1110——————==

Soul of the Evil God (四神之魂)

Divine Arts!

The moment I heard Taishang Laojun’s words, I realized the immense favor being shown to me by the Old Ruler Fuxi.

‘Wow, he really wants to give me a lot!’

Not only did he awaken my chaotic talents moments ago, but he was also teaching me divine arts! Honestly, it was pretty much the highest level of teaching one could hope for. If a mere human or an immortal were to receive such kindness, it would be considered an enormous fortuitous encounter, greater than becoming the emperor of the world.

But I was so flabbergasted that I turned to Taishang Laojun and said, “So, do you two know that Master Fuxi has gone to fight the Emperor along with Nüwa and Shennong?”

“……!!”

“He just marched straight into the Divine Temple. In this situation, do you think I have the luxury to learn divine arts…?”

It might be digging my own grave, but I felt I had to say it. Because with the kind of help Fuxi was giving me, if he ended up losing to the Emperor, I had a feeling my life in this world would come to an end as well. I needed to prepare in case the Emperor’s group rushed in while I was learning divine arts and captured me to torture me.

“What…?”

At my words, Taishang Laojun and the Primordial Heaven Master flinched. It seemed even they were taken aback. After a moment, Taishang Laojun said, “Even so, our tasks remain unchanged. Follow me.”

“Yes.”

I followed Taishang Laojun. Shortly after, he entered a quiet and narrow training room, sat cross-legged, and gestured for me to take a seat. I also crossed my legs to face him, and Taishang Laojun opened his mouth.

“I’ve heard from my master that you already have knowledge of divine arts.”

“…Yes.”

“What do you know?”

I realized that hiding things would do me no good, so I slowly replied, “I can use the divine art Azure Dragon Light and the technique Southern Polar Armor, and I know the usage method of the treasure Southern Polar Seven Lights Flag.”

The truth was, I learned those things thanks to wearing the mask of Southern Gu Xianong, who is a disciple of Fuxi and my master’s disciple as well. When I put on that mask, the knowledge rushed into my head. After hearing my words, Taishang Laojun’s eyes lit up in surprise.

“You know all the techniques created for Southern Gu Xianong. How can that be?”

“…….”

“The Southern Polar Seven Lights Flag is a treasure that hasn’t even been made yet, just a concept. Southern Gu Xianong was in training and planning to give me one as a graduation gift when he finished. How do you know the usage of a treasure that hasn’t even been created?”

“Uh… well, that’s….”

“Suspicious.”

Taishang Laojun said that, but he continued nonchalantly, “However, I will only follow my master’s orders. I won’t pry any further.”

“…Thank you.”

“Now, try using the divine art Azure Dragon Light. I will observe and tell you how to improve your divine arts, and also teach you new divine methods you can learn.”

“…….”

“Why are you hesitating?”

“Uh… well, you see, I can usually use techniques by utilizing spirit power, but if I have too much spirit power and can’t control it, I can’t use that method.”

When Heuk Woong was around, I could spend spirit power to use Azure Dragon Light, but I can’t do that now. Even when Heuk Woong wasn’t around, I had tried using it at my own discretion before and practiced whether I could use it later on, but it hasn’t been going well since then. Specifically, I can cast it now and then, but the success rate is way too low and unstable.

Upon hearing my words, Taishang Laojun nodded as if he had grasped the principle immediately.

“You’re using techniques like a demon or an apostle. Can you not purely train to use techniques this way?”

“No.”

“My master said your talent is the worst; was that indeed true….”

Taishang Laojun murmured in lamentation, then said, “Disciple, do you know the difference between divine arts and regular techniques?”

“I’ve heard that divine arts can move the flow of chaos using Tai Chi. But techniques cannot do that.”

“That’s right. Another big difference is that if the person casting divine arts has the talent for chaos, then its power is amplified. This is a trait that typical technique sorcerers cannot possess, and it proves how great the divine arts my master has created are.”

“Talent for chaos?”

That was something I was hearing for the first time. Taishang Laojun slowly explained.

“Like regular techniques, divine arts will activate once they have the elements of technique. However, when casting those elements in alignment with the characteristics of chaos, the power of divine arts will significantly increase, and if combined with a treasure, that power will amplify drastically. At a minimum, it will become ten times stronger than casting it normally. Unlike regular techniques, where no matter how much you train, there is a limit to the power you can reach.”

“Hmm…!!”

I was trying to wrap my head around Taishang Laojun’s explanation when I spoke up.

“So, the technique, the talent for chaos, and the treasure must harmonize to amplify the divine arts?”

“That’s exactly it. Harmony is the principle most favored by my master.”

Only then did I realize why Southern Gu Xianong had tried to summon the Southern Polar Seven Lights Flag first when I wore his mask in the past. Just using Azure Dragon Light was powerful, but if I could use it alongside a treasure, I would have been confident of producing more than ten times its power.

“If you’re someone who transforms spirit power to use divine arts, then you must craft a treasure that fits the nature of your spirit power.”

“Match the nature of the spirit power?”

“Crafting treasures is something the Primordial Heaven Master excels at, so you might learn it later. He often interacted with those who handle techniques using spirit power, so he should know how.”

Taishang Laojun said this carelessly and moved on to the next explanation.

“Then I can teach you the divine art Tai Chi.”

“……!!”

“Just for reference, this technique is powerful sealing art, and depending on the case, it can kill gods. I have killed several evil minor gods on the earth with this.”

Even though Taishang Laojun explained it in a boring way, I knew its power all too well.

Divine art Tai Chi!

In the past, when Tai Gong-mang used Tai Chi, he nearly sealed my power and pushed me to the brink of death. So I couldn’t be unaware of it. If I could use Tai Chi along with the treasure Ta Shin-pyeon, the power would be tremendous, as already proven from my battle with Tai Gong-mang. This would be the technique most directly leading me to achieve my goal!

Thinking about the tremendous improvement in strength I would have if I learned Tai Chi, I swallowed hard and said to Taishang Laojun, “Please teach me!”

I had half given up on learning from Tai Gong-mang ever since the conditions to enter the sealed place of the Peach Garden were way too strict, and persuading Tai Gong-mang was nearly impossible. But I never expected Taishang Laojun would directly teach me Tai Chi.

Then Taishang Laojun said, “There are prerequisites for mastering Tai Chi.”

“What are those prerequisites?”

“There are a total of six. First, you must master at least one from the Yellow Sky and Azure Sky technique systems. Another one is that you must reach a level where you can cast techniques without incantation. Also, you should know how to use the Eight Trigrams and be able to create formations that apply at least the eight trigrams.”

“…….”

“And you must have awakened the talent for chaos and be able to freely separate and recombine the yin and yang bodies. Of course, your technique level must also be sufficient to not be lacking even while continuously casting treasures. Only after achieving all this can you begin the training for Tai Chi.”

“W-What’s with these stringent conditions?”

I said, shocked.

None of the six conditions were easy. Just fulfilling one would have made me a top-tier sorcerer in the earthly world. Yet being required to fulfill all six to even begin learning!

Taishang Laojun said, “Isn’t this simple enough for a former Ruler of the Universe, who has lived for billions of years, to learn a technique that can strike at them…?”

“…….”

“How many of those conditions have you satisfied?”

I pondered over it.

‘Let’s see.’

I wasn’t sure about mastering the technique system.

And I can’t cast the techniques without incantation. In fact, I’m barely in the beginner stages. Being able to do so without incantation requires at least the level of an advanced sorcerer, but with my current pure technique skills, that’s out of the question.

I’ve studied the Eight Trigrams enough to use them a bit but I’m not sure if I can create formations.

As for the talent for chaos, had I just awakened it earlier…?

Separating and recombining the yin and yang bodies is something I assume Tai Gong-mang did when he split his powers into yin and yang, but of course, I can’t do that. That’s an incredible level of technique.

As for technique power, it should be satisfactory since my spirit power is formidable.

“…Two? No, it seems like just one…”

Subtracting all the things I wasn’t sure of, it looks like I barely met the requirement for Tai Chi. When I answered in a voice shrinking to nothing, Taishang Laojun said,

“You can’t fly without being able to crawl. How could my master give me such trials?”

“……”

“Alright, then I’ll just teach you the simplified method of sealing divine nature.”

Those unexpected words made my eyes widen.

“Wait? Can I learn that without formally learning Tai Chi?”

“It’s possible. However, unlike real Tai Chi, it’s merely a way to poke at the gaps in a god’s nature, just a trick. Still, would you like to learn?”

“Yes!”

That’s better than nothing!

“I cannot go against my master’s orders. And my master felt that you have a desire to kill gods, so if I teach you this method, it will be akin to teaching you Tai Chi.”

“…Understood.”

“Baek Woong, focus your mind and draw the Tai Chi symbol on your palm.”

I did as instructed. Taishang Laojun placed his hand over my palm and continued,

“Draw the Eight Trigrams over the Tai Chi.”

“…Huh?”

“Just with your thoughts will do. Go ahead.”

I tried to imagine drawing the Eight Trigrams over the Tai Chi pattern. However, the shapes kept twisting in my head and it didn’t go well; after struggling for quite some time, I could just about make the shape. Taishang Laojun said,

“Rotate the Tai Chi and bounce the Eight Trigrams outward. It’s an outward rotation.”

“Ugh….”

“When this formation is completed, apply the sixty-four hexagram numbers and interpret the infinite changes. After doing that, stop the flow of chaos surrounding the opponent’s divine nature with the outward strength of the Tai Chi, and the divine nature, which possesses immortal powers, will change into a state where it can be destroyed.”

“…….”

“The Tai Chi is a lever that stops all things. Use that Tai Chi to halt the opponent’s divine nature, continuously weakening it. With the weakened divine nature, it will become sealable. That is the principle of Tai Chi.”

So complicated.

I said in frustration, “How on earth am I supposed to do this? I can’t even grasp how to begin.”

“And that’s why the aforementioned six prerequisites are necessary. You must meet each condition to weave the principles of Tai Chi like string. If any one is lacking, it’s impossible to make a scratch on the divine nature of the absolute deity known as the Old Ruler.”

“Ugh.”

“However, even if it is just a trick, awakening the outward rotation of Tai Chi would allow the removal of divine nature’s chaos for a bit. I’ll teach you that from now on.”

I began to receive Taishang Laojun’s teaching. Though it was just the trick to the Tai Chi and not the formal art itself, teachings on Taoism and the peerless secret arts poured out endlessly from Taishang Laojun. And because I lacked talent, I couldn’t grasp any of it despite hearing it all.

After about two half moments had passed, I ultimately grew mentally exhausted and told Taishang Laojun, “I can’t do it…. The method is just too hard.”

Even though I tried to remember the method until it was ingrained in my mind, this method alone required an incredible understanding. Only a genius among sorcerers would be able to perform the method at all.

“Is that so? If you can’t, then it can’t be helped.”

Taishang Laojun maintained an extremely calm attitude. It didn’t seem to matter to him whether I succeeded or not. He taught me simply because his master ordered it, and he had no feelings or affections for me at all.

Taishang Laojun said, “If you cannot do it anymore, go to the Primordial Heaven Master. He seems to have something to say.”

“Yes.”

I withdrew from Taishang Laojun and went to the Primordial Heaven Master. When I reached him, he welcomed me with open arms.

“You’ve arrived, Baek Woong disciple.”

“So… are we just waiting for Master Fuxi now?”

“No, that cannot be. Even if our power is quite lacking, we must join in. That’s why I have been waiting for you to arrive.”

The Primordial Heaven Master stood up and ascended to the Four Great Spirits. Then, another spirit beast stepped out from beside him, and the Primordial Heaven Master gestured for me to ride it. I climbed onto the back of the weird yellow chick-shaped spirit beast, and the Primordial Heaven Master said,

“Let’s go to the Divine Temple, Baek Woong disciple.”

“…….”

“Why do you wear such a displeased expression?”

“Uh… well, do you think us going will actually help?”

Earlier, I hadn’t thought deeply about following Fuxi, but now that I have, the battle erupting at the Divine Temple was one that involved the mightiest divine beings in the universe, namely the Three Sovereigns and Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen directly clashing. On top of that, the Five Deities would be fighting alongside the Emperor, causing immense chaos. And besides me, neither the Primordial Heaven Master nor Taishang Laojun could match the power of any one of the Five Deities; what could we possibly do if we jumped into that fight?

Hearing my words, the Primordial Heaven Master said, “If Taishang Laojun and I join forces, we can bind one of the Emperor’s entourage. If you contribute your strength, it might ease my master’s battle against the Emperor.”

“Is that really possible?”

“Whether it is possible or not, there is no option for us to not assist while my master is fighting. We were simply waiting for you here because of the order given by my master to teach you.”

Saying that, the Primordial Heaven Master addressed Taishang Laojun, who had been nearby.

“You and I have shared a long bond. Today is probably our final day together.”

Taishang Laojun smiled softly.

“Let’s do our best.”

His eyes glinted.

“I’ll be counting on the potential of the disciple. Now, let’s go, Four Great Spirits!”

Boom!!

In the next instant – I found myself transported to the Divine Temple.

And just as I arrived.

Kaboom!

[Hahhaha.]

The dark giant, Jeon Wook, was unleashing his laughter. And in his hand, the gigantic spear was piercing the side of the silver giant, Shennong. Shennong seemed to be gripping the spear tightly to prevent Jeon Wook from carving him apart.

Jeon Wook joyously shouted,

[Shennong! It seems it’s finally my day to kill the supreme being of gods!]

[Hehe, is that so, Jeon Wook?]

Shennong slowly began to pull the spear out, and Jeon Wook tried to stop him, but it seemed Shennong’s power was stronger. Just as Shennong nearly pulled the spear out completely, an unexpected event occurred.

Ding!!

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out, freezing Shennong in his tracks. As Shennong staggered, unable to pull the spear out, Jeon Wook jabbed it in harder, and Shennong let out a grunt.

[Ugh….]

[I’ll finish you off.]

[Hehe.]

Shennong smiled deviously and then turned around.

[What a coward, Jeogok. To keep interfering in a one-on-one duel….]

Boom!

At his words, Jeogok appeared in the air.

[Did I ever say this was a one-on-one duel? This is war. It’s your fault for not gathering sufficient strength.]

[Hehe…. You have no qualms about joint attacks, do you?]

[…….]

Seeing the battle turning unfavorable for our side, the Primordial Heaven Master said to me,

“Disciple. Listen well. We must save Shennong.”

With the Primordial Heaven Master’s words, I could feel that I had stepped onto the battlefield of gods.

“Taishang Laojun and I will tackle Jeogok. You take this chance to stab Jeon Wook and save Shennong!”