a law in this world.
Heavenly Tribulation is executed by the heavens to enforce the law of conforming to the heavens upon cultivators who defy the heavens.
Then perhaps, the power similar to Heavenly Tribulation wielded by those in the third phase of Manifestation, belonging to the Heart Tribe, might be akin to executing their own laws, somewhat resembling the heavens.
Whoooosh!
Once again, this time only infusing enough energy into the wooden sword for a single use of Sword Energy, I spin around and deflect Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had transformed like a Thunder God, with ease.
But it doesn't end with just repelling him.
Even as Jeon Myeong-hoon is repelled, he appears unbearably slow to me who is accelerating my consciousness close to a standstill.
Rolling my feet forward and arriving at the spot where Jeon Myeong-hoon is about to land, I strike down with my wooden sword once more towards Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is now slowly bouncing towards me.
Jeon Myeong-hoon seems to react slowly but fails to properly block, resulting in his head being split in half by the wooden sword.
The heart I infuse into my martial arts.
What I want to assert.
Kwang, kwang, kwang!
With just enough energy to maintain a single Sword Gang, my wooden sword swings, sending shockwaves that reach not only Jeon Myeong-hoon but also starts demolishing nearby mountains.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, turned into a bloody mess, stands up after a while and rushes at me with his eyes full of bloodshot rage.
And the same situation continues to repeat.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is evolving and making progress, albeit as little as an ant's footsteps, but it is still slow from my perspective.
"Seo Eun-hyun!!!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon, with bloodshot eyes, rushes at me with the intent to kill.
And as the training ends, he goes back to his cave residence with Jin So-hae.
Riding on Jin So-hae's back to his cave residence, I briefly stare blankly at Jeon Myeong-hoon as he vents his complaints and curses about me to Jin So-hae.
Returning to my cave residence after Jeon Myeong-hoon's training, I see the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect sneakily avoiding me and chattering among themselves.
I see the sounds of greetings and the Elders and Grand Elders occasionally greeting me as they pass by.
I hear the sounds of greetings and see the elders and grand elders passing by occasionally greeting me.
Before entering my cave residence, I look down at the scenic beauty of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect one more time.
This place is the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
A failed creation by Yang Su-jin and a congregation of non-humans.
"...No."
Looking down at the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, I suddenly realize why I have been out of my mind lately.
Far away, I see Hong Su-ryeong kidnapping fresh new disciples.
Seeing that, I laugh.
"...I'm an idiot."
It's an old realization, once again.
To the disciples, to Hong Su-ryeong, to Yeon Jin, to Jin Hwi, to Jin Byuk-ho, to Jin So-hae to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect itself.
I tried to distance myself because it's a sect doomed for destruction.
I made a foolish vow not to give my affection to Hong Su-ryeong.
But look,
Already, am I not feeling as if this scenery of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is like my home?
This place is the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
My sect, my family are here.
"...Do you hear me, Yang Su-jin?"
I speak, looking up at the sky.
"I'm a dullard, an idiot, a cripple, and I don't understand much about non-humans or whatever. Fate, freedom, slavery. Honestly, I've never lived my life thinking about such things every time I meet someone. So."
Of course, I still can't completely refute Yang Su-jin's logic.
But, even if I can't refute it, I can deny it.
I am not a saint.
I am selfish.
I am greedy and not capable enough to solve every problem.
Nor do I have the magnanimity of a sage.
However.
For my family, with whom I have ties.
"I will protect them."
I won't let them perish.
The name of the heart that dwells in my martial art is Sincerity ( / entire heart).
I haven't lived my life like a saint or a sage.
In a world too full of non-humans for it to be possible, perhaps I've become much crueler than when I was on Earth.
But, there is one thing I can be certain of.
I've always put my entire heart into every situation.
In every connection, in every moment, I've always put my whole heart into it, so now...
My family, with whom I have connections, will not die.
"Heavens."
Looking up at the sky, I swear.
"This time too, I will change it."
And so, time flows on and 20 years pass.
Jeon Myeong-hoon finally approaches the Nascent Soul stage.
***