'This is why...'
Looking at Hong Su-ryeong who is eyeing me suspiciously, I think to myself.
'I really dislike quick-witted youngsters.'
But her sudden interrogation isn't meaningful.
I readily extend one arm towards her.
"If you're doubtful, why not measure my physical age?"
"Huh?"
Upon my suggestion, she quickly forms a seal and checks the pulse on my arm.
Hong Su-ryeong's spiritual power sweeps through my body like lightning.
Then, her brows furrow slightly.
"...Late twenties."
Indeed.
No matter how much she suspects something about me.
This body is not brought from the future, so the information and history accumulated in this body itself only amounts to two or three decades.
"Hmm..."
She narrows her eyes at me, scrutinizing.
I meet her gaze squarely, showing no sign of intimidation.
"...Well, fine. Let's leave it at that for now."
Since there is no evidence to prove I am a suspicious old monster, Hong Su-ryeong reluctantly lets it go.
"I've always been interested in the approach of Understanding before Breakthrough and have studied it continuously. That's how I could read the flow at once. Please understand."
"...Alright, I understand."
Though she still seems skeptical, Hong Su-ryeong eventually nods.
"Whether you're an old monster or not... doesn't really matter. What's important is..."
Swoosh!
The sword formation showing 66 transformations begins to change.
'That is...'
Within the 64 transformations, the Seventy-Two Earthly Shas and Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Decrees naturally find their places.
Based on this, the changes of the Twelve Earthly Branches, Ten Heavenly Stems, and Nine Palaces follow.
And then the changes corresponding to the Seven Stars, the Six Harmonies, Five Elements, and the Four Images.
Transformations related to the Three Powers, Yin and Yang Unity, the Unified Origin, and Infinity begin to occur within her sword formation.
'Ah...'
Tsst, tsst, tsst!
Gradually, the transformations induced by her sword formation begin to accelerate.
Basic techniques are not merely simple initial techniques.
In the cultivation world, the 'language' of cultivation is precisely these basic techniques.
Even if one learns high-level cultivation methods, the complexity lies in the intertwining of basic techniques learned during Qi Refining, enriched with the creator's interpretation of these basic techniques, forming the high-level methods.
Therefore, laying a solid foundation during Qi Refining not only makes the latter stages easier but also significantly enhances the power of high-level techniques.
The reason Cheongmun Ryeong could draw upon the power of Core Formation with his Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea was precisely because he had mastered the language of basic techniques used in high-level methods, drawing out the true essence of the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea perfectly.
And now, before me appeared another individual, like Cheongmun Ryeong, who was drawing out the power of techniques based on their understanding of basic techniques.
Woong, woong!
"Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple."
From her dantian, lightning force erupts, connecting with the endlessly changing sword formation.
'That is...!'
The changes in basic techniques occurring within the sword formation connect with the changes happening in her dantian, her innate method.
At some point.
The swirling sword formation before me perfectly reproduces Hong Su-ryeong's method.
'Beautiful.'
Her swordsmanship skills are far inferior to mine, and her enlightenment regarding the sword is also inferior.
Not to mention, her enlightenment in the principle of Understanding before Breakthrough cannot compare to mine, who was directly taught by Cheongmun Ryeong.
However,
She has perfectly unified the principle of Understanding before Breakthrough with her flying sword techniques.
If my sword control and Formless Sword are based solely on the enlightenment reached through the extreme limits of understanding the sword,
Her approach seems to perfectly harmonize the understanding of cultivation techniques and the enlightenment of the sword, dancing within her hands.
"Look."
Crackle, crackle!
With the sword formation that elevates her cultivation and lightning power, she moves the formation.
The sword formation, spinning and transforming before her, suddenly shoots towards a point in the cave residence like a fierce tiger under her command.
"Cut!"
I can clearly feel it.
The power contained within the sword formation is only at the level of Core Formation.
No, it is barely at the Core Formation stage, and in fact, it should be considered as an attack that utilizes the full strength of the Qi Building Grand Perfection stage.
But the next moment.
Flash!
With a burst of light and lightning force, I see a huge hole being blasted through the back of my cave residence.
Kugugugugu!
The ceiling of the cave residence is blown away, and far in the distance, I can see other mountains of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect being swept away by the sword energy of the sword formation, leaving behind massive sword scars.
Shiiii—
Hong Su-ryeong's sword formation emits smoke in a halted state.
"Insane."
I let out a dry laugh upon realizing that she had deliberately infused only Qi Building level energy to show me.
It's not just about the destructive power. Her sword resonated with me in an instant.
For those below the Heavenly Being stage, avoiding it is practically impossible.
If a sword formation that spews out the power of the Core Formation from the Qi Building Grand Perfection level is used with the power of the Heavenly Being stage...
'Maybe she's just slightly less skilled than Jin Byuk-ho.'
I revise my evaluation of her as I watch her retrieve her sword formation, from a madman obsessed with human experiments to a considerably skilled individual.
Just then.
[Hong Su-ryeong, you maniac!!!]
"Ah...."
Hearing someone cursing Hong Su-ryeong from afar makes her flinch.
From a distance, an enraged voices echoe from the mountain she had split with her sword energy.
[You lunatic! What displeases you now that you cause trouble even in our new territory! If you want to cause chaos, go do it outside!!!]
"Um, um... my apologies, senior brothers!"
Hong Su-ryeong coughs awkwardly and responds.
"Anyway… If you properly grasp the basics like this, it's possible to unleash power beyond stages. And mastering the basics is not just a matter of talent. It's a matter of effort and will. That's why I've always thought that talent doesn't exist."
"I see."
'Effort and will determine talent...'
But if that's the case, what makes the difference between a genius and a dullard?
I immediately asked her about my thoughts.
"Then what is the difference between a genius and a dullard?"
Nodding her head, she replies.
"I believe that everyone is a genius in some aspect. Those we call geniuses have just found the field suitable for them. Everyone finds the field they are 'drawn to', and by developing it with will, they can become a master of that field. That, I believe, is what the world calls a 'genius'."
"Hmm..."
"Talent is, in a way, fate. So, it's not that 'talent' exists per se, but rather the fate one is drawn to exists. Yes, in a way, what the world calls talent might just be fate."
In other words, for her, talent is another name for fate.
'Fate...'
If what you're drawn to is your talent and your fate...
'What is my talent, my fate?'
It wasn't so much that I was drawn to martial arts from the beginning as much as I was resentful of being bullied and having my soap-making technique stolen during my 0th cycle, which led me to learn martial arts.
If being drawn to something is fate...
I still haven't felt a definitive pull that I can call my fate.
'...I don't know.'
I sigh, deciding to ponder slowly over my fate.
Then, I realize something.
"...By the way, Grand Elder Hong."
"What is it?"
"About my cave residence..."
"Ah...."
She looks at my cave residence, where the roof had flown off and the back wall had been completely blown out, and gives an awkward laugh.
A Cave Residence (洞府) refers to a cultivator's abode.
Typically, cultivators would dig caves in mountains, cliffs, or secluded places to cultivate for long periods, and caves located in areas with dense spiritual veins were highly sought after.
One of the benefits of joining a large sect is getting such a cave residence provided for free.
But now...
'My residence...'
As I gaze helplessly at my destroyed cave, Hong Su-ryeong floats into the air with an awkward smile.
"Ahem, ahem. Since it's come to this, I'll find and bring you a better cave residence."
"..."
"Just wait a few days. Then, I shall take my leave..."
Poof!
After finishing her sentence, she disappears using the Flying Escape Technique, leaving me so stunned I nearly laugh.
A month has passed.
There had been many ups and downs, and many events had occurred in that time.
And, I had more conversations with Hong Su-ryeong than I anticipated.
"What do you think is the essence of lightning, Senior Hong?"
"The essence of lightning..."
"I think of it as an instant."
"Hmm, I've had that thought too."
Surprisingly, I found that there was a lot I could learn from her, and she was practically acting as my master in place of Jin Hwi at the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
"However, if we delve deeper into the Dao of Lightning itself, the essence of lightning ultimately stems from the interchange between Yin and Yang. However… since Yin and Yang can also be interpreted as Heaven and Earth, if we consider that lightning is a power born instantaneously under Heaven and Earth, it can also be said to be instant."
"An instant between Heaven and Earth... it's similar to life itself."
"That's why, while practicing sword techniques, I often thought that a person's life is like lightning, struggling within Heaven and Earth and life and death, eventually fading away. From a higher perspective, a human's life might feel like a speck of dust or a fleeting moment."
"...I see."
"Lightning flows through all things in the Heavens and Earth and also through the human body. Thoughts occur through the exchange of electrical signals in the brain, and electricity is used when moving the body."
"That's right."
"It's no different for the demon race. They circulate Yin and Yang, and the weak lightning power born between them stimulates the brain, developing intelligence. In short, human actions, emotions, and reason are influenced by lightning."
"..."
"Therefore, lightning is not only a natural law but also 'the law of existence'."
'The law of existence...'
Maybe that's why from the third stage of Manifestation, it takes on the characteristics of Heavenly Tribulation.
'Existence...'
Crackle, crackle—
I spark lightning with the tip of my finger.
Over the past month.
I fully recovered the Heaven Tribe Nascent Soul stage cultivation.
Although I haven't yet regained the mid-Nascent Soul stage that I vaguely remember reaching in the 16th cycle, I feel that I will soon reach it as I am learning the Lightning Path Method infused with the power of Yang, so I'm not worried.
Now, I am in the process of learning the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture and the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple.
Crackle!
Green lightning dances at my fingertips.
It's the fourth stage of the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture.
Inside my dantian, I can feel the power of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple writhing.
Wo-woong, wo-woong!
I had successfully mastered up to the 6th star of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple, which consists of 12 stars in total.
'Isn't it said that it typically takes 40 years to reach the 6th star of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple at a normal cultivation speed?'
That was what I heard from Hong Su-ryeong regarding the 'normal' cultivation speed.
"Hmm, it's indeed the Sacred Lightning Body."
Of course, Hong Su-ryeong also knows that my quick progress of the Lightning Path Methods is due to my Lightning Sacred Body.
She looks at me with curious eyes, measuring my cultivation.
"No matter how I look at it, it seems more like you're recovering lost cultivation realms rather than that of normal cultivation… It's an unbelievable speed. Is this the power of a legendary physique..."
"...Well, isn't it?"
"Huhu, now I'm even more eager to replicate the Lightning Sacred Body."
"From my perspective, Senior Hong, wouldn't it be better to solidify the foundations of the techniques you've learned before trying to replicate the Sacred Lightning Body?"
"Quiet. What do you know to be giving me advice…"
Over the month, Hong Soo-ryeong and I had become close enough to engage in such casual conversations.
'Surprisingly, we get along well.'
She feels like a mix of Cheongmun Ryeong and Kim Young-hoon.
In terms of spells and Lightning Path Methods, she is like Cheongmun Ryeong.
When she duels with me using her sword techniques, she shows a side similar to Kim Young-hoon.
That's probably why I became comfortable with her so easily.
"...Well, let's stop here for today. Listening to you, I've been inspired. I need to kidnap some newbies and run some experiments."
"...Please ensure the experiments are moderate so as not to spread any strange rumors."
I advise her with an uneasy look.
However, she seems to have gotten some inspiration from our conversation and already entered her own world, muttering something to herself.
'It's good that she doesn't see me as an experimental subject...'
Through our conversations and her research on the Sacred Lightning Body, her goal to replicate it with her own hands seems to become even firmer.
Recently, there have been many rumors about her kidnapping new disciples from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, especially those from the Bright Cold Realm, for experiments in her research cave residence.
Of course, even though the new disciples might suffer, they either gain unique abilities or their cultivation improves without harm. Therefore, the elders don't really make a big issue out of it while they may talk.
I leave her cave residence and return to mine.
Feeling guilty about destroying my residence, Hong Su-ryeong had taken another spiritual mountain from Thunder Spirit Island and made it into my new cave residence.
Thanks to her, my abode is now much larger and the spiritual veins are more concentrated.
'Let's start today's training.'
I begin my cultivation in the lotus position inside my abode.
Hong Su-ryeong was amazed that I had reached the 6th star of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple in just over a month, thinking it was the power of the Lightning Sacred Body.
However,
Crackle, Crackle!
"Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea!"
A beautiful jade-like energy spreads around my body, crackling with lightning.
The Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple specializes in creating a Thunder Palace (雷宮) inside the dantian to enhance resistance to lightning and seek assistance from rituals. It is particularly adept at establishing dominion over the surrounding terrain.
The Thunder Palace mentioned here is more of a metaphor for the 64 hexagrams than an actual palace.
The inner and outer trigrams combine to form 64 hexagrams within the dantian.
Lightning power courses through the paths of these 64 hexagrams, gradually thickening.
Crackle, Crackle!
And at the center of these hexagrams grows a tree.
It is an immensely large tree.
In the Trigrams, Wood (木) represents Lightning (震).
The Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, which dominates the surroundings by laying down its wood property, matches very well with the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple that dominates the surroundings with its lightning property. Therefore, practicing the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea and the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple simultaneously greatly increases my cultivation speed.
Moreover, by embodying the flow of Yin and Yang through demon beast methods and amplifying the power of lightning within my body with the power of the Lightning Sacred Body my cultivation speed increases several-fold more.
The result of this amplified and further amplified cultivation speed is reaching the 6th Star of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple within a month.
Crackle, Crackle!
Around me, trees made of lightning begin to form a forest.
Inside the sea of lightning trees, I cultivate the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple at an incredible speed.
Thanks to the cultivation speed of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple, the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture is also growing rapidly.
Kurung, Kurung, Kururung!
Orange, yellow, and green lightning spews from my body, emitting three banners.
I wondered why there wasn't a red banner, but Hong Su-ryeong told me that red lightning is used for summoning the Heavenly Lightning Banner. Hence, there's no separate red banner.
Crackle, Crackle—
I enter a state of deep concentration surrounded by lightning.
Reaching the 6th Star of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple is an achievement of the late Core Formation stage but I only reported this accomplishment while keeping my entry into the Nascent Soul stage a secret.
And the response was explosive.
—Unbelievable!!!
—So this is the power of the Lightning Sacred Body!
—Indeed, the incarnation of lightning!
—Ancestor!!!
The memories of Jin Byuk-ho and the elders screaming in joy are still vivid.
Seven days later.
A ceremony to appoint me as an elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect was prepared.
Even though I had only shown the achievement of the late Core Formation stage to Jin Byuk-ho and the elders, they seemed ready to appoint me as an elder immediately.
'An elder in just a month…'
It was fine to show them my rapid progress up to the Grand Perfection Core Formation stage.
After all, for those from the Bright Cold Realm, reaching Core Formation is only a matter of time.
From the Nascent Soul stage onwards, enlightenment regarding planes is necessary, so it's okay if it takes a bit longer.
'Just the right level.'
I meld the power of the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea with the power of lightning, breaking through to the 7th Star of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple.
Crackle!
The lightning writhes inside me, rotating with the vigor of a dragon.
'For the remaining time, I'll just pretend to slowly enter the Nascent Soul stage and quickly break through to the mid-stage.'
I am confident I can swiftly pass through the late Nascent Soul and Core Formation stages, so I just need to manage the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul, which I lost my memory of in the 16th cycle.
Crackle...
After a while, I store the lightning and approach two beings practicing in a corner of my cave residence.
They are Yuan Yu and Hong Fan.
Crackle, Crackle!
Although I had received the Taiji Quaking Lighting Body, practicing a body-swapping technique like that sober is honestly quite awkward, so I eventually decided to pass it on to Yuan Yu.
For Yuan Yu who possesses a body that harmonizes Yin and Yang, the Taiji Quaking Lighting Body is the best choice. Yuan Yu's achievements with it are improving day by day.
Hong Fan is cultivating after awakening his name with the Sacrificial Name Spirit Stele Great Method.
Wo-woong—
When I handed over a Serpent Race method I purchased to Hong Fan, he quickly learned the method.
His achievements have already reached the mid-Qi Refining stage.
That is, he has reached the critical point of the 7th Star of Qi Refining.
Pop!
Suddenly, Hong Fan's abdomen, which had been quietly absorbing spiritual energy for cultivation, explodes.
I hurriedly infuse life force into Hong Fan.
Hong Fan's abdomen heals once again.
At some point, he writhes wildly and then suddenly sheds his shell.
It's the shedding according to the intricacies of the Serpent Race method.
After repeating the process of his body exploding and me infusing life force several times over a month, Hong Fan also reached the 7th Star of Qi Refining in a month.
Wriggle, wriggle...
Now as big as my forearm, Hong Fan rubs his head against my arm to show affection.
It seems he doesn't possess enough intelligence to articulate proper language yet, but he appears to realize that I am helping him.
'Grow well in this life too.'
After patting Hong Fan's head once, I return to my spot and unfold the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple again.
Kururung!
The lightning terrain is laid around me.
A method specialized in conducting rituals through the terrain.
That is the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple.
'Then, Yeon-ah…'
Crackle, Crackle...
I activate the connection to Kim Yeon that is linked through the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.
Then, through the power of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple, I transform my will into a signal and feed it into the connection with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.
Since Kim Yeon and I are unexpectedly far apart, direct communication through the Mysterious Bizarre Gu is impossible.
Therefore, it is only possible to convey my will to her by borrowing the power of the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple.
Of course, I haven't received a reply yet.
Unless she actively begins to learn the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and further activates the connection with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu through her consciousness, it will remain so.
For now, the best I can do is send her signals that can help with the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
'I hope it helps.'
Crackle...
After deactivating the Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple, I step outside my abode.
"Hello, Senior Seo."
Outside the cave residence, disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect greet me with looks of respect, and passing elders acknowledge me as well.
"Haha, Daoist Seo. Tomorrow is the day, isn't it?"
Then, an elder familiarly calls me Daoist Seo and settles next to me.
"Yes, it seems so."
I laugh and look at one of the pavilions of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
The Discipline Pavilion.
Inside, Jeon Myeong-hoon has been learning about the common knowledge, etiquette, language, basics, and so on of this world.
I heard his education will end tomorrow.
"Starting tomorrow, the attention towards Daoist Seo will fade a bit. Don't feel too sad about it. Hahaha! Isn't [He] the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, after all!"
"Yes, I understand."
From tomorrow, Jeon Myeong-hoon will finally begin to learn the basic methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
