1300——————==

Soul of the Four Gods

Before I descended from the Celestial Realm, I entrusted the Fire Dragon Sword to Celestial Sage. I’ve done this before, but leaving the sword near the back door of the Celestial Realm allowed for faster recovery due to intense spirit energy. Celestial Sage accepted my request and said.

“Oh, and don’t pull in that Xiang Yu guy this lifetime. He won’t come out of his own turf if you don’t poke him, so just don’t touch him.”

“Why not?”

“Why is a classic question. Even if his comfortable life has drifted away, you can’t control Xiang Yu with your current powers. And if you really want to pull him in, you can’t avoid the topic of his arch-enemy, right? Thinking about dragging in that arch-enemy as well would make things spiraled out of control.”

“Hmm… I see.”

Thinking about the ‘identity’ of Xiang Yu’s arch-enemy makes it all totally understandable. Xiang Yu’s power is tempting, but the side effects are just as significant.

“One more thing. I’ll give you the Ruyi Staff.”

I was surprised as Celestial Sage suddenly reached out to give me the Ruyi Staff.

“Wha?! You’re giving me the real divine weapon….”

Celestial Sage chuckled mischievously.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not a full gift; it’s just a temporary item. Just like before, I’m lending it to you.”

“A temporary item? What do you mean?”

“Like Yeodong-bin, it can summon me by embedding a temporary item in you, but I’m not fully shed from my physical body like other Great Immortals. So if I’m summoned through a temporary item, I might actually be weaker than now. My physical body is also extremely powerful, so if only my spirit is called, it’s basically half of me.”

“Oh.”

That was a point I hadn’t thought of. As I expressed surprise, Celestial Sage continued.

“I’ll teach you one of the spells I learned from Subori. If you use this spell, you’ll be able to summon me to that spot just once through the Ruyi Staff. Unless, of course, you end up somewhere like Dark Heaven Village.”

“Whoa. There was a summoning spell like that? Why haven’t I heard of it until now…?”

Celestial Sage fiddled with his ear.

“Probably because I didn’t want to waste time teaching it. Who enjoys being summoned for no reason? Would you teach it to someone like you?”

“I guess not…”

“But now that there’s a reason for you to summon me, call me through the Ruyi Staff only when it’s really urgent. Got it?”

“Yes.”

Celestial Sage clenched his fists with a serious expression and put them in front of my face.

“If you call me when it’s not urgent, be ready to get punched in the solar plexus.”

“……”

I feel like I would die if that happened…

Anyway, I returned to the real world with Asura and immediately ran when Asura stopped me.

“Baek Woong. Wait a minute.”

“What’s up?”

“While we’re heading back, let’s check out Mount Heng nearby. There’s a Heavenly Altar there, and it’s better to retrieve Pangu’s statue from there.”

“Oh! Right.”

Tydaht

I remembered something I had almost forgotten and headed to the Heavenly Altar of Mount Heng to retrieve Pangu’s statue. Although it had no spiritual power or effect on its own, it was bound by cause and effect, which could be used for offering ceremonies later on. Asura spoke.

“I suspected whether Zhuge Yulong had sent underlings to take over the Heavenly Altar, but it seems that’s not the case.”

“Is there really a need to occupy the Heavenly Altar when they’re part of the same gang as the Eight Parts of the Divine?”

I shook my head and continued.

“Getting the Heavenly Altar would allow for the Offering Ceremony, but right now, both Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen and Chi You have either been sealed or eliminated. It wouldn’t lead to anything…”

“You know as well as I do that it’s not just those two who may be called for the Offering Ceremony. Any one of the Three Sovereigns can be summoned, and even the [Old Ruler] from outside can be summoned too.”

“Hmm…”

“However, this also gives us insight into Zhuge Yulong’s strategy. It seems he’s relying on the Eight Parts of the Divine and the power of the Alchemy God, Hermes, and isn’t fixating on the Offering Ceremony at the Heavenly Altar.”

Just then, Asura seemed to hit upon a thought.

“If the vigilance over the Heavenly Altar is lax, can’t we use the Offering Ceremony to our advantage instead?”

“……”

Hmm… That’s not something I had considered.

I tilted my head and spoke.

“Well, the Offering Ceremony is ultimately about making a wish to the gods, right? But if I wanted, I could go directly to the Three Sovereigns and talk to them. Not that I intend to, though.”

“No, that’s not it. It’s a bit different…”

Asura spoke cautiously.

“If you gain the right to perform the Offering Ceremony from the Celestial Realm, there might be two ways to use it.”

“Two ways? What do you mean?”

“One is to grant the benefits of the Offering Ceremony to another colleague, making them immortal and strengthening them. This would be a huge advantage for you as a Reborn Person. Even that foolish Emperor Zhu Hu Chong could gain considerable power, so if a strong companion goes through the Offering Ceremony, they’d receive a strengthening effect of at least a few hundred years.”

“Huh, I see. And the other?”

“That’s….”

When Asura explained the “second use of the Heavenly Altar,” my eyes widened in shock. I then spoke.

“Can that really be possible? No, even if it is possible, I don’t have the strength or reason for that now…”

“It is possible. And if it’s a ‘god’, they won’t refuse that wish.”

“Uh, no, what does that even mean? What’s the benefit here?”

“There’s no need to seek it out, right? You can avoid the trouble, making it a good strategy.”

“……”

I gave Asura a perplexed look.

‘This guy… has lost his mind…’

This kind of thought would only cross one’s mind if they were truly desperate to die. Wait, has there ever been a person who wanted to use the Offering Ceremony for such a purpose throughout human history? I understood why no strategists had ever suggested such absurd plans to me.

I shook my head in disbelief and said, “Forget it. Let’s just head back.”

Tydaht

I returned to the village with Asura. And announcing my return to Mangnyang, I said, “Starting today, we’re going on high alert.”

“Are they really coming? Those guys?”

“Of course…”

“Hmm… Though I’m pretending to be unaffected, I’m honestly scared.”

Mangnyang spoke with a slightly trembling voice.

“I can’t handle it if Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Dharma Protectors come barging in.”

“Don’t worry. They’re not the kind to cause innocent casualties, so I will negotiate with them.”

“I trust you.”

“Then I’ll head to teach the villagers, so if Master of the White Lotus Sect arrives looking for me, guide him there.”

After saying this, I called Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong aside and took them to the training ground. To Lee Kwang, who had recovered his energy over the past few days, I said.

“Lee Kwang. A promise is a promise, so I will teach you the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique.”

Lee Kwang had a somewhat drained expression. Understandably, after completing 100,000 cycles of Ranna Chul, he must have been exhausted from transcending life and death. I continued, seeing that Lee Kwang remained silent.

“Are you really that drained? Master of the White Lotus Sect will be looking for me soon.”

“……!!”

In that moment, it felt like a flash of lightning sparked in Lee Kwang’s eyes. He spoke with the intensity of a tiger.

“What do you mean, Master!”

“I mean it as I said. The Master of the White Lotus Sect went to Shadowless Gate to pry into things and has discovered our existence in Soeul Village, along with mine.”

“…….”

“He will come soon to face off against me. The winner will be the greatest martial artist of the Central Plains.”

At my words, Lee Kwang and even Jin So-cheong next to him seemed to be confused. They were abruptly faced with their greatest archenemy in a few days. However, Lee Kwang quickly regained his composure and said.

“Master, I have a request.”

“Are you asking to fight alongside me against the Master of the White Lotus Sect?”

“That’s correct.”

“With your skills, you are only equal to the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s finger strike. Honestly, you’d just be a hindrance.”

“Ugh….”

Seeing Lee Kwang’s genuine frustration, I thought I should find it amusing, but it didn’t. Only a bittersweet feeling spread within me. So I felt a bit confused.

‘Why am I feeling bittersweet?’

I thought I would be happy about it, but…

I hid those feelings and continued, “However, if you’re determined to learn the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique and practice the Eight Wilds Shock of Heaven and Heavenly Thunder Divine Art to the extent you can cast them at least at the level of ‘One White’, then I could consider letting you join. You would be strong enough.”

“What is the Eight Wilds Shock of Heaven?”

“It’s the martial arts of the second generation of Thunder God lineage, Cho Mu-rin. It’s something I rehabilitated and learned based on what was practiced in ancient times and made it the foundation of the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique.”

“……!!”

“Do you think you can do it?”

Lee Kwang paused for a moment, grabbing his spear tightly and shouted.

“I will do it! I will definitely do it!”

He then shouted even more fervently, his eyes shining red.

“Furthermore, I will surpass you one day, Master!”

“……”

Hearing such declarations in front of someone who’s trying to teach their peerless skills didn’t shock or annoy me. Why? Because this was the Lee Kwang I knew, and I felt pleased as if he had returned to his usual self.

‘Exactly. This is how Lee Kwang should be.’

I smiled slightly and said, “Alright then. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

From that day on, I scaled down teaching hours for my other disciples and devoted more time to training Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong. Lee Kwang displayed remarkable talent as he swiftly progressed, learning the initial part of the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique better than I had expected.

Ki-ki-ki-ki!!

“Whoooa!!”

In just five days, Lee Kwang reached the third level of the Eight Wilds Shock of Heaven and fully memorized the Fog-shrouded Sky Royal Shadow 108 Techniques. Watching him do it, I felt somewhat bewildered.

‘Why is he so fast?’

Of course, he wasn’t as fast as Jin So-cheong. Jin So-cheong had learned twice as fast as this. Compared to him, Lee Kwang’s training speed was beyond what a regular talent could imagine, putting him firmly in the realms of genius. Especially, perfectly memorizing the incredibly complex Fog-shrouded Sky Royal Shadow 108 Techniques in such a short time was truly surprising.

And I could feel it.

‘Is this the true talent of the direct disciple chosen by the Sage of Thunder God, Lee Cheong-un?’

I had underestimated Lee Kwang a bit. I had thought his martial arts were only at Jeong Yun-bo’s level; while he was certainly a top-tier expert, compared to the true strongest, it felt really lacking.

However, the truth was, Lee Kwang had studied under Lee Cheong-un for just over ten years before the Thunder God lineage fell apart, and he hadn’t had a real chance to learn the true essence of Thunder God arts. After that, he had relied on memories from childhood to self-study and improve. That alone made him one of the greatest experts surpassing the Leader of the Nine Great Sects and transformed into the Azure Dragon of the Imperial Palace.

What if he had learned from Lee Cheong-un for ten years more, or even just five?

“……”

I glanced at Jin So-cheong, who was meditating nearby, continuously rotating the Thunder God energy of the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, hardly doing any physical training. My urging for him to prioritize the training of linked casts over basic training was falling on deaf ears. I couldn’t help but question him.

“Jin So-cheong. Why do you keep focusing solely on basic training? While it’s true that more Thunder God energy will increase your prowess in the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, right now you need to train in linked castings to advance your skills faster.”

Jin So-cheong maintained his calm demeanor without a change in expression as he replied.

“Master, I believe I’ve discovered a new change in the rotation of the Thunder God energy. To pursue that change, I think I must continue concentrating like this, so please allow me to train this way.”

“……”

I wanted to scold him somehow, but I was quickly drained of energy. While I was confident that my mastery of Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique surpassed Jin So-cheong’s by several times, Jin So-cheong was still Jin So-cheong. How could I question the [direction] he’s discovered?

With no other choice, I shook my head.

“Hmph… Do as you wish.”

After finishing their training, I took some time early in the morning to step out to the mountain and quietly said.

“Come forth, Yeodong-bin.”

Piying!

A moment later, Yeodong-bin was summoned before me through a temporary item. Seeing the hazy spirit of Yeodong-bin, I said.

“Instead of offering, can you manifest at my request when I need? Just for sparring.”

[Do you want me to be your training partner?]

“Yes. As you know, there aren’t many powerful opponents in this world right now. And… I also want to learn more about the Immortal Sword technique.”

[Alright.]

“I’ll offer gold bars, Yodo Muramasa, and a few treasures obtained from the Slave Market as offerings.”

[I accept.]

Wooong

A moment later, all the offerings I pulled out from the wooden armor vanished. It meant Yeodong-bin had accepted the offering, thus paying the cause and effect needed to manifest him in reality.

Swish

Yeodong-bin appeared with a physical body. And in his hands, he held the Yodo Muramasa. It seems he could also appear fully equipped if he accepted the offering.

Yeodong-bin said, “Young Hero, you probably have many questions about the Immortal Sword technique. But as I mentioned earlier, I too am unfamiliar with the black and white aspect of the Immortal Sword and everything will depend on your ability to resurrect the true Immortal Sword after annihilating the Eight Parts of the Divine in Aokigahara Life Sea.”

“I understand. Clumsy learning is worse than not learning at all.”

“The Immortal Sword technique is based on making circles consistently. Keep pondering the meaning of circles.”

“I will do it in my spare time.”

Yeodong-bin nodded and said, “The maximum training you can do before facing the Master of the White Lotus Sect is the Moon-Style Defense Technique.”

I raised my eyebrows at his remark.

“Moon-Style Defense Technique? How would I even train in that?”

“……”

“Can I learn the Moon-Style Defense Technique as well?”

“Not that.”

Swoosh

Yeodong-bin stood exactly one palm’s length away from me. He then lowered his sword and said, “Young Hero, use your martial arts to attack me with a low-level technique.”

“Well then.”

I immediately concentrated my energy in one hand and unleashed a powerful move.

Crackling!

Eight parts of my energy!

Thunder Spirit Seal!

Although it was only eight parts, my energy was immense enough to blow away a mountain with a single strike. And when I unleashed the Thunder Spirit Seal, I sensed an unbelievable phenomenon as Yeodong-bin’s Intent Heavenly Pillar activated.

Moon-Style Defense Technique!

I felt the manifestation of Yeodong-bin’s absolute realm, the proof of invulnerability. The swordsman’s technique that allowed him not to lose dominance against any advances or speed! Until now, the Moon-Style Defense Technique had been used to deflect or counterattack but the way to respond to my Thunder Spirit Seal seemed very different.

Clash!

“……!!”

It appeared as if my glowing blue Thunder Spirit Seal’s imprint had suddenly manifested opposite me, looking identical to my Thunder Spirit Seal!

As I stared wide-eyed at the incomprehensible phenomenon, suddenly, my Thunder Spirit Seal collided with something in the void, greatly losing its power, followed by an incredibly dark and swift blade approaching my forehead.

Piying!

Barely escaping Yeodong-bin’s counterattack, I was left shocked.

“What… was that just now?”

“That’s another use of the Moon-Style Defense Technique that I haven’t revealed to you.”

Yeodong-bin said, stepping back, maintaining his composure.

“When you see through the Moon-Style Defense Technique’s [eyes], if you penetrate through vague and loose intent, you can counter it like a mirror with your martial arts.”

“……?!”

“If the opponent’s martial arts’ impact is countered, they will inevitably encounter the Thunder Escape Sword.”

So the Moon-Style Defense Technique had such capabilities as well?!

‘Indeed, the Sword Saint…!!’

While I was startled, Yeodong-bin continued.

“However, this function cannot be used against techniques that have reached mastery. You’ll find it hard to use this against the Infinite Slash or Three Treasure Techniques. The reason you haven’t had a chance to experience it was that your summoned opponents have most often been accomplished martial artists or demonic beings.”

“Hmm… so it’s like a slaughtering technique aimed at commoners.”

“That language is quite crude for the future generations, Young Hero. But I believe you understand.”

I grasped the situation and asked, “So how do I practice the Moon-Style Defense Technique?”

“Your current concern is that you’ve accumulated many low-level martial arts that have fallen behind in proficiency.”

“That’s true.”

Swing

Yeodong-bin grasped the Intermediate Stage and emitted his Intent.

“Continuously clash your lower-level martial arts with the Moon-Style Defense Technique. Each time you encounter a martial art that nullifies, keep looking for improvements!”

“……!!”

“The Moon-Style Defense Technique’s counterattack thoroughly targets only the weak points of those underdeveloped lower-level techniques. By continuously clashing, you’ll easily become aware of your own shortcomings.”

I could see what Yeodong-bin meant.

‘There’s no better way to rapidly understand the deficiencies in martial arts!’

Training usually requires long periods to gradually find weaknesses! However, the Moon-Style Defense Technique was the absolute realm and a perfect [eye], thus allowing one to strike the flaws of underdeveloped martial arts with precision. When thoroughly pressured to find weaknesses, it’s as if one trained in that technique solely for years.

But soon, I recognized the risks of this training and cautiously said.

“…But if I make a mistake while countering, I’ll get pierced through the acupoint and get hurt, right?”

“Improving the shortcomings of peerless martial arts is typically impossible within a short time, wouldn’t you accept that risk?”

“……”

“And in that pain, your concentration will become honed.”

In other words, if I slacked off during training, the Sword Saint Yeodong-bin wouldn’t hold back and would stab me with his sword. Realized I also needed to toughen up for this challenging training, I gritted my teeth.

“Here I go!”

Dodging towards Yeodong-bin, I thought, ‘While this training might not provide a fundamental solution…!!’

I know. Clashing with the Moon-Style Defense Technique will yield several times the efficiency of regular training, but it doesn’t fundamentally reduce the level of martial arts that typically needs decades of honing. Still, the sole purpose of challenging this pain remains.

I can’t stop.

I won’t evade the essence of martial arts because of my lack of talent anymore!

Regardless of how excruciatingly inefficient and painful this time may be, I chose to face it directly!!

Boom

I used Thunder God Fist and Five Elements Energy once against Yeodong-bin’s Moon-Style Defense Technique, but none landed, realizing that a similar strike of energy was flying back towards me. I rushed to strengthen my defenses, trying to block Yeodong-bin’s counter, but I was inevitably a breath behind, making it out of reach.

Boom!

Yeodong-bin mercilessly slashed my arm. I chilled at the realization that even my protection energy was useless against Yeodong-bin’s blade, and I stepped back, clutching my bleeding arm. As I quickly stopped the bleeding, Yeodong-bin said.

“During that nullification, you must have sensed the flaw in your Thunder God Fist.”

I nodded.

“…Yes. I saw it.”

I can’t express exactly how I feel, but I distinctly felt the gaps in my postural weaknesses when I cast the basic techniques or the lack of ‘force’ in conjunction with joy. It felt as if I had peered into the answer in advance.

Yeodong-bin emitted a frigid energy and spoke in a low voice.

“That flaw is typically only something that can occasionally be understood with great talent. Continue charging forward while imprinting that flaw into your mind and then find ways to remedy it in the following gradual improvements.”

My arm hurt but motivation surged within me.

Normally, such areas could only be learned through talent, yet with the power of Yeodong-bin’s absolute realm, the training offered a means to easily open that understanding.

‘Alright… this is worth it!’

If I do this training for a few years, I could vastly improve the stagnated low-level skills! And in the upcoming battle against the Master of the White Lotus Sect, I’d have much more useful techniques!

I waited for my body to recover, then suddenly thought of something and asked.

“I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Yeodong-bin, since you possess two absolute realms, can I also attain multiple absolute realms?”

“……”

Seeing Asura possessing multiple absolute realms while using its techniques made me envious. Yeodong-bin also seemed to be frequently seen as a holder of many absolute techniques, so I naturally couldn’t help but envy it.

Yeodong-bin gazed at me thoughtfully and said.

“That’s entirely possible… In fact, Young Hero, you’re bound to achieve that, whether you want it or not.”

“Really?”

“Didn’t you realize? You are longing to surpass your own limits and gain the majestic roots.”

The words that followed Yeodong-bin echoed in my ears.

“Soon, you’ll come to recognize that the decision you’ve taken resembles an ancient tree that stretches endlessly.”

A month and several days passed.

Under a crystal-clear moonlit night.

After teaching everyone and seeking a moment for training alone during the midnight hour, I heard Mangnyang’s trembling voice approach, “They’ve come.”

I glanced toward where the voice came from.

And there, behind Mangnyang, I could see three figures, especially focusing on the figure wearing a mask. It seemed Mangnyang had fulfilled the role of guiding them here as I instructed.

As I stared at them, the masked figure sent a Six Harmonies Assembly towards me.

[Are you the village chief of Soeul?]

I calmly replied, “That’s me.”

[Just as I heard, you’re an absolute realm master.]

“That’s what you are as well, isn’t it?”

I eyed him intensely and continued, “Master of the White Lotus Sect.”