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00464 Dark Heaven Village ————————————————————————=

I started going over the weaknesses I had in my Three Treasure Technique. When I clashed with the Master of Shadowless Sword, it felt like we were evenly matched at first, but I ended up getting hit hard due to my technique’s gaps. If it weren’t for the powers I gained as Jeon Wook’s Apostle, I would have dropped dead right then and there.

‘No, that’s not the flaw in the Three Treasure Technique; that’s my weakness.’

Both Jin So-cheong and the Peak Experts who perfected the Three Treasure Technique constantly demanded “precision” from me. While the Three Treasure Technique is one of the ultimate martial arts, my lack of mastery made it susceptible to flaws, rooted in my inaccurate breathing. I realized I needed to incessantly practice in real combat to boost my control of the technique.

I pondered to improve the Three Treasure Technique and practiced for about a shijin before moving on to the next.

“Dharma Guardian King!”

With intention, I shouted, focusing my energy as I transferred my internal power according to the essence taught by the Sect Leader. Slowly but surely, the Dharma Guardian King unfolded, and web-like energy spread from my fingers. However, perhaps due to my lacking concentration, the Qi wasn’t as dense as I hoped.

Nonetheless, something must’ve been packed into my internal strength that three-square-foot scars quickly appeared in the outdoor training ground. Watching the destruction made me clench my fists in disappointment.

“So clumsy…”

Looking at my achievement, I felt I might barely be at this level, still far from mastery.

The Dharma Guardian King used by the Sect Leader, Dokgo Jun, and Lee Cheong-un was not at this level. They harnessed the tremendous power of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, unleashing it over a vast area in a destructive final shot. But I was merely creating a cross form; I wasn’t able to wield the Dharma Guardian King correctly.

If I could properly use the Dharma Guardian King, I wouldn’t need to worry about those small fries. Although it was slightly lesser among advanced techniques, it had incredibly efficient internal power, specialized for mass extermination. I practiced the essence of the Dharma Guardian King once more and moved on to the next technique.

The following one was the Reverse Celestial Wheel. I called its characteristics to mind.

The Reverse Celestial Wheel is an inducement-type attack that relentlessly pursues the opponent!

Attempting to engage head-on with the Reverse Celestial Wheel could leave one entangled in sticky energy, suffering great losses. Plus, if an underling gets hit, they lose any chance of a counterattack—it was crafted purely for victory. That’s why, when the Sect Leader executed the Reverse Celestial Wheel against Lee Cheong-un, he didn’t confront it directly but avoided using the Thunder Spirit instead.

In other words, it’s a pretty neat technique that can absolutely suppress enemies. I knew that mastering the Reverse Celestial Wheel would earn me a spot among the top martial artists, but trying to deploy it left me sighing.

“… I only know the principles and essence, but it’s too difficult to execute…”

It was yet another technique akin to the Three Treasure Technique—an incredible technique needing multiple levels of enlightenment to be truly used! I had no choice but to dull practice the Reverse Celestial Wheel, cementing my memory.

Sand and Water Wheel.

Ninety-Nine Harmony of Cats.

Five Elements’ Raging Qi.

Seven Star Thunderbolt Technique.

Ideal Channeling.

I realized with despair that all the remaining techniques were also considered peerless secrets, but there was nothing I could train properly. While I couldn’t assert that any were harder than the Three Treasure Technique, they all required supreme talent.

‘Ah, but maybe…’

I spent days holed up, reassessing possibilities when a spark of inspiration hit, and I found my face lighting up.

Seven Star Thunderbolt Technique!

It was tough, too, but since Lee Cheong-un, the Thunder God Lineage’s practitioner, infused the Thunder God’s pride into the possibility of the Seven Great Techniques, I felt a closeness as I drilled into it. As long as I didn’t spoil the purity of these other techniques, this one was mighty enough to be called a Thunder God technique.

The usage was relatively simple. It combined the Heavenly Five Divine Decisions and the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic and mixed in the Thunder God’s Thunder God Fist essence. Only the higher-level applications got more complicated; basic destructive ability didn’t require too much effort.

I unleashed the Seven Star Thunderbolt, extending my index finger.

Boom!!

Boom!

“Wahaha!!”

The mixed rainbow-colored lightning beams shot from my fingertips were exhilarating. Moreover, upon impacting, it exploded magnificently. Regardless of anything else, the sensation of actually using an advanced Qi technique was always thrilling. I felt the Seven Star Thunderbolt Technique clicked with me, and I kept using it with enthusiasm.

After about twelve shijins of continuous practice with martial arts, I felt tired and took a break. While meditating, I focused on gathering spirit power with the techniques taught by Cheon Woo-jin while trying to improve the fundamental abilities of the Soul Exchange Technique and Heavenly Spirit Pill. I resolved to start practicing, but a mountain of tasks lay ahead.

Thus, I dedicated myself entirely to training for a fortnight. After surpassing the two-week mark, I decided it was time to properly delve into the Heavenly Peace Magic.

‘The basic power for entering Heavenly Peace Magic is ready.’

With a solid foundation, even with slightly waning talent, one could gain achievements. Nervous, I began excavating information on the Heavenly Peace Magic, discovering the beginner-level techniques beyond the foundational methods.

The Heavenly Peace Magic is the art of the Great Immortal that, at its peak, allows one to manipulate the weather. However, much like the Heavenly Secret Technique, it isn’t exclusive for the Great Immortal—it’s a sect that ordinary sorcerers can also learn. There are likely many sorcerers out there besides me who are studying Heavenly Peace Magic. This art’s power varies significantly based on talent and mastery.

The foundation of Heavenly Peace Magic is illusion techniques. I focused intensively on one of the basic techniques that deceives perception.

Oh, this is easy?

The foundational techniques aren’t too hard, and with my foundational power backing me, I could catch on to them in about two days. My confidence began to grow. Not stopping there, I turned over every stone to master the 18 techniques foundational to Heavenly Peace Magic.

And then I realized.

‘Just because the basics are easy doesn’t mean I should be thrilled!’

One must perfectly execute the 18 fundamental techniques in a way so fluid it’s like breathing to enter the intermediate techniques. From here, the difficulty ramped up significantly. A casual glance told me it was definitely beyond my grasp within a year or two. Not that the foundational 18 techniques had great power; they were just sufficient enough for a roadside sorcerer to use, unmistakably not something I could breeze through.

“Ugh, what can I do…”

I reluctantly settled into alternating training between the Seven Great Techniques, Soul Exchange Technique, and Heavenly Peace Magic. Each one would likely take a lifetime of dedication to master with my talent, but I approached it with the idea that strongly engraining it into my soul might create a combined effect to make everything easier to grasp.

For almost two months, I immersed myself in training. One day, while focusing and using the Seven Star Thunderbolt, I was taking a break when I heard a voice.

“Young Hero, you’re truly amazing.”

I turned to look as Seo Mun-hye handed me a towel to wipe off my sweat.

“Given your current martial arts, there can’t be many who could match you. You’ve forgotten your meals while practicing.”

She had apparently returned to the sect after a long time and regained her radiant appearance. Originally a beauty with silver hair, now adorned in a beautiful outfit with fair skin, she looked as lovely as a single flower. But since I was already into Miho, I remained unaffected by her peerless beauty as I replied.

“My power is terribly lacking. My enemies are strong enough to squish me to death with a finger.”

Seo Mun-hye gasped in genuine surprise, covering her mouth.

“Goodness…!! Is that even possible? Aside from the Master of the Twelve Joules and my father, I’ve never seen a master as strong as you.”

“……?”

When she mentioned the Master of the Twelve Joules, I couldn’t help but frown. As memories resurfaced, I finally understood her words.

[ … I wanted to obtain the Self-Controlled Moon Blade.]

[ I received intel that the Self-Controlled Moon Blade hides the number one martial art in the world.]

[ The current owner of the Self-Controlled Moon Blade is the previous champion of the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament, known as the Best in the East—Master of the Twelve Joules. He possesses the Self-Controlled Moon Blade.]

That’s right. In the past, Seo Mun-hye disclosed her intention to compete in the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament while speaking about wanting to obtain the Self-Controlled Moon Blade. She mentioned that the previous champion of the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament had taken the Self-Controlled Moon Blade.

‘Maybe the Master of the Twelve Joules realized from the start that the Self-Controlled Moon Blade was an incredible demonic artifact and entered to obtain it…’

The Self-Controlled Moon Blade is no ordinary treasure hiding the world’s number one martial art. It was a powerful demonic artifact capable of rivaling the White Lotus Sect leader, used to bring back the Apostle Dalgil. While I’d love to obtain it, it was a difficult item to come by since it was in the possession of the Master of the Twelve Joules at present.

After some deliberation, I spoke.

“Seo Mun-hye, you made it to the top four in the previous Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament. Then you must have seen the Master of the Twelve Joules firsthand.”

“Yes, that’s right. I saw him fight as well.”

“What kind of person was he? Did he wear a puppy mask?”

“……?”

Seo Mun-hye replied with a puzzled look.

“A puppy mask? He was exceptionally handsome, comparable to Song Ok or Ban An.”

“Hmm…”

“Everyone watching the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament praised his looks.”

Wait, he didn’t wear that puppy costume when participating in the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament? Does that mean he only wore it when he faced me?

‘Well, Lee Joo-hee from Goryeo also mentioned he was good-looking.’

As I organized my thoughts, Seo Mun-hye continued.

“I remember he took down all his opponents in just one second. His weapon was a snow-white sword.”

“… A snow-white sword? Wasn’t it the Cosmic Fragment?”

“The Cosmic Fragment was always strapped to his waist, but he never used it.”

“……”

I understood perfectly. Those who participated in the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament are usually peak experts or ones breaking through to the top tier, making it an incredibly high-level match for any individual martial artist. However, for Ha Eun-cheon, already at the Absolute Realm, everyone in that competition must have seemed like mere kids, so he could take them all down in a second with just his secondary weapon.

‘Asking about the Master of the Twelve Joules’ martial arts would be useless.’

Even the peak experts at the ultimate level can’t figure out the martial arts features of someone like Master of the Twelve Joules, who stands at the Absolute Realm. I pondered for a bit longer, finally deciding to ask a question I had avoided due to considering her pride as a martial artist.

“Seo Mu, this question may seem rude, but would that be alright?”

“After you saved my life, how could that be rude? Please feel free to ask.”

“How was the martial arts and appearance of the one who defeated you in the top four?”

“Um… that…”

Seo Mun-hye hesitated to reply, struggling with the shameful memory. This was precisely why I wanted to avoid provoking her pride as a martial artist. After some thought, she finally responded.

“He was a nameless swordsman wearing a mask.”

“A swordsman?”

“He participated without revealing his name, using forms unknown to us. He also defeated all his opponents in just one second, and when we fought in the top four, I managed to hold my own for three seconds but ultimately got wounded by his sword qi…”

“… A remarkable martial artist, indeed.”

Hearing this made me think highly of him. My level now had reached an advanced tier, yet there’s no guarantee I could take down Seo Mun-hye in three seconds. After all, she’s also a peak expert with a high mastery of the Master of Shadowless Sword. It could be possible to overpower her within three seconds with pure internal force, but defeating her purely on martial knowledge within that time frame would be exceedingly challenging.

I felt a suspicion creeping in as I spoke.

“With that level of skill, that swordsman must be among the top in the martial arts world. Do you have any guesses about who it might be?”

“I’m not sure… His swordplay was far too free to pinpoint.”

Seo Mun-hye thought for a moment but seemed to recall something.

“I remember the three stances he executed; let me show you.”

“Please do.”

I felt compelled to understand more about the swordsman who had defeated Seo Mun-hye. Until now, I thought she simply lost due to carelessness, but her martial arts skill seemed higher than I had assumed. Plus, it was crucial to know about a swordsman capable of defeating her in only three stances.

Swish.

Seo Mun-hye took a position in the center of the training ground, pretending I was her adversary and began executing her stances.

First stance, second stance, third stance.

After completing the three attacks, Seo Mun-hye withdrew her sword.

“When it came to this point, I had already been wounded.”

“……”

“Little Hero?”

The moment I witnessed Seo Mun-hye’s swordplay, a heavy shock hit my mind like a ton of bricks. I felt I had uncovered unexpected information in this setting.

“It can’t be….”

There’s no doubt about it.

Though her three stances appeared chaotic, I recognized that swordplay.

Wind Spirit Sect’s Secret Sword Technique, Wind Demon Swordplay!

In my past life, while acting as the Deputy Sect Leader of the White Lotus Sect and a Dharma Guardian for the Thunder God Lineage, I had learned about the Wind Spirit techniques while enslaving Wind Spirit experts, including the Wind Demon Swordplay. I had even temporarily relaxed my constraints to compel the elders of the Wind Spirit Sect to reveal their techniques since they might become enemies one day.

‘Could it be…?’

I thought of two suspicious figures who defeated Seo Mun-hye, both from the Wind Spirit Sect, and recognized one was highly likely.

To confirm whether my speculation was correct, I made my way to the Sword Demon.

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