심수력 didn’t ask anymore about how to break through the wall. Instead, he threw me another question.

“Do I need that training?”

I shook my head at his question.

“Not particularly.”

“I thought so.”

“Why did you think that?”

Shim Su-ryeok chuckled softly.

“I could see in your eyes that you wanted to be alone.”

“Same here. I’ll probably train on my own in a different way, so I’ll take my leave for a bit.”

“Going to devour more of that elixir that’s spread across the world again?”

“Of course not. After gathering this much internal power, ingesting more elixir would be pointless, wouldn’t you say? What I need now is something different.”

As he said that, Shim Su-ryeok gazed eastward, murmuring to himself.

“I’m going to search for my faintest last memories.”

“……”

“I’ll see you later.”

FWAP!

As Shim Su-ryeok flew off into the sky, I settled into a cross-legged position, a bitter smile spreading across my face as I suddenly understood his thoughts.

‘Looks like he predicted how I might try to break through the wall.’

Being a fellow practitioner of the Soul of the Four Gods and clearly more gifted than I was, it made sense. It seemed he realized that if he wanted to train, he shouldn’t have distractions around him, so he’d cleared the area beforehand. I was unsure where Shim Su-ryeok headed off to, but I began to look forward to when we’d meet again.

I concentrated and thought.

‘While examining the nature of the Soul of the Four Gods, I’ve come to a realization.’

This realization wasn’t the kind of insight often spoken about. When it boiled down, it was a childish stubbornness and my pride. I couldn’t help but ponder the terrifying natural defense of the Water Spirit, the invisibility of the Wind Spirit, and the offensive strength of the Fire Spirit, examining them one by one as I reflected on the Thunder Spirit.

‘…… Perhaps the Thunder Spirit is the simplest and most ignorant among the Soul of the Four Gods.’

In pure speed and offensive power, the Thunder Spirit was overwhelming, but when it came to other special abilities, it was lacking compared to the other Spirits. Besides its incredible speed and strength when it became electrified, the Thunder Spirit didn’t possess any unique capabilities. Plus, its poor stamina led to it consuming substantial power quickly and wearing out. It could very well turn into a limited skill in the hands of a master at the same level.

Moreover, since the development of the other Spirits was only just beginning, the Water Spirit could exhibit defensive capabilities greater than expected, while the Fire Spirit could provide explosive offensive power. Even the invisibility of the Wind Spirit was something I couldn’t quite grasp. At this rate, the Thunder Spirit might end up being the weakest among the Soul of the Four Gods.

I hated that thought.

I couldn’t simply regard the Soul of the Four Gods as just a fighting technique. In a way, it was the culmination of the traditions of the Four Great Families that possessed thousands of years of history. Each Spirit could be viewed as a symbol representing each of the families. Using the powerful Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique allowed for an approach to elemental transformation that was already beyond human comprehension.

‘I am of the Thunder God lineage…… even if I die, I remain of the Thunder God lineage!’

In that moment, my eyes flickered open.

‘The Thunder Spirit must absolutely be the strongest!! It should be strong enough to crush any of the other Four Great Families!!’

The pride of being a member of the Thunder God lineage surged within me. I hadn’t realized it throughout my past lives, but perhaps I had a considerable level of pride in being from the Thunder God lineage. Clearly, during the early stages of my previous life, I thought any martial clan would suffice as long as I could gain power. However, after joining the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School and witnessing the tremendous martial prowess of Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong, I felt I could only be part of the Thunder God lineage. Furthermore, considering that the Thunder God lineage had a tradition that spanned thousands of years, comparable to even Shaolin Temple’s, my longing to become part of the Thunder God lineage was entirely justifiable.

So, how could the Thunder Spirit become the strongest among the Four Great Families?

I had realized the answer, which was why I began training to break through the wall.

‘Quite simple. If I can unleash the Thunder Spirit indefinitely, it will be the strongest!!’

The only weakness revealed within the Thunder Spirit thus far was its lack of sustainability!

Due to its lack of stamina, the Thunder Spirit inevitably exposed unexpected weaknesses when faced against the Water Spirit or Wind Spirit. In exchange for acquiring the speed and power of lightning, it had shockingly poor consumption rates.

However, I knew Lee Cheong-un, a practitioner of the Thunder God lineage. When reviving the peak of Lee Cheong-un, utilizing the Heavenly Spirit Pill allowed him to unleash the Thunder Spirit for an extended period, making him incredibly strong. Even if the Abbot with the Primordial Spirit were to face him, they would have lost without understanding the weakness of the Thunder God lineage. The Abbot would hardly have any means of countering in a situation where they were unaware of the weaknesses of the Thunder God lineage.

Additionally, with the Heavenly Spirit Pill, Lee Cheong-un could unleash the Thunder Spirit almost infinitely, making him one of the top contenders I’ve ever encountered throughout my former lives. I was certain that if the Thunder Spirit had its sustainability improved, it would undoubtedly become the strongest.

In fact, right now, the Thunder Spirit I was unleashing was several times more powerful than the one used by Lee Cheong-un. Lee Cheong-un’s version of the Thunder Spirit was formed from incomplete ancient formulas and yielded the Thunder Spirit’s abilities forcibly using innate genius, resulting in instability. Yet the Thunder Spirit I was tapping into was completed using the formidable Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, promising a minimum of several times higher output.

‘If I can unleash the current version of the Thunder Spirit like Lee Cheong-un in nearly infinite fashion…….’

That would undoubtedly result in an unprecedented display of power from the Thunder Spirit!

And knowing how to increase the sustainability of the Thunder Spirit was the very reason I felt confident I could break through the wall.

I took on the form of the Thunder Spirit while operating the formula for the Soul of the Four Gods as before and began to manifest three small spheres around me. I calmly contemplated in my mind.

‘If I attempt a major transformation with the Soul of the Four Gods while imbuing rotational force into the three spheres, my strength will become even greater. However, after three turns, the power becomes so overwhelming that I could very well explode. Even if I reduce the amount of strength infused, the acceleration is too forceful, and it’s impossible to halt the excessive power.’

I hadn’t been able to think of a way to break through this wall until now, focusing instead on my martial arts training and studying the nature of the Soul of the Four Gods. But now that I grasped how to break through the wall, a smile crept onto my face.

‘However, if the Thunder Spirit’s consumption rate is so massive…… couldn’t I utilize that overwhelming consumption rate to yield overwhelming acceleration!!’

The realms after the ‘Fourth’ were uncertain, but I felt like the Thunder Spirit used after that would somehow be of a different dimension.

If I could achieve an unlimited Thunder Spirit while simultaneously smashing through the wall, wouldn’t that be possible!?

CRACK!

The time it took for me to unleash the first Thunder Spirit stretched out. Simultaneously, the other three spheres, influenced by the Thunder Spirit, began surging, and soon, they began rotating around me at rapid speed. Normally, I would switch to another Spirit at this rotation speed, but I restrained from doing so while maximizing the output of the Thunder Spirit.

VROOM!

The Dantian inside me boiled violently.

Simultaneously, the speed at which the Thunder Will across my body increased dramatically. It far exceeded the rotational speed I could previously manage while executing the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique. When unleashing the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, I typically relied on accompanying formulas like the Eight Extreme Sky and Heavenly Thunder Divine Art to control the speed of the Thunder Will, but I willingly let go of that control.

ZZZZZ

Before long, I sensed that the rotational speed of the Thunder Will in the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique was over five times faster than what I previously managed. At this point, it was utterly impossible to guide the energy harnessed through my meridians, causing my body to feel like heavy iron balls were rolling around, smacking against me. As my insides churned, I simultaneously sustained internal injuries, causing blood to rush up my throat.

CRUNCH!

I felt like I was going insane. This searing pain, as if a thousand swords pierced through my skin, was something only those who had experienced it could truly understand. I wanted nothing more than to vomit blood right then and there, but doing so might have led to immediate death due to the overwhelming backlash. I strained against the agony, checking how far I could push the output of the Thunder Spirit.

SHRRRING!

Thanks to the heightened whirling of the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, the Thunder Spirit transformed from its usual dull blue lightning into a being of violet lightning. Was this color change related to the power of the Thunder Spirit? Though I hadn’t yet moved, I had a strong premonition that if I did, I’d be faster and more powerful than before.

ACCELERATE!

Still, it wasn’t enough. What I desired was for my inner power to be so depleted that I could barely see the bottom. I was prepared to burst and die right where I stood, so I pushed the rotation of the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique even more fiercely.

PSSSHHH

Damn! I can’t expect to be filled up on my first attempt, but this is ridiculous!

As the accelerating speed of the Thunder Will reached unfathomable levels, catastrophe struck. Just before my body exploded, I let out a wailing scream indistinguishable from a sob.

WHAM!

With a thunderous clash, I lost to the sensation of the rotating Thunder Will, turning into mere fragments of pure lightning.

*

“You certainly picked a painful path, didn’t you?”

“……”

“From my calculations, you’ll end up dying more often than ever before. Will you still carry on?”

At Cheon Woo-jin’s question, I sat there blankly for a moment before I slowly reached for the coffee mug on the table.

My fingers trembled as I grasped the cup.

After a warm sip of coffee, I muttered,

“Americano isn’t really that great. Is this what coffee is supposed to taste like?”

Then Cheon Woo-jin replied with a slight pout in his voice,

“Why insult the most popular coffee from the Great Bear Empire?”

“Hmm……”

I scoffed in response.

“Bring every type you have next time. I’ll taste them all and decide if Americano really is that bad then.”

“……You do enjoy the sound of your own voice, don’t you.”

Cheon Woo-jin sighed to himself in disbelief, tossing a raccoon doll my way.

“Fine, I’ll keep an eye on you to see if you can handle every coffee from the Superpower Empire.”

*

After being reborn, I reapplied myself to the training regimen of pushing the Thunder Spirit’s output to its limit. I gritted my teeth and pulled every ounce of power from the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique.

GROAN!!

I can do this.

It’s hard to describe, but I can feel it more than anyone else. The moment when the output of the Thunder Spirit almost reaches the pinnacle, hovering precariously at the very brink of my internal power limit! I can reach that moment, but the Thunder Will spins too fast, causing me to lose complete control and making it difficult to capture that fleeting instant.

CRAAACK!

“Shit! It just got faster again!!”

BAM!

KEE-WAAAAH!

*

“This is Cold Brew.”

“……”

“How about a cappuccino next time?”

gulp gulp

I gulped down my coffee as if my throat was about to burst, then stretched my hand out, exclaiming,

“Where’s that raccoon doll! Fast!!”

*

BAM!

.

.

.

*

BAM!

.

.

.

*

“……”

After an exhausting 18 failed attempts, I finally understood.

“I can’t…… with my senses, I can’t capture that moment at all!!”

I could sense the level through experience, but I could never capture that brief moment with my senses or talent! I stubbornly thought it couldn’t be true and tried repeatedly, but it became clear that was just not happening. The dread of accumulating deaths had prevented me from recklessly trying the training, but now facing it directly, despair washed over me.

It felt like having to pluck a very specific bead among many thousands, without touching any of the other beads! Understanding that I required an overwhelming level of superhuman perception left me dazed. No matter how long I’ve trained, the level I needed now was inconceivable.

What on earth should I do?

In that moment, I remembered something Lee Kwang had said.

[Instead of threading the beads in a straight line, have you thought about connecting three beads in a circular formation?]

“……”

Why is it that Lee Kwang’s advice suddenly pops into my head?

Regardless of my reluctance, the thought emerged in my mind like a sudden revelation.

[In any case, if this Thunder Will focuses on these nine body parts, the process will be simple. Dividing into three parts will allow the Thunder Will to circulate as needed from those areas.]

[Connecting three beads to form a circle and completely controlling the power.]

[Once you’ve filled those three times, release a surplus Thunder Will purposely and start afresh once again.]

Release surplus Thunder Will after the Triad circulation?

I felt a twinge of realization as I sank into my thoughts.

‘For sure…… there must be some reason for this…… My instincts as a practitioner recalled Lee Kwang’s words back then.’

This is undoubtedly the key to overcoming this wall.

But the Triad circulation seemed completely unrelated to the path of training I was pursuing right now. It was merely a means of efficiently generating power, wasn’t it? Rather than relying on a long accumulation of the Five Elements or the Six Harmonies, employing the Triad circulation against foes seemed far more efficient. However, I aimed to maximize the Thunder Spirit in one fleeting instant, so I couldn’t see how it connected.

As I pondered this, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

‘What if three focus points circulate?’

Does that mean three points would generate a circular formation?

“A circle……?”

‘Why must three points be required to create a circle?’

Can a circle not be created using one point (Yuan) or two (Liang)?

What is the reason a minimum of three points are necessary to create this circle?

At the time of hearing Lee Kwang’s advice, I hadn’t thought too deeply about it. In reality, assuming points emanate from a center, it shouldn’t matter if it was one or two points to form a circle, right? But Lee Kwang insisted that three points were the baseline to draw an efficient circle. I had used that advice without fully understanding the deeper meaning behind it.

Triad…… Triad…….

The only Triad I know is the one…

“Ah…… surely not……”

Could it really be that simple?

Trying it wouldn’t hurt…….

Haven’t I been forming the Thunder Spirit while floating three spheres in a circular formation? I decided to completely abandon the complex formulas I used to assist the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, and instead insert a simple formula I had learned from the very beginning, attempting to unleash the Thunder Spirit once more.

WHIRRRR

The Thunder Will surged once again, enhancing the speed exponentially. Although I was certain I would die again, I held onto that simple formula, praying for it to stabilize.

‘Damn, there’s no way this could work…… How could this even happen?’

As Cheon Woo-jin contemplated which coffee type to serve next, I half-heartedly gave up.

Hissss!

“……!!”

Wait what?! For a brief moment, the furious flow of Thunder Will slowed down!

In that fleeting moment, I sensed the Thunder Spirit drastically heightened, while simultaneously, the tremendous power I harbored depleted to its limit. In that peculiar instant, I quickly increased the acceleration and shifted to the Fire Spirit, suddenly feeling an overwhelming surge of power fill me.

[WHOAH!!]

Holy smokes! With this, I’ve exhausted all power, raising the chances of moving beyond the ‘Third’ and into the fourth rotation!

However, unexpectedly, I felt jubilation almost equally matched by confusion.

[How can it be……?]

I trembled in shock from the unanticipated discovery.

[The Triad Heart Technique (삼재심법) is helpful?!]

It was the first foundational technique I had been practicing since my first life before reincarnation.

The only basic heart techniques trusted by the world that allowed one to avoid the path of corruption (주화입마).

A training method that even the likes of thugs, lowly escorts, and rogue practitioners could learn…… the Triad Heart Technique!

That very Triad Heart Technique was what enabled me to conquer this obstacle.

‘How is this even possible?’

The reason why the Triad Heart Technique is considered an inferior technique learnable by anyone lies in two factors. First, its mechanisms are astonishingly straightforward. Secondly, even if one lacks a great sense of Qi, training can proceed without direness. Typically, Qi Gong requires one to feel the Qi of nature until they can tangibly sense it, but the Triad Heart Technique merely demands focused mental imagery, directing Qi into the meridians.

And because of this simplistic nature, the efficiency of harnessing Qi ends up being incredibly low. Unable to tap into even the Lesser Circulation, let alone the Greater Circulation, it stands to reason that truly adept heart techniques can amass powers significantly more robust within the same timeframe, whereas the Triad Heart Technique can hardly result in even an Intermediate martial artist’s level of internal power even after decades of practice. This indicated that I’ve been practicing the Triad Heart Technique for over fifty years; it hardly garnered recognition for its training duration during my past life. Simply put, everyone could easily learn this technique, but it lacked the depth to be categorized as a worthy martial arts heart. Therefore, it commonly got handed down to low-tier thugs or escorts facing low-class adversaries.

Yet this Triad Heart Technique, who would have thought that it’d provide the crucial element when it came to the most critical moment of the Soul of the Four Gods!!

‘Tch, my thoughts are wandering. If I carry on like this, I’ll surely die again, so let me take a break……’

SWOOSH

I advanced to the second stage thanks to the Triad Heart Technique, but realizing I had become too disoriented to continue training, I released the Soul of the Four Gods. I found myself gazing down at my hands in disbelief.

“How is this even possible?”

How could the Triad Heart Technique, supposedly among the weakest, aid me in climbing to the extraordinary pinnacle, the Soul of the Four Gods?

It defied all logic. I tilted my head in confusion, simply operating the Triad Heart Technique once again.

WHOOSHHH

The internally rising internal power surged wildly while circulating through the three critical meridians according to the principles delineated by the Triad Heart Technique. Watching this straightforward flow was surprisingly disappointing.

‘Yeah, this is the Triad Heart Technique…….’

Just threading through the three critical meridians, it simply returns to the Dantian. It doesn’t even stimulate the meridians! When I think about how real heart techniques require traversing over twenty-four meridians and even reaching the Lesser Circulation, it’s hard not to question whether this is indeed a heart technique. But the fact remains that the Triad Heart Technique played an undeniable role in suppressing the overwhelming strength I just recently wielded.

Why on earth is that?

‘The three meridians in the Triad Heart Method represent Heaven, Earth, and Man. However, these three meridians also happen to be the most integral meridians within all internal heart techniques. Why does the Triad Heart Technique……’

Even after revisiting the thought, it remained a mystery. I was merely frustrated, having spent three days and nights racking all the martial knowledge I possessed to no avail.

‘Damn it! Even if I don’t know the answer, let’s at least keep experimenting.’

If the Triad Heart Technique proves beneficial, does that not justify its means? I steadied my thoughts and plunged back into the training regimen for the Soul of the Four Gods.

WHOOSH!

As I maximized the activation of the Thunder Spirit, my internal energy teetered on the cliff of depletion, but I wouldn’t simply grasp the moment by instinct. Instead, I faktored in the principles of the Triad Heart Technique for stability, which exhibited no failure as I transitioned smoothly into the second evolution of the Soul of the Four Gods.

YES!

Opportunities were finally arising!

Moreover, I felt compelled to hasten the speed of convergence for greater returns.

TRREEEEMBLE!

‘Now!!’

CRACK!

With a seamless transition into the third evolution, my acceleration skyrocketed, strengthening my power until it mirrored the pinnacle of the Abbot’s efforts when invoking the Primordial Spirit; I became comparable to a powerful Guardian or even the White Lotus Sect Leader! As I maintained my third evolution, the Water Spirit of the Soul of the Four Gods, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of amazement.

‘Impressive…… Unlike before, when overwhelming acceleration could lead to an immediate explosive release, I found that while the speed escalated, neither my core nor energy seemed affected.’

For reasons unknown, it felt as if the acceleration decoupled from my very body, significantly enhancing stability. “This status feels sufficient,” I thought, as my eyes sparkled in anticipation.

‘Here goes…… for the final fourth evolution!!’

RUMBLE!

CRACK!

‘Success!!’

I reveled in triumph, my body trembling as I transitioned from the Water Spirit to the Wind Spirit, bursting through the barriers that had constricted me for decades!!

‘Wha…… oh my……. How did I finally discover the key within the Triad Heart Technique?!’

I giggled in a blend of disbelief and joy, feeling almost moved to tears by my hard-fought breakthrough. Yet at that moment as the Wind Spirit’s ability manifested, tears remained at bay, witnessing the grandeur of my fourth evolution.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!

‘Wait! It’s moving so fast… I’m turning into a energy sphere!’

I felt elated, driven by reckless abandon, having thoroughly absorbed the essence of the combination between all focuses during each of the evolved transformations. The three spheres revolving around me now sped so rapidly that they became nearly indistinguishable, radiating a brilliant blue glow. The sheer force of the spheres rotating around me created an expanding ring that bolstered my confidence.

I can’t help but think this is not just mine alone!

Will a massive surge occur when I reach the fifth stage?

“…….”

Having achieved groundbreaking insight through sheer independent thought, what does it all mean?

Surely, it’ll manifest with completion when I breach through the upcoming fifth evolution of the Soul of the Four Gods.

As I gauged the current moment, my likelihood of demise had drastically escalated, anticipating the impending wave of throbbing pain once more, and prepared myself resolutely.

‘I’ve experienced an infinite rebirth, should I fear death?!’

Let’s go!!

Initiating from the Thunder Spirit, proceeding to the Fire Spirit, next is the Water Spirit, and concluding with the Wind Spirit sequentially. It’s evident that the next evolution naturally steers back to the Thunder Spirit. For some inexplicable reason, the shape of the circle seems vital.

SHATTER

The moment the resounding rumble resonated, I experienced an unanticipated phenomenon.

‘Ah?! The three spheres just merged into my body…!’

CRACK!

The three spheres, originally spiraling around, began to draw closer, edging towards fusion with my own body! Caught completely off-guard, I could finally sense the spheres as they integrated and felt trembling coursing through my limbs.

BAP BAP BAP!

A sensation akin to balloons filled with air bursting continuously flared in my body. Yet, amidst no evident pain, the sensation felt as though the power that had been trapped inside finally released.

While hundreds of balloons seemingly ruptured from within me, I sensed Celestial Thunder erupting from my body at that exact moment.

CRACKLE CRACKLE!

CRASH!

The Thunder erupted and materialized as lightning that burst from my body, enveloping me entirely as though connecting Heaven and Earth! The immense bolts rapidly widened their expanses, with the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School lying in their destructive wake, its surroundings disintegrated by electrified energy.

ZAP! ZAP!

How far does this Thunder pillar extend? I was lost in a throbbing haze, contemplating if the entire space transformed white under the Thunder Spirit’s influence. The Thunder pillar spread hundreds of miles, its range continuing to expand in a way that obscured the horizon.

‘Could it be that a thunderstorm is battering the realm?’

No, it was something beyond that.

It was a concentrated Thunder Energy, thick and raw in a way that surpassed any natural phenomenon! The overwhelming energy within was devouring the space itself. Upon realizing this, I was stricken with awe.

‘No way…. How am I producing this level of Thunder Energy?’

Most of my techniques had allowed me to use lightning as if conjuring piles of thunder, but this revelation of immense Thunder Energy came from an entirely different plane! If one looked purely at the density of this power, it towered hundreds, if not thousands of times beyond my previous abilities! Just building an elaborate weapon with such a density would require tremendous martial prowess; however, unleashing it across the horizon stretched beyond human imagination. The Thunder Energy originating from my Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique had seemingly soared beyond its limit at a threshold no one could surmount.

In the haze of this vast Thunder, I felt tremendous energy swirling within me as it became an overwhelming torrent.

CRACK!

It felt impossible to control. As if my limbs were split like brittle branches, I could tell my body was suffering. Even in the overwhelming rage of the Thunder Energy, resisting it felt futile with every atom in my being trembling.

[URK!]

Even amidst this chaos, I felt a stable force keeping me from dying, valiantly attempting to preserve my existence.

‘This undoubtedly stems from the Triad’s pathways……’

Just as that thought solidified in my mind, my body shattered at its core.

CRACK!

*

“You’ll certainly feel considerable agony.”

Cheon Woo-jin gazed at me, continuing softly.

“The pain from having your core shredded at the very end must be intense, so why do you wear that expression?”

I suppressed the pain inside while firmly clenching my fists. Despite the tremors that cascaded through my body, I lifted my head slowly, diverting my gaze to Cheon Woo-jin with a sly grin.

“Well, I scored one hint without any trial and error this time.”

“……”

“Now bring me back to life quickly.”

Cheon Woo-jin, however, shook his head vigorously.

“Just wait a moment.”

At his response, my expression contorted in confusion.

“What?! I don’t want to forget this sensation! I need to start training again as soon as I’m back!”

“I’m not trying to prolonged hinder your training.”

“Then why?!”

“……It’s a coffee with analgesic properties.”

I lashed out once more as Cheon Woo-jin slowly pushed a coffee cup towards me. Realizing it was an instruction to drink, I stared daggers at it before eventually taking a reluctant sip. As the pain settled and moments passed, Cheon Woo-jin remarked,

“It’s nearly done. Just one more minute, and you’ll regenerate.”

“Regenerate? What exactly are you regenerating?!”

“The world.”

“Pardon?”

His transparent eyes met mine as he explained.

“The moment you died, that world fell apart. So, I’ve been restoring and regenerating it.”

“……?!”

“Do you think I can bring you back to life in an empty universe of nothingness?”

What are you even saying!

Surprised, I turned to Cheon Woo-jin.

“So you’re saying the world I was training in got destroyed when I died?”

“Precisely. The planets shattered, and the laws of the world became chaos; regeneration was the only option.”

After saying that, Cheon Woo-jin sighed deeply.

“Honestly…… I’m unsure exactly what you carried with you.”

*

FLASH!

“……”

What on earth are you implying?

I furrowed my brow. Was it true that the moment I died, the world had descended into chaos, suggesting that regeneration took some time? But why must the world be destroyed for this to happen?

Is it possible that the Thunder Spirit ran rampant, obliterating planets?

‘Though it can be deemed insane power over the course of events……’

As I contemplated, I shook my head fiercely.

“No, it can’t interfere with my training any further.”

It was merely that I had gained a little extra time to drink coffee before reincarnation. If I could resurrect unscathed, I had no reason to worry!

Once again, I felt drawn to the Triad Heart Technique’s channels.

‘…… The Hundred Meetings at Heaven (천), the Center at Earth (지), and the Lower Dantian (인)… Three critical channels connecting straight from the crown to the Dantian. It shouldn’t be this simple. But……’

Why does such a basic Triad Heart Technique keep me alive?

It feels like an odd stroke of luck, but I instinctively know that unless I comprehend this truth, I cannot stride forward into the next stage.

“Hmmm…… No doubt, a single circular journey of the Soul of the Four Gods has been proven. Furthermore, once it circulates for the first turn, it dramatically amplifies the power of the Soul of the Four Gods…”

If only I could truly unleash the final Thunder Spirit, I couldn’t even fathom how powerful I’d become! It could very well deliver me the strength to skip the need for divine power entirely! However, I could feel it would inevitably require more than just the Triad Heart Technique to harness that overwhelming power.

‘It genuinely feels like the power of martial arts has no limit!’

Throughout my previous lives, I had encountered plenty of techniques superior to the Thunder Spirit. Those known as divine skills generally fell into that category. However, after acquiring the cycle of the Soul of the Four Gods, it felt like there were no bounds to the strength derived exclusively from the Thunder Spirit. This piqued my curiosity about just how far the capabilities of the Thunder Spirit could go.

So what’s next?

While repeating the cycle of the Soul of the Four Gods once more would surely result in another death, I understood that using the stability gained from the Triad Heart Technique wouldn’t suffice to withstand the amplified power.

Thus, I must seek other means of stability!

‘Perhaps I should train the Triad Heart Technique some more?’

Okay! Let’s give it a shot!

The Triad Heart Technique might just reveal itself as the ultimate technique, one going beyond the limits of everything known!

WHOOSH!

I dived into arduous, relentless practice of the Triad Heart Technique day and night, and after several years of continuous effort, I finally made my realization.

“Right…… this makes sense!!”

I suddenly opened my eyes wide as I shouted, filled with clarity.

“Indeed…… what a joke!!”

How many years had I wasted in vain?

This simple technique, merely flipping between three mere channels became a joke with the minimum essential elements to qualify as a heart technique! In comparison to the foundational Thunder Dragon One Qi Technique, it rendered itself utterly worthless against numerous advanced techniques possessed by the esteemed clans in the Martial World!

No, I’d always known, yet I had stubbornly denied that reality for years, pushovering my way through the simple motions of intersecting movements! What else could possibly contain any secrets?!

THUD

I flopped backward, feeling utterly drained and empty. Even if a few centuries were to pass, I would undoubtedly feel the consequences of this utter waste of time. I punctuated my thoughts with a self-deprecating chuckle.

‘Heh…… In my first life, even while tirelessly practicing, I never felt this defeated.’

Did this happen because I encountered too many advanced martial arts techniques during my reincarnation?

But rehashing my experiences, I remembered the simple life of hardship I came to know. Carrying out my duties as an escort, orderly arrangements for instruments, loading cargo onto carts, taking short naps while training the Triad Heart Technique or the Six Harmonies Sword Techniques… If I’d become too weary from work, it probably ended up with my slacking off under the blows of my seniors. If rations fell short, I must have settled for rumbling bellies while munching on grass…

Although it felt like a distant memory, it came flooding back when I tried to grasp it. I thought I had forgotten that sorry life, one so degrading and insignificant compared to now, yet those memories would come rushing back.

Suddenly, I began to wonder.

Was I happier back then, or am I happier now?

“Of course, now is far better……”

Life back then, with its lack of knowledge and chasms of uncertainty, may have been tolerable in its time, when I had nothing but dreams to cling to.

Speaking of which, what about Mangnyang and Jin So-cheong? How did they fare in my first life?

Would they have continued honing their skills in the mountains if I hadn’t gotten sick and descended?

“……”

Maybe now would be the perfect time to practice the Six Harmonies Sword Technique?

WHOOOSH WHOOSH

Without realizing it, I grasped a sword and plunged into practicing the Six Harmonies Sword Technique. Wishful thoughts of releasing all of the pent-up emotions from my practice over the past years fueled me.

The Six Harmonies Sword Technique had always been one of the martial skills I had cultivated throughout my life. I had tirelessly practiced this for over fifty years, striking countless times during my brief recoveries, embedding each move into my very being. However, the 32 moves of the Six Harmonies Sword Technique focused on simplifying the basics of swordplay, rendering it competing with nothing but the core models of sword arts.

Yet the Six Harmonies Sword Technique, like the Triad Heart Technique, offered no newfound feelings. It was so straightforward and fundamental that it couldn’t encompass any real merit. It had none of the brilliant aspects of swiftness, illusion, or alteration that top-level masters would possess. Of course, masters of other styles could capture these insights through their keen understanding, but itself, the Six Harmonies Sword Technique possessed little might.

‘Simple…… indeed?’

THUD!

In that moment, the words spoken by Asura flashed through my mind, and my heart sank.

“Among the sword styles, your skill with the illusionary and shifting ones is most commendable, but you’re lacking in the more defensive techniques.”

“You must balance the favorability towards the subconscious.”

“Ensure that you can equally divide the power of ten or more styles without deviating.”

Asura made me repeatedly practice countless sword styles, insisting on distributing them evenly into my consciousness. Yet, being a six-thousand-year warrior, he reached levels I never could in a short training frame. Even the very concept was too distant to grasp. It wasn’t until Asura had shared those lessons that I again felt a glimmer of insight.

Yet.

Yet……

“The Six Harmonies Sword Technique is…… Simple……”

I murmured absently, staring down at my sword.

I gazed intently at the blade’s edge.

“Thus, it becomes the True Flow…”

Why did it all finally click now?

This Six Harmonies Sword Technique, incapable of any flow or brilliance, was, for a fact, the epitome of the True Flow because it was closest to achieving the equilibrium of All Thousand Forms.

Without doubt. When armed with the Six Harmonies Sword Technique, I would reach the status Asura described earlier, knowing that I had to recognize within myself the meaning of scarcity!

SWISH!

I launched into the practices of the Six Harmonies Sword Technique while infusing each foundational movement with a different sword style. Until now, this was something I had never attempted, but given that I had acquired numerous superior sword arts, no effort was made to rehearse the Six Harmonies.

SPLASH!

As I unleashed a flurry of illusionary swords, the previously plain motions sparked to life, radiating a radiant caress that felt alien to me. The moment I infused the divine and shifting motions, the basic stance released a striking image as vibrant as the finest swordplay, while invoking the strongest force seemed like the very nature of mountains would crumble under my might. Infusing the elusive and fluid motion saw each stroke absorb powers, enabling me to unleash the swordplay in a dazzling manner. I lost myself in sheer elation and echoed my thoughts.

“It’s undeniable! By activating the essence of the Absolute Realm within the swordplay, even a modest technique can transform into the peak of the Absolute Sword Technique!”

The truth was, it mattered not just what sword arts I used, but rather the wielder’s skill made all the difference. Doubtless, techniques heralded as powerful like the Heavenly Contraction Sword or Gongsun Sword might appear to be exceptions, yet much of it also relied on the wielder’s power and perception, all principles remaining the same.

I found a newfound confidence that as long as I wielded the Six Harmonies Sword Technique, I wouldn’t face defeat against most opponents.

BOOM!

As I unleashed a series of sword energies, the ground detonated at once under my foot, creating immense energy waves. I felt unrestrained joy swelling up within; my mouth curved into a grin.

“Alright! Let’s keep at this Six Harmonies Sword Technique!!”

Once again, I focused on inputting diverse sword techniques into the Six Harmonies Sword Technique as I pressed forward in my training. Before long, several months blurred into countless days, and soon years drifted on without pausing. The cycles of relentless practice melded together, feeling as if time sped by with remarkable haste.

…….

As the years rolled by…

Without much thought while practicing the Six Harmonies Sword Technique, a revelation struck me.

“Ah…… so this too is pointless training.”

“……”

Crap! This is the last realization I want right now!

With a grim scowl, I turned upwards as if seeking the heavens through a cloud of dissatisfaction.

‘Damn it.’

I had become proficient with techniques far beyond those at the stage I first was at, yet this provided no fulfillment this time around.

But…….

“The essence of swordplay will always overshadow the art of the sword.”

I could not help but lament.

Naturally. Even if a master performer could pull off the Six Harmonies Sword Technique to express brilliance and power, it was merely a display stamped on a dull piece of canvas.

‘When wielding colors of any shade, the result won’t be pretty, and the freedom could suffocate if chained by intent.’

No matter how one could replicate a brilliant calligraphy with exquisite paint, if excess indecisions get layered atop, it merely becomes wasted potential.

This isn’t simply an efficiency dilemma—it’s a matter of intent; calling it freeform expression means it becomes the art of disorder.

Now, in this excess of choice, I wonder what I’m meant to achieve?

Before I could fully dwell in contemplation, a new round of frustration enveloped me.

“I am lacking……”

……Huh?

Why did I just express that I’m lacking? Surely I’m positioned within a realm of outright excess!

I couldn’t wrap my mind around the words that had just escaped me.

“W-Why?”

The exclamation of lacking made was undoubtedly in tandem with the wisdom of the Asura’s remarks regarding recognizing the state of scarcity.

However, even if it registered as feeling insufficient, I wouldn’t dare allow that intrinsic understanding to dissolve into rationality. That perception needs to be firmly rooted within myself!

In the midst of this contemplation, as I struggled with the ripple of uncertainty, a voice cut through the haze.

“Lack, you say? Seemingly excessive but still unsatisfied?”

Turning around, I recognized that voice without seeing form—Shim Su-ryeok had returned.

“I see you’re not truly worried? You already know the world was annihilated once before.”

At his words, I regarded him in disarray.

“I thought someone like you would’ve been resurrected by Cheon Woo-jin, as someone who wouldn’t care to bring harm to me without reason.”

Should Cheon Woo-jin ignore bringing Shim Su-ryeok back, I would definitely confront him to settle matters.

And it was hard to see Cheon Woo-jin as such a scoundrel or fool—it felt more fitting that he, too, would find a method to resurrect like me.

“Well, since you’re training with fervor, there’s really no reason for you to seek me out. Even so, it’s been several months since I’ve been here. All that time I’ve stayed hidden, not caring if you noticed.”

“Is it true I genuinely did not notice your presence? How did you approach me from several blocks away without a trace?”

“Guess what? The blessing of the Wind Spirit, of course. While you spent years on your own, I certainly wasn’t stagnant.”

With a flourish, Shim Su-ryeok’s arms turned transparent, vanishing into the mystical air. Aware this indicated the partial manifestation of the Wind Spirit, I let out a resigned sigh.

“Hmm.”

Impressive, especially considering that to manipulate a fragment of any Soul Spirit was something I couldn’t manage yet…

Indeed, he probably unearthed layers unknown to me—talent matched only by our training.

Shim Su-ryeok resumed casually, “You’ll surely understand the Wind Spirit’s usefulness soon enough. Had the Wind Spirit faction been more vigilant, they’d have undoubtedly created techniques akin to the Thunder God lineage.”

“Does acknowledging the flow of the Fire Spirit now make it seem valid?”

“It’s the truth. The Wind Spirit possesses surprising potential.”

After his reply, he turned towards me.

“In any case, it’s actually been months since I arrived here. Although I camouflaged myself carefully, it appears you were clueless about my presence. Initially, I found your training bewildering and still do.”

“You don’t understand what I’m doing?”

“That’s correct. What on earth is with you pouring so much intention into the Six Harmonies Sword Technique?”

“…… To be frank.”

I advised Shim Su-ryeok of my resentments and the concepts I had developed in the process of working through it. He unfolded his genuine contemplation as he took my words in attentively.

“Baek Woong.”

He wore a confounded expression as he asked, “Would you abandon all your martial techniques for a true mastery of the Night Sword?”

To attain the Night Sword’s true mastery, would I forfeit all martial arts?

I shook my head vehemently.

“No way—there’s no reasonable logic to merely fling that remark away.”

“All I mean is, you understand that the essence of the Night Sword lies in negating intent, right?”

“I do.”

“Then regardless of what realizations you obtain along the way, you’ll inevitably end up training yourself to reverse every intent into nothing. Recognizing the unity of forms while identifying scarcity as a reality could mean transcending all conflict.”

“……”

“Think of it this way: the Night Sword can be viewed as an antithesis to martial arts. Therefore, the closer you approach the Night Sword, the more you’ll find yourself without the very martial arts you possess; it’s inherently unintentionally isolating, born from contradiction.”

“Anti-martial?”

“Your intent forms the foundation of martial arts—thus, if you reject your intent, can you really guide martial arts without it?”

“….Mmm.”

I carefully heeded Shim Su-ryeok’s philosophical bit of advice and reflected.

‘Shim Su-ryeok isn’t presenting me with any enlightening answers. He’s simply bringing up a very reasonable counterpoint.’

Here I had continually met individuals offering great realizations amid the martial discussions, as though to share their knowledge with fervor. Conversely, Shim Su-ryeok’s perspective seemed mere introspection, devoid of intrinsic secrets; thus, I’d prefer utilizing his viewpoint as a passing thought than accepting it as an edict.

Based on his rationale, it would follow that the Night Sword embodies an opposition to martial arts.

‘But what makes the Night Sword function to negate intent?’

This concept had intrigued me ever sine Asura had bestowed insights on the Night Sword ages ago. Ironically, much like the Absolute Reflection of the Night was ostensibly worthwhile for unearthing. How could Asura define the Night Sword, let alone willingly abandon his indomitable Absolute Techniques?

I revived the vestiges of Asura’s wisdom as they resurfaced in my thoughts.

“Suppose you faced a master of armies for longer than a thousand seconds. Should they unravel the entirety of your swordplay to twist fate in their favor against you, what would happen?”

“Like Yeodong-bin? He’d likely decipher such patterns.”

“Yet you, as a Reborn Person, would already have undergone countless battles over several centuries, so you would naturally assimilate those experiences. The volume of battles fought would yield substantial familiarity.”

‘This would be like a lightbulb igniting!’

Within certain realities, it presented more robustness than I initially discerned. As a practitioner, I had yet to truly connect with those sentiments concerning experiencing that suffering of detachment; I often felt disconnected with the teachings—I only enforced reality.

‘A cyclic reality might surface if the realm indicates where I diverge to’

Changes had indeed surrounded my revelations.

In the convergence of thoughts fluttering mentally, the sound of crackling electricity flickered throughout spaces.

The very moment I grasped the elements aligning, I felt the liberating flow from within.

What was left to ponder?

 

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