Kidnapping Jeon Myeong-hoon was incredibly easy.
I approached him using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts when he was alone, knocked him out by striking his soul plane with the Formless Sword, and then carried him away. It was over as soon as I used the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts again.
Additionally, Jeon Myeong-hoon is weaker than I had imagined.
'Isn't he too weak?'
It's exactly as I thought.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is only at the Core Formation stage at best, and he can barely recognize planes, making the kidnapping almost laughably easy.
However, I frown, tiling my head.
'Jeon Myeong-hoon in his past life was strong enough to take down a Four-Axis inspector.'
That time too isn't far from now.
'It's in a few months.'
How could this guy leap from Core Formation to the Four-Axis level in just a few months?
It's a curious matter.
'Well, it's actually better for me now.'
I tear my consciousness.
Wo-woong!
The Mysterious Bizarre Gu technique.
It's the parasitic technique I received from Gyeon Shin.
Chyarluk!
Activating the Mysterious Bizarre Gu technique, my consciousness wriggles in my hand, transforming into a small larva-like shape.
The gray larva squirms as I bring my hand to Jeon Myeong-hoon's face, entering through his nostril.
I feel the Mysterious Bizarre Gu settle in Jeon Myeong-hoon's upper dantian, taking its place in his consciousness.
If I continue to erode Jeon Myeong-hoon unnoticed, I can erase his personality without anyone knowing and turn him into my puppet in about 10 years.
'Of course, I don't plan on doing that...'
What I want from Jeon Myeong-hoon is merely a few days of acting.
Wo-woong!
Activating the Mysterious Bizarre Gu technique that enters into Jeon Myeong-hoon's upper dantian, Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes snap open.
Using the Mysterious Bizarre Gu technique to forcibly control someone is efficient, but the drawback is that the Mysterious Bizarre Gu quickly wears out and dissolves in the target's consciousness.
Of course, it's enough to last for a few days.
"Listen, Jeon Myeong-hoon. From now on, go to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and bring back the Heavenly Lightning Banner from the Thunder Cloud Peak located there. Understand?"
"Yes, I understand..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon, dominated by the Mysterious Bizarre Gu technique, responds with a dazed look in his eyes.
After taking control of Jeon Myeong-hoon, I release him.
'Now comes the important part.'
I need to remotely manipulate Jeon Myeong-hoon and through him, smuggle out the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
I shift my perspective to Jeon Myeong-hoon's and return his body to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
'Let's see. Shall we investigate?'
"Junior brother! Where have you been?"
Just then.
A woman dressed in a golden robe approaches Jeon Myeong-hoon, recognizing him and coming closer.
Her cheeks flush red with joy upon seeing him, spewing out emotions of happiness.
She was the woman who had been walking down the street with Jeon Myeong-hoon earlier.
'The current granddaughter of the Sect Leader Jin Byuk-ho, Jin So-hae.'
I heard she and Jeon Myeong-hoon are a famous well-matched couple.
It is a well-known story within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, so there was no need to investigate. It's something one can know just by hearing the rumors.
'After all, Jeon Myeong-hoon is currently the most famous person in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.'
As someone with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, Jeon Myeong-hoon is the most famous celebrity within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
It's impossible for there not to be rumors about Jeon Myeong-hoon dating the current granddaughter of the Supreme Sect Leader.
Recalling their rumors, I move Jeon Myeong-hoon's mouth to answer.
"I just went out for some fresh air."
"...?"
However, Jin So-hae seems to sense something is off and tilts her head in confusion.
"What's with you, junior brother? Why are you suddenly being formal? Since when have you spoken to me with honorifics?"
"...Just because."
I recall Jeon Myeong-hoon's tone of voice from my memories and speak to her.
"Just tried it once. What's up?"
"Ah, that's right. Remember what you told me last time? I've been thinking about it."
"..."
As she starts talking, I internally break out into a cold sweat.
'Damn, if she brings up something only Jeon Myeong-hoon and she knows, I won't know how to respond....'
Should I awaken Jeon Myeong-hoon's consciousness?
It's when I'm pondering.
"Indeed... running away together seems hard to accept."
"..."
'What was Jeon Myeong-hoon thinking, trying to take away a promising maiden of the sect with such a proposal?'
"The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect has been with me since I was very young. In fact, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is no different from family to me. How could I leave my family behind? No matter how much I like you, I'm sorry..."
"..."
I don't know what to say, so I remain silent for a moment.
Then, I speak through Jeon Myeong-hoon's mouth.
"...Let's talk later."
"Alright. It must be complicated for you. Let's meet again later."
I sigh inwardly and leave the spot with Jeon Myeong-hoon's body, going deeper into the sect.
'Jeon Myeong-hoon's residence isn't far from Thunder Cloud Peak.'
Should I visit Thunder Cloud Peak then?
I move his body to Thunder Cloud Peak and arrive at the summit.
'This is the top of Thunder Cloud Peak, the shrine where the Heavenly Lightning Banner is kept...'
When I'm looking at the small shrine.
"Master Jeon, I've told you that you shouldn't come here without permission."
An elder at the Nascent Soul stage flies towards Jeon Myeong-hoon, reprimanding him.
"If you wish to enter this Thunder Tribute Hall where the Heavenly Lightning Banner is enshrined, you must first reach the Heavenly Being stage by diligently practicing. With Master Jeon's talent, it is entirely possible to reach the Heavenly Being stage within two hundred years, so please be patient."
'As expected, even with good talent, Jeon Myeong-hoon can't just enter like that.'
Even the direct disciple of the Supreme Sect Leader cannot enter at will.
"I understand that you must be troubled by recent events. It must be unsettling, not marrying Miss Jin So-hae, to whom you were engaged, but suddenly having marriage talks with the daughter of an Integration stage Grand Cultivator. I understand Master Jeon's feelings, especially since the Grand Cultivator's daughter is known to have a very peculiar temperament."
Without saying anything, the elder guarding the Thunder Tribute Hall starts to console Jeon Myeong-hoon with a sigh.
"However, you don't need to worry too much. Master Jeon, you possess the same talent as the sect founder, the Golden Deity, so your value is not less than that of the Heavenly Lightning Banner. The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will protect Master Jeon to the utmost."
"...Thank you."
I express gratitude through Jeon Myeong-hoon's mouth and piece together his current situation from the conversation.
'He proposed to Jin So-hae, the granddaughter of Jin Byuk-ho, to run away together, and there are marriage talks with the daughter of a Grand Cultivator at the Integration stage. The daughter of the Grand Cultivator is said to have a strange personality. In other words...'
He is afraid of suddenly having to marry the Grand Cultivator's daughter, so he thought about running away from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect with Jin So-hae.
At the same time, hearing that Jeon Myeong-hoon's worth is not less than the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I feel the framework for a plan for stealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner click into place in my mind.
'If that's the case, then...'
After organizing my thoughts,
I descend from Thunder Peak and head to find Jin So-hae.
"Junior brother Jeon, have you made your decision?"
"Yes."
I take Jin So-hae to a secluded part of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect with Jeon Myeong-hoon's body.
Then, I whisper to her as if sharing a secret.
"I've decided to leave. Don't try to stop me."
"...! You..."
"I'm leaving Thunder Spirit Island. If I leave the Human Territory altogether and go somewhere else, there shouldn't be a problem."
"..."
"Thank you for everything. Take care."
"Wait...!"
Although she calls out to Jeon Myeong-hoon, I move forward, leaving her behind.
'That settles it.'
It is still uncertain whether Jeon Myeong-hoon's precious words were true or not.
However, starting from tonight, Jeon Myeong-hoon is indeed going to disappear for a few days..
I took Jeon Myeong-hoon's body to a deserted place and unfold the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts through the Mysterious Bizarre Gu within him.
Shuck!
Jeon Myeong-hoon disappears from the sight of others. In that state, I manipulate him to go below Thunder Cloud Peak.
I dig into the ground and place Jeon Myeong-hoon's body inside, beginning to wait.
'Yuan Yu, go and come back.'
I use Yuan Yu to strike the edge of Thunder Spirit Island, creating traces as if someone forcibly broke through the protective barrier of Thunder Spirit Island.
If Jeon Myeong-hoon does not appear in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect for a few days, the sect will be in turmoil.
Jin So-hae will inevitably relay Jeon Myeong-hoon's words directly to the upper echelons of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. If the sect investigates and finds traces of someone breaking through Thunder Spirit Island's barrier, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will turn upside down, dispatching people in all directions to search for Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will be in chaos and the high-ranking cultivators will all be out. In the meantime, I will move Jeon Myeong-hoon's body to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner.'
Now that the method of theft is prepared, what remains is the escape route.
'When they find out the Heavenly Lightning Banner has been stolen, Jin Byuk-ho will be furious and chase after me.'
It's naive to think that a precious immortal treasure like the Heavenly Lightning Banner wouldn't have tracking spells on it or that the people of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect wouldn't have learned methods to sense the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
'No matter how well it's stolen, it's bound to be discovered eventually. Hence, securing an escape route is the most important.'
Then, how and where to flee?
'The escape route is clear.'
Not outside the Human Race Territory.
Instead, I must go deeper into the Human Race territory.
'To the Human Race Grand Alliance's main headquarters, Heavenly Human Island.'
I will use the teleportation array meant for other races located in Heavenly Human Island to escape elsewhere.
The first stop is the Light Spirit Pond in the Cold Spirit Race territory..
'I haven't had the chance to take care of Kim Yeon in this life.'
In the beginning, living under Seo Hweol's watchful eye left me no room to breathe.
After that, I was dropped into the lower realm because of Seo Hweol and spent my days receiving teachings from Jang Ik.
'For Yeon... I'm sorry. Anyway, since I didn't take care of her and didn't snatch her from the Mad Lord, the Mad Lord is likely still lurking around the Cold Spirit Race territory, cackling and toying with [Her].
Near the Light Spirit Pond.
Passing through the location where the Mad Lord resides, I will head towards the Earth Tribe Territory.
Doing so, even Jin Byuk-ho would not dare to chase me near the Mad Lord.
And thus, stuffing the stolen Heavenly Lightning Banner into Seo Hweol's jaws will accomplish this life's greatest goal!
I clench my teeth and make a vow.
'No matter what, I'll land a blow on Seo Hweol.'
The method of theft is prepared.
The escape route is secured.
I've thought of how to handle the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
Of course, even after dealing with the Heavenly Lightning Banner, if the True Immortal who comes looking for it curses the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, there's nothing I can do.
If it comes to that despite everything, then there's nothing I can do with my current capabilities.
'Alright, let's wait.'
Using the Mysterious Bizarre Gu hidden within Jeon Myeong-hoon's consciousness, I fully deploy the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts with Jeon Myeong-hoon's body.
Thus, I wait patiently under Thunder Cloud Peak.
Seven days and nights pass.
The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is turned upside down.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, who possesses the same talent as the sect's founding patriarch Yang Su-jin, disappeared without a trace.
The testimony of his lover, Jin So-hae, is even more shocking.
The sect members thought Jeon Myeong-hoon had run away for a while because he didn't want to marry the daughter of the Integration stage Grand Cultivator. But according to Jin So-hae, Jeon Myeong-hoon had left Thunder Spirit Island entirely!
This led the elders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to investigate the barrier of Thunder Spirit Island, turning everything upside down once again.
Traces were found that someone had forcibly broken through Thunder Spirit Island's barrier.
Consequently, an emergency was declared throughout the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
Seventy Nascent Soul and thirty-three Heavenly Being elders.
Along with the Supreme Sect Leader Jin Byuk-ho himself, the only Four-Axis stage cultivator in the sect, personally set out to search for Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Thus, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is now left empty.
I finally make my move.
'Now's the time.'
Wo-woong!
I climb Thunder Cloud Peak with Jeon Myeong-hoon's body and stand in front of the Thunder Tribute Hall where the Heavenly Lightning Banner is stored.
'Today, the Heavenly Lightning Banner will be in my hands!'
With this, may the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect not be struck by that terrible calamity.
Near the Thunder Tribute Hall, I touch the shrine without any of the Nascent Soul stage elders guarding it noticing.
Then, I begin to lay the circuits of the Mad Lord on the surface of the Thunder Tribute Hall while remotely controlling Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Chijijik...
After a while, the Thunder Tribute Hall falls under my hands.
'I just need to go in and steal it, but...'
The Nascent Soul stage elders nearby are bothersome.
Although the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts can be fully utilized based on 'vision', it is too much for the weak consciousness of the Mysterious Bizarre Gu to handle something like the Formless Sword.
In other words, I can't knock them out or anything.
'Then... let's try to distract them with something else.'
I take out Yuan Yu.
"Buy me some time, Yuan Yu."
Yuan Yu, which had been slumbering in my possession, transforms into a human form and stands up at my command.
I continue to maintain the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts while remotely controlling Jeon Myeong-hoon, and send Yuan Yu to the front of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
Over the past 50 years.
Reaching out to the dragon veins of the planet we had fallen on, I also brought Yuan Yu up to the Nascent Soul stage.
The blood shadows that Yuan Li had scattered throughout the dragon veins near the Heaven-Treading Desert were condensed through the dragon veins and merged again. Hence, even without a main soul, Yuan Yu condensed a Nascent Soul.
'More specifically, it's a form forced together with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu technique, but...'
Anyway, Yuan Yu had succeeded in reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
Moreover, the body that Yuan Li painstakingly created for Yuan Yu seems to have superior talent to mine, already being at the mid-stage of Nascent Soul.
'Now, show them.'
It feels like it's been a long time since I've seen it.
Honestly, they are unpleasant techniques, but thinking of them as just techniques from a bygone past made me feel better.
"Blood Demon Suppressing Sea Light."
As Yuan Yu forms a hand seal, crimson clouds of blood mist swirl around him.
And then.
Kwaaaang!
Yuan Yu's spell strikes the barrier of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
'The beginning starts now.'
With the sect's main forces out searching for Jeon Myeong-hoon and the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect left empty,
Will there really be anyone in the remaining Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who can compare to Yuan Li in his prime?
